Tricky Rough Draft Day

Today you did a timed write from the language test. While you were doing your timed write I quickly glanced at the final papers you turned in. Every paper had something that needed to be fixed so I passed them back. Make sure you bring your drafts to class tomorrow as we will be doing a class edit day. Also remember you are always free to come and see me after school for help. I didn't have one person ask for help which worries me a little.
Upcoming: Read Eyes closely and carefully for Thursday. There will be another reading check quiz.
Revise your paper for Friday 11/18

Long Time No See

Why hello everyone! Sorry I have been slacking MAJORLY! Helloooo Tasha, since she is the only one who actually reads this!

Today we went over the Crucible final paper a little bit. Make sure you start working on it this weekend. We also went over the multiple choice test. The most exciting news is that we started our first novel. Read every night! Make sure you finish chapters one through four by Monday. TAKE NOTES. You must have questions about the novel.

Upcoming: Final Crucible paper 11/14/2011.

I will make sure not to slack as much anymore.

LOVE SOPHIEEE!

Discussion Practice

Hola all you slackers! Once again it is Ms. Meister's secretary Sophiaaaaa. Quit slackin' and complainin' and do your work. GET OFF OF FACEBOOK!

Today we had our first practice discussion. Went pretty well for the first time. Talkers make sure you are aware and tone it down. Shy people step it up, life isn't that scary. Then got your first essay. If you are struggling come and see me. Don't forget to do multiple choice for tomorrow:)

Love your fellow favorite Senior,

Sophie:)

First (of many ) practice MC

Started out the morning with a sample multiple choice. Then spent the rest of the hour presenting on "Indian Ed." Homework for tonight, read and do the questions for "Dwellings." This is Curly Sophie being Feisty Meisty's secretary:) Have fun all you LAME-O JUNIORS! :)

What is an artist?

What a great day in English when you get to talk about how a passionate drunk is on the same level as an artist!
Today we spent most of the class looking at the sample text from Ralph Ellison. Hopefully you're starting to get the hang of this annotation business. The good news is that it only gets easier. We closed the class by looking at three different perspectives on Native Americans and we'll start with that tomorrow.
The homework for tonight is the Silko piece. If you were unlucky like Beth you ended up with a dysfunctional text but click above for another copy of it.
Enjoy your last night of hot sticky weather.

Happy Friday

Well hello everyone. Welcome to a new year!
We started the hour by finishing up my short intro. to analysis with Snow White. If you're nerdy like me pick another fairy tale and practice with it.
Today we got our first set of vocab words. If you need the list or want to watch the video again go to the website. After the vocab we talked about how to annotate a text and then I gave you a text to practice with this weekend.
Happy analyzing!

Work Day

Today was just another work/reading day. However, reading time isn't very helpful when only a handful of you bring your books to class. Tomorrow I will talk a little about the Language test at the start of class and then you'll have work time for the rest of the period so make sure you BRING YOUR BOOK.
My gift to you today is that I'm taking the individual paper off your group assignment sheet. I think you'll be too rushed to do an adequate job so luck you! However in place of it I will test you on the presentations but I'll allow you to use notes. This will make sure that everyone gives the group appropriate attention.

Question: Why did Sophie have weird things drawn all over her arm? Does she not own some paper?

Curly Sophie I missed you didn't see you once today--weird.

Megan, I don't think you read this, but if you do don't forget to go to Borders today.

Project Due Dates

Well you made it through one week of AP bliss. If you can survive one more you'll be in coasting mode. Please remember to bring your novels to class on Monday because you will have quiet reading time. Below are the due dates for all the groups. These dates are set in stone unless you choose to switch with another group. If you decide to do that let me know as soon as possible. All class days will be work days except for next Tuesday and any day that there is a presentation scheduled.
The extra credit will be due on a DVD to me by 6/2.

