Character Cafe Reflections B1

One of the joys of A/B scheduling is that when I do something really fun for A-day, I get to do the exact same thing with B-day.  Thanks for making the last day of class start off on a great note B-day kids.  Here are our group text photos. Remember to post your reflection in the comment thread below and attach your name to your comment. Your reflection should cover the following:

• What did you learn about the individuals present and who impressed you the most?
• What was your core statement? What idea would people come away with if they interacted with you?

 

And now the pictures:

 

The Great Gatsby and Virginia Woolf

The Grapes of Wrath

Sojourner Truth and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Catcher in the Rye and Arnold Friend from "WAYG? WHYB?"

The Things They Carried

Invisible Man

 

Character Cafe Reflections A1

I had so much fun this morning with all of you.  Here are our group text photos.  Remember to post your reflection in the comment thread below and attach your name to your comment.  Your reflection should cover the following:

• What did you learn about the individuals present and who impressed you the most?
• What was your core statement?  What idea would people come away with if they interacted with you?

And now, the photos:

Virginia Woolf, the spider and the wasp

The Great Gatsby and the turtle from Grapes

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Catcher in the Rye

Invisible Man and Plato

The Things They Carried

Remember your reflections are due here in 24 hours!  Those of you taking the exam, I'll see you Wednesday morning!

And this is it...almost

We've only got one more day of class ahead of us, there's the final exam ahead of you except for those Juniors who happen to be exempt.  Below are your final reminders to get you ready for LDOC (last day of class).

AP English III:


None of you are coming to class for LDOC - instead I expect to see Huck, Jim, Rinehart and all of the other characters that we've met this year.  Please come in costume and in character.  We'll follow the procedure given to all of you today in class on the handout called "The Lavender Room."  As an entry ticket, you must have completed your "Character Bone Structure Sheet" so that I can see that you've thoroughly prepared your character.  Remember to answer all questions on the sheet.

Also, don't forget to bring your food item for the class to share.  Don't be late to class on Friday/Tuesday - we're going to need all 90 minutes to do this well.  I'll be announcing which of you are exempt from the exam on Friday/Monday during class.

English I:


On Friday/Tuesday we've got two big things ahead of us, a second matchbox and the presentation of our poetry projects.  We'll begin class with the poetry projects.  Each of you will come to the front of class, turn in your work to me and present your poem.  Then you'll get mad snaps.  Remember to follow the instructions on the assignment sheet thoroughly and have all four required elements.  Each part will contribute to the overall 100 point test grade.  Each particular item is worth twenty-five points.  Failure to turn in an element will earn you a zero, automatically for that element and bring down your overall score.

Also, remember that no late work will be accepted past the last day of class.  My grades are locked after that day and I have no intention of changing them - if you've missed an opportunity to make up work, it's too late now.  Spend your time completing what you have left and doing it well.

See you on Friday/Tuesday.  B-day students, hopefully you'll see me a bit more relaxed after a long weekend at the beach.

Homework for 5/21 and 5/22

Students,

As we move toward the final two classes of the year it's important that you not miss due dates and that you complete everything to your best ability.  Remember that when the final day of classes comes, that's it.  No more late work and no more extensions.  Work hard and you'll be rewarded.  Here are your more specific reminders:

AP English III:

You all have two big things left to complete for the year.  First, on Wednesday and Thursday we will be having your final on The Things They Carried.  It will pull specifically from the stories which I assigned you and that we studied as a whole class.  Remember to have your annotations ready as I will be checking your books on this day as well.  On Friday/Tuesday (LDOC) we will be having our character cafe.  Please remember to bring your item for the party and to bring your personality (whoever that may be.)  I look forward to finishing the year with you all and celebrating your growth as students.

English I:

Today in class you all received your EOC review sheet as well as your EOC retest letter.  It's important that you fill out the retest letter and get that turned into me as soon as possible.  You probably won't need it, but it's best to be prepared.  On Wednesday/Thursday we will be completing another Matchbox and going over the review sheet.  That usually works best (the review) if you've generated questions about the terms, so spend some time doing that tonight.

Also, don't forget that your poetry projects are due on Friday/Tuesday.  This is the last day of class (LDOC) so you won't really be able to turn in these late.  You've had a lot of time to work on these, so my ability to accept your excuses will be non-existant.  We will likely also do another Matchbox on LDOC to finish preparing. 

Lastly, Honors students, if you did not finish your test essay during the class period I expect that you finish it tonight so that it can be submitted at the beginning of class on Wednesday/Thursday.

Study hard, work hard, relax in a few weeks.

Work for the Weekend and Reminders

My last post was number 666, thankfully the website is less evil today with post number 667.

AP English III:

I hope that all of you who took the exam felt confident and well prepared.  Remember, it doesn't matter what the score is that you get in July.  The point is that all of you have grown and accomplished a lot.  I'm proud of you and you should be proud of yourselves.  A-day students, you'll be finishing your discussion circles on Monday.  B-day students, you're going to finish these on Friday.  I was very impressed with both classes and your work in groups one through four.  I look forward to being equally impressed as we move forward.

Finally, you'll be having your final exam on The Things They Carried on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.  I will be checking your annotations on the whole book this day - so be ready.

English I:

All of you have due next week what I refrenced in the last post.  Be sure that you are meeting those goals and finishing strong here at the end of the year.  As a final reminder, any and all missing assignments must be made up by 4:00 on Monday the 21st.  Failure to make up any assignment by this point will result in that assignment being locked in as a zero.  You've had all quarter, and it's time for me to start wrapping up my grades for the year.  Lastly, the final day to turn in extra credit is tomorrow - Friday the 18th.  Make sure that if you're doing this assignment you get it turned in.

Homework for English I - 5/15 and 5/16

English I:

The date that all of you should be focusing on is 5/21 (A-day) and 5/22 (B-day).  These are the days when your vocabulary assignment will be due as well as our final poetry quiz for the year.  The poetry quiz is going to cover the following poems.  We've studied the first three already, the fourth one will be read and studied in class on Thursday/Friday.  The poems for the quiz are:

1. "in Just-"  ee cummings
2. "Fire and Ice"  Robert Frost
3. "Once by the Pacific"  Robert Frost
4. Ballad of Birmingham  Dudley Randall

You will be asked short answer and multiple choice questions.  Begin studying and be ready.  This will count for a lot of points.

Also, you have your vocabulary assignment due on the 21st/22nd - the NEOLOGISMS assignment.  Let me review the important elements of this assignment.

Honors - Create FIVE neologisms using at least FOUR wordparts.
Standard - Create THREE neologisms using at least THREE wordparts.

For each neologism you must do the following:

1. the new word (neologism)
2. a breakdown of the word with its wordparts and their meaning
3. an actual definition of the word that makes sense
4. a sentence using the word in context (I should understand the meaning of the word from reading the sentence)
5. an image or picture to go along with the word

Each word will need to be on its own piece of paper to fit everything and do it well.  Make sure that you use color and graphics to add to your word page so that it pops.  Feel free to do one and bring it to me so that I can look over it.

I think that does it!

The Day Before The AP Exam

Alright Juniors, the day is finally here.  Tonight you've got your last night before you go in tomorrow for three hours of fun.  Here are some final reminders for you all as you're reviewing and studying tonight.

1.  Get a good night's sleep.  Bedtime:  no later than eleven pm.  No all nighters.  You need to be fresh in the morning.

2.  Get a good breakfast in the morning.  There's nothing worse than trying to write an essay on an empty stomach.

Study Tips:

• look over all of the multiple choice practices that I've given you - focus on the questions that you've been getting wrong and understand why the correct answer is the correct one.
• focus on reviewing rhetorical devices and tone words - there are plenty of online resources for you to use for this - I posted some for you a few posts back - here's another link for you of good devices to know
• remember the three types of writing:  synthesis, analysis, and argument - remember what you need to do in each one

Lastly, AP Kids, tomorrow - don't write like this:  "I feel like people try to blame humorists and sue them because of the things he or she may say but must I remind you of our unalinable rights and not only our unalienable rights but our Bill of Rights saying and stating that we have freedom of speech meaning that a humorists can say what it pleases and he or she also have the right to a speedy trial meaning if they were to get sued or arrested to can plead their case.  My main point is that it is too much hatred in the world and not enough encouragement."

Yeah, someone wrote that for their AP exam.  Good luck.  Come see me tomorrow and let me know how it went!

Apologies that this post is late...

