Just in case you lost it.... here is the LINK to the AP Extra Credit assignment due on the Wednesday after we return (Jan 7). 

Don't forget: I must approve both the group and the POEM chosen by your group (with a generic explanation of your intended plan of approach) before you return from break. 
I am not going to do last minute approvals. Email me ASAP!

All late work and/or REWRITES (complete with the original paper) are due by Friday, Dec. 19 if you wish to improve your grade. 

Don't forget Friday is FOOD day--while we do academic work for the next unit. :) 

The reading schedule for A Dry White Season is posted at the left side of this blog. Remember that you have reading homework (but no writing) during the week off. Be prepared to discuss the first 163 pages of the book on the Monday that we return to school. We WILL be collecting quotes from each section, so if you want to mark your book or get a head start, you are welcome to. There are no specific parameters for the quotes this time: pick quotes that seem significant. Be prepared to discuss or defend that significance. 

IF you have late work, it must be turned in by Dec. 3 (Wed) or it is officially too late to submit it. Be responsible. Get it done. 

It pays to check the blog.... just sayin'!

If you are reading this on Tuesday, you can get a sneak peek at your assigned times for the allusion sources project presentations (on the left sidebar of this blog). Otherwise they will be posted in class tomorrow. 

Well done on the poetry explication practice today--remember we are continuing that work tomorrow, as well as checking for quotes in your book (Books 1 and 2). You should be done with "Part 2" of the novel Things Fall Apart by tomorrow.

Have a lovely, blustery day!

BREAKING NEWS:

There will be an in-class practice poetry analysis essay tomorrow (10-28). If you need review, re-read the poems we discussed as a class (links are on the right) and the "poetry explication techniques" handout on the left side.

Hello all. 
Just a quick reminder that your chapter 1-5 questions for Things Fall Apart are due by Friday, Oct. 24 (15 total questions, 3 per chapter). 
Also, I will be checking for text marking or sticky notes in your books relating to the foreshadowing of tragic events in the first half of the book on Friday as well. You should have at least a couple quotes in each chapter that indicate this story is going to end badly, for the main character or for the culture in general.

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS: 
Everyone will be presenting their "Sources of Allusions" projects on Oct. 30 and 31. If you need help, talk to me NOW. 

If you missed class today, read the handout (left side) on Bel and the Dragon, which pertains to the title of Book 4 in PWB.
We did another practice timed-write paragraph in journals. Time yourself for 7 minutes. Here is the quote:
"What if...the world of white men had never touched the Congo at all?" (324).

TOMORROW you will write a timed paragraph and turn it in for points. 

Also DUE TOMORROW, SEPT. 23: your character collage.

Just in case you missed class today:

TIMED WRITE PRACTICE #1 and #2 Instructions

We did two timed-write paragraphs as practice in our journals.

My expectations for the paragraphs are these: 1) introduce the title of the book and the general context of the book, 2) introduce the specific context of the quote you were given, 3) include the quote, with a "tagline",  and 4) explain the significance of the quote (longest part of your paragraph).

We debriefed, in pairs, after each paragraph.

You get 10 minutes for the first quote, which is:
 ""Tata Ndu feels that bringing the Christian word to these people is leading them to corrupt ways" (129).

You get 5 minutes for the second quote, which is:
"Watching your father, I've seen how you can't learn anything when you're trying to look like the smartest person in the room" (229).

If you were gone, do this on your own. We will practice again next week, but there will also be a timed write turned in for a grade. 

Have a wonderful weekend as you finish up Book 4 (due Sept 23)! :)

Good afternoon!

For those of you returning to this blog, you will notice that some elements have moved to the bottom of the page. They will not be deleted, but, for sake of space and visual sanity, they have been relocated.

Just a quick reminder, that much of our work is done in journals and through discussion in class. If you miss a day, check the blog for journal writes, but also check with a classmate for notes or other in-class activities. If you still have questions, feel free to come ask me.

Handouts from class are always posted here, unless there is a copyright issue.

Final reminder: you should have read over and discussed the syllabus with your parents by TONIGHT. I expect the syllabus acknowledgement forms to be in by tomorrow at the latest (9-9).

Happy reading and I'll see you in class.
Evans

Hello all! 
Just a quick reminder that your SUMMER ASSIGNMENT (posted on the bottom left side) is due the first day of class. 

If for some reason you could not get the book, there are 5 copies for checkout in the library (come in and check it out now, don't wait until next week). Email me if you get stuck or have questions. 

I look forward to seeing all of you next week. It'll be amazing! Enjoy your last few days of summer. 

Evans

Welcome to all of you incoming "AP Lit-ers."

At the left side of this page is the summer assignment (an exact copy of the letter sent to you in June). Please take the reading and the (SHORT!) writing assignments seriously, as this assignment positively changes the trajectory of all AP Literature students. 

Essentially, Foster's book "primes the pump" for our discussions throughout the year. It is also your first chance to show me your academic prowess and your personal character. 

