What I missed in
AP Language & Composition
Updates are posted each day by 4 PM
Monday - Tuesday, May 17 & 18 - EOCT scores returned, film viewing. Prepare for the seminar during your exam period. You should have NOTES to use!
Friday, May 14 - We discussed the end of the year - gave some feedback on the exam, and I returned the green inserts from the AP Exam. We began watching Death of a Salesman. We will watch it Monday and Tuesday and our exam period we will have a seminar. You are responsible for watching the film if you cannot be here.
Thursday, May 13 - Day of Rest Day.
Wednesday, May 12 - EXAM DAY!
Tuesday, May 11 - We took a short test over the novel. (If AP testing, you will take it first thing on Thursday.) Then we got our yearbooks, turned in our novels and went over the following:
Just ONE MORE DAY! Breakfast will be in
D109 tomorrow AM, starting just after 7 AM. Plan to store your book bag in
my room – you only need pens and pencils.
You should be in your testing location by 7:45:
Period 1 – P41
Period 2 – P42
Period 3 – P43
Review your AP packet for rhetorical terms, the strategies for writing a rhetorical analysis in your packet, multiple choice stems, etc.. Other than that, get a good night’s sleep. You are ready. :)
Monday, May 10 - Journals in! Then, we went hunting for examples of rhetorical terms/strategies in our bumper stickers and in the novel. You need to finish the book by tomorrow - there is a short test at the start of class!
Friday, May 7 - We took a practice multiple choice and then worked on our journal project rough drafts. Don't forget: Journal projects are due Monday - please don't use a large 3-ring binder to turn them in. Use a smaller folder - the ones with the three brads are perfect; so are report covers. You are responsible for finishing the novel by Tuesday - there will be an assessment that day over the entire novel. (Bumper Sticker rhetoric due Monday!)
Thursday, May 6 - After papers were collected, we discussed chapter 9 in small groups. Read chapters 13 and 14 for homework - bring in your "rhetorical strategies" on bumper stickers for Monday.
Wednesday, May 5 - We wrote a journal about the high and low points of junior year. Then, I gave out the Journal Project (due MONDAY). Click here for a copy of the assignment. You can get your writing folder tomorrow. I passed out a review packet for the Lang exam - get one when you return. For homework, review your rhetorical terms. (Click here for a link.) Look for examples of the rhetorical strategies on bumper stickers - bring in your thoughts on Friday. We discussed the book, esp. street lamps and mules. Read chapters 10-12 for tomorrow, and don't forget to bring in your essays! They are DUE!
Tuesday, May 4 - After a reading quiz, we did peer review of our essays. Click here for a form to use....
Monday, May 3 - I passed back the Gatsby tests and the practice AP Exams and we went over them. I passed out a copy of a "self edit" form (click here) for the rough drafts of the essays. Complete the form for your draft and bring BOTH to class with you tomorrow. You also need to read Ch. 6 of the novel.
Friday, April 30 - We discussed chapters 1-4 - and listened to some of the dialect sections on tape to get familiar with the patterns of speech and words used. Read chapter 5 for Monday...don't forget that your rough drafts are also due then.
Tuesday - Thursday, April 27-29 - EOCT Testing. Friday is the LAST DAY to preorder a yearbook. They are going fast - visit www.hoochyearbook.com to reserve your copy. After that, we will sell what is left on a first come, first served, cash only basis after the books arrive...and they will be $110 instead of $95. I passed out copies of Their Eyes Were Watching God; read chapters 1-4 by Friday. Click here of the last formal essay assignment of the year. Rough drafts due MONDAY.
Monday, April 26 - We did an EOCT review.
Friday, April 23 - We finished the short film and then we wrote a journal - a creative writing where we thought about a stranger whom we'd noticed and write a fictional character sketch about them. Then, we bubbled in our AP exam materials. If you were absent, you need to go see your counselor to take care of this.