With my first period class being a bit out of whack with AP Exams, I completely forgot to post the homework for the weekend.  Here we go:

AP English III:

We're still in a period of the year where B-day is ahead of A-day due to the schedule.  Tomorrow (Monday the 14th) B-day students will be doing their discussion circle groups for the first four sets of stories.  Make sure that all members of your group are prepared to lead a dynamic conversation about the story or stories.  I look forward to seeing how you all teach the class and create knowledge for yourselves.  Make sure that you have your finalized outline, learning objectives and essential questions, as well as your multiple choice questions ready for the discussion groups.

A-day students, I'll be seeing you on Tuesday for our discussion of "The Lives of the Dead" - please have this read and annotated before class on Tuesday morning.

Wednesday is the AP Exam, first thing in the morning.  I'll be holding a review session/preparation session on Tuesday afternoon.  I think that this would also be a great time to take our class photo.  Please plan on coming to my room right at 2:30 so that we can take our photo.  You can then leave or stay for the study session.

English I:

This week coming up you all have extra credit assignments due for me.  Remember that there are two options for the extra credit:  the extra credit journals as well as the pamphlet/letter.  The journals will factor in as a homework grade and the pamphlet/letter will factor in as a test grade.  I hope that all of you complete at least one portion of this to improve your standing in class.  Remember, extra credit can only help you.

For the weekend, you should be focused on your poetry projects and your extra credit projects.  The poetry projects are coming due soon and I haven't seen that many of you for feedback.  Please come and see me this week during lunch to get my review of your poems and written work.  Also, make sure that you've been practicing your memorized poem for our poetry slam.  

Lastly, you all have your progress reports.  There are only a few days left in the quarter.  If you're missing something, the time is now to get it taken care of.  No late/make-up work will be accepted past the 21st of May.  This means you have one week.

AP Resources

I wanted to share this website with all of you. I just learned of it today from Ms. Baker and wanted to pass it on soon.

http://appass.com/home

You can calculate what you need to make on each portion of the exam and fidget with the numbers a bit. There are also a few study aids.

Remember to think abut when we can do our class picture. I'm here Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

See ya tomorrow.

Homework for May 9 and 10 - English I

English I:

Tonight for homework I want you all working on your poetry and extra credit projects.  Remember that your poetry projects are coming due very soon - at the end of the month.  I've seen some of you with drafts of your work and given you some feedback about the work.  Make sure that you're continuing to revise and rewrite as you contiue to work.

If you're doing the extra credit assignment then you'll be working on question seventeen for everyone and Honors students are going to also answer question number eighteen.  Remember to answer the questions thoroughly and draw on the text as you create your answers.  Write good paragraphs to create these responses.

We'll be wrapping up our poetry unit very soon.  Be sure that you're prepared with your reading and writing skills so that you're totally ready for our final assessment.

AP English Homework - 5/8 and 5/9

AP English III:

For right now B-day students are actually ahead of A-day students.  Today and Wednesday (A-day) will be normal classes in which we continue to work and prepare for our exam next week through our study of The Things They Carried.  Friday's class will be a bit strange due to the AP US History exam, so that will throw the A-day students off a bit.  Here are your notes and reminders to preapre for our next class.

First, please read "The Lives of the Dead" and have it heavily annotated for a class discussion on the final story in the collection.  B-day students will work through this story on 5/10 and A-day students will work through it on 5/15.  I would recommend that you have thorough cover annotations when you walk into class this day, too. 

Secondly, we will be having a discussion group workday next class (5/10 and 5/15).  In order to prepare for this I want for someone in your group to e-mail me your discussion outline as it stands now no later than the beginning of class for Thursday/Friday.  This will give me a chance to give feedback to each group when you meet and speak to each other.  Don't forget that you're leading a fifteen minute discussion.  You don't need to go through the whole story (heck, we can't even get through a whole story in an hour) but I do want to be sure that whatever you have is thorough and well-considered.  Discussion groups 1-4 will lead class on 5/14 (B-day) and 5/17 (A-day).  Discussion groups 5-8 will lead class on 5/18 (B-day) and 5/21 (A-day). 

Please come see me if you need help with your group preparations, or anything else. 

Homework for English I - 5/7 and 5/8

AP Students - Your homework will be posted tomorrow.  A-day did not have a real class today due to the AP Environmental Science and AP Chemistry examinations.  Remember that timing and pacing is strange for all of us right now.  Keep up with class and the website to stay on top of all of your work during AP Exams.

English I:

I hope that all of you enjoyed the poetry tournament today.  Tonight, I want you to continue working on these poems as you build and develop your writing skills.  For homework I want you to take the poem which won for your group and compose a writing assignment. 

Standard students must compose a three-part thesis which clearly identifies the title and author, the three most significant literary devices, and the theme of your poem as you interpret it.  After you've written your thesis you'll then outline your first body paragraph.  Put your topic at the beginning and then pull out three significant quotes or examples of that device.  Under each example give me some explanation which clarifies how this particular example leads to the theme of the poem as you interpret it.  As you write the explanation, you really want to show me your thinking process.

Honors students are going to complete this same assignment but instead of writing an outline of the paragraph you will actually compose the paragraph as if you were writing a full essay.  Furthermore, you'll need to write a transition sentence at the end of your first body paragraph which would then set up the next body paragraph seamlessly.

This assignment is due to the homework box or to me before school starts on Wednesday/Thursday morning.

Homework for the Weekend - 5/3 and 5/4

AP English III:

I won't be seeing most of you A-day students until Wednesday due to the fact that many of you have an AP exam on Monday morning.  We'll end up being a day behind B-day, which is fine because we'll meet up on the other side.  For the weekend be sure that you've read and annotated the following stories from The Things They Carried:  "Speaking of Courage," "Notes," "In the Field," and "The Ghost Soldiers."  This only leaves one more story that we will read as a whole group - if you want to go ahead and finish the book, I invite you to do so.  My goal is that B-day students will work through these four stories on the 8th and A-day students will do these stories on the 9th.  I should then see all of you in B-day on the 10th and again, barely any of you for A-day, on the 11th because of the AP US History exam.

Be sure that you keep up with your assignments during this time.  Get plenty of sleep and avoid stress.  Remember that cramming before an exam is not always the best idea.

English I:

Over the weekend I would like for all of you to continue working on your poetry projects.  At this point you should have at least one of your own poems written.  I want you to spend this weekend working on your mini-essay.  I'll be available next week after school to take a look at drafts of this assignment to give you extra feedback.  The presentations for these projects will be on the 25th (A-day) and the 29th (B-day) make sure that you're prepared especially with your memorization.  I hope that by this point most of you have the majority of your poem memorized.

The other work that I'd like for you to do this weekend relates to your extra credit project.  The projects will be collected the week of the 14th.  For the weekend, answer question fifteen in your reading journals.  Make sure to answer the question thoroughly by writing at least two complete paragraphs in response to the question. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!  My neighborhood is having a block party this weekend called "Cinco de Blocko" - should be a fun time :)

Homework for the First and Second of May

Welcome to May!  Happy May Day!  С днем первого мая!


Today was a really productive day for all classes.  Below are your reminders about what you have left to do before we see each other again.

AP English III:

We're about to enter into a very strange time called AP Exams.  Scheduling and lessons are going to be a bit off over the next few classes until we meet back on the other side.  Pay attention to alterations and assignments.  Today in class we went over policies and expectations regarding AP Exams.  Follow that handout and those guidelines to the letter.  The major thing is to remember where to go, when to get there, and what parts of the school day you have to attend. Also, always remember to plan for the worst when it comes to food.  Have a back-up lunch ready in case you can't get somewhere between your exams if you have two in one day.

For homework tonight, your first priority is to take a look at your previous synthesis notes and prepare for our final timed writing - another synthesis essay.  I think the prompt is a pretty interesting one.  In terms of reading, get through the next three major stories.  Annotate them heavily (like ya do) and then start to consider how this collection is being woven together.  What are those "truth threads" that O'Brien is using.

In the previous post is where I put those links to AP vocabulary - by the way.  Take a look and print if you feel so inclined.  Lastly, I think that I may hold a review/study/prep session next week after-school.  Let me know if you'd be interested in attending.

English I:


I hope that you all enjoyed reading ee cummings' "in Just-".  Tonight you need to practice these same skills of close reading an analysis as you take a look at Haki R. Madhubuti's "Back Again Home."  Read the piece carefully and then answer the assigned questions at the top of the sheet.  Make sure that you do the questions assigned to your class and section.  Answer the questions thoroughly continuing to work on your adherence to good writing rules.

