AP English III Homework - 5/7 and 5/8

Like I said, this week the B-day students are ahead of the A-day students due to AP Testing; we'll all catch back up with each other by the end of the week.  For tonight I would just remind you that you have your final projects due next week - Remember that you can turn them in all week before school, after school, during C lunch on A-days and during all lunches on B-days.  I will be spot checking your annotated novels during this time - so make sure that you have everything that you need to have when you come to submit the project.

You've got your exam this week - for those of you taking it - be sure to rest, eat a good and filling breakfast with protein and carbohydrates before you test, and don't be stressed.  You're all amazing!  You'll do wonderfully.

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!

Homework and Announcements - The Beginning of the End - 5/2 and 5/3

Students,

We're now at a point in the year where we are really focused on wrapping up and preparing for exams, or two rounds of exams for AP students.  Below are some reminders going into AP Exam week and also as we move in to May.  Remember as always to ask for any help, especially if you're falling behind or have been absent.

AP English III and IV

Next week you all have your AP Exams, many of you will be absent on Monday taking your AP science exams so the schedule and lessons will be a bit discombobulated.  Remember that you should be focusing on your review at this point.  Go over strategies, learn and review vocabulary, maybe a practice set or two.  We'll continue talking about the writing tasks in class over the next few days.

Don't forget about our photos.  Your respective exams are at the end of the week and you have morning exams.  I would really enjoy seeing all of you before you march in to do the deed, one last cheer perhaps.

AP English III - Remember about your motif and calligraphy projects on Invisible Man.  I will spot check your novels when you submit your project to me.  Thus, there will be times for you to come by during the week of the 13th.  Prepare yourselves accordingly.

AP English IV - Your final projects are coming due at the very end of the quarter.  Right before your Senior Breakfast day.  Stay tuned on Monday for more fun surprises at the end of the year!  If you've not finished Ivan Denisovich make sure that you do!

English IV

Many of you today asked me in class about your Shakespeare final presentation grades.  If you need to make up part of this assignment, please see me during your lunch period to get this settled.  You all also have your final project which should be occupying your time outside.  Think about your day, think about your daily routines.  Remember the idea of introspection and reflection - What does what you do say about who you are?  How can you express this with various voices?

And onward to next week!  Happy Friday!

Homework for 4/30 and 5/1

And now we can say goodbye to April.  Here are your reminders and announcements to prepare you for tonight, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

AP English IV

Tonight you should finish reading One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.  Next class we'll finish our work on Akhmatova's "Requiem" and then from there move on to looking at multiple choice.  I need to finish checking the key for your AP Multiple Choice practice as I think that it is so very wrong...

AP English III

A few announcements for you:  Your research papers were due today.  If you did not submit it today then you are losing points daily for it being late.  Please make sure to see me if this is an issue for you.  Further, we are now starting our final push to our AP Exam.  Today you should be feeling relatively confident in terms of Multiple Choice testing and strategies.  Here's a great link of the 100 Most Commonly Used Terms on the AP Exam.

Tonight I'd like for you to reflect in your journals about the three types of writing - synthesis, argument, and analysis - With which do you feel the most confident?  Least confident?  Why?

Next class we'll finish Multiple Choice and then move to writing.  Lastly, your Calligraphy Projects are due on the week of the thirteenth.  Find a date which works for you!

English IV

Today you received your final project for the year.  You should begin working on this to prepare for your final presentation and due date.  I look forward to seeing what you all create!

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 4/26 and 4/29

It's almost May and now we only have SEVEN more A-days to prepare for final exams.  Here are your reminders for tonight to move us into May!

AP English IV:

I'm asking you over the weekend to read through to the end of supper in the text.  Also, I would recommend that you all spend some time looking back over Anna Akhmatova's "Requiem" -- We'll be doing a bit of analysis and exploration work on this poem next class.  Furthermore, be aware that I will be reviewing your final project related to Ivan Denisovich on Tuesday. 

AP English III

Your priorities for the weekend are your research papers.  I'm not going to be available this weekend to answer questions, so I hope that all of you got them in now.  Remember that everyone will have his/her paper collected on Tuesday, April 30th.  A-day students will collect papers in class.  B-day students will need to come by and hand deliver your papers.  You will need to use your envelope to submit your paper and the following documents are required in the envelope:

1. Your final draft with Works Cited page.
2. Your rough draft from conferencing.
3. Your outline.
4. Supplementary documents:  Cover Sheet, Rubric

I'll hand out the Supplementary Documents in class on Monday/Tuesday.  We're going to start doing exam review and preparation over the next few classes. It's time for our final push!

English IV

No homework for the weekend, but you will be starting on your final project as well next class.  Be ready for it!

4/24 and 4/25 - PLC Day

Students,

The assignments outlined for you in the previous post are due for all of you on Friday/Monday.  Please make sure that you are meeting your reading goals and continuing to revise your research papers in order to meet your submission date next week. 

Please come see me if you have any questions about anything or need help getting caught up.

Homework for 4/22 and 4/23

With our next A-day being a PLC day we are going to have a bit of a disconnect between our A-day and B-day meetings.  However, I'm sure that we'll get all caught up on the other side of everything.  Here are your reminders for tonight:

AP English IV

For tonight you really don't have much to do other than to prepare your journals for our next journal check as well as find a pencil and bring it with you to class for our final multiple choice practice.  Your reading is due on Friday.  You will need to get to the moment when Shukhov goes to the parcel room.

AP English III

Now that you have your outline of your final project of the year you should begin to plan and consider.  However, you can't do too much until you're assigned your chapter and motif for study.  For tonight, be sure to read chapter twenty-five for Friday's class.  Also, make sure that you make your conference or ask any final questions.  Papers are due on Tuesday!

English IV

If you have missing work you need to get that taken care of.  Use Jupiter Grades and ask for help.

Homework for All Classes - 4/18 and 4/19 - Weekend Edition

Here are your reminders to get you through the weekend.

AP English IV

You have your final drafts of your Twelfth Night papers due this coming Monday.  If you still want to see me or get my feedback on your writing try to make that happen tomorrow as I will not be available this weekend for extra help.  Remember that you are making an argument about this play and what Shakespeare is accomplishing through his skill as a playwright.  Show me that analytical skill!

In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich I'd like for you to read to the point where the men are getting lined up to return to the camp.  Continue to pay attention to trends in the text.  Good discussion today on characters.

AP English III

First let's talk about your research papers.  Our new and FINAL due date is the 30th of April.  All students will submit their final drafts on this date even though it's an A-day.  We'll go over what you will turn in to me closer to the due date.  If you have not yet conferenced on your paper and haven't signed up for a date I want to let you all know that Thursday April 25th is available.  You must see me or contact me directly to sign up for a spot on this date.

In terms of Invisible Man, you need to finish reading Chapter Twenty-Four this weekend.  We will be working through this as well as touching on a few topics from the Staples article on Monday/Tuesday and I'll be reviewing your final assessment on Invisible Man.

AP English Students -- If you are taking the AP Exam and did not complete the pre-registration due to being absent from class, please make an appointment in guidance to take care of this.

English IV

Over the weekend I want you to do some writing for me.  Answer the following question using well developed paragraphs:

What are the two most important parts of your day?  Why?

Make sure as you respond to this question you fill your writing with detail so that I can really understand the importance of these moments to you.

Homework for All Classes - 4/16 and 4/17

Apologies for not posting the homework last night.  I had a very tedious fourth period and it slipped my mind.  Here are your reminders to prepare you for Thursday/Friday.

AP English IV

Your first priority is your papers.  Remember that you have final drafts due on the 22nd.  When you submit your final draft, please make sure to submit any notes or earlier drafts so that I can see how you've developed this paper.  Furthermore, you need to continue to read in Ivan Denisovich until you reach the end of the second meal.  Stop when Shukhov starts looking for a cigarette. 

AP English III

The main priority that all of you have is to make your writing conferences and to continue moving foward on the drafting of your research papers.  One of the major issues that I'm seeing so far is a lack of commentary on the research you're presenting.  Remember that you want to explain the significance of the facts and research which you incorporate into your essay.  What do you have to say about this research?  What is its significance in relation to your argument?  Draw connections.  Make me see what you see.

