Off to the New Year!

AP Language

Solid day in AP Language land today. We looked at Act IV in some segments in order to understand the major changes at play from Act I to Act IV and the way in which these changes communicate meaning to us as readers. From there we worked into our final conversation on The Crucible to understand the main arguments that Miller is presenting and the connections that this text has to the overall line of reasoning that we're creating in this classroom through the texts that we read.

Over Winter Break there is no work assigned. If you have tasks to complete, it's recommended that you complete them. I've also opened up AP Classroom so that you can review your MCQ skills before our second AP Exam. This exam will happen soon after we return from break and gives you a chance to reset on all of your grades before we move into the second semester.

Enjoy your break! Check out the Weekly Exigence for some ideas on how to spend your time!

AP Research

Fun times in Research land today as we flexed our creative muscles. I'm excited to see the end result. If you're going to be doing anything for class over the break, work on writing your paper. This is the best thing to do to be ready for the return and the beginning of data collection.

15 December - Happy Break, Grey Day Students!

English 10

A solid day in English 10, even with the cold rain and lack of a school cancellation. We focused on Part Two of "The Overcoat" and looked at the coat itself. It's important that we notice the changes that come with the coat. I was also happy to see your attention to details as you looked at the text and considered their importance to the overall text. This story is all about Akaky, what happens to him, and how he reacts to that. I'm excited to take you through the end of the story when we return.

When we return we'll be working on our final essay for this unit. We'll also get started with our next unit focused on research skills. I wish you a happy and restful break. If you weren't in class today, be sure to review the recording and complete the Zoom test. 

14 December - Lookout for Snow and Ice!

AP Language

Great work focused on Act III. This is the turning point of The Crucible - we're baked in and the conclusion is coming. Notice how ideas come to conclusions and arguments are finalized at the end of this play. The ideas we saw around John Proctor and his connection to another person whose name starts with J is important. We also started to note the idea of tragedy. Consider why this society is tragic and why Proctor is a hero who fails.

For tonight, submit any tasks for Unit 3 and be sure to finish the play. Act IV reads quickly. Focus on who wins, who loses, and how ideas come to a conclusion. I'm excited to finish this and take us into the break.

AP Research

Easy working day in AP Research today. We're writing, we're planning, we're creating! It's important to use this time now before you're inundated with data and responses and the analysis. Remember that if you need anything, please ask. I'll do my best to get you what you need or want. Next class is our holiday celebration. Feel free to bring snacks for the good of the group. You have an assignment due when we return, but it should be pretty much complete now. Submit as soon as you can.

13 December

English 10

Great day today everyone as we started our final story of the year "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol. We focused in on the character of Akaky and the various struggles that he faces including himself, his coworkers, and the weather in St. Petersburg. I hope that you enjoyed my photos of the city, it's an incredible place.

Next class we'll be finishing the story and getting started with our pre-writing for the final essay. The end of this story is really fantastic. I hope that you enjoy it. If you were absent, the story is posted in our folder.

12 December - The Last Week of School

AP Language

Good day today reading Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" - it's a rigorous yet rich text. I hope that you were able to see some of the larger connections to truth, reality, manipulation, lies, and power. There's also the idea that it's an allegory, which is what our play is, so there's a connection point there. Plato's ideas are at the heart of a lot of what we are doing in class and what a lot of our authors are pursuing in their texts. Use the multiple choice questions to practice before the examination. We'll do a second AP Exam in January.

For tonight, focus on finishing The Crucible. We've got Act III next class and then Act IV after that. This is also a key time to complete your vocabulary or any other tasks missing from the last unit. Show your skill before our mid-point examination. 

AP Research

Solid day today everyone as we had a lesson focused on the construction of the academic paper. Today's lesson I hope makes clear the need to focus on the essentials of the paper. What are you doing that's new? How are you showing what's new? Use your existing papers and the papers in your body of knowledge to help you structure your paper and your POD (remember, it's a buy one get one situation here).

It's important to be writing right now. You don't have time later to waste now. Working through a survey with multiple respondents is work! And that is also time. Your paper should be written to the method (or at least outlined) by the time we come back from break. Submit your drafts!

9 December - End of the Week

English 10

Solid work today in English 10. We had a great conversation and seminar around some major themes in this unit including heroism, bravery, villany, and justice. I was happy to see a lot of engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking. We ended class with reading "Misrule of Law" and discussing the rhetorical triangle in the text. Keep in mind that you can use this text as you are writing your essay, which we'll get started with next week. We have one more thing to read too - it's a fun story about ghosts and Russia.

Enjoy the weekend. If you have missing assignments, be sure to get them in!

8 December - End of the Week

AP Language

Excellent day in AP Language today as we understood the rhetorical situation for The Crucible and some of the key motivations pushing Miller in the construction of his allegory. Be on the lookout for vocabulary as we are reading. The articles in this unit can get you all ten of your words. Continue to review previous readings if you need to. I hope that watching the film today brought some new understandings to the play.

For tonight, focus on any assignments you need to submit for Unit 3 including reading reflections and vocabulary. In Current Lessons there's a link to a cartoon. Watch the cartoon as you start reading the article I gave you in class "The Allegory of the Cave". You don't have to finish reading the article on your own, but you can if you want.

AP Research

Great day in AP Research. I love days when we get to talk and conference. The IRB had feedback for you all to push you in a good direction moving forward. Consider the edits and feedback you received today this weekend and into next week. I'll need to see your edits for you to clear the IRB. Remember that if you make changes to your research question, then those changes should be seen in other areas, like your survey questions.

Over the weekend, complete your newest PREP question. Check your email for your feedback written out. This is also a great time to be writing and pulling ideas together on your paper. I think that we're all going to be in a great place to get started with participants after Winter Break.

As always, I'm here to support you.

7 December

English 10

A good day in English 10 today as we finished one major text and reflected on some of the major ideas that it presents to us. It's an emotional film, and I always get really choked up at the end, but inspired too. Remember that this unit is all about preparing ourselves for our next attempt at our essay assignment. I hope that you're seeing some new examples of heroes and villains that you can use for your next essay attempt.

Be sure that you complete any missing assignments. We'll be reading next class and then taking some time to work through the pre-writing for our essays. I'm looking forward to a great last week before break begins!

6 December

AP Language

Today's class focused on Acts I and II of The Crucible. This is a quick play with a very tight plot and message, so we'll move through it before break. We focused on the main plot, who's involved, and why that matters in terms of establishing conflicts and topics in the play. Remember that as Miller comments on Puritan society, he's also commenting on 1950's society. The work we'll do next class will help you make those connections.

For tonight, read Miller's article called "Why I Wrote The Crucible" - Understand his exigence, context, and the message he's trying to convey. We'll look at the article in more detail next class. Annotate to mark your thinking. Also, start collecting vocabulary now.

If you have tasks to complete to end Unit 3, turn in your work ASAP. I would like to have your scores finalized before Winter Break begins. As always, come to Lion Time or after-school if you need anything.

AP Research

Easy day today in AP Research as we await the feedback from the IRB. I'm looking forward to presenting your work and helping you gain approval. We'll conference next class to review your feedback and guide any revisions.

What can you be doing right now? Writing your paper. Designing your slides. Preparing for your final assessments. It's important to always use the time that you have to move forward. This is a great time to build your paper in process, save the time you'll need in January and February when you'll be chasing down data.

5th of December - Monday!

English 10

Easy day today in English 10. We took our vocabulary test on Membean (our first one!) and then went back to Poland and Escape from Sobibor. As we're watching and studying this film, I hope that you're getting the idea of your next essay. We'll go back to defining concepts, so how does this movie provide evidence for defining different concepts? We have two more things that we'll be reading before getting to that assignment, but it's always a good idea to be thinking.

Next class we'll finish with Sobibor and take time for a speech from another part of the world. I'm hoping that we'll be done with all our readings before we start Winter Break, then we'll come back and write about it. 

Have a great week, everyone!

2 December 2022 - Friday

AP Language

It was a feedback day today in AP Language as we reviewed our most recent demonstration of writing skills. The feedback really revolved around two themes - being explicit and supporting all your claims. We looked at the rubric, the high scoring samples, and prepared to write again after Winter Break. That's when our next timed writing will fall.

From there we spent the rest of class working through our summative tasks for Unit 3. Next week I'll be scoring your vocabulary cards and your visuals/reflections on color in The Great Gatsby. Everything should be submitted for me to review ASAP. Reading is Acts I and II of The Crucible. We'll have a Weekly Exigence recording for you to help you out, but focus on characters, conflicts and irony. Who knows what? Who doesn't? Why does this matter? Make connections to the world of the 1950's, and let's be active in our reading and thinking!

Enjoy the weekend and the reading. It's fantastic!

