#1 Journal on Summer Reading for Sophs AND Seniors

Let's put your summer thoughts away for a few minutes because you're officially back to school, and school work, as verified by your first trip (at least this year, for all of you returnees) to Schoolsville. At Schoolsville, the sun always shines (influenced by my own sunny disposition), with no threat of a hurricane, tornado, or an earthquake.

"All" of the blog posts that are enumerated (with a # sign in the title, like this one) require you to turn in as part of your "writing journal" near the end of the marking period for a grade. If you see a # in the title, then your response to the prompt will become a part of your written journal.

"Often" these blog posts will require an online response from you within a few days so that your class can immediately read these responses. But NOT this one.

Instead, complete your response "at your leisure" to turn in when the journal is collected.

Here's your first journal writing prompt. Answer both questions:

To test your summer reading, in addition to a couple of upcoming "check" quizzes on summer reading on Sept. 9, please answer these questions for BOTH of your summer reading books and turn in with your writing journal at the end of the marking period.

1. Did you like reading this book? Why? Did you not like it? Why not? Be specific. You can't say it was boooooooooring. Criticize characters, plot, writing style, language, etc. , you know, some of the elements of fiction that we'll be studying this year. Of course, if you liked it, point out the parts of the book that you enjoyed.

2. If you were teaching this book to a high school class, on what elements of the book would you focus? For instance, would you (sophs) delve into the historical background of Gatsby? Would you (seniors) examine the investigative process of Truman Capote in writing In Cold Blood?

Again, you will hand in these responses at the end of the quarter as part of your journal. Remember to write about both of your summer readings, expressing yourself in a minimum of 200 words for BOTH works.