Furthermore, your reading for tonight is Brent Staples' "Just Walk on By:  Black Men and the Public Space."  The article is in 50 Essays or available here.  Read this carefully paying special attention to the creation of voice in the text.  We'll be working through it next class to unlock the deeper meanings apparent in it.  Be sure that you annotate heavily and draw connections to Invisible Man. 

Lastly, refer to your updated reading bookmarks for your final reading checkpoints!

English IV

You have no homework to complete for next class, but you will have something to do over the weekend.

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 4/12 and 4/15

Each day of school done is another day closer to summer break!  Remember what I said about this quarter moving quickly - don't allow yourselves to fall behind as we keep moving through the quarter.

AP English IV

This weekend you need to read in Ivan Denisovich until Tyurin returns to the group at the worksite.  As you read, continue to note the use of detail in the text as well as Tyurin's importance to the group.  Also, we didn't start talking about the various types of corruption and injustice which Shukhov sees in the camp, keep track of that too! 

Lastly, your final drafts of your Twelfth Night papers are due on the 22nd.  You'll submit your rough draft with the final draft, so be sure to keep these together.  If you need to meet with me to review your writing, let me know and I'll try to find a time for you.

AP English III

If you haven't signed up for a writing conference yet then you need to take care of that ASAP.  Remember that conferences are really happening in earnest next week.  Don't miss your appointment time!  Be working on your essays - drafting and revising - remembering that you need to bring a 65% complete draft as well as your full works cited page!

In terms of reading, you need to complete chapter twenty-three.  We'll spend time in class discussing twenty-two and twenty three on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Recall that the Invisible Man has seen the light, now he just needs to figure out what he's seen.

English IV

No homework over the weekend.  You may have some reading to do next week, but I'll let you know about that when we get to it.

B-Day Discussion Board

Please post your responses to the following question below.  Use refrences to Invisible Man and "Allegory of the Cave" where applicable.  Make sure that you answer all parts of the prompt.  Posts will be graded after class on Monday.  No late posts will be accepted.

Throughout the text of Invisible Man we see that the narrator continues to oscilate between his own reality and the reality of society.  Plato would perhaps say that he's traveling between real truth and false truth.  This text complicates the idea of society because there are two socities within the text, African American society and White society.  There are, of course, multiple socities within these larger socities as well - complicating this overall question.  However, according to Plato's allegory, which society that we have seen within the pages of our novel is the one more responsible for keeping the Invisible Man within the cave and constricting his vision?  Has the Invisible Man broken free from this bondage and loosed the chain attached to the cave wall?  Has he not started to exit at all?  Does he think that he has?  How does our role as readers in this text further this question.

As you answer, make sure that your response is your own.  Do not submit something similar to a previous post or it will not be considered for credit.  Come up with an argument and prove it.

Other reminders about homework and tasks to complete can be found two posts below in the A-day discussion board.  There's also a link to the Plato text there too.

Homework for English IV and AP English IV

Seniors - Here are your notes to prepare you for our classes on Friday and Monday.

AP English IV

The first thing that I want to remind all of you about is the fact that we will be having a draft workshop on Friday.  Please make sure that you walk in with a draft of your paper which you can edit and revise in class with the help of your peers.  I'll be available next week for you all to see me for extra help in these essays.

In addition, I'd like for you to read in Ivan Denisovich until the group goes out for their morning line-up.  It's hard to divide up this book easily since there aren't chapter breaks.  We'll discuss a lot of this next class.  Be ready!

English IV

For tonight your priority is to prepare for your final presentation on Twelfth Night.  If you are doing the essay option then you should finish your draft and have it ready to turn in.  We will start class on Friday/Monday with presentations and then we'll start reading our novel.  It'll be an exciting day!

A-Day AP English III Discussion Board and Homework

AP English III

Tonight you need to finish reading Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" as well as move toward your next reading goal of being to the end of Chapter Twenty-Two of Invisible Man.  Also, don't forget to sign up and attend your writing conferences.  The sheets are on my door.

A day students.  Please post a comment to respond to the following prompt.  Draw on your knowledge of Invisible Man as well as your understanding of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" to answer the following questions.  Use textual references where necessary.  Plato is available at this link.

Plato raises the idea in paragraph forty of transitioning between the world of light and the cave and that these transitions each affect the vision of the human.  Plato says as well that these "bewilderments...from coming out of the light or from going into...[are] true of the mind's eye, quite as much as of the bodily eye."  I would argue that the Invisible Man has suffered from these bewilderments multiple times throughout the text.

Which moment of the text do you think is the has provided the most significant bewilderment to the Invisible Man?  Is this a moment of going out of the light or going into it?  Which of his eyes is this effecting?  What is the overall importance?

Be thorough but concise in your answer.  Show me that you've read the book and tell me something coherent - edit before you hit submit.  Make sure you're focusing on the prompt. Be sure that your name is in your response so that I can assign credit.

Homework for the First Day Back - 4/8 and 4/9

And with that, the first day is done.  I know that I'm definitely going to be getting in a nap this afternoon - I forgot what it was like to wake up so early.  Here are your reminders for tonight as you prepare for class on Wednesday/Thursday.

AP English IV

Today in class we went through much of Solzhenitsyn's biography which will be quite important in helping you to understand what he's doing within the pages of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.  You may want to be on the lookout for these biographical elements as you read his speech for homework tonight.  On Wednesday we'll be opening up with a seminar on Solzhenitsyn's Nobel Prize Speech from 1970.  Read the speech thoroughly and annotate it.  Remember to think of these three questions:

1.  What is the purpose of literature?
2.  What is the danger of unity?
3.  What is an author's duty?

Also, we will start reading our novel in class on Wednesday, so make sure that you have your copy or check one out from me.  Lastly, don't forget that your rough drafts are due on Friday.  If you need to see me to discss your papers, be sure to do that soon.

AP English III

For tonight you have three main goals to prepare you for the rest of the week.  First, you need to start moving toward your next reading goal which is to get to the end of chapter twenty-two by Friday/Monday.  Something major is about to happen related to Brother Tod.  Keep your eyes open!  Also, you will have the opportunity to sign up for your writing conferences this week.  I'll post the schedule on Wednesday and you can start signing up then.  There are a few rules to the conferences which I'll review with all of you on Wednesday/Thursday.  The major thing though is that your draft needs to be nearly complete and you have to come with questions.  Don't just think that you show up and I do all the work. 

Lastly, if you have your own copy of 50 Essays please bring that in for Wednesday/Thursday as we'll be taking a look at a piece out of there to help us understand more of what's happening in Invisible Man.

English IV

Today in class you began working on your final assessment for Twelfth Night.  Remember that your final presentations of these dialogues or speeches will be on Friday/Monday.  Continue to read and review your portion so that you are ready for this goal.  Remember that this is your final test on the book - show me that you've learned some skills in reading these difficult texts.

Just checking in...

I hope all of you are enjoying spring break as well as the reading and writing you have to accomplish to be ready for when we get back. I'm enjoying some very amazing time at the beach with friends and getting in some good relaxing.

Please email me with any questions or concerns if you have them. I'll do my best to address them for you.

Enjoy the rest of your break!

Grades for the Third Quarter

I will aim to have all students grades finalized by 3:30, tomorrow afternoon. Please check Jupiter at that time for your updated grade.

Announcements and Reminders for Spring Break!

I may be counting my chickens before they're hatched since it's not technically tomorrow yet, but we made it.  I know that I need this vacation, so I know that you all need it too.  If you're in my AP classes you do have work to do over the break, here are those reminders for you.

AP English IV

Today we finished reading Twelfth Night, so now you can really begin in earnest on your essays.  I want to remind you of two things:  first, since we didn't get to review outlines today I'm making myself available tomorrow and also after we get back from break to look at these before you begin to draft.  The drafts of the essays are going to be workshopped on Friday, April 12th.  Be ready for this date.  Second, remember that you will have a timed writing the day we return from break on Twelfth Night.  You can't really study for this, but I don't want you to be unprepared and surprised.

