2D AP Lit - Wright (9:20-10:04)-EES87X-50 Assignments

If you had the option to work in a job you love for the rest of your life (Option #1) OR get $800 per week and be unemployed forever (Option #2)... which would you choose? (Optional - add a comment explaining your choice!)

Today we have a guest speaker! Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and airline pilot John Wright (yes... my dad 😄)

Mr. Wright is very excited to join our class and talk to you about his upbringing in Detroit, his experiences in college and graduate school, and his career in the Air Force and as an airline pilot.

What questions do you have for Mr. Wright? Ask him anything within reason... except what I was like as a teenager... (If you don't have any questions, just say "no questions")

Today we're going to discuss inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and continue exploring her poem "The Hill We Climb."

The rest of this week, we're going to be discussing college & career with some guest speakers!

QUESTION: Would you be interested in studying language arts, literature, or poetry after high school? Why or why not? (For example, if there was a poetry class offered at your college, would you want to take it?)

Today is the final day to sumbit work towards your Term 1 grade!

What grade do you think you should get for this semester?

Think about:
- How much effort you've put in
- What obstacles you've overcome
- What you did best in class
- Where you could have tried harder
- How your writing has improved (or not)
- How your reading has improved (or not)
- How much you've learned (or not)

I hope you all got the chance to watch 22-year-old Amanda Gorman read her phenomenal and optimistic poem 'The Hill We Climb' during yesterday's inauguration.

If you missed it, watch the YouTube video! It's 6 minutes of brilliance.

Below are some lines from 'The Hill We Climb.' Which line speaks to you most? (You might want to read each one a few times - there is a lot of power and meaning there!)

You will use most of today's class period to work on classwork or college/career. As a reminder, tomorrow is the LAST DAY I will be accepting work for Term 1.

Some students will be pulled for 1:1 conferences

Examples of Independent Tasks:
- Finishing your ELA Final Essay
- Finishing missing ELA assignments
- Revising your personal statement
- Working on the scholarship organizer
- Emailing teachers about recommendations
- Filling out college applications

When you're done and class is almost over, fill out the exit ticket questions.

EXIT TICKET QUESTIONS:
1) What did you work on during class time today?

2) If you had to give yourself a grade for today’s class period, what grade would you give yourself and why? (Be honest!)

Please open the conference schedule document to see how today's class will be structured.

Even if you don't have a conference today, you should be working on something ELA or college/career related for the whole class period.

For example:
- Watching the inauguration and adding your thoughts to the class jamboard
- Finishing your ELA Final Essay
- Finishing missing ELA assignments
- Revising your personal statement
- Working on the scholarship organizer
- Emailing teachers about recommendations
- Filling out college applications

When you're done and class is almost over, fill out the exit ticket questions.

EXIT TICKET QUESTIONS:
1) What did you work on during class time today?

2) If you had to give yourself a grade for today’s class period, what grade would you give yourself and why? (Be honest!)

Today is Joe Biden's inauguration day.

What advice would you give to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the first day of their administration?

Write as much (or as little) as you like.

(Optional - take some time to add your thoughts to our inauguration day jamboard!)

Yesterday we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States. Today is the final day of Donald Trump's term as president. Tomorrow, Joe Biden will become President and Kamala Harris will become Vice President.

QUESTION: How do you think that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would perceive America today?

For example, do you think that Dr. King would feel optimistic and hopeful about what he sees? Would he feel that anything has changed since his "I have a Dream" speech? Or would he be critical of the way things are now?

ATTACHMENTS:
- Photos of Dr. King on vacation in Jamaica in 1967
- A video of Dr. King's historic "I Have a Dream" speech

Take your time to think about and answer this question. When you're done, you can use the rest of your class time to complete your final.

Congrats on making it through AP Lit Term 1! Today and tomorrow, you'll be working on your final exam. Your exam should be COMPLETE and TURNED IN by FRIDAY 1/15.

If you need extra time, please request it before the due date.

This exam is modeled after the real AP Exam. The questions are taken from CollegeBoard's AP Literature question bank.

There are two parts:
Multiple Choice Questions:
- Use the excerpt from the 1933 play to answer all four questions.

