What I missed in
AP Language & Composition
Updates are posted each day by 4 PM
Friday, Nov. 20 - Dear Students, You guys are amazing. I had the most humbling experience today when I witnessed the outpouring of your generosity (and completive drive and spirit) before school. Teenagers are frequently maligned as being selfish, apathetic and unconcerned about anything other than their cell phones. I teach because you show me over and over again that I can have faith in the future. Knowing that I will be turning the keys to my country to you all gives me confidence in a better world. You are passionate (even Luke) and generous and wonderful, all of you. Here, as promised, are the can count results for the classes:
1st period, 27 students, 575 items (21 cans per) - WINNER OF SCHOOL COMPETITION
2nd period, 29 students, 352 items (12 cans per)
3rd period, 27 students, 366 items (14 cans per)
The point total will not be finalized until Tuesday, after our Devil and Tom Walker books are completed and judged, but 1st period shot the moon today and surprised (and surpassed) everyone. Congratulations on their hard work to pull it together and go from last to a strong, decided first, in 24 hours.
Thursday, Nov. 19 - We began the final project of our November competition: the Devil and Tom Walker project. Each class is working on creating a children's book of the story. See me for a handout tomorrow. It is due at the end of the period on Monday, and it will be worth a quiz grade, plus the winning class will get 200 points. Don't forget - canned food drive ends tomorrow!!!! (Right now, Periods 2 and 3 are in a dogfight for the lead. Period 1 could be the true dark horse in this race...)
Wednesday, Nov. 18 - ERD; we had a school-wide assembly. 1st period wrote the journal from yesterday. Don't forget that your narrative essays are due tomorrow. BRING IN CANNED FOOD! Second and third periods are currently in the lead, with third just ahead. The canned food drive ends on Friday.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 - We wrote a journal about our very first memories - and then considered what is important or significant about what we memories were first formed for us. Then, we read The Devil and Tom Walker (find it on page 242 of your book).
Monday, Nov. 16 - We began with Greek Root Monday (-helios-) and then proceeded to do our peer review for our narrative essays. Click here for a peer review form. Final drafts due Thursday.
Then we began our discussion of the Fireside poets and read the selections staring on page 256 for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Bring your books tomorrow - and I need to check your Harbrace grammar books by Friday.
Friday, Nov. 13 - We began with a journal where we discussed our "bucket list" - what experiences we have planned for ourselves. Then, based on feedback some students presented last night, we spent some time further analyzing the form of the narrative essay. We reviewed an essay I wrote and determined that a narrative needs to tell a story - it should be something you can chart with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. I have extended the due date for the rough draft until Monday; final papers will be due on Thursday.
Thursday, Nov. 12 - Vocab quiz! Then we discussed the difference between private letters and epistles and discussed/analyzed the letters from the textbook. Rough drafts due tomorrow.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 - The canned food drive is ON. We went over the guidelines and points...then, we did some "vocabulary play" in preparation for tomorrow's quiz. We finished our discussion of MLK's essay. For homework, read the two letters beginning on page 204 of your book (from Abigail Adams and from Crevoceour). Bring your books to class tomorrow.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 - We went over our vocab words. We have a quiz on Thursday - focus on the words from "garrulous" onward, but all are fair game... Then, I passed out our next writing assignment, the narrative essay. Click here for a copy of the assignment. The first draft is due on Friday. Then, we broke into groups and looked at the appeals MLK used. Click here for the handout we used. We will finish our discussion tomorrow. Please bring your textbook to class.
Monday, Nov. 9 - Friday's work was collected; then we had our timed argument essay. For homework, read MLK's Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Click here for a copy of the full text.
Friday, Nov. 6 - We began with a journal in which we described a significant/favorite childhood memory. Then, we read the two narrative essays from The Compact Reader, p 102 and p 109 (by Rember and Dillon). Respond to the questions after the essays on Purpose/Audience, Method & Structure, and Language…be thorough…use complete sentences. These will be due at the start of class on Monday.
