Welcome to our 11th week of the semester. We'll wind up our Science/Nature/Environment-themed unit, write a synthesis in-class essay, and begin Huckleberry Finn.
NOTE: There will be a full-length AP practice exam on three different dates: Saturday, March 28 and Friday, April 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m, and Monday, April 13 from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Please sign up on the bulletin board in class. The multiple choice answers will count towards the "final" portion of the class grade, one of the three essays will be graded by the pool of AP teachers, one by me, and one by peers in class. We also need parent volunteers to help proctor the exam -- guaranteed "quiet time" for 4 hours and you will not be in the same room as your student. Please contact Ms. M. at amogilefsky@smmusd.org if interested.
MONDAY: Discuss Carson's "The Obligation to Endure" and multiple choice answers/rationale. Discuss Space Exploration synthesis prompt and brainstorm answers as a whole class. Read articles and annotate for Tuesday.
Because of the sad irony of studying the synthesis prompt, typically with pages and pages of printed sources on paper, while simultaneously reading about the environment, I've posted the link to the Space Exploration prompt below:
Click here to link to Space Exploration prompt and sources.
Please read through these and take notes on the side for Tuesday. There will be some paper copies available in class.
TUESDAY: Space Exploration prompt -- go through the process as a whole class.
WEDNESDAY: Definition and overview of satire and close reading of samples.
THURSDAY: In-class synthesis essay.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Pick up Huckleberry Finn -- read articles for and against inclusion in the high school curriculum. HW: Read H. Finn, chapters 1-4.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
March 9-13
Welcome to our 10th week in the semester. Looking ahead, we'll continue with our Science and Nature/Environment unit with a variety of essays and passages that will allow you to gain some background knowledge and exposure to some of the more famous American work in the area including Rachel Carson, Henry David Thoreau, and Charles Darwin. We will continue our work with the synthesis essay by analyzing our previous baseline essay.
MONDAY: Meet in our regular classroom, pick up a vocabulary sheet for the week, then go to the College Center for a presentation. HW: Post Keystone Synthesis essay to Turnitin.com by 10:59 p.m. on Monday night, if you haven't already. Bring the McGraw Hill book with you to class the rest of the week. For Wednesday, read "Economy" by Henry David Thoreau beginning on page 663 and read and think about the comprehension questions on page 666.
TUESDAY: (minimum day due to Open House Night) Finish discussions of the first passages from last week, including E.O. Wilson's The Future of Life and Chief Seattle's Letter to President Pierce. Introduction to passage by Henry David Thoreau. HW: For Wednesday, read "Economy" by Henry David Thoreau beginning on page 663 and read and think about the comprehension questions on page 666.
WEDNESDAY: Discuss "Economy" and the comprehension questions in class. Vocabulary activity. HW: Read Charles Darwin's "Natural Selection" beginning on page 559 for class on Thursday.
THURSDAY: Read your answer to the baseline synthesis essay about technology in schools and compare it to the Synthesis FLT sheet and rubric. Pick one FLT that you could use to improve the essay and rewrite one paragraph. Discuss and share answers in class. Talk about Darwin's "Natural Selection" as a class.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. View and analyze visual representations of environmental messages with OPTICS worksheet. Rhetorical analysis practice. HW: Read Rachel Carson's "The Obligation to Endure" on page 624 and answer the first "rhetoric" question at the end of the passage as well as the multiple choice handout for Monday.
MONDAY: Meet in our regular classroom, pick up a vocabulary sheet for the week, then go to the College Center for a presentation. HW: Post Keystone Synthesis essay to Turnitin.com by 10:59 p.m. on Monday night, if you haven't already. Bring the McGraw Hill book with you to class the rest of the week. For Wednesday, read "Economy" by Henry David Thoreau beginning on page 663 and read and think about the comprehension questions on page 666.
TUESDAY: (minimum day due to Open House Night) Finish discussions of the first passages from last week, including E.O. Wilson's The Future of Life and Chief Seattle's Letter to President Pierce. Introduction to passage by Henry David Thoreau. HW: For Wednesday, read "Economy" by Henry David Thoreau beginning on page 663 and read and think about the comprehension questions on page 666.
WEDNESDAY: Discuss "Economy" and the comprehension questions in class. Vocabulary activity. HW: Read Charles Darwin's "Natural Selection" beginning on page 559 for class on Thursday.
