A Quick Reminder

Dear AP Lit Students,

Just a quick reminder that the final piece of the summer assignment is due today. I have graded those that were posted as of this morning, and I must say so far the work has been very good. Don't forget you have to write about TWO stories. Also, it wouldn't kill you to read all four; you will soon enough in any case.

Enjoy your final weekend of summer.

Mr. Staiano

PS I am in need of a responsible TA any period but second, preferably 1st, 3rd or 6th. There are perks. ;-)

The Summer Assignment: Parts 3 & 4

As school rapidly approaches, a few things:

1) The first Foster forum was fairly successful. Though it was clear that many of you had not (and perhaps STILL have not) finished Foster's text, all but five of you posted to the discussion.

2) You may have noticed that we are having technical difficulties with Moodle. The techs and I are aware of it and it is being looked into. What it means to you is that many of the "Thoughts on Foster's Text" posts have simply disappeared, as have some of your accounts I think if they were created between sometime on 8/7 and sometime on 8/14. The good news is that I had already graded all those posts, so even if we can't find them, you get credit. I will try to grade the rest of the work pretty much as you post it so we don't lose anything else if this happens again.

3) The second Foster forum is due 8/19.

• Be specific! Talk about a concrete moment in a book, movie or TV show and explain how it shows Foster's point.
• When necessary (and it should often be), cite your source in correct MLA format (Google it).

4) The final part of the summer assignment is now available at Moodle. Read the directions carefully.

5) Protect against future Moodle collapse; type and save your work in another program and paste it into Moodle.

I do hope you are enjoying your final weeks of summer, and I apologize for the technical difficulties. As always, feel free to email with questions.

Summer Homework Update

I thought I'd address a few of your questions and comments, as well as a few of my own, with the whole group.

Foster

• You should be well into Foster's book by now. Don't try to read it all at once.
• Don’t expect to get all the allusions to other books. The examples are just to help you get his point.
• Read carefully and with tools (e.g. a pen, highlighter, sticky notes). Dialogue with the text—highlight AND comment on interesting or troubling passages, mark sections to discuss online or in class later, etc.
• Actually read it. Pretending to read it (or anything we study this year) is a useless exercise. It's like pretending to do push-ups: it won't make you stronger.

Moodle Discussions:

• It appears that most of you have successfully logged in to Moodle, and the first discussion forum is off to a good start.
• If you started the account creation process and haven't gotten the confirmation email, check your spam folder.
• Read the discussion board guidelines posted at Moodle.
• You may post a new thread or comment on an existing thread.
• Good posts do not have to be long posts. Long posts, like long-winded people, tend to inhibit conversation.
• How you craft your comments matters. Take care with your language, even if you are posting from a phone or iPod.

Don't hesitate to email with questions or concerns.

I'll post the final part of the summer assignment in a week or so. Don't worry. It's short.

Summer Assignment, Part 3

I imagine most of you are taking advantage of our lovely summer weather to lounge about and peruse Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor. 

I post not to interrupt your idyll, but to bring you news. Sadly, your promised Google accounts will not be ready until just before school begins. This means that we will be using Moodle. The good news is that, should you be interested, the online course is now up and ready for enrollment. The directions on your handout seem to be accurate. Please use a username and password you will not forget. The course enrollment key is Logger (and yes, the initial capital matters). Let me know if you have any questions or problems.

Once enrolled, you will find part 3 of the summer assignment. This consists of two separate discussion boards due on 8/12 and 8/19 respectively; however, I encourage you to post early and check back regularly. If you do so, the experience should be helpful and intellectually rewarding, not just busy work. At the very least, log in ASAP and read through the assignments. I will be in touch in early August about part 4 of the summer assignment.

Finally, for whatever reason, I am missing email from three folks. If you know any of them, please pass on this email.

I look forward to your thoughts on How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Presentations Begin

Today we had some excellent final presentations. More at the final!

Final Literature Circles

Today groups had their final literature circles and handed in all their Literature Circle Work. Be sure to have work for class on Monday.

Essay Drafts

Students spent today in guided essay response groups. Absent students will need to get the handout and do a response group with at least two other folks who were absent (there were plenty of you thanks to the Marine Bio fieldtrip). I also checked off essay drafts, cover sheets, and essay plans, so show me those Wednesday if you were absent and want credit.

Essay Reminders and Lit Circle #6

We began the day with a few reminders about the essay--drafts with the planning worksheet (or some other form of outline) and a cover sheet are due Tuesday--and then groups met for their 6th lit circle. Below is a model thesis statement with plan of development (POD) which we discussed in class.

