This document outlines the curriculum for a freshman English literature class, including units covering Greek mythology, shorter readings from the teacher's collection of historical documents and literary styles, independent reading assignments, developing vocabulary, and incorporating technology through projects like wikis, blogs, and online collaboration. Parents are encouraged to have their children read regularly at home to support their success in the class.

1. www.mrgibbs.com/bhs
Freshman English
Lit I / Lit IH

3. Greek Mythology

4. Greek Mythology

5. LI

6. LIH

7. LIH

13. LIH

14. Shorter Readings
• I have 28 years of compiled reading material
spread over three file cabinets. Most are
historical documents or examples of literary
styles. Most are designed to compliment core
literature. They are inserted as appropriate
throughout the year.

15. Independent Reading

16. Parents Please
• Historically students who have had difficulties
maintaining high grades have been students
who do not read at home.
• Please encourage your children to read
regularly. Ask them questions. “What are you
reading? How far are you? When will you
finish? Have you tested on it with Mr. Gibbs
yet?”

18. We will tackle a variety of forms
• Expository analysis of classic literature
• Persuasive analytic arguments
• Business letters
• Dialogue and group discussion
• Research
• Comparison / Contrast
• Descriptive writing; sensory writing
• Narratives and story telling
• Dialogue
• Poetry
• Journal writing

19. Vocabulary
• Through a variety of projects, quizzes, games,
and challenges students will learn to integrate
210 new words into their vocabulary

20. The 21st Century
• Technology is integrated into this class
• Students will create wikis, blogs, screencasts,
widgets, and websites.
• Students will collaborate online with teacher and
classmates
• Students will do some digital submission of work
• Students will learn vast new educational
resources to help them later in their academic
lives

21. Some of the Sites We’ll Visit

22. I do not want to be a bottleneck
• I want my students produce more than I can
process
• I want them to read more than I can assign
and write more than I can read
• Independent Reading program
• Journal Writing program
– Paper
– Online