Relaxing Reading

AP Language, British Literature

October 30th, 2007

I know you guys are busy with finals coming and all, but I think you might enjoy this fiction series by Slate.com.

Make some cocoa. Have a seat. Do some reading. Relax.

Late Work and Town Hall Meeting

AP Language

October 25th, 2007

You guys have been doing a great job reading and managing your time with this project. I was met with skepticism when I asked around about going forward with a student-run project, but you all have exceeded even my expectations. Keep up the good work.

For those who missed today, contact your group members about planning for the final project. I went around to each group today and brainstormed ideas and possibilities, so you may have some catching up to do.

If you are going to miss tomorrow (because of the Spanish field trip or because it is Friday), please stay in contact with your group over the weekend, or plan to begin work on the final project before Monday. Also, you must bring two completed discussion worksheets on Monday. This is one to make up for Friday, and one for the discussion on Monday. I will not accept late work on this project.

As I said, you guys are doing amazing work. Keep it up. I can’t wait to see the final projects!

Also, there is a Town Hall Meeting tonight (check our school’s website for time and location). I will be attending, if you or your parents would like to meet up with me in person. As always, you or your parents can schedule a meeting with me any time via email.

Discussion Worksheets

AP Language

October 22nd, 2007

Themes:

In case you lose your copy of one of the worksheets, here are the Word documents. If you want to download them and fill them in on the computer, you are welcome to do so.


Discussion Leader Scrivener The Connection

Let me know if you have any questions.

Novel Presentations

British Literature

October 21st, 2007

Literary Presentations of Brit Lit Students for Make Benefit Glorious Brit Lit Class

Because I want each of you to play to your strengths, I am not going to give you many guidelines as a class. On Thursday 25th, I will speak to each of your groups about how you would like to present your work. Here are some things to consider before Thursday:

How will you, as a group, present the novel?

If you want to work together on a single presentation:

  1. Decide which genre you wish to work within:
    1. Theatre
    2. Visual art
    3. Cinema
    4. Music

  2. Divide work appropriately. Ensure that each member of your group knows exactly what is expected of him or her. For example:
    1. If you have an artist and two essayists, create a graphic interpretation of the novel
    2. If you are actors, present a fast-forward version of the novel, with costumes and minimalist sets
    3. If you are musicians or musically inclined, create a compilation CD (complete with original cover art) for the novel
    4. Make a video highlighting important themes/scenes in the novel

If you want to work individually on parts of the novel:

  1. Decide who will work on which part. Things to take into consideration:
    1. Will you divide it into parts (1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, 3rd 1/3)?
    2. Will you each choose a character or theme to work with?

  2. Once you have divided the novel, choose how you will present your individual section. Here are some ideas, but you are free to come up with your own:
    1. Painting/collage of character, including aspects of his or her personality and symbols of his or her life
    2. Graphic work of your portion of the work
    3. Essay exploring themes, characterization, or historical importance of your part of the novel
    4. Written interpretation of your part (new ending, new beginning, part from a different point of view)

Remember, this project is worth 120 points—enough to make or break your grade—begin work on your presentation as soon as you make your plan.

Group Discussions

AP Language

October 18th, 2007

Here we go, the final leg of this semester. Our next project will be worth a total of 300 points, with 180 of them going to your Discussion grade (quizzes, etc), and 120 going to the Paper section of your grade (essays, etc). This means that the rest of the year should look something like this in your calendars:
So, for Monday, each member of your group should fill out the worksheet for his or her position in the discussion. We’ll talk about the final presentations on Monday.