AP Research

It's the final day for IRB! Submissions are due! We're conferencing, we're writing, we're thinking, and we're doing wonderful things. I'm looking forward to supporting you next week as I present your work to the FHS IRB. 

Next week we'll review feedback and edits and take a look at another POD presentation. We'll also take a bit of a detour to writing the papers and outlining too. Remember that we want to have a good chunk of our paper done by the time we get going on break.

Happy December - First of the Month

English 10

Easy day today as we worked through the end of the week in English 10. We started off with our final Membean training before our first test. The test will happen on Monday of next week. If you want to keep training and practicing over the weekend, you can! The words on the test will be the words you've been working with. 

After we finished with that we took time for our film Escape from Sobibor. It's an intense, true story about a group of Jewish prisoners who escaped from their concentration camp. A story of resistance, bravery, evil, and heroism. Great concepts for us to reflect on in this unit. We'll finish the movie next week and start to prepare for our next essay.

30 November - End of the Month

AP Language

Full day in AP Language today as we discussed our choice articles for the end of Unit 3 and began our discussion and work on The Crucible. The notes at the end of the recording on allegory and The Crucible are important to review as you get started with reading. By the time I see you on Tuesday, you'll want to read and annotate Acts I and II. Pay attention to characters and symbolism. Consider the connections to the world of the 1950's in America we were discussing today.

Next class is our end of unit working day for The Great Gatsby. You'll have vocabulary due, your reflections and any other tasks for Unit 3. We'll also be reviewing the most recent timed writing, so you won't have a complete class period to work.

Enjoy the reading. The Crucible is an absolutely fantastic book!

AP Research

We're on our final days to prepare for the IRB which meets on Tuesday the 6th. You'll need to have your proposal folder complete with your: AP Research Proposal Form, any survey/interview questions, any consent forms, and other tools as needed. Be sure that you are checking yourself for alignment and for final touches. It's natural to make changes, be able to explain why you are making the changes you are making. 

Next class is the final working day. We'll conference as well. Be ready! Be justified! Be aligned!

29 November - Grey Day

English 10

Solid day today in English 10. We did our first silent conversation, took time for Membean, and explored a poem called "Babi Yar" by Yevgeniy Yevtushenko, a Ukrainian poet. In reading the poem, we started to focus on the ideas of memory, truth, and deception. The poem acts as a memory and a monument to a horrible event. We'll continue to focus on this theme in the next few days as we watch a film about a Holocaust concentration camp from which the Jewish prisoners escaped. It's a great story. We'll use this as well as our other texts from this part of the unit to complete our next definition essay. Be ready for that before the end of the month.

If you're missing any assignments, now is a good time to complete them. Check your SIS for an accurate accounting of your grades and assignments to this point.

Welcome Back! 28 November

AP Language

Today was a workshop day to construct our visuals displaying color at work in The Great Gatsby. The goal in this summative assessment is to display your skill as a reader and understand the way that Fitzgerald uses a specific color to create a meaning in his novel. The organization and construction of the meaning in this novel is painstakingly built by Fitzgerald, this is a means to display your understanding of that.

Be sure that you have submitted your reflection questions which display your thinking in words. Sometimes art can be difficult to understand, so the reflection questions will help you display your skill. If necessary, your motif tracker MAY be assessed if skill demonstration is lacking in the other areas. 

Next class will be our end of the unit seminar related to non-fiction connections to The Great Gatsby. Select one of the posted articles and read/annotate. Consider connections to the unit and novel. Be thoughtful and critical. We'll be starting our next unit on The Crucible this week as well. Be aware of your due dates for vocabulary to round out Unit 3.

AP Research

Today was a day for our first POD viewing. We watched, we analyzed, and we discovered the route to a high scoring presentation. The rest of this week is devoted to completing your proposal form and any supporting documentation for that proposal (consent forms, surveys, etc.). The IRB is going to meet next week, so everything needs to be completed this week/weekend. 

The next two classes this week are going to be workshop days. We will meet together to discuss your work to this point as a graded conference. I'll see half of you on Wednesday and half on Friday for conversations. Be ready to show me your IRB/Proposal at this point. 

Off to Thanksgiving - Grey Day

English 10

Easy day today in English 10. It was our pre-holiday catch-up day. If you are missing an assignment, today is the day to complete work. The most important work is the essay from Unit 2 on heroes or villains, since that is a major assignment. Many of you are also missing the work from the substitute day. That assignment is open to you in Schoology in the Unit 3 folder. 

If you would like to continue to work and submit things over the holiday, that is acceptable. I will continue to receive and score your work. When we return, we'll start to focus on resistance and fighting back as themes in our unit. I'm excited to share the next few texts with you. Enjoy Thanksgiving! Be safe!

Off to Thanksgiving Break - Blue Day

AP Language

Today was our day to finish our work and conversation on The Great Gatsby. We focused on conclusions and arguments - it's important to notice how Fitzgerald is completing the novel by making his various points clear to us as an audience. There are so many messages in this novel - consider the ones that you understand the most thoroughly. You don't have to understand everything, but you need to understand something and thoroughly.

We finished class by focusing on our motif trackers. These should be mostly complete when we return to school so that you can complete your visual and the questions at the back of the tracker. We also have vocabulary due the week that we return. The week we return is for summatives and wrapping up the unit. We'll soon move on to Unit 4 and The Crucible.

Note that if you were not in class for the writing day, then you'll need to come on 11/30 to complete your double timed write. If you are not satisfied with your writing scores there will be a reassessment option. Enjoy Thanksgiving. There's no work assigned, but if you are behind then you should get caught up.

AP Research

Easy day today in AP Research land. We took a quick assessment to check our ethical practices and alignment to our guiding principals of beneficence and non-maleficence. The rest of our class time was given over to preparing for our IRB meetings.

Remember that all of your documents to support your research proposal should be completed by the week of December 5th. The IRB will meet, review proposals, and then give approvals and/or edits. Remember the principal of alignment between the steps of your proposal. Check your surveys for bias and leading questions. Working with your peers is great during this time as they will often see your blindspots.

Enjoy Thanksgiving! I hope that it's a restful and relaxing time! Eat lots of pie!!

Cheers to the Weekend - 18 November - Friday

English 10

Solid day today studying "In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself" by Szymborska. She's a wonderful Polish poet, awarded by several presidents in Poland and the Nobel Committee too for her work. I hope you enjoyed it. We finished our day with vocabulary and time to get caught up. Remember that if you are behind on the work from last class, that assignment is still open to you.

Next class is going to be our Unit Catchup Day. If you have a missing assignment, that class is designed for you to get caught up before we go out on Thanksgiving Break. Let me know how I can help you. SIS has been updated with everything turned in to this point.

17 November

AP Language

Today was our assessment day - double timed writing - Question 2 and Question 3. I am very much looking forward to scoring these essays and getting you feedback to push you further into your development as readers, writers, thinkers, and communicators. I hope that you found that the prompts approachable and that you see improvements in some of your writing skills. 

Over the weekend, spend your time with Gatsby. We're finishing the novel before Thanksgiving Break so that we can focus on our summative assessments upon our return. Read and annotate Chapters 8 and 9. They run together to complete the conclusion of the novel. Think about who wins and who loses and how this helps Fitzgerald to communicate an argument about an idea. Your vocabulary can be submitted. Don't submit the motif tracker, but keep developing it. Be ready for assessments when we return from Thanksgiving. We'll complete most of the work in class. 

Our next unit will be on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. If you'd like your own copy of this play, now's a good time to order one.

AP Research

Today's class was very similar to our last class - it was our IRB Working Week this week. The work that we are doing now is some of the most important work that we have to do. I appreciate seeing your effort and the support that you are giving to each other. I'm also glad that so many of you are finding a new purpose for the work that we have done earlier in the course like our Annotated Bibliography and our Research Posters.

Next class we'll be having our Ethical Practices Check. This is for a grade. I've opened up your newest PREP Reflection question as well for the weekend. Continue to work, plan, and create. The goal is the pass IRB with as few revisions as possible in order to begin your work with your data.

Have a great weekend!

15 and 16 November - Blue and Grey Updates

Happy Tuesday/Wednesday Everyone - I'm going ahead and posting this today for everyone since I'll be out tomorrow doing some follow-up from last week's appointments.

AP Language

Class is focused on Chapter 7. Everything comes to a head in Chapter 7 and we have several turning points in the text. Remember that we're reading this novel not just as a story about these characters, but also as an argument about ideas related to America. The thinking and questioning of the text in today's slides should help you to see how these ideas are moving to resolution and to see the statements that Fitzgerald is forming. Considering who "wins" and "loses" in this text and why is a great way to formalize arguments. 

Next class is your double timed writing. There are tips in the Weekly Exigence for how to prepare. The best thing to do is review your feedback from your most recent writing assessment and the feedback to the class. Focus on a few points (remember you can't fix everything at once) and consider how you'll do that differently on Thursday/Friday when you write. Bring a charged laptop - you'll be typing since the exam has gone digital. 

