I hope that all of you are having a really restful and enjoyable break. Remember, especially AP kids, that you do have essays to do. From what I'm seeing on Google Docs, some of you haven't taken a look at your online document for a almost two weeks. Don't forget that you do have a draft due shortly after we return from break. This is a challenging paper, do not wait until the last minute and then expect a lot of in-depth last minute assistance.
I look forward to seeing what you all are coming up with, but please do start sharing and working.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Homework for Winter Break - Get it Done!
Here are your guidelines for Winter Break. You do not need to complete any of this work for Tuesday. On Tuesday we're going to have a nice relaxing day of films and review. A smooth transition to the break! Remember that it's a B-day when we get back. B-day students, we'll be having our movie day the first day back for a nice smooth transition.
AP English III:
You have two massive priorities for Winter Break: your term papers and your reading. Let's deal with the reading first and then the papers. By the end of Winter Break you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-one in The Catcher in the Rye. This is a good chunk of reading to get done over break, but it's not impossible. Some of you may even be able to finish this in the first few days of break. As you read, continue to develop your annotations and look closely at the deeper issues that we've begun discussing as a class. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with after Break.
Your other major goal for Winter Break is to complete a draft of your term paper using the Google document that you've shared with me. If you have yet to construct and share your document you are falling behind! This is not the type of paper that you can throw together in a weekend and expect to do well on. Once you've completed your brainstorming and gotten my approval, you should then begin your outline. Once I see that your outline is fully developed, then I will tell you to start drafting your essay. Remember the important steps of the outline process:
English I:
Over break you all have an essay to be working on as well. Hopefully by this point you've figured out what your introduction paragraph is and you've pulled out your nine examples that you'll discuss in the essay. Your rough drafts are also due on the 6th of January for A-day and the 9th for B-day. Please make sure that you're keeping everything focused on the novel Animal Farm and your concept and definition. Tie all of your examples back to your definition through your explanation. I will be available the first week that we get back for any individual conferencing that you may need.
I did also want to let you all know that you should expect an exam on Animal Farm in the second week after we get back from Break. Review the story and your notes over the break to make sure that you're prepared. This exam will also cover some of the concepts we've studied in the first semester, making it more of a midterm. It would be a good idea to also take a look at your earlier literature and writing notes to prepare for this exam.
I hope that you all have a lovely and restful break! Enjoy the time off but make sure that you get done what you need to get done. A-day kids, I'll see you on Tuesday. B-day kids, I'll see you in 2012!
AP English III:
You have two massive priorities for Winter Break: your term papers and your reading. Let's deal with the reading first and then the papers. By the end of Winter Break you need to be to the end of chapter twenty-one in The Catcher in the Rye. This is a good chunk of reading to get done over break, but it's not impossible. Some of you may even be able to finish this in the first few days of break. As you read, continue to develop your annotations and look closely at the deeper issues that we've begun discussing as a class. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with after Break.
Your other major goal for Winter Break is to complete a draft of your term paper using the Google document that you've shared with me. If you have yet to construct and share your document you are falling behind! This is not the type of paper that you can throw together in a weekend and expect to do well on. Once you've completed your brainstorming and gotten my approval, you should then begin your outline. Once I see that your outline is fully developed, then I will tell you to start drafting your essay. Remember the important steps of the outline process:
- Construct your argument. What is this essay going to prove? We used to call this your thesis, but I prefer to call it an argument. Make sure that as you construct your argument you make sure it's got DADS (debatable, analytical, defensible, specific).
- Pull out all possible quotes from your sources and group them together. As you do this, think about how you're going to organize your essay. What will you need to discuss first? What will you need to discuss second? And so on...
- After you've pulled out the quotes and examples, begin to connect them to your argument. How do these different quotations support and prove your argument to be true. Put this information under the examples and explain! Remember, you want to leave absolutely no doubt in my mind that your idea is valid.
English I:
Over break you all have an essay to be working on as well. Hopefully by this point you've figured out what your introduction paragraph is and you've pulled out your nine examples that you'll discuss in the essay. Your rough drafts are also due on the 6th of January for A-day and the 9th for B-day. Please make sure that you're keeping everything focused on the novel Animal Farm and your concept and definition. Tie all of your examples back to your definition through your explanation. I will be available the first week that we get back for any individual conferencing that you may need.
I did also want to let you all know that you should expect an exam on Animal Farm in the second week after we get back from Break. Review the story and your notes over the break to make sure that you're prepared. This exam will also cover some of the concepts we've studied in the first semester, making it more of a midterm. It would be a good idea to also take a look at your earlier literature and writing notes to prepare for this exam.
I hope that you all have a lovely and restful break! Enjoy the time off but make sure that you get done what you need to get done. A-day kids, I'll see you on Tuesday. B-day kids, I'll see you in 2012!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Notes for the AP Kids
AP English III:
Students - Below you'll see two links that will take you to the notes we've taken the past two classes from our discussion of the opening of The Catcher in the Rye. Feel free to look at both sets of notes for a fuller perspective on these two chapters.
Don't forget that for Friday/Monday you need to be to the end of chapter nine and that you'll be having your states quiz.
A1 Notes
B1 Notes
Also - I will be doing more comments on term papers on Friday afternoon for all of you that have uploaded and begun them. Look for my comments then. We'll next work on outlining which is the next step in making our drafts.
