Mrs. Morgan's Blog

AP Lang 9/26 - 9/30

So, are you super-psyched that you're almost finished worrying about the GHSWT?  I know I'm ready to give it a rest myself! Okay, let's get going!

Mon (9/26)
** First I am going to mention your HOMEWORK!!! you MUST, MUST, MUST review the powerpoint Mrs. Gasaway made for the test... remember, just relax!  I KNOW you'll all be just fine!
** Vocab quiz FIVE today ... that means TWO word from week FIVE and ONE word from weeks ONE or TWO or THREE or FOUR... yes, you're really accumulating a lot to review now... OH!  this reminds me, are you taking the SAT on Saturday?  IF you are, you will be wise to review your vocab cards Friday night!
** After V-5 you'll be all set for MCM 3 (first period - you guys will have to re-enter your MCM 2 answers... SORRY! actually - we may do that before we do the vocab...).  When do you guys think you'll be ready to trust iRespond and stop with the paper backup?  Personally, I'm not ready (especially after what happened to first period's stuff), but I'll let you guys decide... I also want to talk about the grading for MCMs

Download Ghswt-2011 KG

Tue (9/27)
** Well.... how was it?  I cannot wait to hear what you guys think about the GHSWT... honestly, I can't wait to see the prompt myself!  And you had loads of time, right?? after a very small de-brief we'll move right on into, wait for it... wait for it...
** EL&IC talk!  How's the reading going?  What questions do you have?  Are you starting to piece it all together (I'll be you are already past that)... anyway - we'll just do a little chatting about the book.

Wed (9/28)
** There is no doubt in my mind that you will not want to do this, but now that we've done all this argumentative writing, we may as well capitalize on it and do an AP prompt - this is what we call the "open question" or "Q3" on the test.

Thur (9/29)
** I'm waffling on what we'll do today - so, stay tuned!  I'm sorta thinkingabout moving into the memoir unit, but I just cannot decide!  There are so many directions we could go!

Fri (3/30)
** can you believe September is already over?  I cannot, on any level believe it's almost October! First we'll go over vocab 6 and then we'll see what kind of time we have left AND what direction I settled on for the next unit... maybe the memoir ... maybe something else!

 

H Brit Lit 9/26 - 9/30

Hey guys!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  The weather is wonderful, isn't it? Of course, you'll be back to the arctic temperatures in HBL on Monday :) -- well, who knows, maybe it'll be warmer in the room... we can always hope, right?

Have you taken care of the MACBETH trip?? IF you have not YOU MUST DO IT NOW!!! Talk to me if you need to...

AND>>> This is a reminder that your PORTFOLIO PROMPTS ARE DUE FRIDAY, YES, THIS FRIDAY!!  PLEASE make sure you review the requirements for these INFORMAL essays -- if you do not include a word count, I'll be forced to assume your writing does not meet the minimum requirement!

Mon (9/26)
** Today we're going to take care of our next Vocab unit - you'll do the same things you always do, the fill in the blank stuff, writing sentences, and the SAT prep stuff-  we'll quiz on Friday (as that is what you guys wanted).  Now, some of you have noticed that there is occasionally extra credit for vocab on the blog for my AP class - you're probably wondering why you don't get that - the reason is simple - you guys get the chance for extra credit on vocab with every single quiz!  So, you'll have to stay tuned for other blog opportunities.
** This is a reminder that ALL of you must be FINISHED with BEOWULF by the time you arrive in class tomorrow - we'll do a bit of a review to get ready for the test on THURSDAY

Tue (9/27)
** Today we'll do a formal type review, go over everything you need to know for the test on Thursday.  I'll ask a few questions, give a few tips for studying, answer any question from the study/reading questions that you have - Since this is your first big test with me, I'll also try to fill you in on my philosophy on testing - basically, I like my final evaluations to be easy to pass (if you've been attentive, studied a bit, etc) but hard to get an A -- I want you to have to study and really prepare for the A... this seems fair to me.  I'm sure you would like my philosophy to be a bit different, but it is what it is.  I will offer you the chance to earn a plus three on your test grade, though.  If you are one of the first ten people to email me your name, class period, and a sentence using a vocabulary word (from unit three or four) about how you are planning to prepare for the test on Thursday then  you'll get a plus three.  This offer will expire when one of the following things happens: I get ten emails, I hear someone talking about this offer at school, or it's Thursday. 

Wed (9/28)
** Today is more test prep - this time I will answer ANY question you have - well, that's not totally fair - I won't tell you the actual answers so that you don't have to study, BUT, I will give you help with anything you need to know about BEOWULF and A/S epics or poetry or life.
** After we have our Q&A I'll let you work with a friend to prepare.

