Mid-Week Reflections - Wednesday

Today has been a day focused on grading for substitute teachers, and let me just say that I am feeling pretty brain dead today. I had such a pile of classwork for Latin; I only got through one class worth. I'll devote more time tomorrow to the other class and will finish it up on Friday. I wrote a letter to send home in lieu of a progress report, so at least the parents of the students in those six classes will know that work is being assigned, graded, and learning (of some sort) is happening.

The PSAT has now become a day for just testing. We're going to create a schedule for just tenth and eleventh graders to come to school and test. I think that this going to make planning the day a lot easier. Now if I could just get all of the accommodations processed, I'd be in a good place. There's not too much I can do there, so I'm trying to keep it out of mind in order to stay present where I can have some impact.

I'm going to spend time for the rest of the day preparing for next week's professional development focused on activating strategies. I think I'll focus on a few approaches to opening up class and creating high-interest attention grabbers. I've got a post-observation conference during the last block of the day as well as a conference call. It'll be a busy end to the day. I'll be glad to leave my computer on my desk, run by the grocery store on the way home, and then go for a run.

Ok. I took my time. Back to the mine.

14 February - Happy Valentines' Day!!

AP Language

Solid day in AP Language as we reviewed citations (in-text and end-text), the connection between the SourcePack and the Annotated Bibliography, and some sample AB Entries. Remember that the SourcePack and the AB are connected by a chain. For each of the sources in your SourcePack, you should write an AB Entry. The SourcePack should include key excerpts you'll use to write your paper. Remember that on the day of the timed writing, you'll only have your SourcePack which you built.

Next class is a Group Meeting. You'll be focused on Passage 3, the next chunk of the novel, and your finalized topics. The end of the month is soon, so books should be done by then. Next week we've got a day for writing workshop. I hope you'll find it helpful.

AP Research

We're in a bit of a holding pattern in AP Research right now as we're in the space to collect our data. You have ample time during class to meet with participants, work with spreadsheets and sources, and derive the information you need to address your research question. Keep questing. Keep hunting. Track your progress. 

Next class will be your final whole class workshop. Next week we'll be completing your PREP conferences, more on that on Thursday. We have very few College Board lessons left - they really just focus on the creation of the paper. Keep moving! I'm loving what I'm seeing!

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.

25 and 28 February

If you're looking for ways to support Ukraine during this time, let me know. I can give you leads to Ukrainian organizations and NGOs who are working to support Ukraine and Ukrainians during this time.

AP Language

Today was the beginning of our writing days. Over the next three classes you'll have ample time to work in class to complete your research paper. Use the time and resources that I've given you wisely and you'll find a lot of success. As you're working through the process, you have a partner to check in with. Work with that person to complete your checks and develop your drafts. 

Don't forget that you have a writing conference over the next two weeks with me for a grade. Share your draft in advance of your conference, come and ask questions, get an A - it's really simple. I'll be opening a lot more conference spots next week - so don't worry if you haven't signed up yet.

English 10

Today we dipped our feet into the land of absurdism as we read "The Guillotine" by Teffi. Teffi was a female Russian humorist who escaped Russia after the revolution and eventually settled in France. The story is chock full of irony and presents an interesting message to us about apathy and what that can do to us as a society. This story is the last thing that we will read as a class - next time we'll have some choices for what to read as we close the unit.

Your quizzes have been released to you on Google Forms - check your email. We'll do test corrections next class, finish our reading, and begin to take a look at our final project. There won't be a final test in the unit, just the final project. If you were absent, be sure to see the recording and get a copy of the story next time you're on campus.

April's Finished - On to May (April 29, 2021)

AP Language

Today in class we spent time discussing symbols and characters who function symbolically. We then took time for a brief close reading to see the way in which multiple levels of meaning are woven in to the text. Ellison really is a master at this, and sometimes it hits pretty fast. If you see a big passage with lots of moving parts, try to always grab on to the parts that make the most sense to you. Remember that there are always multiple meanings in a text, your job is to always focus on constructing and developing one.

Over the weekend, focus on finishing your MCQs and reading in Invisible Man. MCQ 8 is due on Monday as is the most recent round of vocabulary cards. Remember that your cards should come from MCQs and Ellison's novel. Next week we'll finish our focus on the AP Examination - and begin preparing more individually and with some choice. MCQ 9 is available for extra credit/extra practice/replacement of a previous MCQ. 

