End of the Quarter - Off to Spring Break

Have a wonderful Spring Break, everyone! If you celebrate Passover or Easter, enjoy your holiday and time for good food and reflection on the holiday. I look forward to seeing you all when we return for our final push to the end of the year. Remember that if you have any work to turn in, today is the day! I'll have all grading finished tomorrow to close out the quarter.

AP Language

If you would like to continue reading Invisible Man over the break, please do so. You can also feel free to take this time to completely rest and recharge. Read something else, enjoy a movie, reflect on the class so far. When we return we'll take a look at that self-reflection assignment and return to TIM. 

English 10

Keep reading in Ivan Denisovich if you'd like. Once you get into the novel, it moves pretty quickly. There are also plenty of shows about Russia or Russian prisons that you can watch and check out on many different platforms. When we return from break we'll take time with some of our other authors to see a few other perspectives before returning to the camp.

AP Research

It's all about finishing the paper right now for us in this unit of the class. When we return from break we'll have another round of Peer Review for the majority of the paper. Take time to write and analyze data over the break if you need to, but remember that we will have class time for this when we return as well. Our final unit of the year will be all about preparing for the POD and submission of our work. I'm excited to bring you to the end of the line.

24 March - A Rainy Wednesday

AP Research

For today's class we finished reading the Manzanar paper and discussed the way in which the student creates a strong web of evidence and justified claims in order to show the assessor what they need to show. This paper provides a wonderful model of effective writing, academic style, and essential skills for success. Using this as a model for your future work is a great idea. There are other sample papers we've looked at so far this year too.

Right now, you should be focused on the completion of your academic paper. That is what this unit is for. Stay focused on writing, revising, and processing. Clarify the tools that you used and show how they were used by you to get the results that you did. Remember to avoid absolutes in your language, unless they're justified. The goal should be to finish the paper by mid-April.

On Friday we'll meet quickly to discuss next steps and what we'll find ahead of us in the road.

AP Language and English 10

See the post below for your reminders. Remember that the quarter will end on Friday. Any missing work is due at the end of the day on Friday so that I can score it on Saturday before I begin my vacation on Sunday. 

Beginning the Week - 23 and 24 March

AP Language

Today's class was all about looking at close details in Chapters 8 and 9. Keep in mind that this is analysis at work - noticing the small details in a text that authors use to create even more meaning in the work. Your attention to detail will pay great dividends as you keep working through this novel to notice the layers of meaning.

Next class we'll take a bit of a break from Ellison - there's an article posted in the materials called "Just Walk on By: Black Men and the Public Space". We'll read and analyze this article next class to remind us of some key ideas in our course as well as build connections to the unit and spark a personal reflection.

Any and all assignments should be turned in. Keep in mind that paper resubmissions and vocabulary cards are due!

English 10

Today's class was for us to complete our third SOL essay of the year. This one was about driving and your position on changing the driving age to require new drivers be older. Remember that this assignment is the final large point assignment of the quarter. From there, additional time in class was for making up other assignments or reading in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. There are comprehension questions posted to help you with the reading and making sense of key ideas.

Next class we'll take time to begin an arts and crafts activity related to our novel and time to finish out the quarter. Keep pushing to meet your goals and we'll be on Spring Break soon!

Ending the Week - Thursday the 18th of March

AP Language

Today in class we had an assessment and working day. The main goal was to complete our assessment on the Prologue to Chapter Seven in Invisible Man. I look forward to reading your responses and interpretations of elements of the novel so far. Expect the scores to be entered on Monday.

Beyond that, there was time for a poetry exploration and discussion as well as time for conferencing, reading, or vocabulary. Remember that next week your vocabulary cards will be collected and that you will meet the end of the grading period. Any papers to be reviewed need to be resubmitted by the end of the day on the 26th.

Please reach out during Office Hours on Monday with any questions or needs. I'm here to help!

