APE English Lit and Comp: Dec 14-22

Well APEs, the time is neigh. Midterm approcheth. We have but one class day before the big event. On that day, we may have a visitor, but we will proceed as planned. We will continue with our analysis of poetry. I would like to take a look at another Donne poem, "The Flea," as well as several other poems using the TPCASTT or TPFASTT system of analysis.  Lastly, I'd like to do some group multiple choice with a poetry passage. Bring in the Perrinne's Literature (brown book). It has an excellent chapter on poetry.I hope that you read all the prefaces in it.

As for midterms, study the "list" of literary terms and be prepared for a full-length MC section with four passages, two prose and two poetry.

See you in class,

Mrs. SO

English 12: December 13-22

Greeting Seniors!
The time has arrived. Finals week is here. The two class days this week will be spend finishing up our study of Medieval literature and reviewing. Don't forget your prologue sheet, which is due on exam day. Use it as a study guide for part of your exam. Also expect the following subjects to be on the test:

• MLA format
• Kiss of Death errors and their corrections
• Arthurian Legend, including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• Historical background from the Medieval period
• Ballads and other forms of literature popular during that time

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 10 (All Classes): December 13-22

The time has come. Exams are neigh. The next week and a half will be spent in preparation for them.
All classes will be reviewing

• sentence structures
• essential and nonessential elements and the correct punctuation for them
• fragments and run-ons
• captivity narratives
• literary terminology

Pay attention and take notes!

See you in class,

Mrs. SO

English 10: December 6-10

Greetings Sophomores!

This year is veritably flying by. It's hard to believe that we have just a week and a half before midterms. We have so much yet to do. Below is a list of those things we will do in class prior to midterm reviews.

• We will finish reading and discussing the captivity narratives in your book. Anything we don't read in class you will be responsible for reading for homework. The two narratives are The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano and Narrative of the Captivity, by Mary Rowlandson. Each of these narratives is quite different, but both contain important aspects of the American story. You will be expected to compare and contrast these two narratives in writing.

• You will also turn in your essays on heroism. I hope that you take into consideration the advise I have given you on the ratio of commentary to argument and evidence. Be sure they are finished on time.

• Speaking of essays, you should be writing them in MLA format. I will be reviewing with you the basics of this style of writing. 

• I will be reviewing sentence structure and ensuring that you can correct compound, complex and compound-complex sentences. 

• I will also expect you to be able to use commas correctly.

• Furthermore, I expect you to distinguish between commonly confused homophones.

• Be sure you have your grammar workbooks handy all week.

• We'll also be doing a lesson in vocabulary and taking a quiz on it, so have your vocabulary workbooks with you as well.

Have a great week. I'll see you in class.

Mrs. SO

English 12: December 6-10

Hello seniors!

This year is just zipping by. It's hard to believe we have but one week left before midterm week. I have much to do and review with you in the coming days:

• On Monday we will read and discuss Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This is the oldest known Romance, and in my opinion, one of the most exciting works of its time.

• We will also review the characteristics of the Ballad as a poetic form. We will read several ballads from your books, so be sure to have them. 

• We'll also have a quick review of your next lesson in vocabulary, so make sure you have your workbooks handy.

• On Thursday we'll review the rules for writing in MLA format. I've noted in your papers that a number of you have either forgotten this format or are unfamiliar with it. Every typed paper in English classes should follow this format, as it is what you will be required to use in many of you college classes. 

• We will also have a vocabulary quiz on Thursday, so study the next lesson.

See you in class.

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: November 29-December 3

Greetings APEs!

I hope you had a fun and filling holiday and that you are rested and ready for a new week.
We meet only twice this week, so we must not be wasteful with our time (nor should we ever, for that matter).

• Tuesday we will turn in the revised essays from last week. I know some of you are fretting over low scores, but understand that these early in-class essays are meant for learning, not punishment, and the grades for those not revised are daily grades. Also, remember that knowing the correct terminology is important, but not so important as knowing the reasoning behind your arguments. If you know a term and can explain its use, that is good, but the term is less important than the commentary on it. In other words, use layman's terms if needed to get your points across.

• We will also be continuing our study of Hamlet. It is my hope that we can finish it before Friday.

• Friday's plans are contingent on what we complete Monday. I prefer you to write timed essays in class; however, if we must finish Hamlet on Friday, then the culminating essay (Q-3 style) will be a homework assignment.

• Also be prepared for a vocabulary quiz on Friday. The quiz will cover the Q and R words only.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 12: November 29-December 3

Greetings Seniors!

I trust you had a fun and filling holiday. I also trust that you are rested and ready for a busy week.

• On Monday we will finish our presentations on The Canterbury Tales. I understand why some of you were absent last Friday, and I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. It is difficult to lose a loved one so near the holidays. My thoughts are with you and Tyrell's family. Because of the funeral, I will be giving those who missed presentations on Friday the opportunity to make them up.
 

• After we complete presentations, which should not take the entire block, we will resume our studies of Medieval British literature with an overview of history of the time period. We will then begin our study of King Arthur and the legends surrounding this King. These are some of the most interesting and exciting tales in British literature, and I am sure you will enjoy them. 
 

•  We will also begin discussing research papers, which will be due early next semester. I will review with you MLA format, how to cite internally and on a works cited sheet, how to make bibliography cards and note cards, and where to find legitimate sources. 

As I said earlier, all this makes for a busy week. I look forward to seeing you!

Mrs. SO

English 10 (all classes, including PreAPE): November 29-December 3

Greetings Sophomores!

I trust you had a fun and filling Thanksgiving break. After a long weekend, getting back in the swing of things is important, so let's get right to work and make the most of the time we have left this semester.

Because this is a language arts class, we must work on all aspects of English. These areas include reading not only literature but the history behind it, grammar and rhetoric, which includes the techniques one uses to communicate, and writing or composition.

The best way to accomplish all these ends is to think critically and write about what we read and view. For this reason, we will be writing another essay this week. When thinking about the captivity narratives we are studying, I want you to consider not just plot, or the chain of events, but theme. What can we learn from the characters whose stories we read?