As always, let me know if there's anything I can do to help. It's gonna be May next week - off to the last full month of school!

English 10

Today's class focused on reading in order to understand pages 126 to 135 in our novel. We met a new character called "The Limper" who embodies one of our clear conflicts in the novel as well as a type of brutal power. Also, we discussed more about Tzesar Markovich and Shukhov. Especially their character traits.

Over the weekend be focused on any missing work and updating your notes from the reading so far. Next week will be our last week with this novel. I look forward to hearing your final thoughts and reflections on the book. From there we'll be working on a lot of end of the year assignments. Be ready for the year to end fast!

AP Research

Remember that next week you have two assessments due. You'll need to meet with me to complete your EOC Conference, and you'll need to meet with a peer to complete your Mock POD. I'll be available all next week during class time as well as on Monday. If you haven't yet scheduled your POD for the week of May 10, be sure to do so ASAP. Reply to the email in your inbox to set your date and time.

Ending the Week - 4 March 2021

AP Language

Great work today, team. I was glad to finish writing conferences with you all and have the chance for some second round conferences in some cases. Remember that your final drafts of your paper are due on Monday. If your paper isn't submitted on time you will lose five points for lateness. You will have the chance to resubmit your essay after you receive my feedback, so aim to submit on time. I'm available throughout the day on Monday and during Office Hours for additional help if you need it.

Don't forget that your AP Classroom FRQ will lock tomorrow. If you don't complete it before it locks, then you can find it on Google Classroom as well. Remember that this is a good dry-run for your research paper. The FRQ and the paper are essentially the same task - if you can do one, you can do the other.

Remember to read this weekend. The YouTube channel has videos to help you process and access the chapters. We'll be working through Chapters 2, 3, and 4 next week. There's some difficult content, but I know that together we can discover some interesting truths as well.

English 10

Today we had our day to meet and conference as well as update our classroom map. I think it's great to see all of the places around the world that you've been studying so far. If you didn't add your point to the map, be sure to do so and then mark that task complete on Google Classroom.

We were able to finish almost all of our conferences today. Since we didn't finish everyone, I'll extend the final deadline for the Final Interpretation. This will give everyone the chance to meet and conference before turning in your final task. Remember that I also have Office Hours on Monday from 10-11:15 am. You can come to BBCU and we can conference about your work and ask questions.

Remember that the outline assignment will give you almost everything you need for the final interpretation. If you're doing a Google Slide show, you may want to copy and paste your information from the outline, add an image from the item, and make sure that your grammar and spelling is accurate. It's the same deal with a Google Doc, but make sure that your writing flows together and that there are clear connections between the ideas you're presenting.

Next week we'll start our new unit, which actually will be our last unit. I've got some great books, stories, poems, and articles up my sleeve - even a bit of anime too. I'm excited for what we have ahead!

Week 22 - 16 and 17 February

AP Language

What a day! We had a very thorough day working through James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" - we especially focused on the connection between James and his father (their shared disease) as well as the way in which Baldwin breaks the cycle in the end of the text. There were also hints of double consciousness and the veil at play.

Next class we'll be having writing conferences related to your research paper tasks. Next week will mostly be on your own to complete your research papers and read in Invisible Man. Remember that progress reports will be sent on Friday of this week.

English 10

Today we worked through the process of DEEP LOOKING in which we sectioned a non-print text in order to find its details and unlock its meaning. Use this process to complete your notes on your item from your museum - be sure that if you need to change items, that you pick one in the same museum so that you don't have to restart parts of this process.

Next class will be time for us to meet with Student Services related to course registration. Remember to check out your options for course registration in Google Classroom - there's a Google Slide show covering your options for classes in eleventh grade. We'll also have a chance next class to begin finishing our final task in this unit.

AP Research Homework - 12 November

AP Research

Today in class we were a bit rushed for time because of the early release schedule. We'll plan to finish any remaining conferences next class, so please be ready if you have not yet crossed that threshold.

Tonight your main task is to finish your DRAFT proposal. It should be submitted by the end of this week to Google Classroom. Next class we will have our ethical dilemmas assessment. You'll be able to use your notes that you have taken in this unit to help you. Remember that these issues don't necessarily have right or wrong answers (well, sometimes they do). The important thing is to always make sure that we are working in consideration of any ethical implications, even those that don't affect us right now.

