29 October / 3 November - Beginning Quarter 2

AP Language

Today was a day for finishing up and completing tasks. Since we're at the end of the unit, we took time to complete our second progress check on AP Classroom for our FRQ and MCQ skills. Remember that these grades are going onto second quarter. I'll review your work and enter scores when I return from Alaska next week.

Remember that we have several assignments coming up in the next few weeks. I hope that you were able to find some time after the AP Classroom assessments to get started. Next class we will have the entire class devoted to our major project - the social commentary websites. I hope that you'll be able to use that time to be productive and complete most of your work as a team. 

English 10

Today was a very easy day in English 10. We took time to complete our NoRedInk Grammar Diagnostic and then used the remaining class time to work on our novels. Remember that you have vocabulary due pretty soon after the quarter begins, so I hope that you were able to complete your ten words and get that submitted or at least close to finished. All of these assignments will go on Quarter 2. Keep in mind that Quarter 1 is now finished and your grades have been posted.

Next class we'll dive deep into our novels and begin to consider the way in which the characters are changing and developing. Remember that we are finished with these books by Thanksgiving Break.

27 and 28 October - This is the end...

Quarter 1 is now officially over. Grades have been posted for Quarter 1. No changes will be made. Remember that quarter one counts less than your other quarters because I know that you are readjusting to things. If you've faced challenges, it is important to reflect on those and chart a new course forward. Don't keep repeating the same process and expect a different outcome. You should also know that the course will begin to get more difficult as we move forward. With that, on to the the updates.

AP Language

Today was essentially our end of the unit for The Crucible. We discussed some of Miller's ideas and purposes through the play as we participated in a jigsaw discussion on excerpts from his article. I think that it is extremely important that we noticed the ways in which history and humanity stay the same throughout the eras, even though there are significant changes. 

After that, we launched into our mini-project where we're comparing Mean Girls and The Crucible - the playlist for the clips are linked on Schoology. Remember to use your viewing guide and select ONE element for your compare/contrast. Decide if the elements are generally similar or different between the two texts and then explore the importance of this similarity OR difference. You'll construct a visual comparing/contrasting the two elements (character, conflict, theme, motif, setting, etc.) and then the mini-essay. Follow the outline on the back of the viewing guide for the mini-essay.

Be aware of the following assignments that will open Quarter 2:

• AP Classroom FRQ and MCQ (10/29 or 11/3)
• Timed Writing - The Crucible Unit Exam and Mini-Project (11/8 or 11/9)
• Vocabulary Cards 2 (11/8 or 11/9)
• Websites will be scored the week following.

We're opening Q2 with a lot of points! Use this weekend to get ahead and be prepared. Remember that we're going to be studying The Great Gatsby next.

English 10

We had a very chill and easy day to end quarter one. I am very happy that so many of you completed your test corrections and used this opportunity to raise your scores before the end of the quarter. I also hope that by reviewing your work and your answers that you see your mistakes, and don't repeat them in the future. After test corrections, we took time for some grammar and then moved to our novels.

We will finish this unit by Thanksgiving Break. Your final assessment on your book will be a project - more on this later - that focuses on how the characters have grown up through the course of the book. There is a graphic organizer we'll begin to fill out to help us track these changes. For now, it's important to keep reading!

Next class we'll have our NoRedInk Diagnostic Test (remember you'll get a 4.0 for completion of the test) and any time afterwards will be for you to collect and complete vocabulary. These two assignments will be your first grades for Quarter 2, and both are very easy ways to start with a 4.0 - just do the thing!

25 and 26 October - Ending Quarter 1

AP English Language

Lovely work today everyone as we worked through tracking the changes apparent between Act I/II and Act IV of The Crucible in order to understand Miller's main arguments. Remember that in an allegory everything stands for something else, so it is important to recognize that the resolution of these characters connects to the resolution of the Red Scare in 1950's America.

For tonight you should read and annotate "Why I Wrote The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. Use this as a means to check and deepened your understanding of the play. It's not often we have an author tell us exactly what they meant to do. You should also begin to revise your drafts of your rhetorical analysis - we'll have another check-in on this work soon.