THURSDAY: Read your answer to the baseline synthesis essay about technology in schools and compare it to the Synthesis FLT sheet and rubric. Pick one FLT that you could use to improve the essay and rewrite one paragraph. Discuss and share answers in class. Talk about Darwin's "Natural Selection" as a class.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. View and analyze visual representations of environmental messages with OPTICS worksheet. Rhetorical analysis practice. HW: Read Rachel Carson's "The Obligation to Endure" on page 624 and answer the first "rhetoric" question at the end of the passage as well as the multiple choice handout for Monday.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
March 2-6
Welcome! This week we will begin a brief "science and the environment" unit that will include readings from a variety of authors old and new, begin a take-home synthesis essay about the Keystone Pipeline, and focus on improving introductory paragraphs for essays.
MONDAY: Final discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God, written reflection about the book as a do-now. Receive the article packet with the Keystone Pipeline essay question, due next Monday night. DUE: Their Eyes Were Watching God books. HW: Read and annotate the first 3 Keystone articles for discussion for Tuesday.
TUESDAY: Notes: introduction paragraphs - key elements, how-tos. Rework the intro paragraph from sample advertising essays. Basic Keystone Pipeline information (both sides), discussion about first 2 articles. List most important factors as a class. DUE: Be prepared to discuss first 2 articles of Keystone packet. HW: Finish reading last Keystone articles from packet and annotate.
WEDNESDAY: (Mogilefsky out with other 11th grade teachers) Read selection from E.O. Wilson's The Future of Life and discuss how it pertains to the stakeholders in the Keystone Pipeline debate. Complete prewriting for Keystone essay (outline, list major factors you will discuss). Draft introductory paragraph for Keystone essay. HW: Bring draft of introductory paragraph for Thursday.
THURSDAY: View introductory paragraphs and outlines. Using laptops, find one additional source for the essay, and continue writing. DUE: Introductory paragraph. HW: Study for current events quiz.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Synthesis activity: using sources in support of your argument, not letting them lead. Discuss and explain. Do not retell, list, or summarize. HW: Work on Keystone synthesis essay, due on Turnitin.com on Monday night by 10:59 p.m.
MONDAY: Final discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God, written reflection about the book as a do-now. Receive the article packet with the Keystone Pipeline essay question, due next Monday night. DUE: Their Eyes Were Watching God books. HW: Read and annotate the first 3 Keystone articles for discussion for Tuesday.
TUESDAY: Notes: introduction paragraphs - key elements, how-tos. Rework the intro paragraph from sample advertising essays. Basic Keystone Pipeline information (both sides), discussion about first 2 articles. List most important factors as a class. DUE: Be prepared to discuss first 2 articles of Keystone packet. HW: Finish reading last Keystone articles from packet and annotate.
WEDNESDAY: (Mogilefsky out with other 11th grade teachers) Read selection from E.O. Wilson's The Future of Life and discuss how it pertains to the stakeholders in the Keystone Pipeline debate. Complete prewriting for Keystone essay (outline, list major factors you will discuss). Draft introductory paragraph for Keystone essay. HW: Bring draft of introductory paragraph for Thursday.
THURSDAY: View introductory paragraphs and outlines. Using laptops, find one additional source for the essay, and continue writing. DUE: Introductory paragraph. HW: Study for current events quiz.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Synthesis activity: using sources in support of your argument, not letting them lead. Discuss and explain. Do not retell, list, or summarize. HW: Work on Keystone synthesis essay, due on Turnitin.com on Monday night by 10:59 p.m.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
February 23-27
Welcome to the last week of February (already). This week, after turning in your advertising synthesis essay, we'll enjoy one final week reading Their Eyes Were Watching God and our gender unit before moving on to a short unit with a "science and the environment" theme.
NOTE: Friday is the last day to sign up for the AP exam for regular price!!
MONDAY: Debate the following assertion: Women should not have to register for Selective Service ("the draft") within 30 days of turning 18, just men. Draw cards to divide class into teams (defend or challenge). Teams will plan, then present opening arguments. Receive vocabulary sheet for the week. DUE: Debate prep worksheet, 3 pieces of evidence on a T-chart, 3 pieces of "hard" evidence, printed out. HW: Consider rebuttal for tomorrow's class.
TUESDAY: Rebuttal from each team, then open "popcorn" debate. HW: Read through chapter 16 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and be ready to discuss on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY: Their Eyes discussion, reading. HW: Read chapter 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God for Friday.