Outside of class, focus on finishing The Great Gatsby. Before Thanksgiving Break we'll work through Chapters 8 and 9. You should also be wrapping up your motif tracker and vocabulary. You'll have summatives coming due after Thanksgiving Break - so adequate preparation now will lead to great outcomes then. I'll be after school on Thursday if you need anything. As always, feel free to reach out.

AP Research

Today we kicked off our working week focused on our IRB Proposal and the tools related to completing our inquiry project for the year. The deadline for IRB submission is December 6. This is a firm deadline. By this date I need your completed proposal form as well as every tool related to your study including consent forms and surveys. The team will give you feedback to prompt revisions and then you will be free to move forward.

All of the work that we've done up to this point has been designed to create the structures you need to complete this work. Pull together your various threads. Formalize your ideas. Show your process. 

As a secondary task, be sure that you are also writing your introduction and literature review - slay many beasts at once in order to be successful. Next week we'll be taking a few checks to help us keep moving forward.

English 10

Today's class is a day with a substitute since I'm out dealing with some personal medical things. During class you're completing the assignment on Anton Chekhov's "A Problem". Open the assignment and the slides and work through them. The story is posted as a PDF and there's a recording of me reading the story with pause points. Be sure to submit your slides as your grade by the end of class - the work won't be accepted late since today is a substitute day. I hope that you enjoy the story about Sasha and the idea of what it means to be a "criminal".

Once you've finished the story, take time with Membean. Remember that you need to do TWO, fifteen minute sessions each week. Once you've met your goal, you're set. Enjoy the day, and I'll be back with you on Friday!

14 November - Ugh, Filters!

For some reason, the FCPS filter keeps me from posting and updating at school. I hope this is resolved soon, but the issue is with Blogger. Be sure that you're keeping up with the regular posts on Schoology. That really is the best resource right now for all of us until this is worked out.

7 November

AP Language

Lovely day for feedback in AP Language today. We updated our score sheets, saw a bit of growth, and reviewed targeted feedback for our next writing assignments. Keep in mind that the feedback you get is derived right from the work you've done. Take a look at the rubric you received and the work you did. Do you see the feedback in your work? You may want to annotate your work in order to prepare for your next attempt. We'll be doing a timed write again soon to resubmit these writing skills.

Tonight your goal is to complete Chapter 6. Read and annotate for more information about Gatsby and his past. Your timeline will be a helpful tool here. Also, be sure that you complete your motif tracker as you are reading. Keeping up with this assignment bit by bit will really help you. Consider why Fitzgerald organized the appearances of the color in this way. How does it help him to make an argument about an idea?

AP Research

Today was our kickoff for Unit 3 - Method, Approach and the Design of Scholarly Inquiry. This unit is the make or break method because it's what distinguishes the pass from the fail. You have to have a means to answer your question and you have to be able to explain and justify each part of that plan. I think that a lot of you are now seeing a new way to use your existing work, be sure to keep paying it forward as we move forward. 

For tonight, you should complete your Expert Advisor Research - find one potential expert in your field. Research them. How may they be helpful for you? This is a great chance to try to reach out and get additional help - for some of you it may be a chance to get ready for your futures. We'll discuss these people next class as a means to discuss ethics and proper work in our field. Also, keep writing. Use the plan and sketch your outlines. Putting the content together helps! 

The Weekend - 4 November - Friday

Remind people to vote! It's our duty to participate in democracy in order to keep it alive!

English 10

Easy day in English 10 to wrap up our unit studying Asian literature and culture. Our final assessment was our three paragraph essay focused on the idea of a hero or a villain. We'll write this same structure of essay two more times this quarter. Today was your first attempt. Use this as a chance to see how you've grown from your very first writing assignment - the letter - and set yourself a goal for the second quarter.

Next week we're starting in on our third unit of the year - Russia and Eastern Europe. This is one of my favorite parts of the world and an interesting mishmash of cultures. I hope that you'll enjoy the texts and authors I'm going to show you. Enjoy the weekend. If you have Membean training to complete, be sure to log in and complete your 30 minute goal.

3 November - Thursday

AP Language

Really lovely day focused on Gatsby today in AP Language. The work we were doing around conflicts between past and present, fantasy and reality, and Gatsby and other characters is key. This is the mid point of the novel, and everything is going to turn pretty quickly. It's important to see what ideas are established before the changes occur.

This weekend is a great weekend to focus on getting ahead. If you've fallen behind on reading or the motif project or vocabulary, get yourselves caught up. Monday's class is a working day focused on resubmissions and our motif projects. Make next class great by being thoroughly prepared. I liked the energy today! Let's maintain!

AP Research

Lovely day to end Unit 2 in AP Research. Next week we're focused on starting our work on developing method. This is going to be a long, hard, winding slog, but we will reach the promised land of IRB approval and access to our research subjects.

This weekend should be a writing weekend for you. Pull together your resources to help you write - the PDFs in Schoology, your earlier work (your poster, annotated bibliography, source list, research question organizer), and the templates you have to help you. Give me a solid hour of writing this weekend to start working. I've also given you a new PREP reflection for Week 11 to complete. This is the beginning of Quarter 2 - mark that in your reflections.

Be sure that you use this opportunity to get ahead; there's a lot looming - so listen to your teacher and do what I say, please. See you Monday.

2 November

English 10

Welcome to Q2. This is a quick one because of all of our holidays built in, so it'll be important to stay focused and make up for any lost time. 

A very good day in English 10 in which we did a lot. Next class we'll be kicking off the quarter with our first major writing assignment - our heroes/villains essay. We've planned, prepared, and written, so we're ready for Friday. Come armed with your work up to this point. If you were absent for our workshops, use the recordings and handouts to catch yourselves up. I'm also available after school. 

Our next unit starts next week! I'm excited to take you to one of my favorite parts of the word, Russia and Eastern Europe. Be ready for the next phase of our adventure.

1 November - AP Language and AP Research

AP Language

We had a big conversation today in AP Language that we needed to have. Stop waiting to start the class and get going. It's not going to get any better with avoidance. I am here for you, but you have to do. You have to produce and you have to show. If you are planning to reassess your project for Quarter 1, please let me know via email so that I can prepare.

Today's class focused on Carnegie and his ideas about wealth, power, and charity in America of the 1890's. We reviewed concepts like logos, pathos, ethos, the rhetorical triangle, and the argument structure. I liked seeing your conversations and your disagreements about some of the ideas. It's important to make connections back to Fitzgerald as we read outside texts. Consider purpose, commonalities, and contrasts. 

Next class we're looking at Chapters 4 and 5. Focus on conflict and especially time. Read, annotate, and pay attention to the idea of truth and how it comes out in the text. Update your motif tracker and collect your vocabulary. As always, I look forward to seeing your thoughts.

AP Research

AP Research was wrapping up today with first presentations. We'll finish those on Thursday for the six who didn't present. One of the best things about days like today is seeing you all celebrate each other. Focus on getting comfortable at the board, speaking with confidence, and being sure of what you know. All of these practices will help us to do this.

Tonight focus on writing. You have everything that you need to start crafting your introduction and literature review. Use the files posted today as well as your sample papers, Body of Knowledge, and existing work. You have everything you need, you just need to put it together differently.

I look forward to seeing your next steps. Unit 3 starts on Monday the 7th. Check your messages for your recording.

28 October - End of the Quarter

It was an early release yesterday, and updating the blog must have slipped my mind. I'm working this weekend to finalize grades and score submissions. Remember that anything submitted by Monday morning, 9:00 am, will be scored before grades are finalized.

English 10

Today was a big writing day for us in English 10. We worked through the first portion of our first essay - the introduction paragraph and the first example and commentary in our body paragraph. Remember for this essay I want you to have two pieces of evidence and commentary (at least). You can choose to select a different character/person or you can focus on another thing that the person/character did. At the end of class we took time for Membean training. Remember to stay focused on Membean when you're working. Don't get wasted minutes, they'll bring down your completion score and your accuracy.

Over the weekend, enjoy the end of the quarter. I think we've been doing really well in here so far. If you see anything missing, please turn it in. If you want to do a redo, you can submit by Monday morning. If you were absent, be sure to see the recording on Schoology and complete the writing workshop we did today - the handouts are posted in Schoology for you.

26 and 27 October

The blog was blocked yesterday, so here are updates for yesterday's English 10 class and today's AP Language and AP Research classes. Remember that tomorrow is the last day of the quarter and an early release day, there's no Lion Time. Any work (or revisions) submitted by 9:00 am on Monday will be scored for this quarter.