The weekly reflection has also been posted. As always, reach out if you need anything.

Homework for A Day Classes - 13 March 2019

AP English III

Today in class we did a great job working through Eighner and the similarities and differences that he has with Steinbeck in crafting his narrative and discussing the poor. I think that all of these ideas are important as we keep reading through The Grapes of Wrath. I hope that you enjoyed the text.

Tonight we are continuing forward on our research papers and our reading. The reading is two chapters - Chapter Five (intercalary) and Chapter Six (content). Remember that we'll have our first round of presentations on Friday. Have any slides or documents shared so that I can prepare in advance. You should also be completing your motif charts as you read.

We are also signing up and completing our rough drafts for our research papers at this time. The draft conference sheet is on my door. Remember that you are bringing me a 50% draft (at the minimum you should have your introduction and one whole topic and bibliography). At our conference we'll review your work and other parts of this assignment. This is the final grade for Q3 and the final part of the paper before the final draft is due. Remember that no work will be collected for this assignment past Friday of next week.

Keep grinding hard - it's almost over!

English IV

Today we spent time talking about our characters and reading more of our novels before starting on a German film called The Wave about conformity and social control. This movie will connect to all of your books since we have similar themes throughout.

Remember at this time you want to check your PowerSchool for any missing or low scoring assignments. Be sure that you have completed everything or that you have redone any low scoring assignments in order to show your best score at the end of the quarter!

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 22 March

That's it! We made it. We've reached the end of Quarter Three. Below are the reminders for the weekend to get you ready for the first week of Quarter Four and the beginnings of Spring Break!

English IV

Your homework for the weekend is to prepare for your examination on Monday. You have your study guide which reviews the characters, sections for the test, as well as the themes for the short answer questions. Be sure that you spend time filling in your study guide since you can use that on your test on Monday.

Also, if you see anything missing that you want to turn in, this is your last chance. I'll finalize my gradebook tomorrow afternoon when I finish writing conferences.

AP English III

Over the weekend we have a few things to take care of - some elements related to Invisible Man and then some elements related to your research papers.

First, conferences are ending tomorrow. According to my count there are twenty of you that need to see me tomorrow. Come to your conference, be productive, ask good questions. Once we conference, I'll figure your averages and your grade will be complete.

Second, we have reading to do. You've got Chapters 16-19 in Invisible Man. As you go through this section, connect to our discussion today from Anzaldua. How is controlling the language a person speaks a way to kill them? As we watch TIM progress - is he being himself? Why or why not? Is he falling into the cycles again? Don't forget that your second round of vocabulary cards are due on Monday as well - this set covers Chapters 10 - 19.

Lastly, your final drafts of your papers are due on Wednesday. Be sure that you are actively revising and putting to practice our conversation from the conference. I'll be available on Monday and Tuesday for quick questions and drop-in appointments.

Homework for B-Day: 20 March - Almost the End of Quarter 3

Next class we'll be doing ruble cash-in for all of our classes. Be sure you have your cash!

English IV

Today we spent much of our class having a seminar around themes in Frankenstein - especially the idea of how society makes judgments on people and the danger of those judgments. We focused strongly on our study guides today - on the study guide you have a good outline of what you will see on the test. We'll have characters, plot, literary devices, and theme questions.

Go through your folders and work to fill in your study guides. Remember that you can use your study guide on the test. Your unit exam will fall on Monday and will be the first big grade of Quarter 4.

We'll also be working on our essays more in the coming days - if you haven't shared your introduction paragraph with me, be sure that you do so that I can get you a grade and feedback.

AP English III

We are continuing with our writing conferences that have been scheduled on my door. If you are not able to make your writing conference it is your responsibility to come at another time. I would recommend that you come after the scheduled conferences on Wednesday-Friday. I should have time to work you in. Remember that this is the last grade of the quarter.

For the week your main task is to get through Chapters 16-19 for Monday of next week. This is a major section of chapters that take TIM into The Brotherhood and has him start to make speeches. Pay attention to what his speeches say and how this is recreating some of the major cycles of the text.  You may find it helpful to also take a quick look at the Booker T. Washington speech since there are a lot of parallels between TIM and Booker T.

Lastly, we have reading for next class. You'll be looking at Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" - it's available in 50 Essays and at this link. As you read it - pay attention to the way in which she connects language to identity. Why is this an important idea for us to consider when reading Invisible Man? How does it help us to understand the conflict at the heart of TIM's quest?