• For the writing assignment this week, I want you to focus on the idea of heroism. What does it mean to be heroic. How are the qualities of heroism displayed. For more information about your assignment see this link. Classes that meet on A day will have this assignment due Thursday, December 2; B day classes will turn in their essays on Friday, December 3.

• In addition to this assignment, we will also be reading/completing our reading of two captivity narratives from your book. Expect a test on the biographies of both Oluadah Equiano and Mary Rowlandson. 

• In grammar we will look at sentence structure to make sure you recognize such egregious errors as run-on sentences and fragments.

Obviously, we have a busy week ahead. See you in class!

Mrs. SO

All Classes: November 22-23

Since each of us will only be meeting once this week, I am making one blog. I hope you all have a wonderful extended weekend and a great Thanksgiving!

• On Monday I meet with my A-day tenth grade. We will turning in our tests on Bradford and Byrd. We will also begin a study of captivity narratives, focusing first on the Narrative of Life of Olaudo Equiano, a slave captured from the Ivory Coast and transported over the Middle Passage. Be sure to bring your literature books. (This assignment also applies to my regular tenth B-day.

• All regular twelfth grade meets on Monday. You are to give your group presentations on The Canterbury Tales and turn in your group booklets. I can hardly wait to see what you've done!  Bring your books after the holiday because we will be starting our study of Arthurian Legend.

• Tuesday begins with APEnglish 12. You will be scoring your partner's papers by the QOEGV method we reviewed in class. Then you will revise the paper you choose to have me grade for an essay grade. The other will count as a daily grade. If time permits, we will continue reading Hamlet, so bring your books.

• Pre APEnglish 10 will continue with our captivity narrative study. We will discuss heroism as is exhibited in the characters we are reviewing. Expect a paper on this theme soon.

Have a great holiday! See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Announcements

If any of the seniors ordered rings from Jostens, then you should be prepared to pay for them on Dec. 2 when they will delivered.

Also, seniors who missed out on turning in your forms that list your gown size, you may mail the forms directly to Jostens at address on the bottom of the form.


Campus Recognition Inc.  
2142 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124-1131

APEnglish Literature 12: November 15-19

Good Morning Students!

As you know, we are studying Hamlet, and to help you better understand the play, we will be watching parts of the Kenneth Branagh version of the play, which is the only version that does not cut scenes. Be sure to bring your texts with you to class. As a part of our study, we will accomplish the following tasks this week:

• Tuesday: We will read and discuss the remainder of Act IV. We will also watch some clips from this act. We will also have a quiz on the SAT "P" words.
• Wednesday: We will get into groups for questions 16-30 of the Hamlet MC questions. You'll get a group grade. We will begin Act V, which is short, but action-packed!
• Friday: I'll have a sub, so we won't be reading from the play and will finish it on Tuesday. I will have two in-class timed essays for you based on excerpts from Hamlet. You need not have read the entire play to write them because the essays are based only on the excerpts.
• Friday is our Poetry Out Loud regional competition. Wish our competitors well!

Have a great week!

Mrs. SO

Pre APEnglish 10: November 15-19

Good Morning Students!

As you know, we are studying analysis, in other words, how to look at literature. to help you with this practice we are analyzing a film. Of course, your culminating project in this study will be a paper. I'll be discussing with you the expectations for your paper, and you will outline your papers in class this week. Below is a breakdown of what we will do this week:

• We will discuss the various literary techniques in your film analysis paper; expect to do that first. 
• We will also review and be quizzed on lesson ten in vocabulary. 
• We will begin our comparative study of two captivity narratives. One will be the story of Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan captured by Indians during King Philip's War. The other will be a the slave narrative of Olauda Equiano. 
• Don't forget your literary analysis papers will be due the 17th. 
• Friday is our Poetry Out Loud regional competition, so there will be a substitute. Wish our competitors well!

Have a great week!

Mrs. SO

English 10: November 15-19

Good Morning Students!

As you know, we are studying analysis, in other words, how to look at literature. to help you with this practice we are analyzing a film. Of course, your culminating project in this study will be a paper. My B day class has already been given some help with organization of this paper, but the rest of you will outline your papers in class this week. Below is a breakdown of what both classes will do this week:

• If you haven't already discussed the various literary techniques in your film analysis paper, expect to do that first. 
• Then we will continue with our reading and discussion of William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line. This is a very fun piece of literature if you understand the humor and satire in it. I'll expect you to be able to juxtapose this work with Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation and write a logical comparison of the two that highlights the differences between Puritan and non Puritan writing. 
• Expect a short test on Bradford and Byrd.
• We will also review and be quizzed on lesson ten in vocabulary. 
• Should we complete all these tasks, we will begin our comparative study of two captivity narratives. One will be the story of Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan captured by Indians during King Philip's War. The other will be a the slave narrative of Olauda Equiano. 
• Don't forget your literary analysis papers will be due either the 17th or 18th depending on whether you are an A or B schedule class. 
• Friday is our Poetry Out Loud regional competition, so there will be a substitute. Wish our competitors well!

Have a great week!

Mrs. SO

English 12: November 15-19

Good Morning Students!

As you know, we are immersing ourselves in Middle English. As a part of this study, we will be continuing our study of Geoffry Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. We will then delve into Arthurian Legend, my personal favorite and the part of literature that made me a lover of language and the ways it is woven. I can hardly wait! But first things must come first, and so this week's plans are as follows:

• Monday: Your "Pilgrim's Tale" is due. Your assignment was to write a description of yourself (much like those descriptions of the Canterbury pilgrims) and a tale for your fellow travelers/classmates. I, the keeper of grades, will judge the finest tale and award the prize. I am really looking forward to your creative writing presentations! This should be fun! This is a B week, so I will only see you twice, so....
• Thursday: We will read and discuss more of the prologue. In order to understand the characters, you'll need to know a little about Medieval beliefs about physiology. To this end, I will review with you the four humors and how they were believed to affect people. I will also review with you this physiognomy chart.
• We'll also take some time to assemble into your groups. You will plan your presentations and divide your work load. Don't forget that group presentations are due next Monday, November 22.

Pre-APEngish 10: November 8-12

Greetings APEs to be.