English 10

Today's class was a bit of everything. We engaged with each other in a discussion board on unwritten rules before taking time to read through a bit more of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. We looked at characters, especially the differences between two guards, and thought up some great topics and symbols before some discussions on the book. 

Next week we'll take a break from Solzhenitsyn to write our third SOL essay of the year. The prompt and planner is posted for you to use as you'd like. We'll write the essay in class on Tuesday/Wednesday. The essay will be the last big points of the quarter. Remember that if you're missing something from earlier this quarter, now is the time to turn it in. 

Enjoy the weekend and the beginning of spring. You may want to start reading a bit on your own to keep moving through the novel. Next week I'll start assigning reading on your own.

Wednesday Reminders

English 10 and AP Language

Be sure to follow your reminders posted below or within Google Classroom. Remember that all of our class recordings are posted there for your convenience and review.

AP Research

Today in class we focused on the idea of the findings section of the paper. This is, ironically, one of the shortest sections of the paper. Remember that the goal is to show the data/findings in a clear and logical way for the assessor. Don't confuse findings with analysis/discussion. The Manzanar paper (which we read a bit more of today) is a great resource/guide in how we can easily and directly move through the conversation for the assessor.

I've uploaded your new reflection question for the week. Remember that they will mostly be POD questions moving forward. This unit is all about finishing the paper and preparing for the POD. Keep writing and reviewing. We'll be done with this heavy lifting very soon!

Beginning the Week - 16 March 2021

AP Language

Today in class we spent our time working through allusions and some key scenes/interactions in Chapters Five through Seven. It was very important for us to notice the way in which two key characters - Dr. Bledsoe and The Vet - are foils of each other, especially in their interaction with TIM.

Next class we will have a quick assessment on the unit so far. You'll be able to use your books and resources. You also have until the 26th to resubmit your research papers with my feedback/comments addressed. If you are unsure of how to move forward, let me know and we can conference. If you submitted a paper with an extension, I will have it back to you by the end of the week.

English 10

Today we took time to being the novel we're studying in earnest. We read as a class to understand the structure and style of the novel, some of the key characters (like Shukhov, the Tatar, and Half-Ivan) as well as some key ideas like justice, fairness, and dehumanization. Continue to read on your own as you'd like. We'll continue our study of the novel as a group on Thursday.

For tonight, be sure to take time to complete and submit any missing assignments like the Final Interpretation from Unit 3 or the Unit 4 KickOff assignment. Work will be collected until the 26th, which is the end of the grading period. 

Next week we'll take one class for our SOL Essay 3 (the prompt is on teen driving) as well as a final catch-up day for the quarter. I'll release the prompt and planner for you on Thursday so that you can prepare for the essay.

Friday the 12th of March

AP Research

Today in class we really did a deep dive on the Academic Paper rubric. We noticed that many rows of the rubric (1-3 and 6) are identical in their score description for a high pass - level 4/5. This means that it is Rows 4 and 5 where we must focus as writers and researchers to earn our distinction. As we discussed in class, the best style for this type of paper is one that is clear and direct, so that you are able to clearly guide your assessor through the choices you made and why they were the best choice for you. Sources from your body of knowledge can be really helpful in adding to your justification.

As we keep writing and developing, keep working with your peers to share drafts and get constructive feedback. Be sure that you're always using the rubric to guide your feedback and conversations.

Next week we'll move on to Unit 5. These final units of the year involve mostly finishing our writing and our POD as most of our data has been collected by this point. We'll meet as a group on Wednesday next week to kick off the unit. Be sure to submit any assignments from Unit 4 before the end of the day on Monday.

AP Language and English 10

Be sure to complete any of your tasks from Unit 3 as we're now fully moved in to Unit 4. If you need any assistance with anything, please let me know. I'm happy to meet you Monday. Research papers should all be returned by the end of next week. I appreciate your patience as I read and review your work. Remember that you will have the chance to resubmit your essays before the end of the quarter.