Thursday, April 22 - We reviewed satire and the techniques used in satire; we watched a short film and analyzed it for satirical techniques.
Wednesday, April 21 - We read from the Compact Reader today to prepare for our final, formal essay of the year. AP Exam AFTER SCHOOL!
Tuesday, April 20 - We went over a Rhetorical Analysis essay prompt to review for our practice AP exam TOMORROW. We will meet at 3:45 for a snack in the cafeteria and then begin the exam promptly at 4:00.
BRING YOUR COMPACT READERS TO CLASS TOMORROW.
Monday, April 19 - After Latin Root Monday, I returned the Synthesis essays and we went over them and reviewed the best the best way to plan and respond to the prompt.
Friday, April 16 - We wrote a journal; then we discussed the upcoming projects and calendar...we concluded with a review of some grammar concepts that may be on the EOCT, specifically passive/active voice and the correct use of who and whom.
Thursday, April 15 - Gatsby Test
Wednesday, April 14 - We discussed the novel....
Tuesday, April 13 - In class Essay.
Monday, April 12 - We began with a quiz over the novel. Then, I returned research papers and we went over them. We discussed our plan for the semester going forward. Tomorrow, we will take a practice synthesis essay.
Friday, April 2 - We watched a film version of one of Fitzgerald's short stories. Finish the novel over break.
Thursday, April 1 - After vocab, we had a practice multiple choice "quiz" and then worked in groups to discuss Chapter 5. Read Chapter 6 for tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 31 - We turned in our questions from Monday's HW, wrote down our vocab and then got into groups to evaluate and score our synthesis essays. Read chapter 5 for tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 30 - PTSA Sponsored Safe Driving assembly.
Monday, March 29 - We had a Latin Root today (viv); get the words from a classmate. Then, we reviewed and discussed chapters 1 and 2 from Gatsby and considered setting, characterization and style. For Wednesday, read Chapters 3 and 4; complete the reading questions on the handout (Click here for a copy).
Friday, March 26 - Synthesis Analysis. See me to reschedule. Don't forget to read chapters 1 & 2 of Gatsby by Monday.
Thursday, March 25 - We stared with a journal, followed by a multiple choice practice, and then discussed the story from last night. I passed out The Great Gatsby and assigned the first two chapters for Monday. Tomorrow we will do a synthesis analysis.
Wednesday, March 24 - Early Release Day. We finished our work with poems and then did a short analysis of the reading from last night. See me to schedule a time to take it. For homework, read "The Story of an Hour" p. 634 in your books and respond to questions 1-3 on page 639.
Tuesday March 23 - We wrote down vocab and then went over the Harlem Renaissance - factors, common themes, etc. We broke into small groups and read and analyzed poems from the period. For homework, we read a story by Langston Hughes; see me for a copy.
Monday, March 22 - After vocab theater presentations, we looked at some sample, scored essays for the Synthesis prompt we had examined on Friday. Using the scoring guide, we attempted to score three of them, then, we compared our scores with the commentary and scores for them from the AP readers. Bring your red lit book to class tomorrow.
Friday, March 19 - We finished the film...then, we worked on a review of the AP Lang synthesis essay. We looked over one, considered its structure and the prompt, and did some prewriting/planning as if we were going to write on the prompt.
Monday - Thursday, March 15-18 - We had GHSGT. When we did have class, we performed our Vocabulary Theaters and then watched Election. Click here for a synopsis of the scenes we won't be watching in class due to the inclusion of classroom inappropriate material.
Friday March 13 - Furlough day.
Thursday, March 11 - We shared our favorite introductions and then we went over sentence pattern #5 (check the folder for a copy of the handout). I passed out the permission slips to watch the film next week (click here for a copy) - these need to be back to me by TUESDAY. Then, we prepared "Vocabulary Theater" presentations. We will present our staged work next week. For homework, by Monday, please read Chapter 7 of the Compact Reader.