I hope you enjoyed your extra hour of sleep. To make up for it, I'll be giving you extra work

• Tuesday we will begin discussing literary analysis and how to read between and beyond the lines. We will practice analysis with a film analysis assignment due next week.
• We will also review SATIRE and discuss how it is used in Byrd's History of the Dividing Line.
• Friday I will help you organize your analysis papers and finish our compative study of Byrd and Bradford's accounts of their respective colonies. Also, expect the weekly vocabulary quiz.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Eng 10: November 8-12

Good morning students,

I hope you all enjoyed your extra hour of sleep. I know I did.
This week we will be meeting twice, since Thursday is Veterans' Day. So we have to squeeze in much in a little time.
Therefore, be prepared to work hard and keep focused.

• On Monday we will discuss literary analysis and how authors use certain devices to create a theme.
• We will also continue our discussion of William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line and why that "history" is really a journal. 
• We will also discuss SATIRE and why Byrd's text is an example of it.
• And don't for get that this week there will be two quizzes for vocabulary, so study lessons 8 and 9.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Eng 12: November 8-12

Good morning students,

I hope you all enjoyed your extra hour of sleep. I know I did.
This week we will be meeting twice, since Thursday is Veterans' Day. So we have to squeeze in much in a little time.
Therefore, be prepared to work hard and keep focused.

• On Monday you'll turn in your take home tests.
• We will also begin our studies of Middle English and delve into the Canterbury Tales. While this work is written in a form of English more decipherable than that we encountered in Beowulf, it still may seem foreign to you, so we'll figure out how to read it together. If you find the task insurmountable, you might want to consult a side by side translation of the text from Middle to Modern English.
• Wednesday will continue out reading and discussion of Chaucer, and I'll be giving you a group assignment. It's not an easy project, but it can be fun if you are creative.
• You'll also have an individual writing project on the General Prologue.
• And don't for get that Wednesday is quiz day for vocabulary, so study lessons 8 and 9.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

APEnglish Literature 12: November 1-5

Greetings Students!

I trust you all had an exciting weekend. But remember, Monday is back to work time, so don't overindulge on the goodies. I have several things planned for you all this coming week.

• We will continue reading from our Hamlet books, so be sure to bring them. We will also go over the first two passages for the Hamlet multiple choice selections.
• We will have our first in-class timed writing on a Shakespeare passage. I will take those essays with me on my training this weekend to be scored.
• In grammar we will review those errors from your most recent essays. Granted there are few, which is good, but review never hurts. 
• We'll also need to discuss how to better embed quotations for fluid writing and how to properly cite sources.
• Unfortunately, I won't be here on Friday, Nov. 5, since I have another training session to attended. On that day, I will give you either more multiple choice questions or an in-class essay. Writing under time constraints is a skill you will need to master if you plan to take the AP exam in the future.

So much to do...so little time.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 12: November 1-5

Greetings Students!

I trust you all had exciting weekend. But remember, Monday is back to work time, so don't overindulge on the goodies. I have several things planned for you all this coming week.

• We will have vocabulary quizzes through lesson seven. We will also review vocabulary lesson eight.
• We will continue reading from our literature books, so be sure to bring them. Our reading over the next few days will focus on the epic hero. We've finished with Beowulf (by the way, your boasts were epic) and you've read the Iliad excerpt, so we have only the Epic of Gilgamesh to read before our test on all the epics we've read and the history of Anglo-Saxon Britain.
• In the week to come, we will move from early English to middle English with our study of the Canterbury Tales. You will be doing group projects on this work. More to come next week.
• In grammar we will review the mistakes made in your last essays, primarily comma errors and agreement.

So much to do...so little time.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Pre-APENGLISH 10: November 1-5

Greetings Students!

I trust you all had an exciting weekend. But remember, Monday is back to work time, so don't overindulge on the goodies. I have several things planned for you all this coming week.

• We will have vocabulary quizzes through lesson seven. We will also review vocabulary lesson eight.
• We will continue reading from our literature books, so be sure to bring them. Our reading over the next few days will focus on comparative texts. We will juxtapose William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line (which is actually NOT a history, but rather a journal) with William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation.
• We will comparatively read two captivity narratives, one of Olauda Equiano, a slave taken across the Middle Passage, and the other of Mary Rowlandson, who was captured by Indians during King Philip's War. 
• In grammar we will review direct objects and learn how to identify indirect objects.
• We will also complete those AP style Multiple Choice questions we started.
• Unfortunately, I won't be here on Friday, Nov. 5, since I have another training session to attended. On that day, I will give you either more multiple choice questions or an in-class essay. Writing under time constraints is a skill you will need to master if you plan to take the AP exam in the future.

So much to do...so little time.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 10: Nov. 1-5

Greetings Students!

I trust you are all ready for an exciting weekend. But remember, Monday is back to work time, so don't overindulge on the goodies. I have several things planned for you all this coming week.

• We will have vocabulary quizzes through lesson seven. We will also review vocabulary lesson eight.
• We will continue reading from our literature books, so be sure to bring them. Our reading over the next few days will focus on comparative texts. We will juxtapose William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line (which is actually NOT a history, but rather a journal) with William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation.
• We will comparatively read two captivity narratives, one of Olauda Equiano, a slave taken across the Middle Passage, and the other of Mary Rowlandson, who was captured by Indians during King Philip's War. 
• In grammar we will review direct objects and learn how to identify indirect objects. 

So much to do...so little time.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 12: Oct. 25-29

Hello Students!
Hope your day with the substitute went well. I was, of course, getting much needed ActivBoard training, and now I can annotate what is being displayed from my Elmo! I also learned where to get some great resourses.

As usual, we'll be busy this week.

• Monday we will read and discuss Beowulf's feats through the slaying of Grendel's mother. It's a very exciting story, but difficult to understand because of the form and archaic nature of the language. 
• I'll also review the details of the Monaco Holiday Short Story Contest. You are welcome, but not required to enter this competition.
• Moreover, we will review in more detail the expectations for your Heroic Boast. You will be presenting these in class on Thursday, so make them bold and entertaining!
• Wednesday we'll review the lesson seven vocabulary. We'll also finish our reading of Beowulf and his battle with the dragon. In addtion to this, we'll review your quizzes on the Iliad.
• Thursday, of course, is the big Boast. I can't wait to hear how wonderful you all are!

