Welcome to Weatherford High School! My name is Claire Varnon, and I am teaching English III, Read180 and Student Leadership for the 2011-2012 school year. Following is some basic information about each of these three courses:
Read180:
Read180 is a technology-rich, small group based course for students who want to improve their reading, spelling, and word recognition skills. Each day, students will work in small groups at three different rotations: independent reading, Read180 skills software, and small group reading in workbooks. The class size for Read180 caps at 15, so students receive more one-on-one instruction and attention. All supplies for Read180 are provided and stored within my classroom.
English III:
English II is a class in which we will explore a wide variety of genres in literature, as well as write analytical and expository paragraphs and essays on a regular basis. Students will focus their vocabulary studies for the year on literary terms and elements, and will also become adept at composing analytical and expository paragraphs and essays. A journal is provided for students and will be kept in my classroom. Students should arrive in class each day with notebook paper, pen or pencil, a higlighter, and some type of notebook or folder in which to organize their work.
Student Leadership:
Student Leadership is a fantastic and diverse group of WHS students whose goal is to SERVE and UNIFY our school. Student Leadership is both a course at WHS and an extra-curricular organization. Not all students in the Student Leadership group are enrolled in the Student Leadership class: there simply is not enough room. Those students who are enrolled in the Student Leadership class will act as committee leaders for the larger group and will receive their committee assignments within the first week of school. Student Leadership does require participation and volunteer work outside of the school day. Students in the leadership course will need to come to class with basic supplies--pen or pencil, paper, highlighter--as well as a personal planner of some kind.
I am very excited about the 2011-2012 school year! Students and parents, please feel free to contact me with any questions throughout the school year, either via phone or email. Go ROOS!
--Claire Varnon