5 and 6 May - Off to the Weekend!

AP Language

We're solidly in examination time, so class is a space to work and have time as you need to accomplish your goals. The recording goes over the final projects in a bit more detail and some resources you'll need related to that. Check the unit folder for access to the templates and rubrics for the final projects.

Note that the final day to submit work for Quarter 4 is June 3. After this, only the final exam will be accepted to be scored. As always, please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

English 10

Today's class was our opportunity to complete our study of Japanese art and the poetry styles of haiku and tanka. I love a haiku. I think that the simplicity of their style belies the complexity of their meaning. The smallest things can be the most complex, and it's that paradox which really exists at the center of a lot of Japanese culture. 

If you are missing assignments take this weekend to complete and submit them. I've been contacting parents of people who are in danger for the quarter. With only eight classes left in the year, it's important that you get caught up if you've fallen behind. No work for the quarter will be accepted after 3 June. Exams begin on 3 June and only the final will be scored at that point.

Next week we'll begin with our major text in this unit - Spirited Away. I'm looking forward to sharing this wonderful film with all of you!

3 and 4 May

AP Language

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

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

English 10

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

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

End of April and Beginning of May - Hooray!

AP Language

Great day today as we reviewed our most recent and last MCQ of the year and took a look at the synthesis prompt. We'll have a few other reviews related to the AP Examination, but at this point, we've seen it all. Keep in mind your wellness strategies as you work through the next few weeks - it's a slog and a half, but it will end!

The next few weeks are time to work through our projects related to our novel and other finishing tasks. You'll have ample time in class to work through projects. The MCQ Bonus will lock soon. If you want to complete that, be sure to do so quickly. You must complete the full thing for the bonus. See you in May!

English 10

Great day today in English 10 as we began our unit on Japan. We took time to understand the unit as a whole, our goals for the unit, and our essential questions. From there, we went into our beginning investigation of Japanese culture. I was happy to see your collaboration and sharing today as you learned from each other. Keep these notes! They may be helpful to you as you move through the unit and get to your final project.

Next class we're going to be looking at sacred texts key to Japanese religion. Your projects are due on Sunday. Be sure to get your work in and avoid the late penalty! Enjoy the weekend!

27 and 28 April

AP Language

Today was our recovery day from the Reading SOL. We had time to read, write, discuss, or work as needed. I hope you enjoyed the time.

Keep in mind that there are several end of novel assignments/tasks that are now open to you. Complete and submit reflections. Once you've completed all five, you'll see your score in SIS. If you've had four conversations and logged your notes, submit your record of that work for your participation. Lastly, there's vocabulary cards. I'll take your set of ten if they're complete! Use this time to complete this tasks so that you can focus on your final projects as we move into May!

English 10

Today was our end of unit catch-up day. The main focus is our end of unit projects which are due on Friday in order to be considered on time. Other tasks to be completed today included any missing work like SOL Essays, Vocabulary Lists, or Writing Assignments. There were also a few of you who needed to finish tests, so you had that chance today as well. 

Next class we'll be starting our last unit of the year - Japan! We'll look at poetry, some sacred texts, and a film! I'm excited to share some great culture with you to close out the year!

25 and 26 April

AP Language

A very low-key class in AP Language to start the week. We started our day with reading, had time to discuss our reading so far and our ideas about the novels, and then time to finish our day as we needed. I hope that you're enjoying your time as you work through the novels - keep meeting your goals as you're reading and thinking.

On Wednesday you'll have your reading SOL. Because of this, Thursday's class is going to be a bit of a review/reflection/recovery day. Right now you should be focusing on reading your books, reflecting on your reading, and completing your tasks related to the novel. There's a bonus assignment unlocked for you to help with the most recent MCQ - complete it if you'd like! 

English 10

Today was the end of our unit on Latin American literature. I hope that you enjoyed spending time with our neighbors to the south. Remember that all of these authors have written much more than what we read in this unit - keep exploring if you read something that you enjoyed. Marquez's novel called One Hundred Years of Solitude is a personal favorite of mine. 

Today's exam will be scored and back to you by the end of the week. Next class is our catch-up day for you to finish your projects, your SOL essays, or any other tasks that may still be out there for the unit. The last unit of the year is next - JAPAN! We'll have a film as the main text in this unit, so lots for us to look forward to as we close the year.