See you in class,

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: October 21-29

Greetings APES!

I certainly missed you all last Friday, but I was getting some much-needed training. I hear that the MC questions for Hamlet were beastly. No doubt they were. But fear not; we will be reviewing them in groups as usual. Nevertheless, do expect some MC questions on your midterm.

Here is the plan for the busy week ahead:

• On Tuesday, we'll continue reading and discussing Act II of Hamlet, and we may watch some clips from that Act if time permits.
• On Friday, we'll have a quiz on NO words...yes, I mean the N-O words on the SAT vocabulary list. We'll divide into groups and come to a consensus on the first 13 MC questions that gave you such grief. After that, we'll continue with our reading/discussion of Hamlet. 

We may have a guest observer on Friday, so be on your best behavior, not that you aren't always.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10: Oct. 25-29

Hello Students!
Hope your day with the substitute went well. I was, of course, getting much needed ActivBoard training, and now I can annotate what is being displayed from my Elmo! I also learned where to get some great resourses.

This week will be busy and fun. Now that we've finished with Native American literature, we'll be looking at some comparative colonial literature. Just what is the difference between a journal and a history? You'll find out.
And what makes Puritan writing distinctive? That we will learn as well. And just what is SATIRE? Well, you should know by the time we read and discuss excerpts from William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line. We may not get to all of this in one week, but it is all coming up soon.
Your Creation Myths are due Tuesday, so I hope you've gotten your creative juices flowing. And hopefully those juices will flow over into your narratives, which are due Friday. I'll be both grading and submitting them, so do your best. Some of you will get to read your stories in class on Friday.
Oh, and because Friday will be rather busy, we'll have your next vocabulary quiz next Tuesday instead.

See you soon!
Mrs. SO

English 10: Oct. 25-29

Hello Students!
Hope your day with the substitute went well. I was, of course, getting much needed ActivBoard training, and now I can annotate what is being displayed from my Elmo! I also learned where to get some great resourses.

This week will be busy and fun. Now that we've finished with Native American literature, we'll be looking at some comparative colonial literature. Just what is the difference between a journal and a history? You'll find out.
And what makes Puritan writing distinctive? That we will learn as well. And just what is SATIRE? Well, you should know by the time we read and discuss excerpts from William Byrd's History of the Dividing Line. We may not get to all of this in one week, but it is all coming up soon.
Don't forget that your narrative essays for the Monaco Holiday Short Story Contest are due Thursday. I'll be both grading and submitting them, so do your best. Some of you will get to read your stories in class on Thursday.
Oh, and since we will be pretty busy on Thursday, plan to take your next vocabulary quiz on Monday, November 1. 

See you soon!
Mrs. SO

Attention 10th Grade Students (and anyone else interested)

Hey everyone,

I have put the criteria for a special narrative competition on my GoogleDocs site. I am requiring all my sophomores to enter. I will grade your essays as well as submit them, so make your stories good.

As you may know, I have an October tradition of assigning short stories and reading them aloud in the last class. Sometimes the stories are "scary narratives" but scariness is not a requirement or even suggested.

This year, I would like the narratives to be suitable for submission to the Monaco Holiday Narrative Contest. So, whatever you choose to write, remember that it must have a character or characters and a significant holiday action or experience. Remember, if you are in my A Day classes, you will need your stories by next Thursday, October 28. B Day stories are due October 29.

You must bring two copies, one for me to grade and one without your name on it and with the appropriate information attached on a note card for mailing to the competition judges.

You do not have to be in my tenth grade classes to submit an entry, but tenth grade will be graded.

For complete contest rules and information, click on the link highlighted above.

Have fun writing! I cannot wait to hear your stories!

Mrs. SO

English 12: Oct. 18-22

Well, one quarter is already passed. Grades come out soon. If they aren't what you were hoping, it's not to late to change the end result. Remember, participate in class, turn in every assignment, study, and try not to procrastinate, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

This will prove another busy week. My A Day classes will only see me once, since I have Promethean Board training on Thursday, so we'll have to work extra fast to get all our goals accomplished. Wish our winners luck in preparing for the regional competition in November!

• We'll continue our study of Anglo-Saxon literature by reading and discussing Beowulf.
• On the day I am away, you'll have a reading review and open book quiz on the epic The Illiad, so bring your text book. 
• You'll also begin working on your own epic BOAST, so get creative and prepare to brag about yourselves. We'll present our boasts upon my return next week.
• Don't forget the Beowulf/Mead-hall Intruder Song extra credit opportunity. You can do this in groups with your friends. I think it could be a lot of fun. If you make a video, we can watch it in class.
• Also, don't forget that October is my tradition narrative-writing month. I'll be talking to you soon about a holiday narrative competition.

See you soon! 

APEnglish Literature 12: Oct. 18-22

Well, one quarter is already passed. Grades come out soon. If they aren't what you were hoping, it's not to late to change the end result. Remember, participate in class, turn in every assignment, study, and try not to procrastinate, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

This will prove another busy week. You will lose a day, with me, since Friday is the Poetry Out Loud Workshop. Wish our winners luck in preparing for the regional competition in November!

• We'll continue our study of Hamlet and watch some film clips from the Branagh production.
  
• We'll review the best methods for embedding quotations into our writing. Remember, snips or chunks of text flow more smoothly within your own sentences than a complete sentence "dropped" in the mix does.
  
• On the days I am away, you'll have another AP-style multiple choice practice with questions based on the play Hamlet.
• Also, don't forget that October is my tradition narrative-writing month. I'll be talking to you soon about an optional holiday narrative competition.

See you soon! 

English 10 PreAP English: Oct. 18-22

Well, one quarter is already passed. Grades come out soon. If they aren't what you were hoping, it's not to late to change the end result. Remember, participate in class, turn in every assignment, study, and try not to procrastinate, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

This will prove another busy week. My students will lose a day, with me, since Friday is the Poetry Out Loud Workshop. Wish our winners luck in preparing for the regional competition in November!

