Friday, September 28, 2012

October 1-5, 2012

Greetings Students: APE's, Other Seniors, and APE's in Training!

To be BLOCKED, or not to be BLOCKED? That is the question.

To not be blocked seems the answer. Let us hope it remains thus. Should the blog be blocked midweek, I will re-post any pertinent links on Edmodo.

As you all know, we have completed fifteen allusions, so all students will take the allusions quiz on Monday.

The individual class plans follow:

Pre-APEnglish 10

Study your new vocabulary for your weekly quiz on Friday.

This week we will continue our study of Julius CaesarThe e-text provides a side-by-side translation from Early Modern to Modern English. Use the e-text at home to help in your understanding. We will read the original in class together. I hope to complete Act I and progress well into Act II.


Expect short tests after each act.

Our goal this week is to explain the actions of various characters and to infer the reasons behind those actions. While reading, you should identify and also compare and contrast dramatic foils.
We will also discuss characterization and use textual evidence to support our claims about characters.
And finally, we will examine the grammatical structure of certain passages. 

See you in class!


English 12

Study your new vocabulary for your weekly quiz on Friday.

This week we will read the three selections assigned last week: The Seafarer, The Wanderer, and the Wife's Lament. Your goals, beyond paraphrasing these older texts, is to analyze the poems and look for the thematic ideas in them. You will also learn vocabulary in context, understand the elegy form of poetry, and recognize kennings and caesuras.

Be sure to check Edmodo daily for updates. I will alert you to any reading or outside assignments.


Don't forget that your Personal Essay is due Monday.


See you in class!

APEnglish Literature and Composition

We have much to do this week!


First let me thank those of you who attended the Saturday prep session. I appreciate your commitment. You will be rewarded for your dilegence.


"Clothes" (Monday and Tuesday: We will use the handout below.)

Select passages that you think warrant discussion and be prepared to discuss them. We will also use this handout on analyzing fiction.

The Yellow Wallpaper (Wednesday)
I Stand Here Ironing (Wednesday)

Thursday we will evaluate essays for I Stand Here Ironing.
Friday you will have your vocabulary quiz and create a thematic and thesis statement for several of the texts we have read.

You will write an analytical essay on one or a combination of the stories from this unit. Topics and due dates will be posted on Edmodo. Check daily for updates and assignments.


See you in Class!








Friday, September 21, 2012

September 24-28, 2012

Greetings Students: Ape's, other Seniors, and APE's in training!

I hope you are ready for a busy week. Now that the classroom competition for Poetry Out Loud has been completed, we will turn our focus to more traditional tasks.

See you in class!

Pre-APEnglish 10

This week will certainly be full! We are beginning a unit on the Shakespearean tragedy The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. I have a number of reasons for selecting this text, but my primary goals are for you, by the time we have finished, to understand and compare the rhetorical devices and strategies used by political factions, evaluate those strategies for their effectiveness. I also want your to be able to analyze the various characters and make judgement calls about them as well as hypothesize Shakespeare's purpose in creating said characters, including those who are foils. We will examine and recognize the structure of the Shakespearean tragedy and  Moreover, by the time we complete this play, you should be able to relate the events of this quasi-history to the world in general, in other words, you should be able to create a thematic statement about the play and defend that statement.

Of course we won't be able to do all those things in one, or even two weeks. But I just wanted to set some clear guidelines for you to consider while reading.

In addition to our plunge into Shakespeare, we will also review the new SAT vocabulary for this week's Friday quiz, and we will have a Foundation Friday lesson on distinguishing fact, opinion, and bias in a nonfiction text.

English 12

This week we will finally write those college entrance/personal essay. Over the weekend you were to have selected a topic by locating the topic required by one of the colleges to which you would like to apply. I have created a Write to Learn topic for your essay so you can get some feedback before submitting your essay for grading. This is an important assignment, not just for my class, but also for your future, so please take it seriously. Have a third party proofread for you before your final submission. Use an essay checklist like this one for evaluating your essay. Your essays will be due on Friday, September 28. Do not expect to work on them in class.

Monday we will review the vocabulary lesson two for your quiz on Friday. Be sure to study your words.
Tuesday-Friday we will begin our study of British literature.  I have assigned several passages in your online text. We will read some in class, but what we do not finish, you will need to read at home. I hope to complete the following this week:
  • Introduction: The Old English and Medieval Periods (A.D. 449-1485)
  • The Seafarer / The Wanderer / The Wife's Lament
  • Focus on Literary Forms: Epic

APEnglish Literature and Composition

This week will conclude our short story boot camp. We will discuss as fully as possible the remaining texts from our list. Be prepared each day to discuss the assigned texts in a scholarly fashion. Bring questions or comments for the class. Do NOT come unprepared. We will not have the opportunity to read in class, so you must read and prepare ahead of time.
Once Upon a Time
Miss Brill (Monday after vocabulary quiz)
Desiree's Baby  (Tuesday...be prepared to annotate.)
 Hills Like White Elephants (Already discussed)
The Japanese Quince (Already discussed)
Where are You Going Where Have You Been (Wednesday)
The Yellow Wallpaper (Thursday)
I Stand Here Ironing (Thursday)
"Clothes" (Friday and Monday Oct 1. We will use the handout below.)

