Hi My Fun AP Class!
I'm sorry. I have not done a good job at posting on your blog. Grades just took so much time! But we're back on track:
Thursday: Class was shortened due to the Activity Period and so we briefly talked about MLA and Editorials. Here is a link to the MLA Handout Review Guide and this is a great website for MLA. Hopefully we will have time in class to review MLA this Thursday.
Monday: We introduced Peer Review and why it's important. We did a game where we guessed how many pieces of candy were in a big jug. Some students proclaimed them selves as experts. Then we averaged everyone's guesses together. The result was that the class average came much closer to the actual number than either of the "experts." Thus we see, that when we work together our work improves! I have tried to design an effective peer review process--and I hope you will take it seriously. You will receive points for peer reviewing a classmate's drafts and also for having your drafts peer reviewed.
Tuesday: Today, we did peer review! Many of you did not come prepared with your draft completed. It is now your responsibility to switch with someone in the class who needs to peer review also, so you can get those points, and more importantly receive feedback on your writing so that you can improve it!
We also began talking about the next component of the portfolio assignment: The Personal Essay. For Thursday, you were given a packet of model personal essays to read like a writer. Please come see me to get that packet and assignment. I don't have electronic copies of the essays, so I can't post them online, sorry.
As always, please email or call if you have questions!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
1 April 2008: Welcome AP Class
Hello AP Class! I am excited to work with you for my last 2 weeks. We have a lot to do, but you will manage. And you will do it brilliantly of course.
This is what we did in class today:
First we talked about the topics you have been following in the paper and online. We talked about how to turn your topic into an issue (with at least two sides) by turning your topic into a yes/no question. That will ensure your topic is an issue. To do this see the practice worksheet and be sure to turn this into me on Thursday.
We talked through the first portion of your portfolio assignment: Two Editorials. See the assignment sheet for more details. Come and see me to get the assignment sheet.
Then we read pages 61-67 in the AP textbook to look at why you will be doing the Editorial assignment, and how you will begin thinking about the Editorial assignment. You will want to read through these pages to make sure you understand why it is important to synthesize sources and research in editorial writing.
Finally, we talked about a reading strategy you will use while you do your reading homework for the next two weeks: Reading Like A Writer.
Reading like a writer makes you a better reader and also a better writer. What you will do is examine how effective writers use rhetorical devices to make their writing effective. This enables you to analyze how you can use these same devices in your writing.
So, your homework for Thursday is to (1) read the following packet on editorials and complete the reading like a writer strategy for each of the model Op-Eds and (2) bring all of your articles on your topic to class on Thursday!
If you have questions, please come and see me!
This is what we did in class today:
First we talked about the topics you have been following in the paper and online. We talked about how to turn your topic into an issue (with at least two sides) by turning your topic into a yes/no question. That will ensure your topic is an issue. To do this see the practice worksheet and be sure to turn this into me on Thursday.
We talked through the first portion of your portfolio assignment: Two Editorials. See the assignment sheet for more details. Come and see me to get the assignment sheet.
Then we read pages 61-67 in the AP textbook to look at why you will be doing the Editorial assignment, and how you will begin thinking about the Editorial assignment. You will want to read through these pages to make sure you understand why it is important to synthesize sources and research in editorial writing.
Finally, we talked about a reading strategy you will use while you do your reading homework for the next two weeks: Reading Like A Writer.
Reading like a writer makes you a better reader and also a better writer. What you will do is examine how effective writers use rhetorical devices to make their writing effective. This enables you to analyze how you can use these same devices in your writing.
So, your homework for Thursday is to (1) read the following packet on editorials and complete the reading like a writer strategy for each of the model Op-Eds and (2) bring all of your articles on your topic to class on Thursday!
If you have questions, please come and see me!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Friday, March 14th
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby chapter 8 and we completed Peer Review.
If you missed class here's what you need to do:
1. Write a well developed paragraph to answer the following prompt: Write about a time when you wanted something so you deceived someone to get it, but it backfired.
2. Answer the following questions for Chapter 8:
a. Look at the passage on pages 148-149 where Nick talks with Gatsby before going to work. What do we learn about Gatsby's dream? Why does Nick think Gatsby's dream is dead?
b. Look at the passage on page 153-154 where Nick is leaving Gatsby's mansion to go to work. While Nick is leaving he says, "'They're a rotten crowd'...'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end." Explain Nick's statement. Nick admires Gatsby, but has disapproved of him from beginning to end, how does this work?
3. You will need to print off the peer review sheet (or come get one from me) and have another student in our class peer review your paper and you will want to peer review another student's paper in order to receive points.
Homework for Tuesday:
1. Read The Great Gatsby chapter 9 (the last chapter!)
2. Bring all of your multigenre materials to work on in class on Tuesday.
If you missed class here's what you need to do:
1. Write a well developed paragraph to answer the following prompt: Write about a time when you wanted something so you deceived someone to get it, but it backfired.
