Welcome to English 8.
What is English? English is not just the study of spelling and grammar rules – that is the stuff that operates in the background. More importantly, English is the study of thoughts and ideas – a study of the human condition.
So what then is the human condition? It is the condition of, well, being human. Happiness, sadness, heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, triumph, honour, conformity, love and an ocean more of emotions and states of mind are all ideas that we explore in the literature we study. The study of English is really the study of the world, the study of thought, the study of understanding, and the study of our own mind all at once. It may not be easy, but it is important, and very worthwhile.
What big thematic ideas are we going to look at this year?
Identity/Adversity/Community
What do we know of them and what do they mean to us?
We can learn this by studying these ideas in literature.
So what will we study this year?
First few lessons – introductions and building a community
First Term – Exploring Our Identity (Potentially; myth, poetry, short stories, and non-fiction, grammar, writing)
Second Term – Exploring Adversity (Potentially; the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, and some short stories and poetry, writing, and presenting)
Third Term – Exploring Community as seen through literature (Potentially; media, short stories, poetry, and potentially a novel and/or film, writing, and presenting)
Last few lessons the semester in review and final overview assignment
You will be asked to demonstrate your exploration of these ideas and pieces of literature through various projects, presentations, and writings. These assignments adhere to the government proscribed learning outcomes of Speaking and Listening, Reading and Viewing, and Writing and Representing on which you will be assessed for demonstrating ability and growth. Much of this assessment will come from Term end Portfolio collections of your work throughout the term, and reflections on that work and how it represents the change and growth in your learning. Do not throw out work until the end of the semester!
I look forward to a fun filled year of exploration and learning with you. Remember two old sayings:
“You get out what you put in”, and
“It is much easier to keep up than it is to catch up”.
Cheers and Good Reading
Mr. F. Culbert