Thursday, Nov. 5 - We had a short quiz over Franklin's speech, wrote down our vocab, and then we discussed how to write the AP Lang. "argument" essay. We deconstructed two prompts and looked at sample writings. Our first stab at this will be on Monday. Don't forget to bring your Compact Readers to class tomorrow.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 - We went over our Crucible tests. Then we broke into small groups and reviewed our visual rhetoric examples, sharing our favorites with the whole class. Then we took a sample AP quiz/multiple choice practice. Read Franklin's Speech in the Convention for homework, pg. 191. Bring your Compact Readers to class on Friday.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 - We finished our discussion/examination of visual rhetoric. Don't forget to bring an example in for tomorrow. Then, we began reading the excerpt from our book from The Crisis by Thomas Paine. Answer questions 2-5 at the end of the selection. It begins on page 160. Read Patrick Henry's speech on page 187 in your book.
Monday, Nov. 2 - Latin Root Monday is BACK! It's in your agenda...Then I passed back our last Rhetorical Analysis essay and we went over them. Then, I discussed/introduced the idea of visual rhetoric or how argument is conveyed through a visual medium. For homework, by Wednesday, you need to bring in an example of a visual work that conveys an argument.
Friday, Oct. 30 - I collected Chrysalis, and then we looked at some of the proverbs/aphorisms from the excerpt of Poor Richard's Almanac. We then tried our hands at writing some for CHS. I passed back (and discussed) the Descriptive Essays. If you got a 76 or below, you may revise it for up to an 80; revisions are due by Wednesday of next week.
Thursday, October 29 - We worked in pairs on a rhetorical analysis. See me for a handout. You don't need books tomorrow, but your Reflections and Chrysalis entries are due. :)
Wednesday, October 28 - We began with a journal where we described our favorite Halloween memories. Then, we went over the literary period known as The Age of Reason. Get notes from a classmate. We began to read and discuss the excerpt from Ben Franklin's Autobiography (p. 141). Finish that for homework; then read the next selection - The Declaration of Independence.
Tuesday, Oct. 25 - TEST over The Crucible. Bring your textbooks to class tomorrow.
Monday, Oct. 24 - We had mini-seminars. Test tomorrow!
Friday, Oct. 23 - We watched the film version of Act 4 and discussed some of the implications of the staging and how it underscored Miller's argument in his play. On Monday, we will do "mini-seminar" groups to discuss the play in preparation for the test on Tuesday. We are calling these smaller groupings "semis." :) Have a great weekend...and don't forget permission forms for the November 2nd performance.
Thursday, Oct. 22 - We finished the play! Test on Tuesday!
Wednesday, Oct. 21 - We wrote a journal about our favorite villains and the read Act 3.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 - I returned the Scarlet Letter tests and we went over them. Then, we continued reading with Act 3.
Monday, Oct. 19 - We wrote down vocab and went over and discussed some mentor sentences from the play that highlight the use of tone, diction, etc. Then, I answered questions about Act 2 and we began Act 3. Folks who missed the rhetorical analysis may make up the writing tomorrow before or after school.
Friday, Oct. 16 - We read Act 2. Remember that the FULL play is in your textbook. You can read it on your own if you missed class.
Thursday, Oct. 15 - Descriptive Essays DUE. Don't forget to submit via turnitin.com by midnight tonight. Then we did a rhetorical analysis essay in class.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 - PSAT and Early Release.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 - We began by turning in our homework and discussions strategies for success for the PSAT. I also announced a field trip opportunity....it will be on Nov. 2nd during 6th. See me for a permission slip. Then we watched the rest of the film version, Act 1 and began reading Act 2. Descriptive essays are due in class (and on turnitin.com) by Thursday.
Monday, Oct. 12 - We wrote a journal about our best/worst vacation moments. We wrote down our vocab. Then, we went over how "peer review' should be. We broke into pairs and peer reviewed the first drafts of our Description Essays. Click here for a handout to use with another AP Lang friend. Then, we watched a tad more of the film. We will finish that tomorrow and begin Act 2.