2. Answer the following questions for Chapter 8:
a. Look at the passage on pages 148-149 where Nick talks with Gatsby before going to work. What do we learn about Gatsby's dream? Why does Nick think Gatsby's dream is dead?
b. Look at the passage on page 153-154 where Nick is leaving Gatsby's mansion to go to work. While Nick is leaving he says, "'They're a rotten crowd'...'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end." Explain Nick's statement. Nick admires Gatsby, but has disapproved of him from beginning to end, how does this work?
3. You will need to print off the peer review sheet (or come get one from me) and have another student in our class peer review your paper and you will want to peer review another student's paper in order to receive points.
Homework for Tuesday:
1. Read The Great Gatsby chapter 9 (the last chapter!)
2. Bring all of your multigenre materials to work on in class on Tuesday.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thursday, March 13th
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby chapter 8 and we completed Peer Review.
If you missed class here's what you need to do:
1. Write a well developed paragraph to answer the following prompt: Write about a time when you wanted something so you deceived someone to get it, but it backfired.
2. Answer the following questions for Chapter 8:
a. Look at the passage on pages 148-149 where Nick talks with Gatsby before going to work. What do we learn about Gatsby's dream? Why does Nick think Gatsby's dream is dead?
b. Look at the passage on page 153-154 where Nick is leaving Gatsby's mansion to go to work. While Nick is leaving he says, "'They're a rotten crowd'...'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end." Explain Nick's statement. Nick admires Gatsby, but has disapproved of him from beginning to end, how does this work?
3. You will need to print off the peer review sheet (or come get one from me) and have another student in our class peer review your paper and you will want to peer review another student's paper in order to receive points.
Homework for Tuesday:
1. Read The Great Gatsby chapter 9 (the last chapter!)
2. Bring all of your multigenre materials to work on in class on Tuesday.
If you missed class here's what you need to do:
1. Write a well developed paragraph to answer the following prompt: Write about a time when you wanted something so you deceived someone to get it, but it backfired.
2. Answer the following questions for Chapter 8:
a. Look at the passage on pages 148-149 where Nick talks with Gatsby before going to work. What do we learn about Gatsby's dream? Why does Nick think Gatsby's dream is dead?
b. Look at the passage on page 153-154 where Nick is leaving Gatsby's mansion to go to work. While Nick is leaving he says, "'They're a rotten crowd'...'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end." Explain Nick's statement. Nick admires Gatsby, but has disapproved of him from beginning to end, how does this work?
3. You will need to print off the peer review sheet (or come get one from me) and have another student in our class peer review your paper and you will want to peer review another student's paper in order to receive points.
Homework for Tuesday:
1. Read The Great Gatsby chapter 9 (the last chapter!)
2. Bring all of your multigenre materials to work on in class on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11th & Wednesday, March 12th
Okay, so today we talked about The Great Gatsby Chapter 7. This is the climax of the novel.
We also talked about Peer Review. Peer Review is when you write a paper and have one of your classmates read it and give you feedback. We will be completing a specific peer review process on Thursday and Friday this week.
You MUST have a completed draft of your compare-contrast essay in class on Thursday or Friday.
Remember as part of the process points of your multigenre research paper you receive points for the following:
1) Having a completed draft in class on Thursday or Friday.
2) Having your draft peer reviewed by someone in our class.
3) Peer Reviewing a classmate's paper.
These are easy points! And they are a lot of points, make sure you get them!
To make up the class for Thursday you need to do the following:
1. Write about a dream or goal you have accomplished and the steps you took to accomplish it.
2. Answer the following questions about Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby:
1. Think about the confrontation scene on p.132-134. At the end of this passage Nick states that “only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible, struggling unhappily, undesparingly, toward that lost voice across the room.” How does Nick’s commentary connect to the confrontation scene? What is important about this scene and Nick’s commentary?
2. Re-read the passage on p.144-145 in which Nick finds Gatsby outside Daisy’s house in the dark. Compare this passage to the passage in chapter 1 where Nick sees Gatsby outside at night stretching his arms toward Daisy’s house. What is the significance of Gatsby standing outside Daisy’s house and Nick leaving him there alone?
Homework for Thursday or Friday:
Read The Great Gatsby chapter 8
Bring a Completed Draft of your Compare-Contrast Essay to class!!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Monday, March 10th
Happy Monday!
Both Odd and Even Classes:
Today was a normal Monday, next Monday will be an odd day!
If you missed class today you will need to do the following assignment to make up the punctual piece and class work:
1. In a well developed paragraph, write about a time when you were really excited about something, but when it actually happened it wasn't as great as you thought.
