Founders Classical Academy of Fort Worth
Week of November 23 - November 29
"What's done can't be undone."
— William Shakespeare
IMPORTANT DATES
THANKSGIVING BREAK - 24 - 28th
6TH GRADE POEM RECITATION - DECEMBER 1st (7:45 am)
7th GRADE POEM RECITATION - DECEMBER 2nd (7:45 am)
Movie Night - December 5th
Week in Review
6th Grade:
In 6th Grade Literature, we continued reading our play Julius Caesar, taking time to closely examine the rich and sometimes challenging vocabulary Shakespeare uses. Students discussed how specific word choices contribute to tone, character development, and the overall dramatic effect of the play. Throughout the week, we paused often to annotate unfamiliar terms and connect them to their meanings within the historical context of Ancient Rome. By the end of the week, students demonstrated their growing understanding of this vocabulary through a short quiz assessing key terminology. They have shown excellent engagement as they adapt to reading a play aloud and interpreting Shakespeare’s language together. In 7th Grade, we concluded our novel Fahrenheit 451 by working through the final portion of Part III. Students analyzed the themes, character arcs, and symbolic imagery that shape the novel’s powerful conclusion. We wrapped up the unit with a final test on Friday, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension and analytical skills.
Next Week
Next week, school will be closed for Thanksgiving Break! Classes will resume after the holiday. I hope all students enjoy a well-deserved rest and a wonderful time with family and friends.
Words of the Week
Soothsayer — (noun) a person who predicts the future; a fortuneteller.
A fitting vocabulary word from Julius Caesar, where the soothsayer famously warns Caesar to “beware the ides of March.”
Mancub — (noun) a term used by the wolves in The Jungle Book to refer to Mowgli, meaning a human child raised among animals.
Did You Know?
In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare alters historical details to heighten dramatic tension—one notable example is the timing of Caesar’s death. Historically, Caesar was attacked almost immediately upon entering the Senate chamber, but in the play, Shakespeare expands the scene with dialogue, warnings, petitions, and suspenseful buildup. This not only intensifies the drama but also sharpens the themes of fate, ambition, and betrayal, making the moment far more emotionally impactful for audiences.
Poem(s) of the Week
6th Grade's Recital Poem
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
7th Grade's Recital Poem
The Sea of Faith
by Matthew Arnold
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,
Retreating, to the breath
Of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear
And naked shingles of the world.
Ah, love, let us be true
To one another! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;
And we are here as on a darkling plain
Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,
Where ignorant armies clash by night.
Resources for Parents
Here are a few excellent, free sites to help students build reading comprehension skills at home:
ReadTheory – adaptive online reading practice with comprehension quizzes:
https://readtheory.org/
CommonLit – free texts with guided questions and assessments:
https://www.commonlit.org/
Newsela – leveled nonfiction articles to strengthen reading comprehension and critical thinking:
https://newsela.com/
About Mr. Laurence
Mr. Ethan Laurence-Gauglitz earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of North Texas, also studying a semester at Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität in Hannover, Germany. After graduation, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kosovo, working as a grant writer for the local municipal government and teaching English in local schools. These experiences deepened his appreciation for cultural exchange, global perspectives, and the power of language to connect people.
Most recently, Mr. Laurence was the Academic Coordinator and Lead English Instructor at Excel Academy in Henderson, Nevada, where he developed curriculum, supported teachers, and helped students reach their full potential. He brings to the classroom a love for languages, literature, and learning, and is excited to share these passions with his students this year.