Week of December 3

I am rather certain that I say this nearly every week. Even still, this is one of my favorite weeks of the semester because I LOOOOOOOVE the Middle Eastern novel panel discussions!!!! I sure hope you people don't let me down. ;)

REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY ON THE BLOG POST BELOW!!!!!!!

Monday, 12/3
Finish ME Novel work

Tuesday, 12/4
Panels over Kabul Beauty School OR Bookseller of Kabul AND The Kite Runner

Wednesday, 12/5
Panels over Three Cups of Tea and Reading Lolita in Tehran

Thursday, 12/6
Group 1- Therapeutic Thursday
Group 2- Look at portfolios

Friday, 12/7
Sonnets!!!
JOURNALS DUE

What are We Going to Read Next???

Try THIS fun survey!

But really, here is the REAL one. On the ranking question, 1 is the one you MOST want to read!!!

Talk to Me

One of the Middle Eastern books is called Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. It is fascinating and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Islamic culture and literature. I have marked so many passages and turned down so many corners because I am just waiting for someone to come along who wants to talk to me about a book. :) (I know, I might be waiting a LONG time.) Anyway, here is the passage that reminded me of you all at this point in your life journeys:

It is written at a point when the author is considering leaving Iran for the United States.

"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again."

What do you think?

Time, SLOW DOWN

Ok. I will continue to post the weekly calendar, but I thought as we hurtle headlong into Christmas Break, it might help to sort of lay out a long-range plan for you guys. Soooooo..... Here is where we are heading.

This Thursday and next, whichever group is NOT having Therapeutic Thursday will be looking over your essays in your portfolio and deciding which is the best pick for revision. In addition, you will analyze your writing for strengths and weaknesses and see how your writing has (hopefully) improved this semester. Your final portfolio, complete with a revised essay and a reflective essay (which will be an in-class essay in a couple of weeks) is due to me before you leave for Christmas break.

Remember, Middle Eastern novel panel discussions will take place Tues and Wed.

Journals are due next Friday, 12/7.

Your Unit 2 test is a take home test and it will be due on 12/14.

Last of all, your AP Toolbox is due on 12/18. This should include cards for The Alchemist, Frankenstein, and the Middle Eastern novel. This is a large part of your first semester grade.

Good deal? Laid out this way, it's not so bad, is it? I am debating (with myself) our next book. I want you to read something over December and Christmas break, I just haven't decided what. Any input? A completely independent pick? O'Brien's The Things They Carried? Waiting for Godot?

Week of November 26

This week is entirely independent work over your Middle Eastern books. You will need to bring all of the work I have given you already to class on Monday. On that day, I will hand out your week-long tasks. I really hope you enjoy it and I think you will. :)

Monday-Wednesday, Friday
Independent Novel Work

Thursday, 11/29
PERIODIC SENTENCE STUFF DUE
Group 1- Practice work
Group 2- TT - Justin and David? Or whomever they traded with...

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Well, friends... it's almost over. This semester has FLOWN by and the month after the break will fly by even faster. I would be really sad except....

WE GET ANOTHER ENTIRE SEMESTER!!!

I'm telling you, this year long class idea is the best one somebody has ever had! :) I do just want to say to you (my heart is about to speak so get ready) that I have so enjoyed all of it... Every class, every discussion, every paper, every journal, and every book so far. You are just the best people who care so much and still get excited by education. That's like crack for English teachers. I cannot think of a single one of you about whom I don't have the best things to say and with whom I don't love to talk. I think your futures are so bright and I am so grateful I get to ride this crazy roller coaster all the way to the last big hill in May with you. I hope your Thanksgiving break is peaceful and restful (and productive-- hint, hint!) and that you come back energized and refreshed. :)

[Sidenote: Over break, you will need to make sure to complete 1) the satire homework 2) your Middle Eastern book AND the work required over it-- BRING IT ALL WITH YOU ON MONDAY AFTER BREAK!!! 3) your periodic/loose sentence handout is due the THURSDAY after break, so bring it by Thursday 4) your AP Test Master questions-- if you didn't finish in class, just divide up the work and finish by Tuesday, 11/27.]

Week of November 12... OR, if you prefer, THE LAST WEEK BEFORE A WEEK OFF!!!

