Tone List – I mentioned in class that I would post this list – I will hand out copies next week.
Literary Focus – This is your chance to take over the start of class. Choose a poem, section of a poem, or excerpt from a novel, short story, or other text to work through with the class on an analysis. Choose any method you wish to present the literary focus, and choose to focus on anything you would like to work on (terms, syntax, interpretation/analysis, theme…). See me if you have trouble or need help.
Here are the calendars for dates you will present (if you were absent on the day of sign-up, you have been assigned to a day , so make sure you know your assigned day).
LF AP Period 2
LF AP Period 4
LF AP Period 6
FRIDAY 1/17
In class, students worked independently on A Greek Web Quest (type responses into the document and submit to turnitin.com).
HW: For the most part, homework for the next few weeks will be reading and completing The Awakening. I checked out copies of the novella in class, but if you need an online version you can CLICK HERE. In addition to reading, there is a writing component – CLICK HERE for The Awakening Reading Assignment
THURSDAY 1/16
In class, we started some studies on Greek Philosophy, and did some reading from Plato’s Symposium.
Readings: Agathon; Eryximachus; Pausanias; Phaedrus
Alcibiades; Diotima
HW: For the most part, homework for the next few weeks will be reading and completing The Awakening. I checked out copies of the novella in class, but if you need an online version you can CLICK HERE. In addition to reading, there is a writing component – CLICK HERE for The Awakening Reading Assignment
TUESDAY 1/14
In class, we finished work on the poems titled “Mirror” before getting some background on Chopin and starting the mini-Greek unit.
HW: For the most part, homework for the next few weeks will be reading and completing The Awakening. I checked out copies of the novella in class, but if you need an online version you can CLICK HERE. In addition to reading, there is a writing component – CLICK HERE for The Awakening Reading Assignment
FRIDAY 1/10
In class, we shared and analyzed peer versions of “Ordeal by Cheque.” We worked a bit more on close reading by comparing two poems – “Mirror” by Sylvia Plath and “Mirror” by James Merrill. I introduced the independent reading for The Awakening.
HW: For the most part, homework for the next few weeks will be reading and completing The Awakening. I checked out copies of the novella in class, but if you need an online version you can CLICK HERE. In addition to reading, there is a writing component – CLICK HERE for The Awakening Reading Assignment
WEDNESDAY 1/8
In class, we worked on a literary focus activity (a new method for doing short responses and literary reactions), and then worked in small groups with a close reading activity for Wuther Crue’s 1932 short story”Ordeal by Cheque.” Please share your short story with me BEFORE class on Friday so I can print a copy prior to class.
HW: Finish work on the short story (text from class can be found in the link above).
TUESDAY 12/17 and THURSDAY 12/19
FINALS WEEK – Tuesday (2 essay outlines and 1 full essay)/Thursday (1 hour MC exam).
No homework over break – Relax, rest, and find some time to have fun. See you in 2020.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY 12/12-12/13
In class, we had our final discussion on dystopian novels and did some sharing over the semester experience (reflections were due today). Friday we will share creative elements.
HW: Prep for the final next week (Tuesday essay/Thursday MC).
TUESDAY 12/10
In class, we ended our simulation (thank you for taking part in this week long game), and we completed reflections over the experience. Students had time in dystopian novel groups to prep for the seminar on the novels Thursday.
HW: Continue reading from your dystopian choice novel. Your Semester Experience Reflection is due on Thursday 12/12. Presentations will begin on that date as well.
FRIDAY 12/6
In class, we presented illuminated essays. We will finish those on Tuesday.
HW: Continue reading from your dystopian choice novel. Your Semester Experience Reflection is due on Thursday 12/12. Presentations will begin on that date as well.
THURSDAY 12/5
In class, we had announcements, saw infractions, discussed propaganda, and looked at some poetry to connect to dystopian choice novels. Students worked in small groups on creating an “illuminated essay” which will be presented in class Friday.
HW: Continue reading from your dystopian choice novel. Your Semester Experience Reflection is due on Thursday 12/12. Presentations will begin on that date as well.
