English department adapts to individual novels approach
March 17, 2008
By: Vannie Yu <vyu@hilite.org>
The English department’s textbook adoption year comes to a close on April 15 when the committee meets to make final recommendations of curriculum and materials for next year. Although textbooks and literature are all in draft currently, the shift in focus to individual books is clear.
According to English department chairperson Jason Gallman, new curriculum centers on preparing students’ critical reading and thinking skills. Students are not the only people who will benefit. He said that through focusing on an individual novels approach, teachers can better “differentiate” students’ reading abilities by matching up what levels they are on.
Gallman said that the department would like to give students the opportunity to buy their own novels to write in. “Most research talks about the benefits of letting kids choose what they want to read,” he said.
Junior Navya Kumar, who currently takes AP English literature/composition and plans to enroll in IU advanced composition next year, said that she prefers the individual novels approach. “I like (the new approach) better since I don’t have to carry a big textbook home when we only get 20 pages of it assigned.”
Gallman added that there are requirement changes in English. “Basically, teachers choose from a list of possibilities to instruct from,” he said. Certain courses such as Speech 1 will still utilize traditional textbooks. However, the curriculum for English 9 and English 10 will especially move toward novels instead of extensive anthology works.
For students like Kumar, the benefits of an individual novels approach lend more interest to the classroom. “You get the encompassing concept from a novel,” she said. “You feel like you have a better touch with what the novel is about instead of the last few pages.”
Social studies department sets ’50s Day event for next month
March 17, 2008
By: Michaelene Werth <mwerth@hilite.org>
’50s Day will take place on April 2 and 3 in the Freshman Cafeteria.
“’50s Day is a chance for students to get a feel for the 1950s in America,” said Katie Gray, a coordinator of the event and social studies teacher. “It gives the kids a chance to really experience the ’50s, not just talk about it.”
This year ’50s Day will feature activities such as a jell-O bake off, graffiti wall, dance instructions and a discussion about McDonalds.
“I’m very excited. I’m going to dress up,” said junior Anita Rogers. “I want to see how many people dress up and go over the top with it.”
’50s Day has only been taking place for the last few years here. It first started when a change in the curriculum forced department teachers to eventually discontinue the previously practiced Black Powder Day.
“Kids should be prepared to participate in contests and also get a little out of their comfort zone for a day,” Gray said.
Key Club paints mural, assists in Lion’s Club pancake breakfast
March 17, 2008
By: Renny Logan <rlogan@hilite.org>
For the month of March, Key Club certainly has a full agenda. Between elementary school carnivals and painting murals, members will have their hands full.
According to Tianyi Zhang, Key Club president and senior, Key Club will be helping Eli Lilly by painting a mural downtown. “The Eli (project) is one of the biggest outdoor events. It’s a great time for group bonding,” said Zhang.
The event will take place on Saturday, March 22. Tomorrow, Key Club plans to help Lion’s Club serve the pancake breakfast. Also on this Saturday, Key Club is scheduled to help Forest Dale with their carnival.
Students audition for placement into next year’s concert bands
March 17, 2008
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Freshmen Katelynn “Katie” Wurtz and Kara Blewett practice their saxophones before their auditions for the concert band in the 2008-09 year. All underclassmen musicians in band participated in the four-day-long audition. “I have been practicing every night for at least half an hour while my sister counts the measures,” Blewett said.
French IV students prepare to attend field trip next Thursday
March 17, 2008
KALEIDOSCOPE OF CULTURE French teacher Andrea Yocum explains to Rachel Byam, French IV student and junior, the details of the next class field trip. To further understand French music and culture, French IV students will attend a matinee production by the Dance Kaleidoscope at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in downtown Indianapolis. The trip will take place next Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Rising Stars members to compete at Indiana Thespian Convention today, tomorrow
March 17, 2008
By: Hera Ashraf <hashraf@hilite.org>
Today, tomorrow and Sunday, Rising Stars members will head to the University of Indianapolis for the Indiana Thespian Convention.
About 30 students from this school will be attending the Thespian Convention, according to club sponsor Jim Peterson. The members have been preparing for the convention for several months and will participate in many different categories.
“Some will be competing for scholarships. Some will be competing in individual events like monologues, solo musical, duet humorous, etc. Many will perform the 30-minute cutting of ‘The Secret Garden.’ Some will be competing in technical design while others will be performing in the tech Olympics,” Peterson said.
Sarah Donaldson, Thespian participant and junior, said members participating in the conference are not only actors and performers. She said the Thespian Convention has various sections for crew members as well.
“All students who attend have to be either in the cutting or already a Thespian. Thespians are not just actors though…there are also numerous technical categories,” Donaldson said. “I think people sometimes forget that we have an award winning technical group at our school who are all Thespians. Elements varying from theatre design to lighting are all judged along with performance categories.”
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