Back to School Night Ms. Catherine Veitch/ Ms. Sarah Matthews English Literature and Composition 9

Your Child’s Teacher Ms. Catherine Veitch Graduated from Montgomery High School Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from The College of New Jersey

Your Child’s Teacher Ms. Aubrie Caprio Graduated from Somerville High School Earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bloomsburg University

Your Child’s Teacher Ms. Sarah Matthews Graduated from Montgomery High School Advisor of National Honor Society

Your Child’s Class Freshman Literature and Composition Meets during A1 – 7:20-8:49 (5-minute homeroom included) Total of 25 students in the class

Your Child’s Class Freshman Literature and Composition Meets during B1 – 7:20-8:49 (5-minute homeroom included) Total of 15 students in the class

Your Child’s Class Freshman Literature and Composition Meets during A2 – 8:53- 10:17 Total of 25 students in the class

Your Child’s Class Freshman Literature and Composition Meets during B2– 8:53-10:17 Total of 15 students in the class

Your Child’s Class Freshman Literature and Composition Meets during B4 – 12:43 – 2:07 Total of 19 students in the class

Curriculum Our ultimate goal this year is to appreciate a variety of cultures so that we can participate in making change as citizens of the world. Ongoing Curriculum:  Vocabulary  Grammar  Presentation/Oral skills

Writing Narrative Persuasive Analytical  Timed Writings By the end of the year your child will have a polished writing portfolio that contains all of their produced writing

Curriculum First semester focuses on reading fiction, nonfiction, and poetry so that we can travel throughout the realm of human experience We’ve already read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho over the summer and discussed how this dramatic bildungsroman can relate to the freshman experience

Curriculum We are currently reading an array of short stories, including: Eleven, My Delicate Heart Condition, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Using our understanding of literary terminology, our focus will be on literary analysis Students will be reading these stories on their own either in class or for homework, and we will be reading specific scenes aloud in class

Curriculum After reading the selected short stories, we will move into our poetry unit. Our focus will be on the various elements of poetry, as well as understanding the effects of an author’s choice. We will also use this unit as an opportunity to delve into deeper metaphorical meanings of specific texts.

Curriculum The last unit in this semester is Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Our goal throughout this unit will focus on visualizing human interaction through dialogue and action. Through observation of character interaction and the use of dialogue and stage directions, students perceive how struggle impacts life in modern American culture.

Curriculum In the second semester, we will be reading Elie Wiesel’s Night. Through reading and research, we will understand the desperate fight to survive and remain "human" in a desperate dehumanizing environment, such as the Holocaust. Students will be writing a research paper during this unit.

Curriculum After reading Night, we will begin reading some Greek mythology. Our goal will be to define various genres: myths, fables, legends, and folk tales; as well as critically read different myths. During this unit students will be creating their own myths!

Curriculum Eventually, Greek mythology will progress into our unit on Homer’s “The Odyssey.” Our goal during this unit will be to explore what it means to be human and flawed. We will also discuss how epic poetry acts as the cornerstone for modern literature and poetry.

Curriculum We will end the year by reading the timeless classic, “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. Through Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, students will closely examine whether fate or personal actions have the most impact over one’s life. The study of Shakespeare’s plays is essential for gaining an understanding of the literary allusions, references, characters and themes that are prevalent in other works of literature.

Grading Grades come from a points system. Points earned are divided by possible points to get a final grade Each marking period is worth 22% and the final is worth 12%. There are no midterm exams this year. In the English department, here at MHS, we pride ourselves (through our daily instruction and interaction) in making our students aware of the benefits of hard work and a rigorous curriculum – hallmarks of the new Common Core State Standards for 46 states of the US.

Expectations Come to class on time and prepared with a binder, pen, pencil, and the book we’re reading Complete all assignments fully, to the best of your ability, and on time Do your best and have fun!

Things to Remember Three lates equal a teacher detention; six lates equal an office referral Any plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and school disciplinary action

After-School Help Thursdays from 2:15-3:15 After-school help is given to any student who comes, and appointments can be made in advance for a different time or day.

After-School Help Ms. Veitch: Thursdays from 2:15-3:15 Ms. Caprio: Wednesdays from 2:15-3:15 After-school help is given to any student who comes, and appointments can be made in advance for a different time or day.

Contact Information The absolute best way to contact me is by e- mail:  I do not have a phone extension Thank you and I look forward to working together for a successful Freshman year!

Contact Information The absolute best way to contact us is by . Ms. Veitch:  I do not have a phone extension Ms. Caprio:  Phone extension: 6857