TUESDAY 12/3
In class, we discussed a variety of power structures in dystopian literature, connected a poem by W.H. Auden to your choice novel, and had time to discuss in small groups a reading schedule to complete your novel by next Thursday 12/12. I also introduced a new activity to the class.
HW: Continue reading from your dystopian choice novel. Your Semester Experience Reflection is due on Thursday 12/12. Presentations will begin on that date as well.
TUESDAY 11/12
In class, we did some small group and whole class discussion on the ending of the novel. I passed out a small “concept study guide” and poem that might be used on the novel test Thursday.
HW: Bring books Thursday for open book/open note test. Begin thinking about which dystopian novel you would like to read. You will sign up for one of the following Friday in class:
1984 – George Orwell
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep – Philip K. Dick
Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace
Rina – Kang Young-Sook
Oryx and Crake – Margaret Atwood
Parable of the Sower – Octavia Butler
THURSDAY/FRIDAY 11/7-11/8
In class, we completed some work on tonal intensity and started small group discussion on chapters 10-19 of the novel. Friday, students worked with partners completing an AP multiple choice close reading quiz. They had some time in class to read from the novel.
HW: By Tuesday, finish the novel 20-End. Our final whole class discussion on the novel will be 11/12 – Please come with questions.
Semester Final Project Assignment – See assignment above.
TUESDAY 11/5
In class, we did some work on tone and levels of intensity for tonal words. The class used the last 40 minutes to complete the timed writing for FRQ #3.
HW:By Thursday, 11/7, read chapters 10-19 – and the following Tuesday, finish the novel 20-24. Our final whole class discussion on the novel will be 11/12.
THURSDAY 10/31
In class, we defined the rubric for scored discussion, had a discussion on the first 9 chapters in the text, and completed a reading quiz over chapters 1-9.
HW: By NEXT Thursday, 11/7, read chapters 10-19 – and the following Tuesday, finish the novel 20-24. Our final whole class discussion on the novel will be 11/12.
TUESDAY 10/29
With many students missing – we postponed the discussion until Thursday 10/31. In class, we discussed 1-9, characterization, and connected to some poetry. Thursday will be a discussion and reading quiz on chapters 1-9.
HW: By Thursday, 10/31, read chapters 4-9 (up to chapter 10). Come to class with level 2 or 3 discussion questions ready for a class discussion for your reading of 1-9. By NEXT Thursday, 11/7, read chapters 10-19 – and the following Tuesday, finish the novel 20-24. Our final whole class discussion on the novel will be 11/12.
FRIDAY 10/25
In class, students outlined the third AP style essay (open response). They had some time to read from the novel if they finished early.
HW: By Tuesday, 10/29, read chapters 4-9 (up to chapter 10). Come to class with level 2 or 3 discussion questions ready for a class discussion on Tuesday OR Thursday. You will have a reading quiz on chapters 1-9 Thursday.
THURSDAY 10/24
In class, we discussed “The Garden Party” and read the last chapter of Foster’s book How to Read Literature Like a Professor. In the last chapter, he interprets the story – so we critiqued his interpretation. We did a review on syntax to help with using syntax as an analysis tool (See notes HERE: Syntax Presentation from 10-24). We started talking a bit about irony in The Scarlet Letter.
HW: By Tuesday, 10/29, read chapters 4-9 (up to chapter 10). Come to class with level 2 or 3 discussion questions ready for a class discussion on Tuesday OR Thursday. You will have a reading quiz on chapters 1-9 Thursday.
THURSDAY 10/17
I am out today, but I explained previously what you would be doing in class today. Mr. Painter will give you instructions on each activity – but you can see them below:
Activity 1: You will be reading “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. Please read the half page instructions. You will be doing a short analysis of this story using notes from presentations on Thomas Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor. You can use your notes, but should work on this individually. Once you are finished, you can move on to activity 2 by seeing Mr. Painter for the sheet.
Activity 2: Once you turn in Activity 1 work to the drop box in front of the room, complete the close reading worksheet using chapter 1 from the novel. You should try to complete and turn this in by the end of class working individually.**If you need to read a little to catch up, you are welcome to do so.
