Week of June 15th:
Hi Folks!
Thank you all for your timely submissions of the final assignment. As I read through them, I’ve noticed that we have some shared discoveries and experiences. Here are some of the things I learned while locked down, condensed into a list. Maybe some will resonate with you...
We are near the end, and the journey this year has been memorable to say the least. I miss you all and wish you all a happy, healthy summer. Thank you for all of your handwork this year. I know it was tough at times, but we had great discussions and even greater laughs. Hopefully, I will see you in September, and we can catch up :)
Love,
Ms. Weber, your Home-slice.
***If you need to return your Persepolis book, here is information on drop off dates and times: Student Drop Off Letter
Hi Folks!
Thank you all for your timely submissions of the final assignment. As I read through them, I’ve noticed that we have some shared discoveries and experiences. Here are some of the things I learned while locked down, condensed into a list. Maybe some will resonate with you...
- There are multiple definitions of the word “virtual”: almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition; not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so. In any case, virtual school… no thank you.
- I don’t need the gym to accomplish a pull up.
- I’m still not a great cook, but will keep trying.
- Slowing down does not mean slowing up or quitting.
- If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t get done.
- I prefer my natural hair color... Wait until September. : )
- Nature is a force. Love is a verb.
- Quiet is the preferred volume.
- Hitting the off switch on the news does not make me an irresponsible citizen.
- Setting is linked to identity. It’s hard to assume so many different roles in the one place where I try to leave them at the door.
We are near the end, and the journey this year has been memorable to say the least. I miss you all and wish you all a happy, healthy summer. Thank you for all of your handwork this year. I know it was tough at times, but we had great discussions and even greater laughs. Hopefully, I will see you in September, and we can catch up :)
Love,
Ms. Weber, your Home-slice.
***If you need to return your Persepolis book, here is information on drop off dates and times: Student Drop Off Letter
Week of June 8th:
Hi Folks!
Just a reminder... your final assignment is due this Sunday.
Hi Folks!
Just a reminder... your final assignment is due this Sunday.
- Follow this LINK for the assignment details.
- Due date is on or before Sunday, June 14th.
- Follow the "Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work."
- As always, email me with any questions.
Week of June 1st:
Hi Folks!
The school year is coming to a close, and I hope all is well with you and your families. We have one final assignment before the end of the year. My hope is that the assignment may spark some creative thought and help you as you prepare for the college application process. Some colleges and universities require a personal statement or personal narrative to complement the application. This assignment asks you to create a personal narrative about your experiences once the world shutdown due to the coronavirus.
Hi Folks!
The school year is coming to a close, and I hope all is well with you and your families. We have one final assignment before the end of the year. My hope is that the assignment may spark some creative thought and help you as you prepare for the college application process. Some colleges and universities require a personal statement or personal narrative to complement the application. This assignment asks you to create a personal narrative about your experiences once the world shutdown due to the coronavirus.
- Follow this LINK for the assignment details.
- Due date is on or before Sunday, June 14th.
- Follow the "Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work."
- As always, email me with any questions.
Week of May 25th:
Hi Folks!
Congrats! You made it through your AP Exams! Now we can finally take a breath and focus on the question you have asked me since September: "What are we going to do after the AP Exam?"
This week is a "make-up" week. If there are any assignments that you missed, now is the time to do them. Scroll through this website for the weekly postings or just email me if you are unsure which assignments you are missing.
If you have completed all of the work, then you do not have a written assignment this week. If you would like, take a look at the "Stuff I Like" page and read the section titled "Calm Your College Fears."
Enjoy the week! And one more thing... I will be grading the AP Exam this year. This doesn't mean I will be grading YOUR exam. Just the exam proper.
Hi Folks!
Congrats! You made it through your AP Exams! Now we can finally take a breath and focus on the question you have asked me since September: "What are we going to do after the AP Exam?"
This week is a "make-up" week. If there are any assignments that you missed, now is the time to do them. Scroll through this website for the weekly postings or just email me if you are unsure which assignments you are missing.