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 16 March 2018

English IV

Today in class we did two major things - we completed the drafting of our introduction paragraphs and then we discussed one of the major themes of Frankenstein through a look at an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Eye of the Beholder". The ideas of the episode, particularly around what society considers to be beautiful or ugly have clear connections to what Shelley is working through with The Creature.

We'll continue to have these conversations and do more of this important thinking on Tuesday and Thursday as we prepare for our Frankenstein exam which will occur on Monday the 26th.

AP English III

Today in class we spent our time working on literary criticism in our motif groups. The main thing that we were doing today was understanding the way in which literary criticism can be useful in understanding complex literature. Hopefully, as you worked through one critical article, you were able to see clear connections to the ideas of your motif. This should be the basis of your latest motif blog post. Some of you were able to complete this today in class - if not, be sure that you have dealt with this post before moving on to the others.

For the weekend we have the reading of Chapters 13-15 in Invisible Man. Pay attention to how TIM falls into the same traps as he has before. What's different now? What's the same? Why do we get it, but he doesn't? This will start to push us into the final section of this novel where TIM has some of his final struggles and his big breakthrough at the end. Don't forget to keep blogging and completing your vocabulary as you go.

Lastly, be making progress with your papers. We have conferences through next week. Everyone is required to attend one conference and then in the days before the paper is due you can come back for final drop-in conferences.

Homework for B-Day - 12 March - A Quick Monday

We got through most everything that we needed to today. That's good. Here are your reminders to take you into Wednesday.

English IV

The surprise early release bit us in the butt more than it did the other classes today. I'm glad that we had a good conversation around nature and nurture and their impact on people. I think that we all have a pretty good understanding of what Locke and Rousseau think about these ideas.

Tonight, you may find it most important to take a look at your adaptation projects. We'll have time to work on these next class, but we'll also be starting the essay. Make sure that you've completed the previous parts of this assignments - on Google Classroom - so that you can move forward.

AP English III

There are a lot of things going on in AP English III land in terms of our reading unit and our writing unit. I'll break down your tasks below.

Reading: Our next set of chapters in Invisible Man are Chapters 13-15. This is a big chunk of reading and won't be discussed until next week - Tuesday. Take your time to accomplish this. Also, be sure that you and your group have gone and accounted for your blog posts.

We'll take a bit of a detour the next two classes by looking at the concept of necropolitics - to begin the investigation I'm asking you to read two documents for class on Wednesday. First, read Peggy McIntosh's list of structures in our society. Think about each one and mark it if you think it is an example of necropolitics at play. Then, be sure to read Brent Staples's article called "Just Walk On By" - it's in 50 Essays or available here.

Read and annotate this article. Make connections to necropolitics as well as to Invisible Man or any of the other authors we have discussed in this unit.

Writing: It looks as though many of you signed up today for writing conferences. If not, be sure that you do ASAP. On Wednesday everyone will turn in rough drafts. Your rough draft should have a full introduction, two complete topics, and a conclusion. You should also have a bibliography. When you come to your conference you should come prepared with questions for me about your paper. We will also be able to fix previous grades based on what I see with the draft. DO NOT MISS YOUR CONFERENCE.

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 8 March 2018

AP English III

What a day of discovery! I think that all of you have a much better understanding of what is going on in Chapter Ten as well as what is going on in the book up to this point. Way to go on that. Over the weekend, you will want to continue reading Chapters 11 and 12. In Chapter 11 you're going to be challenged by the voice and point of view. Ride through it and make sure that you're understanding the idea of the hospital. Try to track what happens to TIM in this chapter.

In Chapter 12, he goes back out into the world after his experience in the hospital. There is a lot of language around birth and rebirth - so focus on how TIM is different than he was before.

You have all also received feedback on your synthesis timed writings as well as your outlines. Take this feedback and put it forward to your rough drafts. Rough drafts are due to me on Wednesday the 14th. When you submit your draft it is just a half of the final draft (2 to 3 pages). Be sure that you have a full introduction, two topics with sources, explanation, and transitions, a conclusion, and a works cited page. You will sign up for a writing conference and come to the conference to discuss your paper and resubmit previous work related to the paper.