Wednesday, March 10 - After vocab, we did a writer's workshop on Introductions. Click here for the handout. We began by sharing and refining our thesis statements. Then, we worked individually to create introductions for these hypothetical rhetorical analysis. For homework, bring in an introduction from a non fiction piece (essay or article) to share.
Monday & Tuesday, March 8-9 - We had vocab both days...From the feedback I received, it seems we needed a little more instruction on satire, so I provided a packet with more information and we read through some essays looking for techniques. Click here for the handout. Then, we got in small groups and created thesis statements for a mock AP rhetorical analysis essay.
Friday, March 5 - After vocab, we began with a journal where we wrote about the most important things in our lives, RIGHT NOW. Then, we did some Multiple Choice Practice. Click here for a handout on some strategies we discussed. Then, we worked with Sentence Pattern 5. Check the folder for a copy of the handout on that...
Research projects due MONDAY - if you are sick, you need to get the paper here someway.
Thursday, March 4 - Presentations!
Wednesday, March 3 - After vocab, Satire Presentations! (Also, I passed out a copy of a checklist and the rubric I will be using for the research project. Click here for a copy. Some of you have yours due TOMORROW.)
Tuesday, March 2 - After vocab, we peer edited our papers. Click here for the form to use with a buddy if you weren't here. Then, we worked in our satire groups. Groups begin presenting tomorrow...
Tonight, go online and vote for the satire film we will watch next week to conclude our unit on satire. Click the link below to get to the survey:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFJYeHFMVHhSa1JicWVFQlVJNjVUb0E6MA
Monday, March 1 - We worked on our research projects in the lab; complete rough drafts are due tomorrow.
Friday, Feb. 26 - We worked in groups on our satire projects.
Thursday, Feb. 25 - After we turning in our 1st three paragraphs, I announced an online quiz on Coyote v Acme (yesterday's reading): You have until 8:30 AM on Friday, 2/26 to take this quiz....For full credit, use complete sentences to write a short paragraph response to each. Be sure, as always, to support your claim with data from the text. Click the link below to get to the quiz.
Then, we working in our satire project groups.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 - Early Release Day. We took our vocab quiz and then read the essay in our American Lit textbook on page 1118.
Tuesday, Feb. 23 - We finished our work on paraphrasing; then, I announced our big Political Satire project! Click here for a copy; see me tomorrow for group assignment. Don't forget that we have a vocab quiz tomorrow AND you need your red textbook!
Monday, Feb. 22 - After vocab, we wrote a journal about how we deal with stress. Then, we went over the timed writing argument essays. We then went over using quotes and paraphrasing. See me for a handout when you return. Don't forget that your final 6 notepages are due tomorrow as is the outline for your research paper.
Coming up: A vocab quiz on Wednesday and your first 3 paragraphs of your papers are due on Thursday.
Friday, Feb, 19 - We watched a documentary on political satire and Jon Stewart while I finished conferences for our research thesis statements.
Wednesday & Thursday, Feb. 17-18 - E101 - First six note pages are due by end of class on the 18th.
Tuesday, Feb. 16 - We began with a journal about our best (or worst) Valentine's Day experiences. Then, we did our first multiple choice practice. Lastly, I discussed some strategies for writing your thesis statement - which is due tomorrow. We will be in E101 tomorrow to continue research and begin conferencing on our thesis statements.
Thursday, Feb. 11 - Computer Lab. Don't forget that your research thesis is due on Wednesday of next week...
Wednesday. Feb. 10 - Media Center
Tuesday, Feb. 9 - We finished our discussion of "A Modest Proposal" and then did peer editing for our essays (which are due on the 11th...). I then introduced the Research Paper; click here for a copy of the assignment. We will meet tomorrow in the Media Center.
Monday, Feb. 8 - We worked in small groups to discuss "A Modest Proposal."
