Here are your reminders as we move forward into May!
AP English III:
Tonight for homework I want you to continue with your reading of The Things They Carried by reading "The Man I Killed". It's a relatively short story, but there's a lot of really dense meaning packed within a few short paragraphs. Read it carefully and annotate it heavily as we'll be working through this piece on Tuesday. Also, you should begin to prepare yourself for a Synthesis timed writing soon. I don't think it's going to be on Tuesday because I think we have a few other things to work on for Tuesday, so it'll most likely happen on Thursday/Friday. Review synthesis, argumentation, and analysis. Start studying and preparing for your AP Exam which is coming up a lot sooner than you may think.
Also, on the subject of the exam, start working on your rhetorical vocabulary. I've found this site and this one which has commonly used rhetorical devices on the AP Exam. Most of them we've gone over in class, some we haven't (can't teach everything) - If you're starting to ramp up your studying I'd use this site as a resource to see what you know and what you don't. Focus on those new terms to get stronger at multiple choice!
English I:
At this point everyone has their progress reports! We will finish the poetry quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday by looking at and completing the short answer questions. Over the weekend I would like for you to put forth a lot of effort on your poetry projects as well as your extra credit projects. For the extra credit projects you need to answer question number 11, and then either 12 OR 13. Remember to keep all of your journals together. These extra credit projects will be due in approximately two weeks.
For the poetry projects I would like to set you the goal that you get one of your writing pieces done this weekend. Remember especially with the continuation that you need to follow to the letter the original poem's format and content. I'll be looking closely to make sure you do this.
Oh, and lastly, girls in the dance concert - amazing work on Friday night. It was great seeing so many of you on stage having fun and dancing beautifully. Enjoy the weekend!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Homework for B-Day Students - 4/26
Students,
Not much has changed between A and B day. There are a few alterations, but not many.
AP English III:
We finished the notes sheet on Orwell together in class for tonight focus on "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" (a real place, I googled it) and your conversation group preliminary work.
English I:
Nothing has really changed for you all either. You still have your quiz next class, which is what you really need to prepare for. Take your time to study and review both the poems and vocabulary. You did get progress reports today; show them to your parents/guardians tonight. Some of you have some good things to celebrate. Some of you need to make up some work.
See everyone on Monday, enjoy your weekend and work hard!
Not much has changed between A and B day. There are a few alterations, but not many.
AP English III:
We finished the notes sheet on Orwell together in class for tonight focus on "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" (a real place, I googled it) and your conversation group preliminary work.
English I:
Nothing has really changed for you all either. You still have your quiz next class, which is what you really need to prepare for. Take your time to study and review both the poems and vocabulary. You did get progress reports today; show them to your parents/guardians tonight. Some of you have some good things to celebrate. Some of you need to make up some work.
See everyone on Monday, enjoy your weekend and work hard!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Homework for A-day Students - 4/25
This is one of those situations where I'll need to make two postings: one for A-day classes and one for B-day.
A-day Students -
Due to the fact that today was a PLC day we were cut a bit short. Let me review for all of you what I'm expecting when you walk in on Friday.
AP English III:
Please begin tonight by reviewing the notes sheet that I intended for us to get to in class but we didn't. It has several questions for you to investigate regarding "Shooting an Elephant" - the main point of this assignment is to do what we were doing in class; focus on specific paragraphs and areas of Orwell's text in order to unlock his purpose. Very close level analysis. Make sure that you've dealt with each question as we'll begin Friday with this.
Furthermore, I'd like for you to read what is my favorite story in The Things They Carried - "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong." Annotate it heavily, look at the characters as symbolic in this story, and also think about the idea of "truth" from the previous story. I look forward to our work on this story on Friday.
Oh, lastly, touch base with your discussion groups. You'll have a bit of time on Friday to talk in class. But I want to see some movement on these projects before you walk in on Friday. Don't start the conversation on Friday, pick up from where you've already begun.
English I:
Today in class I gave you your final project for the year - your poetry project. After you finished your reading assessment you were supposed to use the internet or the books in the media center to select your poem and give me the title and author. If you didn't get your title and author approved by me in class, you must have this information on Friday.
On Friday you'll have your Wordskills Unit 2 Exam as well as your Poetry Quiz on the four poems we've been studying this week. Review the poems carefully. Study them intently. Know the literary devices at work in the play (we made a chart about this earlier this week). Pay special attention to tone. We'll be moving on to some different poems soon, perhaps on Friday with time permitting!
A-day Students -
Due to the fact that today was a PLC day we were cut a bit short. Let me review for all of you what I'm expecting when you walk in on Friday.
AP English III:
Please begin tonight by reviewing the notes sheet that I intended for us to get to in class but we didn't. It has several questions for you to investigate regarding "Shooting an Elephant" - the main point of this assignment is to do what we were doing in class; focus on specific paragraphs and areas of Orwell's text in order to unlock his purpose. Very close level analysis. Make sure that you've dealt with each question as we'll begin Friday with this.
