Welcome back! I hope everyone had a spectacular Spring Break. I ate many good meals, caught up with friends and family, and read a couple of books for pleasure. Blue Zima, one of the Love + Death + Robots five-minute episodes on Netflix, was my favorite show I got to see over the past week.
I am really excited about our final (!) weeks together because the material is interesting (if I do say so myself) and I know this class will have many different ideas and opinions about it.
We have about five weeks before the AP exam. This class is in pretty good shape overall. I will go over the "plan of attack" and how we'll spend the next week making the most out of the time we have to prep. Before the AP exam, we'll complete an entire practice exam and then go through each part together.
Here's what's on the agenda for the week:
MONDAY: (All periods, 58 minute-long class) Go over the calendar and game plan for the 5 weeks leading up to the AP exam. Journal warm-up - outline a prompt. Receive new vocabulary sheet for a a vocabulary/grammar/reading quiz on Friday (see class handouts). The Great Gatsby check-in and discussion. Gatsby nomination forms.
Due: Please read Chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby.
Homework: Please finish Chapter 9 of The Great Gatsby, (finish the book).
WEDNESDAY: (No late start due to CAASP.) Journal warm-up. 10:20 a.m.- 10:50 a.m. play preview. Gatsby - modern character creative assignment in groups. Complete an outline for a Gatsby-themed argument prompt. Gatsby casting for period 5.
Due: Please finish The Great Gatsby and be ready to discuss.
Homework: 1. Study for vocabulary, grammar, reading quiz. (Note: I removed the original outline assignment because I did not explain it in class. If you completed it anyway, please come and see me.)
FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz: vocabulary, grammar, Gatsby reading. Intro: Science and Nature Unit. Introduce sustainable food policy synthesis prompt and sources. View Source A: photo essay together as a class. Read Source B and discuss as a class.
Due: Study for quiz.
Homework: Read and annotating sustainable food source articles B, C, and E from the Science and Nature Packet (see Class Handouts on the right-hand sidebar for an electronic copy of these articles). Make sure you're thinking about the prompt itself and gathering possible quotes and opinions from each source.
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Friday, March 22, 2019
March 25 - 29
It's the week before Spring Break! We'll continue with Gatsby, synthesis, and multiple choice practice. There is no quiz this week.
MONDAY: Journal warm-up (multiple choice practice). Induction vs. deduction. The Declaration of Independence as an argument. Gatsby comparison exercise. Gatsby song assignments - anonymous sharing.
Due: Finish Gatsby, Chapters Two and Three. Please bring the Gatsby Song Assignment with you for next class.
Homework: Please read Gatsby, Chapters 4 and 5 for Wednesday. Why do you think Fitzgerald included the character Meyer Wolfshiem?
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day, synthesis-style: DACA.
Due: Gatsby, Chapter 4 and 5.
Homework: Gatsby, Chapters 6 and 7.
FRIDAY: (Minimum day.) Vocabulary story rounds.
Due: Please leave journals in the classroom bin before the end of the period.
Homework: Please read Chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby. If you've chosen to rewrite any old essays, please upload them to Turnitin.com.
Enjoy Spring Break - have fun and get plenty of rest! We'll march into battle about a month after you get back. :-)
MONDAY: Journal warm-up (multiple choice practice). Induction vs. deduction. The Declaration of Independence as an argument. Gatsby comparison exercise. Gatsby song assignments - anonymous sharing.
Due: Finish Gatsby, Chapters Two and Three. Please bring the Gatsby Song Assignment with you for next class.
Homework: Please read Gatsby, Chapters 4 and 5 for Wednesday. Why do you think Fitzgerald included the character Meyer Wolfshiem?
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Current event day, synthesis-style: DACA.
Due: Gatsby, Chapter 4 and 5.
Homework: Gatsby, Chapters 6 and 7.
FRIDAY: (Minimum day.) Vocabulary story rounds.
Due: Please leave journals in the classroom bin before the end of the period.
Homework: Please read Chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby. If you've chosen to rewrite any old essays, please upload them to Turnitin.com.
