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AP Literature and Composition

turnitin.com class ID: 22089487 enrollment key: literature 
AP Classroom: W V K A X X
Remind app: text   @fee226   to   81010

FINAL DAYS w/ MR THOMAS :'(

Independent/Group Project:

Thursday, January 9

1. Dorian Gray final exam

2. Work on project (due Monday)

Tuesday, January 7

1. Checking in

  • All completed Progress Check?

  • Today we will talk about Dorian Gray, Thursday we will take a test, and a project will be due Monday

2. In groups:

  • Outline four characters (Dorian, Basil, Henry, Sybil) in regard to how they begin, what change they experience, and how they are after the change

  • Provide key quotes

3. Introduce Dorian Gray Art Project:

  • Choose 5 pieces of art that you think would appeal to Dorian. Choose no more than 2 from each of these categories:

    • Poetry​

    • Song

    • Visual art (sculpture/painting/etc.)

    • No plays or novels

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Homework:

-Work on project

-Prepare for Thursday's test

Friday, January 3

1. In groups, discuss Dorian Gray

2. Complete AP Classroom Progress Check for Unit 3

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Homework:

-Complete the Progress Check by 10pm Monday night

Monday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 1

NO SCHOOL

Winter Break

Friday, December 20

HALF DAY for students

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1. Discuss The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Homework:

-Finish reading The Picture of Dorian Gray

Wednesday, December 18

1. Write questions about life after high school

2. Panel of AHS alumni

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Homework:

-Read The Picture of Dorian Gray chapters 6, 7, 8

Monday, December 16

1. Work on finalizing your Tribute Book

2. Discuss first 3 chapters of The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Homework:

-Read Chapters 4 and 5

Thursday, December 12

1. Discuss art reflections

2. Discuss Note

  • Interesting points?

  • Should the artist be removed from the art? Is it possible?

3. Discuss Preface

  • What is his message?

  • How does this compare to your reflection?

4. Work on Tribute Book

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Homework:

-Read The Picture of Dorian Gray Chapters 1-3

-Work on Tribute Book

Tuesday, December 10

1. Time to work on Tribute Book

2. Art reflection:

  • Describe your thoughts and opinions on art. What is it to you? What role does art play in your life? What do you feel is the purpose of art? Explain.

  • Draw a line under your response

    • Write "Note" in the left margin under the line

      • Identify a section for "Summary/Key Takeaways" and a section for "Interesting/Surprising Points"

      • For homework, you will read the Note on this publication of The Picture of Dorian Gray and record those thoughts on this sheet

    • Beneath that portion of your paper, write "Preface"

      • For homework, you will read the preface to the novel

      • On this sheet of paper, you will summarize Wilde's opinions presented in the preface and then compare his beliefs to yours (what you wrote about art at the top of your sheet)

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Homework:

-Complete tasks listed above

-Work on tribute book

Friday, December 6

1. Peer edit papers for Mrs. Mott's Honors English I class

2. Reflection: Art

  • What are your thoughts and opinions about art?

  • What role does art play in your life? Explain.

  • What do you think is the purpose of art? Explain.

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Homework:

-As I Lay Dying essay due Sunday night (to turnitin.com)

-Research Oscar Wilde

-For the go-getters...Read The Importance of Being Earnest...maybe even watch a production of the play!

Wednesday, December 4

1. Peer edit your analysis essay for As I Lay Dying

2. Work on your Tribute Book project

Monday, December 2

1. Work on your analysis essay for As I Lay Dying

2. Work on your Tribute Book project

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29

NO SCHOOL

Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday, November 25

1. Share coffin projects

2. Finish 16th Narrator activity

3. Introduce TRIBUTE BOOK Project

4. Work on Tribute book, literary analysis essay

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Homework:

-Tribute book project

-Literary analysis essay for As I Lay Dying

-Full draft of essay will be due at the end of class on Monday

Tuesday, November 19

1. Key Word activity

2. Review and discuss reading

3. Handouts:

  • Unit overview from College Board CED

  • Tone words

4. Self-rate your engagement with the text

5. Groups:

  1. Group 1

    • Emalee​

    • Kerrington

    • Alex

    • Katelyn

    • Cayden

  2. Group 2

    • Karaline​

    • Tyler

    • Evan

    • Aaron

    • Rachel

  3. Group 3​

    • Jack​

    • Davie

    • Maddie

    • Destiny

    • Cole

  4. Group 4

    • Bailey​

    • Emma

    • Cassidy

    • Claire

    • Morrigan

  5. Group 5

    • Rhiannon​

    • Kinsey

    • Alana

    • Gabriella

6. Discuss Post-It topics

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Homework:

-Finish the novel!

