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12-1-08:
I will post the revised and complete grades for per 1 and 2 in the room. Half a dozen of you in
per 3 have not finished the second Macbeth quiz. We had a deal that if you missed the quiz
because of College Day you would make up the quiz before Thanksgiving. Those who do not finish
by the end of day tomorrow will not get the break (10 of 15).
We will start discussing the study guides for Frankenstein in class tomorrow.
11-30-08:
The grades are posted. Some grades in per 1,2,3 are missing but will be added tomorrow. I will
update these three periods on the wall on Tuesday.
Frankenstein study guides (1-6) are due tomorrow.
11-21-08:
I just received the benchmark schedule.
Mon. Dec. 8th Tue. Dec. 9th
Per. 1 8:30 – 10:20 Per. 2 8:30 – 10:20
Per. 3 10:25 – 12:05 Per. 4 10:25 – 12:05
LUNCH 12:05 – 12:55 LUNCH 12:05 – 12:55
Per. 5 1:00 – 1:55 Per. 5 1:00 – 1:55
Per. 6 2:00 – 3:35 Per. 7 2:00 – 3:35
Unless you are in my per 5 class, you will take the benchmark test in one loooooong class period.
You will do the easy multiple choice part first and then write a fantastic essay. (Per 5 will
take the m/c part on Monday and write the essay on Tuesday.)
On the Friday before the benchmark I will tell you what it takes to make a [4] on the TAKS
essay. It is easier to make a [4] on the TAKS than a [6] on the AP exam, and quite a few of you
have written a [6] before. Of course, TAKS writing is by nature mostly narrative, whereas AP
Lang writing is mostly analytical. But fear not: if you can write, you can write a TAKS essay.
To repeat what I wrote yesterday:
When you return from the holidays, you will already have six solid grades(+ 2 HW grades) for
this cycle:
2 RC, 2 Macbeth quizzes, 1 vocab, and 1 essay. The essay will count almost as much as the other
grades combined, at least for a while. I will post grades online as soon as the essays are
graded. Expect fewer and fewer marks on the essays. If you want lots of feedback, write the
extra credit essays.
11-20-08:
I guess it is pretty obvious now that the terms I casually dropped TWICE the last
two days were quite helpful. There is a definite possibility that I was looking at the prompt
when I casually dropped these rhetorical terms. Also, since I repeated myself, there is distinct
possibility that REPETITION is a rhetorical strategy.
So, from now on use the hints I casually drop to your advantage.
Also, the really perceptive ones among you noticed that the Alfred Green prompt is one of my
extra credit prompts on my web site. This is not the first time I have done that. Once I gave a
prompt that was due on a Friday three days before the due date as an in-class essay. I don't
have to tell you that those who had not waited till the last minute and had done that extra
credit essay early had a decided advantage. Oh, well. The lessons of life .......
The first extra credit essay("Sputnik") is due Dec 5, but I'll take essays early. If you are one
of the two or three who have had problems e-mailing, cover yourself and bring a printed copy or
the file on a flashdrive. I guess, floppies are sooooo last millenium.
Don't forget: vocab quiz ("admonitory") tomorrow.
After the quiz I will either go over the Frankenstein study guide(just the Letters), or show you
the May 2008 rhetorical strategies prompt that yielded a 3.3 average among Paschal students. It
is quite a bit more difficult than the one we wrote in class today.
I saw several of you highlight text passages during the essay. I my class that is perfectly ok,
but on the AP exam highlighters are not permitted. Approximately ten years ago students
somewhere in this country used markers to cheat on the multiple choice part of the exam as
highlighted answers are easy to spot from several feet away, but since ETS (the test company
that administers the AP exams) constantly runs cross checks, the scam was quickly discovered.
Now we all must suffer for the criminal energy of a few scoundrels.
Another matter: As soon as we return from the break, I will no longer be able to allow you make
up quizzes during 7th on Mondays and Tuesdays as I will be involved in TAKS tutoring. The rest
of the week is not affected.
Several per 3 students whose educational career was derailed by the college fair need to finish
one or both of Wednesday's quizzes, preferably before we break for Thanksgiving.
When you return from the holidays you will already have six solid grades(+ 2 HW grades) for this
cycle:
2 RC, 2 Macbeth quizzes, 1 vocab, and 1 essay. The essay will count almost as much as the other
grades combined, at least for a while. I will post grades online as soon as the essays are
graded. Expect fewer and fewer marks on the essays. If you want lots of feedback, write the
extra credit essays.
Read on...
11-19-08:
If you are a junior and have earned an academic sweater, you will be invited to a ceremony on
Dec 2 at Southwest HS(7:00 pm). To bribe you into going and picking up your sweater I am
offering you to turn in your study guides (that are due on DEC 3) late without penalty.
You must wear your brand new sweater or have your certificate on DEC 3, though.
