Passion & Compassion
English III
In which we discuss differences, equality, discrimination and the importance of engaging. We also practise speaking in front of others.
Could it be that there are really only two things you need to make the world a better place? The central words for this module are passion and compassion. What do they mean to you? To really make the most of your life, find that thing that makes you light up inside, then shine that light on others around you. What if we all did that? How do we get there?
Your first book to study as a class this term is a tale of a boy who has an unusual problem to face (pun partly intended) Or.. is it unusually... usual? Welcome to the world of WONDER, by R.J. Palacio.
Part 1 of this module is centred around the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. We wil spend time in class reading and discussing it, and you will, as usual, be required to do some reading at home. You will keep a reading journal as always, and will end this work by writing a mock exam in the form of a commentary.
Part 2 asks you to select your own reading book that touches on one of the themes 'passion' or 'compassion'. This means that if your passion is football, you may read a book about that, and if it's cooking, you can read a recipe book. For those of you who just can't get enough of this work, add a movie, a newspaper article, or anything else relevant to your passion. If, instead, you are moved to read more stories about compassion, tolerance, diversity and suchlike, you may do so. Again, you will keep a reading journal, and also a log book to prepare for the final part of this course.
Part 3 finally lets you take the stage and speak up. You will prepare and take part in a live book club, representing the book you chose to read, and you will write and give a short (max. 2 mins) speech (live in class, filmed, and for the very brave: live on stage in the light hall during a busy break) on your passion in life, whatever it may be right now.
What's your passion?
If you want to read about something you love, but don't know which book to choose, try google & goodreads.com , your local library, the school library, and talk to me if you need help getting hold of the book you want.
What is the reading journal?
It's a record of your reading, your thoughts and ideas, and your planning for the part of this work that involves a passion of yours. It shows how you prepared; research, inspiration, notes for book club, and your drafts and final versions of your speech.
What is book club?
It's a session where a group of students who have either read the same book, or have read different books with a common theme, discuss their reading experience and analyses. You prepare for it by thinking carefully about how the book is written and what it tells us. You can bring a few notes to book club, but you are expected to be able to talk freely about your book, and carry on a conversation with the other clubbers. Read more here:
Types of Text: The Speech
It's important to be able to voice your opinion, for your own sake, and sometimes for the sake of others.
This course will look at writing and giving speeches, and you will have a chance to produce your own.
We will also work with a bit of translation and style-shifting, as it's good to be able to use the appropriate style of language depending on the situation, and as bilingual speakers, you are also expected to be able to shift easily between English and Swedish.