English 10

Today was an examination day. Not the most fun or exciting day in English class, but a necessary day for us to show what we've learned and how far we've come. I'll work to have these exams scored and back to you by next class so that we can do any test corrections before the end of the grading period.

For tonight, enjoy a night off. We'll get back into our books next class and begin with the second half of our books, remember that you'll have vocabulary due again very soon!

21 and 22 October - End of Quarter 1

AP Language

Today was a movie day! We watched Act III of The Crucible and understood some of the major moments of Act III as well as the way in which they connect and deepen some of Arthur Miller's larger ideas. Over the weekend your main task for me is to finish your reading of the play. Act IV is very quick. Pay attention to the ideas of reputation and confession at the end of the play.

For your project, you have a deadline on Monday/Tuesday which is your rhetorical analysis rough draft. You'll meet and share your drafts/plans/work. See the video from a few days ago for help with this.

Remember that any missing/resubmitted work is due by Friday. I'll be scoring and updating grades this weekend. If you are completing the reflection for the second timed writing, that is available at the form linked on Schoology. The reflection is due by the end of the day tomorrow - Friday the 22nd.

English 10

Today was our review day! We went over all of our concepts and ideas that are going to show up on our examination next week. Remember that you'll have grammar skills, reading and writing skills, and a bit of vocabulary with your literary devices. The exam is going to be paper/pencil as well as computer based - so bring your laptops.

Any missing or late work is due by the end of the day on Friday. Don't miss this chance to submit anything that you may need to submit. I'll still take it! You can submit on Schoology or bring me hard copies of assignments.

I've posted our review game on our Schoology page! Feel free to access the questions to help you study and review over the weekend.

19 and 20 October

AP Language

Solid work today, y'all! I was happy to see a lot of great engagement around our lesson on objectivity, subjectivity, and sensationalism via Colonial Era Captivity Narratives. All of these lessons recently are devoted to allowing us the context to understand the end of The Crucible. I hope that you've enjoyed the readings.

If you did not finish the activity today in class feel free to finish it for homework or during our next Lion Time (tomorrow). I'll score them over the weekend. Remember that this is one of our last grades for the quarter. Next class we'll be looking at Act III. Be sure to read and annotate in advance. Pay close attention to the courtroom - note the irony in the scene and the way in which things quickly escalate against John.

English 10

Today's class was a day for us to finish things up - we finished up our reading of "The Forsaken Olive Trees" and took a bit of time to tie up loose ends. Remember that any missing work for Quarter 1 is due on the 22nd. That is this Friday! Don't miss this chance to turn in your work for credit. 

Next class we'll be playing our review game to get ready for our Quarter 1 Exam. The exam will be on Monday the 25th or Tuesday the 26th (depending on your class). You have the study guide and all the materials you need to prepare. This test is going to be a lot of points - so it will have a strong effect on your grade. Prepare and be ready to do your best work!

15 and 18 October

AP Language

Today's class was focused on a bit of a review of the beginnings (rhetorical appeals) as we looked at excerpts from Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Remember that right now we're focused on understanding more of the context for the people in The Crucible before we work through the end of the play. We also took time to set up our websites and work on our projects a bit - the rhetorical analysis phase.

Over the weekend you have an option of what to read - both are posted in Materials and one is also in your textbook. Choose either Rowlandson or Equiano. Consider their situation, their voice, and how they convey the troubles of their captivity. Understand their audience - it's always key. You should come to class on the 25th/26th with a rough draft of your analysis for your website project. There are only a few grades left in the quarter and little time to resubmit or submit items. Submissions will end by the 22nd of the month.

English 10

Great day today, y'all! We spent time in Palestine as we worked through the first part of "The Forsaken Olive Trees" by N. Farah. This story gives us a great opportunity to examine the importance of land and the connection between characters and their land. It's complex, but so interesting.

Over the weekend you should be focused on any missing work as well as your Quarter 1 Exam study guide. Your Quarter 1 exam will occur on Monday the 25th or Tuesday the 26th. You will be able to use your notes, books, and your study guide. Be prepared to show what you've learned so far this year in English class.

Enrichment Day - 14 October

AP English Language

Today was our Rhetorical Analysis enrichment day! I hope that you appreciated the lesson, time for reflection, and the group based practice. As you work through this project, your first goal is to complete your rhetorical analysis. Remember, we're all focused on social commentary so first you have to think of an issue that needs comment. Use your passions as a guide. If you care about climate change, then find a text which comments upon or satirizes that issue. The goal of your analysis will be to show and explain how the commentary is made clear.

