Final Assignments are Posted!

All classes will be asynchronous on Tuesday because of graduation at Fairfax High School. All final assignments, instructions, and videos to review have been posted.

AP Language

That's it! You did the thing, we talked about the thing, and now we wait for scores. I'm glad to see that so many of you felt prepared and ready for what you did. Nothing is perfect, especially this year, but I'm very proud of the work that you've all done. Now we just put the cherry on top.

Be sure to complete your planning document before moving into the main steps of the project. Submit the document to get feedback as quickly as you can. Remember that you'll submit three items for the final project - your motif chart, illustration, and written analysis. Everything is due by June 3rd. Finals begin on June 4th.

English 10

We have just a few workdays left for our final portfolios. Thank you to everyone who is consistently working and ticking off their tasks. Remember that if you finish your portfolio early, that you should review and complete any other missing work for Quarter 4. If you're done, then you're done! 

Final Full Week - 25 May 2021

AP Language

Today was an easy day. We were in and out in about thirty minutes. We reviewed the examination for the last time, talked about the drop dead date of June 3 for anything to be graded in Q4, and then took time to complete the exam set-up steps. You must complete the set-up today in order to test tomorrow.

For tonight, rest & recuperate. Be prepared. Review any vocabulary, but don't stress yourself. Get a good night's rest and be ready for tomorrow. See the slides with today's review as you prepare. For Thursday and Friday we'll begin with our Invisible Man project. Everything is posted if you'd like to get a start to it.

You're going to crush the exam tomorrow. Show it no mercy. Write and explain! We've been getting ready all year, you've got this!

English 10

Today's class was really similar to last class. We met, reviewed our goals and feedback, then got cracking on the final portfolio. Keep in mind that this is the final task for the year. Use class time to finish what you need to and take it easy in the afternoons. You should submit something each class - that way you can build your portfolio toward completion.

All Classes

If you have any missing work, be sure to complete it and submit it as soon as you can. The final day to turn in anything for Quarter 4 is June 3. After that it's just the final exam.

No More Content - Just Final Tasks

AP Language and English 10

All new content for the year is done and taught and complete! The final things we have to do in class are our final portfolios (English 10) or final motif projects (AP Language).

AP Language

Today was our day for the end of the book. We did a lot of individual thinking and reflecting, but then we also had time for some collaboration as well. The only thing we have left to complete is our final project for Invisible Man. The assignment and the exemplars have been posted for you to review. We'll take class time after the exam to work on and complete the project in class.

Over the weekend, focus on preparing for the AP Exam. If you have any missing assignments, now is the time to complete them. I've reopened all of the MCQs if you need to complete or review anything. As always, reach out if you need anything. We'll complete our examination set-up steps in class next week before the exam on Wednesday at noon.

English 10

Today's class was our day to understand and begin our final portfolios for English 10. By completing this portfolio you are showing and proving that you have all of the necessary skills to move on to English 11. For this portfolio you'll complete four items and turn them in. You can turn them in all at once or bit by bit - however you choose. By the end of the portfolio you'll have one item for reading, writing, oral communication, and research.

Each class you should complete one or two items. We'll have time over each of the following classes to complete these tasks. This is the final work of the year and your final chance to improve your Q4 grade.

One Done

AP Research

You're finished! You made it! It's over! You're done! Wahoo! I hope that all of you feel pride and accomplishment based on what you've completed for yourselves this year. This is incredible work that you've done, and I know that I am very proud as your teacher. Remember that your papers are due to College Board's Digital Portfolio by tomorrow at 11:59 PM. Follow the submission rules. I'll be checking in tomorrow morning to ensure your paper is in. That's your final score for the class. Grades will be finalized in the morning! Good luck on the rest of your AP Examinations - if you find yourself on campus in the next few days, stop by and say hello!

AP Language and English 10

We're about to start our final tasks for the year. Everything to take us to the end has been posted for you to review and see. It's time to start closing out the year, so if you have anything that you need to do, be sure that it gets done now!

The Beginning of the End - 18 May

AP Language

Today in class we got in a time machine to return to ancient Athens and learn from Plato about reality, truth, and the process to find it. As we read the "Allegory of the Cave" we see many of the same steps in TIM's journey to knowledge and truth - it's important that we reflect on the process we see and the mirror for ourselves which may be held up here. Plato and Ellison ask us to always consider what we know and where we got that knowledge from. 