21 and 22 April

AP Language

Today was a very simple day in AP English Language land. We took our second full length AP MCQ in order to reflect on our strategies and skills in our approach to the exam. I was happy to see a lot of you bouncing around, skipping questions, and using your time much more efficiently. Excellent! Hopefully you'll see that you are maintaining in your accuracy or growing. We'll do one more of these before the exam.

Be sure that you are meeting your reading goals, reflecting on your reading for your five reflections, and collecting vocabulary. Please submit your reflections as you complete them so that you can build your points. All reflections will be entered as one fifty point grade in SIS. Your vocabulary will be due in May.

Lastly, you do have a bonus assignment open. It will close tomorrow. Complete it if you'd like the extra practice, feedback, and a small gift in your quarter scores. Enjoy the weekend and your books! It looks like it should be nice and warm - a good time to be outside with a great book!

English 10

A pretty basic day in English 10 with our last in-class essay of the year. I'll have these scored and reviewed for you next week. I hope that when you look at this last one that you feel happy with it. You've grown a lot as writers this year - remember what you were doing at the beginning of the year and look at what you're doing now! Celebrate your growth and keep finding places to keep climbing.

Next week you will have your unit test to open the week and your projects will be due at the end of the week. You'll have all of class for the test and then the next class is yours to finish the project and turn that in. If you have any other assignments to turn in as part of this unit, they need to come in next week. I'm looking forward to taking you to our final place of the year - Japan! We'll have a quick and fun unit to end our year before we begin on our final portfolio.

19 and 20 April

AP Language

Sad face for our last seminar today. Simply because it was our last one of the year - and that makes me sad. I was glad to see your thoughts related to Emerson, King, and a way to solve some of our social ills - transcendentalism. I hope that you enjoyed your discussions, connections, and time to engage with each other.

Your first round of reflections are due. Remember that the grade will not be entered until the end of the unit. Submit what you have now and be ready for the next check at the end of the month. Meet your goals. Keep your schedule.

Next class will be our second full AP MCQ, review your first one, your strategies, your feedback. I'm willing to meet in advance if you need to. You'll have time with your novels as well!

English 10

So much energy in the room today as we reviewed for our exam next week. I've posted your completed study guide and recording from today's class to help you study and prepare. Your exam is at the beginning of next week - it's open note and open Schoology, so use your resources and be ready!

From there we took time to work on our projects a bit and review for our next in-class essay. The essay is going to be next class. You'll have the whole period to write your essay. You can use any of our notes from today. This is your last required in-class essay of the year, so I'm hoping to see the most improvement so far. See our recording if you were absent! I'll see you next time.

15 and 18 April

AP Language

Today's class was a relatively low-key day given the observance of Good Friday. Be sure that if you were absent that you check out the recording for our AP essay review. The bonus assignment is unlocked and will be open all week for you. Remember to submit a thesis and body paragraph (at least) to be scored.

The other major portion of today's class was focused on our novels. If you did not submit your reading schedule, do so immediately. It's now late. You have reflections due next week. Meet your goals and keep reading. 

Next class we'll have one of our final seminars of the year - there are two texts for you to choose from in the folder on Schoology. Read and annotate ONE in preparation for our seminar. We'll be discussing some solutions to problems in our next seminar, so a bit of a more optimistic discussion.

English 10

Great day today, y'all. We took our time to work through our first project workshop day and then moved into our test review. Remember that your projects and tests will be the week of the 25th. Focus on using your time in class effectively as you work through your projects. I'm looking forward to seeing your creative writing or your research - whichever you choose.

Next week we'll have an in-class essay (SOL 3) and time to work on our projects. We'll also finish our test review next class. Be ready for a quick end to this unit and then it's off to ASIA!

13 and 14 April

AP Language

Wowza! What a day! Great conversation and analysis as we worked through our novels and some really important concepts at the heart of our work this unit. I am so impressed by your professionalism and attention as we work and talk together. Continue to think about necropolitics as you are reading and working through your books. This may be part of your thinking as you consider your reflections as well.

Remember that your reading plan is due. Turn in your dates and either chapter sets or page number sets. Your reflections are due next week. You should turn in at least one, but you can turn in more if you so choose to. Keep an eye out for vocabulary as you're reading. Cards are due at the end of the unit.

Keep reading and enjoying! I'll see you next time!

