Tuesday, December 15

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote an outline for a synthesis essay in class today.

Pre-AP English 9
Students analyzed their "A Rose for Emily" essays in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students finished presenting their archetype research in class today.

Monday, December 14

AP Language and Composition
After taking their Devil in the White City tests, we began analyzing another synthesis essay.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued our study of Western poetry in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued presenting their archetype research findings in class today.

Friday, December 11

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote a "rude truth" essay in today's class.

Homework: Students need to read the assigned chapters of Devil in the White City by Monday, December 14.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued their survey of Western poetry in today's class.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students presented their archetype research today.

Thursday, December 10

AP Language and Composition
Students worked on creating their own synthesis essay prompts in class today.

Homework: Students need to finish reading the assigned chapters of Devil in the White City by Monday, December 14.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued their survey of Western poetry in today's class.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students presented their archetype projects in class today.

Wednesday, December 9

AP Language and Composition
Students examined prompts and sample essays in today's class.

Homework: Students need to read the assigned chapters of Devil in the White City by Monday, December 14.

Pre-AP English 9
Students finished presenting their family folklore projects in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students had time to finish their Leviticus, Exodus, and Numbers test in class today.

Tuesday, December 8

AP Language and Composition
Students had the opportunity for one-on-one conferencing about their essays in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read the assigned chapters in Devil in the White City by Monday, December 14.

Pre-AP English 9
Students presented their family folklore videos in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the modern usages of the "Journey to the Promised Land" archetype in class today.

Wednesday, December 2

AP Language and Composition
Students were introduced to the synthesis essay in class today.

Homework: Students should begin their reading for Devil in the White City.  The reading should be completed by Monday, December 14.

Pre-AP English 9
Students began studying poetry in today's class.

Homework:Students need to continue working on their family folklore videos.  They are due on Tuesday, December 8.

Here is a sample video to help you get started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSU6jjZYIvo&feature=youtube_gdata&safe=active​

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students began studying the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in class today, completing our study of the Pentateuch.

Tuesday, December 1

AP Language and Composition
Students continued to analyze sample essays from the 2009 AP exam administration.

Homework: Students should begin reading Erik Larson's Devil in the White City.

Pre-AP English 9
Students wrote their "A Rose for Emily" essay in class today.

Homework:  Students should be working on their family folklore videos.  They are due on Tuesday, December 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students studied the modern implications of the Ark of the Covenant in class today.

Monday, November 30

AP Language and Composition
Students analyzed sample essays in class today, trying to compare them to their own essays to see what they should emulate.

Pre-AP English 9
We crafted essay outlines in class today regarding William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily."

Homework:  Students should finish their essay outlines tonight and bring them with them to class tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students began studying outside sources to find modern allusions to the "Journey to the Promised Land" archetype.

Homework:  Students need to finish their research and be prepared to present on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 19

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, we studied "A Country Doctor" by Franz Kafka and discussed how we can use these texts in our essays.

Homework:  Students need to study for their perissology quiz, which will be given tomorrow.  They also need to buy their copy of Devil in the White City by Erik Larson as soon as possible.  We will begin reading it after Thanksgiving.

Pre-AP English 9
We finished To Kill a Mockingbird in class today.

Homework:  Students should be planning and making their family folklore videos.  They are due on December 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued studying the genesis of the Israelite nation in class today.

Wednesday, November 18

AP Language and Composition
Students read Kafka's short piece, "Unhappiness," in class today and discussed how they could use his work when they write their argumentative essays.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City as soon as they can.  We will begin the true crime piece after Thanksgiving.

Pre-AP English 9
Students analyzed Bruegel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus in class today and used the painting to inform an analysis of William Carlos Williams' "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus."

Homework: Students should be working on their family folklore videos, which are due on December 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the Jewish ecclesiastical law in class today, particularly focusing on the Tabernacle.

Tuesday, November 17

AP Language and Composition
After reviewing the prompt and outline that the students wrote yesterday, we reviewed a new prompt and students began writing the outline for it in class.

Homework:  Students need to finish the outline that they began in class.  They also need to study for their perissology quiz, which will be given on Friday, November 20.

Additionally, students should go ahead and procure their copies of Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.  We will begin this piece after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Pre-AP English 9
Students watched a part of the cinematic version of To Kill a Mockingbird in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish revising their prejudice essays.  They are due to Mrs. Kalb today by 5:00 pm.  Students should also be working on their family folklore videos, which are due on December 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued discussing the Israelite's journey to the Promised Land in class today, focusing primarily on the set up and construction of the Tabernacle.

Monday, November 16

AP Language and Composition
Students took their Metamorphosis test in class today and began writing an argumentative essay outline.

Homework: Students need to finish their essay outlines.

Pre-AP English 9
Students took their To Kill a Mockingbird unit test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish revising their TKAM essays, which are due tomorrow.  They also need to begin work on their family folklore videos, which are due on December 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students studied some complex topics out of the book of Exodus today, including the giving of the law and the set up of the Jewish Tabernacle.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of November 16

No Current Event Blog this week!

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of November 16

No Current Event Blog this week!

Friday, November 13

Good luck to the football team tonight as they play in the second round of the playoffs!

AP Language and Composition
Students continued practicing with argumentative outlines in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 16.

Pre-AP English 9
Students had the chance to peer-edit and have a teacher-conference about their essays in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish revising their essays.  They are due on Tuesday, November 17.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the formation of the nation of Israel in class today.

Monday, November 9

AP Language and Composition
Students need to finish reading The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 16.

You can download a free copy of the text by clicking here.

Pre-AP English 9
Students learned about active/passive voice in class today before reading William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily."

Homework:  Students need to be sure to finish their current events blog and obsession journal for the week.

If students need extra practice with active and passive voice, click here.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the life of Moses and the formation of the nation of Israel in class today.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of November 9

Read the following opinion article:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/11/05/kids-technology-addiction/

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Why does the author begin the article by describing his own use of portable technology?
2. Describe how the narrator's son became "addicted" to the iPad.
3. Describe how the narrator discovered that the son's use of technology was a problem.
4. Who is Mr. Vernon?  (hint: he is a character from an 80s movie.)  What is it called when an author makes a reference to another work?  (hint: the term starts with an "a")
5. Why would the narrator reference Mr. Vernon?
6. Is the narrator appealing to pathos, logos, or ethos when the he says," As a parent, I know I'm not perfect.  I know we're all just trying to do our best, but it broke my heart to see my young son so preoccupied with technology that he couldn't enjoy life around him."  EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
7. What is the narrator's claim about a parent's responsibility when it comes to children and technology?
8. As a teenager, how involved do you believe that YOUR parents should be with YOUR use of technology?