Ending the Week - Thursday the 11th

English 10

Today was our day to begin our work on Solzhenitsyn, Soviet Realism, and the novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. I first read this novel when I was your age, and I remember being very affected by it. I think that it will give us all some great opportunities to think and reflect.

We played bingo today to review important concepts. I was glad to see so many of you engaged in learning and responsive in the chat. We didn't start reading in class, so this weekend, try to read the first seven pages of the novel. Fill out your notes focused on characters you meet. Next week we'll focus more on reading and discussing the main ideas.

Remember that we are finishing Unit 3 this weekend as well. If you haven't turned in your final interpretation, be sure to do so. It's one of the last big grades of the quarter.

AP Language

Today was a day to dig deep and analyze to put together some of the threads we looked at last class. I was excited to see the connections that you're making in this novel and the ideas that you're building. Remember that we're just starting, so it's best to view all of this as ideas in progress.

Over the weekend be sure to read and focus on our next chapter set - Chapters 5-7. This is a shorter span of the novel, the videos will help on YouTube, especially Chapter 5. There is a fair amount of violence in Chapter 6 - consider your motifs and how this violence is representative of cycles in the text. As you read, collect vocabulary - cards will be due soon.

Don't forget to submit your analysis assignment for today by Monday.

Wednesday, 10 March

AP Research

Today was a quick check-in for attendance purposes. Remember that on Friday we'll meet for our peer review of our introduction, literature review, and method section of the paper. I'll give you a brief training on reading and interpreting the rubric before you put that to play with the work of your peers.

AP Language and English 10

The announcements below are the same for you all, as well. I'm looking forward to seeing you on Friday to continue or begin our study of our novels. Remember to check in on any assignments from Unit 3 as we are firmly moving to our next round of skills and texts. The quarter will end on the 26th of March.

Beginning the Week - 9 March 2021

English 10

Today's class was a bit of our transition from Unit 3 to Unit 4. We took time to brush off our grammar skills and get familiar with authors and the places that they called home before taking time for conferences and time to focus on our final interpretation from Unit 3.

You should be focused on turning in your final interpretation from Unit 3 this week as we start Unit 4. Remember that for your final interpretation you can use a Google Doc or use Google Slides. Take your information from your outline as a starting point, then clean up your grammar, focus on making your transitions clear, and show that your claims have evidence. Aim to submit the assignment this week. 

If you didn't finish our Kick Off document in class, be sure that you submit that soon. It's an easy twenty points to get you some background knowledge, which we'll keep doing on Thursday.

AP Language

Today in class we focused on some of the big ideas of Chapters 2, 3, and 4 in Invisible Man. We also touched in on our annotations of our covers - especially symbols, characters, and settings. Next class we'll dig a bit deeper on these chapters and look at some rhetorical analysis to really find a lot more meaning than we already have. Continue to pay attention to cycles as they appear in the text as well as how meaning is created through the use of key details in the text.

You'll find your recording and PearDeck takeaways posted. Remember to keep reading, thinking, and annotating. I look forward to seeing you Thursday.

Early Release Day - 5 March 2021

AP Research

Next week is our final week of this unit. The major tasks that we have ahead of us are meant to provide a check-in on our larger process and make sure that we're all moving toward our goals in the class. On Friday of next week you'll meet together as a writing group to discuss your academic paper drafts and give constructive feedback. We'll do some work as a group on Friday before you meet to discuss the rubric and what to look for as you read.

Data collection should, mostly, be complete at this point. If you're still chasing down a few sources of information or a few last survey responses, that's not a bad place. But you may want to ask yourself if that additional data is needed at this point. Is it possible to go deeper into the analysis of the data you have instead of finding more?

I'll be available on Monday and Wednesday to assist you next week asynchronously. We'll meet on Friday to submit tasks and do our writing workshop. Be aware that your PREP Check deadline has been extended. The newest reflection question has been posted.

