Tuesday- Wednesday, November 13-14

Today we completed the final discussion of The Things They Carried and confirmed choices on topics for the definition essay. We will work on outlining that tomorrow. The assignment handout is posted under Helpful Links.

Thurs.-Fri., November 8-9

Thursday students wrote Entry Slip #6--our final entry slip for the unit! We discussed possible answers toward the end of the class period. Friday will be a reading day, as I will be at AP training. Have a restful long weekend--be sure to finish the book!

Tues.-Wed. Nov. 6-7

Tuesday students signed up for the term you wish to write your definition essay on and had a chance to work with a partner to find additional quotes and begin analysis. You will need to use three or more chapters from the book in order to get a strong grade on the essay. We will focus more on that work next week. Wednesday is a reading day.

Monday, November 5

Today, students completed the 25 minute timed writing on Entry Slip #5 then chose one of the following responses for the grade: op-ed #4 or Entry Slip #5. Afterwards, we discussed the "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" chapter and the notion of beginning to determine which term from O'Brien you will focus your definition essay on. That writing will begin next week!

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 1-2

Thursday, students wrote 20-minute responses to Op-ed #4. In the final 15 minutes or so of class, we reviewed Entry Slip #4 which you annotated for rhetorical technique. Friday, we are having a seminar on The Things They Carried, starting with "How to Tell a True War Story" and moving to "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong." Keep reading!

Tuesday-Wednesday, October 30-31

Today we took the most ridiculously easy quiz ever as a reading check. Most of you are on track--some of you need to get caught up QUICKLY! Then, we took another quizzy-poo on writing statements are argument using specific details. Finally, you worked with a partner on two-column notes on "How to Tell a True War Story." We will be discussing this chapter in a seminar on Friday. Tomorrow is a reading day!

Monday, October 29

Today we reviewed a high and low scoring response to Op-ed #3 and talked about the importance of CLOSE reading and ANNOTATION. You got practice annotating an argumentative essay comparing student protests in the Vietnam era to those in 2002 as the U.S. prepared to invade Iraq. Be sure you've read through "The Dentist" for tomorrow.

Thurs.-Fri. October 25-26

Thursday was a reading day. Students also printed out Op-ed #4 which is due next Thursday, November 1. Be sure to switch roles again. Friday, we had an annotation quizzy-poo from "On the Rainy River" and then discussed evidence of O'Brien's shifting of the meaning of the terms "bravery" and "cowardice."

Wednesday, October 24

Today, you worked with a partner on Entry Slip #3 which covered the redefinition of "love" in the first two chapters of O'Brien. The next three chapters are due Friday.

Tuesday, October 23

Today we began with Entry Slip #1--a 15 minute rhetorical analysis practice on the first chapter of O'Brien. You got back your in-class rhetorical analysis of Woolf and we added that to our writing portfolios. Homework tonight is to complete the annotation on Entry Slip #2 and read the next two chapters.

Monday, October 22

Yipes! First quarter is over and I am rather overwhelmed, as evidenced by how lax I have been keeping this blog updated. Not to mention, you are all patiently waiting for your essay grades. Hang in a bit longer....I promise I have not forgotten you! Today we checked out The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. The reading schedule is posted on the Important Links list. Be sure to keep up with your reading, because as we discussed in class we will be having several quizzy-poos intended to strengthen your rhetorical analysis skills and they will be a big pain to make-up if you miss class for excused absences and aren't prepared when you return. I love this book; hopefully you will too!

Tuesday-Wednesday, October 16-17

Tuesday you took your first timed mini-multiple choice on the Cofer reading then got to talk with a partner about your answers. Keep in mind the strategies we are starting to develop. Because many of you are taking the PSAT on Wednesday, those who are in class will have a chance to continue reading choice books. Remember these Brief Responses are due Friday along with Op-ed #3.

Monday, October 15

We reviewed the answers to the multiple choice on the Rachel Carson reading from Friday and read a new piece by Cofer, annotating toward the multiple choice you will see tomorrow. Remember your final Reader Response on your choice novel is due Friday. Look back at the handout on how to do these, as it's been a while since you've done one. Also, Op-ed #3 is due Friday as well. You are back to your original A/B partner role. See me if you're unsure which role you should be doing.

Tuesday-Wednesday, October 9-10

Tuesday, students filled in a detail chart with a partner based on the annotations you did on the 2004B released prompt. As homework you wrote ten practice sentences of analysis. On Wednesday we reviewed three released responses to the Lord Chesterfield passage and made tip sheets for your first timed rhetorical analysis on Thursday. Remember that your next set of 4-6 quotations from your choice reading is due tomorrow as well.

Monday, October 8

Today, we are looking at a rhetorical analysis essay from a released exam. Students will annotate the text toward the prompt and look at three student responses. Homework will be to annotate a second prompt. Thursday, you will be writing your first timed rhetorical analysis. Come in for Tutorial sessions this week to get extra help!

Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 2-4

Tuesday you worked with the sub on the op-eds. Remember, if you are absent on these days you need to turn in a copy of the op-ed itself and the four questions you answered the following day you are back. Wednesday we completed Writer's Workshop on your Ellison pieces. It seems like many of you feel confident about theses, which is great! Thursday, these pieces are due in final draft form. Please bring your choice book and you can have time to read before Thursday, October 11 when part three is due.

Monday, October 1

Today, after you turn in the quote analysis for the second half of your choice book, we are in the computer lab working on the Ellison Pastiche Essay, which is due Thursday. The instructions for how to complete this are on the Helpful Links to your left. Remember, you need a full draft of the this typed up and "done" when you walk into class on Wednesday. We will use the Writers Workshop that day to perfect these essays, which will be a major assessment grade. REMEMBER, op-ed #2 questions are due tomorrow!

Thuesday, 9/27 - Friday, 9/28

Thursday we discussed the two Declarations and why pastiche writing can be an effective mode to work in. As homework, you read the Ellison excerpt which is the basis of the pastiche you will write next week. Friday, we discussed Ellison and began brainstorming on the major conflicts you've had thus far in life. Your homework for Monday is to decide which conflict you will write about and to bring in the analysis of 4-6 quotes on your choice book as well as a statement of argument for the first half of the reading. Be sure you're checking your schedules on the Saturday Study Session in two weeks! We need to get a headcount of who's going by early next week. Have a safe and restful weekend!

Tuesday, September 25-Wednesday, September 26

Tuesday you had the opportunity to discuss with a partner, then a small group, the Hemingway reading. You did a good job with this. Many of you are really catching on to writing precis statements! If you noticed some peers have a better understanding of those vocabulary words on the Precis Cheat Sheet, start studying more....Those aren't going away! We took a quiz at the end of the period and many of you chose very good details from the text to show Hemingway's respect of the boxers. The "cobra" detail and the "dancing" were two of the strongest responses--and notice how those overlap with Faulkner's details? You also got the Declarations homework, which you had time to continue work on Wednesday. Be sure that work is complete when you enter class Thursday. Also, some of you requested the calendar for the next couple weeks. You can now get that from the Helpful Links list to your left. Big push, here before the end of the quarter! Lots of ways to wiggle your grade. Keep focused!

Monday, September 24

We used four types of annotation on Hemingway's "Prizefight Women." Your homework was to write two paragraphs: one on the question your peer asked about the text and the other about the connection a peer saw between the Hemingway reading and Faulkner. Op-ed #2 will be due next Tuesday! Get with your partner so you are sure to both be reading the same one. Flip-flop roles for next week.

Friday, September 21

Many students needed to miss period 3 AP today due to the assembly, so we took it easy reading our choice books. Remember, that the next assignment for the second quarter of you book is due Monday, October 1 and it's to write a statement of argument and analyze two quotations that support your statement. Have a fun and safe Homecoming weekend!

Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 19-20

Wednesday students turned in the Brief Responses from their choice books as well as their Faulkner paragraphs. Thursday, students discussed the arguments of their op-ed columnists and turned in a page of notes from these conversations with classmates. Tomorrow, due to the Homecoming assembly, we will use class time to read choice books and to get clear on the double-entry journals due as the next two assignments connected to this reading. It's been a long, tiring week...one more day until the weekend!

Tuesday, September 18

We took our second 3-minute quiz! Then we finished annotating the Faulkner passage in order to write three paragraphs of rhetorical analysis about the progression of this piece. The mentor text for this work is in the Helpful Links part of this blog. Keep Faulkner in mind--you will see this passage again! Remember, Brief Responses for the first quarter of your choice book are due Wednesday and op-eds are due Thursday.

Monday, September 17

Welcome to homecoming week! Today, we looked at a passage written by William Faulkner for a 1955 issue of Sports Illustrated. Students annotated for content, mode, and --as a class-- we began annotating for detail. Remember that precis and brief responses for your choice book are due Wednesday and op-eds are due Thursday this week!

Friday, September 14

Today, students printed out the op-ed that's due Thursday. Be sure you have your role done, because your partners will be counting on you! The rest of the time was spent either reading your choice book or working on vocabulary. Remember to think carefully about the subtle differences on tone words which are similar. Next week's quizzes will be asking you to interpret the differences. Have a good weekend and remember to wear your PJs on Monday for Spirit Week!

Wednesday, September 12

Students who are on track with getting homework done shared and had the opportunity to revise their Brief Responses for "On Being Nothing." Unfortunately, FAR TOO MANY of you are in homework denial. Obviously, this is going to have an adverse affect on your grade and your understanding going forward. I am available at lunch on Thursday (tomorrow) to work with you on make-up work and the FINAL tone/verb vocabulary tutorial session. I am NOT available lunch Friday due to another meeting. Remember that homework tonight is to write a sentence about the significance of Woolf's memory about fishing, etc. There will be a quiz tomorrow that will be put in the 80% summative assessment column of the grade book, so be sure you are prepared.

Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 10-11

On Monday students selected the op-ed columnist you will follow for the rest of the semester. We will finalize partners on Wednesday and assign roles for Op-ed #1. Today we began practice with rhetorical modes and interpreting the organization of texts. Your homework is to write a Brief Response for "On Being Nothing." Remember to think carefully about those precis statements!