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of November 9-13

Read the following news article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EGYPT_RUSSIAN_PLANE_CRASH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-11-06-10-40-47

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. What happened to the Russian airliner that caused this situation in the first place?
2. What decision did Russia's government make that has caused outrage among tourists in Egypt?
3. Why is Egypt decrying Russia's actions?
4. Since Russia made the decision to take this action, does that mean the country believes that the plane crash was an act of terrorism?
5. Why is there wreckage from the plane in Moscow?
6. Why is Magdy Salim talking about a donkey being in the Cairo airport?
7. What organization is claiming responsibility for the plane crash?
8. What has France done response to the crash?
9. According to the article, Britain and the United States have been pressuring Russia to label the crash as a terrorist act.  Should these countries interfere with the situation, since the majority of the plane's occupants were Russian?

Friday, November 6

AP Language and Composition
Students worked on the outline of their next essay in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 16.

Pre-AP English 9
Students worked on the introductory paragraph and body outline of their prejudice essays in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish their prejudice essays by Monday, November 9.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the life of Moses and the genesis of the Jewish nation in class today.

Thursday, November 5

AP Language and Composition
Students continued discussing adversity in class today in preparation for writing about adversity.

Homework:  Students need to read The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 16.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued to discuss prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird in class today, and they practiced further with the correct use of subject-verb agreement.

Homework:  Students need to finish their reading assignment in TKaM before class begins tomorrow.  They also need to be working on their prejudice essays, which are due on Monday, November 9.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students took a test on Exodus 1-12 in class today.

Wednesday, November 4

AP Language and Composition
Students debated the practicality and ethics of educating prisoners in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read The Metamorphosis by Friday, November 13.

Pre-AP English 9
Students discussed the trial of Tom Robinson in class today before finishing the lesson on subject-verb agreement.

Homework: Students need to finish their TKAM reading before class begins tomorrow.  They should also be working on their theme essays, which are due on Monday, November 9.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students began to look at different perspectives and characterizations of Moses in class today.

Tuesday, November 3

AP Language and Composition
Students continued working on the structure and organization of their body paragraphs in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read Kafka's Metamorphosis by Friday, November 13.

Pre-AP English 9
Students took time in class today to peer-edit their annotated bibliographies before continuing their lesson on subject-verb agreement.

Homework:  Students need to revise their annotated bibliographies tonight and have them ready to turn back in tomorrow.  They also need to finish their reading assignment in To Kill a Mockingbird before class begins on Wednesday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the exodus of the Jewish people in class today.

Monday, November 2

AP Language and Composition
Students worked on the structure of their argumentative body paragraphs in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read The Metamorphosis by Friday, November 13.

Students can access a free copy of the text by clicking here.

Pre-AP English 9
Students learned about subject-verb agreement in class today.

Homework:  Students need to complete their reading assignment for To Kill a Mockingbird before class begins tomorrow.  They also need to be working on their prejudice essays, which are due on Monday, November 9.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the life of Moses and the plagues of Egypt in class today.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of November 2

Read the following article:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/01/michigan-high-school-cash-for-grades/75003438/

Answer the following questions about the article:

1. How much will Brandon Allen for his senior year if his grades substantially improve?
2. How can students who need no grade improvement still earn their money?
3. How have the school's academics changed since the program was introduced?
4. Who is Michele Harmala?
5. What standard must students meet in order to receive the stimulus money?
6. Is it fair for teachers to have to sign on as mentors for this program?
7. Lou Przybylski claims that some people may believe that the program is a form of bribery for the students.  Do you agree that this is what the program is?  Why or why not?

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of November 2

No current events blog this week!!  Work on your essays!

Friday, October 30

Happy Halloween to everyone!  Stay safe, and have a fun holiday!

AP Language and Composition
Students read and analyzed an article written by Alfred Hitchcock in class today.

Homework:  Students need to purchase their copy of The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued a discussion that carried over from last week about southern folklore and the Southern Gothic genre.

Homework:  Students need to finish their reading selection from To Kill a Mockingbird before class on Monday.  They should also begin getting sources together for their essay and annotated bibliography.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We focused on studying about the Ten Plagues of Egypt in class today and correlating them to the Egyptian deity of the day.

Thursday, October 29

AP Language and Composition
Students had the opportunity to work on their essay revisions in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish their essay revisions so that they can turn in their censorship essays in class tomorrow.  They also need to purchase their copy of The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students discussed the power of vernacular in today's class.  They also reviewed the specifics of MLA formatting in preparation for turning in their revised bibliographies tomorrow.

Homework:  Students need to complete their reading assignments in To Kill a Mockingbird before class begins tomorrow.  In addition to this, they also need to complete their bibliography revisions so that they can submit their completed bibliographies in class tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the life of Moses in class today, focusing specifically on the rhetoric of the Ten Plagues.

Wednesday, October 28

AP Language and Composition
Students worked on essay organization in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to purchase their copy of Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students traveled to Shelton State today to work with a freshmen English class there.  The classes studied and analyzed Lee's characterization of Atticus Finch.

Homework:  Students need to finish their reading selection from To Kill a Mockingbird tonight.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the life of Moses in today's class.

Tuesday, October 27

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, students read through more articles featuring stories about adversity.  They also practiced identifying the claims and creating counter-claims.

Homework:  Students need to purchase their copy of Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students discussed traditional gender characteristics in class today and related them back to To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework:  Students should try to get a head start on their reading assignment in To Kill a Mockingbird for Thursday's class.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued to study the story of Moses and the exodus of the Israelites in today's class.

Monday, October 26

AP Language and Composition
Students spent time debating whether or not everyone can escape the adversity of poverty.

Homework: Students need to purchase their copy of Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
In preparation for their study of To Kill a Mockingbird, students discussed different types of prejudices that are present in the novel.

Homework: Students need to finish their reading assignment from TKAM tonight.  They also need to revise their research bibliographies by Friday, October 30.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students began to study the book of Exodus in today's class.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of October 26

Read the following article:

http://www.npr.org/2015/10/25/451141406/with-switch-from-pencils-to-computers-ged-gets-tougher-for-inmates

Answer the following questions based on the article:

1. Explain why national graduation rates across the board have been decreasing recently.
2. Who is Greg Warden?  Why is his name situationally ironic?
3. Why does Kimberly Haug say that they made sure to find a way to continue the GED program at her facility?
4. Explain the idea of "sentencing people to school."
5. What is this article's claim about the effect that education has on an inmate's rehabilitation?
6. Do you believe that prisons should put emphasis on educating their inmates?  Or is this type of education program a waste of money?  Explain your answer.

Pre-AP Current Events Blog for Week of October 26

No Current Events Blog this week!

Monday, October 19

AP Language and Composition
Students took their final 1984 test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to purchase their copy of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis.  They need to have it by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued presenting their research findings in class today.

Homework: Students need to read chapters 1-4 in To Kill a Mockingbird by Friday, October 23.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued studying the life of Joseph in class today.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of October 19

This week's current events blog is a little different.