If you have completed all of the work, then you do not have a written assignment this week. If you would like, take a look at the "Stuff I Like" page and read the section titled "Calm Your College Fears."
Enjoy the week! And one more thing... I will be grading the AP Exam this year. This doesn't mean I will be grading YOUR exam. Just the exam proper.
Week of May 18th (Hell Week 2):
Hi Folks!
You made it to the end of Hell Week 1. Congrats! Now it's time for our exam. Here are a few reminders:
Date: Wednesday, May 20th
Time: 2pm but check in at 1:30pm
Question Type: Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Time: 45 minutes
At this point you should have completed the following tasks:
You will receive your AP ID at some point on MONDAY, MAY 18th. Please check your emails.
Visit this LINK to review tips for AVOIDING exam day problems.
Visit this LINK for additional troubleshooting tips.
That's all for this week. Good luck on Exam Day!
Hi Folks!
You made it to the end of Hell Week 1. Congrats! Now it's time for our exam. Here are a few reminders:
Date: Wednesday, May 20th
Time: 2pm but check in at 1:30pm
Question Type: Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Time: 45 minutes
At this point you should have completed the following tasks:
- Practice the DEMO using this LINK (Use the word "Practice" as your AP ID).
- Visit this LINK to review the steps to get ready for the exam.
- Complete the "Exam Day Checklist" (Remember- you will receive your AP ID two days before our exam).
- Log in to My AP and make sure the email address and cell phone number you have listed are correct.
You will receive your AP ID at some point on MONDAY, MAY 18th. Please check your emails.
Visit this LINK to review tips for AVOIDING exam day problems.
Visit this LINK for additional troubleshooting tips.
That's all for this week. Good luck on Exam Day!
Week of May 11th (Hell Week 1):
Hi Folks!
It's that time! Here's a brief overview of the tasks that you should do before our exam on Wednesday, May 20th:
Hi Folks!
It's that time! Here's a brief overview of the tasks that you should do before our exam on Wednesday, May 20th:
- Practice the DEMO using this LINK (Use the word "Practice" as your AP ID).
- Visit this LINK to review the steps to get ready for the exam.
- Complete the "Exam Day Checklist" (Remember- you will receive your AP ID two days before our exam).
- Log in to My AP and make sure the email address and cell phone number you have listed are correct.
Since I know many of you are prepping for multiple exams at once, I will not assign an FRQ for this week. However, you can complete the practice FRQs if you wish, and I will give you feedback. I would like you to view the following CollegeBoard videos, which review these topics:
- "Overview of the Rhetorical Situation"
- "Crafting a Thesis for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay"
- "Constructing Sophisticated Conclusions for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay"
That's all for this week. I'll update you as we get closer to our exam, which is Wednesday, May 20th. Good luck!!!
Week of May 4th:
Hi Folks!
We are getting closer to test time or as I like to refer to the two weeks of exams: Hell Weeks. Please watch the "explainer" videos developed by CollegeBoard. They provide information about your AP ID and e-ticket, what to expect on exam day, and how to upload information from your electronic devices. Also, please try the interactive DEMO of the online exam, so that you know what to expect on exam day. Practice the demo on the device you will take the exam on.
As we approach our exam day (May 20th), I will post a checklist to make sure you are prepared before the exam begins. Before then, review the contact information that you gave CollegeBoard. Log in to My AP and make sure the email address and cell phone number you have listed are correct.
Hi Folks!
We are getting closer to test time or as I like to refer to the two weeks of exams: Hell Weeks. Please watch the "explainer" videos developed by CollegeBoard. They provide information about your AP ID and e-ticket, what to expect on exam day, and how to upload information from your electronic devices. Also, please try the interactive DEMO of the online exam, so that you know what to expect on exam day. Practice the demo on the device you will take the exam on.
As we approach our exam day (May 20th), I will post a checklist to make sure you are prepared before the exam begins. Before then, review the contact information that you gave CollegeBoard. Log in to My AP and make sure the email address and cell phone number you have listed are correct.