Students - Below you'll see two links that will take you to the notes we've taken the past two classes from our discussion of the opening of The Catcher in the Rye. Feel free to look at both sets of notes for a fuller perspective on these two chapters.
Don't forget that for Friday/Monday you need to be to the end of chapter nine and that you'll be having your states quiz.
A1 Notes
B1 Notes
Also - I will be doing more comments on term papers on Friday afternoon for all of you that have uploaded and begun them. Look for my comments then. We'll next work on outlining which is the next step in making our drafts.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Today was the last Wednesday at school of 2011
It really puts things in perspective to think like that, I think. Here's what you need to do.
AP English III:
Your first priority is to continue working on your term papers. You should be checking in on the document that you shared with me nightly to see my comments. On Friday/Monday I'm going to walk you through how to construct an outline that works which will be your second step before you start drafting your paper. Think about what your argument is going to be. What are you trying to prove?
The other thing that you will need to do tonight is to read to the end of chapter nine in The Catcher in the Rye. Keep adding to your covers and keep annotating. Pay attention to a lot of the ideas that we're playing with in class. They're important.
Lastly, you have your quiz on the states on Friday/Monday.
English I:
For tonight I really want you to put a lot of work on your essays. After today's discussion you should feel a lot more comfortable moving forward and writing your body paragraphs. Remember the due dates that I discussed with you today in class. Please come see me if you want me to check what you're doing. The other major assignment for tonight is to finish reading Animal Farm - I think we'll have a great discussion on Friday/Monday about the ending of this novel.
Finally, don't forget that you have vocabulary bookmarks due on Friday/Monday. I'm looking for fifteen words with page numbers and definitions.
AP English III:
Your first priority is to continue working on your term papers. You should be checking in on the document that you shared with me nightly to see my comments. On Friday/Monday I'm going to walk you through how to construct an outline that works which will be your second step before you start drafting your paper. Think about what your argument is going to be. What are you trying to prove?
The other thing that you will need to do tonight is to read to the end of chapter nine in The Catcher in the Rye. Keep adding to your covers and keep annotating. Pay attention to a lot of the ideas that we're playing with in class. They're important.
Lastly, you have your quiz on the states on Friday/Monday.
English I:
For tonight I really want you to put a lot of work on your essays. After today's discussion you should feel a lot more comfortable moving forward and writing your body paragraphs. Remember the due dates that I discussed with you today in class. Please come see me if you want me to check what you're doing. The other major assignment for tonight is to finish reading Animal Farm - I think we'll have a great discussion on Friday/Monday about the ending of this novel.
Finally, don't forget that you have vocabulary bookmarks due on Friday/Monday. I'm looking for fifteen words with page numbers and definitions.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Comments on your Docs!
AP Kids:
Please don't delete the comments that I've stared leaving in your documents. Even if it's just "You need to get started." Use this as a space to talk with me and work with me. Ask questions back! Ask for help! Use technology to your advantage!
PS - I really am excited about what I've been seeing so far. Keep it going.
Please don't delete the comments that I've stared leaving in your documents. Even if it's just "You need to get started." Use this as a space to talk with me and work with me. Ask questions back! Ask for help! Use technology to your advantage!
PS - I really am excited about what I've been seeing so far. Keep it going.
Getting ever closer to break...
Students - Below you will find your reminders and announcements for class. Remember to stay prepared and stay diligent in your work. You have a break coming up soon, but it's not here yet!
AP English III:
I am so excited to be studying The Catcher in the Rye with all of you. For tonight, be sure that you've read and annotated until the end of chapter five in the novel. This book moves very quickly, if you would like to read ahead, please do so. I would also suggest that those of you thinking that you would like to write your term paper on Catcher do try to get ahead since you'll need to start digesting this book much faster than others.
On the topic of those papers - please be sure that you have shared that document with my gmail account that all of you are using. Those of you who have shared to my dpsnc.net account - please also add my gmail address. I want to see you starting to brainstorm more and get your ideas down on paper. In a few days we'll talk about how to attack and outline this sort of paper. I'm looking forward to seeing what all of you come up with for your first term papers.
Lastly, expect your states quiz this week. Don't say I didn't warn you :)
English I:
It's time for us to embark on our first essay assignment! Today we went over a lot of the basics of structuring a five-paragraph essay. For tonight, you need to complete your introduction paragraph. Please use your notes to complete the introduction, paying special attention to the order of the sentences and what a successful introduction has. You need to make sure that you bring these paragraphs to class with you on Wednesday/Thursday - so that we can peer edit.
Lastly, make sure that you've read chapter eight of Animal Farm - keep up with your vocabulary bookmarks as I'll be collecting them on Friday/Monday. Minimum of fifteen words for this round of checkins.
AP English III:
I am so excited to be studying The Catcher in the Rye with all of you. For tonight, be sure that you've read and annotated until the end of chapter five in the novel. This book moves very quickly, if you would like to read ahead, please do so. I would also suggest that those of you thinking that you would like to write your term paper on Catcher do try to get ahead since you'll need to start digesting this book much faster than others.
On the topic of those papers - please be sure that you have shared that document with my gmail account that all of you are using. Those of you who have shared to my dpsnc.net account - please also add my gmail address. I want to see you starting to brainstorm more and get your ideas down on paper. In a few days we'll talk about how to attack and outline this sort of paper. I'm looking forward to seeing what all of you come up with for your first term papers.