Also, you now have the date for your poetry projects - the 25th and the 29th of May.  Extra Credit projects are due the week of the 14th.  Remember that these two things are meant to be completed mostly on your own time.  See me for help if you need it.

Homework for the Weekend and Monday

Here are your reminders as we move forward into May!

AP English III:


Tonight for homework I want you to continue with your reading of The Things They Carried by reading "The Man I Killed".  It's a relatively short story, but there's a lot of really dense meaning packed within a few short paragraphs.  Read it carefully and annotate it heavily as we'll be working through this piece on Tuesday.  Also, you should begin to prepare yourself for a Synthesis timed writing soon.  I don't think it's going to be on Tuesday because I think we have a few other things to work on for Tuesday, so it'll most likely happen on Thursday/Friday.  Review synthesis, argumentation, and analysis.  Start studying and preparing for your AP Exam which is coming up a lot sooner than you may think.

Also, on the subject of the exam, start working on your rhetorical vocabulary.  I've found this site and this one which has commonly used rhetorical devices on the AP Exam.  Most of them we've gone over in class, some we haven't (can't teach everything) - If you're starting to ramp up your studying I'd use this site as a resource to see what you know and what you don't.  Focus on those new terms to get stronger at multiple choice!

English I:


At this point everyone has their progress reports!  We will finish the poetry quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday by looking at and completing the short answer questions.  Over the weekend I would like for you to put forth a lot of effort on your poetry projects as well as your extra credit projects.  For the extra credit projects you need to answer question number 11, and then either 12 OR 13.  Remember to keep all of your journals together.  These extra credit projects will be due in approximately two weeks.

For the poetry projects I would like to set you the goal that you get one of your writing pieces done this weekend.  Remember especially with the continuation that you need to follow to the letter the original poem's format and content.  I'll be looking closely to make sure you do this.

Oh, and lastly, girls in the dance concert - amazing work on Friday night.  It was great seeing so many of you on stage having fun and dancing beautifully.  Enjoy the weekend!

Homework for B-Day Students - 4/26

Students,

Not much has changed between A and B day. There are a few alterations, but not many.

AP English III:

We finished the notes sheet on Orwell together in class for tonight focus on "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" (a real place, I googled it) and your conversation group preliminary work.

English I:

Nothing has really changed for you all either. You still have your quiz next class, which is what you really need to prepare for. Take your time to study and review both the poems and vocabulary. You did get progress reports today; show them to your parents/guardians tonight. Some of you have some good things to celebrate. Some of you need to make up some work.

See everyone on Monday, enjoy your weekend and work hard!

Homework for A-day Students - 4/25

This is one of those situations where I'll need to make two postings:  one for A-day classes and one for B-day.

A-day Students -

Due to the fact that today was a PLC day we were cut a bit short.  Let me review for all of you what I'm expecting when you walk in on Friday.

AP English III:


Please begin tonight by reviewing the notes sheet that I intended for us to get to in class but we didn't.  It has several questions for you to investigate regarding "Shooting an Elephant" - the main point of this assignment is to do what we were doing in class; focus on specific paragraphs and areas of Orwell's text in order to unlock his purpose.  Very close level analysis.  Make sure that you've dealt with each question as we'll begin Friday with this.

Furthermore, I'd like for you to read what is my favorite story in The Things They Carried - "The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong."  Annotate it heavily, look at the characters as symbolic in this story, and also think about the idea of "truth" from the previous story.  I look forward to our work on this story on Friday.

Oh, lastly, touch base with your discussion groups.  You'll have a bit of time on Friday to talk in class.  But I want to see some movement on these projects before you walk in on Friday.  Don't start the conversation on Friday, pick up from where you've already begun.

English I:


Today in class I gave you your final project for the year - your poetry project.  After you finished your reading assessment you were supposed to use the internet or the books in the media center to select your poem and give me the title and author.  If you didn't get your title and author approved by me in class, you must have this information on Friday.

On Friday you'll have your Wordskills Unit 2 Exam as well as your Poetry Quiz on the four poems we've been studying this week.  Review the poems carefully.  Study them intently.  Know the literary devices at work in the play (we made a chart about this earlier this week).  Pay special attention to tone.  We'll be moving on to some different poems soon, perhaps on Friday with time permitting!

Homework for 4/23 and 4/24

Let's just get right to the business.

AP English III:

Tonight for homework I'd like for you to read two things.  From The Things They Carried, I'd like for you to read our next major story "How to Tell a True War Story" - continue to annotate heavily and notice how O'Brien is continuing to develop his characters, motifs, and specific themes.  This is an especially interesting story to consider when thinking about our big issue of truth and honesty in a memoir.

I'd also like for you to read George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant."  That essay is found in 50 Essays or at this link.  As you read this, consider the idea of obligation and duty especially as we began discussing this idea today in our discussion of "On the Rainy River."  How is Orwell like O'Brien here?  How is their choice similar?

English I:

Tonight for homework I'd like for you to make some more entries in your extra credit reading journals.  You are going to select either question six or seven, question eight or nine, and question ten to answer.  Notice that you will answer three questions here.  Make sure you pay attention to the details in the assignment as it's given to you.

Furthermore, I'd like for you to begin to prepare for your quiz that is coming this next Friday/Monday.  Your assessments on Friday/Monday will cover Wordskills unit two and also the four poems that we've been studying this week.  Please make sure that you're well prepared and that you've studied hard.  I'll be giving out a review sheet for the vocabulary exam on Wednesday/Thursday in order to help you prepare. 

As always, if you have questions, please ask!

B-Day Multiple Choice Questions

B-Day Students.  Please post your multiple choice questions and answer choices in this thread by posting a comment.  Please include your name in your comment to be sure that you get credit.

A-Day Multiple Choice Questions

A-day students.  Please post your multiple choice questions and answer choices in this thread by adding a comment.  Make sure to include your name in the comment so that I can give you credit.

Homework for the Weekend - 4/19 and 4/20

AP English III:

Over the weekend you have two things that you need to take care of.  First, you need to use the packet that I gave you on writing AP Multiple Choice questions and compose one question based on the section of "The Things They Carried" which you discussed in our inside circle discussion group.  Use the question starters to get going and then fill in details and answer choices based on the text.  If you're asking about a particular passage, please make sure that this is made clear in your question.  Your question needs to be submitted via the class website (use the two threads above) before class begins on Monday/Tuesday.  This will count as a homework assignment, so don't miss these points.  Also, please read the next major story in The Things They Carried called "On the Rainy River."  We will work through this story next week and do a bit of work on the anti-war movement.

English I:

Over the weekend I would like for you to continue thinking about the poems that you read by our four female authors.  Based on the poem that you were assigned in your small groups I would like for you to answer two (Honors) or one (Standard) of the discussion questions at the bottom of your worksheet.  Remember that you need to turn in this work to the box on Monday/Tuesday morning before the day begins.

Also, you will have two more class periods to work on our in-class assignment.  One day will be spent working and one day will be presenting.  Lastly, expect a Wordskills test next week.  You should study your wordparts over the weekend.

Homework for 4/17 and 4/18

Welcome back everyone.  There are very few classes left before the end of the year - it'll be important that you all stay focused and on track as we move toward the end of the year.  Here we go with your reminders and notes for tonight.

AP English III:

Students, there are approximately ten classes left before your AP English Language and Composition exam.  Don't freak out!  We'll work on building in some review as we work through our final text The Things They Carried.  What you need to do tonight is finish reading the story "The Things They Carried" - as you read remember that you need to annotate heavily:  look for motifs, symbols, and characters.  Remember to really pay attention to the characters and keep track of where they are, how they're connected to others, and if they're alive or dead.

Don't forget that your motif projects are due on Thursday/Friday.  Be ready and prepared.  I've appreciated the fact that many of you have asked for outside help with this.  Keep coming and asking questions if needed.

English I:

Tonight for homework you all are going to read four poems by four very significant female authors in our textbook.  Remember that you can use the online textbook or paper textbook for this assignment.  Not having a textbook is not an excuse.  You need to check one out or get this assignment done during lunch.  No excuses for not doing homework in the fourth nine weeks!

