31 May - End of the Month / Bye Seniors!

AP Language

Today was our day to complete our final in-class writing assignment. In this assignment you have a prompt, because you always have a prompt - there's always exigence, but you're encouraged to answer the prompt in a more creative and risky way. It's our hope that part of this assignment finds its way to your future personal writing tasks. Note that you now have two tasks due, the writing and the reading.

Quarter 4 officially closes on Friday (Monday for Grey Day). If you have any final choice board items to review or anything else to submit, it needs to be in and done. After this week our work will focus only on the final final exam task, the story telling assignment. This has been posted for your review. You're only getting an oral communication grade for this assignment. 

If you have any questions about closing out the year, please be in touch. Remember that I start reading for College Board on June 1, so I will be less available than I have been.

AP Research

We're all set! Final exams are done and grades are in. Fun times to end the year and lots of lovely energy. I'm sad I won't be at graduation next week, but I'm happy we had our time to say good bye today. If you find yourself on campus, come and say hello. Drop me a line from time to time and let me know how your life is going. Wishing you nothing but the best to take you forward.

30 May - Closing out the Year!

English 10

Great day today in English 10 as we ended our unit on memoirs, the Middle East, and Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. We took our test today, and I will have your results back to you as soon as I can. Check by the end of tomorrow to see your grades and feedback.

At the beginning of today's class, we went over the next few days - aka the end of the year. You have three things left to complete (and some of you have already completed one). First, finish your comic book. Make sure that you're telling your own story and conveying a lesson. Follow the steps in the rubric. If you didn't finish it today, be sure that it's in at the end of Thursday. Then, there are our portfolios. These are due by June 9. Follow the instructions and reach out if you have questions.

Your final exam is on June 15. This is also the day you'll return your laptops. Let's finish strong to end our year together!

26 May - Into the Weekend

AP Language

Really fantastic day today in AP Language. College essays are one of my favorite things to teach, read, and advise on, so today's lesson hit me in all of my happy places. I hope that you enjoyed. Please submit your Active Reading Task before we see each other next class. Next class we'll be writing about ourselves and taking a foray into personal statements and college essays. This is the second part of your final exam tasks. We'll also look at the instructions for the last part.

AP Research

Hooray for the last day of class. Make sure that any items that you need to submit for Wednesday's presentation are in on Schoology. Your presentation on Wednesday is a pitch of one of your item. Your goal in your presentation is to sell your item to me to be used in next year's class. Remember that you'll have a maximum of five minutes. Bring snacks! I'm excited to see what you do!

25 May - Ending the Year in English 10

English 10

Pretty great day in English 10 today, a few bumps in the road, but we got to where we needed to go. Today we finished reading Persepolis and understood some of the main lessons that this book is conveying to us. Lessons about life, growing up, trust, and change are all contained in this book. I loved seeing how engaged so many of you were. I think the test next class should be a breeze for a lot of you.

Over the weekend, prepare for that test. Review your notes and your study guide. Check today's recording. If you have any missing assignments, you should submit them this weekend. I will update grades as soon as you submit your work. Prioritize the writing assignments, as they are worth a lot of grades.

Next class we'll take our test, and then have time to finish up with vocabulary and comic book projects. Remember that all work for Quarter 4 and this unit is due on June 1.

24 May - AP Final Examination Tasks

AP Language

Another wonderful day working on our ART (Active Reading Task). We started our class by defining our needs, and then we moved forward to meet those needs. We collaborated with peers to discuss texts and uncover more meaning. I liked that I saw a lot of active engagement and collaboration. This is the key to being successful in these tasks. 

By this point, you should have most of your two texts read/processed. Please use your work from your group discussions to help you do this. Next class we'll be focused on personal writing and personal brainstorming - thus the right side of the document. It's due at the end of next class.

If you need anything else at this time, please make an appointment at Lion Time or After School. The door is closing on the AP Language skills part of the gradebook as we are now working on our final examination tasks.

AP Research

Remember to submit your Final Examination artifacts as well as any last items from Quarter 4 by Friday. I will be finalizing Q4 grades on Friday at the end of the day. Next week I'll see you on the 31st for your Final Exam day. Bring snacks! Each of you will have about five minutes to present your item. Do your presentation as a pitch. Pitch your item for me to use next year. 

Please submit all items on Schoology. I need to be sure to have a record of all final examination artifacts.

23 May

English 10

We had a conversation at the beginning of class that I hope you all will take with you moving forward to the last few classes of the year. Your quarter four gradebook is going to close on June 1. Everything will need to be submitted by that point. All major assignments will be due by that day. If you have missing assignments, they need to be submitted.

Today's class focused on reading the next to last group of chapters in Persepolis. We'll finish the book in class on Thursday and review for the test on the book. You'll have the test after the long weekend, so you should have plenty of time to study and prepare. We'll finish up the comic books next week as well. I'm excited to see your stories and your final work for English 10.

I'll start posting all of the instructions for the final portfolios soon. The classes on June 5, 7, and 9 are devoted to constructing these two assignments. 

Kicking off the Week - 22 May

AP Language

Great day starting our Final Examination working sessions today. Today was a reading day. I loved reading days at UNC Chapel Hill - they were days for studying and resting during final exams. For me, they were studying and preparing days - the joys of being an English and Russian double major. 

The reading assignment we began today will be completed through the week. Be active in your notes and reading. Answer the questions with evidence from the readings and your ideas on that evidence. Complete sentences aren't needed, but complete thoughts are. This will be scored for thoroughness and completion. It's due on Friday (Blue Day) / Tuesday (Grey Day). 

Next class we'll be working to collaborate and discuss these texts and groups. We'll share takeaways and ideas together to complete our own work. We'll really focus in on the reflection questions next class, but you can feel free to start those now. 

If you have any choice board item still to complete (letters or choice tasks) be sure to submit and meet with me as needed. I am still processing letters and other items. Reach out with any questions - the Quarter Gradebook will close on June 1 as that is the day I start grading for College Board.

AP Research

We are now firmly in our final push before Final Examinations for Seniors. Your examination for me is on May 31. We'll meet, have some snacks, and enjoy our final presentations for the year. You've come a long way, let's finish with style and grace.

19 May - Out Playing Nurse

I hope that all of you had a good and productive day in class with the substitute. Be sure that if you missed class that you review the resources on Schoology and get caught up for the time. Remember that we don't have many days left for the quarter. Soon we'll just be focused on Final Exams. 

Submit items on Schoology as needed and please reach out with any questions. Have a great weekend!

18 May - Final Exams Approaching!

AP Language

Today was the day for us to begin our Final Examination Unit in earnest. We took the majority of today's class to read, study, analyze, and understand the first chapter of WEB DuBois's The Souls of Black Folk. It's a great approach to ideas such as race and identity, the power of perception, and psychology. We'll use a lot of these understandings to guide us forward - especially ideas about the veil, double consciousness, and the power of society's expectations on us (even when we don't know about it). 

If you were absent, please access the recording and the collaborative slide decks. Today was an important class. We'll take these ideas to our next class when we read and study our choice texts. Remember that you're looking at the voices of others in order to better understand yourself. We'll have some great understandings ahead of us.

AP Research

Next week we have the final three classes to prepare for your Final Exam before the Final Exam. On May 31, you will present ONE of your Choice Board items. Note that you will only have about 3-5 minutes to present your item, so you won't be able to show the whole video or item, for example. Prepare yourself well. Be sure that all of your reflections are submitted, grades for seniors are now due. Any missing assignments will be marked as such next week.

17 May

English 10

Solid day in English 10 as we read two more chapters of Persepolis and continued to track Marji's development to adulthood. We ended our day by focusing on our memoir assignments and brainstorming key moments in our life that we can turn into a graphic novel. Remember that with this assignment the goal is to focus on ONE important moment. Think about the book we're reading, right? She's really telling us about major moments, not about everything. Try to do the same.

Next class we'll finish up with our movie tasks. Be ready to do a bit of writing. Remember that if you have any missing assignments (vocabulary, paragraphs, videos) that those assignments are due by May 30. No work will be accepted after May 30 except for the final examination and portfolio.

16 May - Happy Tuesday!

AP Language

Today was a great day! We started by looking at our Final Exam Unit and understanding the three tasks that we have ahead of us for our final exam. We're starting on this next class. For tonight, please read and annotate DuBois's article. Focus on ideas like race, identity, and perception of self. What affects how we view ourselves? DuBois was the first Black PhD from Harvard University; his words are going to give us a lot to consider in this final unit.

There is no more class time for Choice Board items. Please submit your letters to end the Choice Board. If you need to meet or complete other tasks, please make an appointment to do that outside of class. I'm looking forward to a great discussion next class on DuBois.