Friday, September 7

Your homework this weekend is to analyze the three "Voice Lessons" sentences for detail. Remember this will likely take you longer than you think. We also chose our choice books for this quarter. Start your reading and be sure you've chosen wisely. You may choose a different book on Monday, but after that you're committed. Be thinking -- and talking to your parents/guardians --about taking the PSAT. The deadline to sign up is OCTOBER 15th and you'll need to pay $25.00 to bookkeeping to register. Have a safe and restful weekend!

Thursday, September 6

We finally did our timed diagnostic essay! Several of you who forgot your precis yesterday came in at lunch to get those turned in and one of you came in to work on the Structured Tutorial. I would like to see more of you for that next week! No homework tonight. Take a breath!

Wednesday, September 5 Hey! I know what day of the week it is--unlike yesterday. Ooops. Today you got back your summer homework and your 12-minute responses to Tortilla Curtain and "Geraldo No Last Name." We discussed the AP Rubric and the expectations for tomorrow's in-class essay. Period 3, you need to get on the homework train; half of you are still hanging out in the station.

Monday, September 4

In an on-going effort to leave you slightly less sure of what you know and don't know, we spent the majority of the class analyzing Mitt Romney's "These Hands" political ad which begins with a clip from the Obama speech you annotated over the weekend. We also watched a follow-up clip from a pundit rebutting the Romney ad. Remember that part of the syllabus where I said this class is about figuring out what YOU think about what we study? Sixth period narrowly avoided a riot, so we're heading in the right direction, I think. :) Remember the in-class essay on Thursday and bring any of the four readings we've studied so far that you might want to reference.

Friday, August 31

We took notes on our first batch of rhetorical terms today and those need to be used to annotate the excerpt of the Obama speech you received yesterday. If you missed the notes they are available on the P drive: student/kralkueter/AP Language/Basic Rhetorical Terms. We also took a look at grades. If you aren't happy with yours come and see me during lunch! Have fun at the football game tonight. Go Norse!

Thursday, August 30

Third period AP remains under a curse and again didn't get to have much of a class due to the lock-down drill. Seventh, we finished our discussion of "Geraldo No Last Name" after your English teacher stopped babbling to you about miscellaneous reminders. Homework tonight is simply to read and think about the excerpt of the Obama speech--no writing is needed just yet! Excellent thinking in class; keep it up!

Monday, August 27-Wednesday, August 28

How time flies! Monday we reviewed the precis you wrote with a partner on Friday and tried your hand at writing a precis for the ending of Tortilla Curtain on your own. This will be your second grade in AP. :) Because of the junior class meeting, we did not have class on Tuesday. During our micro-mini class period on Wednesday you started class by completing a quick timed writing, then we began discussing your annotations on "Geraldo No Last Name." Hope to see many of your parents and guardians at Thursday's Back to School Night!

Friday, August 24

Today "all y'all" shared the highlighting of details you completed for homework and with a partner added annotations. Then, we wrote our first rhetorical precis (see link to the left if you need the handouts again). Your homework this weekend is to use that sentence as the start of a Brief Response. Don't stress this...it's personal impressions. Be thoughtful as you've already shown you are and you'll be fine! Have a safe and restful weekend. :)

Thursday, August 23

Today, we started discussing the summer reading of Tortilla Curtain and started close reading two passages. You're finishing highlighting one word per paragraph for homework tonight and we'll continue our discussion tomorrow. Remember that your first in-class essay will be next Thursday or Friday and the prompt is to your left of this paragraph in the links. You'll be able to use any of the readings and I'll hand back your summer homework as well. Good job in discussion today!

Wednesday, August 22

In our micro-mini class period today we didn't even get through the syllabus, much less the lesson! We discussed the OPTION of CU Succeed credit for second semester. Start talking to you parent(s)/guardian(s) about this if you're interested. You won't have to do anything more until January or so. Again, the cost is about $225 for three college credit hours. Most importantly is the Nikki Giovanni quote: “I’m a Midwesterner…and one of the things I think Midwesterners do very well is work hard. We don’t expect magic; we make magic." Get ready for the work and the MAGIC!

Tuesday, August 21

One day down! Today, we began thinking about "Good fences make good neighbors" and the poem that this line comes from: Robert Frost's "Mending Wall." We cleared up a couple questions about summer reading: your grade is based on whether or not you did all, part, or none of the work--not on "correct" answers. If you demonstrate reasonable effort, you'll be fine. Also, hang on to copies of Tortilla Curtain for a bit.... Remember, all summer homework is due no later than class time Thursday. Keep learning classmates' names!

August 2012

Welcome to AP English Language! This will be your home base for our class. This blog is designed to describe what happens in our class on a daily basis, so if you miss class due to illness, sports or activities, this is where you will find the information you need in order to be caught up when you return. As you know, this is a college-level class and it will move quickly and the work will be demanding. The more you attend and participate, the better for all of us! The last day to turn in work for the summer homework on Tortilla Curtain will be Thursday, August 23. I look forward to working with all of you!