Enjoy Spring Break - have fun and get plenty of rest! We'll march into battle about a month after you get back. :-)
Monday, March 18, 2019
March 18 - 22
We're now within two months of the AP exam, and the class is doing really well. This week, we'll begin reading The Great Gatsby, and learn about the last of the three types of essays you'll write the day of the exam: synthesis.
TUESDAY: Journal warm-up. Receive "Why Johnny Won't Read" outlines back with feedback. Notes: synthesis essay description and how-to. Discuss the "Is College Worth It" synthesis prompt you read for homework. Incorporate the "Operation Varsity Blues" college admissions cheating scandal current event into possible answers. Intro to The Great Gatsby. Pick up Gatsby from the library, begin reading Chapter One.
Due: Carefully read the provided sample synthesis prompt and responses. This is the third (and final) type of essay we'll learn before the AP exam in May, and we'll get started on it next week.
Homework: Finish reading Gatsby, Chapter One.
Study for Current Events Quiz.
Bring the "Is College Worth It?" synthesis prompt with you for Thursday.
THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Quiz covering current events covering e-mails from Sunday, March 17 - Wednesday, March 20 and reading. Intro Gatsby Song Assignment. Provide one additional source for the "Is College Worth It" prompt and outline your own, original synthesis response. Continue with Gatsby, Chapter 2. View different interpretations of the introduction of Myrtle based on the text.Bring the "Is College Worth It?" synthesis prompt with you for Thursday.
Due: Read The Great Gatsby, Chapter One.
Homework: Finish Gatsby, Chapters Two and Three. Please bring the Gatsby Song Assignment with you for next class.
Friday, March 8, 2019
March 11 - 15: Supreme Court Case Week!
This week, we'll practice reading and interpreting legal documents and language (per the 11th/12th grade standards), and get familiar with landmark cases that affect many areas of American life. These cases make high-quality examples for argument and synthesis essays as well.
NOTE: There won't be a current events quiz this week. The open-note Supreme Court Case quiz on Friday will take its place. Next week, there will be a current events quiz.
MONDAY: Journal warm-up. Wrap up last items in the Gender Unit. Discuss "Professions for Women" and "There is No Unmarked Woman." Current events and national discussions pertaining to transgender people. Last portion of class: begin work on the Supreme Court cases in groups.
Due:
1. Read and annotate "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-29 from National Geographic.
2. Write a one-page reflection about the debate covering the questions below. If you were absent, write about your current opinion based on your research about whether or not women should register for the draft.
1. What were the most effective/convincing pieces of evidence? What types of evidence were presented?
Homework: Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case Group check-in. Go over the results of the last argument essay. View actual student samples and evaluate them with the scoring guide.
Due: n/a
Homework: (Same as Monday.) Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case group presentations. No need to dress up, and each person shares their own portion of the group work in under one minute while the class takes notes. Open note quiz immediately following.
Due: The written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
Homework: Carefully read the provided sample synthesis prompt and responses. This is the third (and final) type of essay we'll learn before the AP exam in May, and we'll get started on it next week.
Read the e-mails from TheWeek.com beginning on Sunday. Next week, we'll have a current events quiz on Thursday, March 21 covering the emails from Sunday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 20.
NOTE: There won't be a current events quiz this week. The open-note Supreme Court Case quiz on Friday will take its place. Next week, there will be a current events quiz.
MONDAY: Journal warm-up. Wrap up last items in the Gender Unit. Discuss "Professions for Women" and "There is No Unmarked Woman." Current events and national discussions pertaining to transgender people. Last portion of class: begin work on the Supreme Court cases in groups.
Due:
1. Read and annotate "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-29 from National Geographic.
2. Write a one-page reflection about the debate covering the questions below. If you were absent, write about your current opinion based on your research about whether or not women should register for the draft.
1. What were the most effective/convincing pieces of evidence? What types of evidence were presented?
2. Where do you stand on this issue? List the two best, most logical reasons why you believe the way you do.
3. Did you hear any fallacies during the debate?
4. What was the tone of the speaker or speakers who made the most persuasive arguments?
5. What did you do well? What could you have improved?
Homework: Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case Group check-in. Go over the results of the last argument essay. View actual student samples and evaluate them with the scoring guide.