Furthermore, over break, make sure that you find yourself a copy of A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

AP English III

Now that you have your outlines returned to you, you can begin to draft; however, many of you need to work on your outlines further before you can begin to draft.  Remember that this is an argumetative research paper - at this point many of you have thesis statements which rely on simple truths and aren't making a claim.  Remember that there has to be an overall idea you are trying to prove here.  Get to that point at the very beginning -- What are you trying to say about the topic you've chosen?

Furthermore, you have approximately 140 pages of reading from Invisible Man over break.  Remember, that's around fourteen pages a day, so I have a hard time not being mean about it.  You'll be reading a lot, so keep up with your motifs (either in books or on a separate  sheet), your vocabulary, and your notes.  Remember - quiz on these chapters (13-19) when we return from Break!

Reminders for the Last Day - Wednesday/Thursday

It's the last day of the quarter!  And Spring Break is finally upon us.  Here are your reminders going in to the final day of the nine weeks.

AP English IV

Our priority for our final class is going to be to finish Twelfth Night.  I have an annotation guide which I wanted you to get to last class after finishing She's the Man, but you didn't get to it.  We may have to push back the outlines and conferences on those outlines depending on how our study of the end of the play goes.  I'm sure we'll be able to work it out though.

AP English III

By the end of the day today (Tuesday) all of you should have put your outlines in my hand or in my e-mail inbox.  If you haven't then you're falling behind on your research paper.  I will be returning these outlines to you with my comments on Wednesday/Thursday so that you can turn around and start writing your essays.  Remember that you will come back to school and immediately sign up for draft conferences.  We'll talk about that when we get back from break. 

For class on Wednesday/Thursday we'll be discussing the most recent chapters in Invisible Man (chapters ten, eleven, and twelve) -- have your motif charts completed as I'll be spot checking them and have these sections read.  You'll likely have a lot of questions on chapter eleven which will really throw you for a loop.

English IV

If you didn't turn in your comparison chart between the movie and the play then I will collect that from you on Wednesday/Thursday -- be sure that you're ready to turn that in.  Like my AP section, our main task is going to be to finish the play.  From there, we'll transition to break and do a bit of survey work so that I can prepare an interesting last quarter for you.

Homework for AP English III and English IV - 3/21 and 3/22

Here are the assignments pending for AP English III and English IV students.  As a reminder, be aware that I will not be in the building on Monday as I'll be preparing for Passover by completing the fast of the first born.  I hope that all of you enjoy your time with the substitute.  Here are the reminders and notes that you need to have in order to finish the quarter strongly.

AP English III

Over the weekend and moving into Wednesday/Thursday's class you have a lot of reading to accomplish as well as your first major checkpoint on your research papers.  I would say that your research outlines should be your bigger priority since those are due on Monday/Tuesday.  Remember that A-day students will need to e-mail me outlines, B-day students will submit hard copies of the outlines.  If any A-day students cannot e-mail the outline, I will accept a hard copy on Tuesday.  Please follow the guidelines on your rubric, remembering about the topics you need to discuss in order to prove your argument and the use of sources in the outline.  Everything needs to be cited with parenthetical references on your outline.  Don't lose points and don't skimp on the work - remember that by putting in more work now on the outline that your paper will be much easier to write.

Outside of that, related to Invisible Man, you have a major reading checkpoint to reach by Wednesday/Thursday which is to be to the end of chapter twelve.  You're going to see a lot of changes in the Invisible Man's character at this moment in the text.  Pay attention to those changes, especially as they relate to chapter ten.  I hope that all of you will come to class on Wednesday/Thursday with a lot of questions for me.  In addition, remember that I will be spot checking your motif charts - be complete through to chapter twelve.  Feel free to partner with a friend on this:  sometimes someone will see something that you've overlooked.

English IV:

If you did not finish your word transformation vocabulary assignment then you need to finish that over the weekend.  In addition, if you have any missing assignments then you need to get those submitted ASAP.  We will be finishing this play shortly and having our final test on the play AFTER Spring Break.  It'd be best to study to prepare.

AP English IV Discussion and Homework

You all get your own post for the weekend since you have a discussion board here.  First, let me remind you about your homework for the weekend and to prepare for our last class of the nine weeks on Wednesday.

Remember that for Wednesday you should all be walking in to class with your outlines for your papers on Twelfth Night.  After we get through Act V, Scene 1 and finish the play we will do some individual conferences on your outlines.  Come prepared with questions.

For this weekend you'll need to read the Montegut criticism and respond to the following prompt in the comments section.  You should be able to comment no matter what - though the program may ask you to sign in for security.  Make sure to post your name at the end of your comment so that you can get credit for your response.  Here is your prompt:

In Montegut's criticism of the play he begins to develop the idea of the carnivalesque and apply it to Twelfth Night.  Why does Montegut think that the carnivalesque is so important to the play?  Do you agree or disagree with his assertion?  Why?  Be sure to use evidence from the play to support your assertions.

Be sure that your post is done by the end of the school day on Monday - I will grade these for not just completion but mastery, show me that you're literary scholars.

Homework for All Classes - 3/19 and 3/20

We're so close to Spring Break I can just feel the mountain air on my face!  Here's what you need to accomplish to prepare for Thursday/Friday.

AP English IV

Your first priority right now is to complete your next round of vocabulary cards for Acts III and IV of Twelfth Night.  Remember to take your notes from your first round and improve for the second round.  Pay particular attention to the etymology and the synonyms portion of the assignment as this is where a lot of people lost points last time.

In addition, please begin revising your paper portfolios and beginning your planning or drafting.  You will not have drafts of the assignment due until we return from break - but I will expect you to be drafting and writing over break.  Don't worry about the criticism review, we'll look at that next class together as we start Act V.

AP English III

You have two major priorities for tonight.  First you need to read through chapters seven, eight, and nine of Invisible Man.  With chapter seven, focus on the Vet and his advice to the Invisible Man.  With chapter eight, look at the turning point in his life and the depiction of the city.  Lastly, with chapter nine, notice how the Invisible Man is trying to move forward but still getting stuck in the past.

Also, you need to begin putting together your outlines from your research proposals.  Remember that A-day students will need to e-mail this assignment to me using my school e-mail address, on Monday or turn in a hard copy to me on Tuesday.  I'll not be here Monday, but the due date still stands.  B-day students will turn in a hard copy on Tuesday.  I will get these back to you on Wednesday/Thursday so that you can begin drafting over break.  When we get back we will register for writing conferences to review your rough drafts.  Conferences will run from the 10th to the 19th of April with final drafts of the research paper being collected on the 24th (A-day) or 25th (B-day).  Remember the trick about outlining, leave it all on the paper - the more you put in to your outline, the easier your paper will be to write.  Please see me if you have any questions especially in developing your subtopics.

English IV

You all have no homework tonight - if you need to finish anything from workshop time today in class, get that turned in to me at the beginning of class on Thursday.  Next week we will move through Acts IV and V very quickly to resolve some of the complications that we've seen.

SENIORS - Don't forget that tomorrow during B2 you will be with me in the gym for our in-school field trip.  I hope that you all enjoy As You Like It.

AP Seniors

For Tuesday's class bring some change for the photocopier in the library. We'll be getting some literary criticism on _Twelfth Night_ and you won't be able to check out all of the sources.

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 3/15 and 3/18

With the coming of the weekend you have a lot of opportunities to get ahead on some major work coming down the pike in the last few weeks of the quarter.  Here are your reminders.

AP English IV

Over the weekend you need to complete the reading of Act IV.  I know that I did not check annotations of your texts today in class, so do expect that when we return from the weekend.  In addition, you will have a second round of vocabulary cards due on Thursday.  Your words must come from Acts III and IV.  Please take the notes I gave you on your cards, which I handed back to you today, and apply them to your next set.  Remember - the etymology refers to the history and sources of the words.  Don't leave something blank on your cards, if there is no known source, then say that.  Show me that you did your work.

AP English III

Over the weekend you should continue to move forward on your research using SIRS and the CQ Researcher.  Remember that you must compile EIGHT sources and then eventually synthesize at least FIVE in the body of your essay.  At least ONE of those sources must be a non-print source.  Remember that on SIRS you are able to simply search graphics, which can be useful in using the non-print source.

Next week I'll be giving you your outline rubric to begin moving you toward your drafting process.  Remember that you must research before you can fully outline!

