As seniors, students have the privilege and opportunity to take a variety of different English electives. Courses range from grade level, honors, and AP level curriculum. The AP and honors classes include AP Literature, Grammar and Composition Honors, Journalism, Humanities, Creative Writing, and Film Analysis. Some of these classes offer honors and non-honors options where all students participate in the same class but complete different assignments for different credits.
A class with this particular structure is World Fiction with Mrs. Van Skyock. I have been lucky to take this class and I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience this semester.
All of the stories we read are very entertaining, easy to understand, and are set in a variety of places around the world. This semester we read a story from Africa: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a story from Mexico: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, and a story from China: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. I enjoyed each of these stories and I never felt lost and never had trouble reading the book. If you are confused, Mrs. Van Skyock is very helpful and will help you understand the story and the characters.
I also love it because the tests and quizzes are very easy to prepare for. In each story, you will have a “halfway there quiz” and a test when you finish the book. Along with the reading, study guides are provided with questions similar to the ones on the upcoming test. These study guides have been super helpful for me and my classmates to feel prepared for tests and quizzes. Another studying tactic is a class version of the game Jeopardy. In our version, the class splits into teams and plays with questions based on the book for the opportunity to study and earn some extra points.
In addition, it is very easy to make up when you miss class. With a majority of the class structured around reading the book, you can easily be caught up by reading on your own outside of class. You can also work on any projects from home. As a senior, this is really nice to have as school is often missed for college visits, sick days, etc.
Lastly, the part of World Fiction I love the most is the projects that we do at the end of each book. Each book has a general theme or idea, and in the project you study that idea in your own life and present it to the class. I thought it was interesting to compare and contrast ideas of the book to that of my own life. It was also special to learn more about my classmates and their lives outside of school.
“The novels are nearly a jumping off point for sharing real life experiences,” Mrs. Van Skyock said.
Through these projects I have become more appreciative of special things in my life that are unique to me. Having the opportunity to present and share something in my life made the class even more meaningful to me.
All of my classmates have also enjoyed their time in World Fiction.
“World Fiction is very laid back and easy going but you still get a lot out of it and have a good experience. Mrs. V is the best and I’ve loved every class I’ve had with her,” senior Cole Ward said.
Although there are many great English elective choices for seniors at LFHS, I highly recommend students give World Fiction a shot.