Lastly, expect your states quiz this week. Don't say I didn't warn you :)
English I:
It's time for us to embark on our first essay assignment! Today we went over a lot of the basics of structuring a five-paragraph essay. For tonight, you need to complete your introduction paragraph. Please use your notes to complete the introduction, paying special attention to the order of the sentences and what a successful introduction has. You need to make sure that you bring these paragraphs to class with you on Wednesday/Thursday - so that we can peer edit.
Lastly, make sure that you've read chapter eight of Animal Farm - keep up with your vocabulary bookmarks as I'll be collecting them on Friday/Monday. Minimum of fifteen words for this round of checkins.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Announcements and Props to A1
We're drawing ever closer to Winter Break - I'm especially beginning to notice it more due to the fact that it's actually starting to get cold outside. Here are your reminders for tonight and the weekend.
AP English III:
A1 kids, the visitor that we had today from downtown was very impressed with the presentations that she saw. I wanted to be sure that you all knew that other people realize that you all are quite amazing. For tonight/this weekend I want to be sure that you read the article by Sanders called "The Inheritance of Tools." It's available in 50 Essays as well as at this link. Make sure that you read an annotate the article heavily paying particular attention to the idea of family as that is what we will be focusing on. Also, don't forget that you need to have a copy of The Catcher in the Rye for class on Monday/Tuesday. If you don't have one, I'll have school copies that you can check out from me.
Lastly, I want you all to begin working on your term papers for the first semester. Please create a Google doc that you share with me as an editor no later than Sunday evening. Please begin to outline what you would like to write about for this first paper. Remember that you need to use at least one novel and one "minor" piece that we have studied this semester to create your thesis. This is meant to be an informal way for you to begin to get your ideas together. You will be graded on setting up and sharing your Google document. Be sure that it's done no later than 7:00 PM on Sunday. If you cannot meet this deadline you must speak to me in advance with your reason.
English I:
I want all of you to begin to take what we discussed today in class and use that as your foundation to see what is happening in the rest of this book. I'm glad to see that you're seeing the irony, remember to always think about why the irony is there. For tonight you need to read chapter seven of Animal Farm. Be sure that you are working on your bookmarks as well - I will be collecting another bookmark before we leave for Break. Lastly, continue to work on your quote logs. These will save you a lot of time when it comes to your essays which we will begin next week.
AP English III:
A1 kids, the visitor that we had today from downtown was very impressed with the presentations that she saw. I wanted to be sure that you all knew that other people realize that you all are quite amazing. For tonight/this weekend I want to be sure that you read the article by Sanders called "The Inheritance of Tools." It's available in 50 Essays as well as at this link. Make sure that you read an annotate the article heavily paying particular attention to the idea of family as that is what we will be focusing on. Also, don't forget that you need to have a copy of The Catcher in the Rye for class on Monday/Tuesday. If you don't have one, I'll have school copies that you can check out from me.
Lastly, I want you all to begin working on your term papers for the first semester. Please create a Google doc that you share with me as an editor no later than Sunday evening. Please begin to outline what you would like to write about for this first paper. Remember that you need to use at least one novel and one "minor" piece that we have studied this semester to create your thesis. This is meant to be an informal way for you to begin to get your ideas together. You will be graded on setting up and sharing your Google document. Be sure that it's done no later than 7:00 PM on Sunday. If you cannot meet this deadline you must speak to me in advance with your reason.
English I:
I want all of you to begin to take what we discussed today in class and use that as your foundation to see what is happening in the rest of this book. I'm glad to see that you're seeing the irony, remember to always think about why the irony is there. For tonight you need to read chapter seven of Animal Farm. Be sure that you are working on your bookmarks as well - I will be collecting another bookmark before we leave for Break. Lastly, continue to work on your quote logs. These will save you a lot of time when it comes to your essays which we will begin next week.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Keep on keepin' on...
I think that all of the classes did pretty well today. AP kids, great job in the discussion; I thought that it was pretty productive and hopefully you found yourself understanding the story more than you did when you walked in. Freshmen, lovely job on your election campaigns. I'm glad to see that you all are getting into this book really deeply and having fun with it. Below are your reminders for Thursday/Friday.
AP English III:
Websites. Websites. Websites. We present next class. Tonight you need to polish these websites and have them ready to be presented. Please recall what I said today in class about your presentations. You should not read verbatim what you have written. Each member should present his/her analysis and then the group will present its synthesis. I want you to share with the class what you learned from this project. Leave the reading of everything to me. Also, be sure that you have a copy of The Catcher in the Rye for Monday/Tuesday as we will begin reading it then.
English I:
Tonight you have two things to accomplish. First you need to read chapter six of Animal Farm. As you are reading, you want to pay particular attention to the ways in which things are changing for the animals on the farm. As always, be adding to your vocabulary bookmarks and use the questions to help you understand.
In addition, I would like for you to begin keeping your quote log focused on the ideas of equality, justice, and leadership. As you are reading if you see a quote that connects to one of these ideas you need to write down the quote word for word and at the end put the page number in parenthesis. This is an activity which will prepare us for our first formal essay which is coming not too far from now.
As always, let me know if you need any help.
AP English III:
Websites. Websites. Websites. We present next class. Tonight you need to polish these websites and have them ready to be presented. Please recall what I said today in class about your presentations. You should not read verbatim what you have written. Each member should present his/her analysis and then the group will present its synthesis. I want you to share with the class what you learned from this project. Leave the reading of everything to me. Also, be sure that you have a copy of The Catcher in the Rye for Monday/Tuesday as we will begin reading it then.