English 10

Great day today in English 10 as we got started on our first major writing assignment - our definition essay. For this assignment we're defining a concept - a hero or a villan - and using a text or several to provide examples. Remember that you'll get a full grade for this assignment - on each part of your essay. Today we worked through the assignment and the outline; we also planned our evidence. This will put us in a great place for our writing workshop next class. We also finished up with Membean. Remember that we'll take time each class for this, so have your laptops ready.

For tonight, be focused on the end of the quarter. If you have a project resubmission, be sure to give me the rubric. If you see any missing assignments, now is the time to complete them to raise your grade for the end of the quarter.

AP Language

Great day today in AP Language as we focused in on lies, Chapter Three, and the simmering conflict between fantasy and reality in the text. We discovered the ways in which many of the characters, including Nick, lie and began to understand some of the reasons for those lies. Continue to notice trends in the text related to this essential conflict.

Over the weekend, we're taking a break from Fitzgerald and spending time with Andrew Carnegie. The article is posted on Schoology for you. Read and annotate. Consider what Carnegie's burden is for other rich people. How do the people of The Great Gatsby measure up? 

If you have any work to submit - vocabulary or America projects - they are due. I'll be able to score work submitted by Monday morning and update grades.

AP Research

Easy day in AP Capstone today as we had our end of unit working day. The priorities in our room are as follows:

1. Complete any tasks for the end of the quarter. Some of you are missing your reflections for the quarter and your Annotated Bibliography. If you would like to do a reassessment of either task, be sure that the reassessment is in by Monday morning to be rescored.

2. Your next class is for your poster and pitch. You'll have two minutes to present your pitch. Fill in the blanks on the three sentence starters. Use the template provided. Submit a PDF of your poster to the assignment to the space. We'll be focused on giving and getting feedback next class - it's your first presentation day!

3. There's a new reflection question posted for your PREP. Be sure that you are avoiding vague language or concepts. Define everything. Don't just say method - which one? Why that? Evaluate, define, and specify at all times. 

25 October - Tuesday

AP Language

Solid conversation this morning across time periods. Looking at Hughes, Lorde, and Steele gives us some interesting ideas to track like identity, power, truth, and the fleeting nature of money. It's important to ask ourselves where we put our power as people. These three authors show us various routes to power and various points of view. The recording summarizes our key takeaways.

Tonight you have Chapter 3. Read and annotate for details. It's another party and all the colors are at play. Consider how identity is in flux in this chapter and what we learn about our main characters and how we learn it. Keep building vocabulary and tracking your color as you move through the novel.

Lastly, as I said, if you have things that are out there - turn them in. Get a grade and then my feedback to improve your tasks/work. I will be actively grading this week to update scores before the end of the grading period.

AP Research

Today's class focused on the final aspect of the introduction of the paper - the literature review. This section will serve many important roles for you and do a lot of the heavy lifting to support your research question. The ideas we came to about showing links and conversations between the sources is key. Consider how the earlier source list and annotated bibliography can help you to complete these tasks.

Next class will be a workshop day focused on our posters and pitches. We'll present these next week. If you have tasks to complete for the first quarter, be sure that those are in as soon as possible. My scores are due on Monday.

Friday the 21st - End of the Week

English 10

Super easy day today leading into the long weekend. We finished our work with Spirited Away in order to understand some elements of Asian culture at play in a text - I hope that you noticed the hero, the elements of their culture, and the idea of mindfulness and focus on the moment. I love this film and the director/writer has a lot of other great films out there too.

We then moved on to two computer based tasks - Membean and NoRedInk. Thank you for your efforts. Please get your permission slip signed this weekend. We'll use Membean in class every day to help improve our vocabulary through the year. Next class is going to be a writing class, note that we'll be starting Quarter 2 with a major grade, so be ready for that! Enjoy the long weekend! Happy Diwali!

Thursday the 20th of October

AP Language

Solid day today in AP Language land. We discussed Joan Didion's "Keeping a Notebook" and focused on the ideas of truth, memory, and accuracy. I loved the outcomes that we came to related to the purpose of truth and the way in which it can be modified as needed. I also really enjoyed the conversation around credibility and irony. The thinking is getting pretty high level, which I enjoy. Keep in mind connections to The Great Gatsby as we are working through parallel texts. 

Over the weekend there are a few things to settle up - here they are listed out for you:

1. Complete your Unit 2 Tasks. You have a project due. Some of you are still missing vocabulary. All assignments are due so that I can complete your grading for first quarter. 

2. Select an article from the folder and read this weekend. Annotate for the ideas of power and privilege. These articles are all written by African American authors, a population absent from The Great Gatsby. We'll be having a seminar on these texts next week.

3. Begin tracking your color from The Great Gatsby. This novel exists as a PDF, so find that and use the find feature to find your color easily. Use the tracker posted and begin to track your color. I think that white, blue, green, yellow, and grey are really productive colors.

AP Research

Easy day to end the week this week in AP Research as we are in a working day. To end the quarter, you need to submit your Annotated Bibliography and your Quarter 1 PREP reflections. There will not be an additional question this week to give you the chance to get caught up. Today we spent our time in class writing, practicing our pitches, composing our posters, and/or reflecting on our research up to this point. 

Next week we'll have a short week due to Diwali - Happy Festival of Lights! We'll see a College Board lesson on turning our AB into a Literature Review and have additional time to write. Your posters and pitches will be due the week of November 1.

19 October - Grey Wednesday

English 10

We almost finished Spirited Away but got caught by the last ten minutes, oh well. We'll finish it up on Friday. Friday is going to be a working day for us - there's going to be time for finishing the viewing guide and then we've got two online assessments to take care of - vocabulary and grammar. These two assignments are completion based, so get them done and get your A. These are also going to likely be the final grades for the quarter. Finish strong, raise your grades, show your skills!

18 October - Tuesday!

AP Language

Today's class focused on a recap of the major ideas in Chapter One and the key changes to Chapter Two. We discussed characters, first impressions, Nick's tones, and the importance of Nick's actions in framing the narrative we have. We did some close reading in class as well with some key passages of Chapter Two and noticed the key similarities and differences between Chapters One and Two. The more things change, the more they stay the same, right?

Tonight we're taking a break from The Great Gatsby. Be sure to complete and submit any Unit 2 tasks like vocabulary or your project. I look forward to reviewing your work. You'll also want to go back to Chapters One and Two and begin your color tracker. Follow the directions in the assignment on Schoology. Tonight you're reading and annotating an article by Joan Didion. Focus on the ideas of memory, truth, and accuracy. This is a great way to contrast Nick and consider the ideas of honesty and reliability with narrators.

AP Research

Today was our second AP Research lesson from College Board devoted to our presentations of our research. Our next major assignment is going to be our Research Poster version 1.0 and our Elevator Pitch. This will be our summative assignment to show the completion of our Unit. I hope that you can all also see the connection between the poster, elevator pitch, and your eventual introduction of your paper. In effect, the poster is the outline of your introduction.

Your AB is due. Be sure that you submit no later than Thursday so that I have time to review your work and get you feedback. This is one of your last major grades of the quarter. I'll also open up a space to submit your reflections up to this point. These will be reviewed for thoroughness of thought and apparent effort. I'm sorry that I missed some elements of our work today, I wasn't very good with the recorder. I hope the slides help.

17 October - Beginning the Week

English 10

Today we started our viewing of our major text for this unit Spirited Away. It's a great film from Studio Ghibli which really brought Japanese animation to America. We focused on the characters of Haku and Chihiro and the establishment of the plot and conflicts that will drive the film.

Next class we'll be viewing to finish the film. We have a bit more than an hour left in the movie. The viewing guide is going to be a major assignment for you - so be ready to finish strong. We'll do some writing about the movie after we finish it and start next quarter with our final project on the unit. Be ready for a strong finish!

14 October - The Real End of the Week

AP English Language

Whoo! Lots going on in AP Language as we begin Unit 3 - The Great Gatsby. Today was a day about framing the novel for you - we considered some of Fitzgerald's main settings, his topics and motifs, the conflicts in the text, key characters, and the symbols that we'll be focused on as we are reading. All of today's work is guided to help you read and interpret this novel. The recording is gold. Use it as you are reading and annotating.

This weekend is a weekend for finishing Unit 2 tasks and getting into Gatsby. If you have work outstanding, it needs to be completed. Focus on your final project - This is (my) America. Use the recordings, template, and rubric to help you navigate this work. We'll also work through Chapter Two next class - note the differences between Chapter 1 and 2. There are a lot!

AP Research

Great day in AP Research land! We completed our College Board lesson on definitions, hypothesis, and assumptions (as well as biases) in our research papers. The work that we were doing today was geared toward the writing of our introductions of our academic papers as well as understanding the use of our annotated bibliography entries. Consider what the sources are giving you. How can you show that in your reflections on the sources?

