December 16, 2019

MONDAY

  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Wed. 12/18/19
    • 20% of semester average
    • 50% multiple choice / 50% essay
    • Study Guide
    • Today's Review Activity: JENGA
      • Round Two: Poetry
      • If you were absent, you can use the activity to review by trying to answer the questions yourself.

December 12, 2019

THURSDAY

  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Wed. 12/18/19
    • 20% of semester average
    • 50% multiple choice / 50% essay
    • Study Guide
    • Today's Review Activity: JENGA
      • Round One- Fiction
      • If you were absent, you can use the activity to review by trying to answer the questions yourself.

December 10, 2019

TUESDAY


  • SEMESTER EXAM
    • Wed. 12/18/19
    • 20% of semester average
    • 50% multiple choice / 50% essay
    • Study Guide

December 6, 2019

FRIDAY


    • Class discussion/idea share 
    • How can this poem be connected to "We Show What We Have Learned"?

December 4, 2019

WEDNESDAY

  • SEMESTER EXAM 
    • Exam Date: Wed. 12/18/19
    1. Use the two interpretive questions for "We Show What We Have Learned" from your homework to post one on today's Google Classroom Assignment. Then, respond and support your ideas to your choice of three of your classmates' interpretive questions with a solid paragraph. You may also choose to respond to the answers other classmates have posted.
    2. Turn in a written paragraph that solidly supports your response to the topic below:
    3. To what extent can Ms. Swenson be considered a "good teacher"?

December 2, 2019

MONDAY


  • REMINDER: AP Classroom Progress Check #2 Expires tomorrow, 12/3/19. This should have been completed in class on 11/21/19 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 21, 2019

THURSDAY


    • 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! 😊🦃
Image result for thanksgiving meme

November 19, 2019

TUESDAY

      • Discussion: 
        • Most significant literary devices and their effects
        • Characterization of the speaker
        • Tone
        • Symbol
        • Controlling metaphor
      • Assignment: Think about how you would answer this essay prompt and write a thesis statement on your copy of the poem that responds to it 
        • PROMPT: Read carefully the following poem by the colonial American poet, Anne Bradstreet. Then write a well-organized essay in which you discuss how the poem’s controlling metaphor expresses the complex attitude of the speaker.
        • Review and annotate these two sample essays that respond to the prompt and identify strengths and weaknesses in each.
        • Turn in your annotated poem and your notes on the sample essays.

    • HW due Thurs. 11/21/19: Read and complete a 1-2-3 analysis of "Sestina" by Elizabeth Bishop. After 1-2-3, focus also on how the poem uses:
      • repetition
      • pronoun/antecedent
      • shift
      • contrast

November 15, 2019

FRIDAY


      • Written assignment: On your copy of the poem, write a thesis statement that responds to the following topic:
        • Write a paragraph in which you make a defensible claim about how the poet uses techniques to convey the speaker's complex relationship with her family. 

  • 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 13, 2019

WEDNESDAY

POETRY STUDY

  • Assignment (complete these steps in order): 


      1. You should have already completed a 1-2-3 analysis for "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop. Now make additional notes on the following:
      • the purpose of metaphors
      • characterization/ pov of the speaker
      • structure of the poem
      • contrasts
      • key words / diction and why they are significant
      • how shift affects the poem
      2. Work out a clear thesis statement for this AP essay prompt and write it on the blank side of a notecard:

       Write an essay that supports a defensible claim about how the poet uses techniques to develop the speaker's attitude toward loss in "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop.

      3. Trade cards with someone and write one piece of evidence that could support the claim on the back. Add a sentence that explains the support. Put your name next to your contribution.

      4. Trade cards another time and read the thesis carefully. Add a new piece of evidence on the back of the new card along with your explanation of how it connects to the thesis. Add your name.

      5. Return the card to the person who wrote the thesis.

      6. Read through the ideas on your card. Make sure your name is on the front and there is a name for each piece of support on the back. Turn in the card.


**If you were absent, complete #1 and 2 above then write the support ideas on the back of your own notecard.



November 11, 2019

MONDAY

  • 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

November 7, 2019

THURSDAY

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

November 5, 2019

TUESDAY

  • AP ClassroomProgress Check #1 (If you were absent, see me ASAP for a time to make this up.)
        • HW due Wed. 11/6/19 by 11:59 pm: Post one interpretive question for "Born Bad" on Google Classroom and respond with a paragraph to two of your classmates' questions.

November 1, 2019

FRIDAY

      • 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 Tues. 11/5/19: 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 28, 2019

MONDAY

  • Short Fiction: "Araby" by James Joyce
    1. Define, study, and learn vocabulary words for the story by joining the class at vocabulary.com
    2. Here is a doc list of the words
    3. Listen to me pronounce the words from the list. Practice pronouncing them yourself.
    4. Practice the words independently on a Kahoot! challenge
    5. Read "Araby" by James Joyce carefully. Apply the vocabulary words as you read. When you come to class on Wed., have some notes that answer this question: How does James Joyce create the protagonist as a dynamic character?

