I Want Some Figgy Pudding?

A Holiday song for you:

O, Holy crap!
The term is almost over;
We'll have a break, then be nearly done.

After the break,
when New Year's cheer is fading,
we'll write an essay that's worth tons of points!

A chill of fear--
"I need an A for Stanford!"
"The end is near;
I better catch up now!"

Fall on your books!
Oh hear your parents urging!
"Oh make the grade!"

Oh make the grade,
Or maybe not,
But do your best,
Oh, do your best!

MONDAY, 12/17
Food Fight
• viewing preparation
• view Part 1
• respond

TUESDAY, 12/18
Food Fight
• view Part 2
• respond

WEDNESDAY, 12/19
Food Fight
• choosing the lenses
• essential questions

THURSDAY, 12/20
When Food Kills
• SOAPS
• quotation incorporation

FRIDAY, 12/21
Food Finally
 

Food, glorious food!

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen . . .

We're back to our readings and viewings, writings and discussions about FOOD.  It's alimentary, my dear Watson.  As you might have guessed, all this focus on grub is preparing us to write our first RESEARCH POSITION PAPER.  Yay!!!  Because it will be an argument, with support from your research, you should be thinking about what angle you might take, what you might bring to the table, if you will.  Hahahaha.  I'm hilarious.  Consider all the ways food figures into our lives, how it relates to health, ethics, politics, culture, environment, economy, and probably a whole stewpot of other issues.  I know you have a lot on your plate already (I'm killing myself here), but leave some room for this tasty topic; I think you'll eat it up!

MONDAY, 12/10
Carolyn Steel:  How Food Shapes Our Cities
• view
• respond
Read Consider the Lobster for WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY, 12/11
Consider the Lobster
• reading time
• discussion preparation

WEDNESDAY, 12/12
Consider the Lobster
• shared inquiry
• written response

THURSDAY, 12/13
AP Prompt #4

FRIDAY, 12/14
When Food Kills
• read
• discuss
• quotation incorporation practice

Live and Let Live

Hey, happy Tolerance Week!  It's about time; I couldn't have tolerated much more intolerance.  Anywho, as planned, this will be a wacky week of weirdness.  On Monday and Tuesday we'll have some in-class readings, writings, and discussion.  Wednesday through Friday, you will be completing the field testing of the CIM writing prompts.  Remember, this essay will count on your grade now, and, to give you a bit of incentive to DO YOUR BEST, I will give 10 points extra credit--in the essay category!--for essays returned with scores of 5 or 6.  What a deal, eh? 

MONDAY, 12/3 Focus: 11-12.RI.2, 3
Food Fight:  GMOs v Organic
• read article
• SOAPS
• response

TUESDAY, 12/4 Focus: 11-12.RI.6-8
A Farm Boy Remembers
• read
• analyze argument

WEDNESDAY, 12/5 - FRIDAY, 12/7 Focus: 11-12.W.1-3
CIM Writing exam

Aaaand We're Back!

Thankful to be here?  Yes!  We're heading into the season of weirdness--testing and breaks and caroling and stuff.  We're actually creepily close to the end of the semester and the First Real Grade.  So, we'll spend this week on some nuts and bolts--grammar? Yes!--and more reading and writing of effective arguments.  To get into the spirit of the season, we'll start with an argument about poverty!  Happy holidays!

MONDAY, 11/26
Letter to Dr. DeWittie
• general response
• Style Sheet #3
• comma exercise

Read The Singer Solution to World Poverty for Tuesday

Read Power Steer for Friday

TUESDAY, 11/27
The Singer Solution
• reading response/discussion
• focused analysis

WEDNESDAY, 11/28
Copy Passage #1

THURSDAY, 11/29
AP Prompt #3

FRIDAY, 11/30
Power Steer
• reading response
• discussion:  defining the elements of argument

Point Counterpoint

The art of good argument can be applied in many different ways and situations.  Now that you've tried your skills to a persuasive letter (still waiting to see the response from Dr. DeWittie),
let's spend this brief week before Thanksgiving break practicing some short, in-class arguments, based on issues you might care about.  We'll start with an exercise in which we check out two clearly distinct positions on an issue, determine their strengths and shortcomings, then we'll get busy with some arguments of our own. 