I have included links to those stories we've already address for your easy location of said texts. Select passages that you think warrant discussion and be prepared to discuss them. We will also use this handout on analyzing fiction.

Also, don't forget that you will also have your second vocabulary quiz this Friday. Your lesson for this week is here.



Sunday, September 16, 2012

September 17-21, 2012

Hello Senior APEs, Younger APEs, and Seniors!

I hope you all had a good weekend. This week holds lots in store for your English classes. Everyone will be participating in Poetry Out Loud on Monday, and some classes that are larger will carry the competition into Tuesday. See this link for some tips on reciting poetry and how you will be scored. The specific plans for each class are listed below:

Pre-APEnglish 10

In addition to the Poetry Out Loud competition, we will also have daily allusions, a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday or Wednesday depending of POL recitation progress, and you turn in your Poe essays. Don't forget that NEXT week, you will be responsible for vocabulary lesson 2 words.

LTF is a program that is designed to give students in pre-AP classes the preparation they need for AP. Our first lesson will be one that relates the Poe poems we have read. As we discussed with Poe, this lesson relates sound devices in poetry to the meaning of the poem. Here is a link to your portion of the lesson. One class started this lesson last week but did not finish. 

We will also complete our weekly LTF lesson on Friday. This week's lesson has to do with levels of thinking in a "visual text." We will look at a painting together and use that image to determine mood an point of view.

In addition to these activities, I intend for us to begin or at least introduce the play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. I have copies for the classroom, but at home you can review this e-text. You can download the PDF and save it to your computer.

English 12

In addition to your allusions, you will be reciting your poems from the Poetry Out Loud anthology on Monday and possibly Tuesday for the larger class, you must also upload your Lord of the Flies essay to Edmodo. I will also begin vocabulary lessons this week. Lesson 1 vocabulary we will work through in class, and we will have a quiz on Friday. Eventually, you will be expected to study the vocabulary on your own.
We will also begin using our online textbooks. Be sure you can access your book before Tuesday. The web address for your book is https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp and your username and passwords are first.lastmmdd and welcome + your grade level: welcome12. If you have trouble accessing your book, make sure I know and see Ms. Johnson in the library for help.
I also will review with you the personal/college entrance essay and showing you some examples.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

So much to do...so little time! This week, after we complete our POL recitation competition, we will resume our allusions and discussion of short stories. Expect to discuss at least the first three this week, but be prepared to read all of stories below:
Once Upon a Time
Miss Brill
Desiree's Baby
Hills Like White Elephants (Already discussed)
The Japanese Quince (Already discussed)
Where are You Going Where Have You Been
The Yellow Wallpaper
I Stand Here Ironing
"Clothes"

I have included links to those stories we've already address for your easy location of said texts.
Your task is to come to class prepared to discuss these texts in a scholarly fashion. Take notes. Bring questions. Select passages that you think warrant discussion and be prepared to discuss them.
We will also use this handout on analyzing fiction.


Also, don't forget that you will also begin vocabulary lessons this week. Your lesson for this week is here. Study the words, use the practice sentences, and be prepared for a quiz on Friday.




Sunday, September 9, 2012

September 10-14, 2012

Greetings Students!
I trust you all had a restful weekend and are ready for a new week of challenges. Don't forget that I have delayed the class competition for Poetry Out Loud until September 17, but your original poems are still due on the 14th. I have created a turn in link for them on Edmodo.

I have a dental appointment this Wednesday, so I will be leaving work for you to turn in to the substitute.
Thursday we will all take the STAR Reading Test, so be sure you have checked the school's drop box for the list of usernames and passwords for the STAR program. And PLEASE take this test seriously. It is more important than you may think.

Below are my general plans for the week to come. As always, I am flexible, and plans are tentative.

Pre-APEnglish 10

Monday, if your class has not already done so, we will discuss the symbols in Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum." We will also briefly discuss The Gold Bug and the paper topics for your Poe essays. Remember these essays will be graded as a test, so do your best. I will post an assignment in Write to Learn so you can get some grammar feedback before turning in your final draft on Edmodo. Check both for assignment links.