• We'll finish up our Julius Caesar presentations and take a test on the parts of speech.
• I'll be reviewing sentence structure with all my tenth grade classes.
  
• We'll also read a number of Native American myths and compare them with other familiar stories.
• On the days I am away, you'll have your first AP-style multiple choice practice with questions based on the play Julius Caesar.
• Also, don't forget that October is my tradition narrative-writing month. I'll be talking to you soon about a holiday narrative competition.

See you soon!

English 10: Oct. 18-22

Well, one quarter is already passed. Grades come out soon. If they aren't what you were hoping, it's not to late to change the end result. Remember, participate in class, turn in every assignment, study, and try not to procrastinate, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

This will prove another busy week. My A Day classes will only see me once, since I have Promethean Board training on Thursday, so we'll have to work extra fast to get all our goals accomplished. B Day students will lose a day, too, since Friday is the Poetry Out Loud Workshop.
Wish our winners luck in preparing for the regional competition in November!

• I'll be reviewing sentence structure with all my tenth grade classes.
• We'll also read a number of Native American myths and compare them with other familiar stories.
• On the days I am away, you'll have a reading review of Native American literature and Of Plymouth Plantation, so bring your literature books. 
• Also, don't forget that October is my tradition narrative-writing month. I'll be talking to you soon about a holiday narrative competition.

See you soon!

APEnglish Literature 12: October 11-15

Welcome back APEs!
And happy Spirit Week!
Despite the festivities planned for this week, we still have a mound of work to complete, though this weeks work shouldn't seem so overwhelming as some past weeks.

• Bring your Hamlet book to class each day, as we will be reading it and discussing it in depth.
• We will be watching some clips from the Kenneth Branagh version of this play in class and discuss his interpretations of various characters.
• We will complete more multiple choice practices with excerpts from Hamlet.
• And as a culminating project, you will write two in-class timed essays on Hamlet, though this activity will probably not be until next week.

And of course we will have the usual Friday vocabulary quiz. This week study the SAT M words.
Again, welcome back...Don't forget don your black! Monday is BLACKOUT day.
Mrs. SO

English 12: October 11-15

Welcome back, Seniors!
I trust you had a restful holiday and are ready to get back into the swing of things. Since this is the final week of this grading period, it is especially important that you complete all your assignments. We have much to learn this week:

• We will continue our study of the history of Britain and Celtic origins. Note the link in my sidebar. This is the same PPT I am using in class, so you can review it for the coming test.
• We will also read excerpts from Beowulf and another early epic, Gilgamesh. Expect these texts to be on your coming test along with any information on the Anglo-Saxon period and related vocabulary from your textbook.
• All classes are continuing with their vocabulary lessons. All quizzes must be made up this week. Next week all students must be ready for lesson six quiz. 
• Don't forget that ALL work must be made up BEFORE the end of this week. I will be here after school Monday and Wednesday. Arranging a time for make up work is YOUR responsibility.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all again and having a great Spirit Week!
Mrs. SO

Pre-APENGLISH 10: October 11-15

Hello Students,
I hope you had a restful Fall Holiday. Now it's back to the old grind. We have one week left in this quarter, so make the most of the time you have left before the first report card goes out. I have much planned for this week:

• You will be giving your Julius Caesar presentations on Tuesday, so be prepared. Presentations should be no more than 7 minutes long. 
• Expect a test on the Parts Of Speech this this week.
• You will be introduced to early American Literature, including Native American myths.
• You will review sentence structure.
• You will continue with your vocabulary study. By the end of the week, all classes will have taken quiz five and should be prepared for quiz six next week.
• You MUST arrange to make up any missing work before this week is over. I will be here after school on Monday and Wednesday. Remember, scheduling make up work is YOUR responsibility, not mine. 

Again, welcome back! Let's work together to make this a fun and educational week.
Mrs. SO

English 10: October 11-15

Hello Students,
I hope you had a restful Fall Holiday. Now it's back to the old grind. We have one week left in this quarter, so make the most of the time you have left before the first report card goes out. I have much planned for this week:

• If you haven't yet taken your Parts of Speech test, expect that early this week.
• You will be introduced to early American Literature, including Native American myths.
• You will review sentence structure.
• You will continue with your vocabulary study. By the end of the week, all classes will have taken quiz five and should be prepared for quiz six next week.
• You MUST arrange to make up any missing work before this week is over. I will be here after school on Monday and Wednesday. Remember, scheduling make up work is YOUR responsibility, not mine. 

Again, welcome back! Let's work together to make this a fun and educational week.
Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: September 27-October 1

Greetings APEnglish Literature Students!

I trust you all had a pleasant weekend. We've just one week left before Fall Break, so we need to stay focused and make the most of it.
I have several things planned for you this week:

• We'll finish our short story boot-camp with a culminating project that will be due the Tuesday after Fall Break.
• We'll start a study of Shakespeare's Hamlet.
• We'll review some new literary terms and rhetorical devices. You should know these for the exam, so study the list. Don't be surprised if a number of them show up on your midterm in December.
• We will continue in vocabulary. Study the J-L words on the SAT Vocabulary List for Friday's quiz.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10: September 27-October 1

Greetings Pre-APEnglish 10 Students!

I trust you all had a pleasant weekend. We've just one week left before Fall Break, so we need to stay focused and make the most of it.
I have several things planned for you this week:

• We'll finish our study of Julius Caesar with a culminating project that will be due the Tuesday after Fall Break.
• I'll be giving back your final summer reading assignments on Friday.
• We will be reviewing the commendation and correction comment key I have linked to my blog sidebar, so you'll know what all my comments mean. This will include a review of the Kiss of Death errors, so you'll be sure not to make those egregious mistakes in your future papers.
• We will be issuing our literature textbooks and beginning a study of early American literature, with a look at Native American creation stories as our first lesson.
• We will continue in vocabulary. By the end of this week, all classes will have finished five lessons and five quizzes, so be prepared.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 12: September 27 - October 1

Greetings English 12 Students!