Instead of you reading a blog and answering questions about it, you will, instead, find a blog and write questions about it.  Here are the guidelines:

1. Find an online article that relates a story about a person or a group of people who have been oppressed and who have overcome that oppression.
2. In the comments section of this post, write a paragraph-long summary of the story.
3. Come up with five questions that you could ask someone about the story.  These should be both "recall" questions (Who said this?  Who is this person? etc.) and "debatable" questions (questions with no clear-cut answer).  Type out these questions underneath your summary.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of October 19

This week's current events blog is a little different.

Instead of you reading a blog and answering questions about it, you will, instead, find a blog and write questions about it.  Here are the guidelines:

1. Find an online article that relates a story about someone who had to overcome adversity.
2. In the comments section of this post, write a paragraph-long summary of the story.
3. Come up with five questions that you could ask someone about the story.  These should be both "recall" questions (Who said this?  Who is this person? etc.) and "debatable" questions (questions with no clear-cut answer).  Type out these questions underneath your summary.

Friday, October 16

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote an argumentative essay in class today about the dangers of comedic censorship.

Homework:  Students need to finish 1984 this weekend.  They also need to buy their copy of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students began their research presentations in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued our study of the Patriarchs in class today.

Thursday, October 15

AP Language and Composition
We continued our discussion of artistic censorship in today's class, reading letters and works from The Atlantic, The Late Show, and others, and from authors such as Harper Lee and Salman Rushdie.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading 1984 by Monday.  They also need to purchase their copy of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued their folklore research in the library today.

Homework:  All students, regardless of whether or not they will be present in class tomorrow, need to finish their bibliographies and research presentations by the time their class starts tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We began studying the life of Joseph in class today.

Wednesday, October 14

AP Language and Composition
We started what will become a series of discussion about free speech and media censorship in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading 1984 by Monday, October 19 and buy their copy of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued researching their research topics during class today.

Homework: Students need to finish their research projects and printed bibliographies by Friday, October 16.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We finished our discussion of the sacrifice of Isaac in class before students began an enrichment activity to help them more fully appreciate the emotion of the story.

Tuesday, October 13

AP Language and Composition
Students spent time in class today reviewing their nine weeks' exam questions.  We then began a discussion about censorship in the media.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading 1984 by Monday, October 19.  Additionally, they need to purchase their copy of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis by Monday, November 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students began researching in the library today in preparation for their research presentations, which will begin on Friday, October 16.

Homework:  Students need to finish their research projects, including a printed bibliography page, which will be due on Friday, October 16.

Reading the Bible as Literature
In today's class, students discussed in more detail the sacrifice of Isaac from the end of Genesis.

Homework:  Students need to finish their enrichment project by tomorrow's class.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of October 12

MAKE SURE TO READ THIS WEEK'S DIRECTIONS VERY CAREFULLY!  DUE TO THE MORE WORK-INTENSIVE NATURE OF THIS WEEK'S BLOG, THE GRADE ASSIGNED TO THIS WORK WILL BE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NORMAL AMOUNT (FIFTY POINTS INSTEAD OF TWENTY).

This week's current events blog is a little different.  Instead of simply reading a news article and then debating its ethics, you are going to read an ongoing ethics debate and join the conversation.  The following link contains three opinions regarding the news coverage of mass shootings.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/10/09/how-should-the-news-media-cover-mass-shooters

To receive credit for this week's blog, complete the following:

1. Set the rhetorical scene for the debate. In other words, give a short synopsis of what the debatable topic is.
2. Read each of the three debaters' points of view.  Then, give a warrant and the claim from EACH of the debater's writings. ADDITIONALLY, decide what avenue of argumentation each claim best fits in.
3. Give a rebuttal for each of those warrants/claims.
4. Add your own warrant and claim to the discussion.  In other words, choose an avenue of argumentation and add your opinion to those that should be considered in this debate.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of October 12

Read the following article:

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/06/30/326929138/facebook-manipulates-our-moods-for-science-and-commerce-a-roundup

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Explain what "emotional contagion" is.
2. How did Facebook try to test emotional contagion by altering its homepage?
3. Were Facebook's actions legal or illegal?  Explain.
4. What does Laurie Penny say is the "point" about this whole situation?
5. Explain why each side of the debate believes that it is right.  In other words, why do some people believe that Facebook's experiment was outrageous, and why do some believe that the experiment wasn't that "big of a deal"?
6. What are your thoughts on the issue?  Is Facebook's experiment worth the debate?  Explain.

Tuesday, October 6

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote their first argumentative essay in class today.

Pre-AP English 9
In class today, we discussed a bioethical conundrum known as "Ashley's Treatment;" students then debated the ethics behind this story.

Homework: Students need to study for their nine weeks' exam!

Reading the Bible as Literature
In today's class, we studied about the Jewish patriarchs, all the way through the life of Jacob.

Homework:  Students need to study for their nine weeks' exam!

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of October 5

Read the following article:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fae49518b1d24b89a4bc7a6a2255a2ec/execution-would-be-oklahomas-first-ruling-drugs

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. According to the article, why did Governor Fallin postpone Glossip's execution?  What drugs are involved in the execution?  What did the executioners receive?  Why was the stay of the execution last-minute?
2. Who is Dale Baich?  Why does he believe that there needs to be more public transparency in the execution process?
3. Who is Justin Sneed?
4. With what information does the reporter end the article?  What is the effect of this information on the reader?
5. In your opinion, should Glossip's execution have been stayed for the reasons that it was stayed?
6. What is your overall opinion about the death penalty?

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of October 5

Read the following article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/02/usa-execution-virginia-idUSL1N1220K320151002

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. In what state did the execution take place?
2. For what was Prieto convicted and sentenced?
3. On what grounds did Prieto's attorneys try to stay the execution?  (There are two main complaints.)
4. What are your opinions about these issues as impetus to stay the execution?  Are they valid reasons to postpone the carrying out of Prieto's sentence?
5. The end of the article mentions that Virginia has put to death 111 inmates since the penalty was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976.  Explain the effect of this statistic on the reader of the article.
6. What are your opinions on the death penalty as a punishment for a crime?

Friday, October 2

AP Language and Composition
Students reviewed the structure of argumentative essays in class today before practicing with an argumentative prompt and sample essays.

Pre-AP English 9
We read through and analyzed Books XIII-XVIII in The Odyssey in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
RBL didn't meet today due to the Homecoming pep rally.

Wednesday, October 1

AP Language and Composition
Students spent today's class discussing the correct structure of an AP-style argumentative essay.

Pre-AP English 9
After finishing our class debate, students spent time reviewing and writing an introductory paragraph for an essay about the Syrian civil crisis.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We read and analyzed Genesis 11-13 in today's class.

Tuesday, September 29

AP Language and Composition
Students took the time to analyze previously-published AP argumentative essays for content and structure.

