Responsibility and Accountability

I apologize for not being in class today...the job of a mom! (My daughter had to have her foot xrayed, ending up with a sprain and Achilles tendinitis.)  However, I was sure to leave you all instructions to continue working on your body paragraphs of your essay.

Now.....a little birdy told me that the majority of the class did not do as I instructed.  Hmmm. What am I to do? The assignment sheet I left for you specifically said, "If you do not write and work diligently today, I will double next week's researched and documented essay length from 3 to 6 pages."  I suppose we will simply have to see how much each of you has completed when we come to class tomorrow. If you do not have your work ready on time, prepare to have points deducted.

In tomorrow's class, we will be writing our conclusions, and then putting all of your elements (introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion), into one neat, organized essay draft to turn in.  On Thursday, we will be doing peer editing and revising.  If you miss class Thursday, which I am told several of you will for various activities, you will be put into pairs Monday for peer editing.  You will have to work quickly so be ready to get this completed as quickly as possible.

Also, on your own time, do not neglect your nonfiction reading!

Ladies and Gentlemen...if you choose to not take this class seriously and do the work assigned to you, then I wholeheartedly suggest you do not enroll in AP English next year.  This is seriously frustrating as your teacher.  We have a very large class.  You are responsible for yourself and your own work.  Choosing not to do it is not an option.  You have chosen to take an AP course, therefore you know what is expected of you. Time to get down to business.

Sincerely,
~Ms. Friend

Which Format?

The comparison/contrast essay can be written in one of two methods: the Block Format or the Point by Point Format. We briefly discussed these in class today, as well as getting a handout outlining the two methods.  You have to choose which format you will use to write your essay.  Just so we are clear, let me go ahead and tell you what we will be working on in class each day this week.  YOU MUST KEEP UP!  If you are behind, it is your own responsibility to work at home to ensure you get things finished on time!  I will not accept any late essays this go around.  :)  If you plan to be gone any day this week, please make sure that you check the blog to keep up.

This Week:
Monday: Choose a method for writing your essay and begin working on body paragraphs.
Tuesday: You should have your body paragraphs completed.
Wednesday: Writing your conclusion and putting it all together.
Thursday: You must have your complete essay put together (rewrite it neatly!!!) by the BEGINNING of class.  We will be working with peer editing and revising.  Rough Drafts with peer editing will be due at the end of the hour.

Next Week:
Monday: Nonfiction books and Independent Reading Packets are due at the beginning of class. I will be handing back your rough drafts on this day and you will be working on your final drafts.  I am hoping to find a way to type these, but if not, we will hand write them.
Tuesday-Thursday: We will be in the library researching for our documented essay.  I will give you an overview of this before we start.

READ READ READ!!!!!!!


~Ms. Friend

Back In Business

I wholeheartedly apologize for falling behind on updating the blog this week! Needless to say, it has been a hectic week trying to get back into the swing of things.  We have had a lot of people gone from class for various school activities, spring pictures, etc.  So...here is a quick overview of what we have done this week:

Monday- We resumed our comparison/contrast essay, working on formulating an introduction with a hook statement, background information, and thesis statement.

Tuesday- We continued this work.  Several were gone this day so I helped those who came to me individually for help on their intro.

Wednesday- We finalized and turned in our introductions.  Then continued to map out the body of our essay, focusing on 3 specific comparisons or contrasts to use in the body paragraphs.

Thurday- We only had a few in class, so I allowed them to read their nonfiction novels.  These are due, along with the Nonfiction Independent Reading Packet, at the beginning of class on Monday, April 8!!!!

When we return to class on Monday, you need to be prepared to write body paragraphs.  Have a happy Easter weekend!

~Ms. Friend

Our final day together for spring break was spent finalizing your comparison/contrast of the 2 articles.  Today, we wrote a 1 sentence précis for the 2 articles you chose to compare/contrast.  We will be working with these when we come back from spring break.

Your assignment over spring break is to read.  Yes, that is all.  Read your nonfiction.  I have a couple of students who are already finished with their books!  The due date to have these completely read and your independent reading packets finished is Monday, April 8.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  At this point, we will begin a documented essay that requires research on your book's subject.  I have reserved the library for several days.  We will research in groups. If you have not read your book, you will be extremely behind!

I truly hope you all have a relaxing, fun, and safe spring break!  Comment on the blog or email me if you have any questions over your nonfiction books.

~Ms. Friend

Today we analyzed 2 more articles on the same topic as the Pitts Article we read yesterday. (I am including links to each of these pieces at the bottom of today's blog entry.)  After analyzing the 2 new pieces, each of you had to choose one to compare to the Pitts article and make a brief, simple list of comparisons and contrasts between the 2.  Write a 1 sentence précis for the article you choose. Almost everyone in class soon realized that Mr. Pitts' article definitely captured their attention more. Why???  One word....HOOK!!!!  When Pitts writes, "Dear Mr. President, Congratulations on your second inauguration. Let's talk about drugs," he draws you into the article, "hooking"  you.  See how that works???  The lesson in this is that you always need to include something in your writing to hook your reader and convince them that your writing is going to be worthwhile! (Especially since your reader is me!!!)

For those of you who missed today, please print these articles, C.U.S. them (haha I know that sounds funny, but just remember Circle/Highlight, Underline, Star), and then choose one to write the précis over and use for the comparison/contrast.

Tomorrow, we will finish comparing and contrasting these 2 articles and discuss why one is preferred over the other.  Make sure to bring your nonfiction book to class! If we have extra time in class, you will have to read and work on your independent reading packet.  

We are almost there! One more day then you all get more than a week without me! :)  

~Ms. Friend

Pitts Article: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/21/3192560/end-war-of-drugs-to-honor-king.html
Block Excerpt: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judge-frederic-block/war-on-drugs_b_2384624.html
Ratigan Article: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-01-16/home/30631016_1_drug-arrests-drug-money-drug-trade

Class today was a little but less exciting for you all. We did a quick analysis, using the C.U.S. Method (Circle-main ideas, Underline-details, Star-Unknown Vocabulary) on a Leonard Pitts article. However, we used highlighters instead of circling, just my personal preference. Tomorrow we will do the same on another article, then we will do a comparison/contrast analysis of the 2.

This is a pretty relaxed week. Enjoy it, but don't get used to it!!! We will be working like crazy after break!

See you all tomorrow!

~Ms. Friend

Amazing Articles!

I have to say, I truly enjoyed today's class.  My purpose in having you find news articles was to incite a genuine interest in what is going on in your world.  It is so important that you have this background of current and past events to use when you write! It shows you are informed, self-motivated, and educated on your society, as well as other societies.  You should never stop learning! 

As part of your weekly grade, you will now be required to bring in 1 nonfiction article per week.  (It does not matter if it is from the McCurtain Gazette or the New York Times!) Please be searching for an article that grabs your attention and intrigues you.  You will have to bring these in to class each Monday morning.  We will begin using those as a brief writing assignment each week.

Because of Spring Break quickly approaching, we will be focusing on short nonfiction pieces and breaking them down using literary analysis techniques this week. You will need to make sure you have highlighters!

I hope you each have your nonfiction book, or at least know which book you are getting and have it ordered.  It is important that you read over the break! Be completing your nonfiction independent reading packet as you go. Procrastination=Mediocre Work (at best), which in turn = Mediocre grades.  This will not make your parents happy!

3 more days until break! We can do this!!!

~Ms. Friend