Freshman English I:
The research paper was due on December 23, and the marking period ends on January 25, so this is a time for reflection on that long-term assignment and a new focus on short fiction. Freshman classes have been reading several wonderful short stories in our classroom text and responding in a variety of ways, from creating maps and cartoons, to more traditional quizzes and essay questions.
In addition, we are back in our routines with weekly vocabulary lessons and grammar exercises to keep our skills sharp.
Our next novel will be by Ray Bradbury: Martian Chronicles for the College Prep. classes, and Fahrenheit 451 for the Honors students. These futuristic novels, written in the 1950s, offer many opportunities for discussion and creative responses. A master of speculative fiction, Bradbury creates wonderfully rich characters, surprising plots and settings, and themes that are still relevant to readers today.
Senior English:
The seniors continue their study of Hamlet with the beginning of the new year, and they will continue to study drama throughout the next few weeks with offerings from playwrights as diverse as Tennessee Williams and Samuel Beckett! This is also the time for the research paper assignment, given on January 4 and due on February 29. Students have a guideline sheet with explicit directions and expectations, and we will continue to clarify this important assignment as the days pass. Their first task is to choose a play for independent study which will be the topic of their papers.
I look forward to hearing from you with any concerns that you might have.
My schedule:
Block 1 - R.E.A.
Block 2 - AP English IV
Block 3 - CP English I
Block 4 - CP English I
Block 5 - CP English I
Block 6 - R.E.A.
Block 7 - Honors English I
Block 8 - CP English I