Due: n/a
Homework: (Same as Monday.) Complete the written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
FRIDAY: Journal warm-up. Supreme Court Case group presentations. No need to dress up, and each person shares their own portion of the group work in under one minute while the class takes notes. Open note quiz immediately following.
Due: The written portion of your chosen section of the group work for your Supreme Court case and print a hard copy to turn in at the beginning of Friday's class. Be sure to cite your sources.
Homework: Carefully read the provided sample synthesis prompt and responses. This is the third (and final) type of essay we'll learn before the AP exam in May, and we'll get started on it next week.
Read the e-mails from TheWeek.com beginning on Sunday. Next week, we'll have a current events quiz on Thursday, March 21 covering the emails from Sunday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 20.
Friday, March 1, 2019
March 4 - 8
No quiz this week - instead, we'll have a formal debate on Thursday as a part of the Gender Unit. The topic will be whether or not women should be required to register for the draft, like men are.
TUESDAY: At 10:10, write an in-class argument prompt in a timed, one-hour session. You may have the index card written in pen with basic instructions and notes about how to write an argument essay; this is optional. Break. AP Debate Preparation Worksheet for next class on laptops.
Due: Read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'", page 17 of the Gender Unit packet, and take your time completing "The Gettysburg Address" passage and questions in Albert i.o. For full credit, your accuracy should be at least "passing" or 50%.
Homework: Please complete "AP Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and articles ready to bring in for next class.
THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Formal debate (see Debate Prep Worksheet for exact format).
Due: Complete "AP Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and articles with you to turn in.
Homework: Please read and annotate "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-27 from National Geographic. We will look at related current events this coming Wednesday.
Please write a one-page reflection about the debate.
1. What were the most effective/convincing pieces of evidence? What types of evidence were presented?
TUESDAY: At 10:10, write an in-class argument prompt in a timed, one-hour session. You may have the index card written in pen with basic instructions and notes about how to write an argument essay; this is optional. Break. AP Debate Preparation Worksheet for next class on laptops.
Due: Read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'", page 17 of the Gender Unit packet, and take your time completing "The Gettysburg Address" passage and questions in Albert i.o. For full credit, your accuracy should be at least "passing" or 50%.
Homework: Please complete "AP Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and articles ready to bring in for next class.
THURSDAY: Journal warm-up. Formal debate (see Debate Prep Worksheet for exact format).
Due: Complete "AP Debate Preparation Worksheet" and have examples and articles with you to turn in.
Homework: Please read and annotate "How Science is Helping Us Understand Gender," pages 23-27 from National Geographic. We will look at related current events this coming Wednesday.
Please write a one-page reflection about the debate.
1. What were the most effective/convincing pieces of evidence? What types of evidence were presented?
2. Where do you stand on this issue? List the two best, most logical reasons why
you believe the way you do.
3. Did you hear any fallacies during the debate?
4. What was the tone of the speaker or speakers who made the most persuasive arguments?
5. What did you do well? What could you have improved?
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Special Post: Avoid late fees!
Please make sure to
register by this Sunday March 3rd. Any student who registers after this
date will have a $50 late registration fee. If you need financial assistance, have any
questions, or need to take the late testing day, please see Ms.
Hafer in the main office.
Monday, February 25, 2019
February 25 - March 1
This week, we will march (March?) forward, continuing with the argument unit and gearing up for another in-class prompt. This class has excelled in finding high quality, original examples and evidence so far, and I'm really impressed with some of the brainstorms from last week. This is a critical skill in the pre-writing process and it will serve you well.
The areas we need to work on are writing out good essay drafts by hand, and the multiple choice portion, which we'll address going forward.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you haven't already, please sign up for the AP Language exam. So far 11 out of 37 students have signed up. You can sign up through Sunday, March 3. On Monday, March 4th at 12:00 a.m. there will be an additional $50 charged as a late fee.
