April/May Newsletter
Ms. Genord English 3
What we are Reading: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
The novel opens with the narrator, Holden Caulfield, a seventeen-year-old boy from New York City, telling the story of three pivotal days in his life. The whole narrative is a coming to terms with the past, since Holden tells it from a psychiatric institution. It is the adult world that has driven him insane. He cannot relate to anyone except for his little sister Phoebe. Everything and all other people seem "phony" to him. Since Holden is becoming an adult himself, he is unhappy with what he will represent. He flunks out of three boarding schools in a row, the latest of them Pencey Prep, which is also where the first part of the story takes place. Although Holden may not be the most admirable character, students learn that while growing up is eminent, you don't have to conform to the world around you to be successful.
What We Have Been Doing
Students have been reading each night and completing study guides outside of class. In class we have been completing various activities which encourage a deeper analysis and understanding of our narrator.
Assessments:
There will be 3 quizzes over the book and additional reading quizzes if needed. Students will also have several journal entries and will be writing 6 word memoirs for Holden Caulfield.
Quotes:
"Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." -Holden
Other Areas of Focus
Pictured Below: To prepare for Catcher in the Rye, I asked students to draw a brain and fill it with words representing what occupies their own brain. The idea was to introduce students to the stream of consciousness thought revealed in the novel through Holden. After completing the assignment, I made a Wordle with all the words students came up with. The largest words are those most commonly used in the brain drawings.
What's Coming Up?
Last Vocab Quiz Unit 15
Reading Quizzes (chapters 10-20 and chapters 21-26)
Holden Caulfield 6 Word Memoirs
What's Going to be on the Exam?
Students will receive a study guide during the week before finals detailing the format of the final. Below are the different novels, short stories, plays, and poems which will be covered. I recommend students begin organizing their class materials in order to prepare for the final exam!
Unit 4: Realism/Modern Short Stories and Poetry
The Story of an Hour- Kate Chopin
Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge- Ambrose Bierce
A Mystery of Heroism- Stephen Crane
A Rose for Emily- William Faulkner
Raplh Waldo Emerson Poetry
A Clean Well Lit Place- Ernest Hemingway
Unit 5: Modernism
The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Unit 6: Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes Poetry (particularly 'A Dream Deferred'
A Raisin in the Sun- Lorraine Hansberry
Unit 7: Contemporary/ Postmodern
Harrison Bergeron- Kurt Vonnegut
Tepeyac- Sandra Cisneros
The Cather in the Rye- J.D. Salinger
Ms. Genord
English 3 and 4 Teacher
Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns!
God Bless
Email: cgenord@fgrhsaa.org
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