Essay Questions:
- There are 3 different open-ended essay questions. Choose one question to answer - ONLY one.
- Use Flyin’ West, A Streetcar Named Desire, or any other novel or play to answer the question

As you know, your final exam asks you to choose ONE of three essay questions to answer.

Which of these essay questions will you choose for your final exam?

Did you enjoy watching "A Streetcar Named Desire"? Why or why not? Be honest!

Today we're going to finish watching "A Streetcar Named Desire."

EXIT TICKET QUESTION: Why is the play called "A Streetcar Named Desire"? What is the deeper meaning in the title?

(You can add your theories to the chat while watching, or answer here after watching)

Do you feel sorry for Blanche? Why or why not? (Be specific!!!)

Today we're going to finish watching "A Streetcar Named Desire."

EXIT TICKET QUESTION: Why is the play called "A Streetcar Named Desire"? What is the deeper meaning in the title?

(You can add your theories to the chat while watching, or answer here after watching)

Do you feel sorry for Blanche? Why or why not? (Be specific!!!)

We're analyzing the function of setting, characters, and structure in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

IF YOU ARE IN CLASS TUES. 1/12: We'll be watching scenes 6-9 as a group. As we watch, judge whether the characters are moral, immoral, or morally ambiguous. Add at least ONE question or comment to the chat where you judge or question at least one character's morality. Be specific! Are they doing the right thing by your moral standards? Why or why not?

IF YOU MISS CLASS TUES. 1/12: Watch scene 6-9 (attached here), and write at least one question or comment where you judge or question at least one character's morality. Be specific! Are they doing the right thing by your moral standards? Why or why not?

Morally ambiguous characters are characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good.

- Who is a morally ambiguous character in "A Streetcar Named Desire"?
- Is there more than one morally ambiguous character?
- What makes them morally ambiguous (be specific)

Morally ambiguous characters are characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good.

- Who is a morally ambiguous character in "A Streetcar Named Desire"?
- Is there more than one morally ambiguous character?
- What makes them morally ambiguous (be specific)

We're analyzing the function of setting, characters, and structure in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

IF YOU ARE IN CLASS MON. 1/11: We'll be watching scenes 4-5 as a group. Write at least one QUESTION or COMMENT about setting, characters, or structure. You can add it here or in the Google Meet chat to get credit.

IF YOU MISS CLASS MON. 1/11: Watch scene 4-5 (attached here), and write at least one QUESTION or COMMENT about setting, characters, or structure. Add your question here.

Compare / contrast the sister relationship in "A Streetcar Named Desire" with the sister relationship in "Flyin' West." Write at least one strong claim.

You could mention:
- Similarities
- Differences
- Which relationship is stronger and why
- Who is dominant / submissive in one play vs. the other
- What motivates Stella vs. what motivates Sophie (Flyin’ West)
- What motivates Blanche vs. what motivates Minnie (Flyin’ West)
- The role of other family members/ friends

Contrasting characters are also known as foil characters (or "foils") in literature.

Through contrast, foils illuminate the traits, attributes, or values of another character.

QUESTION: Which two characters are foils for one other in "A Streetcar Named Desire?" Identify a moment from the film where contrast is used to illuminate the traits, attributes, or values of one or both characters.

***
Sentence Frame: A moment in the film where contrast is used is when... This illuminates [character name]'s...
***

A script is attached if you want to read scene 3! You can also watch the video of scene 3 by clicking the video link.

From what you've seen so far in "A Streetcar Named Desire," do you think that Stanley and Stella have a loving marriage? Why or why not?

What is your response to the events at the US Capitol yesterday?

Share as much or as little as you're comfortable with.

After watching scene 2 of "A Streetcar Named Desire," pick ONE character - Stella, Stanley, or Blanche.

In 2-5 sentences, make a claim about your character's motives. Then, explain how those motives lead the character to do something specific.

(FOR EXAMPLE: in "The Three Little Pigs," the wolf is motivated by hunger and greed. This causes the wolf to blow down all the little piggy's houses and eventually climb down the chimney.)

