Summer Assignment, Part 2

I imagine you all taking advantage of our beautiful summer weather, lounging in hammocks and perusing Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor. I know, wishful thinking.

I post not to interrupt your idyll, but to let you know that, should you be interested, the online course is now up and ready for you to enroll. The directions on your handout seem to be accurate as several of you have already managed to join the class successfully. I did, however, reset the course, so those of you who were ahead of the game will have to re-enroll. Let me know if you have any questions or problems.

Once enrolled, you will find several things of some potential interest:

• Part 3 of the Summer Assignment—This consists of two separate discussion boards due on 8/7 and 8/14 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 and read through the assignments.
• The 2010-11 Syllabus—The tentative version of the syllabus, including expectations and a rough course outline is now posted.
• The Interactive 2010-2011 Reading List—This includes links to all the texts available in free, online versions (everything but Foster's text, Beloved, As I Lay Dying, and Ceremony). Remember, you still need printed copies (or e-book versions) in class.

Finally, I have not heard from a few of your peers. If you know any of these students, please remind them to email me ASAP.
I look forward to your thoughts on How to Read Literature Like a Professor. Enjoy the rest of your summer. I will try to stay out of your lives until August.

Projects Begin

Today students began working on their final projects in earnest. Presentations begin in one week. I also gave back senior portfolios today.

Final Lit Circles

Today we had our final literature circles, after which students handed in all their literature circle work Be ready to work on projects beginning Monday.

Ashland Vacancy

Dear AP Students,

It has come to my attention that, due to an unfortunate and unavoidable schedule conflict, there is now one free spot on the Ashland trip for this weekend. In a nutshell, we leave at lunch Friday and come back Sunday evening. We're seeing Hamlet and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the whole thing will set you back less than $100.

The first person to find me with $54 tomorrow morning gets the spot. 

Feel free to email with questions.

Mr Staiano

Lit Circles Begin

Today I went over the basic lit circle format, stamped HW and then groups had their first circle.

Lit Circles Begin

Today after a bit of housekeeping, lit circle groups met briefly and then we had some, gasp, reading time in class. The first lit circle assignment is due Monday.

Post AP Due Dates

Today we ran through a few things--dues dates for the final essay, the book project, and the AP test from last week--and then continued the film we started last week.
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Essay #3

• Topics @ GC 5/12
• Roughs in class 5/19
• Finals posted or in class 5/27

Q3 Book Poll

Hey Folks,

Hope you are enjoying the sun. I just wanted to let you know that, as per request, I have posted a poll question at Global Classroom asking which book you wrote on for the question three prompt on Thursday. Take a second and respond. Your colleagues and I will appreciate it.

See you tomorrow.

Mr. Staiano

Today We Had a Test ;-)

On the Eve of the Test

Today we spent the day reviewing the books we read this year in preparation for the third essay. Many of us will meet in the classroom tomorrow morning at 7:30-ish for a low-key potluck breakfast. Come if you want. If not, I'll see you before the test. Have a restful evening and sleep well. There is no point in cramming.

Fun w/ Study Guides

We spent a few minutes reviewing the calendar for the rest of the year, then got to work on a study guide review project. We will continue this project tomorrow.

Q3

Cheri Z visited today and we spent the rest of the period on some practice for question #3.

More Practice

Today some poetry MC and a bit of essay planning.

Practice, Practice

Today we worked through a multiple choice section and then spent the rest of the period on general strategies for the test.

Poetry Final Review

Today we went over the poetry final from the Wednesday before break.
AP Practice the rest of the week!

Joyce PC and SG

Today I collected the Joyce study guides and we had the timed writing.
The only homework over break is to practice for the AP exam. There are practice materials at Global Classroom.
Have a great break!

The Week So Far

We began the week with a short quiz on the end of Portrait. The rest of Monday and Tuesday were spend looking at Stephen's aesthetic theory as explained by Joseph Campbell. Wednesday was devoted to some AP practice/the final for the contemporary poetry unit. More Joyce Thursday and we will wrap up the week with the Portrait pressure comp.

Joyce's Aesthetics

Today we had (almost) the final poetry presentations and spend the rest of the period on Joyce's aesthetics.

Period 2 poem for Monday: "Mirror" by Sylvia Plath

Tonight's Poems

P2 "Expect Nothing" by Alice Walker
P6 "The Abortion" by Anne Sexton

More Poetry and a Bit o' Joyce

Today we had a couple more poetry presentations and talked a bit more about the end of chapter 2.
Tomorrow's Poems:

• 2nd "Leda and the Swan" by Yeats and "As the Mist Leaves No Scar" by Cohen
• 6th "Africa" by Angelou and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Hughes