Results of the Friday, March 14th meeting

The Secondary English folks are creating a new core literature list. If you have taught or provide support for any of the grades below, please look at those attached files. You can either suggest books that should be included or you can suggest books that should be deleted. Remember that you will likely have to live with this list for a long time.

Parameters were established for selection that included the following:

• Support master of ELA Standards
• Be grade level appropriate
• Reflect cultural diversity
• Be on the CDE list or another recognized authority*
• Potential for student engagement
• Relevant themes
• Contribute to students cultural literacy

7th Grade Core Revision Draft Fb 08.doc

Comments

1. "Tangerine" by Bloor

2. "Speak" by Anderson

3. "Circut Stories"

4. None of my Eng. teachers have commented, so this is just my 2¢. "Yearling" and "Old Yeller": that's a lot of dead pets on one list. "Sign of the Chrysanthemum", "The Apprentice" and "Dragonwings": I understand wanting the core books to reflect soc. st. themes, but will these books really grab kids? I'd rather see a high interest book that will reel them in even if it has no SS ties at all. I agree with the ones on the suggested additions list. (Terri)

8th Grade Core Revision Draft Feb 08.doc

Comments

1.This may sound heretical, but I would like to see a graphic novel on the 8th grade list -- I don't have a specific one in mind at this time, but I think it is worth consideration.

2. I had thought the same thing. One thought was American Born Chinese. I also asked Bob Turnipseed about this and he is going to get me a couple graphic novels. (Tom)

3. Suggestions for Graphic Novel..."Laika" by Nick Abadzia, "Auschwitz" by Pascal Croci, "Maus/Maus II" by Art Spiegelman, "Kampung Boy", by Lat (is my Social Science background showing through;-})

4. I find "Izzy, Willy-Nilly" an important topic, but a bit dated (1986)."Whirligig" instead, perhaps? "Witch of Blackbird Pond" is so looooooong. Is it just me or do the titles on the 8th grade suggested additions list seem older than the ones on the 7th list? (Terri)

9th Grade Core Revision Draft Feb 08.doc

Comments

1."Man Named Dave" should not be on the Core list...it simply goes back over (skipping the details) of the 1st book, "Child Called It."

2. I would definityl recommend "Child Called It", "Circut", and "Secret Life of Bees"...I can not keep enough "Child Called It" on my shelves (they grow legs!) Battle of the Books team is made up primarily of 9th graders...they recommended "Secret Life of Bees" - and in reviewing the content I too highly recommend the book (it meets all requirements)! "Circut" is also a book our students relate to, and find enjoyable!

3.Do not remove Animal Farm! This classic is one of the only ways students begin to grasp social/economic differences between capitalism and communism/socialism. 9th graders do not have a social science class, and this helps prepare them for 10th grade World History.

4. It was suggested that we not put A Child Called It on the CORE list because it is so popular in the high school libraries. This sounds good to me. It draws kids in.

10th Grade Core Revision Draft Feb 08.doc

Comments

1. "Seedfolks" would be a great addtion to the core list.

2. "First They Killed My Father" - yes! It would give them deeper understanding of the World History curriculum they are also taking in 10th grade!

3."Farewell to Manzanar"...should be left on the 11th extended or put on the 11th grade Core!

4. Some wanted Night on the list (again?) but since it's been around so long, I suggested "First They Killed My Father". Better for our ethnic groups to related to.

11th Grade Core Revision draft feb 08.doc

Comments

1."Farewell to Manzanar" - move to Core;

2.

3.

12th Grade Core Revision draft feb 08.doc

Comments

1. Highly recommend "Like Water for Chocolate", the book is relevant to our students.

2. "Angela's Ashes" is also relevant to students and would be a better choice than some of the novels on the current Core List...

3. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

• Additional Titles recommended...

1. "Forged by Fire, " "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper. I am not sure about grade level placement (9-11th)? Our students can not get enough of these titles...they are Coretta Scott King Award winners...not sure about CDE; however another of her novels that deals with "hazing" is on the CDE...it's title is "The Battle of Jericho," it is not as "loved" by students as the other 2, but could be a great introduction to Draper's works.

***Don't worry too much about whether it is on an approved list. The committee will determine that.**