This is the work that you have this weekend. Write! Complete your entries! There's also your reflection questions for the quarter, I'll be asking for those in about a week or so to close out First Quarter.

13 October - End of the Week

English 10

Great day today everyone as we spent our class in Japan. We focused on poetry and art today - and this class was our final class before we start our film next week. Remember that the film is the major work for this unit and the last thing that we'll study. 

Over the weekend, focus on any missing assignments that you may have. Most of us are doing fine in the gradebook, but a few could do better. You'll have your final assignment for this unit coming up soon, and those will be your final grades for this quarter. Keep pushing to the end!

Remember that next week is the last full week of the quarter.

AP English Language 

Due to the PSAT and the loss of yesterday's classes - we had a bonus workday today. I hope that you found the time useful. I saw a lot of work on vocabulary and on projects. Use the video below, Mr. Friedman and I are trying to do what we can to provide you support. 

Submit your end of unit tasks as soon as you can. Have the first chapter of The Great Gatsby read for Monday. We have a lot to discuss on Monday related to this wonderful book.

Tuesday the 11th

English 10

Today's class focused on reading and understanding religious texts - we looked at Hinduism, Shintoism, and Buddhism to understand some of the key values of these societies. I also thought we found some interested similarities between these religions and faiths with which we're more familiar. Next class we'll be taking a look at poetry and art before we start our movie next week.

The Seventh Friday - 7 October

We are seven weeks into the school year, that leaves twenty-nine to go! Also, I won't see Blue Day classes for a whole week. Be sure to keep up with what you have coming due.

AP Language

A great end to the week in AP Language. We were seriously focused on writing, especially timed exam writing, as we reviewed our teamwork, the scoring guidelines and anchor papers, and the work of others. I hope that this is helpful to you as you shift your approach to these types of assignments. Looking at the exemplars and the rubric again and again is the best way to do this work.

We are at the end of the unit and moving to Unit 3 - The Great Gatsby. I won't see you again for a week. So, there are a few things to complete.

1. Vocabulary cards are due. Submit your whole set. I'll be grading soon!

2. Resubmissions/Late What's the Situation projects are due by 10/17. Raise your grade. Avoid the NHI.

3. This is My America projects will be due in one week. Use the template that I created to help you. If you have questions, don't wait until the end. Work with me during Lion Time or outside of school. An email can also be helpful.

AP Research

Lovely lovely day in AP Research today. Our conversation was so rich as we discussed our keystone sources, our Annotated Bibliography, and our eventual Literature Review. The connections that we built were so important, the recording is golden.

I won't see you for a week. Use this time to write your AB entries. If you write three or four a day every day then you'll have the assignment complete by the 14th. You should also complete your seventh PREP reflection this weekend - it lines up well with today's work and conversation. Don't be afraid to tweak your research question. If you see something, say something. Right?

Enjoy the long weekend. Learn the history of the native people who were here before us. Know on whose land you tread.

Thursday the 6th - Grey Day

English 10

In class we were focused on Japan and the concept of Zen. This concept we saw at action in several Zen parables today in class. We discussed irony and paradoxes as well as the difference between topic and theme. We read in order to understand and completed a short analysis activity related to the reading.

I won't see you again until Tuesday. On Tuesday, we hopefully won't have any more power outages, and will look at some other religious texts from across Asia. Have a lovely weekend!

Tuesday the 4th! G'mar tov!

AP Research

One of the best days in the world was our day today - it was a writing day. Today we took time to work through the creation of our Annotated Bibliography. As you write your entries, consider the source and what it gave you in your QUEST. Be sure to consider the feasibility and reflect on the usefulness of your source in writing your paper and conducting your eventual study. 

This assignment will serve as your reassessment for your source list, remember to find and correct any errors with citation style and formatting. Next class we're going to do a bit of a guided reading assignment with a source - bring your best source to class - we're going to be analyzing!

AP Language

Wild day in AP Language with a team timed write and our Unit 1 Seminar. I loved hearing your ideas and the connections that you were building across the unit and our authors. We talked about so many of our texts and so many ideas crucial to our final project. Use the recording, I think it's pretty golden.

If you are missing any work from the unit, that work is due. Vocabulary is now due for the unit. Be sure to turn in your complete set of vocabulary cards. Submit any missing What's the Situation projects. If you want to make revisions, please do so. I'm available for help - just let me know!

Monday - 3 October 2022

Happy October my lovelies! One full month done with school. On to the next one, right?

English 10

Great day today in English 10 to start our unit on Eastern and Southern Asia. We'll be looking at literature and writing from Japan, China, and India in this unit. Today was our soft start, we did some research to learn more about heroes, art, and religion in these cultures. We learned mostly from each other as we completed a gallery walk to display our thoughts to each other.

If you're missing a project, be sure to get that completed as soon as you can. Missing scores will go in after the revision window closes. If you're not happy with your grade, we can do revisions or corrections. I'll have your rubrics back to you next class. As always, reach out with any questions you may have!

30 September - Happy Friday!

AP Language

Easy peasy, pumpkin squeezy as we round out September and kick off October! Today was our end of Unit 2 working day. There's a few goals that we have as we close out, so let's review:

1. Do you have a missing project? I'm working through grading and should have them finished by the middle of next week. Be sure to submit if missing. I'll give back rubrics with feedback to guide revisions if needed/wanted.

2. Vocabulary is open to be collected. Remember that words should come from class readings or resources (like the tone word sheet). If you don't know why you lost points on earlier vocabulary cards, be sure to reach out and ask. 

3. Our seminar is next class. Be sure that you have finished your choice reading and annotated it for the author's message and elements of the rhetorical situation. How does the author convey an argument? What stands out to you? What connections can you make?

4. Your final project for this unit has been assigned and reviewed. I'll be giving you some more time over the next classes to work on this further. For now, start by considering your examples and your thesis. What is America to you? How can you prove that? What's the counter argument?

Reach out if you need me!

AP Research

Lovely Friday! We took our time today to read a Level 4 paper and understand some of our key elements that are at play in the paper. From there, it was off to the mines as we are writing, finishing work from Unit 1, or completing reflections on our work so far.

Next week will be a lot of time for you to write your Annotated Bibliography. Don't be afraid of being repetitive. Use the templates and support that you have to complete this work. It may seem daunting to write twenty five entries, but the supports are there to help you do it.

Enjoy the weekend. Your Annotated Bibliography is due Week 8 - that would be October 14.

29 September - Grey Thursday

English 10

Easy day in English 10 today. We took our WorkKeys writing diagnostic and traveled to the library to check out our first choice reading books. Over the weekend, you should complete any missing assignments from Unit 1. Some of you are missing the reading diagnostic or possibly your project. Get these things finished so that I can finalize your grades.

Next week we'll be starting our unit on Asia. I'm excited to show you some of the cultures in India, China, and Japan. Be ready and enjoy the weekend!

Wednesday the 28th of September

AP Language

Absolutely fantastic, y'all. We began our reading of our choice texts today as a means to understand the essentials of rhetoric and argumentation. These texts have a lot of connections between them especially around the ideas of language and identity and you can use them for your final projects, which makes them even better.

Next class is going to be our working day for the end of Unit 2. Be ready to read, work on your project, complete any missing work, or complete vocabulary. I would recommend using Lion Time this week or after school if you need it. I'm here to support you at the end of the unit. Your readings will be due next week as will your vocabulary cards. Be ready to finish this unit and move on to our first novel, The Great Gatsby.

AP Research

Today was our working day to begin Unit 2. You'll have a lot of time during this unit to write, so most of your work should happen in class with your cohort. Remember that this is a time that it is good to work with your peers and at times better to work with them than to work with me.

By the end of this week, you should be complete with all Unit 1 tasks. All reflections are complete. All assignments are submitted. Our goal at this time is the completion of your annotated bibliography to support the creation of your introduction of your academic paper.

Next class we'll take some time to read another high scoring paper and time to write entries. It'll be a bit of a rinse and repeat model for the next few classes, but it's a bit of what we need right now. 

27 September - Happy (Jewish) New Year

I'm back recharged and refreshed from my days on the Appalachian Trail this weekend. What a great way to celebrate the new year, in nature, with my thoughts and time to reflect. Here are your reminders for tonight.

English 10

Today we began our process to end Unit 1 - our investigation of culture. We reviewed the final project and I went over my exemplar for all of you. I hope that you enjoyed learning a bit more about me today and my family. Next class we'll be taking some time to go to the library and select our first reading books of the year for our reading raffle - we'll also complete our writing diagnostic (don't worry, it's scored based on completion).

Now is a good time to check SIS for any missing assignments. If you see something marked as NHI or M, focus on making that up. Some of you need to complete the reading diagnostic - it's currently marked as missing if you were absent the day we took it.

23 September

Sorry for the delay. The blog was blocked so I couldn't run an update. But it looks like we're back in business.