For homework, read Chapter 5 of The Compact Reader (p. 88-101). Answer questions 1-3 and 1-4 on page 1-4 on page 100 (on the Hughes essay.)
Coming up: An inclass rhetorical analysis essay on Thursday. Final drafts of the Description Essay are due that day as well. Don't forget to submit your essays to turnitin.com.
Thursday, Oct. 8 - We continued/finished reading Act 1 and watched part of the film version of that Act. Study guide due for Act 1!
Wednesday, Oct. 7 - After vocab, I assigned a paper. Click here for a copy of the assignment. Then we continued reading Act 1.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 - After our vocab, copies of the Act 1 Study Guide were distributed. Click here for a copy. We did a quick write about last night's reading. Do a quick rhetorical analysis - what do you think is Miller's argument? What support does he give? After we shared our responses, we began to read Act 1 aloud.
For HW – Tread the remaining sample, Description essays from Chapter 4 of The Compact Reader (“Ode to an Orange” and “The Santa Ana”).
Monday, Oct. 5 - Unit Test. For homework, read the Overture to Act 1 of The Crucible, found on page 1234-1237 of your textbook.
Friday, Oct. 2 - Seminar.
Thursday, Oct. 1 - We discussed the expectations for our seminar tomorrow and our test on Monday. Then we reviewed the symbols from the novel.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 - GA Grad Writing Test.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 - We discussed tomorrow's GHSGWT. Then we compared and contrasted the scaffold scenes from Chapters 2 and 12. We finished by listing all the possible symbols we have seen thus far in the text. Finish the book by Thursday.
Monday, Sept. 28 - We took a quiz over chapters 7-12. You will need to make this up tomorrow...Then, we received our museum projects and our other graded papers, including our rhetorical analysis. We briefly discussed the upcoming Georgia HS Graduation Writing Test (GHSGWT) which is on Wednesday. We will talk more tomorrow...we will also discuss and compare the scaffold scenes in Chapters 2 and 12, so please carefully review these two. Read chapters 13-16. You will need to finish the book by Thursday for our first seminar which will be on Friday. Our test over the book will be on Monday.
We discussed how Wednesday to Friday, Sept. 23-25 - Museum Projects!
Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Rain out!
Monday, Sept. 21 - We did a new grammar exercise where we examined and discussed a sentence from a novel that was particularly good. For homework, we are trying to imitate it. Then, we broke into small groups and did a quick "vocab play" activity. Jeff from period 2 took the top honors with his entry. We discussed the characterization of our three main folks. For homework, read chapters 10-12.
Friday, Sept. 18 - Museum Project Day. These begin WEDNESDAY. Don't forget to reach chapters 6-9 by Monday....
Thursday, Sept. 17 - We began with a journal where we described our favorite TV shows...and why they are so compelling to us. Then, we discussed the appeals and warrants from the speech and the transcript. For homework, choose on the three main characters and complete the worksheet (click here for a copy) using chapters2-5. Tomorrow is museum project day - read Chapters 6-9 of the novel by Monday.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 - We watched and analyzed the speech by President Obama. I passed out a copy of the transcript Rush Limbaugh provided for rebuttal later that day. Read it for homework and we will discuss it tomorrow.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 - After vocab, we shared our findings from the "treasure hunt" for rhetorical devices in the Edwards sermon. Then, we discussed why we still read this text in school. We are beginning the Scarlet Letter and read and discussed chapter 1. For homework, read Chapters 2-5 by Thursday.
Monday, Sept. 14 - We turned in our homework from Thursday (the answers to the questions from the Benet article) and wrote down our root and vocab. Then, we finished our interpretations of the Bradford passages from Thursday and discussed it. I passed out a copy of some rhetorical terms; click here for a copy. See if you can find some in the excerpt from "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." We did some dramatic reading, and considered what appeared to be his persuasive point. Tonight, think about why we still read this in English? What does it reveal about America?
Also for homework... read Chapter 4 from The Compact Reader and the first example essay, "Desert Dance." Answer the questions for that essay under Purpose & Audience, Method & Structure, and Language.