VIDEO: Exam Walkthrough
HOW TO USE THE DEMO
DEMO: Use the word "PRACTICE" as AP ID
VIDEO: How to Prep
VIDEO: The Rules
For this week:
- Log into AP Classroom and complete the Flu FRQ (just thought the topic was appropriate). From the time you start, you will have 45 minutes to complete your response. The prompt asks you to write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices John M. Barry uses to characterize scientific research. You should discuss the rhetorical strategies he uses to convey this position to his audience. Make sure you address all parts of the prompt in your response. Please complete the Flu FRQ by Sunday, May 10th by 7pm. After this date and time you will no longer be able to access it.
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm
***This is the last week of live sessions. All are practice tests/review.
Week of April 27th:
Hi Folks!
Thank you for your timely submissions of the Nature FRQ. These are practice exam questions that will prepare you for the real thing. The rubric used to score this question can be found here.
For this week:
Hi Folks!
Thank you for your timely submissions of the Nature FRQ. These are practice exam questions that will prepare you for the real thing. The rubric used to score this question can be found here.
For this week:
- Log into AP Classroom and complete the Chavez FRQ. From the time you start, you will have 45 minutes to complete your response. The prompt asks you to write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices civil rights leader Cesar Chavez makes to develop his argument about nonviolent resistance. You should discuss the rhetorical strategies he uses to convey this position to his audience. Make sure you address all parts of the prompt in your response. Please complete the Chavez FRQ by Sunday, May 3rd by 7pm. After this date and time you will no longer be able to access it.
- If you DO NOT plan on taking the exam and have signed up to take it, please let me know this week.
- Please review the contact information that you gave to CollegeBoard. Log in to My AP and make sure the email address and cell phone number you have listed are correct. This is how CollegeBoard will reach you regarding important updates and critical exam information. Two days before our exam, you will receive an email with a personalized e-ticket that will include your eight-character AP ID code. This is enable you to take the exam.
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm
Week of April 20th:
Hi Folks!
I hope you had a chance to look at some (if not all) of the satire examples. Thank you for your timely responses to the rhetorical situation question. This response will count toward the 4th quarter.
For this week:
Hi Folks!
I hope you had a chance to look at some (if not all) of the satire examples. Thank you for your timely responses to the rhetorical situation question. This response will count toward the 4th quarter.
For this week:
- Log into AP Classroom and complete the Nature FRQ. This is a timed essay response that resembles the type of question that the AP Exam will ask this year. From the time you start, you will have 45 minutes to complete your response. The prompt asks you to write an essay in which you analyze how the author's style reveals her response to nature. For this essay you should develop a claim about the author's response to nature and discuss the rhetorical strategies she uses to convey this position to her audience. Make sure you address all parts of the prompt in your response. Please complete the Nature FRQ by Sunday, April 26th by 7pm. After this date and time you will no longer be able to access it.
- If you DO NOT plan on taking the exam and have signed up to take it, please let me know this week.
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm
Week of April 13th:
Hi Folks!
Thank you for your timely responses to the satire assignment. Here is the rubric I used to grade the assignment. Grades are posted. Here are some examples! Enjoy!
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7
For this week:
- Log into AP Classroom and complete the Progress Check for Unit 2. This consists of 18 MC. The Progress Check is timed. From the time you start the Progress Check, you will have 40 minutes. Unit 2 must be completed by Friday, April 17th by 9pm. After this date and time, you will no longer be able to access it.
- Progress Check grades: The grades are available to you on AP Classroom. I will use this scaled rubric for scoring purposes. Both Units 1 and 2 will count together as one percentage grade.
- Lastly, since the exam will only test your ability to write a rhetorical analysis, we will focus on rhetorical analysis questions from past AP Exams. Read the 2017 Question 2 prompt. Complete the handout on the rhetorical situation. Send this assignment to me by Sunday, April 19th. Use the same method to send a PDF, Word Doc, or Google Doc (Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work).