Activity 3: ONLY COMPLETE IF TIME PERMITS Activity 3: If you finish both 1 and 2 – you can work in small groups on some questions over “The Custom House” and chapters 1-3. As you discuss, have someone take some notes on the discussion. This will not be turned in.
HW: No assigned homework over the long weekend. Please enjoy your five day break.
TUESDAY 10/15
In class, students had the chance to revise and rewrite the prose essay. We started going over background on the novel by discussing concepts of shame, fear, and Puritan ideology.
HW: No assigned homework due to midterm mindfulness week. Use time to catch up and relax.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY 10/10-10/11
In class, we presented chapters from the group work below. Period 6 was disputed due to the fire drill, so we will finish those presentations on Tuesday. On Friday, the class had a chance to revisit and revise the essay from last Friday after talking about commentary and thesis structure. We will also take some time on Tuesday to finish revision of these essays.
HW: By Tuesday, read “The Custom House” and chapters 1-3 in The Scarlet Letter.
TUESDAY 10/8
In class, we talked about “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and students started working on a small group project over How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
GROUP 1; GROUP 2; GROUP 3; GROUP 4; GROUP 5; GROUP 6; GROUP 7; GROUP 8; GROUP 9.
HW: Finish what you need to complete for your group project. We begin brief presentations on Thursday.
FRIDAY 10/4
In class, students completed timed essay #2 (Prose Essay). Next Friday will be a chance at revision. If you were absent, you have the option of coming in on your own time to write – or write the essay without a chance at a round of revision next Friday 10/11.
HW: Over the weekend, read the article about Carl Jung’s concept of The Shadow and create an artistic representation about your understanding of this archetype. ADDED BONUS: As a challenge, use the artistic representation to demonstrate the presence of The Shadow archetype in any of three short stories we discussed this week (Faulkner, Oates, O’Conner) INSTEAD of just your understanding of the article. This project is due Tuesday.
THURSDAY 10/3
In class, we discussed group work on “A Rose for Emily,” viewed the short story “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been,” by Oates, and discussed “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” by O’Conner.
HW: Over the weekend, read the article about Carl Jung’s concept of The Shadow and create an artistic representation about your understanding of this archetype. ADDED BONUS: As a challenge, use the artistic representation to demonstrate the presence of The Shadow archetype in any of three short stories we discussed this week (Faulkner, Oates, O’Conner) INSTEAD of just your understanding of the article. This project is due Tuesday.
TUESDAY 10/1
In class, we had a discussion on “A Rose for Emily” and started working on some close reading strategies.
HW: By Thursday, read “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” by Flannery O’Conner.
FRIDAY 9/27
In class, we worked on some multiple choice questions strategies as students worked in groups answering some questions on an excerpt from “Bartleby.”
HW: By next Tuesday, read Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Come to class ready to discuss with some leveled questions and textual responses/annotations for the text. We will have a class led discussion on the reading.
THURSDAY 9/26
In class, we completed viewing the film version of the short story before talking through possible thematic connections between the film and text.
HW: By next Tuesday, read Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Come to class ready to discuss with some leveled questions and textual responses/annotations for the text.
TUESDAY 9/24
In class, we discussed characterization and started a thematic discussion of Melville’s “Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street” We started viewing a film version of this short text (in a modern context to connect the thematic concepts of Melville to modern society).
HW: By next Tuesday, read Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” Come to class ready to discuss with some leveled questions and textual responses/annotations for the text.
FRIDAY 9/20
In class, we had a work day due to some students being out. The class looked at three sample essay writings from the poetry prompt everyone wrote to on Thursday (Oliver AP Sample Essays) and scored them using rubric 1 from AP College Board FOUND HERE. They also started reading the homework assignment (see below):
HW: By Tuesday 9/24, please read “Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street” Create a level 3 question for the short story, and come to class with a thesis and 2-3 points to prove your thesis answering your level 3 question.
