The AP exam is over! Fortunately, most of the feedback from students has been positive. The argument essay was tricky, but if you defined your terms and provided specific examples, (and it is well written, of course!) it should be fine. I am looking forward to accessing my class' scores in July.
Last week after the AP exam we completed some brainstorming exercises and got reacquainted with Huckleberry Finn again. This week we'll continue writing our personal statements/personal narratives, a very different type of essay than the three we've studied and mastered this year.
MONDAY: Please bring the McGraw Hill Reader with you so we can return it to the textbook room. Discuss Huckleberry Finn through chapter 38. Look at universal prompts/UC prompts for personal statements for 2015 and discuss each. Read and evaluate sample statements. DUE: Completed brainstorming sheets, with unique items "starred." HW: Read over the brainstorming sheet and make notes of any anecdotes that go with the questions that could be used for an essay. Don't censor yourself at this point. Read chapter 39 of Huckleberry Finn.
TUESDAY: Listen and evaluate more examples of personal narratives/personal statements, especially how they began and how they ended, and noting the text and subtext of each. Look at the list of prompts and compare it to the items you starred on the brainstorm sheet. HW:Choose an anecdote from your brainstorm sheet that is specific to you, but allows you to (humbly) show your talents/attributes. BRING MCGRAW HILL, please.
WEDNESDAY: Write out one very rough draft on the laptops of the best anecdote/statement for a prompt. Go to the textbook room. HW:Bring 3 specific details to class about your chosen essay topic.
THURSDAY: Review essay sample. Work on "bad" aka rough essays in class on laptops. HW: Rough draft due to turnitin.com by the end of the day on Friday.
FRIDAY:Work time for essays, individual help. Finish rough draft of essay and upload it to turnitin.com. HW: Finish Huckleberry Finn for Tuesday. Be prepared to discuss your opinion about the ending of the book. Also, work on your essay drafts and dialectical journals.
Enjoy the three-day weekend! See you on Tuesday. :-)
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
May 11-15
We're finally here: this week, students will take the AP exam on Wednesday, May 13. We'll review early in the week, take the exam, and then move on to our final writing assignment. Please come to class early (and I mean EARLY) at 6:30 a.m. for coffee, healthy snacks and comraderie in the regular classroom. Students are scheduled to be checking in at the cafeteria at the test at 7:15 a.m. and I'll be closing up the classroom to help the proctors set up. Testing begins promptly at 8:00 (see details in the sidebar and below).
MONDAY: Go over homework in class. Complete rhetorical analysis review. Create your own study sheet. DUE: go through two practice prompts and come to class ready to go through them. Any outstanding essays. HW: REST!
TUESDAY: Finish rhetorical analysis review. In-class challenge contest covering AP exam basics. Gather study materials - example and evidence sheet, quotes, rhetorical analysis study sheet.
WEDNESDAY: AP Exam:
Early wake-up: dress in comfortable layers. Bring a water bottle, blue or black pens, pencils, some healthy snacks, and an old fashioned watch if you have one.
6:30 a.m. Come to T219 (the regular Mogilefsky classroom) for coffee and healthy snacks.
7:15 a.m. Walk over to the cafeteria for check-in. There will be a seating chart, and absolutely no cell phones, so secure any electronics before walking over.
8:00 a.m. Exam begins with multiple choice.
10 minute break.
Essay portion of exam (2 hours, 15 minutes)
Go to regular classes after the exam ends. DO NOT POST ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXAM ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
5th and 6th period - General debriefing, game plan for the rest of the semester.
THURSDAY: Introduction to the final writing assignment, personal statement. Brainstorm questionnaire "speed dating" style. Pick up Huckleberry Finn again. HW: Bring Huck Finn and brainstorm sheet to class on Friday.
FRIDAY: (Mogilefsky out for personal/grading day.) Finish brainstorm worksheet and fill in as many details as possible. Put stars next to answers that were different from classmates' answers. Read Huckleberry Finn. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn through chapter 38, bring completed brainstorm sheet for Monday's class. Please bring the McGraw Hill Reader textbook so we can turn it in on Monday.
