The Supporting Cast

This is a reminder that if you are one of the select few that have not taken the District MC Post-Test, you need to do so a.s.a.p. so all of that data can be accrued, and we won't have to worry about that next week. This takes 35-ish minutes to complete.

In the Geneva and Ingolstadt world, all classes worked with the supporting players of Victor Frankenstein's life: Caroline, the epitome of motherly caregiving, tragically lost to the fever, the reason Victor vows to supplant God as creator; Daddy F, the apotheosis of the male provider, the supporter of Victor's education, the older, wiser figure keeping the Frankenstein family aloft; Henry Clerval, the buddy with the soul of a poet, the travelling spirit, the one left behind as Victor moves into his scientific adventures; Elizabeth Lavenza, the foundling, the angelic sprite, the substitute caregiver taking over for the loss of the family matriarch, the "gift" of Victor's life. While Victor completely forgets about all of those people in his role as "pioneer" of humanity, these four have a significant role in his past and future - as you shall see in the upcoming chapters, which include 5-8 for tomorrow.

To conclude chapters 1-4, we did look at Victor's "project" and his "materials" amassed for his eight foot baby. As foreshadowed by lightning-effaced trees, the assumption remains that this is not going to end up well for anyone in the story. 

Possibly away from the realm of Frankenstein (you could choose this text for later purposes), we looked at free response prompts - the one where you select the text for analysis and you don't need any direct evidence. I would highly recommend having one novel/play that you know backwards and forwards with author, era, plot, characters, setting, motifs, significant lit elements, cultural criticisms. This one text will probably fit about 95% of the prompts, and you can practice analyzing this book in our class before the actual exam. I would also recommend having two more texts that you know about 75% - just in case you end up with that one prompt that does not work with your favorite. (One text should be a novel and one should be a play to cover all bases.)

You now have all of the free response prompts from 1970-2013, which you will use to complete 2 free response practices. Choose 2 prompts from across that spectrum, and compete the boxes for each one. While you are welcome to use the same text for both of these handouts, you may want to do one with a novel and one with a play to make sure you have the background for both texts. The free response work will be due on your next block day, but you don't have to wait until next week to complete them. 

And speaking of next week, we will be finishing Frankenstein, and we will have an in-class writing prompt at some point next week. I've decided to give you the prompt the class before the writing hour. You will be able to close read the given passage, but you won't be able to write the essay in advance. Happy March!

Still Testing, Testing, Testing

2 & 4: We had the opportunity to learn more about the AP Lit exam, which, of course, we have worked all year on to improve your prose, poetry, free response, and close reading skills. I'm not biased or anything, but it seems to make sense to take the exam after all of your hard work and preparation.

Afterwards, second hour embraced our team Walton and team Victor situation and how those two fellas seem to have a similar hubristic trajectory, which Victor seems to understand and Walton seems oblivious to pursue. Then, you had the pleasure of the second district MC exam - those 2 passages to see how you do with another poetry and prose work. We will deal with the data part tomorrow. Meanwhile, you have reading to do: chapters 1-4. Plus, you have a character chart to make for your selected character.

In fourth hour, we moved from the AP test to the district AP MC test, which is one more indicator of all of your knowledge regarding literature! Then, we did a very quick Team Walton and Team Victor back-and-forth discussion, which clearly indicated that these 2 characters have quite the parallel lives. For homework tomorrow, you have chapters 1-4 and a character chart for one of the supporting characters. Grant, you have Henry Clerval as your assigned character.

Testing, Testing

The start of seventh hour revolved around the plethora of reasons, or the compendium, for taking the AP Lit exam this May. With all the commitment to breaking down close readings, learning all those funky poetic terms, reading a wide variety of literature from Grendel's provocative diction to Frankenstein's attempts to become God, and completing so many multiple choice passages, you have definitely prepared for the exam. As always, if you choose not to take the exam, you will still have an alternative assessment at the end of the year.

Next up on the docket happens to be another MC test, this one courtesy of the AP Lit program via the district. If you miss this event, you will need to make it up very soon since data needs to be collected. This should not involve missing class, if at all possible, so make sure to schedule study hall time or possibly after school (probably not many days left to do so).

We will have time for more of Walton and Victor character analysis on Thursday, but in the meanwhile, you need to read Chapters 1-4. Each of you will follow one character from these chapters and make a character chart. Henry, you will analyze Henry Clerval (yes, we chose that for you on purpose); Faith, you will analyze Elizabeth; Jazz, you will analyze Caroline.

That Walton - Whatever Purpose Does He Serve?

While not all classes had the opportunity to chat about Walton, those that did seem to find it quite a coincidence that this non-protagonist happens to have hubris, a self-taught education, and a wanting of becoming almost a "god" capable of acts no other man has ever done! Hmm...sounds familiar?

F.Y.I. If you happened to have not presented your Wollstonecraft chapter, this needs to be competed by the end of the week after school. Make sure to schedule your 4 minutes - otherwise, you lose out on the points.

2: We wrapped up the Wollstonecraft presentations, which means tomorrow will be the opportunity to talk about Walton - and not just letter one! Make sure to read letters 2-4, adding Walton quotes and characterization AND setting up a chart for the newly arrived Victor Frankenstein.

4 & 7: After our presentations, we had a fascinating discussion regarding Walton - and with non-repeating quotes - and his characterization (hence, the above comments regarding hubris, education, and dreams of grandeur to create a mythological figure and reputation). For next time, add to your Walton charts in letters 2-4 AND create a chart for Victor Frankenstein to amp up his characterization.

The Wollstonecraft Repetition

In all classes, we had the pleasure of hearing many chapters and sections of Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman, which definitely repeats motifs, literary elements, allusions, Rousseau trashing, morality's importance, and education to improve the future generations. I always enjoy the audience reaction to each 4 minute synopsis, and how you are hearing the consistency of argument throughout the chapters. Second hour has 9 presentations left, fourth hour with 4, and seventh hour with ? (typing this during sixth hour, but odds are somewhere in the vicinity of 5-7).

Meanwhile, you already have what you need for classwork tomorrow: Frankenstein, reading the introductory material for info, reading analytically Letter 1, filling out the character chart for Robert Walton. All of that will be needed for after the presentations on Monday, so make sure you are ready to talk about Walton - and why he might be the starting figure in a novel that is not about him.

And don't forget that you have the Proxy Penguin, the Gianini Giraffe, the Omniscient Owl, and the Zenith Zebra to keep you company!

Prepping Day

Today was a prep day for the Wollstonecraft presentations, which will be timed for a four minute maximum. Make sure to include responses to the 4 questions and include evidence with citations (of course). Since we will probably not finish all the presentations in one day (fourth hour has the best chance), any remaining Wollstonecraft chats will resume Monday. And, don't forget that you will be turning in your close reading and written portions afterwards. 

Since I will be out and about on Friday, you also have that day's classroom assignment in your possession. Read the background material, introduction, and preface to set you up for Frankenstein. Then, read - with an analytical eye - letter one, filling out the characterization chart for Walton with quotes from the text and analysis. More is better. 

The World of Wollstonecraft

In every hour, we had a lengthy discussion on Mary Wollstonecraft's life and the start of Vindication via the opening letter and introduction sections. You also have the Vindication assignment and chapter (or section of chapter for bigger classes) to complete the close read, written paragraphs, and preparation for presentations. If you were absent, don't worry! I sent you the overall assignment, your individual assignment, and the chapters so that you are ready for next class!

Romanticism, Feminism, & Wollstonecraft

In our shortened class today, we continued with vocab (I'm probably going to combine vocab units 7 & 8 for the next quiz because we have a great deal to do in the next weeks. I feel like a clock is just ticking as loud as possible behind me trying to accomplish everything by March 8.) Then, we looked at the characteristics and buzz words of Romanticism, which you can use in our work with Wollstonecraft and Shelley. Since we are talking of Wollstonecraft, we then reviewed the patriarchy and gender roles. For homework, you need to read up on Mary Wollstonecraft and read the dedicatory letter and introduction to A Vindication for the Rights of Woman, which can be found online in many places if you search.

The Prose Characterization

After vocab today, we spent the rest of the time looking at the prose rangefinders, and I found out some of you have very specific pet peeves with capitalization, punctuation, and certain diction. Since rangefinder analysis took the majority of the hour, we will be moving into feminist criticism and Romanticism (they work together in my eyes) next class.

Our Pilgrimages

In all of our hours, we read our prologues, heard 5 of the tales, and realized that there are very clever ways to rhyme multi-syllable words. The tales had humor, melancholy, redemption, and a whole list of abstract feelings from beginning to end. I hope you enjoyed this creative interlude as it is time to go back to our characterization analysis.

For those of you who have taken the prose diagnostic prompt, you have the rangefinders to read and score for next class. I guess that means if you have not taken the prompt, you will be while we analyze those rangefinders.

Yep, All That Characterization Must Mean a Prompt

In all classes, you had the prose prompt diagnostic essay to complete. Hopefully, you remembered to bring in all those characterization qualities and tips that have filtered through The Cherry Orchard, The Metamorphosis, The Canterbury Tales, and those MC passages.

Our next class will feature our prologues, our tales, and our bon voyage parties to Alcatraz, Far, Far Away, and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I just finished my first draft of the Alcatraz prologue, and I somehow managed to rhyme debaucherous with innocuous :) If you are struggling with the prologue, here is what  do for each of them: I just write down all my ideas that I would like to have and then go back and add in the rhyme and iambic pentameter parts (I know iambic pentameter is optional for your assignment, but I hope some of you at least attempt to put in some).

Characters & MC

We spent the beginning of class with character meetings and then whatever was leftover went to the analysis of the MC passages from the district diagnostic. Whatever we did not analyze in class, you should go through on your own and see why you missed any answers.

Characters

From those I met with today, you have brought forth a great burst of creativity for your characters' pilgrimages to various locales. I'm glad you are appreciating this last burst of fictional writing from your parts as the world will soon revolve around analytical prompts again (yep, there are 2 written ones and 2 verbal ones forthcoming in the next 5 weeks).

2: We completed the last round of allusion posters, which allowed my helpers and I to put up the Bible and some of the mythology ones this afternoon. I know it is only a partial selection of all the allusion posters, but I can't keep looking at the wall while I type this! I missed my wallpaper! The plan is to have all up by next Friday (fingers crossed). We started your character meetings, which will resume tomorrow. Afterwards, we will (in theory - where does time go?) review Federigo's Falcon and the diagnostic MC from last week. Don't forget to work on your prologue and tale for next week's block days. If I'm putting this much energy into the assignment, I hope you do too!

4: We spent the hour in character meetings - and still didn't finish in time! We are almost there, however, so that will be completed during the first phrase of AP Lit next time. While you are working on that dynamic prologue and entertaining tale for our bon voyage party next week, class will look at Federigo and his poor pet ownership skills and the AP Lit diagnostic MC from last week. I can't believe we are almost finished with frame stories and will be in with the Romantics/Feminists/Wollstonecraft/Shelley coterie next week!

7: As with the other hours, the character meetings were not completed, but Friday seems like an appropriate occasion to hear about the remaining cast of our pilgrimage. After those last meetings (we're almost there), we will have a chance to analyze Federigo, his great beloved (should be the loyal falcon if you ask me), and his great sacrifice. Don't forget to work on your prologue and tale - I know I'm going to spend some quality time readying for Alcatraz.

To Alcatraz, Far, Far Away, and Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory We Go!

Hopefully from the response in class today, you are as excited to take a pilgrimage and construct a character as I am! Seventh hour will journey to Alcatraz as visitors, second our will travel to Far, Far Away to find their fairy godmother, and fourth hour will (finally!) win the golden ticket to see Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory in person! While I will be working on the overall prologue (need to brush up on my iambic pentameter and rhyming skills), you will be constructing a prologue for your individual character and a tale with a moral and entertainment value. In order to prep for both of these components, I will be meeting with you tomorrow to discuss your character (I need the dirt to write that prologue). If you were absent and don't have a character yet, no worries! You will have the chance to sign-up during next class and work on the character background while I meet with the others.

To add to future plans beyond creative works, we will go over the district assessment MC (average 14/22), bring in a few more rounds of vocab, return to prompt writing (I've really been plugging characterization lately, haven't I?), bring in more MC practices, move into our next critical lens = feminist, look into the Romantic period, find out how Mary Wollstonecraft changed the tone of society towards women's education (or at least as much as she could in the late eighteenth century), and look at the (ill-advised) parenting style of Victor Frankenstein. That's pretty much third quarter in a nutshell. Fourth quarter will be your first full practice test, the Romantic poets and tone work, Wuthering Heights, and the second full practice test.

Otherwise, we are all about in the same place...

2: We have made our way through The Canterbury Tales, and we will talk about The Decameron's Federigo's Falcon after our character meetings in class. We will also share our allusion posters since time was not our friend today.

4: We are still in the midst of our frame stories, and you have The Pardoner's Tale and Federigo's Falcon to read for next class.

7: We have Boccaccio's Federigo's Falcon for next class - for those of you have already read the tale, some sad irony awaits that falcon.

Wives & Pardoners

We completed the vocab quiz for unit 6 today, so the usual make-up rules do still apply. We also spent some time with those pilgrims from The Canterbury Tale, getting to know their quirks, sins, and characterizations. 

2: For next class, read The Pardoner's Tale and The Wife of Bath's Tale.

4: For next class, read The Wife of Bath's Tale.

7: For next class, have The Wife of Bath's Tale completed and read The Pardoner's Tale as well. 

Post Post Cold Snow Days

FYI Due to all the delays of having class this week, the vocab quiz -for all hours - will be Monday.

2 & 4: We started off class by completing the district assessment, which took about half of our time. (F.Y.I. If you missed the pleasure of taking this assessment, you will need to schedule a time to do so - preferably on Monday or Tuesday so that I may share all of the data at our district meeting.) Then, we shared our third round of allusion posters, which means we are almost through the four weeks of Biblical, mythological, literary, pop cultural, and historical references. Lastly, we returned to the man we "know nothing" about: Chaucer. After reading the general prologue to The Canterbury Tales, we moved into the individual characters. You have been assigned 1-2 of these characters to read and note themes, characterization, occupation/class, and physical description. Some characters have more information for those classifications than others. Don't worry if you were absent, you can still be part of the process! Kyle, you have the Reeve. Cole, you have the Summoner. Hope you enjoy all of these fascinating characters! Here is a version of The Canterbury Tales prologue (may not be the exact same translation as our textbook, but at least you will have the idea): https://tigerweb.towson.edu/duncan/chaucer/duallang1.htm. Although the Middle English version is quite fun for me to read, you may want to stick to the Modern English translation for surety of your interpretation.

7: Surprise, we have class again today, which means you will definitely be ahead of the other AP Lit classes. The plan shall be vocab review, our introduction to Chaucer & his Canterbury Tales, the prologue and its characters (including themes, characterization, occupation/class, physical description), and the start of the Wife of Bath's Tale - ah, is she ever a fun one. I have a feeling whatever we do not finish will be homework reading.