Showing posts with label Ap English III. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ap English III. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Finishing Strong - Final Reminders for A Day Students

This will be the final post for the 2018-2019 Academic Year. It's been a real pleasure this year; challenging at times, but that just makes it a bit sweeter in my book. Here are your reminders to close out the quarter and for your final examination.

AP English III

There are two assignments left to complete for the quarter. The first is our movie review of The Grapes of Wrath. Your assignment and rubric are posted on Google Classroom. Please submit a hard copy to me or an electronic copy to the space on Google Classroom by the end of the day on Friday for it to be scored as on-time. Late assignments will be accepted.

The final day to do any changes to grades with rubles or Falcon Feathers is Tuesday. The final day to submit any missing work is Friday of this week - the last day of class.

On Friday we will have our classroom celebration/party/review for the final examination. Remember to bring your item, your character, and your entry ticket. The entry ticket (Character Sheet) is your final grade of the year.

Your examination will consist of ten identifications and two essays. A1 will have their exam in the morning on May 29. A4 will have their exam on the afternoon of May 31. I'll review exemptions on Friday, you can also email if you are curious.

English IV

Due to the fact that we are running low on time in the end of the year, I have changed your final essay to a final slide show. In this slide show you'll be comparing yourself and at least one character from our study in this final unit. The topic is maturity - specifically what makes us into adults. You'll have almost all of class on Friday to work on and submit this final assignment to me.

Your examination is a computer-based NCFE. Your exam will happen on May 31 in the morning and we will test in room 204. Please be early.

Any work to be scored by me needs to be turned in on Friday. Especially if you are missing anything. If you would like to use rubles or Falcon Feathers on your grade for extra credit, you will have time to do that on Tuesday as well.

All grades for Quarter 4 will be finalized by the end of the day on Tuesday. Do not come to me on Wednesday for extra credit as it will be too late for that.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students - 20 May 2019

AP English III

Happy Monday, all! Today in class we had two major things - first we finished our work with the Joads by completing the film - The Grapes of Wrath. I like the film, but it definitely has its issues. Remember to complete your film review using your notes and submit this to Google Classroom by Friday. The rubric is also posted there for you.

I am actively scoring and putting your grades for motif projects in the gradebook. I see that some of you are missing motif charts, or illustrations, or 1Q1Ps - some of you are missing everything. Be aware that Friday is the final day that any work will be collected to be scored. If you want to submit rubles or Falcon Feathers for grade improvements, Tuesday is the final day for that.

Next class we will have our Steinbeck prize presentations, and then we will prepare for our final day of class celebrations. Be ready for some fun!

English IV

Today in class we spent time watching The Diary of Anne Frank. I think that a lot of you are seeing a lot of connections between your books and Anne's story. You may even want to look at Anne as one of your examples for your writing assignments.

I handed back essay pre-writing and planning. Some of you need to revise these to answer the questions more fully and get all of your points. If you did not complete this assignment, be sure that you do. We've got very few days left together - let's be sure that we fill them in the best possible way.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students: 14 May 2019

AP English III

We have done what we can do and all that now remains is to go and do what we must do. I look forward to wishing you all the best tomorrow morning with granola bars, sexy words, and lots of good energy. Get well rested tonight. Eat a good breakfast in the morning. Review your tone words and rhetorical devices. Think about your writing skills.

I'll be putting in motif projects. Please turn these in on Monday if you have not yet done so. The only remaining assignments are our Character Dress-Up Party and our assignments with The Grapes of Wrath that are left (poster and movie review).

English IV

Today in class we went through a lot of our planning related to our essays and our novels. I'll review your work this weekend and get it back to you on Monday. Next class we'll be watching a film. You may want to include this film in your essay - there are a lot of connections to your novels.

If you are missing your quiz or your book pamphlet, please be sure to get this work in to me as soon as possible. We have our essays and viewing guides for the movie upcoming. There's not much left to do this year, be sure that all the work you do is your best!

Friday, May 10, 2019

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 10 May

AP English III

For those of you who were away taking the AP US History Examination this morning, I wish you nothing but the best. I hope that your DBQ was clear and that you were able to bring some of your own information to the forefront. Here are your reminders for the weekend:

  1. Motif Projects - Be sure that you have completed your 1Q1P, motif charts, and illustration of the quotation. I'll accept these on Monday and Tuesday if you were not in class today.
  2. Steinbeck Nominations - You'll have one more section of class to work on this. Remember that there is the poster and the presentation. Know what you'll be arguing about your nominee to give them the best chance of winning.
  3. Exam Needs Assessment - Next class we will be doing our full AP Exam review. Please go to Google Classroom and complete the form so that I can tailor our review to be the most helpful.
Your examination will be on Wednesday morning. Be at the church on time. I'll be there to wish you all the best and give you any last words before you go in and do the dance!

