December 13, 2019

FRIDAY

  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Tues. 12/17/19
    • 20% of semester average
    • 50% multiple choice / 50% essay
    • Study Guide
    • Today's Review Activity: JENGA

December 11, 2019

WEDNESDAY

  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Tues. 12/17/19
    • 20% of semester average
    • 50% multiple choice / 50% essay
    • Study Guide

December 9, 2019

MONDAY

    • Class discussion/idea share 
    • How can this poem be connected to "We Show What We Have Learned"?
  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Tues. 12/17/19

December 5, 2019

THURSDAY

  • Library copies of WINTER BREAK READING are ready at the circulation desk.
    • (Listen to me go over the assignment here.)
  • SEMESTER EXAM 
    • Exam Date: Tues. 12/17/19
  1. Turn in a written paragraph that solidly supports your response to the topic: To what extent can Ms. Swenson be considered a "good teacher"?
  2. We used our interpretive questions from homework to have a loop discussion about the story. If you were absent, turn in your questions with your own 1/2 page answers for each.           

December 4, 2019

TUESDAY

  • REMINDER: AP Classroom Progress Check #2 Expires tomorrow, 12/4/19. This should have been completed in class on 11/22/19 or over the break.
  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Schedule is not out yet
    • Week of Dec. 16
    • Will include poetry and short fiction terminology & skills
    • New passages
    • 20% of semester 1 grade

November 22, 2019

FRIDAY


    • AP Classroom: Progress Check #2 
      • Complete both the MCQ (multiple choice) and FRQ (free response)
      • If you were absent today, please complete this before we return from Thanksgiving Break so your progress can be tracked.
    • NO HOMEWORK! Enjoy your break with your family and friends. See you in December! 😊🦃

November 20, 2019

WEDNESDAY


  • POETRY STUDY
    • Complete the activity for "Sestina" by Elizabeth Bishop that is on Google Classroom. I'm expecting that you will read through it and finish by the end of the class period today.
    • We will complete the AP Classroom Progress Check for poetry on Friday.

November 18, 2019

MONDAY


November 14, 2019

THURSDAY


 Write an essay that supports a defensible claim about how the poet uses techniques to develop the relationship between the speaker and the swamp in "Crossing the Swamp" by Mary Oliver.
    • SAMPLE ESSAY
    • Discussion questions:
      • What is the thesis statement of the sample essay?
      • Where are all of the places in the essay that specifically support the thesis?
      • How would you describe the organization of the essay?
      • This is a high-scoring essay. What are some qualities that make it successful?

  • WRITING PORTFOLIO
    • The school district/campus wants every student to keep a portfolio of their writing. We will be doing this online. Please follow these steps to set yours up:
      1. In Google Drive, go to New+ and select "Google Sites".
      2. Title your site with your name and Writing Portfolio.
      3. At the top of the page, find the Share icon and share your portfolio with me (wramos@wisd.us).
      4. Organize your site based on your high school years (9th, 10th, etc.).
      5. Create links on the site to your significant writing assignments.
      6. For this year, add the Beowulf compare/contrast essay.
      7. Go through your work from other classes/years and add essays to your portfolio.
      8. Customize your site to reflect your preferences.

November 12, 2019

TUESDAY

  • POETRY STUDY
    • Pairs/Group Assignment: 
      1. Use the 1-2-3 analysis to annotate "Crossing the Swamp" by Mary Oliver
      2. Also, make notes on the following:
        • the purpose of metaphors
        • characterization of the speaker
        • point of view of the speaker
        • structure of the poem
        • contrasts
        • key words/diction and why they are significant
        • how shift affects the poem
    • Individual Assignment:
      • COMPLETE THESE STEPS IN ORDER:
      1. Write a clear thesis statement for this AP essay prompt: Write an essay that supports a defensible claim about how the poet uses techniques to develop the relationship between the speaker and the swamp in "Crossing the Swamp" by Mary Oliver.
      2. Carefully read this essay that responds to the same prompt.
      3. Come to class with answers to these questions:
        • What is the thesis statement of the sample essay?
        • Where are all of the places in the essay that specifically support the thesis?
        • How would you describe the organization of the essay?
        • This is a high-scoring essay. What are some qualities that make it successful?

