Making the Abstract More Concrete: Lessons in Discovering Themes

Students of all academic abilities often struggle with bridging the gap between concrete and abstract, and this is particularly true when studying literature.  Join Susan Barber and Timm Freitas as they explore engaging, practical, and scaffolded ways of helping scholars navigate the abstract world of identifying thematic ideas and then move toward articulating thematic insights as they explore different works and genres of literature.

Facilitator: Timm Freitas

Timothy Freitas, a College-Board-endorsed AP® English Language and Composition consultant, has been teaching AP® English Language and Composition for more than a decade and AP® English Literature and Composition for almost as long. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts (Dartmouth) with a BA in Writing, Communication and Rhetoric and an MAT in Secondary English Education. Timothy has presented at the AP® Annual Conference (APAC), he has been an AP® Reader and sample-selection Table Leader, he was a member of the College Board's Instructional Design Team for the new AP® English Language and Composition framework, and he recently co-authored an English Language and Composition textbook for Perfection Learning. Over the years, Timothy has been a consultant and professional development facilitator for both the Massachusetts Math and Science Initiative (now Mass Insight Education) and the National Math and Science Initiative--typically working in Urban environments. Timothy teaches in Massachusetts, currently at Whitinsville Christian School, where he instructs English and theology; before moving to work in a private school, he was formerly teaching at Blackstone Valley Tech. In his free time, Timothy also oversees The Garden of English--a website and Youtube channel--meant to assist both students and teachers with planning and instruction, and all this is done while being a husband and father of five.

Contact: www.thegardenofenglish.com

Facilitator: Susan Barber