So - the assignment is as follows.  On pages 409 and 410 you will read "Woman Work" by Maya Angelou and "Daily" by Naomi Shibab Nye - then answer questions 3, 4, and 5 about these poems.  On page 448 you'll read "Women" by Alice Walker and then on page 449 you'll answer questions 4 and 7.  Lastly, on page 461 you'll read "The Courage That My Mother Had" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and on page 462 answer questions 4, 5, and 6. 

When you answer these questions be sure that you answer all parts of the questions and answer in a three to four sentence paragraph.  This homework assignment needs to be turned in to the homework box or to me before 7:30 on Thursday/Friday.  And don't forget your movie reviews are due on Thursday/Friday, make sure you turn in your rough and final drafts. 

Spring Break Reminders

I slept in until nine this morning and it was absolutely glorious.  I hope that all of you had a beginning to Spring Break which was just as wonderful for you.  Here are your reminders for break.

AP English III:


Your biggest goal for Spring Break is to put forth a lot of work on your motif projects.  You should attempt to finish the projects that way when we get back you only need to see me to get edits or feedback.  Remember that A-day projects are due on the 19th and B-day projects are due on the 20th.  Follow the instructions on the sheet to the letter and feel free to e-mail me questions.  It may take me a bit of time to get back to you, but I promise that I will.

When we get back from break we'll be starting our final unit on The Things They Carried.  Please secure yourself a copy of this book.  I'll have copies in the room for you to check out when we return if you need one from me.  This is our last book for the year and we'll also be focusing a lot on final preparation for the AP exam.  Enjoy your time off!

English I:


You all don't have any homework over break but I would suggest that you work on your extra credit projects.  These will be due in mid-May.  If you are completing the journaling assignment, you will want to answer three questions (Honors) or two questions (Standard) from numbers one through five on the journaling sheet.  Feel free to use your grammar journal or to just write them on sheets of paper/type them. Be sure that you do keep your journals together, however.

Also, remember that you have a writing assignment due after break - the movie review; final drafts will be due on the 19th and 20th when we return.

With that, I'm off to try to finish grading all of your final exams and research papers today so that I can enjoy the rest of my break.  See you all next Monday!

Homework for 4/3 and 4/4

We are so close to Spring Break I can taste it in the air.  As I begin grading your final exams on the literature we've been studying and your research papers, here are your reminders before break.

AP English III:

You will not have any additional homework to complete for Thursday, so consider these to be your reminders for break.  First, you should spend a lot of time working on your motif projects.  Remember that there are three distinct elements of the motif project.  You need to complete all three of them thoroughly.  Also over break you should find yourself a copy of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.  This will serve as the cornerstone for our last unit on war and American society.  Feel free to start reading over break, but be aware that we will begin our actual study of the book on the 17th and 18th when we return from break.

English I:

Today you all had your first experience writing an in-class essay.  I hope that even if you found this experience difficult that you have learned from it.  Think about how prepared you would have felt at the beginning of the year versus now with this type of assignment.  I'll have these returned to you after we return from break.

Today I gave you your extra credit assignment for the fourth nine weeks.  Remember that this has two components - the project and the journal.  You may do one component or both, I would recommend doing both since you can keep the journal as you read and then use your entries to help complete the project at the end.  I would suggest that you choose your novel soon and begin reading over break.  The extra credit assignment will be due in the middle of May, giving all of you enough time to read your selected novel and complete your project.

That's all folks, enjoy your last few days!

Homework for the Weekend and Monday (4/2)

Students,

You all have a final test coming up on Tuesday/Wednesday on the texts that we have just finished studying.  Here are some notes and reminders about this exam.

AP English III:

Today we did two pretty big things - we reviewed our motif projects as well as the final exam prompts for our final timed writing.  Let me address the motif projects first and then the timed writing reminders.

For the motif projects you will want to make sure that you follow the instructions on the guide sheet to the letter.  This project will not be due until after Spring Break - but you should be able to complete it before Spring Break if you really work hard.  Remember that the project has three major components - the illustrated quote, the analysis of the quote, and then your motif charts.  Feel free to come see me next week or the week we get back from break to review your work.  This will count as a major test grade.

For the timed writing on Tuesday/Wednesday, I'd remind you that you already have the question - you just don't know which one I'll pick.  Spend your time this weekend marking passages in your novel that you'd discuss with these questions.  Think up arguments that you would want to present, and make sure that you fully understand the prompt.  For Tuesday/Wednesday you will have one hour to write.  You will also be able to use your books.

English I:

Over the weekend your big priority is to prepare for your exam on Romeo and Juliet.  Remember that you can come to class with a cheat sheet made out of a 3x5 notecard.  You can fill that card up with quotes, notes, or reminders.  Take the weekend to review all four prompts and prepare yourselves thoroughly.  You will have the full ninety minutes to plan and draft your essay on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Make sure that you're fully prepared.  This will count as a major test grade for all of you.

Homework for March 28th and 29th

We're drawing ever closer to Spring Break!  I don't know about all of you, but I'm certainly excited about sleeping in and enjoying a week off.  As we move that direction, remember to stay focused on your tasks.

AP English III:

You all got a big thing off of your plates today - your research papers.  As a reminder, those of you who did not submit papers today are losing points for the assignment being late.  Do your best to get the assignment turned in to me ASAP.  Don't let this get you off to a bad start for our last quarter.

In terms of homework for tonight, I'd like for you to read chapter twenty five - the last "chapter" of Invisible Man.  There is an Epilogue at the very end, but we'll read that together in class.  Next class we'll be preparing for our final exam on Invisible Man - a timed writing of a different sort.  The final exam will be on April 3rd and 4th. 

Lastly, I would like for all of you to review the instructions that I gave you on the final motif project.  We'll review this assignment much more thoroughly on Friday/Monday as well as select the motifs that you will all study.  May the odds be ever in your favor...

English I:

Tonight's homework requires that you complete the rough draft of your review of Romeo + Juliet.  The instructions sheet clearly outlines what you need to have in each area of your movie review and how to construct those elements.  This should be a three paragraph assignment.  Please follow the structure rules specifically, especially the word count.  Bring your rough draft with you to class on Friday/Monday for a completion grade.  Walk in with a complete draft and you will begin the quarter with a 100 homework grade.  Again, get off to a good start.  The final drafts of this assignment will not be due until after Spring Break.

Remdiners for AP English III - Research Papers

Juniors,

Next class you will be submitting your papers.  I wanted to make a post for you reminding you what you need to submit along with your draft:

1. Final Draft in MLA format (in class I will give you a rubric and cover sheet)
2. Works Cited Page (this should be stapled to the back of your final draft)
3. Your documents from your Writing Conference
4. Everything goes in your envelope.  If you need to get a new envelope, please do so.  I will not give you another nor will I accept papers submitted without a container. 

Take these final days to prepare and ask any final questions.  I look forward to reading your essays over the next few weeks.  As a reminder, you will not have these returned to you until after Spring Break.

Homework for the Weekend - 3/23 and 3/27

And thus ends another nine weeks.  I appreciate the fact that a lot of you stepped it up in the closing weeks to end strongly.  In our next nine weeks (the last one) it's important that you be consistently hard working throughout the quarter.  Here are your reminders for the weekend.  B-day students, this will be your work for Tuesday night, but it never hurts to be ahead.

AP English III:

Over the weekend you need to read the next chapter in Invisible Man - chapter twenty-four.  There's a huge riot in chapter twenty-four as well as another sexual scene with a white woman.  Continue to move forward with your motif charts and your annotations.  Remember that at this point in the novel you should begin to focus how Ellison is moving to the end of his novel and coming to give the readers messages about his various topics and motifs.

Also, you have research papers due next week.  I went over today what you will need to turn in with your envelopes.  A-day papers are due on Wednesday and B-day papers are due on Thursday.  Take the three day weekend and our conferences to improve your drafts.  Ask for help if you need it.

English I:

We've finished the play!  Enjoy the weekend and relax.  We'll be finishing the films next week and begin some of our final assessments on the play as well.  I would spend the weekend working on reviewing your writing skills - we'll be focusing on writing as we begin our transition to the end of the year and tenth grade.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Homework for 3/21 and 3/22

I'm going to flip things around and deal with the Freshmen first and then speak to the Juniors.

English I:

Since we had our cumulative assessment today and since most of you are finishing up your projects - you really have no homework to prepare for Friday/Tuesday's class.  Please take this opportunity to rest before we finish our study of Romeo and Juliet.  I would remind all of you that the last day of the quarter is Friday.  If you have something that needs to be turned in, get it done and get it to me by Friday.