English I:
Tonight you have two things to accomplish. First you need to read chapter six of Animal Farm. As you are reading, you want to pay particular attention to the ways in which things are changing for the animals on the farm. As always, be adding to your vocabulary bookmarks and use the questions to help you understand.
In addition, I would like for you to begin keeping your quote log focused on the ideas of equality, justice, and leadership. As you are reading if you see a quote that connects to one of these ideas you need to write down the quote word for word and at the end put the page number in parenthesis. This is an activity which will prepare us for our first formal essay which is coming not too far from now.
As always, let me know if you need any help.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Homework for 12/2 and 12/5
Students - We are only a few short weeks away from Winter Break. As we continue moving toward the break it's important that you all keep up the momentum and don't fall behind. Below are some reminders for you as well as your homework for next class.
AP English III:
I definitely need to start seeing a lot more forward movement on these websites this weekend. You should be finishing your analysis and moving on to the synthesis piece. Now is the time ladies and gentlemen to be polishing your work and preparing for your presentation. I will go over with you all on Tuesday/Wednesday what you should complete for your presentations.
Before next class you need to read and annotate Joyce Carol Oates' "Where are You Going? Where Have You Been?" - it's an intriguing story and probably one of my favorite pieces of short fiction. Use the questions at the end of the story to help guide your annotations. We'll be discussing the story thoroughly on Tuesday/Wednesday. Be prepared.
English I:
Before next class you have a bit of reading to do for me. All of you should read chapter five of Animal Farm. As you read you should begin on your second vocabulary bookmark. Chapter five is a bit lenghty. Be sure that you understand the chapter thoroughly and that you are using the questions to help guide your understanding.
Honors students, you have an additional piece of reading this weekend by George Orwell called "Shooting an Elephant." After you've read the article, I want you to answer questions one and four at the end of the piece. When you answer question one you need to consider at least two different reasons why Orwell shoots the elephant. Your answers should be done in good throrough paragraphs. Please submit your work to the homework box on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning depending on your class. Feel free to also use this piece to add to your vocabulary bookmarks.
Enjoy your weekend, and your readings!
AP English III:
I definitely need to start seeing a lot more forward movement on these websites this weekend. You should be finishing your analysis and moving on to the synthesis piece. Now is the time ladies and gentlemen to be polishing your work and preparing for your presentation. I will go over with you all on Tuesday/Wednesday what you should complete for your presentations.
Before next class you need to read and annotate Joyce Carol Oates' "Where are You Going? Where Have You Been?" - it's an intriguing story and probably one of my favorite pieces of short fiction. Use the questions at the end of the story to help guide your annotations. We'll be discussing the story thoroughly on Tuesday/Wednesday. Be prepared.
English I:
Before next class you have a bit of reading to do for me. All of you should read chapter five of Animal Farm. As you read you should begin on your second vocabulary bookmark. Chapter five is a bit lenghty. Be sure that you understand the chapter thoroughly and that you are using the questions to help guide your understanding.
Honors students, you have an additional piece of reading this weekend by George Orwell called "Shooting an Elephant." After you've read the article, I want you to answer questions one and four at the end of the piece. When you answer question one you need to consider at least two different reasons why Orwell shoots the elephant. Your answers should be done in good throrough paragraphs. Please submit your work to the homework box on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning depending on your class. Feel free to also use this piece to add to your vocabulary bookmarks.
Enjoy your weekend, and your readings!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Homework for 11/30 and 12/1
I can't believe that December is basically here. It feels like we just got started with the year. Soon we'll be prepping for final exams and all of those things, but for now we just need to get ready for Friday/Monday.
AP English III:
On Friday/Monday you will have your Quest on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Remember that this assessment is only on the book, you will not be asked about any of the non-fiction pieces that we read. The Quest is broken up into several sections - you would do well to study and prepare for the following:
English I:
You all will be having a pretty major quiz next class on allegory, "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind", and the first four chapters of Animal Farm. You need to be sure that you're studying and preparing for this. Also, I will be checking your vocabulary bookmarks - try to get to twenty words, but at least be sure that you have ten for our first check.
There is no reading homework for the next class. I think we've been moving kinda quickly through the first few chapters, so I want to pause and spend some time working through what we've already read. After the quiz on Friday we'll spend some time reviewing some of the important elements of chapters one through four. Be sure that you've read thoroughly so that you understand everything.
AP English III:
On Friday/Monday you will have your Quest on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Remember that this assessment is only on the book, you will not be asked about any of the non-fiction pieces that we read. The Quest is broken up into several sections - you would do well to study and prepare for the following:
- Characters - You will get a description and will need to tell me who the character is.
- Disguises - I will give you one of Huck's many disguises, you need to tell me what was happening when he used that particular one.
- Short, short answers - I give you a brief question, you give me a brief answer.
- Multiple Choice - Think of these as Diet AP questions. They cover a lot of the major events and ideas in the novel.
- Quotations - None of the quotations have been used so far. You know what to do with quotes: speaker, context, and importance.
English I:
You all will be having a pretty major quiz next class on allegory, "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind", and the first four chapters of Animal Farm. You need to be sure that you're studying and preparing for this. Also, I will be checking your vocabulary bookmarks - try to get to twenty words, but at least be sure that you have ten for our first check.
