introductions

In reading this blog you can learn a little about me, but what about you? What is your "recommended reading?" Where have your travels led you this summer...to China, Sudbury Farm, Crane's beach? How did you unwind? In class this year, I hope we are able to explore ideas, experiment with learning, and have some fun. What are your hopes for English class this year?

summer reading fun

As you are relaxing on the beach, traveling around the globe, working in the sun, or hanging out at home, I trust you picked up a book or two or three. The school year will be jump started by our class' assigned summer reading book - The Things They Carried. All classes should be ready to discuss these books and feel good about a little upcoming in-class writing assignment. You can show off to me all your knowledge about the book and its message, as well as your writing skills.But that's not all! The two free choice books warrant discussion as well and you will be using some technology for that. If you are thinking this blog, you're right! But that's just for one of your books, for the other one you'll be reflecting in the form of a podcast. You'll record your own voice reading an important passage of your own choosing with analysis and music. A great way to start the year!

introducing English 11

English 11 students can expect to delve into the works of major American writers through various short stories, novels, poetry, plays and essays. Writers such as...Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Zora Neale Hurston, Arthur Miller, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck. You'll learn about these authors, their writing style, and the time period in which they wrote. There will be many opportunities to philosophize and strutinize and get creative! Eventually comes the SAT and JRP but don't despair. Plenty of good times are ahead.