Reading: Reach Endless Academic Dreams

Reading: Reach Endless Academic Dreams

The importance of reading has always been a great necessity since the beginning of time. Mankind originally created a means by which to communicate with one another in the form of print, most commonly known as Egyptian hieroglyphics.

In today’s society, children must be exposed to print in the earliest stages of life. Mothers read to their unborn children to set the precedence for the fundamental successes of educational development. Just think about the service we could provide to our children if everyone adapted to the idea of reading to their children even before they are born. It would be like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly!

Reading-And-Singing-To-Your-Unborn-Child

We are very fond of Carl Sagan’s quote: “One of the greatest gifts adults can give – to their offspring and to their society – is to read to children.”

As educators, we understand the importance of reading to children of all ages. We believe that the more exposure a child has to reading at a young age, the more likely they are to enjoy it and become avid readers as adults. It’s become a new tradition for expecting parents to request that guests attending their baby shower bring a book instead of the traditional card to add to their baby’s bookshelf. We start to accumulate books even before our children are born. It’s never too early to start reading to our children and influence them to become readers themselves!ChildrenAt My Virtual Academy, reading is integrated cross-curricular throughout our students’ online education. Both our online high school and middle school students are actively engaged in various reading activities within our clubs, weekly live lessons, monthly thematic units, and our daily virtual lessons. It is our goal to instill the value of reading into our students on a daily basis.

book club

We encourage and challenge you to spread your wings and immerse yourself in the exciting world of literature!!

 

What are your English Teacher’s Favorite Books?

What are your English Teacher’s Favorite Books?

Hello from the My Virtual Academy English Department. Since March is reading month, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite books.

 

Charlottes WebMrs. Trost (English IA/B, English IVA/B)
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

This book stars a young pig, Wilbur, whose purpose on the farm is to become a meal on the table. With the help of his barnyard friend, Charlotte- a barn spider, Wilbur is portrayed to be an extraordinary pig. I loved reading this book when I was younger and enjoy reading it with my boys. This is a book that even entertains me as an adult. We all have to remember that we aren’t as simple as we sometimes seem.

 

Mrs. Schultz (English IIIA & IIIB)
Digital Fortress by Dan BrownDigital Fortress

This novel is a fast-paced suspenseful thriller dealing with the struggle between human intelligence and machine. The United States National Security Agency’s code-breaking supercomputer discovers a code so complex that not even it can crack it. The main character, Susan Fletcher, is called in to help break the code. What she discovers shocks her and could crush U.S. intelligence as we know it.

“Everything is possible. The impossible just takes longer.” ― Dan Brown, Digital Fortress

 

The Last LectureMrs. Fisher (English IIA/B, Psychology)-
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch was a Professor at Carnage Melon University. He was diagnosed with cancer and did not have much time to live. This short book tells of his incredible final lecture given to students. His words of inspiration talk of following your dreams and not giving up! I have read this book a number of times. It always motivates me to aim high and have a positive outlook on life.

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” —Randy Pausch

 

Mr. Ellis (English):
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Great Gatsby

If you like action-packed love stories set in the Roaring Twenties, you’ll LOVE The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This story has everything! Race-cars, gangsters, lavish parties at giant mansions, hopes, dreams, love, unrequited love, intrigue, dysfunctional relationships, symbolism, fights, old money, new money, people who are not who they say they are, people who aren’t sure who they want to be, liars, cheaters, twists, turns, and a bittersweet ending! WOW!!

This book is often read in high school (including here at My Virtual Academy) and is one I have both read and taught many times. I find something great about the book each time I read it!

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning —
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

DaemonMs. MacKinnon (English, Health):
Daemon by Daniel Suarez

The book I would recommend is “Daemon” by Daniel Suarez. A genius computer software company owner creates a computer program that takes over and runs the world after he dies. The program anticipates every possible move made by any person, company or government that tries to destroy it. It uses men’s fear, greed and desire for power against them. Something like this could never really happen…..could it?

 

Ms. Scarzo (English, Health, Music Appreciation)
Oh The Places You’ll Go By Dr. SeussOh the Places You'll Go

This children’s book is a guide to the journey of life. It is a very inspirational book that is a reminder that you can be what you want to be with a little bit of hard work. Of course, things don’t always go as planned but the book encourages readers to go out and make things happen. I received this book from one of my teachers when I was a Senior in High School and I still have it and read it to my boys today.