Homework:  No homework this week!!  Please take the time to go work on your class's float!

Pre-AP English 9
Students took the time to read and analyze Book XII of The Odyssey today and began working on a project that will show their understanding of direct and indirect characterization.

Homework:  No homework this week!!  Please take the time to go work on your class's float!

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students took their Genesis 4-10 test in class today.

Monday, September 28

AP Language and Composition
We held a current events debate in class today, discussing the merits of US involvement with the Syrian civil war.

Homework:  No homework this week!!  Please take the extra time to go work on your class's homecoming float!!

Pre-AP English 9
We held a current events debate in class today, discussing whether or not the US should allow Syrian refugees to take refuge within American borders.

Homework:  No homework this week!!  Please take the extra time to go work on your class's homecoming float!!

Reading the Bible as Literature
We finished discussing the Deluge in class today and its effects on modern-day culture.

AP Language and Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of September 28

No current events blog this week!!  Go help build your class's float!

Friday, September 25

AP Language and Composition
Students took their second 1984 test in class today.

Pre-AP English 9
Today's topic of discussion was imagery and tone and how to identify them in a text.  We then read Book 11 of The Odyssey.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued reviewing for next week's test in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to ensure that they have their notes in order for the test on Genesis 4-10, which will be given on Tuesday, September 29.

Thursday, September 24

AP Language and Composition
Students took a practice AP multiple-choice exam in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Part 2 of 1984 by the beginning of class tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9
Students held a current events debate in class today regarding the use of surveillance technology in law enforcement.

Homework:  Students need to read Book X in The Odyssey by the beginning of class tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students finished studying The Epic of Gilgamesh in class today.

Homework:  Students need to ensure that they have all of their notes together in preparation for the Genesis 4-10 test that will be given next week.

Wednesday, September 23

AP Language and Composition
Students received several grades back in class today, including their first perissology quiz.  Then, students took a practice AP-style multiple choice exam.

Homework:  Students need to finish Part 2 of 1984 by Friday.

Pre-AP English 9
Students took their first perissology test in class today.  Afterwards, we reviewed the introductory paragraphs that they wrote regarding the veterans article that we read.  After reviewing their paragraph, students had the opportunity to write another introductory paragraph regarding Book IX of The Odyssey.

Homework: Students need to read Book X of The Odyssey by Friday.

Students in sixth period need to complete the introductory paragraphs that they began in class today.  Here is the prompt:

"Contrary to modern-day notions of bravery and hospitality, the episode between Polyphemus and Odysseus portrays a convoluted picture of heroism that blurs the line between hero and villain, protagonist and antagonist.  Think carefully about what you read in the text and in a well-organized essay, describe how Homer characterizes either Odysseus or Polyphemus."

Reading the Bible as Literature
We discussed The Epic of Gilgamesh in class today.

Homework:  Students need to get their notes together in preparation for the Genesis 4-10 test which will be given on Monday.

Tuesday, September 22

AP Language and Composition
Students used the recent shooting of Cecil the Lion to practice writing thesis statements from differing points of view.

Homework:  Students need to finish their Avenues of Argumentation worksheet if they did not finish it in class.  Also, students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday, September 25.

Pre-AP English 9
Student analyzed Book 9 of The Odyssey in class today, focusing on Homer's characterization of Polyphemus and Odysseus in their encounter with one another.

Homework:  Students need to respond to the following prompt:

Book IX of the Odyssey features the story of the blinding of Polyphemus, as told from Odysseus’ point of view. In at least one well-developed paragraph, retell the story from Polyphemus’ point of view. Write in first person, imagining that you are Polyphemus, telling your father, Poseidon, the events that transpired. Feel free to be creative, but be sure that you provide strong characterizations of both Polyphemus and Odysseus in your writing. The goal is to demonstrate your understanding of characterization, not to summarize the events of Book IX.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued their compare/contrast exercise between the Biblical story of the Deluge and the film Evan Almighty.

Monday, September 21

AP Language and Composition
Students read Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" in class today as a segue into a discussion about the danger of blindly following tradition.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday.

Pre-AP English 9
After practicing their introductory paragraphs, students split up books 1-8 of The Odyssey in class today.

Homework: Students need to read Book 9 of The Odyssey and answer the corresponding questions that they received in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
In today's class, we focused on the Deluge's influence on modern, popular culture.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of September 21

Read the following article that discusses the influx of Syrian refugees into countries across Europe:

http://news.yahoo.com/east-european-leaders-argue-migrants-pour-across-borders-143858423.html

Look at this map to get an idea where Syria is in relation to the European Union.

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. How is Hungary trying to keep refugees from crossing its border?

2. Explain the journey that many refugees have been trying to make through the Mediterranean Sea.

3. In the four years since the Syrian civil war began, how many people have been displaced by the war either in their own country or to another country?

4. What does US Secretary of State John Kerry say is "preventing this crisis from ending"?

5. How many refugees has President Barack Obama pledged to take in over the coming year?

6. Should the US allow these Syrian refugees into the country?  How responsible should the country be for helping to care for them while they are here?

7. Look at the first picture that is featured with this story (of the little boy in the train window).  Why do you think this picture is placed where it is?  What sort of impact does this picture have on people who are reading this article?

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of September 21

Read the following article that discusses the escalating conflict in Syria:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/19/world/europe/us-to-begin-military-talks-with-russia-on-syria.html?src=recg&_r=0

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. How long as Syria been embroiled in a civil war?
2. What has been America's official stance on Russian action in Syria?
3. In what three ways can the Russian-military buildup in Syria serve the interests of Russia's government?
4. How do American concerns about ISIL and ISIS play into the situation in Syria?
5. Why does the article claim that "the whole region is watching this" (the actions taken by the US and Russia)?
6. What is John Kerry's goal when it comes to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad?
7. In this familiar situation (think back to last year's Russian advances in Ukraine), the White House's actions seem bent on trying to settle this present situation diplomatically.  In your opinion, how effective is this strategy?  At what point, if any, should the US resort to military force to achieve its aims in the region?

Friday, September 18

AP Language and Composition
Students took their first perissology quiz in class today before grammatically analyzing last week's current events blog debate sheet.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday, September 25.

Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, students read a New York Times article about veterans returning home from war as Odysseus did.  We then spent time learning how to write thesis statements and opening paragraph for non-fiction writing prompts.

Homework:  Students need to finish writing their introductory paragraphs as practice for the writing prompt that will be given on Monday.  Additionally, students need to study their perissology words in preparation for the perissology quiz that will be given on Wednesday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We finished discussing Genesis 10 in today's class before reviewing for next week's test.

Thursday, September 17

AP Language and Composition
Students discussed different avenues of argumentation in today's class and ways that they can make and/or analyze any argument.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday, September 25.  They also need to study for their perissology quiz, which will be given tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9
We discussed The Iliad in class today and how The Odyssey has its roots in this first poem of Homer.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We read through the story of Noah's Ark in today's class.