2. Answer the following questions for chapters 5 and 6 of The Great Gatsby:
Chapter 5:
1. Look at the passage on p. 92-93 beginning “After the house..” and ending “diminished by one…” How does this passage further develop the symbol of the green light as the American Dream?
2. Does the reunion between Gatsby and Daisy live up to either of their expectations? Why or why not? Give specific examples from the text to support your ideas.
Chapter 6:
1. Read the interaction between Gatsby and Tom and the Sloane's on p. 101-103. How does this interaction relate to Gatsby's history as related by Nick just prior to this passage? What does this passage infer about Gatsby's dream of wealth and status?
2. Gatsby can see that Daisy did not have a good time at his party. Look at his conversation with Nick at the end of chapter 6 on p. 109-110. In this conversation Nick and Gatsby disagree on a point about whether or not it is possible to repeat the past. Comment on how this concept relates to Gatsby's dream.
Also for Tuesday or Wednesday (whichever day you have class) read The Great Gatsby chapter 7, and bring all of your multigenre research with you to class.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friday, March 7th
We are almost done! And you are all doing great.
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby Chapter 4 and the final component of the required genres: the compare and contrast essay. I know it may be a bit confusing, but no worries. Just take it one step at a time.
Your poem for 2 voices should have started generating your thinking for your essay. Now you will want to expand that thinking and decide specifically how your topic from the 1920s relates to what you are comparing it to in our society today.
Then you will need to answer the questions "Why am I comparing my topic from the 1920s with this aspect from our society today?" and "Why is my comparison important?" Your answers to these two questions should give you the focus and thesis of your essay!
Next you will want to select an organizational pattern. There are 2 common ways of organizing compare contrast essays: Block Format and Point-by-Point.
Option 1: Block Format
In Block Format you follow the following pattern:
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
Topic A: give background information and relate the information back to your thesis without mentioning Topic B.
(This section will probably be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
Topic B: now give background information and relate the information back both to your thesis and Topic A.
(This section should be approximately the same number of paragraphs as Topic A)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Option 2: Point-by-Point Format
If you choice the Point-by-Point format, you will follow the following pattern.
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
In this section you will state the similarities between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
In this section you will state the differences between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Okay, so to make up the punctual piece you missed you will need to write a well developed paragraph on the following prompt:
Many critics claim that The Great Gatsby is a novel about dreams and specifically The American Dream. After reading chapter 4 what is Gatsby's dream? Provide at least two (2) specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Now, for Monday:
1. You must have 3 genres: Newspaper article, Poem for 2 Voices, and one Your Choice genre: it could be a photo you find, a picture you draw, a letter, etc. It doesn't have to be difficult.
2. Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 5-6 (this is where it gets really, really, really good!)
3. Complete the Compare/Contrast planning guide using either the Block or Point-by-Point formats, but not both.
(see the sidebar links for all of the compare contrast info!)
Also, writing a compare-contrast essay for the first time can be difficult. Sometimes the thinking part of the paper is the hardest part. Please call me or come see me! I promise we can make it really easy if we work through the thinking portion together.
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby Chapter 4 and the final component of the required genres: the compare and contrast essay. I know it may be a bit confusing, but no worries. Just take it one step at a time.
Your poem for 2 voices should have started generating your thinking for your essay. Now you will want to expand that thinking and decide specifically how your topic from the 1920s relates to what you are comparing it to in our society today.
Then you will need to answer the questions "Why am I comparing my topic from the 1920s with this aspect from our society today?" and "Why is my comparison important?" Your answers to these two questions should give you the focus and thesis of your essay!
Next you will want to select an organizational pattern. There are 2 common ways of organizing compare contrast essays: Block Format and Point-by-Point.
Option 1: Block Format
In Block Format you follow the following pattern:
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
Topic A: give background information and relate the information back to your thesis without mentioning Topic B.
(This section will probably be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
Topic B: now give background information and relate the information back both to your thesis and Topic A.
(This section should be approximately the same number of paragraphs as Topic A)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Option 2: Point-by-Point Format
If you choice the Point-by-Point format, you will follow the following pattern.
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
In this section you will state the similarities between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
In this section you will state the differences between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Okay, so to make up the punctual piece you missed you will need to write a well developed paragraph on the following prompt:
Many critics claim that The Great Gatsby is a novel about dreams and specifically The American Dream. After reading chapter 4 what is Gatsby's dream? Provide at least two (2) specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Now, for Monday:
1. You must have 3 genres: Newspaper article, Poem for 2 Voices, and one Your Choice genre: it could be a photo you find, a picture you draw, a letter, etc. It doesn't have to be difficult.
2. Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 5-6 (this is where it gets really, really, really good!)
3. Complete the Compare/Contrast planning guide using either the Block or Point-by-Point formats, but not both.
(see the sidebar links for all of the compare contrast info!)
