I am in the process of creating a classroom library for the students of my literature classes as we believe in promoting the love for reading at Kell High School. My library is full of titles for teen boys and girls to read with a great selection of young adult novels. I am using a free app called Booksource and students can get added to view the books I have available and login at: https://classroom.booksource.com/Sign-In.aspx

9th and 10th grade literature classes are reading William Shakespeare, the famous bard who gave us 3000 new words and at least 1700 phrases that we use today in our modern day conversations. It is our language and it is everywhere. Here’s a Ted Talk worth watching with speaker Christopher Gaze, Artistic Director of Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in England.

Students have been given time in class to complete their work but if they missed class or didn’t finish all of their work then they have homework. All supports needed to succeed are posted under the appropriate grade tab.

Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Dear Parent and/or Guardian,

Today we took the students to the media center to create an account on the USA Test Prep website. Students began studying and took a practice test for the Georgia Milestones 9th Grade Literature and Composition EOC (GSE) exam. Your student will take the official exams on December 5-6 for Sections 1 and 2. On December 7, they will take the writing section.

How can your student prepare for this important test that is 20% of his semester grade?

• Have your student log into his account and take practice exams to study and learn @ https://www.usatestprep.com/member-login
• Students may also access The Georgia Milestones Assessment System for more study tools at http://gaexperienceonline.com/
• I recommend that students study 15-30 minutes a day for the EOC assessments from now until December 5. Please encourage your student that he/she needs to study. Blowing off studying and thinking that they can just show up and pass the test is not a good preparation strategy.

We will spend one day a week practicing for the EOC in a computer lab but it’s important that students find time to study at home outside of class.

Overall, a good study strategy is for students to study their Literature class notes and materials for 20 minutes per day. Students have major summative tests and projects that will be due as we near the end of the semester that will include taking final unit tests for Romeo and Juliet and The Lord of the Flies units. There will be one final overall test for the entire semester. Please help your student to wisely manage his time as we near the end of the semester. Like runners in a race, we do not stop running or slow down until after we cross the finish line.

Both of my classes are (or will be) reading Shakespeare. Why are we studying one of the greatest writers 400 years after his death? Stephen Brown in his TED Talk speaks about the relevance of Shakespeare and the importance of theatre. In essence, to seek meaning in living. Please take a moment to listen and open yourself up to receive this message.