Per 2:
Catch-22 Disc. 5/24
Poisonwood Disc. 5/25
Copper Sun Disc. 5/26
Catch-22 Present 5/27
Copper Present 5/31
Poisonwood Present 6/1
Middlesex Disc. 6/2
Middlesex Present 6/7
Sam Disc. 6/8
Sam Present 6/9

Per. 4/5
Scarlet Letter Disc. 5/19
Bastard Disc. 5/20
Scarlet Present 5/24
Bastard Present 5/25
Cities Disc. 5/26
Cities Present 5/27
Eyes Disc. 5/31
Eyes Present 6/1
Adam Disc. 6/2
Middlesex Disc. 6/7
Adam Present 6/8
Middlesex Present 6/9

Per. 9
The Help Disc. 5/19
Clockwork Disc. 5/20
Chosen Disc. 5/24
Catch 22 Disc. 5/25
Middlesex Disc. 5/26
Invisible Disc. 5/27
Clockwork Present 5/31
Chosen Present 6/1
Invisible Present 6/2
The Help Present 6/7
Catch 22 Present 6/8
Middlesex Present 6/9

Novel Review

Today we went over all the novels we've read this year as review for the open essay question. If you were gone today you can click on the blog title for the notes from today. You can also see all the open essay prompts on the website.
Open essay questions

Bring any final questions you have about the test to class tomorrow. Also I will buy dinner for anyone who gets a five on the test so work hard!

Random shout outs: Wow Sophie is going to track today, Eric didn't make his pig noise today Nina read the blog yesterday and Rebecca angrily said, "I smile all the time."

AP Review

Today we spent half the class going over some basics of the tests. I gave out two review sheets you can get them online or ask for a hard copy in class. After we talked about the tests I went over the final project for the rest of the year. You should be thinking about who you want in your group (3-5 people) and what book you would like to read. I need your groups and novels by Friday of this week so I can start putting together your deadlines.
Tomorrow we will be reviewing all the novels we've read this year so you're prepared for the open essay on Thursday.
Study your vocab words.

Quote of the day: Eric to Rebecca "I would never trust you with my kids!"

And winner for longest most convoluted question goes to Keith Phelps. Nice work!

Final AP Prep

Hurray! Today you took your last practice with the AP test stuff. Next week we will just review the different parts of the tests but no stressful practice or graded stuff. Tomorrow we will work with Tortilla. Make sure you finish the book!! There will be a test on the book. I want you to have the book finished so you have at least one other book to use for the open essay question.

Upcoming: Some of you have papers due tomorrow others have them due Monday. Come see me if you need some help or want some feedback.

Random thought: There really needs to be a "sarcasm" font, especially for texting. I feel this would greatly add to my life.

What's in a 9????

Today we looked at the five different types of essays you'll have to write for the two English tests. You read a sample 9 for each one and then made a list of what they have in common. I made a compilation list of all your ideas and I'll make copies for you by next week, but if you are really excited and can't wait click on the blog title and it will take you to the list online.
As an update for the vocab extra credit videos the following lists have been taken.
1, 2, 8, 11
The vocab videos need to be done by June 3rd

Upcoming: Final MC test tomorrow!
Finish the entire novel for Thursday and possibly your Cuckoo paper
Slacker deadline 4/28
Non-slacker deadline 5/2

Slackerville

Okay this will be short because I am behind on correcting. I will list all the students that had an adequate rough draft for me today. If your name is listed here your due date is 5/2. If your name is not listed here it is due 4/28. I believe in rewarding hard work.
Again I will be gone on Monday but feel free to take your corrected work out of the bins. Maybe someone could even be nice and pass it all out. Have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to keep reading Tortilla. Since I didn't do a quiz the first round it's pretty much a given I will for the completion of the novel.

