This article is an overview of Freshman English class. Below, English teacher, Ms. Newton talks about what the class will cover and what to expect.
Who are you?
My name is Jacqueline Newton. I am the Freshman English Language Arts teacher at Williamsburg High School for Architecture & Design. I was born in Georgetown, Guyana South America and now reside in Brooklyn, New York. I attended Brooklyn College (CUNY) where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication Arts & Sciences and my Master of Science Degree in Education with a concentration in Reading. I have been teaching at WHSAD as the Freshman ELA teacher for the past 12 years.
What is the Freshman English Curriculum like?
The freshman ELA curriculum is very broad. Students in their freshman year of English have the opportunity to develop listening and speaking skills. They are introduced to a higher level of reading and writing as they continue the process of improving grammar, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills, all of which are developed through the exposure and exploration of a variety of diverse texts and genres.
Pre and Post Covid-19:
Before the pandemic, in-class teaching was much easier than online teaching. Once students reported for class, it was only a matter of application and keeping students focused and interested in the class. When students began to wander, teachers were always there to bring them back. However, during the pandemic, we were all subjected to online or virtual teaching and learning which was very difficult and plagued with problems. For example, the problem of Wifi, and internet availability, obtaining devices, compounded with students being in lockdown, made for a very difficult time for teachers and students.
What is the level of difficulty in the class?
The expectations for this class are very high, with a substantial level of rigor. However, since this is not an AP or honors class, this course is not geared to fulfill the requirements of an AP or honors class. Nevertheless, students are required to meet certain standards of high expectations.
What test do students have to take at the end of the school year?
Since this is freshman English, and students are not required to take the English Regents until later, students are only required to take an end-of-year exam/ assessment which is patterned off the English Regents.
Students use a variety of programs to create a missing person poster after studying the Odyssey:
