AP Lang: Feb. 17-19

This has been a week dedicated to conferences and analytical writing, and I feel like we accomplished a lot! As of Friday, I have met with all the students individually about their midterm essays and we’ve made some goals for their writing in the weeks to come.
This week the students dug into an older text, Mark Twain’s “Corn Pone Opinions” and considered the impact of public opinion on our personal beliefs.  They used the text to practice critical reading and multiple choice as well as rhetorical analysis writing.  In our short week next week, we will spend one day discussing “Corn Pone Opinions” and a more recent piece that they’ll read over the long weekend, “High School Confidential.”  Thursday they will tackle another in class essay--rhetorical analysis this time--and Friday we will begin conferences about the argument essays they wrote this week. I have posted an extra practice essay for the students and some reading practice on Google Classroom for the long weekend for those who would like additional practice.  They will also demonstrate their understanding of 10 new vocabulary words on Friday of next week. I've challenged them to not merely learn the defintions, but to also learn how to use these words effectively. Please ask them about the words! We pulled the list directly from our class readings last week. 

One last, important thing: Scheduling! We talked about this in class, but I wanted to share my thoughts on 12th grade English options with you to help with plans for next year. AP Lang students may choose either AP Literature or 12th grade English for their senior year.  I recommend that most students take AP Literature as it will help them continue to refine, improve and challenge their writing skills. They have worked hard this year,made a lot of progress, and 12th grade English may feel like a step backwards.  When I say this in class, their eyes light up!  An easy year?? Sign me up, they say!  While that’s tempting, I encourage them to think beyond next year to their first year of college. That transition to college writing will be so seamless if they are still in the AP writing mode.  
Please feel free to contact me if you have specific questions about scheduling. I’m always happy to try to help!

Have a great weekend!