AP Language

A bit of a rushed day today, but we still got a lot done. Be sure to go back and check the letters between John and Abigail. I'd recommend rereading as you now have a bit more of a framework for reading. Over the weekend you have a few priorities. Let me outline for you here:

1. Be sure that you apply your feedback from today's gallery walk and submit your final project. I'll begin grading on Tuesday, so have it in by then.

2. Select and begin to read your choice article. You don't have to finish it, but be sure that you've started. We'll start to work through these next class.

3. Vocabulary is going to be due soon for the unit. The space will be opened soon. Be sure that you apply feedback from round one as you complete these assignments.

AP Research

A fast class today, but a good class as we kicked off Unit 2. This unit is designed to help you write and refine your ideas to develop your introduction of your academic paper. The first step to this is to submit your Source List - the firm due date is Tuesday for this. This will lead you to the Annotated Bibliography which is your first major writing assignment.

The lesson today and the slides are crucial in helping you do this work. Use the templates. Use the samples. Ask for help as you need it! Over the weekend, be sure to complete your Source List and submit. Begin to write your entries - having a few done for next week would be a great way to start our conferences. Lastly, be sure to complete your Week 5 Reflection in your PREP.

22 September - Grey Day

English 10

Really lovely day today in English 10 as we finished our last reading for the unit - Neil Gaiman's "Credo". This is a great text for you to use for your quotation response, slide five of your project. After we finished reading, we took time to focus on our projects.

Your project is due at the end of next class. Next class is our unit catch-up day, working day, and finalizing day. We'll be transitioning to a new unit next week where we'll study Asian literature and culture. If you're ready, you can turn in your project early, but I would recommend waiting until our writing workshop next class.

If you celebrate - enjoy the holiday weekend! L'shana tova!

21 September - Blue Wednesday

AP English Language

Solid work with one of my favorites today - Mr. James Baldwin. As a queer, African American thinker and writer in the 1960's and 70's he faced a lot of criticism but he never wavered in his beliefs. His passion is apparent in the letter we read today. Keep in mind that everything we're doing right now is geared toward the project - put this forward into your work.

For tonight, you should complete your slides for your gallery walk. The project is due on Friday. Use our practice in class recently as you write and determine the rhetorical situation for your text of choice. Be sure that you include citations. Lion Time is a great time to work on the project together. 

You'll also need to read the letters between John and Abigail Adams on page 250. Annotate for argument. Use the technique from today if you'd like.

AP Research

This is the end my friends, of Unit 1. We finished our conferences - which were fantastic by the way - and we spent a lot of time revising and thinking. A few important reminders for all of you:

1. You can't talk to anyone - asking questions/surveys/interviews - until you pass IRB in December. 

2. Don't worry about making your phrasing exact right now. Let your research question be gangly. Make sure it has all the parts. We'll revise later. Let's make sure our boat can float before we buy curtains for the portholes.

3. Keep using your databases and your question at the same time. If you have words in your question that need to be defined or pared down, use the BoK. Use a keyword term to search for the term in your field. How do people measure "unity" or "addiction"? What is meant by "mental health"?

4. Always remember feasibility with your question. What do you know? What can you discuss? You're not a trained psychologist, so what can you comfortably and knowledgably discuss related to anxiety or depression or belonging? How can sources help you do this work?

Unit 2 begins next class. We'll be focused on writing and our sources.

20 September - Grey Tuesday

English 10

Today was a lovely start to our week together as we wrapped up our work on South Africa. We did some grammar to review titles and punctuation, worked to complete our AECS South Africa reflection, and then reviewed our project requirements for the end of the unit as well as resources to help us do this work.

Next class we'll be reading our last text for the unit and having time to focus on our projects. I'll have your paragraphs graded and back to you next week and we'll do some revising work if needed. Remember to talk to your families tonight for your project work - they're kinda the experts in a few places. 

19 September - Blue Day

AP Language

Today we did a lot of analysis and practice geared toward our project called "What's the Situation". I was very glad to see the thinking going on as we worked together to understand Mario Cuomo and Abraham Lincoln. The most important takeaway is that if there are multiple audiences, there are often multiple purposes and arguments. Keep track of how the message is geared and crafted toward the specific audiences. This is one of the main tasks you have in your project.

Tonight, take time for your projects. Spending time on those is the best thing that you can do. They're due at the end of the week! Be sure that you have completed your reading diagnostic as well - AP Classroom remains open for practice.

Let me know what you need - Lion Time Thursday is a great time to work on your project with me. I'm also after school on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

AP Research

We are closing out Unit 1 this week and moving on to Unit 2. Today and next class are our final working days for Unit 1. During these days I'll be conferencing with each of you about your research questions and work with your sources up to this point. Be sure that you log these conferences, I mean to help at all times.

Remember that your categorized source list is due this week. On Friday, we'll have our lesson on the annotated bibliography and writing. I'm looking forward to that. If you have any work to finish up for Unit 1 including reflections, quizzes, or other tasks, now is the time to complete them.

End of the Week - 15 September

AP Language

Great day today for our first official working day. There are a few things that have been announced today - the recording is a great recap. Generally we:

1. Set up our writing notebooks/portfolios to be used through the year.

2. Reviewed the first mini-project of the year, the template, and the resources to complete it as well as the rubric.

3. Understood the reading diagnostic, how to access it, and how it will be used.

4. Reviewed AP Classroom, the joining process, and how Progress Checks will be used this year.

The majority of class was spent working independently. Over the weekend, you should complete your reading diagnostic if you didn't in class. There is also a reading assigned for next week. It's a speech by Mario Cuomo. There's a PDF, it's in the textbook, and there's a video of him presenting the speech. Annotate for tone. Use your tone words sheet. Notice especially where the tone shifts and how he demonstrates that shift.

AP Research

A pretty straightforward day today in AP Research land as we reviewed our CRAAP test for sources and the College Board Policy on Falsification and Plagiarism. From there, we took some time as we need to work through our source list, reading log, reflection questions, or research question development. At this point in the course you should be finalizing your research question. We can of course continue to make edits, but you should be locking in some of your decisions now.

Over the weekend be sure to complete your newest reflection question. It's a POD question you could get at the end of the year. Next week we'll start to transition out of Unit 1 and into Unit 2. Be ready for a lesson on your next major assignment - the annotated bibliography.

See you Monday!

14 September - Grey Wednesday

English 10

We started our work with Desmond Tutu's speech and will finish our work with it next class. We'll also be saying good bye to South Africa next class, so be ready for that too. Our work in class today focused on the idea of identifying claims and the evidence that supports that claim. I like that we were able to find some key claims and the support for them that Tutu uses. It's great to see the way that authors build their ideas; we'll be doing similar work, so using their work as models for us is very helpful.

Be ready for writing next class. We'll be doing some instruction and then I'll ask you to show me what you can do! 

See you Friday!!

13 September - Tuesday

AP Language

Sorry to have had to abandon you in the photo line. Unfortunately the line was long and the class time was short. I will get you your student ID's next class. 

Class was lovely, but fast. We did a lot of work related to the rhetorical situation. It's a great framework for breaking down a text and understanding the way that the pieces work together to function and create meaning. We also worked on a method to analyze pieces of a text called DIDLS - remember that these two frameworks work together to help you read, write, and think. Use them.

For tonight remember that you should be working through your vocabulary regularly. Collect and work on words daily. If you haven't submitted your first five, be sure to do so. There's also our choice reading. Next class you'll need your laptop for our workshop day. You'll also need to bring your spiral notebook which you'll leave behind. Prepare accordingly.

AP Research

Lovely day in AP Research today as we took some time for what we needed and then gathered together to do some active reading and annotating. We'll continue to come back to this paper as we move through the year - it's our benchmark of a good paper. This one got a FIVE, and I think it's clear to see why.

Right now, we're focused on the introduction. It's important to recognize how the student uses sources and how the sources that the student uses are used to frame their work and lead to the research question. This is your paper - so annotate it and use it.

Keep working with your databases. Use new key words as you work with your research questions. Keep revising and paying your work forward. Try to fill new gaps daily and to continue using your sources and your databases to do that work. 

See you Thursday!

12 September - Monday

English 10

Good day today everyone, we didn't have that much time to work through our day, but we got started, and that's what counts. I appreciate your attention and work today during the reading diagnostic. We'll take that same test a few more times this year to track your growth. 

We started with our final South African author - Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Today was our introduction to him and next class we'll read through his speech. At the end of the week we'll get started on our first project of the year. I'm looking forward to seeing what you all create. 

Friday the 9th of September

AP English Language

Time spent with Thomas Jefferson today as we worked through "The Declaration of Independence" and understood some of the keys to annotating in this class. I enjoyed your attention to our work related to topic, audience, and speaker. Remember that texts will often have several audiences, so speakers will tweak their approaches in order to address a specific audience. We saw this as Jefferson had slightly different arguments to his various audiences - the colonists, the representatives, and the king.

