Updated Class Descriptions, September-October 2022

Advocacy for Neurodiverse/Neurodiverse Allied Individuals
So far in class this term we've structured that class by having a topic question where students have an opportunity to share their own thoughts, I've also utilized various print and media sources to inform discussions around topics such as emotional regulation/DBT skills, self care, and advocating for your specific needs/accommodations in a variety of settings.

ASL Study Group
Every week, I pull up a lesson from Dr. Bill Vicars Lifeprint website and practice a lesson with the members of the class. The lesson is presented on the TV for all members to see and the website Lifeprint and Bill Vicars are shown as the expert of the language. We have done lessons 1-4 for the vocabulary and sentence structure so far. Ways in which we practice are going around the room with me using ASL individually to each student present so everyone can get a chance to see/use ASL. There will be quite a few shifts taken in this class. Soon, we as a class will be discussing ways in which we can do some fundraising to find a Deaf teacher for the class. We will also be discussing the most respectful ways in which the class can be run, how best to be an ally, and advocating for the Deaf community.

Banned Queer Book Club
Every year I hold a book club here at North Star. This year we have been discussing books that have been banned and why. While a few of the books we have chosen aren’t banned, the class has decided that they feel due to the themes of the novel (BIPOC characters, Queer characters, etc.), it would be highly likely for them to become banned and we even create discussions around the constant themes in books that are banned. So far, we have read Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron, Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, and our next book will be Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. I am excited to hear which books will be read next in class as nothing has been chosen after this book.

Body Modifications in Different Cultural Contexts
In our class Body Modifications in Different Cultural Contexts, we have so far discussed the definitions and history of body modification, and have covered body painting and artificial cranial modification. In connection with these subjects, our discussions have also touched on cultural appropriation, cultural relativism, colonialism, archaeology, and human development.

Bread
We have been meeting weekly on Zoom, alternating quick breads and yeast breads. So far the breads we have made include Basic Sandwich Bread, Pumpkin Bread, Olive Oil Zucchini Bread, English Muffin Bread, Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread with Apple Cider Glaze, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread, Sage Cornbread, and Flaky Honey Brioche Bread.

Computer Programming
In Computer Programming, we have been learning how to make simple games with Javascript. We have learned how to draw graphics to the screen, move objects with keyboard input, and implement physics.

Creative Writing
The group has started off slow but steady, with group size and makeup often fluctuating from week to week. We've been able to build a regular routine that seems to work for everyone: at the beginning of class, I'll present a short reading (usually a poem, but not always) and we'll share our thoughts on the piece. Then, I offer a writing prompt or suggestion inspired by that week's reading. Participants are free to ignore the prompt and work on their projects if they wish. Then we do a half hour of quiet in-class writing together, and the remainder of the class time is given to anyone who wants to share their work and receive feedback from the rest of the group. When a piece is shared, everyone is required to say something about it, even if all they can muster is a one-word reaction to the piece. Sharing work is not required, but is strongly encouraged, and those who choose not to share are invited instead to talk about their writing experience with the group. This has really helped to make the class feel like a community, and it's been great watching people get more comfortable with speaking up as the class continues.

Desserts/Sweets and Treats
The kitchen at First Congregational Church in Sunderland is working out wonderfully as an open, clean and well-supplied workspace for our experiments with dessert-making. So far we have made Peach Upside Down Skillet Cake, Concord Grape Crumb Cake, Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Pudding, Chocolate Sandwich Cookies with Peanut Butter Filling and Chocolate Ganache, Candy Apples, Apple Cider Donuts, and Apple Cider-Caramel Dumplings.

Electronics
In Electronics, we have learned the basics of the Arduino microcontroller. We have used the Arduino to control lights, motors and computer graphics . We have also used sensors with the Arduino, including: light, motion and sonar.

Film Analysis
So far in this class this term, we have watched two films Kiki's Delivery Service and Stardust and held informal group discussions to talk about potential themes that came up, we talked about how music influences the tone and emotional resonance of a film, and we discussed how well these films help bring the viewer into the worlds of the film.

Garden Club
We have been maintaining the pollinator garden last year’s science class planted. We have been weeding and deadheading the perennials. We planted bulbs for the spring—crocus, allium, and hyacinths. We also purchased and planted two asters.

Hands-on Math
This class is meant to be a fun, challenging, and hands-on exploration of math. We started by looking at various measurement systems and what they are based on. We practiced unit conversions on paper and practically with rulers, thermometers, etc. Next we moved on to ratios and their various uses such as in comparisons or scaling.

Hiking Group
The weather has mostly been on our side this fall, and we’ve seen some beautiful foliage. We have hiked so far at Sugarloaf Mountain, Buffam Falls, Rattlesnake Gutter, Mt. Warner, and Mt. Toby.