Thur (9/29)
** IT'S TEST DAY!!! I know you're super excited... I'd wish you luck, but I know you don't NEED luck... you're prepared!
** When you finish you can put the finishing touches on your PORTFOLIO PROMPTS!

Fri (9/30)
** First things first - I'll collect the portfolio prompts - YOU MUST have a word count... the word count is your friend...
** Vocab quiz for the fourth unit.  Remember, this means ONE word from unit three AND I can go anywhere I want for the extra credit words... that's why they're extra credit!

Next week... we'll be jumping straight into MACBETH - I'll be talking to you about editions of the play, and if you want your own or if you want to use the text book ... Correct - I don't care if you get a copy or use what's in the book, there are pros and cons to each - we'll talk about it... probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, and yes, I know the trip is only a couple of weeks away so we need to hurry!

AP Lang 9/19 - 9/23

Well, you guys know that we'll be focusing on the GHSWT this week, but we'll try to fit in a little AP fun, too!  (I know you are not terribly excited about that, are you?)  The only other big reminder is that you need to keep up with your reading on EL&IC for this week -- you need to be thru page 261 by this Friday!

Mon  (9/19)
** First I'll collect your progress on Task 1 and Task 2 - it doesn't really matter what format you have it in, I'll look at it and give you any opinions, etc (hopefully) before you leave today.
** After I pick up the beginnings of Task 1 and 2, we'll move on to the VOCAB QUIZ!  This quiz will cover week 4, so that means that there will TWO words from week 4 and ONE word from week one, or two, or three!  So yes, you're up to 72 words now... hopefully thinking about it like that will make you realize you need to be keeping up with your reviewing.
** As soon as you finish vocab 4's quiz you'll start on MCM # 2 .... after you finish you can read in EL&IC and after everyone finishes we'll talk about how I'm going to be counting MCM's for a grade... I THINK you'll like it, but we'll see!

Tue - Wed (9/20 - 9/21)
** We'll be looking at a power point about what you'll need to do for the GHSWT next week, I don't want you to worry about this test, but I DO want you to take it seriously!  ALL of you SHOULD be getting an "exceeds expectations"  think about it, you are the TOP of the TOP of Junior English students (at least you are in the most rigorous class you can be in as far as English goes) SO, show why you are in this class!  Put forth some effort and blow the socks off the readers!  Make them think, "Man! that kid can WRITE!"
** After the power point we'll look at what you wrote last year and take another stab at it.  OR we'll write it again and THEN look at what you wrote last year -- I'm still trying to decide which I think will be better - I can see pros and cons for each method, so, stay tuned and you'll know what I settle on!

Thur (9/22)
** Today we're going to talk just a little bit about EL&IC - don't worry, it will relate back to the GHSWT in some ways... but I did promise some AP fun :)
** You're going to be turning in your 2nd GHSWT practice today, so DO NOT forget that!

Fri (9/23)
** We'll go over vocab 5 today - I can't believe we've been in school for SIX WEEKS already!  It seems like we just started yesterday, but yet, I've got to get your first grades turned in today ... CRAZY!  Okay, either way, I'm offering another extra credit on next week's vocabulary quiz.  If you are one of the first ten students to email me your name, class period and one sentence, using a vocabulary word, telling me about how you are planning to dominate the GHSWT on Tuesday I'll add five points to Monday's quiz.  Now, since this is credit for the week 5 quiz, but I'm telling you about it on Sunday, the 18th, I'm going to make my deadline Thursday morning when school starts.  The only other two ways the offer will expire early are the same - I get ten emails or I hear someone talking about it in class.
** REMEMBER.... you MUST show me even more progress for Tasks 1 AND 2 on Monday... Yep, it's still for a grade!!

As always, let me know if you have questions!

H Brit Lit 9/19 - 9/23

IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!
1.  PORTFOLIO PROMPT DUE DATE MOVED!!! Prompts are now due, SEPTEMBER 30!! (somehow I imagine you all remember that since it gives you more time, but I just want to be sure!). 
2.  This is a NO VOCAB unit/ quiz week (again, news you're happy about, so I'm sure you remember!).  We're all kinda that way with things we consider good news, right?
3.  you need to pay for MACBETH this week - yep, it's 32 dollars, BUT, please, please, please talk to me if that is too much for your family right now... I can work my magic so you can still go with us!  I WANT you to go with us!!

Okay, let's get to the week ...