Lastly, this weekend you need to finish your reading of chapters five and six of Invisible Man.  We'll be having a lengthy discussion/seminar on Tuesday/Wednesday related to these chapters.  Annotate heavily!

English IV

Over the weekend you have no homework; however, if you have missing assignments or you did not finish your one page response on conflicts in Twelfth Night, please get that done this weekend.  Use Jupiter grades and ask about any assignments which are missing for you right now.  There are only two weeks left in the grading period.

Homework for 3/13 and 3/14

Apologies for not posting this yesterday.  I left quickly and then it just flew out of my mind.  Here are your reminders to prepare for Friday/Monday.

AP English IV

You all did an amazing job on your teaching aspects for your presentations.  All groups have their performances of the translated scenes on Friday.  We'll go in order of the act, so that you all see how the ideas and the characters and the plot develop through the act.  Remember the requirements for the presentations:  props, costumes, and scripts!  I need a copy of your script turned in to me at the beginning of the period.

Also, I'll be collecting your paper proposals on Friday and reading these over the weekend.  What I'm looking for in these is an (as clear as you can articulate it now) argument you will be exploring and proving in this paper and what your source material will be from Twelfth Night or from other sources (a film or other text for comparison purposes).  Lastly, don't forget about a quick annotation check for Acts I-III.

AP English III

You've completed your first SYNTHESIS prompt - congratulations!  You'll be getting these back on Friday/Monday as well as your term papers.  We'll spend some time reflecting and assessing skills related to writing on Friday.  In addition on Friday we will be getting a visit from Guidance related to the college search process for next year.  Come with questions -- it's never to early to start this process.

Make sure that you're ready for a thorough discussion of chapters three and four for Friday/Monday - we'll start by looking at those quotation posters, and I'll be pointing out some additional elements from these chapters to help your understanding.

Don't forget that you have to have chapters five and six read for Tuesday/Wednesday.  Keep track of your vocabulary and motif charts -- remember that these assignments should be done WHILE you are reading.  Not after.

English IV

Tonight you have a one page response related to the different conflicts encountered so far in Twelfth Night.  Here are your questions for this assignment: 

1. Which conflict in Twelfth Night is the most important conflict in the play? Why? 
2. How has this conflict been developed? 
3. How do you think this will be resolved? Why?

You can approach this assignment by writing a third of a page on each of the questions above.  Remember that once you identify the most important conflict that you need to stay focused on that for the remainder of the assignment -- no switching mid way through.  


That font shift is really bothering me and I can't figure out how to change it.  Oh well, see you Friday! 

Freshman Focus Announcement

Today in class we began our major research project related to a country's culture.  You don't have any homework tonight except to continue working on your projects.  I would focus right now on finishing your notes and research before moving on to constructing your Powerpoint.

Focus for today on your information that you need for your presentation.  As you move forward you can focus on making your presentations fancier by adding images and other graphics.

Announcement - AP Students

AP Kiddos,

If you're interested in attending any of the district workshops to prepare for AP Exams, please make sure that you register using the link below.

http://www.dpsnc.net/programs-services/advanced-academics

Don't forget too that you need to register and pay for your AP Exams.  See your counselor for questions or help applying for a fee waver if you think you qualify.

Homework for All Classes - 3/11 and 3/12

Students - We're very close to Spring Break which will end the third grading period.  Many of you are currently starting long term projects and these due dates will likely take you into the last grading period of the year.  Stay on your assignments and make sure that you ask for help if you need any.  Don't forget that I'm here on Wednesday afternoons if you need me.

AP English IV

Today in class we started a mini-project which will count as your test grade for Act III.  Remember that the goal of the assignment is to translate the scene and still retain the meaning as well as teach the literary elements of your scene or portion to the class.  On Wednesday each group will present their teaching to the scene; on Friday you will be running through your scenes.  Remember to have your costumes and props ready for Friday.


In addition, on Friday I will be collecting paper proposals from you.  Make sure that you have an outline of your argument (as clearly as you can articulate it right now) and that you also have outlined for me areas of the play that you will use to prove your argument is valid.  Please remember that you have the chance to take a look at any aspect of the play - have fun and be creative as you determine your paper's direction.

AP English III

Wednesday and Thursday are going to be big days for this class.  Here is what I will be collecting from all of you on this day:

• Your research paper proposals will be due.  Please be sure that if you did not get the information from the Durham County Libraries that you get this information from me or from a classmate ASAP.  This is one of those times where you need to make sure that you follow up from your absence due to a field trip.
• Your jazz journals will be checked.  I know that we have had other journals, but I'm really going to focus on these for your grade.
• You will complete an in-class timed SYNTHESIS.  Prepare for this by reviewing your notes on argumentative writing; remember that the synthesis is nothing more than an argument using sources for support.  The argument needs to stay central!

Outside of that you also need to read chapters five and six of Invisible Man.  You have until next week (the 19th and 20th) to get this reading done.  Chapter five is really difficult, it's very stream of consciousness, just get what you can get out of it -- we'll work through it next week.

English IV

After your presentations today I am not assigning any homework for you tonight.  If you are missing assignments I would recommend that you spend time catching up on those tonight as the grading period is going to be over soon.

Only thirteen more days remaining until Spring Break.

Homework for the Weekend - 3/7 and 3/8

Here are your tasks for the weekend - be sure that you ask for any assistance you may need!

AP English IV

Over the weekend I want for you to read all of Act III.  It's a pretty quick act, but Shakespeare will be giving us the main turning point of the play here - be sure to be on the lookout for it.  As you're reading, be sure to keep up with your annotations and especially spend time on your back covers since we are at the mid point of the play.  Remember to include symbols, topics/motifs, conflicts, and settings on your back cover.

In addition, be sure that you continue to collect vocabulary.  You'll have cards due again - so you may want to use this time to begin your next set.

AP English III

By this point all of you have gone through and received instruction on how to use CQ and SIRS from the Durham County Library.  If you were not in class for the presentation, please try to see me next week so that I can review this information with you.  Begin working through your paper topics so that you are ready to submit these to me this upcoming Wednesday/Thursday.  You will have a SYNTHESIS timed writing this same day and a journal check!  Lots to do on Wednesday/Thursday!

For the weekend, continue moving forward in your reading of Invisible Man - get through chapters three and four.  As you read, pay special attention to the character of The Vet (you'll meet him at Chapter Three) - he acts as a very important voice in the text.  Look at how he is foreshadowing events.

English IV

Your presentations on Elizabethan England are due on Monday/Tuesday - No Exceptions and No Excuses.  I hope that you will use the rubrics to complete your presentation so that you are prepared for Monday/Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labor!

The A-Day That Wasn't

Today with the ACT was really a bit of a pause for most of us. Remember that the assignments outlined in the previous post are due for collection on Thursday/Friday.

AP English III Students - Be aware that we will be beginning on out next major paper assignment tomorrow and Thursday. B-day students are going to be slightly ahead here. We'll get all caught up together next week. I hope that all the students taking the ACT felt prepared.

See you tomorrow!

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 3/1 and 3/4

Happy March!  It's time to start a new month.  Here are your notes and reminders to prepare you for next class.

AP English IV

These assignments will not be collected or due until Thursday the 7th of March as there will be a substitute with you on Tuesday since I'll be administering the ACT to the Juniors.  For the weekend you have a few things to accomplish:

1. Reread Act II, Scene 5 - As you reread, select a quote to complete your 1Q1P assignment.  Remember that the goal of the 1Q1P is to carefully analyze the quotation in order to draw connections between its content and the larger play.  This is your second of these assignments, so I hope to see some improvement in your skills.
2. Complete your vocabulary cards.  Have five cards ready for Thursday's class.  Follow all of the guidelines on the assignment sheet.  Ask if you have questions.

AP English III

These assignments are also due for Thursday/Friday.  First I want you to read James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" - but only read parts one and two.  This is a long piece that we're going to spend a few days talking about - we're also going to be talking about this piece as we work through the rest of Invisible Man.  Read this article and connect it as thoroughly as you can to Invisible Man.  Here is a link to the piece - sorry for not uploading it sooner.