Thursday, November 21

1. Reflect on end of novel / finish reading

2. Discussion of the end of the novel

  • How did the characters fulfill or not fulfill your initial expectations of them?

  • How did the overall structure impact your reading?

3. 16th Narrator Activity

4. Introduce coffin activity

  • Decorate the outside of your coffin however you'd like

  • On the inside, choose one quote from the novel that you find to be particularly significant

  • Also on the inside, give an explanation of the quote you've chosen. Why is it significant?

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Homework:

-Finish your coffin to turn in on Monday!

Friday, November 15

Turn in your timed writing for a completion grade!

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1. Discussion of reading

2. Questions, thoughts, observations, epiphanies?

3. Read and discuss each other's timed writing essays

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Homework:

-Read to page 206 (Darl's chapter that begins wth "Here's a place."

Wednesday, November 13

1. Turn in questions from Friday

2. Review reading sections

3. Discussion of novel

  • What is central to this novel, so far?

    • Inability/refusal to process ​significant loss

    • Misplaced giref

4. Timed Writing practice

  • Ann Petry's The Street from 2009 exam

  • What is the prompt asking?

    • Simplify the prompt into a single question: How is the relationship established?​

      • Everyone needs to: State what the relationship is!​

        • Start with: Positive or Negative, then get more specific​

  • Read and annotate

  • Give a thesis

  • Outline details to utilize in explaining the relationship

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Homework:

-Read As I Lay Dying through page 165

-Complete the timed writing prompt

  • Time yourself (40 minutes); Draw a line on your page when your timer sounds, but you may work past the timer

Friday, November 8

*Mr. Thomas Out

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1. Answer As I Lay Dying Reflection Questions

  • Discuss the different kind of relationships the Bundren siblings have with each other. Is Cora right about Darl being Addie's favorite son?

  • What type of marriage do you think Anse and Addie have? How do you feel about Anse as a father and a husband? How do Addie's children feel about her?

  • Discuss what the involvement of Doctor Peabody and Cora and Vernon Tull in the Bundrens' saga says about the importance of community in country life.

  • What does Cash's list of the 13 reasons for beveling the edges of the coffin tell us about him?

  • As far as we know, Dewey Dell hasn't told anyone about her pregnancy. Do you think she's incapable of articulating her condition in words, or do you think Faulkner meant her to be representative of the times?

  • How does Vardaman come to the conclusion that "My mother is a fish" (p. 84)? As you continue reading, look for other ways Vardaman attempts to keep his mother alive.

  • Anse Bundren may be one of the most feckless characters in literature, but why do you think his neighbors repeatedly come to his aid? Is it out of pity, respect, guilt, charity, community...or is Anse that good at manipulation?

  • Which are the most sympathetic voices in the novel? Discuss which characters you most and least identify with.

2. Continue reading

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Homework:

-Read through page 136 for our next class

Wednesday, November 6

*Pre-ACT Day; Long 1st Period; Displaced to band room

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1. Finish character posters from Monday

2. Present character posters

3. Review homework reading

4. Continue reading together

  • What is up with Darl's paragraph about sleeping????

5. Time to work on assignments for other classes

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Homework:

-Read through page 106 for Friday

Monday, November 4

1. Review reading from last night

2. Character posters

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Homework:

-Read through page 74

Wednesday, October 30

*Have out As I Lay Dying

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1. Initial thoughts?

2. Let's recap

  • Chapter-by-chapter discussion

3. Focus standard:

  • The description of a character creates certain expectations for that character's behaviors; how a character does or does not meet those expectations affects a reader's interpretation of that character.

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Homework:

-Read through page 57

-Create a character chart

Monday, October 28

*Have out the story from Friday (finish reading it!)

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1. Finish reading, gathering thoughts

2. Discuss story

3. Discuss compelling writing

4. Discuss similarities and differences between this story and "A Rose for Emily"

5. Review homework research

6. Begin As I Lay Dying

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Homework:

-Read As I Lay Dying through page 28 (stop at Tull's chapter "Anse keeps on rubbing his knees...")