Mon (9/19)
** First, I HOPE I'll be giving you back your YEAR 1000 in-class writes - we'll talk about what you did well, and what you should have done differently - that will help for future writes.  IF that cannot happen on Monday (meaning I didn't get finished with them over the weekend) then we'll do that first thing on Tuesday.
** We'll go over the questions for sections of BEOWULF you read for today (I'll answer any questions from other sections if you need/want to talk about them).
** Next we'll begin to deal with GRENDEL'S MOM!!! You know - mom's can get VERY protective, VERY angry when people (even if they are Geatish super-heroes) pull of their kid's arm!!!

Tue (9/20)
** We'll get some more rewards for Beowulf and his heroics - basically, I think Hrothgar can consider Edgetho's debt paid off by Beowulf!  I'm betting Hrothgar is super glad he did that favor for ole' Beowulf's dad :)

Wed - Thur (9/21 - 22)
** As soon as we get Beowulf on his way back home we're going to pause and do two different group activities - one with some fun/cool/hard Anglo-Saxon riddles and another with you guys working together to make sure you've gotten all the references to (1) culture, (2) killing and carnage, (3) Christianity and Paganism conflicts, (4) Kennings, and (5) supernatural stuff

Fri (9/23)
** Today we'll share all you guys have found on the "big 5" also known as the stuff you're tracking in BEOWULF
** There will be a reading assignment for next week - you'll need to make sure you're using the reading questions if you get confused! 

AP Lang - SHARKWATER

Well - some of you were so very interested in the SHARKWATER documentary that I thought I'd share these links with you  -- if you loved the documentary, you'll love these, too!

SHARKWATER website

Rob Stewart's photography site

EL&IC - need some help with task 1 and 2?

Okay, I kown that many of you do not have the familarity with the whole D-I-D-L-S thing refered to on your "While You're Reading" sheet for EXTREMEMLY LOUD... since you'll need to show my PROGRESS on these two tasks for the next TWO Mondays, I'm going to link you to a document that should help you - and please, know that I'm always here to help you!

Here it is:

Download DIDLS

Now, some of you are STILL confused about SYNTAX and DICTION, so maybe this will help ....

Download Diction & syntax

AP Lang 9/12 - 9/16

So, what did you think of the beginning of EL&IC?  Do you love it already?  Like it so far? Think this is not the book for you? Where ever you fall on the gamut of opinions, I'm looking forward to hearing about it! 

Here are the reading deadlines - so you don't forget!
1. DUE 9/16:  pages 1 - 141 (stop when you get to "Heavy Boots Heavier Boots")
2. DUE 9/23:  pages 142 - 261 (stop when you get to "Why I'm not Where You Are 9/11/03")
3. DUE 10/3:  pages 262 - 326 (stop when you get to the end of the book)
Also, I'll be checking for progress on TASK 1 AND TASK 2 on EACH reading deadline, so be ready for that - yes, of course it is going to be a grade (of some sort, I have not decided what kind or how big yet).

Okay - for the next two weeks we've got a bit of a special focus going... so - sit back and get ready for the fun times to start!

Mon (9/12)
** Okay, today is VOCAB QUIZ DAY!!! Yes, I know that puts joy in your hearts!  Have those cards ready - make sure you put your first and last name on your first and last cards, and be ready for TWO words from week THREE and ONE word from week ONE OR week TWO!!! Yes, they just keep accumulating (well, until we get to six... then you get to start over!)  I tell you what - since this is the first week with quite a few words, I'll throw out an extra credit opportunity - I'll give five bonus points to the first ten people to email me your name, your class period, and something you like, hate, or find interesting about Oskar, or Grandma, or Grandpa ... the catch is that you have to use a vocabulary word (from this week) in your sentence.  This offer officially expires when I get ten emails or I hear someone tell someone about it, or school has started on Wednesday.  Good luck; happy vocab-ing!
** Today is our VERY FIRST MCM (Multiple Choice Mondays in case you didn't follow that abbreviation - from now on these will be referred to as MCM-1, MCM-2, ect) - I know, this day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?  Well, we'll be using the iRespond things to do this - but, since I know some of you are uneasy with it, I'm going to have you write your answers on paper this week, too.  All will be well, you'll get the hang of these things before you have to use them on a "high stakes" test, I promise!

Tue - Thur (9/13 - 15)
** First of all, sorry that Monday's post was so long!
** Well, two weeks from today you'll all be taking the GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST IN WRITING (GHSGTW from now on) - ALL of you should EXCEED the standard on this test - so, we're going to spend this week and next making sure you're all set to do just that!
** Today we'll talk about just exactly what is expected of you on this test -- yes, there will be a power point!  And, yes, there will be a bribe for your efforts!
** You are going to LOVE this!!!  Okay here we go....
** So, it's DOCUMENTARY TIME!  What's that?  You are not feeling the excitement?  Well, you SHOULD be... don't you remember that I told you that EVERYTHING is an argument (meant to PERSUADE someone to believe what you do) ... well, this documentary is a GREAT example of just that - PERSUASION!  And, it's pretty interesting with some beautiful scenery, too!  Are you excited yet?? Will you at least keep an open mind?? 
** We'll watch 30 minutes of SHARKWATER for three days running... and, yes - we'll be analyzing what we see ... there's a worksheet to get you started and then we'll follow up with discussion!