Next class we'll finish with Invisible Man and have time to begin our work with our final assessment on the novel. I'm excited to see everyone's creativity and thought when it comes to this novel and the ideas that it leaves you with. If you have anything missing for class - be sure that it is complete as soon as you can.

English 10

Today in class was our time to complete our final assessment for One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. If you completed the test or project today, great! If not, be sure that you're finished and submitted by Friday so that I can do final grading. If you had any extra time in class, that would have been used for final notes/vocabulary and any missing assignments from this unit.

Next class we'll begin our final portfolio for English 10 - the instructions are already uploaded for you to review. The final classes of the year will be spent devoted to our final portfolios, so everyone will have the chance to complete everything during class.

Ending the Week - 13 May

AP Language

Today was a great day! We really ripped open Chapters 22 and 23 to understand TIM's development, the end of several cycles in the text, and the importance of these ideas as the novel draws to a conclusion. The connection to all of you as you codeswitch and alter your identities for different contexts and situations is a clear one. Remember - we're all affected by veils and double consciousness.

Over the weekend I would suggest finishing the novel. If you haven't submitted your mini-exam, be sure to do so ASAP. I'll be scoring again soon to update SiS.

English 10

Today was our classroom catch-up day for our Russian literature unit. If you have any missing assignments to turn in, now is the time before we finish the unit next week and move to our final, end of year assignments. Be sure to find your progress report which was sent to you today as a list of what you are missing. All assignments are available on Google Classroom and some even have recordings to guide you to completion. Be aware that this will be our ONLY catch-up day this quarter. 

Wednesday the 12th of May

AP Research

Today was our prep day for our final presentations. I'm excited to see our virtual presentations on Friday and to bring the course to a conclusion for you all. Keep in mind that next week we will submit our Academic Papers and begin on the Choice Board activities. Since you've already worked as a group on an advertising video for AP Capstone, I would suggest looking at the smaller options in the choice board for your final tasks. The choice board is posted in the Classwork tab for your review.

AP Language and English 10

See below for your reminders and announcements. Please let me know if there's anything that I can do to help and support you here at the end of the year.

Beginning the Week - 11 May 2021

AP Language

Today was our classroom session for our miniature AP Examination. You completed a MCQ as well as an FRQ of your choosing. I will now start the process of reading and scoring your work. If you would like to complete additional practice - please let me know and I can put things together for you. It may also be helpful for us to conference during LT or Monday Office Hours to review your progress so far.

Tonight focus on reading and moving to the end of Invisible Man. Class on Thursday/Friday will focus on Chapters 22 and 23. We have a new TIM on the scene - so watch how he starts to do things a bit differently than he has before. Keep tracking your motifs and cycles in the text. Also, keep in mind that you know your requirements for your final assignment on Invisible Man. We'll have some time next week to assign chapters and motifs, but now is a great time to plan and think as well as review the exemplars posted.

As always - if there's anything you need, please ask.

English 10

Today was our day to finish One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. We finished reading the last portion of the novel, did some critical analysis of the structure of the book, and delved into the final comprehension questions. We also took some time to think about themes in the novel - the way that they've been developed as well as the way in which they connect to texts or experiences outside the novel.

Next class will be our catch-up/get-ahead day. If you need to catch-up on missing work in the unit, that chance will be given to you Thursday/Friday. I'll send progress reports on Wednesday to let you know what you're missing. If you're all caught up, then I'd take the time to get ahead on one of the final tasks for Denisovich.

Next week you're going to turn in your final novel annotations and vocabulary. Prepare now! Be ready for the end of the year!

Friday the Seventh of May

Three weeks left everyone. Three weeks left!

AP Research

Today we hit the essential end of the course. Next week is all about final presentations. It's hard to believe we're actually here and that we've made it this far. 

This weekend you should be focused on your POD and final tasks. Note that all of the reflection questions have been posted as well as all of the materials to prepare you for the end of the year assessments. If you are presenting virtually, I'd recommend coming to class on Wednesday the 12th to practice and prepare - a run through is always a good idea.