THURSDAY 9/19
After discussing “Gaston” we started talking about thesis statements – all three classes voted and decided to do the in-class writing today instead of tomorrow. We completed the first timed 40 minute essay.
HW: By Tuesday 9/24, please read “Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street” Create a level 3 question for the short story, and come to class with a thesis and 2-3 points to prove your thesis answering your level 3 question.
TUESDAY 9/17
In class, we had a student led discussion over the “Metamorphosis.” Students also took an AP style multiple choice quiz.
HW: By Thursday, read “Gaston” so we can connect to Kafka’s text. We will discuss the short story briefly on Thursday.
FRIDAY 9/13
In class, students completed outline/drafting the first essay prompt (Poetry).
HW: FINISH Kafka’s Metamorphosis by Tuesday. Come to class with 3 or 4 level 2 or level 3 questions from the entire novella ready to ask in a class discussion of the novel.
THURSDAY 9/12
In class, we discussed part 2 of “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka. Students worked on understanding the new writing rubric FOUND HERE by scoring responses from class Tuesday.
HW: FINISH Kafka’s Metamorphosis by Tuesday. Come to class with 3 or 4 level 2 or level 3 questions from the entire novella ready to ask in a class discussion of the novel.
TUESDAY 9/10
In class, we took a reading quiz on section 1, discussed translated works, talked through section 1 questions/comments, and completed a short writing to be used Wednesday in class for scoring using the new rubric for AP English courses.
HW: Read part 2 of Kafka’s Metamorphosis by Thursday.
FRIDAY 9/6
In class, we had some good discussion on “Sticks” by George Saunders. We had an introduction lesson to surrealism, expressionism, existentialism which can be found by clicking here. We briefly looked at some short texts to apply existential ideas to the text.
HW: Read part 1 of Kafka’s Metamorphosis by Tuesday. Be prepared for a short reading quiz.
WEDNESDAY 9/4
In class, we worked on “Araby” and discussed story structure and reviewed basic elements of a story for textual analysis.
HW: Please read “Sticks” by George Saunders and create a structure line including elements found in the text (symbols, motifs, theme…) Due Friday
FRIDAY 8/30
In class, we discussed “Araby” in small groups.
HW: You have no assigned homework over the Labor Day weekend.
THURSDAY 8/29
In class, we discussed “Love Song…” by Eliot, signed up for AP classroom which can be accessed here: myap.collegeboard.org/login. We did not yet discuss “Araby.” – We will pick up with a discussion on Joyce’s short text Friday.
HW: Read James Joyce’s “Araby”
While reading, think about possible connections the the journey we discussed in class Tuesday. Have some questions ready for discussion.
TUESDAY 8/27
In class, we discussed “Hotel California” and started some lecture on critical lenses/theory (Psychological, Sociological, Archetypal, Textual). We did some practice with a few clips, and briefly started “Love Song.” We will start with a discussion on Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Thursday.
HW: By Thursday, please also read James Joyce’s “Araby”
While reading, think about possible connections the the journey we discussed in class Tuesday. Have some questions ready for discussion.
FRIDAY 8/23
In class, we had a small group discussion on the concept of beauty (objective and subjective) in the summer reading. We started discussing levels of analysis and used The Eagles “Hotel California” as a sample text for analysis.
HW: By Tuesday, read T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” found HERE. Annotate the poem and come to class with a level 2 and level 3 question ready for discussion. If you were absent Friday, come and see me Monday or Tuesday so we can discuss levels of questioning.
WEDNESDAY 8/21
In class, we discussed class policies and units/reading assignments. Students completed an analysis of paper bag materials.
HW: No assigned homework – Make sure your paper is complete to email/turn in hard copy on Friday. If you remember, bring your summer reading novel Friday.
TUESDAY 8/20I
In class, we completed brief introductions and jumped into a poetry activity. Students turned summer assignment work in to me. I explained to the class – due to being in the process of renewing turnitin.com, all students will turn in OR email a HARD COPY of their essay by Friday 8/23 midnight.
HW: Paper bag assignment (handed out in class). Instructions are found on the half sheet in the paper bag.
