Happy Winter Break!!!

If you CHOOSE to, you may read your African-American literary novel during the break. We will be completing an entire project on this book in 3 weeks after the break, so plan wisely, but don't try to complete everything.

DID YOU MISS CLASS THIS WEEK? Here is the makeup assignment for the Socratic Seminar.

There is an Extra Credit Opportunity (due January 6-16). CLICK HERE for the details of the assignment.

If you want a "head's up" on some of the upcoming work, here is the LIT TERMS assignment we will begin on January 6th (due January 14th).

See you in January!

Hey class: some of you are struggling with your homework assignment for the Greek tragedy terms. Here is a LINK that might help. Some of the terms fit only one of the two plays (for instance, Deus ex machina is in Medea, not Oedipus Rex) but you need to know the term. We will finish the discussion in class on Monday.

New reading schedule and reminders of upcoming due dates

Reading Schedule for A Dry White Season:
Part 1 (p.76) by class Wed., Nov. 20
Part 2 (p. 163) by class Mon., Nov. 24
Part 3 (p. 275) by class Mon., Dec.9
Part 4/Epilogue (finish the book) by class Fri., Dec. 13

Required: 5 significant quotes from each part, except part 3 which should have 10 significant quotes.

The GREEK TRAGEDY terms assignment is due Dec. 2nd, when we return from the Thanksgiving Break.

Good morning! Here are your reminders for the week.

As you can see, some of the link lists on this page have been shifted to the bottom, since we have completed those units. The links will continue to be available at the base of the page. 

For Monday, October 21st, the assignment is posted at the right under "on-going" poetry assignments. For the next few months, we will have practice explication assignments every other week or so, regardless of the unit of study we are in. 

BRING YOUR TEXT, Things Fall Apart, for Tuesday, October 22.

Don't forget your ALLUSION PRESENTATIONS are looming on the horizon, due November 7th/8th. (The presentation order will be random, so be prepared to present on the 7th!).

IF you are choosing to redo the AP Practice essay from September, here is the prompt:

"And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny or any supernatural agency." Pauline Hopkins, Contending Forces
Choose a novel or play in which culture, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how surroundings affect this character and illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

REMINDERS FOR THE WEEKEND:

Your 1-2 paragraph FOCUSED analysis of ONE aspect of Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden" is due in class on Monday--we will peer critique and discuss on Tuesday. 

The "did you read it" test for the Poisonwood Bible is on MONDAY. 

You may begin reading Heart of Darkness (Conrad) this weekend, if you wish. As it is a very short book, we are going to read it in about a week. Plan accordingly. Bring the text to class every day starting Monday.

Don't forget to be reading in one of the four "allusion categories" we discussed (the Bible, Shakespeare, fairy tales/"kiddie" lit., or mythology). Your project is looming just 5 weeks from now! More TBA soon!

Quick reminders for the end of September: 

Syllabus signatures were due Monday, Sept. 16. They are now late. Turn them in anyway!

If you miss a class, you need to get a copy of the handout or activity from a classmate or from the teacher. Extra copies can be made/found in B225. Be proactive and ask for work you missed immediately upon your return!

Upcoming AP practice: 1st AP style essay practice will be Thurs/Fri, Sept 26-27, in class. Check out the "AP Writing Expectations" link on this webpage if you are nervous about AP level essays.

Hello all!

With just a week until class begins, some of you have emailed me to clarify your assignment. I intend for you to write 1-2 paragraphs for each of the 7 prompts you choose. I am more interested in the clarity of your ideas than the length.  I hope this helps those of you who were unclear. If you have other questions, feel free to email me. :) I look forward to meeting you all.

Mrs. Evans

Welcome to a new year of literary joy and travail!

This may be the most difficult and the most rewarding English class of your life. There are several things you can do to make this year more enjoyable and less stressful.

Generally, stay organized. Organization may be the single greatest factor in earning a A versus a B (or getting that raise or promotion, getting that scholarship, winning that award, etc.).

Specifically,
1. Keep track of upcoming assignments on a calendar OR by using this blog (major due dates will be posted, with the accompanying assignment sheet link, on the left side of this blog).

2. Keep ALL handouts, even if you think you don't need them anymore, all year. A file folder will be provided in class, for your convenience, to keep your binder from overflowing. This blog is also provided as a resource, just in case you are absent or lose a handout. Bookmark it and check this site on a weekly basis.

3. Keep all graded assignments (this is another great use of your file folder, since we both have access to this location). If there is ever a question about your grade, or if you wish to redo as specific assignment, the paper in question will be available.

4. ASK QUESTIONS. You can't fill in knowledge gaps unless you ask. Learners come from different backgrounds, have had different educational experiences, and have read different books. Everyone will have days where the material presented is "old" and everyone will have days where the material presented is frankly over our heads. The more active you are in your own education, the more successful you will be (you might enjoy the process more, too!).

As this course is college-level, you will be expected to have a higher level of autonomy and resourcefulness in managing your classwork. However, many college classes utilize web-based programs to disseminate information, encourage dialogue, and archive handouts. This blog is intended to serve that purpose.

Feedback on what is working, what isn't and what may need to be added is always welcome.

I'm looking forward to an amazing year with all of you!