Tuesday I will review with you the QOEGV method for essay grading. This holistic method is very similar to what is used in grading AP essays. I will explain to your the 9-point scale for essays. There is a link to a QOEGV rubric on the side of my blog.  We will also begin vocabulary this week. I have not yet received the vocabulary workbooks I used last year, so we will be using the SAT vocabulary from the Laying the Foundation website. Here is the link your first lesson, We will review the sentences on Tuesday. You will take a quiz on the 25 words on the following Tuesday. Expect new words each week and a quiz each Tuesday.

Wednesday you will complete two reading comprehension passages with multiple choice questions.  I will leave the packets with the sub. Bring paper for turning in your answers. We will go over the passages together next week.

Thursday, you will take the STAR Reading Test.

Friday we will  reserve for Laying the Foundation lessons. LTF is a program that is designed to give students in pre-AP classes the preparation they need for AP. Our first lesson will be one that relates the Poe poems we have read. As we discussed with Poe, this lesson relates sound devices in poetry to the meaning of the poem. Here is a link to your portion of the lesson.

English 12

Monday we will discuss the paper topics for Lord of the Flies. I will review the QOEGV grading system and rubric with you.

Tuesday we will review some templates for writing clear thesis statements. You will finalize your paper topic choice for Lord of the Flies and develop a thesis statement.

Wednesday you will answer multiple choice questions for two reading passages. I will expect you to turn in your answers to the sub, so bring paper and pen or pencil.  We will review the passages together on Friday.

Thursday you will take the STAR Reading Test. Please locate your username and password on the NCTHS dropbox so you can log in immediately. Also, please take this test seriously.

Friday we will review the MC passages from Wednesday. We will also have peer evaluations of your Lord of the Flies papers. Upload a copy to google docs for sharing. Allow editing by anyone so your peers can make comments. Final drafts will be due on Monday.  I will create an assignment on Edmodo for you to turn your papers in.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

Monday we will discuss the "test case" from chapter 27 of HtRLLaP. Be sure that you are ready to discuss the story and how the various "professor readings" apply to it. If time permits, we will also discuss the short story "The Japanese Quince" in the same way.

Tuesday and Friday we will discuss the following stories, or as many as we can so read the following short stories:
Once Upon a Time
Miss Brill
Desiree's Baby
Hills Like White Elephants
Where are You Going Where Have You Been
The Yellow Wallpaper
I Stand Here Ironing
"Clothes"

Your task is to come to class prepared to discuss these texts in a scholarly fashion. Take notes. Bring questions. Select passages that you think warrant discussion and be prepared to discuss them.
We will also use this handout on analyzing fiction.

You will be writing an essay on one or more of the aforementioned texts.

Wednesday I will leave a prompt for your first timed writing. It will likely be a character analysis of sorts.

Thursday you will take the STAR Reading test. Please take this test SERIOUSLY. It is very important.

See you all in class!

Mrs. SO

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

September 4-7, 2012

Greetings Students!

It's hard to believe week three is upon us.  But here we are! I hope everyone is adjusting to the new format and etexts. I am sure that before long we will wonder how we ever did things the old way.

Here are my plans for our classes this week:

Monday is a holiday!

Pre-APEnglish 10

This week we will continue with our discussion of Poe. I hope you have read all the associated texts. You can easily locate etexts of all his works individually. Remember I have links to the relative texts in a previous blog.

On Tuesday you will complete your summaries on Poe's biography in Write to Learn. Upload the final draft to Edmodo with the assignment I have created for you there.

Wednesday we will finish our discussion of "The Masque of the Red Death" and begin reviewing "The Pit and the Pendulum." Consider this text an allegory. You must determine what things are symbols and what they symbolize to create a second level of reading.

Thursday we will discuss The Gold Bug and I will post various Poe essay topics on WtL.

Friday we will conclude our current study of Poe and work on a culminating essay.

English 12

This week we will complete our review of Lord of the Flies. I will be giving you several LotF essay topics from which to choose for your culminating activity. I also will review with you the personal/college entrance essay and showing you some examples. I will post these essays on Write to Learn so you can get initial feedback before peer reviews. See Edomodo for due dates and to upload final drafts for grading.

APEnglish Literature and Composition 12

This week we will conclude our discussion of HtRLLaP. Be prepared to read the story "The Garden Party" in the chapter called "Test Case." Come to class prepared to discuss in depth the different ways to analyze this text. Apply as many chapters to the text as possible.

Then read the following short stories:
Once Upon a Time
Miss Brill
Desiree's Baby
The Japanese Quince
Where are You Going Where Have You Been
The Yellow Wallpaper
I Stand Here Ironing


I will be adding the story "Clothes" as soon as I get a copy of it.
Your task is to come to class prepared to discuss these texts in a scholarly fashion. Take notes. Bring questions. Select passages that you think warrant discussion and be prepared to discuss them.
We will also use this handout on analyzing fiction.

You will be writing an essay on one or more of the aforementioned texts.