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Mitchell - AP Literature & Composition

Instructor
Ms. Carrie Mitchell
Department
Language Arts
Terms
2019-2020 School Year


Assignment Calendar

Course Description

 

Class Title:

AP Literature and Composition

Code:

HLA510

Text:

Norton Anthologies; Various Novels & Plays

Rating

5+

Prerequisite:

Instructor Recommendation

Grade:

11-­12

Fees:

Approx $94 for the AP Exam

Max:

15

Can be repeated? No

Meets 2x/Week

Description: The curriculum for this course follows the criteria required by the Advanced Placement College Board Program. This course will prepare students to take the AP Literature and Composition Exam in May for which there is a fee. College credit can be earned based on test performance. Course content includes the intensive study of novels, plays, short stories and poetry from a wide variety of authors. Students will write an analytical essay, and engage in individual and group projects and presentations. Summer homework required.

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Homework Due Thursday, March 12, 2020

Othello Project:  What is the ultimate cause of Othello's demise?

              Answer this question in any format you choose , but make sure that it is answered                     completely and supported with text evidence, quality commentary and an 

              appropriate level of sophistication.  

        Since you are doing this as a class, it will be due Friday at the start of the period. 

        You will have 15-20 minutes to prep on Thursday. 

A Passage to India

            Read this short introduction

            Please read Chapters I-VI, taking notes on the characters introduced. Who are they?  

                Where are they from?  What do they want/need/desire?  What motivates them?

                What conflicts are in their lives? etc. 

Agendas for Th and Fri, March 5 and 6, 2020

Friday, March 6, 2020

Warm Up: M/C TakeDown Day 4! 37, 38, 39

Othello 

        Act V Reading/Discussion

                Parts:

                    Othello = Charley

                    Iago = Skyler        

                    Cassio = Matthew

                    Bianca = Bree

                    Lodovico = Matthew

                    Desdemona = Ethan

                    Emilia = Bree

                    Roderigo = Matthew

                    Gratiano - CM

        Project:  What is the ultimate cause of Othello's demise?

         Answer this question in any format you choose , but make sure that it is answered                     completely and supported with text evidence, quality commentary and an 

         appropriate level of sophistication.  Due Thursday, March 12, 2020. Work 

         individually or with others.

 
 

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Warm Up: M/C TakeDown Day 3!

The Poisonwood Bible

        Share Character Analysis Essay

Othello 

        Act IV & V Reading/Discussion, con't

                Parts:

                    Othello = Charley

                    Iago = Skyler        

                    Cassio = Matthew

                    Bianca = Bree

                    Lodovico = Matthew

                    Desdemona = Ethan

                    Emilia = Bree

                    Roderigo = Matthew

                    Gratiano - CM

 

Homework Due Thursday, March 5, 2020

I. Please read Othello, Act IV if we didn't finish it in class and check this out: Othello Act IV Summary 
 
II. Write a multi-paragraph character analysis that argues for or against your adopted character's importance to the plot/conflicts/resolution of Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible.  Please make sure that you have gotten feedback/approval on your thesis from me via email!
 
Checklist:
        Strong underlined thesis (approved by me)
        Ample text evidence (paraphrases and direct quotes), set up and cited
        Insightful commentary that reflects the writer's knowledge of the book & the character
        Line of reasoning that is  developed logically, supports the thesis and is easy to follow
        Diction and syntax that asserts the qualifications of the writer and is appropriate for 
            the audience
        Conclusion that connects to something broader than just the book

Agendas for Th and Fri, Feb 27 and 28, 2020

Friday, February 28, 2020

Warm Up: M/C TakeDown Day 2!

Share/Discuss Character Analysis Thesis Statements

Othello 

        Act IV Reading/Discussion, con't

                Parts:

                    Othello = Charley

                    Iago = Skyler        

                    Cassio = Matthew

                    Bianca = Bree

                    Lodovico = Matthew

                    Desdemona = Ethan

                    Emilia = Bree

                    Roderigo = Matthew

 

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Warm Up: M/C TakeDown Day 1!

The Poisonwood Bible

        Peer Pair Review of HW Paragraphs

        Edit/Revise/Color Code ONE to turn in for scoring

Little Homework:  On a google doc that you share with me, write an argumentative thesis statement for a full-length character analysis essay on this prompt:  How essential is your adopted character to the plot, conflicts and resolution of Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible?  Please write this as ONE SENTENCE only!

Homework Due Thurs Feb. 27, 2020

Please read The Poisonwood Bible, Books 6 and 7:  "Song of the Three Children" & "The Eyes in the Trees" and continue with your character study.  
 
Write a paragraph (25 minutes) in which you discuss the title of EITHER of these two Books of  The Poisonwood Bible. Consider what it means in regards to the plot of the book and also to one of the book's themes.  Underline your thesis.  Handwrite, please. :) Look at your color-coded paragraph from last Thursday and color code those elements that are included in this paragraph.  USE YOUR BOOK FOR THIS!
 
Sample thesis:  The final Book of Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, called "The Eyes in the Trees," has  implications to the conclusion of the plot, and is also indicative of one of its major themes, that _____________. (fill in the blank as appropriate)

Agendas for Th and Fri, Feb 20 and 21, 2020

Friday, February 21, 2020

Share/Discuss: HW Paragraph

M/C Battle #2: Poetry

        Spend Your Points Wisely!

Othello 

        Act IV Reading/Discussion, con't

 

Thursday, February 20, 2020

TW Battle Results - a good contest!

The Poisonwood Bible 

        Share Character Writing from Book 4
            Matthew
            Ethan
              Charley
               Skyler
               Bree
        Book 5 Discussion: Ask and Answer 
        HW Paragraph
                Please take your handwritten paragraph and type it into this doc, following 
                the directions therein carefully.
                Share with me right away.