English IV

Today in class we looked at a different type of text and a different type of question. Remember that you'll see a few different types of texts on your NCFE. That's why we've read so many different types of things. Be ready by reviewing strategies for each type of text/question. From there it was independent working time for novels, study guides, or book projects before we finished up with our book and vocabulary quiz.

For this weekend it would be a good idea for you to complete your brainstorming related to your essay. Remember that you are selecting a major character from your book and talking about the type of person the character is and comparing the character to yourself. This is our key work to finish the year - so be sure that you're ready to work on this over the next few classes!


Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students: 8 May 2019

AP English III

We continue to slog through AP Testing! On Friday we'll have classmates gone for the AP US History exam (I've got a gift for you all here). Friday will be a workshop day for us. We have motif projects due - if you need to use class to finish the work, that's fine. We should also have time in class to work on the posters and presentations for the Steinbeck Prize.

Our final AP Exam review will happen on the 14th of May. For those of you absent, see me in advance for the materials or check the slides after the fact.

English IV

Today in class we found ourselves some time to work on our novels, NCFE skills, and vocabulary. Full day! On Friday you'll have a quiz on vocabulary (Roots 1-9) and also on your novels. Be sure that you have filled through the novel study guide and also worked through your character charts.

You'll be able to use your character chart, your study guide, and your novel on the quiz. Be prepared for our final activities!

Monday, May 6, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students - 6 May 2019

Today we begin AP testing! Know where and when to be! If you're unsure, ask! Be well rested and well fed for your exams. Remember that you've done what there is to do, now you need to prove it!

AP English III

Due to the AP Environmental Science exam stealing many of our classmates today, we spent the class working on our motif projects. If you were absent, I will take the literary criticism work from you next class.

Next class we will begin our final in-class project, and we will have our final chapter presentations on The Grapes of Wrath. If you have not yet finished your presentation, next class is the last day to complete it.

The full motif project is due on Friday. Remember that there are three parts - the illustration, writing, and the motif chart. Follow the guidelines on the assignment sheet to submit good work. Be aware that our exam review will fall the day before - on the 14th.

English IV

Today in class we had a great workshop in the library devoted to our Author Biography and Related Books portions of our book pamphlets. From the work that you all did today in class I think that you'll have your book projects finished by Friday.

I gave you the senior surveys today as well as the study guide for your quiz on Friday. The quiz will cover your book and you will be able to use your study guide and your book. Be sure that you have read and prepared.

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Important Announcement - AP English III

Students! 

I reviewed the AP lists that were sent out and see that a good chunk of class (4th period) will be absent due to testing. We'll move presentations and the class planned for Monday to Wednesday since fewer students will be absent. Those presenting - please be aware of the date change. Monday will be an in-class workshop related to the motif project. Please bring any special materials that you may need for this. I think you know what I can offer you in the classroom.


Thursday, May 2, 2019

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 2 May

AP English III

Next week we will begin AP Examinations. Be aware of the policies related to attendance and absences when you are testing. If you are not in class you will be marked absent; if you are testing, this will be corrected. I would highly suggest coming to class the day of your AP Examination if class doesn't conflict. Don't mess up your exam exemption because you're sleeping for APES.

Today in class we finished our reading of The Grapes of Wrath before having a bit of time to talk about the motif projects. By Monday, everyone should turn in their litcrit reading guides. Remember that these are meant to help inform your 1Q1P and analysis of the quote/motif in the context of the whole novel. Additionally, Monday will be our last day for chapter presentations. If you haven't presented, Monday is your day!

This weekend gives you a great chance to work on your motif projects. Remember that your charts, illustrations, and writing are due on Friday. If you are taking the AP US History Exam on Friday then your projects will be collected on Monday.

We'll be doing a lot of exam review and AP test prep for the next few classes. Our exam is on Wednesday the 15th! Let's get ready for the end!

English IV

We were having such a good time that I forgot about the end of class! Next week we'll be finishing our books and our first projects - the pamphlets. After those are done we'll be constructing our essays and continuing to practice with NCFE test taking strategies and skills. Only 8 more classes until we start our final examinations!