You know how I feel about this book. So you know how I feel about this week. And you know how I love my birthday. And you know how close it is. And you know how we all need a week off. And you know it's five days away. So... you know. GREAT WEEK!

Monday, 11/12
Frankenstein work

Tuesday, 11/13
Finish Frank seminar

Wednesday, 11/14
Frankenstein work

Thursday, 11/15
1-TT
2-Writing work

Friday, 11/16
Satire

Homework: READ MIDDLE EASTERN BOOKS!!!

Frankenstein Response

Consider the effects of education.  If reading allows one access to knowledge of the world through the eyes of others, does it make one more sensitive to other points of view?  Does this sensitivity make educated people more humanitarian?  Is this true of Frankenstein?

More Links

Here are two more links for you, one for the AP test (frequency of titles for those of you who are looking for some Christmas break reading) and one to a very interesting article on Hamlet that Mrs. Puckett uses. :)

AP List

Hamlet

Week of November 5

Hopefully you all aced Friday's test and are pumped up to talk about Frankenstein this week! Mind you, according to which days Byrd wants you, our schedule this week could change...

Monday, 11/5
Intro to Unit 2- Nature/Technology/Self

Tuesday, 11/6
Possibly Byrd

Wednesday, 11/7
Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel
Hamlet revised essay DUE

Thursday, 11/8
1-Short Story practice
2-Therapeutic Thursday

Friday, 11/9
Frankenstein Seminar
JOURNALS DUE

Week of October 23

Four Day Week!!! Yay! :) This week will involve lots of conversation and the end of Hamlet for us. In addition, our Unit 1 test is next week on October 31. It will be over a LOT of information... I would start over this long fall break and look back over notes and study.

Tuesday, 10/23
Hamlet Project presentations/discussion

Wedneday, 10/24
Hamlet seminar

Thursday, 10/25
1- Multiple Choice
2-Therapeutic Thursday

Friday, 10/26
Hamlet work

Week of October 15

What's up, FOUR DAY WEEK!?!?!?!  :) And for you guys, another FOUR DAY WEEK on the heels of this one!!! If that doesn't get you pumped up, I don't know what will!!! LOVED our time in Hamlet, even if some of you did not (read: not enough action). It IS a very cerebral play, I will admit. The action is way more psychological than it is physical, but I think it is still incredibly fascinating.

Monday, 10/15
Hamlet Multiple choice practice

Tuesday, 10/16
Hamlet work, probably a circuit training question activity

Wednesday, 10/17
Hamlet work, probably a group activity

Thursday, 10/18
Both groups Therapeutic Thursday

IT'S YOUR LAST HOMECOMING!!!!!

Here are some pics of your LAST Homecoming Week in high school. I love that so many of you took advantage of it. :)

Week of October 10

Things are picking up for us, I believe. However, I do have a bit of a rant/request for Group TWO (Group 1, skip down to the schedule)... I thought more after you all left about today's class and your utter lack of participation. I really don't think it's that you don't understand. In fact, I think if you put effort into it, you probably understand the play as well as I do because you are that smart. But when I ask what is happening in the text, you hardly even look at your books. You gaze into space or back at me. I kind of think what is happening is just laziness and I think we have to get better with this. Take the time, make the effort, to DIG. Part of being in AP is being willing to scratch and pick and DIG at literature to find that meaning that others just surface skim and miss completely. I could tell you exactly what I want you to know but that doesn't help ANYBODY. I am trying to teach you to close read and work and try to find those meanings because that is what they will want you to do in college. I also think that hearing me drone on in explanation is SO MUCH more boring than you trying to piece together the puzzle and participating in a discussion of the text! So for your sake, for mine, for the sake of everything good, please try a little harder next week... I know that you can do it because I'VE TAUGHT EVERY ONE OF YOU BEFORE NOW! (except Victoria) Don't let your sophomore selves outshine your seniors selves... PLEASE... Please... please... OK? You know I love you, but I need more out of you. We good?