Tuesday, September 15

AP Language and Composition
Students read through an article that details much of the new technology utilized in civilian surveillance by the FBI in today's class.

Homework:  Students were assigned a prompt from which they are to formulate an opening paragraph for homework.  They also need to read Part 2 in 1984 by Friday, September 25.

Here is a picture of the sample introductory paragraph from class today:

Pre-AP English 9

We discussed thesis statements in class today.

Homework:  Students need to bring their copy of The Odyssey with them to class every day, starting tomorrow.

If you need extra help with phrases and clauses, here are a couple of links for you:

Phrase and Clause Review

Phrase and Clause Quiz

Reading the Bible as Literature

We read through Genesis 4 in today's class after taking the Biblical concept quiz.

Monday, September 14

AP Language and Composition

Students finished discussing the life of George Orwell in class today, especially as it relates to his superb ability to write satire and to present propaganda.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday, September 25.

Pre-AP English 9

Students held a current events debate in class today regarding whether or not parents should allow their students to fail.

Homework:  Students need to bring their copy of The Odyssey with them to class tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature

After reviewing the Genesis 1-3 test, we read through Genesis 4 in class today.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of September 14

Read the following news article that discusses police surveillance:

http://news.yahoo.com/drone-policing-us-seen-wild-west-215907770.html

Then, answer the following questions that relate to the article:

1. What regulation in North Dakota has brought the issue of drone usage back to the forefront of the news?

2. What kind of certificate does a police force have to obtain before using drones?

3. What concerns does the ACLU have about the widespread use of drones?

4. Name some of the examples from the article that exemplify drones as being a waste of money.

5. Do you think that drones should be used by police forces for surveillance and enforcement of the law?

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of September 14

Read the following article that discusses an ancient Spanish tradition and its moral ramifications:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34213101

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. How do participants in the tradition try ensure that the fight with the bull is fair and is the "purest of battles"?

2. Describe the kind of numbers that each side of this argument will have represented at the festival next week.

3. In what year did this tournament begin?

4. What is a microcosm?  Why does Mayor Poncela claim that the event in Tordesillas is a microcosm for modern-day Spain?

5. How does Luis Guillermo Lopez Olea personally feel about the tournament?  How does he justify selling his bulls for the tournament?

6. In your opinion, should the tournament in Tordesillas continue?  Why or why not?  (PLEASE NOTE: You cannot ONLY use the issue of animal cruelty as an argument for or against the tournament.  IF YOU DO, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THIS BLOG POST.)

Friday, September 11

Please take time to remember those who were lost and who sacrificed their lives fourteen years ago.

AP Language and Composition
Students took their first reading test on 1984 in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 2 of 1984 by Friday, September 25.

Pre-AP English 9
After taking a syntactical pattern test today, students analyzed their own syntactical tendencies.

Homework: Students need to finish their obsession journals and have them ready to turn in on Monday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students discussed modern-day Biblical allusions in class today.

Thursday, September 10

AP Language and Composition
Students began discussing the background of 1984 and how Orwell's life influenced the action of the novel.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading the first eight chapters of 1984 in preparation for the test tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9
Students reviewed syntactical patterns in class today.

Homework:  Students need to bring their copy of The Odyssey to class with them tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students took their "Introduction and Genesis 1-3" test in class today.

Wednesday, September 9

AP Language and Composition
Students took time to review claims, grounds, and warrants in today's class before discussing Orwellian literature.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading chapters 1-8 in 1984 by Friday, September 11.

Pre-AP English 9
Students reviewed their syntactical tests from yesterday before reading and discussing more examples of myth.

Homework:  Students need to bring their copy of The Odyssey with them to class tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students reviewed for their test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to study for the test on the introductory material and Genesis 1-3 that will be given tomorrow.  They need to ensure that their notes on the material are complete.

Tuesday, September 8

AP Language and Composition
Students continued to practice identifying claims, grounds, and warrants in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading chapters 1-8 in 1984 by Friday, September 11.

Pre-AP English 9
After taking a short quiz on English syntactical patterns, students compared and contrasted differing accounts of King Arthur's half-sister, Morgan le Fay.

Homework:  Students need to have their copy of The Odyssey by Thursday, September 10.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students interacted with and analyzed Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights as it relates Bosch's account of the Fall.

Homework:  Students need to study for their first test, covering the introductory information we discussed in class along with Genesis 1-3.

1984 Resources

As you finish reading the first seven chapters of 1984, here are a few resources that may help you along the way...

1984 Audiobook

Part 1 Vocabulary

Part 2 Vocabulary

Part 3 Vocabulary

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of September 7

Because of their brevity, you will be reading two related stories this week.  Please read them in order.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34166605
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-ouch-28311809

After you have finished both stories, answer the following questions from the stories:

1. Who is the Archbishop of Canterbury?  (Both his name and his position)
2. Why does Welby and other faith leaders oppose the intended "assisted dying" bill?
3. Is there a difference in calling the bill's action "assisted dying" rather than "assisted suicide"?  What is that difference?
4. Who is Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain?  Why does he support the bill?
5. Why does Nikki Fox, author of the second article, claim that the Dignity in Dying's study is misleading?
6. Why does Baroness Jane Campbell say that it's a "dangerous time" to introduce and pass such a bill?
7. The end of the second article mentions a patient by the name of Pam, who also opposes the bill.  Why does she have the authority to voice her opinion on this issue?
8. What are your thoughts on this bill?  Should "assisted dying" become legal in any country?  Why or why not and under what circumstances?

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of September 7

Read the following article that discusses the importance of failure:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/sep/05/parenting-tomorrow-why-should-let-children-fail

After you have finished reading, answer the following questions:

1. Why does Jessica Lahey have any authority to speak to the importance of letting children fail?
2. What does Lahey claim is the most important lesson of childhood?
3. What is an idyll?
4. Explain "enmeshment" in your own words.
5. What was the first task that Lahey taught her nine-year-old son to accomplish on his own instead of doing it for him?
6. Complete Lahey's sentence: " The sooner parents learn to appreciate the positive aspects of hardship and allow children to benefit from the upside of failure..."
7. How important do you believe that failure is?  As a student, would you rather your parent allow you to fail an assignment that you don't know how to do or would you rather them help you so that you get a better grade and risk you not learning from that assignment for yourself?

Friday, September 4

AP Language and Composition
Students practiced the Toulmin Model of Argumentation with sentence-level arguments in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-7 in 1984 by Wednesday, September 9.

Pre-AP English 9
Students continued discussing the Arthurian legend in today's class.

Homework:  Students have a bit of work to finish from today's class.  They should also get their copy of The Odyssey by Tuesday, September 8.

