More information on Core Classes

There have been some questions about the Core Classes for next year. I am posting an outline of how a typical day for each level class will go throughout the year. If you have any questions about the classes, please contact Amy Richert or Carol Burke. We'll be happy to answer any questions. Book lists for these classes will be posted this summer--so please check back here from time to time.

Typical Day 9-12^th Core class (2 hour class)

1^st half hour: Great books discussion: oral question and answer session regarding the current book we are reading in class/possible written or oral quiz, but mostly discussion

2^nd half hour: Composition instruction: Writing instruction and critique of ongoing assigned work/grammar work/editing

10 min break for bathroom/water, etc.

20 minutes: History lecture and discussion (time period will correspond with time period of Great Book being discussed).

30 Minutes: Class participation/history. May be group reading, project work, interpretation of material read, question and answer time, student-led discussion, student demonstrations, etc.

Typical Day 5th-8th Core class (2 hour class)

30 minutes--discussion of previous week reading, timeline entries, and outlines; writing instruction as related to current projects

20 minutes--discussion and/or hands-on activity related to lessons

10 minute break

15 minutes-map work, geography discussion

15 minutes-history lecture and discussion

30 minutes-group reading or project work, questions, presentations by students

Typical Day 1st-4th Core class (90 minute class)

15 minutes--oral questions and answers about previous week's assignments

15 minutes--work as small groups or all together to write a narration about one aspect of previous week's reading (teacher will write on board, students copy)

10 minutes--illustrate narrations

5 minute break

35 minutes--hands on project or activity related to current reading

10 minutes--timeline work, short oral presentations by students, etc.