I trust you all had a pleasant weekend. We've just one week left before Fall Break, so we need to stay focused and make the most of it.
I have several things planned for you this week:

• We have our papers on Lord of the Flies due Thursday, so don't forget to bring hard copies of your rough drafts on Monday for peer evaluation.
• We will be reviewing the commendation and correction comment key I have linked to my blog sidebar, so you'll know what all my comments mean. This will include a review of the Kiss of Death errors, so you'll be sure not to make those egregious mistakes in your paper.
• We will be issuing our literature textbooks and beginning a study of early British literature, with a look at Anglo Saxon literature and Beowulf as our first lesson.
• We will continue in vocabulary. By the end of this week, all classes will have finished five lessons and five quizzes, so be prepared.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

English 10: September 27 - October 1

Greetings English 10 Students!

I trust you all had a pleasant weekend. We've just one week left before Fall Break, so we need to stay focused and make the most of it.
I have several things planned for you this week:

• We have our big test on Frederick Douglass on Monday and Tuesday or A and B schedules, respectively.
• We will be reviewing our parts of speech for a test as well.
• We will be issuing our literature textbooks and beginning a study of early American literature, with a look at Native American Creations stories as our first lesson.
• We will catch up in vocabulary. If you opted to take the lesson four quiz this week, as one class did due to testing last week, we'll have two quizzes instead of one. By the end of this week, all classes will have finished five lessons and five quizzes, so be prepared.

See you in class!

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: September 20-24

Greetings APEs,

Wow! The weeks are flying by. We have SO much to do and SO little time.
This week we will be continuing our Short Story Boot camp.

• On Tuesday, be prepared to discuss "Miss Brill," "Hills Like White Elephants," and "The Japanese Quince."
• Thursday we will discuss "Fifteen Minutes in the Life of Larry Weller," "The Yellow Wallpaper," "Once Upon a Time" and "I Stand Here Ironing." Yes, I know that's a huge amount of reading, but I prefer to think of it as a veritable cornucopia of knowledge and insight.
• All this reading is not for naught. You will be writing an analysis of one of or a combination of these stories. I will post the topics soon and link them to my blog, so check regularly.
• As usual, vocabulary is on Friday. Study the "I" words.

See you Tuesday!

Mrs. SO

English 12: September 20-24

Hello Students,

This week promises to be another busy one.

•  I have an appointment Monday, and won't be in class, but I have left a very interesting documentary on The Lord of the Flies for you to watch. You will also be given the opportunity to retake your test for a higher grade. 

• On Wednesday, I will give those who want to participate in the Original Poetry competition for Poetry Out Loud the opportunity to recite your own poems. 
  

• We will also finish  discussing The Lord of the Flies in preparation for your essay on the novel. To get a head start on your papers, take a look at the proposed topics here. You must select one of the topics for your paper. Rough drafts are due on Monday September 27. Final drafts are due on September 30.

• I will also be distributing your British literature textbooks and introducing you to Medieval British texts.
  

• Your College Entrance essays will be returned, and I will review some of the most common grammar errors so you don't repeat those mistakes. 

• And don't forget your weekly vocabulary. This week's quiz is on lesson four.

See you Wednesday!

Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10: September 20-24

Hello Students,

This week promises to be another busy one.

• On Tuesday, I will give those who want to participate in the Original Poetry competition for Poetry Out Loud the opportunity to recite your own poems. 

• We will also finish reading and discussing The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. You guys are doing a great job with this difficult text, so pat yourselves on the back. 

• I hope to show you some clips from a couple different presentations of Julius Caesar for comparison.

• We'll break into teams and complete some AP style multiple choice questions on Julius Caesar, as well, and by next week, you'll have a test on the play.

• I also will finish our review on the parts of speech, so expect a test on these next week.

• And don't forget your weekly vocabulary. This week's quiz is on lesson five.

See you Tuesday!

Mrs. SO

English 10: September 20-24

Hello All,

I have another busy week planned.

• I have an appointment Monday, but have left a study guide for The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass for you to do if you have me on A day. B day students will do this on Tuesday. Your study guide will help you on your test, which will be next week.

• On Wednesday we will complete our Poetry Out Loud class competition and give anyone who is interested in the Original Poetry competition an opportunity to recite his or her original poem.

• We also will continue our grammar studies. We will review conjunctions, interjections, and prepositions. Prepare to have a test on all the parts of speech next week.

• Of course, we will also continue with our vocabulary study. The quiz on lesson five is this week.

• I also hope to start our study of early American literature. We will start by examining some Native American creation myths and comparing them to other creation stories. 

It promises to be a great week. Get plenty of rest and come prepared to learn a lot!

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12: September 13-17

We are more than half-way through our first quarter. I hope you all gave your parents your grades and PIN numbers so they can check your progress.

This week will be as busy as the last:

• We will be holding our Poetry Out Loud Competition for the class level. 

• Good luck to each of you. If you’d like to review the judging rubric, click here.
  

• We'll have a vocabulary quiz on the SAT F-H words this Friday, so study.
  

• We'll continue with our short story boot camp, so prepare for some reading and Socratic seminar discussion of the texts. After our deconstruction of several short texts, you'll choose one or more to write an analytical paper.

Get ready for a fun but busy week!


Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10: September 13-17

We are more than half-way through our first quarter. I hope you all gave your parents your grades and PIN numbers so they can check your progress.

This week will be as busy as the last:

• We will be holding our Poetry Out Loud Competition for the class level. 

• Good luck to each of you. If you’d like to review the judging rubric, click here.

• We'll have a vocabulary quiz on lesson four this Friday, so study.

• We'll continue with our study of Julius Caesar and do some AP Literature style multiple choice questions on some excerpts from the play.

• And, of course, we'll do some grammar review on complements, adjectives and adverbs.

Get ready for a fun but busy week!

Mrs. SO

English 10: September 13-17

We are more than half-way through our first quarter. I hope you all gave your parents your grades and PIN numbers so they can check your progress.

This week will be as busy as the last:

• We will be holding our Poetry Out Loud Competition for the class level. 

• Good luck to each of you. If you’d like to review the judging rubric, click here.

• We'll continue with our study of adverbs and will add prepositions and conjunctions. Expect a quiz on these things.