Wednesday, September 2

AP Language and Composition
Mrs. Jemison, the junior class counselor, came to speak to our classes today about the importance of beginning the college application and scholarship process as soon as possible.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-7 in 1984 by Wednesday, September 9.

Pre-AP English 9
Students began learning about the Arthurian legend in class today, focusing on its influence on pop-culture.

For a link to the presentation, click here.

Homework:  Students need to obtain the Dover Thrift Edition of The Odyssey as soon as possible.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Anna Holcomb, a humanitarian worker who recently served in Israel, came to speak to the class today about Jewish culture and how its modern-day iteration relates to its ancient past.

Homework:  Students need to study for their concept quiz, which will be given tomorrow.

Monday, August 31

AP Language and Composition
We held a current events debate in class today.

Homework:  Students should obtain their copy of George Orwell's 1984 by Wednesday, September 2.

Pre-AP English 9
We held a current events debate in class today.

Homework:  Students should obtain their Dover Thrift Edition of Homer's The Odyssey no later than Friday, September 4.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We studied John Milton's Paradise Lost in class today, focusing on how Milton transformed the story of the Fall from Genesis 3.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of August 31

Read the following article that discusses the use of video recording equipment in relation to the police:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-turn-citizen-smartphone-video-33402552?singlePage=true

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. How have smartphones made it easier to record police activity?
2. Why do you think that police have a "bad response" to someone pulling out a smartphone to video them?
3. According to the article, if it is legal to record police in a public space, which has been protected under rights defined by the First Amendment, how have police been trying to stop this recording?
4. How is this video recording costing taxpayers money?
5. What is the NYCLU?  How has it been "fighting back" to ensure citizens are able to film the police?
6. Explain the "Right to Record Act" that was passed recently in California.
7. In your opinion, should citizens have the right to film the police while in a public place?  Do police have the right to confiscate their recording device or to ask them not to stop filming?

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of August 31

Read the following article concerning President Obama's upcoming trip to Alaska:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/83a430e2e2c3499b9a9d6f4f8d25ec66/alaska-obama-walk-fine-line-climate-change-energy

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. To what Alaskan city is the President going?
2. What is his goal for the trip?
3. What concern does Dan Sullivan have about the President's trip and speech?
4. What is GLACIER, and what does it have to do with the President's trip?
5. According to the article, what end-goal do Democrats have for President Obama in relation to Alaska?  What end-goal do Republicans have?
6. (This will take a small amount of research outside of the article.)  Give at least one reason some meteorologists and climatologists say that Global Warming is not a pressing issue.
7. When it comes to the energy issue, where do you stand?  Is it more important to not drill in Alaska and other American states and continue our dependence on foreign oil, or is it more important to sever our ties with foreign oil companies by tapping our own supply of crude oil?

Friday, August 28

AP Language and Composition
Students continued practicing claim identification under the Toulmin Model of argumentation in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of George Orwell's 1984 by Wednesday, September 2.

Pre-AP English 9
Students learned the different purposes of fiction and non-fiction in class today as we continued our study of folklore and fairy tales.

Homework:  Students need to obtain the correct edition of The Odyssey by Wednesday of next week.  They also need to complete their obsession journal entries by Monday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We covered Genesis 3 and the Fall in today's class.

Thursday, August 27

AP Language and Composition
Students attempted to identify the claim and grounds from several different advertisements today.

Homework: Students need to procure their copy of 1984 by Wednesday, September 2.  They also need to finish their Current Events Blog by tomorrow at 3:30.

Pre-AP English 9
Students reviewed the rules of capitalization in today's class.

Homework:Students need to obtain their copy of The Odyssey by the beginning of next week. They also need to finish their Current Events Blog by tomorrow at 3:30.

Reading the Bible as Literature

We covered Genesis 3 and the Fall in today's class.

Tuesday, August 26

AP Language and Composition
Students finished presenting their argument examples in today's class before reviewing the Toulmin model of argumentation.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of George Orwell's 1984 by next Wednesday (September 2).

Pre-AP English 9
We finished our discussion of Fairy tales and Folklore in today's class.

For a copy of the notes, please click here.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of The Odyssey as quickly as possible.  We will begin it next week.

Reading the Bible as Literature
In today's class we covered the creation of Adam and Eve as it is outlined in Genesis 2.

Homework:  Students should begin to study for their first test, which will be given at the beginning of next week.

Monday, August 24

AP Language and Composition
We held our first current events debate in class today concerning the comments recently made by Vice President Joe Biden at the memorial service of those servicemen killed by the Chattanooga shooter over the summer.

Homework:  Students should be prepared to start their argument presentations in class tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9
We held our first current events debate in class today concerning recent actions by Al Sharpton who called on the pastors of African-American churches to encourage their congregations to support the newly-constructed Iranian peace deal.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of The Odyssey as quickly as possible.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We finished discussing the Pentateuch in class today before talking about the divisions of the book of Genesis.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of August 24

Read the following article that describes the role of women in the modern-day military:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ARMY_RANGERS_WOMEN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-21-12-15-33

After you have read, answer the following questions completely:

1. What are the names of the two women who recently graduated from "Victory Pond"?
2. Why is it such a big deal for them to graduate?
3. How is Defense Secretary Ash Carter going about opening up all military positions to women?
4. What activities do candidates of the Ranger School have to complete within the first four days of training?
5. Janine Davidson, a governmental employee who works for the Council of Foreign Relations, believes that the prospect of women having fair access to all military positions is just "policy catching up to reality."  Recently, the military has made major headlines by rescinding its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and the decision to allow women this equal access seems to be along the same lines.  Do you believe that there is a difference in these two decisions?
6. Should all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or background, be allowed to have equal access to all military positions?  (You can either agree or disagree with this question outright, or you may qualify your answer.)

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of August 24

Read the following article about the latest Ashley Madison scandal:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHEATING_WEBSITE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-21-11-25-26

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Who are the hackers responsible for this latest information link?  Why do they say that they leaked this information?

2. What government agencies have been implicated in the scandal?

3. The Justice Department investigator who is quoted in the article said that he would take what action if someone tries to blackmail him because of the leaked information?

4. What does the article claim that the AP was the first news agency to do?

5. Since participating in this type of web service isn't technically a crime, would a government agency have the right to fire its employees for using the site?  Why or why not?  (Use evidence from the article to answer the question.)

6. If there is a government employee or leader who has been using the Ashley Madison site, should he or she be fired for their moral indiscretion?  In other words, how important is personal morality when it comes to democratic leadership?

Friday, August 21

AP Language and Composition
Students took their final summer reading test on I am Malala in class today.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of George Orwell's 1984.

Pre-AP English 9
Students took their final summer reading test on Ender's Game in class today.

Homework: Students need to obtain the "Dover Thrift Edition" of The Odyssey as soon as possible.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued to discuss pop-culture reference to Scripture in class today.

