Bowe School

Course Overview

What is my eighth-grade student learning about?

Wit and Wisdom is our English Language Arts curriculum.  It builds knowledge of key topics in history, science, and literature through the study of excellent texts.  By reading and responding to stories and nonfiction texts, we will build knowledge of the following topics:

Module 1: The Poetics and Power of Storytelling

Module 2: The Great War

Module 3: What Is Love?

Module 4:  Teens as Change Agents

Our class will read the following:

• The Crossover, Kwame Alexander
• All Quiet On The Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque
• A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, Phillip Hoose

In the first module, The Poetics and Power of Storytelling, students will study how we build community, understand ourselves, and explain the world around us using stories and poems.  They will read a novel and poetry and ask the question: What is the power of storytelling?

Questions to ask at home?

As your eighth-grade student reads, ask:

What do you notice and wonder about the story?

Ideas For Discussing The Power Of Storytelling:

You can talk about storytelling at any time, anywhere. Ask:

• What's your favorite story? Why?
• Tell me a story you remember from your childhood.
• Share a story with your eighth grader about your childhood.