I've posted the resources from today's lesson on Schoology. Blue Day students - I would suggest checking out this video as you are building and planning your rhetorical analysis. We'll have more time next class for project time. Remember that your choice of Zinn reading is due next class.

English 10

Today was our enrichment day! It was a day to explore around the world and learn a bit more about where our book and our main characters come from. I hope that you enjoyed the time to explore and travel a bit, no matter where you found yourself going.

If you didn't complete the assignment today in class, be sure that you complete and submit as much as you can by the end of the weekend. If you're missing any assignments, this can earn back some points. If you don't have any missing work, than this work can add points to a low scoring assignment.

Next class we'll be reading one of our anchor texts in this unit - a beautiful short story from the Palestinian Territories. I'm looking forward to us reading something as a whole class and then exploring one of our main themes in this unit - the connection between land and people.

October 13

The 13th is PSAT Day. If you're a sophomore, this is just a practice test. If you're a junior, then you may have a chance to get some scholarship money out of tomorrow for the National Merit Scholarship Qualification.

Be sure to bring pencils, a calculator, a snack and some water. It'll be a grueling slog, but you'll do it.

Put in a bit of time for your classes in the afternoon. Remember that grey classes will have an enrichment day on Thursday. Our next class to advance the unit will be on Friday/Monday.

8 and 12 October

 October 11 is Indigenous People's Day and a student holiday. Take  few moments to learn about the people whose land we now occupy. Learn some words in an indigenous language. Read a text by an indigenous author.

AP Language

Today was a day for our second timed writing. We're still focused on argumentative timed writes as we build our skills toward our first rhetorical analysis. I'll review your work and have scores back to you by the time we see each other again.

Over this long block of time until we see each other again you have a few things to settle. First, there's our project. If you're the website technician you should go to sites.google.com and start your site. That's all. We'll set up the template next week. Everyone in the group should select a text from the genres - read it - and begin to annotate and plan. Use yesterday's lesson on rhetorical analysis to begin your outline.

We also will have reading for next class. Select one of the two Zinn excerpts to read for Friday the 15th. Pay attention to the way in which Zinn appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos. What does this help us to further learn about the Puritans as a people? About the colonial era?

Remember that any resubmissions of Unit 1 Projects are due by 10/22 for all classes.

English 10

Today was a day to talk about grammar (run-on sentences) and essay rubrics. Remember that our essay rubric is going to be the same rubric that will be used all year with all of our essays. We did a great self-reflection on our writing skills and then we summarized the rubric to understand what's required of us.

If you didn't finish arts and crafts in class, please try to do so before the next time I see you. I will try to give you a bit of time on Friday to complete your work. Now is a good time to read, since I won't see you for a while. Remember to reach your reading checkpoint before the 18th.

6 and 7 October

AP Language

Great day today, y'all. I'm very happy that the groups were formed quickly and then worked effectively to complete the first task. Remember that this is a very long-term project. I'm teaching you a lot of things through this work, so we will not finish this until the end of the unit (around November). 

Next class we'll have our quiz on Acts 1 and 2 of The Crucible. It's a timed writing. You'll receive a grade for your essay and then a grade for your knowledge of the play. Review your annotations, review key scenes, and work to understand what's happening.

Next week will be strange for our schedule. There will also be a bit of a break from The Crucible. We'll be looking at some choice readings from Howard Zinn (a modern historian) and then two narratives from the time period. One narrative is posted, the other is in your textbook on page 193. You'll need to have one Zinn excerpt read for the Zinn day and then one captivity narrative for that class.

Holla with any questions! I'm here for you!

English 10

Today we took our day to catch-up on Quarter 1. I am so happy that so many of you got so much done! Let's be sure that as we move forward we don't fall behind. Use the time you have in class, so that you'll have less to do later. If you need to still submit something, be sure to do so today once you get home.

We will have quizzes on our book the week of the 18th. If you're reading Persepolis then you'll need to get to page 134. If you're reading The Kite Runner, then you'll need to get to page 109. Those of you reading How Does It Feel to Be A Problem should read two full stories. The quiz will focus on characters and a lot of the topics we've been discussing.