(There's a script attached if you want to read the scene before answering! There's also a link to watch the video)

This exchange is from the beginning of "A Streetcar Named Desire." It features two of the main characters, Stella and Stanley.

QUESTION: What do you learn about Stanley, Stella, and their relationship to each other from this moment?? Try to uncover as much information as possible.

----

[Two men come around the corner, Stanley Kowalski and Mitch. They are about twenty-eight or
thirty years old, roughly dressed in blue denim work clothes. Stanley carries his bowling jacket
and a red-stained package from a butcher's. They stop at the foot of the steps.]

STANLEY [bellowing]:
Hey, there! Stella, Baby!

[Stella comes out on the first floor landing, a gentle young woman, about twenty-five, and of a
background obviously quite different from her husband's.]

STELLA [mildly]:
Don't holler at me like that. Hi, Mitch.

STANLEY:
Catch!

STELLA:
What?

STANLEY:
Meat!

[Be heaves the package at her. She cries out in protest but manages to catch it; then she laughs
breathlessly. Her husband and his companion have already started back around the comer.]

STELLA [calling after him]:
Stanley! Where are you going?

STANLEY:
Bowling!

STELLA:
Can I come watch?

STANLEY:
Come on.

We're going to watch scene one together in class.

After watching, answer these three questions about how the three main characters are revealed at the beginning of the play.

If you miss class, click the link in the assignment to watch scene one on your own.

What do you SEE, THINK, or WONDER about this movie poster for "A Streetcar Named Desire"?

This week, we're going to watch the award-winning 1951 film "A Streetcar Named Desire," adapted from Tennessee Williams' play. For today's lesson, you'll gain background information on the play, watch a trailer, analyze the opening stage directions, and write a claim about the first two minutes of the film.

Follow along in class or complete this on your own! It should take about 30 minutes to complete all tasks, and it is due today (Tuesday 1/5).

Statistics show that at least 75% of Americans BREAK their New Year’s resolutions every year… usually within the first month! Why do you think people break their New Years resolutions??

Welcome back! We’re starting a new year, so it's a good time to focus and think about your goals. In today’s class, you’ll be writing one paragraph about why you ARE or ARE NOT making a New Year’s Resolution in 2021.

First, you'll watch a short video where successful people discuss why they do or do not make resolutions

Then, you’ll participate in a Jamboard where you share some of your ideas about New Year's resolutions

Finally, you’ll do a free write where you explain your perspective.

This is our last class of 2020!!!!! 🎉 🎊 😭

Congrats on making it through a VERY CHALLENGING year!

What is ONE thing you're looking forward to in 2021?

How do you want to use today's class time?

How did you use today's class time?

We're going to read and analyze the classic 1900s holiday story "The Gift of the Magi," paying special attention to O. Henry's use of character, setting, and irony.

You have probably read this story before! But try to read it with new eyes to see if you can discover anything you hadn't noticed in the past.

Thursday 12/17: Reads 1 & 2, initial response & vocab
Fri. 12/18: Read 3, text-based-questions & discussion

We'll be doing this Nearpod together to kick off our personal statement week!

The goal for today is to identify storytelling techniques that you can use as you rethink and revise your essays.

---

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT - Please participate in this activity anyway. It may help you with future writing prompts for scholarships, etc.

IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING ON APPLYING TO COLLEGE - Please participate in this activity anyway. You might have to write a personal statement for a job or training program one day.

IF YOU CAN'T OPEN NEARPOD ON YOUR DEVICE - make sure you're allowing pop up windows in your device settings. If it still doesn't work, respond in the chat for credit.

IF YOU ARE NOT IN CLASS ON MON. 12/21 - Please complete this on your own and add a comment if you have any questions.

---

Nearpod Code: 45G6H

In your opinion, what makes a personal statement "good" ?

Personal Statement = short essay about yourself, submitted along with your applications

(Please answer this question no matter your future plans! EVEN if you're not planning to attend college next year, you may have to write a personal statement at some point for work or other purposes.)

Characters in literature allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters.

In "The Gift of the Magi," what do the characters of Della and Jim seem to value the most?

(If you missed yesterday's class, answer this question later)

Give an example of a time that something ironic happened.