November 8, 2019

FRIDAY

  • NEW UNIT: POETRY
    • General Notes on Poetry
      • 1-2-3 Poetry Analysis
        • 1: Basics (first reading: note definitions, look up unfamiliar references, mark shifts)
        • 2: Figurative elements (2nd reading: determine what is literal and what is figurative, work out meaning and annotate for all figurative elements)
          • simile, metaphor, personification       
          • imagery
          • symbol
          • allusion
          • paradox 
          • irony
          • apostrophe (not the punctuation mark)

        • 3: Meaning (3rd reading: use notes and ideas from steps 1 & 2 to come up with a topic and poetic idea/theme for the poem)
          • topic: 1 word or brief phrase that covers the subject of the poem (love, fear, obligation)
          • poetic idea: a sentence explaining what we are supposed to learn about the topic from the poem

  • AP PROGRESS CHECK: 
    • I think we needed more time to do the paragraph response on the AP Classroom from Wed. I have cleared and reassigned it. If you had already submitted your paragraph for question 2 on Wed., I sent your response to you in your school email so you can use it again. 
    • Due Sun. 11/8/19: Complete paragraph responses for BOTH questions 1 & 2 in the AP Classroom

November 6, 2019

WEDNESDAY


  • SHORT FICTION STUDY Wrap-up
    • Notes on writing analytical paragraphs
    • AP ClassroomFree Response Progress Check Short Fiction #1

November 4, 2019

MONDAY


  • AP Classroom: Progress Check #1 (If you were absent, see me ASAP for a time to make this up.)

October 31, 2019

THURSDAY


      • Short writing: Turn in a paragraph with a thesis that responds to the topic: 
                                     How does James Joyce create the protagonist as a dynamic character?
    • HW due Mon. 11/4/19: Read and annotate "Born Bad" by Sandra Cisneros for the following:
      • 1st read: basics & vocab
      • 2nd read: make notes on ? and important elements
      • 3rd read: make notes on characterization, setting, point of view
      • epiphany? bildungsroman?

October 25, 2019

FRIDAY


    • HW due Tues. 10/29/19: Read "Araby" by James Joyce carefully. Apply the vocabulary words as you read. When you come to class on Tues., have some notes that answer this question: How does James Joyce create the protagonist as a dynamic character?

October 23, 2019

WEDNESDAY


  • Beowulf tests returned and discussed


October 21, 2019

MONDAY

  • Beowulf Exam: If you were absent for the test, you have until next Tuesday to make arrangements with me to take the test. You will need a class period length of time to complete the exam. Here are your make-up times:
    • Mon. 10/21/19 at 4:10
    • Tues. 10/22/19 at 4:10


  • New Unit: Short Fiction
    • Close Reading: "The Flowers" by Alice Walker
      1. Preview/vocab
      2. 1st read
      3. 2nd read- mark ? and things that seem important
    • HW due Wed. 10/23/19: Mark the story with at least adjectives that describe Myop. Make a note in the place in the story where each adjective choice can be supported.

October 17, 2019

THURSDAY


  • Beowulf books: I have graded the annotations that I have been assigning with the section study guides. If you have other notes from the study guides that you want me to consider (even though I assigned in-text annotation), make sure you give them to me by the end of the day on Fri. 10/18/19.
  • Writer's Workshop: Beowulf Compare / Contrast Essay
      ⭐️KEEP IN MIND: A grade or a report is just a statement about an assignment,
            it is not a judgment of you as a person. It is not a judgment of your potential.  
            It is a marker of the work we need to do together because that is what school is for.  ⭐️
    • Assignment: Spend the period using the Grammarly report to improve your essay. In workshop formats, the teacher sits with students and helps them work through their paper.  A new draft will be due next week and that one will be graded.