After next week, we will only have our final choice assignments left for the year. This will provide us a chance to be fun and creative to wrap up our year. I'm excited to see what you come up with and create for us (me and Ms. Greeves).

AP Language and English 10

Check the post below as well as the reminders on Google Classroom as you're working through the weekend. Keep in mind that the quarter will soon end, be sure that any of your missing assignments are submitted ASAP.

Ending the Week - 6 May 2021

AP Language

Today in class we were focused on analyzing passages in order to deeply understand Chapter 20. This chapter in Invisible Man is one of the most important moments in the novel because of the effect it has on TIM and the clear changes that he undergoes. We did a lot of discussion and analysis today, which I think helps us to all be in good shape for our rhetorical analysis question on our exam.

Over the weekend prepare for your Mini-Exam on Tuesday/Wednesday. Be sure to review the FRQs that are available for you and to complete and submit your MCQ reflection document.

On Thursday/Friday we'll be working through Chapters 22 and 23. The novel is nearly complete. Your final project has been posted, but we'll take some more time later to get started on it.

English 10

Today was a pretty simple day. We talked a lot about how people eat and what that tells us about the person's character. Then we put our interpretation skills to the test as we read and analyzed a section of our novel.

Next week we'll be finishing our book. Over the weekend I want you to read to page 159. Keep tracking your characters, major ideas, and vocabulary as you read.

If you have any missing assignments - now is the time to get them in. We'll be finishing this novel and this unit very soon - I don't want people to have a lot of work at the end of the year. If you're unsure of what to do, please let me know. Check your most recent progress reports.

Wednesday - 5 May 2021 - Cinco de Mayo!

AP Research

Today we took care of final conferences (I'll finish those with you on Friday) as well as taking time to prepare for our final assessments next week. The focus right now in class is our POD as well as the final submission of the Academic Paper. Remember to follow your instructions on Digital Portfolio in order to submit your paper.

Presentations are scheduled for next week on Monday and Friday. Wednesday will be open for conferencing, review, or make-up presentations if needed. Keep in mind that you should do a final practice this week using your Poster Presentation and Mock POD Rubric. Submit that rubric as evidence of completion of the task.

The week of the 17th will take us to our final tasks for the course. I've got some fun things for you to choose from to end the year. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create.

AP Language and English 10

Be sure to see the notes below as you prepare for class at the end of the week. Remember that if you have any missing assignments, now is the time to submit them. We have very little time left in this quarter of the year, and I want to make sure that everyone is in a good place to end our time together.

Beginning May - Tuesday the 4th

May the Fourth be with you all!

AP Language

Today was our whole and total review on the AP Examination as well as our time to review the full length MCQ and its answers. Remember that if you haven't yet submitted MCQ 8 - it's unlocked again until Friday.

This week you should complete your MCQ reflection and tracking log and prepare to submit it on Monday the 10th. Also, keep in mind that vocabulary cards are due. This will be our final set of cards and it's a lot of points, so be sure that you're working to complete all of your final tasks.

We'll be discussing Chapters 20 and 21 next class. These are important chapters and important not just for our class but for all of us as people who live in the United States at this time. I look forward to an engaging day with you all next class to discuss this difficult portion of the novel.

English 10

Today's class was a day for Anna Akhmatova's poem called "Requiem". I was really impressed with your work today. You were able to pull out a lot of great insights and ideas as well as connections. Remember that the most important thing to do when studying a poem is to put it in your own words to understand the situation. Once you have that, you'll notice a lot of the patterns which create some of the meaning.

We went through our TP-CASTT model and then answered a discussion question based on our work today. This discussion question is your grade for the work on this poem. 

For tonight, be sure that any missing work is done and submitted. Use the recordings for any of the reading tasks that you may have missed. Next class will be a reading day - we'll be moving through a big chunk of the novel before we finish the book next week.

April's Finished - On to May (April 29, 2021)

AP Language

Today in class we spent time discussing symbols and characters who function symbolically. We then took time for a brief close reading to see the way in which multiple levels of meaning are woven in to the text. Ellison really is a master at this, and sometimes it hits pretty fast. If you see a big passage with lots of moving parts, try to always grab on to the parts that make the most sense to you. Remember that there are always multiple meanings in a text, your job is to always focus on constructing and developing one.

