English II

Course Description

English II is a U.S. Literature & Composition Class where students enjoy reading, writing, and discussing American works, going all the way back to Colonial Times.

Students will learn the skill of writing persuasive essays while they read classic U.S. literature novels.

This class utilizes the Lost Tools of Writing program to teach excellent writing and communication skills. Assessments will include completed essays (a rubric/checklist will be provided so that expectations are clear), and overall grade will be determined by a combination of class participation, assignments completed, and essay presentations.

English II will get your student thinking, reading, and writing about the United States is excellent to take while studying American History.

Required Reading

Short Stories provided by the teacher 

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Peace Like a River by Leif Ehger

The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern

American Poetry provided by the teacher

Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch

Short Stories provided by the teacher

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Posts

Dear Families,

     Students are putting their finishing touches on an Essay on Mom that is due next Wednesday. At the same time, they are continuing their reading journey through To Kill a Mockingbird and finishing it before we meet again. 

 

     As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress or assignments. 

Dear Parents,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an update on our classroom activities and to remind you of an upcoming assignment deadline.

Our class has recently completed the first part of To Kill a Mockingbird, and we are excited to delve deeper into the lives of Scout, Jem, and Atticus in the coming week. The students have been engaged and enthusiastic about the text.

As part of our exploration of the novel, I have assigned a reflective writing task for the students. They have been asked to reflect on their memories and family experiences, drawing connections to the themes and events in the book. This assignment is designed to encourage deeper understanding and empathy, as well as to foster critical thinking skills.

The reading and writing brainstorming assignment was posted earlier on Google Classroom. It is due on Monday, April 29th. 

Should you have any questions or concerns about the assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Your involvement and support are greatly appreciated and contribute to the success of our classroom community.

Warm regards,

Students are putting their finishing touches on their Great Gatsby Essay that is due Monday. At the same time, they are continuing their reading journey through To Kill a Mockingbird and have discussion questions also assigned for Monday.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress or assignments. 

 

Dear Parents,
 

Our students have concluded their journey through The Great Gatsby, commemorating today with a reflective discussion and eulogy for Gatsby himself. In our class dialogue, we explored whether Gatsby truly merits the title of "great." Despite the somber atmosphere, our students are now prepared to embark on the brainstorming and invention phase for their upcoming essay on The Great Gatsby.

Alongside their essay preparations, our enthusiastic students will be delving into the captivating world of To Kill a Mockingbird. Each student has been provided with a copy of the book (if they didn't already have one) to aid them in this literary exploration and questions to answer for discussion.
 
As always, your participation and encouragement are appreciated. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress or assignments. All assignments are posted in Google Classroom.
 
Warmly,
Mrs. Jinks

Dear Parents,
 
I wanted to share the delightful experience we had in today. We explored Chapters 5 & 6 of The Great Gatsby creatively - by acting the characters out on a radio talk show. The students took on the roles of Nick, Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, and I must say, their performance was truly impressive.
 
What made this exercise even more special was that the casting was random. Despite this, your children demonstrated such talent and creativity in bringing these characters to life. I was thoroughly impressed by their ability to embody each character's essence and convey the story's emotions and tensions.
 
It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm and dedication to the task. Experiences like these enhance understanding and foster their confidence and communication skills.

I am grateful to have such gifted students in our class, and I look forward to exploring more literary adventures with them in the future.
 
We are on the home stretch, and it is vital for students to stay on top of their assignments and due dates as outlined in the Google Classroom and finish well. To help track students' progress, I will be using iGradePlus.com and sending an invite later this week. This platform will allow parents and students to monitor grades.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about grades or assignments, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to make this last quarter a successful one! All assisgnments are posted on Google Classroom. 
 
Warmly,
Mrs. Jinks

Our class is progressing through The Great Gatsby, and students are actively preparing for the upcoming research paper.

A reading and writing task has been assigned on Google Classroom for tomorrow, Thursday, March 28th, and Tuesday, April 2nd.

My prayers are for you and your family to have a joyful Easter celebration as you remember the Resurrection of Jesus!

 
 
 
 

Schedule

Some exciting news to share ... our class is ahead of schedule with our literature, and we can add some extra gems to our reading list.

We will be diving into The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's in the public domain, and I've posted a link in Google Classroom. 

Next, we will explore the powerful themes of justice and compassion in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. No need to worry about getting your hands on it—I've already purchased copies for everyone!

And lastly, we'll be experiencing The Chosen by Chaim Potok together as a play. I'll make copies of the script for everyone. 