October 15, 2019

TUESDAY


  • Beowulf EXAM (If you were absent today, you have until next Monday to make arrangements with me to take the test.)
  • HW due Thurs. 10/17/19: Analyze the Grammarly report I put on your essay comparing/contrasting the battles Beowulf had with Grendel & Grendel's mother. We are going to workshop this essay on Thurs. and resubmit for a grade. Here is how to view your report:

October 14, 2019

LIVE STUDY SESSION

There were some glitches in the live stream session, but we did have a start. You can watch what we did review here --> https://youtu.be/btDAQXR87d4 If you have other questions, feel free to stop in before or after school tomorrow.

October 10, 2019

THURSDAY

** Seniors took their portraits during class today **
  • Beowulf
    • Tues. 10/15/19: FINAL TEST ON BEOWULF
      • It will be an essay test (discussion of essay expectations)
      • You will be allowed to use YOUR text of the epic poem (no notes, handouts, etc.)
      • You will be given three topics and you will be required to write full essays on two of the three topics in the class period.
      • Monday, 10/14/19 at 8 pm: I will have a live online study session (YouTube). I will Tweet the link and post it to the weblog / Google Classroom an hour beforehand. You will have the opportunity to send me questions via chat, Twitter, or email. The session will last about an hour. 


      • Coming Up
        • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

      October 8, 2019

      TUESDAY

      • Beowulf
        • Tues. 10/15/19: FINAL TEST ON BEOWULF
          • It will be an essay test (discussion of essay expectations)
          • You will be allowed to use YOUR text of the epic poem (no notes, handouts, etc.)
          • You will be given three topics and you will be required to write full essays on two of the three topics in the class period.
          • Monday, 10/14/19 at 8 pm: I will have a live online study session (YouTube). I will Tweet the link and post it to the weblog / Google Classroom an hour beforehand. You will have the opportunity to send me questions via chat, Twitter, or email. The session will last about an hour. 

        • In-Class Assignments: 
      ORDER     |    CHAOS
       |
       |


        • Coming Up
          • Thurs. 10/10/19: Senior portraits during English class
          • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

        October 4, 2019

        FRIDAY

        **Seniors went to work on FAFSA with counselors during this class period.**

        • Beowulf
          • Tues. 10/15/19: FINAL TEST ON BEOWULF
            • It will be an essay test and you will be allowed to use YOUR text of the epic poem (no notes, handouts, etc.)


                • Make sure you look up and make a note about references to people / places / ideas you might not know (Charlemagne, Boniface, Alfred, etc.)

          • Coming Up
            • Thurs. 10/10/19: Senior portraits during English class
            • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

          October 2, 2019

          WEDNESDAY


            • HW turned in: Heroic Ideal

            • Wed. 10/15/19: FINAL TEST ON BEOWULF
              • It will be an essay test and you will be allowed to use YOUR text of the epic poem (no notes, handouts, etc.)



                  • Make sure you look up and make a note about references to people / places / ideas you might not know (Charlemagne, Boniface, Alfred, etc.)

          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors
            • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

          September 30, 2019

          MONDAY


          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors
            • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

          September 26, 2019

          THURSDAY



          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors
            • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6-8 pm

          September 24, 2019

          TUESDAY


          • Coming Up
            • TOMORROW Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (Seniors only-- Follow these steps to get a barcode to enter the event.)
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          September 20, 2019

          FRIDAY

          **NOTE: Seniors went to the computer lab to work with the counselors on Apply Texas during class today.
          • Beowulf
            • Study Guide for Section 3 (We will work on this in class on Tues.)
            • HW due Tues. 9/24/19: Reread and review section 3 (lines 1905 - 2541), especially vocabulary.