Fri (9/16)
** I'll take any questions you have for vocab 4, but we'll have to be fast because I want to do some stuff with EL&IC ... remember, TODAY is a READING DEADLINE day... you SHOULD know what that means, given that most of you are starting to know me pretty well by now....

PS.  you should bring EL&IC with you every single day... if you get a few minutes you can knock out a few pages of reading!

HBL 9/12 - 9/16

Well, we're really getting going with BEOWULF now... we're leading up to the first big brawl... yep, Grendel is about to come on the scene... I'll be interested to see if you approve of Beowulf's methods!

Here we go!

Mon (9/12)
** Today we'll be did a quiz on BEOWULF, well, two actually- but honestly, you've got to be happy that you can select the one that works best for you!  You know, I've only glanced at them, but some of you guys have quite a few blanks that shocked me, so perhaps you had better read on to the rest of today's info...  - THIS NEXT PART IS IMPORTANT... PLEASE READ IT!   Now I know that some of you have said that you are not understanding the poem as well as you would like to - here is my suggestion to you - you might not like it, but it's the best thing to do!  You need to re-read the section we cover in class at home.  So, if we read 7 - 10, tonight go home, go into your room, close the door, turn OFF the music, AND your phone... then spend 20 minutes RE-READING the sections ... remember to read using the punctuation as your guide rather than the line divisions - you'll be amazed how much you get from a second reading!
** I know you think that is an annoying suggestion, but I promise, it will work!

WHY should you bother with the re-reading if I'm explaining everything to you??? (I know you're asking yourself this) - the answers are SIMPLE - 1.) you NEVER know when I'll give you a pop quiz - 2.) I'll not explain EVERYTHING for the whole epic, and 3.) you've got to start being responsible for your own learning... I'm trying to help you with that!

Tue - Fri (9/13 - 16)
** One day, after the big brawl between Beowulf and Grendel I'm going to give you a day to work on your PORTFOLIO PROMPTS which are due on SEPTEMBER 23rd!!! but the other days we'll just be moving along with BEOWULF.
** We'll also talk about a one week respite from vocab - would you rather have that this week or next week?  We'll vote on that early in the week.  BREAKING NEWS>>>> the vote was to DO vocab this week; I'll have it for you ASAP and we'll quiz on Monday this time.

IMPORTANT THING TO DO:  bring your permission slip and money for the MACBETH trip!  And remember, please, please talk to me if the price of the trip is causing an undue burden for you and your family.

AP Lang 9/6 - 9/9

Well- did you LOVE your extra day off?  Don't tell me you spent it sleeping!?! Well, maybe a BIT of extra sleep was in order....either way, it's time to get down to some AP business!

TO DO THIS WEEK: GET YOUR COPY OF EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE!!! You MUST have it by Friday!

Tue (9/6)
** First things, first - we'll have our WEEK 2 VOCAB QUIZ - you know what that means -- TWO words from Week 2, and ONE word from Week 1 - your cards will still be turned it (that's an every week thing).  Go ahead and start defining your Week 3 words- we'll go over those on Friday.
** We'll be having a panel in each class, we've got to finish those panels up! And, PLEASE remember - keep your panels RHETORICALLY FOCUSED!!!!

Wed (9/7)
** Today we should finish up the panels.

Thur (9/8)
** We'll be talking about the structure of EL&IC and also looking at some essays to get us ready for the reading.

Fri (9/9)
** I'll give you your "while you're reading" work for EL&IC today.
** We'll go over the vocab for Week 3 - for Monday's quiz, you'll have TWO word from Week 3 and ONE word from EITHER Weeks 1 OR 2... yes, you still have to turn in cards.
** Also starting on Monday - MULTIPLE CHOICE MONDAYS!  Yep, it's going to be a weekly thing - we'll probably be using the iRespond remotes so that you can get used to them before you have to take a "real" test with them.

Improve Your Vocabulary - Help Hungry Kids!

That's right - an activity can be both educational AND altruistic!  Play FREE RICE - it'll help you, AND hungry kids on the other side of the world - give it a try - you'll be glad you did!  Let me know what level you can sustain  - you may surprise yourself!  =)

Play FREE RICE