Monday, 10.8
Hamlet Act III

Tuesday, 10.9
Hamlet Act III and IV (I hope)

Wednesday, 10.10
Hamlet IV

Thursday, 10.11
1-MC Grading
2-TT

Friday, 10.12
Hamlet IV
Passage ID

Gertrude and Claudius

I mentioned in class that I personally do not feel that there was an improper relationship between Gertrude and Claudius prior to the death of King Hamlet. I know that other teachers share varying opinions. What are your thoughts on this topic? What examples can you give from the text to back up your opinion? Do you think it is relevant to the plot either way? Do you think Shakespeare really cared what we made of that relationship?

Foil Characters in Hamlet

Do you feel that there are any foil characters in Hamlet? (You may have to remind yourself what a foil character is...) If you feel that there are, use the comment board to identify some and explain what effect the foil relationship has on the play, whether its plot of character development.

Week of October 1

I am only half kidding when I say WE MIGHT NEVER FINISH THIS PLAY. :) But really, hopefully we will get into the flow of his writing and things will move faster. For this reason, even though I am posting a schedule on here (and I will give you an October cal), things might move more slowly than planned and we may get off-schedule.

Monday, 10/1
Hamlet Act I/II

Tuesday, 10/2
Hamlet Act II

Wednesday, 10/3
Hamlet Act II

Thursday, 10/4
1-TT
2-Grade MC

Friday, 10/5
Hamlet Act III
JOURNALS DUE

Upcoming Long-Term Assignments

I know things are getting hectic. Therefore, I thought this could be a place you could come to be reminded about what's coming up. Journals are due 10/5. Hamlet Projects due 10/12. Frankenstein book must be read by 10/29. Unit 2 Test will also be in October.

Week of September 24

WE ARE STARTING HAMLET THIS WEEK!!!!  Need I say more??? You will, I am certain, love it every bit as much as I do. It is so full of depth and character development and themes and just... humanity. :)

Monday, 9/24
Assign Frankenstein (due 10/29)
Intro to Hamlet
Hamlet notes

Tuesday, 9/25
Finish Intro
Hamlet Act I

Wednesday, 9/26
Hamlet Act I

Thursday, 9/27
MC-1
TT-2

Friday, 9/28
Hamlet Act I

Week of September 17

First of all, THANK YOU KAEDEE FOR YOUR BLOG COMMENT!!!! I felt a bit like I won an award when I got to approve two comments. :)


Enjoy this week... Alchemist has been read, Frankenstein is yet to be started. :)

Monday, 9/17
Alchemist work

9/18
Symbols work

9/19
Symbols work

9/20
1- TT
2- MC

9/21
AP Writing activity
Final draft college app due.

Week of September 10

I know things haven't been a thrill a minute yet, but I promise we will get out from under some of this paperwork and things will pep up some. Thanks for your patience and willingness to work hard.

Monday, 9/10
Reading Day-- all report to Byrd at the beginning of second
College Fair

Tuesday, 9/11
Peer Read essay
Allusions

Wednesday, 9/12
Alchemist discussion

Thursday, 9/13
1- MC prac, answers
2-TT

Friday, 9/14
Alchemist discussion, quote response

AP Resources

Below are some awesome AP resources for those scholars who want to go above and beyond...


Frequency of Titles on AP Open Question 3

Great AP Blog with witty study tips

Free Response Study Aids

Great List of Lit Terms

AP Lit Terms Flash Cards

AP Question 3 Prompts

Week of September 3

How happy are you that the week of AP prompts are behind us??? Now this week you get to GRADE them, which is certainly way more fun than writing them, right?!?!?!  Right?!?!? right?

Monday, 9/3
OFF!!!!!

Tuesday, 9/4
College Application essay

Wednesday, 9/5
Group AP grading

Thursday, 9/6
1- MC Practice (grading, explanation)
2- Therapeutic Thursday

Friday, 9/7
Group AP grading
JOURNALS DUE

Week of August 27

August is nearly SPENT! Mercy. I know that you have been excitedly awaiting your chance to recite your Prologue in Middle English, and that opportunity is now here. Other than that, this week is a week of AP practice. I know it sounds boring (and might be), but we have to keep the end goal in mind.