I'm thrilled to embark on these amazing, American literary adventures with your students.

Warm regards.

As our class ventures into the captivating world of literature, I wanted to take a moment to update you on our recent activities and provide some insight into our upcoming endeavors.
 
Recently, we embarked on an exciting literary journey by delving into F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless classic, "The Great Gatsby." This novel is available online in the public domain, and I provided a link to Google Classroom. This literary work offers a rich tapestry of themes, characters, and social commentary that resonate with readers across generations. Through the lens of this literary masterpiece, we aim to explore the Roaring Twenties, the complexities of the American Dream, and the enigmatic figure of Jay Gatsby himself.
 
This morning we analyzed the socio-economic backdrop against which the story unfolds. By immersing themselves in this literary world, your students are honing their critical thinking skills, fostering empathy, and cultivating a deeper appreciation for literature's ability to reflect and critique society.
Furthermore, today, we took a fascinating detour into the realm of the oceans as we explored the majestic world of sharks. Through guided research and lively discussions, your students uncovered a wealth of information about these fascinating creatures, from their ecological importance to their role in popular culture.
 
Moreover, I observed a spark of curiosity within them as they began to contemplate topics for their research projects, which we will complete in the last quarter of this school year.

Dear Families,
 
     As spring break approaches, I hope this message finds you well! Whether you are planning an exciting getaway, a peaceful staycation, or simply looking forward to spending extra time at home with your family, I encourage you to create lasting memories and embrace the beauty of spring! 
 
      Homework is posted in Google Classroom for students to finish this week so they can fully enjoy the break.
 
      Your student received progress reports in class today. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 
 
Warm regards,
Mrs. Jinks
 

Dear Parents,
 

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to update you on our recent activities in class.

Today, we finished reading The Old Man and the Sea, and I must say, it has been a thought-provoking and engaging read. As a part of their learning experience, each student has been provided with a list of essay prompts related to The Old Man and the Sea. They will be required to select two topics from the given prompts and write a paragraph for each.

To further support their understanding and practice, we have utilized the "ICE Your Evidence" technique through slides and class notes. This methodology encourages students to paraphrase information, use direct quotations, and integrate them seamlessly into their writing. The materials and resources utilized in this lesson have been made accessible to the students through Google Classroom.

Moving forward, we will be delving into two more pieces of Hemingway's writing this week.

 
Warm regards,
Julia Jinks
 
 

Hello Parents, 
 
Thank you for encouraging your children to stay on top of their English II-IV assignments and reading.
 
Here's how you can support them this week:
Students are working on creating an outline and writing an essay on Ashes of Roses.
Encourage your student to:
Develop a structured outline with key points and arguments.
Incorporate elements and techniques addressed on Google Classroom.
Construct a well-thought-out persuasive essay.
 
Also, students have started reading "The Old Man and the Sea."
Engage in discussions about the text to deepen their understanding and critical thinking skills.
By staying involved in your child's reading journey, you can help them navigate the complexities of analysis, writing, and critical thinking.
 
Feel free to provide support, guidance, and encouragement as they explore these enriching literary pieces. Please let me know if there is any way that I can help.

Ashes of Roses:

  • Our class has transitioned from reading about the Civil War to exploring the immigrant experience and the Triangle Fire through Ashes of Roses.
  • The author's committment to write with historical accuracy delivers a rich and informative read.
  • Students will write essays analyzing the characters or historical themes of the time. 

Essay Writing Process:

  • Students continue generating questions and seeking answers as the foundation for essay development.
  • They will also continue to utilize "tried and true techniques" to guide them in crafting effective essays.

Ernest Hemingway:

  • Later in the week, the class will delve into the works of Ernest Hemingway, a renowned figure in American literature. 
  • We will read three of his short stories, beginning with, "The Old Man and the Sea."

All assignments are posted in Google Classroom.

Students are finishing their persuasive essays on The Red Badge of Courage, adding new techniques.
 
And, we are beginning a new novel, Ashes of Roses.
 
The class dissected Valentine's Idoms in class on Wednesday and will continue reviewing figurative language for Valentine's Day. 

All assignments are in Google Classroom. 

In class this week, students have been discussing the classic The Red Badge of Courage. Students have brainstormed proofs to support their thesis statements. They are beginning outlines for persuasive essays about Henry, the main character, and his experience in war. In this essay, we are adding elements to the introduction, division, and conclusion. 
 
I am proud of your student's hard work and dedication to literature and writing!
 
All assignments are in Google Classroom.