Friday the 9th of September

AP English Language

Time spent with Thomas Jefferson today as we worked through "The Declaration of Independence" and understood some of the keys to annotating in this class. I enjoyed your attention to our work related to topic, audience, and speaker. Remember that texts will often have several audiences, so speakers will tweak their approaches in order to address a specific audience. We saw this as Jefferson had slightly different arguments to his various audiences - the colonists, the representatives, and the king.

Over the weekend, you should start in on your next set of cards. If you haven't submitted your first set, be sure to do so as soon as you can. Grades will be updated next week. I would also suggest starting one of the three choice articles - Anzaldua, Apess, or Sedaris' "Go Carolina". These are available as PDF's on our course page or in the textbook.

AP Research

A day where we give and get feedback is always a lovely day in AP Research. It gladdens my heart to see you all so engaged with each other and with making each other better. I'm also enjoying seeing the development of your ideas - using your sources and your building Body of Knowledge to develop your ideas are key right now.

Our work today focused on learning how to test our sources for credibility and then getting some work on our research questions. Use the feedback from your peers to revise your research questions. This is so important. Also use the feedback and gaps on your organizer to go back to the databases. Keep building your reading log and source list. Lastly, your new reflection question has been posted for this week - be sure that you add your answer to the running list.

8 September - Thursday

English 10

Lovely end of the week in English 10 today. We finished our first short story, "The Train from Rhodesia" by Nadine Gordimer. I like this story as a first one due to its interesting ending, the conflicts, and the use of detail in the story. It's an interesting look at how what people do can tell us a lot about them - especially if we consider the husband's actions. 

We'll stay studying South Africa for a few more classes. Be ready for a reading diagnostic next week. Enjoy the weekend! I'll see you on Monday.

7 September - Blue Day - Wednesday

AP Language

Great day today in AP Language - we reviewed our diagnostic exam (I'll have the scores in soon) and then got started with the main thrust of our class, "What is America?" Throughout the year we'll be exploring the concept and working to define it using our various texts and authors through the year. We're starting with our first reading tonight - Thomas Jefferson's "The Declaration of Independence". Find it in your textbook, or the scanned copy in the folder, and annotate for purpose and audience (consider that there are multiple audiences and the purpose will shift for each one). Keep your textbook at home, but have your notes in class!

AP Research

We continue to build our research question by refering to the work of others in our field. This is the first and likely one of the most important steps of our whole process this year. Working with our Body of Knowledge is key to ensuring success in this class and the work that you'll be doing through the year. 

Continue farming the databases, ask the librarians for help, and begin to work with your classmates who are in similar fields or disciplines. You are your best help in this process. Building your source list will help you to check for holes in your QUEST - if you find them, plug them. And let me know how I may be able to help.

See you Friday!

6 September - Grey Day

English 10

Good day in English 10 as we began our study of South Africa. We'll be focused on this country for the next few classes - reading different pieces and understanding different points of view. Today we started with Nadine Gordimer and her story "The Train from Rhodesia". We got through most of it and will finish next class. We'll have time next class to focus on vocabulary and prepare for our next text from South Africa from Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Hey September - Blue Day - 1 September

Happy Labor Day Weekend!! Remember there's no school on Friday and Monday. See you Tuesday and Wednesday!

AP English Language

Today was our day to discuss grading. I hope that you understand that this year you'll be graded in a different way than you have before. Grades reflect learning, and learning changes, so grades will change. Be sure to review the syllabus and the recording below as you work with your parents to complete the syllabus signature form (linked in the PDF). 

Our work in class looked at the FRQ rubrics and sample responses. I hope you found it helpful to understand the final goal of the course in terms of writing. Over the weekend, complete your vocabulary cards. Remember that you can use the texts posted in the Unit 2 folder to find vocabulary words if you haven't found any from the sample exam.

AP Research

Lots of great thinking and working today in AP Research as we understood the importance of the recursive process and revision. Keep using the qualities of a "good" research question as you continue to think and revise. Remember the process with the Disney research question. Keep asking yourself questions like, "Who cares?"; "What do you want to know?"; "How will you measure this?"; "Can you math?"

Over the weekend spend your time with the databases. Keep searching and hunting your rabbits. Remember to track your progress on the Reading Log. Keep revising your research question as you find papers that align with your interests. Keep reading and logging this weekend - next week I'll ask to see a reading log with fifteen sources logged. You also need to complete your second reflection question. See the document in Materials for this and the others as they populate.

