MEssing around with Real Time Board

AP Lit: Hamlet

You asked for it, and here it is. We're finally going back to Hamlet.

It's been a while, but we really want to get through this. So today we're skipping the timed writing and completely focusing on watching Hamlet. For those of you who want to participate, we've set up a backchannel. Get ready to discuss!!

Don't forget. The analytical project deadline is fast approaching! Be sure to email if you have any questions.

Little Brother Introduction

Today we will begin to lay the foundation for the next book we will be starting, Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. This story has an unbelievable amount of themes that can be explored, but for our purposes we will only focus on a few: freedom, privacy, and responsibility/accountability.

What is "freedom?" What about "privacy," "responsibility," or "accountability?" What do these things look like when done right? What about when they are done completely wrong?

Not only are these ideas all through Little Brother, but are also factors in our everyday lives, so they should be explored! Begin your exploration here, with some Pinterest boards I put together to give you a quick idea of what these terms mean and look like. If you have more time, or don't find my sources particularly helpful, feel free to find your own, but be prepared to both discuss them and cite them later.

We will briefly discuss the terms after you have had time to check out some of the sources, and then it's time for a much more hands-on exploration, so get excited!

The idea here is that by the end of class, we will have collected enough information on these topics in order to form our own working definitions of them to be used throughout the readings and discussions of Little Brother.

Req'd Blog Post: Briefly summarize (a few sentences will do for that) this experience and reflect upon it. Did you learn anything new? Has any of your thinking changed as a result of this? Once that is complete, be sure to include the definitions of the terms that we formed in class. Pick one of them to expand upon- either find more sources with further information on the topic or relate it to your own life or experience.

Weekend Homework

Well I don't know about you, but I think we need a recap of what's due for next week.

1. True Grit needs to be read when you get to class next week. It's vital that you have read it and have a general understanding of the book because we're going to do an in class activity (an introduction to our collaborative project with Hawaii) based on the book.
Due: Monday, April 7th

2. You should have your picture chosen for the Dr. Seuss assignment. As a reminder you are writing a short passage, story...anything really, in the rhyming style of Dr. Seuss, but with the tone of Heart of Darkness. **This can be about anything. It DOES NOT have to be about anything we've done in class** I just want you to show me that you understand the tone and can replicate it in an unconventional way.
Due: Monday, April 7th

3. When you get to class next week you should have a written poem somewhere (on your computer, handwritten..preferably not on your blog), and you should have your visual 3x3 posted to your blog. **To make it a little easier on you guys, this will count as your required blog post for the week**
Due: Monday, April 7th

Hope this helped. There will be a post to follow about the analytical project. As always, feel free to email us with any questions!

AP Lit: Heart of Darkness and.....Dr. Seuss???

Yup! You read it correctly. Today, much like we did with Frankenstein, we discussed the overall tone of Heart of Darkness (not an easy feat I might add). After that we took on an interesting challenge. Write a short story, scene, description, etc in the rhyming style of Dr Seuss, but with the tone on Heart of Darkness. 

On a side note, we're going to start a collaborative project with another class in Hawaii next week. Get pumped!

Blog: 3+ Posts
Req'd Post:  Take one line from a 3x3 either you or a classmate wrote and turn it into a poem. **The poem does not have to be about Heart of Darkness**
Due: Friday, Apr 4

Reading:  Have all of True Grit read for class next week. You'll need it for our activity with Hawaii!
Due: Mon. Apr. 7 (3G) / Tue. Apr. 8 (2B/3B)

Over the weekend you should also create your visual 3x3 poem and write a poem to go with it. As always, if there are any questions make sure to send an email!

Just a reminder. This week's blog posts will go on 4th quarter. If you have blogs that you've posted late please email either Mr. Ryder or Miss Haskell to make sure they're graded before the quarter closes this friday!

AP Lit: Heart of Darkness 3x3s

This morning we took another close look at Heart of Darkness. We just did it a little differently today. Instead of sitting there analyzing passages, we got out the note cards and made ourselves some literary 3x3s. Then for homework we all took one line from either our 3x3 or a classmate's and turned it into a poem to put on our blog. 

While the reading for Heart of Darkness is done, we're still spending one more class with the text and attempting to combine it with the stories of Dr. Seuss!

Blog: 3+ Posts
Req'd Post:  Take one line from a 3x3 either you or a classmate wrote and turn it into a poem. **The poem does not have to be about Heart of Darkness**
Due: Friday, Apr 4

Just a reminder. This week's blog posts will go on 4th quarter. If you have blogs that you've posted late please email either Mr. Ryder or Miss Haskell to make sure they're graded before the quarter closes this friday!

AP Lit 2B/3B/3G: Setting as a Character Part II

AP Lit 2B/3B/3G: Setting as a Character Part II

Déjà vu! Today we worked hard again on our artistic interpretations of the setting from Heart of Darkness. They're finally coming together and we're really beginning to understand how the setting can not only be a character, but can be more important than some of the other characters in the story.

With the passage on the board we worked towards identifying the important diction by circling and discussing specific words we thought were unique or showed up very often. This time though, we focused heavily on section 2 of Heart of Darkness.

Finally we did a little bit of test prep to round out the day. With work like this we'll be ready to move on before you know it!