AP English III:

The quarter is essentialy done for all of you today as well with the completion of our timed writing.  I will have these graded for this quarter, but you will likely not get them back until next week.  To prepare for class on Friday/Tuesday I would like for you to be to the end of chapter twenty three.  This is a lengthy chapter, but the novel is moving to its conclusion.  Watch how, as we discussed in class, Ellison is making a lot of his very disparate ideas in the novel collide in interesting and symbolic ways.  These collisions will continue. 

Also, I would like to remind you about the due date for your papers.  When I handed out the assignment forever ago the date on there was the 28th and 29th.  This gives all of you the long weekend to finish your essays and collect all of the required pieces.  I am holding to this due date.  I will be available next Tuesday for any last minute help for A-day students and I'll be free on Wednesday afternoon for last minute help for B-day students.  Plan ahead.  Work hard. 

I think that'll do it.  See you all either Friday or Tuesday.  Enjoy the three day weekend.

I forgot to post...Homework 3/20 and 3/21

Hey all.  Sorry that I forgot to put this up last night.  Here are your reminders to prep you for Wednesday and Thursday.

AP English III:

Next class we'll be having a timed writing.  We haven't done one in a while, so I figure it's a good idea to make sure that your skills are still strong.  We'll be working on an argumentative prompt - so reviewing the essential elements of an argument would be a good idea.  I'll also be collecting your journals next class as well as your redos of the motif charts.  Remember for the redos you do not need to submit the original document again, just turn in what you found that you didn't find the first time.  I will not accept redos late - this is me being generous, don't look a gifthorse in the mouth.

Your next reading goal in Invisible Man is the very lengthy chapter twenty three.  A-day students will need to have this read for Friday's class.  B-day students, you have the long weekend to Tuesday.  Also, we do have research papers coming due very soon.  You would do well to have them ready to be turned in next week. Draft this weekend.  Get it done.

English I:

For tonight I want all of you to continue working on your projects.  To those of you who have already performed, then you're in good shape.  One less thing to do.  If you've missed your presentation slot, make sure that you have a perfect performance when you do perform - you're already losing points for being late, make sure you don't then have a sloppy performance.

Next class we'll be having our next to last district test.  We'll be focusing on poetry in this test.  So study those elements that we've been going over in Shakespeare.

Homework for the Weekend - Spring! 3/15 and 3/16

Students,

As we move forward into spring and all that it offers, remember that we're quickly coming to the end of this grading period and the beginning of the final grading period of the year.  Continue doing all of your assignments and doing them well, don't allow yourselves to fall behind.  If you are behind, catch up.  See me for help.

AP English III:


We're a bit off right now between the two classes, but we'll be back together next week.  Over the weekend, everyone will need to make his/her way to the end of chapter twenty-two of Invisible Man.  Keep up your motif charts and continue to analyze and interpret the text as well.  We are moving to the end of the novel and I am so excited for us to finish this circle.  This section will provide a big change in the character of Brother Tod.  Pay attention to the narrator's reaction and your reaction as a reader.

I plan on giving you all progress reports at the end of the nine weeks as well as a list of any remaining assignments.  As a head's up - I would expect a timed writing in the final week of the quarter.  And now that we're discussing writing, let's talk about papers.  Research papers should be into the drafting phase.  You must conference either tomorrow or next week.  If you haven't signed up or seen me about an alternate time, you will be at the whim of the schedule.  When you conference, you must come with all required documents.  Failure to do so will not be tolerated.  Do not miss your conference time by any means necessary.  Use your smartphones smartly - program a calendar reminder and then make that thing go off.  You have to foresee any potential conflicts.

Sorry to harp on this, but I'm a stickler about scheduling and punctuality.

English I:


We are moving to the end of our study of Romeo and Juliet - I hope that you all enjoyed what we've been seeing and learning in our study of this play.  Over the weekend, those of you who haven't done your presentations yet will want to get highly prepared.  As with the Juniors, I'm fully booked this week and all of you are scheduled.  If you can't go on your day, you will be docked points and you will be expected to go on the next day.  Remember that everything is due the day you give your speech.  Anything not submitted when you present your speech will be assessed with a late penalty.

Special congratulations go to the students who presented on the very first day.

B Day Discussion Board - Plato

Please post your responses to the following question below.  Use refrences to Invisible Man and "Allegory of the Cave" where applicable.  Make sure that you answer all parts of the prompt.  Posts will be graded after class on Friday.  No late posts will be accepted.

Throughout the text of Invisible Man we see that the narrator continues to oscilate between his own reality and the reality of society.  This text complicates the idea of society because there are two socities within the text, African American society and White society.  There are, of course, multiple socities within these larger socities as well - complicating this overall question.  However, according to Plato's allegory, which society that we have seen within the pages of our novel is the one more responsible for keeping the Invisible Man within the cave and constricting his vision?  Has the Invisible Man broken free from this bondage?  Does he think that he has?  How does our role as readers in this text further this question.

As you answer, make sure that your response is your own.  Do not submit something similar to a previous post or it will not be considered for credit.  Come up with an argument and prove it.

A Day Discussion Board - Plato

A day students.  Please post a comment to respond to the following prompt.  Draw on your knowledge of Invisible Man as well as your understanding of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" to answer the following questions.  Use textual references where necessary.

Plato raises the idea in paragraph forty of transitioning between the world of light and the cave and that these transitions each affect the vision of the human.  Plato says as well that these "bewilderments...from coming out of the light or from going into...[are] true of the mind's eye, quite as much as of the bodily eye."  I would argue that the Invisible Man has suffered from these bewilderments multiple times throughout the text.

Which moment of the text do you think is the has provided the most significant bewilderment to the Invisible Man?  Is this a moment of going out of the light or going into it?  Which of his eyes is this effecting?  What is the overall importance?


Be thorough but concise in your answer.  Show me that you've read the book and tell me something coherent - edit before you hit submit.  Make sure you're focusing on the prompt.

Homework for All Classes - 3/13 and 3/14

No time for pleasantries here - let's just get straight to the business.

AP English III:

Tonight for homework your priority is to complete your reading and study of Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" - this can be found in 50 Essays or at the following link.  I would reccommend that all of you take a look at that link because it has a good illustration of "the cave" where Plato sets up his philisophical discourse.  I'm also putting in a film which I think may help you all to understand some of the intricacies of the story.

Please read this thoroughly as it does highly connect to Invisible Man.  After you've finished reading the piece by Plato - please respond to the prompt in the discussion board located above this post.  Make sure that your post is completed by the time you walk into class on Thursday/Friday.  I will grade them after class on Thursday/Friday.

In terms of other things to get done, you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-two of Invisible Man by next Monday and Tuesday.  We're quickly moving to the end of the novel and I'm excited to take you all through what happens to our friend.  Also, we are starting paper conferences.  Follow the schedule and be drafting.

English I:

For tonight you all should finish your studying for your Act II and III Examination.  This test will have multiple choice, quotations, and short answer questions.  Be sure that you are very ready.  Remember that this counts as a test grade and will highly affect your grade either positively or negatively related to your score.  We also have presentations and the end of our drama projects coming up.  Be sure that you're ready to present and that you have all of the final elements of your project ready.  Lastly, we will present Act III.5 projects next class (Thursday/Friday) -- be sure that every member of your group is ready to do their part!

Weekend Reminders and Homework

Students,

Apologies for leaving early on Friday. I was having some really bad sickness and needed to get myself in bed ASAP. I hope that your day with the substitute was productive. Here are your reminders.

AP English III:

Over the weekend you all need to focus on getting to the end of chapter nineteen in Invisible Man as this is your next big check-in. Also you should all be moving into the draft phase of your research papers. I'll be putting up the conference sign up sheets on my door Monday morning. Conferences will begin on Wednesday and stretch on to next week. Remember that the expectation is that you come to conference with fifty percent of your draft done.

Also, don't forget about your motif charts. I hope that our review helped you to really understand this assignment.

English I:

Your homework is a writing assignment which was outlined for you on the back of the group worksheet. Next class you'll have a bit of time to work in your groups before we move on to a quick study of Act IV. Please make sure that your homework gets turned into the box.

You should expect your test on Acts II and III on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Homework for Wednesday and Thursday - 3/7 and 3/8

Here are your homework reminders for tonight.

