Beginning Unit 2 - 28 and 29 September

AP Language

And off we go to Unit 2! In this unit, we'll be looking at texts from the Colonial period of America as we are reading and studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible. For tonight, I want you to get enmeshed in the culture of the Puritan world by reading Jonathan Edwards's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry G-d". As you read, annotate for tone, the way he uses fear, and his topics. This is a great text for vocabulary as well - remember that you have another set of ten due later in the unit.

Finish and submit your Unit 1 projects as well as your Unit 1 vocabulary to the spaces to the side. I'll have grades updated as soon as I can. Keep in mind that Act 1 and 2 will be discussed next week. Be sure to begin your reading and annotating now. See the unit plan posted below or in the unit folder for your reading schedule.

English 10

Projects are due today to round out Unit 1. Be sure that you have submitted your work to Schoology for this first unit of the year. If you are missing any work from Unit 1, be sure that you've made a plan with me for how to complete and submit that work before the end of this week. It's important that we get everything settled before we move on.

Today in class we took time to get into our novels and focus on characters. Remember that in some cases, the characters are real people, since the books are pieces of non-fiction. We're looking at conflicts and how they impact the characters as well. We're also actively reading for new vocabulary as we work through these books.

If you have your projects done, then tonight should be about vocabulary. If those things are both complete, then take this time to enjoy your book. We'll start reading something together as a class next time.

Ending Unit 1 - 24 and 27 September

AP Language

We've finished Unit 1! Congratulations everyone! I hope that you've enjoyed this introduction to non-fiction genres such as letters, speeches, and essays. We've also gotten our hands dirty with a new method of reading and analyzing readings - annotations and rhetorical frameworks - which we'll use to really extract meaning throughout the year.

Our next unit begins next week. We'll be studying The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The unit plan is attached on Schoology, and I'll give you a hard copy next week. If you want to get your own copy of the play, feel free. There are also several e-copies. No matter how you read, find a way to annotate and be consistent. Reading checks may become more frequent.

Projects and vocabulary are due at the end of the day next class. If you have any questions, be sure to ask!

English 10

Due to an issue with Schoology you're not going to be able to submit your project at the assignment spot. Instead, be sure to share your project with me or to email it to me directly. Use my djmiller1 [at] fcpsschools [dot] net account for this. Be sure that by the end of the weekend that your Unit 1 project is complete so that I can get your grades finalized for this unit.

Today we began our work in Unit 2 - The Middle East. We began reading a bit, talked for a bit, and discussed genres. Over the weekend, keep reading if you'd like, but don't feel any pressure to do so. We'll have more time next week for our novels and to wrap up vocabulary.

Homework for A-Day Students - 20 May 2019

AP English III

Happy Monday, all! Today in class we had two major things - first we finished our work with the Joads by completing the film - The Grapes of Wrath. I like the film, but it definitely has its issues. Remember to complete your film review using your notes and submit this to Google Classroom by Friday. The rubric is also posted there for you.

I am actively scoring and putting your grades for motif projects in the gradebook. I see that some of you are missing motif charts, or illustrations, or 1Q1Ps - some of you are missing everything. Be aware that Friday is the final day that any work will be collected to be scored. If you want to submit rubles or Falcon Feathers for grade improvements, Tuesday is the final day for that.

Next class we will have our Steinbeck prize presentations, and then we will prepare for our final day of class celebrations. Be ready for some fun!

English IV

Today in class we spent time watching The Diary of Anne Frank. I think that a lot of you are seeing a lot of connections between your books and Anne's story. You may even want to look at Anne as one of your examples for your writing assignments.

I handed back essay pre-writing and planning. Some of you need to revise these to answer the questions more fully and get all of your points. If you did not complete this assignment, be sure that you do. We've got very few days left together - let's be sure that we fill them in the best possible way.

Homework for A-Day Students: 14 May 2019

AP English III

We have done what we can do and all that now remains is to go and do what we must do. I look forward to wishing you all the best tomorrow morning with granola bars, sexy words, and lots of good energy. Get well rested tonight. Eat a good breakfast in the morning. Review your tone words and rhetorical devices. Think about your writing skills.

I'll be putting in motif projects. Please turn these in on Monday if you have not yet done so. The only remaining assignments are our Character Dress-Up Party and our assignments with The Grapes of Wrath that are left (poster and movie review).