• Remember you’ll have a vocabulary quiz this week  so study both lesson four.

• We'll finish our study of Frederick Douglass, so be prepared for a writing assignment on the book as well as a comprehension check test.

I hope you’re ready for a full week!
Mrs. SO

English 12: September 13-17

We are more than half-way through our first quarter. I hope you all gave your parents your grades and PIN numbers so they can check your progress.

This week will be as busy as the last:

• We will be holding our Poetry Out Loud Competition for the class level. 

• Good luck to each of you. If you’d like to review the judging rubric, click here.

• We’ll be completing our study of Lord of the Flies this week, and you will be writing a paper as a culminating project. Here is the assignment.

• Remember you’ll have TWO vocabulary quizzes this week on Monday and Thursday respectively, so study both lessons three and four.

• We’ll do a grammar review of some problem areas, particularly how to recognize (and avoid writing) run-on sentences. 

• We’ll distribute text books this week and begin reading Anglo-Saxon literature, with a focus on Beowulf.

I hope you’re ready for a full week!
Mrs. SO

My Apologies...

Hey everyone,
I'm very sorry I missed my weekly post. If you weren't in class this week, remember my grade-level seniors had a test on The Lord of the Flies yesterday, so you need to make that up. Also, your weekly vocabulary quiz has been bumped to Monday, so you'll have two next week.

In AP we read and discussed "Clothes" and will be presenting on that story. We turned in our "Garden Party" essays, too. We are on schedule with our vocabulary quizzes.

As for 10th grade, the Pre-APE class is still reading and discussing Julius Caesar, and the grade level classes will be finishing up Frederick Douglass soon. We had several grammar quizzes, and a vocabulary quiz, so if you missed class, check STI to see if you need to make one of these up.

More about next week later,

Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12 Week Four

Good morning APEs,

As I said to my other 12th graders, September is almost upon us, and it seems the year is flying by. We've made so great strides so far, but the real work is still ahead of us. I have a number of things planned for this week, so be prepared for some hard, but hopefully enjoyable work.

• First we will finish our discussion of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, so I hope you all bring your initial analyses of Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party" to class on Tuesday. We'll be discussing that text in depth, and then you will hone your rough thoughts into your first real analytical essay this year. 
• We will also continue rendering texts and finding those words, phrases and sentences that squeeze their essence into a compact ball. 
• We also will begin looking at AP-style multiple choice. So be prepared to put your best reading caps on, since the MC questions are a general test of how well you read not just the lines, but between them and beyond them.
• And now that we have our analytical eyes focused, we'll test our visions with a short story boot camp. Be prepared to read, analyze, discuss, and write about a number of short stories over the next couple of weeks.
• Oh, and if that isn't enough, Poetry Out Loud class competition is just around the corner, so get those poems memorized and practice reciting with style. Competition is tentatively set for September 10th and 14th.

Have a great week!
Mrs. SO

English 12 Week FOUR

Good Morning everyone!

This year is FLYING by! It seems we just got here, and it's already been a month!

I have much planned for this week.

• We are going to continue with our study of The Lord of the Flies, and in that spirit, we will test our survival skills with a hopefully fun activity.
• We are also continuing with our vocabulary lessons. Quiz on lesson two this Thursday, so don't for get to study.
• Your college entrance/personal essays are also due this week.
• And, because I know there are still some areas of weakness, we will review some grammar rules that seem to be troublesome: irregular verbs and verb tenses and agreement.
• Oh, and don't for get Poetry Out Loud Competition for your class is  September 13, so get those poems memorized and practice reciting with flare!

Have a great week!
Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10 Week FOUR

Greetings students!
Time is flying by! There is much on the agenda for this week. 

• We'll be continuing our study of the parts of speech. Expect quizzes along the way. 
• Don't forget to bring your vocabulary workbooks each day so we can review and be prepared for this week's quiz on lesson two. 
• Also we will continue our reading and discussion of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. You will be asked to read some chapters at home, so if you don't have a book, you can use this online version

English 10 Week Four

Greetings students!
Time is flying by! There is much on the agenda for this week. 

• We'll be continuing our study of the parts of speech. Expect quizzes along the way. 
• Don't forget to bring your vocabulary workbooks each day so we can review and be prepared for this week's quiz on lesson two. 
• Also we will continue our reading and discussion of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. You will be asked to read some chapters at home, so if you don't have a book, you can use this online version: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass E-Text

Senior Meeting

There will be a senior meeting at the beginning of 3rd block on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Report to your class for a quick roll call and then proceed to the auditorium. Mr. Bob Watson will discuss several things with you, and I will take up any name forms you have not yet returned and discuss class colors, flowers, t-shirts, etc. with you.

See you then!

Mrs. SO

English 12 Week THREE

Good Monday morning, everyone!

We have much planned for this week:

• Poetry Out Loud class competition is fast approaching, and each of you needs to select and memorize at least one poem from the POL Ethology.
• Your college entrance essays rough drafts and final drafts are due this week, so if you forgot to print out that rough draft, do it before class on Wednesday.
• And we musn't leave out our literature. We'll be reading and discussing Lord of the Flies. If you don't have a copy for home use, use the online versions you can find HERE.
• Oh, and don't forget to study for your vocabulary quizzes; it's on lesson one in your vocabulary book.

So much to do...so little time....


See you soon!


Mrs. SO

APEnglish 12 Week THREE

Good Monday morning, everyone!

We have much planned for this week:

• Poetry Out Loud class competition is fast approaching, and each of you needs to select and memorize at least one poem from the POL Ethology.
• Your college entrance essays are due this week, so if you forgot to print out that final draft, do it before class on Tuesday.
• And we musn't leave out our literature. We'll finish up our reading like professors project and write an analysis of "The Garden Party," which you can find in your HtRLLaP books.
• You will also turn in one of your summer reading projects this week and they other in before the end of September, so don't forget to work on those. 
• Oh, and don't forget to study for your vocabulary quiz on Friday; it's on the B-C words on your SAT word list.

So much to do...so little time....


See you soon!


Mrs. SO

Pre-APEnglish 10 Week THREE

Good Monday morning, everyone!