Over the weekend, you should start in on your next set of cards. If you haven't submitted your first set, be sure to do so as soon as you can. Grades will be updated next week. I would also suggest starting one of the three choice articles - Anzaldua, Apess, or Sedaris' "Go Carolina". These are available as PDF's on our course page or in the textbook.

AP Research

A day where we give and get feedback is always a lovely day in AP Research. It gladdens my heart to see you all so engaged with each other and with making each other better. I'm also enjoying seeing the development of your ideas - using your sources and your building Body of Knowledge to develop your ideas are key right now.

Our work today focused on learning how to test our sources for credibility and then getting some work on our research questions. Use the feedback from your peers to revise your research questions. This is so important. Also use the feedback and gaps on your organizer to go back to the databases. Keep building your reading log and source list. Lastly, your new reflection question has been posted for this week - be sure that you add your answer to the running list.

8 September - Thursday

English 10

Lovely end of the week in English 10 today. We finished our first short story, "The Train from Rhodesia" by Nadine Gordimer. I like this story as a first one due to its interesting ending, the conflicts, and the use of detail in the story. It's an interesting look at how what people do can tell us a lot about them - especially if we consider the husband's actions. 

We'll stay studying South Africa for a few more classes. Be ready for a reading diagnostic next week. Enjoy the weekend! I'll see you on Monday.

7 September - Blue Day - Wednesday

AP Language

Great day today in AP Language - we reviewed our diagnostic exam (I'll have the scores in soon) and then got started with the main thrust of our class, "What is America?" Throughout the year we'll be exploring the concept and working to define it using our various texts and authors through the year. We're starting with our first reading tonight - Thomas Jefferson's "The Declaration of Independence". Find it in your textbook, or the scanned copy in the folder, and annotate for purpose and audience (consider that there are multiple audiences and the purpose will shift for each one). Keep your textbook at home, but have your notes in class!

AP Research

We continue to build our research question by refering to the work of others in our field. This is the first and likely one of the most important steps of our whole process this year. Working with our Body of Knowledge is key to ensuring success in this class and the work that you'll be doing through the year. 

Continue farming the databases, ask the librarians for help, and begin to work with your classmates who are in similar fields or disciplines. You are your best help in this process. Building your source list will help you to check for holes in your QUEST - if you find them, plug them. And let me know how I may be able to help.

See you Friday!

6 September - Grey Day

English 10

Good day in English 10 as we began our study of South Africa. We'll be focused on this country for the next few classes - reading different pieces and understanding different points of view. Today we started with Nadine Gordimer and her story "The Train from Rhodesia". We got through most of it and will finish next class. We'll have time next class to focus on vocabulary and prepare for our next text from South Africa from Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Hey September - Blue Day - 1 September

Happy Labor Day Weekend!! Remember there's no school on Friday and Monday. See you Tuesday and Wednesday!

AP English Language

Today was our day to discuss grading. I hope that you understand that this year you'll be graded in a different way than you have before. Grades reflect learning, and learning changes, so grades will change. Be sure to review the syllabus and the recording below as you work with your parents to complete the syllabus signature form (linked in the PDF). 

Our work in class looked at the FRQ rubrics and sample responses. I hope you found it helpful to understand the final goal of the course in terms of writing. Over the weekend, complete your vocabulary cards. Remember that you can use the texts posted in the Unit 2 folder to find vocabulary words if you haven't found any from the sample exam.

AP Research

Lots of great thinking and working today in AP Research as we understood the importance of the recursive process and revision. Keep using the qualities of a "good" research question as you continue to think and revise. Remember the process with the Disney research question. Keep asking yourself questions like, "Who cares?"; "What do you want to know?"; "How will you measure this?"; "Can you math?"

Over the weekend spend your time with the databases. Keep searching and hunting your rabbits. Remember to track your progress on the Reading Log. Keep revising your research question as you find papers that align with your interests. Keep reading and logging this weekend - next week I'll ask to see a reading log with fifteen sources logged. You also need to complete your second reflection question. See the document in Materials for this and the others as they populate.

31 August - End of the Month!

English 10

Wonderful work today everyone as we engaged as a group of listeners and watchers. We watched a few TikTok videos from a wonderfully hilarious Nigerian woman and then listened to another Nigerian woman tell us about "The Danger of a Single Story". I look forward to reviewing your answers and thoughts on her speech. 

Next class we'll spend more time in Africa, but in another country - South Africa. We'll focus on South Africa for a few classes, I hope you'll enjoy our focused study of that country.

30 August - Tuesday and Back to School Night

AP Language

Good day today in AP Language land. We went over the process and resources we have for completing vocabulary this year before having time to finish up what we needed - either the diagnostic exam or the vocabulary set. You'll have your exams back to you next week and we'll review the feedback. 

For tonight, the best thing to do is to complete your vocabulary cards. Next unit we'll have some articles to read and those will be posted for you to read and annotate. If you'd like to get ahead, feel free to pick one of those to read and consider.

AP Research

What a day! We are really getting in deep with our problem statements which are the foundation of our eventual research. I loved your conversations today related to the Nobel Prize winners and the realizations that you were able to make around their work and the work that we'll be doing in this classroom.

I want to remind you of one of the most important words of the class - recursive. The work we're doing right now is building on itself. As you spend time with the databases, keep going back to your problem statements - the data you find in the sources should help you to further refine your problem statement and eventual research question. I would recommend rewriting the problem statement as you find new information.

For tonight, continue to work with the databases. Log your articles and sources. Revise your problem statements. Consider your questions. I'll see you Thursday.

29 August - Monday Monday...

English 10

Great day today everyone. Lots of talking, thinking, and reading. We started our day with a quick grammar overview and lesson on apostrophes. I hope you find it helpful. From there we did a four corners conversation before moving into our study of "About School". The recording is posted for you. If you need to finish your questions for homework, please do so, and turn them in next class.

The syllabus has been posted. Please review it with your parents and sign the form at the end. Next class we'll start with our study of South Africa. I'm excited to take you there.

26 August - End of Week One

AP English Language

Our first long winding slog is complete! Huzzah! Now mine begins as I read and evaluate your first timed writings with the AP rubric. We'll review feedback and the skills of the class later next week. Remember, all of these grades will go in the gradebook - but with a rolling gradebook they'll be quickly replaced. You're not expected to know everything at the beginning of the class. Of course not! But, it's good to see where we need to be at the end, and where we are now, so we can figure out how we'll get there.

Over the weekend, take it easy and recover from your three-day baptism by fire. Our next class will be focused on vocabulary, provide some extra time on the exam if needed, and give you your first working day.

AP Research

We pushed through today in order to discuss the disciplines of study as well as the foundational work for this class. Understanding Research versus research and the importance of the problem statement as it relates to your research question. The slides for today's class are very crucial and helpful - I'd suggest downloading the specific slides you need. We also completed our first reflection - keep those together in your Weekly Work folder as we keep moving through the year.

Over the weekend you have a few things to work through. First, complete the Nobel Prize Research assignment and submit that to Schoology by Tuesday. Follow the instructions in the document posted. You should also find additional sources for your research interest. Now that you know about problem statements, you may want to restart your quest, but you can also feel free to use the two you already have. The databases are your friends! Get friendly.

See y'all Tuesday!

25 August - Thursday

English 10

Another good class in the books. You all are proving yourselves to be quite the wonderful group of scholars. Today we spent some time getting to know each other more with a survey (be sure to submit it if you didn't during class) - it is for a grade. From there we spoke a bit about our concept for the year before we learned a bit about our culture in the classroom through our rules and procedures. 

We ended our day with some work on our goals for the year. I'm excited to see what you all are attempting to achieve for yourselves this year. Your goals are a part of your culture, so knowing them help me to know you.

Enjoy the weekend! I will see you on Monday.

24 August - Wednesday

AP Language

Today we finished our MCQ diagnostic and moved into the FRQ. In the FRQ there are three essays to write - the synthesis (with sources), the rhetorical analysis (you read and explain a text), and the argument (you argue your point on a topic). Most of you worked through Question 3 today, which is what I recommended given the timing constraints.

Next class we will finish our diagnostic exam. You will have completed your first timed essays of all types and seen questions. Be sure that you've collected about FIVE vocabulary words from the exam, you'll need them next week for vocabulary cards. As always, reach out with any concerns or questions.

AP Research

Great day today, y'all. We did some great thinking and working around key concepts in our classroom. It's important that we shift our ideas and perspectives on some words and concepts so that we can work through our class with our heads on straight. We also spent some time with our Academic Paper Rubric - understanding this and the importance of the research question to your success on the rubric will help you to frame the early work that we are doing.

