Trimester 3, Blog 9 (due 5/17 at midnight for EXTRA CREDIT)

Being potentially your last BLOG of the year (and your careers), you should think of this entry as your “AP SENIOR WILLS.” Now, you’re used to willing your ability to get the best parking spot, finagle your way out of tardies, and attend all three lunches; however, for this entry, think back to all you had to endure and overcome in AP ENGLISH. Think of all your abilities that you could bequeath to a lesser individual. Think of all you had to suffer through with your two instructors and the tools necessary to survive the bright colors and megaphone voice. Most of all, enjoy this entry as you think about all that you’ve accomplished in this class, and enjoy “willing” to all those “lesser” individuals out there.

Trimester Three, Blog Seven (due 5/10 at midnight)

Please respond to this blog written by Ben, Isaac, and Taylor:

We have had two presentations given over books. The discussions that were drawn from the excerpts seemd to be involved, and the class seemed to be interested as well. After this week's presentation, have you become interested in reading either novel on your own? If so, what caught your attention? If not, what reasons do you have for believing that you won't enjoy them?

Trimester Three, Blog Seven (due 5/3 at midnight)

Share with your classmates the title and author of the book that you’re reading for your independent novel project. Then, explain why you chose this book and your reaction to it so far. “Your reaction” could include a brief discussion of the themes, plot, characters, ideas, etc. You could also give Nabokov a heart attack by explaining why you do or do not enjoy the book so far.

Trimester Three, Blog Six (due April 26 at midnight)

Please respond to the following blog by Elysia & Kerry:

Throughout the novel, the name of the protagonist is never revealed. She is always referred to as "the second Mrs. De Winter" or by "I." By considering the characteristics of her personality and what you know of the general plot, come up with a name that you believe fits the second Mrs. De Winter. Include the name's definition in your explanation and be specific as to why you believe this name is suitable.

Trimester Three, Blog Five (due 4/19 at midnight)

Please respond to the following blog by Tori, Alyssa, & Claire:

What are your thoughts regarding the class discussion of "The Poison Tree"? What could have gone better in your opinion, and what went well? Also, include your personal opinions on the poem itself.

Trimester Three, Blog Four (due 3/29 at midnight)

Choose one of the prompts below and respond to it based on what you watched earlier this week in The Shawshank Redemption and on what you read in the nonfiction articles we discussed.

Choice #1 (Hope/Fear): Consider the movie’s presentation of the themes of hope and fear. What do you think the director might have been trying to say about these themes—either as they exist separately or as they work together? In what ways do the characters and events in the movie show how hope and fear are intertwined? How effectively do you feel the movie portrays these themes? Why do you find the presentation effective/not effective?

Choice #2 (Prison Programs): One of the articles we read earlier this week spoke specifically to the topic of programs for inmates. This movie does that also. What do you think of the programs that existed at Shawshank Prison? Now, make a connection to real life. What types of prison programs would be most beneficial to prisoners? What role should programs play in prisons?

Trimester Three, Blog Three (due 3/22 at midnight)

Just for kicks, I’d like to see how you—my first-hour AP English class—can improve this explanatory letter written by Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction. Dr. Tony Bennett composed this letter to public school superintendents and principals to clarify his rationale for recently proposed legislation that would make it difficult for educators to conduct parent-teacher conferences and professional development within the 180-day school year as they have been able to do in the past. Though my prior statement oversimplifies this issue, the content of this letter is irrelevant (Plus, I am getting fired up thinking about it!). I would like you to complete the following: 1) Point out any conventional errors that you note in Dr. Bennett’s letter and 2) Provide suggestions for improvements that Dr. Bennett could make in regards to syntax and diction.

Based on the writing that all of you have submitted this year, I believe that you will be able to prove ample suggestions for the illustrious Dr. Bennett (who probably pays a staff to proofread his writing).

“Superintendents and Principals,

I would like to provide you with additional information regarding the waiver of instructional day policy that I announced yesterday. I was not as clear as I should have been regarding what is new policy and what is actually compliance with existing state law.

My announcement around the end of the practice of providing waivers for missed instructional days is a new policy that will be implemented next school year. Last week in Washington, I heard President Obama and Secretary Duncan speak passionately about the need for our students to be in school more, and not less, and took their words and the corresponding data that was provided to heart. It was important to me to announce this as soon as I had made a decision as I wanted you to be aware of what the expectations for the coming year.

I did not clearly state the basis for the change in practice about dismissing students for professional development and parent-teacher conferences. Questions around the scope of the Department’s authority in this area were posed to my administration several weeks ago and, consistent with the approach I have taken on many issues that have arisen over the past several months, I directed my legal staff to fully analyze the issue.

Below I have included an excerpt of the legal analysis that resulted, which clearly states that questions around the scope of the Department’s authority in this area were posed to my administration several weeks ago and, consistent with the approach I have taken on many issues that have arisen over the past several months, I directed my legal staff to fully analyze the issue. The Department does not have the right to waive instructional days for non-extraordinary circumstances under the extremely limited scope of waiver authority that is given to the Department under state law.