Furthermore, I'd like for you to read what is my favorite story in The Things They Carried - "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong." Annotate it heavily, look at the characters as symbolic in this story, and also think about the idea of "truth" from the previous story. I look forward to our work on this story on Friday.
Oh, lastly, touch base with your discussion groups. You'll have a bit of time on Friday to talk in class. But I want to see some movement on these projects before you walk in on Friday. Don't start the conversation on Friday, pick up from where you've already begun.
English I:
Today in class I gave you your final project for the year - your poetry project. After you finished your reading assessment you were supposed to use the internet or the books in the media center to select your poem and give me the title and author. If you didn't get your title and author approved by me in class, you must have this information on Friday.
On Friday you'll have your Wordskills Unit 2 Exam as well as your Poetry Quiz on the four poems we've been studying this week. Review the poems carefully. Study them intently. Know the literary devices at work in the play (we made a chart about this earlier this week). Pay special attention to tone. We'll be moving on to some different poems soon, perhaps on Friday with time permitting!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Homework for 4/23 and 4/24
Let's just get right to the business.
AP English III:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to read two things. From The Things They Carried, I'd like for you to read our next major story "How to Tell a True War Story" - continue to annotate heavily and notice how O'Brien is continuing to develop his characters, motifs, and specific themes. This is an especially interesting story to consider when thinking about our big issue of truth and honesty in a memoir.
I'd also like for you to read George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant." That essay is found in 50 Essays or at this link. As you read this, consider the idea of obligation and duty especially as we began discussing this idea today in our discussion of "On the Rainy River." How is Orwell like O'Brien here? How is their choice similar?
English I:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to make some more entries in your extra credit reading journals. You are going to select either question six or seven, question eight or nine, and question ten to answer. Notice that you will answer three questions here. Make sure you pay attention to the details in the assignment as it's given to you.
Furthermore, I'd like for you to begin to prepare for your quiz that is coming this next Friday/Monday. Your assessments on Friday/Monday will cover Wordskills unit two and also the four poems that we've been studying this week. Please make sure that you're well prepared and that you've studied hard. I'll be giving out a review sheet for the vocabulary exam on Wednesday/Thursday in order to help you prepare.
As always, if you have questions, please ask!
AP English III:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to read two things. From The Things They Carried, I'd like for you to read our next major story "How to Tell a True War Story" - continue to annotate heavily and notice how O'Brien is continuing to develop his characters, motifs, and specific themes. This is an especially interesting story to consider when thinking about our big issue of truth and honesty in a memoir.
I'd also like for you to read George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant." That essay is found in 50 Essays or at this link. As you read this, consider the idea of obligation and duty especially as we began discussing this idea today in our discussion of "On the Rainy River." How is Orwell like O'Brien here? How is their choice similar?
English I:
Tonight for homework I'd like for you to make some more entries in your extra credit reading journals. You are going to select either question six or seven, question eight or nine, and question ten to answer. Notice that you will answer three questions here. Make sure you pay attention to the details in the assignment as it's given to you.
Furthermore, I'd like for you to begin to prepare for your quiz that is coming this next Friday/Monday. Your assessments on Friday/Monday will cover Wordskills unit two and also the four poems that we've been studying this week. Please make sure that you're well prepared and that you've studied hard. I'll be giving out a review sheet for the vocabulary exam on Wednesday/Thursday in order to help you prepare.
As always, if you have questions, please ask!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
B-Day Multiple Choice Questions
B-Day Students. Please post your multiple choice questions and answer choices in this thread by posting a comment. Please include your name in your comment to be sure that you get credit.
A-Day Multiple Choice Questions
A-day students. Please post your multiple choice questions and answer choices in this thread by adding a comment. Make sure to include your name in the comment so that I can give you credit.
Homework for the Weekend - 4/19 and 4/20
AP English III:
Over the weekend you have two things that you need to take care of. First, you need to use the packet that I gave you on writing AP Multiple Choice questions and compose one question based on the section of "The Things They Carried" which you discussed in our inside circle discussion group. Use the question starters to get going and then fill in details and answer choices based on the text. If you're asking about a particular passage, please make sure that this is made clear in your question. Your question needs to be submitted via the class website (use the two threads above) before class begins on Monday/Tuesday. This will count as a homework assignment, so don't miss these points. Also, please read the next major story in The Things They Carried called "On the Rainy River." We will work through this story next week and do a bit of work on the anti-war movement.
English I:
Over the weekend I would like for you to continue thinking about the poems that you read by our four female authors. Based on the poem that you were assigned in your small groups I would like for you to answer two (Honors) or one (Standard) of the discussion questions at the bottom of your worksheet. Remember that you need to turn in this work to the box on Monday/Tuesday morning before the day begins.
