See below for a list of books and short stories that students can read at any time during the semester or over the break for extra credit. These texts, unlike the texts read for class, do not need to be annotated. They are just for a fun, added exploration of literature :)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (or any of his short stories)

The Christmas Pudding or Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (or any of her works)

Father Giles of Hamm by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

The Prisoner of Zenda by Sir Anthony Hope

Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart

Rebecca by Daphne du Marier

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson

Dr. Jekll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Any of the Jeeves books by P.G. Wodehouse

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

The Winding Stair by Joan Aiken

Any of the Father Brown books by Chesterton

The Once and Future King by T.H. White

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Any of the Buncle books by D.E. Stevenson

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Scarface by Andre Norton

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Conan Doyle 

Any of the Sherlock Holmes books or short stories

Great Expectations by Dickens 

Monday Canterbury Tales Test Canterbury Tales Study Guide - Google Docs 

Tuesday Introduce Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Wednesday Discuss Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Thursday Discuss Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Friday NO SCHOOL

**Reminder: Study!! 

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Quiz

**Reminder: Study!! 

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Essay Peer Review

**Reminder: Essay DUE OCT 10

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Essay Peer Review

**Reminder: Essay DUE OCT 10

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Essay Peer Review

**Reminder: Essay DUE OCT 10

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Essay Peer Review

**Reminder: Essay DUE OCT 10

Monday Lecture on Beowulf material world and archaeology - Beowulf History - Google Slides 

Tuesday Jeopardy!

Wednesday Essay work:

Due Monday, October 10th

In page 235, lines 3077-78 of Beowulf, Wiglaf states, “Often many must suffer through the will of one, as has happened to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien says of this line: “There could be no more pungent criticism in a few words of ‘chivalry’ in one of responsibility.” Tolkien argued that Beowulf’s reckless pride was cloaked as heroism and that he left a mixed legacy, even according to the moral standards of his time. Other Beowulf scholars disagree, saying that Beowulf was the ideal Germanic hero and that heroes do not live by common sense alone; they say his legacy is one of character that transcends an “ordinary” human moral code.

What do you think? What was the true nature of Beowulf’s legacy? Did Beowulf’s actions help or harm his people overall? Did he act out of true concern for his people or out of selfish motivations? Were his acts of bravery noble and heroic, or were they prideful and reckless? Should heroes make common sense their standard of conduct, or is “recklessness” and risk-taking a heroic right of passage? Is the heroic standard one that transcends the moral and philosophical standards of the “common man?” Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

Essay should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with in-text citations in APA format.

Thursday Essay Work

Friday Essay Peer Review

**Reminder: Essay DUE OCT 10

Monday Discuss Beowulf pages 167-182

Tuesday Discuss Beowulf pages 183-198

Wednesday Discuss Beowulf pages 199-214

Thursday Discuss Beowulf pages 215-230

Friday Discuss Beowulf pages 231-244

**Reminder: Bell Work check on Friday

Monday Discuss Beowulf pages 92-104

Tuesday Discuss Beowulf pages 105-120

Wednesday Discuss Beowulf pages 121-136

Thursday Discuss Beowulf pages 137-150

Friday Discuss Beowulf pages 151-166

**Reminder: Bell Work Check

Monday Lecture on Beowulf context; Discuss Beowulf pages 48-58

Tuesday Discuss Beowulf pages 48-58

Wednesday Discuss Beowulf pages 59-69

Thursday Discuss Beowulf pages 70-80

Friday Discuss Beowulf pages 81-91

**Reminder: Beowulf pages 92-102 to be read and annotated by Monday

Monday No school

Tuesday Essay Writing workshop - graded summer reading assignments will be returned today

Wednesday Read and and annotate Ode to a Skylark, On Another's Sorrow, and Bright Star - Beowulf text distributed today

Thursday Discuss Ode to a Skylark, On Another's Sorrow, and Bright Star

Friday Write response essay to poetry assignment - Hand in revised summer reading assignment

**Reminder: Beowulf pages 48-58 to be read and annotated by Monday

Monday Class overview - syllabus, class procedures, etc

Tuesday Discuss Fellowship of the Ring

Wednesday Discuss Fellowship of the Ring

Thursday Discuss Fellowship of the Ring

Friday Essay writing workshop - Hand in signed syllabus

• One Binder 

• 5 Dividers - 

  1. Bell work

  2. Notes

  3. Written Assignments

  4. Handouts

  5. Paper

• Loose-leaf paper (plenty for use throughout the year)

• Pens/pencils (any dark color works, no white, peach, etc.; no red on typical assignments)