There is no reading homework for the next class. I think we've been moving kinda quickly through the first few chapters, so I want to pause and spend some time working through what we've already read. After the quiz on Friday we'll spend some time reviewing some of the important elements of chapters one through four. Be sure that you've read thoroughly so that you understand everything.
Monday, November 28, 2011
First Monday after a break is always a day...
I don't know about all of you but I'm a bit wiped out after today. The first day back after a long break or a long weekend is especially rough, but I think the one after Thanksgiving is one of the hardest. Anyway, here are the reminders to prepare for tomorrow.
AP English III:
Today I just did a quick check of your annotations. It's clear to me that some of you haven't read the ending of the book as thoroughly as you needed to. I hope that the web activity today helped to open up this ending. My plan for Wednesday/Thursday is that we will begin to develop some more of the overarching themes of the book out of the motifs that we have been working with throughout. On Friday/Monday I will collect your novels and you will have your quest on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This annotation check will be more thorough than todays. Go back, reread, reannotate.
For tonight you should put in some serious time on your websites. I checked in over break and saw some paltry pages. I'm hoping that toward the end of break you got more content in there. I will begin to take a second look at websites Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Remember that this weekend is your final weekend on these projects. I want to redirect all of you back to the project outline document found here. Look especially at the requirements with each section of the site. Lastly on the topic of the website projects, please use each other to peer edit your work. I am more than happy to look at things, but you all need to self-evaluate and peer-evaluate. Help each other out!
English I:
I was really happy with what was going on today in our discussion of Animal Farm. I want to continue with this momentum. For Wednesday/Thursday I want to be sure that you all read and understand chapter four of the novel. Remember to use your reading questions to help your understanding. As you read, keep looking for vocabulary because the bookmarks are due on Friday/Monday.
About the bookmarks, they can be words that are completely new to you, words that could be slang, or words that you may know but don't feel confident. The goal here is to build your working vocabulary. Remember to write down the word, the page number, and the definition in your own words. A thesaurus is a good tool for this.
Lastly, Friday/Monday we are going to have our quiz on allegory, "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind," and the beginnings of Animal Farm. It may be a good idea to go back and reread/reexamine the story since we did study it before break.
AP English III:
Today I just did a quick check of your annotations. It's clear to me that some of you haven't read the ending of the book as thoroughly as you needed to. I hope that the web activity today helped to open up this ending. My plan for Wednesday/Thursday is that we will begin to develop some more of the overarching themes of the book out of the motifs that we have been working with throughout. On Friday/Monday I will collect your novels and you will have your quest on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This annotation check will be more thorough than todays. Go back, reread, reannotate.
For tonight you should put in some serious time on your websites. I checked in over break and saw some paltry pages. I'm hoping that toward the end of break you got more content in there. I will begin to take a second look at websites Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Remember that this weekend is your final weekend on these projects. I want to redirect all of you back to the project outline document found here. Look especially at the requirements with each section of the site. Lastly on the topic of the website projects, please use each other to peer edit your work. I am more than happy to look at things, but you all need to self-evaluate and peer-evaluate. Help each other out!
English I:
I was really happy with what was going on today in our discussion of Animal Farm. I want to continue with this momentum. For Wednesday/Thursday I want to be sure that you all read and understand chapter four of the novel. Remember to use your reading questions to help your understanding. As you read, keep looking for vocabulary because the bookmarks are due on Friday/Monday.
About the bookmarks, they can be words that are completely new to you, words that could be slang, or words that you may know but don't feel confident. The goal here is to build your working vocabulary. Remember to write down the word, the page number, and the definition in your own words. A thesaurus is a good tool for this.
Lastly, Friday/Monday we are going to have our quiz on allegory, "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind," and the beginnings of Animal Farm. It may be a good idea to go back and reread/reexamine the story since we did study it before break.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Homework and Reminders for Thanksgiving Break
I hope that all of you have a really restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving Break. There are a few things that I want to make sure that all of you accomplish before I see you again on Monday/Tuesday; please make sure that while you're relaxing you are getting all of these things done.
AP English III:
After our time together in class today I am hoping that you and your group have worked out a plan moving forward about what needs to get done and when with your websites. I will continue to check in over the break to see what kind of progress is being made and to give suggestions where necessary.
I do want to remind all of you that before you can create the synthesis piece, you all must do your individual pieces of analysis. I also expect that in your collaboration you peer edit, advise, and ask for help from each other - you're working in a group for a reason. As a benchmark for your groups to be highly successful, I would recommend that you aim to have your analysis piece uploaded to the website over the break.
You also need to finish reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn over Thanksgiving Break. Be sure that you have finished your annotations on the novel and that you are prepared for a lively discussion on my least favorite part of the book. As you finish the novel, pay attention to how Twain is developing all of these different motifs into more specific arguments and themes on these different ideas. Also, be sure to follow any symbols and characters to their natural end.
English I:
I apologize to those of you who did not get a chance to present today. We will begin class on Monday/Tuesday with your presentations. As I said today in class, it's important to think about what you learned about these different topics or people today as all of these things are represented in some way, shape, or pig in Animal Farm. As you read chapters two and three over the break I really want you to think about who each of these characters really represents - is it a person? a group of people? an idea? all of the above?
Don't forget that while you're reading you need to keep up with your study questions as well as with your vocabulary bookmarks. Vocabulary will be collected, study questions will not. The study questions are meant for you to check your understanding of the story. If you can't answer a question, that's an indicator that you need to go back and reread the chapter more closely.