I look forward to an amazing year with each one of you. See you in the fall. 

Mrs. Evans

Last reminders:

You have an essay comparing OR contrasting the two dystopian models we have studied (1984 and Equilibrium) due on Monday.

All late work is due TOMORROW, May 30th.

Course/teacher feedback forms are also due Monday (June 2nd).

Your final is reflective and will not require studying specific topics from the year.

Missed a day of class due to AP testing or field trips? Check out the LITERARY CRITICISM links on the left to get caught up. The Wall-E assignment covers multiple days of class and explains the class focus for those days. 

Your next assignment is due MAY 20th. 

You need to have a copy of Orwell's 1984 by Friday at the latest. 

UPDATE/CHANGE
Due to various factors (assemblies, fencing demonstrations, talkative teachers...), we did not finish the movie version (2011) of Jane Eyre on Friday. The big "impediment" to the grand romance was revealed, and we stopped where Jane runs away (which is where the movie started). We will finish the movie on MONDAY and the associated assignment is due on Tuesday, April 15, instead of Monday. 

Please have read Frankenstein (the 4 letters) for class on Monday and bring your book to class every day, just in case. Notice I have started posting relevant documents for the Frankenstein unit on the left.

Have a great weekend. 

UPCOMING DUE DATES:

Wednesday, April 9: your revision of ONE of the last 3 essays (4 humours, Act II quiz, or sonnet explication). Your goal is to raise your score at least one level on the AP rubric. 

Thursday, April 10: FLASHCARD check. You ought to have all the lit terms assignments (#1-3) on flashcards or on quizlet for this check. There are 43 terms we have completed so far.

Friday, April 11: Your final essay on Hamlet is due. There were 4 choices (see link on the left for details). Please type this essay.

• Your Act III and IV Quiz is WEDNESDAY, April 2. Be ready to identify quotes and speakers from both acts. 

• There is a one-day-only extra credit opportunity posted on the left!

• Please remember to finish Act V as soon as possible (ahem, before Prom) so that you don't get caught unprepared for the final quiz (after prom). 

Don't forget, you have an EXTRA CREDIT opportunity due just before or just after Spring Break. You can only turn in this assignment on March 19th or April 1st (yes, really!). Click HERE for a reminder of what that assignment entails.

Also...
You have a SONNET EXPLICATION due on Tuesday, March 11. It MUST be one of the 4 sonnets I included in the assignment (posted on the left). All directions are there. Don't wait until Monday night!

Hello. Some of you have requested a formal list of requirements for the upcoming poetry mini-presentations (DUE MARCH 3-4). Here they are:

Step 1: List the poetic school or movement you are covering. POETIC MOVEMENTS WEBSITE HERE. In your intro, situate the movement in it's historical context, both by date and by concurrent events. This should be brief and clear.

Step 2: Give a CONCISE overview of the movement. Ideally, you will break down the topical focus and literary devices  the poets adhered to in 5 words or phrases.

Step 3: Pick a major poem from one of the movement's most influential or famous practitioners. Read the poem aloud for us. Summarize the general meaning, then explain how 3-5 of the phrases you described in step 2 can be applied to this poem.

Add any other pertinent information that helps solidify our understanding of the literary movement (optional).

There is not a specific time limit, but if you go over 10 minutes, I will stop you.
There is not a specified format. Utilize your natural talents--use the whiteboard, create a powerpoint, make a video, create an activity--the WAY you present is open, as long as it fulfills all the requirements listed above. If in doubt, copy my (Mrs. Evans') "model" presentation from Tuesday, substituting your content for the Metaphysical Poets that I covered.

Reading schedule and upcoming deadlines:

Read at your own pace, but bring Candide to class every day, and expect to discuss passages in class. You must finish the book by Feb. 26 (the day lit. terms #3 is due). My expectation is that you are making progress in the text each night. 

Major assignments coming up include 
Literary Terms #3 (18 terms) DUE Wed, Feb 26
Candide Team TEST: Friday, Feb 28
Poetry Movement Presentations: March 3-4

The final day to recite your poem is tomorrow, Feb 20th. Don't forget we will have another memorization assignment next month during the Hamlet unit. Soliloquies, monologues, and sonnets are possibilities.

SNOW DAYS UPDATE

Don't worry about submitting your paper via email, just bring in the hardcopy of your short story essay to the next class we have. 

On the other hand, the deadline for the test WON'T move, so please make solid progress on your lit terms (#3) which WILL BE DUE ON WED, regardless of the snow days. If we have additional snow days, I will email you a supplementary assignment. Please pass on this message to other classmates. I am posting it on the blog and emailing those who have emailed me.

ESSAY PROMPTS HAVE BEEN POSTED. 

Make sure it is typed, double-spaced, and approx. 2 pages in length (approx. 500-700 words). 

This essay is due FRIDAY, Feb. 7.

CHECK OUT THE NEW LINKS ON THE LEFT! 

Don't forget to have read "Cathedral" before class Monday, so we can discuss it.