AP Research

We're continuing through our process of completing our final examination items. I've liked what I've seen turned in so far. Please submit a PDF if you can. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube and shared with my djmiller1 @ fcpsschools . net account. I'm looking forward to final presentations on 31 May. Our last day of class!

15 May - Kicking off the Week

English 10

We had a strange day today with the Biology SOL and the long second period, so we watched a movie. I hope that you enjoyed watching Persepolis. I really love watching this film and seeing the way in which the comic book is turned into an animated film. You'll be writing a review of the film soon, so I hope that you were able to develop a strong opinion and find evidence to support that opinion.

Next class we'll return to the book. We've got a few chapters left to read and study, and then we'll finish up with our major project - our own comic book. Looking forward to next time!

AP Language

Today was the day for the Style Writing reassessment of skill. To complete this, we wrote two letters - one to me and one to Trevor Packer (mister bigshot at College Board). You reflected on your experience with the exam, with class, and gave me some words of wisdom. This is always one of my most favorite assignments to read. You should see the scores change in SIS throughout the week as I review your letters.

Remember that this week is the end of the Choice Board and Quarter 4. We'll be starting our Bridge Assignment on Friday, and that's technically a final examination task. Be sure that you have completed all items and have had your conferences. If you need additional time, please reach out. I'll be sending progress reports next week as a summation of the course.

12 May - The Weekend is Here

AP Language

Good Morning Everyone - Today is your day to take care of your Style Writing reassessment. Open up the assignment posted for you as well as the instructions in the Unit 6 Folder - Reflection Letters. Follow the instructions and the outline for the letter. Remember that when you write a letter you are directly addressing your audience and speaking in a way appropriate for that audience.

Write your letter to Mr. Packer and to me in the same document. When you're done, if you want to complete the Style Writing reassessment, then answer your compare/contrast questions. Use evidence from your letters. Be specific in your answers. This is a forced Choice Board item for everyone since most people do need to improve their SW skill.

I'll review your work and responses next week and update your gradebook accordingly. Remember that the final date for conferences is Tuesday and Wednesday of this week coming up! Your grades should be done for Q4 by May 17.

AP Research

Keep on keepin on, y'all. Make sure that all of your reflections are in and that you've finalized your Quarter 4 grades. I like that I've seen some very creative top ten lists and survival guides. Hooray for completing parts of your final exam! Remember that if you want to work with a small group on the video, that's acceptable to me. See you next week!

10 May - Getting Ahead Since I'm Out

I'll be out the rest of this week for medical appointments and some self-care, so I'm getting ahead on posts for the week.

AP Language

Today's class was about reflecting, settling up some business, and then moving forward to close out the quarter. If you were absent today, be sure that you complete the Reading Inventory before 15 May.

We opened class with the form that's linked on Schoology to note our very raw takes on the AP Examination yesterday. Your honesty and candor in your responses are so helpful for us as we improve this class for next year's students. We'll be asking for a lot of feedback over the next few weeks. 

After that we got into business. The Reading Inventory is the last one of these this year. I asked you to do it at the beginning of the year, and now we're doing it again to track our growth and progress. After that, it's time for conferences and choice board items. Be sure that you are ready to close out your choice board and thus your Q4 grade next week. All items should be in and conferences should be had.

6th Period - I'm out on Thursday. The substitute teacher will give you a document for your to do list and instructions on how to access everything. Please also do the Substitute Form linked on Schoology since I'm out.

I'm also out on Friday. So be sure to check for updates and tasks on Schoology. You do have your Style Writing reassessment on Friday; complete that during class on Friday.

AP Research

We keep on continuing along here in AP Research to get through our final classes to our exam. We had a pretty full class today, so we reviewed the expectations and options for the Final Choice Board. Remember to choose two artifacts to complete, submit on Schoology, and prepare to present ONE on May 31 for our final examination day.

Next class I'll be out. Please complete the Substitute Day Form. It's linked down below. Use time on Friday to complete Choice Board Items. Be respectful of the substitute and the space, as always.

English 10

Today's class is a very easy class to round out the week. You've got a substitute today, since I'm out meeting with my cancer doctors and my care team. Everything is looking good, so we just need to confirm that. Today you've got two things to take care of. Follow the instructions on the TO DO list from the substitute. 

Complete your Final Reading Inventory from the link on Schoology. Log-in with your FCPS ID and your password. Do your best. I'll see the results in my system. Once that's done, get Persepolis and complete your reading and study of the next two chapters.

Don't forget to do the Substitute Form on Schoology.

9 May - Victory Day

English 10

Great days continue in English 10. Next class I won't be here with you, so be sure to follow the substitute's instructions. It's an easy day you have to end the week. Today in class we read another two chapters of Persepolis, continued to track Marji's changes and developments, and then ended by looking at our final project for this book.

Be sure that if you have missing assignments that those are turned in here - there's not a lot of time left in this unit or in the fourth quarter, really. We'll be finishing up the book next week, getting into our project, and once we finish, we'll take a look at another corner of the Middle East before closing out the whole unit.

Check in on Thursday to Schoology to review your tasks and access your Reading Test.

AP Language

I certainly hope that all of you felt prepared for today's examination. I'm looking forward to seeing the results when you all do in July. We'll be reflecting on the exam in the next few classes. Focus on completing Choice Board items for our conferences. 

Remember that I'll be out on Thursday and Friday, of this week, so we will have time all next week to complete conferences and raise scores in SiS in light of new artifacts of skill.

Getting Ahead - May 8

AP Language

Hello AP Language. I'm away today for some medical appointments. Be respectful of the space and each other, as you always are, and our guest in the classroom.

For those of you taking AP Calculus today - good luck! It was definitely one of my harder AP Exams in high school, but I was well prepared, had a great teacher (shout out to Mr. Smith), studied, and did my best. Remember - just get as many points as you can. Take the derivative and move on!

Tomorrow we have OUR AP Exam! It's our state championship! Today's class is designed for you. Formalize your game plan and complete whatever you need to in order to be ready for tomorrow. If you're studying tone words, great. Working on AP Classroom, great. Working on Choice Board items, great. Please submit your artifacts so that we can conference together later this week and next to finalize quarter four. Be sure to review the earlier recordings posted on the Updates feed and the YouTube channel from College Board also linked below.

Tomorrow morning, come in through Door 1. Get your gift bag from me or Mr. Friedman. Go to your testing location. Slay the beast. Keep me on your shoulder. Just keep writing!

AP Research

Continue to build your AP Research Final Examination Items. Remember that you're stacking up 100 points for this. You should complete two artifacts to do this. Once you have it complete, go ahead and submit it to the space on Schoology. Be sure that you've ordered your cords and taken care of other End of Year Senior Business. Remember that your final examination is on May 31 and I will finalize grades that day.

5 May - 12 Lessons Left to Finals!

English 10

End of the week in English 10 and we got to a good stopping point in Persepolis with Uncle Anoosh and his impact on Marji. We also hit a major turning point with the nation of Iran as well, the start of the war with Iraq. We had a great review of key moments and focused in strongly on the idea of symbolism. We ended class by building the start of our study guide for our test on this book. 

The final part of class was our Membean vocabulary test for Quarter 4. Remember that we'll have two of these. You can also submit your vocabulary bookmark to get a bonus grade fo vocabulary. If you have any missing assignments, get those turned in. I'll be sending home progress reports on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

4 May

AP Language

Today was essentially our last day before the examination. I hope you're feeling ready. We took time to understand the timing rules and regulations, the structure of the exam, and then we made our gameplan. I hope that the plan will take you forward to Tuesday and to your success. I am very proud of the growth that all of you have shown. One test is never the measure of your whole year or whole self, remember that.

Next week, I'll be out for most of the week with medical appointments. We will have a chance to conference when I'm in class, there's also after school opportunities. The Choice Board will close by the 16th/17th of May, so you should have your grade finalized by then. After that, we move on to the final examination. Continue to submit your items to Schoology and we can meet and review as we can.

Check your email and be ready for Tuesday! Come through Door 1 and get your gift bags!

AP Research

We keep on keeping on. Continue to move forward, complete your tasks, turn in reflections, get started with your final examination. I'm looking forward to your final presentations. 

3 May - Where's Spring?

English 10

Rainy and chilly Wednesday. Ugh. Where is spring? I want us to have more outside classes and reading time. Oh well. Today we opened our class by looking at two suras from The Qur'an to understand more about Islam and Muslim values and culture. This is a great thing for us to do to understand more about the characters and lives we see in Persepolis. 

From there, we went into our chapter study for today's class. We discussed "The Party" and "The Heroes" and the arrival of a new, important character. Be aware that we're hitting the mid-point of our book! We should be done with it by mid-May. We'll take our test on the book and then look at our final projects. After that, it's the final examination portfolios.

If you are missing your writing assignment or any other assignments, be sure to get those in ASAP. See last class's recording to review the steps to the writing assignment. You've got an outline, sample paragraph, and great earlier activities to help you.

