The English Corner

     Greetings from the English Corner!  As the leaves begin changing into brilliant colors, English students at KA are changing and growing, too.  The month of September was full as we all settled into the learning routines here.
     The 7/8 grade Grammar Class progressed from nouns and verbs to verb tenses and voices. They became "field observers" and kept a notebook of observations of a particular place/thing over an entire week. They then had fun donning a "field vest, hat and binoculars" and presenting their observations to the class. These observations will be "published" and displayed in our room in time for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
     The Junior English Class has carefully waded through the writings of early America and is now reading literature of the Revolutionary era.  Writers such as Ben Franklin Thomas Paine will be good examples of how much literature changed as the lives of people in early America changed, and yet Phyllis Wheatley's writings are a reminder that some early Americans kept a strong Biblical faith. The students experienced the difficulty Puritan ministers faced when they rewrote Psalms from the KJV Bible to make them singable., and published them in the Bay Psalm Book. Other students chose to write poetry somewhat reflective of Anne Bradstreet's style-using a subject from their own experience that has a universal theme. They are doing a great job with this challenging literature.
     The Freshman English Class is reading poetry and prose-with a focus on the author's use of sound and word order. I always am amazed how authors use words and literary techniques to create like an artist uses brushes and paint to create. Since poetry is meant to be heard, it has been great to listen to
 the students each take a turn at reading the poetry selections "live" in class! It carries so much more meaning. They are all working extra hard this week preparing for the test over Unit 2.
     The Middle School English Class is beginning Unit 2, called Choices. We will see how intriguing characters in intriguing stories never stand still (cited in Excursions in Literature). They, like us, make choices daily that move us forward or backward.  This focus in all the stories will remind us how important choices are and to consider the choice carefully! Besides reading, this group wrote Diamante Poems as they wrapped up Unit One on "Friends." You will be able to see their "published" copy at the Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 17.  Hope to see you there!
     Thanks again for all your support!! It is such a blessing to be working with your sons and daughters.
"...let us love not in word, but in deed and in truth." John 3:18