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm
Week of April 6th:
***Updates to the AP English Language and Composition Exam from the CollegeBoard can be found by logging in to your AP Classroom account and going here. These updates include changes to the content on the exam, the date and time of the exam, and the format of the exam (online). This year the exam will be 45 minutes long and require you to answer only ONE free-response question (FRQ). Please see the details below:
***Additionally check out the "Taking the 2020 AP Exams" FAQs page. Here you will find information about other exam changes and learn interesting facts like: "this year’s AP Exams will be open book/open note. Get tips for taking open book/open note exams." Although this does not necessarily apply to our exam, it could pertain to other exams you are taking.
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm.
Hi Folks!
Thank you all so much for your timely responses to Persepolis. I hope you enjoyed reading the graphic novel and that you appreciated the format as well as the story, itself. I enjoyed reading your reviews and retellings of the story. I've collected some examples from our classes and posted them here for you to read.
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5
The AP Exam and Review Assignments
This week you will need to access your AP Classroom account to complete review assignments for the exam. Our exam this year will be online. According to CollegeBoard, students will be able to take AP exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to either type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone. You can even take a picture... wow.
For this week:
Why Satire?
Examine some of the pieces in “The Borowitz Report” in The New Yorker that take a satirical approach to our current situation (life in the COVID-19 era) as well as other pieces of satire to help you address this prompt, adapted from the 2010 AP exam open-response argument question:
2010 AP PROMPT:
In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” Because society allows humorists to say things that other people cannot or will not say, de Botton sees humorists as serving a vital function in society.
Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the role of humorists as it pertains to satirists. Then defend, challenge, or qualify de Botton’s claim about the vital role of humorists. Use specific, appropriate evidence to develop your position.
*Qualifying in an argument means you partially agree. When making this type of argument, you must be specific by identifying the points you agree with and being clear in the ways you disagree.
NOTE: You are not limited to the satires I am offering below for evidence. I just thought I’d help you out and maybe give you a chuckle (or a jolt of anger depending on your political views).
These examples are from The New Yorker:
"Fauci Tricks Trump Into Believing There Is No Easter This Year" LINK
"Trump Invokes Defense Production Act to Mass-Produce Gallons of Spray Tan" LINK
"Dr. Fauci Says He Has No Idea Who Locked Jared Kushner in Bathroom" LINK
Some examples from The Onion
"Movie Theaters Packed With Frenzied Crowds..." LINK
More examples
A Google doc with some short satirical texts and cartoons
ISSUE 174 from "The Squid Weekly"
WW II 101 sketch from SNL (YouTube video)
The Daily (Social Distancing) Show (YouTube video)
Week of March 30th:
***Please make sure you can access your AP Classroom account. This is the account you used to register for your AP exam. If you cannot access your account, please email me and let me know.
***To submit your assignments, please read the "Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work"
***Assignments are due the Friday of the week they are assigned.
***CollegeBoard is offering live online AP review courses for free. This is part of their approach to help those school districts affected by COVID-19. These review classes are live on:
April 1st at 3pm
April 2nd at 3pm
April 3rd at 3pm
Click here to go to the CollegeBoard "Information for Students" page.
Updates to the AP Course Schedule can be found here. Please continue to check this page for updates regarding live review sessions.
***This week's schedule for CollegeBoard's online AP review classes has been updated. Click here for the current course topics. Our time slot for live classes is from 3-3:45pm.
Hi Folks!
Thank you all so much for your timely responses to Persepolis. I hope you enjoyed reading the graphic novel and that you appreciated the format as well as the story, itself. I enjoyed reading your reviews and retellings of the story. I've collected some examples from our classes and posted them here for you to read.
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5
The AP Exam and Review Assignments
This week you will need to access your AP Classroom account to complete review assignments for the exam. Our exam this year will be online. According to CollegeBoard, students will be able to take AP exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to either type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone. You can even take a picture... wow.
