Overview
Literature is like a mode of transportation that drives us through life. When we meet new characters and encounter different worlds along the way, we not only learn more about others, but we also learn a little more about ourselves: who we are as humans, our place in society, and how we come to understand the world around us. This exploration of self is especially important during the high school years when the journey into adulthood truly begins.
(The start of each new school year marks the beginning of a new independent reading journey for all students. For an overview, see the CCS Matrix for Independent Reading in the SFHS English Department.)
Guiding Questions
By the end of CyberEnglish, students will be able to provide an informed response to the following questions and produce evidence that they have explored and grown in each area.
How does young adult literature help us understand the human experience?
What does academic writing look like in the context of an independent reader’s experiences of reflection, discussion, and analysis?
How can readers use technology to practice literature as a social interaction?
Expectations
Independent reading is good for your brain and it enriches your life, seriously. Expect to be amazed by the discoveries you’ll make on your journey into a novel and along the road to a life-long partnership with fiction. While you might not always get along easily, it is worth the effort. Here are some necessities to help you along the way:
- Choose from the genre of Young Adult Literature.
- Make choices using research and recommendations, using what you know about your interests and abilities.
- Always have a book with you. Always.
- Create and maintain your Goodreads account.
- When you are finished reading a book, announce it. Write an academic review and post it to Goodreads.
- Think, talk, and write about your reading all the time. Use post-it notes and stick them in your book. Keep a journal of quotations. Tweet. Start discussions with your peers and respond to discussions that your peers start with you.
