In an “Introduction to Rhetoric” unit, Seniors at WHEELS studied various commencement and convocation speeches and wrote rhetorical analysis essays around the essential question, “How can words compel action?” Then, using a newly acquired rhetorical toolkit, students crafted motivational speeches for incoming ninth grade students at WHEELS.
AP English Literature students compiled a journal of commentary and fiction focused on the dystopia genre. Students read classics such as Brave New World, Harrison Bergeron, and Animal Farm.
Students were engaged with the guiding question, “Where are all our frogs?”. Our local frog species have been declining due to an influx of poisonous cane toads. After being introduced into Australia, cane toads had no natural predators and are now a major threat to native animals.
I am the fifth grade teacher at Odyssey School of Denver. I have 27 learners in my Crew, with a wide range of reading abilities, interests, and experiences.