Your other reading assignment for the weekend is to read chapter two of Invisible Man.  This is a long chapter - around seventy pages - so you will need to divide and conquer.  Figure out an amount of reading that can be accomplished daily for you and meet your goal.  This is a difficult chapter due to its provocative content - there's a rape scene and some other very disturbing elements.  Push through and realize why Ellison is having you feel a particular way.  We'll discuss this thoroughly Thursday/Friday.

English IV

If you did not finish your Act II assessment then you need to finish that over the weekend.  I need those to be collected next class.  If you need to review the film to help you answer the questions, here's a link to youtube.com so that you can find the film there.  This is a link to part four of the film on youtube.  Act II begins at about the seven minute mark.  Then, you'll want to watch parts five and six, to finish Act II.  Use the navigation on the side of the page. 

Furthermore, you should be completing your visual and preparing your presentations.  A day will present on the 11th, B day on the 12th.  Be ready!

Homework for 2/26 and 2/27

It's time for us to say goodbye to February and hello to March.  I'm definitely starting to feel Spring in the air, and can't wait for its full arrival.  Here are your notes for tonight.

AP English IV

For our next class be sure that you get through with your reading of Act II of Twelfth Night.  We'll spend a few classes looking at some scenes from this section of the play - we've also got to take a look at the film too.  Also, please start on your vocabulary assignment.  Remember that your cards are due on Thursday the 7th of March.

AP English III

Now that we've started Invisible Man it's time for you to keep it going.  Tonight you're going to read Chapter 1.  Keep annotating, keep thinking, and keep generating questions.  Remember that the important thing is not to give up and quit while you read.  Use your motif chart after every chapter to collect your observations about the chapters.  I will check these sporadically to keep you honest.

In addition to reading Chapter 1, I also want you to read Zora Neale Hurston's "How It Feels to be Colored Me" from 50 Essays.  Here is a link to the Hurston piece.  As you read Hurston, be sure to notice any connections between the two texts.  There are a lot!

English IV

Since we didn't get a chance to finish the Act II work, let's table that for next class.  Now that you have your rubric for your final presentations, continue working on those.  Form your visual, complete your research, and begin to plan.  We aren't going to have many other days in the media center for research, I hope you've not wasted your time.

Homework for 2/25 and 2/26

First I want to take a second to make mention of progress reports.  Right now, for a lot of you, progress reports are not very accurate due to the fact that a lot of you are missing work from being absent or from being on a school related trip.  Please come to see me this week about these assignments.  As I get them graded, your Jupiter access will get updated.

Here are your reminders for tonight:

AP English IV

Tonight I would like for you to read through to the end of Act II, Scene 2.  Keep track of your vocabulary notes as we will begin to develop these words into a more coherent approach to Shakespeare's language next class.  I especially want you to look at Act I, Scene 5 as this is a very important scene in understanding some of the larger comedy at work in the play.

AP English III

Next class you all have your term papers due for me.  You will be turning in the following:

1. Your final draft with cover sheet filled out, the draft itself, and your rubric.
2. Your draft from peer editing.
3. Your proposal with my feedback.
4. Any outlines or other documents used to prepare your final draft

Along with this you also want to bring in your copy of Invisible Man.  We're going to start reading on Wednesday/Thursday.

English IV

Tonight you should spend some time studying for your grammar test as well as completing your Act II viewing guide and worksheet.  Hopefully you were able to finish taking notes for most of the questions.  Be sure to pay attention to the questions marked with a ** as you need to answer these questions in complete sentences, expressing a full idea. 

Homework for the Weekend - 2/21 and 2/22

I hope that all we have tomorrow is a delay and not a full cancellation.  No matter what the weather has in store for us, here is what you need to make sure you complete before I see you again.

AP English IV

Today you need to continue moving forward into Act I of Twelfth Night.  I want you to read to the end of scene four, paying particular attention to characters, conflicts, and significant topics as you move through.  I believe that you're really going to like this play, so get to know the characters well to help begin your appreciation.  Also, be sure to keep track of vocabulary as you read.  Shakespeare is rife with new words and expressions for you.  Look at what he's saying and pick up some new material.

AP English III

This weekend you have two major priorities.  The first is your final assessment on The Crucible.  With your partner you are to present a dialogue of no more than three to four minutes; as you present your dialogue, I will be grading you on your tone, your creation of character, and your blocking and interaction with your partner as you speak.  You should practice a lot to make this fluid and dramatic.  Also, you will submit a brief paragraph to me stating your dialogue's importance to the overall play.  Other than this, you need to revise your papers.  Make sure that you work hard to get this major assignment completed. 

English IV

Over the weekend, now that you have your categories, I would like for you to begin planning your presentation.  Make sure that if you need to do additional research that you get that done.  We won't have many more days in the library to prepare.

Homework for Tuesday/Wednesday - 2/19 and 2/20

So, we're settling down into a nice long stretch of school before Spring Break.  Make sure that you realize that at this point in the year you're running a marathon, not a sprint.  Think about all of the things that you have left to accomplish and don't allow yourself to burn out too quickly.  Here are your notes to prepare you for your next class.

AP English IV

You've survived your first test.  This was definitely more of a skills based examination than a content based test - I look forward to grading these and getting them back to you by the start of next week.  If you were absent please see me ASAP to schedule a time to make up the test.  For tonight, you don't have any homework - you worked hard enough in class.  Just be sure that you come to class with a copy of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as we will begin our study of this play!

AP English III

There's a lot for you all to accomplish tonight, please let me know if you have any questions about any of the following:

1. Your first priority is to finish your Crucible synthesis assignment as well as your questions tied to the document packet.  Remember that the questions must be answered in complete sentences using specific details from the documents.  You will submit both assignments to me at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday.
2. You have a final assessment coming up on The Crucible.  Please be reviewing the text and preparing yourself for this.
3. Your final drafts of your term papers are due on the 27th and 28th.  Use the rubric to prepare yourself and tweak your draft to make it sing.  Feel free to ask for additional help if you need it, but remember that I will not answer questions about this assignment starting on the 26th.
4. If you haven't already done so - get a copy of Invisible Man.  You're going to want to get this book as it's probably one of the best books we'll read all year.

English IV

Continue working on your research projects and pulling together information.  If you didn't get your cards checked today make sure that you have them ready for Thursday/Friday. 

AP Writing Conferences

Students. If you missed a conference chance this week I will be available on Friday the 15th from 1-2 pm. Please email me in advance if you plan on attending. I will make it a priority to see as many of you as possible. Please email me to let me know you're coming so that I stick around.

Homework for the Long Weekend and Monday - 2/14 and 2/18

I hope that all of you enjoy your Friday off this week.  Please think of me while I'm here leading some staff development and working hard!  Here are your reminders and announcements.

AP English IV

Your biggest task for the weekend is to spend your time preparing for your exam.  I think that one of the best ways to prepare is to practice annotating and pulling out meaning quickly since you will have two timed writings ahead of you.  Use what we did today in class but then also use your Perrine book to get more opportunities for analysis.  You will have a prose analysis and a poetry analysis.  So spend time looking at both.

Also, use your Perrine books to look at examples of explications.  From pages forty to forty-nine you have several different examples of prose and poetry explications which you can use to look at proper structure and analysis techniques.

AP English III

This weekend your biggest priority is your term papers.  Next class we will be spending approximately half the class workshopping drafts and preparing to move on to our final drafts.  Please make sure that you are constantly reviewing and revising your argument to make it as strong as you can.  I will be sharing the rubric which I will use on this assignment with you next class, which will help you create your final product.

Finally, your synthesis related to the primary source documents from the Salem Witch Trials will be due on the 21st and 22nd.  You will turn in your argumentative editorial as well as your complete answers to the questions.  This is a change of date from earlier!

English IV

Now that you know about your notecard structure for researching I would like for you to continue researching over the weekend.  We will be spending more time in the library next week to continue this process, but the more time you spend working on this at home, the better you'll be.  Remember that you will be having several checkpoints on this project.  Keep up and ask questions to make up the work if needed.

Homework and Reminders for 2/12 and 2/13

Today's been a bit of a whirlwind of a day - here are your reminders to get you on track for tonight and on into tomorrow.