MONDAY, 11/11 Focus:  Veterans!

TUESDAY, 11/12 Focus:  Reading Informational Text (11-12.RI.5-6)
Point-Counterpoint:  They Know What You're Buying
• reading for structure & argument effictiveness
• response:  questions
AP #2 Prompt Response returned
• strengths/weaknesses
• questions/comments

WEDNESDAY, 11/13 Focus:  Reading Informational Text (11-12.RI.5-6)
Point-Counterpoint
• discussion
• response questions DUE

THURSDAY,  11/14 Focus: Writing Arguments (11-12.W.1)
Argument Topic 1:  TBA

FRIDAY, 11/15 Focus:  Writing Arguments (11-12.W.1)
Argument Topic 2:  TBA

Classy

So, I'm thinking maybe this is the week we'll catch up, sync up, and stand up to ignorance!  We could have a telethon or something!  Or maybe we'll just focus on more education, argumentation, and rumination.  It's a short week (for students, anyway), so let's make the most of every class.

MONDAY, 11/5
Best in Class
•  reading check
•  focused discussion
•  response:  letter to Dr. DeWittie DUE THURSDAY

TUESDAY, 11/6
Superman and Me
•  focused discussion:  creating voice
•  exercise:  argument through narrative

WEDNESDAY, 11/7
Structuring an Argument
•  why should I believe you?
•  what about the other side?
•  considering your audience

THURSDAY, 11/8
AP Prompt #2:  Argument
Letter to Dr. DeWittie DUE (hardcopy, signed)

FRIDAY, 11/9
No, no, no school!!!!

A Learning Experience

We're continuing our focus on education this week--reading and talking and writing about what it is and what it ought to be.  In the process, we'll be developing the tools to construct strong arguments that present rational, well-supported positions on the topic.  Next week is the end of the first quarter (already!) and conference time with parents, so be sure to keep up on assignments.  I'll try to do the same.



MONDAY, 10/29 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
Let Teenagers Try Adulthood
• read
• respond:  write your position

TUESDAY, 10/30  Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
The Liberal Arts in an Age of Info Glut
• read
• respond:  questions after reading

WEDNESDAY, 10/31 Focus: Recognizing Elements of Argumentation
I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read
• finish poster presentations:  elements of argument
Read Best in Class for Friday

THURSDAY, 11/1 Focus: Recognizing Fallacy in Argument
Logical Fallacies
• overview
• recognition practice

FRIDAY, 11/2 Focus: Reading Key Ideas and Details (11-12.RI.4-5)
Best in Class
• discussion
• taking a position:  Letter to Dr. DeWittie due Wednesday, 11/7
 

Everything's an Argument

This week, we'll start addressing the elements of argumentation, learning how to make a valid, effective argument, and how to recognize an  argument fallacy.  The focus will be on something we're all pretty familiar with:  Education.  Plenty of arguments are being made these days about how and why and what students are learning.  Who decides what should be learned when?  How do we know it's been learned?  Some readin' and writin', but no 'rithmetic here.  Stay tuned. 

MONDAY, 10/22 Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• God scores
• You score
• I score
I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read: For Wednesday

TUESDAY, 10/23 Focus: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (11-12.RI.6-7)
Style Sheet #2
TED talk:  Ken Robinson on schools and creativity
• response
• discussion

WEDNESDAY, 10/24 Focus: Analyzing Craft and Structure (11-12.RI.6-7)
I Know Why the Caged Bird
• reading check
• discussion:  agree/disagree/qualify
Superman and Me:  For Friday

THURSDAY, 10/25 Focus: Recognizing Fallacy in Argument
Logical Fallacies
• explanation
• practice

FRIDAY, 10/26 Focus: Analyzing Craft and Structure (11-12.RI.6-7)
Superman and Me
• response/questions
• identifying the argument

So we beat on . . .

Well.  Looks like we've made it to the end of our Gatsby gig.  This week we'll finish our symposia (including, in most classes, a discussion on Waiting for the Barbarians), write a final analysis, and move on.  Your Someplace essays are eligible for rewrites now.  Please follow submission instructions given in the previous post.  And we'll look at the results of our first AP Prompt.  It's Weird Wednesday Week here at Summit, so dress accordingly.

