Humanities is a History and English class taught by Ms. Small. Beginning the year by focusing on our summer reading book Walden, skits are prepared and later performed at Bournedale. After, we delve into the history behind the education system, read and write satirical pieces, and write bi-weekly journals that include local, national, and international news. Students can gain a new perspective and insight into real-world issues through the various discussions incorporated into the class.
Stemming from our summer reading of the book Walden by Henry David Thoreau, we were put into groups to write and perform a skit. These skits which were performed at the infamous Bournedale almost a month later, students were split into groups of four and given the creative freedom to develop a skit based on their comprehension of the novel. My group included Kruthi Gundu, Max Grisanti, and Justin Keyo. Showcasing the creativity and humor of our classmates, this bonding experience allowed us to not only become closer to one another but also dive deeper into what Thoreau was trying to say. Inspired by the film Back to The Future, my group created a Walden-themed spin-off in which he time travels and has to experience life in New York City.
In both A and B terms, we read several pieces of writing ranging from poems to articles, revolving around the education system and its structure. Opening our eyes to the stereotypes that we unconsciously have, as well as giving us insight into the world through a variety of different people's lives, Ms. Small had us write an essay about a topic pertaining to the education system. This was the first essay we wrote for her class and allowed us to experiment with different writing styles and structures in comparison to what we may have been familiar with. My essay was on the emphasis of vocational learning, and how its emphasis should not be more than that of traditional subjects.