Essay #3 and Lit Circles

Today we reviewed due dates and handout for essay #3 and introduced the actual day-to-day work of the Lit Circle Project. Groups had time to divide up readings and roles. The first reading and its attendant roles should be complete for Wednesday's class.

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday, we wrapped up the presentations and did a bit of practice with Q3.
Thursday is the AP Exam.

Study Guide Review, Part 2

Today we shared the posters groups made yesterday.

Studying Study Guides

Today we started our review of the study guides in preparation for the AP test. We will continue this tomorrow.

Thursday & Friday

Today we finished up IM presentations, took a short MC practice test on Bishop's "Sestina," and then I introduced the book project. Groups were formed and many books were chosen.

Tuesday & Wednesday

Today we did a bit of prose essay practice with Cormac McCarthey's The Crossing. After that, groups had 10 minutes to get their IM presentations together, and we started presentations, getting through question 3 in period 3 and starting question 5 in period 4.

Practice and a Bit of Work Time

Today we began with a bit of essay practice, working with a prompt based on the poem "Ogun." After that, students had time to work on their Invisible Man presentations. These will start next class.

Thursday/Friday

Today we worked on another MC practice test, had a poem of the day, enjoyed our final two poetry presentations, handed in all the poetry work, and got a good start on the project below. If you were absent, choose one question and write it up so that you are ready to participate in a group on Monday.

Period 4

Today we managed a poem of the day, two poetry presentations, the final reading quiz of the year, some discussion of Invisible Man, a review of the Helen essay outlines, and a multiple choice practice passage.
Friday's Poems:

• "Age" by Robert Creeley
• "Desire" by Alice Walker

Period 3

Today we managed a poem of the day, two poetry presentations, the final reading quiz of the year, some discussion of Invisible Man, and a review of the Helen essay outlines, all with 5 minutes to spare at the end.
Thursday's Poems:

• "I Would Steal Horses" by Sherman Alexie
• "Choices" by Nikki Giovanni

Poetry and Poetry

Today we had a poem of the day, a poetry presentation and then got to work on the AP practice essay comparing the two poems about Helen of Troy.
Poetry HW:

• P3--"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou and "The List" by Michael McClure
• P4--"I Measure Every Grief I Meet" by Emily Dickinson and "The Mirror" by Sylvia Plath

Friday

After our poem of the day, we had the 4th poetry presentation, and spent a bit more time with Tom Jones. In third period we did a little poetry essay practice. More Monday.
Poetry HW tomorrow:

• P3 "Alone with Everybody" by Charles Bukowski
• P4 "The Piano" by D. H. Lawrence

So Many Poems

Today we shared our pocket poems, had a poetry presentation, and then did a bit of MC practice.
Poetry HW tomorrow:

• P3 "High to Low" by Langston Hughes
• P4 "Courtship" by Mark Strand

Poetry Presentation & Some Prose Practice

Today, after the second poetry presentation, we spent the period talking about the essay section of the AP Exam and practicing for the prose question. Don't forget the poetry HW tonight!

And so it begins...

We began the day with our first multiple choice practice test and then had the first poetry presentation.
Poetry HW:

• P3 "Since Feeling is First" by E. E. Cummings
• P4 "Chopin Bukowski" by Charles Bukowski

IM & Poetry

Today we started with a short IM quiz, continued with a look ahead, and finished with some work time, during which we selected group order.
Tonight's poetry HW is "Desire" by Alice Walker in period 3 and "Could Have" by Wislawa Szymborska in period 4.

More Work Time

Today students had the chance to continue working on their poetry project. This may have been the last chance.

Work Time

Today groups worked on finishing their individual analyses and some started their presentations.

Warm Ups & Work

Today I collected warm ups and groups had the period to work.

The Final Poetry Project

Today we talked a bit about poetry extra credit and then started the final poetry project. Handouts are at Moodle.

National Poetry Month

http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41

A Day on the Invisible Man

Today we had a quick IM quiz and spent the rest of the period discussing the questions below.

Maggots and Multiple Choice

Today we continued our look at "Ode to the Maggot" and I collected the work from today and yesterday. We also had a look at the three levels of AP MC questions and students practiced writing their own.

Jazz and Maggots

We spent the first part of the period considering a short segment of Ken Burns' Jazz and its links to Invisible Man.
In the second half of the period, we began our look at contemporary poetry with Komunyakaa's "Ode to the Maggot."

