Introduction to Sophomore English for Parents

The Sophomore English Curriculum is based on American Literature from Revolutionary Times to present. Students will be engaged in reading, analyzing, and writing in many genres. We will be taking a Then and Now approach in which we will examine the relevancy of what we read to the present. There will also be extensive focus on language, grammar, a vocabulary.

A word about grades: I use the point system to give weight to assignments so that grades are not skewed by an inordinate amount of grades in one category. I assess through homework, classwork, quizzes, tests, and projects.

It will be a challenging and rewarding year! I wish your children much growth and success.

Introduction to Freshmen Curriculum for Parents

I thought you might be interested in the areas of study in Freshmen English. We will be studying all the literary genres, making sure that students understand the terminolgy and structures of each. We will examine essays, biography, autobiography, short story, novel, and poetry. The variety of literature makes this a stimulating class. We will use a variety of texts which I will share with you on back to school night.

I also use a variety of assessments: homework, classwork, quizzes, tests, essays, and projects. I use a point system to give weight to the assignments and make sure the grades are not skewed by a disproportionate number of assignments in a category. Please check the grades on Homelogic weekly to keep track of your son's or daughter's progress. Here's wishing them great growth and success !

Parents of My Students

Welcome to my BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT BLOG. Mr. Gorski asked us to provide you with contact information. As you know, I have already sent home a letter with my contact information as well as the rules of my classroom. I am pleased that most parents signed and returned this document. Just in case you misplaced my e-mail, here it is: rosemary.mcniff@wmtps.org. This year's classes are large but seem well behaved; therefore, I feel confident that a lot of learning can take place. If you need to contact me about any concerns, please use the e-mail instead of the phone since there is only one phone available for the English/World Language wing and is difficult to access. This e-mail address is stored here for whenever you need it. You might even get a glimpse of what is going on in your child's class. Thanks for coming tonight and showing your support and interest in your student's English class.

Sophomores

We discussed traits that characterize Americans. Who do you think is a quintessential American? ( yes, you need to know what quintessential means). Write down the person's name and be prepared to explain the reason for your choice.

Freshmen

Remember you had a "thinking" assignment. What is the common characteristic of all poems? Write it down and be prepared for "Rise to the Occassion."

Pictures

Don't forget that tomorrow is your school pictures.

Welcome To All My Students, 9/6/11

I'm wishing you a successful and rigorous year of learning. Freshmen English and Fundamental classes can expect to set goals and measure their progress toward achieving them. Sophomores, you know how time flies and must seriously address your freshmen accomplishments and fortify the goals you set.

We reviewed classroom rules and procedures, and now you must have your papers signed. It is your first homework assignment. Here's to great beginnings !!!!!

Sophomore's reading OF MICE AND MEN

I've tried to simplify your research by placing a web address which will bring you to good, reliable information. Learn about the time period in which our novel was set.

http://msdadmin.scican.net/mhs/mhs_area_imc/webquests/Mice%20and%20Men/index.htm

To Kill A Mockingbird

You will need the websites listed in this blog to do your research for our novel. You will be assigned different sites to visit and report back to the class on.

In addition to the handouts, about the time period, we should also examine Remembering Jim Crow from the Edsitement approved History Matters website History Matters. Particularly good sections from this site include those entitled "Bitter Times," "Danger Violence and Exploitation," "Whites Remember Jim Crow," and "Jim Crow Laws." Each of these sections is a link that leads to vivid descriptions of the south during the time of Jim Crow. Each site makes use of audio clip interviews as well as slide shows featuring people who remember and experienced life in the South when segregation was the norm and the color barrier seemed insurmountable. Of especial interest is the link to "Jim Crow Laws" which lists and describes by state and topic (education, housing, entertainment, etc.) the ways in which blacks and whites were to be separated. When browsing this site, students should consider what the slide pictures and the audio clips tell them about life for African Americans under Jim Crow laws—what do they learn from looking at the slides and hearing the voices?

Both Remembering Jim Crow and We Shall Overcome will help students get a sense of the world Harper Lee describes in To Kill A Mockingbird.