Friday, Sept. 11 - In class essay. See below for your homework...
Thursday, Sept. 10 - After vocab, we went briefly over the upcoming plan: Scarlet Letter begins next week. Tomorrow, we have a rhetorical analysis in class essay. The make up time for this will be either before or after school on Tuesday of next week. For homework on Friday, read the excerpt from "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Click here for a copy of the text. We will discuss this and our reading from Benet on Monday. We then reviewed our homework for the strategies to use for a rhetorical analysis. We discussed the narratives we read from Bradford and Smith and discussed first person accounts and their advantages and disadvantages.
I passed out a permission slip for your parents to sign so that we might watch and analyze the controversial speech Pres. Obama delivered to school children this week. Please bring it back by Monday. Click here for a copy.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Museum Project Day, G120. Complete the homework for tomorrow...see below.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 - We turned in our revisions....after vocab, we briefly discussed the Museum Project. Tomorrow we will meet in G120 (report there directly) and work on the project. Then I returned the Rhetorical Analysis, and we discussed it. We will be writing another one on Friday. Click here for a handout to look at ways to approach this essay. For homework (by Thursday) you have two things to complete: 1. apply the strategies from the handout to another prompt (get a copy from me tomorrow) AND 2. Read the essay from Stephen Benet about the Puritans (again, get it from em tomorrow) and complete the questions.
Thursday & Friday, Sept. 3 - Museum Project Time. By Monday: Read Chapter 3 of The Compact Reader. Using the strategies included in the book, come to school with a revised draft of ONE of your summer reading essays (timed writing or the one you wrote over the summer.) Your revision should be TYPED (doublespaced) and attached to the original, graded assignment.
Wednesday, Sept. 2 - Vocab quiz, quizzes returned, and questions answered about Museum Proj. We discussed the narratives we read from Bradford and Smith and did a short activity. Tomorrow and Friday we will work on our museum projects. Friday we will be in the Media Center, so bring change to make copies of criticism.
Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Group time for Museum Projects.
Monday, August 31 - Latin Root Monday...and In class timed writing. Vocab quiz on Weds.
Friday, August 28 - Mini quiz over the reading. Then, we reviewed the reading, and then turned our attention to the rhetorical analysis question. Lastly, groups were assigned for the Museum Project. Click here for a handout that describes the project...which will count as 10% of your grade. You will need to see me for your group assignment.
Thursday, August 27 - Quiz over chapter 2. Then we presented our arguments from the day before and discussed their elements. We will be writing our first rhetorical analysis on Monday. In preparation, we looked at a prompt from a recently released exam. For homework, read (critically) the excerpt from "Oladuah Equiano" that begins on page 44 in your American Literature book...and bring the book to class tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 26 - We got a few more word for our latin root and then we got our new books! Wooo! We discussed two other important concepts in our rhetorical introduction: the Toulmin model and the Classical Argument model. You will need to get copies of these handouts tomorrow. Then we broke in groups and tried our hand at creating arguments with these models. For homework, read Chapter 2 of The Compact Reader.
Tuesday, August 25 - After we copied down the vocabulary words, we read Chapter 1 from The Compact Reader. We used what we learned about audience, meaning/purpose and structure to analyze a short essay by David Barry. See me for a copy of the essay and the assignment.
Monday, August 24 - Latin Root Monday! This week's root is bellare, bellum which means "to wage war; war." Words with this root include rebellious, bellicose, antebellum. See if you can find one more to share tomorrow...
Then, we finished our discussion of Academic Integrity. I passed back the summer reading assignments and we discussed them. Lastly, we began reading the selection from our book, "The Iroquois Constitution." For homework, complete the handout...(click here for a copy)
Friday, August 21 - After vocabulary, we wrote our first journal in which we described how we would change the Hooch if we were in charge/boss of the school. Then we discussed what we mean by "academic integrity." We will finish our discussion Monday. Bring your red textbook to class with you.
WOOOOO! The webpage is back up!
For any information about what we did up to Friday, August 21, including the syllabus, visit my blog through chattcougar.com.