While I am committed to providing school districts with every reasonable flexibility, I take my responsibility to carry out Indiana’s education laws as given to the Department by the Indiana General Assembly very seriously. Although I value professional development and time for teachers to confer with parents, when this issue was raised and given a comprehensive legal review by Department legal staff and independent experts, the Department had to act within the confines of its legal authority, regardless of past practice.

I understand the challenges of incorporating professional development and parent-teacher conferences into a 180-day model. Success will require creative thinking and solutions. By consulting with superintendents and principals, I know many of you are doing just that today. As with anything else, if we truly believe it is valuable, we will find ways to incorporate it into our schedules.

Again, I apologize for the miscommunication yesterday. We will provide better clarity in the future regarding these types of announcements and issues.

Regards,

Tony Bennett
Superintendent of Public Instruction”

Trimester Three, Blog Two (due 3/15 at midnight)

After considering our class discussion regarding the Lynne Truss excerpt and rudeness, come to your own conclusion about rudeness. Make a statement about rudeness (such as Truss’ statement that “abuse is becoming accepted as the quickest and smartest way of dealing with criticism in all areas of life”), and support your assertion with anecdotal examples (130). You should also comment on at least one other classmate’s post. If you are the first to post, pose a thoughtful question for your classmates to consider.

Trimester Three, Blog One (due 3/8 at midnight)

This blog has been designed purely for the purpose of collecting feedback/information regarding vocabulary.

The vocabulary categories that we’ll have for the rest of the year (one category per week) include the following: literary devices, verbs for analysis, verbs for synthesis, verbs for argument, adjectives, adverbs, transition words, fun words to know.

If you can think of other word categories that I should include, please propose them.

For your blog, include a list of five words (with definitions), and indicate which category these words fit. Include words for a variety of categories (ex. not all should be adjectives). Do not propose words that others have already proposed, and make sure that these are words that are not often already used by most students.

Trimester Two, Blog Nine

Reflect upon Trimester Two, and decide how you’ve grown as a reader and/or writer this trimester. Provide specific examples. Additionally, state the specific areas in which you would like to see more growth during your LAST trimester of AP English. This will help me plan some of the activities that we do.

Trimester Two, Blog Eight (due 2/8 at midnight)

Did you know that nearly every day is a holiday dedicated to one person/item/event or another? Of course, we’re all aware of major holidays such as Valentine’s Day (which, to a cynical mind, is Hallmark’s way of fleecing American saps), but did you know that you just missed Bubble Wrap Appreciation on January 26? On a more serious note, the United Kingdom celebrates Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27.

If you could propose a new holiday, what would you propose? Why do you believe that this holiday deserves consideration? How would people celebrate this holiday? Obviously, you can choose to take this down a funny or a serious road. Please remember that it’s okay to incorporate humor, but also remember to be tasteful and to remain inoffensive. You can be funny without “crossing the line.” You will not receive credit for holidays that your audience (Miss Stump) deems “over the top.” It is also completely acceptable to propose a more serious suggestion.

Trimester Two, Blog Seven (due 2/1 by midnight)

Write a letter to the actors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre—those who performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You might consider including the following remarks:
-moments in the play that had a strong impact on you
-your thoughts about the costumes, sound, lights, or set design
-parts that you most—or least—enjoyed
-something that you learned about a character or relationship
-whether live theater helped make Shakespeare any easier
-your thoughts about theater versus movies

Please write this blog in letter format, and “sign” your name—first and last.

OR

If you did not attend this play, write a letter to the director or actors/actresses of a favorite movie that you’ve seen. You may consider addressing the ideas above in your letter.

Trimester Two, Blog Six (due 1/25 at midnight)

Reread page 487 in Everything’s an Argument (you should have already read it when you read Chapter 16). Provide your own example of a situation and its context in which evidence other than hard, factual evidence is just as, if not more, advantageous. The example you provide can be one based on a real experience (such as the one noted in the book), or you can formulate your own hypothetical experience. Address, as necessary, the rationale for the evidence you believe to be the most persuasive.

Trimester Two: Blog #5 (due 1/18 at midnight)

This blog will provide you will another opportunity to practice defining terms. Take a look at Exercise 1 on page 240 in your EAA text. Choose three of the ten italicized terms. Then, follow the book’s directions of discussing the criteria that you might use to define the three italicized terms you chose. When applicable, compare your definitions to your classmates’ definitions. You must go beyond just agreeing with a classmate when defining your list of three terms.

Trimester Two: Blog #4 (due 1/11 at midnight)

Take a look around at the advertisements that you see in the communities of Nappanee and Wakarusa. Which company or business, in your opinion, could use a new marketing strategy? Using what you’ve learned in AP English about thinking rhetorically in regards to advertising, provide some recommendations for the business or company you’ve chosen. Consider the audience, purpose, and author of the advertisement. Also, don’t forget to think about whether the new advertisement should appeal to an audience’s pathos, ethos, or logos.

I also encourage you to comment on others’ recommendations.