28 and 29 March

AP English Language

Wonderful work today during our seminar on Brent Staples's "Just Walk On By" - I think that our review lately has been a fantastic way for all of you to develop some important frames with which you'll read your novels. Consider ideas like double consciousness, the veil, stereotype threat, and necropolitics.

Next class is going to give you the chance to find these things as you'll have a reading day next class. We'll also take some time to review for the AP Examination and focus on multiple choice testing strategies and ways to focus on working faster AND smarter.

Remember that any missing assignments are due by the end of the day on the 31st. Our final grade for the quarter was today's seminar, so, if you're satisfied with where you are, then you're done! Focus on fourth quarter and read your novels. If you're not pleased, then be sure to see me and get caught up while there's time.

English 10

We had a good day today with Pablo Neruda, though some of you were a bit harsh on some of his poetry. We read a collection of poems, one of them even about a giant tuna fish. I was happy to hear you reading and discussing poetry, and I hope you found a new way to break down and understand poetry.

From there we completed our final task for the quarter - our poetry scavenger hunt. Be sure that you check SIS and see that you have no missing assignments. If it's missing, turn it in! Next class we'll do some reading together and then take time to close out the quarter.

24 and 25 March

Just one week to go in the quarter before we hit Spring Break! Remember that any work to be scored must be in by the end of the day on March 31 so that I can close my gradebook on April 1.

AP Language

After today's class, be sure that you have completed these goals by the end of the weekend. I'm looking forward to taking you into next class because of the piece that we'll be working through.

1. Complete your book form. Finish your shopping. If you check out a book, be sure to record your book title and number on the roster which the substitute has. Divide your book into five chunks and start to complete your reading.

2. Do you have any missing work? Do you want to work on your rewrite of your research paper? Remember everything needs to be in by March 31st. 

3. Next class we're discussing Brent Staples's article called "Just Walk on By - Black Men and the Public Space". I've posted it for you in Schoology. Read and annotate. Be ready for our final seminar of the quarter.

English 10

During class you have one major thing to complete and that is your NoRedInk End of Year Assessment. Follow the link and open the assignment on NoRedInk. It's for completion, so answer all the questions. You can only skip five times and still get an A.

When that's done, if you have missing work, you should focus on that. If your work is all done in the gradebook, then you should complete the Poem Hunt assignment. We will have time for this next week, so making up missing work would be the more important goal.

22 and 23 March

AP Language

Today's class looked a bit like a reality show. We had a quick challenge followed by several rounds of conversation around our articles for class. I was happy to hear your outcomes and conclusions related to Tannen, Steele, and Sullivan. It's wonderful to see the way that you are all seeing elements of the veil and double consciousness at play.

Next class is a substitute day. I'll be on campus, but won't be with you because of some other responsibilities. You'll have a working and reading day. Keep in mind that the quarter will end next week. Any resubmissions of research papers or other late/missing work must be in by the end of the day on March 31 to be scored. Your work right now is relatively light, so focus on catching up or getting ahead as you need to.

English 10

Today we took time to finish our work on the concept of the doppelganger. We finished reading Cortazar's "The Night Face Up" and then worked through an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Mirror Image." I think that each of our texts has shown the concept of the doppelganger in an interesting way which has power in its own way. 

Next class will be our day for our end of year grammar diagnostic. This won't be for an accuracy grade, just completion. If you have any zeroes in the gradebook, now is the time to submit late work. I will not accept any work past March 31, so the time is now! If you have any questions about anything, please let me know. 

18 and 21 March

AP Language

Today we completed our first full-length multiple choice set. I'll have these returned to you soon so that we can review your data from the first of these. Over the weekend, you have a few assignments to settle up. I'll review them in terms of importance.

1. Complete your AP Classroom checks from Unit 6. This includes the MCQ and FRQ. These close on Sunday night. 

2. Submit your personal reflection. Remember to focus on at least two communities and use evidence to explain how you are a member of that community. The response is only 200-300 words. Keep it casual.

3. We'll have another seminar next class. Go into the folder and pick ONE of three articles posted for you. We'll be looking at other marginalized communities and liberation movements next class.

Outside of this remember to work through your vocabulary cards as you meet new words and consider your book for the unit. You'll submit your book form next week, but if you know what you want, go ahead and submit that now to get ahead. 

English 10

Today's class was a look at the beginning of "The Night Face Up" by Julio Cortazar. It's a great story! Super engaging and exciting that starts off with quite a bang. We read the first half of the text and will finish it next week as we complete our study of the doppelganger.

