Day 2 - 25 and 26 August

AP English Language

Today we took time in class to brush off our skills of annotating and to work with what is our anchor document for this unit - "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson. We talked about topics and motifs, main ideas and arguments, as well as the diction that Jefferson uses to appeal to his audience (as well as who that audience was). 

Tonight, spend time with the document posted on Schoology, the "rough draft" and see what changes you note. What may have motivated Jefferson to make those changes? Is the document significantly changed from one to the next? Remember to annotate! There are also the forms to the syllabus and the optional summer assignment open for submission.

English 10

Thanks for a great day today, everyone! We started our day reflecting on the concepts of culture clash and conflict before building a bridge to the idea of stereotypes. I loved the discussion we had around how stereotypes can be indicative or a product of a culture clash. 

We then spent time with a TEDTalk from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called "The Danger of a Single Story" and answered some questions ans we considered her speech. Tonight, keep thinking about your single story versus your full story - we'll finish our reflection next class.

Remember to access the syllabus and signature form on Schoology to complete that task. The syllabus is under Materials - Course Resources. 

Welcome to 2021-22! English with Mr. Miller!

English 10

Welcome y'all to English 10 or as I call it, Around the World in 90 Classes. We'll be exploring the cultures of the world this year through reading, writing, viewing, listening, and thinking! Today we began with a general overview of the idea of culture and some of our guiding questions for the year. I'm looking forward to the year ahead! Be sure that you access the syllabus and the signature form which are on Schoology for your first assignment. Try to have that settled by the end of the week. Next class you'll need your laptop!

AP Language

Welcome y'all to AP Language and Composition! For the first day of class we're exploring various perspectives and engaging in some close reading. Be sure to review the syllabus and complete the syllabus signature form as quickly as you can - it is linked below. The syllabus is located in the Course Information folder under Materials on Schoology. For tonight, be sure to reflect on the various authors in our textbook and complete the reflection question at the top of the handout. What voices are present? Which are left out? What may this mean? You'll need your laptop with you next class.

Day 2 - Grey Day - 9 September 2020

Good Afternoon Grey Day Students!

The major announcements and reminders are posted below for AP Language and English 10 students, since the lessons are basically the same between the two days. The important reminders for all classes are to complete your FlipGrid postings and to complete the sharing of your notebook covers. There is also information for parents to review - including a Google Form for signatures.

AP Research

Today was a great first day of our investigations. Your reminders are generally the same, but we don't have a FlipGrid since we're so few in number. I loved seeing your notebook covers and starting the process of getting to know you. Once you've finished your syllabus review, it would be best to start reading. Remember that you should cast your net wide as you're finding sources. You don't know right now what's going to be the best source, so grab it all.

As you read and review, use your interactive notebook. Slide 9 is where you can record your annotations and other important notes.Try to read a bit every day to keep the momentum up!

Opening the Year 2019-2020

Hello Parents and Students! Below is some important information to be aware of as we start our classes. Please see the notes below about each document.

Parent/Student Information Sheet

This is the same as the paper version which will be sent home on the first day of class. Please complete this online version or paper version for my records. If you complete an online version, please return the paper version with the student's name filled out and actual signatures at the bottom.

Google Classroom

Outside of this classroom blog I will be posting a lot in our Google Classroom space. This is a wonderful place to go if you have missed class or if you have missed something in class. Handouts, class notes, and other important resources will be posted here. Use the codes below for your specific class to gain access. Remember to join class using your DPS Google Account (first_last@dpsnc.net) and your DPS password (the same you use to access computers on campus).

AP English IV 2B: 2su59x  3B: biv7e7x

AP Research 1A: qwwkza  4B: mqb1ckk

Russian I: sw4ccj5

Advanced Russian: mg3obe

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 31 August

English IV

For the weekend make sure that you've considered your brainstorming and the questions related to your introduction for your personal essay. We'll be spending a lot of time in class on Friday to draft these personal essays.

If you haven't turned in your student/parent contact form, please do that on Tuesday.

AP English III

Over the weekend you should be focused on Sections One and Two of In Cold Blood. Review both sections with an eye toward vocabulary and record on your bookmarks anywhere from five to ten good words that you would like to further study.

Take the questions I gave you today in class and prepare your question for Section One. We'll use these questions to take us through Section One - make sure that you've identified at least two significant passages that you could use to answer the question.

