Mrs. Kenyon's Blog

AP Language

Students need to get a copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Foer.  We will be starting this soon.

Honors American Literature

Panel discussions last week seemed to indicate a lack of close reading of the play The Crucible (for the most part).  So we had to re-group to some extent and discussed some of the key themes of the play, watched clips of the movie, and students were given a theme sheet to complete for use in their in-class essay this week.  They were instructed to formulate thesis statements and find specific evidence from the text for each topic.  

On Monday students are reading Arthur Miller's article entitled "Why I Wrote the Crucible," which will give students more insight into the universality of the themes in the play by comparing the events during the Salem witch-hunts and the red scare during the MyCarthyism era.  Miller also makes some comparisons to Nazi Germany and other events in our history which show how fear causes irrationality.

On Tuesday students will write their in-class essay and will be given two of the topics on their theme sheet to choose from.  Don't forget to bring a pen to class!  You may use the notes you took on your theme sheet.  You may not write the essay ahead of time and simply copy it in class.  Your sheet is for planning purposes only and anything more will be taken up by me during the timed writing.

On Wednesday we will bring our discussion to a close and watch the rest of the movie.

On Thursday students will be given their new vocabulary words and exercises to complete.  Anything not completed at school will be homework.

On Friday students will be given the parameters around a debate they will be having in class in preparation for the GHSWT (Georgia High School Writing Test).  We will look at a model of a good persuasive essay and review the grading domains for the GHSWT.

We will also look at examples of Puritan writing by exploring two well-known poets of the time -- Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor.

AP Language

8/29-9/2/11

We will begin the week with the first vocabulary quiz and time to work on the next unit's flashcards.  

On Tuesday I will go over the panel discussion assignment on the articles you read over the summer [plus a new one :) to even out the workload in the various groups].  You will also get your annotations back and we will talk about effective annotation.  In particular, we will begin thinking about how to annotate source material so that you can go back and synthesize multiple articles and use them to do a timed essay.  

Wed-Fri we will work in our groups and have the panel discussions.  The order of presentation will be made by random draw.  If you anticipate not being present on a particular day, let me know now, otherwise you may have points deducted from your participation grade.  The panel discussion grade will be a major grade worth 25 points and, not only will your participation be measured during your own presentation, but also your ability to discuss the topics from the other groups.

Friday we will have our quiz over the unit 2 words.  Quizzes are cumulative, which means the bank of words grows each week.  Random checks on the vocabulary cards will also take place on Friday.

Honors American Literature

Mon 8/22

We will review and go over the vocabulary words for unit 1, as well as complete exercises using the words.  We will also do some background reading on the Puritans in preparation for our discussion and essay on The Crucible.  Students received a theme sheet on Friday to guide notetaking for the panel discussions and essay.

Tues 8/23

Students will be divided into groups for panel discussions on The Crucible.  They will work together to begin formulating answers and finding specific evidence for the questions posed on their theme sheets.

Wed 8/24

Panel discussions on The Crucible.

Thurs 8/25

In class essay on The Crucible.

Friday 8/26

Vocabulary quiz on unit 1.  I will also check vocabulary notecards.   Begin watching the film The Crucible.

AP Language

Mon-Tue 8/22-8/23

We will go get our textbooks first and then return to finish our discussions about DWC. 

We will then begin looking at how to analyze the techniques documentaries use to present and argue a particular point of view.  We will then begin watching the documentary on H.H. Holmes and, later, on The White City.

Wed-Thur 8/24-8/25

We will be looking at a poem entitled "Underside," which in a lot of ways sums up what this class is all about.  We will be doing some activities using the poem that I think you will enjoy and some of your work will be used on the bulletin board.  You'll see what we mean when we say that "it's not your parents' language."  Part of your assignment will encompass a conversation you have with your parents.

Friday 8/26

Today we will discuss how to be successful in the panel discussions we will have next week on your summer reading articles.  I will give you the parameters of the assignment.

We will also go over your vocabulary for week 1 in preparation for the quiz that is on Monday.

Honors American Literature

8/15-8/19/11

Welcome back!  I am looking forward to working with you.  If you are an AP student scroll down for AP notes.  Otherwise, you are in the right place (assuming you are taking Honors American Literature).

8/15 Mon

On Monday we will do typical first day activities:  verify schedules, go over the syllabus and some form of an "icebreaker."  We will also explore our own definitions and perspectives about the American Dream. What do you think about when someone refers to the American Dream?  

Bring magazines on Wednesday for an activity on this subject.  

Don't forget that you will need 3X5 notecards tomorrow. 

8/16 Tues

On Tuesday we will complete a vocabulary pre-test and go over what to expect with vocabulary activities this semester (including quizzes). We will start unit 1 activities.

Remember to bring magazines Wednesday for American Dream activity.

8/17 Wed

Illustrate your perspective of the American Dream by representing it in this class activity.  You will need to complete your work at home if you do not finish in class.

8/18 Thurs

I will take up any projects not completed in class.  We will also complete the first diagnostic for the EOCT.  We will save our class discussion regarding the American Dream for Friday after completing the diagnostic.

8/19 Fri

Finish diagnostic testing on EOCT.  Class discussion will follow using projects from Wednesday.  We will also review and discuss how the Puritans defined the American Dream.

Upcoming Activities to consider:

During the second week of school we will begin working with your summer reading The Crucible. While this play was not written during the Puritan era, it reflects some of the key ideas at play during that part of our history.  Make sure to come on Monday the 22nd prepared to discuss and write about the play. Bring your copy of the play all week.

 

 

 

AP Language

AP Lang 8/15 - 8/19

Welcome!  I am so excited about AP Lang this year!  We have really got some great things planned - I hope you'll like this course; I really believe it is the most unique English course we offer here at LHS.

Mon (8/15)
We will do the typical first day activities:  check student verification forms, go over the syllabus, and some form of "icebreaker." 

Important notes:

** It would be a good idea to begin reviewing the people of THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY.  You'll be working with them on Wednesday.
** On Friday (19th) you'll be turning in your annotated articles and analysis of each (typed, double spaced please).  (You know, purpose, writer (persona), and style -- see summer reading instructions).  Further, we'll be working with the vocab you were asked to define for DWC.  BE READY!

Tue (8/16)
You'll be doing some multiple choice (MC) questions.   I believe that it's a good idea to see just where you stand with AP level questions at the beginning of the class.  That way you know, realistically, how hard you're going to have to work to get to the level you want to get to. It's worth mentioning that AP MC is always tough, so don't get TOO stressed out by the passages.

Important notes:
** Continue reviewing the people of DWC tonight.  And, you'll need your copy of DWC in class on THURSDAY!

Wed (8/17)
Today is all about the people of DWC!   Don't forget to bring your book to class tomorrow :)

Thur (8/18)
Today you're going to be looking at Larson's style in DWC.  You'll get a handout in class today with THREE discussion questions from DWC - make some notes about them tonight - our class discussion over them tomorrow will be a graded one for you.

Fri (8/19)
First things first - I'll collect your annotated articles (yes, the actual articles) AND the work you did for them.  Next we'll work with the DWC vocab, then we'll move into the three discussion questions you got yesterday.  

Looking ahead:
Next week we're going to watch a dvd about Holmes (see, we know you like that part best!) and a few parts of a dvd about The White City.  After that, we'll be looking at the poem "Underside" which is a good introduction to much of what AP Lang classes explore.  We'll also discuss what vocab will look like in AP Lang this year. 

 

Welcome back!

Hello everyone!   I want to welcome you to either AP Language or Honors American Literature.  I am looking forward to having you in class and exploring the rich texts available, as well as honing our writing skills.   I cannot suggest strongly enough that you remember to USE THE BLOG... most everything is  here, and sometimes there are even extra things here, too!

P.S.  If you are in a panic right now because you are looking for the AP summer reading assignment, check Mrs. Morgan's or Mrs. Gassaway's blog or feel free to email me with questions.