Also, writing a compare-contrast essay for the first time can be difficult. Sometimes the thinking part of the paper is the hardest part. Please call me or come see me! I promise we can make it really easy if we work through the thinking portion together.
Thursday, March 6th
We are almost done! And you are all doing great.
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby Chapter 4 and the final component of the required genres: the compare and contrast essay. I know it may be a bit confusing, but no worries. Just take it one step at a time.
Your poem for 2 voices should have started generating your thinking for your essay. Now you will want to expand that thinking and decide specifically how your topic from the 1920s relates to what you are comparing it to in our society today.
Then you will need to answer the questions "Why am I comparing my topic from the 1920s with this aspect from our society today?" and "Why is my comparison important?" Your answers to these two questions should give you the focus and thesis of your essay!
Next you will want to select an organizational pattern. There are 2 common ways of organizing compare contrast essays: Block Format and Point-by-Point.
Option 1: Block Format
In Block Format you follow the following pattern:
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
Topic A: give background information and relate the information back to your thesis without mentioning Topic B.
(This section will probably be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
Topic B: now give background information and relate the information back both to your thesis and Topic A.
(This section should be approximately the same number of paragraphs as Topic A)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Option 2: Point-by-Point Format
If you choice the Point-by-Point format, you will follow the following pattern.
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
In this section you will state the similarities between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
In this section you will state the differences between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Okay, so to make up the punctual piece you missed you will need to write a well developed paragraph on the following prompt:
Many critics claim that The Great Gatsby is a novel about dreams and specifically The American Dream. After reading chapter 4 what is Gatsby's dream? Provide at least two (2) specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Now, for Monday:
1. You must have 3 genres: Newspaper article, Poem for 2 Voices, and one Your Choice genre: it could be a photo you find, a picture you draw, a letter, etc. It doesn't have to be difficult.
2. Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 5-6 (this is where it gets really, really, really good!)
3. Complete the Compare/Contrast planning guide using either the Block or Point-by-Point formats, but not both.
(see the sidebar links for all of the compare contrast info!)
Also, writing a compare-contrast essay for the first time can be difficult. Sometimes the thinking part of the paper is the hardest part. Please call me or come see me! I promise we can make it really easy if we work through the thinking portion together.
Today we talked about The Great Gatsby Chapter 4 and the final component of the required genres: the compare and contrast essay. I know it may be a bit confusing, but no worries. Just take it one step at a time.
Your poem for 2 voices should have started generating your thinking for your essay. Now you will want to expand that thinking and decide specifically how your topic from the 1920s relates to what you are comparing it to in our society today.
Then you will need to answer the questions "Why am I comparing my topic from the 1920s with this aspect from our society today?" and "Why is my comparison important?" Your answers to these two questions should give you the focus and thesis of your essay!
Next you will want to select an organizational pattern. There are 2 common ways of organizing compare contrast essays: Block Format and Point-by-Point.
Option 1: Block Format
In Block Format you follow the following pattern:
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
Topic A: give background information and relate the information back to your thesis without mentioning Topic B.
(This section will probably be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
Topic B: now give background information and relate the information back both to your thesis and Topic A.
(This section should be approximately the same number of paragraphs as Topic A)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Option 2: Point-by-Point Format
If you choice the Point-by-Point format, you will follow the following pattern.
Introduction/Thesis Paragraph
This is where you will introduce your topic from the 1920s and the aspect from our society to which you are comparing it. You will tell your reader why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important (You will be stating your THESIS!)
Body:
Paragraph 1-?
In this section you will state the similarities between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Paragraph ?-?
In this section you will state the differences between Topic A and Topic B on one point. Then you will go onto the next point.
(This section should be at least 2 paragraphs)
Conclusion Paragraph(s)
Now discuss the similarities and differences between the topics and further develop your answer to why you are comparing these two topics and why your comparison is important.
You're Done!
Okay, so to make up the punctual piece you missed you will need to write a well developed paragraph on the following prompt:
Many critics claim that The Great Gatsby is a novel about dreams and specifically The American Dream. After reading chapter 4 what is Gatsby's dream? Provide at least two (2) specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Now, for Monday:
1. You must have 3 genres: Newspaper article, Poem for 2 Voices, and one Your Choice genre: it could be a photo you find, a picture you draw, a letter, etc. It doesn't have to be difficult.
2. Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 5-6 (this is where it gets really, really, really good!)
3. Complete the Compare/Contrast planning guide using either the Block or Point-by-Point formats, but not both.
(see the sidebar links for all of the compare contrast info!)
Also, writing a compare-contrast essay for the first time can be difficult. Sometimes the thinking part of the paper is the hardest part. Please call me or come see me! I promise we can make it really easy if we work through the thinking portion together.
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