English IV

Today in class we went through a lot of our planning related to our essays and our novels. I'll review your work this weekend and get it back to you on Monday. Next class we'll be watching a film. You may want to include this film in your essay - there are a lot of connections to your novels.

If you are missing your quiz or your book pamphlet, please be sure to get this work in to me as soon as possible. We have our essays and viewing guides for the movie upcoming. There's not much left to do this year, be sure that all the work you do is your best!

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 10 May

AP English III

For those of you who were away taking the AP US History Examination this morning, I wish you nothing but the best. I hope that your DBQ was clear and that you were able to bring some of your own information to the forefront. Here are your reminders for the weekend:

1. Motif Projects - Be sure that you have completed your 1Q1P, motif charts, and illustration of the quotation. I'll accept these on Monday and Tuesday if you were not in class today.
2. Steinbeck Nominations - You'll have one more section of class to work on this. Remember that there is the poster and the presentation. Know what you'll be arguing about your nominee to give them the best chance of winning.
3. Exam Needs Assessment - Next class we will be doing our full AP Exam review. Please go to Google Classroom and complete the form so that I can tailor our review to be the most helpful.

Your examination will be on Wednesday morning. Be at the church on time. I'll be there to wish you all the best and give you any last words before you go in and do the dance!

English IV

Today in class we looked at a different type of text and a different type of question. Remember that you'll see a few different types of texts on your NCFE. That's why we've read so many different types of things. Be ready by reviewing strategies for each type of text/question. From there it was independent working time for novels, study guides, or book projects before we finished up with our book and vocabulary quiz.

For this weekend it would be a good idea for you to complete your brainstorming related to your essay. Remember that you are selecting a major character from your book and talking about the type of person the character is and comparing the character to yourself. This is our key work to finish the year - so be sure that you're ready to work on this over the next few classes!

Homework for A-Day Students: 8 May 2019

AP English III

We continue to slog through AP Testing! On Friday we'll have classmates gone for the AP US History exam (I've got a gift for you all here). Friday will be a workshop day for us. We have motif projects due - if you need to use class to finish the work, that's fine. We should also have time in class to work on the posters and presentations for the Steinbeck Prize.

Our final AP Exam review will happen on the 14th of May. For those of you absent, see me in advance for the materials or check the slides after the fact.

English IV

Today in class we found ourselves some time to work on our novels, NCFE skills, and vocabulary. Full day! On Friday you'll have a quiz on vocabulary (Roots 1-9) and also on your novels. Be sure that you have filled through the novel study guide and also worked through your character charts.

You'll be able to use your character chart, your study guide, and your novel on the quiz. Be prepared for our final activities!

Homework for A-Day Students - 6 May 2019

Today we begin AP testing! Know where and when to be! If you're unsure, ask! Be well rested and well fed for your exams. Remember that you've done what there is to do, now you need to prove it!

AP English III

Due to the AP Environmental Science exam stealing many of our classmates today, we spent the class working on our motif projects. If you were absent, I will take the literary criticism work from you next class.

Next class we will begin our final in-class project, and we will have our final chapter presentations on The Grapes of Wrath. If you have not yet finished your presentation, next class is the last day to complete it.

The full motif project is due on Friday. Remember that there are three parts - the illustration, writing, and the motif chart. Follow the guidelines on the assignment sheet to submit good work. Be aware that our exam review will fall the day before - on the 14th.

English IV

Today in class we had a great workshop in the library devoted to our Author Biography and Related Books portions of our book pamphlets. From the work that you all did today in class I think that you'll have your book projects finished by Friday.

I gave you the senior surveys today as well as the study guide for your quiz on Friday. The quiz will cover your book and you will be able to use your study guide and your book. Be sure that you have read and prepared.

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 2 May

AP English III

Next week we will begin AP Examinations. Be aware of the policies related to attendance and absences when you are testing. If you are not in class you will be marked absent; if you are testing, this will be corrected. I would highly suggest coming to class the day of your AP Examination if class doesn't conflict. Don't mess up your exam exemption because you're sleeping for APES.

Today in class we finished our reading of The Grapes of Wrath before having a bit of time to talk about the motif projects. By Monday, everyone should turn in their litcrit reading guides. Remember that these are meant to help inform your 1Q1P and analysis of the quote/motif in the context of the whole novel. Additionally, Monday will be our last day for chapter presentations. If you haven't presented, Monday is your day!

