High School English

 

October 7

I’m looking forward to reading that pile of writing you turned in this week and will have it ready for you next time.

Please read the two essays about fairy tales and respond to these questions.  As always, incorporate the question into your answer and write thoughtfully.

  1. According to Essay #1, what are three reasons parents should avoid reading fairy tales to their children?
  2. According to Essay #2, what are three reasons parents should read fairy tales to their children?
  3. Were any of the reasons – for or against – similar to reasons you wrote about in your in-class essay? Were any new/different?
  4. Comment on each essay. What was effective, ineffective, etc. If you were to choose a “side”, which would you choose and why?
  5. Both essays fall into the “argument” category because they use evidence to support their positions. Take one essay at a time and evaluate the “evidence”.  What made it effective?  Or, maybe it wasn’t effective – say why.

FYI, we didn’t discuss in detail the characteristics of fairy tales yesterday.  These elements set fairy tales apart from other stories:

  • Set in the past
  • Uses some form of “Once upon a time…” or “In a land far, far away…”
  • Set in an “enchanted” place, such as a forest, castle, kingdom.
  • Unusual characters: talking animals, elves, giants, etc.
  • Good and evil characters are clearly defined.
  • Follow a traditional story pattern (problem/climax/resolution)
  • Protagonist will almost always live happily ever after.
  • Used to teach a valuable lesson or moral.

September 23

Due October 7:

  1. Read “Bug heads, rat hairs – bon appetite” by Mary Roach. Answer the questions below:
  2. When writer Mary Roach (her real name) describes meeting FDA entomologist Dana Ludwig, she uses an idiom to describe her awkward attempt at a joke. What idiom does she use?  How is it comical? How does she use it to transition back to the topic of the article?
  3. Using context clues, define “entomophagous”. Do not look it up.
  4. Find and write down two of the similes the writer uses in this article. What do these food-based similes add to the article?
  5. Roach writes, “If it makes you feel better, none of this filth is bad for you.” Explain your thoughts about this.
  6. Why, according to Roach, are caterpillars better for us than cows?
  7. Roach is fairly certain that Ludwig does not like her. Find and give at least three pieces of evidence that this is true.
  8. Why would Roach write this article? What type of essay is this?  What are your impressions of it?

2.  Draft the body paragraphs and conclusion of your first Open Form Essay. See my “Squirrel Wars” example, which I gave you today.  Draft means that this is your first complete write on the topic you’ve chosen.  Because all writing is rewriting (where have you heard that before?) you will revisit this essay in the future.  However, your rough draft will receive a grade for effort and comprehensiveness.

Lastly, if you’d like to rewrite your “Writing As/Is Thinking” answers for a higher score, you may turn them back to me when I see you next.

Because I am leaving town tomorrow morning, I will be unable to respond to emails and texts until I return.

September 16

  1. Read “The Tartan Army” by Peggy Noonan. If you were absent today, email me for the pdf.
  2. Answer these questions on that essay –
    1. Noonan opens her essay with “a small sweetness that was gratefully received.” What was this sweetness?  Why was it gratefully received, and by whom?
    2. What did foreign visitors expect to see in America? What did they discover instead?
    3. Noonan lists visitors’ reactions – a Canadian, a German, an Englishman, a man from South Africa. Choose just one of these and explain why this person was “gobsmacked”.
    4. Explain why Americans “see ourselves pessimistically.” Your words, please.
    5. Respond to the essay. You aren’t “agreeing with” or “disagreeing with” the author.  Instead, you are thinking about what you’ve read and expressing your thoughts, thoughtfully. (Aim for at least 50 words in your answer).
  3. Refer to the handout I gave you in class on “Squirrel Wars”, which is an “anecdote”. Your job this week is to come up with a topic which is meaningful to you and prepare to write an Open Form Essay using it.
  4. First, think of incidents, thoughts, discussions, from your own life which could work as a springboard for an “exploratory essay.”
  5. Choose one and do a 3-4 minute free write on it. We did this in class with “hot chocolate.”  You will turn in your free write.
  6. Your topic idea must suggest a “debatable question.” Mine is “Why do I value birds over squirrels?”
  7. Draft an anecdotal paragraph from your list, ending with your debatable question.
  8. Three writes due next time:
    1. Answers to “The Tartan Army” questions.
    2. Your Free Write
    3. A rough draft of an anecdotal paragraph

 

September 9

Read the two articles I gave you in class today, “Writing is Thinking” by Steven Mintz and “Writing as Thinking” by Julia McKenzie.  Answer these questions, please.  Then, staple your questions and the articles together; they are due next time.

From McKenzie’s article –

  1. What does McKenzie mean by “We’re toast”?
  2. What have we come to see as the goal of writing?
  3. What is the true goal of writing?
  4. McKenzie writes, in paragraph seven, that students who let The Bot speak for them aren’t doing themselves any favors. What does she mean by this?
  5. What is your overall impression of this essay? In other words, did you learn anything new?  Do you think McKenzie presents relevant points?

From Mintz’s article –

  1. “Academic writing is not simply a method of imparting information or demonstrating understanding,” writes Mintz in paragraph six. What is it, then?
  2. Why do we write, according to Mintz?
  3. In the section titled “Step 5: The craftsmanship stage,” what does Mintz mean by “There’s no writing, only rewriting.”
  4. What is your overall impression of this essay?

Now, you may be wondering how long your answers should be, or how much detail you should include in them to “get a good grade.” Good question.

My answer is that first, you’re taking an English class.  And second, if you’ve read both articles as they are intended to be read, you’ll understand how to answer that question.

Thanks.  This assignment is due next Wednesday.

August 2026

Hello English students and parents,

Welcome to High School English class!  I am excited to read, discuss, and write with you this year.

Our focus will be on essay writing and Hamlet. Below are just a few bits for you to absorb before I see you on Wednesday, September 9, 1 p.m.

About Writing

  • My job is to teach you to write, and I love my job!
  • Your job is to write for me, without using AI. We’ll discuss this thoroughly when we see each other.

About Essays

  • This year we’re writing essays.
  • Essays are nonfiction, informational and/or persuasive writing.
  • We write best when we write about topics which interest us. I will give you freedom to choose your own topics.
  • You will also write in-class essays.

About Hamlet

  • We’ll begin our study of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in January. Please make sure you have the No Fear Shakespeare Hamlet play by January 5, 2027.
  • You will read, recite, and perform a very short portion of the play.
  • You will also write a literary analysis essay on it.
  • Fun Fact: Seattle Shakespeare Company is performing Hamlet this fall, September 19 – October 11. Sadly, I will not be able to attend, but if you and your family/friends are interested, check it out here:  Hamlet

About Homework

  • You will always have homework.
  • Know what’s due and how to complete homework by checking the post right here each Wednesday afternoon.
  • I am happy to answer questions regarding homework via email. Please do not text me with a homework question.

About Your English Grade

  • English is worth one credit on your high school transcript.
  • I will evaluate your homework and assign a grade for it.
  • I will also send your parents a copy of your grade report approximately every 2 weeks so they can keep track of your progress.
  • Due dates are real. If you don’t turn in any assignment when it is due, you have just one extra week to get it to me — in person, not via email – and if you don’t, you’ll receive a “0” for that assignment.

Thank you, and please enjoy the few weeks of summer remaining before we dive into high school English!

In Christ,

Mrs. B