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** Welcome to Sophomore World Literature! **

== Congratulations on being one year closer to graduation! Most of you have turned or will be turning sixteen this year, which means you can start driving and having jobs. So…. It’s time to start learning about the big, wide world around you. After all, in just 2-3 years you’ll be 18 and eligible to vote! You need to be informed. ==

== Last year in Freshman English you read some classic books, learned important literary terms, wrote several short papers, started working on public speaking, and focused primarily on the concepts of identity and community. This year we will continue to work on reading, writing and speaking, but we will broaden our scope of the community to include the global one, both as it exists today and how it has evolved throughout history. We will ask lots of questions together, think about the various ways people might answer those questions, and work on developing a distinct writer’s voice through memoir writing and argumentation. ==

== Work is graded on a simple point system, with values ranging from 10 points (homework or in-class activity) to 25 (quiz) to 75 (major paper or speech). The final exam is worth 10% each semester and will include a combination of writing and an ACT-style assessment of reading and grammar skills. All other work is entered into the grade as points, with no weighting of categories. ==

==** Late Work/Absences: ** Due dates are important mainly so that you don't fall behind in class. However, I never turn away work that you have completed, even if it's a few days late. If you need more than 2-3 days extra, see me to set up an acceptable time line for getting the work done. ==

==** Extra Help: ** I am available after school (except Tuesdays), and also periods 2, 4 and 6 most days, should you need extra help on any assignment. You may also e-mail me at kate.hutchinson@d214.org if you ever have a question or concern about the class or an assignment. I check my e-mail several times each day and in the evenings and will respond to you promptly. __If you’ve been absent and want to know what you missed, check my Wikispace or contact your Homework Buddy! As a last resort, you may email me.__ I highly encourage students to be proactive. ==

** MAJOR UNITS OF STUDY: **


 * __First Semester__ **


 * [[image:old man.jpg width="265" height="399" align="right"]]-Summer Reading work: //If I Stay// or //Where Things Come Back// **


 * -Intro. to Short Stories & Poetry, plus Literary Terms **


 * // -The Odyssey //, excerpts from the classic novel by Homer **


 * -a study of universal myths and archetypes **
 * //- The Old Man Who Read Love Stories//, a short novel by Luis Sepulveda (STUDENTS MUST PURCHASE!) **


 * - Independent Reading: Non-fiction and memoir -- plus a Book Talk **


 * -Grammar Basics using the W.R.E.N. books **


 * __Second Semester__ **


 * // - // either // Julius Caesar or Macbeth //, a play by Shakespeare **


 * [[image:Purple_Hibiscus_book.jpg width="259" height="400" align="right"]]- Poetry - an introduction to forms and poetic devices **

=- Research paper -- topics related to our study of Africa- Rhetorical devices and strategies=
 * // -Purple Hibiscus //, a novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie **


 * //-Rabbit Proof Fence// (film) **


 * -A. P.-Style Synthesis Writing **

===** About Ms. Hutchinson: ** This is my 29th year of teaching at BGHS, the longest of any English teacher currently on staff here! I have taught many different courses over the years, including various literature, writing, speech and acting classes, and A. P. English Literature for over 10 years. This year besides my 4 sophomore classes (2 gen. and 2 honors), I will also be teaching Contemporary Literature to seniors. After school on Tuesdays, my son Ramon, who is 23 and has autism, comes to BGHS to help distribute the U. S. mail to the teachers' mailboxes. You may see him with me in the halls, so say hi if you do! He loves meeting new people and chatting it up. === === Outside of school, I am a true "literature geek." My favorite things to do are read and write, especially poetry and memoir stories. I am also a nature lover and enjoy taking long walks outside. Since my son is allergic to cats, I can't keep one as a pet, but I do have 3 little zebra finches. ===