AP English III:

Your next big chunk of reading will be due next week on the 13th and 14th.  You'll need to be to the end of chapter 19 by that point.  Now that you have your new motif charts you should be keeping up with your chapters as we will be turning this motif development into one of your final test grades on this novel.  Furthermore, now that you've gotten back your outlines with my comments you should begin drafting your essays.  We will begin our first round of writing conferences on the 13th of March.  I will place a sign on my door with slots for appointments.  Please sign up for an appointment and bring the required documents.  WRITING CONFRENCES ARE MANDITORY.  You will be graded on this, failure to show or sign up for a confrence will be given a zero with no chance to recover the credit.

English I:

A-day students, you've signed up for your recitation slots.  Those are the calendar events that you see in the right hand window.  B-day students, I have to be gone for a doctor's appointment during your classes today so you will sign up next week for your spots on Monday.  This means that B-day students will have only a week to prepare.  You should begin your preparation this weekend to make up for this lost time.  Remember that when you give your presentation you will turn in your paragraphs about your speech and HONORS students will also turn in their mini-essays on definitions of comedy and tragedy.  Read your assignment sheet carefully for these instructions.

For tonight, Freshmen, you need to finish reading Act III.  Read III.4 and III.5 and complete your notes on Who, Where, When, and What for each scene.  Keep these notes in your notebooks for a notebook check on Friday/Monday.

All - I'll be available Friday afternoon for any questions or concerns.  Please see me then if you need me.

Homework and Announcements for 3/5 and 3/6

Students!  Some very important news for all of you today concerning tomorrow.  Please pay attention to the announcements as well as the homework reminders.

Tomorrow we'll be having the ACT administered and I'll be giving it to some of the Junior class.  AP English III - tonight I want all of you to prepare mentally for this exam.  Look over some math.  Crunch some vocabulary.  Maybe review your notes on constructing an argument.  But don't stress.  Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast tomorrow.  Lots of protein.  You'll need to make sure to arrive on time tomorrow.  Have pencils and a calculator that can be used.  For the exam, you'll be in the same room as where you pretested.  Good luck!

English I students in my 3B class will report to Ms. Thelemaque's room, 110.  It's across from the Dell Lab.  You'll be having C lunch tomorrow.  4B students will report to me.  B-day students, you still have homework due tomorrow.  Make sure it gets turned into the box.  If you're turning in a late project, please make sure that this gets to the box as well.

Now, let's talk about homework.

AP English III:


I'll be giving you all back your outlines and take-home exams on Wednesday/Thursday.  We'll then talk about the next phase of the paper process.  But you all know what's coming.  For tonight and tomorrow you need to focus on Invisible Man.  Be to the end of chapter fifteen by our next class.  We will be discussing these chapters thoroughly.  Your motif charts will be due this day as well.  Remember that you will probably need to attach a separate sheet of paper for chapters fourteen and fifteen, as your chart will only have space to thirteen if you do a chapter per row.  Have them thoroughly completed.  If you have a specific question, see me tomorrow or Wednesday after school.  You could also all see me tomorrow at C-lunch since we'll all have the same lunch.

English I:


Tonight's homework requires you to move to the next phase of our drama projects.  It's time for you to get up and perform.  Tonight you need to decide on your speech and begin crafting your paragraphs.  Your first paragraph will need to locate the speech in the context of the play.  What is going on when your speech is said?  Locate it in terms of other major events.  You will also need to tell me about your speech's importance.  Why is your speech important to the overall play?  Does it add to a character's development?  Show the climax or turning point?  Emphasize a particular mood or theme?  Use your literary vocabulary!

Remember that if you are not doing a monologue then you and your partner need to get clearance from me for a dialogue.  You need to get this clearance no later than Thursday.  Also, you MUST perform the full speech.  Do not select a speech and only do an excerpt.  This will not bode well for your grade. Please see me if you need help or coaching with your performance.  Remember, it's a performance - not just a recitation.

Homework for the 1st and 2nd of March

It certainly feels as though spring has sprung.  What a beautiful day!  I hope that you all get a chance to go outside and enjoy this weather.

AP English III:

Next week is going to be a bit strange due to the fact that Tuesday will be ACT day.  Your reading - to be to the end of chapter fifteen - is going to be due on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.  Monday - for A day students - is going to be more of an enrichment day than anything else.  As you finish your reading assignment, you will need to make sure that your motif chart is as completed as you can make it.  This will count as a major homework grade - so be sure that it reflects your best work.  You can feel free to combine some chapers - but I would prefer that you use one row for each chapter.  This will require that you do chapters fourteen and fifteen on a separate sheet of paper.  I'll give you another motif chart next week so that you can finish the book and keep your ideas logged. 

That's all you need to do this weekend.  I'll give you back your outlines, tests, and anything else next Wednesday and Thursday.  Then we'll move to the next phase of our papers - the actual drafting and confrences!  Feel free to start early.

English I:

For the weekend I would like for you all to do a bit of writing for me.  You are a lawyer and you are pressing charges on one of the characters in Romeo and Juliet for the murders that have occured in III.1.  You can choose to blame someone in this scene, or you may choose to be a bit more abstract - blaming someone that wasn't even in the scene.  Regardless of whom you blame, be sure that you present a clear case using at least three to four specific examples from the play to support your case.  You need to focus on only one character; your legal brief should be no longer than one page.

This is due to the homework box Monday/Tuesday.

B4 Announcement

B4 Students,

Remember that you don't have the board games assignment. Instead you need to work through the first three parts of the scene and complete your reason guide which I gave you in class. Please make sure that this reading guide is turned into the homework box by Friday morning. We will continue straight on to the second half of III.1.

As always, see me if you have any questions.

Tuesday and Wednesday (2/28 and 2/29) Homework and Reminders

It's a leap year.  Those people Mr. Leathers announces tomorrow will be turning four, since they've technically only had four birthdays.  Anyway, the business is below.

AP English III:

After today's class you've gotten something big off of your plate - there is one more big thing for this week and then a rather large reading goal moving to next week.  The major thing remaining is your research outline.  I have started to see a lot of movement on these in a variety of ways, keep going.  Please use the rubric as you craft your outline.  Think to yourself, "Am I doing this part of the rubric?"  If the answer is yes, make sure it's done thoroughly.  If the answer is no, you have a major problem.  Outlines are due Thursday and Friday.  You have one remaining day to ask for help - tomorrow.

Looking forward to next week - you have a large reading goal.  Follow your reading schedules closely and get to the end of chapter fifteen.  The novel is going to start being a lot more cohesive here, which is something I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for, grab on to this plot with the Invisible Man.  Continue to notice the cycles.  On your reading, you will have a deadline/honesty check on your motif charts.  You should be able to get chapter thirteen on your chart.  You'll then need to create one to log chapters fourteen and fifteen.  I'll give you new ones next week.  Remember to do this AS you read; it'll save time.

English I:


You have two things due next class:  a homework assignment and a project checkin.  Your homework is the "Board Games" assignment.  First you must block or diagram the movements of the characters in the key moments of III.1.  Follow the instructions on the sheet.  Give a key to your diagram and use arrows to show movement.  Make sure that each event is clearly marked in your diagram.

You will then answer the three questions listed at the bottom on the back of the worksheet.  As you answer the questions, really try to understand the character.  You'll want to comment on how he understands certain events as well as his emotions.  Be clear and concise in your answers.  Turn this assignment in to the box.

This is your first project checkin as well.  I've been happy that some of you have brought me drafts.  This assignment may also be submitted to the box, or you can bring it to class.  I understand that some of you may need to print during lunch in the library - be sure to get a pass in advance.

See you all tomorrow!

Notes and Reminders for the Weekend

AP English III:

You all have a lot of things on your plate for this class right now.  Remember not to procrastinate.  The best option you have is to get immediately on your tasks and deal with what you have to do.  I'm going to outline your goals for you in order of importance.

1. Your takehome test is due on Tuesday/Wednesday.  This needs to be typed and you need to review your answers.  Remember that you can ask questions - but your chance to do that is quickly disappearing.  Use your books - make your answers good.  Follow your ideas to their conclusion and clearly explain yourself.  Remember, you should be able to accomplish this test in a regular class period.  Time yourself, but then take time to review, edit, and perfect.
2. Research outlines are due on Thursday/Friday.  Some of you have come in and asked for help and even shared drafts.  You have the rubric - follow it.  Research.  Get your sources.  Get it organized.  More time spent on the outline will save you time in your writing.
3. Read chapters ten, eleven, and twelve in Invisible Man.  We're going to see some big changes for our narrator.  Notice those.  Also, be aware that I will probably collect your motif charts soon.  Get them filled in!

