Humanities
At ABHS we approach the Language Arts and Social Studies as an integrated inquiry. We encourage students to think critically about complex moral, social and political issues and to examine their own values and attitudes as individuals in a global society. Our hope is that ABHS graduates become active and well-informed citizens and community members. To this end, the faculty embraces Facing History and Ourselves.
A tenet of the Humanities curriculum is that “less is more.” Our belief is that depth is more important than coverage. Courses are not designed as surveys of American or World History. Studying American History, for example, students spend several weeks on a topic, exploring it in great depth. It follows that ABHS students do not use textbooks, except as a resource or within a study of historiography. We emphasize first hand sources, simulations, seminars and inquiry. Teachers look for connections to our students’ lives and the relevancy of subject matter to current events.
The core skills of writing and reading are fundamental to the Humanities curriculum. Literary circles, composed of small groups of students and community volunteers, figure prominently in our classrooms. Students write for a variety of purposes. The vertical plan for writing instruction builds confidence and appreciation for writing, while ultimately preparing seniors for the demands of academic writing in their dual credit courses at UNM or CNM.
The Amy Biehl Humanities curriculum balances rigor and relevancy. In keeping with the namesake of the school, our graduates become “conscious scholars” and are prepared for college and citizenship.