For BONUS points, state whether it was dramatic irony (where other people knew a twist was coming, but you didn't), verbal (where something says something that is the opposite of what they mean), or situational (when you expect one thing but get the opposite).

MY EXAMPLE: Last year my students had an assignment to write an essay about plagiarism. One student copied their whole essay from the Internet. This was situational irony.

Today we're exploring the concept of IRONY in order to analyze tomorrow's short story, "The Gift of the Magi."

We're going to go through this together in class. If you miss class, read and annotate the document and do the "Flocabulary" vocab game.

Take a look at this cartoon.

Based on the cartoon & your existing knowledge, what is IRONY?

(DON'T just Google it - try to define it based on what you already know!)

Step 1: Watch the CUNY Application Overview Nearpod (code DL2N7)

Step 2: Fill out the College Application Checklist doc

Step 3: Make an appointment with Ms. Louis to start your applications! (Link on the checklist doc)

No matter your plans, you will probably need a letter of recommendation at least once this year. Letters of recommendation are used for college, trade school, scholarships, military, and job programs to demonstrate your aptitude and responsibility.

Brag sheets are a way for you to help your counselor and teachers write you letters of recommendation. These forms give us more insight into who you are outside of school and your interests.

- Fill out the teacher brag sheet and share it with your recommending teacher(s)
- Fill out the counselor brag sheet and share it with Ms. Louis

Even if you don't need a recommendation right NOW, having a completed brag sheet will help you show off your best qualities in any situation where you need to get ahead.

On your 12th Grade Information classroom, there's an assignment called "College Lists Homework" due Dec. 18.

How far have you gotten with this assignment?

You can find it under 12th Grade Information --> Classwork --> College Admissions. It's also linked below.

Time to BRAG!

Choose 1 or 2 of the positive characteristics listed below and share an example of a time you demonstrated these characteristics in one of your classes.

- academic achievement
- quality of writing
- creative and original thought
- productive class discussion
- respect for others
- strong work habits
- maturity
- motivation
- leadership
- honesty
- overcoming setbacks
- self-confidence
- independence.

Sentence frame: I demonstrated … in ... class when I ...

DUE FRIDAY 12/11 (Due Date Extended)

This is a long term project. You will be working on this dialectical journal every day as we read and respond to Pearl Cleage's "Flyin West."

- The purpose of a dialectical journal is to identify significant pieces of text and explain the significance.

- This journal should be used to think about, digest, summarize, question, clarify, critique, and remember important themes in the text as you read.

- It will be extremely difficult for you to complete this assignment in one or two days. You need to keep up with your journal entries every day so that you can turn this in on time.

**AS AN INCENTIVE FOR PARTICIPATION: If you participate as an "actor," reading one of the character roles OR stage directions during our class meet, you will be exempted from that scene's journal entry. So, for example, if you read the role of MISS LEAH in Act 1, Scene 1 during class, I will automatically give you credit for the Act 1, Scene 1 journal entry.**

Today you're going to have a FLASH DEBATE about whether Frank's murder was justified.

I will be the judge of this debate.

Schedule:
9:30 - 9:45 - work in breakout rooms to prepare debate remarks
9:45 - 9:55 - each side gets 5 minutes to present arguments
9:55 - 10:04 - final judgement & winners announced

Prizes:
Best Debater - $10 virtual gift card
Runner Up - $5 virtual gift card
Best Team - 10 points extra credit per student

Follow my instructions. I will give you all your materials once you're in your breakout room :)

Is Frank's murder at the end of "Flyin' West" justified?

Take 2-3 minutes to write a QUICK claim and be prepared to debate!

Congratulations on finishing Pearl Cleage's wonderful melodrama "Flyin' West"!

This is an OPEN BOOK quiz. That means that you can (and should) have your script open!

You are also permitted to collaborate with peers, as long as your answers are your own. BUT any responses copied from the Internet will receive a score of 0.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Use today's class period to finish your final quizzes, dialectical journals, and/or any other outstanding work.

**If you read a scene out loud, you do not have to do the dialectical journal for that scene. I have already given you credit for it. If you're not sure, you can ask me.**

If you're all caught up, you can use this time to research colleges.

