Thank you for all of your responses to the questions asked about the class, I will seriously take them into consideration! I hope that all of you have a great summer and good luck at college.

Rainey's Helpful Hints for College:
Remember to always ask if you need help ( professors love that... they need to know you on a more personal level, so when they give a grade, it is not just some random student. I know this sounds dorky, but I used to stay after class for a few minutes when I had a new class and introduce myself to the professor. Just a little "Hi, my name is Adrienne..." It always seemed to help me feel better about the idea of them knowing me!)

Don't make your schedule to the point that you feel overwhelmed before you even begin.

Take summer classes, they are usually easier and the same amount of credit, not to mention shorter.

Take really good notes. Use highlighters and colored pens.

Form a study group for a hard class.

Choose one night ( if at all possible, where you don't do school work). Mine was Tuesday... I would finish what I had to do on Monday and would take Tuesday night to hang out with friends.

Call home often... you don't want worried parents driving to your school to find you, like my dad! OMG!

Have a separate notebook for each class. Only use that notebook for that class and have a folder for each to keep all handouts. Binders don't work as well, they are bulky in your book bag walking/biking to class,

Keep a grade sheet. Write down all grades given to you through out a class and that way if something doesn't add up at the end you are covered. Believe it or not, it saved me in one of my senior classes.

Don't eat real late while you are up... makes you feel sluggish in the morning.

Walk or bike to classes, you will need the exercise. I used to walk everywhere.

Be nice to people that live on the same floor as you. You may need their help at some time.

Get up and out of bed (even if it is cold outside) and adhere to the FIRE ALARMS! If you don't they will fine you a few hundred dollars for not coming out. I know from previous experience. I was toooooo tired!!!

Watch your laundry... people have been known to walk off with jeans and shirts that do not belong to them:)

Go to the library as soon as you get to school... introduce yourself to the librarian. You have no idea how important they will be to you as you write papers and do research for your classes. I loved mine... she helped me with everything, even making copies, faxing things, recommendation letters.

Last but not least, don't change your major many times, it will prolong your stay in college, however, that might not be a bad thing:)

Ok, now all of you made a 100 on the video project. However, some points were missed in some, I could see the effort and attempt to be creative. So good job.

Love ,
Ms. Rainey

AP Seniors:

Hello! Welcome to your last day of Senior Year!! I hope that you are all ready for a needed break to gear up for college. I will miss all of you! If you need anything please email or call me! Please look for, over the next two days (on this BLOG), comments for your video project. I will also post your grade too! Don't worry everyone (if completed) did fine.

For next year, I would like to revamp my curriculum for next year's AP Senior class. I need your help. Please answer the following in a BLOG response.

1. What piece of literature (not a novel) did you like best and why? You may look through your materials to double check on all of the pieces that we have read.

2. What writing assignment did you like best and why?

3. What assignment/discussion/paper did you learn the most from, overall?

4. What assignment would you suggest that I delete from the curriculum for next year?

5. What novel had the most impact on you as a reader this year and why?

Ok, thanks for your help! Have a great summer!!

Love,
Mrs. Rainey

Hi Lovelies ( Yes, I am sticking to that spelling!)

I wanted to set up a BLOG for you for the research paper. This BLOG is only optional. This can be a place where you can pose questions for each other and for me. It is also a place for all of you to post interesting insights that you had about the research or essentially writing the paper.

You may discuss problems, how to questions, confusion, things you are excited about, etc. You may also post questions or comments to me specifically. I will check the BLOG once a day around 8:00pm and if you have posted anything I will post a comment back to you, so check back the next day ( don't ask in class about the BLOG, just check back :) ). If the question is addressed to me, please be sure to right my name at the beginning of the BLOG.

Ok, so this is for all of you smartypants. Have fun!

OK, don't all freak out! I did not post your BLOG this week ( Spring Break), so I will post it now. You will have until Friday at 8:00am to post your comments. Please remember that I am going to grade you on your full commentary, not just give a participation grade for completion. So be sure the entire question is answered and you feel comfortable about what you post.

