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that the seniors would end their formal school years, attempting to answer the same question.  The seniors spent a lot of time during second quarter immersed in the research paper unit.  Their research papers are related to their future career choice, and students are required to either interview or job shadow a professional working in this field.  I am very grateful to all the professionals (many right in this area) who were willing to help the students with this project.    I believe that by making the topic more relevant to their lives, students take more interest in the assignment and therefore learn so much more.  This semester the seniors are continuing with their twenty chapter Senior Memory Book writing assignments, building toward their final book.  They are beginning the Shakespeare unit right now.  The seniors will read William Shakespeare's famous tragedy Macbeth. Currently they are researching information and creating presentations on a variety of topics including food, clothing, music, art, etc of the Renaissance era.  The literature study for the remainder of second semester will consist of some selections from the British Restoration Period, the Romantic Period, the Victorian Period and the Modern Era, ending the year by reading the modern novel Flowers for Algernon.  The seniors will continue reading Accelerated Reader novels this second semester as well. 
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• Honors English - Mrs. Hanten
• The Honors English class also completed a portion of their writing requirement, the research paper unit, during the second quarter.  They continue to do much writing in their Honors class, including their thirty-chapter Senior Memory Book.  They continue to write an essay almost every week to complete this project.  Their writing skills are impressive, improving with each week.  They write with such great voice, which makes their essays very enjoyable to read.   They are beginning the Shakespeare unit right now.  The seniors will read William Shakespeare's famous tragedy Macbeth. They are also starting the unit by researching the Elizabethan era to create presentations about a wide range of topics. The literature study for the remainder of second semester will consist of selections from the British Restoration Period, the Romantic Period, the Victorian Period and the Modern Era, ending the year by reading the modern novel Flowers for Algernon.  The Honors students are required to challenge themselves through their independent reading as they continue to use the Accelerated Reader program.  Honors students may choose their novels, but are required to read some novels from an approved list of more classic, challenging works.   Research indicates that the more students read, the more their reading skills improve.  Their writing, vocabulary and thinking skills also improve.  Their success should carry over into other classes and into other aspects of their lives as well. If AR is used as intended - as a stimulus for students to read widely and well,

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