We have much planned for this week:

• Poetry Out Loud class competition is fast approaching, and each of you needs to select and memorize at least one poem from the POL Ethology.
• We will have a quiz on lesson one in your vocabulary book and do the "Wordbusting [sic]" activities for lesson two. (Ask me what [sic] means.)
• We will continue with our study of the parts of speech. Expect a quiz on each part of speech with a test on all of them by the end of next week. 
• And we musn't leave out our literature. Yes, we'll continue reading and discussing The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. 
• You will also turn in one of your summer reading projects this week and they other in two weeks, so don't forget to work on those. 
• Oh, and I'll show you an essay contest I want you to enter. There's a link to it on my sidebar for it--the "This I Believe" essay. Entry is options, but the essay is not, so happy writing. These essays will be due soon. I'll give you more details this week.

So much to do...so little time....


See you soon!


Mrs. SO

English 10 Week THREE

Good Monday morning, everyone!

We have much planned for this week:

• Poetry Out Loud class competition is fast approaching, and each of you needs to select and memorize at least one poem from the POL Ethology.
• We will have a quiz on lesson one in your vocabulary book and do the "Wordbusting [sic]" activities for lesson two. (Ask me what [sic] means.)
• We will continue with our study of the parts of speech. Expect a quiz on each part of speech with a test on all of them by the end of next week.
• And we musn't leave out our literature. Yes, we'll continue reading and discussing The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

So much to do...so little time....

See you soon!

Mrs. SO

Week Two English 12

There is much on the agenda for this week. We'll begin reading Lord of Flies and discussing it in class. Also we will start our study of allusions and vocabulary.

You will need to select a topic for a College Entrance Essay that you will be writing. We will look at some samples in class. Also, you'll need to select a poem from the Poetry Out Loud Ethology for the class competition.

I'm looking forward to a great week. See you Monday!

Week Two APEnglish 12

Wow...so much to do and so little time! This will be a busy week. In addition to completing chapters 10-26 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, we will be delving into college entrance essays and memorizing poems from the Poetry Out Loud Ethology. We'll also begin looking at allusions and tackling that SAT vocabulary list.

Your summer reading deadlines are approaching, so don't forget those assignments. 

See you Tuesday!

Pre-APEnglish 10 Week Two

Now that we have passed with the formalities of the new school year, let us move on to larger things. This week I hope to accomplish a number of activities in class. Everyone should visit the Poetry Out Loud Ethology and select a poem to recite in the classroom competition. We also will be writing and sharing some original poetry.

Most of you did fairly well on the reading diagnostic you took last week, but there were enough questions missed to warrant a review of the test. We will also begin a quick review of the parts of speech and begin vocabulary lessons, so be sure to bring those workbooks to class. Also, we will introduce and begin reading and discussing William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

I'm looking forward to a great week!

English 10 Week Two

It was really great meeting all of you and getting acquainted last week. This week I have several things planned. I'd like everyone to choose a poem for the class competition level of Poetry Out Loud. Be sure to peruse the anthology page.

I also plan to finish reviewing the reading diagnostic test you took last week. We'll also be doing some review of the parts of speech and practice in our grammar workbooks as well as beginning the first unit in vocabulary, so be sure to bring those workbooks to class each day.

As for literature, we will continue reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and discussing it in class. Be prepared to be quizzed on the novel or on any of the grammar or vocabulary we study this week. 

Attention NCTHS SENIORS

Here are links to the Official Name Form and the Letter to Parents about senior fees.

I was told that the magazine salesperson may not be willing to work with us if he doesn't think we have enough time or interest. I will let you know more about this later.

See you soon!

Mrs. SO

Welcome to Mrs. SO's English 12 Literature and Composition Class!

Welcome to Mrs. SO's English 12 Literature and Composition Class!

I will be adding a blog entry each week to keep you updated on class events. Be sure to check here each weekend.

For the first week, we will be familiarizing ourselves with the class procedures and expectations as well as evaluating our reading skills and delving into our summer reading assignments.


Below is a list of links to  handouts that you might need in my class. Later I will be adding links to a Moodle page as well.

Happy first week of school! I am really looking forward to our learning together this year!

Mrs. SO


Classroom Procedures and Policies
Syllabus
250 Toughest SAT Words (vocabulary)

Welcome to Mrs. SO's Pre-APEnglish 10!

Welcome to Mrs. SO's English 10 Literature and Composition Class!

I will be adding a blog entry each week to keep you updated on class events. Be sure to check here each weekend.

For the first week, we will be familiarizing ourselves with the class procedures and expectations as well as evaluating our reading skills and delving into our summer reading assignments.


Below is a list of links to  handouts that you might need in my class. Later I will be adding links to a Moodle page as well.

Happy first week of school! I am really looking forward to our learning together this year!

Mrs. SO


Classroom Procedures and Policies
Syllabus
Summer Reading Assignment for The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Summer Reading Assignment for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Welcome to Mrs. SO's English 10

Welcome to Mrs. SO's English 10 Literature and Composition Class!

I will be adding a blog entry each week to keep you updated on class events. Be sure to check here each weekend.

For the first week, we will be familiarizing ourselves with the class procedures and expectations as well as evaluating our reading skills and delving into our summer reading assignments.


Below is a list of links to  handouts that you might need in my class. Later I will be adding links to a Moodle page as well.

Happy first week of school! I am really looking forward to our learning together this year!

Mrs. SO


Classroom Procedures and Policies
Syllabus

Welcome to APEnglish 12

 Welcome to Mrs. SO's APEnglish Literature and Composition Class!

I will be adding a blog entry each week to keep you updated on class events. Be sure to check here each weekend.

For the first week, we will be concentrating on active reading and reading like professors. I will also explain your summer reading assignment.

Below is a list of links to assignments and other handouts that you might need in my class. Later I will be adding links to a Moodle page as well.

Happy first week of school! I am really looking forward to our learning together this year!

Mrs. SO





Syllabus 
Personal Essay Guidelines and Examples
Open-ended Questions from previous APE Literature tests
Major Works Data Sheet (Blank)
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Read Literature Like a Professor Assignment

250 Toughest SAT Words (Vocabulary)