2 May

I hope that those of you taking AP Examinations (APES and Psych) felt ready and prepared. Hopefully as you're taking some of these other exams you can use some of our strategies here in class. Be sure that if you're missing class for any reason that you catch up with the recordings!

AP Language

Today was our day to review FRQs for the last time. I hope that if any of you are doing a revision or a new version of an FRQ that today and last class have been especially helpful for you. If you've missed class, then you need to be sure to review the recordings. Next class we'll make our plan for the exam and then have time for the choice board and conferences.

We will be closing out and moving toward our final examination period starting around May 16. You should have all of your choice board activities completed by that date and your class grades finished. The final doesn't relate to these skills, so that's why we're moving on to the final and finalizing grades.

Please submit your artifacts and plan your conferences. I'm here Wednesday and Thursday after school, and you can come in to Lion Time as well!

AP Research

Easy peasy in AP Research since we're over the hump and past the submission date. I'm very happy that everyone submitted their drafts and met final goals. Now it's time for us to close our year together. Be sure that you complete your grades for Quarter 4. Submit your final reflections and your final tasks here as they are completed. Everything should be done by May 16 so that we can move firmly into our final examination tasks.

Remember that your final examination tasks are due on May 31. That is the date of our final. Be sure that you have reviewed your options and planned your course ahead. All of our days are working days in the month of May with the exception of the final when you'll present one of your artifacts.

1 May

Happy May Day!

English 10

Today in English 10 was our day for writing. We found an important panel from Persepolis and analyzed elements of language and art to show how Marjane Satrapi is creating meaning in the text about the situation in Iran, herself, and the citizens of the country. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing your responses. If you were absent, please see me for a Lion Time pass so that we can complete this together OR complete it at home if you feel able.

Next class we'll take a bit of a side quest with our reading and look at the Qur'an. We'll also take a look at our next few chapters of Persepolis to understand the way in which the revolution is progressing in the country. Don't forget that we will have a vocabulary test on Friday. Get in some Membean training to prepare! After today, we just have 13 more classes until final exams. Stay ready! Stay woke!

28 April

AP Language

Great days are continuing in AP Language. Today was a day focused on skill development and especially ROW, RSW, RSR, and CEW - the skills of rhetorical analysis. If you were missing from class for whatever reason, be sure to check the recording and review. We had a bit of time for choice board activities and completed a few conferences. Please keep working on your own to review your feedback, complete your new or revision task, and submit your work. There are spaces on AP Classroom as well as here to submit. Remember to meet with me during Lion Time, After School, or in class.

Next class will be mostly a working day and conferencing day. We'll be starting AP Examinations next week, so most of our days will be geared to be working days. Note that we will have some focused review on the essential tasks, so keep up with the recordings.

AP Research

Today was submission day for our AP Research academic papers. Congratulations on finishing the course. Today is effectively the end of Quarter 4. From here on out we're completing our Final Examination and other finishing touches. Be sure that you've completed all of your tasks to end out Quarter 4: PREP Reflections, Academic Paper PDF, and Final Reflection Question.

For the final exam we've got nothing but working time to get us through most of May. A lot of you have a lot of AP Examinations, so I understand that you'll need a lot of time in class to prepare. Be sure to review the requirements for the Choice Board and make your plan for completion. I'm excited to see your final presentations on May 31.

27 April

English 10

Absolutely wonderful day in English 10 today. I love watching you all read and engage with our memoir, Persepolis. It's a great book that tells a really fantastic story. We'll continue to learn more about Marji, Iran, and Islam as we work through the novel. Next class we'll take a bit of a pause and begin our first writing assignment for the quarter. We did a bit of practice for this today as we broke down a panel from "The Letter". We ended class with some independent time to finish up any missing or needed assignments - remember you'll have a vocabulary test next week! Thanks for a great discussion and class. 

AP Language

Today was a holding pattern for us as we didn't have class yesterday with the SOL. We were working through completing choice board items and conferencing to show growth and development of skills. I loved the conversations we were having today and the growth that you were showing me. We're going to keep in this holding pattern for the next few classes. Keep completing your tasks. Show me your improvements. Let's complete conferences during Lion Time or after school. 

26 April - SOL Reading Day

AP Language

Good luck on the SOL Reading today everyone! Take deep breaths, take your time, and understand what the question is asking you - no worries at all! We'll have another choice board working day for our next class. Try to put some time into finishing your first task if it's not already complete. I see a lot of in progress assignments on AP Classroom, so get those wrapped up. 

Next time I see you, your goal should be to conference and take me through your improvements and evident growth. You may find it helpful to annotate your work with this in mind. Don't forget to reference the skill descriptors as you are working in particular skills. I'm after school today (Wednesday) and Thursday to offer any help you may need!

AP Research

Great day in AP Research land as we are moving toward our submission date. We took time today to do some our best work, peer review. I loved seeing you all working together for this class and offering such wonderful feedback to each other. We also reviewed the instructions for DigitalPortfolio and how to navigate what the Originality Report means and how to use it. If you were absent, please check this very important recording from today.

Next class is Submission Day! Bring snacks! Bring drinks! Bring a celebratory mood. Let's kill it!

25 April

English 10

Kinda a strange day because of the assembly this morning. Second period, we didn't really have class today. We'll get regrouped on Thursday and complete the majority of our lesson from today. We'll also have our end of year grammar test on Thursday through NoRedInk. It's just a completion grade, so don't stress on your accuracy, just do your best.

In ESOL English 10 we were able to have class which was great. We took time to read, getting caught up or ahead, and then looked at our upcoming writing assignment. We'll complete this assignment next week on Monday.

The EdPuzzle has been put in the gradebook as a zero if it is missing, be sure to get that taken care of before your next graded assignment.

24 April

AP Language

Great day in AP Language land as we kicked off Unit 6 - Our Choice Board! This unit is designed to give you ample time to improve your skills in preparation for the AP Examination. Next time I see you, you'll be taking me through your work, showing and explaining your changes, and seeing the development of your skills in real time. Remember that I'm here to support you through all of this. If you get writer's block, let me know. I'm pretty handy with a sledgehammer.

For sake of ease, please submit an artifact of your task here on Schoology. It could be a note, a link to a doc, or whatever. This will help our revision conferences. You can also come in at Lion Time on Tuesday or after school on Wednesday/Thursday if you need me or more time with me. Remember, we have very little time left before the AP Exam.

Next class - Wednesday the 26th - you'll have the Reading SOL in the Aux Gym. Check your email for your seating assignment. Have your charged laptop, your computer charger, and your brains turned on. If you'd like a practice test - you can find one easily on Google. Just look for VA SOL Reading for 11th Grade. There are a few PDF tests out there to get comfortable with questions.

AP Research

We keep on rolling through our presentations with just two left for Thursday's Lion Time. As I'm looking at your work, the only thing I see that needs to be done is some final steps to close out the unit. Please be sure to submit your reflections for Quarter 3/4 to the assignment space. You should answer all of the remaining questions. 

Next class, Wednesday the 26th, we'll be doing some final peer review, turning in a PDF to Digital Portfolio, and using some of the online tools. Please have a draft submitted to DigitalPortfolio before I see you next time. DO NOT SUBMIT UNLESS YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE DONE! I've submitted all scores for presentations completed. I'm very happy with what you've been doing. Let's finish strong!

20 April

English 10

Today's class focused on Chapters 3 and 4 of Persepolis. We learned more about the Satrapi family, their background, and the history of the country. Note the way that the author, Marjane Satrapi, is making parallel the way that we're learning her family history and her country's history. We also previewed and outlined our writing assignment for next week.

If you are missing the EdPuzzle assignment or need to get caught up on reading, please do so this weekend. Let me know if you have any questions!

19 April - Almost End of Week

AP Language

Today was our day to get into FRQs and the final round of Rules for Good Writing. I hope that you all were able to find spaces to develop your writing further and find more spaces to lock in with your Line of Reasoning and show the assessor that you are meeting the goal of the prompt. Remember, sometimes it's better to be more simple and direct than get lost in the words.

See the recording for our various lists. Memorize the thesis structures if you need to. There are plenty of Progress Checks on AP Classroom to practice with all of your skills.

Next class we'll be completing our first choice assignment - this should be focused on developing your first key focus skill. I'll have letter grades for you on Monday, so you'll be able to chart your course forward.

AP Research

Congratulations to our first POD being done! Hooray! We'll keep working through PODs tomorrow, Friday, and into next week. Be ready by having your slides submitted, your abstract submitted, and have your reflection questions prepped, even if they're not turned in yet.

Remember our process over the next few days. Come to class, check in, and then off to a separate space to prepare while others are presenting. 

