About me: I am informal, empathetic and funny, I have high standards, and I love my students!  My classes are very much discussion based, and all students' views are solicited and heard.  

The curriculum for this semester includes, in this order: Oedipus the King by Sophocles (Ancient Greek), Things Fall Apart  by Chinua Achebe (Nigerian),  and Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (English).  Please see the supply list for the recommended editions.  There will also be short stories and poetry, including and "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats to accompany Things Fall Apart and "Sonnet 18" to follow Julius Caesar.

While the readings will be the same for both sections of the class, the Monday/Wednesday class is intended for older students and will probably move a little faster and possibly go deeper.   This being said, there are always students of differing abilities in a class, so if your younger child wants/needs to enroll in the Monday/Wednesday class or an older child wants/needs to enroll in the Tuesday/Thursday class, they are welcome!

Weeks 1 and 2 -- We will go over expectations for the class, read a couple of short stories ("The Necklace" and "Louisa, Please Come Home"), and discuss their characters, literary techniques, and central ideas.  Students will also write a TIED paragraph about one of the stories to present to the class.

Weeks 3  - 5 -- Reading and discussion of Oedipus the King's characters, literary techniques, and central ideas. Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing.

Week 6 -- Reading and discussion of chapters 1- 8 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 7 - Reading and discussion of chapters 9 - 13 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 8 - Reading and discussion of chapters  14 - 19 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 9 - Reading and discussion of chapters 20 - 25 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 10 - Reading and discussion of poem
Weeks 11-12 - Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing.
Week 13 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 1
Week 14 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 2
Week 15 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 3
Week 16 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 4
Week 17 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 5
Week 18 - Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing..
Week 19 - Reading and discussion of poem
Week 20 - Students will write an essay comparing ideas about leadership in two of the three books we've read.

Here are some sample questions for Things Fall Apart: 
Explain some of the proverbs in the book.
Compare ideas about masculinity in Ibo culture with ours.
Is Okonkwo a tragic hero?
A sample essay topic based on Things Fall Apart: Which is more just -- the Ibo system of justice or ours?  

Students will revise each essay, based on my and other students' feedback, at least once.  Grades will be provided according to a rubric which I share.  Students may receive academic credit for this class.  No background experience is required, other than the ability to read and understand the readings with my help, and the willingness to try and to learn from the class.