Homebrewery
This class has been a really wonderful collaboration class! Dungeons and Dragons is filled with classes, species, magic items, and more. The term “Homebrew” is also in D&D and simply put as a way to create your own pieces within the entire roleplaying system. As a class, we have created a brand new monster, a new mundane weapon, and are currently working on our very own subclass in Cleric. This class helps with expanding creativity, having the imagination come to life in a fantasy world, problem solve, and learning together how best to organize in collaborative work. I will be excited to see what else they create as a group.

Lethal Ethel
In Lethal Ethel we are doing a Dead Kennedys song, a Ramones song, and one other TBD. In this second version of Band class the music is heavier and really focussed on the boldness of the punk rock attitude. In addition to learning songs for the variety show (much like the North Star Band), we have been doing a lot of jamming and exploring sounds with heavy bass and distorted guitars.

Let's Build a World
Things have gotten off to a great start! As a group, we laid out the basics of what we wanted to see in a fantasy world, and we settled on something a little different from traditional medieval fantasy. We've spent a lot of time developing our main country and the complex magic system that the ruling elite use. We recently worked to flesh out an opposing country with an anarchic, industrialist flair, and we've just started to think about the magically-desolated no man's land between the two nations. Everyone has been great about offering up ideas and building off of everyone else's contributions. The next step: actually naming everything!

Liberated Learners
What makes North Star unique? We’ve watched TED Talks from Ken and Joel Hammon. Now we’re watching a drama about Summerhill, one of the original inspirations for self-directed learning and democratic schools. We have also looked at the map to see other centers in the Liberated Learners network, and we’ll be reaching out to connect with staff and students at these other programs.

North Star Band
In North Star Band we have currently chosen a setlist with songs to nail down, many of them by one Band member. Another member has also brought in songs and I hope those get to happen as well. Two members have a particular interest in punk and have formed a separate group so that we would have time to focus on more songs during band time that included more people. Overall, attendance and ideas in this group are solidifying more and more as time goes on. In the most recent class, where we played through three songs, everyone was paying attention to their own dynamics and musicality in a way that I felt had grown so much from even just a few weeks ago. Next we will rehearse our sets and work more on dynamics, arrangements, harmonies, and learning the rest of the parts in the songs.

Music
We started the class discussing tone and the origin of harmony. We've continued with examining basic scales and the development of chords.

Restorative Practices
This class has used a lecture series by Ted Wachtel, Founder and former president of the International Institute for Restorative Practices, as a curriculum. Topics have ranged from inclusive, horizontal social and organizational structures, to restorative justice, restorative practices in schools, and family group conferencing for families in need.

Science: Matter & Motion
We’ve been studying atoms, molecules, bonds, and reactions. We started with water, exploring surface tension, breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen gas using electricity, and defining and calculating density. Next we decomposed hydrogen peroxide and compared its molecular structure to water. We also studied the development of the periodic table and how its structure gives us useful information about how atoms interact. Recently we started looking at more complex compounds, decomposing baking soda using heat. We will begin studying reactions and stoichiometry (balancing chemical equations) next.

The Scientific Revolution
This class has begun with a focus on Copernicus and astronomy, contrasting his discoveries to the ancient Ptolemaic system. We've also looked at the role magic played in the scientific revolution and are beginning to turn our attention to Kepler, Galileo and later figures.

Self-Directed Math
Members of this class are working on their own math curricula. Some teens have textbooks or online programs they are already using. Others have been directed to free resources such as MathisFun.com, Kuta free worksheets, Saddleback Community College math classes, and Desmos.com.

Service Trip to Washington, DC
Our group has come together and everyone has taken on responsibilities for planning the trip, such as lining up volunteer opportunities, finding lodging, setting up meetings with Congressional reps, etc. We have also done some chores as a group to raise funds, and are pursuing other fundraising projects as well.

Social Issues
Each week we discuss one topic in some depth, and then review some weekly headlines in the news. Primary topics have included Supreme Court cases regarding affirmative action, the Arkansas transgender rights case, the war in Ukraine, the mid-term elections, medical abortion and abortion law, Alex Jones and liability for fake news, immigration, and the January 6th hearings, among others.

Volunteering at Amherst Survival Center
Our regular team of volunteers has developed weekly routines. We mainly work in the outside, fresh food distribution area. We receive a van load of donations from Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Big Y, etc. We sort the baked goods, vegetables, fruit, and pantry items by category, check everything for quality, and display them nicely on the shelves for clients to “shop” later. On the days we work, the Survival Center has been distributing the fresh food we sort to an average of 125-135 people!