AP Language and English 10

Note your reminders below. Assignment submission spaces are open on Google Classroom for your final tasks in the research unit. Please reach out and let me know how I can help out.

Ending the Week - 4 March 2021

AP Language

Great work today, team. I was glad to finish writing conferences with you all and have the chance for some second round conferences in some cases. Remember that your final drafts of your paper are due on Monday. If your paper isn't submitted on time you will lose five points for lateness. You will have the chance to resubmit your essay after you receive my feedback, so aim to submit on time. I'm available throughout the day on Monday and during Office Hours for additional help if you need it.

Don't forget that your AP Classroom FRQ will lock tomorrow. If you don't complete it before it locks, then you can find it on Google Classroom as well. Remember that this is a good dry-run for your research paper. The FRQ and the paper are essentially the same task - if you can do one, you can do the other.

Remember to read this weekend. The YouTube channel has videos to help you process and access the chapters. We'll be working through Chapters 2, 3, and 4 next week. There's some difficult content, but I know that together we can discover some interesting truths as well.

English 10

Today we had our day to meet and conference as well as update our classroom map. I think it's great to see all of the places around the world that you've been studying so far. If you didn't add your point to the map, be sure to do so and then mark that task complete on Google Classroom.

We were able to finish almost all of our conferences today. Since we didn't finish everyone, I'll extend the final deadline for the Final Interpretation. This will give everyone the chance to meet and conference before turning in your final task. Remember that I also have Office Hours on Monday from 10-11:15 am. You can come to BBCU and we can conference about your work and ask questions.

Remember that the outline assignment will give you almost everything you need for the final interpretation. If you're doing a Google Slide show, you may want to copy and paste your information from the outline, add an image from the item, and make sure that your grammar and spelling is accurate. It's the same deal with a Google Doc, but make sure that your writing flows together and that there are clear connections between the ideas you're presenting.

Next week we'll start our new unit, which actually will be our last unit. I've got some great books, stories, poems, and articles up my sleeve - even a bit of anime too. I'm excited for what we have ahead!

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

AP Research

Today's class was a chance for us to sit down and collect our thoughts related to our inquiry projects so far. I was glad to hear that many of you have made great progress in our work. I hope that, as always, our conferences were helpful. Remember to take note of our conference and any action steps you have from our conversation.

Friday's class will be an asynchronous working day. I'll keep our Google Meet open if you need to visit for any reason. You should turn in the documents for your PREP Check before Monday so that I can review and assess them.

I've uploaded your newest reflection question in the document on the Classwork tab in Google Classroom. Our next synchronous class will be on March 12, when we will meet for writing conferences to review the introduction, literature review, and method section of your papers.

AP Language and English 10: Your assignments and reminders are the same as those posted below. Remember to reach out for assistance as we are at the end of our research unit. Final tasks are due very soon.

Beginning the Week - 2 March 2021

AP Language

Today was our day to begin the study and analysis of Invisible Man. This is going to be a long slog, but it's well worth it. In my opinion, this is one of the most important novels written in the last 100 years in the United States. It will give you new perspectives on old and contemporary issues in our society. It's not an easy read to be sure, but it is rewarding. 

As you read, continue to use the tools you've been given. Annotate. Use your motif charts. Collect vocabulary. Be active and think as you read. We won't figure everything out, but together we can figure out more.

Next class will be our final day to submit essays, conference on the writing process, or complete the AP Classroom FRQ. I'll be available on Wednesday during Lion Time for any needed conversations.

Next week we'll focus on Chapters 2-4. Use the YouTube videos to help you make sense of these difficult chapters. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

English 10

Today in class we took time to discuss some issues related to grammar before jumping in to the last task in our unit - the final interpretation. I know that the outline for this document is complicated - that's because we're working with a complex skill. The goal is always the same though: creating clear claims which are supported with evidence. I was very happy to get the chance to conference with you today - if we didn't meet today, then we will next class.