2013 Redwood Writing Contest

Here's the link to the writing contest I mentioned in class.
https://sites.google.com/site/humboldtcountywritingcontest/

Chapter 1

Today we spent a bit of time looking at chapter one of Invisible Man. Don't forget your reading HW.

Invisible Man

Today we had a brief intro to Invisible Man (notes will be at Moodle) and filled the rest of the period reading "The Prologue." Students should read chapter one tonight for HW.

IM Due Dates

• Prologue & Chapter 1 3/26
• Chapters 2 through 6 3/29
• Chapters 7 through 12 4/5
• Chapters 13 through 18 4/15
• Finish 4/19

Goodbye Godot

Today we wrapped up Godot with the timed writing (after turning in the study guide). After the pressure comp we did a bit to pass the time, which would have passed in case...

Bring Invisible Man on Monday.

Last Godot Thoughts

Today we wrapped up the presentations from yesterday and ended with some positive thinking about Waiting for Godot. PC and SG tomorrow.

A Bit of Focus

Today we continued our look at Waiting for Godot. Students chose a handout, worked on it for 15 minutes, and then worked with others who had the same handout for 15 minutes. We ended the period talking about what one group had discovered about the play. We will finish these discussions tomorrow, and I will collect the work students did in class today.

Didi and Gogo

We began with a short quotation analysis warm-up today, had a few announcements, and spent the rest of the period doing and talking about the attached Waiting for Godot worksheet, which was then collected.

Discussing Godot

Today we took a quick quiz on the play and then had a far-ranging, open discussion. More focused work tomorrow.

Stuff & Nonsense

Today we rehashed Senior Class Night a bit, talked about the essay revision assignment, and then spent the rest of the period acting out and discussing Act 1 of Waiting for Godot. Thank you to all the volunteer actors!

WFG Intro

Today we looked at the painting of Renee Magritte and talked a bit about Existentialism and Jean-Paul Sartre, wrapping up with some discussion of Waiting for Godot. The notes are at Moodle. I also returned essays today, and some students received a revision assignment. This assignment, for those who would like to do it, is also available at Moodle.

Timed Essay Time

Today, after a final monologue, I collected study guides and we had the King Lear timed writing.

Exuent Lear

And so we finally wrapped up King Lear today, and students handed in all their presentation work.

• PC & SG tomorrow.
• Waiting for Godot on Thursday.

A Small Delay

Today we continued the presentations but didn't finish. This means that Act 5 will go tomorrow (annotations, CRAs and character analyses are also due), and the pressure comp and study guide will be Wednesday.

Lear Presentations, Cont.

In period 3, we finished Act 3 and Act 4 (I think), and in period 4, we finished Act 4 and most of Act 3.

More Presentations

In period 3, we finished Act 2 and started Act 3. In period 4, we finished Act 2 and, due to technical difficulties, skipped Act 3 and started Act 4.

Presentations Begin!

Today we got through all of Act 1 and started Act 2.

Final Work Day

Presentations begin tomorrow.

Work Time

Presentations begin Wednesday.

• Wednesday: Acts 1 & 2
• Thursday: Acts 2 & 3
• Friday: Acts 4 & 5
• Monday: Act 5 and Wrap Up
• Tuesday: PC and SG

More Time

Today students had the whole period to work and I made my way around the room consulting with nearly everyone about his/her monologue. I will finish this up on Monday.

Group Work Time

Today students had the entire period to work with their groups. By tomorrow's class, monologues should be fully annotated and analyzed.

To the Project!

Today, after a bit more pressure comp review, we finished dividing up acts and students got to work choosing their monologues. Students should begin their monologue annotations and analysis for homework if possible.

The Lear Project

After a brief review of the Frankenstein PC prompt, we spent the rest of the period going over the expectations for the Shakespeare project. We divided into groups at the end of the period but didn't get far in sorting out who was doing which act. We'll do that tomorrow.

Oh, and I collected papers.

"To Be..."

Today we got back into the Shakespeare swing of things by having a look at Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. After annotating it and paraphrasing it in class, students had a chance to practice interpreting a few lines in different ways. We then took a look at a couple of pros doing the monologue--Kenneth Branagh and Mel Gibson--and wrapped up the day with a look at the website "Shakespeare: Subject to Change" and the short video "We Are Hamlet."

