St. John the Evangelist School
Ms. Teeple's Language Arts

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get
people to stop reading them."-- Ray Bradbury

Frustrated by wasted hours searching for useful Web sites when research projects are assigned? Looking for electronic information with authority and credibility? Check out the Springfield Township High School Virtual Library, organized and maintained by Joyce Valenza a world-class librarian.
http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/

Consider investing in the following resources for more advanced work in high school:
1. MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY
or AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
(You are now expected to work on an advanced level; your use of vocabulary should reflect that ability!!)
2. ROGET'S THESAURUS (The indexed publication is easier and quicker to use.)
3. ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk and White. (This handy little reference book is great for avoiding common writing mistakes-i.e. affect/effect, good/well, etc.)
4. A GUIDE TO MLA DOCUMENTATION or other MLA citation guide. (Knowing how to properly cite your sources and create a bibliography is crucial by high school. You must be responsible for the material you present in papers, speeches, etc. Avoid plagiarism at all costs now by learning how to do citations. Web sites are especially tricky.)

CONTESTS -- Involvement in any of these contests looks great on a college application. Seriously consider the National History Day Contest; PA district contestants present their work at Penn State for the state competition.
While you are at it...Do a bit of investigative research into academic contests. There are a couple of super contests out there if anyone is interested!

Check them out at the following websites:
1. nationalhistoryday.org

The 2005-2006 theme is: "Taking a Stand in History: People, Ideas, Events"

Check out the website first, then read through the information with your parents. I know that many of you have an acute interest in history and politics (HINT); do not let this opportunity pass you by!

2. http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters.html
This is the website for the Letters About Literature Contest that is sponsored by the Library of Congress, Center for the Book. You will find contest rules, deadlines, and topic for your grade level. If you remember, we were fortunate to have a state runner-up from our middle school. You can submit independently! So read up on this year's theme and get cracking. Deadline: 1 December 2005!!


3. http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/linkB.htm
This page is sponsored by Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth and lists several (understatement) contests in the following categories:
arts
debates
speeches
politics
social sciences
languages
and of course, etc.
There's something for everyone to pursue! Check out the requirements with your parents.

Universities and colleges look for participation in academic contests such as these. If I come across other academic contests, I will post them here.
Take advantage of these contests. Notice the repetition of the word "contest?"


Best to you all! Good luck with the new school year. Keep me posted! And remember, FAC OMNIA BENE (Do all things well)!


TYBALT

116 East Bishop Street

Bellefonte PA 16823

Phone #355-7859