Over the weekend, focus on finishing your MCQs and reading in Invisible Man. MCQ 8 is due on Monday as is the most recent round of vocabulary cards. Remember that your cards should come from MCQs and Ellison's novel. Next week we'll finish our focus on the AP Examination - and begin preparing more individually and with some choice. MCQ 9 is available for extra credit/extra practice/replacement of a previous MCQ. 

As always, let me know if there's anything I can do to help. It's gonna be May next week - off to the last full month of school!

English 10

Today's class focused on reading in order to understand pages 126 to 135 in our novel. We met a new character called "The Limper" who embodies one of our clear conflicts in the novel as well as a type of brutal power. Also, we discussed more about Tzesar Markovich and Shukhov. Especially their character traits.

Over the weekend be focused on any missing work and updating your notes from the reading so far. Next week will be our last week with this novel. I look forward to hearing your final thoughts and reflections on the book. From there we'll be working on a lot of end of the year assignments. Be ready for the year to end fast!

AP Research

Remember that next week you have two assessments due. You'll need to meet with me to complete your EOC Conference, and you'll need to meet with a peer to complete your Mock POD. I'll be available all next week during class time as well as on Monday. If you haven't yet scheduled your POD for the week of May 10, be sure to do so ASAP. Reply to the email in your inbox to set your date and time.

Mid-Week - Wednesday the 28th

AP Research

Today we had a great conversation on PODs and scoring. We got in-depth on the rubric and by seeing the work of a student presenter, we get a good idea of the requirements of the rubric. Over the weekend, be sure to complete your reflections for question set three. Remember that for your POD you'll be asked three questions - one from each set. Be sure that you review the earlier questions we've already done - be sure that the answers align with your work as it currently stands.

Next week you'll be working mostly asynchronously. Your goal will be to complete your Mock POD (See the assignment posted on Classwork) as well as your EOC Conference. Details are posted in the recording.

AP Language and English 10

Be sure that you're checking in with any missing assignments so far this quarter. We'll be focused on our novels next class to continue our process of reading and unlocking meaning in the text. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. More details are in the post below.

Beginning the Week - Tuesday the 27th

English 10

Today in class we focused on reading to cover pages 117 to 126. This section of the novel is important because it highlights some important conflicts and examples of irony in the text so far. Next class we'll look at another section of the novel to prepare us for the end.

Use your homework time right now to catch up on any missed assignments. Remember that if you're missing an assignment from last week, there are recordings to help you with your submission. If you want to use a freebie or extra credit, please say so in a comment.

Next week we'll be finishing the book. Be sure that you're keeping up with your annotations and vocabulary. We'll have a final assessment at the end of the unit and then our end of the year work. Be sure to stay focused and use class time effectively to not have a lot to do at the end of the year.

AP English Language

Today was our day to work through a full length exam MCQ as a team. Since we were working as a team, you likely worked a bit more slowly than normal. Those of us in class took time at the end of the section to compare and discuss answer choices - especially some questions that were a bit challenging.

Be sure that your group has submitted answers via AP Classroom or a Google Doc on the assignment. All group names should be on the document if submitted there. I would also recommend submitting your answers on AP Classroom to get feedback on your choices. Grades will be posted for the groups soon and we'll review once all the data is in.

Tonight, be sure to work on vocabulary cards and your reading for next class. Today was a bit of a bore because of our focus on MCQs - so next class we'll have some time for arts and crafts, of a sort. Chapters 16, 17, and 18 are a great section of the novel. I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

Friday - 23 April 2021 - The End of the Week

AP Research

Great day today everyone as we met for our final session of peer review. Today we began our day by focusing on some key notes and takeaways from the Chief Reader Report from 2020. This is a great resource to see some of the trends in the performance of students on the academic paper last year. The suggestions are important for us as we are winding up our work and finalizing our papers. Being sure to be explicit about our process, our ethics, and our reflection on our work are all key takeaways for me.

Be sure to submit your document as a record of today's work with your group. We'll meet together next week to go over the plan for Unit 6 (the last unit of the year) and the final assessment tasks for the year. On Wednesday we'll also take a look at another Presentation and Oral Defense and practice with scoring. We're a few weeks out from submission - stay focused on your process and the rewards will flow!

