Critical Readers and Writers

Ms. VincentAugust 18, 2020Leave a comment

I'm guessing that most of you could easily answer the question "are you good at English" right now. Questionable grammar aside, that's actually a pretty terrible question. It assumes that your skill is easily measured by grades you've gotten in the past and interest you may or may not have had in books you've read before.

What you're going to learn with me this year, whether in 8th or 9th grade, is how to be a critical thinker. This means that I'm going to teach you not only what certain vocabulary terms mean or how to write an argument essay, but also what it means to look at absolutely anything in the world and see it as a text you can question, pull apart, and find meaning in. Songs, paintings, video games, Tik Toks... believe it or not, you can analyze all of them.

Critical thinking basically means that when you look at something, you don't just accept it at face value. You figure out if what you're looking at is accurate, what the creator might have meant when creating it, what your interpretation of it is, what kinds of biases might have influenced it, and so on. Critical thinking means that you have to question the things you experience and consider what kind of impact they have on you and the world around you.

Some of you have been assigned specific summer reading, while others have been asked simply to read something over the summer. When we start up in September, we're going to talk about critical thinking in different ways. For now, I'd like you to think about different ways you can be critical of something you read, watch, listen to, or otherwise experience. What sorts of questions do you ask?

What Will You Need For English This Year?

Ms. VincentAugust 11, 2020August 12, 2020Leave a comment

School Email

You will receive emails periodically, and not just for English class. It is absolutely mandatory that you check your school email at least once a day. If you have trouble accessing your school email, please let the school know right away so we can help you.

Use This Blog

Since some of you will be learning remotely, some will be in-person, and some will be a combination of both, I will be using this blog as well as our class Schoology page to make sure everyone is always aware of what's going on and what's due. It's important that you bookmark this blog and check it daily for updates.

Take a moment to read through the pages linked at the top of this blog, as well. There will be rules for using this blog.

Supplies

For all English classes (English 8, English 9, and English 9 Honors), it's important that you have a place to store handouts (which should all be available digitally as well) and notes. Please make sure to have the following items ready for class every day if you are in the classroom:

Chromebook and charger (if you are provided with one)
2 pocket folder*
1 subject notebook (if you use a 3 or 5 subject notebook, that’s fine, but there needs to be a dedicated English section)*
Blue or black pen(s) (it's sometimes very difficult to read other colors, so please use only standard blue or black ink for assignments)
Highlighter

*If you would prefer to use a 3 ring binder and looseleaf paper rather than a notebook and folder, that's fine, but whichever you use must be in class every day.

Optional Supplies

The following items are not required but may be useful for some students

3x5 index cards (these may be helpful for studying vocabulary terms or taking notes for research projects)
If possible, please provide one box of tissues for class

Summer Reading 2020

Ms. VincentAugust 1, 2020August 12, 2020Leave a comment

Since there have been a lot of questions, here's the quick rundown on the summer reading project for 2020. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.

English 8

There will be no summer reading project for English 8 this year. Due to the huge adjustments we've had to make over the past few months, I don't want to add any additional stress for anyone, and I don't want anyone to risk their health or safety trying to go out to get a book. I also don't want anyone to have to spend additional money buying a book over the summer.

Still, I would encourage everyone to read at least one book over the summer of your choosing!

English 9

This year's summer reading project is optional. For all the reasons I've listed above in the 8th-grade section, I didn't want to require anyone to do this project. I do know, however, that with your entrance into high school, you're going to have to become accustomed to more work. Our expectations are higher, and I want you to have the opportunity to have a head start. With this in mind, you may complete the summer reading project if you would like to receive extra credit in September 2020. If you would like to complete the summer reading project, you can find it here. Please note that you cannot access this page without logging in with your Schoharie Schools email address.

English 9 Honors

This year's summer reading project comes from Mr. Cummins, who has taught 9 Honors for the past few years. I will be using Mr. Cummins' summer reading project this year. With your acceptance into the honors program, your expectations will be higher, and I want to ensure that your experience is consistent with the English department's expectations of our honors students. The assignment will require you to read George Orwell's novel 1984 and complete one of the essay topics described in the assignment here. Please note that you cannot access this page without logging in with your Schoharie Schools email address.

Good luck!