This weekend gives you a great chance to work on your motif projects. Remember that your charts, illustrations, and writing are due on Friday. If you are taking the AP US History Exam on Friday then your projects will be collected on Monday.

We'll be doing a lot of exam review and AP test prep for the next few classes. Our exam is on Wednesday the 15th! Let's get ready for the end!

English IV

We were having such a good time that I forgot about the end of class! Next week we'll be finishing our books and our first projects - the pamphlets. After those are done we'll be constructing our essays and continuing to practice with NCFE test taking strategies and skills. Only 8 more classes until we start our final examinations!

Homework for Monday - 29 April

Remember that we are shut down on Wednesday. Our next A Day is Thursday.

AP English III

Today in class we activated a good amount of our AP Skills. We did a lot of close reading related to multiple choice, but we also did some close reading related to our rhetorical analysis strategies. At the end of class, I took some time with you all to review the requirements of the motif project and to give you a helpful text if you've had trouble finding literary criticism.

For tonight you should be focused on your 1Q1P/Motif Projects. Remember that your literary criticism reading guide is due on Wednesday. This will work better if you have already found your quote and considered its importance to one of Steinbeck's arguments. On Wednesday we'll finish the novel in class through a dramatic reading. Be prepared for that!

Final presentations on the novel will be next Monday. Then we will begin our final group project related to the book. We also have a few days left to touch in on our AP Skills related to the examination. Remember that your motif projects will be due on the 10th of May.

For any of you who were unable to submit a resubmission of your paper today because of the printers being down in the library I will accept them tomorrow. You must submit the original, the rubric, and the new one. 

English IV

Today in class we had some great time to work with our vocabulary development, read a bit longer in our books, and to get started on our final projects. With our book project, I really want to push you to be creative and show what you've learned about your book. Remember that there are requirements for each part of the pamphlet. Hopefully seeing the example today in class helped you.

Remember that you should be reading regularly to keep going through your books. There will be a quiz on your books next week. Are you prepared? Have you been filling out your character charts?

We only have NINE classes left before we start final examinations. We're going to be focused a lot on vocabulary because this is the key to our standardized tests. We'll also start to work on sample questions soon too!

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 25 April

AP English III

Today in class was really wonderful - we started with chapter presentations up to our most recent part of The Grapes of Wrath and then had a great conversation around "Two Ways to Belong in America" which ended with some excellent parallels between our two texts. Tonight and this weekend we have a few important reminders.

1. Resubmissions are due. You must turn in your new paper, the original, and your rubric. You may staple all of this together and put it in your envelope. Papers will be accepted all day on Monday. I will leave with all of you at 4:00. No late papers will be accepted.
2. You're reading the last major set of chapters in The Grapes of Wrath - 27, 28, and 29. Be sure to update your motif charts and your covers. You should also select your quote and article of literary criticism to support your interpretation of the quotation.
3. Please complete three vocabulary cards with your reading. You should complete one card per chapter.

Next week we'll be working through The Grapes of Wrath on Monday, including some work on our final projects. Then we will have a day focused on AP Skills (multiple choice) on Friday. Don't forget that your guided reading notes for your literary criticism article are also due on Friday.

English IV

Today in class we had a productive day related to our novels and vocabulary. I would suggest that many of you focus on reading your books regularly. You will want to be reading about ten pages a day to make it through your books in time. You have your first final project on your books - the pamphlet project. Look over the requirements and be ready to start working on this soon. You may find it helpful to start by writing a few questions or to put together your summary.

Homework for A-Day: 23 April 2019

AP English III

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today in class we worked through some of Steinbeck's arguments as we looked at the trends in the text related to the settings as well as Jim Casy. As I noted in class, it becomes obvious when you aren't reading. The discussion suffers, people don't have their books, and the annotations are light or non-existent. I'll remind you that this is our last unit and we are almost done - books will be due soon as well as motif charts. Remember that we're not finished yet.

For tonight we have a few things to settle. First, a reminder that research paper resubmissions are not due until Monday. I think that many of you will need the weekend, and I haven't been free to discuss anything due to AP Seminar presentations. Come and check in - let's discuss what we need to. I will not collect late resubmissions.

You should read "Two Ways to Belong in America" (available in 50 Essays or on Google Classroom). This is a text about immigrants in contemporary America, but I think that there are clear connections to Steinbeck too. Read the article and see if you can make these connections. You may find it helpful to think about the ways in which necropolitics are coming into play in both texts.