Also, you will have two more class periods to work on our in-class assignment. One day will be spent working and one day will be presenting. Lastly, expect a Wordskills test next week. You should study your wordparts over the weekend.
Over the weekend you have two things that you need to take care of. First, you need to use the packet that I gave you on writing AP Multiple Choice questions and compose one question based on the section of "The Things They Carried" which you discussed in our inside circle discussion group. Use the question starters to get going and then fill in details and answer choices based on the text. If you're asking about a particular passage, please make sure that this is made clear in your question. Your question needs to be submitted via the class website (use the two threads above) before class begins on Monday/Tuesday. This will count as a homework assignment, so don't miss these points. Also, please read the next major story in The Things They Carried called "On the Rainy River." We will work through this story next week and do a bit of work on the anti-war movement.
English I:
Over the weekend I would like for you to continue thinking about the poems that you read by our four female authors. Based on the poem that you were assigned in your small groups I would like for you to answer two (Honors) or one (Standard) of the discussion questions at the bottom of your worksheet. Remember that you need to turn in this work to the box on Monday/Tuesday morning before the day begins.
Also, you will have two more class periods to work on our in-class assignment. One day will be spent working and one day will be presenting. Lastly, expect a Wordskills test next week. You should study your wordparts over the weekend.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Homework for 4/17 and 4/18
Welcome back everyone. There are very few classes left before the end of the year - it'll be important that you all stay focused and on track as we move toward the end of the year. Here we go with your reminders and notes for tonight.
AP English III:
Students, there are approximately ten classes left before your AP English Language and Composition exam. Don't freak out! We'll work on building in some review as we work through our final text The Things They Carried. What you need to do tonight is finish reading the story "The Things They Carried" - as you read remember that you need to annotate heavily: look for motifs, symbols, and characters. Remember to really pay attention to the characters and keep track of where they are, how they're connected to others, and if they're alive or dead.
Don't forget that your motif projects are due on Thursday/Friday. Be ready and prepared. I've appreciated the fact that many of you have asked for outside help with this. Keep coming and asking questions if needed.
English I:
Tonight for homework you all are going to read four poems by four very significant female authors in our textbook. Remember that you can use the online textbook or paper textbook for this assignment. Not having a textbook is not an excuse. You need to check one out or get this assignment done during lunch. No excuses for not doing homework in the fourth nine weeks!
So - the assignment is as follows. On pages 409 and 410 you will read "Woman Work" by Maya Angelou and "Daily" by Naomi Shibab Nye - then answer questions 3, 4, and 5 about these poems. On page 448 you'll read "Women" by Alice Walker and then on page 449 you'll answer questions 4 and 7. Lastly, on page 461 you'll read "The Courage That My Mother Had" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and on page 462 answer questions 4, 5, and 6.
When you answer these questions be sure that you answer all parts of the questions and answer in a three to four sentence paragraph. This homework assignment needs to be turned in to the homework box or to me before 7:30 on Thursday/Friday. And don't forget your movie reviews are due on Thursday/Friday, make sure you turn in your rough and final drafts.
AP English III:
Students, there are approximately ten classes left before your AP English Language and Composition exam. Don't freak out! We'll work on building in some review as we work through our final text The Things They Carried. What you need to do tonight is finish reading the story "The Things They Carried" - as you read remember that you need to annotate heavily: look for motifs, symbols, and characters. Remember to really pay attention to the characters and keep track of where they are, how they're connected to others, and if they're alive or dead.
Don't forget that your motif projects are due on Thursday/Friday. Be ready and prepared. I've appreciated the fact that many of you have asked for outside help with this. Keep coming and asking questions if needed.
English I:
Tonight for homework you all are going to read four poems by four very significant female authors in our textbook. Remember that you can use the online textbook or paper textbook for this assignment. Not having a textbook is not an excuse. You need to check one out or get this assignment done during lunch. No excuses for not doing homework in the fourth nine weeks!
So - the assignment is as follows. On pages 409 and 410 you will read "Woman Work" by Maya Angelou and "Daily" by Naomi Shibab Nye - then answer questions 3, 4, and 5 about these poems. On page 448 you'll read "Women" by Alice Walker and then on page 449 you'll answer questions 4 and 7. Lastly, on page 461 you'll read "The Courage That My Mother Had" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and on page 462 answer questions 4, 5, and 6.
When you answer these questions be sure that you answer all parts of the questions and answer in a three to four sentence paragraph. This homework assignment needs to be turned in to the homework box or to me before 7:30 on Thursday/Friday. And don't forget your movie reviews are due on Thursday/Friday, make sure you turn in your rough and final drafts.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Spring Break Reminders
I slept in until nine this morning and it was absolutely glorious. I hope that all of you had a beginning to Spring Break which was just as wonderful for you. Here are your reminders for break.