Monday, April 29, 2019

Homework for Monday - 29 April

Remember that we are shut down on Wednesday. Our next A Day is Thursday.

AP English III

Today in class we activated a good amount of our AP Skills. We did a lot of close reading related to multiple choice, but we also did some close reading related to our rhetorical analysis strategies. At the end of class, I took some time with you all to review the requirements of the motif project and to give you a helpful text if you've had trouble finding literary criticism.

For tonight you should be focused on your 1Q1P/Motif Projects. Remember that your literary criticism reading guide is due on Wednesday. This will work better if you have already found your quote and considered its importance to one of Steinbeck's arguments. On Wednesday we'll finish the novel in class through a dramatic reading. Be prepared for that!

Final presentations on the novel will be next Monday. Then we will begin our final group project related to the book. We also have a few days left to touch in on our AP Skills related to the examination. Remember that your motif projects will be due on the 10th of May.

For any of you who were unable to submit a resubmission of your paper today because of the printers being down in the library I will accept them tomorrow. You must submit the original, the rubric, and the new one. 

English IV

Today in class we had some great time to work with our vocabulary development, read a bit longer in our books, and to get started on our final projects. With our book project, I really want to push you to be creative and show what you've learned about your book. Remember that there are requirements for each part of the pamphlet. Hopefully seeing the example today in class helped you.

Remember that you should be reading regularly to keep going through your books. There will be a quiz on your books next week. Are you prepared? Have you been filling out your character charts?

We only have NINE classes left before we start final examinations. We're going to be focused a lot on vocabulary because this is the key to our standardized tests. We'll also start to work on sample questions soon too!


Thursday, April 25, 2019

Homework for the Weekend - A Day - 25 April

AP English III

Today in class was really wonderful - we started with chapter presentations up to our most recent part of The Grapes of Wrath and then had a great conversation around "Two Ways to Belong in America" which ended with some excellent parallels between our two texts. Tonight and this weekend we have a few important reminders.

  1. Resubmissions are due. You must turn in your new paper, the original, and your rubric. You may staple all of this together and put it in your envelope. Papers will be accepted all day on Monday. I will leave with all of you at 4:00. No late papers will be accepted.
  2. You're reading the last major set of chapters in The Grapes of Wrath - 27, 28, and 29. Be sure to update your motif charts and your covers. You should also select your quote and article of literary criticism to support your interpretation of the quotation.
  3. Please complete three vocabulary cards with your reading. You should complete one card per chapter.
Next week we'll be working through The Grapes of Wrath on Monday, including some work on our final projects. Then we will have a day focused on AP Skills (multiple choice) on Friday. Don't forget that your guided reading notes for your literary criticism article are also due on Friday.

English IV

Today in class we had a productive day related to our novels and vocabulary. I would suggest that many of you focus on reading your books regularly. You will want to be reading about ten pages a day to make it through your books in time. You have your first final project on your books - the pamphlet project. Look over the requirements and be ready to start working on this soon. You may find it helpful to start by writing a few questions or to put together your summary.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Homework for A-Day: 23 April 2019

AP English III

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today in class we worked through some of Steinbeck's arguments as we looked at the trends in the text related to the settings as well as Jim Casy. As I noted in class, it becomes obvious when you aren't reading. The discussion suffers, people don't have their books, and the annotations are light or non-existent. I'll remind you that this is our last unit and we are almost done - books will be due soon as well as motif charts. Remember that we're not finished yet.

For tonight we have a few things to settle. First, a reminder that research paper resubmissions are not due until Monday. I think that many of you will need the weekend, and I haven't been free to discuss anything due to AP Seminar presentations. Come and check in - let's discuss what we need to. I will not collect late resubmissions.

You should read "Two Ways to Belong in America" (available in 50 Essays or on Google Classroom). This is a text about immigrants in contemporary America, but I think that there are clear connections to Steinbeck too. Read the article and see if you can make these connections. You may find it helpful to think about the ways in which necropolitics are coming into play in both texts.

We will also have chapter presentations next class. Chapters up to number 26 will be called. Please share any materials you have made.

Lastly, the guided reading notes on literary criticism are due next Friday. Remember that the criticism is meant to help you with your interpretation of the motif/quotation for your final assignment. Be sure that you find an article which aligns with your own understanding of the motif in the novel.