Finally, I want to recommend that you take notes while you read. But we'll talk about how to do that more when I see you next time.
Gobble, gobble!
AP English III:
After our time together in class today I am hoping that you and your group have worked out a plan moving forward about what needs to get done and when with your websites. I will continue to check in over the break to see what kind of progress is being made and to give suggestions where necessary.
I do want to remind all of you that before you can create the synthesis piece, you all must do your individual pieces of analysis. I also expect that in your collaboration you peer edit, advise, and ask for help from each other - you're working in a group for a reason. As a benchmark for your groups to be highly successful, I would recommend that you aim to have your analysis piece uploaded to the website over the break.
You also need to finish reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn over Thanksgiving Break. Be sure that you have finished your annotations on the novel and that you are prepared for a lively discussion on my least favorite part of the book. As you finish the novel, pay attention to how Twain is developing all of these different motifs into more specific arguments and themes on these different ideas. Also, be sure to follow any symbols and characters to their natural end.
English I:
I apologize to those of you who did not get a chance to present today. We will begin class on Monday/Tuesday with your presentations. As I said today in class, it's important to think about what you learned about these different topics or people today as all of these things are represented in some way, shape, or pig in Animal Farm. As you read chapters two and three over the break I really want you to think about who each of these characters really represents - is it a person? a group of people? an idea? all of the above?
Don't forget that while you're reading you need to keep up with your study questions as well as with your vocabulary bookmarks. Vocabulary will be collected, study questions will not. The study questions are meant for you to check your understanding of the story. If you can't answer a question, that's an indicator that you need to go back and reread the chapter more closely.
Finally, I want to recommend that you take notes while you read. But we'll talk about how to do that more when I see you next time.
Gobble, gobble!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Homework for the Weekend: 11/17 and 11/18
First of all A-day students, I want to thank you for a great day. I think that in all of the classes today we were productive and had some fun too, which is always good. Over the weekend there are a few things for all of you to accomplish, and here they are.
AP English III:
I bet you never thought you'd read an analysis of Rebecca Black's "Friday" - but, lo and behold, there it is. I'm putting the link to that piece here. So that you can revisit it and share with your friends. As you look at it and remember our conversation in class today, remember the things that a good analysis does. It finds the original author's argument and then shows the way in which that argument is proved and supported. This is much the same thing that we saw in our sample prompt and sample essay. We've been doing all of this work on analysis due to the fact that you will have your second timed writing on Monday/Tuesday and it will be an analysis. To prepare for this I would do the following:
English I:
I hope that you all enjoyed our opening of Animal Farm. If you didn't mark vocabulary on your bookmark as we read today in class, be sure that you do that tonight for chapter one. Over the weekend you will need to be sure that your presentation is ready for Monday/Tuesday and that you have prepared for the District Test. If you want to get ahead in Animal Farm that's perfectly okay - but you can't bring up anything in class that we haven't gotten to as a group.
Have a lovely afternoon and weekend!
AP English III:
I bet you never thought you'd read an analysis of Rebecca Black's "Friday" - but, lo and behold, there it is. I'm putting the link to that piece here. So that you can revisit it and share with your friends. As you look at it and remember our conversation in class today, remember the things that a good analysis does. It finds the original author's argument and then shows the way in which that argument is proved and supported. This is much the same thing that we saw in our sample prompt and sample essay. We've been doing all of this work on analysis due to the fact that you will have your second timed writing on Monday/Tuesday and it will be an analysis. To prepare for this I would do the following:
- Review the sample prompt and sample essay. Look at what the writer does well, and things to avoid.
- Review the questions I gave you last class on "Crafting an Analysis" - these will provide you some ideas to consider as you construct your own analysis.
- Write a practice essay on the sample prompt and then compare it to the sample essay. Is it the same (a seven)? Better (an eight or nine)? Or worse (six an below)?
- You should also begin on your analysis of your piece for the satire project. All of this stuff we're doing now is a means toward that end.
English I:
I hope that you all enjoyed our opening of Animal Farm. If you didn't mark vocabulary on your bookmark as we read today in class, be sure that you do that tonight for chapter one. Over the weekend you will need to be sure that your presentation is ready for Monday/Tuesday and that you have prepared for the District Test. If you want to get ahead in Animal Farm that's perfectly okay - but you can't bring up anything in class that we haven't gotten to as a group.
Have a lovely afternoon and weekend!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Homework for 11/15 and 11/16
AP English III:
After today's class you should be feeling much more comfortable with the idea of an analysis. What you're supposed to do when you analyze, the type of thesis to write, and how we've basically been doing analyzing so far in annotating. Now is when you start putting all of that to use.
For our next class, I expect that you will be to the end of chapter thirty-three in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. We're about to move into one of my least favorite portions of the novel, I've started coming to terms with the end, but I'm not there yet. Maybe you all can help to get me there. Also, you need to complete you vocabulary slides - in the last post is where you can access your class's document. Make sure that if you word is coming from something that we've read that you provide the context for the word. This is something that some of you that have started have left off or dealt with imperfectly.
In terms of writing/product for next class, I want you to complete the 1Q1P assignment using a portion of Huck Finn. Remember one quote (no more than fifty words with chapter/paragraph reference) and one page (i.e. the rest of the page) to present the analysis of that quote. These should be typed, double spaced, in a standard font. For this assignment, forego MLA citation style, no header is necessary.