English 10

Great work today everyone with our finishing of "Tuesday Siesta" by Marquez. I was glad to see the engagement that you all had with the end of the story and the amazing read of the symbolism you saw in the actions of the mother, the priest, and the sun. Excellent job. This is the last story in our Latin American unit. Next class we'll do our test review session and have time to work on our projects. Keep in mind that next week will be the final week of the unit. Your project will be due next week, you'll have a final test, and your vocabulary is due. Don't miss these milestones - get off to a good start for Q4!

11 and 12 April - Welcome to Q4

AP Language

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

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

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

English 10

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

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

30 and 31 March

We made it to the end of the quarter! Yay! Enjoy your break! I'll be finding myself with some good books and my feet in the sand and hopefully some WARMTH!!!

AP Language

Good end to the quarter today, everyone! We did a lot of work to reflect on MCQs and strategies as we broke down and worked through our first full-length MCQ work. The session is recorded below. We applied our strategies and skills for our first Matchbox MCQ - and I was happy to see the results!

From there, we took time with our novel groups. Remember that each time you meet with a group you should use the document to record your conversation. These will be key as you read and work through the novel. They'll also serve as a record of your participation, so be sure to keep up with the document. 

All work is due to me by Friday morning to be scored. Be sure to turn in your rubric if you're resubmitting your paper - and no, I won't take a photo of it. If you would like to complete the linked reflection below to improve an MCQ score from this quarter, feel free to do so. The form will lock on Friday morning.

English 10

Good times today working through Luisa Valenzuela and "The Censors". Itr's a pretty short and fantastic story about how quickly a person can be changed by their devotion to a task. A good example of irony, foreshadowing, and suspense at play. I hope you enjoyed it. We only have one story left in the unit, and we'll read that after Spring Break. 

Today I handed out your final project instructions. We'll work on that in earnest after we return. Remember that you'll have a final test AND a final project in this unit. Review the options and select one of the options there. If you have any missing assignments from the quarter, be sure that it's in by Friday morning. I will not accept any work to be scored beyond this.  

Enjoy your break! It is definitely well-earned!

28 and 29 March

AP English Language

Wonderful work today during our seminar on Brent Staples's "Just Walk On By" - I think that our review lately has been a fantastic way for all of you to develop some important frames with which you'll read your novels. Consider ideas like double consciousness, the veil, stereotype threat, and necropolitics.

Next class is going to give you the chance to find these things as you'll have a reading day next class. We'll also take some time to review for the AP Examination and focus on multiple choice testing strategies and ways to focus on working faster AND smarter.

Remember that any missing assignments are due by the end of the day on the 31st. Our final grade for the quarter was today's seminar, so, if you're satisfied with where you are, then you're done! Focus on fourth quarter and read your novels. If you're not pleased, then be sure to see me and get caught up while there's time.

English 10

We had a good day today with Pablo Neruda, though some of you were a bit harsh on some of his poetry. We read a collection of poems, one of them even about a giant tuna fish. I was happy to hear you reading and discussing poetry, and I hope you found a new way to break down and understand poetry.

From there we completed our final task for the quarter - our poetry scavenger hunt. Be sure that you check SIS and see that you have no missing assignments. If it's missing, turn it in! Next class we'll do some reading together and then take time to close out the quarter.

24 and 25 March

Just one week to go in the quarter before we hit Spring Break! Remember that any work to be scored must be in by the end of the day on March 31 so that I can close my gradebook on April 1.

AP Language

After today's class, be sure that you have completed these goals by the end of the weekend. I'm looking forward to taking you into next class because of the piece that we'll be working through.

1. Complete your book form. Finish your shopping. If you check out a book, be sure to record your book title and number on the roster which the substitute has. Divide your book into five chunks and start to complete your reading.

2. Do you have any missing work? Do you want to work on your rewrite of your research paper? Remember everything needs to be in by March 31st. 

3. Next class we're discussing Brent Staples's article called "Just Walk on By - Black Men and the Public Space". I've posted it for you in Schoology. Read and annotate. Be ready for our final seminar of the quarter.

English 10

During class you have one major thing to complete and that is your NoRedInk End of Year Assessment. Follow the link and open the assignment on NoRedInk. It's for completion, so answer all the questions. You can only skip five times and still get an A.