Non-Slackers
Carter
Nina
Evan
Rebecca
Megan
Craig
Reid
Michael
Keith
Tyler
Mabel
Gina
Kayla
Peder
Angela
Claire
Sydney
Jabray
Mak
Dean
Kristel
Pa Houa
Michelle
Panra
Joel
Siri
Alex
Tiffany
Haley
Sergio
Grace
Rachel

Language Test Practice

Today we did a practice with the language test as a class. The language test usually has the longer and what I consider more boring passages so the trick is to try and keep your focus. If you have trouble with your mind wandering while reading you should really try the whisper reading. The physical act of moving your lips while reading has been proven to increase attention span.
We only did two passages from the text but if you want to borrow a copy of the test to practice on your own just let me know. We will have our last official practice one next Wednesday.
Upcoming: Cuckoo papers due tomorrow with two copies
Finish Tortilla for 4/28

Final Vocab List

Today we watched our last vocab video :( If you need the list of words or want to watch the video again click on the blog title.
After the video we had our discussion on the first part of the novel. Now I was kind and didn't give you a test today but it was very clear that not everyone finished the reading. Please make sure you finish the book by the 28th so we can have a full discussion. If you are taking the literature test it is also helpful to be familiar with another book to use for the open question. I promise things will slow down after the tests but you need to keep working hard until then.
Upcoming: Thursday final drafts of your Cuckoo paper. I will base the final due date on how well the original drafts are written.
Vocab test 5/3 The Last One!

Remember that if you're interested in extra credit pick out which vocab list you want and let me know. I would prefer you pick some of the lists that I didn't have videos for or that I had bad ones for.

Language Timed Write

Happy Monday everyone!
We are nearing the end of the pain. Today was your second to last time write (the last one will be next Monday) and tomorrow is the last batch of vocab words. Nothing much to report today because you were just writing. Tomorrow make sure you finish the reading and come in with two discussion questions.

Upcoming: Cuckoo Paper due Thursday
Finish the novel for 4/28

Random fact of the day:
What we now call prom was first labeled “the prom” in the 1890s. The word is a shortened form of promenade, meaning a march of the guests at the beginning of a ball or other formal event. Basically it was a way for Middle class parents and kids to mimic the debutante balls of the upper class. It was used to teach social skills and etiquette. The dances were strictly chaperoned and were often restricted to only the senior class.

Vocab Test

First part of the hour was occupied with the second to last vocab test. Hopefully you are feeling quite intelligent with all these new words you know. Remember the extra credit for fourth quarter is to make a new vocab video for one of the sets we have. It will be first come first served so if you have a list you want come see me early.
After the test we worked with some sample texts from a synthesis prompt about immigration in groups.

Upcoming: TC part one for Tuesday and two questions for discussions
Cuckoo Paper due Thursday

Daily Observation: Rebecca laughed today!

Have fun at prom and be safe.

Sentence Type Links

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5000099234677133181
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sentence_types_quiz.htm
http://itech.pjc.edu/writinglab/senpat.htm

Border Debate

We started the hour talking about love and how it is misinterpreted by so many sigh...
Actually we talked about the essays you wrote on the poems about Eros. The scores you got back were straight scores so congrats most people were in the passing range. After the essays we had a brief debate/discussion on the pros and cons of Mexican immigration to the U.S. The discussion was surprisingly more heated than I had anticipated but I think the point was made that it's a very complicated issue. Keep these things in mind as you are reading the novel. The next step is to try and come up with some valid solutions.
The last 10 mins. of class we went over some sample sentence types. If you are still struggling do some more practice ones.


Upcoming: Vocab test tomorrow
Finish part 1 of Tortilla for Tuesday

Random thought: If a cannibal ate a clown would it taste funny?

Outline Day

In our brief time together we talked about the thesis statements and outlines for your Cuckoo paper. I'm sorry I didn't get around to everybody today but please feel free to come see me before or after school or during advisory if you want me to check your topic. Remember to connect with the "so what" to make your paper interesting. I know that's the hard part but it will make your paper a lot stronger and easier to write once you have it down. I will post a sample of the outline for my Turn of the Screw paper too so you have a model to look at.
I suggest writing your outline or reading Tortilla outside today!
Upcoming: Vocab test Friday (look over the sentence types)