31 August - End of the Month!

English 10

Wonderful work today everyone as we engaged as a group of listeners and watchers. We watched a few TikTok videos from a wonderfully hilarious Nigerian woman and then listened to another Nigerian woman tell us about "The Danger of a Single Story". I look forward to reviewing your answers and thoughts on her speech. 

Next class we'll spend more time in Africa, but in another country - South Africa. We'll focus on South Africa for a few classes, I hope you'll enjoy our focused study of that country.

30 August - Tuesday and Back to School Night

AP Language

Good day today in AP Language land. We went over the process and resources we have for completing vocabulary this year before having time to finish up what we needed - either the diagnostic exam or the vocabulary set. You'll have your exams back to you next week and we'll review the feedback. 

For tonight, the best thing to do is to complete your vocabulary cards. Next unit we'll have some articles to read and those will be posted for you to read and annotate. If you'd like to get ahead, feel free to pick one of those to read and consider.

AP Research

What a day! We are really getting in deep with our problem statements which are the foundation of our eventual research. I loved your conversations today related to the Nobel Prize winners and the realizations that you were able to make around their work and the work that we'll be doing in this classroom.

I want to remind you of one of the most important words of the class - recursive. The work we're doing right now is building on itself. As you spend time with the databases, keep going back to your problem statements - the data you find in the sources should help you to further refine your problem statement and eventual research question. I would recommend rewriting the problem statement as you find new information.

For tonight, continue to work with the databases. Log your articles and sources. Revise your problem statements. Consider your questions. I'll see you Thursday.

29 August - Monday Monday...

English 10

Great day today everyone. Lots of talking, thinking, and reading. We started our day with a quick grammar overview and lesson on apostrophes. I hope you find it helpful. From there we did a four corners conversation before moving into our study of "About School". The recording is posted for you. If you need to finish your questions for homework, please do so, and turn them in next class.

The syllabus has been posted. Please review it with your parents and sign the form at the end. Next class we'll start with our study of South Africa. I'm excited to take you there.

26 August - End of Week One

AP English Language

Our first long winding slog is complete! Huzzah! Now mine begins as I read and evaluate your first timed writings with the AP rubric. We'll review feedback and the skills of the class later next week. Remember, all of these grades will go in the gradebook - but with a rolling gradebook they'll be quickly replaced. You're not expected to know everything at the beginning of the class. Of course not! But, it's good to see where we need to be at the end, and where we are now, so we can figure out how we'll get there.

Over the weekend, take it easy and recover from your three-day baptism by fire. Our next class will be focused on vocabulary, provide some extra time on the exam if needed, and give you your first working day.

AP Research

We pushed through today in order to discuss the disciplines of study as well as the foundational work for this class. Understanding Research versus research and the importance of the problem statement as it relates to your research question. The slides for today's class are very crucial and helpful - I'd suggest downloading the specific slides you need. We also completed our first reflection - keep those together in your Weekly Work folder as we keep moving through the year.

Over the weekend you have a few things to work through. First, complete the Nobel Prize Research assignment and submit that to Schoology by Tuesday. Follow the instructions in the document posted. You should also find additional sources for your research interest. Now that you know about problem statements, you may want to restart your quest, but you can also feel free to use the two you already have. The databases are your friends! Get friendly.

See y'all Tuesday!

25 August - Thursday

English 10

Another good class in the books. You all are proving yourselves to be quite the wonderful group of scholars. Today we spent some time getting to know each other more with a survey (be sure to submit it if you didn't during class) - it is for a grade. From there we spoke a bit about our concept for the year before we learned a bit about our culture in the classroom through our rules and procedures. 

We ended our day with some work on our goals for the year. I'm excited to see what you all are attempting to achieve for yourselves this year. Your goals are a part of your culture, so knowing them help me to know you.

Enjoy the weekend! I will see you on Monday.

24 August - Wednesday

AP Language

Today we finished our MCQ diagnostic and moved into the FRQ. In the FRQ there are three essays to write - the synthesis (with sources), the rhetorical analysis (you read and explain a text), and the argument (you argue your point on a topic). Most of you worked through Question 3 today, which is what I recommended given the timing constraints.

Next class we will finish our diagnostic exam. You will have completed your first timed essays of all types and seen questions. Be sure that you've collected about FIVE vocabulary words from the exam, you'll need them next week for vocabulary cards. As always, reach out with any concerns or questions.

AP Research

Great day today, y'all. We did some great thinking and working around key concepts in our classroom. It's important that we shift our ideas and perspectives on some words and concepts so that we can work through our class with our heads on straight. We also spent some time with our Academic Paper Rubric - understanding this and the importance of the research question to your success on the rubric will help you to frame the early work that we are doing.