-Begin a TQE chart (add to this as we read)

Thursday, October 24

*Quickly research William Faulkner and southern gothic if you didn't for homework!

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1. Presentation from Mrs. Colella

2. Mr. Djamoos:

  • Review of notable characteristics of Faulkner's writing

  • Review of key components of the southern gothic genre

  • Faulkner short story

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Homework:

-Research: Dionysus, Pegasus, Centaurs, Persephone, The Odyssey, Dante's Inferno, The book of Job (Bible), Psalm 66 (Bible)

Tuesday, October 22

1. Sign in to AP Classroom

2. Review your results from our first progress check

3. Discuss commonly missed questions

4. Preview the two prompts for our first free response practice

5. Complete the first FRQ Progress Check

6. Work on your literary analysis essay (due tonight to turnitin.com)

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Homework:

-Finalize and submit your literary analysis essay

-Research William Faulkner and southern gothic 

Friday, October 18

Mr. Thomas out

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1. Work on your literary analysis essay

  • Will be due on Tuesday night!

  • Peer edit with your classmates

Wednesday, October 16

Class displaced for PSAT

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1. Work on "Girl" Re-write"

  • Due before class on Friday

  • Include your artist statement

2. Work on your literary analysis essay

3. One-on-one conferences with Mr. Thomas

Monday, October 14

Please sit with the other members of the group I have placed you in

  • Access your "Girl" re-write

  • Share your re-write with your group members

  • Provide feedback/ideas to your group members on their re-writes

  • Revise as needed

    • What is the goal of your piece?​

    • Have you achieved this goal?​

Work on your literary analysis

  • Get feedback from group members

Thursday, October 10

Have out your copy of "Girl" and your TQE chart

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1. Let's discuss "Girl"

  • Thoughts/feelings?

  • Techniques used by Kincaid

    • What's the effect?​

  • What's the purpose?

2. Brainstorm:

  • This was originally published in 1978, so it explores issues that were pertinent at that time. Even some of the references may feel a bit dated to you. Brainstorm issues/topics/references that may be more impactful to today's audience.

  • You will be writing a piece modeled after "Girl" that offers a unique social critique

    • Due on October 18​

3. Another Brainstorm:

  • At this point in the semester, we have read, discussed, and analyzed about fifteen pieces of literature. There have been unique interpretations offered on each of these pieces during our class discussions. I want you to look back over your questions answered, your TQE charts, and your notes taken during our class discussions. Consider what ideas you feel you may be able to further explore as the basis for your first literary analysis essay.

  • Collaborate with classmates, if you would like

  • Begin curating textual support for your different ideas. This should help you decide which idea to commit to

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Homework:

-Work on your "Girl" re-write

-Work on your ideas for your literary analysis

Tuesday, October 8

Have out your summary and questions for "Good Country People"

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1. Let's discuss!

  • Characters

    • Potential foils?​

    • How does their characterization relate to their behaviors?

  • Plot

    • Uhhh...he stole her leg???????​

  • So...what about humanity is O'Connor exlporing/highlighting?

2. AP Classroom Progress Check #1

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Homework:

-Read "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

-Complete a TQE

Friday, October 4

Have out your summary and questions for "The Lottery"

Discussion of the text, lead by Mr. Djamoos

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Questions to Consider:

  • What is the effect of having an unclear connection between the lottery and our society?

  • What would have been the effect if the time period of the story were shifted further into history (maybe cavemen?) or to modern day?

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Homework:

-Read "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor

-Write a summary and three questions

Wednesday, October 2

Start-Up: Writing About Literature; What was your experience writing about literature? Were there certain aspects of the essay that seem to be giving you more trouble than others? Do you feel as though your essay is effective in giving a thorough evaluation of the story? Explain.

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*When you have finished, please get a laptop, sign on, and access your essay
 

1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Review samples from last year's essays

3. What did you like? What did you not like?

4. Work on essays

5. Peer edit

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Homework:

-Finalize and submit essay to turnitin.com by midnight tonight

-Read "The Lottery" for Friday's class; Summarize the story and write three questions about it

Monday, September 30

Start-Up: Miss Emily; What are your thoughts about Emily from Faulkner’s story? Do you feel she was misunderstood or were the narrators not giving her enough credit or something else entirely?

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*When you have finished, please review the story and Chapter 8 for discussion


1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Discuss "A Rose for Emily"

  • Symbolism

  • Point of view

  • Narrative structure

3. What is this story's central purpose?

4. Collaborate with classmates

  • Identify its central purpose

  • Work on essay

5. Enneagram Personality Test

6. REGISTER FOR OUR AP CLASSROOM CLASS!!! Code: WVKAXX

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Homework:

-Revise essay

Thursday, September 26

1. Review Chapter 7

2. Review of "The Drunkard"

3. Presentation on lenses for literary criticism

4. Graduation Project opt-in form

5. REGISTER FOR OUR AP CLASSROOM CLASS!!! Code: WVKAXX

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Homework:

-HOMEWORK LOG

-Read Chapter 8

-Read "A Rose for Emily"

-Write an essay (one and a half page minimum) that offers an evaluation of the story, utilizing the two principles required for evaluating fiction as proposed in Chapter 8 and also measuring it against the elements that chapter suggests make up a first-rate story. YOU MUST USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE.

Tuesday, September 24

Start-Up: Joy; Make a list of things/people/places/memories/events/etc. that bring you joy. List as many as possible.

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*When you have finished, have out your TQEs and turn to "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

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1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Let's talk about this story....

3. Possible interpretations?

4. Oates says this is a "realistic allegory." How could this story be allegorical, and what could it be an allegory for?

  • Consider:

    • Connie​

    • Arnold Friend

    • Connie's house

    • Arnold's car

5. "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue"

  • Connections?

6. Literary Criticism Lenses

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Homework:

-Read Chapter 7, Answer questions 1-4

-Read "The Drunkard", Answer questions 1-8

Friday, September 20

1. Let's talk...

2. Review of Chapter 6

3. Review of "The Rocking-Horse Winner"

4. Begin "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

  • Create a TQE chart

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Homework:

-Finish reading "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

-Complete your TQE chart

-Read it again!

Wednesday, September 18

Start-Up: Last Year of High School; As you are close to the finish line (even though it may not feel like you are quite yet), it is easy and tempting to focus on life beyond Ashley. Too often, we condition ourselves to always be thinking about what’s next, which in turn leads us to overlook what’s happening right now. With this in mind, I want you to consider and record what you hope to savor/improve/refine/cherish with your remaining time in high school. Remember…this time in your life will never be here again! How can you make the most of it? Explain.

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*When you have finished please review the readings for today. Jot down thoughts, questions, and epiphanies to help facilitate class discussion.
 

1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Class discussions

  • "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"

  • "Hills Like White Elephants"

3. Independent Response: 

  • Identify a technique used by the author that contributes to the piece as a whole.

  • Turn in

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Homework:

-Read Chapter 6

-Answer chapter questions 1-6

-Read "The Rocking-Horse Winner"

-Answer questions 6-9

Thursday, September 12

Start-Up: Your Semester; How is your semester going so far? Do you feel like you're currently performing as well as you can/as well as you hoped you would? What could you do differently OR what do you hope you continue doing throughout the rest of your year? Explain.

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*When you have finished, have out your homework

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1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Group discussion:

  • Chapter 3

    • New ideas?​

    • Interesting points?

  • "Everyday Use"

    • Share answers to questions​

    • TQEs?

    • Share interesting insights

  • "Miss Brill"

    • What concepts from Chapter 3 did you observe ​in this story? Explain.

3. Library presentation

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Homework:

-Read Chapter Four: Theme; Answer questions 1-5

-Read “A Worn Path”; Answer questions 1-4

-Respond to #2 on page 226 (use “Hunters in the Snow” or “Everyday Use”)

Monday, September 16

*Please have your homework available on your desk!


Start-Up: Theme; Summarize what Chapter 4 taught you about theme. How might theme differ between literary and commercial fiction? Typically, someone may refer to "the theme of love", or something similar. Why would this be an incorrect reading of theme, according to Chapter 4?

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*When you have finished, please review the reading from the weekend along with your answers to the reading questions
 

1. Update on Graduation Project

2. Review Chapter 4

3. Discuss "A Worn Path"

  • Bird symbolism

  • Name symbolism

4. Laptops: Begin high school reflection

  • What do you remember about your first day of high school?

  • What were you like freshman year?

  • What teachers have impacted you (positively and negatively)

  • What classes have you enjoyed most? Which have you enjoyed the least?

