Inquiring Minds Podcasts
The MAP 9 students immerse themselves in a unit in which they learned the art of podcasting, learning effective storytelling techniques to engage an audience and gaining the technical audio skills necessary to produce one. They then choose topics for their own podcasts, read a nonfiction book on the topic, and researched additional articles from library databases so that they were well-prepared to speak on their subject. They put it all togther by creating their podcast, and the final results are fantastic!
Persepolis
MAP 9 students read the award-winning graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, detailing her experience of growing up during the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath. It is a work of literary and historical significance, one that demonstrates just how thoughtful and serious the art of a graphic novel can be. This unit gives MAP 9 students the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of visual storytelling and to analyze how it is employed in other settings such as in advertisements and propaganda. At the end of the unit, students create their own graphic novel vignette using the techniques they learned.
Students visit the Steinbeck Center in Salinas to learn about John Steinbeck's works and connections to the area. In addition to visiting the museum, students take a history walking tour of Old Town Salinas.
The trip wraps up with a visit to a local organic farm to learn how local fruits and vegetables get to our tables.