6/14/99
My experience for the most part in the class of English is that I have to write a lot, read a lot and not quite understand why. Normally my English classes have included much literature which has limited appeal to me, followed by constant journal and essay writing to the point when I wonder if there is any reason aside from keeping me busy. Year after year, I have complained in these "expectations for next year" writing pieces about how boring it is to constantly write and read things which have little interest to me. Normally, my complaints are unheard and I go through another year of boredom (leading to why I dislike English the most of all my classes). This year, Mr. Luizzi, has livened up the English class, with the digital portfolio and less drawn-out analysis of the books which we read. I expect much the same from the English curriculum for next year, a lot of reading mixed in with a lot of writing. Thus, I have decided not to waste effort trying to change how English is taunt. This time, my only expectation which I would like met is why. Why do we read countless books and analyze them? (I have no intention of being a book critic). Why do we write research papers comparing the criticism a book receives? For next year, I have no complaint about what the curriculum is going to be. I just want to know why it is the way it is.
I normally do not prepare over the summer for school, I generally block it out of my mind. Thus for English my only preparation is to do the required reading (and potentially a little more. It does get boring on long car rides). Secondly, I am planning to get my mind in a set which is overall positive. This is only because I had a really bad year this year, which can probably be attributed to lack of sleep and an angered attitude toward school for causing my lack of sleep. But have no worries, I intend to approach the next school year with a carefree mindset and a desire to be constantly happy (I doubt it will work).
Finally, I would like to make an appeal to you, my next year's teacher. Through my career in the high school, I have been witness to both the paper portfolio and the Internet portfolio. I wish to request of you to allow the Internet portfolio to be used as the final assessment. It is superior to the written portfolio in so many ways. To begin with, it is easier for you the assessor to just type in https://members.tripod.com/Disavow4/HomePage.html than to lug home pounds of written material. Secondly, if you cannot read, or do not like the font of the work submitted, on the Internet, you can merely copy and paste the material that you want to read and make your desired changes. None of this could be done with a traditional portfolio. From the student's perspective, The Internet portfolio ends the problem of collecting all of one's work over the year, because piece by piece it will be put on the Internet and remain there. Also, all of the previous year's work can remain on the Internet. The same amount of work is done on both the Internet and traditional portfolios, but the Internet portfolio teaches the students a potentially useful skill for the future.
I would say that I look forward to next year, but that would be a blatant lie. I just hope my experience in 11th grade English can help improve my image of school overall.
Sincerely,
Pete Yemc