8 February - Writing Argument Day

AP Language and Composition

We did something brand new today! We did some team work writing to lean into our skill for the quarter, argumentative writing. In this quarter, you'll be presenting argument based research on America, and on the AP Exam, you'll complete two argumentative FRQs. As I love to say, it takes time and constant effort to develop these skills. So we need to start now and be intentional. I hope that you enjoyed the chance to work with new people today in the room. You'll see them again soon.

For next class - Monday - we have Chapters 5-7 of Invisible Man. In this section, TIM says goodbye to the South and heads to New York. As Ella would say, "Drop me off in Harlem." Watch his scene at the chapel in Chapter 5 and try to understand what you can about The Founder. It's important to note the impact the story has on TIM. In Chapter 6 he says goodbye to Dr. Bledsoe; it's an intense scene. In Chapter 7, we have the return of The Vet. Remember my video channel is available as a guide to help with processing chapters.

All the best for the weekend! Enjoy!

18 January - Langston Hughes and Reflections and Writing Practice

AP Language

Today's class was our day focused on understanding and reflecting on Langston Hughes and what he has to say about the dangers of conformity, especially for African American artists and poets. I enjoyed seeing the way in which you were updating your documents with new ideas, collaborating with each other virtually and in-person, and delving into the text. Wonderful work. Keep reflecting on these authors, their arguments, and the connections between them as we delve into this unit. 

We ended class with AP Classroom and argumentative writing practice. We took a position on the extent to which a truism is true. Keep in mind that with these types of questions, you're explaining nuance and how much something is valid - always, sometimes, or never - the evidence that you use will help to explain that validity and extent. Use key words from your thesis to guide your assertions and your commentary. We'll do some scoring of these next week.

For tonight, keep in mind that we have our first chapter of Invisible Man coming soon. Next class will be our registration meeting, and then we'll be diving into Chapter One and the Battle Royale. Use your motif tracker and resources to get through this text! See you next time!

Ending the Midterm - Ugh! Technology...

AP Language

I hate AP Classroom sometimes. I'm completely locked out now. I sent a help request, so hopefully it's resolved soon. We finished our midterm today with the FRQx2. We completed the Rhetorical Analysis (FRQ2) and the Argument (FRQ3). Keep in mind that the RA is going to be your summative writing score, and the FRQ3 is going to be a practice score. We're just putting our feet in the water with that task; it's our focus for second semester. I'm looking forward to reading your responses.

This is really our last class - on Friday we're having a party. Sign up for something using the discussion board in the Unit 4 folder. We'll need plates, utensils, napkins, cups, and food. I'd also recommend getting started with Invisible Man. The book is challenging for a lot of reasons, so getting into your reading process. I'll share a video playlist that may be helpful for many of you as we get into break. A good goal would be to try and read the first five or six chapters before we start reading it as a class. Not an assignment, just a suggestion. There's also the audiobook available on Spotify!

See you Friday!

11 December - The Last Week before Break!

AP Language

A bit of a whirlwind day to kick off our last week today in AP Language. Today's class was focused on feedback and preparing for what we have to come next class. Next class you'll be writing two essays in one class period - FRQ 2 (Rhetorical Analysis) and FRQ 3 (Argument). Today we reviewed the scoring guidelines and sample papers to understand the requirements of FRQ 3. We also reviewed scoring guidelines and feedback from your Gatsby essays because these are close to FRQ 2 - you're doing the same task, but not with a non-fiction text. I hope that, as always, you found the feedback and review helpful. 

If you have not yet submitted your Gatsby motif work, that is past due. NHI scores will be entered this week. I would also ask that you submit your reflection letters based on the work that you've done so far. The reflections that we did today on the MCQ and FRQ could be helpful content for you to use as you reflect on your skills.

On Wednesday we'll have our timed writing, and then on Friday it's our end of the year potluck! Hooray! We'll do some signups next class for items. Please sign out your copy of Invisible Man using the book signout form in the Unit 4 Folder. Use your resources to prepare for next class and our essays. I'm excited to see your work.

1 December - Gatsby Assessment Day

AP Language

Today was our assessment day on The Great Gatsby. In today's assessment you curated your own passage from the novel and explained the way in which Fitzgerald creates meaning through language and motifs. I'm excited to read your essays and see the way in which your skills as a reader and writer have progressed. Remember that in this class, everything is practice for our eventual final exam - the AP Examination. On that test, you'll be asked to write an analysis as well, but it'll be cold. So you need to develop the process now in order to do that. 