I'll be available Wednesday/Thursday after school if you need help with your analysis or to present a draft.
English I:
Today we briefly reviewed the story by Ray Bradbury "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind" and discussed the various symbols in the story. It's important to also consider the historical allegory of the story and relate all of this back to the story's theme. I think that now that you have read the story and we've discussed it, it may be a good idea to reread the story so that you fully comprehend. You may actually find things you missed the first time (more symbols, different language, imagery, and so forth). Regardless if you read the story again or not, you should find a few words from this story and get them onto your vocabulary bookmark - remember look for words that are challenging for you to define. Maybe they're words you're seeing for the first time.
Your other homework for tonight would be to work on your research projects. Remember that any information you find needs to be cited properly with MLA citations. Get all of the information that you can on your source and organize it properly. For tonight, you should make it a goal to complete one information slide related to your topic as well as one image slide related to your topic. You may choose to put imagery and information on the same slide, but you should then do two slides.
We will present the first part of the projects next week. Thursday and Friday are our last days in the library. Work hard.
After today's class you should be feeling much more comfortable with the idea of an analysis. What you're supposed to do when you analyze, the type of thesis to write, and how we've basically been doing analyzing so far in annotating. Now is when you start putting all of that to use.
For our next class, I expect that you will be to the end of chapter thirty-three in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. We're about to move into one of my least favorite portions of the novel, I've started coming to terms with the end, but I'm not there yet. Maybe you all can help to get me there. Also, you need to complete you vocabulary slides - in the last post is where you can access your class's document. Make sure that if you word is coming from something that we've read that you provide the context for the word. This is something that some of you that have started have left off or dealt with imperfectly.
In terms of writing/product for next class, I want you to complete the 1Q1P assignment using a portion of Huck Finn. Remember one quote (no more than fifty words with chapter/paragraph reference) and one page (i.e. the rest of the page) to present the analysis of that quote. These should be typed, double spaced, in a standard font. For this assignment, forego MLA citation style, no header is necessary.
I'll be available Wednesday/Thursday after school if you need help with your analysis or to present a draft.
English I:
Today we briefly reviewed the story by Ray Bradbury "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind" and discussed the various symbols in the story. It's important to also consider the historical allegory of the story and relate all of this back to the story's theme. I think that now that you have read the story and we've discussed it, it may be a good idea to reread the story so that you fully comprehend. You may actually find things you missed the first time (more symbols, different language, imagery, and so forth). Regardless if you read the story again or not, you should find a few words from this story and get them onto your vocabulary bookmark - remember look for words that are challenging for you to define. Maybe they're words you're seeing for the first time.
Your other homework for tonight would be to work on your research projects. Remember that any information you find needs to be cited properly with MLA citations. Get all of the information that you can on your source and organize it properly. For tonight, you should make it a goal to complete one information slide related to your topic as well as one image slide related to your topic. You may choose to put imagery and information on the same slide, but you should then do two slides.
We will present the first part of the projects next week. Thursday and Friday are our last days in the library. Work hard.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Change to English I Homework
Freshmen,
Yesterday when I logged in to the online textbook it seemed as though I couldn't access the Bradbury story. I gave copies to Mr. Gardinier and Mrs. Brightwell to give to you if you had me on Thursday. Those of you whom I saw today I gave a handout. If you can access the story in the textbook (either print or online) I want you to do the assignment as outlined in the previous post. If you only have the packet for the story I want you to read the story and answer questions 2, 3, 4, and 7, 13, and 14.
Sorry about the confusion. Also, remember to start your vocabulary bookmarks with this story. There are a few words that may be productive for you.
See you tomorrow!
Yesterday when I logged in to the online textbook it seemed as though I couldn't access the Bradbury story. I gave copies to Mr. Gardinier and Mrs. Brightwell to give to you if you had me on Thursday. Those of you whom I saw today I gave a handout. If you can access the story in the textbook (either print or online) I want you to do the assignment as outlined in the previous post. If you only have the packet for the story I want you to read the story and answer questions 2, 3, 4, and 7, 13, and 14.
Sorry about the confusion. Also, remember to start your vocabulary bookmarks with this story. There are a few words that may be productive for you.
See you tomorrow!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Freshman Homework - 11/10 and 11/14
Freshmen,
At this point all of you have your progress reports. Remember that the test scores right now are what I like to call "raw scores." Some of the questions are going to be thrown out and the test will be curved; however, I can't figure out the curve until everyone finishes the test. You must finish no later than Monday's study hall. If you're not finished by then, I'm grading what you've completed - everything missing will be zero credit.
Over the weekend (or Monday night if you're in B-day) you will need to read Ray Bradbury's "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind." It's in the textbook. I'll remind you that you need to read the information before the story about the history and allegory in order to fully understand the story and answer the questions. When you finish the story, answer questions two, three, five, and six in your notes. Remember that since you're putting your responses in your notes you can answer these questions in bullet points, but be sure that you're thorough use details from the story to craft your response. While you're reading, this is a great chance to get started on your vocabulary bookmarks.
Also, you may want to keep working on your research projects if you've started on those. We'll go back to the library on Tuesday/Wednesday to take more formal notes on the topics and go over the details of the assignment more.
At this point all of you have your progress reports. Remember that the test scores right now are what I like to call "raw scores." Some of the questions are going to be thrown out and the test will be curved; however, I can't figure out the curve until everyone finishes the test. You must finish no later than Monday's study hall. If you're not finished by then, I'm grading what you've completed - everything missing will be zero credit.