Friday, Feb. 5 - We wrote a journal about our favorite comfort foods. Then, we wrote down our vocab and broke into pairs to discuss our prewriting for our example essays. I passed out our Huck Finn tests and we went over them. Don't forget to read "A Modest Proposal" by Monday (see yesterday's posting for the link to get a copy).
Thursday, Feb. 4 - We copied down vocab and then did a timed writing. Prewriting is due tomorrow for the example essay. For Monday, read "A Modest Proposal" - click here for a copy.
Wednesday, Feb. 3 - Reading Day
Tuesday, Feb. 2 - Ms. Sebastian and a student came to talk to use about AP Lit. then we had a quiz over the reading, wrote down vocab, and discussed the characteristics of the example essay. I assigned one for you to write; click here for a copy of the assignment. Tomorrow you will need to bring the novel you are reading for the research project.
Monday, Feb. 1 - We finished our POL competition - congrats to class winners Caitlyn Moseley, Laura Fairchild and Rob Mann who will compete for the school title on Feb. 4th after school. Then, we went over Sentence Pattern #4. Click here for a copy of the handout. For homework, read Chapter 6 of The Compact Reader.
Minor Lapse of updates by Ms. Smith....during the week of Jan.25th, we took an essay test over Huck Finn, discussed the novel in groups and did our Poetry Outloud competition.
Thursday, Jan. 21 - We wrote a journal - recall a time when someone was just flat out mean to you; what happened? how did you respond? what (if anything) do you wish you would have done? Then, we went over Sentence Pattern #3. Click here for a handout. You need your textbook tomorrow. Don't forget AP Night this evening - starts at 7!
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Today we worked in pairs to complete an analysis of Lincoln's second inaugural address. Click here for the handout to complete.
Tuesday, Jan. 19 - While I conference, you guys read the excerpt from Frederick Douglass in the book and completed a reading guide. You can get a copy upon your return.
Thursday and Friday - Reading Days and Conference Time. Vocab quiz on Friday - don't forget that you need to be able to apply/use the 2 sentence patterns we have thus far covered. Bring your textbooks to class next week
Wednesday, Jan. 13 - After our quiz, we wrote a journal about odd things we carry in our backpacks and purses and the stories or reasons behind those random objects. We wrote down the last four vocab words before our quiz on Friday, and we signed up for writing conferences. Then, we went over sentence pattern #2. Click here for a handout. You will need to be familiar with the patterns we have covered so far, and how to use them, for our quiz on Friday.... for the next two days we will be conferencing in class while you read Huck Finn, so bring your novels to class!
Tuesday, Jan. 12 - In class essay. See me for the times to make up the writing. I also passed out an excerpt from a chapter on writing to read; a quiz tomorrow, so you will need to see me to get a packet. You can make up the quiz in class on Thursday.
Monday, Jan. 11 - After vocab, we took a short quiz over the assigned reading. Then, we signed up for our research novels. We discussed some strategies and suggestions for success on the AP Argument essay (which we will practice tomorrow!). Then we discussed syllogism and reviewed the fallacies from the book. For homework, by Friday, bring in an example of one of the fallacies from an advertisement.
Friday, SNOW DAY
Thursday, Jan. 7 - After vocab, we went over a grammar sentence pattern (1 of 20). Click here for a copy of the handout we used. Then, we finished our discussion of The Awakening. For homework, read Chapter 13 of The Compact Reader - INCLUDING THE ESSAYS. Click here for the homework assignment. If you weren't here today, you need to focus on number 8 of the list. Don't forget to bring your choices for the research paper novel with you tomorrow.
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Seminar - see me for make up assignment.
Tuesday, January, 5 - Welcome Back!!! After our vocab, we took a quiz over the book. We then discussed a general plan for the upcoming weeks, including our assignments for reading. You need to complete reading Huck Finn by Jan. 25th. Click here for a handout we reviewed about our research paper. You will need to select a book to read by Friday. You will need to read that book by Feb. 8.