AP Language and Composition
After finishing their Word of the Day quizzes, we continued our deconstruction and analysis of an analytical essay regarding an excerpt from Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.
Homework: Students need to compose their essay on the Truman Capote prompt. It does not have to be typed but can be if the student so chooses.
Pre-AP English 9
After taking the Word of the Day quiz, we spent time in class debating through the rest of the topics pertaining to To Kill a Mockingbird.
Homework: Students need to read chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird by Friday, September 6th.
Advanced English 9
After completing the Word of the Day quiz, we spent the majority of class today reading through two articles, one written by a Harvard law professor and one written by a Chicago columnist, about the use of the "N-word" in American culture. This is all pertaining to our study of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Homework: Students need to finish reading the articles that will prepare them to answer the essay prompt they received today. Students also need to complete the essay and have it ready to turn in on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, students need to read chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird by Friday, September 6th.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wednesday, August 28th
AP Language and Composition
In an attempt to create a community that is both safe and helpful when it comes to making our writing stronger, we edited the paragraphs that students wrote yesterday as a group. After group-editing two of the paragraphs , we spent the rest of class peer-editing the rest.
Homework: Students need to revise and re-write their rhetorical analysis paragraphs tonight. Tomorrow, in class, they need to turn in their first draft and their second draft to me as a grade.
Pre-AP English 9
After students took their reading quiz on the first ten chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird, we had a short parts of speech review using the first two chapters of the novel. Students NEED to make sure they can identify the eight parts of speech, which are as follows: noun, pronoun, adjective (including articles), adverb, verb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
Homework: Students should complete the pre-reading worksheet for To Kill a Mockingbird that they received in class today. Students also need to begin reading chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird. These chapters should be completed by Wednesday, September 4th.
Advanced English 9
After completing the first To Kill a Mockingbird reading quiz on chapters one through ten in the novel, students began working on a set of Likert Scales, meant to measure their opinions on twelve major issues that To Kill a Mockingbird addresses. We will use these to inform a debate that we will have tomorrow in class.
Homework: Students need to begin reading chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird. These chapters should be completed by Wednesday, September 4th.
In an attempt to create a community that is both safe and helpful when it comes to making our writing stronger, we edited the paragraphs that students wrote yesterday as a group. After group-editing two of the paragraphs , we spent the rest of class peer-editing the rest.
Homework: Students need to revise and re-write their rhetorical analysis paragraphs tonight. Tomorrow, in class, they need to turn in their first draft and their second draft to me as a grade.
Pre-AP English 9
After students took their reading quiz on the first ten chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird, we had a short parts of speech review using the first two chapters of the novel. Students NEED to make sure they can identify the eight parts of speech, which are as follows: noun, pronoun, adjective (including articles), adverb, verb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
Homework: Students should complete the pre-reading worksheet for To Kill a Mockingbird that they received in class today. Students also need to begin reading chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird. These chapters should be completed by Wednesday, September 4th.
Advanced English 9
After completing the first To Kill a Mockingbird reading quiz on chapters one through ten in the novel, students began working on a set of Likert Scales, meant to measure their opinions on twelve major issues that To Kill a Mockingbird addresses. We will use these to inform a debate that we will have tomorrow in class.
Homework: Students need to begin reading chapters 11-21 in To Kill a Mockingbird. These chapters should be completed by Wednesday, September 4th.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Tuesday, August 27th
AP Language and Composition
During today's class we studied over the practice multiple choice exam that we took and tried to reason through the answers to make sure we understood why the answer choices are what they are. After this, we annotated and diagrammed President George W. Bush's speech to the nation after the September 11 attacks.
Homework: Students are to write a paragraph detailing what President Bush's purposes are in the speech and which rhetorical strategies he uses to accomplish these purposes.
Pre-AP English 9
Today, students analyzed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. They found examples of such devices as anaphora, epistrophe, extended metaphor, allusion, and ethos.
Homework: Students need to finish reading chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird in preparation for the quiz that will be given tomorrow.
Advanced English 9
The majority of today's class was comprised of student analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. As did the pre-AP, this class found examples of anaphora, epistrophe, allusion, and extended metaphor. Afterwards, we began discussing the actual text of To Kill a Mockingbird, diagramming Maycomb's socially and morally stratified economy.
Homework: Students need to finish reading chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird in preparation for the quiz that will be given tomorrow.