Next class we'll be talking about writing, have some time to finish our character sketches, and take time to continue reading our books. I'm looking forward to a great Friday!

4 and 5 October

AP Language

Today's class was about breaking open The Crucible in order to set a foundation for the rest of our study. We understood the main characters in the play, their essential motivations, and the way in which multiple conflicts, topics, and forces are working in the play so far.

Next class we'll continue with Act 2. This scene is all about John and Elizabeth Proctor. Notice their relationship, the way in which tension operates, and the speed of the changes in Salem. We'll have an assessment on Friday/Monday which covers Act 1 and Act 2. We'll also begin on the project in earnest next class. Be sure to review the requirements, the exemplars, and the documents in the folder for you.

If you have anything missing from Unit 1 it is extremely important that this is turned in ASAP. The end of the quarter will occur at the end of the month.

English 10

Today we did a lot of great work y'all! I'm so glad that we have time every day to read and enjoy our texts. We focused a bit on how the characters are impacted by the characters and forces at play around them. This is super important as all of our books are about growing up in the world - so we should consider the way in which the characters are affected by the forces around them.

Tonight you have vocabulary due. Be sure to upload your version of the vocabulary bookmark with your ten words, definitions, and synonyms. This should be an easy 4.0 assignment. Use Google Dictionary for help with your words. Keep in mind that you'll keep subitting the same document all year as you get more vocabulary.

Our assignment for the week is our Arts and Crafts on our protagonist. For this I want you to create an image of the main character (some of you may need to pick one). The question for you to answer in your paragraph response is: What is the main character like as the book begins? Be sure to create a clear paragraph that uses evidence from the book. These assignments are due at the end of the week.

30 September and 1 October

AP Language

Over the weekend, you should be focused on reading in Act I of The Crucible. Begin your front and back cover annotations. Track the ideas that you collect on the covers in the body of the text. Remember don't just blindly underline or highlight. Always give a word in the margin or a symbol to remind you of what you saw.

Next week is all about The Crucible. We'll be reading Act I and Act II. You may find it helpful to read it all in one sitting - it does move pretty fast. Pay attention to irony, the characters, the elements of Puritan society that you're seeing, and especially the idea of power.

Any missing work should be submitted as soon as possible. I should have everything graded and reviewed by the end of next week. Be sure to check SIS for any updates.

English 10

Today was a great day in English 10. We took a trip to Turkey to read the work of Mr. Nazim Hikmet and his poem "Some Advice to Those Who Will Spend Time in Prison." The goal of today's class was to understand the way to analyze a poem and break it down to discover its meaning. We focused on paraphrasing the poem, finding the emotions of the poem, and noticing the shifts in the emotions. All of this led us to our theme.

Over the weekend, you may not have any homework to complete. If you have submitted your project, then you are in a great place! Be sure that your vocabulary is nearly complete and keep reading if you would like. If your project is not yet in, this is the final chance to submit without a late penalty. Complete your tasks as soon as you can - reach out for any help you may need.

Beginning Unit 2 - 28 and 29 September

AP Language

And off we go to Unit 2! In this unit, we'll be looking at texts from the Colonial period of America as we are reading and studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible. For tonight, I want you to get enmeshed in the culture of the Puritan world by reading Jonathan Edwards's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry G-d". As you read, annotate for tone, the way he uses fear, and his topics. This is a great text for vocabulary as well - remember that you have another set of ten due later in the unit.

Finish and submit your Unit 1 projects as well as your Unit 1 vocabulary to the spaces to the side. I'll have grades updated as soon as I can. Keep in mind that Act 1 and 2 will be discussed next week. Be sure to begin your reading and annotating now. See the unit plan posted below or in the unit folder for your reading schedule.

English 10

Projects are due today to round out Unit 1. Be sure that you have submitted your work to Schoology for this first unit of the year. If you are missing any work from Unit 1, be sure that you've made a plan with me for how to complete and submit that work before the end of this week. It's important that we get everything settled before we move on.