As you are working today, the main task is the outline. Completing your outline will give you a lot of great work to help you put together your final interpretation. We'll chat about outlines next class if we didn't today - work through it as much as you can so that we can have a productive conference. We can also meet on Wednesday during Lion Time if needed.

Wednesday the 24th of February (End of Week 23)

AP Language

If we didn't have the chance to complete our conference today, then I invite you to come and meet on Monday during office hours. Please sign up for slot or email me to reserve a time to meet. Keep in mind that we are moving to the end of the writing process with our research papers. Convert the outline into a draft, and then begin the process of editing and clarifying. Watch out for large paragraphs and look for places to break up the conversation.

Next week we'll begin our reading of Invisible Man. I'm so excited to hear your thoughts and impressions.

English 10

Remember that next week we'll start to finish our unit with our final task - the interpretation. Be sure that your preliminary steps are complete so that you have all that you need to finish this task. 

AP Research

Great work today everyone as we discussed the main methods of organization for qualitative data. Keep in mind that many of you are working with both qualitative and quantitative data in your projects, so it's important to have a clear method and reason for organizing the way that you have. We also took our first foray into analysis as we discussed various methods of statistical analysis. 

You should, hopefully, by the end of this week have enough data collected to begin the process of analysis. Organize your data, use your charts and tables, consider your question and what you are trying to show. Remember to use your Body of Knowledge to justify your choices.

I've uploaded your newest reflection question - POD 1.3 in the Classwork Tab. Next week will mostly be a working week on your own to begin the process of data analysis. Remember that you should have a working draft of your Introduction/Literature Review and Method by the end of this unit for peer review and conferencing.

As always, let me know how I can support you!

All Classes

Remember that Thursday and Friday will be asynchronous for all classes. Your assignments have already been posted, and I also uploaded recordings (as needed) to assist you in completing that work. I will not be available on Thursday, but I may be free to meet on Friday. If you need me, please reach out, and I will do what I can to assist. Progress reports will be sent out on Tuesday morning, next week.

Beginning the Week - 23 February

AP Language

Today was our day to get caught up on our research paper unit. Since we didn't have class last week, we took today for writing conferences. For those of you who didn't complete the conference today, we'll meet on Monday during Office Hours or on Tuesday/Thursday next week during class.

Thursday will be asynchronous. Use that time to complete your AP Classroom FRQ and/or the drafting of your paper. I've uploaded the template for MLA formatting your document here as well as the recording. Keep in mind that the place to submit your paper is live and the final rubric is posted there for you to use.

English 10

Today was also our catch-up day on our museum and research unit. The main goal for today was to complete our supporting work so that we can focus on the final part of this unit next week - the final interpretation of the piece. Be sure that all of your tasks on Google Classroom are submitted and marked complete. If you're not sure what to do, reach out for help via email or in a private comment. 

Thursday's class is an asynchronous one. I've already uploaded the outline assignment as well as a recording to help you complete that assignment. The outline will make sure you have a clear claim that you will then finalize next week in your final assignment in the unit. Our next unit is one of my favorites - we'll be looking at literature from Eastern Europe and Russia - I'm excited to show you all one of my favorite parts of the world and one of my favorite books. 

Ending the Week - 19 February

AP Language

Today we had a bit of a bonus day because of yesterday's snow day. Options for today's class and Return Period included: drafting our research papers, participating in writing conferences, reading in Invisible Man to prepare for future seminars, resubmitting research paper tasks, or completing the synthesis FRQ on AP Classroom.

Remember that your research paper is due by March 5 - as is the FRQ on AP Classroom. This FRQ is a full essay - no more half-stepping for us, the exam draws on apace! This FRQ is a great dry run to see how well you are accomplishing the skills of this writing unit. You'll receive a completion score for the FRQ as well as an AP score to see how your skills line up for the final exam in May.

Next week we'll be having our catch-up days as well as asynchronous days school-wide. Please be in touch and let me know how I can support you. I'll also have Office Hours on Monday if you need to meet me then.