Choose the BEST breakout room option so that you can have a productive day!

Today you'll be taking your final open book quiz on "Flyin' West."

This is a tough quiz, so collaboration is allowed and encouraged - but your answers must be YOUR OWN. You can get help from a friend, but please write everything in your own words!!

Make a decision about the environment that would be best for YOU to do well on the quiz:

🔥 Today's question is courtesy of your own Duran Harrison! 🔥

"What do you think will happen to frank at the end of the play?"

Today you're going to finish reading "Flyin' West"!

Read pages 131-141 and complete the dialectical journals for Act 2, Scenes 4 and 5.

REMINDER:
- Dialectical Journals are due on Friday 12/11
- Tomorrow you will have your final quiz on "Flyin' West"

Write one question about Act 2, Scenes 3 & 4 (pg. 114-130).

**Remember, I'll use the best questions on your final quiz this week. So try to come up with a good one!**

- It can be short answer or multiple choice (but include the choices for multiple choice)
- If you're referring to a very specific part of the text, include the page number
- It should be a question that you would feel comfortable answering

Today we'll read "Flyin' West" Act 2, Scenes 3 & 4 (pg. 114 - 130). You can participate in the reading during class or read on your own. Either way, whatever we don't finish during class time will be homework.

On Monday, you'll write another quiz question based on the reading.

Write one question about Act 2, Scenes 1 & 2 (pg. 96-113).

**Remember, I'll use the best questions on your final quiz next week. So try to come up with a good one!**

- It can be short answer or multiple choice (but include the choices for multiple choice)
- If you're referring to a very specific part of the text, include the page number
- It should be a question that you would feel comfortable answering

For today's "Question of the Day," you will WRITE one question about Act 1, Scenes 4 & 5 (pg. 75-95).

**I will be using the best questions on your final quiz next week. So try to come up with a good one!**

- It can be short answer or multiple choice (but include the choices for multiple choice)
- If you're referring to a very specific part of the text, include the page number
- It should be a question that you would feel comfortable answering

We're starting Act 2!

Today we'll read "Flyin' West" Act 2, Scenes 1 & 2 (pg. 96 - 113). You can participate in the reading during class or read on your own. Either way, whatever we don't finish during class time will be homework.

Tomorrow, you'll be asked to write another quiz question based on the reading.

Today we'll read "Flyin' West" Act 1, Scenes 4 & 5 (pg. 75 - 95). You can participate in the reading during class or read on your own. Either way, whatever we don't finish during class time will be homework.

Tomorrow, you'll be asked to write a quiz question based on the reading!

QUESTION: Do you have trouble focusing when you're reading? What are the best strategies that a struggling reader can use to stay focused?

(Examples of strategies: listening to music, sitting somewhere quiet, putting phone on "do not disturb," taking notes, making personal connections)

What is ONE thing you learned from yesterday's "College Match" lesson OR

one question you have about college match?

Ms. Louis will show you how to use the workbook, Jamboard, and handout to identify your college match. At the end of the lesson you'll complete the exit ticket.

Attached:
1) College Match Workbook
2) College Match Jamboard Link
3) College Match Handout PDF
4) Link to Exit Ticket Google Form

When you're done with all the steps, you can mark as done.

Today Ms. Louis will be teaching you about CUNY schools and college match. This is a very important class.

To start, please fill out this survey about the factors that influence your college decisions. Then select "I filled out the survey!"

DUE WEDS. 11/25

Choose one character who is both a source of tragedy and a source of comic relief in the first three scenes of "Flyin' West." Then, in a well-written 1-2 paragraph response, analyze how this character’s dialogue, behavior, and/or characterization contributes to the tone and message of scenes 1-3.

Open "Midterm Exam - AP Literature Fall 2020" for the full assignment.

- The prompt is adapted from a previously used AP Lit exam question
- Your midterm will be graded based on the AP Lit exam rubric (open the rubric to see criteria & points)

** I'm attaching two other things:
1) a word document with "Flyin' West" scenes 1-3 for your reference. You can highlight and annotate in this document. 2) optional sentence frames. If you're not sure what to write, try filling in some of the sentence frames to get started **

Today will be another independent work class, with the opportunity to meet with me one on one for individual help and questions.

Set yourself up for success. What are you going to do during today's class?

🎭 The French playwright Moliere said "Life is a tragedy to those who feel and a comedy to those who think." 🎭

Throughout "Flyin' West," characters use humor in the midst of otherwise tense conversations or situations.

QUESTION: Find one example in "Flyin' West" Scenes 1, 2, or 3 of a character making a joke about a serious issue. Provide the quote, the character name, the scene number, and the page number. (Don't forget quotation marks)

Try to get this done in 10 minutes or less!

**Scenes 1, 2 & 3 are attached here as a word document**

This is an open book reading quiz on Act 1, Scenes 2 & 3 of Pearl Cleage's "Flyin' West."

Do not simply guess on the answers! If you don't know, that means you should spend more time reading and preparing. Everyone should be trying for 100%

In tomorrow's class, you'll start your midterm exam on "Flyin' West" scenes 1-3.

For this exam, you'll write 1-2 paragraphs with a clear thesis, evidence, and commentary based on an AP Literature prompt. You will be given time over two class periods to complete your writing.

Today, we're going to review Act 1, Scenes 1-3 in preparation for the exam.

QUESTION: What is the tone, mood, and/or message of "Flyin' West" Scenes 1-3?

TONE = how the author feels about the subject
MOOD = the feeling a reader gets from what an author has written
MESSAGE = what characters and/or readers learn from the events of the story

DUE MONDAY 11/23

Please read to the end of Act. 1 Scene 3 in Flyin' West (pg. 74) and complete the dialectical journals for Scenes 1-3.

**Reminder: if you read one of the characters for a certain scene, you don't have to do the dialectical journal for that scene! But Adrian, Duran, Tylil, Dev, TD, and David you should still finish reading Scene 3**

We'll review Act 1, Scene 3 on Monday and take a reading quiz on Scenes 2 & 3.

Select "finish" and turn in when you're done reading and journaling. Let me know if you have any questions!

Many of the most important scenes in "Flyin' West" take place around a dinner table.

Skim this article about "Dinner Conversation Etiquette" - open the link or the PDF.

Do you think that any topics should be "off limits" for dinner table discussion? Be prepared to debate!

When Frank Charles is introduced in Act 1, Scene 2, the stage directions describe him like this:

"(Frank enters and stands watching them. Frank is immaculately dressed in fine clothes from head to toe. Coat, hat, suit, gloves, shirt-everything of the finest quality and very tasteful. The sheer richness of the clothing is obvious in every piece.)"

Why did Pearl Cleage choose to describe Frank's clothing in this way? Write a one sentence explanation.

Remember that:
- Frank is married to Sophie and Fannie's sister Minnie
- Frank is the son of a deceased rich white former slaveholder and a formerly enslaved Black woman
- Frank believes he will receive a large inheritance from his deceased father
- Frank and Minnie live in London where Frank writes poetry

After question of the day, we'll review the Act 1, Scene 1 quiz. Then we'll read Act 2, Scene 2!

In Act 1, Scene 1 of "Flyin' West," Fannie is writing a book of stories and begs Miss Leah to sit down with her and help her capture her past experiences. Miss Leah responds:

"I keep tellin' you these ain't writin' stories. These are tellin' stories."

What is the difference between "writin'" stories and "tellin'" stories in your opinion?

In other words, why might someone TELL a story rather than WRITING it?

(After question of the day, we'll take the Act 1, Scene 1 quiz. Then we'll start reading Act 1, Scene 2)

*This Quiz has been moved to Wednesday's class*

This is an open book reading quiz.

Please answer all 11 questions, submit the quiz, and "Mark as Done" here when you're finished!

Read the character descriptions from "Flyin' West."

Based on these descriptions and the portion we read yesterday, who do you think will be your favorite character and why?

Watch this short video and then answer the question:

Who were "the exodusters" ?

Bonus Poem! You thought our poetry unit was over but... Suprise! One more :)

Today you're going to analyze a poem written by "Flyin' West" playwright Pearl Cleage in order to build your background knowledge before reading the play.

We'll be using a new protocol called the 3 Reads Activity to analyze the poem. I'll explain the instructions in class and we'll go through each step together.

**AS ALWAYS, If you miss class, you need to complete this on your own! Come to office hours at 2pm for extra help**

"Flyin' West" was written by playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist Pearl Cleage in 1995.

Pearl Cleage was born on December 7, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is the youngest daughter of Doris Graham and Albert B. Cleage Jr., the founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna and a major player in the Civil Rights movement. After graduating from the Detroit public schools in 1966, Cleage enrolled at Howard University, where she studied playwriting. In 1969, she moved to Atlanta and enrolled at Spelman College, married Michael Lomax and became a mother. She graduated from Spelman College in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in drama.

In addition to her writing Cleage has been an activist all her life. Starting at her father’s church, The Shrine of the Black Madonna – Cleage has been involved in the Pan-Africanist Movement, Civil Rights Movement and Feminist Movement. She has also been a pioneer in grassroots and community theater.

Which of these quotes from Pearl Cleage can you relate to the most?

Today you'll expand your background knowledge on Nicodemus, Kansas in preparation to read "Flyin' West."

We're going to complete this Nearpod as a class. If you miss class or arrive late, you'll need to finish it on your own.

If you can't access the Nearpod, try a different device or the Chrome browser. If you still can't access it, let me know.

Would you rather have land or money? Explain your answer.

We're going to watch the Flocabulary video "Reconstruction" in class to build contextual understanding prior to reading Pearl Cleage's "Flyin' West."

Please complete the "Read and Respond" task on your own. The video is there if you need to watch it again.

If you're unable to get into Flocabulary, try using the Chrome browser. If you still can't get in, let me know and I'll send you a PDF of the questions.

This week, we're going to start reading a play called "Flyin' West" by Pearl Cleage.

What does the title "Flyin' West" make you think of?

FRIDAY FILM FEST 🎬 Today you're going to choose from a list of short films and chart the major events using Freytag’s pyramid. The short films are all available on YouTube. Just choose ONE.

(Note: if you choose one of the shorter films, you might want to watch it more than once to catch all of the events! For longer films, you might want to take notes while you watch)

If you can't access YouTube, you have two options:

1) Let me know and I'll send you an Mp4
OR
2) Use a film or TV show that you've already seen

I hope you enjoy analyzing these selections! Feel free to do more than one film for extra points :)

It's Friday!! Congrats on making it through another week 😄 With all these unknowns in our world, it's time to start thinking about where you'll be next year. Some of you have already made moves for college or career, but some of you are still thinking about what you want.

Click the link to complete the future plans survey for Ms. Louis, and answer the questions to the best of your ability. When you're done, come back and choose "yes"

Did you complete the survey?

Today we'll be watching "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" and applying Freytag's Dramatic Structure Pyramid in groups.

IF YOU MISS CLASS THURS. 11/5, DO NOT CLICK ON THE "THURS 11/5 - GROUP WORK" DOCUMENT. CLICK ON THE "MAKE UP WORK" DOCUMENT AND DO IT ON YOUR OWN!!

IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN CLASS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THE "MAKE UP WORK" ASSIGNMENT.

Once we're done watching the short film, you'll work in groups to complete the classwork. I'll explain everything in class.

What can do the most harm: a weapon, or an idea?

Explain your answer.

You're going to have time to work on any unfinished classwork today, but FIRST - we're going to go through this Nearpod activity together.

If you miss class, you will need to complete it on your own.

Instructions:
- Click the link below (and enter a name I can recognize you by)
- If the link doesn't work, try copy/pasting it into Chrome
- If it still doesn't work, go to join.nearpod.com and enter code R7WMP

When you have a conflict in your life, how do you handle it?

(For example, I talk it out, I go for a run and clear my head, I bottle it up, I try to find some humor in the situation, I create art, I listen to music, I blow up and then apologize, etc. etc.)

Follow the instructions in this document! There are 3 steps:

1. Watch "America in 4 Minutes"
2. Read & Annotate "America in 4 Minutes"
3. Write a short poem

Write one metaphor or simile to describe your relationship to America.

