NEW COURSES
DECONSTRUCTING RACE
Deconstructing Race course builds and extends the knowledge learned in English 3 and focuses on the study of reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening as outlined in the California Common Core State Standards. In this course, students will discuss, write, and engage in research about their origins, their identities, and the awareness of how race, racism, and anti-racism impact their lives. This course may be taken to satisfy the fourth year of English language requirement.
INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES
Introduction to Ethnic Studies course will examine the perspectives and experiences of the ethnic, racial and cultural groups in the United States and their struggles for equality and justice. Students will study the meaning of race, nationality, ethnicity and culture in American society and the roles of stereotypes, racism and prejudice. Students will gain an understanding of themselves and others through classroom activities, discussions, guest speakers, debates, research projects and personal reflection. This class is designed to build understanding, communication and cultural bridges and to strengthen our multicultural and multiethnic school and society.
AUHSD RACE & EQUITY CURRICULUM
Parents can find the Equity Modules under the Academy Cohort section on their dashboard by logging into the Parent Canvas account.
ADDING REPRESENTATION TO CURRICULUM
Staff are using innovative ways to add representation to Las Lomas curriculum.
Check out how a Foods class looks at equity in publishing in the assignment below!
NEW TEXT ADOPTIONS & BOOKS
​​
-
The LLHS English Department has focused on bringing new voices and narratives to the required curriculum at each grade level. Scroll through below to see some of the new adoptions.
-
Visit the LLHS Library Equity page here for more suggested readings and resources.
-
Borrow available e-books including How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi or White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo through Sora using your student school Google account OR by downloading the Sora app on your phone and using the school code: auhsd
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
MS. MIRANDA
​
A teacher at Las Lomas since 2007, Miranda has taught in both the World Language and English Language Development Departments, while also advising the Leadership class and a number of campus student groups like the Student EquiTeam. This year, Miranda is excited to be teaching the just-launched Introduction to Ethnic Studies course.
"Ethnic Studies is unlike any class I've ever taught. It has a ritual aspect to it that is very grounding and exciting. We start every class with a land acknowledgment honoring the native Bay Miwok (WC) and Ohlone (Martinez) people who originally owned this land and we also recite a poem together called "In Lak’Ech" about the Mayan concept of “You are my other me.” It is a nourishing reminder that we belong to each other and we are always striving to see ourselves in someone else. The students have been so open and willing to question what they’ve been taught and listen to multiple perspectives, especially from their POC classmates. They have inspired me to be vulnerable and they have reciprocated with their own experiences."
​
MS. HARVEY
After teaching US History chronologically for years, this year I decided to teach US History thematically, along with several of my colleagues. We really want the class to be relevant and meaningful to my students today, and a thematic approach allows us to take a deeper dive into topics that matter to them. Throughout each unit, current events are woven in so students can trace how our nation’s past has contributed to our present circumstances - how the history of Jim Crow segregation and redlining, for example, led to de facto segregation today in suburbs like Walnut Creek. The overarching course theme is Striving for Liberty and Equality, and the course examines topics such as the African American Freedom Movement, Immigration, Women and LGBTQ+ Rights, US Imperialism, and Economic Justice.
When teaching US History, it is always important to ask whose story is being told and who is doing the telling. We want our students to learn history through a variety of perspectives and through the voices of the people who lived it. In our African American Freedom Movement, it was important for us to show African Americans not just as victims of oppression, but we wanted to highlight the activism and agency many African Americans demonstrated throughout history. Students created a museum exhibit on figures such as David Walker, Ida B. Wells, and Marsha P. Johnson. History is the collection of so many different narratives, and I have been able to collaborate with families in the community to ensure their narrative is included in the course. I hope all of my students will be able to see themselves in the curriculum of this course and truly understand why their history matters.