When that's done, if you have missing work, you should focus on that. If your work is all done in the gradebook, then you should complete the Poem Hunt assignment. We will have time for this next week, so making up missing work would be the more important goal.

22 and 23 March

AP Language

Today's class looked a bit like a reality show. We had a quick challenge followed by several rounds of conversation around our articles for class. I was happy to hear your outcomes and conclusions related to Tannen, Steele, and Sullivan. It's wonderful to see the way that you are all seeing elements of the veil and double consciousness at play.

Next class is a substitute day. I'll be on campus, but won't be with you because of some other responsibilities. You'll have a working and reading day. Keep in mind that the quarter will end next week. Any resubmissions of research papers or other late/missing work must be in by the end of the day on March 31 to be scored. Your work right now is relatively light, so focus on catching up or getting ahead as you need to.

English 10

Today we took time to finish our work on the concept of the doppelganger. We finished reading Cortazar's "The Night Face Up" and then worked through an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Mirror Image." I think that each of our texts has shown the concept of the doppelganger in an interesting way which has power in its own way. 

Next class will be our day for our end of year grammar diagnostic. This won't be for an accuracy grade, just completion. If you have any zeroes in the gradebook, now is the time to submit late work. I will not accept any work past March 31, so the time is now! If you have any questions about anything, please let me know. 

18 and 21 March

AP Language

Today we completed our first full-length multiple choice set. I'll have these returned to you soon so that we can review your data from the first of these. Over the weekend, you have a few assignments to settle up. I'll review them in terms of importance.

1. Complete your AP Classroom checks from Unit 6. This includes the MCQ and FRQ. These close on Sunday night. 

2. Submit your personal reflection. Remember to focus on at least two communities and use evidence to explain how you are a member of that community. The response is only 200-300 words. Keep it casual.

3. We'll have another seminar next class. Go into the folder and pick ONE of three articles posted for you. We'll be looking at other marginalized communities and liberation movements next class.

Outside of this remember to work through your vocabulary cards as you meet new words and consider your book for the unit. You'll submit your book form next week, but if you know what you want, go ahead and submit that now to get ahead. 

English 10

Today's class was a look at the beginning of "The Night Face Up" by Julio Cortazar. It's a great story! Super engaging and exciting that starts off with quite a bang. We read the first half of the text and will finish it next week as we complete our study of the doppelganger.

This weekend is a good weekend for you to complete any work from Unit 4 which may be missing including your SOL Essay, Unit Project, or Vocabulary. If these assignments are missing they need to be turned in. I'll be scoring your work this week and finalizing grades, so be aware of what needs to be done. I'm available during LT and after school if you need me.

16 and 17 March

AP Language

Great day today, everyone! We worked through WEB DuBois and did a wonderful job understanding some of his main ideas including education, power, stereotypes, double consciousness, and the veil. We're going to encounter these ideas throughout the novels we're reading in this unit, so this is a good formative piece for us to begin with. Continue to reflect on the text and his ideas, especially as they apply to you.

Tonight you should complete your personal reflection. If you know the book you want to read, then you can complete the form as well. Next class is our full MCQ to prepare for the AP Examination. Any time you have after the MCQ is for working on this unit's tasks which are due. Don't forget about your MCQ and FRQ on AP Classroom which will lock on Sunday night.

English 10

Today's class was our foray deeper into the concept of the doppelganger. We read a short story by Jorge Luis Borges called "Borges and I", and we applied the strategy of close reading to understand the complex text. At the end of class we took time to complete an extra credit opportunity or complete our projects and vocabulary from Unit 4. Keep in mind that projects and vocabulary are now late, but still will be accepted. Please turn in your work to earn your points. We only have a few classes left in this quarter, so it's important to turn in all of your assignments now.

As always, please ask for any help you may need. I'm here for you.

14 and 15 March

AP Language

Today was a really wonderful day to start a new unit, which is exactly what we did! Unit 5 is our exploration of ignored American voices. In this unit we're going to explore various communities that have been marginalized for whatever reason in our country. There will be a lot of self-direction and choice in this unit, so I'm very excited to see what you all come up with.

Your first assignment for the unit is your personal reflection which is due on Friday. Follow the guidelines and reflect on the various communities to which you belong. By understanding this, you'll be able to select a novel which is a window on another world. You'll submit this electronically to Schoology on Friday.