During today's class we studied over the practice multiple choice exam that we took and tried to reason through the answers to make sure we understood why the answer choices are what they are. After this, we annotated and diagrammed President George W. Bush's speech to the nation after the September 11 attacks.
Homework: Students are to write a paragraph detailing what President Bush's purposes are in the speech and which rhetorical strategies he uses to accomplish these purposes.
Pre-AP English 9
Today, students analyzed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. They found examples of such devices as anaphora, epistrophe, extended metaphor, allusion, and ethos.
Homework: Students need to finish reading chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird in preparation for the quiz that will be given tomorrow.
Advanced English 9
The majority of today's class was comprised of student analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. As did the pre-AP, this class found examples of anaphora, epistrophe, allusion, and extended metaphor. Afterwards, we began discussing the actual text of To Kill a Mockingbird, diagramming Maycomb's socially and morally stratified economy.
Homework: Students need to finish reading chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird in preparation for the quiz that will be given tomorrow.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 26th
AP Language and Composition
Homework: Students need to study their words of the day in preparation for their word of the day quiz on Friday. They also need to make sure to read through and comment on the Current Events Blog by Friday.
After finishing our Gatsby test, we spent time going over the practice multiple choice exam questions in class today.
Homework: Students need to study their words of the day in preparation for their word of the day quiz on Friday. They also need to make sure to read through and comment on the Current Events Blog by Friday.
Pre-AP English 9
We continued reviewing parts of speech in today's class and annotating "I Have a Dream" in an attempt to identify the parts of speech found within the speech.
Homework: Students need to study their words of the day in preparation for their word of the day quiz on Friday. They also need to make sure to read through and comment on the Current Events Blog by Friday. Finally, students need to read chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird by Wednesday, August 28th.
Advanced English 9
In today's class we finished reviewing parts of speech and annotating "I Have a Dream" to try and make sure that students can identify the different parts of speech in context.
Homework: Students need to study their words of the day in preparation for their word of the day quiz on Friday. They also need to make sure to read through and comment on the Current Events Blog by Friday. Finally, students need to read chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird by Wednesday, August 28th.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Ninth Grade Current Events for Week of August 26
Before you read through this article, consider some of your inherent feelings about education. Do you think that our schools are set up so that they help some students over others? In other words, does everyone have an equal opportunity for education, or are there some students who are doomed to educationally fail from the start? (Because of their skin color, family background, etc.)
Now that you have thought about this, read through the following article:
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2013/08/us_government_files_to_block_s.html
In the comment section of this blog post, tell me what the big deal is in this article. Why is the federal government suing Louisiana for trying to send some of its students to private school? Why is Louisiana doing this in the first place?
Additionally, explain your thoughts on the school voucher system. Should students be allowed to choose where they go to school if their current school is considered a "failing" school? Or, should students stay in their school and work harder in their classes, ensuring that their school does not fail anymore?
Again, make sure that you answer all questions fully. Feel free to use real-world examples, real-life experiences, or experiences of your friends/family members to back up your opinions.
Now that you have thought about this, read through the following article:
http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2013/08/us_government_files_to_block_s.html
In the comment section of this blog post, tell me what the big deal is in this article. Why is the federal government suing Louisiana for trying to send some of its students to private school? Why is Louisiana doing this in the first place?
Additionally, explain your thoughts on the school voucher system. Should students be allowed to choose where they go to school if their current school is considered a "failing" school? Or, should students stay in their school and work harder in their classes, ensuring that their school does not fail anymore?
Again, make sure that you answer all questions fully. Feel free to use real-world examples, real-life experiences, or experiences of your friends/family members to back up your opinions.
AP Language Current Events for Week of August 26
Read through and consider the following article:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/technology/dotcommentary/article/Google-Glass-app-being-designed-to-read-emotions-4758728.php
After you read the first article, read this one:
http://www.wafb.com/story/23242078/investigators-believe-8-year-old-intentionally-killed-90-year-old-woman
One of the biggest hot-button issues of the past ten years or so is the increasingly interactive role of technology in the average citizen's everyday life. When I was a teenager, the type of technology chronicled in the first article would have only existed in the farthest reaches of the science fiction universe; however, as is evidenced from the article, this once-futuristic technology is quickly becoming today's commonplace.
Opponents of invasive technology, both "back in my day" and in this one, claim that this sort of innovation will naturally have violent consequences, and they will point to stories like the one in the second article, citing that the young boy's obsession with current technology, i.e. Grand Theft Auto, is what led him to his potentially nefarious exploits. If you will recall from our discussions in ninth grade, this is called a Post Hoc argument: one that confused chronology with causation.