Monday, 8/27
Prologue memorization
Say/Mean/Satire in class
Stretch your brain in and out of class

Tuesday, 8/28
Poetry Practice

Wednesay, 8/29
Prose Practice

Thursday, 8/30
1- MC Prac
2- TT

Friday, 8/31
Open Q Practice

Wife of Bath

We had a great discussion regarding the Wife of Bath's Tale. Do you think the Wife of Bath is meant to contradict the misogynist (woman-hating) ideas of her time, or to uphold them? How might her story be a type of wish-fulfillment for the aging? Respond to any other elements from this tale (or any others we read during this unit).

We have THURSDAY'D!

My highlight of the week is Therapeutic Thursday, and while only one group experiences it at a time, both groups got a lot 'o learnin' in on Thursday this week. We had an awesome discussion (led by Carolyn and Erin) on adjective selection in writing and the way various authors employ styles, while group 2 started a multiple choice review that included some annotation and active reading.

Week of August 20

I'm feeling pretty good about where we have been and where we are headed. I just need a tiny bit more conversation out of you as we progress through Chaucer.

Monday, 8/20
Discuss Part 2 of the Prologue
Homework: Read Pardoner's Tale

Tuesday, 8/21
Discuss Pardoner's Tale
Homework: Read WOB's Tale

Wednesday, 8/22
WOB Discussion

Thursday, 8/23
Group 1-TT
Group 2- MC Practice

Friday, 8/24
Character Analysis in class essay

REMINDER: Prologue recitation is on Monday, 8/27!!!

Week of August 13

It's on, starting on Wednesday! I can't wait to spend a year with you, sharing my favorite pieces of literature and watching you learn to love them too. (What? Too positive? Surely not...)
 Monday, 8/13 Go over "Stuff" (AP Boot Camp)

Tuesday, 8/14 Finish "stuff"
Assign Memorization (Due 8/27)
Assign The Alchemist (Due 9/12)
Assign Self-Assessment (due Friday) 

Wednesday
Canterbury Tales notes
Read Part 1 of Prologue

Thursday
Model Therapeutic Thursday

Friday
Discuss Part 1
Assign Part 2
  Canterbury Tales prologue read aloud link

Welcome to Your SENIOR YEAR!!!!

This is it, people! Your last "first day" is now over. Like I told you in class, I can assure you that the next ten months will pass faster than you can blink. We will look up and realize that it's time to don those caps and gowns and walk down that track. Kind of makes me sad thinking about it, to be honest! :) I am really excited about this year, as I told you today. I love what I do and I believe in this curriculum, so I am anxious to see in what ways you all are going to blow me away. This week we will finish going over procedural-type stuff and next week we will get to Unit 1. Please remember to keep communication open between us, ok? Have a great weekend!

SPRING BREAK IS COMING!

And I am ready for a break, but I don't like the look of that graduation countdown clock on the left! I don't want it to eeeeennnndddd!!!!!!!!!!! Waaaaahhhhhh.......

Important Note:
Pay for the AP test by Friday of this week (unless you just HAVE to wait till Monday). It's $87 and you need to pay Mrs. McGowan and tell Mrs. Wyche you paid her.

Monday, 3.19
Finish "Dead Poets' Society"

Tuesday, 3.20
Raider Outreach

Wednesday, 3.21
John Donne works (Meditation 17, Death Be Not Proud sonnet, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning)

Thursday, 3.22
1- Read "The Scarlet Ibis" and write an AP style passage essay prompt question (due after Spring Break)
2- Therapeutic Thursday

Friday
Test

Be sure to read Grendel over break!

We've Been Quiet...

The blog has been quiet lately, other than weekly schedules. Does that mean we haven't been doing much? Oh no!

First, there was this, some multiple choice practice...


While the other group did this (a poetry circle)...


And, sadly and frightfully, there was this...



Then someone did this magnificent character web of King Lear (it was me)...


Collaborative lesson with Mrs. Tindal on King Lear and Filial Responsibility...


So yes, we have been busy. Just not much that was photo-worthy. :)

Carpe... Carpe... Carpe DIEM!

Oh my goodness, you guys!!! I LOVE this poetry!!! And then John Donne! And I think you are going to love the movie! Can you believe we are finally taking the time to watch a movie!?!?!?! So... This week. Live it. Love it.

Monday, 3/12
Carpe Diem POETRY!!!
ANNOTATED BIB DUE (LEAR)

Tuesday, 3/13
Sub
Watch "Dead Poet's Society"

Wednesday, 3/14
Watch "DPS"

Thursday, 3/15
Group 1-Therapeutic Thursday
Group 2- Multiple Choice
Sub

Friday, 3/16
Metaphysical Writings (Donne)

"As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport. "

Are you feeling the pressure, or is it just me??? Whew. OK. This week is time to try something new and I am anxious to see how it goes.

Monday, 3/5
Short Story ("The Scarlet Ibis")

Tuesday, 3/6
King Lear discussion
(Have it FINISHED)

Wednesday, 3/7
Lear Filial Responsibility with Mrs. Tindal

Thursday, 3/8
MC Work- Group 1
TT- Group 2

Friday, 3/9
Lear Research/paper

It's Oooooverrr......

The book everyone loves to hate, the one you have dreaded all year, is complete. Hopefully that makes you very happy, but hopefully you also enjoyed the discussion and the bigger ideas that can be gained from that text.

***Do NOT forget to be reading Lear. It must be completed by next Tuesday, March 6...

Monday, 2/27
HOD Discussion
(All with me)

Tuesday, 2/28
All with Byrd

Wednesday, 2/29
HOD work
(Sub)

Thursday, 3/1
Group 1- Becky and Anne Therapeutic Thursday
Group 2- MC work (Bring practice test #3 completed)

Friday, 3/2
HOD Essay work
Finish discussion
JOURNALS DUE

"The Horror, the Horror!"

Although I certainly hope you kept my plea in mind as you read, one way or another, this book will be completed this week.

Tuesday, 2/21
HOD Part I discussion, check of questions
Part II for homework

Wednesday, 2/22
HOD Part II discussion, check of questions
Read Part III for homework

Thursday, 2/23
Group 1- MC Work (poetry)
Group 2- Therapeutic Thursday
Poem for homework

Friday, 2/24
Part III discussion
HOD in-class work and finish for homework: Synthesis questions, HOD MC work

***JOURNALS NOT DUE UNTIL 3/2

Our Digital Selves

I did this NY Times lesson last year for the first time with my AP class and it ended up being one of my absolute favorites. It starts with a look at marketing with Mac/PC ads, then moves into a discussion about our own personal computers and what they say about us. We then read an article about the Salman Rushdie electronic archive display that is at Emory University, and talked about the changes in archiving and what lies ahead. My favorite question (and answers) from that discussion was "Does our technology shape us or do we shape our technology?" We had an incredible conversation with Group 2 about this topic and one comment that stuck with me was in regard to twitter and teenagers (but could apply to all social media). One student made a point that people will post things on twitter that they would NEVER stand in a crowded public area with friends, family, and strangers, and yell. It was such a great way to make that particular point. Anyway, the last step of this lesson was to create a simulated digital desktop for a character from Macbeth and wow... did they deliver!!! I am posting pictures of them because they are THAT wonderful... all of them. Enjoy!

(They could either do digital versions or paper/poster versions.)

Three Day Week and a Plea from ME

What an exciting time! Headed up on a FIVE.DAY.WEEKEND. I want to say, to the perhaps two of you who check this blog, that I am kind of dreading this week and next because I think it has become fashionable and legendary to hate Heart of Darkness. I don't who started it, many years ago, but I do know that everyone thinks it's the "in thing" to hate it. I would like, VERY MUCH, for you to open your minds and ignore your biases against it and give it a fair shot. It is a dense book, but very short. There are complex themes, but big ideas that generate great discussion. It is dark (hence the title), but chock full of imagery. JUST GIVE IT A TRY. OK?

Monday, 2/13
Presentation of Macbeth Desktops
If time remains, work on multiple choice practice.
DUE: Desktops

Tuesday, 2/14
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
Presentation of Mac projects and memorization.
If time remains, work on MC practice.
DUE: Mac project/memorization

Wednesday, 2/15
Intro to HOD
Read Part 1 for homework. If you have a busy Tuesday night (21st) planned, go ahead and read Part 2 as well over this long weekend.

Macbeth AP MOVIE NIGHT!!!