MONDAY, 10/15:  Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
The Great Gatsby and Waiting for the Barbarians
• symposia

TUESDAY, 10/16:  Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
Novel:  Literary Analysis
• final on Gatsby or Barbarians

WEDNESDAY, 10/17:  Weird
• a.m.--college fair in Redmond
• p.m.--online survey: technology
Letter from Birmingham Jail
•print and read and mark for FRIDAY

THURSDAY10/18: Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• God scores
• Group scoring
• McCormick scores/essays returned

FRIDAY10/19: Focus: Rhetorical Analysis (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
Letter from Birmingham Jail
• Reading response
• Discussion:  WHAT --> HOW

Ain't We Got Fun?

A month into the school year, and we're already at Milepost #1:  progress reports.  While your first major essay grade will be included in that calculation, don't forget you can revise your essay for reconsideration until the end of the actual grading period.  To resubmit, please change the document title to Period#, last name, "Someplace"2.  Then, within the document, highlight your heading and make a comment box in which you tell me 3 things:  What you changed from the original; why you made the change; what you think of the new version.  Meanwhile, we'll be finishing our novels this week, and having final discussions and assessments.  Ain't we got fun!?

MONDAY, 10/8 Focus: Reading Instructional Text (11-12.RI.1,2,3,5)
It's Not Me, It's You
• Read
• Respond: complete sentences
• Finish Barbarians by Tuesday; Gatsby by Wednesday

TUESDAY, 10/9 Focus: Rhetorical Analysis (11-12.RI.1,2,3; W.1,4)
AP Prompt #1: Rhetorical Analysis (Gatsby group)
(Barbarians final discussion; symposium prep)

WEDNESDAY, 10/10 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
Gatsby
• final discussion
• essential questions: symposium prep

THURSDAY, 10/11 Focus: Reading Literary Text (11-12.RL.1-7)
• Barbarians: AP Prompt #1: Rhetorical Analysis
• Gatsby: symposium
• Novel final:  DUE MONDAY, 10/15

FRIDAY, 10/12 Focus: Evaluating Writing
AP Prompt #1
• college board exemplars:  group scoring
• essays returned: scores & feedback

We'll Serve Them Chicken Soup on Toast!

October!  Already!?  Time sure flies when--oh, never mind.  We'll start placing bets on when the first snow will fall, while we rake up leaves and analyze rhetoric this week.  Also, novels are still front and center--the only actual homework you'll have--so keep turning those pages, kids.  Whoopy once whoopy twice . . .

MONDAY, 10/1 Focus: Literary Analysis (11-12.RL.1; 11-12.RL.3)
Novels, continued
• Barbarians--Section 1 Discussion ( Read Section 2 by Wednesday)
• Gatsby--Chapter 1 discussion, Chapters 2 & 3 preparation
• Focused reading time

TUESDAY, 10/2 Focus: Literary Analysis/Writing ( 11-12.RL.3; 11-12.W.5)
Someplace essays
• Style sheet #1
• Feedback and opportunity
Novels: Gatsby, Chapters 2 & 3
• Reading check
• Discussion
• Read Section 2 (4-6) by Friday

WEDNESDAY 10/3 Focus: Writing Production ( 11-12.W.4; 11-12.W.5)
Rhetorical Analysis
• Attempt #1 Reviewed: Feedback
• Attempt #2: Redo
Novels: Waiting for the Barbarians
• Reading check
• Asking questions
• Read Section 3 (to end) by Monday

THURSDAY 10/4 Focus: Reading Key Ideas and Details (11-12.RI.4; 11-12.RI.5)
Joyas Voladoras
• Reading the layers: whole class discussion
• Response:  groups

FRIDAY 10/5 Focus: Literary Analysis (11-12.RL.1; 11-12.RL.2
Novels: Gatsby, Section 2
• Reading check
• Discussion:  structure and character development
• Read Section 3 (to end) by Tuesday

A Novel Idea

While we're focusing on the power of language, let's examine a little more closely how authors of fiction work to make arguments.  This week, in addition to analyzing rhetoric of non-fiction, we'll begin a novel.  Literary analysis is the fraternal twin of rhetorical analysis; they have lots in common.  Since I will be expecting you to read at home, we'll spend class time working on writing and reading skills.  What could be more fun?

MONDAY, 9/24 Focus: Reading difficult text (11-12.RI.1; 11-12.RI.2)
We Are Still Only Human
• Close reading: Identifying key ideas
• Paraphrasing

TUESDAY, 9/25 Focus: Reading difficult text (11-12.RI.3)
We Are Still Only Human
• Close reading: Analyzing development of argument/ideas
• SOAPS + outline

WEDNESDAY, 9/26 Focus: Prereading
The AP Language Novel: choices and checkout
• Introductory info
• Read first section by Friday

THURSDAY, 9/27 Focus: Writing, analysis (11-12.W.2; 11-12.L.5)
John Updike on Baseball
• Naming the parts
• Practicing analysis

FRIDAY, 9/28 Focus: Speaking and Listening (11-12.SL.1)
The AP Novel
• Reading Check: Section 1
• Discussion
• Read second section by Tuesday

How does it mean?

This week we'll focus our efforts on the art of rhetoric--analyzing it in our reading and applying it in writing our first essay.  It's not WHAT but HOW, all the tricks of the trade that make for an effective argument.  On Friday we'll spend a period discussing Ishmael, so be sure to bring your book (and your ideas, questions, and thoughts) to class. Open House Wednesday evening--mark your calendar!

                MONDAY, 9/17 Focus:  Writing strategies          (11-12.W.3, 11‐12.W.4) Someplace in Bend: small group prewriting work

• choosing details
• establishing a thesis
• considering organizational structures
• first draft DUE THURSDAY
Read We Are Still Only Human for Wednesday, 9/19

TUESDAY, 9/18 Focus: Reading, Analysis (11-­12.RI.1, 11-12.RI.2, 11-12.RI.3)
Rhetorical appeals/stylistic choices
The Death of Benny Paret: whole class analysis; individual response 
• SOAPS
• Analysis of appeals

WEDNESDAY, 9/19 Focus: Reading, Analysis (11-­12.RI.1, 11-12.RI.2, 11-12.RI.3)
We Are Still Only Human: small group analysis
• SOAPS
• Analysis of appeals and stylistic choices

THURSDAY, 9/20 Focus:  Writing revision (11-12.W.4, 11-12.W.5)
Someplace in Bend: editing machine
• Final draft DUE (Googledocs) Monday, 9/24

FRIDAY, 9/21 Focus: Reading, Speaking (11-12. L.1, 11-12.L.6)
Ishmael
• shared inquiry

Let's Get it Started in Here!

So much for revving our engines.  It's time to step on the gas!  We'll start with a look at the summer viewing assignments, and use those to begin building strategies for comprehension, analysis, argument, and evaluation.  Let's continue the ideas we touched on last week, rethinking our whole purpose and investing in learning that is worthwhile.  Your first regular season assignments will be due this week; work that will be turned in or done for a grade is noted in red. Also note, the focus items in parentheses are from the Common Core State Standards, for which you will be held accountable this year.

MONDAY, 9/10
Beware Online "Filter Bubbles" (Focus: 11-12.SL.3,  11-12.W.9)  
  • Sharing responses:  Identifying the SOAPS
  • Trying it out:  Personally tailored results
  • Writing:  What do you notice?  (SOAPS + class results)

TUESDAY, 9/11
Paradox of Choice (Focus: 11-12.W.3)
  • Sharing responses:  Main ideas, support; SOAPS
  • Narrative techniques: personal experience as argument support
  • Writing:  What do you think? (Response + personal experience)

WEDNESDAY, 9/12
Someplace in Queens (Focus: 11-12.RI.2, 11-12.RI.4)
  • Reading:  Strategies, Active reading
  • SSR:  Read Someplace for Thursday

THURSDAY, 9/13
Someplace in Queens (Focus: 11-12.RI.5,  11-12.SL.1)
  • Reading Check
  • Shared inquiry 

FRIDAY, 9/14 
Someplace in Bend (Focus: 11-12.W.3,  11-12.W.4)
  • Unlearning the rules
  • Essay requirements

Ima let you finish

Oh my holy hayfever!  It's August already.  Time for the rest of your summer assignments.  GOOD work to those of you who completed the first task on the GOOD show.  Several students have checked in a little later than the recommended time, and some have NOT YET CHECKED IN AT ALL!!  What?  Lucky for them/you, summer is forgiveness season, a time to allow yourself a little slack before the NOOSE tightens in September.  Hahaha.  Anywho, please get on your social media and remind your slackier AP comrades it's time to get on the ball--sign in with contact info and complete the assignments BEFORE the first day of class.

So, now that you've listened and responded to the GOOD show, it's only fair that you do the same with the BAD show--your second LISTENING.  This time, replace the word kindness in each statement with the word cruelty:

1.  Cruelty is hard-wired in our brains, a biological imperative that promotes survival.
2.  Cruelty is chiefly a product of experience and circumstance, a quality that is found only in some individuals.

Are some people just born bad?  Are we all equally capable of cruelty?  Is environment more influential in the manifestation of evil than of good?  Is your answer the same as it was in Assignment #1?

Once again, respond by clicking the comment link at the bottom of this post, identify yourself and the number of the question you most closely agree with.  Use evidence from BOTH shows to support your position.

For your VIEWING assignments, please go to TED.com and watch both The Paradox of Choice and Beware online "filter bubbles."  Come to class on Day 3 with two copies of this sheet printed and filled out--one for each Ted talk. 

Meanwhile, I will collect the golden lines you have been selecting from Ishmael as you read on the FIRST DAY of class.  We will be doing some work with this novel, but probably not until the second week, so you won't need your book with you right away. 

Man, you guys, this is going to be fun!  I know it's hard to let go of summer and get back to the grind, but this will be a whole new grind!  You're going to like it!!

Good Idea!

Why do people do good things?  Radiolab's The Good Show explores this question from a number of different perspectives.  For your first summer assignment, your first assignment of AP English Language, listen to The Good Show broadcast.  Then click on the comments link at the bottom of this post to share your thoughts on human (and animal, for that matter) altruism.  Choose one of the following statements--the one with which you most closely agree.  Identify yourself (with your full name) and the number of the statement, then write why you agree with it.  Use at least one piece of evidence from the show and one example from your personal experience or readings to support your argument.  Be clear and concise, writing the equivalent of a fully developed paragraph.  I will check responses and give credit on July 15.  In the meantime, have fun and be GOOD.

1.  Kindness is hard-wired in our brains, a biological imperative that promotes survival.
2.  Kindness is chiefly a product of experience and circumstance, a quality that is found only in some individuals.

Welcome to AP English Language!

Probably the last thing you want to be thinking about, as you count down the days until summer vacation, is schoolwork for next year.  Or, worse yet, summer schoolwork.  BUT this is an Advanced Placement class, and therefore you can expect a bit more demanding work load.  Actually, the summer work should be engaging and enjoyable--the kind of stuff that will get your AP gears clicking and prepare you for the school year to come, but leave you plenty of time to float the river or sip lemonade or whatever it is kids do these days.

First off, you will need to do some housekeeping tasks so that we can communicate through the summer and beyond.  This blog will be our meeting place, clearing house, and bulletin board for all things AP.  I will post assignments, readings, due dates, etc. here beginning the first of July, so you will need to check in some time before Independence Day to stay abreast of developments.

Much of the work we do in the summer and throughout the year will be paperless (Yay trees!), so I will need you to create a Google account and gmail for our correspondence.  To be included in class texts you may also provide cell phone information, but it is not required.  Please provide your information on this STUDENT INFO FORM for my data base.

The reading portion of your summer work is the novel, Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn.  Some copies of this novel are available through the library, but you should consider purchasing your own copy to mark up and refer to throughout the year.  Several used copies will be available for purchase in my classroom by June 1.  New and used copies are available through Amazon or other bookstores.  In addition, you will have two viewing and two listening assignments.  Your first assignment will be posted on this blog by July 1, due July 14.  Check this link for more information.

Because this year's students are still using this blog site, it is currently cluttered with info you don't need.  Feel free to browse, but don't touch anything.  If you break it, you buy it.  Once the current class checks out, we'll rearrange things and make it a place we can call home.  Or blog.  Anyway, bookmark it; you'll be glad you did.