English I:

This is your final weekend to work on your projects before the first part is due.  Work hard, get it done.  Many of you missed your homework check this morning, if you missed that grade, be sure that you get the work done this weekend and sit study hall next week.  Don't let these little grades be the death of you!

Homework for the Evening - 2/21 and 2/22

This is a bit of an odd week for us what with the delay yesterday and the shortened day yesterday.  Here are your notes about things to take care of before next class.

AP English III:

Today I gave you two very important assignments.  Let's deal with them in the order that they'll be collected.  First, you have your take-home examination.  I want to remind all of you that this is due on the 28th and 29th of February.  These will not be accepted late.  At all.  You have a week, use it.  You should spend a lot of your time this weekend completing this.  I would like for this to be typed, if not typed, please make sure that it's written in ink.  Follow all of the instructions listed on the sheet, be sure that you complete all parts.  Please feel free to ask any questions, but be reminded that I will not look at any drafts.  A final reminder:  Any evidence of cheating, sharing answers, or consulting sources other than your notes, books, or minds will result in a very bad thing.  Be honorable, do your own work. 

Other things:  Your outline rubric goes through what you need to complete for this assignment.  Remember that outlines are due next week on Thursday and Friday.  Feel free to do your outline on Google Documents and share it with me for faster feedback.  If you do this, please title your document FirstName LastName Research Outline Class Period.  This will help me organize my files. 

Lastly, please make sure that you've thoroughly read chapters seven through nine of Invisible Man.  We'll discuss these on Thursday/Monday and then begin moving on to chapter ten.  If you'd like to begin readig chapter ten, that's a good idea, but I would definitately work on your other assignments first.

Lots to do AP kids, see me for help if you need it.

English I:

Tonight I'd like for you to finish reading Act II.  Please read Act II Scene 5 and 6 - complete your who, what, where, and when notes for both scenes.  Also, at the end of the act please answer questions one through five to check your understanding of the Act.  These questions are on page 843.  Keep your notes in your notebooks and your question answers as well.  I will probably check Act II notebooks next class - be prepared!

Also, don't forget that your first check-in on your project is very soon.  None of you have yet asked me for any help, so I assume that everything's fine.

A Substitute Day - Reiterating Some Things

I hope that your day, B-day, with the substitute was productive.  I know that with the two-hour delay some things got pushed around or shortened; let me take this time to reiterate a few things to you all so that you're prepared for Wednesday.

AP English III:


I'll give you the results of your partner practice test on Monday of next week.  Wednesday's going to be a bit packed with the business of the day which is chapters seven through nine of Invisible Man.  Make sure that you go through all of the quotations on the handout thoroughly and that each is annotated.  You should be able to draw these to major motifs, character development, as well as other linguistically interesting things (diction, syntax, tone, and so forth).  You'll also want to make sure that you've read the chapters in the book thoroughly.

Also next class I'll be giving you the rubric for our research paper outlines.  This is our next major step in developing these argumentative essays.  It is imperative that you have begun to research in order to complete the outline.  Don't delay on this.  Find your sources and begin to have a conversation with them.

English I:


All of you today should have watched the more modern version of Romeo and Juliet as well as the more traditional one.  We will continue to watch these two films as we study this play.  You will continue to make observations in preparation for a writing assignment regarding the adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy.  For tonight, you should continue working on your projects.  Remember that you do have some goals to start meeting very soon.

4B - You should all take some time to complete the grammar packet as well.  I'll be reviewing that with you on Wednesday's class.

I think that should do it.  Please come see me tomorrow if you have any questions.

Work for the weekend and Monday night

Students,

I will not be here on Monday due to the fact that I'll be at a workshop at UNC Chapel Hill all day.  I'm looking forward to spending the day at my alma mater reconnecting with a few former professors of mine.  B-day students will complete their tasks for the day with a substitute.  Here are your notes on what you need to complete at home.

AP English III:

You have several big reading portions to take care of.  By Tuessday/Wednesday you'll need to be to the end of chapters seven through nine.  By Thursday/Monday (27th) you need to be to the end of chapter ten.  Chapter ten is a bit on the confusing side, but given the fact that you've been reading this book for some time I think that all of you will be able to handle it.

Please complete your quote analysis sheets at home if you didn't have a chance to thoroughly read an annotate all of the passages.  We'll use this as an anchor for our discussion of chapters seven through nine on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Also, don't forget that you have an outline for your research paper due soon.  You should be researching now in preparation for this deadline.  Remember - procrastination kills.  Be ahead.

English I:

I hope that you are enjoying these films.  As we continue to read, we'll continue to watch.  For this weekend, spend some time getting ahead on your projects.  Remember that we have a deadline coming soon.  Next week would be a great time to see me with a draft and ask for help.

Enjoy your weekend!  Oh, and Juniors, you have progress reports coming out on Tuesday/Wednesday.

Homework for Wednesday/Thursday - 2/15 and 2/16

Alrighty kiddos, here's what you need to do.

AP English III:

Your next reading goal in Invisible Man is to read chapters seven through nine.  This is where the Invisible Man moves off to New York and begins the next phase of this novel.  I would like for all of you to attempt to have this done by Friday/Monday.  However, we won't be discussing these chapters until the 21st and 22nd.  So, know that you have a bit of leeway in your reading.  Since you do have that leeway, you should be continuing to do your research and move forward with your papers.  Remember that we will have another checkin on these papers due very soon.  In about two weeks you'll need to submit your outlines - remember that in order to outline you need to already have your sources.  Remember not to slack.  Slacking leads to bad things.

Finally, you're going to have your first assessment on Invisible Man on the Prologue to Chapter Six.  Prepare.  Be ready.  Ask for help if you need it.

English I:

Tonight you're taking a break from Romeo and Juliet and spending time with your projects.  Remember the goal to have the reading done by the end of next week.  Our first deadline is March 1st and 2nd.  Don't miss this deadline, remember that it's a quiz grade.  You should start coming to see me soon to get extra help or for me to edit your projects. 

And we have another Monday...

And so it is, another week.  Though next week we've got only four days, so that's something to look forward to.

AP English III:

Tonight you need to finish your reading of chapters five and six of Invisible Man.  A lot of you who are ahead told me that you were really confused about chapter five.  That's to be expected.  As I said in the last post, it's entirely stream of consciousness.  The goal here should be to get through the chapter, develop questions, and bring those with you to our discussion on Wednesday/Thursday.  Personally, I haven't made sense of everything in that chapter yet.  I'm hoping with your help that we'll discover some things together.

After today's class you have all gotten your research topics back.  It's time to start researching and writing your thesis.  Remember that by the last week of February/first week of March you should have your outline completed with your sources.  I'll be giving your a rubric for your outlines soon which will outline (heh) what I'm expecting.

Lastly, we're having another timed writing Wednesday/Thursday to prepare for the ACT.  It's an argument, so I think that you'll all do fine.  Just review what a good argument is made of.

English I:

We're two-thirds of the way through the balcony scene.  We'll finish it as a group tomorrow.  Tonight for homework you need to read over Act II, Scene 3 and take your notes on Who, Where, When, and What.  As you read, I also want you to keep track of the various opposites in this scene.  As you see opposites, you'll want to write down the line numbers as well as the opposite words.

We will also be having a warm-up check next class.  It would be a good idea for all of you to make sure you get the reading done thoroughly and that you've reviewed your grammar.  As you've seen, the warm-ups are getting trickier, the later we move into the year.

Lastly English I kids, we've got quiz corrections available this week on the Act I Quests.  You can come after school or during lunch on Wednesday and Friday.  This opportunity doesn't come often.  Make sure that you take advantage of it.

With that, I'm off to grade your homework.

Homework for the Weekend - 2/9 and 2/10

Cheers to the weekend!  As I paraphrase Rihanna, please look below for your reminders for this weekend.

AP English III:

Your next big reading goal will be the 15th and 16th.  You've got to move through chapters five and six.  Chapter six ends the college section and will be where we'll have our first major assessment on Invisible Man and other pieces that we've read up to this point.  Chapter five will probably be pretty difficult for most of you.  This is where the Rev. Homer Barbee gives his sermon and the Invisible Man listens, letting his mind wander.  Remember the idea of stream of consciousness.  Look closely at this section, read carefully.  Chapter six is a punch in the gut, and it's pretty short too.