Wednesday, August 19

AP Language and Composition
Students took their first summer reading test, on The Great Gatsby, in class today.

Homework:  Students need to discuss their argument pieces with their groups in preparation for presenting them to the class on Tuesday, August 25.  They also need to complete their Current Events Blog by Friday at 3:30.

Pre-AP English 9
Students took their first summer reading test, on The Wave, in class today.

Homework:  Students need to make their three journal entries into their Obsession Journals by Friday.  They also need to complete their Current Events Blog by Friday at 3:30.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We began to discuss the Pentateuch and its possible authorship in today's class.

Tuesday, August 18

AP Language and Composition
We continued establishing the meaning of argumentation in class today by enumerating the aspects of the Toulmin Model of Argumentation.

The class presentation on this subject can be found by clicking here.

Homework:  Students need to review their summer reading in preparation for the reading tests that will begin tomorrow. They also need to complete their current events blog for this week no later than Friday at 3:30.

Pre-AP English 9
We finished reviewing parts of speech today and used the review as a segue into our Obsession Journals.

Homework:  Students need to review their summer reading in preparation for the reading tests that will begin tomorrow. They also need to complete their current events blog for this week no later than Friday at 3:30.  Finally, they need to make three entries into their Obsession Journals by Friday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We continued discussing sound Bible study principles in today's class, namely examining the practice of exegesis.

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation presented in today's class can be found by clicking here.

Monday, August 17

AP Language and Composition
We discussed argument in class today, attempted to define it, and began to use that definition in argumentative evaluation.

Homework: Students need to review all of their summer reading selections in preparation for the tests that will be given starting on Wednesday.

Pre-AP English 9
Students discussed the parts of speech in class today and used them to begin their obsession journals.

Homework: Students need to review all of their summer reading selections in preparation for the tests that will be given starting on Wednesday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We began our discussion of Biblical terminology in today's class.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of August 17

Read the following news article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHATTANOOGA_SHOOTING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-15-17-33-23

Then, answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Where did Vice President Biden make his remarks about the Chattanooga shooter?
2. Put Biden's explanation of how Abdulazeez became a "perverted jihadist" into your own words.
3. Who is Ash Carter?
4. Why had Abdulazeez recently spent time in Jordan?
5. Why does Biden make special mention of his son, Beau, in his speech?
6. The article claims that Vice President Biden's closing remarks drew applause from the audience for their pointed defiance of anyone who would threaten the United States with terror threats; however, the Defense Department has still not released an official statement saying that the shootings were an act of terror.  Was VP Biden wrong for labeling the attacks as such, even when the DOD hasn't done so?  Does his act show any sort of divide among the different branches of government?

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of August 17

Read the following news article:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/251209-sharpton-calls-for-black-churches-to-lobby-on-iran-deal

Then, answer the following questions in the comment section below:

1. Who is Reverend Al Sharpton?
2. What reason does he give for calling on African-American churches to preach support for the Iranian peace accord from their pulpits?
3. Which major political party is Sharpton attempting to target with his campaign?
4. How does President Obama's peace accord attempt to compel Iran to restrict its nuclear energy capabilities?
5. Which countries aided Secretary of State John Kerry as he attempted to make this deal?
6. In your opinion, is Reverend Sharpton's call for ministers to preach in support of the Iranian peace accord a violation of the principles that advocate separating church and state?  Explain your opinion?

Friday, August 14

I hope that everyone's first day went as smoothly as mine!  I am looking forward to a great year with a great group of students!

AP Language and Composition
We finished going over the syllabus in today's class and attempted to address the class' essential question: "What is argument?"

Homework:  Students need to have their parents read and sign the syllabus, the course content packet, and their accompanying signature sheets.  These are due on Tuesday, August 18.

Students also need to finish their summer reading worksheets, if they have not done so already.  These are due on Monday.  The summer reading tests will begin on Tuesday, August 18.

Pre-AP English 9
We finished going over the syllabus in today's class and attempted to answer the class' essential questions: "Why study grammar?" and "Why read classic literature?"

Homework:  Students need to have their parents read and sign the syllabus and its accompanying signature sheet.  These are due on Tuesday, August 18.

Students also need to finish their summer reading worksheets, if they have not done so already.  These are due on Monday.  The summer reading tests will begin on Tuesday, August 18.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We played "Name That Allusion" in today's class to see how well students know some of the content of the Bible.

You don't need no education, huh?

Well, school's not out for summer anymore.

It's okay, though, because you have this really cool class blog to look at!  Here's what it'll look like...

AP Language and Composition
AP Lang students will find assignments, help, and homework here.

Homework:  This is where your homework would show up.

Pre-AP English 9
This year can be stressful!  Use this resource to stay on top of your classwork and ahead of the game!

Homework: Look here for the dreaded work at home.

Bible as Literature
Thou should looketh at this pageth to see whateth we have beeneth doing in thine class.

Thursday, May 14

Here is the completed notes packet from the book of Revelation.  To download the packet, click here.

I hope everyone has a great summer!!

Friday, May 8

AP Language and Composition
We spent out class time today reviewing all of our recent essays and reviewing all of the material for the AP Exam, WHICH IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 at 8:00 AM at SHELTON!!!

Pre-AP English 9
We began talking about post-modernism and the life of William Golding in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-6 in Lord of the Flies by Tuesday, May 12 and study over the grammatical concepts we've covered in class lately (verbals, sentence objects, and sentence complements). 

For a copy of the William Golding notes, click here.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We finished our Survey of the New Testament in class today and began studying the book of Revelation.

Wednesday, May 6

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote their final essay in class today!!

Pre-AP English 9
We reviewed sentence objects and complements in class today before beginning to discuss Lord of the Flies.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading chapters 1-6 in Lord of the Flies and look back over their grammar notes for a test that will be given on Friday, May 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
We began studying Acts and the epistles in class today.

Tuesday, May 5

AP Language and Composition
Students took their final multiple-choice practice in class today.

Pre-AP English 9
In today's class, students reviewed and practiced with verbals.  They also began learning about sentence objects and complements.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-6 in Lord of the Flies by Friday, May 8.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students finished studying Christ's Passion and resurrection in class today.

Monday, May 4

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote an argumentative essay in class today.

Pre-AP English 9
We reviewed verbals in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read chapters 1-6 in Lord of the Flies by Thursday, May 7.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the Passion and resurrection of Christ in class today.

Friday, May 1

AP Language and Composition
Students took their first Columbine reading test today.

Pre-AP English 9
We finished The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students need to FINISH The Glass Menagerie this weekend!  Students also need to obtain their copy of Lord of the Flies.  We will begin our discussion of it early next week.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying Christ's Passion and resurrection in today's class.