Homework Due Thurs, Feb 20, 2020

Please read The Poisonwood Bible, Book 5 "Exodus" aka "What We Carried Out" and continue with your character study.  
 
Write a paragraph (25 minutes) in which you compare The Poisonwood Bible with any of the other short stories or novels we have read so far. Consider how the environment affects the characters and their decisions.  Underline your thesis.  Handwrite, please. :)

Agendas for Thurs/Fri, Feb 13/14, 2020

Friday, February 14, 2020

TW Battle! "Does It Matter?"P. 260:  Use This Template!

Othello 

        Act III Discussion

                Why/how is Iago so persuasive?        

                Why/how is Othello so gullible?

                Why is Desdemona so trusting?

        Act IV Reading

 

Thursday, February 13, 2020

M/C Battle! 

The Poisonwood Bible   

    Book 4 Discussion

        1.  Write a letter or a poem or another form you prefer from your character's perspective

             that illuminates the events in this book as they relate to her and to the plot in a

             broader sense. Attempt to echo your character's voice and style and be sure to include 

             questions (some can be rhetorical, but some should spur conversation) in your     

             writing.

        2.  Share/discuss with class 

Homework Due Thursday, February 13, 2020

Read The Poisonwood Bible, Book 4 "Bel and the Serpent" aka "What We Lost."
Add on to your Character Stalking document.  And, again, think about what the titles of this section mean. 

Agendas for Th and Fri, Feb 6 and 7, 2020

Friday, February 7, 2020

Othello 

    Act II Quiz

    Act III Video/Discussion: A Master Class in Deceit!

 

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Timed Writing (one paragraph/25 minutes):  Select either of the titles for Book 3 of Kingsolver's novel, "The Judges" aka "The Things We Didn't Know" and analyze its meaning/significance to this section and/or the book as a whole.  Use formal academic diction, underline your strong thesis and support it with a line of reasoning that includes text. As always, consider how your diction and syntax impacts your sophistication as a writer. ;)

The Poisonwood Bible   

    Book 3 Discussion

        Write two discussion questions on separate notecards.  One should be about characters

         and motivations. The other should be about plot and complications.  Prepare mental 

         answers for each.

 

LITTLE HOMEWORK: If you didn't finish Othello, Act II last class, please finish it. :) And if you get awash in Shakespearisms, here is an easy-t0-read summary: 

Othello Act II Summary +

Homework Due Thursday, January 30, 2020

Please read Chapter 1, pages 58-65, on Multiple Choice Strategies.  Then, review your missed questions from Practice Test 1 and complete this: M/C Practice Test #1 Analysis.
 
Read The Poisonwood Bible, Book 2 "The Revelation" aka "The Things We Learned."
Add on to your Character Stalking document - and make sure to consider chapters that aren't from your character's perspective. You can learn a lot from what other characters say about yours...

Agenda Th and Fri, Jan 23 and 24, 2020

Friday, January 24, 2020

The Poisonwood Bible 

        TW Paragraph: Peer Review/Edit/Revise & Rewrite/Turn In

                Is there a clear, underlined thesis?

                Is the thesis supported with evidence from the text, correctly set up and cited?

                Does the writer create a line of reasoning that the reader can follow to a logical con-

                    clusion?

                Does the writer use diction and syntax to create an educated, elevated feel?

Othello

        Act I, con't

         

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Practice Test #1

        Answer Form

The Poisonwood Bible 

        Book I Discussion

                Character Stalking:  Who Is She?  Perspective on Nathan?  Perspective on Life?

                       Sign Up & Info     

                      Create Chart & Data Entry #1

Othello

    Quick Intro

        Begin Act I 

        

 

Little Homework:  Make sure you have filled in your Character Stalking chart for Book I, and then, complete this:

            TW Paragraph

            Prompt: How does Kingsolver develop your chosen character in Book I of The                                     Poisonwood Bible?

            Time: 5 minutes to plan - 20 minutes to write - 5 minutes to edit/revise/proof

            Also: Handwrite this. Show evidence of planning and revision. Underline thesis.

Homework Due Thurs, Jan 23, 2020

"No other continent [besides Africa] has endured such an unspeakably bizarre combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill."
--Barbara Kingsolver
 
Please read this The Poisonwood Bible Intro & Fun Facts and then read Book One: Genesis/
"The Things We Carried" and as you read, make sure to sort the characters and make some notes about their voices as most in the Price family - except for Nathan - get perspective chapters. Who are these people? How are they different? How are they similar?
 
And, please complete practice test #1 multiple choice in your new study guide on pages 11-21.  This is a book you can and should write in so annotate, annotate, annotate! Enter your answers into this form: TPR Practice Test #1 2020

Agendas for Th and Fri, Jan 16 and 17, 2020

Friday, January 7, 2020

Adichie Paragraphs: Switch-Edit-Switch-Respond-Switch-Add On

Things Fall Apart

            Extension Activity

               Turn in books

The Poisonwood Bible 

        Check out/Intro

Practice Book

        Check out/Check out

 

Thursday, January 16, 2020

"The Danger of a Single Story" Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk

Things Fall Apart

        Things Fall Apart Discussion Questions Discussion

         Letter to the Author

                Using this template and your best formal and sophisticated diction, write a letter to

                author Chinua Achebe that provides your intelligent reflection on the novel and

                poses a thoughtful question or two for him.

 

Little Homework:  Rewatch the Adichie's Ted Talk and write a paragraph response in which you make connections between Adichie's thoughts, ideas, and premises and any of the reading you have done so far this year. Include references to at least two different works (novels, non-fiction, poetry, short stories). Use formal academic diction and establish and maintain a line of reasoning by writing a sound thesis and supporting it.