This weekend is a good weekend for you to complete any work from Unit 4 which may be missing including your SOL Essay, Unit Project, or Vocabulary. If these assignments are missing they need to be turned in. I'll be scoring your work this week and finalizing grades, so be aware of what needs to be done. I'm available during LT and after school if you need me.

16 and 17 March

AP Language

Great day today, everyone! We worked through WEB DuBois and did a wonderful job understanding some of his main ideas including education, power, stereotypes, double consciousness, and the veil. We're going to encounter these ideas throughout the novels we're reading in this unit, so this is a good formative piece for us to begin with. Continue to reflect on the text and his ideas, especially as they apply to you.

Tonight you should complete your personal reflection. If you know the book you want to read, then you can complete the form as well. Next class is our full MCQ to prepare for the AP Examination. Any time you have after the MCQ is for working on this unit's tasks which are due. Don't forget about your MCQ and FRQ on AP Classroom which will lock on Sunday night.

English 10

Today's class was our foray deeper into the concept of the doppelganger. We read a short story by Jorge Luis Borges called "Borges and I", and we applied the strategy of close reading to understand the complex text. At the end of class we took time to complete an extra credit opportunity or complete our projects and vocabulary from Unit 4. Keep in mind that projects and vocabulary are now late, but still will be accepted. Please turn in your work to earn your points. We only have a few classes left in this quarter, so it's important to turn in all of your assignments now.

As always, please ask for any help you may need. I'm here for you.

14 and 15 March

AP Language

Today was a really wonderful day to start a new unit, which is exactly what we did! Unit 5 is our exploration of ignored American voices. In this unit we're going to explore various communities that have been marginalized for whatever reason in our country. There will be a lot of self-direction and choice in this unit, so I'm very excited to see what you all come up with.

Your first assignment for the unit is your personal reflection which is due on Friday. Follow the guidelines and reflect on the various communities to which you belong. By understanding this, you'll be able to select a novel which is a window on another world. You'll submit this electronically to Schoology on Friday.

Next class we have a seminar on our first core text from the unit - WEB DuBois From the Souls of Black Folk. You'll be reading Chapter One. Be sure to use the reading guide posted to understand each paragraph in the chapter. We'll work through this text together as a group next class! Be sure to read and annotate!

English 10 

We took time at the beginning of class today to work through the last part of our projects from Unit 4 on Russia and Eastern Europe. Be sure to complete these projects tonight if you haven't done so, remember you can't get back your points if the work is late.

After that, we began on our newest unit - Latin America. We went over several concepts that we'll study in this unit, the countries, and our first key concept - the doppelganger. We explored this in ourselves by creating our doppelganger and considering how they're similar and different from us. If you didn't turn this in at the end of class, be sure to get it to me as we start next time.

10 and 11 March

AP Language

Today was our last working day for Unit 4 - Research and Synthesis writing. Your papers are due as are your vocabulary cards and other finishing up elements of the unit. I'm really happy to see so much growth in your writing and your approach to the task over the last few weeks. This unit is where we're coming closest to college level work, so your gains have been meaningful.

Papers will be marked late if they are missing on Monday morning. AP Classroom progress checks for the end of the unit will close on Tuesday night. Don't wait until 11:30 PM on Tuesday night to complete this. It won't end well for you.

We'll be starting Unit 5 on Monday/Tuesday. It's a lot of choice in the next unit, and it's our last unit, so I'll be interested to see the directions that you take yourself.

English 10

Today was the end of Unit 4 and the end of our study of Russia and Eastern European literature. We took our time in class today to complete our SOL Essay 2 and then use remaining time for any final unit tasks. I'm looking forward to reading these essays and seeing the way in which you've grown as writers so far this year. I should have these scored for you by the end of the weekend.

On Monday/Tuesday you will need to turn in your project to avoid the late penalty. We'll be moving to our next unit as well on Monday, so after we finish the unit introduction you'll have time to finish and submit projects. Our next unit is focused on Latin American literature and thought - there are plenty of great authors for us to meet!

8 and 9 March

Happy International Women's Day!

AP Language

Today was another day on our Groundhog Day rotation - another writing and conferencing day. We're rounding out the unit right now, so I want to outline your requirements to close the unit out.

1. This week your paper and vocabulary cards are due. Turn in your paper as a PDF. Don't forget your MLA formatting for the document and the works cited page. Vocabulary cards are also due. Give me the paper copy of your rubric when you turn in your paper. 

2. The MCQ and FRQ for the unit is due next week. It's opne for you to complete at your time and leisure. This will be scored on the more stringent scale - it's a full essay. Follow the instructions.