At the end of class we reviewed the process of submitting and checking on Digital Portfolio. Have a draft uploaded by the end of next week - and follow the guidelines - so we can run our final checks.

18 April

English 10

I was very glad to be back with you all today. I'm still going through some challenges, but they're reaching some closure, and that helps with healing. Thank you for a really great class today. We began our reading of Persepolis by analyzing and reading Chapters One and Two. We'll study a few chapters every day of class. I was glad to see everyone reading and enjoying the story. The whole book is in two parts, but we're just reading Part One.

We focused today on characters and conflicts. We also dipped our toes into allusions since the book is filled with them - mostly history and culture from Iran. 

Be sure that you've completed the EdPuzzle on Iran. If you need a code, it's ficrova - I'll be checking EdPuzzle again and updating grades. Next week we'll have a grammar test, so be ready with some NoRedInk practice. See you Thursday for another round!

17 April - Back in the Building

AP Language

Today we started the process of reviewing feedback from our final practice examination. I'll have grades finalized pretty soon, it does take me a good amount of time to process eight grades for all of you. So, hopefully today's class helped you get started on the process of reflecting and making a plan to improve before the end.

Tonight, review the choice board for Unit 6 and reflect on your process this year. What will be your path to finish this course in Unit 6? What are going to be your key skills for focus? I'm here to help you figure this out, be sure to meet with me and conference as you need to!

If you were finishing your exam in the hallway today, then please use the recording to review our classwork today on ROR and difficult questions.

AP Research

We are in examination season in this classroom, so it's time for us to finalize our work and move toward the finish. I've scheduled your PODs for the next few days, be sure to check your email and accept the invitation. You'll have observers at your POD, and it'll be recorded for College Board. Be sure that you submit your slides so that I can access them easily. Your paper is also due at the end of the month.

Once we finish PODs we'll have a lesson to finalize our paper and do all of our checks with Digital Portfolio. Be sure that as you are finishing this part of the course you are submitting all of the needed assignments for your exam: Academic Paper, POD Slides, Abstract, Final Reflections.

I am very excited to see the end of your work this year. Let's enjoy the final!

13 April - Still Gone, End of the Week/Quarter

I'm very sorry to be away from you all on the last day of the quarter. I appreciate that I have seen a lot of things get turned in. I'm grading and giving feedback as you complete items. Here are a few quick reminders for the long weekend.

AP Language

Be sure to submit your final assignment for this unit. Your grades will be resetting pretty soon once we finish the scoring of the practice AP Examination. If you have missed any or part of the practice exam, please see me next week to get that settled. The best times would be Wednesday after school or Thursday at Lion Time. Juniors won't have Lion Time on Tuesday because of required programming.

AP Research

We'll have one final working day and then begin our presentations. I'll schedule those with you on Monday. Use this last weekend well! You'll be getting your first AP Exam out of the way, and then we'll move on to reflecting on the year and having some fun before graduation.

English 10

Today is our first day of Quarter 4 and our unit on graphic novels and Middle Eastern literature. We're going to start by diving in with our country of focus and our type of literature to focus on. If you didn't finish the assignment today in class, please do so by the next time I see you. Go to EdPuzzle, log in with your FCPSSchools account, and find your assignment. You can always redo this if you'd like. We'll start reading our book from Iran next class, so knowing this information about the country will help you to better understand the book.

12 April - Out of the Building

AP Language

Good morning all. I very much regret that I had to be away today during your MCQ. I hope that it went well and that you navigated the challenge. I should have everything scored and back to you next week to take us to our final unit of the year to prepare for the AP Examination. 

If you have part of the exam to finish, please email me or see me to schedule a time to get that settled. It is very important that you have your scores and feedback next week as soon as possible. You'll need it to make your plan for the unit and review for the exam.

Please work to submit your vocabulary assignment as soon as you can. It's the final grade of the third quarter. The main thing that I'm looking for is your analysis of the passage and your analysis of the synonyms and the word itself. In your analysis of the grammar in the passage and in the words you should focus on why this word/this structure is appropriate for the style and purpose of the text. That should be your line of reasoning for this assignment - go back to the example and notice how I focused on criminal language throughout all of my analysis.

AP Research

Sorry to be away from you this morning, but a family emergency has called my attention. I should be back with you all next week and am available over email if you need me. Today should be a day for you to be finalizing some of your key tasks and planning for your presentations, which begin next week.

I will schedule presentations with you on Monday in class. Note that we will begin presenting on Wednesday, so I will need a few people to go first. We'll try to run three presentations on Wednesday during class. Remember that while people present, you will have time to finalize your paper, your own presentation, or other tasks as needed.

In the last week of April we will have our final peer review of the paper and review the process for submitting it and checking it on TurnItIn for plagiarism and AI writing. 

If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know.

11 April - Grey Day Returns

English 10

Welcome back y'all. It's time for the back half of the year. It's a quick push to the end, but I'm sure we'll finish strongly and with style. Today's class was a class for us as we needed it to be. We were able to revise or complete assignments and complete grades to see where we stand at the end of the year. If you have anything left to resubmit or complete, be sure that it is in by Thursday so that I can finalize grades on Friday.

On Thursday we'll be starting our last content based unit of the year. We're studying literature and culture from the Middle East. I'm excited for this unit and the chances that we'll have to tell our own stories to end our year together.

10 April - Welcome Back!

AP Language

Double Timed Writing Day! Double Timed Writing Day!

Whoo! Sorry to get back to it right away, but we had to follow the schedule given. Today was our FINAL double timed write. The next time that you do this, it'll be times three and for all the marbles on examination day. Next class we'll be completing the MCQ. Remember that this is your final reset of grades to go into Quarter 4. We'll be preparing for the examination by polishing our skills and focusing on our essentials where we need. I'll work hard to get your essays scored and returned next week for feedback.

Remember that you have an assignment due - your vocabulary assignment on jargon. If you need assistance in completing this assignment, please see me during Lion Time or after school.

AP Research

It's the final countdown my lovelies. The paper and presentation are due at the end of this month. You'll have the next two classes to prepare, and then we'll begin the process of POD presentations on Wednesday of next week. I'll be able to host you for presentations on Wednesday during class, after school, Thursday during Lion Time or after school, or possibly during the Friday teacher workday. We'll also have the following week to complete presentations. 

Throughout this month it is imperative that you use your time and each other to the best of your abilities. We can do anything when we're focused and determined. Let's pick ourselves up and push ourselves forward. I'm so excited to get you to the finish. Remember to submit your final reflections this week! There's no question this week so that you can complete your earlier questions.

31 March - Happy Spring Break!

English 10

Timed Writing Day! Timed Writing Day! 

Today was an easy way to end the quarter and our unit on Latin America as we completed our Latin American Letter. We completed our mini-research project and wrote a letter to a leader in Latin America about a problem facing their country. I hope that you appreciated this chance to learn a bit more and explore issues in our world. I'll be reading and reviewing your work after I return from my trip, so you'll come back to updated scores, and we'll finalize grades for the quarter.

There is, of course, no work over the break. If you are missing work and want to get caught up, please do so. Membean and NoRedInk are open for practice. I'd suggest doing what I like to do, read a good book :) I have plenty of suggestions.

I'll look forward to seeing you when I'm back from South Korea and sharing stories. Our last unit of the year will be on The Middle East. Get ready to finish in style and with strength!

30 March - End of the Unit

AP Language

Great final working day for Quarter 3. Remember that we will be returning to class after Spring Break to our double timed writing - you'll be writing on Question 2 and 3 followed by the MCQ. This is a total reset on your grades for the beginning of the Fourth Quarter - so be prepared in the best way that you can.

If you would like to/need to submit a revision of your Annotated Bibliography, please do so. I'll accept these until April 13 to be reviewed. Submit your assignment that's due before you begin your break, you won't have time after we return.

I'm very excited to take you all into the end of the course, let's finish with style!

AP Research

Today was a fantastic day to end the unit in AP Research since we're doing another round of peer review. We've got access to revision guides, sample papers, each other, the rubric, and earlier lessons so that we can put together an accurate and high scoring representation of our work this year. 

The final reflection questions have been posted. These are due on April 13 to Schoology to end the quarter. You will have nothing but time to work, revise, and prepare for presentations when we return. Note, there are just two classes before we begin PODs on April 17. Work hard, be ready. Remember, we're basically done by May 1.

29 March - It's Wednesday!

English 10

Easy day for the middle of the week in English 10 today. We took time to review our previous work on writing, set a goal for this last writing assignment of the quarter, read a letter by a great American woman, and then took our vocabulary test for the end of the quarter. 

Next class we'll be writing our final letter for the third quarter. Remember that you'll get the better of the two grades, so improvement or maintaining mastery is the goal. You'll be able to use your research, your planning, and other resources that you've acquired from class. That will take us to Spring Break! When we return, we'll start in on our last unit of the year - the Middle East!

