Ending the Week - 6 May 2021

AP Language

Today in class we were focused on analyzing passages in order to deeply understand Chapter 20. This chapter in Invisible Man is one of the most important moments in the novel because of the effect it has on TIM and the clear changes that he undergoes. We did a lot of discussion and analysis today, which I think helps us to all be in good shape for our rhetorical analysis question on our exam.

Over the weekend prepare for your Mini-Exam on Tuesday/Wednesday. Be sure to review the FRQs that are available for you and to complete and submit your MCQ reflection document.

On Thursday/Friday we'll be working through Chapters 22 and 23. The novel is nearly complete. Your final project has been posted, but we'll take some more time later to get started on it.

English 10

Today was a pretty simple day. We talked a lot about how people eat and what that tells us about the person's character. Then we put our interpretation skills to the test as we read and analyzed a section of our novel.

Next week we'll be finishing our book. Over the weekend I want you to read to page 159. Keep tracking your characters, major ideas, and vocabulary as you read.

If you have any missing assignments - now is the time to get them in. We'll be finishing this novel and this unit very soon - I don't want people to have a lot of work at the end of the year. If you're unsure of what to do, please let me know. Check your most recent progress reports.

Beginning May - Tuesday the 4th

May the Fourth be with you all!

AP Language

Today was our whole and total review on the AP Examination as well as our time to review the full length MCQ and its answers. Remember that if you haven't yet submitted MCQ 8 - it's unlocked again until Friday.

This week you should complete your MCQ reflection and tracking log and prepare to submit it on Monday the 10th. Also, keep in mind that vocabulary cards are due. This will be our final set of cards and it's a lot of points, so be sure that you're working to complete all of your final tasks.

We'll be discussing Chapters 20 and 21 next class. These are important chapters and important not just for our class but for all of us as people who live in the United States at this time. I look forward to an engaging day with you all next class to discuss this difficult portion of the novel.

English 10

Today's class was a day for Anna Akhmatova's poem called "Requiem". I was really impressed with your work today. You were able to pull out a lot of great insights and ideas as well as connections. Remember that the most important thing to do when studying a poem is to put it in your own words to understand the situation. Once you have that, you'll notice a lot of the patterns which create some of the meaning.

We went through our TP-CASTT model and then answered a discussion question based on our work today. This discussion question is your grade for the work on this poem. 

For tonight, be sure that any missing work is done and submitted. Use the recordings for any of the reading tasks that you may have missed. Next class will be a reading day - we'll be moving through a big chunk of the novel before we finish the book next week.

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.

Beginning the Week - Tuesday the 27th

English 10

Today in class we focused on reading to cover pages 117 to 126. This section of the novel is important because it highlights some important conflicts and examples of irony in the text so far. Next class we'll look at another section of the novel to prepare us for the end.

Use your homework time right now to catch up on any missed assignments. Remember that if you're missing an assignment from last week, there are recordings to help you with your submission. If you want to use a freebie or extra credit, please say so in a comment.

Next week we'll be finishing the book. Be sure that you're keeping up with your annotations and vocabulary. We'll have a final assessment at the end of the unit and then our end of the year work. Be sure to stay focused and use class time effectively to not have a lot to do at the end of the year.

AP English Language

Today was our day to work through a full length exam MCQ as a team. Since we were working as a team, you likely worked a bit more slowly than normal. Those of us in class took time at the end of the section to compare and discuss answer choices - especially some questions that were a bit challenging.

Be sure that your group has submitted answers via AP Classroom or a Google Doc on the assignment. All group names should be on the document if submitted there. I would also recommend submitting your answers on AP Classroom to get feedback on your choices. Grades will be posted for the groups soon and we'll review once all the data is in.

Tonight, be sure to work on vocabulary cards and your reading for next class. Today was a bit of a bore because of our focus on MCQs - so next class we'll have some time for arts and crafts, of a sort. Chapters 16, 17, and 18 are a great section of the novel. I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

Ending Week 30 - Thursday the 22nd

AP Language

Today in class we focused on understanding some of the major ideas at play in Chapters 13-15. These chapters provide TIM a chance to break away from some of the cycles plaguing him in the text, but unfortunately he leans right back into them. We did some close reading, focus on motifs, and great thinking as a team today.