I'll have a list from Mr Hamilton, but just the same ....
Take my advice about the rhetorical strategies essay seriously. Make it a point to look up the
terms I listed yesterday.
Again:
check up on
diction (especially "glittering generalities")
antithesis (especially antithesis of terms)
allusions (literary, historical, Biblical, myhtological)
exhortation
anaphora
concession
appeal to authority
ethos pathos logos
If you have 15 minutes, you may want to read on WED night:
http://www.rbs0.com/propaganda.pdf
That just might pay off on THU.
11-18-08: late posting for those who say they can't open the study guides
Frankenstein
Study Guides
1 .The novel begins with a series of letters in which the narrator of the novel is writing his
thoughts and plans to his sister. Where is the narrator going? Why has he chosen to
make this voyage? Of what does the narrator dream? What is his goal?
2.How has the narrator Robert Walton prepared for his great enterprise? What gives him the idea?
3.Why does Walton want a friend? How does he define a friend?
4.Walton says he is a "Romantic." What is a Romantic person like? Give several adjectives.
5.What time of year is it when Walton begins his voyage?
6.Describe the strange thing that is seen by Walton and his crew.
7.Describe the man who later is brought on the ship. What does the man ask that is
astonishing to Walton? Why do you suppose he asks this; what does he want to
do? How does Walton feel about this man? Why?
8.How does this man react to Walton's dream or goal?
9.What story is the stranger going to tell Walton? Why is he going to share this story?
10.Who do you suppose will be the narrator of Chapter I?
Also: If you want to prepare yourself for the rhetorical strategies essay, here are a few random
terms you may want to google or wiki:
diction(especially "glittering generalities")
antithesis (especially antithesis of terms)
allusions (literary, historical, Biblical, myhtological)
exhortation
anaphora
concession
appeal to authority
ethos pathos logos
If you have 15 minutes, you may want to read on WED night:
http://www.rbs0.com/propaganda.pdf
That just might pay off on THU.
Read on...
11-18-08: early posting
Here's the syllabus:
WEEK 13
MON: 11-17-08: Finish Macbeth Act V & The Real Story as per PHC
TUE: 11-18-08: Rhetorical Strategies (examples)
HW: Study guides Frankenstein (Letters)
WED: 11-19-08: RC for Grade "The Long Prayer", Quiz : Macbeth Acts IV and V
THU: 11-20-08:AP Essay: Rhetorical Strategies
FRI: 11-21-08: Vocabulary quiz("admonitory")
HW: Study guides chapters 1-6 over Thanksgiving Holidays
(Be smart and work ahead)
WEEK 14
MON: 12-01-08: Diagnostic AP Reading Comp: "Rabbit, Run"
TUE: 12-02-08: Frankenstein (Introduction) and Romanticism (Introduction)
HW: Study guides chapters Frankenstein 7-12
WED: 12-03-08: Graded AP Reading Comp "Rope"
In class: Frankenstein
THU: 12-04-08: Bus Evacuation Drill or In class: Frankenstein
FRI: 12-05-08: Vocabulary quiz("archetype")
In class: Frankenstein
HW: Study guides chapters Frankenstein 13-18
WEEK 15
Note: There is some sort of TAKS benchmark test lurking in the shadows. Be flexible.
MON: 12-08-08: Diagnostic AP Reading Comp: Mary Queen of Scots
TUE: 12-09-08: In class: Frankenstein
HW: Study guides chapters Frankenstein 19-24
WED: 12-10-08: Graded AP Reading Comp “Wollstonecraft”
In class: Frankenstein
THU: 12-11-08: In class: Frankenstein
FRI: 12-12-08: Vocabulary quiz("abate")
In class: Frankenstein
WEEK 16
MON: 12-15-08: Diagnostic AP Reading Comp: “My Antonia”
TUE: 12-16-08: Lit Quiz: Frankenstein (counts double)
WED: 12-17-07: Graded AP Reading Comp: “Caryatid”
THU: 12-18-07: Graded AP Writing Prompt: Rhetorical Strategies Essay
FRI: 12?19-07: Vocabulary quiz("artifice")
WEEK 17
TUE: 1?06-09: Diagnostic AP Reading Comp: “Man’s Most Dangerous Myth”
WED: 1-07-09: Introduction to Synthesis prompt
THU: 1-08-09: Synthesis prompt
FRI: 1-09-09: Vocabulary quiz ("absolve")
In class: Synthesis prompt
WEEK 18
MON: 1-12-09: Semester Final Week
TUE: 1-13-09: Semester Final Week
WED: 1?14-09: Semester Final Week
THU: 1?15-09: Semester Final Week
FRI: 1?16-09: Teacher Prep Day
11-17-08:
We need to have the Macbeth quiz on Wednesday if we want to get everything done that needs to be
done this week.