AP English IV

Students, tonight you are going to want to begin studying for your first unit exam on short stories and poetry.  The test will be structured with two timed writings (one poetry explication, one prose explication) as well as several brief identifications from the stories and poems we've read.  To prepare for this, I would begin by reviewing your notes (or the stories if you don't take good notes) as well as your writing strategies for completing an explication.  Next class we will look at some sample prompts and responses in order to determine strategies which lead to a higher scoring paper.  Bring any questions which you may have.

Also, we will soon start our study of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.  If you would like your own copy, go ahead and get one.

AP English III

Tonight for homework you have a few tasks, I'm also going to speak about some long-term things we have going on to alleviate some confusion in the air.  You have two main goals for tonight:  FIRST - you need to complete the questions using the sample texts.  These questions can be completed as notes for right now as long as you realize that with the final writing assignment you will submit complete sentences.  SECOND - you need to be drafting your term paper.  Your draft workshop will be on the 19th and 20th of February.  I expect that you will all have a draft to work with on that date.  I know that many of you want to see me this week to conference, so I've given you a bit more time for drafting.

Beyond this, you should also begin to construct your editorial based on the documents we looked at today in class.  You may want to wait until after next class to complete this writing assignment as we will begin talking about what a synthesis assignment does next class.  No matter when you start - your editorials will be due on the 21st and 22nd of February along with your completed answers. 

Finally, if you haven't already finished The Crucible - make sure that you do so.  We'll wrap up our work with this text soon and move forward!

English IV

Based on your work today in class you should have finished your proposal for your research project - continue to research tonight and build up your knowledge on your topic.  We'll look at this project more next class.

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 2/8 and 2/11

Students - Here are your reminders/announcements for the weekend or Monday.  Whichever you see fit.

AP English IV

This weekend you're reading John Updike's "A&P" as our final story in our short stories and poetry unit.  You also may find it useful to begin preparing for your final exam in this unit by reviewing the other texts that we've studied.  More information coming on your test soon.

AP English III

You all need to finish the reading of The Crucible this weekend as well as devote some time to your papers.  My suggestion with your papers is that you spend the time on your outline so that the actual body of the paper is much easier to compose.  Put your time in the beginning so that the ending goes more smoothly.  Several of you have started to conference with me, I invite more of you to do that too!

English IV

No homework this weekend - if Jupiter Grades indicates a missing assignment for you then you will want to spend this time getting that made up.

Homework for 2/6 and 2/7

Here are your reminders for tonight.  I'm not going to be here for the B-day classes - so if any of you have any specific questions please be sure to e-mail me or see me on Friday.

AP English IV

Next class we are going to take a full length AP Multiple Choice exam.  To prepare for this, I would recommend that you spend time taking a look at our previous practice sets to look over question types and the reasons why you got questions wrong before.  You'll have sixty minutes to complete this in class on Friday - come prepared.  

Also, you'll need to read Wilfred Owens' "Anthem for Doomed Youth" - it's our bridge text to our final short story in this unit.

AP English III

You all are also going to have a full length AP Multiple Choice exam next class.  You've had a lot of practice sets, so be sure that you use those to review.  Look at question types, review your terms and tone words, and be sure that you're always thinking!  Outside of this you need to put in some good work on your essay outlines.  I would like to remind you that next week is still open for conferences and toward the end of next week you should have at least half of your draft done.  Work hard, ask for help if you need it.

English IV

You all tested today, so no homework tonight.  We'll continue with Act II next class, it's just going to get zanier from here!

Freshman Focus

With the news article you all read in class today with the substitute you have a reflection to complete for homework.  Please make sure that you follow those guidelines on the assignment so that you get full credit for this assignment.  Have it ready to turn in on Monday!

Homework for 2/4 and 2/5

Students - Here are your assignments or reminders for tonight.  Be aware that I will not be in on Thursday due to the fact that I'll be at the North Carolina State Swimming Championship.  You'll have a substitute who will take you through your assignments for the day.

AP English IV

Tonight for homework you've got a good amount of reading to do, let me outline that for you here.  First, you need to finish reading Graham Greene's "The Destructors" - you have chapters two, three, and four left.  When you finish the story, consider questions three, four, five, six and eight.  I'm hoping that these will be discussion questions for us to work through in class on Wednesday.  Furthermore, I would like for you to also read Hopkins' "Spring" and Heaney's "Digging" available in the Perrine book.

Finally, as a spot check, I will be looking at vocabulary logs on Wednesday.  Please make sure that you have a few words from each of the texts that has been assigned so far and that you have defined or marked synonyms for all of those words.  Be sure that your finished log is with you on Wednesday to be checked.

AP English III

Tonight I would like for you to read George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" which is available in 50 Essays or at the following link. When you read this piece I want you to think about the ideas of conformity, free will, and power which Orwell works through pretty thoroughly in this text.  We'll do some analysis, multiple choice work, and some connection building between this text and The Crucible.  Any connections you can make in advance would be welcome. 

Furthermore, you should review Act III so that you are clear with that content.  We will study this act next class by looking at the film - lots to do there.  Lastly, please make sure that you are working on your papers/outlines.  This week should be the week for outlines, by the end of next week, you will want to be to drafting.  Please let me know if you need help or if you would like to conference.

English IV

Next class you have a test on Act I of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.  Here is a rundown of what you will need to do in each section of the test:

• Section One:  Character identifications - know characteristics, behaviors, and names of characters, know their conflicts, understand their importance.
• Section Two:  Translation - be able to put Shakespeare's language into your own words so that you can show me you know what he's saying.
• Section Three:  Reading Comprehension - you'll get a bit of text from Act I, Scene 5 and I will ask you several reading comprehension questions based on that text.
• Section Four:  Grammar Corrections
• Section Five:  Short Answer - the topics will be comedy and love - you will need to use textual evidence to make your answer clear.

AP English III Students - Announcement

If you have not yet taken _The Crucible_ Act I and II Quest, then you need to make an arrangement to make this up. I would prefer you stay after school on Monday to finish the assessment. Please email me or see me tomorrow.

Homework for the Weekend 1/31 and 2/1

Sorry for not posting the announcements and reminders yesterday.  I had meetings during my planning and after school, so this just slipped my mind.  Here are your reminders to prepare for the weekend.

AP English IV

Over the weekend your main priority is to complete your poetry projects, which will be submitted to me on Monday.  During Monday's class, each of you will come to the front to present your memorized poem - as a class we will clap - you'll then turn in your work and we'll go from there.  The rest of class will be spent doing a read aloud/think aloud of another short story, so Monday will be a pretty relaxed day.

AP English III

This weekend you have two main things to occupy your time.  First, you need to read Act III of The Crucible.  This is the climax of the play and also provides a lot of important development of key motifs and ideas that we've seen Miller establish in the first two acts of the play.  Remember to add to your annotations and start to notice how particular characters are changing.  Be sure that you note why they change, to and from what they change, and if that change is particularly significant.

Besides reading you should also be working on your outlines.  Now that you have my feedback on your proposals you should begin fine tuning your argument and finding your specific textual support which you will use in your essay.  I fully expect that next week you will all want to begin conferring with me about your papers and your outlines -- be sure that before you come in to meet me that you have completed a full outline with citations and that you are coming with questions.

English IV

You have no official homework this weekend but you will want to start to prepare for your test on Act I of Twelfth Night.  I would focus this weekend on studying characters and what we have learned about them thus far.  If you missed any reading in class I would get those notes from me or from a classmate so that you can begin to prepare.

Freshman Focus

You have no homework this weekend.

Homework for 1/29 and 1/30

So yesterday we have a delayed start because of freezing rain, and today we have seventy degrees and sunshine.  What the heck?!  Anyway, while you're enjoying this amazing weather, I hope that you also enjoy your homework assignments outlined for you below.

AP English IV

We didn't get a chance to touch Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" so we have that on our agenda for Thursday.  I would suggest that you review the text so that it's fresh in your heads.  Also, I want you to also read "When in Rome" by Mari Evans and "Kitchenette Building" by Gwendolyn Brooks.  All three are excellent African-American female writers; I hope that you enjoy these pieces.

AP English III

On Thursday/Friday you will be having a quiz on Acts I and II of The Crucible.  You will be asked relatively basic multiple choice questions about plot, characters, conflicts, and the allegory in the play.  Furthermore, you'll be asked to complete quote identifications for Act I and II.  The quotes are relatively significant ones, think about your motif lists and use your annotations to help you prepare.