Monday and Tuesday - 28 and 29 March

Sorry for the oversight with the post yesterday, the meeting we had after school took the wind out of my sails.

English 10

Today was the beginning of our final assessment week for Latin America. This week we're focused on writing a letter to a Latin American leader that presents our argument about a problem or issue in their country. I loved the seriousness that I saw today. We were engaged in the task and working hard. Keep that up and we'll have a great last week before break.

Next class we'll look at an example letter to prepare for our writing workshop. We'll also have a Membean vocabulary test next class - so be sure to prepare a bit for that. Friday is the day we'll write our letter. I'll grade them after I get back from my trip and we'll have the time when we return to complete any revisions that we need to raise our grades.

AP Language

Timed Writing Day! Timed Writing Day!

Today we went through the process of writing our synthesis essays. I am looking forward to reading and scoring your responses. If you were absent, be sure to schedule a make-up session. I can see you Wednesday or Thursday after school or we can do it after Spring Break at the very latest.

All scores have been entered for the Annotated Bibliography. If you would like to resubmit the assignment, please do so. Resubmissions will be accepted until the 13th of April. There are comments to guide you in the process of revising. If you are missing this assignment, it will still be accepted.

Next class we're focused on Jargon/Vocabulary. The goal will be to submit that assignment to cap off this unit. I'll have your work scored to guide any resubmissions when we return from break. See you for the last class!

AP Research

Great work today as we watched our final POD to prepare for our examination season to begin. This final POD is a great example of a rule of thumb I like to follow, "The more complext the topic, the simpler the slides." Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Most all of you can build the slides you saw today, so you should.

Next class we will have our next round of Peer Review. You should have four sections of your paper read to be shared with a classmate. Be sure that you've done your revisions to update your existing sections. Check for alignment!

Be sure that Spring Break pushes you forward. I hope you'll find time to relax, but if you're finding a need to use that time, please do so. PODs BEGIN ON APRIL 17.

24 March - Friday Feels Fantastic

AP Language

We completed our writing conferences today, for the most part, today. If you were absent or chose not to conference today, be sure that you are seen on Monday for your conference. If you have submitted your Synthesis SourcePack and received a 4/4 it will be printed for you. If you do not submit your SourcePack by 4:00 PM on Monday the 27th then you will be given another prompt. If you would rather write on a different prompt because you are finding yours difficult, that is an option as well.

All tasks are now due. I have graded all submitted and resubmitted work as of this morning. Remember that any revisions to Annotated Bibliographies can be submitted after Spring Break. Don't forget about your Jargon Assignment. You should definitely try to complete that assignment before we go out on Break. Trust me.

AP Research

Today was the end of our independent working week. I hope that you all were able to find time to move your process of data analysis and collection toward its conclusion and to continue the process of revising your research papers in advance of our next round of peer review.

Next week we will have one day for working and one day for peer review. Remember that you should have FOUR completed sections of your paper for Thursday's peer review workshop. Bring your earlier revised sections and your additional new work. We'll continue to review for alignment, justification, clarity, and rubric score points. On Tuesday, we'll be focused on our PODs and building our slides after watching our final example presentation.

Note that you only have two reflection questions that haven't been given to you. Reflections for Quarter 3 will be due after Spring Break - as we discussed today in class, be sure that your answers are as specific as they possibly can be. Define your sources and concepts so clearly that nobody else could provide your answer. 

As always, if you need me, please reach out! And thank you for being a lovely group while I was away.

23 March - The End of the Week (Grey Day)

English 10

Today was our last reading from our unit on Latin American Literature. We read Luisa Valenzuela's "The Censors" - I really love this story and its approach to irony and character. It's a short but packed story. We made a lot of connections to our contemporary world in today's class as well. This may be a possible problem for you to focus on in your letter next week, but more about that later.

At the end of class we took time for ourselves as needed. Remember that next week you'll have your final vocabulary test for the quarter and we'll be working through your final assessment - the Latin American Letter. Be sure to meet your goals next week as we research, plan, and then write across our last three days.

22 March - Well Suited Wednesday

AP Language

The beginning of writing conferences today in AP Language land. This is one of my favorite parts of the year because I get the chance to sit down with each of you and discuss your writing. From what I saw today, here are a few big takeaways:

1. Be sure to clearly structure your paragraphs. Remember that you're writing by hand. Show indents, skip lines, and be careful with small grammar mistakes (SOPHISTICATION SCORE).

2. Think about the ultimate effect or consequence of your issue. This will help you to reinforce your Line of Reasoning in your commentary.

If you'd like to come in during Lion Time or after school for your conference or for an additional conference, please do! I'll complete the rest of class conferences next week. Be sure to use this time to prepare for next week's final assessment.

AP Research

We continued our writing, analyzing, and conferencing in AP Research today with our second of three independent working days. From our conversations it is clear that many of you are moving well through the process - it's time to keep going. Move toward the end of your data collection, check your analysis, write everything down and make sure that it's clear to anyone who reads your paper or views your presentation.

Next week we'll have our next round of peer review, I'll expect that you have FOUR of the SIX sections complete to be reviewed. We'll also be watching another POD next week so that we can prepare for our presentations. Presentations will be during the week of April 17.

21 March - Tuesday Takes On

English 10

A solid start to the week in English 10. We did a lot of review of conflicts and their power to create meaning in stories. Remember that the way that conflicts are resolved - asking who wins and who loses and why - is important to determine theme. We also did a lot of thinking around reviewing all possible answers to find the strongest possible interpretation. 

At the end of class we took some choice time for ourselves and then looked at our final project - the Latin American Letter. For this assignment you're doing another run of your letter assignment. Remember, you keep the higher grade in each category. We'll start working on this project in earnest next week. You should be able to finish it next week during our workshops.

Remember that the quarter ends the week after Spring Break. I will accept any missing work to be scored, please submit any missing assignments.

20 March - Starting the Week Write...Get It?

AP Language

Hooray! It's rough draft day! We took 55 minutes today to plan and draft our final essay for this unit. Remember that you will write your final essay next week. This is the final week to prepare for that assessment. This week you should complete any remaining tasks (submitting AB or SourcePack), meet with me for a writing conference, and review your work with your peers. We also have plenty of practice opened up on AP Classroom. There's also the Jargon/Vocabulary assignment due after Spring Break that you could get done now.

Set your goals. Keep yourself accountable. Be ready for the end of this quarter and your final assessments.

AP Research

Easy day in AP Research today as we began our latest string of working days. You have this week to continue working through your process of data collection, organization, and analysis. As I expressed in our conferences, it is important that you continue to hold fast to your sources throughout all sections of the paper. As you see discrepancies between your data conclusions and the data in the existing conversation, be sure to point those out. Remember, any discrepancy is a new understanding.

I would recommend that you finish your academic paper and then complete your POD slides. We'll watch another high scoring POD next week before we get into our next round of Peer Review. Remember your next deadline - there is Peer Review on March 30. When we return from Spring Break, you'll have your PREP reflections due to be checked. These are our last grades for Quarter 3. Be sure that you are ready to finish strong and then finalize your tasks to submit in April.

17 March - Happy Friday

English 10

Really good day in English 10 as we started our reading of "Tuesday Siesta". I liked our conversation around the setting, the characters, and the conflict. We'll finish the story on Monday and discuss some of the themes and outcomes. At the end of class we had some choice time. Remember that there is a vocabulary test and a grammar test coming up soon. Use Membean and NoRedInk to prepare. 

We're also getting close to the end of the quarter. If you are missing assignments, it is important to get them in now. Please see me next week for Lion Time, get them done this weekend, or see me after school. Check your progress report with any questions.

16 March - After the Ides of March

AP Language

A bit of a blah start in AP Lang today with our Integrated Reading and Writing Field Test. I think that the best thing about this is now you've seen what the SOL is kinda like, so you're ready for that at the end of April. Remember that there are plenty of online released tests to practice for the SOL Reading.

After that, we played Russian Roulette - AP Language Style. This is a game designed for fast thinking and fast planning. We also had the chance to see multiple types of synthesis prompt across the years. What did you notice about them? Did you see a lot of the key similarities? Remember - the task is always the same, it's just the evidence and question that changes.

Next week is our week for writing conferences. You'll be writing on Monday. Be ready! Have a complete SourcePack. Review your feedback on the AB. If you haven't turned in the AB and gotten feedback, you'll really want that before you write next week. Make a plan to come in after school or at Lion Time. I'm here to help!

AP Research

We finished Manzanar today! Hooray! It's kinda funny how the work that we do is so front loaded, the conclusion for this paper was just two paragraphs. I hope that you see how each paragraph and each sentence within has a clear purpose. We did a lot of discussing and reflecting today in class and it was all pretty fantastic. You should start finishing your papers as soon as you can. Finalize your data. Work through your analysis. Write what you can now. Don't forget about your POD.