We will also have chapter presentations next class. Chapters up to number 26 will be called. Please share any materials you have made.

Lastly, the guided reading notes on literary criticism are due next Friday. Remember that the criticism is meant to help you with your interpretation of the motif/quotation for your final assignment. Be sure that you find an article which aligns with your own understanding of the motif in the novel.

English IV

Today in class we had our Unit 17 Vocabulary Test as well as a chance to correct our earlier quiz on Lesson 17. I hope that you felt prepared for today's assessment. I'll have them back to you next week for our corrections. I think that this vocabulary work that we're doing is some of the most important work for us because it's so helpful for acquiring new words and being able to work with huge words that are new to you.

Remember that you also now know about the two final projects for the novel you are reading. We have a creative project (the book pamphlet) and then the more formal project (the character essay). I'm looking forward to taking you through these last assignments for the year.

Homework for A-Day Students - 15 April

It's tax day! Remember for any of you who file income taxes that your filing is due today. If you have to do taxes, I certainly hope that you get a bit of a refund! Here are your reminders for tonight.

AP English III

I hope that all of you enjoyed the presentation from the Emily K Center today on applying to and preparing for college. It's quite a process, but it's good to know that all of you have a lot of support in this community to help you meet your goals and future planning. Go to their fair this weekend - see their website for details - as it will give you some leads you may not have considered before related to your own goals and planning.

We did not discuss Steinbeck at all today, so be sure that you have good notes and annotations on these chapters (22, 23, 24 - The Weedpatch Section) coming in to our class on Wednesday. We'll be reviewing this section of the text as well as George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant". You can find the text in 50 Essays or at this link. The copy is available in class, so just take good notes as you read - no need to print it out.

I also had the chance to hand out your research papers today. Remember that as we continue to learn about writing that the expectations only increase and get more rigorous. What was acceptable at the beginning of the year is no longer acceptable as we should have new skills to show and use. Please apply your comments to your resubmission and find more ways to use and explain your evidence in relation to your overall point. Look especially at your transitions. I'm available to conference and discuss whatever you may need. Remember that all resubmissions are due by Thursday the 25th of April.

English IV

Today in class we had the chance to practice a bit with our vocabulary knowledge related to word parts in Lesson 17 as well as to finish our research, present to our book groups, and take some time with our novels. Since we're all in a bit of different places, it is important to note that we're all working at our own pace to accomplish our goals in class. Make sure that you have your notes on Lesson 17 since we will have our Vocabulary Examination next week on Tuesday. You should also be finishing your novels since we will have our Major Projects coming very soon!

Homework for A-Day Students: 9 April 2019

English IV

Today almost everyone was out on a field trip - I hope that you enjoyed your time at Durham Tech today! It's really exciting when you're getting ready for college and what's to come! Today we spent our class time reading and working on reading journals. Remember that everyone's goal is to finish their book by the end of the month. If you need to be reading tonight to make up for class time, please do that.

On Thursday we'll have time in the library to complete our research projects related to our books. After we come back from Easter Break I'll go over the requirements for our final projects and the last classes of the year. Be ready to finish strong!

AP English III

Sorry for the confusion everyone - we'll have our college planning workshop next week on Monday. Not this week. Today in class we focused on Machiavelli and the different strategies he uses to communicate his idea on effective leadership. We made a lot of connections back to Steinbeck as well as we discussed various "princes" in The Grapes of Wrath. Our main motif was power - but I think that there was a bit related to corruption too.

Tonight you should continue reading in Grapes to the end of Chapter 21. Chapter 20 is very long and chronicles the Joads arrival to California. Notice what the reality of California is. Why is it different from the fantasy? Why does this matter? Be sure that you have also completed your motif charts up to Chapter 21 - they'll be necessary as we begin to prepare for our final project on Steinbeck.

Homework for the Weekend - A Day Students - 5 April

AP English III

I'm going to reiterate things for the good of the group before we get too far into this final quarter of the year. If you were expecting me to be easier or more lenient as we approach the end, then you were mistaken. I will ease up after we finish the AP Exam. Not before. There are some of you missing research papers still. This is a bad place to be. Some of you did not do well on the break quiz - I hope you've saved some rubles. It's important to finish strong. Not to crawl over the line. If you need help, you need to ask for it. With all that said, let's go on to our work this weekend.