MONDAY: Go over homework in class. Complete rhetorical analysis review. Create your own study sheet. DUE: go through two practice prompts and come to class ready to go through them. Any outstanding essays. HW: REST!
TUESDAY: Finish rhetorical analysis review. In-class challenge contest covering AP exam basics. Gather study materials - example and evidence sheet, quotes, rhetorical analysis study sheet.
WEDNESDAY: AP Exam:
Early wake-up: dress in comfortable layers. Bring a water bottle, blue or black pens, pencils, some healthy snacks, and an old fashioned watch if you have one.
6:30 a.m. Come to T219 (the regular Mogilefsky classroom) for coffee and healthy snacks.
7:15 a.m. Walk over to the cafeteria for check-in. There will be a seating chart, and absolutely no cell phones, so secure any electronics before walking over.
8:00 a.m. Exam begins with multiple choice.
10 minute break.
Essay portion of exam (2 hours, 15 minutes)
Go to regular classes after the exam ends. DO NOT POST ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXAM ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
5th and 6th period - General debriefing, game plan for the rest of the semester.
THURSDAY: Introduction to the final writing assignment, personal statement. Brainstorm questionnaire "speed dating" style. Pick up Huckleberry Finn again. HW: Bring Huck Finn and brainstorm sheet to class on Friday.
FRIDAY: (Mogilefsky out for personal/grading day.) Finish brainstorm worksheet and fill in as many details as possible. Put stars next to answers that were different from classmates' answers. Read Huckleberry Finn. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn through chapter 38, bring completed brainstorm sheet for Monday's class. Please bring the McGraw Hill Reader textbook so we can turn it in on Monday.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
May 4-8
SBAC testing is over and we're back to a regular schedule. This week, we'll focus on preparing for the AP exam next week on May 13. We will take a break from Huckleberry Finn during this week.
MONDAY: Synthesis overview. Fully prepare and then anonymously grade an AP Practice Exam Synthesis response to the Monuments prompt. Receive vocabulary list for the week. DUE: Paragraph describing what could be improved in the "Government Fostering Green Practices" essay. HW: Finish Green essay rewrites, if you're not happy with your score.
TUESDAY: Deconstruct prompt for warm-up. Monuments feedback and discussion about approaching more complex prompts. Work on evidence/example worksheet - timed exercise. HW: Finding quotes for Evidence/Example worksheets.
WEDNESDAY: Go over argument essay basics, complete Evidence and Examples study sheet. DUE: Quotes on Evidence and Examples Worksheet. HW: Sports essay reading: An Innocent at Rinkside by William Faulkner.
THURSDAY: Argument prompt practice. Argument essay basics. Short multiple choice exercise based on sports essay. Discuss multiple choice answers. DUE: Sports essay, read Faulkner passage. HW: Study for vocab quiz (last one for the semester!)
FRIDAY: Vocab quiz. Rhetorical analysis basics. Go over Flamingo rhetorical analysis prompt and responses. This was a complex and potentially confusing prompt from the AP Practice Exam. HW: SOAPS and pick out 2-3 responses to the following prompts (handed out in class and below). Do any makeup essays. Get plenty of rest!
Question 2 on both links:
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap14_frq_english_language.pdf
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/apcentral/ap13_frq_english_language.pdf
MONDAY: Synthesis overview. Fully prepare and then anonymously grade an AP Practice Exam Synthesis response to the Monuments prompt. Receive vocabulary list for the week. DUE: Paragraph describing what could be improved in the "Government Fostering Green Practices" essay. HW: Finish Green essay rewrites, if you're not happy with your score.
TUESDAY: Deconstruct prompt for warm-up. Monuments feedback and discussion about approaching more complex prompts. Work on evidence/example worksheet - timed exercise. HW: Finding quotes for Evidence/Example worksheets.
WEDNESDAY: Go over argument essay basics, complete Evidence and Examples study sheet. DUE: Quotes on Evidence and Examples Worksheet. HW: Sports essay reading: An Innocent at Rinkside by William Faulkner.
THURSDAY: Argument prompt practice. Argument essay basics. Short multiple choice exercise based on sports essay. Discuss multiple choice answers. DUE: Sports essay, read Faulkner passage. HW: Study for vocab quiz (last one for the semester!)
FRIDAY: Vocab quiz. Rhetorical analysis basics. Go over Flamingo rhetorical analysis prompt and responses. This was a complex and potentially confusing prompt from the AP Practice Exam. HW: SOAPS and pick out 2-3 responses to the following prompts (handed out in class and below). Do any makeup essays. Get plenty of rest!
Question 2 on both links:
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap14_frq_english_language.pdf
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/apcentral/ap13_frq_english_language.pdf
Friday, April 24, 2015
April 27-May 1
This is the second week of block schedule and the English SBAC testing will be administered Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday. There will be no vocab or current events quiz this week. Please continue with Huckleberry Finn.
MONDAY/TUESDAY: SBAC testing. DUE: Please post any confusing multiple choice question numbers to the class website so we are sure to cover them on Wednesday. Huck Finn through chapter 25. HW: Huckleberry Finn, chapters 26-27.
WEDNESDAY: Green practices synthesis essay returned and discussed. Go over AP Practice Exam Multiple Choice questions. Huckleberry Finn check-in. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 28-29. 1 paragraph FLT analysis of Green essay for Monday -- using the FLT sheet, what could you improve on the next synthesis essay?
THURSDAY/FRIDAY: SBAC testing. HW: One paragraph FLT analysis of Green essay for Monday -- using the FLT sheet, what could you improve on the next synthesis essay? Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 29-36 for Monday.
MONDAY/TUESDAY: SBAC testing. DUE: Please post any confusing multiple choice question numbers to the class website so we are sure to cover them on Wednesday. Huck Finn through chapter 25. HW: Huckleberry Finn, chapters 26-27.
WEDNESDAY: Green practices synthesis essay returned and discussed. Go over AP Practice Exam Multiple Choice questions. Huckleberry Finn check-in. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 28-29. 1 paragraph FLT analysis of Green essay for Monday -- using the FLT sheet, what could you improve on the next synthesis essay?
THURSDAY/FRIDAY: SBAC testing. HW: One paragraph FLT analysis of Green essay for Monday -- using the FLT sheet, what could you improve on the next synthesis essay? Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 29-36 for Monday.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Multiple Choice Practice Exam - Confusing Questions
If you would like more explanation for any of the AP Practice Exam Multiple Choice questions, please post your period number (5th or 6th) and the number of the question you'd like the class to discuss in the comments below.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
April 20 - 24
This is the first of two weeks of block scheduling for 11th grade testing, and students will take the math portion in U.S. History classes. (Odd classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and even classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.) The other important thing to remember about the week is that the grading period ends on Friday, April 24th. I do accept late work for partial credit, so please get everything in by Friday.
MONDAY/TUESDAY: Fill out AP exam answer form general information. Briefly over argument essay tips. Huckleberry Finn check-in. Introduce Supreme Court project: in groups of 4, all students will research and write 2-3 paragraphs about their section of a significant case. HW: Finish rewriting argument essay from practice exam for Wednesday. Read chapters 19-20 in Huckleberry Finn. Finish writing up 2-3 paragraphs for group project for Friday.
WEDNESDAY: Receive multiple choice section of practice AP exams back. Practice on laptops for SBAC testing next week. DUE: Argument essay rewrites. HW: Read chapters 21-22 of Huckleberry Finn for Friday. Finish writing up 2-3 paragraphs for group project for Friday.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Supreme Court groups meet briefly to compare notes, vote. Supreme Court Groups present (approximately 5 minutes per group), while audience takes notes. Open note Supreme Court quiz immediately following. SBAC practice exam. DUE: 2-3 paragraphs Supreme Court project (each person in the group completes their own.) HW: Read Huckleberry Finn through Chapter 25 for Monday/Tuesday.
MONDAY/TUESDAY: Fill out AP exam answer form general information. Briefly over argument essay tips. Huckleberry Finn check-in. Introduce Supreme Court project: in groups of 4, all students will research and write 2-3 paragraphs about their section of a significant case. HW: Finish rewriting argument essay from practice exam for Wednesday. Read chapters 19-20 in Huckleberry Finn. Finish writing up 2-3 paragraphs for group project for Friday.
WEDNESDAY: Receive multiple choice section of practice AP exams back. Practice on laptops for SBAC testing next week. DUE: Argument essay rewrites. HW: Read chapters 21-22 of Huckleberry Finn for Friday. Finish writing up 2-3 paragraphs for group project for Friday.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Supreme Court groups meet briefly to compare notes, vote. Supreme Court Groups present (approximately 5 minutes per group), while audience takes notes. Open note Supreme Court quiz immediately following. SBAC practice exam. DUE: 2-3 paragraphs Supreme Court project (each person in the group completes their own.) HW: Read Huckleberry Finn through Chapter 25 for Monday/Tuesday.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
April 13-17
Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful break. I'm excited to see everyone and looking forward to our time in class together. In the coming weeks, we'll gear up for the AP exam, and also enjoy many interesting speeches, passages, Huckleberry Finn, and a brief Sports unit featuring essays by some of America's finest writers.
MONDAY: Overview of what we'll cover during the last weeks of school. Get reacquainted with Huck Finn through chapter seven. Review rhetorical analysis basics and watch/read transcripts of the 2016 candidates who have announced their presidential bids. Perform rhetorical analysis of these speeches. HW: Read Huck Finn chapter 8-10.
TUESDAY: Rhetorical analysis of a presidential speech from the past. HW: Read Huck Finn chapters 12-13 for Thursday.
WEDNESDAY: Practice and overview of SBA standardized testing that will take place beginning the week of April 27. If time, close reading Huckleberry Finn chapter 11 - what is Twain saying (if anything) about gender in this chapter? How is it related to other themes of the book? HW: Read chapters 14-15 for Thursday. Note the big shift at the end of chapter 15.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out with AP teachers scoring one of the practice exam essays.) Read articles critiquing Huckleberry Finn. Note how each author makes their argument, and underline claim statements. Write a short paragraph describing who you most agree with and why. HW: Study for current events quiz, read Huck Finn chapters 16-17.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Go over Huck Finn articles and responses. Review argument essay from practice exam. DUE: Paragraph about Huckleberry Finn. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 16-20. Rewrite/revise argument essay for Wednesday.
MONDAY: Overview of what we'll cover during the last weeks of school. Get reacquainted with Huck Finn through chapter seven. Review rhetorical analysis basics and watch/read transcripts of the 2016 candidates who have announced their presidential bids. Perform rhetorical analysis of these speeches. HW: Read Huck Finn chapter 8-10.
TUESDAY: Rhetorical analysis of a presidential speech from the past. HW: Read Huck Finn chapters 12-13 for Thursday.
WEDNESDAY: Practice and overview of SBA standardized testing that will take place beginning the week of April 27. If time, close reading Huckleberry Finn chapter 11 - what is Twain saying (if anything) about gender in this chapter? How is it related to other themes of the book? HW: Read chapters 14-15 for Thursday. Note the big shift at the end of chapter 15.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out with AP teachers scoring one of the practice exam essays.) Read articles critiquing Huckleberry Finn. Note how each author makes their argument, and underline claim statements. Write a short paragraph describing who you most agree with and why. HW: Study for current events quiz, read Huck Finn chapters 16-17.
FRIDAY: Current events quiz. Go over Huck Finn articles and responses. Review argument essay from practice exam. DUE: Paragraph about Huckleberry Finn. HW: Read Huckleberry Finn, chapters 16-20. Rewrite/revise argument essay for Wednesday.
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