Tue: Continue rhet. strategies
Wed: First, RC for a grade; then, Macbeth quiz(IV and V)
Thu: Rhet.Strat. essay
Fri vocab "admonitory"
And once more with feeling:
First page of FRANKENSTEIN study guides (letters) due November 19
Then, a long week of Thanksgiving, which you should use to get ahead in the study guides.
Immediately after the holidays:
Study guides for chapters 1-6 due Monday, December 1
Study guides for chapters 7-12 due Wedenesday, December 3
Study guides for chapters 13-18 due Monday, December 8
Study guides for chapters 19-24 due Wednesday, December 10
A caveat: read as much as you can over the holidays. After you return the study guides become
due fast and furiously. If you think it is preposterous to even think of Frankenstein, just
remember that I will be sweating to the essays.
Also, my offer still stands: Bring me a blank CD or a flashdrive, and I will give you a copy of
Fankenstein in mp3 format.
and... for Wednesday's quiz:
33. What even in Act IV was foreshadowed by Fleance’s escape in Act III?
34. What is the second witch referring to when she announces, “Something wicked this way comes”?
35.Why has Macduff fled from his castle?
36. Why is Macduff filled with pain and guilt at the end of Act IV?
37. Why does the last king hold a mirror in the last apparition that Macbeth sees?
38. Why does Macduff leave his home quickly and quietly?
39. Why is Ross reluctant to tell Macduff the news from Scotland?
40. What country is Malcolm the rightful king of?
41. How is King Edward portrayed in this play?
42. Lady Macbeth is tormented by thoughts of what?
43. Why does Lady Macbeth keep a candle burning all night?
44. What does Macbeth begin to realize when he is told that Birnam Wood is coming to Dunsinane?
45. Why does Macbeth believe he will die if he keeps with the apparition’s prophecy?
46. What does the central theme in Macbeth explore?
47. What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
48. How does Macbeth feel when he hears of Lady Macbeth’s death?
49. In Act V, how does Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane, in a sense?
50. What is the source of comfort that Old Siward experiences while grieving over his son’s
death?
11-17-08:
Grades are posted.
The grades of those who wrote essays are even higher than posted.
11-12-08:
I guess it is now official: the grades are inflated. Usually I call for papers to the folders
right before x-mas, but this time I felt a bit rushed by some folks downtown who wanted the
writing folders in place soon. So, the extra credit I usually aply to the 3rd six weeks is
already on the books now. Some of you may wish six weeks from now that they had the extra points
in the third six weeks, but at least most of you have a cushion now. Unfortunately, the heavy
essays are starting this six weeks. From now on the extra credit essays will be more important
than ever.
And now, not that you needed it, a few points to consider for tomorrow's quiz. The first 32
questions are what you need to look at. Question 33, I decided, needs more knowledge than we
have at this time, so it's a free B. The remaining questions are for next week's quiz.
1. What is the overall purpose of the first scene in the play?
2. What do the three witches foretell in Act I, Scene III?
3. In which is Lady Macbeth most accurately described?
4. Whom does Duncan refer to as his “peerless kinsman”?
5. What does Lady Macbeth persuade her husband to do in the last scene?
6. At the beginning of the play, how can Macbeth most accurately be described?
7. Why is Macbeth surprised when he is addressed as the Thane of Cawdor?
8. When does Macbeth begin to hope for Duncan’s death?
9. What does Macbeth say he will do to honor Duncan?
10. What does the fact that the Thane of Cawdor deceived Duncan suggest about Duncan?
11. How can Lady Macbeth’s welcome to Duncan best be described?
12. What does Macbeth hear as he murders Duncan?
13. What does the porter imagine as he is awakened by a constant knocking?
14. Who discovers that the king has been murdered?
15. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave Scotland after their father’s murder?
16. Why does Banquo not want to fall asleep?
17. What do the candles represent in the following line?: “There’s husbandry [economy] in
heaven;/ Their candles are all out.”
18. What is Macbeth’s vision of the dagger the result of?
19. What is Macbeth most concerned about immediately following the murder?
20. What has Macbeth done by murdering Duncan?
21. Why does Lady Macbeth faint after the murder is discovered?
22. At the end of Act II, what is Macbeth doing?
23. When is there an example of dramatic irony with the audience in this act?
24. What is Macbeth’s desire to eliminate Banquo based on?
25. Why does Macbeth suddenly look terrified at the banquet?
26. What does the fact that Macbeth keeps a spy in each lord’s home suggest about him?
27. What is the purpose of Scene V, which involves Hecate and the three witches?
28. When the prophecies for Macbeth come true, how does Banquo react?
29. What is Macbeth’s real reason for asking Banquo about his plans for the day?
30. How does Macbeth begin to behave as this act progresses?
31. What does the appearance of the third murderer suggest?
32. How does Lady Macbeth save her husband from saying too much at the banquet?
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