Thursday, April 30

AP Language and Composition
Students watched and rhetorically analyzed Bill Clinton's presidential address following the events of Columbine in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish Part 1 of Columbine for the test that will be given tomorrow.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued studying The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copies of Lord of the Flies.  We will begin studying the novel on Monday.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students began studying Christ's Passion and resurrection in today's class.

Wednesday, April 29

AP Language and Composition
We continued to discuss the media portrayal of terrorist acts in class today, trying to find the apparent rhetoric in this specific type of news coverage.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading Part 1 of Columbine by Friday, May 1.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued studying The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students need to have their copy of Lord of the Flies by Monday, May 4.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the Parables of Christ in today's class.

Tuesday, April 28

Pre-AP English 9

We finished reading The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of Lord of the Flies as quickly as possible.  We will begin the novel next week.

Reading the Bible as Literature

Students continued their study of Christ's teachings (parables) in class today.

Monday, April 27

Please take a moment to remember those who lost their lives and are continuing to be affected by the tornadoes that tore through our area on April 27, 2011.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

AP Language and Composition
Students debated topics related to Columbine in class today.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 1 of Columbine by Friday, May 1.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued reading and analyzing The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students need to obtain their copy of Lord of the Flies as soon as possible.  We will begin reading this novel next week.

Reading the Bible as Literature
In today's class, we continued studying the chronological life of Christ as it is presented in all four Gospels.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of April 27

Read the following article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/9480372/Genetically-engineering-ethical-babies-is-a-moral-obligation-says-Oxford-professor.html

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Professor Julian Savulescu is the editor-in-chief of what journal?  Does this give him the authority to make the claims that he makes in this article?

2. What sort of genetic markers does Savulescu claim should be screened?

3. Do you agree with his argument that these genetic traits can create ethically superior humans?

4. What is eugenics?  When did the science become unpopular?

5. If this science becomes possible, and scientists can create fetuses that are genetically modified, should parents have the choice to do this for their children?  Explain your answer.

6. Savulesco claims that screening for these genetic markers is the same as screening for Down's Syndrome and particular cancer predispositions.  Do you agree?  Explain your answer.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of April 27

Read the following article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/head-transplant-man-will-be-attached-to-new-body-in-under-an-hour-and-aim-is-immortality-doctor-says-10198982.html

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Who is Sergio Canavero?  Why is he considered qualified to perform this kind of surgery?

2. Ultimately, how long will the entire procedure take?

3. Why did Valeri Spidonov volunteer to undergo this surgery?

4. What justification does Canavero give for the cost of the surgery?  Is he correct?  Why or why not?

5. What conspiracy theory surrounds this procedure?

6. Why do you think that the article's author put a picture of Frankenstein at the article's head?

7. Ethically, do you believe that this surgery should be performed?  Why or why not?

Thursday, April 23

AP Language and Composition
In today's class, we continued to watch the students' Vietnam Research Videos.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 1 of Columbine by Friday, May 1.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued reading The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the chronology of Christ's life in today's class.

Monday, April 20

AP Language and Composition
We took time in class today to deconstruct different types of prompts based on students' needs.

Homework:  Students need to read Part 1 of Columbine by April 30.

They also need to finish their Vietnam Research Videos, which are due tomorrow! (Tuesday, April 21)

Pre-AP English 9
We began reading The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework: Students need to finish reading Scene Two of The Glass Menagerie by tomorrow.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the chronological life of Christ in class today.

AP Language and Composition Current Events Blog for Week of April 20

Read the following article:

http://www.khou.com/story/news/local/2015/04/16/eye-in-the-sky-local-constables-using-drones-to-fight-crime/25902677/

Answer the following questions relating to the article:

1. In what city does this story take place?
2. Why would the ACLU get involved with this case?
3. Explain what "indiscriminate mass surveillance" is.
4. To what current law enforcement practice does Rosen compare the drone usage?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?
5. Can this technology be used without a search warrant?  Explain whether you agree or disagree with this policy.

Pre-AP English 9 Current Events Blog for Week of April 20

Note: The numbered section of this article contains medically imagery that is moderately graphic and may be skipped without a loss of understanding of the article's main point and without impairing your ability to answer the questions related to the article.  Because of the length of the assignment, this article will be worth forty points instead of the normal twenty.

Read the following article:

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/02/johns-hopkins-lawsuit-deliberate-std-infections-guatemala

Answer the following questions related to the article:

1. Name the two parties involved in this lawsuit.
2. What two other organizations, besides Johns Hopkins, are named in the case?
3. What three types of Guatemalans does the article specifically address as being targeted for the study?
4. How many people are still alive who directly survived the program?
5. Why was the US government exonerated in the 2012 case that involved this program?
6. Why do you believe that the author of the article included "May God forgive them" as a part of Marta Orellana's quote about the program?
7. In the novel series Harry Potter, a major adage of the pure-blooded philosophy is that atrocities against muggles may be committed, "For the greater good," in other words, if society would benefit from the mistreatment of a few, then that mistreatment should be considered ethical.  In situations such as this one, does this adage apply?  In other words, if medical advances for society can be made because of the sacrifices of a few people, should those people's welfare be willingly and legally sacrificed?
8. If Johns Hopkins is found guilty of coordinating and supporting this study, what would a suitable punishment be for them?

Friday, April 17

AP Language and Composition
Students took their second The Things They Carried test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish their Vietnam Research Videos.  They are due on Tuesday, April 21.  

Students also need to obtain Columbine by Dave Cullen.  They will receive their first reading assignment from the expose on Monday.

Pre-AP English 9
We continued studying the life of Tennessee Williams and the structure of The Glass Menagerie in class today.

Homework:  Students should go ahead and obtain their copy of Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued to study the chronology of Christ's life in class today.

Thursday, April 16

AP Language and Composition
Students took a practice multiple choice test in class today.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading The Things They Carried by tomorrow.  They also need to obtain their copies of Columbine by Dave Cullen as soon as possible.

Finally, students must finish their Vietnam Research Videos by Tuesday, April 21.

Pre-AP English 9
We discussed the life and writings of Tennessee Williams in class today.

Homework: Students need to bring The Glass Menagerie to class with them every day.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued their chronological study of the life of Christ in today's class.

Tuesday, April 14

AP Language and Composition
Students wrote a rhetorical analysis essay in today's class.

Homework:  Students need to finish reading The Things They Carried by Friday, April 17.  They also need to have their copy of Columbine by Dave Cullen on this day.

Finally, students should be actively working on their Vietnam Research Video.  It is due on Monday, April 20.

Pre-AP English 9
Students finished their Animal Farm essay in class today before completing a quick-write assignment.

Homework:  Students should have their copy of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  If they do not already have it, please help them to obtain is as quickly as possible.  They should bring this with them to class every day.

They can also go ahead and get their copy of Lord of the Flies.  It is the next (and last) novel that we will be studying.

Reading the Bible as Literature
Students continued studying the Gospels in class today.