The Hughes News
Sophomore Honors English Newsletter ~ November/December 2018
REAL-WORLD PUBLISHING: MEET GOODREADS.
In addition to all of the essays and assignments that are common to the entire sophomore class, your student-author is also doing real-world writing.
Every month, students publish multi-layered, analytic book reviews about their monthly choice books on GOODREADS. The best part? In addition to getting real-world publishing experience, they are writing for an authentic audience of 82 million bibliophiles, rather than just for Teacher-Lady. It doesn't get more authentic than that!
Click HERE to read more about how I use Goodreads in the classroom--featured at EDUTOPIA, the George Lucas' educational foundation.
TERM 2: "BLINDNESS & SIGHT"
This term, your student and I are exploring Unit 6 in Pearson (i.e., our online anthology), which is entitled "Blindness & Sight." The Essential Question that we are answering throughout the term--both in discussions and in writing--is: What does it mean to see? We will be exploring many texts together, including Sophocles' play Oedipus the King.
To see the entire unit, click HERE.
TB12 SAYS, "HI!"
Teaching in the 21st-century classroom is exciting! However, just because our students have devices in front of them doesn't mean we teachers are doing anything innovative with them. A worksheet that is done in a Google Doc is still just a worksheet. (There is, of course, a time and a place for worksheets.) However, teachers also know what a distraction technology can be for our students if we don't manage the 21st century classroom differently than we did, say, five years ago.
In that vein, last month a former colleague and I were selected to present at MassCUE 2018, the biggest technology conference in the northeast. Our workshop offered innovative ways to help teachers engage their students in today's classroom. This is the sixth time we've presented at MassCUE--and the only time we get to legally hangout in a Gillette skybox.
TRAITS OF AN HONORS STUDENT
In February, students will be selecting their classes for next year. If honors or AP English is in your student's sights, s/he will need to be a voracious reader, an insightful, non-formulaic writer, an intellectual thinker, an independent self-starter, a vibrant discussion contributor, and an engaged (rather than merely compliant) class member.
DOG-TIRED!
The newest member of the Hughes Casa is our one-year-old rescue, Bella. A Jack Russell/hound mix, Bella loves playing, snuggling, napping, and quite possibly long walks on the beach. However, as this picture reveals, Bella loves herself some good reading, too! (Although, if we're being honest, there's more eating than reading going on in Puppydom these days. We're convinced she thinks her middle name is "NO!"--as in "Bella, No!")
At the very least, Bella can confirm what the research has been showing us for years: Among its myriad benefits, reading helps us sleep better. So, just reading for ten minutes before bed could help your student--and you--get a better night's sleep!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING JUST GOT EASIER!
The best part? Once an item has been purchased (which can ship directly to the recipient--and even be gift-wrapped for a little extra--or to the Buyer's home for future giving), it is automatically removed from the list. It's the perfect way to guide family members in the shopping process--especially if they live far away. Our family has been using it for years. And if Mom is an English teacher, at least one of the items has to be a book!
Click HERE for a quick tutorial of how this feature works.
Be sure to ask your student what s/he is learning, as well as how s/he behaves in and contributes to our class. Scores alone merely show whether or not students are good test-takers and/or consistent homework doers. (Honors students are usually both of these things.)
Instead, ask to see your student's Term 1 CLASS PARTICIPATION SELF-ASSESSMENT and your student's DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP SELF-ASSESSMENT. These two end-of-the-term rubrics provide a much more complete picture as to how your child is doing in English.
44 STANDARDS? PIECE O' CAKE!
Is Your Student Reading at Home?
Note: December means that your student should be reading his/her FOURTH (!) book of the year. Ask your reader what s/he's enjoyed so far.
How to Contact Me
Email: beth.hughes@wpsk12.org
Website: msbethhughes.org
Location: Wakefield Memorial High School, Farm Street, Wakefield, MA, United States
Phone: (781) 246-6440
Twitter: @msbethhughes