English IV

Today in class we had our Unit 17 Vocabulary Test as well as a chance to correct our earlier quiz on Lesson 17. I hope that you felt prepared for today's assessment. I'll have them back to you next week for our corrections. I think that this vocabulary work that we're doing is some of the most important work for us because it's so helpful for acquiring new words and being able to work with huge words that are new to you.

Remember that you also now know about the two final projects for the novel you are reading. We have a creative project (the book pamphlet) and then the more formal project (the character essay). I'm looking forward to taking you through these last assignments for the year.


Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students: Long Weekend - Holiday Weekend: 17 April

AP English III

Today in class we focused around rhetorical analysis (noticing patterns in a text to connect them to an argument) as well as synthesis (creating connections between various text/authors) as we discussed Steinbeck and Orwell. We didn't have time to review the multiple choice work, so we'll go over that on Tuesday.

Remember as I said today in class, it's all about preparing for the exam right now. Thinking and speaking is just like writing. If you're talking and thinking in class then your practicing for the exam - if you're not, then you're not. Consider if you're maximizing your opportunities right now.

Over the weekend we have Chapters 25 and 26 to read and consider. We'll have presentations of Chapters 17 to 26 on Thursday. Be prepared for this work. Have complete motif charts - we'll have a bit of time to select our motifs next class and we'll also do some work with literary criticism. Super exciting times ahead! Also, don't forget that all paper resubmissions are due on Thursday/Friday.

English IV

Today in class we had some fun and we did some reading (which is also pretty fun). The main task we had today was to prepare for our Vocabulary Exam on Tuesday. Remember that this exam is going to cover all of the roots we have studied in this unit. You should know the meaning of the roots, the association words, and how to determine the meaning of a word given its parts.

This test will also count as your resubmission of the earlier quiz. Be ready for our examination!

Monday, April 15, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students - 15 April

It's tax day! Remember for any of you who file income taxes that your filing is due today. If you have to do taxes, I certainly hope that you get a bit of a refund! Here are your reminders for tonight.

AP English III

I hope that all of you enjoyed the presentation from the Emily K Center today on applying to and preparing for college. It's quite a process, but it's good to know that all of you have a lot of support in this community to help you meet your goals and future planning. Go to their fair this weekend - see their website for details - as it will give you some leads you may not have considered before related to your own goals and planning.

We did not discuss Steinbeck at all today, so be sure that you have good notes and annotations on these chapters (22, 23, 24 - The Weedpatch Section) coming in to our class on Wednesday. We'll be reviewing this section of the text as well as George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant". You can find the text in 50 Essays or at this link. The copy is available in class, so just take good notes as you read - no need to print it out.

I also had the chance to hand out your research papers today. Remember that as we continue to learn about writing that the expectations only increase and get more rigorous. What was acceptable at the beginning of the year is no longer acceptable as we should have new skills to show and use. Please apply your comments to your resubmission and find more ways to use and explain your evidence in relation to your overall point. Look especially at your transitions. I'm available to conference and discuss whatever you may need. Remember that all resubmissions are due by Thursday the 25th of April.

English IV

Today in class we had the chance to practice a bit with our vocabulary knowledge related to word parts in Lesson 17 as well as to finish our research, present to our book groups, and take some time with our novels. Since we're all in a bit of different places, it is important to note that we're all working at our own pace to accomplish our goals in class. Make sure that you have your notes on Lesson 17 since we will have our Vocabulary Examination next week on Tuesday. You should also be finishing your novels since we will have our Major Projects coming very soon!

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students: 11 April 2019

AP English III

For those of you who were absent from first period because of the matinee, please be aware that you missed a good review of Chapter 20 as we worked through the major conversations in Chapter 20. Our big takeaways focused on the reality of California, the connection between Jim Casy and Jesus Christ, and the major elements of the Joads (Ma/Tom) which continue to shine through even in new environments. You can find all of your motifs in Chapter 20 - and we had some new characters and major ideas come through the text. Be sure that your notes and annotations are reflective of this.

As we move forward to the weekend be sure that you are reading to the next chapter set. We have Chapters 22, 23, and 24 ahead of us for Monday. We'll be going to the new camp in this section. Be sure that you keep using your motif charts to track information and keep finding the trends in the text.

Don't forget that we'll have our college workshop on Monday. Be ready to ask questions and start to look at what we can do as we continue to move forward to Senior year.