What are your opinions about the rapidly increasing profundity of technology? It certainly has its obvious benefits and its obvious drawbacks, but do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? Is it inevitable that humanity will carry technology to its darkest ends, or is it possible that we can use it peacefully and beneficially, as Catalin Voss claims? Make sure to use an example from your own life when you answer these questions.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/technology/dotcommentary/article/Google-Glass-app-being-designed-to-read-emotions-4758728.php
After you read the first article, read this one:
http://www.wafb.com/story/23242078/investigators-believe-8-year-old-intentionally-killed-90-year-old-woman
One of the biggest hot-button issues of the past ten years or so is the increasingly interactive role of technology in the average citizen's everyday life. When I was a teenager, the type of technology chronicled in the first article would have only existed in the farthest reaches of the science fiction universe; however, as is evidenced from the article, this once-futuristic technology is quickly becoming today's commonplace.
Opponents of invasive technology, both "back in my day" and in this one, claim that this sort of innovation will naturally have violent consequences, and they will point to stories like the one in the second article, citing that the young boy's obsession with current technology, i.e. Grand Theft Auto, is what led him to his potentially nefarious exploits. If you will recall from our discussions in ninth grade, this is called a Post Hoc argument: one that confused chronology with causation.
What are your opinions about the rapidly increasing profundity of technology? It certainly has its obvious benefits and its obvious drawbacks, but do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? Is it inevitable that humanity will carry technology to its darkest ends, or is it possible that we can use it peacefully and beneficially, as Catalin Voss claims? Make sure to use an example from your own life when you answer these questions.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Friday, August 23rd
I apologize for the recent lack of blog postings, but the school's internet is doing something funny with this website, so I haven't been able to post. Hopefully, the problem will be rectified soon.
AP Lang
Students began taking their Gatsby test in class today.
Homework: Students need to complete their summer reading essay over the weekend. It is due on Monday. Don't forget: it must be typed, printed, and formatted in the correct MLA format. Also, don't forget that even if your student is absent on Monday, I MUST have a copy of the paper by 3:10 on that day!
Pre-AP English 9
We spent time today discussing the summer reading essay prompt, ensuring that all students comprehended what the task for them is over the weekend. We also began reviewing parts of speech by annotating portions of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Homework: Students need to complete their summer reading essay over the weekend. It is due on Monday. Don't forget: it must be typed, printed, and formatted in the correct MLA format. Also, don't forget that even if your student is absent on Monday, I MUST have a copy of the paper by 3:10 on that day!
Students must also have chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird read by Wednesday, August 28th.
Advanced English 9
Students took their Homecoming test in today's class.
Homework: Students must have chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird read by Wednesday, August 28th.
AP Lang
Students began taking their Gatsby test in class today.
Homework: Students need to complete their summer reading essay over the weekend. It is due on Monday. Don't forget: it must be typed, printed, and formatted in the correct MLA format. Also, don't forget that even if your student is absent on Monday, I MUST have a copy of the paper by 3:10 on that day!
Pre-AP English 9
We spent time today discussing the summer reading essay prompt, ensuring that all students comprehended what the task for them is over the weekend. We also began reviewing parts of speech by annotating portions of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Homework: Students need to complete their summer reading essay over the weekend. It is due on Monday. Don't forget: it must be typed, printed, and formatted in the correct MLA format. Also, don't forget that even if your student is absent on Monday, I MUST have a copy of the paper by 3:10 on that day!
Students must also have chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird read by Wednesday, August 28th.
Advanced English 9
Students took their Homecoming test in today's class.
Homework: Students must have chapters 1-10 in To Kill a Mockingbird read by Wednesday, August 28th.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday, August 20th
AP Language and Composition
The content of the AP exam was the main topic of discussion in today's class. We also began talking about rhetorical analysis, especially as it is concerned with close-reading.
Homework: Students need to finish their note cards, which are due on Thursday. They also need to study for their summer reading tests, which will be given on Friday. Finally, they need to have their parents sign the "Plagiarism Contract" as well as the last page of the syllabus. These are all due on Thursday.
Pre-AP English 9
Passive reading and active reading were the main topics today. To prove that we are most often passive in what we read and watch, I showed the class six different advertisements that had "hidden images" in them, and the class had to try and see if they could find the incongruities in the pieces. We then discussed how actively seeing and reading art, literature, and advertising can cause us to see things that the general, unconcerned public would not see.
