10th Grade History Students Participate in “Donuts and Discourse” Discussions

Tenth grade history students in Mary Anne Henderson and Clark Thomson’s classes recently completed a new assessment to conclude the second quarter: “Donuts and Discourse.” The assessment offered students the opportunity to reflect on what they’ve learned in the first half of their 19th Century History classes while enjoying donuts and lively discussion. The case study discussed in all sessions was the history of Haiti.

Teachers Clark and Mary Anne enjoyed the opportunity to meet with students in small groups to engage in scholarly discussion. “The goal of the assessment was to encourage students to see themselves as historians who have the ability to think critically, identify connections between historical materials, and distinguish between differing perspectives,” said Mary Anne, History Department Chair. 

Some guiding questions for discussion included:

• What roles do industrialism, capitalism, modernity, and/or nationalism play in the history of Haiti (and its relationship to the U.S.)?
  • Be sure to consider the interplay between these different terms.
• What contradictions arise from the pursuit of modernity, nationalism, and/or capitalist success by a given country?
  • What examples from your study of Haiti and the U.S. can you use to support this analysis?
• How did imperialism shape the island of Haiti? (be ready to explain this over the course of Haiti’s 200+ year history)
  • Why is it important for us to understand this? As historians? As people living in the U.S.? As people of the world?

Students were assessed based on their understanding, critical thinking, creativity, and speaking during the donuts and discourse sessions.

“I enjoyed being in smaller environment for the discourse,” said Maya Wohler ‘26. “Having the conversations in a more intimate group helped people who are not always real comfortable sharing to thrive and share their thoughts. And, of course, the donuts were great.”

Throughout the year, 10th graders have engaged in serious study of the power that ideas have to shape history and the world around them. This assignment is meant to create space for students to see the power of their own ideas and importance of collaboration and intellectual community. 

“We hope to foster mutual respect among students for their diverse perspectives and help them practice skills that will serve them well during the 10th Grade Research Symposium in the spring,” said Clark.