On Tuesday we'll be having a college planning workshop to go over some of the alphabet soup that is applying to college. We'll have about 20 minutes to work through Machiavelli's "The Morals of the Prince" - this is an excerpt of a longer work called The Prince. Machiavelli is a political theorist from the 1400's. You might find it helpful to consider who holds power in our novel and what that institution is doing to hold on to power. I think you may see some interesting parallels. Don't forget our conversation related to Marx today too.

We'll work through the next section of Grapes on Thursday. Be ready for that - it's time to get to California.

English IV

Today in class we had a productive day focused on some grammar skills - Where do we always put commas? - as well as time for reading and our projects on our novels. Remember that most of you will be on the college field trip on Tuesday - have fun and enjoy! - be sure that you have read this weekend to make up for the time in class that you'll miss.

Thursday will be our final day to work on our projects related to our books. Be sure that you're ready to present to your group about your topic.

Homework for A-Day Classes: 3 April 2019

AP English III

I have reviewed your papers and logged whose papers I have and whose are missing at this point. I'll begin scoring this weekend. If your paper is currently marked as missing, please be sure that you have submitted a paper to me (electronically via Google Classroom or a hard copy) before I leave this weekend. Once returned, everyone will have one resubmission of the paper. I plan on having these back to you in about two weeks.

In terms of The Grapes of Wrath we have Chapters 17, 18, and 19 for reading. You'll also need to complete just ONE vocabulary card from this section. As you read, be sure that you are updating your motif charts and logging what you find. We'll be focusing on this section of the novel on Friday and discussing a bit about Marxism. You may find it helpful to do a bit of preliminary research on the topic to enrich our conversation.

English IV

Remember that you should finish your novels by the end of the month. Big congratulations to the student who already has finished their book! Today we began to do some research of topics related to our novels. Next class we'll have time in class for reading, journaling, and then researching. The idea is that when we get together next week you will know about your topic and be able to share with the people who are reading your book.

Homework for A-Day: 19 March 2019 - Almost There!

AP English III

During today's class we spent the majority of our time working through Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue". This piece is very important as it helps us to consider and understand the ways in which stereotypes oversimplify and silence people. Language, and the way people talk, has a clear impact on how we understand them - Tan's piece helps us to recognize the real implications of this. From there, we moved on to Chapter 7 to see how language and identity are connected in that text as well.

For tonight, please read and annotate Chapter 8 - be on the lookout for all the Joads - as well as S. Truth's short speech called "Ain't I A Woman". This piece is in 50 Essays and available at this link. As you read it - consider how language and identity are interacting with elements of gender. How does Truth's language complicate ideas of what is a woman? Does Ma Joad further this complication in any way?

Remember that next class is our last class of the nine weeks. All writing conferences will be completed by the end of the day on Friday and you have been given your final documents for your research papers. Remember that papers are due at the end of class on 1 April. You must submit a full packet including your final draft and your preliminary document rubrics.

English IV

Today in class was focused on our novels and vocabulary skills. Next class we'll have a short vocabulary assessment based on the first nine roots that we have learned in Lesson 17. Be sure that you have prepared for this by looking over your notes and knowing the meaning of your various word parts so that you can navigate the vocabulary assessment with ease.

We spent a lot of time summarizing our books up to this point and developing our knowledge about our characters. We'll get back to our film after Spring Break as a a movie day is usually a good day to come back to after vacation.

Thursday is our last class of the quarter. Be sure that you have displayed your skills by working through any assignments that you may have left for this quarter.

Homework for the Weekend - A-Day Students - 15 March

AP English III

Good work today in class with our presentations on The Grapes of Wrath as well as our discoveries about Steinbeck's various purposes in the novel as he creates antagonists. I was very happy with what we were doing in class; please continue this work at home as you keep reading. Over the weekend please complete Chapter 7. Don't forget to finish your motif chart for this chapter as well. Additionally, you'll want to read Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue". This piece really focuses on the idea of language/identity/stereotypes. Consider how this piece and Eighner's help us to add complexity to our understanding of others - especially the poor and people who speak with a non-standard English.

The other major work relates to our research papers. Everyone will be required to submit a rough draft (50%) on Tuesday. Remember that if you conference before Tuesday, you will just bring your draft to your conference. We've already had several successful conferences. Be sure that you are ready and prepared to finish the Quarter!

English IV

After a bit of a rocky go yesterday we had a really great and productive day today. Lots of good learning, and I am always so happy to see you all reading and enjoying your books. Remember this weekend to keep reading to get at least to page sixty in your books. This is especially important if you've fallen behind or missed class.