          • Coming Up
            • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (Seniors only-- Follow these steps to get a barcode to enter the event.)
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          September 18, 2019

          WEDNESDAY

          • Beowulf
            • Discussion / notes for section 2 study guide
            • In-class essay: See me for make up
            • HW due Tues. 9/24/19: Reread and review section 3 (lines 1905 - 2541)

          • Coming Up
            • Thurs. 9/19/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin Apply Texas with the counselors
            • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (Seniors only-- Follow these steps to get a barcode to enter.)
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          Image result for aint nobody got time for that demon's mama

          September 16, 2019

          MONDAY

          • Beowulf
            • Written Response #4
            • Section 2 Note Guide: Add the characters at the top to your notes; Use the rest of the questions on the sheet to add to your annotations in the text.
            • Here is some help with pronouncing the names of the characters:
            • HW due Wed. 9/18/19: Complete all of the section 2 note guide

          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 9/20/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin Apply Texas with the counselors
            • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (seniors only) YOU NEED A BARCODE! Click here for steps to get the barcode.
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          September 12, 2019

          THURSDAY

          • Beowulf
            • TEST TODAY: Beowulf section 1 & Anglo-Saxon Language
            • Video background: Sutton Hoo
            • HW due Mon. 9/16/19: Reread and review section 2 of Beowulf, lines 1062 - 1904. Add to your original annotations, especially vocabulary
          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 9/20/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin Apply Texas with the counselors
            • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          September 10, 2019

          TUESDAY

          • AP Classroom
            • Join AP Classroom with the code given to you in class.
            • Fill out & sign the AP Commitment Contract. Return on Thurs. 9/12/19
          • Beowulf
          • Coming Up
            • Fri. 9/20/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin Apply Texas with the counselors
            • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair
            • Fri. 10/4/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

          September 6, 2019

          FRIDAY

          • Group discussion & notes for Beowulf section 1 study guide questions
          • HW due Thurs. 9/12/19: Review section 2 of Beowulf, lines 1062 - 1904. Add to your original annotations, especially vocabulary


          September 4, 2019

          WEDNESDAY

          August 30, 2019

          FRIDAY

          • Notebook set up
            • Create three sections: Notes, Vocab/Terms, Written Responses
          • Beowulf
            • Books returned (see scoring rubric here)
            • Mark the sections:
              • Section 1- lines 1-1061
              • Section 2- 1062-1904
              • Section 3- 1905-2541
              • Section 4- 2542- end
            • Due Wed. 9/4/19: Review the first section of Beowulf (ln. 1-1061). Add to your original annotations by enriching your notes on:
              • vocabulary
              • summary notes
              • literary devices used and their effects on the poem / reader
              • note question / clarification points
            • Written Responses (in notebook)
            • In-class Assignment: Beowulf timeline group discussion
              • Group share of events on timelines-- add those you didn't have.
              • Together, research to add more items to the timeline in the areas of:
                • world exploration / expansion
                • the growth of the English (Anglo-Saxon) language
                • inventions / discoveries
                • worldwide events / notable people on multiple continents
                • literary contributions at this time
                • world religions

          August 28, 2019

          WEDNESDAY

          • Discussion of syllabus items
          • Poster presentations: Who I Am and Where I'm Going 
          • Beowulf 
            • HW due Tues. 9/3/19: Beowulf Timeline: (Independent Assignment) Research the time period when Beowulf may have happened and when it was probably written down. Create a timeline on paper that indicates these periods as well as at least seven world events / notable people living at this time. Give dates (approximate are OK because history is loose at this time) and put events in time order on the continuum. Be sure to leave lots of extra space on the timeline so that you can add more from your classmates later on. Here are some resources that could help you:

          August 26, 2019

          MONDAY

          Image result for back to school
          • Welcome to English 4 AP!
          • Beowulf books were collected and will be graded this week
          • Syllabus
          • "Who I Am and Where I'm Going" poster assignment
          • Due Wed. 8/28/19:
            • Complete poster and be ready to present it to the class
            • Read through the syllabus carefully
            • Sign up for the Remind for this course (code: 4aapeng4)