English IV

Today in class we finished our Lesson 17 Vocabulary and then moved on to our projects related to our literature circles and book research. I'm hoping that we have enjoyed digging into some research in order to see the point of including research in our approach to novels and understanding.

I would see a Vocabulary Test coming soon. We have completed all of Lesson 17. We'll be doing some review of Vocabulary on Monday and Wednesday next week, and we'll have our exam when we return from Easter.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Homework for A-Day Students: 9 April 2019

English IV

Today almost everyone was out on a field trip - I hope that you enjoyed your time at Durham Tech today! It's really exciting when you're getting ready for college and what's to come! Today we spent our class time reading and working on reading journals. Remember that everyone's goal is to finish their book by the end of the month. If you need to be reading tonight to make up for class time, please do that.

On Thursday we'll have time in the library to complete our research projects related to our books. After we come back from Easter Break I'll go over the requirements for our final projects and the last classes of the year. Be ready to finish strong!

AP English III

Sorry for the confusion everyone - we'll have our college planning workshop next week on Monday. Not this week. Today in class we focused on Machiavelli and the different strategies he uses to communicate his idea on effective leadership. We made a lot of connections back to Steinbeck as well as we discussed various "princes" in The Grapes of Wrath. Our main motif was power - but I think that there was a bit related to corruption too.

Tonight you should continue reading in Grapes to the end of Chapter 21. Chapter 20 is very long and chronicles the Joads arrival to California. Notice what the reality of California is. Why is it different from the fantasy? Why does this matter? Be sure that you have also completed your motif charts up to Chapter 21 - they'll be necessary as we begin to prepare for our final project on Steinbeck.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Homework for the Weekend - A Day Students - 5 April

AP English III

I'm going to reiterate things for the good of the group before we get too far into this final quarter of the year. If you were expecting me to be easier or more lenient as we approach the end, then you were mistaken. I will ease up after we finish the AP Exam. Not before. There are some of you missing research papers still. This is a bad place to be. Some of you did not do well on the break quiz - I hope you've saved some rubles. It's important to finish strong. Not to crawl over the line. If you need help, you need to ask for it. With all that said, let's go on to our work this weekend.

On Tuesday we'll be having a college planning workshop to go over some of the alphabet soup that is applying to college. We'll have about 20 minutes to work through Machiavelli's "The Morals of the Prince" - this is an excerpt of a longer work called The Prince. Machiavelli is a political theorist from the 1400's. You might find it helpful to consider who holds power in our novel and what that institution is doing to hold on to power. I think you may see some interesting parallels. Don't forget our conversation related to Marx today too.

We'll work through the next section of Grapes on Thursday. Be ready for that - it's time to get to California.

English IV

Today in class we had a productive day focused on some grammar skills - Where do we always put commas? - as well as time for reading and our projects on our novels. Remember that most of you will be on the college field trip on Tuesday - have fun and enjoy! - be sure that you have read this weekend to make up for the time in class that you'll miss.

Thursday will be our final day to work on our projects related to our books. Be sure that you're ready to present to your group about your topic.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Homework for A-Day Classes: 3 April 2019

AP English III

I have reviewed your papers and logged whose papers I have and whose are missing at this point. I'll begin scoring this weekend. If your paper is currently marked as missing, please be sure that you have submitted a paper to me (electronically via Google Classroom or a hard copy) before I leave this weekend. Once returned, everyone will have one resubmission of the paper. I plan on having these back to you in about two weeks.

In terms of The Grapes of Wrath we have Chapters 17, 18, and 19 for reading. You'll also need to complete just ONE vocabulary card from this section. As you read, be sure that you are updating your motif charts and logging what you find. We'll be focusing on this section of the novel on Friday and discussing a bit about Marxism. You may find it helpful to do a bit of preliminary research on the topic to enrich our conversation.

English IV

Remember that you should finish your novels by the end of the month. Big congratulations to the student who already has finished their book! Today we began to do some research of topics related to our novels. Next class we'll have time in class for reading, journaling, and then researching. The idea is that when we get together next week you will know about your topic and be able to share with the people who are reading your book.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Homework for B-Day Classes (and reminders for AP) - 2 April 2019

AP Seminar

As one of my favorite singers says, "Well I guess that push has come to this, so I guess this must be shove..." That's where we are in AP Seminar. We should regularly be checking things off and moving forward. I hope that today's workshop was helpful in that regard.