October 24, 2019

THURSDAY

  • Beowulf exams returned



October 22, 2019

TUESDAY

  • Beowulf Exam: If you were absent for the test, you have until 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:
    • Fri. 10/18/19 at 4:10
    • 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 18, 2019

FRIDAY

  • 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:
    • Fri. 10/18/19 at 4:10
    • Mon. 10/21/19 at 4:10
    • Tues. 10/22/19 at 4:10
  • 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 Mon. 10/21/19.
  • 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 16, 2019

WEDNESDAY

  • Beowulf EXAM If you were absent today, 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:
    • Fri. 10/18/19 at 4:10
    • Mon. 10/21/19 at 4:10
    • Tues. 10/22/19 at 4:10
  • HW due Fri. 10/18/19: 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 Fri. and resubmit for a grade. Here is how to view your report:

October 14, 2019

LIVE STUDY SESSION TONIGHT!

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 11, 2019

FRIDAY

** Seniors took their portraits during class today **
  • Beowulf
    • Wed. 10/16/19: 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. Have your study pack (list below) ready!


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

      October 9, 2019

      WEDNESDAY

      • Beowulf
        • Wed. 10/16/19: 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
          • Fri. 10/11/19: Senior portraits during English class
          • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

        October 7, 2019

        MONDAY

        • Beowulf
          • Wed. 10/16/19: FINAL TEST ON BEOWULF
            • It will be an essay test
            • 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, but if you miss it, I will link to the video afterwards so you can still watch it.

          • In-Class Assignment: "The Struggle Between Order and Chaos in Beowulf" by John Halverson
            • Read the article carefully, using the vocabulary definitions you completed for HW.
            • Annotate on the article for the following:
              • Note how the words from the vocabulary list are used
              • Give a summary statement in the margin of the page for each of the 6 sections of the article.
              • Make sure you look up and make a note about references to people / places / ideas you might not know (Charlemagne, Boniface, Alfred, etc.)

            • HW due Wed. 10/9/19: Create a study plan for the final Beowulf test. 

            • Coming Up
              • Fri. 10/11/19: Senior portraits during English class
              • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

            October 3, 2019

            THURSDAY

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


              • HW turned in: Heroic Ideal

              • Wed. 10/16/19: 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.)

              • In-class Assignment: Genres in Beowulf chart. It might be helpful to use the Literary Terms and Theories dictionaries on the front shelf (black, white, and green). Turn this in.


            • Coming Up
              • Fri. 10/11/19: Senior portraits during English class
              • Tues. 10/22/19: Financial Aid Night 6 - 8 pm

            October 1, 2019

            TUESDAY


            • Coming Up
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: 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 27, 2019

            FRIDAY



            • Coming Up
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: 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 25, 2019

            WEDNESDAY

            **Seniors went to the College Fair from 8:45 - 9:45 am today. **

            • Coming Up
              • Mon. 9/30/19: End of the 1st six weeks
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: 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 23, 2019

            MONDAY

            • Beowulf
              • Beowulf section 1 test returned & discussed
              • QUIZ: Section 3 (If you were absent, make up before the end of the week)
              • Discussion / notes for section 3 study guide
              • HW due Wed. 9/25/19: Complete section 3 study guide
              • Fri. 9/27/19: TEST on Beowulf, sections 1-3

            • Coming Up
              • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (Seniors only-- Follow these steps to get a barcode to enter the event.)
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

            September 19, 2019

            THURSDAY

            **NOTE: Seniors went to the computer lab to work with the counselors on Apply Texas during class today.
            • Beowulf
              • Discussion / notes for section 2 study guide
              • HW due Mon. 9/23/19: Reread and review section 3 (lines 1905 - 2541)

            • Coming Up
              • Wed. 9/25/19: College Fair (Seniors only-- Follow these steps to get a barcode to enter the event.)
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: 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 17, 2019

            TUESDAY


            • 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.)
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

            September 13, 2019

            FRIDAY

            • 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.
              • HW due Tues. 9/17/19: Complete all of the section 2 note guide

            • 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
              • Thurs. 10/3/19: Seniors will go to the computer lab to begin FAFSA online with the counselors

            September 11, 2019

            WEDNESDAY

            • AP Classroom
              • Join AP Classroom with the code given to you in class.
              • Fill out & sign the AP Commitment Contract. Return on Fri. 9/13/19
            • Beowulf
              • TEST TODAY: Beowulf section 1 & Anglo-Saxon Language
              • Notes on terms
                • epic poem
                • digression
                • kenning
                • caesura
                • alliterative verse
              • HW due Fri. 9/13/19: 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 9, 2019

            MONDAY

            • Group discussion & notes for Beowulf section 1 study guide questions
            • Wed. 9/11/19: TEST Beowulf section 1 & Anglo-Saxon Language
            • HW due Fri. 9/13/19: Review section 2 of Beowulf, lines 1062 - 1904. Add to your original annotations, especially vocabulary

            September 5, 2019

            THURSDAY

            September 3, 2019

            TUESDAY

            • 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 Thurs. 9/5/19: 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 29, 2019

              THURSDAY

              • 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 27, 2019

              TUESDAY

              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 Thurs. 8/29/19:
                • 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: 1bapeng4)