Inquiring Minds: In this final project for the first semester, MAP 9 students came up with a question based on the nonfiction book they chose to read, conducted research related to it, and assembled a presentation for their class. Project types included TedTalks, videos, infographics, and animations. The freshmen sometimes worked with older MAP mentors who helped them with programs such as Adobe Animate and Premiere. It was a great across-grade collaboration that allowed older students to share their knowledge with younger students as they began their MAP journey.

House on Mango Street Vignette Website. Freshmen wrote three original vignettes and then presented them in the form of a website with photos they took themselves. The vignettes gave students the chance to practice creative writing and photography skills they learned while reading the Sandra Cisneros novella.

Of Mice and Men: The freshmen began their study of the John Steinbeck novel in early January and will be writing their first full literary essay at the end of the unit. In April, they will go on a field trip to Salinas to visit the Steinbeck Museum and spend time at a demonstration farm.