Sunny Weather Lazyville

Today was the vocab test and then we went over part of the MC from Wednesday. Also, just a note to make sure that you don't start slipping in the homework department. I know it's nice out which makes it feel like school should be winding down but it's still early and we have a lot to cover. Reading 20 pages a night should not be a huge burden. Your only homework over spring break is to finish the novel so please make sure you do.
Upcoming: Debate on Tuesday and discussion on Thursday

Enjoy your break!

Debate Prep

Today was a work day for the debate. Remember groups that are presenting need to come up with some type of proposal to defend. Make sure you think about all the complications of the issue. Employers, employees, wages, worker rights, etc.
Judges you get some relaxing time but make sure you take good notes during the discussion so you have specific things to write about.
Tomorrow Vocab test and synthesis essay due.

Interesting fact: The reason fire halls originally had twisty stairs and poles was because horses were stabled down below with the water wagons and would walk up the regular stairs and mess up the housing area. The pole was installed to make it faster to get down than running down the windy staircase.

2001 AP Test

Sorry, I forgot to post again.
Today was just the timed MC. Hope to have the scores back to you before Friday but no guarantees. Yesterday we talked about immigration a little bit and did some prep work for the debate. Tomorrow we will go up to the library and you can start to plan your proposals.
Upcoming: Friday vocab test and synthesis essay
Make sure you are keeping up with the reading as well. You should be finished with part one by Friday. Bring any questions you have so far.

Still Silent Meister

Thanks for being patient and helpful with my voice. Hopefully a weekend of no speaking will make it return. I apologize that I haven't been able to give some final commentary on Native Son or the intro. for your new novel. Please bring any issues that you feel haven't been resolved for Native Son and I'll try to talk about it Monday. I'll attach my notes as well.
Upcoming: Vocab Test and reading due 3/26

Fate Notes
Social Satire—exaggerate the negative to show the consequences (Modest Proposal)
Contrast to first half—everything is black around him in jail “black floor” “black bars”
Bigger tortured—dragged away, fingernails torn off, swollen tongue p. 320
Newspaper portrayal p. 322
Portrayal of Jan—very sympathetic, understanding, forgiving p. 332
Inequality in the Black Belt p. 377—housing shortage, pay more, only educate for trade jobs
Use of Bessie’s body as evidence p. 382
Crazy jail mate—writing a book about how coloreds live, drove him crazy p. 397-98
Buckley’s irony—“A man commits two of the most horrible murders in the history of American civilization” p. 434
Reasons to incite the public p. 449
Jail actually better than home life p. 471
Title—what does native son mean?
Wright’s purpose and connection with communism

Silent Meister

Well it kind of drove me crazy not being able to speak but luckily the plan for the day didn't require much of it. Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow so I can wrap-up Native Son. Today in class you took a practice Language test on Spark Notes. If you were gone just do it at home and tell me your score. In general scores were low but it is harder to take the test on the computer vs. paper and pencil. Don't get worried we still have over a month left and the writing portion counts for 55% of your score and that's what I feel is more crucial to work on. The multiple-choice is just ridiculously hard.
Upcoming: Essay rewrites with original copy due tomorrow.
Vocab test next Friday.

Get out and enjoy another warm spring day!

Fate Discussion

Today was the final student-led discussion for Native Son. I will give my commentary on Friday. Overall, I thought the discussions went well. I still think we could get more people involved and there were certain questions that were beaten to a bloody pulp. Make sure that you bring your registration forms in tomorrow.
Upcoming: Thursday MC test on the computer
Friday rewritten open essays due

Interesting fact: All U.S. presidents have worn glasses (some not in public) except for Obama. Breaking down yet another barrier!

Native Essay

Okay I know everyone was disgruntled about the timed write today but look on the bright side: 1. You need more writing practice for the test, 2. At least you don't have to write a long paper for the novel 3. You have a chance to rewrite it and make it better.
Upcoming: Not much this week so enjoy.
Edit someone's paper for tomorrow.
Have your registration form filled out for Wednesday.

Interesting fact: Apples are more effective at waking you up in the morning than caffeine.

Battle of the Classes

Started off the hour with a brief class evaluation. I hope you all know that I'm open to feedback at any time. Just do it in a polite manner. I want the class to be as beneficial as possible and if something isn't working I need to know.
After that we had the class battle and per. 9 had a chance for revenge. Today's battle ended with per. 9 winning. They got all the answers correct.
Remember to get your registration forms filled out by Wednesday and decide which AP tests you are going to take.
Upcoming: Finish Fate and quote journals for Monday.

Interesting Fact: In relation to our essay prompt--Kobe Bryant makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined!

