For the past decade, Sara Magalli, VPHS English teacher and Emily Krumm, VPHS Social Studies teacher have had the opportunity to work alongside one another. Sara explained, "Emily shares her experiences and insights from teaching AP Government (AP Gov), where students engage deeply with the intricacies of American politics, analyzing how and why political systems function the way they do. Recently, we’ve realized that the work done in AP Gov aligns closely with what I teach in AP Language and Composition (AP Lang). AP Lang focuses on analyzing how writers and speakers make decisions based on the rhetorical situation. Students learn to produce various forms of analysis, from rhetorical to argumentative and synthesis essays. This overlap has opened up exciting possibilities for collaboration between our classes."
Mrs. Magalli and Mrs. Krumm observed how naturally their subjects complement each other. For example, when Mrs. Krumm guided her students through an analysis of the Presidential Debate from a policy perspective, Mrs. Magalli simultaneously had her students analyze the same debate for evidence and audience engagement. This dual approach led to a richer understanding for their students, who were able to see the debate through both a political and rhetorical lens, resulting in high-level critical thinking.
"Sara is an exceptional collaborator, and I greatly credit her for not only mastering the AP Government curriculum but also embedding additional support into her classes. Her efforts have made a significant impact, and I am truly appreciative of her dedication. I've seen firsthand how students are now more adept at using the skills and content from AP Lang to enhance their growth in AP Government. While my focus remains on policy, Sara's ability to deepen their analytical skills brings an added dimension to their learning. Our work on the presidential debate analysis became an important catalyst for ongoing collaboration, allowing students to examine policy while also exploring the broader factors that influence voters and politicians beyond the realm of policy," stated Mrs. Krumm.
Beyond debate analysis, their collaboration has extended to other assignments. Recently, Mrs. Krumm tasked her AP Gov students with a Federalism argumentative research paper, while Mrs. Magalli guided them on using "power verbs" to sharpen their arguments. This kind of cross-curricular support has proven effective, and as they dive deeper into the topic of argumentation later in the year, they are working to align their teaching strategies even more closely. Some of the topics include; Chevron deference, various constitutional clauses and provisions, the use of federal grants, implementation of policy in red versus blue states, and many more. "The thorough analysis these students have been doing is impressive. I’ve heard detailed and accurate explanations of all these topics and more," stated Mrs. Krumm.
Their upcoming units further demonstrate the integration between the two courses. Mrs. Krumm's students will be exploring the branches of government, with a focus on the checks and balances that maintain the structure of the U.S. government. At the same time, Mrs. Magalli's students will be reading "The Crucible", a play that illustrates the consequences of unchecked power. This parallel will allow students to see the real-world impact of political systems through literature, reinforcing concepts in both classes.
By blending their expertise in AP Gov and AP Lang, these teachers are providing students with a more comprehensive understanding of how rhetoric and policy intersect. This collaboration encourages students to think critically from multiple perspectives, helping them become more thoughtful critics of both language and politics. Mrs. Magalli stated, "It’s a challenging yet rewarding collaboration, and we’re excited to see where it takes our students this year."
Check out the hard working students by clicking the photo.