Today in class we took time to get into our novels and focus on characters. Remember that in some cases, the characters are real people, since the books are pieces of non-fiction. We're looking at conflicts and how they impact the characters as well. We're also actively reading for new vocabulary as we work through these books.

If you have your projects done, then tonight should be about vocabulary. If those things are both complete, then take this time to enjoy your book. We'll start reading something together as a class next time.

Ending Unit 1 - 24 and 27 September

AP Language

We've finished Unit 1! Congratulations everyone! I hope that you've enjoyed this introduction to non-fiction genres such as letters, speeches, and essays. We've also gotten our hands dirty with a new method of reading and analyzing readings - annotations and rhetorical frameworks - which we'll use to really extract meaning throughout the year.

Our next unit begins next week. We'll be studying The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The unit plan is attached on Schoology, and I'll give you a hard copy next week. If you want to get your own copy of the play, feel free. There are also several e-copies. No matter how you read, find a way to annotate and be consistent. Reading checks may become more frequent.

Projects and vocabulary are due at the end of the day next class. If you have any questions, be sure to ask!

English 10

Due to an issue with Schoology you're not going to be able to submit your project at the assignment spot. Instead, be sure to share your project with me or to email it to me directly. Use my djmiller1 [at] fcpsschools [dot] net account for this. Be sure that by the end of the weekend that your Unit 1 project is complete so that I can get your grades finalized for this unit.

Today we began our work in Unit 2 - The Middle East. We began reading a bit, talked for a bit, and discussed genres. Over the weekend, keep reading if you'd like, but don't feel any pressure to do so. We'll have more time next week for our novels and to wrap up vocabulary.

22 and 23 September

AP Language

Lovely work today everyone! We had a very productive first seminar for the end of Unit 1. I'm very happy that you all conducted yourselves civilly and drew some amazing connections between the various texts we studied within the unit. As we worked and discussed and listened, we were really getting some great work done related to our "This is (my) America" Project. Use the ideas we unearthed to begin in earnest if you haven't yet.

Next class will be our Progress Checks on APClassroom. Be sure that you have your username/password as well as your charged laptop. Time remaining will be spent on our project workshop or on vocabulary submissions. Our next unit will focus on Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Feel free to get your own copy if you so choose. I can also issue you one from school.

English 10

Today we put our skills to the test as we completed our first SOL essay. I was happy to see a lot of you using our resources from last class to complete your work. I will have these read and returned to you shortly. After the writing session, since we finished at different rates, we then worked independently for the rest of class.

If you're missing either of our earlier writing assignments, be sure to get those completed as soon as you can. The unit is almost over. Next class will be our final workshop for our final project, so be sure that you're moving toward completion. We will also have vocabulary due soon - you owe me ten words for Unit 1.

Beginning Week 5 - 20 and 21 September

AP Language

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today was a day to talk about structures and organization of arguments as well as the building blocks of our course - rhetoric. Remember that everything is an argument. Everything is rhetoric. Everything is based on convincing an audience of something. We applied that idea to our reading as we went to our choice readings and to our writing as we reviewed our first timed write of the year.

Tonight is a great night to prepare for your first Socratic Seminar. Prepare by reviewing your readings (Cuomo's Speech, The Letters between John and Abigail Adams, and your choice reading [Sedaris, Anzaldua, or Apess]). Make your annotations. Make connections between texts. And prepare questions! This is the most important thing. Since you're working through reading, you have a great opportunity to finish up your vocabulary as you prepare.

Next week you'll submit your final projects and vocabulary. We'll have additional time over the next few classes to work on these projects a bit in class, but you should be working outside of class a bit as well!

English 10

Today was not the most interesting day in English class, but it was a good day as we went through writing and the elements of a successful paragraph and of a successful essay. Remember that we always must begin our writing by completing the essential steps:

1. Find the Question.
2. Find evidence for each side. Pick the best side.
3. Determine the task (essay or paragraph).
4. Use the templates to complete the task.

After that, we took time to work through the final elements of our "My Personal Culture" project - the writing heavy slides. Remember that you are responding to a quotation on one (I recommend choosing a quotation from the Gaiman piece) and then constructing your paragraph at the end. 

Next class we'll be completing our writing diagnostic for the year. Your projects are due on Friday. We'll have our final quiz on this unit next week!

