March 14-18

It's already mid-March, and almost everyone has signed up for the AP exam - thank you for being so conscientious. This week we'll get into Gatsby and begin the third type of essay in preparation for the AP exam: synthesis.

MONDAY: Journal warm-up - Gatsby argument prompt.  Review a new "claim of policy" type argument prompt as a class.  Review Chapters 1 and 2 of Gatsby - view 3 film versions of Myrtle's introduction (1974, 2000, and 2013), and (using rhetorical devices) discuss which is the best version, vote.  Character song activity - share, caucus, share group decisions for class for a song that best matches each character.  Begin reading Chapter 3 of Gatsby.

Due:  Chapters 1 and 2 of Gatsby read.  Character song assignment.

Homework: Finish Gatsby, Chapter 3. Read sample essays for the last in-class argument prompt from the College Board and score them for Wednesday, including a reason for the score (3-5 sentences).  

WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Review in-class argument essays from last week.  Notes: Intro to the Synthesis Essay - the third and last type of essay you'll write at the AP exam.  Gatsby casting exercise.  If time: rhetorical analysis of Super Tuesday II speeches as a class.

Click here for a sample Synthesis prompt (question 1)

Due: Finish Gatsby, Chapter 3. Read sample essays for the last in-class argument prompt from the College Board and score them for Wednesday, including a reason for the score (3-5 sentences).

Homework: Read Gatsby, Chapter 4 and be ready to discuss the controversial Wolfsheim character - what do you think Fitzgerald's intentions are with this character?

Study for Current Events Quiz.


FRIDAY: 5 minutes of study time for the Current Events Quiz.  Current Events Quiz.  Receive vocab sheet for next week.  Go through sample synthesis prompt as a whole class and read sample essays.  Discuss Gatsby, Chapter 4 and begin reading and acting out Chapter 5.

Due: Read Gatsby, Chapter 4 and be ready to discuss the controversial Wolfsheim character - what do you think Fitzgerald's intentions are with this character?  Study for Current Events Quiz.

Homework:  Read Gatsby, Chapter 5 and read, annotate, and outline a response to a new synthesis prompt about college (use question one only from the link).