THURSDAY: Multiple choice AP practice - 30 minutes (half of an exam). Worksheet analyzing results. HW: Read chapter 17 of Their Eyes for Friday, finish multiple choice worksheet for Friday.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. Go over multiple choice results, turn in worksheets. Discuss chapter 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Periodic sentences. HW: Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God, (chapters 18-20) for Monday. Know basic information about the Keystone Pipeline bill that Congress passed and President Obama vetoed this week; next week we will be reading and writing about it.
NOTE: Friday is the last day to sign up for the AP exam for regular price!!
MONDAY: Debate the following assertion: Women should not have to register for Selective Service ("the draft") within 30 days of turning 18, just men. Draw cards to divide class into teams (defend or challenge). Teams will plan, then present opening arguments. Receive vocabulary sheet for the week. DUE: Debate prep worksheet, 3 pieces of evidence on a T-chart, 3 pieces of "hard" evidence, printed out. HW: Consider rebuttal for tomorrow's class.
TUESDAY: Rebuttal from each team, then open "popcorn" debate. HW: Read through chapter 16 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and be ready to discuss on Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY: Their Eyes discussion, reading. HW: Read chapter 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God for Friday.
THURSDAY: Multiple choice AP practice - 30 minutes (half of an exam). Worksheet analyzing results. HW: Read chapter 17 of Their Eyes for Friday, finish multiple choice worksheet for Friday.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. Go over multiple choice results, turn in worksheets. Discuss chapter 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Periodic sentences. HW: Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God, (chapters 18-20) for Monday. Know basic information about the Keystone Pipeline bill that Congress passed and President Obama vetoed this week; next week we will be reading and writing about it.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
February 17-20
Welcome! I hope everyone enjoyed (or is enjoying) President's Day. This week, we'll spend the majority of the time working through the synthesis process as we complete the take-home advertising prompt by Friday evening. We'll be finishing Their Eyes Were Watching God and debating early next week.
TUESDAY: Pass back last argument in-class essay and go over results, rubric. Pass back "baseline" in-class synthesis essay and the rubric, and look at a score "9" from the college board. Overview of rubric for take-home synthesis advertising essay that you started on last week. Check-in with Their Eyes Were Watching God. HW: Complete a draft of the synthesis essay for Thursday. If it's in electronic form, make sure you can access it from the internet (on Thursday we'll be using the laptops in class to work on them).
WEDNESDAY: Brief overview with synthesis tips/checklist. Discuss advertising synthesis essay prompt and possible positions, including how advertising helps the economy and introduces the public to new products. Watch "Killing Me Softly" video about the negative effects of the images of women in advertising. HW: Complete a draft of the synthesis essay for Thursday. If it's in electronic form, make sure you can access it from the internet (on Thursday we'll be using the laptops in class to work on them).
THURSDAY: Whiparound: thesis statements. Each student will read their thesis statement from their draft out loud. Receive sheet "Verbs in AP English, Academic Discource" to use in revisions of your essay. Work time on laptops for draft revisions. HW: Polish draft of synthesis advertising essay for Friday's due date on Turnitin.com. Study for current events quiz, covering the "10 Things You Need to Know Today" from Tuesday through Thursday of this week.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz from TheWeek.com covering Tuesday-Thursday. Read articles about gender-related current event and discuss/debate. HW: Read Chapters 17-19 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and finish "Debate Preparation" sheet for Monday. Upload synthesis advertising essay by 11:59 p.m. on Turnitin.com.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
February 9-13
There were so many wonderful Their Eyes Were Watching God projects turned in last week, including a little forest of trees with quotes on them and delicious Southern snacks. This week, our last week before the three-day weekend, we will continue our focus on the synthesis essay, the last of the three styles you'll write during the AP exam in May. We'll write our first synthesis style essay in class on Tuesday, and it will be scored by other AP teachers on Thursday.
MONDAY: Share your thesis and body paragraphs in small groups in the class from the synthesis prompt you worked on over the weekend: is college worth the cost? Read samples and put them in order of their score. DUE: Synthesis assignment #3: rough draft of thesis, 3 pieces of evidence from sources and 1 body paragraph in response to the 2014 AP Exam question: is college worth it? HW: Look over synthesis notes and samples in your materials to prep for in-class essay. Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 10-12 for Wednesday.