Over the weekend (or Monday night if you're in B-day) you will need to read Ray Bradbury's "The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind." It's in the textbook. I'll remind you that you need to read the information before the story about the history and allegory in order to fully understand the story and answer the questions. When you finish the story, answer questions two, three, five, and six in your notes. Remember that since you're putting your responses in your notes you can answer these questions in bullet points, but be sure that you're thorough use details from the story to craft your response. While you're reading, this is a great chance to get started on your vocabulary bookmarks.
Also, you may want to keep working on your research projects if you've started on those. We'll go back to the library on Tuesday/Wednesday to take more formal notes on the topics and go over the details of the assignment more.
Homework for Veteran's Day Weekend 11/10 and 11/14
Lovely AP Students,
I continue to be impressed with the conversations that we're having in class. I do want to ask more of you to speak up in class - remember that participation is important. As we move to the second nine weeks and further, it's not enough to simply look interested. You need to be engaged and produce ideas for our discussions.
Over the weekend you have a few things to make sure you take care of. First, you do have the long weekend, your goal should be to get caught up or even ahead in your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As you read, keep annotating and keep looking for how Twain is developing the symbols which we began to uncover today. Furthermore, you should do some work on your websites - get your individual pages up and then start to work on your portion of the assignment.
Over the weekend you do have a piece of non-fiction to also read. It's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" (link available here) by Gloria Anzaldua. This can be considered to be our final piece on the idea of language and identity. It may be useful for you all to consider how everything we've read is connected to this idea. Where do you fall on the idea of how we speak telling about who we are?
Finally, I've created the powerpoints for your vocabulary slides. Please use the links below and add your cards. These assignments are due next Thursday (17th) and Friday (18th). Remember that it's first come first serve, if you wait until the last minute, someone may have taken your words.
A1 Vocabulary Slides Link
B1 Vocabulary Slides Link
As always AP kids, be sure to ask for help if you're feeling overwhelmed or if you think that things are moving too fast. This is a class where we do a lot and learn a lot, be responsible for yourselves and keep pushing forward.
Have a lovely long weekend.
I continue to be impressed with the conversations that we're having in class. I do want to ask more of you to speak up in class - remember that participation is important. As we move to the second nine weeks and further, it's not enough to simply look interested. You need to be engaged and produce ideas for our discussions.
Over the weekend you have a few things to make sure you take care of. First, you do have the long weekend, your goal should be to get caught up or even ahead in your reading of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As you read, keep annotating and keep looking for how Twain is developing the symbols which we began to uncover today. Furthermore, you should do some work on your websites - get your individual pages up and then start to work on your portion of the assignment.
Over the weekend you do have a piece of non-fiction to also read. It's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" (link available here) by Gloria Anzaldua. This can be considered to be our final piece on the idea of language and identity. It may be useful for you all to consider how everything we've read is connected to this idea. Where do you fall on the idea of how we speak telling about who we are?
Finally, I've created the powerpoints for your vocabulary slides. Please use the links below and add your cards. These assignments are due next Thursday (17th) and Friday (18th). Remember that it's first come first serve, if you wait until the last minute, someone may have taken your words.
A1 Vocabulary Slides Link
B1 Vocabulary Slides Link
As always AP kids, be sure to ask for help if you're feeling overwhelmed or if you think that things are moving too fast. This is a class where we do a lot and learn a lot, be responsible for yourselves and keep pushing forward.
Have a lovely long weekend.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
English I Homework - 11/8 and 11/9
Freshmen,
Tonight I would like for you to continue your work with the idea of allegory by investigating one of your childhood stories. Pick any story from your childhood (fairy tales are really effective here) and do the following.
1. Write the title at the top of your paper.
2. Construct a plot diagram with all of the major events of the story as well as labeling all of the elements (exposition, rising action, climax, etc.)
3. Write a sentence that states the theme/moral of the story.
4. Answer the following question: Is the story allegorical? Why or why not?
This needs to be turned into the homework box no later than Thursday/Monday morning.
Tonight I would like for you to continue your work with the idea of allegory by investigating one of your childhood stories. Pick any story from your childhood (fairy tales are really effective here) and do the following.
1. Write the title at the top of your paper.
2. Construct a plot diagram with all of the major events of the story as well as labeling all of the elements (exposition, rising action, climax, etc.)
3. Write a sentence that states the theme/moral of the story.
4. Answer the following question: Is the story allegorical? Why or why not?
This needs to be turned into the homework box no later than Thursday/Monday morning.
AP English III Homework - 11/8 and 11/9
Juniors,
I hope that you all are seeing that this class is going a bit more technological than some of your other classes. Remember that we're not only working on skills regarding literature and writing, but also skills regarding technology and web tools which make learning easier. Tonight your biggest priorities are the following:
I hope that you all are seeing that this class is going a bit more technological than some of your other classes. Remember that we're not only working on skills regarding literature and writing, but also skills regarding technology and web tools which make learning easier. Tonight your biggest priorities are the following:
- You MUST get your Google site up by next class and share that website with me. You don't need any content, but all of the pages MUST be set up. This is a must do. If you're having problems getting it set up - please see me Wednesday afternoon.
- You should be keeping up with your reading. By Thursday/Monday you should be to the end of chapter twenty-eight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)