Weekend Work/Announcements (9/16 and 9/17)

AP Language

Today was our opening workshop day for our final unit project called "This is (my) America." We discussed the outline of the project, the requirements, and the goals of the assignment. From there, we went to choosing our own adventure: reading/annotating/vocabulary, project workshop, or making up any missed assignments.

Over the weekend you may want to finish your reading. Readings will be due for the day of our seminar which is on the 24th. This is also a good chance to finish your vocabulary. Note that the project is due on September 29th - we will have additional time in class to work through this.

English 10

Today's class was a day for us to brush off our skills on NoRedInk - we were focused on citing and paraphrasing our sources. This is an especially important skill as we are completing research, and research is at the heart of so much that we do.

If you were able to finish the NoRedInk work. then there were some options available. If you have any missing work, that is definitely the priority. Be sure that you've completed our two writing assignments so far (one on paper, one on Schoology), our notes on "The Danger of a Single Story" and our signature forms.

If you're all caught up, then today was for our year long portfolio. The instructions to set-up and begin your portfolio are posted on Schoology. This is something that you'll work on throughout the year. Right now we've been focused on Africa (especially South Africa), so you may want to focus on that slide.

Kol Nidre / Yom Kippur

I won't be available until Friday. Have a wonderful day tomorrow everyone. For those who observe the holiday, g'mar tov! May you have an easy, safe, and meaningful fast.

September 14 and 15

AP Language

Today's class was a day for us to show our skills as writers as we conquered our first timed writing. If you need additional time because of the fire drill in first period, it will be given. We can meet outside of class to finish up as needed/applicable. I loved the collaboration and sharing that went on in the gallery walks. When we learn from each other, I'm always glad.

I've posted the final assignment for this unit on Schoology. Check it out and begin to plan a bit as you need to. Next class we'll have a workshop day devoted to that task and to finish out any tasks remaining in the unit like reading (Cuomo's speech, the letters between the Adamses, and the choice of essays [Sedaris, Anzaldua, or Apess]) or vocabulary. 

English 10

Today in class we took time for reading one of our final pieces of this unit so that we could understand from where our ideas about concepts/people/the world come from. Neil Gaiman's piece gives us some interesting perspectives on ideas, their power, and their timelessness. We also looked at some items on Schoology including our vocabulary assignment and our final project for the unit.

Be sure that tonight you're focused on any missing assignments. If you're all caught up, you may want to take a look at the project and begin discussing your background with your family. We'll have plenty of days to work on this in class, but beginning the process now will help you along. Next class will be a day for you to work on NoRedInk to learn about researching skills before you put them into practice to begin a choice research activity. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Be aware that I will be out on Thursday for Yom Kippur. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me and I'll get in touch with you after the holiday. For those that observe, I hope you have an easy and meaningful fast.

September 10 and 13

AP Language

Another lovely day in AP Language made better with a visit from Mr. James Baldwin. Today we worked through letters as a genre and discussed the ways in which letters can accomplish what other texts do, but a bit differently. We then read through James Baldwin's "My Dungeon Shook" in order to understand some of these structures, our rhetorical vocabulary, and the concept of paradox in the text.

Projects should be turned in by the end of the weekend. Next class we'll conduct a gallery walk to display our work to our peers and share our knowledge. You should be actively completing vocabulary cards each time we read something - remember that the magic number is ten for the unit.

Reading for the weekend is very short - take a look at John and Abigail Adams' letters between each other on pages 250 to 254. Consider the way in which the connection between the audience and speaker is manipulated to wit in the construction of the argument. Keep all your reading notes in your notebooks - I'll check those towards the end of the unit.

English 10

Today in class was a day for us to talk about close reading and annotating. Remember that when we annotate we're putting our thoughts on paper - we're recording what we see about a text so that we can remember it later. This is going to lead to great outcomes when it comes to our work as readers, writers, and thinkers. We practiced annotating and close reading today as we worked through different excerpts from religious texts. We did this to understand elements of their culture from the reading.

Over the weekend, focus on any missing assignments you may have. Your South Africa reflection can be submitted on Schoology. If you'd like to get ahead, begin work on your project by interviewing your family about your background. We'll begin on the final project in earnest next week. The project overview is posted on Schoology for you if you'd like to review it now.