Homework: Homework: Students need to finish their note cards, which are due on Thursday. They also need to study for their summer reading tests, which will be given on Thursday. Finally, they need to have their parents sign the "Plagiarism Contract" as well as the last page of the syllabus. These are all due on Thursday.
The content of the AP exam was the main topic of discussion in today's class. We also began talking about rhetorical analysis, especially as it is concerned with close-reading.
Homework: Students need to finish their note cards, which are due on Thursday. They also need to study for their summer reading tests, which will be given on Friday. Finally, they need to have their parents sign the "Plagiarism Contract" as well as the last page of the syllabus. These are all due on Thursday.
Pre-AP English 9
Passive reading and active reading were the main topics today. To prove that we are most often passive in what we read and watch, I showed the class six different advertisements that had "hidden images" in them, and the class had to try and see if they could find the incongruities in the pieces. We then discussed how actively seeing and reading art, literature, and advertising can cause us to see things that the general, unconcerned public would not see.
Homework: Homework: Students need to finish their note cards, which are due on Thursday. They also need to study for their summer reading tests, which will be given on Thursday. Finally, they need to have their parents sign the "Plagiarism Contract" as well as the last page of the syllabus. These are all due on Thursday.
Advanced English 9
Much like the Pre-AP class, we also studied active and passive seeing and reading in today's class. We took it one step further, however, and began to discuss annotation, a necessary and beneficial ingredient with close-reading.
Homework: Students need to finish their note cards, which are due on Thursday. They also need to study for their summer reading tests, which will be given on Thursday. Finally, they need to have their parents sign the "Plagiarism Contract" as well as the last page of the syllabus. These are all due on Thursday.
Friday, August 16, 2013
AP Language Current Events for Week of August 19
Read through the following article carefully.
http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4987
Now, in the comment section of the blog, post your answers to the following questions (MAKE SURE TO TYPE YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT):
Do you think that the fraternity and sorority were in the wrong? Should it be permissible for one group to have its actions limited by the social preferences and offenses of another group?
http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4987
Now, in the comment section of the blog, post your answers to the following questions (MAKE SURE TO TYPE YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT):
Do you think that the fraternity and sorority were in the wrong? Should it be permissible for one group to have its actions limited by the social preferences and offenses of another group?
Ninth Grade Current Events for Week of August 19
Pre-AP and Advanced 9
Read through the article found on this website.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-15/new-software-forces-you-to-pay-attention-during-company-training
Now, in the comment section of the blog, post your answers to the following questions (MAKE SURE TO TYPE YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT):
Is it ethical to use technology to ensure that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing? In other words, should people be trusted to do what's right, or should we be forced to do obey by authorities using cameras, computers, and cells to track our behavior? Is there any danger in having our actions tracked electronically, or should we sacrifice that privacy to those in authority?
Read through the article found on this website.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-15/new-software-forces-you-to-pay-attention-during-company-training
Now, in the comment section of the blog, post your answers to the following questions (MAKE SURE TO TYPE YOUR NAME AT THE END OF YOUR COMMENT):
Monday, August 19th
I know that not many are excited that summer is over, but welcome back anyway!
Advanced English 9
Today's class was dominated by going over the syllabus and all of the expectations of this class.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading tests will also be given on Thursday.
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class we discussed the class's structure and expectations. We also dispelled a few rumors about Pre-AP English. I'm looking forward to a great year.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading test and essay prompt will also be given on Thursday.
AP English Language
Today, we discussed in-depth the purpose and structure of the AP Language course and exam. We also outlined the rest of the semester and our plans for preparing for the AP exam.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading test and essay prompt will also be given on Thursday.
Advanced English 9
Today's class was dominated by going over the syllabus and all of the expectations of this class.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading tests will also be given on Thursday.
Pre-AP English 9
In today's class we discussed the class's structure and expectations. We also dispelled a few rumors about Pre-AP English. I'm looking forward to a great year.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading test and essay prompt will also be given on Thursday.
AP English Language
Today, we discussed in-depth the purpose and structure of the AP Language course and exam. We also outlined the rest of the semester and our plans for preparing for the AP exam.
Homework: Students need to get their class forms signed (syllabus page and plagiarism contract). These are due back to me by Thursday, August 22nd. The summer reading note cards are also due on Thursday. Finally, the summer reading test and essay prompt will also be given on Thursday.
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