Keystone Magazine 3rd Issue | Page 25

teaching and integrated learning provides students with a richer, more coherent view of China’s place in world history. Capstone Project With each successive year, students’ understanding of China expands. By the last year of middle school – grade 10 – students are ready to undertake an in-depth independent study on a compelling aspect of China’s cultural history or traditional arts. This is a capstone project. Students combine intensive study with experiential learning under the guidance of teacher-mentors, culminating with a presentation of their independent work to the school community. Keystone Academy published two volumes of the students’ works in Chinese. Given the opportunity to develop their own questions and follow their own routes of investigation and practice, students earn a well-deserved sense of accomplishment and pride as they strive for excellence in an area of their own choosing. Presentations may take a number of forms including portfolios, essays, exhibitions, screenings, concerts or performances. A student may choose to explore a historical question regarding significant figures, or independent scholarship and research can serve as the basis of a student essay, graphic novel or short film about the topic. A student could also create a wushu form for demonstration, or a series of calligraphy works for exhibition. Alternatively, a student may compose a musical piece on the ruan, the guqin or the pipa guzheng and prepare a concert for the community. This culminating project engages students in the passion for learning, and gives them the platform to showcase their individual creative achievements. The Chinese Thread in High School history. The China and the World curriculum is anchored in a cultural history that is both chronological and thematically integrated as it explores different eras and transformations. We have designed a curriculum that aligns the content and concepts of World !