Acts 3 & 4

Today we had a short quiz on Act 3 and read some of Act 4, which students should finish for HW. Tomorrow: Act 5.

Acts 2 and 3

Today, after a quick quiz, we talked through Act 2 and then read through the first few scenes of Act 3. Finish Act 3 for HW.

Essay #2 Response

Today students spent the entire period commenting on each other's essay drafts. Absent students should get me drafts ASAP and  (along with those students who did not have drafts today) should arrange their own response groups.

Act 1

Today we spent the period discussing the happenings of Act 1 of King Lear. After talking a bit about essay rough drafts (which are due in class tomorrow), we read a bit of Act 2 (due Wednesday).
Essay Due Dates:

• Rough Draft w/ cover sheet 2/12
• Option Draft Drop Box Opens 2/13
• Final Drafts, typed w/ cover sheet, Due 2/26 (2/20 for extra credit)

King Lear

Today we talked a bit about Shakespeare and King Lear and then started Act 1 aloud in class. You should finish Act I over the weekend.

Story Time & Timed Writings

After finishing "Cap O Rushes" (and handing in the study guides for Frankenstein and the critique assignment), students spent the rest of the period on the Frankenstein timed writing.
Bring King Lear tomorrow!

The Last of Frankenstein

Today we finished the essay critique presentations from yesterday, spent some time on a final discussion of theme in Frankenstein, and wrapped up the day with a bit of prereading for King Lear.

Critiques: Day 2

Today students met by essay group and shared their impressions and notes, preparing to present to their peers. We began presentations in both classes.

Essay Critiques

After revisiting the style conversation from Friday, students spent the period reading essays on Frankenstein. The essays and the assignment are available at Moodle.

Multiple Choice Madness

Today we spent the entire period in a last look at the multiple choice questions from the final.

Multiple Choice and More Frankness

Today we started our look at the multiple choice section of the final with some group work. We will share that work in class tomorrow. We also talked a bit more about symbol, motif, and style in Frankenstein.

PC Review & More Frank-ness

Today we wrapped up our examination of the final exam timed writing by turning our focus on the students' own essays. For the rest of the period we discussed Frankenstein (see the slide below).

Monday and Tuesday

Aside from a warm-up on and discussion of how Frankenstein fits in the Romantic Period, these two days have been spent looking at the essay prompt from the final exam.
Essay #2 Due Dates:

• Topics Posted to Moodle (with topic poll) 2/1
• Topic Responses at Moodle 2/4
• Complete Roughs in class with a cover sheet 2/12

Period 4: Remaining Poems

Thursday

• "Addressed to a Young Man..." Coleridge (You'll have to scroll down a bit.)
• "Bright Star" Keats

Friday

• "Bright Be the Place of Thy Soul" Byron (It's quite far down the page.)
• "To the Moon" Smith

Monday

• "A Red, Red Rose" Burns
• "A Child Screening a Dove from a Hawk" Landon

Period 3: Remaining Poems

Thursday

• "Winter" Southey
• "The Sick Rose" Blake

Friday

• "She Walks in Beauty" Byron
• "The Bitter Cup" White

Tuesday

• "Addressed to a Young Man of Fortune Who Abandoned Himself to an Indolent and Causeless Melanchol" Coleridge (You'll have to scroll down a bit.)
• "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" Wordsworth

Wednesday's Poems

Today's mid-class warm-up:

Tomorrow's Poems:
Period 3

• "Bright Star" Keats
• "Hope" Smith

Period 4

• "The Chimney Sweeper" Blake
• "Sonnet 3" Baillie

Presentations Tomorrow

The poems and poetry HW are listed below. All of the poems should be easy to find. Just Google them. Here are the first two:

Period 3

• "The Moon" Shelley
• "A Child Screening a Dove from a Hawk" Landon

Period 4

• "A Sketch" by Wordsworth
• "To Wordsworth" by Shelley

  I'll post the rest if I have time.

New Moodle Link

Here is the new Moodle link, as promised. 

http://moodle.hcoe.net/

Those of you who are still having trouble, let me know and we can have them reset it manually.

See you tomorrow.

Mr. Staiano

Thursday & Friday

Work Time for the Poetry Project

Work Time

Today students had essentially the entire period to find poems and begin their individual poetry analyses.

Papers and Poetry

Today we discussed essays, which were returned, and students did the reflective activity below. We also started the next poetry project.

An Introduction to the Romantic Movement

Today we spent the period talking about the Romantic Movement (notes are at Moodle and due dates are below.)