29 February - Happy Leap Year Day!

AP Language and Composition

Solid day today in AP Language as we investigated allusions in Chapters 11 and 12. Allusions are so important in a text because they are a chance for an author to add deep meaning and connections in their texts. Also, in a complex text like Invisible Man allusions can provide a lot of clarity. Identifying and explaining the purpose of allusions can be a great route to solid analysis on the AP Examination. Today we explored allusions to The Bible, Greek Mythology, and music. These allusions helped us to understand the end of this transition moment in the text and where TIM is in his journey to understand and create his identity.

At the end of class, we looked at two final articles. These articles could be helpful for a lot of you in your research work. Add them to your research write-up. Remember that you should be working on this project daily as it is a big project with lots of pieces. For the weekend, focus on reading Invisible Man and preparing to do another writing task. Some of you have already revised, and that's great, we're going to have another chance to demonstrate our skills soon! Be ready!

13 and 14 April

AP Language

Wowza! What a day! Great conversation and analysis as we worked through our novels and some really important concepts at the heart of our work this unit. I am so impressed by your professionalism and attention as we work and talk together. Continue to think about necropolitics as you are reading and working through your books. This may be part of your thinking as you consider your reflections as well.

Remember that your reading plan is due. Turn in your dates and either chapter sets or page number sets. Your reflections are due next week. You should turn in at least one, but you can turn in more if you so choose to. Keep an eye out for vocabulary as you're reading. Cards are due at the end of the unit.

Keep reading and enjoying! I'll see you next time!

English 10

Great work today everyone with our finishing of "Tuesday Siesta" by Marquez. I was glad to see the engagement that you all had with the end of the story and the amazing read of the symbolism you saw in the actions of the mother, the priest, and the sun. Excellent job. This is the last story in our Latin American unit. Next class we'll do our test review session and have time to work on our projects. Keep in mind that next week will be the final week of the unit. Your project will be due next week, you'll have a final test, and your vocabulary is due. Don't miss these milestones - get off to a good start for Q4!

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 - 7 January

AP English III

Today in class we spent our time working through Brent Staples's "Just Walk On By" and learning about the concept of necropolitics. This concept is at the heart of what many of you are working on in your independent research projects. I would suggest that you go back and consider where this concept is at work in the research that you have already done. Reading Peggy McIntosh's piece about "Unpacking the Invisible Napsack" may be helpful in understanding where else necropolitics may be seen in the world around us.

For next class, be sure to take a look at all of Part One of Beloved. Our assessment on Friday will focus on that. On Wednesday, we'll spend time pulling together our ideas on the first part of this book and reviewing key areas of the text in advance of our assessment. The assessment will consist of an essay (timed writing - argument) and several identifications.

Remember that you will also have vocabulary cards due on Friday. You may submit these electronically via Google Slides if you would like. You'll need to do two slides per word, each slide will be the side of the card.

Next week I will be reviewing the outline for your project as well as your works cited page. This will be due at the end of class on Tuesday. Be sure that you have begun to think about what your argument is and how you will guide me through your evidence to convince me and others of your argument.

English IV

Today in class we didn't finish reading Pablo Neruda's "Ode to My Socks" so we'll finish that next class and take a look at another type of poem as well as our vocabulary for the week. Tonight, be sure that you've identified a poet and a poem for your project. If you find a poet, but can't find the information about them, then you may find it best to change to a different poet. Let me know if you need any help or suggestions.