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.