Thursday, May 3, 2012
double credit next five minutes
If you comment to this post-- AND complete either of the two course blog HW assignments in the next five minutes-- you will receive double credit.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
May 1
JOURNAL TOPIC: ["Maggie May" by Rod Stewart; "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel]
"Hooray, hooray, the first of May..." "May I go to the bathroom?" So many of the most basic words in English have multiple meanings derived from etymologies all but lost in the mists of time. The word May implies spring, permission, and possibility/uncertainty. It's also a trap for casual writers who don't know the difference between may & might? Even pros can get confused.
Today you may write about May, or about your understanding of may, or about anything else you're wondering about as you prepare for the AP exam.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Lit terms quiz (61-90)
3. Study/finish writer's conferences
HW:
1. Continue AP prep
2. Study for lit terms quiz (91-120) on Friday 5.4
"Hooray, hooray, the first of May..." "May I go to the bathroom?" So many of the most basic words in English have multiple meanings derived from etymologies all but lost in the mists of time. The word May implies spring, permission, and possibility/uncertainty. It's also a trap for casual writers who don't know the difference between may & might? Even pros can get confused.
Today you may write about May, or about your understanding of may, or about anything else you're wondering about as you prepare for the AP exam.
AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Lit terms quiz (61-90)
3. Study/finish writer's conferences
HW:
1. Continue AP prep
2. Study for lit terms quiz (91-120) on Friday 5.4
metonymy v. synecdoche
Not exactly Godzilla vs. Mothra, but you're going to need to remember the difference for today's lit terms quiz, so here is an additional explanation/reminder.
signs of the times
Some of you express surprise when I mention that classes around the country aren't using technology or preparing themselves for digital independence, or that adults are taking aggressive steps to prevent student access to social networking sites and services.
Have a look at this news item (original coverage here).
Is this a freedom worth fighting for? Should students have access to technology and social networking? Why? Are these tools important for a purpose? Or are they merely frivolous, dangerous toys that don't really have anything to do with school or learning? Please respond to this post with a comment by Friday.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
meet kid koala
Study exercise for when you're sick of answering AP practice questions. (Helpful tip: if you're not sick of answering questions, you haven't answered enough questions.)
How many literary terms/techniques you can apply to this performance?
(Thanks, BoingBoing!)
homework: literature as a conversation over time
Throughout the year we've been reminded by Shakespeare, Dickens, Plato, Sartre, and many others that some literature never gets old. The passage of time makes it all the more poignant or insightful. Dickens' London is Occupy's Wall Street. "To be or not to be" will forever be the question. The hero always embarks on the journey and fights for the forces of love and goodness and light. And no matter when they were written, or by whom, or even for what purposes, certain texts flip a switch and SPEAK to us in a way that makes us certain that we are no longer alone in our thoughts.
Here is a powerful example. Last month it was reported that 13 year-old author Jada Williams wrote an essay in response to The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and entered it in a contest. According to this account, "the schools' teachers and administrators were so offended by Williams' essay that they began a campaign of harassment—kicking her out of class and trying to suspend her—that ultimately forced her parents to withdraw her from the school."
Literature may be timeless but technology isn't. We have an opportunity to learn from this moment in ways our predecessors couldn't. Let's begin a conversation about this online (we'll extend it in class). After you have carefully considered both the coverage of this situation and Ms. Williams' essay, please comment to this post and include the following information:
1. Given what you've learned about the AP Lit/Comp rubric and the evaluative standards we have established in class this year, please analyze Ms. Williams' essay as a response to literature. Begin with what Ms. Williams does well (which, I think you'll agree, is easy to do!) and then note where/how you think her work might be improved. (NOTE: if you find this difficult to do on video, pause it frequently or watch it once to take general thematic notes and go back a second time for details such as diction, syntax etc.)
2. Critique Ms. Williams' arguments. Are her premises true? Are her inferences valid? Does she accurately identify logical fallacies and/or use them herself?
3. Given your own experiences in K-12 education, to what extent does Ms. Williams have a point? Is her perspective unique to a particular race or demographic, or is it valid for students of all backgrounds in schools around the country/world? How would you advise policy leaders, teachers and parents to help young people get the best education possible? What lessons can you take away from Ms. Williams' work that will help you and others on the path to discovery?
Good Education link here
Here is a powerful example. Last month it was reported that 13 year-old author Jada Williams wrote an essay in response to The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and entered it in a contest. According to this account, "the schools' teachers and administrators were so offended by Williams' essay that they began a campaign of harassment—kicking her out of class and trying to suspend her—that ultimately forced her parents to withdraw her from the school."
Literature may be timeless but technology isn't. We have an opportunity to learn from this moment in ways our predecessors couldn't. Let's begin a conversation about this online (we'll extend it in class). After you have carefully considered both the coverage of this situation and Ms. Williams' essay, please comment to this post and include the following information:
1. Given what you've learned about the AP Lit/Comp rubric and the evaluative standards we have established in class this year, please analyze Ms. Williams' essay as a response to literature. Begin with what Ms. Williams does well (which, I think you'll agree, is easy to do!) and then note where/how you think her work might be improved. (NOTE: if you find this difficult to do on video, pause it frequently or watch it once to take general thematic notes and go back a second time for details such as diction, syntax etc.)
2. Critique Ms. Williams' arguments. Are her premises true? Are her inferences valid? Does she accurately identify logical fallacies and/or use them herself?
3. Given your own experiences in K-12 education, to what extent does Ms. Williams have a point? Is her perspective unique to a particular race or demographic, or is it valid for students of all backgrounds in schools around the country/world? How would you advise policy leaders, teachers and parents to help young people get the best education possible? What lessons can you take away from Ms. Williams' work that will help you and others on the path to discovery?
Good Education link here
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