Presentations tomorrow...

Presentations for the reading prompts 1 or 2 will be given tomorrow in class.

In addition to practicing and preparing for the presentation, for homework, you should arrange the scrambled imitation #1 or #2 (photographed today in class) to model the "model sentence" below:

MODEL SENTENCE:
As he ran away into the darkness, they repented of their weakness and ran after him, swearing and throwing sticks and great balls of mud at the figure that screamed and ran faster and faster into the darkness.

Read and find...

Please read one of the two articles linked below, and determine the claim and implications of this article:
"We Can't Teach Students to Love Reading" by Alan Jacobs , from The Chronicle for Higher Education, July 2011

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read" by Francine Prose, from Harper Magazine, 1999

How did you learn to read?

This weekend, your assignment is to discuss with your parents how you learned to read.  Since they will probably have a stronger recollection of this experience than you do, ask them about how you learned to read, what types of questions you asked, what you were most interested in as far as particular books, stories you liked to be told (even if they were not read to you, just told by a family member), or what your favorite reading spots were when you were younger.
This is meant to be a fun activity, not a stressor!  If you are uncomfortable asking your parents, or if they do not have strong memories of the occasion, try to remember for yourself a time when you read something that made your imagination take flight or just made you feel alive and interested in another world.
Please bring these stories and experiences with you to class on Monday to share (they need not be written down, just committed to memory well enough to be retold), and, if possible, the book or a few books that you enjoyed reading as a child!
Thanks and have a fun weekend!

p.s.  MaKenna, we all miss you and really hope you are feeling better soon!!

Malcolm X article

Here is the link to the Malcolm X article, which we will be reading, annotating, and comparing to Douglass' and Alexie's pieces.

"Learning to Read" by Malcolm X

PDF form of this article:
Malcolm X "Learning to Read" PDF

After the vocabulary quiz...

Please go to the essay linked below, "Superman and Me."
Actively read, annotate and evaluate the aesthetic qualities of Alexie's essay (how are imagery, details, and figurative language used to enhance your understanding?) and the efferent qualities (what is Alexie's purpose, and what does he hope to teach his audience through this didactic essay?).  Handout provided in class for this (if absent, complete on lined paper).

Sherman Alexie's "Superman and Me"

Also, for homework, please read Frederick Douglass' "Learning to Read and Write" in the 100 essays book, pp. 216-221.  It is also linked below:

Frederick Douglass' "Learning to Read and Write"

Annotations of both articles will be checked tomorrow...

Friday AP Test prep day

Today, you will have a bit of test prep practice by answering a multiple choice section and completing an essay that was given originally as a writing prompt in the 2000 exam
First, linked below is the multiple choice reading and questions section.
Multiple choice section
Answer these questions on your lined paper, draw a line, and then begin your essay prewriting and drafting.  This essay is question 1 on the document linked below, a response that asks you to analyze Welty's use of language in the given segment.
Question 1 essay from 2000 AP Lang exam

Vocabulary Review:  As you are reviewing your words this weekend, please use the top two links at the left to help you examine examples of the words.  Remember to also refer to Chapter 5, the textbook glossary, and the reading packet from this week for additional explanation of the words.

Email me at cmielke@zps.org if you need additional clarification or help.

Staying on track...

Today, you should work on completing the assignments listed to the right.  Use your time wisely and to the fullest as you will have most of the class period to work...
Tomorrow, we will go through vocabulary words and you will be taking a multiple choice section and completing an AP test prep. essay.
Email me at cmielke@zps.org with questions, and I will respond this evening.

Rubric for model creative writing assignment

Schedule for this week

Please find the schedule for this week posted above.  Homework includes looking up vocabulary words and completing the final draft of your rhetorical analysis essay.  Reading of Ch. 5 in Everyday Use and note taking should be completed by Thursday, 12/6.