Practice & Portfolio Numbers

Today we did a bit more MC practice and I handed out portfolio numbers. We spent the last 15 minutes of out short period in open workshop time.

Saying Goodbye to Mrs. D... Almost

More multiple choice practice.

Followed by Mrs. Dalloway discussion.

Followed by some question 3 practice with Mrs. D.

I collected study guides. There was no PC.

MC Practice & Mrs. D

We started preparing for the AP exam in earnest today with the first of several multiple choice sections (remember, if you want more, I have tons!). We spent the rest of the long period discussing Mrs. Dalloway.

Use This in Revision

"The poet uses…"

A challenge: Try to rewrite sentences without the word "uses." The poet doesn't really "use" diction and syntax or even imagery. Rather, the poet writes a poem and these elements help us to uncover the poem's meaning. The choice of "uses" or “utilizes” (as in "Dickinson's use of imagery" or "these poets use structure") is clunky at best and self-evident at worst ("uses diction”—we all do that). Think about the hundreds of papers AP readers read that begin with some variation of: "These poems use imagery, structure, and syntax to." BORING and not really an effective way to describe what poets do.

What to say instead?
"Dickinson's use of structure suggests that…" becomes "Dickinson's structure suggests…"
"These poets use point of view, imagery, and structure," can become "Through contrasts in point of view, these poets demonstrate..."

As you revise for the portfolio and prepare for the AP test, I challenge you to take every sentence containing "use" and re-craft it. Your writing will become sharper, stronger, more focused.

Welcome Back

Today I collected Mrs. Dalloway Journals and we had a brief quiz. We spent the rest of the time working on a short Mrs. Dalloway assignment (available here).

Keep working on those portfolios!

Dalloway PC and SG this Friday (4/25)

Enjoy the Break... Well the Revison/Study Time

Today we had the final poetry presentations, and I collected a rather intimidating pile of stuff to grade.

Priorities for Break:

1. Finish Mrs. Dalloway
2. Revise Portfolio Drafts & Begin Cover Letter
3. Study for the AP Test (Practice Test at GC)

The Big Poetry Test

I collected Mrs Dalloway journals today, unfortunately proving that most of you have put off reading the novel until break. After that, we took a practice poetry PC and talked a bit about active vs passive voice.

Friday's (Final) Poems:
p4: : "Mirror" by Sylvia Plath
P6: "i like my body when it is with your" by e. e. cummings

Lots due tomorrow:

• Poetry Annotations and Analyses
• Poetry CRAs
• Essay #3 w/ rough draft and cover sheet
  

Introducing the Introduction

We started the day with a poetry presentation of course, and then moved on to a discussion and analysis of the introductory paragraph(s).

Please read the portfolio handouts you were given Monday and bring any questions to class tomorrow.

Wednesday's Poems:
p4: : "you shall above all things be glad and young" by e.e. cummings
P6: "Morning Song" by Sylvia Plath

Poetry, Paragraphs & the Portfolio

Today we began with a poetry presentation and moved on to the colorful CRA paragraphs. Some groups finished. Near the end of the period, I handed out portfolio handouts. We'll go over them in some detail over the next few days.

HW: Bring thematic essays #s 1 and 2 to class for revision.

Tuesday's Poems:
p4: : "I Let Him Take Me" by Sandra Cisneros
P6: "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks

Paper Response

Today, after the poetry presentations, we used the remaining time for essay response.

Monday's Poems:
p4: : "Poetics" by Kleinzahler
P6: "The Dream Keeper" by Langston Hughes

Hysterical Little Clown...

Today, after the poetry presentations, we continued work on the CRA paragraphs from yesterday.

Essay roughs due tomorrow!

Tomorrow's Poems:
p4: : "Down, Wanton, Down" by Robert Graves
P6: "The Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell

Maggots, Evolution, and the CRA Paragraph

Today, after the poetry presentations, we took another look at the CRA paragraph. This look at the CRA will continue tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Poems:
p4: "Hysteria" by TS Eliot (see below)
P6: "Little Clown, My Heart" by Sandra Cisneros

Period 4 Poem for 4/3

"Hysteria"

By: T.S. Eliot

As she laughed I was aware of becoming involved
In her laughter and being part of it, until her
Teeth were only accidental stars with a talent
For squad-drill. I was drawn in by short gasps,
Inhaled at each momentary recovery, lost finally
In the dark caverns of her throat, bruised by
The ripple of unseen muscles. An elderly waiter
With trembling hands was hurriedly spreading
A pink and white checked cloth over the rusty
Green iron table, saying: “If the lady and
Gentleman wish to take their tea I the garden,
If the lady and gentleman wish to take their
Tea in the garden…” I decided that if the
Shaking of her breasts could be stopped, some of
The fragments of the afternoon might be collected,
And I concentrated my attention with careful
Subtlety to this end.

The Poetry Presentations Begin!

Today we started poetry presentations (they were fantastic!). We spent the remaining time walking around and responding to topics.

Don't forget your poetry HW tonight:

1. Paraphrase the plot of this poem. Briefly, what is it about?
2. What is the overall tone of the poem?
3. Note a few literary techniques stand out in this poem.

Period 4: "Ode to the Maggot" by Yusef Komunyakaa
Period 6: "Evolution" by Sherman Alexie