Welcome to Pluralistic Literature

Tenth Grade Honors English

Dear ________________________,
Welcome to 10th Grade Honors English! This year we will be focusing on pluralistic literature. My name is Ms.
Fougerousse. I am a recent graduate from Indiana University where I received my Bachelor of Science in
secondary education with a concentration in English language arts and a minor in psychology. I have completed
many field experiences and had the wonderful opportunity to do my student teaching on the Navajo Reservation
in Arizona. Since my return to Southern Indiana, I have been looking forward to starting a new school year with
new faces. You will find my classroom on the third floor in Room A311. For my class, please come prepared
with a one-inch three ring binder, a notebook, loose-leaf paper, index cards, and a writing utensil.
In my class, I want you to always do your best. I want your priorities to be based on intrinsic interests and your
own desire to learn more and attain wisdom about yourselves, other people, and the world around you at large. I
want you to counter the barriers that society reinforces. I want you to employ divergent thinking and seek to
creatively reflect upon what you learn. I want your experience in my classroom to be an entertaining interlude
in life. This class is an opportunity to experiment, consider new perspectives, formulate your own perspectives,
and gain the skills to express your voice in the world. The work that you put in now is an investment in the
successes of your future. We will be reading at least five novels throughout the school year to give you a taste
of pluralistic literature (and other poems, short stories, etc.). We will have writing assignments, presentations,
and projects that correspond with what we are reading. In addition, we will focus on vocabulary building and
grammar. We have a lot to cover this school year and my job is to make it interesting- that is what I aspire to do.
This is an intensive class. You will be expected to convey knowledge that you acquire through projects, papers
(writing assignments), assessments, and presentations. I believe differentiated learning and diverse forms of
assessment gauge full comprehension of a subject. This class is designed to create a basis of knowledge and
prepare you for future honors courses and eventually college level classes. You will be challenged and urged to
excel beyond minimum expectations. I expect you to develop a critical eye for various literacies and improve
writing and oral presentation skills. My class expectations are reasonable. I expect attendance, participation,
productive communication, respect, ambition, preparation, and success. I have high expectations, but I am very
responsive to your needs and individual situations.
We have a class website, www.msfougeroussenahs.weebly.com, that you will be expected to reference
throughout the duration of this academic school year. I will provide you with the syllabus and reading list.
When you walk in on the first week, you may sit where you would like. I will assign a seating chart the

following week. In addition, just a friendly reminder to make certain that your online summer reading is
completed and you have your reflective journals. If you have any problems, please contact me immediately.
Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Once again, welcome to 10th Grade Honors English!

Sincerely,

Ms. Kaylie Fougerousse

New Albany High School
English Language Arts 9A and 10H
Phone: 812-542-8506 (ex. 6868)
Email: kfougerousse@nafchs.k12.in.us