Dear Scholars, December 15, 2013
Thank you for an amazing start to the school year, and a
phenomenal introduction to high school. I have learned so much from you all,
and I am excited to get to continue our work during second semester. I hope you
will look forward to class novels, literature circles, Shakespeare,
articles-of-the-week, research projects, podcasts, poetry month, and some
seriously in-depth “art-of-the-essay” work.
Here are your assignments over the break. Enjoy them, and
see how they help you develop as a scholar.
1. Find something you are curious about learning
more about. Embark on the “Follow your Curiosity” project, which we continue
when we get back in January. Start gathering a list in your writer’s notebook of
different things you wonder about, and where this curiosity takes you, whether
it’s a book that sparks a curiosity, an article, website, a YouTube video, or
the RadioLab.org website with all its amazing audio/visual wonders. Maybe you
get curious about something just by being out in the world: seeing nature,
traveling around the city, or observing your family and friends. Write down
what you are noticing, and come back ready to talk about things that sparked
your curiosity. Embrace WONDER.
2. Read “Out
of the Dust, by Karen Hesse. Watch some YouTube Videos about the Dust Bowl
(See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guTek7ipD4U to get really great visuals and background, and if you want to watch the whole Ken Burns Dust Bowl Documentary you can find it on Netflix). Come
back ready to analyze the book with the class. This is a great example of someone
following their curiosity, about this time in our history, when the greatest
man-made catastrophe that hit right when the greatest economic disaster was
occurring~The Great Depression.
**If you are not enrolled in my class for spring semester, please return the
book the week we get back, and come by to pick up your portfolio and check in
with me.**
3. Write me a letter back, full page, with
paragraphs and details, reflecting on what you want to learn more about during
second semester, what worked for you in this class, what was challenging or
where you felt unengaged, and what you think you or I can do differently to
help you get the most out of your time here. You can make some resolutions,
write some gratitudes, discuss how you have grown as a scholar, or tell a story.
Make your letter a work of art.
4. OPTIONAL: If you are interested in working more
on your novel, consider typing it up over break and joining in on a weekly
lunch writing group that will workshop novels, and take the project to a
polished, published draft through the resources on CreateSpace.
During finals week and over break, please check yourself off
for the following assignments, and attach this paper to the letter you write to
me, due on January 13, 2014.
☐ Star Reading Test in the Library
(Previous
STAR Score: _____ **Remember, you want this to be as close to 9.5 to indicate
that you are reading at 9th grade reading level )
☐ Aristotle Poem in writer’s
notebook: Create “This is the Middle” section of poem, reflecting on the middle
of your school year, using Billy Collins’ poem as an example.
Over Break:
☐ Come in with a list of
things you are curious about and want to learn more about.
☐ Read Out of the Dust, return prepared to discuss it and take a quiz on
it.
☐ Write a reflective letter for
the start of semester two.
Enjoy your well-earned break, and I look forward to getting
to work in the new year.
Best,
Ms. Witham
