DJO English Round Table Podcast

Episode 75: A Raisin in the Sun (Summer Reading Strategies) Lorraine Hansberry (1959) Running Time: 13:04 This Week's Topics: Guiding questions Taking notes in a dramaIndirect characterization Original Air Date: 7/17/15 Students are often told to "take notes" as they make their way through the summer reading, but sometimes it can be tricky to determine just what we should take notes on (and why!) in each new book. This week, Mr. Meehan puts a "Five Minute Focus" -- which is actually more like ten minutes -- on A Raisin in the Sun. This episode is packed with sample note-taking strategies, close-reading techniques, and the types of questions that will help you better understand the only full-length drama in DJO's summer reading college prep curriculum. Pro-tip: listen to this podcast and the Junior Summer Reading episode before you start reading! These recordings are loaded with tips and strategies on how to make clearer sense of the book and boost your comprehension as you read. (It's like extra credit in advance!) Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 68: Summer Reading 2016 (Grade 10) Running Time: 23:32 This Week's Guests: Mrs. Cerniglia Ms. LadasThe end of the school year is almost here! And the DJO English department is podcasting all summer long to help steer you through some of the tricky spots and frequently asked questions regarding the summer reading assignments for each grade level. This week, two of O'Connell's sophomore English teachers join Mr. Meehan to discuss the 10th grade summer curriculum. So join us for some helpful tips on what to keep your eyes peeled for as you enjoy the sun and fun of summer (and a little bit of reading, while you're at it). Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 19: Night (Summer Reading Strategies) Eli Wiesel (1960) Running Time: 12:27 This Week's Topics: Guiding questions Close reading strategies Books without chapters Original Air Date: 7/10/15 Students are often told to "take notes" as they make their way through the summer reading, but sometimes it can be tricky to determine just what we should take notes on (and why!) in each new book. This week, in memory of the recent passing of Eli Wiesel, Bishop O'Connell High School takes a close look at Night. This episode is packed with sample note-taking strategies, close-reading techniques, and the types of questions to ask yourself as you make your way through this defining work of Holocaust literature. If you're looking for additional summer reading strategies, be sure to check out the Sophomore Summer Reading episode before you start reading. These recordings are loaded with tips and strategies on how to make clearer sense of the book and boost your comprehension as you read. (It's like extra credit in advance!) Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 66: Largesse 2016 is Here! Running Time: 15:00 The Bishop O'Connell High School literary magazine is hitting news stands next week, and we've got a full-color publication with 100 pages of student poetry, artwork, and creative writing to "Illuminate the Knight." This week, join Mr. Meehan, faculty moderator of the Largesse, for a sneak preview of what's in store for this year's publication. Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 18: The Alchemist (Summer Reading Strategies) Paolo Coelho (1988) Running Time: 12:27 This Week's Topics: Taking notes Close reading strategies Tracking literary allusions Original Air Date: 7/13/15 Students are often told to "take notes" as they make their way through the summer reading, but sometimes it can be tricky to determine just what we should take notes on (and why!) in each new book. This week, Mr. Meehan puts a "Five Minute Focus" -- which is actually more like ten minutes -- on The Alchemist. This episode is packed with sample note-taking strategies, close-reading techniques, and the types of questions to ask yourself as you make your way through a text that's sprawling with subtext and literary allusions. Pro-tip: listen to this podcast and the Sophomore Summer Reading episode before you start reading! These recordings are loaded with tips and strategies on how to make clearer sense of the book and boost your comprehension as you read. (It's like extra credit in advance!) Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 72: The Hobbit (Summer Reading Strategies) J.R.R. Tolkien (1937) Running Time: 11:14 This Week's Topics: Taking notes Close reading strategies Tips for fantasy literature Original Air Date: 6/25/15 Students are often told to "take notes" as they make their way through the summer reading, but sometimes it can be tricky to determine just what we should take notes on (and why!) in each new book. This week, Mr. Meehan puts a "Five Minute Focus" -- which is actually more like ten minutes -- on The Hobbit. This episode is packed with sample note-taking strategies, close-reading techniques, and the types of questions to ask yourself as you make your way through this landmark work of fantasy literature (hint: there's a bunch of stuff in here that you won't see in the movies!).Pro-tip: listen to this podcast and the Freshmen Summer Reading episode before you start reading! These recordings are loaded with tips and strategies on how to make clearer sense of the book and boost your comprehension as you read. (It's like extra credit in advance!) Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 71: To Kill a Mockingbird (Summer Reading Strategies) Harper Lee (1960) Running Time: 11:03 This Week's Topics: Taking notes Close reading strategies Tips for re-reading Original Air Date: 6/15/15 Students are often told to "take notes" as they make their way through the summer reading, but sometimes it can be tricky to determine just what we should take notes on (and why!) in each new book. This week, Mr. Meehan puts a "Five Minute Focus" -- which is actually more like ten minutes -- on To Kill a Mockingbird. This episode is packed with sample note-taking strategies, close-reading techniques, and the types of questions to ask yourself as you read (or re-read) this classic of American literature. Pro-tip: listen to this podcast and the Freshmen Summer Reading episode before you start reading! These recordings are loaded with tips and strategies on how to make clearer sense of the book and boost your comprehension as you read. (It's like extra credit in advance!(It's like extra credit in advance!) Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 12: Summer Reading (Grade 12) Running Time: 24:14 This Week's Guests: Mrs. Cerniglia Mrs. O'Reilly Mr. MeehanSummer is here! And the DJO English department is podcasting to help steer you through some of the tricky spots and frequently asked questions regarding the summer reading assignments for each grade level. This week, we've got teachers from each of our senior-level classes (College Prep, Honors, and AP). So join us for some helpful tips on what to keep your eyes peeled for as you enjoy the sun and fun of summer (and a little bit of reading, while you're at it). Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 69: Summer Reading 2016 (Grade 11) Running Time: 29:11 This Week's Guests: Ms. Gibeily Mrs. Jester Mr. Meehan Summer is almost here! And the DJO English department is podcasting to help steer you through some of the tricky spots and frequently asked questions regarding the summer reading assignments for each grade level. This week, we've got teachers from each of our junior-level classes (College Prep, Honors, and AP). So join us for some helpful tips on what to keep your eyes peeled for as you enjoy the sun and fun of summer (and a little bit of reading, while you're at it). Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.

Episode 67: Summer Reading 2016 (Grade 9) Running Time: 24:47 This Week's Guests: Ms. Ladas Mrs. WentzelThe end of the school year is almost here! And the DJO English department is podcasting all summer long to help steer you through some of the tricky spots and frequently asked questions regarding the summer reading assignments for each grade level. This week, two of O'Connell's freshman English teachers join Mr. Meehan to discuss the 9th grade summer curriculum. So join us for some helpful tips on what to keep your eyes peeled for as you enjoy the sun and fun of summer (and a little bit of reading, while you're at it). Your browser does not support this audio Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes! And we'll see you again next week.