31 January / 1 Feburary

AP Language

Good day today in the library - our goal right now is to develop our first research questions so that we can move into the process of peer review and further revisions. Remember that your final research question isn't due until next week, so the process of revising is key. Figure out the path you want to take. Carve out a part of the conversation that you can conduct in four to seven pages. Remember, narrowing your scope and focus is key - and the research databases are here to help you do this.

English 10

Today's class was a day to get Romantic (big R not little r). We talked about Romanticism as a literary movement, understood the main tenents of their philosophy and then looked at two poems - one by Pushkin and one by Lermontov.

We applied our TP-CASTT skills as we analyzed the poems and then did a bit of creative work as we analyzed the poems and understood their themes. We also worked through a fair amount of vocabulary. Don't forget to collect your vocabulary lists while you are reading - you have ten words due at the end of the unit.

Next class we'll be reading a short story by Anton Chekhov and doing an activity with it. I think you're going to really enjoy it. The recording is posted if you were absent or need to review - slides are under Materials.

27 and 28 January

AP Language

Today was our day to begin our fourth unit on research and synthesis writing. We reviewed our task on the exam - the synthesis prompt and two student responses. Though these responses are scored using the old rubric, they're still indicative of what the assessors are looking for in your response. From there we discussed the importance of specificity and the development of the research question. This is going to be our focus over the next few classes because the question is the key to the paper.

Next class we're in the library to explore databases and develop our questions further. Your questions are due first for completion, then we'll revise and resubmit for quality. Don't fall behind in this unit! Each day we have a goal to complete.

Remember that your Gatsby assignments are due tonight. Please submit your quote, annotations, and essay electronically.

English 10

What a wonderful class today! We did some great work today as we read Russian folk tales to understand some of the essential elements of narrative and of Russian culture. I loved seeing you all read, think, and communicate with each other about these stories. Remember that most of them exist on YouTube as cartoons - check that out if you'd like.

There's no homework over the weekend. Be sure to begin your vocabulary list for this unit from our reading today. I look forward to seeing you next class to begin looking at some poetry.

Opening Up Quarter 3 - 25 and 26 January

AP Language

Today was a super simple day for us - registration day! We met, reviewed the requirements of our writing assignment due next class, and then we headed down to the Career Center. Remember that Mrs. Kim is here to help you as you make your plans for after high school. There are a lot of different pathways you can take to get to your goals. Make the best decisions for you!

Work through the completion of your 1Q1P (it's due next class) and be ready to get going with Unit 4. We'll have days in the library to start and lots of working days ahead of us - use your time wisely to accomplish your steps!

English 10

Today was a solid day! We started a new unit focused on Slavic Literature - the literature of Eastern Europe and Russia. We did a lot today to focus on the culture, some of the authors, and some of the major themes that we'll be looking at through the unit like power versus freedom, individual versus society, and the power of literature to speak truth. We played bingo to do our learning to make it a bit more fun.

After bingo we took time to set some intentions for ourselves. We didn't finish the entire activity, so give yourself some time to check out more of those videos later on. Next class we'll look at some fairy tales from Russia to get more of a handle on the culture and what these people believe.

End of the Quarter / Semester - 19 and 20 January

We're halfway home everyone! The back half always seems to run a bit faster than the first. Keep on pushing, and remember AP kiddos, we end in May, really.

AP Language

Today's class was a bit of a catch-up day for us since we're ahead of the other AP Language group and since we've had a lot of absences lately. Remember that everything is here and recordings are useful if you've missed class time. If you need more - please let me know.

Quarter 2 closes today! Your class is the last chance you have to submit assignments to be scored. I appreciate everyone communicating and staying on top of things. We did a bit of a look ahead to Unit 4 - check the recording and the new folder/files to see what's on tap.

Over the long weekend, I would focus on your analysis of your quotation to complete your project on The Great Gatsby. Keep in mind that this is an analysis. The previous day's feedback may be useful in how you approach this assignment. Next week we'll begin with registration and then begin Unit 4 later in the week. 

English 10

Today was our final day for the end of the quarter and the end of our third unit of study for the year. By the end of today's class the goal was to complete your presentation of your research and submit that assignment to be scored. There were a lot of absences today in class - so I hope that if you are at home, or wherever you may be, that you find the time to complete this work and get it submitted.

Follow the template to complete your task. Keep in mind that your evidence (from the text and the research) should be focused on the importance of your text. There's not a lot of writing in this project, it's more about putting the pieces together and showing the ideas to a viewer.

Our next unit is going to focus on Russia and Eastern Europe. I'm really excited to take you to this part of the world. There are a lot of great videos about Russia loaded in the folder if you'd like to take a look!