3. Checklists for participation can be turned in when they are full. If you need to meet for a conference, be sure to see me for that ASAP!

I think that's all. I'm after school on Wednesday and Thursday if you need me!

English 10

Today was a day where we worked on a few elements of our ending of the unit. We reviewed the final project requirements and took forty minutes to start our work on those projects. Keep in mind that this project is due on Monday. We'll do presentations of our projects later next week. We're also moving into our next unit soon - so be ready for Latin America and the literature from there. It's a great part of the world.

The second major thing we worked on is our SOL Essay preparation. We'll be writing next class. Use the packet that we worked on today to gather your ideas and thoughts together. I'm hoping that I'll see a lot of growth on these essays from our first one in Quarter 1. 

Please turn in your vocabulary, test corrections, and other work to finish the unit ASAP. Next class we'll talk about how to set up our final projects.

3 and 7 March

AP Language

Another writing day in the books! Don't forget about your vocabulary cards and your writing conference. It's a great chance for us to talk and review your work. We'll finish conferences next week. The paper is coming due soon. Use Lion Time, it's super valuable! There's also vocabulary to be completed - just five cards for the end of the unit.

English 10

Today was our working day to get us to the end of the unit. Normally this is a catch-up day to make up missing work, but so far this quarter we've been doing a great job in class of finishing our work and getting it turned in. I'm really proud of all of you for this!

I handed out the final project and reviewed its components for all of you. Remember you can choose a creative writing project OR a research project. You're only picking one. Next class is going to be our workshop day for the project, so don't worry about starting it now. Projects will be collected and presented next week. If you're working on test corrections over the weekend or other tasks for class, remember that the corrections are due on March 8. No test corrections will be taken after this date.

1 and 2 March

AP Language

Today we kept our selves on along as we continued through our writing days. The paper is due next week, so our days building to that eventuality are days for writing, conferencing, and working with partner groups to develop the draft. Use this time! Be efficient. Get content drafted. Your paper is due on the 10th of March at the end of the day. The 10th is the last day of the unit, so vocabulary cards are also due that day. 

English 10

Today was a really wonderful day. We took time to make a choice of what to read and then worked to collaborate with our peers to understand, analyze, and draw connections between the texts that we've read. I was glad to see your communication and collaboration with each other. Today was our last day of reading in the unit. Next class we will start with our final projects and final tasks for the unit.

Your quizzes have been returned to you online. You can do test corrections and recoup any missed points. Test corrections are due on March 8/9. I will not accept them after this date. You can also use rubles to raise your score, but that's a limited route - so I'd suggest the corrections. Next class will be a workshop day for us, so you'll be able to work on the final project or complete any final tasks for the unit like vocabulary or test corrections.

25 and 28 February

If you're looking for ways to support Ukraine during this time, let me know. I can give you leads to Ukrainian organizations and NGOs who are working to support Ukraine and Ukrainians during this time.

AP Language

Today was the beginning of our writing days. Over the next three classes you'll have ample time to work in class to complete your research paper. Use the time and resources that I've given you wisely and you'll find a lot of success. As you're working through the process, you have a partner to check in with. Work with that person to complete your checks and develop your drafts. 

Don't forget that you have a writing conference over the next two weeks with me for a grade. Share your draft in advance of your conference, come and ask questions, get an A - it's really simple. I'll be opening a lot more conference spots next week - so don't worry if you haven't signed up yet.

English 10

Today we dipped our feet into the land of absurdism as we read "The Guillotine" by Teffi. Teffi was a female Russian humorist who escaped Russia after the revolution and eventually settled in France. The story is chock full of irony and presents an interesting message to us about apathy and what that can do to us as a society. This story is the last thing that we will read as a class - next time we'll have some choices for what to read as we close the unit.

Your quizzes have been released to you on Google Forms - check your email. We'll do test corrections next class, finish our reading, and begin to take a look at our final project. There won't be a final test in the unit, just the final project. If you were absent, be sure to see the recording and get a copy of the story next time you're on campus.

23 and 24 February

AP Language

And now we move forward into the drafting phase! Today's class was about feedback on our outlines in our cohort groupings followed by time to finalize the Synthesis Prompt building assignment. Remember that this is due today! It's very easy, just a lot of copying and pasting.

Outlines have been returned with feedback! The biggest thing that I saw across the board were big blocks of quotations and lacking commentary in places. Be sure that the line of reasoning is clear throughout the assertions, argument, and the commentary. It's got to line up. Remember that part of the process of writing will involve a resubmission of the outline. If it's missing, I need it immediately. Sign up for your conference and be ready for workshop days across the coming classes.