For this week:
- Log into AP Classroom and complete the Progress Checks for Unit 1. This consists of 9 Multiple Choice (MC) questions and 1 Rhetorical Analysis response (FRQ). The Progress Check is timed. From the time you start the Progress Check, you will have 30 minutes for each section. Additionally, the Progress Checks (both the MC and FRQ) must be completed by Sunday, April 12th by 7pm. After this date and time, you will no longer be able to access it.
- Reading Minutes: If you did not "perform" a Reading Minute for the month of March, send me what you would have read. Use the same method to send a PDF, Word Doc, or Google Doc (Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work). Or, if you know how, record yourself and send the sound file. Please send this to me by Sunday, April 12th.
- Lastly... For the next week we are going to concentrate on one of the most entertaining, yet often chastising forms of writing: SATIRE.
Why Satire?
Examine some of the pieces in “The Borowitz Report” in The New Yorker that take a satirical approach to our current situation (life in the COVID-19 era) as well as other pieces of satire to help you address this prompt, adapted from the 2010 AP exam open-response argument question:
2010 AP PROMPT:
In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” Because society allows humorists to say things that other people cannot or will not say, de Botton sees humorists as serving a vital function in society.
Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the role of humorists as it pertains to satirists. Then defend, challenge, or qualify de Botton’s claim about the vital role of humorists. Use specific, appropriate evidence to develop your position.
*Qualifying in an argument means you partially agree. When making this type of argument, you must be specific by identifying the points you agree with and being clear in the ways you disagree.
NOTE: You are not limited to the satires I am offering below for evidence. I just thought I’d help you out and maybe give you a chuckle (or a jolt of anger depending on your political views).
These examples are from The New Yorker:
"Fauci Tricks Trump Into Believing There Is No Easter This Year" LINK
"Trump Invokes Defense Production Act to Mass-Produce Gallons of Spray Tan" LINK
"Dr. Fauci Says He Has No Idea Who Locked Jared Kushner in Bathroom" LINK
Some examples from The Onion
"Movie Theaters Packed With Frenzied Crowds..." LINK
More examples
A Google doc with some short satirical texts and cartoons
ISSUE 174 from "The Squid Weekly"
WW II 101 sketch from SNL (YouTube video)
The Daily (Social Distancing) Show (YouTube video)
- For this assignment, address de Botton's claim about the role of humorists in society. Use information from your own reading and experiences, including some of the sources I posted. Create a response to the 2010 prompt. I'm open to how you will present your ideas. Traditionally, this would be a written response. But, these are not "traditional" times. You should address the prompt and have your own claim, present evidence for your claim, and perhaps distinguish your claim from others. Be creative. Can you make a video? Can you write a satire? Can you...??? The assignment is due Sunday, April 12th. Use the same Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work.
Week of March 30th:
***Please make sure you can access your AP Classroom account. This is the account you used to register for your AP exam. If you cannot access your account, please email me and let me know.
***To submit your assignments, please read the "Guidelines for Submitting Completed Work"
***Assignments are due the Friday of the week they are assigned.
- Please download and complete the PDF handouts for Persepolis. If you do not have your book, an online version can be found here.
- Additionally, please visit the CollegeBoard's AP Central website for information regarding changes to the exam. I have also included a link to past Free Response Questions (FRQs). These are past argument, rhetorical, and synthesis prompts with example papers. Look at the prompts; review the exemplars.
***CollegeBoard is offering live online AP review courses for free. This is part of their approach to help those school districts affected by COVID-19. These review classes are live on:
April 1st at 3pm
April 2nd at 3pm
April 3rd at 3pm
Click here to go to the CollegeBoard "Information for Students" page.
Updates to the AP Course Schedule can be found here. Please continue to check this page for updates regarding live review sessions.
The archived videos for each review session can be found here after the live showing. I strongly encourage you to take a look and to take notes. Each video covers a different topic. |
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Review DocumentsClick on the link to access the document.
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