Welcome

Dear Students,

Welcome to the 2009-10 school year, eighth grade, and Reading and Writing! I would like to make your transition into eighth grade as interesting as possible which means that we need to start out the year with a clear understanding. The purpose of our class is self-improvement through reading and writing. The reason you are in school and the reason that I teach is to become a better human being. This means that everything we read, every homework assignment I give, and every project you complete is intended to make you a world class learner and a better human being.

Through reading and writing we will focus on the analysis and research of big questions about how to live life, what is worth knowing, what is worth experiencing, and why (just about everything). We read literature because the themes — the author’s commentary on human nature – are timeless and relevant. We read text, in general, because reading gives you access to knowledge, emotions, ideas and people beyond those you encounter in your own life. We write combining conventions and creativity to respond to text, to inform others, to persuade others, to compare and contrast, and to tell stories.

A huge world exists beyond the four walls of our classroom, and you have the right and responsibility to be a part of that world. I know you will be a better person because of our work.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Donovan,

donovans@ccsd15.net

Mrs. Donovan‘s Education:

University of Illinois at Chicago

Master of Education

Endorsements: Middle School, English, Spanish, ESL

Anthropology, and Sociology

University of Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Contact Information:

Mrs. Donovan, M.Ed.