And with that, we're off!

I think that one of the best things about having a short Winter Break is that we came back and immediately had a weekend.  This gives you a good chance to get some things done before Monday/Tuesday's classes.  Here are your reminders:

AP English IV

Surprise and Happy New Year!  I know that I can't fill Mrs. Rubenstein's shoes, nor would I attempt to, but I think that we're going to have a lot of fun before the year ends.  Over the weekend for homework I would like for you to finish reading Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" from the Perrine textbook.  Remember that annotating is the key to thoroughly comprehending a piece of literature - so I would suggest post-it notes for all of you since we're working out of school books.  If you would prefer to take notes on paper, that also works for me.  The important thing is that you annotate!

After you finish the story, work through the consideration questions and make sure to thoroughly think through and annotate sections of the story which could be used to answer the questions.  I will not collect these from you, but we will definitely discuss these questions and topics, so thorough preparation will lead to easier participation. 

AP English III

Over the weekend, given our lesson today on synthesis, I would ask that your first priority is on your group websites.  You need to make sure that all analyses are posted, all annotations are posted, and that you have begun to craft your synthesis assignment as a group.  You will definitely want to have this done ASAP as next week should be geared toward revising and preparing for your presentations, which we will discuss later.

Furthermore, you should be done with your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Your test on the book will happen on the 9th for A day and the 10th for B day students.  We will review what will be on the test and how to prepare next class as we finish our review of the book.

Finally, our next text will be Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  I would recommend finding yourself a copy of this text.  You will need your copy by the 22nd/23rd which will likely be our first day studying this play.

English IV

Over the weekend you have two pieces of writing to work on.  One is relatively short and the other relatively major.  First, the short piece:  In a one page response I would like for you to answer the following questions.  Make sure that as you write your answer you use clear details and explanation to make your point clear.

How are the characters of V and Winston most similar?  How are they most different?  Why are the similarity and difference so important?

The major thing that you need to work on is your essay.  Make sure that for Monday/Tuesday you bring in anything that you've completed for the essay even if that is only planning.  We will have a writing workshop time on Monday/Tuesday to begin to put these pieces together.

I think that does it for all of us.  Freshman Focus is now only taught on the B-day, so you all will have your assignments listed in a separate post which I will put up after class each B-day.