Over the weekend, be sure to complete MCQ 7 - it will lock on Monday night. You should also finish your vocabulary cards - they'll be collected on May 3rd. Reading for next week is Chapters 16-19. I'll have videos posted on YouTube shortly.

English 10

Today was a reading day. We took time to read as a whole group or in small independent groups to focus on pages 100 to 107. This section told us a lot about Shukhov as a person - so be sure to update those character notes. We answered some comprehension questions and then did some writing focused on some of the major ideas in this novel so far.

Over the weekend, take time to finish any of you missing assignments so far. If you need to review today's work, use the recording posted to finish your questions and writing. You've had two major assignments so far - the Illustrated Quotation and Grammar Exam - so if these are missing it's important to get them in. Be sure to read to page 117 in the novel as well.

Beginning Week 30 - 20 April 2021

AP Language

Today was our day to focus on reading quickly and addressing our required task - reading and writing. There was a secondary focus today on teamwork and building stamina as we had two things to complete - an MCQ and FRQ. We'll have a lot of extra credit built in to today's Matchbox. Scores will be uploaded later this week - it'll take time for me to read over the FRQs.

For this afternoon, be sure to complete your reading and annotating in Invisible Man - Chapters 13, 14, and 15. We'll work through the chapters as a team on Thursday. I've unlocked your next MCQ for your independent work. Remember it will lock at 11:45 on Monday. We'll have vocabulary turned in soon - you should hopefully be finding your tenth word soon. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you!

English 10

Today in class we spent our time reading and understanding a key component to the novel - Tiurin's Story. Remember that you can complete the reading questions via the Google Document or the PearDeck slides. I'll be checking them tomorrow for your answers and work. From our reading, you should also be able to find a few vocabulary words.

For tonight, be sure to keep reading. Make it through to page 100 to finish the scene of the men working. Also be sure to take time to check in on any missing assignments like your Illustrated Quotation or the Grammar Test on No Red Ink. These are both major assignments and worth a lot of points. I look forward to seeing you all next class for some more time in the prison and a closer look at some of our themes.

End of the Week - Thursday the 15th

AP Language

It's the end of another week here in Room A132. We focused today on the idea of allusions in Chapters 11 and 12 and how they're being used by Ellison to add a lot of meaning to TIM's process of creating and understanding his identity and role in the world. Today we focused on musical allusions, The Odyssey, and the Bible in these chapters.

Over the weekend, be sure to focus on reading in Invisible Man as well as your MCQ 5. Keep in mind that the MCQ is for accuracy, so failure to complete it will result in a missing score. If you have any missing assignments, get those turned in over the weekend so that I can update your grades.

English 10

Today in class we had a bit of a chill day - it was a day to take our End of Year Grammar Diagnostic on No Red Ink and then have some independent time for working as needed. Over the weekend, you should find time to complete and submit your Interpretive Reading assignment (paragraph and recording) as well as reading in your novel to page 80. In this section of the novel you'll want to pay attention to food and the way that Shukhov works and uses his time.

Next week we'll spend more time in the camp with our prisoners as well as discuss some other End of Year assessments. Keep pushing, we've just got 12 more classes left!

Beginning Week 29 - Tuesday the 13th

English 10

Today was a day to get our hands dirty working with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. As we were reading and working today, it was all about emotion. It's important to notice the way in which authors use small details in order to create real emotion in a text. These emotional clues can help us better understand a character, a setting, symbol, or idea in a novel. Our assignments right now are all about close reading. Focusing in on the details to understand their purpose.

Remember to submit your assignments by the end of the week. For this week you have a recording to complete as well as a small writing assignment. Next class we'll have our End of Year Grammar Test. Be ready!

AP Language

Today in class we had time for our Matchbox for MCQ 4 as well as a quick review. We also had time to discuss the end of the year and to get ahead on some of our upcoming assignments. On Thursday/Friday we'll be discussing Chapters 11 and 12 - see the videos on YouTube for guidance in your reading. Additionally, MCQ 5 has been unlocked. It'll be for accuracy this time, so don't miss it. Use your strategies and don't forget to reflect when complete. See you next time for our Invisible Man class.

End of the Week - 8 April

AP Language

Chapter 10 and 11 of Invisible Man are some of the hardest chapters to read in this portion of the novel. Chapter 11, especially, is a doozy. It'll take you on a bit of a journey through postmodernism and throw some different modes of story telling at you. Focus on what you can get out of it and bring questions to me next week as we work.