Next week we'll have a string of independent working days. Some of you will also conference with me to complete that from before. We also have our reflection question posted for this week. Be sure that these are all complete for your final check. That final check will happen AFTER Spring Break.

The ending time has come everyone. We will begin our POD presentations in mid-April. That's only about seven classes from now. Be sure that you are filling your time with productivity. Papers are due April 28.

15 March - Hey Wednesday!

English 10

Great day in English 10 today as we completed our Poetry Scavenger Hunt. We looked through the poems we've read so far this year and reflected on our changes in our approach to poetry, our favorites, least favorites, and some extensions on poetry around the world. Keep in mind that this assignment serves as your quiz on poetry, so it's open to be resubmitted if you need to.

Be sure that you've checked in on your SiS. We have two stories left in this unit - Marquez and Valenzuela - and then we'll be moving on to our final projects. We should have everything done by the time we go out on Spring Break. 

14 March - Tuesday Feels

AP Language

Today was a day focused on outlining and planning in preparation for our timed writing. Remember that you will write your essays in four classes. Each of the following days are focused on preparing for that eventuality. Today we reviewed the elements of effective planning and looked at each others' work to provide feedback. Next week we'll be doing a rough draft (so another version of today) and beginning writing conferences with me. Next class we'll be playing a bit of a game of Russian Roulette; don't worry, we'll all survive.

At this point, SourcePacks and Annotated Bibliographies are due. All ABs should be submitted by the end of this week to be scored. If you are having trouble, you need to come in and see me for help. 

AP Research

Today we begin our transition into Unit 5 - Final Elements. During this time we are focused on completing our final assessments, our academic research paper and our POD. You will be given ample time during this unit to write, work, reflect, and revise. It is now crunch time when it comes to data. You'll need to set yourself a drop-dead date to end your data collection and begin your analysis and writing.

Our next day for Peer Review will be on March 30. By this date you are expected to have four of the six sections completed. Remember, even if you haven't collected ALL your data, you can still write your analysis for the preliminary data. Then run the test again when you have it all and check for alignment. As you consider your conclusion, remember your hypothesis. Did the end come out as you thought it would? Why or why not?

Next class we'll be looking at Manzanar one last time. Be sure to bring our best friend as we work toward the end!

13 March - Kicking off the Week

English 10

An easy way to start the week today in English 10 with our poetry tournament. We looked at eight poems by Pablo Neruda - a combination of sonnets and odes - in order to understand the essentials of a poem and what makes a good poem good. Remember to use these chances to collaborate in order to share and exchange ideas. I hope you enjoyed this low stakes approach to poetry appreciation. Next class we'll be doing a scavenger hunt related to poetry to finalize our study of poetry in this unit.

If you have missing assignments from last week or earlier in the unit, it's important to get those made up and submitted. I'm available for Lion Time on Wednesday and also after school. Be sure to get any missing assignments in now! 

9 and 10 March - End of the Week

English 10

Thank you English 10 for your work yesterday while I was away. I appreciate that when I came back I had a folder full of work from you all. I'm excited to see what you put together for me. Next week we're going to look at some poetry before we begin ending our unit on Latin American literature.

AP Language

Today was our final writing workshop to prepare for submission of the annotated bibliography. This assignment is now due. I love that people have already submitted work and received feedback. This makes all of our lives easier. Remember, you can resubmit this assignment - just remember to give me back the rubric. 

Next week we're going to start moving into the writing and planning phase of this assignment. We'll be focused on outlining, writing, and giving peer feedback. Having a complete or nearly complete SourcePack is essential, so be sure that this corollary assignment is nearly complete!

Have a great weekend. Please come in for Lion Time if you need additional help!

AP Research

Today was a great day in AP Research land because it was a day for peer review. This is becoming one of the most important parts of the class because remember, I can't give you direct feedback. I can ask you plenty of questions to help guide you, but if you want to know what to do, then you have to go to each other. Thankfully you're all well trained and able to provide amazing feedback to each other. Today is an example of that.

Work with your revisions. Move forward and polish your work. We'll do another run of this after Spring Break as we consider our Data/Findings, Analysis, and Conclusion. Keep writing. Keep building. Every little bit counts. We'll begin next week in Unit 5. Be sure to complete your PREP reflections so that they are ready to be checked.

8 March - International Women's Day

AP Language

Solid working day today everyone! Next class is just like today - a writing workshop. I like that there are submissions for me to review and score; I'll work hard to get those back to you by next class. Meet your deadline and meet your goal. Submit your tasks!

Next week we're going to start moving more into writing and planning. Be ready to outline and thesis. Be sure that you also return your books if you no longer need them.

AP Research

Solid day in AP Research as we found ourselves solidly grinding. I hope that my overview of the paper and its essentials helped you in demystifying the experience. Remember, keep it simple. Keep it straightforward. Keep it direct. This is not a fancy paper, this is a paper that checks the boxes. 

Next class we'll begin our transition out of Unit 4 and into Unit 5. Unit 5 is focused on final elements - data charts, analysis, and final conclusions of our work. By the end of the month, we should be finding ourselves ready to move into presentation and production mode. We're nearly done. I'm looking forward to Peer Review, remember to submit your drafts so that I can grade them for completion.

7 March - Tuesday's Reminders

English 10

Easy day in English 10, a bit, as we studied our final two texts on the concept of the doppelganger, and then we took our Membean vocabulary quiz. I was really happy with everyone's attention today as you were plugged in to close reading. Remember that this strategy is great when you're reading a short text for a clear purpose. Ask yourself questions while you read. Dig into the text. Always go back to the text and lock in to support your answers.

Next class we'll have an in-class project to show what we've learned about doppelgangers. I'm excited to see your work.

6 March - Monday Monday!

AP Language

I love watching y'all collaborate and discuss good texts, and that was at the heart of our class today as we had our final group meeting. We discussed overall impressions, checked on our research topics, and then moved into some bigger reflections on some of our POG skills. This is the end of group meetings since we're focused on writing moving forward.

For the next two classes you'll have writing workshops to finish your AB and your SourcePacks. These assignments should be completed on time. We'll be doing a lot of work to start writing, brainstorming, and building this response over the next few weeks. Be ready to write and create! It's time to make the magic!

AP Research

We're in our second string of independent working days, and there are a few items that we can be working on right now. First, we have peer review coming up on Friday. You are expected to have two sections of your paper complete and able to be reviewed - Introduction / Literature Review / Method. You pick two. Please submit these items to Schoology so that I can input a grade.

Next class will be just like today. We'll be soon wrapping up Unit 4 and moving to Unit 5 - Final Considerations. Keep in mind that you should be essentially done with all elements of your work (except writing and presenting) by the time we go out for Spring Break.

2 March - Happy Long Weekend

English 10

Great day in English 10! I love "The Night Face Up". It's a perfect example of great imagery, mood, and the way that a great ending can really make a story complete. I hope you liked this first reading about the doppelganger, and our second text focused on the concept. We have one more story to look at which will happen on Tuesday; it's probably our strangest one, but it's also super short. 

If you are missing your letter, be sure that you make an appointment to get that done next week at at Lion Time or after school. We'll be doing a major assignment next week to cap off our first part of the unit. Be ready for some arts and crafts to display your knowledge!

1 March - Hooray Spring!

AP Language

Really solid day today as we worked through the concept of the dirty outline and did our exam simulation. I hope that all of you saw that fifteen minutes of planning is a lot of time when you do it well. Gotta be efficient. Remember that the most important part of writing the synthesis is to show that YOU, the student, are using the sources to explore and prove YOUR OWN PERSPECTIVE on the topic. This is not a report, it's an argument. Use the video from today's class to help you in your approach to outlining.

Next class is our last group meeting. Remember, we're moving into the time for assessments to be done and graded! Your Annotated Bibliography is due next week. Don't fall behind on this important check. I'm here to help after school and at Lion Time!

AP Research

Today we began our next string of indepdendent working days. You have today and two classes next week to work through the next phase of your data collection and analysis. We'll be meeting together next week on Friday for peer review of the first sections of your papers. Meet your goals daily. Keep checking in on your process. Keep your records and hunt down your participants! It's time to make the magic of research, so you have to keep moving through the process!

Complete your newest reflection - we're almost done with them all! Keep in mind that by the time we get to Spring Break we're essentially done with the course, it's just finishing up and polishing to finish the year.

28 February - The End of the Month!

English 10

Today we started working through our first story in our Latin American literature unit - "The Night Face Up". It's an interesting look at the concept of the doppelganger, and it's a pretty great story too. Next class we'll be taking a vocabulary test and looking at the next part of "The Night Face Up". Be ready for a quick class on Thursday - remember that it's an Early Release Day!