Over the weekend, spend your time completing your visual representations of the motif and the connected questions explaining your art. Remember that you're just talking to me as you answer these questions, so feel free to be colloquial in style. You may also want to spend some time on AP Classroom preparing for the MidTerm. I've unlocked a few more MCQ Progress Checks to help you.

I'll see you next week - not on Tuesday since I'm at a conference - but Thursday to begin our MidTerm Exam! Tuesday is a preparation and reflection day for you. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts, but more on that later.

6 October - FRQ Friday!

AP Language

FRQ Friday in AP Language land today. We looked at "America Needs its Nerds" by Leonid Fridman (distant cousin to Mr. Friedman, perhaps?) and wrote an analysis of Fridman's argument. I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts and first analyses. I hope that you found space for a little cat as you wrote and that it brought you a feeling of success and not allergies, as cats often bring me. 

Next week is strange because of the PSAT on Wednesday. It falls on a grey day, so I won't see you for class. Our next class will be on Friday. For Friday, please have read and annotated WEB DuBois Chapter 1 from From the Souls of Black Folk. It's a great bridge piece into our work related to The Great Gatsby. I posted a video in Materials to help you with the reading - it's a discussion between me and Mr. Friedman about this reading. You may find it helpful to watch before or after you read to process.

You may also want to secure The Great Gatsby if you want your own copy. I'll issue school copies in about two weeks. Once we get back on normal schedule, we'll have feedback from projects and essays!

Enjoy the long weekend. See you very soon!

2 October - Happy Fall!

AP Language

Great work today in class everyone, we are engaging in some great skill building and review to prepare for our timed writing on Friday. Today's class looked at a few important concepts. First, we discussed grading on timed writings - we looked at the scoring guidelines, sample essays, and a prompt to understand not only the task but how we'll be assessed on it. After understanding the task and the requirements, we went back to the precis. The precis is the key to writing that introduction/thesis to FRQ 2 and starting off well. Keep practicing with the precis to prepare for Friday's timed writing. 

I would recommend that you continue to write precis and review our readings through this unit as a means to practice, study, and prepare for Friday. All of the readings are posted in Schoology as well as all of our slides. Don't forget the recordings too. Looking forward to Wednesday and the last class of Unit 2.

3 and 4 May

AP Language

Today was one of our final examination review days. We took a look at several years worth of AP Examination FRQ prompt packs and high scoring samples. We focused our work around finding the speedbump prompt, noticing sophistication in the student responses, and any final strategies for the FRQ. You are READY! Be confident in your skills. Take care of yourself over the next few weeks as you are working through your exams.

Be sure that you're focused on finishing any of your novel tasks. Check out the review of the final projects and keep in mind that your first project is due soon! I would suggest completing the creative project first and the research second.

English 10

Today was a day to get a bit ZEN as we focused on learning about Zen philosophy and its practice. Zen focuses on losing ourselves in the moment, mindfulness, and an attention to detail to focus on living in the moment. We watched a brief video, engaged in some discussion, and read some Zen parables for our activity around theme.

We ended the day with test corrections. If you have not finished your test for any reason, be sure to do so ASAP. There are also several missing projects from Unit 5. If you have missing work it is important to complete that task quickly. There are only NINE (810 minutes) classes left in this semester before we reach final exams. Do not miss the chance to raise your grade before the closing of the quarter on June 3.

11 and 12 April - Welcome to Q4

AP Language

Welcome back everyone! It was lovely to see all of you today and to kick of our fourth quarter together. As we work through this final unit of the year, we'll be reading our novels and preparing for the AP Examination. Be sure that you are reading your books regularly and staying up with all assignments. Remember that there will be fewer of them this quarter.

Submit your quickwrite on AP Classroom to the Unit 5 Progress Check. I'll score and give feedback soon. Additionally, there's an article posted for next class from Teen Vogue which will help you with understanding our next big concept - necropolitics. This concept is at play in the novels you're reading in some way, shape, or form. 

Your first assignments have been posted for this quarter - submit your reading plan and begin to work through your first reflections. See the unit plan document for your review of how to complete your reflections and the prompt.

English 10

Today we took time in class to read the first part of "Tuesday Siesta" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and work through some of the literary elements at play in the text. We'll finish the story next class. Keep in mind that this story is the LAST thing that we are reading in this unit, so we're moving on to finishing up tasks as well.

Before we went out on break, I gave you your project options - be sure that you choose which one you're completing. We'll have time next classes to work on the project - hopefully you'll finish your work in class and not have to finish over the weekend. Next week we'll take our exam on this unit, so gather your notes and begin to study. Keep in mind the test will be open book and open note, like normal.

