Catch Up Day

Well I hope everyone enjoyed their snow days; I know I personally loved being able to sleep in, and for the first time this year I got all caught up with my correcting. Today I had to throw several things at you due to the snow days and my AP training yesterday. First you are going to write one of the poem essays that you worked on in class yesterday to turn in tomorrow. You also got a MC packet to do over break and then you have to finish The Awakening as well with the questions.
We then went over the Singer essays from last week and I can't stress enough the importance of always supporting your claims. No matter what type of essay it is you have to include specific examples whether it's from the text or outside sources.
Finally we ended with going over your next set of vocab words. Sorry there was no fantastic vocab video for this set.
One more day!!

Vocab and Awakening

Today was the vocab test and judging by some of the scores make sure that you are continually studying your words. After the test we talked about the novel. We will have the formal discussion on Tuesday for the first part of the book but I wanted to be able to explain some stuff. Of course I only got through a small portion of what I wanted to point out so I'm going to attach the rest of my notes.
Upcoming: Finish the through chapter 30 for Monday.


Awakening Notes
Leonce 40; Edna 28; Robert 26

Edna:
First intro. of Edna is as “his wife” who he looks at like “a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage” (24)
Edna’s crying—sparked by Leonce p. 27 can’t figure out why she is upset—acknowledges Leonce as kind and devoted
Edna first stands up to Leonce after swimming
Pursues Robert “she leaned over and kissed him” p. 130

Leonce:
Leonce feeling “uncomfortable…eternal rights of women…” p.88
Stops receiving people p. 73 worried about what people will think
Leonce’s reaction to Edna moving out “what people would say” “thinking of his financial integrity” p. 116
Leonce’s parenting—provides bonbons, wakes them at night

Mother-woman—“idolized children, worshiped husbands, effaced themselves as individuals” p.29 beauty, kindness (Adele)

Artist—“courageous soul that dares and defies” p. 86 ugly, rude, alone (Reisz—“extremely disagreeable and unpleasant” p.106)

Children
Birth every two years
Birth control, catholics
“Never sacrifice self for children” give up life but not self p. 69
Adele birth scene p. 133—scandolous for the time; impact on Edna

Minorities—almost invisible
Quadroons—cares for children, servants, black girl p. 43
Mariequita—Spanish, exotic, sexual “saucy, making eyes at Robert and mouths at Beauelet”
Mexicans p.64 “treacherous, unscrupulous and revengeful”
Darkies

Birds— parrot in a cage (exotic, uncommon) speaking a “language which nobody understood” (22), mother-woman p.29, song p. 47 pigeon house p. 108

Takes place in New Orleans fairly “open” society—
“freedom of expression”
very different from Edna’s Mississippi plantation and Kentucky upbringing
Runs away from her father’s prayers p. 38
No affection from sisters, lost her mother young
“coerced his wife into her grave” p. 94

Sea—seductive, awakens Edna, learning to swim “wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before” p. 49

Narrator opinion shift—end of chapter six “how few of us ever emerge” p. 35

Music—moves Edna p.47, brings tears and pictures (birds, solitude)

Insanity—“Mr. Pontellier to wonder if his wife were not growing a little unbalanced mentally” p. 79

Alcee views her as a “sleek animal waking up in the sun” animal = sexual

Dinner scene p. 109 (Remember what I said about eating scenes)

Timed Write

Started the day with briefly going over the debate and of course announcing the most important part... who won.
The rest of the hour was spent doing a timed write. It was your first argumentative one so I hope it went okay. A lot of people prefer this type of essay over the analysis.
Upcoming: Make sure you know your vocabulary words and finish the Awakening questions. If you don't get all the way to chapter 27 it will be okay but you should at least be close. Please make sure you ask me if you have questions or are getting confused.

Hi Jared!
Did you know my dog's name is Moose?

And the winner is...

Wow, what a day we had! Well if nothing else you all have to admit that AP English is at least memorable. Before I announce the winners I want to say how impressed I am with all of you. I know the debate raises tensions and is just slightly uncomfortable but I think getting out of your comfort zone is necessary some times. Maybe next time we'll have a few more people step up to the hot seat.

Normally I give a recap of the main arguments for each side but since there were three different debates this year I'll just give the winners.

Per. 2
The Keep side won by a very small margin mostly due to stronger organization, good questions, and clear sources

Per. 4/5
The Ban side won mostly during the questioning round; the keep had a better range of arguments but had trouble handling some of the questions

Per. 9
The Keep side won because they came across as far more prepared and handled the questions effectively without getting flustered

I Want a Wife

We started the class by going over the Adonais poem from yesterday. Make sure that you are studying your vocab. Then we spent the rest of the hour looking at a great piece of Feminist satire from Judy Syfers. Parts of the essay are a little antiquated but the interesting part is how much of essay is still applicable. The questions are due Thursday and I would suggest asking your parents what they think about the division of gender roles. How far have we really come?
Tomorrow is the Great Huck Debate and I can't wait to see how they go.
Remember we have to start as soon as the bell rings so make sure you are ready to go.
Upcoming: Awakening 1-27 and reading guide due Friday

Comma Rules

Today we briefly went over the five basic rules for using commas. We will do some practice later this week but make sure you look over the rules. They are now fair game on any vocab tests we have.
Recap:
1. Intro. phrases and clauses
2. Ind. clauses and conjunctions
3. Lists
4. Appositives
5. Quotations

After the comma notes you had a short poem to work with and some questions to practice your vocab words with. The poem is due tomorrow.
Upcoming:
Vocab test and Awakening 1-27 due Friday

Little known fact my dog's name is Moose!

Gender Stereotypes

Finally got your next novel today and then we started our introduction to women's rights. We talked about some sensitive stuff so please just try to keep an open mind while we are reading the novel. It will be a challenge for most people but just because something is difficult doesn't mean it's not good. I hope our discussion today made you a little more aware of the influences around you. This weekend pay attention to what you watch.
Please make sure you start reading the novel this weekend. Don't make it harder on yourself by trying to crunch it all in during the week.
Upcoming: 1-27 due next Friday along with the questions
Vocab test next Friday too

Hi Peder!

Return of The Crucible

The 1994 MC tests were returned today and in general I think people are doing okay on them. Remember at this point you just need to be scoring at around half. I think we'll have one more take home one and then we'll start the timed ones in class. I also returned the papers to those who had them done on time. Please come and see me if you are having trouble with the writing. I know writing is difficult and it takes time and practice to get better at it.
Upcoming: Huck letters and topic sentence sheet due this Friday
Vocab test next Friday