The Summer of Trying New Things

En route to Chicago, I saw the shop from American Pickers

As I went through this summer, I began to call it “The Summer of Trying New Things” because I tried so many things this summer that I had never done before.  The first thing I did, which you can obviously tell, was chop all my hair off.  On a sort of whim, I decided to try it very short for summer.  Secondly, I joined a swim team.  I have never been much of a swimmer, and to this day I’m not sure how I got talked into it, but it ended up being relatively fun and incredibly good exercise.  I suppose the swimming could be what lead into my next endeavor, which was my first triathlon ever.  It was incredibly difficult, but I did end up getting first in my age group (we won’t talk about the fact that there were only three people in it).  The final addition to my summer of new things was new adventure.  I went on a road trip and was able to visit to Chicago for the first time, where I also participated in my first color run.  It was a really fun time getting to see the city, eat some wonderful food, and get splattered like crazy with color.  I suppose my summer just goes to show how much of adventure even the simplest things can be if you are trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

Welcome Back!

Despite how quickly the summer went, I hope that everyone is ready to start a brand new school year. There will be more to come on how my summer went, but for now, I would just like to welcome everyone back to school and back to English class.  Just like any other school year, there will be changes and challenges, but with hard work and perseverance, we will make it through, and hopefully have a great time in the process!

I would also like to welcome the freshmen to my English class.  Even those who have already had me in reading, get ready for a whole new experience.  This class will be challenging, but if you work diligently, then you will do just fine!  Don't be afraid to approach me and ask me questions, whether it be about English class or life in general.  My door is always open (metaphorically speaking.  Sometimes I have to close it if it's loud in the hall, or if I'm having a meeting, or something like that.  You get the idea).

In the coming weeks, we are all going to be pushing through and doing many different types of reading and writing.  I encourage everyone to give everything their best shot and keep an open mind with everything we do.  Reading and writing can be tough, but it is also very rewarding if you just give it a shot.  Remember, if you approach something with a bad attitude, it will probably be just as bad as you think it's going to be.  However, if you go into something thinking that there is a possibility for you to enjoy it, then maybe you will!

Overall, I just want to wish everyone a great school year and encourage you to do your best in every endeavor that you undertake.  No matter what challenge you end up facing, there is someone at this school willing to help you, whether it be myself or any other staff member.  However, all the encouragement in the world may not change the fact that a lot of you feel like the kids in this video:


Good luck, and enjoy the new school year,

Mrs. Weiss

Finishing the year strong!

Summer is almost here, but all the high school English classes still have a lot to do before it's time for lazy days at the lake.  Some classes are starting new pieces of literature, and others are working finishing long units.

English 9 students are thoroughly enjoying the book!

English 9 has been spending the entirety of the fourth quarter reading the book The Book Thief.  This book takes place during the World War II era in Nazi Germany.  It is told from the perspective of a very unique narrator.  While this is the first year that this book has been taught in this class, older students might remember writing a persuasive research paper
their freshman year.  In addition to their reading, students are working on putting together a three page paper on topics of their choice.  Topics range from abortion, marriage equality, and the drinking age, to college athletes, bullying, and school lunches.

Looking at the next grade up, English 10 is finishing up their unit on poetry.  Once they turn in their projects and take their quizzes, they will be moving on to a play called Death of a Salesman.  Yes, the play is about as depressing as the title suggests.  The play will be, for the most part, read as a class.  And, of course, we can't forget that quarterly responses are due on May 8.

Some students wonder what's they'll read in years to come

The Juniors will also be reading a play, and by the same author, no less.  This play is called The Crucible, and it is a story about the Salem Witch Trials.  Actually, that's only half correct.  Those who remember learning what the term "allegory" means will understand what I mean when I say that it is a story that uses the Salem Witch Trials to talk about the United States around the 1950's.

Finally the Seniors, who are even closer to summer than the rest of us, are also reading an allegory.  The name of this one will probably be familiar to all of you:  Animal Farm.  They will be finishing up this week and then doing projects next week, leading up to a grand debate between barn animals.

High school kids--you are are so close and yet so far.  You can see the finish line, but you are not quite done with the race.  So, I leave you with this countdown clock, not to encourage you to put your mind in summer mode early, but rather to remind us all that time is ticking and we should use it to its fullest before it runs out!


Countdown Clocks