I also want you to read a piece of non-fiction for Thursday/Friday's class from the 50 Essays book.  You will need to read "The Morals of the Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli.  If you don't have 50 Essays, you can access the reading at this link.  As you read, notice the qualities that Machiavelli says are good for a leader to have.  You may find this a useful text in thinking about power, manipulation, and several of the characters we've seen, especially Abigail, Rev. Parris and the Putnams.

English IV

Tonight I want you to complete a one page response to either of the following questions based on what you think of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.  Remember as you write to use textual evidence to support your claims.

If you find this play to be funny, then answer the following question:  What makes Twelfth Night a comedy?

If you don't find this play to be funny, then answer the following question:  Why does Twelfth Night fail as a comedy?

Homework for All Classes - 1/25 and 1/28

Early Release because of SNOW!?  That's the best thing ever!  Well, I would have liked full classes, but we can make up the time throughout the next few days.  Here are your notes for the weekend or Monday night to prepare you for Tuesday/Wednesday.

AP English IV

Over the weekend I'd like for you to read Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" from your Perrine book.  As you read the story, think especially about connections to O'Connor -- the stories mirror each other in a few ways which I hope we'll be able to tease out in our discussion and analysis.  As a note, we've only got two more stories to read after this one so you may find it useful to begin to review the other texts that we've studied so far to prepare you for a comprehensive exam on this short literature unit.

Don't forget about your poetry projects -- they'll be due a week from Monday.  Nobody has really come to see me yet, so I assume that everything is going swimmingly with these.

AP English III

Over the weekend I'll be reviewing your paper proposals and returning those to you on Tuesday/Wednesday - make sure that if you did not get this assignment submitted on time that you get this turned in ASAP, don't fall behind.  E-mail is an acceptable option for this assignment as speed is of the essence.

To prepare for our next class please read ALL of Act II of The Crucible.  Pay special attention to the development of John and Elizabeth Proctor as characters - we're really going to get to know them in Act II.  Also, we will spend a bit of time reviewing Act I since we were rushed today.  Lastly, please complete a works cited entry for your texts - we'll spend some time talking about MLA formatting on Tuesday/Wednesday.

English IV

You have no required homework, but if you are missing an assignment you need to get it turned in.  The only assignment at this point which you can be missing is the vocabulary assignment for Twelfth Night.  For this, find five words from our reading so far which are new to you.  Once you have those words, note the act, scene, and line number next to the word.  Then, define the word, give two synonyms and finally create a sentence which uses the word with context.  Don't just drop the word in, but show me in your sentence that you know what it means.

Homework for All Classes - 1/23 and 1/24

It's time for us to begin our long stretch to Spring Break.  Here are your reminders to prepare for Friday/Monday's class.

AP English IV

That Flannery O'Connor - what a great author, right?  Tonight for homework you've got two poems to read in your Perrine books:  Lucille Clifton's "in the inner city" and Wallace Stevens' "Sunday Morning".  The Clifton poem acts as a really excellent counterpoint to O'Connor's "Good Country People"; the Stevens poem is just a really beautiful one.  Remember to read the questions after the poem with the Stevens piece as they will really help you to understand what's going on in the poem, especially with the structure.

Also, next class we're going to keep looking at our timed writing tasks.  You might find it helpful to look at all of the work we've done with analyzing poetry to prepare for this.

AP English III

Today's discussion was really productive and I hope it served you well in opening up your approach to The Crucible.  Tonight you need to finish reading Act I of the play -- remember to consider the major motifs and concepts in the play and to think about their meaning or importance in the text as you move forward.  Also remember that drama is all about conflict.  On your back cover, make sure that you identify the significant conflicts as you see them to help you keep track of the various plot lines.

In addition your paper proposals are due next class.  In your proposal you should tell me the following information:

1.  As you see it, what is your argument at this point?  What are you going to prove in this paper?
2.  Which texts are going to be used?  How will you use them?
3.  Do you have any questions for me?

Consider this a pre-outline, we'll make them more developed and specific as we move to the next step.

English IV

You need to finish your vocabulary development activity for Act I, Scenes 1 and 2 if you did not finish that work in class.  If you finished that work, you have no homework for tonight. 

Focus Homework - 1/22/2013

Freshman Focus

For tonight I want you to do a bit of research about the value of money.  Talk to people older than yourself and figure out what you could get for twenty dollars.  Go back as far as you can thinking of your own experiences and those of your parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  Remember to look at three categories:  basic necessities, luxury items, and fun.

Homework for the Long Weekend/Tuesday - 1/17 and 1/22

Students,

This snow day couldn't come at a better time.  We've already got the day off tomorrow so we don't have to worry about making up the time.  Hopefully it snows enough that the hill on the road up the block from my house will get good and icy for sledding.  If not, I'll just have to enjoy being here tomorrow finishing up some work.  Here are your reminders for the weekend or Tuesday night before you come back in on Wednesday/Thursday.

AP English IV

This weekend you need to read Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People" from your Perrine books.  As you read, always annotate.  Pay especial attention to O'Connor's use of religion, grotesque, and irony.  Also, be sure to pay attention to the narrator as well as the characters within the story.

After you finish reading you are going to complete a 1Q1P assignment based on the story.  You need to select a sentence from the story which is anywhere from ten to thirty-five words long.  Write that sentence at the top of your page and then below present a full reading of that quotation.  Wring every bit of meaning out of all of the parts of the quotation.  Leave no comma unturned!  This is a great activity to prepare you for larger analysis type assignments which we will begin to approach this nine weeks.

AP English III

Over the weekend you have some reading to do for me.  First, read Arthur Miller's article entitled "Why I Wrote The Crucible" - remember that the copy I gave you is edited to avoid giving away plot points, if you read a different version of the article, be sure not to give away major plot moments.  Also, you need to begin reading Act I of The Crucible.  I'd like for you to read to the entrance of Rev. Hale of Beverly.

As always, annotate everything highly.  We're venturing into a new foray studying drama, but I think it's going to be great fun.

English IV

Over the weekend you all don't have any homework to complete for me.  However, I would invite you to continue the process of reflection we started in class due to the fact that you all have a very important goal to reach this year and some of you are falling short.  Remember, I'm here to help if you need it.

Freshman Focus

Your homework will be posted on Tuesday after our class.

Happy end of the first semester everyone!  Come back energized to begin the long slog to summer vacation!  

Homework for 1/15 and 1/16

Sorry for not getting this up earlier; it was just one of those things that I allowed to slip my mind in the mix of everything else.  Here are your reminders for our next class.  A-day students, I'll see you on Thursday.  B-day students, I won't be seeing you until after the four day weekend.

AP English IV

Tonight you have two goals to accomplish.  First you need to study for your Wordskills exam on unit two.  Ms. Rubenstein left me the test and stressed the importance of giving it to all of you for this quarter.  The test is scheduled to take the first thirty to forty minutes of our class.  Following your preparation for the test, secondly, you need to read Philip Larkin's "Church Going" and Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "Constantly Risking Absurdity".  I would also recommend that you review all of the poems that we have read so far as we will be having a Poetry Extravaganza on Thursday!

AP English III

Thank you all for your dedication to your website projects.  Grades for these as well as comments will be available for you on Jupiter Grades.  There are a few things that you all need to accomplish before our next class.  First, finish reading Joyce Carol Oates' "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" for our next class.  I hope that all of you find the story interesting and intriguing.  It's one of my favorites.  I'm looking forward to our discussion to see what you all got from it.  Also, I would like to remind you that we'll be starting our study of The Crucible on Thursday/Tuesday so you will want your copy of that text if you intend to purchase.  I do have copies which you can borrow in the room.

Finally, this nine weeks you are going to write two papers for me.  I would like for you to get started on this first paper today.  You should begin brainstorming your argument and which texts (one major and one minor) you would like to use for this assignment.  I would start this process by considering which of the major texts we read has been your favorite and then go from there to your argument and other text.  I'll be giving out more particulars on this paper next class.

English IV

Those of you who got your papers in have no homework tonight.  If you did not submit your paper today then your last chance is Thursday.  I would like to remind you that you did have a lot of time to get this put together - and I made myself available outside of class for any assistance.  My grades are due on Friday - so I am under a time crunch and need these papers submitted.