Next class we have a seminar on our first core text from the unit - WEB DuBois From the Souls of Black Folk. You'll be reading Chapter One. Be sure to use the reading guide posted to understand each paragraph in the chapter. We'll work through this text together as a group next class! Be sure to read and annotate!

English 10 

We took time at the beginning of class today to work through the last part of our projects from Unit 4 on Russia and Eastern Europe. Be sure to complete these projects tonight if you haven't done so, remember you can't get back your points if the work is late.

After that, we began on our newest unit - Latin America. We went over several concepts that we'll study in this unit, the countries, and our first key concept - the doppelganger. We explored this in ourselves by creating our doppelganger and considering how they're similar and different from us. If you didn't turn this in at the end of class, be sure to get it to me as we start next time.

10 and 11 March

AP Language

Today was our last working day for Unit 4 - Research and Synthesis writing. Your papers are due as are your vocabulary cards and other finishing up elements of the unit. I'm really happy to see so much growth in your writing and your approach to the task over the last few weeks. This unit is where we're coming closest to college level work, so your gains have been meaningful.

Papers will be marked late if they are missing on Monday morning. AP Classroom progress checks for the end of the unit will close on Tuesday night. Don't wait until 11:30 PM on Tuesday night to complete this. It won't end well for you.

We'll be starting Unit 5 on Monday/Tuesday. It's a lot of choice in the next unit, and it's our last unit, so I'll be interested to see the directions that you take yourself.

English 10

Today was the end of Unit 4 and the end of our study of Russia and Eastern European literature. We took our time in class today to complete our SOL Essay 2 and then use remaining time for any final unit tasks. I'm looking forward to reading these essays and seeing the way in which you've grown as writers so far this year. I should have these scored for you by the end of the weekend.

On Monday/Tuesday you will need to turn in your project to avoid the late penalty. We'll be moving to our next unit as well on Monday, so after we finish the unit introduction you'll have time to finish and submit projects. Our next unit is focused on Latin American literature and thought - there are plenty of great authors for us to meet!

8 and 9 March

Happy International Women's Day!

AP Language

Today was another day on our Groundhog Day rotation - another writing and conferencing day. We're rounding out the unit right now, so I want to outline your requirements to close the unit out.

1. This week your paper and vocabulary cards are due. Turn in your paper as a PDF. Don't forget your MLA formatting for the document and the works cited page. Vocabulary cards are also due. Give me the paper copy of your rubric when you turn in your paper. 

2. The MCQ and FRQ for the unit is due next week. It's opne for you to complete at your time and leisure. This will be scored on the more stringent scale - it's a full essay. Follow the instructions.

3. Checklists for participation can be turned in when they are full. If you need to meet for a conference, be sure to see me for that ASAP!

I think that's all. I'm after school on Wednesday and Thursday if you need me!

English 10

Today was a day where we worked on a few elements of our ending of the unit. We reviewed the final project requirements and took forty minutes to start our work on those projects. Keep in mind that this project is due on Monday. We'll do presentations of our projects later next week. We're also moving into our next unit soon - so be ready for Latin America and the literature from there. It's a great part of the world.

The second major thing we worked on is our SOL Essay preparation. We'll be writing next class. Use the packet that we worked on today to gather your ideas and thoughts together. I'm hoping that I'll see a lot of growth on these essays from our first one in Quarter 1. 

Please turn in your vocabulary, test corrections, and other work to finish the unit ASAP. Next class we'll talk about how to set up our final projects.

3 and 7 March

AP Language

Another writing day in the books! Don't forget about your vocabulary cards and your writing conference. It's a great chance for us to talk and review your work. We'll finish conferences next week. The paper is coming due soon. Use Lion Time, it's super valuable! There's also vocabulary to be completed - just five cards for the end of the unit.

English 10

Today was our working day to get us to the end of the unit. Normally this is a catch-up day to make up missing work, but so far this quarter we've been doing a great job in class of finishing our work and getting it turned in. I'm really proud of all of you for this!

I handed out the final project and reviewed its components for all of you. Remember you can choose a creative writing project OR a research project. You're only picking one. Next class is going to be our workshop day for the project, so don't worry about starting it now. Projects will be collected and presented next week. If you're working on test corrections over the weekend or other tasks for class, remember that the corrections are due on March 8. No test corrections will be taken after this date.