What should I bring to class the week of 4 October?

4 October, Monday, D-Band-Language of Composition
5 October, Tuesday, A/B Bands-Language of Composition
6 October, Wednesday, no text required-Our First Timed-Write
7 October, Thursday, Language of Composition
8 October, Friday, Death of a Salesman

A Reminder

Incredibly, as of 28 September (11:05) not one person has entered a post for the Conferencing Topic on nicenet.org! Refer to the posting on this blog dated Saturday, 25 September. This is not optional: Deadline Midnight- Sunday, 3 October. Do not come to class on Monday with excuses for failing to complete this assignment.

Attention Parents: For some unexplainable reason, I have had too many students not completing assignments in a timely manner. The most "popular" excuse, "I did not understand what to do." Perhaps, your son/daughter is one of these students. I provide ample opportunity for assistance during the 371/2 minute tutorial period as well as explanations in class for what is expected. My homework policy is clear-I do not accept late homework assignments-this is an Advanced Placement class! Kindly speak to your child about his/her responsibilities.

Textbook Schedule Change

As a result of the College Now Visitation on Tuesday, 28 September, you must bring Death of a Salesman to class on Thursday, 30 September rather than Language of Composition. Furthermore, you must complete the reading of Act I on your own in preparation for the test on Friday, 1 October. We may OR may not complete the reading and subsequent discussion of it in class-remember you are in an AP class.

Attention B-Band

Remarkably, two students have NOT yet submitted their lunch form! You have had ample opportunity to do so. Recall the incentive offered by Diedrich?

A Conferencing Topic

Your first one! http://mormonmonk.blogspot.com/2010/06/grading-2010-ap-english-language-exam_28.html Click on the link and read all THREE parts. Determine what you find most interesting -something that you will use OR avoid when it comes time to take the exam in May 2011. Next, you must visit nicenet.org and enter the class key (see course syllabus and/or the school web site) after you have clicked-on "join a class." You must enter your first and last name. Next, click on "Conferencing" and you will discover the topic: "Grading the 2010 AP English Language Exam: Prepare to be Assimilated." You may also gain access to the posting of this title on "link sharing." Simply, click on "post" and begin sharing your "reaction." Feel free to respond to others-be advised-use proper etiquette. Naturally, you will receive credit-this is an assignment-you must post by midnight, Sunday, 3 October.

Death of a Salesman Reading Assignment?

Since the Act I test will be administered on Friday, 1 October, everyone should have completed a reading in preparation for the test without being directed to do so. Referring to Spark Notes, GradeSaver, etc will NOT prepare you for this test. Read with a "critical eye", go beyond the "spoken" words...

Quality of Homework Assignments

Fortunately, for many, I had indicated that I would use the Check +, Check, Check- System
(see handout) to grade the assignment for Letter from Birmingham Jail-page 275-question #2. It soon became obvious to me that too many students probably spent only 5-10 minutes composing a response! Furthermore, several students in each class had excuses for why they did not come to class with the assignment. Recall my policy, "An assignment is due immediately upon entering the classroom." I actually had students hand it to me-handwritten throughout the day! In fact, one student asked to go to the restroom-approximately 15 minutes later he/she returned with the typed assignment in his/her hand. Did this student go to the library to download/print his/her assignment? Do not ask to use the printer in the classroom on the day the assignment is due. From now on, I will refuse to accept your assignment late (see handout regarding my homework policy). WOW! Venting makes me feel so good!

What text should I bring to class the week of 27 September?

D Band: Death of a Salesman: Monday,
Wednesday, Friday

Language of Composition: Thursday

A and B Bands: Death of a Salesman: Tuesday,
Wednesday, Friday
Language of Composition: Thursday

Language of Composition Textbook Assignment

Read Chapter 1 and complete the Assignment on page 28. To do well on this written assignment, you must read the chapter in its entirety.

Due: D Band-27 September, Monday
A and B Band-28 September, Tuesday

Language of Composition Textbook Assignment

Letter from Birmingham Jail : complete question #2 on page 275. Due Friday, 24 September

Death of a Salesman: Looking Ahead

Act I Test: Friday, 1 October (completed independently)-your grade will be recorded in the grade book! Format: Multiple Choice-AP Style Questions.

Language of Composition Textbook/Death of a Salesman

All classes must bring the textbook to class on Thursday, 23 September

All classes must bring Death of a Salesman to class on Friday, 24 September.

Death of a Salesman Quiz

On Wednesday, all bands (A, B, & D) will take a quiz over pages 1-31. Be advised since this assessment is related to American Literature and not readings associated with AP Language and Composition-I will enter the grade in the grade-book. (Format-multiple choice questions)

College Now Visitation

ATTENTION A and B BAND CLASSES-On Tuesday, 21 September-the Guidance Department will visit the class to discuss the opportunity to receive college credit via the College Now Program. Imagine all the college credit you can receive through this program and by taking AP classes...

I know what you are thinking: "Do we still have to bring the Language of Composition textbook to class on Tuesday?" "No, you do not have to bring the textbook to class on Tuesday."

Return of Lunch Forms

B-Band: In order for the class to receive the "reward" promised, ALL lunch forms must be returned by Wednesday, 22 September (not on Thursday, 23 September).
If you have misplaced it, see me on Monday, 20 September to pick-up another one-do not wait until Tuesday when the class meets.

McCarthyism: The Red Scare

This will provide you with a background for understanding The Crucible as well as what Arthur Miller endured.

The American Dream: At What Cost?

Language of Composition Textbook Assignment

Read Letter from Birmingham Jail (260-274) in preparation for:
Thursday's lesson (16 September). Upon entering the class, you will take a "practice" multiple choice test. You must bring the textbook to class.

Just a reminder-in addition to this type of notebook (not a spiral)-you are required to bring to class a three-ring binder-everyday! No Exceptions!

Summer Reading Tests

A and B Bands will take the Rhetorical Terms/Devices "Matching" Test and the Into The Wild Multiple Choice Test on Tuesday, 14 September. D Band will take the tests on Wednesday, 15 September.

As you enter the classroom, you will place your flash-cards in the storage container on the teacher's desk. "No, you may not use them during the test, so do not even ask!"

Coming Soon to Our Classroom: