Those Anglo-Saxon "Heroes"

I think we can agree that the epic hero is not always the moral, sacrificial person that he is supposed to be! All classes are at different stages of the epic hero quest, which will speed up next week to move into the cerebral craziness that is Grendel's mind.

If you have yet to take the toolbox quiz, you have until Monday to do so.

2: We finished up our discussion of Beowulf, identified the Anglo-Saxon ideologies in the text, reviewed vocab for the quiz on Monday, and almost completed our in-class discussion of Gilgamesh. For Monday, you have the Iliad to read and note its epic hero qualities.

4: We completed vocab quiz 3, which will be our last foray into vocab for the next couple of weeks as we finish up epic literature, Anglo-Saxon ideologies, and your first  multi-draft essay. In the meanwhile, you have "The Wife's Lament" to close read - I would recommend using the English translation for this activity instead of trying out the Old English version - and the first 4 chapters of Grendel. I think you will see quite the change of narration when Grendel takes over this version of the epic.

7: Once again, this is the hopeful conclusion to seventh hour's class today: we finished our Beowulf group discussion, identified Anglo-Saxon ideologies within its 13 sections, completed vocab quiz 3, lamented the life of 999, and started our Gilgamesh discussion, which will most likely finish up on Monday. Reading-wise, you will need to add The Iliad to your reading list and notes.

Beowulf & Gilgamesh, Long Lost Epic Buddies

While we may be at different parts of our epic journey, the free response essay final draft remains due by 2:35 p.m. for all classes.

2: After vocab experts concluded today, you worked in groups to analyze sections 4-13 of Beowulf. Alas, we did not make it through all of these sections, so we will wrap up the last four sections next time around. To further prepare for tomorrow's foray into epic literature, you will need to read Gilgamesh from your textbook.

4: After vocab review, groups led the discussion on Gilgamesh by looking at the man, the sidekick, and that poor monster's fate! For tomorrow, read The Iliad selection from your textbook and be ready for all those epic similes!

7: After reviewing vocab, groups shared their over-analysis of Beowulf for sections 4-13, or the end of Grendel and his mom. Hopefully, we also looked at how Anglo-Saxon ideologies permeated this text. Lastly, we looked at the horrifying situation that was living in 999. For next class, it's time for our next epic hero: read Gilgamesh in your textbook.

The Monster vs. The Epic Hero

I just wrote a very long, detailed blog covering all the syntax and punctuation rules we did today (40 presentation slides worth), so this blog may have brevity at its core. Don't forget about the second/final/whatever draft it is for you regarding the free response essay, which is due no later than 2:35 p.m. on Thursday.

7: We finished up our 15 vocab words, which means review is coming next time around. Then, we over-analyzed the first 3 sections of Beowulf, noting the juxtaposition, the motifs, the religious allusions, the characterization of our human/animal "it" monster, the advent of our "gorgeous stud" epic hero, and the mournful king. Following this over-analysis, which is ideal at the beginning of any text, we added to our Anglo-Saxon ideologies by listing the qualities of their "monster" and their "epic hero." Then, in groups, you had 2 sections of Beowulf to over-analyze, which you will share with the class on Thursday. Prior to that class, make sure to read "Life in 999," which is somewhere in the vicinity of pg. 40.

2: We added to our vernacular, and then we jumped into the world of the Anglo-Saxons, their ideologies (our list), the introduction of Grendel's part in the Beowulf saga, and what life was like in the ever exciting 999. For next class, finish reading the Grendel part of Beowulf, prepping to over-analyze and build upon the motifs, characterization, Biblical allusions, and more!

4: We finished up our 15 vocab words, which means review will be Thursday. Then, groups over-analyzed sections 4-13 in Beowulf as we looked at the eventual outcome of our monster from the dark versus the epic hero reflecting the sun's rays. To end the hour, we traveled back to 999, learning about all those pesky diseases, threats, and odd adjectives. For next class, read the section on Gilgamesh and see how this epic creates the hero and the monster.

Free Response Peer Review Day

All classes were dedicated to peer evaluation of the free response essays. If you were absent or did not have your assigned draft today, you will not be able to participate in the peer evaluation. The final draft (whether it is your first or second) may be handwritten or typed and is due no later than Thursday at 2:35 p.m. in hard copy only. If absent for the entirety of the day, you will either send a photograph or a copy of the document as proof of completing the assignment and then turn in a hard copy the next day.

Individual plans for the block day will include the following per hour:

2: Read the Anglo-Saxon background pgs. 4-17 and take notes regarding the culture and beliefs of this unique historical period. In exciting news, the extra copies of the lit book are supposed to be sent out today, so we most likely will have them for the block day and our commencement of Beowulf.

4: Read the remainder of Beowulf and be prepared to over-analyze each section as we did in class on Friday. Except in this case, student groups will lead the over-analysis; although, you have to assume that I will be commenting on anything left out.

7: Read Beowulf and be prepared to over-analyze all of the sections. In class, I will be taking the lead with the beginning parts so that you have an idea of all the over-analysis expected of the remaining discussions.

Free Responsing Weekend

For Monday's class, you are to answer the free response prompt (Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character) in a handwritten essay. You are not allowed to use any of the texts in the rangefinders packet, and you should limit yourself to approximately one hour for the writing. We will peer review/evaluate during Monday's class. Since you don't need a text with you, everyone can write this essay!

Meanwhile...

2: We evaluated the rangefinders with the stunning example of free responsing (just made up the verb for this blog) with Crime & Punishment.

4: We started the first 3 sections of Beowulf and have already picked up on our sympathy for our that fiendish descendant of Cain, the juxtaposition of light/dark, God/devil, man/monster, and hero's imminent arrival. The rest of the Beowulf/Grendel section needs to be read for the block day.

7: After vocab experts, we broke into groups to read about the Anglo-Saxons culture, and then groups shared their notes in order to make a class list of cultural characteristics, which we will be returning to several times during our upcoming readings. To prep for our block day, read through Beowulf in the textbook, taking notes, of course, in how the scop is conveying the story, characterization, allusions, diction choice, and the like.

Free Response Land

As noted in our previous classes, free response is a whole new world of literary analysis and prompt writing: there are no given passages to close read, there are no quotes to be incorporated into your writing, there are no citations! As a result, we are looking at the remembrance of plot, milieu, characterization, specific details, and literary elements that pervade a text and can be utilized for this prompt.

2: We commenced vocab experts for unit 3, finished our Chopin presentations, shared our book cards in a show & tell style, and turned in The Awakening. Tomorrow will be the analysis of the free response rangefinders.

4: We continued with vocab, rhapsodized over a 9 essay, & discussed and created a list of Anglo-Saxon cultural beliefs, which we will be returning to as we read our upcoming texts. For Monday's class, you are to answer the free response prompt (Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character) in a handwritten essay. You are not allowed to use any of the texts in the rangefinders packet, and you should limit yourself to approximately one hour for the writing. We will peer review/evaluate during Monday's class.

7: I just found out that our class will be a tad shorter today, so that may curtail the following plot. After vocab experts, we looked at the 1-9 (which are accurately marked for once) of the free response essays.  For Monday's class, you are to answer the free response prompt (Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character) in a handwritten essay. You are not allowed to use any of the texts in the rangefinders packet, and you should limit yourself to approximately one hour for the writing. We will peer review/evaluate during Monday's class. In you have a textbook at the end of the hour, you are to read pages 4-17 and take notes regarding all the cultural beliefs of those frisky Anglo-Saxons. If we don't make it to assigning books, then guess what we will be reading about tomorrow!

Goodbye to Chopin

Seventh hour finished presentations today, which means we leave the world of Chopin and move into the AP Lit world of free response essays! Today's class began with a return to vocab experts - we missed adding to our vernacular for the last week! Then, you had a surprise lit toolbox quiz, which means if you missed it, you will need to make that up either before or after school. After the presentations were over, we shared our book cards (yes, The Awakening was a favored selection, but we also had Oedipus Rex, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Things Fall Apart, The Great Gatsby, geez I may have forgotten another one so apologies). Last on the docket was looking at a free response prompt and talking about its differences from normal passages. The main difference is you do not have direct evidence - which means no citations! For homework, read through the rangefinders and score 1-9. While a lot of these rangefinders are quite giving with scores, the 9 for this prompt is well-deserved, and you will most likely notice its differences from the initial reading.

On Thursday, second hour almost finished presentations today, so we are almost completed with The Awakening, the Chopin short stories, and all the overlapping motifs therein. Today, you copied down the next unit of vocab, which will begin tomorrow. In addition, you had your first literary toolbox quiz, which means if you missed it, you have something to make up before or after school. Lastly, we talked about the free response essay prompts, and you have a rangefinder to score for those essays for the next class. See you tomorrow with those book cards!

More on Thursday, fourth hour started up with vocab unit 3, had a literary toolbox quiz (which should be made up if absent and wanting those points), shared our show & tell of our book cards with facts, motifs, and interesting tidbits regarding novels and plays, looked at a free response prompt, scored the rangefinders for the prompt, and began analysis of those essays. Wow, that 9! For homework, read pgs. 4-17 in the textbook and jot down notes regarding the culture, beliefs, and significant goings-on of Anglo-Saxon milieu. We will be sharing those tomorrow after everything else on our docket!

Survey - To be Completed by 9/19

Our school needs a little information from you in a (approximately) 5 minute survey. Please take this at some point by the end of the day Wednesday so that the information can be tabulated to help our school.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzxMXd13V3XhDi23roVgQ6n7HSoi9hkDM4psulBpBns2b3-A/viewform

The Number

Congratulations to Jayson for knowing me a little too well and coming closest to the correct number of shoes that are currently inhabiting my shoe room and other rooms on the second floor: 428.

The Awakening Is Almost Complete

2: Presentations all hour - surprise! Those shall finish on the block day and then there are many an activity awaiting you to end Chopin and transition into the Anglo-Saxon era. One of those items, as reminded today, was the first book card on The Awakening or a 101 text. While this is your study guide, there are several items that need to be included on the book card, so procrastinating this out may not be the best plan of attack.

4: We finished presentations! And, we all survived! The next class will begin our new unit of vocab, which we copied down today, and share our first book card. Plus, you can turn in your Chopin texts and not worry about having a text for this class (well, at least for a couple of days at any rate).

7: We finished our presentation schedule today, which means your book card will be presented during class tomorrow. As you have had this assignment for the past week, all students, whether absent or not today, will be expected to have this assignment completed. We will resume our vocabulary tomorrow with Unit 3, which was assigned today. If there are any absentee presentations remaining, those will be given at some point during the block day. 

Still Presenting

The presentations continue forward and with some infusions of originality and upper-level critical theories (violets, deus ex machina, Marxist criticism) abounding through Lilacs and 'Cadian Ball. There were a plethora of strong presentations today, but the two aforementioned ones sure set a standard!

Presentations will continue through Monday and probably Tuesday, dependent on size of class and timing. The free response card is due the day following presentations, so if you are part of a smaller class, you should probably be prepared in the very near future to have that completed.

Next week will be a little transition week as we say au revoir to Chopin and move into the free response prompts. Perhaps that's why you are making a book card to help you out with one of those prompts? Plus, vocab will return for all of you interlocutors who want to continue the expansion of your vernacular.

The Chopin Realm

Don't forget that you were assigned - on the block day - a free response book card covering The Awakening or another 101 text, which will be due the day AFTER we finish the presentations. Hence, keep an eye on the presentation order so this does not become an oops moment. Ideally, we will have all presentations finished by our next block day. 

Meanwhile, all hours are in the midst of presentations with 4-5 completed today. Friday will be the continuance of such. As a reminder, make sure that you are incorporating ALL items required by the assignment. Neglecting one, two, three, or more will impact your final score - and not in the way you would like. 

Presentation Time

At this point, all classes have finished up Edna's eternal swim and played backward detective in tracing Edna's pathway to the sea.

Presentations resume or begin tomorrow - if you were absent for the last class, you still may be presenting the first day, so all are expected to have their notes ready! Notes can be flashcards, notebook paper, annotations on your text, or something near to those things. Do not rely on technology - remember what room you are in :)

She's Still Swimming

Seriously, I don't know why she can't just be swimming for eternity. Maybe you'll be hanging off the Gulf Coast one day, on a paddle boat from New Orleans, and you will see, in a trick of the light, a bird-like woman swimming!

2: We finally finished all those individual close reads, which should have encouraged you to look for the minor details (body language, dialogue, adjectives and adverbs, comparisons, motifs, and the like) that convey each character, their milieu, and everything else involved in the text. Details matter - especially since the AP reader wants you to move beyond the surface and obvious qualities. As you are aware, you need to have the novella completed for next class. We will have a 2 part discussion: chapters 23-28 to transition from the doctor to Edna's newfound will. Then, and this worked very well in fourth hour, we will have a backwards design analysis of Edna's ending. Presentations are just around the corner.

4: Fun stuff today as you became the first class to finish The Awakening! Looking at the ending and going backwards to show the events made it a fascinating discussion of all the reasons coalescing into Edna's final determination. And with that, presentations will start on Wednesday and, since you don't know the order in which you will be presenting, that means you all should be ready to go in case.

7:  I should really type this at the end of the day, but here we go: I predict that we will finish the last 4 individual close reads, leading us closer to Edna's awakening and her newfound surrogate, Arobin. Then, we will have an individual discussion over Chapters 23-28, in which you control the topics introduced. And for tomorrow, you will have finished The Awakening and worked on your presentation because it looks like we are wrapping up the novella and are ready to share your short story analyses in the Chopin verbal presentations.

Arobin

I always find the last name "Arobin" very telling. First, it's a bird - and we all know how Chopin likes her symbolism. Second, what is he a rob in in society?

At this point in time, all the classes are in different phases of Edna's last awakening stages. Second hour is still in the midst of the individual close reads, which, if we are really focused, should be finished on Monday. Fourth hour is finishing up the topic discussion of Chapters 23-28, which we will finish on Monday. Seventh hour, in theory, will just have a handful of close reads remaining for Monday.

In the reading world, second and seventh hours have chapters 23-38 for Monday and will the text for Tuesday. Fourth hour will finish The Awakening for Monday.

And with Edna's conclusion comes the Chopin unit conclusion, which will involve the verbal presentations of the short story, its connection to Chopin's works as a whole, and its place in the world of literature. We will be starting presentations, most likely, on Tuesday/Wednesday, so it would behoove you to have all of your readings and notes completed in order to attain a deserved AP score. Remember, there is a 10 minutes maximum time for these presentations, and while that sounds like a long time, you would be surprised how fast time flies when you have several required categories to explore in your analysis!

Lastly, not to sound too teacherly, but barring an emergency situation, you should be in class for verbalizing your presentation and listening to other presentations over the course of this activity. As part of a college-level class, the expectation is that you are there every day and prepared every day to contribute.

Change of Milieu

Vocab review began class, which means the vocab quiz will be tomorrow. Then, we will take a moratorium on vocab for about a week as we finish The Awakening and move into short story presentations. We're almost there, so if you have not begun the process of analyzing your short story and connecting it to Chopin texts, you will have a lot on your plate next week.

With the individual close reads, we are moving back to New Orleans and finding out how Mr. Pontellier finds the "new and improved" Edna.

As fourth hour is only 3 close reads away from finishing this activity, you will need to read Chapters 23-28 for Friday, so that we will have something to talk about with our remaining time tomorrow.

Individual Close Reads

In impressive fashion, the majority of AP Lit began the individual close reads for Chapters 12-22 of The Awakening. Although we did not move too far in the order, we still managed to convey the importance of close reading for every minute detail, explaining motifs and literary elements in conjunction with characterization, and volunteering extra information to understand each passage fully. Don't worry seventh hour, you will have your chance tomorrow!

Tomorrow will be our vocab review day and a plethora of individual close reads as we continue forward through Edna's awakening. 

The Awakening on So Many Levels

As indicated in our discussions for chapters 6-11, Edna does through an emotional, physical, and intellectual awakening as the chapters continue forward. We have motifs of light, lovers, a woman in black, the sea, birds; we have outlier characters bonding with Edna like her "sun" Robert and the "homely" Mademoiselle Reisz; we have Edna without an instructive mother figure and Robert lacking a father figure, causing further issues with their roles in society. I'm sure there's a lot more to our discussions today, but those are the main ideas that are still floating in the atmosphere.

This is one last reminder that is you miss any form of discussion, it is up to you to show me notes regarding the topic/chapters as soon as you return. As you have the blog to keep you up to date with readings, you have the opportunity to not fall behind with readings, analysis, or anything else with AP Lit.

For Wednesday, you need to be through Chapter 22 - we have a great deal of over-analysis to do and it involves very thorough individual close readings.