This is a drying rack for fish; it is near Selawik, Alaska. The fish are pike, salmon, and sheefish. Dry winds and summer sun create a tasty treat!
Welcome To English III...Also known as Junior English--American Literature
This will be a year of profound learning for you. You must work hard from start to finish; this truth is evident in all who succeed in attaining their dreams. Remember always, that learning is at least two sided. There must be a teacher and there must be a learner. This never changes; however, each is a teacher and each is a learner simultaneously. I promise to always teach to the best of my ability, and to learn from you, as much as possible. My goals are to help you become the best reader, the best writer, the best thinker, and the best communicator. I will never teach you what to think, but will teach you how to think deeply on subjects that are key to humanity.
There will be something new this year in Junior English. In an effort to help students better understand the writing process, I will model my writing on the overhead projector. What this accomplishes is very important to student writing. Students witness me working through the writing process. This activity is based on the studies of Kelly Gallagher, a very-well renowned writing expert. My senior students engaged in this activity as juniors, and, clearly, it helps the writing process. The process is called "think aloud", and it mimics our thinking while writing. We will also use google docs to facilitate the writing process.
Reading List:
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Absolutely True Diaries of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Nightjohn by Gary Paulson
Night of the Grizzlies by Jack Olsen
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
Jacob and the Bee Man by Kelly Winters
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
All novel studies require a pre-reading worksheet or research assignment. These pre-read assignments are critical to your understanding of concepts found in the reading. Completing them to a high level is paramount to your success.
The Writing Component
Writing is as essential as reading is essential. The best way to become better writers is to write often, and to watch and listen to me model the writing process. I follow the writing guidelines of Kelly Gallagher; you will hear his name often. This is nothing new to you because Mrs. Randall taught the same process. Most importantly, concerning writing, is this: You must trust me that I can make you a better writer, you must be willing to make mistakes and fix them, and you must dissolve the fear of writing. It is not a monster; actually, it is quite easy.
Socratic Seminar
Socratic Seminar creates an unique, student led dialugue that allows for the highest level of differentiation and offers the highest level for critical thinking. Seminar is based on a common reading of specified material. It most commonly is a set of chapters in a novel. Here is how Socratic Seminar works. I assign a set of chapters. You must read those chapters carefully, and while doing so, must find at least 5 vocabulary words where you discover their meanings in context to how they are used in the reading. You must also have 5 central questions that promote discussion. You must have these with you at the beginning of the seminar session. At this time, I will reveal a central question of my own that must be covered during seminar.
Students earn a total of 50 points for each seminar. Here is the breakdown:
*10 points--Evidence of reading
*25 points--Participation in Socratic Seminar
*15 points--Seminar write up
*****ALL COMPONENTS OF SEMINAR MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRADE!*****
***We will practice this routine a few times before assignments are graded.
Formative Assessment and Summative Assessment
Formative Assessment is the monitoring of student learning and the teacher's teaching. It is in the moment with ongoing feedback that helps the teacher improve teaching and helps the student to learn better. Socratic Seminar is completely suited for formative assessment.
Summative Assessment evaluates student learning, and is most often recognized as tests, papers, quizzes, write ups, and projects.
Important Resources
Librivox.org
Purdue Owl
Dictionary.com
Once again, welcome to English III. Your participation is your grade. There is no room for excuses and no room for failure! Have a great year at Bruce High School!