As a reminder - this quarter will end on March 23rd. Be sure that you have completed all of the parts of the research paper as well as any missing assignments. The grade book has been updated to this point. Zeroes are showing missing assignments at this point.

English IV

We had a very good day today discussing The Creature and why the creature could be important as a symbol of many things. Then, we began working on the final part of our adaptation projects. In this portion of the assignment you are depicting The Creature or Dr. Frankenstein as you like and then considering how that lines up with other depictions of them. As you do this work, remember that you are focusing on explaining why you see Victor or The Creature as you do. Additionally, you want to explain why your conception of them is different than others.

Homework for B Day Students - 5 October 2017

English IV

I was very happy with how class went today. Everyone came ready to focus and discussion was very lively. Let's keep this momentum going as we move through the rest of the semester! We will be finishing our unit on the Canterbury Tales very soon, so if there is any work you have missing, be sure to turn it in as soon as you can. We'll be working a little more with the Canterbury Tales, before finishing up the unit with a test and a final writing assignment. Remember that all missing and redone work needs to be complete by the time we give the final unit exam. Have a great weekend!

AP English III

Remember that on Monday you will be taking a quiz on Acts I and II of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. For the quiz, you will be expected to answer multiple choice questions, perform quotation identification, and write free responses. Use your time wisely this weekend to study Acts I and II. As far as your In Cold Blood essays go, final drafts are now due on Wednesday, October 11. Mr. Miller and I have opened up some more slots for writing conferences, and highly encourage you to come see us for help. Many of you have already done this, and can vouch for their usefulness. Have a great weekend, look forward to seeing all of you on Monday!

Homework for B-Day Students: 28 March 2017

AP English III:

Good discussion today in class to understand the importance of Rinehart and his symbolism throughout the whole text. I was happy to see so many of you annotating and developing your notes in the text as we read. Tonight, continue on to Chapter Twenty-Four when he attempts to rinehart his way to some information. Pay attention to vision/dreams/sex/power in terms of your motif charts. There's a lot of strange stuff going on in the chapter - generate questions and be prepared for Thursday. Also remember to complete your blogs for Chapter Twenty-Four.

As a final reminder, I will collect final drafts of your research paper on Monday, April 3rd. Next class we'll go over formatting issues and I'll release the rubric to you so that you have it for final edits. I'm available all week in the morning (8:00-9:00), at C-Lunch, and quickly after school (until about 4:15-4:20) to meet and discuss your papers with you.

English II:

Today we finished our reading of Oedipus the King. Next class we'll do some writing, play a final review game to prepare for our exam, and do more work with vocabulary. Make sure that you are reviewing your notes in order to prepare for your exam.

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 4 March 2016

English II

Great reading group today y'all!  I'm impressed by how engaged you all were and how rich our discussion was of the final chapter.  Good work!  For the weekend - I need you all to finish up with your essays and writing planning sheet.

Make sure that you have finished your introduction paragraph and personal example paragraph.  Remember to use the writing planning sheet as well as the outline we discussed last class.  I've posted it below.  You can type this rough draft or hand write it.

Move on to finishing the back of the writing planning sheet as well since we've finished the first part of The Stranger.  For step seven - begin by thinking of a scene from the book that aligns with your main idea/thesis - then reexamine that section to find yourself a quotation.  Once you have the quotation, then go to step eight and rewrite the quotation in your own words so that you understand what it is saying.  Lastly, step nine - explain the way that the quote relates to your main idea in the essay.

If you want to put this together as your third body paragraph - go ahead.  If not, we will do that next class as we type our essays.

AP English III

I will be reading and grading your timed writings this weekend.  So far I've enjoyed what I've seen - you are applying what we've learned about the writing process and the technicalities of writing a synthesis.  Good!

For the weekend you have two things to accomplish - first, make sure that you have completed your fifty percent draft so that you have it ready to submit for Tuesday.  You will be graded on your conference and I've attached the rubric here.  For those of you coming on Monday morning I'll have a copy of the rubric ready for you.  Make sure that you have prepared distinct questions for me to answer with this conference - I won't have the time in 15 minutes to read your whole paper.  Also, don't be late.

The other work that you have this weekend is to keep up with your reading of Invisible Man.  Your next checkpoint is on Tuesday - to be to the end of Chapter Fifteen.  We'll deal with Chapters 11 through 15 on Tuesday as well as a bit of Staples to finish him up.