Journey Into Self-Discovery

 

Seniors, your adventure through high school is almost complete.  This year we will explore English through the eyes of travelers seeking new and exotic destinations and adventures.  Not only will you learn new material, but you may just learn something about yourself. 

 

Heroic Adventures:

Who are your heroes?  Are you a hero?  What makes someone heroic?

Ø       Lit-  Lord of the Rings, Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte D’Arthur

Ø       Writing – Personal:  Significant Event in Your Life

 

Romantic Getaways:

How does love affect your actions?  What qualities warrant your love?  How is today’s concept of love different than that of 20 years ago? 

Ø       Lit.-  Sonnets, Marlowe and Raliegh poetry, Wife of Bath’s Tale

Ø       Writing- Descriptive:  #2 HOES- Place where you feel comfortable (your Camelot)

Tragic Kingdoms:

What tragedies have toppled your kingdom (family)?  How do you react to bad events?  Have you ever dealt with death-  the concept or actual family death?

Ø       Lit.-  Macbeth, Hamlet

Ø       Writing:  Research:  First multi-paragraph research paper- Macbeth (book report vs. research paper)

 

Inspiration Pointe:

What inspires you?  Is there a higher power at work in your life, actions, and attitude?  What words of inspiration or wisdom do you live by?

Ø       Lit.- King James Bible, Carpe Diem poetry

Ø       Writing- Second multi-paragraph, multi-source research paper-  Topic chosen from list

 

Fantastic Realities:

What is your fantasy life, career, salary?  What steps could you realistically take to have those things?  What do you see yourself doing in ten years?  Is there a such thing as a “free lunch”?

Ø       Lit.- A Modest Proposal, A Journal of the Plague Year, Dr. Faustus

Ø       Writing- Expository-  #3 HOES -  Survival Tactics

 

Amazing Discoveries:

What are your amazing qualities?  What do you hope people discover about you when they meet you?  What have you discovered about yourself between Junior High and High School?

Ø       Lit.- Blake poetry, Wordsworth, Burns, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Ø       Writing-    Personal:  My Travels Through Life (10 personal essays about each stage of your life)

 

Home is Where the Heart Is:

What is home to you?  How has your family and home life shaped who you are?  Do you have biases or prejudices based on your home, family, or upbringing?

Ø       Lit.- Tennyson, Browning, Hardy, Housman, Pride and Prejudice

Ø       Writing-  Personal:  My Travels Through Life (10 personal essays about each stage of your life continued)

 

The End of the Road:

What choices do you face now that you are graduating?  What qualities do you possess that will ensure a positive end to your travels?  When the road splits, what path will you choose?

Ø       Pygmalion, The Rear Guard, T. S. Elliot, A Room of One’s Own

Ø       Writing-  complete My Travels Through Life