This weekend you should find time to finish your Veil Self Reflection, MCQ 3 and a bit of reading in Invisible Man. Next week, we'll be focused on reviewing Chapters 11 and 12 as well as completing our first team MCQ for an accuracy score. If you need anything, please visit on Monday during Office Hours. I hope that we will keep moving in a good direction this quarter - remember we only have 16 meetings left.

English 10

Today was all about characters and characterization. We spent a lot of time working through pages twenty six to thirty six and focusing on the characters we meet in the squad of prisoners and in the camp. We'll keep learning more about some of them as we go. We worked through some Russian words which tell us more about our characters and understood some of their key elements. Be sure that you're updating your annotations as we work.

Over the weekend, be sure that you finish your Illustrated Quotation assignment as well as any missing work from last class - the poetry notes. You should also read to page forty six. This will take you to the work site the prisoners have and their job for the day.

Beginning the Week - 23 and 24 March

AP Language

Today's class was all about looking at close details in Chapters 8 and 9. Keep in mind that this is analysis at work - noticing the small details in a text that authors use to create even more meaning in the work. Your attention to detail will pay great dividends as you keep working through this novel to notice the layers of meaning.

Next class we'll take a bit of a break from Ellison - there's an article posted in the materials called "Just Walk on By: Black Men and the Public Space". We'll read and analyze this article next class to remind us of some key ideas in our course as well as build connections to the unit and spark a personal reflection.

Any and all assignments should be turned in. Keep in mind that paper resubmissions and vocabulary cards are due!

English 10

Today's class was for us to complete our third SOL essay of the year. This one was about driving and your position on changing the driving age to require new drivers be older. Remember that this assignment is the final large point assignment of the quarter. From there, additional time in class was for making up other assignments or reading in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. There are comprehension questions posted to help you with the reading and making sense of key ideas.

Next class we'll take time to begin an arts and crafts activity related to our novel and time to finish out the quarter. Keep pushing to meet your goals and we'll be on Spring Break soon!

Beginning the Week - 16 March 2021

AP Language

Today in class we spent our time working through allusions and some key scenes/interactions in Chapters Five through Seven. It was very important for us to notice the way in which two key characters - Dr. Bledsoe and The Vet - are foils of each other, especially in their interaction with TIM.

Next class we will have a quick assessment on the unit so far. You'll be able to use your books and resources. You also have until the 26th to resubmit your research papers with my feedback/comments addressed. If you are unsure of how to move forward, let me know and we can conference. If you submitted a paper with an extension, I will have it back to you by the end of the week.

English 10

Today we took time to being the novel we're studying in earnest. We read as a class to understand the structure and style of the novel, some of the key characters (like Shukhov, the Tatar, and Half-Ivan) as well as some key ideas like justice, fairness, and dehumanization. Continue to read on your own as you'd like. We'll continue our study of the novel as a group on Thursday.

For tonight, be sure to take time to complete and submit any missing assignments like the Final Interpretation from Unit 3 or the Unit 4 KickOff assignment. Work will be collected until the 26th, which is the end of the grading period. 

Next week we'll take one class for our SOL Essay 3 (the prompt is on teen driving) as well as a final catch-up day for the quarter. I'll release the prompt and planner for you on Thursday so that you can prepare for the essay.

Ending the Week - Thursday the 11th

English 10

Today was our day to begin our work on Solzhenitsyn, Soviet Realism, and the novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. I first read this novel when I was your age, and I remember being very affected by it. I think that it will give us all some great opportunities to think and reflect.

We played bingo today to review important concepts. I was glad to see so many of you engaged in learning and responsive in the chat. We didn't start reading in class, so this weekend, try to read the first seven pages of the novel. Fill out your notes focused on characters you meet. Next week we'll focus more on reading and discussing the main ideas.

Remember that we are finishing Unit 3 this weekend as well. If you haven't turned in your final interpretation, be sure to do so. It's one of the last big grades of the quarter.

AP Language

Today was a day to dig deep and analyze to put together some of the threads we looked at last class. I was excited to see the connections that you're making in this novel and the ideas that you're building. Remember that we're just starting, so it's best to view all of this as ideas in progress.

Over the weekend be sure to read and focus on our next chapter set - Chapters 5-7. This is a shorter span of the novel, the videos will help on YouTube, especially Chapter 5. There is a fair amount of violence in Chapter 6 - consider your motifs and how this violence is representative of cycles in the text. As you read, collect vocabulary - cards will be due soon.

