English - Classroom Activities

Transition to College:

English 1A - There is a research paper that is designed to focus on someone who works in the student's desired career. They must research the person to understand how the person was able to enter into his/her career. This exercise requires inward reflection on selecting a major and how to apply this major to their career.

SLO: It gives students a clear perspective on their personal career goals, and how they can pursue their goals.

English 1A - One of the four writing assignment is completing the UC application personal statement. Even though students may have a school option in mind, this exercise prepares them to apply to a desired college in the future. They also will have two opportunities to revise the paper.

English 1C - The research paper is to research a school that fits the categories (1 - A school they have never thought of attending; 2 - A school that has their major). They are to look at the campus climate, history, conduct interviews, admission procedure, matriculation rates, attrition rates, etc. There have been a few students who have been admitted based on this exercise to schools like Mt. St. Mary's, LMU, Seton Hall University, and University of La Verne. I have also built relationships to give students scholarships to Mt. St. Mary's, Niagara University and Seton Hall University.

Mock Trials:

Using some of the literature from the class, such as The Monk, Othello, Paradise Lost, I have invited judges and attorneys into the classroom to preside over the court cases where students put the antagonists on trial. The students were divided as the prosecution and defense, in which they had to present evidence and testimony that is completely based on the book.