If you've got a missing assignment, be sure to make an appointment next week to complete your work! That first letter is an important assignment!

Monday the 27th of February

AP Language

Great day in AP Language as we explored a metaphor and understood the connection between a research paper and a dinner party. I would like to emphasize that today we were really beginning with the planning of our response. You're starting to chart out your paragraphs, your assertions, and the essential voices you'll bring to this conversation. Remember, you're curating a conversation. Show links and connections that reinforce your argument. 

As I've begun to read entries for ABs, the main thing that I'm seeing missing is the ROR point on the source. How is the evidence organized in the source? How does this reinforce the claim? Consider the work we did with Staples focused on his organization of his evidence in the body of his article as you do this part of your summaries.

Next class we'll be looking at some sample prompts and doing some planning. You'll also have a good amount of time to work. You should be finishing your AB/SourcePack within the next few classes.

AP Research

Today was a day focused on the Academic Paper - this is the majority of our score, and we have a rubric to guide ourselves, so today was a great day. We looked at three papers, broke down the rubric, and really strove to understand the goals of the rubric and what the assessors are looking for. All of this was geared toward our next major assignment, the final draft of the Introduction/LitReview and draft of your Method.

Next week, March 10, we'll engage in peer review related to our paper sections. We'll use the rubric and several revision guides to help work through our process. Have content. Have words. Don't worry about having it be perfect, we'll get it there together. Next class is more of a working day for you. We'll also finish required conferences and PREP checks. Next week you'll have most days for working and meeting your goals. Keep striving and pushing forward! Slay your beast!

24 February - End of the Week

English 10

A simple day to end the week in English 10. We did a bit of grammar to review some of the issues I saw from your letters that you wrote, then it was some quick time with devices for Membean. We ended our day by looking at our first key idea - the doppelganger - in an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Mirror Image". We thought about literary devices, techniques in the episode, and then wrote about the concept for today's graded assignment.

If you have missed your chance to write your letter, please schedule a time with me next week to complete that. We only have Lion Time on Tuesday of next week because of Early Release on Thursday. 

23 February - End of the Week, Blue Day

AP Language

I saw lots of engagement today in AP Language land. We were using our group meeting to build our argumentative tool box - this is a great thing to do for the AP Exam. You'll need to be able to think fast on the exam and pull out great examples to support your argument. Using these articles and sources we've worked through all year as you write your timed essays for the exam will help to raise your Evidence/Commentary and Sophistication score.

Over the weekend, make your SourcePack and your Annotated Bibliography your focus. Having your SourcePack complete would be one of the best things that you can do to prepare for next class. We'll be doing an activity to finish up SourcePacks and check them. Keep in mind that your AB is due soon!

AP Research

Wonderful day in AP Research for conferencing and working to end the week. We're finding ourselves in different places, but as long as we keep moving forward then we're doing what we need to do. Remember that you have a major assignment due on Monday - the BoK Analysis. Download the document, complete it based on your power source, and then submit it to the space. Be sure that you're thorough in your completion of each section.

There's a new reflection question posted - be sure to complete it in your PREP Folder. We'll be assigning some final drafts of paper sections soon, so be ready for some writing focused work next week.

22 February - Latin American Kickoff

English 10

Ole! Solid day in English 10 as we began our study of Latin American literature. We reviewed key literary devices and began to learn a bit about our first two authors - Cortazar and Borges - as well as the first concept, the doppelganger. Next class we'll start our first text on this idea. We'll also have time next class for some vocabulary training before our next vocabulary assessment.

If you haven't written the letter from last unit, please be sure to make an appointment to get that done. We can do Lion Time this week or next. Remember that you'll get the better of the two grades, so you want there to be two to choose from!

21 February 2023

AP Language

Today was a day for a writing workshop, and what a wonderful day it was. Lots of people were visiting and asking questions and I saw a lot of positive collaboration at the tables. Keep in mind the workflow for this assignment.

1. Select your sources (five to seven). One non-print, one counterargument source, and don't forget your book.

2. Select your excerpts from your sources for your SourcePack. Copy and Paste. Follow the template and examples.

3. Write your AB entries on these excerpts. Follow the rubric and use the exemplars given as well as your sentence starters.

4. Meet with me during Lion Time or after school to review and revise!

Next class we'll have our next group meeting for your books and some direct instruction focused on all of the reading skills. The lesson will go really well if you read and annotate in advance. This article connects to a few of the different topics and sources, so be sure to think critically as you read. Your Annotated Bibliography is due on March 8/9. Remember that we'll have an assignment due almost every week in March. Don't get wasted by time by wasting time. Accomplish daily goals and checkpoints!

AP Research

Today was a day for data (and not the Star Trek android). We watched a great TEDTalk on data visualization which led to some great outcomes for us on the way that we'll display our data and how that display can help the audience understand our key outcomes and understandings. I really loved our class discussion on these concepts.

From there, we discussed various means to organize qualitative data. Keep in mind that frequency is a quantitative data point. You'll want to have a means to organize your data and be able to explain why you have chosen to organize that way. Use your Body of Knowledge to help you make these decisions and justify your choices.

Next class is going to be a conferencing day for us. Be ready for that grade by preparing in your PREP. Keep meeting your goals and moving through your plan. There will be more time for working and data collection next week!

17 February - Happy Weekend!

English 10 

Today was the end of our unit on letter writing. I liked what I was seeing as I was walking around the room. Engaged students writing about issues and using their previous work for success. I'm looking forward to reading these next week. I'll be out of town this weekend, so I won't be available.

Next week we'll be starting in on Unit 5 - Latin American Literature. We'll look at some great short stories and poetry as well as a bit of non-fiction regarding the region. I've also got a really fun television show for us to watch. If you have any missing assignments from this unit, I can still take them OR I will give you credit based on what I see in the letter. All grades will be updated by the end of the next week.

15 and 16 February - Moving on Through

English 10

Today was a choice day! We had the option to complete missing assignments for this unit, revise earlier assignments, review letter examples from the unit, or prepare for writing by completing vocabulary and grammar practice. No matter what you chose, I hope that it helped to prepare you for Friday.

On Friday we'll have our in-class writing. We'll start with an outlining and planning activity, and then we will write. The letter will be worth FIVE total points - two for grammar, one for organization, one for tone, and one for examples. Be sure to use your earlier readings, your research, and your great writing skills on Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing your letters. Next week we'll begin our study of Latin American literature.

AP Language

Good day in AP Language land as we had our fourth group meeting focused on Passage 3 and the patterns, themes, and motifs that you're discovering in your book so far. This is a great way to reflect on the usage of your book in your SourcePack and in your overall conversation in your research paper. Remember that you'll have two more group meetings to discuss and finish your work as a team. March is focused on the writing. 

From there, we talked about the Style Reading assignment for this unit. We're looking at jargon both in language and style. Go back to your sources - you could hopefully find one source to provide all this content for you. 

Next class is our whole class writing workshop focused on the Annotated Bibliography. We'll have the rubric posted and time to conference on the entries you've written. You'll have ample time to keep writing. The due date is posted. Use your resources and complete your task to show your skill!

AP Research

Today was the last day of our week focused on data collection. This is one of the last steps of your method, so it's a great time to check in on the previous steps and make sure that they're ready and aligned. There are a few important tasks to be completing right now:

1. Complete your BoK Analysis. This assignment is aligned to your PREP Reflection this week, so they work together really well.
2. Check in on your draft and finalize your earlier writing. You should be finalizing your Introduction and Literature Review. 
3. Collect data. Next week we have a lesson on data and visualization, so hopefully this will help out as you're working through the process.

As always, keep striving and working. Use your time wisely and avoid procrastination. I know that college is on the brain, but that is completely out of your hands - AP Research is completely under your control. Enjoy the long weekend and see you Tuesday!

14 February - Happy Valentines' Day!!

AP Language

Solid day in AP Language as we reviewed citations (in-text and end-text), the connection between the SourcePack and the Annotated Bibliography, and some sample AB Entries. Remember that the SourcePack and the AB are connected by a chain. For each of the sources in your SourcePack, you should write an AB Entry. The SourcePack should include key excerpts you'll use to write your paper. Remember that on the day of the timed writing, you'll only have your SourcePack which you built.

Next class is a Group Meeting. You'll be focused on Passage 3, the next chunk of the novel, and your finalized topics. The end of the month is soon, so books should be done by then. Next week we've got a day for writing workshop. I hope you'll find it helpful.

AP Research

We're in a bit of a holding pattern in AP Research right now as we're in the space to collect our data. You have ample time during class to meet with participants, work with spreadsheets and sources, and derive the information you need to address your research question. Keep questing. Keep hunting. Track your progress. 

