My Classroom

The purpose of this website is to offer you study materials in addition to what we cover in class. You must still attend class and take notes. Please set aside time each evening for homework and study. Please see me before or after school if you have questions or need extra help. Please read the quote below on the importance of your attitude in achieving your goals.

Attitude

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home.The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes." - Charles Swindoll

Themes in World Literature/Composition/Rhetoric

Students enrolled in this class first semester will read, study and discuss a variety of literature including short stories, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In addition, students will give required individual and group presentations in order to learn public speaking skills. Students will learn how to write a well-organized paragraph, and be introduced to the construction of the five paragraph essay. Vocabulary and grammar study will enhance the students' comprehension of the literature and expand their own reading, writing, and speaking abilities.

Themes in World Literature/Composition/Rhetoric (Honors)

This course is designed for those sophomores who have shown an above average ability in reading, writing, and speaking in their ninth grade English classes. It will concentrate on distinguished authors from around the world. Representative selections of poetry, short stories, novels and drama by these authors will be read and discussed. (In addition, public speaking experience will be provided by two required individual speeches and one group presentation per semester.) The writing of a well-organized, coherent paragraph will be stressed with all sophomores. Students will study the grammar of the English language by incorporating lessons from the grammar workbook into their writing. Vocabulary study will be designed not only to enhance students' comprehension of the literature but also to expand their own reading and speaking abilities.

British Literature to 1800/Composition British Literature since 1800/Composition

A survey of British Literature from Beowulf to the Restoration will be  conducted with a focus on the Classics. Students will be introduced to the poetry, drama, short stories, and other literary forms produced by renowned British authors. Composition assignments will be determined by the focus of he literature and will provide college preparation skills. A Research Paper - required for graduation - will also be completed by each student.A survey of British Literature since around 1800 will be conducted with a focus on the Classics. Students will be introduced to the poetry, drama, short stories, and other literary forms produced by renowned British authors Composition assignments will be determined by the focus of the literature and will provide college preparation skills.

Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition

This demanding course will be a survey of American and British Literature, with a focus on authors, selections and writing assignments of the type recommended by The College Board for students planning to take the AP English Literature and Composition Exams. Strategies for student success on this exam will be emphasized. To enroll in this class, students should have demonstrated a willingness to go beyond the level of regular high school work, and the desire to delve deeply into the literature with close reading and careful analysis. A Research Paper - required for graduation - will also be completed by each student. Students enrolled in this class will be expected to take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam in May, and to complete reading and writing assignments the summer prior to the course.

American Literature/Composition Honors

The significant literature which charts the growth of our country from its colonial days to the Harlem Renaissance will be studied in depth. Short stories, drama, poetry, novels, and essays of noted American authors will be examined for their impact upon subsequent American Literature and thought. Extensive composition work will concentrate on the various forms of the essay. Students will also complete a short research paper in order to prepare for the senior research paper. Vocabulary study will be required. The Honors class will take care to cover the American authors, reading selections, and writing assignments of the type recommended by The College Board for students planning to take the Advanced Placement Exam in English. Strategies for student success on these exams will be introduced. To enroll in this course, students should have shown above average ability in reading, writing, and speaking in their previous English class, as well as have the approval of their teacher.

Introduction to Literature Honors

This course is designed for those students who have demonstrated well above average skills in reading, writing, and grammar.  Strong emphasis will be placed on the critical study of good literature.  Writing skills will be stressed, concentrating on using the sentence correctly in response to the literature, as well as additional compositions assigned.  Students will study the grammar of the English language by incorporating lessons from the grammar workbook into their writing.  Students will be required to give several individual and group presentations in order to develop their public speaking.

English 9

This course is designed to provide a transition for students whose skills need further refining in order to be prepared for the regular English class structure. Students enrolled in this class will read and learn a variety of classic literature including the short story, drama and poetic forms composed by noted world authors. The writing will include a look at how to put subject and verb ideas together into coherent sentences, and be given a look at how paragraphs are formed and developed. Students will study grammar through workbook and on-line sources, and be given the opportunity to develop those skills through the trial and error of live, hands-on efforts. Vocabulary will be used in conjunction with readings in order to enhance writing and speaking abilities.