Don't forget to submit your analysis assignment for today by Monday.

Homework for A-Day Classes

Phew - It sure is good to be getting back to normal. Here are the announcements for today. Be aware of what's going on and prepare for what we have ahead!

AP English III

Ms. Coco and I ended up changing the homework ever so slightly for you since it makes more sense for us to change things. The reading of Oluadah Equiano's "Narrative" will not be done until later in this unit, we'll be using it more as a bridge piece to Beloved instead.

For Wednesday, prepare for your quiz on Acts I and II of The Crucible. Remember that the multiple choice section will be open book, but the quotation identifications and the short answer will be closed book. You'll also be getting back your essays and timed writings on Wednesday as we discuss revisions and the process moving forward.

Thursday is our field trip - dress for the theatre. No athletic attire will be accepted as attire appropriate for the theatre. Jeans are acceptable. Shorts are acceptable. But please, no athletic shorts.

Friday we'll be discussing the first half of Denisovich. Focus on your characters and the front cover annotations. Remember that these characters are not actual people but more the amalgamation of many people that Solzhenitsyn was in a prison camp for many years and that these people are based on whom he met while he was there. We'll also be discussing Zinn on Friday.

Lastly, keep working on your group project. By the end of this week you should have thoroughly analyzed your chosen text for its social commentary and the way that it makes that commentary clear to you.

English IV

Over the long weekend I had a chance to look at your rough drafts online. Some of you have really complete drafts and you've settled up your "This I Believe" essay. In this case you received either twenty or nineteen points. Others of you need to keep writing, probably because you weren't here for all of the days at the beginning of the unit. If this is the case then you have fifteen or sixteen points.

If you need to spend time revising or finishing, please do so. We'll be submitting final drafts soon to finish Quarter 1 - be aware of this deadline!

Homework for A-Day Classes - Weekend Edition - 21 September

AP English III

Next week we have a busy week since we have things being turned in as well as our first unit assessment. Let's talk about Tuesday's assessment and then the work due on Thursday.

On Tuesday you'll have your assessment on the texts that we have read so far this year. The authors will be Eudora Welty's "Listening", Stephanie Ericsson's "The Ways We Lie", and Joan Didion's "On Keeping a Notebook". There will be two questions on Capote's In Cold Blood. In order to prepare for this I would recommend:

1. Reviewing your notes related to the texts.
2. Going over any terms related to rhetoric and argumentation.
3. Check over your annotations.

Remember that if you want to resubmit your annotation check, you will have to bring your book with you.

On Thursday, we'll be collecting final drafts of your nature/nurture essays. In your draft packet you'll be putting your final draft with rubric, your rough draft with feedback, and your outlines. Also, we'll collect question resubmissions on Thursday.

Lastly, we'll be starting our next unit soon. You'll want Arthur Miller's The Crucible and Alexander Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. We'll be focusing on social commentary and rhetorical analysis. Be sure that you have these books by the beginning of October as we'll start reading then.

English IV

Don't forget that you also have an assessment next week as well. We've read two stories so far "Heartbeat" and "I Go Along" as well as focused on grammar and vocabulary. We'll get you ready for this on Tuesday, but be sure that you're reviewing what we've learned so far so that there are no surprises.

Homework Reminders - 5/6 and 5/7

Cross another day off of your calendars everyone.  We're only FIVE A-days away from the beginning of final exams.  Make sure that you're studying and preparing as well as portioning your time wisely so that you can get all of your tasks completed.

AP English IV

At this point your priority is to finish your projects related to Ivan Denisovich - our presentations of these projects will not happen until the 20th of May (LDOC) but remember that in order to fully show me a complete project you can not rush this at the last minute.  Review your assignment sheets and make sure that your moments which you present show me what they need to show. 

AP English III

Today was not a real class as we had only six people here.  To those of you who were taking an AP Exam, I hope you felt prepared.  Check back tomorrow for your update.

English IV

Many of you are missing assignments or missing parts of assignments which are bringing your overall grade down.  Remember that I will be checking your journals next class to see how you've done with the reading of this text as we've been working.  Be sure that you don't have any missing entries or that you don't have gaps in the earlier entries.  You also have a final project which is coming due at the end of the next week.  Be ready for this!