English Department: Concrete, Critical and Creative Thinking

Focusing on a wide array of concrete, critical and creative thinking skills, the English department launched a Writing Lab initiative for all ninth grade classes. Setting as a goal of the Lab to enhance students’ writing, comprehension and thinking skills across the grade, the department has structured the groups so that every ninth grader will meet and learn from an English teacher other than his/her classroom teacher. For example, Mrs. Steinberg, who teaches only 12th grade English, taught a guest journalism unit in which freshmen wrote newspaper articles based on their summer reading, The Kite Runner. Freshmen taking the Lab the second half of the year will write articles based on the Shakespearean play they are studying in their English classes.

Innovative literary readings and assignments have dominated English classes this year. For example, Mr. Bruner and Mr. Pedroni’s ninth grade classes read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an entertaining detective story/murder mystery wrapped in a delightfully moving coming-of-age tale about Christopher Boone, a special-needs teenaged protagonist who makes the classic Hero’s Journey. In 10th grade Mr. Green’s classes are penning their own chilling tales of suspense in the style of Edgar Allen Poe as well as preparing for AP tests. Hilla S. ’13 found the Poe assignment particularly appealing. “It allowed for creativity, not just describing a story,” comments Hilla. “We mirrored Poe’s style and technique, and applied them to our own ideas.”

Eleventh grade AP students are currently delving into the new AP text, Literature and Composition, Reading, Writing, Thinking. Notes Mr. Bruner, English Department Chair, “Based on a thematic approach to literature, this text lays the groundwork for success on the AP test by teaching the essential skills for close reading, literary analysis and synthesis.”

Finally, teachers of seniors, including Mr. Schneider, Mr. Bruner, Mr. Green and Mrs. Steinberg are wrapping up the senior English classes with student presentations of the Senior Thesis papers. From October to January, the seniors delved into research on topics ranging from the reliability of standardized test scores in college admissions, to the effect of parent pressure on children’s emotional well-being, to internet privacy issues, to economic policies in the today’s recession. Teachers worked with students from the inception of the topic all the way through the final draft to make the Senior Thesis a meaningful culminating writing activity in the students’ high school academic career.

Adiva B. ‘12 examined standardized testing in education, which she believes are not a good portrayal of a student’s academic capabilities. She found the thesis project perfectly encapsulated her education at BT, incorporating so many of the facets learned throughout high school. “Grammar, sourcing, writing a research paper, persuasive writing – it’s a great way to leave BT,” observes Adiva, “to have one paper that summarized everything you’ve learned in English.”

Fellow senior Eyal G. found the thesis writing process helped him find his voice as a writer, especially after the focus on personal memoir style writing in the 12th grade English curriculum this year. “I was able to express myself in writing with the confidence I normally have in an oral presentation,” comments Eyal. He anticipates that this skill will serve him well over the coming years in college—and throughout life: “I learned to present my opinions in an informative and persuasive manner – that’s a good life skill.”

View samples of our talented students' writing in the Winter 2012 edition of Lit Light