Revise and write and craft your IWA. Be sure that you are also designing your slides. Practice your Oral Defense questions with each other. Keep moving forward and ask for the help that you may need. If you were absent today, be sure that you find a partner to complete a First Submission workshop form - available on Google Classroom.

Advanced Russian

I'll be creating the space on Google Classroom for your projects on Thursday morning. Remember that Russian III is due this week and Russian II is due next week. Follow the guidelines for your project (recipe/weather) and ask for the help you may need. Remember that we are actively working on using our language to review the skills.

Today in class we began on new information - adverbs of quantity and count versus non-count nouns for Russian II - imperatives for first and third person for Russian III. There are exercises to review these concepts. Please complete exercises in Chapter 7 and 9 as needed focused on these concepts. The list of exercises is in the slides on Google Classroom.

Russian I

Today I gave you the study guide for your Unit 2 Exam which will fall next Friday. This exam will focus on the essential skills of cases (all six - nouns and adjectives) as well as verb conjugation. It will be very similar to the Unit 1 exam with more (seeing as you didn't know about adjectives before). Be sure to use your study guide and prioritize where you need to.

Additionally, we will begin on one of our last culture projects on Thursday - the former Soviet Union. Be sure that you have selected your top FIVE former republics (Russia is not an option). Do some preliminary research. We'll be choosing and starting on Thursday after we finish Office Romance.

AP English III

Be ready for your quiz on The Grapes of Wrath and be sure that if you have your chapter presentation tomorrow that you have shared your materials with me before class begins. We will have presentations and then the quiz.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Homework for Spring Break - A Day - 21 March 2019

We made it everyone! Break is upon us! Here are your reminders for what to accomplish over the break. Enjoy yourselves! Get a lot of rest and come back ready for the final push!

AP English III

Over the Spring Break we have reading and writing to accomplish. The reading is in The Grapes of Wrath and will take you through to the end of Chapter Sixteen. As you read you'll be going through the journey to California. Watch the characters. Use your motif charts. Those of you with chapter presentations in this section, be prepared for these - they'll fall on Wednesday after we return. As I said in class - there will be a quiz on this section of the reading. Don't be fooled.

On Monday when we return there will be papers due. Remember that your final draft should be that. You'll have one chance to resubmit it after it is scored. It should be printed, and submitted with a cover sheet and rubric. Submit your final draft with your process pieces - the rubrics - in your envelope on Monday.

English IV

Today in class we took our vocabulary quiz, had some time to do some poetry test corrections and then it was time to head to Room 401 to work on our applications with Mr. Clark. I know that some of us got a bit of bad news today, but remember that there are still a ton of options for you. Life is all about what you make it - so keep striving even if you can't get exactly what you want.

Over break I would suggest spending time relaxing and reading. Remember that when we return we have several weeks left before we begin to prepare for our exams! Be ready for a strong finish!

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Homework for A-Day: 19 March 2019 - Almost There!

AP English III

During today's class we spent the majority of our time working through Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue". This piece is very important as it helps us to consider and understand the ways in which stereotypes oversimplify and silence people. Language, and the way people talk, has a clear impact on how we understand them - Tan's piece helps us to recognize the real implications of this. From there, we moved on to Chapter 7 to see how language and identity are connected in that text as well.

For tonight, please read and annotate Chapter 8 - be on the lookout for all the Joads - as well as S. Truth's short speech called "Ain't I A Woman". This piece is in 50 Essays and available at this link. As you read it - consider how language and identity are interacting with elements of gender. How does Truth's language complicate ideas of what is a woman? Does Ma Joad further this complication in any way?

Remember that next class is our last class of the nine weeks. All writing conferences will be completed by the end of the day on Friday and you have been given your final documents for your research papers. Remember that papers are due at the end of class on 1 April. You must submit a full packet including your final draft and your preliminary document rubrics.

English IV

Today in class was focused on our novels and vocabulary skills. Next class we'll have a short vocabulary assessment based on the first nine roots that we have learned in Lesson 17. Be sure that you have prepared for this by looking over your notes and knowing the meaning of your various word parts so that you can navigate the vocabulary assessment with ease.

We spent a lot of time summarizing our books up to this point and developing our knowledge about our characters. We'll get back to our film after Spring Break as a a movie day is usually a good day to come back to after vacation.

Thursday is our last class of the quarter. Be sure that you have displayed your skills by working through any assignments that you may have left for this quarter.