AP Research

Quick meetings can be great meetings - thanks for being present and prompt! Keep in mind that your analysis of the BoK paper will be due soon, try to turn it in on Monday. This gives you a great chance to go back to an important source and engage in some critical reading and reflection around your own work. Consider how this paper can show you more and be even more helpful for you now as you begin writing and working with data than it was when you first encountered it. This analysis can be helpful in a lot of ways as we think about where we find ourselves in the inquiry process.

Next week we'll take a bit of a look back at the idea of variables - qualitative and quantitative - and possibly reexamining your questions and preliminary data to get ready for analysis and related tasks. Your BoK analysis may help you to set up your preliminary charts and help you get a handle on what data analysis may look like.

As always, let me know how I can help you through this work. No researcher is an island, to paraphrase Milton - reach out and ask questions of me and each other - we're all here to help. Enjoy the weekend!

English 10

Today was a working day within our museum field tripping unit and a day to meet with counselors to review and enter course selections for next year. Remember that if you weren't able to meet that you should still enter your course selections on SiS. (Seventh Period - I've asked Ms. Rotella about rescheduling your meeting with your counselors; I'll keep you posted on how this develops.)

Next week is a catch-up day and an asynchronous day. The goal will be to complete the outline for your final interpretation of your item in your museum. The template for the assignment and a video are posted for you to use. I'll take you though more tools in the databases as we finish our interpretation work. If you're missing earlier steps in the process, it's important to get those complete now. Remember to check your school email often as well as your messages during class for updates or check-ins from me.

Remember that I'm still holding office hours on Monday. If you need to meet, please drop in on BBCU or claim a signup spot in my calendar, that's posted in Google Classroom under Classwork.

Snow Day! 18 February

Good morning everyone! We find ourselves with an official snow day today - no virtual or in-person learning will be held today. I wanted to let you know that I will be available over email today if you have any questions about anything.

If you have missing assignments - today gives you a wonderful opportunity to get caught up before our upcoming catch-up days and asynchronous time. If you're all caught up - I'd recommend getting ahead with your final tasks for Unit 3 (the research paper). 

I'll be grading and getting caught up myself through the day. Please reach out if there's anything I can do. When we meet again, I'll let you know of any updates to our schedule and lessons -- I'm sure there will be a few.

Week 22 - 17 February

AP Research

Today we began Unit 4 which is our unit to complete data collection and to codify our process up to this point - this means writing. By the end of this unit we will have completed a final draft of our Introduction + Lit Review as well as a rough draft of Method. Keep in mind that as you are engaging in your method now, it is important that you track and document your process to make it easier to write about later.

Your first assignment in this unit is your BoK analysis. One of the goals of your academic paper is to fit the style and requirements of your field, so analyzing a paper in your Body of Knowledge will help you in this goal. Complete the document using ONE of your key sources. I would suggest applying the analysis to a source which is very important to your investigation.

As always, if there is anything that I can provide for you, please let me know. I look forward to seeing you Friday for our quick check-in.

Week 22 - 16 and 17 February

AP Language

What a day! We had a very thorough day working through James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son" - we especially focused on the connection between James and his father (their shared disease) as well as the way in which Baldwin breaks the cycle in the end of the text. There were also hints of double consciousness and the veil at play.

Next class we'll be having writing conferences related to your research paper tasks. Next week will mostly be on your own to complete your research papers and read in Invisible Man. Remember that progress reports will be sent on Friday of this week.

English 10

Today we worked through the process of DEEP LOOKING in which we sectioned a non-print text in order to find its details and unlock its meaning. Use this process to complete your notes on your item from your museum - be sure that if you need to change items, that you pick one in the same museum so that you don't have to restart parts of this process.

Next class will be time for us to meet with Student Services related to course registration. Remember to check out your options for course registration in Google Classroom - there's a Google Slide show covering your options for classes in eleventh grade. We'll also have a chance next class to begin finishing our final task in this unit.