English 10

Today we took our time to finish Escape from Sobibor - a true story of the only successful prisoner revolt during World War 2 in a death camp. It's only because of the survivors that we know what happened. I look forward to reviewing your viewing guides and getting those back to you soon.

Be aware that we're finishing the unit soon. Next class we'll take a look at a short story as we consider reactions to tragedies. The week following will be our week to begin our final projects, tie up loose ends, and begin to move on to Latin America (our next unit of the year). If you haven't yet taken your test from the first part of the unit, you'll need to do that ASAP to avoid a missing score. Test corrections will happen next class.

Presidents' Day Weekend (18 and 22 February)

English 10

Movie day! Movie day! I hope you enjoy the movie - it's a good one, and the ending is fantastic. I know you didn't finish, so we'll take care of that next week. Be sure that as you watch, you are completing your viewing guide! This is going to be your grade for this film. If you missed anything, the movie is posted in Schoology for you.

AP Language

If you've received an extension on your outline for the weekend, be sure that your work is in as soon as possible. I'd like to finish all of the outlines on Tuesday to get you your feedback to begin drafting. Today is a timed writing day! I'm not with you, so it's a timed writing day. I hope you enjoy the prompt - it's a bit perfect for Fairfax High School students, if you think about it. This is a good time for this essay because it'll help us as we develop our drafts in our own research papers. Don't forget about your next assignment - the template is there to help you complete it easily. Just use a page for each of your five sources and only give five sources - I know some of you have more.

I'll be back with all of you on Wednesday, Delta Airlines willing, I suppose!

16 and 17 February

AP Language

Today was our full on library day to focus on the completion of our outlines. The better the outline, the easier the paper. We began by reviewing the requirements of MLA formatting and setting up our outline documents. We also reviewed the rubric in order to understand how to earn full credit for this assignment.

Keep in mind that an outline is a picture of your thinking. You don't have to use all of this as you move to the draft, but you'll find it easier to put together with a thorough and complete outline. Be sure to review the samples posted as you complete this task - they're very instructive.

English 10

A good day in English 10 today with some poetry, some focus on major ideas, and a bit of movie time at the end to relate to our themes that we're exploring in this unit. I also enjoyed seeing you all work through the silent conversation - I think that's a fun and interesting way to share our thoughts and see what people think, even anonymously.

Next class will be our full movie day for Escape from Sobibor. You'll get your viewing guide back to finish as you watch the film. Be sure that it's complete. If you don't finish the movie, then we'll finish it up next week. If you haven't done your vocabulary, do so now from the things we've read so far this unit. We'll be ending the unit in a few weeks, so be ready for another quiz and your end of the unit project.

14 and 15 February

Happy Valentine's Day! Remember everyone, "If you can't love yourself, then how in the heck are you going to love somebody else?" Be sure to always take time to love yourself and your amazingness! I love all of you and am so happy to be your teacher. Now, on to the business.

AP Language

Today's class was a bit of a set-up and then delivery as we discussed some of the requirements and suggestions around building your eventual paper. The important thing is to realize that this paper is very different from what you've done in the past, even though it looks similar. Beware the temptation to turn this into a body of quotes and paraphrases with a bit of context - this isn't a report, it's an argument. The evidence is here for YOU to present and prove YOUR argument as valid.

We discussed ways to revise the argument, the goal of using evidence in the body, and some other suggestions - put these forward as you work through your outline. The next step of the process is also part of today's lesson. This is a very simple assignment - basically just a copy and paste job. See the template and the samples posted.

As always - let me know if you need me. Lion Time can be very useful right now!

English 10

Today we had a solid day where we took a bit of a thematic diversion away from Russia and Eastern Europe to investigate Burma. The line to connect the two areas is unfortunately not a very good one - the connection betwen authoritarianism and the limiting of personal freedom and expression. Our author Aung San Suu Kyi is a victim of these same policies today - an important reminder that the ideas we explore in class are more than ideas for some people in this world.

Class focused on our law and justice seminar and then we read and analyzed her speech "Misrule of Law" - see the recording if you were absent. Next class we'll make some more connections back to our unit and take time for test corrections. If you haven't yet finished your test, come and see me tomorrow during LT to finish that.

English 10 Update

Sorry about yesterday, y'all. I guess with my appointments my brain was a bit distracted. Instead of a movie, we had the continuation of low-key days in English 10 with our course registration meetings in the Career Center today. Junior year is a very important year in your high school trajectory, so I am glad that you had the opportunity to sit down and speak with your counselors about where you want to go and how you're going to get there. I also appreciated having the opportunity to speak with a few of you about your plans and goals moving forward.