Additionally, remember that this is the last weekend of the grading period. We need to make sure that tests are complete and that everything we wanted to resubmit is in.

Homework for A-Day Students: Monday, 11 March

AP English III

There is no point to studying for the ACT at this point. The best thing that you can do is review your notes and preparation for each section, pack your bag for tomorrow (snack, calculator, pencils, water), and get a good night's sleep. Mint is good for memory - maybe a cup of mint tea in the morning to help you out.

Here are our big reminders for class. They're grouped in terms of reading and then our research papers.

On Wednesday we'll be discussing a non-fiction text, "On Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner. It's attached here, and it's also available in 50 Essays. Read the text and consider the presentation and discussion of the poor in this text. How do you see necropolitics related to the poor and homeless? What textual connections can we make between this text and The Grapes of Wrath? Remember that Wednesday is a PLC Day - so we'll likely just have time for Eighner. You have reading in Grapes due on Friday (Chapters 5-6) and we'll have our first run of presentations (Chapters 1-6).

In terms of your research papers outlines should be completed and shared by the end of the day today to be considered on time. I'll start marking outlines and rubrics tonight. Our next deadline is our rough draft and conference. Remember that we'll begin conferences on Thursday. I'll post the signup sheet on my door tomorrow. You must bring a 50% draft to your conference in which you present your introduction/argument and at least one topic. This is your final grade on your research papers this quarter.

English IV

What a great day to do some reading outside! I really appreciated the work that we did to study and review our protagonists to understand key ideas about them like their beliefs, key ideas, and the people that they trust.

At this point we are wrapping up the quarter. Be sure that you've completed all your assignments, that you've put extra credit on anything that you want, and that you have reviewed and revised any assignments that are low scoring. The quarter ends on Friday the 22nd.

Homework for A-Day - 5 March 2019

AP English III

Good work today with your unit examination on Transcendentalism and your synthesis timed writing. I'll be reading and commenting this week and will get that work back to you next week. I was also very happy with your Synthesis Sourcepack assignments. Most of you received near perfect scores. If you lost points, it was probably related to your citations - be sure that we've reviewed this before the outline is due.

The outline for your research paper will be collected on Monday. The outline should document your argument (DADS), key topics/reasons (at least 4-5), and the way in which you are using your sources (quotes/paraphrases) to support your argument. I'll be available all week in the morning for help on this. Remember all that we have learned related to argumentative writing.

Next class we'll begin our unit on The Grapes of Wrath. Please see the Unit Plan for details on this. Tonight you should do some preliminary research on John Steinbeck. Who is he? What did he write? What did he believe in? What were his politics like? Come in with some information so we can start reading!

English IV

Today in class we were really focused on getting some more reading done before we got into groups to discuss and work on our characters. I was happy to see that so many of you have a good understanding of your protagonist, antagonist, and some of the conflicts that are happening in your book so far. I think that everyone has a good understanding of the basic set-up of the novels so far.

Tonight - keep reading! Keep going! Get further into your books so that they get more interesting. Next class we'll be doing a workshop to prepare for Durham Tech and other college applications!

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 1 March

AP English III

The main task to perform over the weekend is to complete the Synthesis Sourcepack assignment via Google Classroom. Remember that you are finalizing your research topic/question by embracing the synthesis pack format. Use the template documents as well as the synthesis prompts we have looked at from College Board to complete this assignment. Turn it in when you are done. This work sets you up very well for the outline - it would be a good idea to begin out your outline as soon as possible.

On Tuesday we'll have our unit examination. There will be a synthesis timed writing as well as short answers related to each of the four authors we have read. Remember these will be SHORT answers (3-4 sentences per answer) and this will be a CLOSED BOOK/NOTE assessment.

On Thursday we'll begin with The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Have your copy of the novel as well as a bit of preliminary research on John Steinbeck. Who was he? When did he live? Why did he write this or other novels? What does he write about? This will help to enrich our opening study of the novel.

English IV

Today in class we had time for reading our novels and then a bit of time to have our first group conversation. Next class we'll have more time for our group meetings as you'll have a task to complete for your group.

Over the weekend, I would encourage you to keep reading! Remember that if you want to read a second book that you have a great chance to earn extra credit by doing that. This activity is a great means to build your knowledge and skill with English. I hope that you're also enjoying the chance to learn about a different person and part of the world.