January 14-18, 2013

Greetings Students!

I hope you all had a restful weekend. We have so much to learn in the next few days, so with no further ado, I shall post this week's tentative plans.

Pre-APEnglish 10

This week we will continue our study of early American literature by completing our reading of the excerpts from Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation and Byrd's History of the Dividing Line. Remember the Byrd excerpts are NOT in your Pearson text, so I have posted them on Edmodo. I especially want to compare and contrast the writing styles of the two, but I also want to look at the essential questions: What makes American literature American? and How does literature reflect AND shape society? I think you will enjoy the satire in Byrd's writing. Remember, satire is writing that criticizes in order to effect CHANGE. Consider this definition while reading and pondering the question about literature's ability to shape society.

I have also assigned some early Puritan poetry from your Successnet text. We will look at how these poems reflect the Puritan society. I will be linking you to a few more examples on Edmodo: "Upon the Burning of Our House..." and "Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold" are not in your text, but you should be familiar with them to have a well-rounded understanding of Puritan Poetry. I will also link to "The Author to Her Book."

Don't forget the STAR Reading test is this week.

I will not be here Friday because I have a Poetry Out Loud coaching session to attend, so I will forgo vocabulary for this week. Expect, however, on Friday to write a timed essay. I will leave the topic with the substitute. I may ask you to revise your initial rough drafts (written in class), type your essays, and upload them to Edomodo for the final grade.  Your turning in a complete rough draft will count as a quiz grade.

English 12

This week we will continue our study of Renaissance and Reformation literature. Be sure to check your Pearson "to do" list for assignments. We will be reading and discussing excerpts from the King James version of the Bible and tracing the changes in drama by Comparing Literary Works: from Oedipus the King / from Faust. I hope to start reading Marlowe's Dr. Faustus this week as well.

I will not be here Friday because of a Poetry Out Loud workshop, so we will forgo vocabulary for this week. On Friday, you should expect Pearson online quizzes over the reading we have done this week, so pay close attention in class.

Don't forget we have Star Reading tests this week, so do your very best.

APEnglish Literature and Composition

This week we will read and discuss as much of Hamlet as possible. Since I will not be here Friday, your vocabulary quiz, for which the words are posted on Edmodo, will be Thursday. Friday you will have a timed essay either on an excerpt from Hamlet or a poetry passage. 

Don't forget, we have STAR Reading this week. Please try your hardest.