Since you have a bit of extra time, I would like for you all to begin researching and coming up with some sources.  You'll really begin researching in earnest next week after you've gotten your topics back, but doing a bit of leg work this weekend will be useful.  Remember that you need a mixture of primary and secondary sources; print and non-print sources.  We'll talk about what all of this means on Monday/Tuesday.  I'm also hoping that on Monday/Tuesday we'll also have a chance to look at a few more passages from Invisible Man that I think are pretty noteworthy.

English I:

This weekend you're going to continue moving forward on your projects.  We'll be doing a lot of Act II of Romeo and Juliet in class simply because it's probably one of my favorite acts.  This weekend I want you to continue reading your plays, but I need you to turn in some evidence of your reading. 

Honors and Standard students:  You will construct a venn diagram comparing and contrasting the play that you're reading with Romeo and Juliet.  Be sure that you identify the title of your play.  I'm going to be looking for ten points of contrast (differences), and five points of comparison (similarities). 

Honors students:  You will then take that venn diagram and write me two paragraphs comparing and contrasting your play and Romeo and Juliet.  As you write, you may want to focus on just one or two similarities and differences, explain them thoroughly, and show why these similarities and differences are important.  Remember to follow good writing rules, use clear details from your plays, and fully explain your ideas.

This assignment is due to the box Monday (A-day) or Tuesday (B-day).  Also, Standard students can do the writing assignment to earn some extra credit on a previous homework assignment.

To all:

On Monday/Tuesday you'll be getting a good amout of work returned to you.  Just giving you a head's up.

I don't know any songs about Tuesday

So instead of talking about that, I'll just let you know of your homework.

AP English III:


You've got two more chapters to read, three and four of Invisible Man.  These two chapters are linked to chapter two in a strong way.  We have only begun to scratch the surface of chapter two!  We will go a lot deeper with chapters two, three, and four during class on Thursday/Friday.  Please make sure that you have read and thoroughly annotated these chapters.  Chapter four is relatively short, and provides a good place to pause before the next slog to the end of the college section.

Your first major assessment with Invisible Man will happen after we've discussed chapter six.  Make sure that you're preparing by being a good reader.

On to research - If you did not submit your research plan today before our timed writing then it is due at the beginning of class on Thursday/Friday.  Don't slack on this.  You may find that you need to do a bit of research before you can actually can write your question.  Use your sheet and answer all parts, thoroughly.

English I:


Today we had our first assessment on Romeo and Juliet, covering Act I.  Things will continue to develop and get intense as we move into Act II.  This is where Shakespeare really turns up the intensity and the complications and foreshadowing abound.  Tonight, take a break from Romeo and Juliet, but spend your time on your play for your project.

You should spend an hour or two reading over the next few days.  I gave you the goal in class today of having your play read by the 24th.  This is a realistic and good goal for all of you.  Remember your first due date with this project is March 1st and 2nd.  Honors students will have their scene translations due at this checkin.  Standard students will have the adaptation assignment due.  Be sure that you have read and understand the instructions.  Misinterpreting the instructions will lead to a poor score.  As always I'm happy to look at drafts and provide feedback for this project.

Have a good evening!

Monday, Monday...

That's a song by The Mamas and the Papas.  Great group, great songs.  Just a few quick reminders and announcements for those of you out today on the ski trip.

AP English III:


We were missing a lot of people today due to the Physics field trip as well as just a few absences.  Today we discussed "Notes of a Native Son" as well as the SYNTHESIS prompt.  There's a lot of information about the synthesis in the previous post.  I would highly recommend that those of you absent today come to see me tomorrow about this type of writing.  I don't want you being blindsided by your timed writing on Wednesday.

Be sure that you've read to the end of chapter two.  It's difficult, but get through it.  Just keep swimming with your eyes focused on the shore.

English I:


All of you that were present today have gotten progress reports.  If you missed the Queen Mab worksheet you must come to study hall tomorrow to get credit.  Some of you are really underperforming due to the fact that you're not submitting homework.  Remember that this quarter you get the grade you earn - no more sixties.


To all of you:


Homework is definitely something for a lot of you to step it up on, AP kids, you too.  Doing homework as class begins is unacceptable and wont earn you a lot of credit.  Don't be lazy.  Don't procrastinate.  Done.

Homework for the Weekend and Monday

AP English III:

Today we've begun the process of unlocking the SYNTHESIS prompt.  I'm attaching a link here that has a lot of information on doing the SYNTHESIS.  Use this link to look at the sample prompts, sample responses, and guidelines for scoring.  You won't have one of these prompts for your timed writing (that'd be too easy) but remember that the skills are the same no matter what.  Spend some time this weekend reviewing and thinking.  Work on your skills.

Also this weekend you've got to finish reading chapter two of Invisible Man.  Focus on the character of Jim Trueblood.  He's quite symbolic.  Think about what's going on there.  Also, pay attention to the rape of the daughter and the idea of dreams.  We're hitting a lot of information about dreams.  Notice the trends.

Lastly, your research questions and topics are due next class.  I'd like for you to phrase your questions as thoroughly and specifically as you can.  I'll take some time to read over these and give you some feedback to help you make things a lot stronger.  We'll be moving on to developing arguments and starting the research next week.  Tuesday/Wednesday I'm planning on us looking at just chapter two and doing that synthesis prompt.  It'll be a big day!

English I:

Over the weekend you all need to prepare for your first Romeo and Juliet quiz.  In order to prepare you need to first review your notes and make sure that your notebook is well organized because I will be checking those notebooks on Tuesday/Wednesday during your quiz.  This quiz is going to focus on a few different elements of the play.

1. The questions are going to focus on your comprehension of the events of the play.  Do you know what the major events are?  Can you put the events of the play in order?
2. What have been our major literary devices that we've seen in this play?  What is the purpose of these literary devices?  Can you read Shakespearean language and recognize them?
3. Do you know all of the characters in the play?  Can you tell me why they are in the play?  Are they symbolic?
4. Honors students - you're going to have quote identifications.  Remember that you'll need to tell me who said it, when it was said, and why the quote is important to the play.
5. Standard students - you're going to have short answer questions.  Focus on the major ideas we've seen in the play.  Opposites, irony, the prologue, the conflicts, all that good stuff.

Study hard.  Also, with your progress reports.  If you need to make up the Queen Mab worksheet, you need to come to study hall on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (only for B-day) to get that credit.

Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.  Enjoy your weekend!

Invisible Man Help Sessions

AP Kids,

Now that we're getting into Invisible Man we are going to hit some really rough water.  Some scenes will be very troubling to you on a lot of levels for a lot of reasons.  Remember at all times that Ellison is doing this for a purpose.  Mood is a key element of good literature.  Consider what you feel and why you feel it.  Investigate the language.  Take your time with this book and go in deep.

On that point, on Fridays and Wednesdays I invite you to come and discuss certain passages with me.  A small reading group is always useful to discuss particular areas and work through the rough spots.  This will invariably help with your writing skills as well (good readers are good writers), so come and have some tea and read.

Keep swimming.

Homework for 2/1 and 2/2

AP English III:

I was very pleased with our conversation today regarding the first chapter of Invisible Man.  Remember that this will take some time to get used to.  Keep reading.  Your next checkpoint is next week and you need to be to the end of chapter two.  This is a long chapter and will take several attempts to get through.  Be smart, chop up the reading, and do a little bit each night.  Make sure that as you're reading you do fill out those motif charts.

Tonight as well as starting the reading of chapter two I also want you to do a bit of writing for me.  I'd like for you to take a group of sentences from our sentence combination activity on the Battle Royal and create a thorough paragraph using those sentences as your starting point.  Remember to include details from the text and push those sentences to a clear conclusion.  I'll collect this from you at the beginning of class on Friday/Monday.

Other reminders:  Your research questions are due on 2/7 and 2/8.  This is not that far away.  You either need to share a Google document with me or you will need to turn in a hard copy of your question that day. 

English I:

We're nearly done with our first act of Romeo and Juliet.  I hope that all of you are enjoying it.  You will have your first quiz on Act I on Tuesday/Wednesday next week.  Your quiz will be based heavily on your notes - please make sure that you're organized and prepared.  For tonight's homework you need to finish the Queen Mab worksheet that I gave you today in class.  Make sure that you follow the instructions thoroughly.  This worksheet is due to the box on Friday/Monday.

I think that does it.  See you soon.