As we have been discussing in preparation for the BIG TEST, examine the following prompt. You would be given a suggested time of 40 minutes to complete this on the test. Please explain exactly what the prompt is asking ( in your own words) and explain how you would best answer it ( how would you support an answer relating to what the question is asking). It asks for you to give reference to certain poems, but don't worry about that for this purpose. Just answer the above questions to earn your credit for the BLOG.


From the list below, choose a poem and write an essay in which you analyze its point of view. What effect does point of view have on the theme, style, and tone of the poem, and on your understanding of the poem as a whole?

Hello there. Hope you all had a good night!

Split yourselves into four groups, identify your group by a number (1-4). After you do this..  follow the directions below and review your notes from yesterday for the directions for the group work.

Group one: Complete a likeness for Lucy
Group two: Likeness of Vernon
Group three: Likeness of Lucy
Group four: Likeness of Vernon

Remember to do your original character profile. You do not have to BLOG anything but take great notes that we can discuss on Monday.

See you then!

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, I would like for you to BLOG your favorite childhood book and explain why it was your favorite. Also what is your favorite now as a young adult?

We should honor this time because the character and books gave such joy to young and old readers, alike.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS!!

DUE March 5, 2012 8:00 am
Speaking at the Union University Writing Workshop will be poet James Scruton. He has several great poems. Please view the link in the LINK page titled 'Poet James Scruton- Union University' and read through some of his poems and other interesting information.

Respond to the questions below in a BLOG:

1. What did you find interesting in his poems and why?
2. Was there a certain one you liked best and why?
3. Explain any poetic devices that you noticed in his poems.
4. Any additional comments you may want to add.

OK, I thought this was interesting to read and soon listen to him speak. What an awesome thing... a poet so close!!

This is your creative piece for the novel Lord of the Flies. Please complete the following objectives in at least two pages ( no more than that):

1. Write a diary/journal entry in the voice of one of the characters. This entry may be written from any scene or time frame from the novel: beginning, middle, or end or possibly even after they are rescued from the island.

2. Please be true to count when you write in the voice of the character. Don't let your personal influences become dominant over the character's voice. Be aware of the character profile and stay true to it.

3. Also something to keep in mind: some of the worst characters we read about in literature are the easiest ones to profile in writing and discussion. So I challenge you to think of characters that you may not personally feel for, it may make a great journal.

4. Keep in mind the diction of the character and stay true to it.

5. I will choose a STAR journal, smartypants!! Go get 'em!

In your Bonus BLOG, you will be asked a question that relates to the novel but also society as a whole. In your reponse, please relate your answer to the novel and society. You answer should be at least threee paragraphs and posted by the time alloted. If not, you will not receive points.

Question: Do you believe that humans in a state of absolute freedom have a tendency toward evil or toward good? Explain your answer, drawing your argument from the novel and society. Be specific in your attempt to answer!

PS- Now Taylor, don't say I never gave you anything! Here you go!

Alright, show you are the Smartypants.

Notes on the group project and presentation:

I think that the presentations were great! I loved all of them. Each group completed all of the requirements needed in presenting and designing. I enjoyed all the hard work each of you did. Everyone scored an equal 100%. Now for Mrs. Rainey's awards ( if we were giving them):

-Most creative: Lauren, Alexis, and Ashely- I thought the idea with the dolls was amazing. Hard work Ladies! The comparison to Pocahontas was an interesting take also, I hadn't thought about the stories relating so much! Well done!

-Most original: Cassidy, Wendy, and Jordan- your fashion show was so nice and cute. Your outfits fit the time period, however, I would have liked to hear more about how the costumes represented the characters in the play. I enjoyed the music and the time and effort!

-Most relatable: Abby, Taylor, Michael, Sarah- your presentation was the most relatable to the audience because we knew about the people and time era you were discussing very well. The idea of the Japanese culture and dress was a great insight into the specific time period.

Well done AP Smartypants!!