Humanities

The study of English, Chinese, and history is integrated as much as possible in the Fei Tian middle school curriculum. Teachers use literature to enhance and extend their history curriculum and select history related literature materials for language arts classes.

History

The history program broadens student perspectives by providing a firm foundation in the basic themes of a diverse range of civilizations, cultures, and countries. Teachers approach the study of these cultures through the use of essential questions that encourage students to think critically about issues of importance in history, literature, and their own lives. Students are encouraged to formulate and express individual opinions. They will develop skills to understand geography and time lines and dates, recognize cause and effect relationships, summarize readings, compare and contrast, and discuss and synthesize information from various sources.

English

In the English program, students are exposed to a wide variety of literary genres including novels, short stories, poetry, and plays. Literature discussions and readings of selected passages happen at each grade level. Attention is paid to vocabulary development, literal and inferential comprehension, the drawing of valid conclusions based on evidence, and the identification of literary devices.

Developing sound writing skills is a major goal of the English curriculum. At each grade level different forms of composition such as persuasive essays, autobiographical essays, personal experience narratives, analytical papers, thesis papers, and research papers are taught. Attention is paid to the development of an appropriate and descriptive vocabulary, correct spelling, proper use of literary devices, styles, and mechanics, as well as skills in oral presentation and research.

Chinese

The Chinese program at Fei Tian is provided on three levels, ranging from basic reading and speaking of Chinese as a new language to Chinese language arts similar to the English language arts described above. Students are placed at an appropriate level according to their prior exposure and proficiency in the Chinese language.

Basic level: This is an introduction to Chinese language and culture. The emphasis is on training students to listen, speak and understand Chinese. Writing, reading, and other important language skills are also taught so that students begin to have a working knowledge of Chinese. Students watch videos, listen to music, and examine artwork in Chinese in order to broaden the base of their understanding of cultural diversity.

Intermediate level: The course at this level further develops students’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Students enhance their proficiency and gain an awareness and appreciation of various aspects of Chinese culture. The language experience is enriched by supplementary materials including videos, newspapers and magazines, songs and dances, along with computer software and the Internet.

Advanced level: The course at this level focuses on studying the various genres of classic Chinese literature, as well as developing creative writing skills in Chinese.

Basic and intermediate level Chinese is offered to middle school students. Intermediate and advanced level Chinese is offered to high school students.

Sixth Grade Humanities

The sixth grade humanities curriculum is a cross-disciplinary program that incorporates English, Chinese, and social studies. Interdisciplinary projects are co-planned with science and dance teachers.

The social studies program studies ancient civilizations, including China, Egypt and Greece. It aims to introduce students to methods of inquiry that can be applied broadly beyond the study of ancient civilizations. We expect students to reflect on their own cultures and find similarities and differences between societies, both ancient and contemporary.

In studying ancient civilizations, students learn how these early societies adapted to and learned to control their physical environments; how their religious ideas, forms of government, understanding of natural events, arts, and literature reveal their values and beliefs as a people; and how each civilization developed new ideas in technology, science, architecture, and government.

For English, in addition to the readings related to the social studies curriculum, students will explore a selection of literature that focuses on characters emerging from childhood into adolescence and assimilating to independence and the responsibilities of increased autonomy. Students respond to these readings in various ways including discussion, reading responses, book reports, and the composition of dialogue and original sequels.

Different writing forms are explored in the context of personal reflection, social studies, and literature. Students use different forms of expository and creative writing, including short answers and essays that probe comprehension, stories and myths, descriptive writing, persuasive paragraphs, letter and journal writing, composing from another’s perspective, and research projects. Students are expected to revise their writing when necessary and correct grammatical and spelling errors.

Seventh Grade Humanities

Seventh graders study the development and spread of civilizations throughout the Middle Ages including the Renaissance. Students study Medieval Europe, the Dynasties of China, and the Empires of Africa, as the societies pass from more segmented village life into more formalized, empirical societies. A special emphasis is placed on the development of art, literature, and philosophy in the Renaissance period, and the social and cultural growth in the Chinese Tang Dynasty.

Through the use of texts, primary sources, literature, field trips, writing assignments, art projects, and both individual and group research, students will develop their understanding of these particular times in history, as well as historical and social processes in general. They will also further hone the skills required to complete research, work with others, use evidence to support an idea, and put together the puzzle of history analytically.

The literature program is a significant component of the humanities curriculum at this level. Through readings, discussion, and writing, students will develop their abilities as literary thinkers. In addition to the literature reading for the Middle Ages curriculum, students will also create a comprehensive reading portfolio of their independent reading. Students discuss the use of many literary techniques such as character development, setting, narrative voice, theme, and motif.

Writing is an integral part of the curriculum, and students work with different writing formats: persuasive essays, five-paragraph thesis papers, poetry, journals, and research. Each student works to develop the ability to present an argument or idea and support it with evidence, to express him or herself creatively, and to organize a research paper. The class studies different writing devices such as imagery and metaphor, works on grammar and vocabulary, and develops research and organization skills with a focus on note taking. Students will write several papers and complete three major research projects.

Eighth Grade Humanities

The curriculum focuses on the history of the Americas beginning with a study of two indigenous populations: the Maya and the Iroquois. Students then study the impact of European exploration and colonization, eventually focusing on the founding of the United States. The year brings students through to the American Civil War. A social historical approach recognizes the connection between world events and individual experiences as students examine the foundations of governance in diverse cultures.

Eighth grade English is integrated with history and explores issues of class, race, and gender and their effects on one’s identity. The course includes a poetry unit, a short story unit, and novels read in literature circles. Students examine various literary devices such as theme, point-of-view, character development, symbolism, form, and imagery. Vocabulary usage and study take place in the context of the literature reading.

Through various written assignments and exercises, students practice grammar and the mechanics of writing. Students follow the writing process, which includes brainstorming, outlining, drafting, editing, and revising for a variety of purposes and audiences. Writing assignments may be analytical, narrative, or creative.