English IV

Welcome to English IV. This course continues an emphasis on advanced reading strategies and composition techniques integrated with a study of selected British and other world literature. Selections include fiction,
poetry, drama, literary nonfiction, and informational texts. Using the writing process, students work on refining their skills in composition and developing mature grammatical and stylistic features. In addition, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in writing for varied audiences and purposes. Students also review and refine research skills through a variety of research projects. Multiple in class writings require students to practice their thinking, organizational, and communication skills. Opportunities to practice listening/speaking and an emphasis on media literacy are inherent in the course.

Moonsong by G.K.

Moonsong
by G.K.

When awake and alone in a bed drenched in her blue light,
The Moon seems to shine for the lonely people,
Illuminating the empty crumpled sheets beside them,
Holding the forgetful hands that instinctively reach across,
Still expecting to find warmth and a pulse.
But the Moon is more alive than we think, she rises and falls and changes,
Slowly tilting her mysterious paleface away from us day by day
Until there is nothing but black above us and for a brief night, 
We experience the darkness that exists in her absence.

The Moon is more alive than we think;
She shares a cycle with every woman, taking 28 days to go from 
Dark to dark again, waxing and waning into familiar shapes
Of toenails and crescents and pizza pies;
She brings romance to the lovers,
Who dance and laugh beneath her in each other’s arms,
Outlines of hands and cheeks and lips are made softer by her glow,
Encouraging them to sing louder and hug tighter and kiss harder;
She brings peace to the baby’s slumber,
Provides a light for night swimming and campfires,
She is a friend to wolves and the lonesome dreamers.

When standing at the edge of vast ocean or lying in the middle of an open field,
Letting the Moon’s waves lickyour toes or her light soak your skin,
Unable to think of anything other than how tiny you are, 
Be like the her,
Rising and falling,
Waning and waxing,     
In complete silence,
And for no reason.

Among the Roses by J.K.

Among The Roses

Among the roses an old woman lay
Reclined in her chair, weathered and frail
Her wispy, thin fingers trembling lightly
As she reached past her armrest to stroke a lone bud [Read more…]

The Human Condition by M. Cruz

The Human Condition

The Condition by E. Schurink

Man

Insight Paper by BC

Becoming Woman: Consciousness of Condition

From birth, to live as a woman, person of color, or any individual from a marginalized group in society requires a consciousness of possessing a multi-layered identity. To some degree, all people must view themselves in context to their community, their culture, and the greater society in which they exist. However, for some groups, in particular, women, sense of self has historically been embedded in their relationship to figures outside of themselves. So much that, a consciousness of an identity independent from others is a radical act. It may not seem so radical, as contemporary American society has essentially concluded that women are of equal standing to men; however, this folly is rooted in an ignorance of the multi-dimensional character and societal “code-switching” that is required by women on a daily basis. [Read more…]