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Courses: English 3 and English 4
Welcome to my classroom. Listed below are brief overviews of the courses I teach.
English 3 is designed to encourage students to discover ideas, beliefs, and values of Americans from the Puritan settlers to modern society. The course follows Americans’ changing relationships and attitudes by surveying literature written over the course of approximately 200 years. Major works include The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, and A Raisin in the Sun. Class activities include discussion, group study and presentation, and close reading of texts. Emphasis will be placed upon developing skills for analyzing literature through discussion and written assignments. Also, students will write formal essays in the following domains of writing: literary analysis, research, and persuasion. This course is designed in part to prepare students for college or entry to the work force.
During third quarter jurniors will be finishing literature from the Civil War Era and then will be writing the junior research paper. This project will take most of the quarter to complete and will feature research, analysis, and public speaking.
English 4 incorporates 21st Century skills, along with practical skills in: reading (British and world literature and non-fiction), technical and academic writing, listening, and problem solving. Through activities appealing to various learning styles, students will develop effective planning and communication skills appropriate to the work environment and college. Activities will include constructing a portfolio containing a personal reflection, a resume, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and examples of academic excellence. Students will conduct a research project that includes thinking, creating, planning, interviewing, and writing. Students will present their research through a speech, which incorporates various forms of technology. Students also will learn to develop and practice self-management and interpersonal skills.
Seniors will be studying British literature starting around 449 AD and ending with the 20th century. Close reading of the text, note taking skills, and literary analysis will be stressed.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Susan VanWagoner
Language Arts
vanwagoners@usd230.org
913-592-7299, ext. 7352