14 and 18 January

Enjoy the long weekend! Do something for your community in the spirit of Dr. King to celebrate his legacy. I'd say go to DC and tour the monument, but the weather may not be the best for that.

AP Language

Today was our day for a writing workshop focused on rhetorical analysis. We discussed the importance of the rhetorical situation when considering the author's argument as well as the importance of the line of reasoning. It's especially important that our commentary on the evidence is connected to one strong line of reasoning that the author conveys in their text. It is also important that we have sufficient evidence to show and convey that line of reasoning to the assessor. I hope our review of the rubric and my feedback was helpful.

Take this feedback forward as you complete your FRQ on AP Classroom as well as your analysis of your quotation for the end of the color motif project. For your motif project, it's all about the one quotation. Show how the part (quote) relates and conveys the whole (argument). Remember that you've read the whole novel and you know about Fitzgerald, so you can also comment on his exigence and context for the novel. This writing assignment is not due until Quarter 3. So, don't stress this now.

This weekend your focus should be AP Classroom and any other assignments in SIS that are marked as missing or blank. I will have grades updated when I see you next.

English 10

Today was our day to make up for lost time and lost internet resources from last class. I really appreciate everyone's maturity and dedication to the classroom today as we worked to get things done and make this a better experience for everyone. 

Over the weekend, I would highly recommend making up for any lost time related to Unit 3 - World Research. If you are missing any part of the unit so far, you should work to complete that as soon as possible. Next class we will be finishing the final product and submitting that for review. This is the final grade of the unit and quarter - so I can't take it late. Use the previous lesson slides to help you gather all the pieces and work toward completion.

I look forward to a productive end of the quarter with all of you. Please reach out if you need anything at all. 

12 and 13 January

AP Language

Today was a creation day in AP Language - we farmed the text and created our visuals for our The Great Gatsby color assignment. By collecting all of the examples of the color in the novel, you're able to see the whole picture and really understand the meaning of that color in this novel. This is the idea that you'll explore further in your writing assignment. How does this quotation using the color relate to the overall meaning of the color in the novel? This is the question you should take with you to your writing assignment and planning.

For tonight, I would find and annotate your chosen quotation. If you have any work to complete - vocabulary, AP Classroom Progress Checks, or elements of the last unit, then be sure that the work is done as soon as possible. I am only accepting work during the end of the quarter because of the snow days. Stay on top of your assignments and be sure to ask if you have any questions about where you stand.

See you next time for our writing workshop on deep analysis.

English 10

Today's class was a class focused on our final project for this unit - a display of our text and our interpretation of that text. For this final interpretation, you have three options. You can do a research poster, a slideshow, or an essay. Different types of texts work better with different formats - so consider what works best for what you studied.

For this project you'll need to have the same requirements no matter how you display your ideas. Be sure to refer to the slides posted on Schoology for requirements and templates. By the end of our next class I need to see all of your work leading up to the final project if you haven't had it checked yet. 

We'll be transitioning to our next unit on Wednesday and Thursday next week - be ready to travel off to a new and exciting part of the world!

10 and 11 January

AP Language

Welcome back! It was good to see so many of you today in class. We had a relatively easy day since we had to complete academic advising for English today. While I was doing that, there was time to work on AP Classroom Progress Checks, Vocabulary, or get ahead on your motif projects. We started off with our reflection from the unit mini-project on RA (find that link in the folders).

As a reminder, vocabulary is due. Please submit on Schoology. AP Classroom work will be unlocked during class or Lion Time, so plan accordingly to complete that work. Next class will be your full workshop for the motif project, you may want to complete part of that work tonight to be better prepared for your class time next class. I also need to check your novels, so don't forget your notes. 

If you have anything missing, now is the time to complete those tasks. Please reach out if you need me for anything.

English 10

Today's class was a day for us to get our heads back on our shoulders and pointed in the right direction as we return to school and to Unit 3 - Research. At this point in the project, most of you are either studying your text (in some way, shape, or form) or you're ready to research the author/historical context to support your claim.

We understood at the end of today's class what our thesis is for this final presentation and what type of research we need to support that claim. Your task is to find the biographical or historical information to help you complete this project. By the end of next class you should show me your research notecard which includes your citation and your three notes.

Next class we will review the structure of our final project and have time to work. Keep in mind that you have just two grades left this quarter - so be sure to stay focused on completing these tasks.

Snow Day to Start 2022

Happy Snow Day, y'all!

I hope that you're able to stay warm, safe, and dry while the snow falls. It's really falling heavily, so I'll be taking Bruno out in a bit to see what he thinks about all of this. Be sure to check Schoology for updates to your class. If you're in 2nd or 6th - be aware that this class will not be able to be made up. Try to take some time for class if you can today - there are resources to help you do this.

I'll be available via email if you need me. Please reach out and enjoy the day!