On Monday (1/23), 9th and 12th grade classes will be taking their summative tests for their respective Unit 1. Then we’re switching gears and moving into their next units of study. One thing that will be required for 9th and 12th grade classes is that we’ll begin our SSR (Silent Sustained Reading). Students have been asked to bring a book of their choice to class each day. We encourage reading at Kell High School and we want our students to read something that they’re motivated to read.

Success is tied to reading. So, let’s read more!

The average American only reads one book a year and that average reader only reads the first chapter of that book. Did you know that Warren Buffett reads two books a day? Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg read a book a week. Tai Lopez (speaker on the video) reads a book a day. If the most successful people are reading and we’re not, then we’re not living up to our potential. I, like Lopez, wish I would have started reading more earlier in life.

Charles Munger, business partner of Warren Buffett, says he doesn’t know any successful person who’s not reading. He said, “Everyday go to bed a little wiser than you were the day before.”

The Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia’s Poet Laureate Judson Mitcham announced the fourth annual Poet Laureate’s Prize contest is open to all Georgia high school students, grades 9 through 12. Each entry must be an original poem that is 30 lines or less. Please go to website to review the official guidelines as well as read the poems of past winners from 2014-2016 at http://gaarts.org/programs/literary-arts/poet-laureate-prize

I’ve encouraged all of my students to write a poem. The deadline is March 3, 2017.

Click here to read the reasons why and keep clicking for slideshow.  http://cdn.readtapestry.com/stories/y6J2bGpOm/index.html

Hello Students and Parents/Guardians,

Due to the Winter Storm Warning, Kell High School is on an early release schedule today. I’m posting it for your information. Stay warm and drive safe. For further information, please check the Cobb County School District website at http://www.cobbk12.org/

Welcome Back Students and Parents/Guardians,

I look forward to meeting my new students in my 9th Grade Literature and 12th Grade British Literature and Composition courses. On day 1, we’ll review the class syllabus as a whole class. Each student and his/her parent/guardian will be asked to sign and date this document confirming that you have read, understand, and agree to abide by the classroom/course policies. This form needs to be signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian AND returned to me by Monday, January 9, 2017.

Student-parent class policy agreement

My blog helps you to stay in touch with what is going on in our classroom each week as I’ll post pertinent details and a variety of supplemental texts as well as audio and visual supports on this blog to aid in student-centered learning. But nothing replaces attendance. Students who excel and do their best are the ones who come to class. Please click on the appropriate tab for your grade level and course.

Also note that I have an online library tab. Our English department supports Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) time. In class, we’ll take time out to read. Students will be asked to choose a book of their choice that they’ll read during SSR time. Students can choose a book from my class library as well as our media center or their local library and bookstore.