Joshua evidenced impressive initiative this summer .From the recommended summer reading list he read Jane Eyre,a lengthy 1847 novel, a passage from Thoreau's Walden, as well as Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." We briefly discussed the novel and addressed Carson's technique of argumentation By contrast, we noted Thoreau's reliance on pathos and personal observation. I then reviewed the proposed syllabus which this year will focus on American authors. Further, we looked at the 11th grade textbook , and I pointed out the readings of Melville, and Hawthorne that we will be studying in the first quarter as well as the location of some additional material on Thoreau.