The second part of class was for us to set-up, share, and populate our PREP Folders. Be sure to follow the instructions in the folder under Current Lessons. Most of your work will be logged in the PREP and we will fill all our folders through the year. Most of your work right now will be in Weekly Work. 

Your first homework assignment is posted. It's due next week. Follow the instructions and complete your research on a Nobel winner of your choice. It's a great way to show your understanding of the essential vocabulary from today.

See you Friday!

First Grey Day - 23 August 2022

English 10

Wonderful day today, everyone! I very much enjoyed working with you and getting to know you all. We took time for names, arts and crafts, and a bit of an overview of our year - world literature. I loved seeing the way that you worked together, showed up for class, and respected our environment.

For tonight, think about our concept of the year - culture. What would you say is part of your culture? What's important to you? This is a great place for us to start our conversation this year. 

AP Language

I'll make the posts on the Blue Day for this class since that's its first meeting. Be sure to check the post above for your reminders/information.

Kicking Off 2022-23. Monday, August 22

AP Language

Welcome everyone to the new school year! I'm very excited to be your English teacher and work with you all as you improve your skills as a writer, reader, thinker, and communicator. Today we did a quick overview of the class, but we spent the majority of the time working through our AP Examination Diagnostic. Next class you'll have time to finish another section of the MCQ and begin on your FRQ questions. We should have the diagnostic finished in three classes.

Continue to collect vocabulary from the exam - you'll need it for your next assessment, vocabulary cards. For tonight, there's not a lot to do. You can join AP Classroom by entering the code you can find on Schoology for this class. You can also check out our Course Resources and Materials. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out.

AP Research

Welcome researchers to the 2022-23 year. I'm very excited to work with all of you as you explore your interests and develop your skills as critical thinkers, readers, and writers. We'll be doing a lot of big work in this room this year, and I can't wait to see what you produce as we work. Today's class was a general overview, timeline, and some basic information. I'll have a formal syllabus for you once it's approved.

For tonight, you should join our AP Classroom space with the code found on Schoology. After you've done that, feel free to poke around a bit on Schoology. Eventually I'll want you to find the FHS Library Page and navigate to the databases. Select a database and start to do some looking related to the topics and interests we explored today in class. I want you to have TWO potential sources. You will want to download the PDF to your Google Drive. Remember where you found it - a citation helps!

See you all on Wednesday!

Final Class (Kinda) Complete

It's the last meeting of our classes this week. As a reminder, all work for this quarter is due on June 3 at midnight. Your access to Schoology will close on Saturday morning. Once we begin exams the only thing that I will accept to score is the final exam. Use these final days to submit what you can and raise your quarter grade as high as you can.

Tomorrow AP Language will have a bonus class for first and fifth period. I'll be on campus, but will be in training for AP Exam scoring. I'll check in as I can. English 10 will have their examination for seventh period. Remember to review your grammar notes and literary terms. A read through your journals and notebooks is a great way to study and review.

If you have assignments to submit, now is the time.

End of the Year - Last Classes

AP Language

Here we are in our Groundhog Day rotation until the 3rd of June. Remember that since exams begin on the third, that is the last day to submit any of your work for this quarter to be scored. The most important assignments are your creative project, research poster and presentation, and your reflections. Prioritize these tasks.

As always, as you need me, ask! I'm here to support you as you push to the finish. 

English 10

It's quite the same for all of you my lovelies. We're completing our portfolios to show our skills, our knowledge, and our artifacts of our learning for the year. Once you're complete with this work, you are done for the quarter and for the year. Seventh period's exam will be on June 3. Make sure that your work is turned in my this day so that I can finalize your grade in the timeframe.

23 and 24 May

AP Language

Great day in AP Language land with our end of year character extravaganza. After this, all of our classes are working days. If you haven't submitted your first project, reflections, or vocabulary - be sure to get them in. You've got until the 3rd of June to submit any last work. Find your rubrics, overviews, and recordings to help you with the final tasks here and let me know how I can help!

English 10

It's a pretty easy time for us in English 10 as we are completing our end of year portfolios. Remember that you have two portfolios to build which will show your skills and knowledge as an English 10 student this year. Follow the instructions in the previous post in order to set up your two portfolios. Be sure that you have artifacts that complete each requirement. If you're unsure, ask for help. Remember that everything is due by June 3, so if you have any thing else that is missing, you have the chance to get it in now!

19 and 20 May

AP Language

It was a great day to get caught up for any lost time today in AP Language land. Next class we'll have our character party - don't forget to complete your form - and the final classes of the year are time for you to complete your final projects for the last unit of the year.

English 10

Today was our day to review our end of year portfolio tasks. You're building two portfolios to show your skills this year as a student - one is focused on the things that we have read and studied and one is focused on your skills as a student. 

Your Content Knowledge Portfolio should cover the units that you have been in class for. If you started from the beginning, start at Unit 1. If you came into this class late, then start when you began. Use the Previous Lessons folder on Schoology to review our previous lessons. 

The Skills Portfolio is a choice board where you are collecting artifacts to show your work as an English student. You should have an artifact for each skill. You'll need to do ONE new task. Follow the instructions in the document posted and check the recording if you need!

Remember that the final date that anything will be accepted to be scored is June 3. 

17 and 18 May

AP Language

Today was another of our independent working days to complete our novel tasks. Remember that this week you should submit your FIVE reading reflections and your first major project. If you submit the project on paper, great! Just mark the electronic space complete. 

If you were not in class, be sure to complete the Character Bone Structure Activity. I've attached it here. There are hard copies in the classroom. Once you've selected your character for the party, fill this form out as them. Complete all the questions - it's your entry ticket to the party on the 23rd.

Submit your final tasks! Finish the year in style! See you around the way!

English 10

Today was our day for our Demonstration of Learning in our Japanese art and culture unit. I was glad to see you all delving deep into the content we studied in this unit. I'm looking forward to watching your recordings, interacting with your work, and reviewing your written work. I'm always excited about days like today because it allows you to do exactly what you want to do to show your skills.

Don't forget your vocabulary or any other tasks that are hanging over you. The last four classes of our year will be focused on our End of Year Portfolio. We'll walk through the requirements to finish the year on Thursday/Friday. Be ready for a quick finish to the end! It'll be here sooner than you think!

11 and 12 May (Also the End of the Week)

I'll be out this week on Thursday and Friday for some medical appointments and personal recuperation. I'll be back on campus on Monday if you need anything.

AP Language

And here we are on the other side of the examination. We are officially OVER the hump. I hope that your letter gave you the opportunity to get your feelings about the examination out of you so that you can move on. You'll have your scores in July and then you can make next steps as you need to.

Time in class is now focused on finishing up our novel tasks. You have six classes remaining and most of them are working days for your novel tasks. Use the templates and the resources provided to help you complete your work. I'm looking forward to a strong finish with all of you!

English 10

Today was our day to finish Spirited Away and our viewing guides on the film. As I watch the movie, I'm struck by how many similarities there are between this and so many other stories throughout time and cultures. You may want to explore some of these similarities as you complete your Demonstration of Learning, but more on that next week.

Next class I will be away recovering from my medical appointments tomorrow. The class will be a catch-up day for you. Remember that you do have vocabulary due for this unit, so next class is a perfect day to pull that together and turn it in. If you have missing work from earlier in the quarter, this is your last catch-up day to get it in. I'll update the gradebook next week and let you know where you stand as we approach the final classes of the year and our last unit - our year end portfolio.

9 and 10 May 2022

AP Language

Tomorrow, May 10, 2022 is your AP Examination for English Language and Composition. Your homework for tonight is to take care of yourself and revel in your preparation up to this point. This is not an exam you can cram for - so there's no point in trying! 

If you're going to do anything, review your notebooks, your tone words, and rhetorical devices. Listen to the news to have current events to use in your essays. Review your favorite readings of the years and hopefully find a way to use them tomorrow. Think of some favorite words you've learned this year and use them in your essays tomorrow. Find me or Mr. Friedman tomorrow morning at the front doors to get your gift bags!

We'll have time next class to reflect on the exam and begin to move toward the end of our year together.

English 10

Today was the beginning of our major text study. We're watching the film Spirited Away for a few reasons right now. One, it's a great film! Two, it is highly connected to some of our Japanese cultural ideas like Zen, imagery, heroism, and cultural traditions. Third, it's a great opportunity for us to cap off our unit by not studying a major written text. Being able to interpret and analyze a film is an important skill set!

Next class we'll finish the film and the day after that will be our unit catch-up day. Some of you may need to use the catch-up day for this unit to complete work from last unit, and that's okay. Be sure that any things that need to be scored get turned in as soon as possible.

Your Japanese Culture Unit assessment will be on May 17/18. You have the chance to display your learning in a variety of ways, you can also take the test if you'd like. As always, reach out with any questions!