Ending the Week - 4 March 2021

AP Language

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

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

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

English 10

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

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

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

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

Beginning the Week - 23 February

AP Language

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

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

English 10

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

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

Ending the Week - 19 February

AP Language

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

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

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

AP Research

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

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

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

English 10

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

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

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

Beginning Week 17 - 12 January

AP Language

Today's class was a focus on narrowing our scope and focus for our investigation in order to determine a clear and specific focus. This allows us to create a research question which can be answered and explored thoroughly in the few (5-7) pages that we have for this assignment. Keep in mind that this is a recursive process, meaning it builds on itself, as you keep working with source material, you'll likely keep narrowing and refining your process.

Final research questions are due at the end of the week. Please resubmit on Google Classroom and ensure the whole document is complete including the final two spaces for your revised question and your DADS argument. Don't forget to complete the FRQ practice for Unit 3 on AP Classroom. This is a great chance to test your skills and align yourself to the examination. 

Begin to find your sources and collect your findings. We'll spend next class working with source material and beginning the building of our outlines/sourcepacks.

English 10

Today was our kickoff to our final three classes of the quarter and semester. Today we took a brief grammar quiz before moving on to view the film and consider our task ahead as media critics. By the end of today, make sure that you submit your viewing guide with your notes from your viewing. Remember that you only need to watch about thirty minutes to complete the viewing guide.

Next class we'll focus on writing our media critiques before we prepare for our SOL essays. The SOL essay will happen on the last day of the quarter and be our final score for the quarter. We'll look at the prompt and prepare on Thursday so that you're ready to write.

At this time, it's important that you submit any and all missing assignments. If you have a few, focus on those that are worth the most points to have the best outcome for your investment. Let me know what I can do to help you.

Homework for Monday - 11/18 - B Day

AP Literature

We had our final work with The Stranger today in class as well as a circle discussion to review some of our main themes and takeaways from the novel. I was really happy to see you all in the circle room as you tried something new, listened and respected each other, and you all engaged in creative and critical discussion about the novel. Молодец! Wonderful! All of this discussion is key in preparing for Q3 next class - Hopefully you see the connection to the various themes.

Tonight you should spend some time at AP Classroom. Look at your Unit 1 MCQ - What did you get wrong? Why did you get it wrong? Why is the correct answer the better answer? Be sure that you're looking at the specific verbs and adjectives/adverbs - that's usually the difference between better and best.

Prepare for Q3 (The FRQ) by reviewing your annotations. Checking in on your back covers and understanding connections between those elements is key. Also, be sure to look at the practice we did in class related to Q3.


Lastly - we'll start Dostoevsky on Friday. Get yourself a copy of the novel - or save the link here for a copy of it. Remember, no matter how you read, you are still expected to annotate. We'll be reading this book fast - it's a quick read.

AP Research

Today was a workday for all of us. I was reviewing your proposals and you were working with each other or on your own. I'm planning to sit with you at the beginning of next week to go through your proposals and address feedback. As you are working this week, don't forget that we have a new reflection posted.

I would highly suggest that you all spend the time that you need this week working through your method. Do you have a firm understanding of what data you need to collect and how you are going to get it? How are you taking these generalized methods and making them specific to your question and study?

You'll have the chance to recoup your points this week if you missed any. Please review your work as it is returned to you. I'll hopefully have them all returned to you on Google Classroom by the end of tomorrow.

Homework for the Weekend - B Day - 20 September

AP Literature

If you did not finish your FRQ practice paragraphs in class you must finish them today. Be sure to submit when you have finished your work. We will score it and discuss trends in the scoring before doing our first timed writing with these similar skills. Over the weekend the reading is in Perrine and it's Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People". Be on the lookout for everything in this text. No detail is too small. Irony is super productive. Watching the video on her would be helpful for you too.

Remember as well that we are revising both parts of the summer assignment. Outlines and essays. You can conference or submit these as you like. Essays should be finished and resubmitted sooner rather than later.

If you're missing anything in PowerSchool and are unsure of what to do, please let your teachers know. The end of the unit will be soon, and all work must be submitted by that time.

AP Research

Great work today revising, listening, and giving feedback to each other. I also loved hearing you celebrate each other as you shared gold medals. Over the weekend we need to keep working forward so you need to be sure to:

1. Log today's class on your task log and begin to note your conferences. Write down who you talked with, what you talked about, and your next steps.
2. Complete Reflection 3 which is actually POD Question 1.4. Be sure to write clearly, specifically, and cite sources! Show that you know that some sources are better than others and why.
3. Submit your Source List check to Google Classroom by Sunday at midnight. Remember that this is just your citation for the source (full, end text) as well as the category for the source.

Keep revising upward. Keep building!