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Homework:

-Read Chapter 5

-Answer questions 1-5

-Read "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"

-Read "Hills Like White Elephant"

Tuesday, September 3

*Please have out your TQEs on "Hunters in the Snow"

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1. In small groups:

  • Share your thoughts, questions, and epiphanies from your second reading of the story

  • Keep track of your group's conversation

  • Add your group's points (choose at least 2) to the whiteboard for a class discussion

2. Class discussion of TQEs

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3. Graduation Project

  • Brainstorm potential research topics and product ideas

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Homework:

-Summer reading assignment due Monday

-Complete a personal essay (500-1,000 words) in response to one of the prompts from Thursday

  • Due to turnitin.com on Friday night (9/6)

-Graduation Project topic

  • Due next class period

-Read Chapter 2 of text book; Answer questions 1-6 on page 111

-Read "How I Met My Husband"; Answer questions 1, 2, 7, 8

SCHOOL CANCELED; Hurricane Dorian

Tuesday, September 10

Start-Up: Misconception; (3-5 sentences) What's a common misconception people make about you? What do you feel leads them to assume this about you? Do you actively work against this misconception, or do you just deal with it when it arises? How do you handle this? Explain. 


*When you have finished, please open to your textbook homework question responses (on Chapter 2 and “How I Met My Husband”)

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1. Share/discuss Start-Up

2. Review Chapter 2

3. Review "How I Met My Husband"

  • Characters

    • Edie​

    • Loretta Bird

      • Foil!!!​

    • The Peebleses

    • Chris and Alice

  • Structure

  • In media res

4. READING INVENTORY

5. Graduation Project

  • Talk your ideas through with your neighors

  • Write on a note card:

    • Your name​

    • Your topic

    • A potential product

    • An idea for mentor

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Homework:

-Read Chapter 3, answer questions 1, 3, 4

-Read "Everyday Use" answer questions 1, 4, 5

-Read "Miss Brill" and answer: What characterization techniques are present in this story?

Thursday, August 29

*Please have your homework on your desk!


Choose one of the following prompts to respond to openly on a new sheet of paper. Try to explain/elaborate for at least three paragraphs.
•    What is a life motto of yours?
•    What is a lesson you’ve learned the hard way?
•    What is a necessary quality of a “good person”?
•    How have you grown and how do you hope to continue to grow?
•    What are you values?


*When you have finished, please take a moment to enroll in our class Remind

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1. Check homework

2. Share responses to writing prompts

3. Review Chapter One

4. Review HW questions on Chapter One

5. Review "The Most Dangerous Game"

6. Review "Hunters in the Snow"

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Homework:

-Re-read "Hunters in the Snow"
-Create a TQE chart as you read (thoughts, questions, epiphanies)

-Brainstorm topics for graduation project

Tuesday, August 28

Shortened class period

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Welcome to AP Lit! Please find a seat. You will need two sheets of paper today.

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1. Welcome!

2. Open response: Why did you choose to take AP Literature?

3. Distribute textbooks (Perrine's Literature; Structure, Sound, and Sense Ninth Edition)

4. Read the foreword

5. Respond openly to the foreword on your paper (below "Why AP Lit?")

6. Flip through text

7. Student Survey:

  • My full name is...

  • You can call me...

  • I grew up in…

  • How does your living situation impact your school work? Do you travel between more than one home? Do you have a good place to study outside of school? Do you have access to a computer or internet at home?

  • Responsibilities I have outside of school are...

  • Something(s) you should know about me--physically or mentally (health conditions, allergies, concerns, etc.)--are.... 

  • My hobbies include…

  • If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I would go... 

  • I think English/Language Arts is…

  • My favorite subject is usually…

  • The last book I read (be honest!) is...

  • The last TV show I watched is…

  • The last movie I watched is…

  • The last song I listened to is…

  • My favorite movies/TV shows are…

  • My favorite musical artists/bands right now are…

  • Something I am very interested in is...

  • Goals I want to accomplish are…

  • I want to be remembered as…

  • Mr. Thomas, the three songs you HAVE to listen to are…

  • Currently, my plans for after graduation are...

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Homework:

  1. Read Chapter One of Perrine's

    1. Answer questions 1-5​

  2. Read "The Most Dangerous Game" and "Hunters in the Snow"

  3. Answer 7 questions on page 100 (choose one question from each category of questions)

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