English ÔBulletÕin
Department Highlights and
Happenings
- The
2005-06 academic year was filled with accomplishments and growth for
Roslyn High SchoolÕs ninth grade
English students. Our newly revised curriculum was successfully
initiated. The Secret Life
of Bees and The Color of Water are two contemporary novels that were introduced and welcomed
into the curriculum.
Likewise, the grammar component of our curriculum was revised to
ensure adequate preparation for all standardized exams and preparation for
college writing. In the
spring, a number of our students enthusiastically participated in our
annual Shakespeare Festival.
Several students performed scenes from Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet, and the entire 9th grade attended the
event. Governor George E. Pataki hosted
New York State's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards where he
presented one of our students with this prestigious honor. We look forward to a successful
2006-2007 school year.
- Tenth grade
World Literature teachers are developing a new curriculum that seeks to
incorporate a wider range of multicultural authors in order to broaden the
studentsÕ reading experience.
In class, students will be asked to read, write, analyze, and
critique all works in an open academic forum which allows them to develop
original work that explores their individual cultural backgrounds. This enables students to learn
about previously unfamiliar ethnic practices, beliefs, and history while
developing skills in critical thinking and analytical writing.
- Last May, eleventh grade
English students traveled in the footsteps of 20th century
immigrants to New York City.
The Big Onion Tour Group led the students through the same
neighborhoods as featured in E.L DoctorowÕs Ragtime a novel studied in American Literature Honors
classes. Students enjoyed a walking tour through the many layers of
the multi-ethnic Lower East Side.
Stops included: The "Tweed" Courthouse, Five Points, the
African Burial Ground, and sites associated with Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Jacob
Riis, Abraham Cahan, Pierre Toussaint, Emma Goldman, and many others. This year we hope to guide all 11th
grade students through the Gold Coast of Long Island as part of their
study of The Great Gatsby by F.
Scott Fitzgerald. Students will begin their tour right in Roslyn with an
examination of what once was Harbor Hill. Sands Point, Westbury Gardens,
Coe Hall, The Frick Estate, and Oheka Castle are other anticipated
destinations.
- The twelfth
grade teachers had continued success
with programs such as ÒWriters on WritingÓ sessions, Philosophy Fridays,
and the year-end Honors Thesis project. Among the new works to be added to the curriculum this
year are Enemy of the People (Regents), The LiarÕs Club (Analysis) and Fences (AP).
The Seminar in Issues and Literature (PigLit) expanded to two full
sections, and its success has led to the implementation of the
interdisciplinary/seminar style approach in the American Civilization
class for juniors. AP
Masterpieces has also expanded from three to four sections this year.
- Three Roslyn
English students were recognized at
the North Shore Young Authors Conference for their outstanding pieces in the Poetry,
Short Story and Journalism categories.
- On May 18, 2006, the
English department sponsored the annual Shakespeare Festival. Roslyn High School students traveled back to
the Elizabethan era to celebrate William ShakespeareÕs birthday and
experience life in the 17th century. The courtyard was
decorated with period inspired art and sculpture provided by the Art
department. Students
were treated to Elizabethan dancing and the orchestraÕs performances of
Elizabethan music. They also watched fencing demonstrations, played
popular 17th century games, had their fortunes read, and
learned about the inner workings of The Globe Theater. The highlights of
the day were the Shakespearean scenes that were staged by students and
members of the English faculty. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful afternoon
and delicious snacks provided by the Life Skills program.
- Student
Prints, the literary magazine of
Roslyn High School, has had a busy spring and is now gearing up for an
equally busy autumn. The
32-page book consists of the very best poetry, prose, and artwork that our
students have to offer. New
members are welcome.
- Lyric ÔNÕ Latte, a biannual coffeehouse event, features poetry
readings and musical performances by students and English faculty
members. What began as an
informal get together of Student Prints club members on a pair of
Friday evenings has blossomed into a hotly anticipated, standing-room-only
event that highlights the creative power and abilities of our
students. The next Lyric ÔNÕ
Latte is scheduled for Friday, December 15 in the English Study Center.
- Creative
Writing students had a very
productive year with more than half of the students having pieces accepted
for publication by TeenInk.com, Creative Communications, and Student Prints.
- The Film
program has grown to include six
classes with almost 150 students for the coming academic year. In addition, Lecture Hall A has
been reclaimed as a media center for the program. The Roslyn Film Society will be
holding its first student film festival open to parents and the community
in the fall of 2006. One of
our students won first prize at the Locust Valley Student Film Festival for
the short documentary film Katehomena (Homeland).
- English
Independent Study & Writing program
encourages students to pursue their own academic interests in the
humanities and provides them with a forum for their investigative
expository essays and creative writing. Last year our students were published in The Concord
Review, Teen Ink, Creative Communication, and MerlynÕs Pen. This year promises to be just as
successful with students currently working on such topics as Christian
Fundamentalism in America, The Warsaw Ghetto, Islam & War on Terror, A
Critical Analysis of HawthorneÕs Short Stories, Bipolar Disorder and the
Artist, The Philosophy of Plato and Nietzsche, and The Requiems of Verdi
and Mozart, just to name a few.
An original student screen play and novel are also in the works.
- Three English
teachers coached the high school forensics team through a highly successful year. The forensics congress team took
first place in the State Championships held in Albany and sent two
students to the National Tournament in Chicago. Four speech students qualified for the state tournament
and six speech students made it to the final round of the National
Qualifying Tournament.
As you
can see, the English department has worked hard to enrich the lives of RoslynÕs
students.
We are
looking forward to an even more successful 2006-2007 school year!!!