Argument essay redo

Today we looked at the essays you wrote yesterday and you had a chance to outline and comment on other people's papers. I also showed you some sample essays from the real test and we talked about what you need for a strong essay.
Tonight you have a chance to rewrite your essay using the feedback you got. If you want to rewrite have it ready for tomorrow.
Upcoming: Read "Fate" and have quote journals done for Monday.
Vocab test 3/26 and we register next Wednesday so have your forms filled out!

Interesting fact: Airborne particles from the toilet can travel up to six feet when flushed. Where do you keep your toothbrush...gross?

Timed Write-Argument style

Timed write today so there isn't anything super exciting to report.
I think I'll start up my interesting fact of the day. The word woman is actually an abbreviation. Any guesses what it stands for????
Tomorrow we will be working with the essays you wrote today hence the lack of names.

Upcoming: Finish "Fate" for Monday with quote journals
Vocab test 3/26

Super singers have fun in NY!

What's in a 9???

We started the class with an advertisement for a scholarship from Ms. McCurdy. I know I complain about field trips but the chance at $18,000 seems pretty worthwhile. If you are interested make sure you stop in and see her.
The rest of the hour you looked at various essays that received a score of 9 and made a list of things they all did well. I will then compile your lists and make a copy for you. Hopefully the list will help you with how to push yourself into the higher range.
Upcoming: Finish Fate for Monday and the quote journals.
Timed write tomorrow--sorry

Vocab Day

Today you got new vocab words. I'm sorry 4/5 but you just picked the wrong movie to watch. I think you might even be missing a few words so check out the website or remind me in class to go over the list.
I also passed back the speech analysis essays. Remember for any type of analysis you should always be connecting devices with meaning or impact.
After that we closed out the hour with a very intense game of white-board vocab (I know it needs a better name).
Remember to keep reading "Fate" there is a good chance there will be a reading check quiz.
Upcoming: Fate and quote journals due 3/15
Vocab test TBA

Welcome Earl!

Today was the vocab test the first part of the hour and then I had a chance to give some commentary on Native Son. I really try to control myself but of course I end up talking too much and only get through a small portion of what I have to say. I'll attach my notes and then set aside a full class period to talk once you finish the novel. Please write down any questions you have and bring them up during discussions or ask me.
Upcoming: Finish Fate for 3/15
Enjoy the warm weekend!

Flight Notes
Issue of power—what gives Bigger strength?
Bigger’s willingness to kill again?
Treatment of Bigger—think he’s unintelligent, called boy
Stereotypes of communism
Newspapers—256-57, 280-83
Dehumanizing—it 272
Society—fairness 288-89
Is Bigger insane?
How do physical surroundings reflect Bigger’s situation—snow, storm,
Bigger’s Dream p. 189
Class vs. Race—which is more of a hindrance?
Stereotypes: Bigger as ignorant, violent, poor home life, whites, women, men, communists
Contrasts: different settings—Bigger’s apartment vs. the Dalton’s home. In addition to the spacial issues you also have the contrasting animals. (Watch for a parallel rat scene at the end of “Flight”)
Media: how the media is portrayed and how does the media portrays various groups—whites, blacks, communists. Newspapers—256-57, 280-83
Issue of power—what gives Bigger strength? Bigger’s willingness to kill again?
Blindness—more than just literal. Aside from her blindness what else is unique about Mrs. Dalton.
Questions:
Several instances are made about the communists in a negative light. Where is this information coming from? Bigger is fairly uneducated, yet even he has a low opinion of them.
How are stereotypes being played on, embellished, corrupted? Does it seem strange that a black author would make such an unlikeable black protagonist? What would be the possible reasons behind this? Along with this, what is the purpose behind the graphic violence. Wright isn’t just disturbed so why is it such a main focus? Hint: What is your reaction to it?
Is Bigger justified? I am in no way trying to say brutal violence is acceptable but try to get inside Bigger’s head. Is he medically insane? If so, was he born crazy or was he created? (This might also tie in with the title). Is he smart?

Return of AP analysis essay

We started off today looking at my discussion circle drawings. Hopefully the visual helps some people actually "see" their discussion role. Remember talking a lot isn't necessarily the way to get the best score. You want insightful comments and awareness of others.
The rest of the hour was spent working on an AP essay in groups. We did it step by step so you could see where the mistakes typically happen. Remember focused and clear is the best way to go.
Tomorrow is the "Flight" discussion. Make sure you finish the reading!
Upcoming: Vocab test Friday
"Fate" for 3/15

Speech Discussion Day

Today half the class was spent discussing in small groups and the other half was quiet work time. I thought the discussions went well. It's always easier to talk in smaller groups. Remember conferences tonight!
Upcoming: Flight discussion on Thursday and vocab test on Friday

For Monday we will be focusing on vocab. We'll be getting a new set and reviewing the old ones.