Why are we writing this blog?

The WHY:On the first day of class we outlined the reasons why we are taking this course:

I'm so surprised no one said "I LOVE TO READ!" "I LOVE TO WRITE!" Possibly our challenging, demanding schedules have pushed choice reading to the side?

Here is what we want to learn:

All of these expectations: 

• to be prepared for AP English classes or the SAT.
• to become a better speller. 
• to become a better writer. 
• to expand vocabulary, improve grammar (for SATs and AP courses). 
• to become a faster (maybe stronger?) reader. 
• to handle pressure and stress. 

                                      will be accomplished by establishing a choice reading routine. 

NOTE: For "My mom made me" -- Moms like it when we read for fun, so we've accomplished this as well. 

We will be blogging so that we can create an online conversation about the books we are reading. This will encourage all of us to be thinking, connecting, analyzing what we are reading through our writing about on a consistent basis.

"We argue with stories, internally or out loud. We talk back. We praise. We denounce. Every story is the beginning of a conversation, with ourselves as well as with others." "The Power of Stories" by Elizabeth Svoboda