AP Language and English 10

Be sure to follow the reminders and guidelines below as you are reading and working over the weekend. Be sure that any missing assignments that you can turn in are submitted ASAP. This is not the quarter to fall behind since we don't have much time left.

Ending Week 30 - Thursday the 22nd

AP Language

Today in class we focused on understanding some of the major ideas at play in Chapters 13-15. These chapters provide TIM a chance to break away from some of the cycles plaguing him in the text, but unfortunately he leans right back into them. We did some close reading, focus on motifs, and great thinking as a team today.

Over the weekend, be sure to complete MCQ 7 - it will lock on Monday night. You should also finish your vocabulary cards - they'll be collected on May 3rd. Reading for next week is Chapters 16-19. I'll have videos posted on YouTube shortly.

English 10

Today was a reading day. We took time to read as a whole group or in small independent groups to focus on pages 100 to 107. This section told us a lot about Shukhov as a person - so be sure to update those character notes. We answered some comprehension questions and then did some writing focused on some of the major ideas in this novel so far.

Over the weekend, take time to finish any of you missing assignments so far. If you need to review today's work, use the recording posted to finish your questions and writing. You've had two major assignments so far - the Illustrated Quotation and Grammar Exam - so if these are missing it's important to get them in. Be sure to read to page 117 in the novel as well.

Beginning Week 30 - 20 April 2021

AP Language

Today was our day to focus on reading quickly and addressing our required task - reading and writing. There was a secondary focus today on teamwork and building stamina as we had two things to complete - an MCQ and FRQ. We'll have a lot of extra credit built in to today's Matchbox. Scores will be uploaded later this week - it'll take time for me to read over the FRQs.

For this afternoon, be sure to complete your reading and annotating in Invisible Man - Chapters 13, 14, and 15. We'll work through the chapters as a team on Thursday. I've unlocked your next MCQ for your independent work. Remember it will lock at 11:45 on Monday. We'll have vocabulary turned in soon - you should hopefully be finding your tenth word soon. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you!

English 10

Today in class we spent our time reading and understanding a key component to the novel - Tiurin's Story. Remember that you can complete the reading questions via the Google Document or the PearDeck slides. I'll be checking them tomorrow for your answers and work. From our reading, you should also be able to find a few vocabulary words.

For tonight, be sure to keep reading. Make it through to page 100 to finish the scene of the men working. Also be sure to take time to check in on any missing assignments like your Illustrated Quotation or the Grammar Test on No Red Ink. These are both major assignments and worth a lot of points. I look forward to seeing you all next class for some more time in the prison and a closer look at some of our themes.

End of the Week - AP Research

AP Research

With the information we reviewed on Wednesday, you should be all set to finish your draft of your academic paper. Given our earlier rounds of peer editing, it's my hope that you feel well prepared, and that you have completed a solid piece of work. Remember that your example AP Research papers as well as papers in your Body of Knowledge are very useful here as models for your work. 

Next week we'll meet on Friday to review our papers as a complete draft. Use these days to write, revise, and create your slides. The reflection document has been updated. If you have trouble writing your abstract, let me know and we can meet to review this task.

End of the Week - Thursday the 15th

AP Language

It's the end of another week here in Room A132. We focused today on the idea of allusions in Chapters 11 and 12 and how they're being used by Ellison to add a lot of meaning to TIM's process of creating and understanding his identity and role in the world. Today we focused on musical allusions, The Odyssey, and the Bible in these chapters.

Over the weekend, be sure to focus on reading in Invisible Man as well as your MCQ 5. Keep in mind that the MCQ is for accuracy, so failure to complete it will result in a missing score. If you have any missing assignments, get those turned in over the weekend so that I can update your grades.

English 10

Today in class we had a bit of a chill day - it was a day to take our End of Year Grammar Diagnostic on No Red Ink and then have some independent time for working as needed. Over the weekend, you should find time to complete and submit your Interpretive Reading assignment (paragraph and recording) as well as reading in your novel to page 80. In this section of the novel you'll want to pay attention to food and the way that Shukhov works and uses his time.

Next week we'll spend more time in the camp with our prisoners as well as discuss some other End of Year assessments. Keep pushing, we've just got 12 more classes left!