Ms. RinaldiContemporary Literature Fall 2007 Dear Parents and
Guardians: As we embark on the
fall semester and the work for this elective literature course, it is
important that I outline the basis for the literature selections. For the purposes of the course, I am
considering literature written in the last 50 years to be
“contemporary.” I have assigned the
first novel, and then will allow the students to vote (from a list I provide)
for the next 4 or 5 books that we study.
Because of this selection process, the students will be required to
purchase their own books. With this in
mind, the selections offered are paperbacks and will cost less than $10
each. I will order the books through
the school library at a considerable discount, and in each case, I will give
the students 2 weeks to pay for the books before their reading assignments
begin. I appreciate your cooperation
in this matter. My criteria for
book selection are based on literary quality and
readability, along with the book’s overall impact when it was published. While I am certainly keeping an eye on the
appropriateness of the content for high school students, these are
“mainstream” books, and may or may not contain aspects of sex and violence
that you would not normally find in high school-based literature
assignments. I take the responsibility
of selecting the literature very seriously, and can assure you that the more
controversial aspects of the novels will be handled
tastefully and appropriately. At any
time, (as with any course) you have “veto” rights. If you do not want your child to read a
certain novel, please notify me and I will assign your child an alternate
selection that meets with your approval.
I want the students to experience the power and beauty of literature,
and my ultimate goal with this course is to introduce the students to dynamic
and fascinating literature that will “hook” them and make them avid readers
for the rest of their lives. This is
an ambitious goal, I know, and I may not succeed with each
and every student, but I am committed to the effort. With this in mind, I am asking for your
signature at the bottom of this sheet.
Your signature indicates that you are aware that the novels chosen may
not be traditional Denver Public Schools literature choices. Again, you may choose, at any time, to have
your child read an alternate literature selection. I also encourage you to call me at
(720)423-6184 or e-mail me at jennifer_rinaldi@dpsk12.org
to discuss the books covered in this course. Sincerely, Jennifer Rinaldi English
Department, South H.S. ________________________________________________________________ I understand that
my child________________________will be assigned
novels in Contemporary Literature that are not limited to the approved DPS
selections for high school literature.
I also understand that I retain the right to have alternate reading
selections chosen for my child. ____________________________________ _________________ signature of
parent/guardian
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