TUESDAY: Synthesis in-class essay. HW: Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 10-12 for Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY: Check in with Their Eyes Were Watching God, "Create a Character" assignment introduced/work time. DUE: Their Eyes 10-12. HW: Read "Their Eyes" chapter 13 for Friday, work on Create a Character for Friday.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out for AP teacher meeting/scoring of synthesis essay. Other AP teachers will be scoring your essays.) Creative vocabulary assignment - individual. Share vocabulary assignment and turn it in. HW: Read articles for take-home synthesis essay about advertising, due next Friday, Feb 20th on turnitin.com.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. Discuss advertising articles for your next synthesis essay (take-home). View satirical piece about "native" advertising. DUE: Create a character assignment. HW: Begin take-home synthesis essay, due next Friday to turnitin.com: on Tuesday, have the articles read and annotated, prepare an outline, and begin drafting the essay. Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 14-16.
Have a fabulous three-day weekend!
MONDAY: Share your thesis and body paragraphs in small groups in the class from the synthesis prompt you worked on over the weekend: is college worth the cost? Read samples and put them in order of their score. DUE: Synthesis assignment #3: rough draft of thesis, 3 pieces of evidence from sources and 1 body paragraph in response to the 2014 AP Exam question: is college worth it? HW: Look over synthesis notes and samples in your materials to prep for in-class essay. Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 10-12 for Wednesday.
TUESDAY: Synthesis in-class essay. HW: Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 10-12 for Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY: Check in with Their Eyes Were Watching God, "Create a Character" assignment introduced/work time. DUE: Their Eyes 10-12. HW: Read "Their Eyes" chapter 13 for Friday, work on Create a Character for Friday.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out for AP teacher meeting/scoring of synthesis essay. Other AP teachers will be scoring your essays.) Creative vocabulary assignment - individual. Share vocabulary assignment and turn it in. HW: Read articles for take-home synthesis essay about advertising, due next Friday, Feb 20th on turnitin.com.
FRIDAY: Vocabulary quiz. Discuss advertising articles for your next synthesis essay (take-home). View satirical piece about "native" advertising. DUE: Create a character assignment. HW: Begin take-home synthesis essay, due next Friday to turnitin.com: on Tuesday, have the articles read and annotated, prepare an outline, and begin drafting the essay. Read Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters 14-16.
Have a fabulous three-day weekend!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
February 2-6
Welcome! I've graded and posted comments for the Disagreement/Dissent take-home argument essay on Turnitin.com. Most of the essays were pretty good, and provided specific examples and appropriate and relevant evidence. Areas that were a little problematic were taking a clear stand (especially for qualified arguments) and conclusions. We'll take a quick look at the conclusion section of the Argument Prompt FLT worksheet before Monday's in-class essay.
MONDAY: In-class argument essay. HW: Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God project for Tuesday (5th) and Wednesday (6th).
TUESDAY(5th period) / WEDNESDAY (6th): Go over results from Disagreement/Dissent essay, enjoy Their Eyes cooking projects, announce whole-class essay contest winner. Look at Paine prompt. Read synthesis materials for Thursday. Read Their Eyes chapters 10-12 for Friday.
THURSDAY: Introduction to the synthesis essay. View overview and go through an example. This is the last type of essay we need to master for the AP exam, and we will practice a full length in-class essay this Tuesday. HW: Read and annotate articles with SOAPS, list 3 pieces of evidence and choose thesis from list on packet. Study for current events quiz.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Citations for synthesis. Read source that goes with "Is college worth the cost?" prompt and discuss. HW: Finish reading and annotating sources, draft a thesis statement, pick out three pieces of evidence and write out one body paragraph for Monday.
MONDAY: In-class argument essay. HW: Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God project for Tuesday (5th) and Wednesday (6th).
TUESDAY(5th period) / WEDNESDAY (6th): Go over results from Disagreement/Dissent essay, enjoy Their Eyes cooking projects, announce whole-class essay contest winner. Look at Paine prompt. Read synthesis materials for Thursday. Read Their Eyes chapters 10-12 for Friday.
THURSDAY: Introduction to the synthesis essay. View overview and go through an example. This is the last type of essay we need to master for the AP exam, and we will practice a full length in-class essay this Tuesday. HW: Read and annotate articles with SOAPS, list 3 pieces of evidence and choose thesis from list on packet. Study for current events quiz.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Citations for synthesis. Read source that goes with "Is college worth the cost?" prompt and discuss. HW: Finish reading and annotating sources, draft a thesis statement, pick out three pieces of evidence and write out one body paragraph for Monday.
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