Be sure that you complete any of the assignments that may be lingering over you right now. Some of you need to finish/make-up the test. Some of you need to finish your adaptations of "A Problem". If you have any questions about where you stand in class, be sure to ask ASAP. Next week we'll be watching our film, doing test corrections, and studying the 20th Century in Russia and Eastern European literature and culture.

10 and 11 February

AP Language

Today was a basic day - a day for an FRQ and MCQ on AP Classroom. As a reminder, this is the last time you'll be scored on the easier FRQ scale. From here on out the translation of the six point rubric to the 4.0 grading scale will be a bit more stringent. Why? Because it's second semester, the exam is three months away, and you've done each of the tasks already. Welcome to the big leagues.

The goal for other remaining class time is the work on our outlines. I've included two examples of high achieving outlines as models for you. Feel free to ask me questions and conference as you're doing this work, it's very helpful. As you build your outlines, find your vocabulary words, the end of the unit will be here soon!

English 10

Today's class was our movie day. We're currently watching Escape from Sobibor a true story about how a group of prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp called Sobibor united together to escape their prison. It's a great story of resistance and relates well to our unit. 

If you weren't in class today, the movie and the viewing guide is posted in Materials. We'll finish the film next class. This remains a fantastic time to pull together your vocabulary for the unit so far. I'll have quizzes returned to you next week and we'll have time to do some revisions of those as well.

8 and 9 February

English 10

Today was a quiz day for us - so it was a pretty simple day. The quiz asked you about all of the things that we've studied so far in this unit including fairy tales, poetry reading, our short story "A Problem" and some of the historical and cultural context we reviewed to open the unit.

After the time for the assessment, there was time available to complete any remaining tasks and begin with your vocabulary for this unit. Remember that you are responsible for ten words each unit we read texts together. You can submit your work electronically or on paper, as long as it's complete - we're good! Remember to give me the text, the word, the definition, and two synonyms.

AP Language

Today was our first full-on library day. Huzzah. You know how to access the databases, how to find resources, and how to outline, so now it's time to do it. As you are working and researching and finding, you should also be revising. Remember, this is a recursive process - it builds on itself. Your outlines are due next week - you have ample time to build this boat, but stay on your grind.

Next class we'll take time for our AP Classroom MCQ and FRQ followed by time in class for researching and outlining. See you then!

4 and 7 February

English 10

Good times today in English 10. We took our class time to finish our work on Anton Chekhov's "A Problem" by reimagining the story in a more modern context - we changed the setting and the parameters, but we kept the story the same. This allows us to really understand the themes and the conflicts in a very real way.

Next class we'll be taking a brief quiz on the first section of Russian literature. Be sure to review your notes, slides, and previous lessons so far in the unit. The quiz will be a mix of multiple choice, true or false, short answer, and matching. This also gives you a great chance to pull your vocabulary together, too! 

AP English Language

Today's class was all about moving forward to our next steps - the outline! First, you have to revise your question. We discussed today in class the importance of reasons. As you do research, you'll probably find more reasons to support your argument, but it's important to have an idea of what you're looking for. Also it's important to define your concepts clearly. What does "effective" mean in the scope of your investigation? Pin down your terms so that your argument is clear.

We'll be back in the library next class to complete revisions and work toward our outlines. Use the rubric posted as you create your outline. 

2 and 3 February

AP Language

Wow! What a day! We did a lot of great work today as we really collaborated to make each other better researchers. We reflected on our questions, found some of their glitches, and then began the process of revision with our cohorts. Now - it's time to put the pedal to the metal and revise!

Your next step is to submit your revised research question (version 2.0). Use the same document, it's returned to you, make a copy and put it in your folder for this assignment. When you have finished your revision and written your argument, resubmit the document at the Step 2 assignment space. 

We'll be in the library next class, and we'll discuss the next steps of the project which involve the source pack and the outline.

English 10

It was a wonderful Wednesday for Anton Chekhov. We read "A Problem" today and discussed characterization, irony, symbols, and themes. I really love this story and the ending, especially. Seeing what Sasha does at the end to Ivan is a great example of an ending that works on a lot of levels. If you enjoyed today's reading, then you'll want to take a look at some of Chekhov's plays - I think they're even better.

Tonight is a great night to pull together vocabulary if you haven't already done so. Between our poems and our story, you can probably find ten words. Next class we'll be doing an activity with today's story and next week we'll have our quiz on the first part of our unit. Be sure that you're reviewing regularly so that you're prepared!