I didn't feel like we had time to take out of class to watch the three hour Macbeth film, so I just showed it at my house last night and invited whomever would like to come to watch. I think there were about ten or so kids who came, and we ate rotel dip and ice cream (though not at the same time) and watched the three hour movie. It was quite an interesting version of the story, I will say... original text and all.

I'm Too Tired for a Clever Title

Or a picture. Sorry. Welcome to real life, friends. It's not all fun and wit and entertainment when you're a grownup. ;)

I really hope that this week goes as well as I expect because I loved this activity last year. And don't forget, Thursday at 5, if you are coming. I'll send directions later.

Monday, 2/6
Lady Macbeth Then and Now
Work on final multiple choice work

Tuesday, 2/7
Our Digital Selves lesson (analysis)

Wednesday, 2/8
Our Digital Selves lesson (application)
FINAL MAC MC DUE

Thursday, 2/9
Group 1- TT
Group 2- Practice AP MC

Friday, 2/10
Either finish Our Digital Selves (relate)
OR, if we finish early,
Macbeth Seminar

AP Resources

Here are a couple of great resources/references for you in your study for the AP test.

The first is some flashcards on the Quizlet site. Give this a try!


Second is a great place to find a comprehensive list of allusions.


And a wonderful site for literary terms...

"Oh, what a tangled web..."

When I looked at this word web, that little saying is the first thing that came to my mind. Interestingly enough, it fits the plot of Macbeth perfectly. I did a little word webbing with Mac last year, but this year I added this element at the very end of the play. I must say, I LOVED it! I wrote Macbeth and Murder on the board. The first student to volunteer had to added a word and connect that word to one of mine. From the second student to the last, they had to add a word and make two connections to words already on the board. The depth of their insight, the interesting perspective some of them presented... I was in English teacher heaven!!! It might have been my favorite new activity this year. I can't wait to try it out with my English IV classes!

One Round of Therapeutic Thursdays...

Last year I started something with my AP Class called Therapeutic Thursdays. Thursday is my very favorite day of the week. It has all the anticipation of the weekend with none of the dread feeling of it slipping away. I decided that, in order to incorporate a regular student-centered activity and also to expose them to a book that I did not have a class set or NOR did I have time for them all to read, I would start an every Thursday activity. Students are partnered together and they select a chapter out of either How to Read Literature like a Professor or How to Read Novels like a Professor , which they then present to the class and lead the class in discussion. They are also responsible for bringing food and drinks that day. The food can range from very simple to as complex as they wish. Because I now have my class only 45 min a day all year, each group has a Therapeutic Thursday every other Thursday. (And yes, I get to eat EVERY Thursday...) :)

Last week, we had Chinese food (with chopsticks) and discussed the creation of and identification with characters in novels.


This week, we discussed Ghosts, Werewolves, and Vampires in literature and enjoyed chips and dip and some incredible Reese's cup cookies. Possibly the most interesting point to come out of today is that the character of the vampire, etc, represents the dark side that exists in everyone.

"Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!"

This week, we will say goodbye to the text of Macbeth, though we will have some work to do with it. I can't wait to read the ending tomorrow because I do find it one of the more exciting Act V's of Shakespeare's writing. I am also looking forward to our special event next week, for those of you who choose to come, to view the modernization of "Macbeth". I have heard so many great things about it!

Don't forget to be working on Lear. It is short and you do have a while before it is due (March 6), but we all know how fast February will probably fly by! As you work, you need to do two things. Number one, take good notes (and frequent ones) on post-its. (If you are using an e-reader, there is a note-taking function. If you aren't sure how to use yours, bring it in and I can help you. Putting post-its all over your screen won't really work. ;) ) Number, two, this is a book for which the toolbox cards will be completed. WORK ON THEM AS YOU GO, NOT WHEN YOU FINISH.

Monday, 1/30
Macbeth, Act V

Tuesday, 1/31
Macbeth, Act V
Macbeth Word Web

Wednesday, 2/1
Macbeth Multiple Choice work, Thesis statements

Thursday, 2/2
1st group - Defend old MC test
Work on new MC test
2nd group- Therapeutic Thursday
(Abby and Taylor)

Friday, 2/3
Lady Macbeth Then and Now
Group MC Activity
JOURNALS DUE