Look over and review Section Two. Hopefully we'll have time to work through that as well.

Homework for B-Day - 29 August

English IV

For tonight, just like the A-day class, please finish your brainstorming for "The Me You Don't See" as well as your paperwork (student/parent contact sheet). We'll be using the answers for the brainstorming to guide us into the drafting of the personal essay.

Today was a wonderful first class - I was very happy to see the excitement and energy in the room. Let's keep that going and make sure we have a wonderful year together.

AP English III

Mr. Bernhard and I are working on your summer assignments and will get them back to you as soon as we can. For now, you have reading and paperwork to complete.

Complete the reading of Didion's "On Keeping a Notebook" - it's available in the first edition of 50 Essays and at this link. Read the text and take notes. As you read, find four new words and write them on your vocabulary bookmarks.

Also, don't forget the parent/student contact form. You can fill out the paper copy or the online version in the post below.

Next class we'll be working with Didion and Capote - so have your books and your notes!

Homework for the First Day

Yay! We made it through the first day. After today it just gets easier. I was very happy to see and meet all of you today. I was also very pleased with the tone you all set with me today. If we keep doing the year like we did today, then we're golden. Here are your reminders for Wednesday's classes.

You can also go to the post below to access the student/parent contact sheet online.

English IV

Please complete the brainstorming sheet - remember five questions total with three from one section. You'll also want to fill out your student/parent contact sheet, the honor code form, and your student handbook form.

Advanced Russian

Think of ten verbs that you would need to use to discuss your everyday habits and activities. Look them up in Russian if you don't already know them and write them out in Russian as well as in Structural Transcription. We'll review the work on Wednesday as we jump into the system of classifying verbs by their stems.

Don't forget to also complete your student/parent contact sheet.

Russian I

We know five letters in the Russian alphabet - just 28 more to go! Tonight, work on your handwriting practice. Remember that if the word has a letter we haven't seen yet then you can skip it. Only work with the letters A, K, M, O, T. Review your notes and practice!

Don't forget to also complete your student/parent contact sheet.

Homework for 30 August - B Day Kids

Hello B-Day Students!  Welcome back!  It was great getting to know you and to start working with you for the year.  Please see the reminders below for your work tonight.

AP English III

Tonight we have two things to complete to prepare for our next class.  First, make sure that you have reviewed In Cold Blood - section one "The Last to See Them Alive".  As you are reviewing, consider your annotations.  You may see something that you missed before, mark it now.  Secondly, we have our article by Joan Didion called "On Keeping a Notebook" which is found at this link.


Please read the article. Take notes on paper or print the article and annotate it. Be sure to organize your notes by paragraph numbers. As you read, consider the questions we discussed at the end of class today:
1. Why does Didon write? Why does Capote write? Are their goals similar or different? How?

2. Does art have to be true? Can there be numerous kinds of truths?

Outside of this - have your parent contact form and your honor code pledge.

English II

Don't forget to complete your parent contact form and to get your supplies for this class.  After that, remember our key question from today:  What happens when there is no respect in the world?  Try to consider this as a jumping off point for Thursday's class.

And just like that it's time to start up again!

Welcome back everyone!  I'll post more as the year actually gets started but for now I just want to post the link to the Parent/Student Information Form.  Please either complete the paper document or this online form after the first day of school to ensure easy communication through the year.

Link to Parent/Student Information Form.

Homework for the Weekend - 8/29/2013

B-day Students -- I won't see you all again until Tuesday so here are your reminders to get you prepared for our next class.

Honors English II

Tonight for homework your key task is to complete your vocabulary log with at least five words from the opening half of Nadine Gordimer's "The Train from Rhodesia".  Remember as you complete this that you need the following information in your log:

• the word
• its dictionary definition
• a synonym
• a sentence using the word which you've come up with yourself

Also, since we didn't get to peer editing today we will do that for sure on Tuesday.  If you did not complete your writing assignment, make sure that you have it then.

ESL English III

Please have your parent contact sheets filled out on Tuesday with a phone number for you and for your parent or guardian.  Also, continue to consider your first writing assignment - How can you add more detail and explanation to explain your idea of what it means to be an immigrant.

