Welcome, new AP Lang students!

Welcome to a fun, challenging course of study!  The summer assignment is posted on my school website and on the Class Info & Docs page (see the page link in the upper right hand corner?).

In a nutshell, read the two articles about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn provided in the summer assignment, then read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn[1. I hope you enjoy Huckleberry Finn!  In the midst of Twain's arguments, it's also a book about friendship, growing up, and finding out who you are.] whilst completing the study guide[2. This and the write-ups for the two articles can be blogged if you set up your blog over the summer - remember to email me your blog address], and lastly familiarize yourself with the rhetorical vocabulary included in the summer assignment document (there will be a quiz!).  All this is due on September 4, 2009.



Have a great summer and feel free to email me if you have questions.

NOTE (12 August 2009): There have been a couple of inquiries about buying books.  You will not need to buy any books in this course.  All books will be provided by the school.  As this is the first year this class has been taught over the course of a whole year, it is possible we may not get to all of the novels listed on the syllabus.  This class is, after all, concerned primarily with non-fiction writings and preparing for college and the AP test in May.

image credit

Feedback, Thanks, and AP Lit!

Thanks for the great feedback.  I typed it all up and will use it as I plan for next year.  It was encouraging as much of what you suggested, I was already planning to do.  Great minds, eh?  Seriously though, it helps to know that my assessment matches with your assessments as students.  Thanks again.

Best wishes in AP Lit next year.  If you haven't gotten the summer assignment, it is on Mrs. Robison's blog.  You can use your same blog you had this year, just email her with your blog address so she can add it to her blog and know where to get your work.

I will miss you all, but not so much that I'm not glad it's summer.  This will be my last post to the wonderful group of Spring 2009.  Sniff.

Have a wonderful summer and drop by to see me next year if you are so inclined.

Pictures!

If you'd like a copy of the pictures we took in class today, go to http://giddings.pbworks.com/AP-English-Language-and-Composition for the picture files.  Also, can someone with more talent and time than I have splice Kyle (1st Period Tardy Boy.jpg) into one or more of these pictures?

I forgot to upload your grades to grade checker before I went home.  (Sorry!)  They are all done though and I will upload them at school tomorrow.

You did well this semester.  Like I said in class today, you all did a really amazing job given how rushed the semester was.  I'm really proud of how you grew.  And thank you for the feed back.  I have a lot to consider over the summer as I try to make this class better.  Thanks again for being a great class and a wonderful group of people (yes, even Kristian -- wasn't he "student of the day" two days in a row once?).  :)

Life After Twilight

I ran across this article on the Seattle PI website and I thought of Caleb and Cody, er, I mean Janae and Kaylie...I thought some of you might be interested: http://blog.seattlepi.com/shelftalk/archives/170339.asp

Class Today

Thank you for today.  I am very glad that you have built the type of community that allowed you to write about what you did and then be able to share it.  It was a very moving class and I feel honored to have been part of it.  You guys are amazing people.  Thank you.

This I Believe

Your this I Believe essay is due on Wednesday the 10th.  It should be uploaded to your blog and you will be reading it aloud in class as well.  Here are the requirements adapted from the This I Believe submission page (I encourage you to submit them to This I Believe if you wish).

Keep the following in mind when you write your essay:

1. Limit your essay to 350-500 words.


2. Describe an event that shaped your beliefs or a person who inspired them.


3. Avoid sermons and editorials—no soapbox declamations, please!


4. Read more of the This I Believe essay-writing tips.

You can peruse multiple examples at http://thisibelieve.org.