Welcome to
Ms. Nowacky's Class
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."
Shakespeare, Hamlet
Patricia Nowacky
AP Literature and Composition
Writing Club
To use this site: make sure you check all the drop-downs above to find exactly what you need. There's so much information and so many resources on this site, I like to keep things compartmentalized for easier access.
This site is designed for students who are enrolled in AP Literature and Composition, as well as students participating in the school newspaper and/or literary magazine. The site is also a resource for the parents of these students. The site includes information about my courses, policies and expectations, tutoring schedules, and current or future assignments. Major due dates can be found in the course calendar (on the Class Info main page), and I post homework updates in my classroom and Canvas as well. Students and parents can ALWAYS be aware of what is due. (Please note that dates and some information are subject to change based upon what is covered in class.) Readings and rubrics and other resources are available under English IV Literary Resources.
The most reliable source regarding homework should be the student's agenda. Each Ardrey Kell student has one of these. I expect students to record assignments in their agendas as they are announced. (As a help to parents who wish to ensure that all assignments are recorded, students may arrange to have me sign off on their assignments in their agendas on a daily basis.)
Summer Reading 2023:
Summer Reading
Future AP Lit students will read and annotate two texts this summer–a novel and excerpted chapters from a nonfiction text. **There will be an assessment on these texts at the end of the third week of school. At that time, please be prepared to show your annotated novel.
Novel CHOICE: The Namesake, by Jumpha Lahiri, OR The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
The Namesake is the story of Gogol Ganguli and his family. It centers largely on Gogol and his conflicts over his own identity, rooted primarily in his feelings about his own name, but also in his experience as the American-born child of Indian parents. It is in part a coming-of-age story, but follows Gogol through his adult years as he struggles with his name, his generational and cultural conflicts with his parents, his vision of what America is, and his romantic relationships.
The Kite Runner is narrated by its protagonist, Amir, and begins by setting up a flashback to his childhood in Afghanistan. For Amir, the “face of Afghanistan” is his friend and servant, Hassan, yet he betrays Hassan in a way that traumatizes Hassan and scars Amir himself. Amir’s path to redemption spans his move to America, which should be his fresh start except that he can’t forget his sins, and a return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and a devastating confrontation. ***CW: This novel includes some strong content.
Nonfiction: How to Read Literature Like a Professor
Students will read the following chapters:
Introduction
1: Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It’s Not)
5: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
10: It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow
12: Is That a Symbol?
18: If She Comes Up, It’s Baptism
19: Geography Matters . . .
20: . . . So Does Season
24: . . . And Rarely Just Illness
26: Is He Serious? And Other Ironies
We will continue to work with additional chapters in this book at the start of the school year.
Important Announcements:
Donations, please...
I am looking for beanbag chairs, foam chairs, small (inexpensive) rugs, large floor pillows, etc. for my classroom--the goal is to create comfortable reading spots for students in the classroom as we focus on novels this semester. Anything you might have and want to get rid of would be appreciated! P.S. This year I am also looking for folding chairs and blankets so that we can have some reading and discussion sessions outside. :)
Tutoring
I am available for tutoring after school from 2:15 to 4:00 most Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons. After school meetings do arise on other days, so please check with me in advance.