31 January - Chapter 2 and Jim Trueblood

AP Language

Great day in AP Language today as we dealt with one of the most difficult and complex chapters of the book, Chapter 2. During today's class we focused a lot on characters and their importance in the novel. As we move through this opening section of the book, it's important to see the way in which TIM interacts with different characters and how they affect him. Consider what he understands and what he doesn't understand. We often will understand more than he does because we can see things that he doesn't. 

Remember to use your motif trackers as you are moving through the book. All of the motifs are present in the Prologue, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2. As we move to Chapter 3, you'll start to see some gaps in the motif chart. 

Next class we'll be finishing up our work on James Baldwin. Be sure to read and annotate the second half of the article. If you lost your paper copy, the PDF is posted for you. Next week we'll get into Chapter 3 and 4. Keep reading and getting into this fantastic and challenging novel. I'm excited to help you continue to discover. Next class I'll be out and you'll have a substitute. Be sure to complete all of the tasks by the end of the day.

29 January - Kicking Off Quarter 3 and Semester 2

AP Language and Composition

Fantastic day with James Baldwin today in AP Language. I was glad to see the way in which you were understanding his father on multiple levels and the way in which Baldwin makes a complex relationship very real. The conversations we had around the past, racism, inherited trauma and burdens, and identity are key connection points over to Invisible Man as we see TIM go through many of the same questions and complex relationships with older males in his life. 

For tonight, be sure to read Chapter 2 (Trigger Warning: Rape/Sexual Assault Descriptions). We'll be working through this very important chapter next class. It's a beast, but important for the effect that it has on TIM and on us, the reader. You'll be challenged. Get what you can out of it and come to class with questions. We'll delve into key passages in order to understand what this chapter is telling us. We'll finish Baldwin on Friday. Be on the lookout for assignments posted on Friday since I'll be out working at another school in the district.

See you Wednesday!

24 January - End of Semester 1

AP Language and Composition

Wonderful day to end things in AP Language for the first semester. We started our dive into Invisible Man and worked through the major ideas of the Battle Royale in Chapter One. This scene is so important because it is the major cycle for the text. We used our resources such as our motif chart, our annotations document, and our key passages to unlock meaning and collaborate to understand.

Remember, you are not expected to understand this book as you read. You are expected to read and to try. Failure to do so will not improve your reading skills, which is something that needs to happen.

Over the weekend focus on continuing your reading into Invisible Man; we have Chapter 2 coming up next week. You also have James Baldwin to read for next class. You can read the whole article if you'd like to, but be sure to read the first portion. The stop is highlighted for you. Build connections between Baldwin and TIM as well as the other authors in this unit.

See you in Semester Two!

22 January - Registration Day

AP Language and Composition

Today was registration day for senior year. I hope that you had productive meetings with your counselors to make your plan for next year. Of course, it's not really about next year this year, it's about the year after and after. When you're making your choices for senior year, consider your plans for after graduation. What's going to set you up for the best success? How are you going to achieve some balance for yourself to give yourself the time you need for everything? 

Next class we should meet and have a normal day. Be ready for Chapter 1. We've got the video guide, the motif tracking document, and the annotation anchor document. Use your resources to tackle this difficult text. We'll also start jumping into the research project next class. Chapter 1 is rough for a lot of reasons, but it's also super important because of the cycles that it sets up. Read carefully!

I'm looking forward to a normal class with y'all next time. All the best!

18 January - Langston Hughes and Reflections and Writing Practice

AP Language

Today's class was our day focused on understanding and reflecting on Langston Hughes and what he has to say about the dangers of conformity, especially for African American artists and poets. I enjoyed seeing the way in which you were updating your documents with new ideas, collaborating with each other virtually and in-person, and delving into the text. Wonderful work. Keep reflecting on these authors, their arguments, and the connections between them as we delve into this unit. 

We ended class with AP Classroom and argumentative writing practice. We took a position on the extent to which a truism is true. Keep in mind that with these types of questions, you're explaining nuance and how much something is valid - always, sometimes, or never - the evidence that you use will help to explain that validity and extent. Use key words from your thesis to guide your assertions and your commentary. We'll do some scoring of these next week.

For tonight, keep in mind that we have our first chapter of Invisible Man coming soon. Next class will be our registration meeting, and then we'll be diving into Chapter One and the Battle Royale. Use your motif tracker and resources to get through this text! See you next time!

11 January - Looking at Langston Hughes

AP Language

We had a really lovely day today in AP Language with another fantastic Harlem Renaissance voice - Langston Hughes. Today we got to hear his voice both as a poet and as a social critic; it's interesting to notice how he's saying the same thing (his argument) in various styles. Today's class was a reading, writing, and thinking day -- our essential skills in AP Language! We'll continue to reflect on this essay next class. Be sure that you've completed your discussion board post and submitted your annotations document. Note that the annotations document won't be graded, just the discussion board.

Next class we'll be focused on some writing skills and argumentative writing. There's no reading for next class. Use the time to get into Invisible Man. You'll want to be ahead in the reading so that we can really focus on comprehending and interpreting skills in class.

9 January - Zora Neale Hurston

AP Language

We spent a great class with Ms. Zora Neale Hurston today in AP Lang. She is definitely one of my top ten writers, probably top five if we're just looking at American literature and writers. We didn't quite finish our work at the end looking at Hurston's piece through the frame of an argument, so I'd recommend finishing by reflecting on those questions tonight. How does she use evidence and commentary throughout her essay to support her thesis? In what ways does she create clear organization between sections and ideas using her main argument? How does she develop and employ an engaging voice throughout the essay? All of these are key questions in FRQ 1 and 3 - the argument questions - so it's important to see how authors do this so that we can too.

Next class we're looking at Langston Hughes. His text is pretty difficult, so we'll work through it in class - no reading necessary for next class. Use this time to get into Invisible Man - use the audiobook, YouTube playlist, and other resources. Don't forget to check in with your motif tracker as you read - it's a great tool too. We'll be working through Chapter 1 next week!

5 January - End of the Week

AP Language

We had a really fantastic day to start our work on Invisible Man - it was a packed class, so we didn't finish everything. Be sure to finish reading The Prologue tonight. Use the recording in the slides to access the audio book. As you read, keep following the ideas that we were focused on in class. 

The other major activity in class, other than reading aloud and studying the book together, was our investigation of The Harlem Renaissance. We looked at music, art, and poetry in order to understand the historical and social context of the Harlem Renaissance. Consider how these texts are all a response to the moment and the racism of the society of the time. We're going to keep looking at music, art, and other authors as we keep moving forward. How are all of these texts having the same conversation and each author offering their own opinions? 

Keep reading! Remember that we have Hurston for Monday's class - enjoy the reading. It's a great article. You have Chapter 1 due on January 18. Follow your reading schedule!

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

AP English Language

Great day to kick off the year in AP Language today as we looked at our midterm results and discussed our reading and writing skills. Remember that most of your grades are going to reset as we begin this next unit. Review the feedback slides and the tools you have available on AP Classroom like the daily videos paired with questions and skills where you struggled. We can always sit together to read and write or review - this is a great strategy as we move into the second semester. This is where the rubber really meets the road and things get difficult. Stay ready!

Next class we'll be starting Invisible Man. This is a great book! It's a challenge, but if it doesn't challenge you, then you don't really grow. We've got resources like the audiobook and my YouTube channel to help provide support to you as you read. Get into the mess and enjoy the journey. We'll start by reading the Prologue together in class next time.