10th Grade Humanities 

Letter of Introduction

Latin America Project: Fall 2026

Art, Resistance and Independence in Latin America 

Project Description:

Latin America has long been known for having a vibrant culture of political art, music, and dance. However, in 2026 Latin American artists reached a new level of global popularity, exemplified by the meteoric rise of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny. His Super Bowl Halftime Show broke records with 128.2 million US viewers and 4.157 billion global viewers. His music is not just popular, but also highly political. It also sends strong messages about Puerto Rican history and contemporary issues through its lyrics, musicality, music videos, and performances. 

Using Bad Bunny as a jumping off point, we will explore the history of the Puerto Rico's people, cultures, politics, resistance movements and colonial status. We will do this through an exploration of Puerto Rico's musical history, to show the connection between art, culture, and resistance. In addition, students will learn about the history of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic through reading In the Time of the Butterflies. We will use our studies of PR and DR history as an opportunity to explore the legacy of colonialism, diverse approaches to nation-building and the role of art, music, and literature as a tool of resistance. 

Students will then launch into their own research of a Latin American country of their choosing. They will research and write an "Art Analysis Essay" focused on a musical artist in their country making political music. For our exhibition, students will make an art piece of themselves, which could be music, dance, or physical art, highlighting what they have learned over the project. This project also aims to deepen students' understandings of the world around us and view themselves as global citizens.

Enduring Understandings: 

1. The past shapes our present and understanding it more deeply can allow us to build the future we want to see in the world 

2. Art is a powerful tool that can be used to spark social change, resist oppression and to express the complexities of the human experience

Essential Questions:

1. What is the role of political art, music and literature in telling the stories of a nation? 

2. What are the past and ongoing consequences of colonialism? 

3. How do communities define and fight for independence, freedom and nationhood? 

Model United Nations Project: Winter 2027

Project Description 

Since its creation after World War II, the United Nations has always been a lightning rod for criticism and for hope.  Criticized by many for being bureaucratic and ineffective, the fact remains that the UN is one of the only truly global institutions we have that is focused on trying to make the world a better place. In this project, you will take on the roles of individual nations to try to solve some of the world's most current and pressing issues through the United Nations.  You will be tasked with taking on the perspective of your nation and advocating for its interests, while also attempting to pass real and lasting resolutions that will lead to a more just and peaceful world.  This will require building solid research skills, public speaking and written communication skills, and negotiation skills.  The world is full of problems, and we want you to be the kind of people who seek to solve them.

Enduring Understanding:

Geopolitical dynamics hold intense complexity and, although the UN is a powerful force, it remains a challenge to solve major global issues in a diplomatic way.

Essential Questions:

1. What role does the United Nations play in the world?

2. How can we solve seemingly intractable international problems?

3. What skills are necessary to engage in successful international diplomacy?

Energy Project: Spring 2027

Project Description

 The climate crisis is the defining issue of our lifetimes. At the heart of this conversation around environmental devastation, global warming and human consumption is the energy we use to power our world. We are in the midst of a great energy transition, with the world agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels and “reduce global emissions by 43% by the end of 2030” (UN, 2023). However, all of our energy choices come with a cost, both to people and the environment. Additionally, the statistics tell us that the most marginalized communities in our world, who consume the least, often disproportionately bear the brunt of these impacts. 

For this project, we will exploring the rich topic of energy in all of your core classes. In Humanities we will be exploring the impacts of our energy choices and ideas to create a more just and sustainable energy future. Then, we will create an exhibition showing what we have learned. 

Enduring Understanding  

An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to learning and communication can offer insight into solutions to our most complex world problems 

Essential Questions: 

1. What are the social, economic and environmental impacts of our energy choices? 

2. How might we build a future that can power our world in a just and sustainable way?