AP English III:
Your biggest goal for Spring Break is to put forth a lot of work on your motif projects. You should attempt to finish the projects that way when we get back you only need to see me to get edits or feedback. Remember that A-day projects are due on the 19th and B-day projects are due on the 20th. Follow the instructions on the sheet to the letter and feel free to e-mail me questions. It may take me a bit of time to get back to you, but I promise that I will.
When we get back from break we'll be starting our final unit on The Things They Carried. Please secure yourself a copy of this book. I'll have copies in the room for you to check out when we return if you need one from me. This is our last book for the year and we'll also be focusing a lot on final preparation for the AP exam. Enjoy your time off!
English I:
You all don't have any homework over break but I would suggest that you work on your extra credit projects. These will be due in mid-May. If you are completing the journaling assignment, you will want to answer three questions (Honors) or two questions (Standard) from numbers one through five on the journaling sheet. Feel free to use your grammar journal or to just write them on sheets of paper/type them. Be sure that you do keep your journals together, however.
Also, remember that you have a writing assignment due after break - the movie review; final drafts will be due on the 19th and 20th when we return.
With that, I'm off to try to finish grading all of your final exams and research papers today so that I can enjoy the rest of my break. See you all next Monday!
AP English III:
Your biggest goal for Spring Break is to put forth a lot of work on your motif projects. You should attempt to finish the projects that way when we get back you only need to see me to get edits or feedback. Remember that A-day projects are due on the 19th and B-day projects are due on the 20th. Follow the instructions on the sheet to the letter and feel free to e-mail me questions. It may take me a bit of time to get back to you, but I promise that I will.
When we get back from break we'll be starting our final unit on The Things They Carried. Please secure yourself a copy of this book. I'll have copies in the room for you to check out when we return if you need one from me. This is our last book for the year and we'll also be focusing a lot on final preparation for the AP exam. Enjoy your time off!
English I:
You all don't have any homework over break but I would suggest that you work on your extra credit projects. These will be due in mid-May. If you are completing the journaling assignment, you will want to answer three questions (Honors) or two questions (Standard) from numbers one through five on the journaling sheet. Feel free to use your grammar journal or to just write them on sheets of paper/type them. Be sure that you do keep your journals together, however.
Also, remember that you have a writing assignment due after break - the movie review; final drafts will be due on the 19th and 20th when we return.
With that, I'm off to try to finish grading all of your final exams and research papers today so that I can enjoy the rest of my break. See you all next Monday!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Homework for 4/3 and 4/4
We are so close to Spring Break I can taste it in the air. As I begin grading your final exams on the literature we've been studying and your research papers, here are your reminders before break.
AP English III:
You will not have any additional homework to complete for Thursday, so consider these to be your reminders for break. First, you should spend a lot of time working on your motif projects. Remember that there are three distinct elements of the motif project. You need to complete all three of them thoroughly. Also over break you should find yourself a copy of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. This will serve as the cornerstone for our last unit on war and American society. Feel free to start reading over break, but be aware that we will begin our actual study of the book on the 17th and 18th when we return from break.
English I:
Today you all had your first experience writing an in-class essay. I hope that even if you found this experience difficult that you have learned from it. Think about how prepared you would have felt at the beginning of the year versus now with this type of assignment. I'll have these returned to you after we return from break.
Today I gave you your extra credit assignment for the fourth nine weeks. Remember that this has two components - the project and the journal. You may do one component or both, I would recommend doing both since you can keep the journal as you read and then use your entries to help complete the project at the end. I would suggest that you choose your novel soon and begin reading over break. The extra credit assignment will be due in the middle of May, giving all of you enough time to read your selected novel and complete your project.
That's all folks, enjoy your last few days!
AP English III:
You will not have any additional homework to complete for Thursday, so consider these to be your reminders for break. First, you should spend a lot of time working on your motif projects. Remember that there are three distinct elements of the motif project. You need to complete all three of them thoroughly. Also over break you should find yourself a copy of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. This will serve as the cornerstone for our last unit on war and American society. Feel free to start reading over break, but be aware that we will begin our actual study of the book on the 17th and 18th when we return from break.
English I:
Today you all had your first experience writing an in-class essay. I hope that even if you found this experience difficult that you have learned from it. Think about how prepared you would have felt at the beginning of the year versus now with this type of assignment. I'll have these returned to you after we return from break.
Today I gave you your extra credit assignment for the fourth nine weeks. Remember that this has two components - the project and the journal. You may do one component or both, I would recommend doing both since you can keep the journal as you read and then use your entries to help complete the project at the end. I would suggest that you choose your novel soon and begin reading over break. The extra credit assignment will be due in the middle of May, giving all of you enough time to read your selected novel and complete your project.
That's all folks, enjoy your last few days!
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