Earl L. Vandermeulen High School students had an interesting culmination to their summer reading project. After reading Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” they came together to discuss the famed piece of literary work.

“We wanted to give students frequent, informal and meaningful opportunities to test the waters of literary analysis and hone their skills,” said English teacher Eva Grasso. The process gave students a new understanding of the piece of literature being examined, as well as the process of literary analysis.”

The in-class discussions for the students were opportunities to ask questions, clarify confusions and share observations before taking part in a grade 9-12 inter-class discussion to hear different viewpoints on the story’s character development, structure, style, symbolism and other content issues.

According to Ms. Grasso, these discussions left more students engaged and more questions addressed.