18 October - Happy Friday

English 11

Solid day today, everyone! I hope that you enjoyed your reading and study of Zora Neale Hurston's "How It Feels to Be Colored Me." I really like this piece a lot. I like the way that it deals with identity and personal stories. I also appreciate the way that Hurston is able to write her story in a way that she connects to others. I was impressed with how well you were figuring out her tones, focusing on her language, and looking at her messages around identity and pride. The connections that we were able to build back to Nina Simone were really wonderful.

Remember that your Unit 1 Project is due. I appreciate that a lot of people came to Lion Time to work today. I'll be grading projects on Monday and giving you feedback. On Tuesday we'll take our final vocabulary quiz for this quarter. Be sure to study List 2 over the weekend. I gave you exercises to help you study and review. If you go Current Lessons, you can see the space to access the online resources.

As always, reach out with any questions or concerns. I'm always here to help! I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

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!

Homework for Monday - A Day - 25 February

AP English III

Today we began to scratch the surface of Dr. King's article by focusing our discussion on his larger context and his use of allusions in the text. Next class we'll begin to formalize his argument as we compare and contrast his text with the others in this unit. Begin to draw connections now so that you're prepared for that conversation.

Tonight you should read what may be our last text of this unit - Zora Neale Hurston's "How It Feels To Be Colored Me". This text is available in 50 Essays as well as at this link. Next class we will be doing some more multiple choice practice. Be ready for that!

Outside of your reading, be sure that you are pulling together your research for your Synthesis Packs. These will be assessed next week and they are a major grade. Follow the instructions and use the template documents in Google Classroom. Additionally, all Transcendentalist Projects should be submitted to Google Classroom. I'll read and return rubrics to you later this week.

This unit will be ending next week and we'll be going on to The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Be sure that you have secured your copy of the text.

English IV

Today in class we completed our Poetry Unit test in which I asked you several questions about the different poems that we've studied and then to write a paragraph to show your skills in writing and reading poetry. I'll have this work graded and returned to you by the end of the week.

Next class we'll begin with our literature circles. Each of us will be reading a different book (some in small groups) in order to work on setting goals, accomplishing them, and studying a novel for your own enjoyment. Be ready for things in class to be a bit different as we move forward.

Be sure that if you have anything missing from this unit that it is complete by the end of the week!

Homework for the Weekend - End of the Quarter - 11 January

English IV 

We are all done for the quarter. All that's left is to do Acts IV and V of Twelfth Night which is going to happen next class. It would be a great idea to spend some time going through your notes and organizing them so that you can easily study for our unit exam on Twelfth Night and Shakespearean Comedy. This exam is going to happen on 22 January for B day students. Be ready!

AP English III

Today was a bit of a whirlwind in order to get 4B caught up with the early release last week. After today's class we should have a better understanding of what Transcendentalism is, who Ralph Waldo Emerson is, and why "The Over Soul" is an important text. Remember that with a complex text like "The Over Soul" you will want to review it many times especially as we continue to learn more through the unit.

Tonight you are starting your reflections for your Transcendentalist for a Week project. Tonight's reflection is "What I gave up and why." Be sure to write a thoughtful paragraph that accomplishes this. The rest of the weekly reflections will track your progress and what you are learning from day to day. Lastly, next week, you'll look over the days and write a reflection on the week. I'll collect your larger reflection, as well as the minor ones, next week on the 18th of January.

Over the weekend you'll also want to read and annotate Zora Neale Hurston's "How It Feels to be Colored Me" - As you read this, pay attention to how Hurston herself is very much a Transcendentalist. Look at what she has to say about nature and music, about identity, and about how people can be different and yet the same. There's a great metaphor at the end of her article that is important to look at. Hurston should help you to make sense of Emerson - so go back to him, after you've visited with Ms. Zora.

Lastly, remember that your final work on your Gatsby synthesis assignment is due tonight by 11:59. Be sure that it shows good work so that Mr. Bernhard can finish your grades for the quarter.

Homework for B Day Students - 25 January 2016

AP English III

With today being a PLC Day we didn't have the chance to delve into DuBois the way that I wanted to. That's okay though because he lines up really well with Hurston (the reading for tonight). Take time to read Zora Neale Hurston's "How It Feels To Be Colored Me" - it's in 50 Essays or at this link.

As you read, try to find elements of Transcendentalism. Do you see how she is working through the idea of double consciousness? Try to relate her to DuBois and the others.

Also, I will collect your final reflection on Transcendentalism next week. Continue the experiment to Friday and take the weekend to reflect and write about the process of simplifying.

English II

No required homework for tonight. Enjoy the end of the semester!