Freshman Focus

If you and your partner did not present your lesson today you will be expected to present on Tuesday. I certainly hope that Tuesday goes better than today.  Expect to have new seats.  

Homework for the Weekend and Monday - 1/11 and 1/14

Here are your tasks to prepare for Tuesday/Wednesday which will be the final full days of this nine weeks.

AP English IV

This weekend you have two poems to read and consider - Countee Cullen's "Yet I Do Marvel" and Claude McKay's "The White City".  As you look at these poems, consider the elements of the acronym that I gave you last class to help you understand what these authors are trying to accomplish.  Further, try to tease out any connections between these pieces and Ha Jin's "A Contract".  We will discuss all these pieces on Tuesday's class.

Also, don't forget that you have your Wordskills exam on Thursday.  Be ready!

AP English III

As promised here is the link to the Purdue OWL for help on completing your MLA citations.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/

Use this site to your advantage and remember to ask any questions that you may have.  Over this weekend your focus needs to be on your websites.  As a group you will have ten minutes to present your sites to the class.  After presentation, your content will be graded.  Grades and comments will be done in Jupiter Grades.  Please e-mail me through the weekend and I will get back to you as soon as I can with answers.

The story we started today in class will be discussed on Thursday (A-day) and Tuesday the 22nd (B-day).  Have it read and annotated.  This will serve as our bridge to our next piece, The Crucible.

English IV

Your final essays are due next class.  It is imperative that you submit anything that you have for this essay so that you can get some if not all credit.  Today in class we reviewed the rubric that I will use to grade this assignment.  I hope that you will use this rubric to edit your assignment so that you earn as many points as possible.

Also next class we will have our grammar test and start our work on William Shakespeare.  It'll be an exciting day for all involved.

Freshman Focus

No homework for Monday night.  If you're missing anything from Jupiter Grades make sure that you've seen me to get anything you're missing.

Homework for All Classes - 1/9 and 1/10

To prepare for Friday and Monday's classes please be sure that you have completed the following tasks.  Be especially clear about the fact that all work will need to be submitted to me no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday the 17th.  This is the last day of the quarter.  Please use your Jupiter Grades login to see if you are missing assignments; if you are, ask if these assignments can be made up.

AP English IV

For our next class we will be looking at another short story.  I would like for you to read Ha Jin's "A Contract" in our Perrine books -- there are no questions connected to the story, but be sure to annotate it heavily.  Keep an eye out for irony and satire as Jin is pretty critical of the Chinese government, its agencies, and representatives of that power.  Also, the majority of class will be spent working through Donne and Marvell, taking another look at those poems given our work with today's class would be productive.

Lastly, Mrs. Mausi (AP over English) was impressed with your poem dramatizations today.  Mad props!

AP English III

Tonight your priority should be your websites.  I hope that you are now at the point where you are revising your work, putting finishing touches on your site, and beginning to plan for your presentations.  Next class the Guidance department will be coming in to speak with you all about registration for next year.  Following that, we will go through some maintenance issues related to your websites -- If you have any questions related to websites you will want to ask them during Friday/Monday's class.

Also, don't forget that we will be starting our study of The Crucible on the 23rd and 24th of the month.  Be sure that you have your copy of the text.

English IV

I would like for all of you to continue working on your essays for tonight's assignment.  Remember that this will be one of your last major grades of the quarter and will create a large impact on your grade.  Even if you are unable to finish the whole essay you should turn in a partial draft as that will earn you more points than no draft.  On Friday/Monday we will spend our last day in our workshop mode and I will go over the rubric so that all of you understand how you will be graded in this assignment.

Freshman Focus

After our time in the lab you should have your resume finished and ready to submit for Monday's deadline.  Also, be ready to teach your lesson!  Remember to have a formal lesson plan which you can turn in to me as well as any needed materials.  This is our last activity in the education unit and soon we will be moving on to a unit on cultural diversity and appreciation.  Let me know if you need anything from me in completing your assignments.

Homework for 1/7 and 1/8

Students,

We have only a few classes left before the end of the grading period.  Please make sure that you're keeping up with your deadlines.  Be especially clear about the fact that I will not accept late work on the teacher workday.  Here are your reminders to prepare for our next class.

AP English IV

Tonight you will need to read two poems out of our Perrine books to prepare for next class.  First, read John Donne's "Valediction: A Forbidding Morning" and complete the questions following the poem.  You will want to make sure that you do keep your vocabulary on a separate sheet of paper in your notebooks as I will often check vocabulary.  Also be aware that with a poem, vocabulary is of the utmost importance -- if you don't know a word, look it up.  You'll then read Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and consider questions one and three through seven. 

Next class we're going to focus on how to read a poem in an AP class and build on the skills we already have.  We also have another poem to look at connected to "Hills Like White Elephants".  I was really pleased with our discussion today.  Keep it going!

AP English III

You've read the book so now it's time to take the test.  Next class you will have your final exam on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Make sure that you're prepared.  In order to prepare for the exam be sure that your books are in good shape as I will be collecting books and checking annotations while you work on the test.  I'll also be looking at your journals, so have those too.  I hope that our conversation on themes and motifs was helpful to you - it's important to think about those bigger issues especially as we finish a text.

Your website projects are going to be due on the 15th (A-day) and 16th (B-day).  At this point you should be revising and finishing those.  Remember to ask for help if you need it.

English IV

Your biggest priority is to work on your essays.  These assignments will be due on the 15th for A-day students and the 16th for B-day students.  Remember that this is your final major grade of the nine weeks and will serve to either lift you up or bring you down.  If you need help, let me know.

Freshman Focus

I'm hoping that after our time in the lab that your resumes are beginning to look more finished.  These resumes will be collected from you on Monday the 14th and they will count as a major project grade.  Also you have your lesson plan presentation.  Be sure that you and your partner have clearly defined what you're trying to teach, how you will teach it, how you will know that your classmates have learned what you want them to learn, and how you will assess that learning.

Enjoy your afternoon everyone!

And with that, we're off!

I think that one of the best things about having a short Winter Break is that we came back and immediately had a weekend.  This gives you a good chance to get some things done before Monday/Tuesday's classes.  Here are your reminders:

AP English IV

Surprise and Happy New Year!  I know that I can't fill Mrs. Rubenstein's shoes, nor would I attempt to, but I think that we're going to have a lot of fun before the year ends.  Over the weekend for homework I would like for you to finish reading Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" from the Perrine textbook.  Remember that annotating is the key to thoroughly comprehending a piece of literature - so I would suggest post-it notes for all of you since we're working out of school books.  If you would prefer to take notes on paper, that also works for me.  The important thing is that you annotate!

After you finish the story, work through the consideration questions and make sure to thoroughly think through and annotate sections of the story which could be used to answer the questions.  I will not collect these from you, but we will definitely discuss these questions and topics, so thorough preparation will lead to easier participation. 

AP English III

Over the weekend, given our lesson today on synthesis, I would ask that your first priority is on your group websites.  You need to make sure that all analyses are posted, all annotations are posted, and that you have begun to craft your synthesis assignment as a group.  You will definitely want to have this done ASAP as next week should be geared toward revising and preparing for your presentations, which we will discuss later.

Furthermore, you should be done with your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  Your test on the book will happen on the 9th for A day and the 10th for B day students.  We will review what will be on the test and how to prepare next class as we finish our review of the book.

Finally, our next text will be Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  I would recommend finding yourself a copy of this text.  You will need your copy by the 22nd/23rd which will likely be our first day studying this play.

English IV

Over the weekend you have two pieces of writing to work on.  One is relatively short and the other relatively major.  First, the short piece:  In a one page response I would like for you to answer the following questions.  Make sure that as you write your answer you use clear details and explanation to make your point clear.

How are the characters of V and Winston most similar?  How are they most different?  Why are the similarity and difference so important?

The major thing that you need to work on is your essay.  Make sure that for Monday/Tuesday you bring in anything that you've completed for the essay even if that is only planning.  We will have a writing workshop time on Monday/Tuesday to begin to put these pieces together.

I think that does it for all of us.  Freshman Focus is now only taught on the B-day, so you all will have your assignments listed in a separate post which I will put up after class each B-day.