Category: English 20

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 as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“How are we changed by love?”, “Why should we value our youth?”, and “What does it mean to feel alone?”

Ways to support your child:

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 as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What should the future look like?” and “How are we changed by war?”

Ways to support your child:

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 in Ireland.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of War & Peace as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

“How are we changed by war?”

Ways to support your child:

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 text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“How do people face death?”, “What can we learn from tragedy?”, and “How are we changed by war?”

Ways to support your child:

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 trying to answer this big question :

“What are the effects of prejudice?”

Ways to support your child:

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 discussing the themes of Prejudice & Discrimination and Resilience & Success as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What are the effects of prejudice?” and “How does a person overcome adversity?”

Ways to support your child:

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 relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What does it mean to be grown up?”, “What is good and how do we know?”, and “What is fair?”

Ways to support your child:

 

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 to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

“What makes you who you are?” and “How does prejudice emerge?”

Ways to support your child:

 

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 we achieve happiness?”

Ways to support your child:

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 mean to be grown up?”

Ways to support your child: