Category: English 20

  • When You Are Old

    When You Are Old

    This week in class, we’re reading “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats. In William Butler Yeat’s “When You Are Old,” a speaker asks someone to reflect on their life and on lost love in their old age. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Growing Up, Loneliness & Isolation, and Love…

  • The Second Coming

    The Second Coming

    This week in class, we’re reading “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats. In this famous poem, William Butler Yeats paints a terrifying, apocalyptic scene in order to describe the atmosphere of Europe following World War I. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Technology, Progress & Industry and War & Peace…

  • Easter 1916

    Easter 1916

    This week in class, we’re reading “Easter 1916” by William Butler Yeats. “Easter 1916” is a famous poem by William Butler Yeats that deals with themes of war and loss of innocence. Although Yeats was an Irish nationalist, in the poem he describes conflicting emotions about the Easter Rising, an armed rebellion against British rule…

  • The Sniper

    The Sniper

    This week in class, we’re reading “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty. In Liam O’Flaherty’s “The Sniper,” a sniper during the Irish Civil War survives a brief conflict but suffers a terrible loss. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Comedy & Tragedy, Death, and War & Peace as they relate to the…

  • Telephone Conversation

    Telephone Conversation

    This week in class, we’re reading “Telephone Conversation” by Wole Soyinka. In Wole Soyinka’s poem “Telephone Conversation” the speaker is asked to disclose how dark they are when they attempt to rent an apartment. As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Prejudice & Discrimination as it relates to the text. We are…

  • We Wear the Mask

    We Wear the Mask

    This week in class, we’re reading “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was an influential African American poet, the son of freed slaves, and friend of Frederick Douglass. In “We Wear the Mask,” Dunbar introduces the idea of hiding behind a metaphorical mask. As we read, we will be…

  • Parent Guide: Cell One

    Parent Guide: Cell One

    This week in class, we’re reading “Cell One” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story “Cell One,” a girl’s brother is arrested and is changed by the injustices he witnesses in prison. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Growing Up, Justice, Freedom & Equality, and Morality as they…

  • Parent Guide: The Danger of a Single Story

    Parent Guide: The Danger of a Single Story

    This week in class, we’re reading “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses the importance of not allowing one story to construct your understanding of the world. As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Identity and Prejudice & Discrimination as they relate…

  • Parent Guide: Dreams

    Parent Guide: Dreams

    This week in class, we’re reading “Dreams” by Langston Hughes. In the poem “Dreams,” Langston Hughes uses metaphors to describe what life would be like without dreams. As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Beauty & Happiness as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question : “How can…

  • Parent Guide: Self-Care

    Parent Guide: Self-Care

    This week in class, we’re reading “Self-Care” by Set to Go. The informational text, “Self-Care” describes some self-care strategies and their benefits on physical and mental health. As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Growing Up as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question : “What does it…