The second part of class was for us to set-up, share, and populate our PREP Folders. Be sure to follow the instructions in the folder under Current Lessons. Most of your work will be logged in the PREP and we will fill all our folders through the year. Most of your work right now will be in Weekly Work. 

Your first homework assignment is posted. It's due next week. Follow the instructions and complete your research on a Nobel winner of your choice. It's a great way to show your understanding of the essential vocabulary from today.

See you Friday!

First Grey Day - 23 August 2022

English 10

Wonderful day today, everyone! I very much enjoyed working with you and getting to know you all. We took time for names, arts and crafts, and a bit of an overview of our year - world literature. I loved seeing the way that you worked together, showed up for class, and respected our environment.

For tonight, think about our concept of the year - culture. What would you say is part of your culture? What's important to you? This is a great place for us to start our conversation this year. 

AP Language

I'll make the posts on the Blue Day for this class since that's its first meeting. Be sure to check the post above for your reminders/information.

Kicking Off 2022-23. Monday, August 22

AP Language

Welcome everyone to the new school year! I'm very excited to be your English teacher and work with you all as you improve your skills as a writer, reader, thinker, and communicator. Today we did a quick overview of the class, but we spent the majority of the time working through our AP Examination Diagnostic. Next class you'll have time to finish another section of the MCQ and begin on your FRQ questions. We should have the diagnostic finished in three classes.

Continue to collect vocabulary from the exam - you'll need it for your next assessment, vocabulary cards. For tonight, there's not a lot to do. You can join AP Classroom by entering the code you can find on Schoology for this class. You can also check out our Course Resources and Materials. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out.

AP Research

Welcome researchers to the 2022-23 year. I'm very excited to work with all of you as you explore your interests and develop your skills as critical thinkers, readers, and writers. We'll be doing a lot of big work in this room this year, and I can't wait to see what you produce as we work. Today's class was a general overview, timeline, and some basic information. I'll have a formal syllabus for you once it's approved.

For tonight, you should join our AP Classroom space with the code found on Schoology. After you've done that, feel free to poke around a bit on Schoology. Eventually I'll want you to find the FHS Library Page and navigate to the databases. Select a database and start to do some looking related to the topics and interests we explored today in class. I want you to have TWO potential sources. You will want to download the PDF to your Google Drive. Remember where you found it - a citation helps!

See you all on Wednesday!

Final Class (Kinda) Complete

It's the last meeting of our classes this week. As a reminder, all work for this quarter is due on June 3 at midnight. Your access to Schoology will close on Saturday morning. Once we begin exams the only thing that I will accept to score is the final exam. Use these final days to submit what you can and raise your quarter grade as high as you can.

Tomorrow AP Language will have a bonus class for first and fifth period. I'll be on campus, but will be in training for AP Exam scoring. I'll check in as I can. English 10 will have their examination for seventh period. Remember to review your grammar notes and literary terms. A read through your journals and notebooks is a great way to study and review.

If you have assignments to submit, now is the time.

End of the Year - Last Classes

AP Language

Here we are in our Groundhog Day rotation until the 3rd of June. Remember that since exams begin on the third, that is the last day to submit any of your work for this quarter to be scored. The most important assignments are your creative project, research poster and presentation, and your reflections. Prioritize these tasks.

As always, as you need me, ask! I'm here to support you as you push to the finish. 

English 10

It's quite the same for all of you my lovelies. We're completing our portfolios to show our skills, our knowledge, and our artifacts of our learning for the year. Once you're complete with this work, you are done for the quarter and for the year. Seventh period's exam will be on June 3. Make sure that your work is turned in my this day so that I can finalize your grade in the timeframe.

23 and 24 May

AP Language

Great day in AP Language land with our end of year character extravaganza. After this, all of our classes are working days. If you haven't submitted your first project, reflections, or vocabulary - be sure to get them in. You've got until the 3rd of June to submit any last work. Find your rubrics, overviews, and recordings to help you with the final tasks here and let me know how I can help!

English 10

It's a pretty easy time for us in English 10 as we are completing our end of year portfolios. Remember that you have two portfolios to build which will show your skills and knowledge as an English 10 student this year. Follow the instructions in the previous post in order to set up your two portfolios. Be sure that you have artifacts that complete each requirement. If you're unsure, ask for help. Remember that everything is due by June 3, so if you have any thing else that is missing, you have the chance to get it in now!

