Hello current and future Hanger Hall families! My name is Jamie Hammond and I teach 7th and 8th grade Humanities and Grammar for all grades.
I have lived almost my entire life in North Carolina. In 7th grade I was diagnosed with ADHD and my parents signed me up with a therapist who was specially trained to help children with ADHD. Although it wasn’t until college that I fully applied what I learned from her, it was a very powerful and empowering experience, and was pivotal in my decision to become an educator.
I received my degrees in English and Secondary Education from Guilford College (Go Quakers!), and moved to Asheville… and couldn’t find a job. I saw an ad in the paper for Hanger Hall and met Howard, and his daughters Windsor and Kelsey. I came on in Hanger Hall’s second year. It has been rewarding and a great joy to assist and observe the growth and success of the school. I took a year off for the birth of my daughter Emma and came back to Hanger Hall with a renewed energy and dedication to the school. There is not another job that I could consider at this point. Hanger Hall is my home and my passion, and I eagerly await the new school year and the new relationships that are waiting to develop! I can’t wait to get to know you better! Welcome (back)!
Grammar
Students learn to identify basic parts of speech using notes, workbook exercises, games and activities. Over the three years, more detail and investigation into the parts of speech enable students to make connections between the study of English and their foreign language classes. Students will learn to diagram sentences and proficiently use language to effectively communicate their ideas.. Classes in the past have used grammar time to create a school newspaper, do creative writing, and work on their research papers in peer editing circles.
7th Grade Humanities
Students focus on World History to Modern Times. There is a classical focus to the class, though multi-culturalism is the name of the game. Students choose two novels to read as a class, along with a Shakespeare play chosen by the instructor. Class begins with a brief overview of human history (as we understand it. ) There is an emphasis on notetaking, working as part of a group, reading critically, and developing good study skills. Girls learn about the development of societies, political organization, the distribution of power and community resources, the development of the arts and spirituality around the globe. Students begin to develop their voice through book reports and persuasive speech.
8th Grade Humanities
The focus of this class is American history and Literature. Students begin to have more freedom in their notetaking and determining curriculum. Book reports evolve into more college style papers examining author’s intent. Students choose 3 novels to read in the year, supplemented by periodic historical and literary pieces. Our texts, both History and English, are designed for 11th grade classes, with the idea students will overcome intimidation of “difficult” material. In the 8th grade year, students produce a research paper with an original thesis, rooted in any aspect of American life, past, present or future. The class challenges students to begin taking ownership of their work and their process.