Here is the link:
SECOND IMPORTANT REMINDER: No current events quiz this week. We have a shortened week due to scheduling, and an in-class essay on Friday instead.
MONDAY: Attendance. Junior guidance sessions. After the session, your counselors will help you sign up for next year's classes, then you'll return to class one at a time.
Due: n/a
Homework: For Wednesday, February 27, please read and annotate the challenging "Professions for Women" from the Gender Packet, as well as "There is No Unmarked Woman." Note the types of evidence and examples provided and come with opinions for class discussion.
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over the reading. Discussion about the complex issue of the gender pay gap and possible underlying reasons, view statistics. Read blog entry from a young professional about what she wishes she'd known about negotiating her salary (beneficial for everyone in class, not just the women). Speaking and listening: small group activity - improve the blogger's suggestions for phrases that could be used during a conversation with a potential employer that are respectful and effective in negotiations of salary, terms, etc. when accepting a position. Whole class discussion/comparison.
Extension: If you have time, click here for a challenging and informative video from the Stanford Business School about negotiation. I learn something new every time I listen to the lecture.
Due: Please read and annotate the challenging "Professions for Women" from the Gender Packet, as well as "There is No Unmarked Woman." Note the types of evidence and examples provided and come with opinions for class discussion.
Homework: Please put together one index card of notes written in pen that you will use for the argument essay on Friday. Note: there is no quiz on Friday.
FRIDAY: Video argument: how women are portrayed in ads. Analyze how the argument was made, evaluate. "I Want a Wife" rhetorical analysis and discussion.
Due: Optional: one index card of notes written in pen to be turned in with essay. Keep these for Tuesday.
Homework: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'", page 17 of the Gender Unit packet, and take your time completing "The Gettysburg Address" passage and questions in Albert i.o. For full credit, your accuracy should be at least "passing" or 50%.
The areas we need to work on are writing out good essay drafts by hand, and the multiple choice portion, which we'll address going forward.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you haven't already, please sign up for the AP Language exam. So far 11 out of 37 students have signed up. You can sign up through Sunday, March 3. On Monday, March 4th at 12:00 a.m. there will be an additional $50 charged as a late fee.
Here is the link:
SECOND IMPORTANT REMINDER: No current events quiz this week. We have a shortened week due to scheduling, and an in-class essay on Friday instead.
MONDAY: Attendance. Junior guidance sessions. After the session, your counselors will help you sign up for next year's classes, then you'll return to class one at a time.
Due: n/a
Homework: For Wednesday, February 27, please read and annotate the challenging "Professions for Women" from the Gender Packet, as well as "There is No Unmarked Woman." Note the types of evidence and examples provided and come with opinions for class discussion.
WEDNESDAY: Journal warm-up. Go over the reading. Discussion about the complex issue of the gender pay gap and possible underlying reasons, view statistics. Read blog entry from a young professional about what she wishes she'd known about negotiating her salary (beneficial for everyone in class, not just the women). Speaking and listening: small group activity - improve the blogger's suggestions for phrases that could be used during a conversation with a potential employer that are respectful and effective in negotiations of salary, terms, etc. when accepting a position. Whole class discussion/comparison.
Extension: If you have time, click here for a challenging and informative video from the Stanford Business School about negotiation. I learn something new every time I listen to the lecture.
Due: Please read and annotate the challenging "Professions for Women" from the Gender Packet, as well as "There is No Unmarked Woman." Note the types of evidence and examples provided and come with opinions for class discussion.
Homework: Please put together one index card of notes written in pen that you will use for the argument essay on Friday. Note: there is no quiz on Friday.
FRIDAY: Video argument: how women are portrayed in ads. Analyze how the argument was made, evaluate. "I Want a Wife" rhetorical analysis and discussion.
Due: Optional: one index card of notes written in pen to be turned in with essay. Keep these for Tuesday.
Homework: Please read and annotate "A Challenge for Girls Today: Moving Beyond 'How do I look?'", page 17 of the Gender Unit packet, and take your time completing "The Gettysburg Address" passage and questions in Albert i.o. For full credit, your accuracy should be at least "passing" or 50%.
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