19 and 20 May

AP Language

It was a great day to get caught up for any lost time today in AP Language land. Next class we'll have our character party - don't forget to complete your form - and the final classes of the year are time for you to complete your final projects for the last unit of the year.

English 10

Today was our day to review our end of year portfolio tasks. You're building two portfolios to show your skills this year as a student - one is focused on the things that we have read and studied and one is focused on your skills as a student. 

Your Content Knowledge Portfolio should cover the units that you have been in class for. If you started from the beginning, start at Unit 1. If you came into this class late, then start when you began. Use the Previous Lessons folder on Schoology to review our previous lessons. 

The Skills Portfolio is a choice board where you are collecting artifacts to show your work as an English student. You should have an artifact for each skill. You'll need to do ONE new task. Follow the instructions in the document posted and check the recording if you need!

Remember that the final date that anything will be accepted to be scored is June 3. 

17 and 18 May

AP Language

Today was another of our independent working days to complete our novel tasks. Remember that this week you should submit your FIVE reading reflections and your first major project. If you submit the project on paper, great! Just mark the electronic space complete. 

If you were not in class, be sure to complete the Character Bone Structure Activity. I've attached it here. There are hard copies in the classroom. Once you've selected your character for the party, fill this form out as them. Complete all the questions - it's your entry ticket to the party on the 23rd.

Submit your final tasks! Finish the year in style! See you around the way!

English 10

Today was our day for our Demonstration of Learning in our Japanese art and culture unit. I was glad to see you all delving deep into the content we studied in this unit. I'm looking forward to watching your recordings, interacting with your work, and reviewing your written work. I'm always excited about days like today because it allows you to do exactly what you want to do to show your skills.

Don't forget your vocabulary or any other tasks that are hanging over you. The last four classes of our year will be focused on our End of Year Portfolio. We'll walk through the requirements to finish the year on Thursday/Friday. Be ready for a quick finish to the end! It'll be here sooner than you think!

11 and 12 May (Also the End of the Week)

I'll be out this week on Thursday and Friday for some medical appointments and personal recuperation. I'll be back on campus on Monday if you need anything.

AP Language

And here we are on the other side of the examination. We are officially OVER the hump. I hope that your letter gave you the opportunity to get your feelings about the examination out of you so that you can move on. You'll have your scores in July and then you can make next steps as you need to.

Time in class is now focused on finishing up our novel tasks. You have six classes remaining and most of them are working days for your novel tasks. Use the templates and the resources provided to help you complete your work. I'm looking forward to a strong finish with all of you!

English 10

Today was our day to finish Spirited Away and our viewing guides on the film. As I watch the movie, I'm struck by how many similarities there are between this and so many other stories throughout time and cultures. You may want to explore some of these similarities as you complete your Demonstration of Learning, but more on that next week.

Next class I will be away recovering from my medical appointments tomorrow. The class will be a catch-up day for you. Remember that you do have vocabulary due for this unit, so next class is a perfect day to pull that together and turn it in. If you have missing work from earlier in the quarter, this is your last catch-up day to get it in. I'll update the gradebook next week and let you know where you stand as we approach the final classes of the year and our last unit - our year end portfolio.

9 and 10 May 2022

AP Language

Tomorrow, May 10, 2022 is your AP Examination for English Language and Composition. Your homework for tonight is to take care of yourself and revel in your preparation up to this point. This is not an exam you can cram for - so there's no point in trying! 

If you're going to do anything, review your notebooks, your tone words, and rhetorical devices. Listen to the news to have current events to use in your essays. Review your favorite readings of the years and hopefully find a way to use them tomorrow. Think of some favorite words you've learned this year and use them in your essays tomorrow. Find me or Mr. Friedman tomorrow morning at the front doors to get your gift bags!

We'll have time next class to reflect on the exam and begin to move toward the end of our year together.

English 10

Today was the beginning of our major text study. We're watching the film Spirited Away for a few reasons right now. One, it's a great film! Two, it is highly connected to some of our Japanese cultural ideas like Zen, imagery, heroism, and cultural traditions. Third, it's a great opportunity for us to cap off our unit by not studying a major written text. Being able to interpret and analyze a film is an important skill set!

Next class we'll finish the film and the day after that will be our unit catch-up day. Some of you may need to use the catch-up day for this unit to complete work from last unit, and that's okay. Be sure that any things that need to be scored get turned in as soon as possible.

Your Japanese Culture Unit assessment will be on May 17/18. You have the chance to display your learning in a variety of ways, you can also take the test if you'd like. As always, reach out with any questions!