Next class will be your final whole class workshop. Next week we'll be completing your PREP conferences, more on that on Thursday. We have very few College Board lessons left - they really just focus on the creation of the paper. Keep moving! I'm loving what I'm seeing!

13 February

English 10

Solid day in English 10 today as we did our final study of letters and prepared for our timed writing in class on Friday. I liked what we did today as a class as we worked to understand letter structure and read a few which had some play in their structure. Next class will be a choice day for us in preparation for Friday's timed writing. If you need to focus on grammar, there's NoRedInk; for Vocabulary, we have Membean activities; there's also make-up work or revisions if any of you need that. Keep in mind that we have a new rubric for this assignment on Friday!

9 and 10 February - End of the Week

English 10 - 9 February

Today was our Course Selection Day - so a bit of a nothing day for us. Next class we'll have our last day to study and review letters and a writing workshop. Wednesday is going to be our catch-up date and on Friday we'll write our letters. If you were absent today, be sure that you meet with your counselor during Lion Time in order to get your registration complete.

AP Language

We took a trip to look at some art today in AP Language in order to understand the means by which we extract evidence from non-print sources. We learned two methods today - Deep Looking and the OPTIC method. We looked at two paintings and applied the methods to each in order to determine claims, evidence, and possible uses for our research. We also took a look at two sample Annotated Bibliography entries to show you the means by which to construct them. Follow the models and remeber to be a STAR.

You should have two AB entries written by the end of today's class/this weekend/this evening. You should have an idea for a potential non-print source. You should be actively constructing your sourcepack. These items can run in conjunction or isolation, but you need to be completing tasks. Remember, each class you should have a record of your work to take you to the next day. Next class you'll have ample time to write and work with your sources.

Any questions or concerns? Please see me at Lion Time or after-school next week. Annotated Bibliographies are due on March 8/9.

AP Research

I'd say it's an easy day in AP Research, but that's not really true. Now is when we hit the major work of this course, which is the data collection. Without the data, you can't answer the question, and collecting the data can be an arduous process. It is important that you set daily goals and meet them. Have alternative plans. You may even need an alternative method, just in case. Track your progress. Track your changes. Consider your hypothesis and what's borne out from the actual data.

Your next major assignment is your BoK Analysis. Complete this and submit it by February 27. Next week you'll have both classes for working time. You should be writing, collecting data, and considering the fact that everything is due by May 1 at 11:59 PM. That gives us TEN weeks to complete this process. I hope you can see the urgency of each class.

8 February - Wednesday

AP Language

Great day in AP Language land today. We took time to read our books to prepare for our third group meetings, and then we launched into those meetings and conversations. The meetings today focused on discussing research topics, passage two, and then other key elements that your groups are seeing in the novels. I hope that you're finding the discussion questions useful and helpful. Keep developing your ideas in your Google Docs and on Schoology in the Discussion Board.

The second part of class focused on reading skills - especially CER and ROR. We looked at a text connected to the ideas presented in Into the Wild. Consider how authors create patterns in their text to relate their key claims. How does an author show how multiple pieces of evidence relate to the same overall claim? If you need additional help, remember that you have a myriad of daily videos on AP Classroom via the Exam 2 MCQ feedback. Access that. Come in at Lion Time. I'm always here to help.

At home, you have plenty of choices. Read your books. Build your sourcepacks. Complete your AB entries. Next class we'll be focused on non-print sources and have time to work on ABs and sourcepacks. Be ready and prepared. Don't waste time!

AP Research

Solid day in AP Research as we got back to Manzanar and understood the final section of the paper - Data Analysis and Data Collection. I hope that Manzanar showed you that the massive amount of work that you're in the process of doing will be reduced to something very simplistic. I'm sorry if it took the wind out of your sails. I think that the paper makes clear the way that choices can be justified and active language can be used to make everything clear and connected.

Now we move into the process of data collection. The next few classes are all for you. If you need to make phone calls, do it. If you need to meet with people, do it. This is the time to do what you need to do to get the data you need. Don't waste this time and allow yourselves to scramble. Keep up with your weekly assignments and reflections! Turn in your plan for the unit if you haven't done so yet.

7 February - Research Writing Process

English 10

Solid day in English 10 today. It was our only real class of the week because next class we have registration meetings. Today we reviewed the Research Write-Up assignment and the essential feedback for the group. We then took time to either revise and resubmit, complete the assignment, or move to the next step - our letter planning.

Next week we'll be focused on planning our letter before we write. You'll be writing in a timed environment, so proper preparation is important. You'll have access to your notes and preparation documents - but you'll be writing under a timer, so you'll need to be ready.

6 February - Rolling On Along

AP Language

Solid day today as we took time for direct instruction related to building the Annotated Bibliography. This assignment will look at your skills related to Claims and Evidence and Reasoning and Organization Reading. In this assignment you'll be writing a paragraph about 5-7 key sources. These should be the same source in your sourcepack. Remember the lesson - the research topic/question/prompt is your filter for your entries. 

The Annotated Bibliography is due on March 8. The Timed Writing - Synthesis will be on March 24. Remember that you must complete your sourcepack before that date in order to write on your topic that you've prepared. Don't forget that group meetings have also shifted. New dates are 2/16 (Meeting 4), 2/23 (Meeting 5) and 3/1 (Meeting 6). This is the date that the book should be finished. 

Be ready for your meeting next class. Meet your daily goals. Prepare and produce an item daily. Use Lion Time or After School if you need me!

AP Research

We finished out our presentations today with a lot of success and gold medals. There will be one more presentation before we begin our final PODs. In the next presentation you'll be reviewing your data, analysis, and your reflection on your hypothesis. This will be an assignment for Quarter 4. So, don't worry about it for now. Build off of what you've done and keep moving forward.

Right now you're going to find yourself in a few different spaces. You should be writing your paper. Revise what you've already done. Keep finalizing writing. I'll be assigning your final draft of your Introduction and Literature Review in a few weeks. You should be collecting your data and setting up meeting with participants. Remember that you can use class time to meet, have calls, and do this important work. You can also leave class and visit others in the building. We'll talk about this procedure on Wednesday. Lastly, don't forget your plan for the unit. Submit that this week.

Next class you'll have a good amount of working time! Accomplish your goals and move forward. Avoid being Richard the Second from Shakespeare - "I wasted time, and now doth time waste me...". See you Wednesday.

3 February - Friday Feels!

English 10

Great day in English 10 today as we took time to review good letter writing, zoomed in on an effective body paragraph as an example for our writing next week, and then we ended with time to work on our major assignment - the research write-up. If you didn't finish it in class, I will take it this weekend. If it's turned in on Monday, I'll hit it with a penalty.

Next week we have registration on Thursday. We'll start with planning our letters on Tuesday and revise our write-ups, if we need to. Be ready for a writing workshop next class! This unit will be ending pretty soon.

AP Language

We're all caught up on this wacky week! Next week we'll have our lesson on the Annotated Bibliography and our next group meeting. Read and prepare! We'll be writing next week!

2 February - Rolling into Quarter 3

AP Language

Today was our Course Selection Day - so a bit of a nothing day for us. Next week we'll get back into the research process with our lesson on the annotated bibliography and our next group meeting. Remember that the group meetings have been rescheduled due to registration. Group Meeting 3 is now on Wednesday 2/8. If you were absent today, be sure that you meet with your counselor during Lion Time in order to get your registration complete.

AP Research

Another great day with presentations. Our final four will present on Monday. I'm looking forward to seeing what we have ahead. Remember to submit your slides and have them in your PREP folder if they exist elsewhere. After we finished up our presentations, we reviewed our major assignment for this unit - the BoK Analysis. This assignment is mostly completion, you'll be copying and pasting or paraphrasing from your best source paper. The reflection question at the bottom is worth half of your points on this assignment - be specific in your response to this question.

There is a new PREP Reflection question opened for your thoughts and writing. Start to collect your Quarter 3 Reflections. Submit your plan for Weeks 22-27 by the end of next week. Have a plan and be ready to work through this portion of the course!

1 February - Happy Black History Month!

English 10

Wonderful day in English 10 today as we read our first example of letter writing. We also took some time for direct instruction on the structure and elements of an effective letter. As we read Helen Keller's letter, we talked about imagery, imagination, and the challenges that disabled people face from non-disabled people. Keep in mind that you'll take a reading and writing SOL next year, so we're focused on developing our reading skills and our writing skills in this unit.

The end of class was a bit of time for researching and working on our write-up assignment. This is due at the end of next class. Remember that it's worth three points - one for each section. Since we had a lot of class to work on it, there will be a late penalty of 10% if it's turned in late. Be productive next class and meet your goals!

AP Language

Today was our Course Selection Day - so a bit of a nothing day for us. Next class we'll have our feedback from Exam 2 and time to look at the next step of the research process. If you were absent today, be sure that you meet with your counselor during Lion Time in order to get your registration complete.