The First B-Day of the Year 8/27

By this point I've met all of you and I'm pleased to say that given how we've started this year I think we're going to do some amazing things.  Please be aware of the following assignments and reminders to get you ready for our next class together.

All Classes

Please use the link in yesterday's post to access the online parent contact form.  You can also submit a paper copy.

Russian I

Your assignment is listed below.  I will post Russian I homework on the A-day post for the year.  Be aware of that.

English II Honors

Tonight for class I would like for you to complete your first writing assignment of the year in which you reflect on your personal culture.  Remember that this is a maximum one page response, and it is an introductory piece.  Make sure that as you explain what your culture consists of that you focus on one specific element and include a lot of detail to clarify your ideas.  Remember to stay focused on your main idea which is explaining your personal culture.  Bring your rough draft with you to class on Thursday for peer editing.

ESL English III

Tonight I would like for you to spend some time finishing your brainstorming on the idea of an immigrant which we began discussing today in class.  Think of specific examples from your life or the life of people around you to help you to explain your personal definition of what an immigrant is.  Remember that you need to make your idea clear to me which means that you need to really explain things thoroughly.  Remember to use your words as weapons to explain!

The First A-Day of the Year

Hooray for getting over the first day of the year; however, boo to alarm clocks which have to go off at 5:30 in the morning.  Anyhow, I hope that all of you have enjoyed your day and gotten the year off to a great start.  Here are your reminders for the first day of class.

All Classes:

Please submit either the paper or online contact form.  If you choose the online form, please return the paper version with a note saying that you have done this online.  This will help to ensure accurate and timely communication throughout the year.

Parent Contact Form

AP English III

If you did not submit all of your summer assignment today and you have not already made arrangements with me then you are already falling behind in class.  Remember that one of the key tools for success in AP classes is communicating honestly and proactively with your teachers.  Please see me before our next class to talk about anything that you need. 

For tonight, you will need to complete your introduction draft assignment as well as complete the reading of "On Compassion".  The article for tonight's reading can be found in the 50 Essays anthology or at this link.  No matter how you complete the reading, be sure that you come to class with notes and annotations and that you are prepared for a seminar on this piece in which you will be an active participant.  In addition, you will need to bring your copy of Shipler's The Working Poor as we will begin our work on this text during class on Wednesday.

Russian I

Добро пожаловать в русский мир!  Welcome to the world of Russian!  I hope that today's class was helpful for you in reviewing the policies and expectations for this class as well as getting you interested in our developing language study throughout the rest of the year.  For tonight, you need to make sure that your parent form is completed as well as continue your practice with the "Group One" letters which we studied today.  Practice writing both lowercase and uppercase versions of the letters.  Make small words or combinations of letters so that you can practice your handwriting and begin developing your style.  Remember that as you write you will want to say the sounds that you are writing so that the sound sticks.  Lastly, do not make English sounds when you say Russian letters.  Focus on making a pure Russian sound so as to begin working on your American accent.

See you all Wednesday!  B-day Russian students, your assignments are posted with the A-day post.  B-day English II and III students can expect your update tomorrow.

Homework for All Classes - 5/6 September

Today was a bit of a first day of school for me.  Meeting new groups of students and starting with some new classes.  I'm excited to get going with all of you.  Here are your reminders to prepare for Friday/Monday.

Freshman Focus

I would like for all of you to turn in your parent contact forms on Friday.  This is your only homework assignment for tonight.

AP English III

For our next class I'd like for you to review chapters three and four of The Grapes of Wrath.  I really want you to focus in on Jim Casy and understand his philosophy.  This way of thinking is going to be very important to the way that we study the rest of the text.  Furthermore, I'd like for you to read chapters five, seven, and eight.  As you read those chapters, focus on the characters, the idea of irony, the American Dream, any symbolism, and the comparison of people to animals.  All of these things are important elements of Steinbeck's writing.

Furthermore, remember that you have writing assignments due on Friday/Monday.  I really appreciate the fact that so many of you have come to see me for extra feedback.

English IV

Tonight I want you to finish reading the first chapter of 1984 by George Orwell.  As you read, remember to continue to add to your character list, noting the name of the character, the page number, and any notes that you got about that character from the page.  Also, continue to make note of new words, we will spend some time on Friday/Monday working through those new words and developing our vocabulary.

Also, I need your parent contact form returned.

I think that'll do it for all of us, see you Friday/Monday.