AFTER we discuss this poem as a class, please follow the instructions to identify, illustrate, and analyze at least 5 metaphors / similes from the poem.

(Edited to add the class Jamboard for your reference!)

Tomorrow is the 2020 Presidential Election. This has been called one of the most consequential elections in US history by Americans on both sides of the political divide.

How do you feel about tomorrow’s election? Write a 2-5 sentence response. You can write whatever you want, but you might discuss:

- Your personal perspective on the candidates, and/or
- Your hopes or fears regarding tomorrow's outcome, and/or
- The role of social media and the press in this election, and/or
- The way your friends and family are feeling about the candidates, and/or
- The issues that you think are most important in America right now

Today we're going to celebrate the end of the BOY tests by watching some outstanding spoken word poets and artists on an episode of Def Poetry Jam.

***If you want to use today's class time to keep working on your test, you may do so. The passcode is MU5GU3HY4 ***

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Are you ready for me to submit your BOY test for scoring?

Weds. & Thursday you'll be taking the BOY Test. This is required by the state and city to see where you are with your ELA skills. It is not optional 😢

You will get 50 participation points PER DAY for working on this test, no matter what score you get. Our plan is to finish these tests Weds. & Thurs. so we can watch a movie on Friday... so please work with me to get these done!

Directions:
1. Read ALL the directions before clicking anything
2. Click the link
3. Login with your DOE email
4. Enter your username and password (I emailed these to you)
5. Enter your online passcode: MU5GU3HY4
6. Click the blue bar that says START ASSESSMENT NOW
7. Do your best and don't stress

If you could only save ONE of these creatures from extinction, which one would you save????

(Once you're done, click the link to return to your BOY test.)

Passcode: MU5GU3HY4

Today you're going to start the BOY test (yes, it's really called BOY).

You should have gotten an email from me with your test username and password. Check your BGHS email and let me know if you got it.

Poets use punctuation to create a specific effect in their poems. The poem below, "Dissidence," is all ONE sentence. Take a BIG breath, and then see if you can read the whole poem out loud without having to breath once!

When you're done, let me know how it went! How many breaths did you end up having to take? Where did you pause to breath? How did the lack of punctuation influence the way you were reading it?

Be prepared to discuss!
---
DISSIDENCE
by Anthony Walton

You have to be able to hear past the pain, the obvious
minor-thirds and major-sevenths, the merely beautiful

ninths; you have to grow deaf to what you imagine
are the sounds of loneliness; you have to learn indifference

to static, and welcome noise like rain, acclimate
to another kind of silence; you have to be able to sleep

in the city, taxis and trucks careening through your dreams
and back again, hearing the whines and sirens and shrieks

as music; you must be a mathematician, a magician
of algebra, overtone and acoustics, mapping the splintered

intervals of time, tempo, harmony, stalking or sluicing blues
scales; you have to be unafraid of redundance, and aware

that dissonance-driven explorations of dissonance
may circle back to the crowded room of resolution;

you have to disagree with everything except the piano, black
and white keys marking the path you must climb step

by half-step with no compass but the blues, no company
but your distrust of the journey, of all that you hear, of arrival.

Follow the instructions in the google document to analyze the function of STRUCTURE in "Theme for English B" by Langston Hughes.

**PS - You can use the "Team Annotation" document to find text evidence. There will be a link in the chat during class, and I'll post the Team Annotation" on your classroom after our live class session is over.**

Read the beginning of the poem “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes:

The instructor said,

Go home and write
a page tonight.
And let that page come out of you—
Then, it will be true.

Is it possible to explain who you TRULY are in one page of writing? Why or why not?

Write at least TWO sentences including a claim & reasoning/example(s).

When you're done answering, you can open the PDF to read the full poem.

Instructions: An extended definition is one or more paragraphs that attempt to explain a complex term. Please write a one paragraph extended definition of poetry.

Your extended definition should include everything on this checklist:
- Dictionary definition of poetry with explanation
- Claim about what poetry is
- Claim about what poetry is not
- Example(s) of poetry (check out this website if you need ideas!)
- Your personal connection to poetry

Are all songs poems? Why or why not?

**** I am out today for a medical procedure. Please complete this task on your own. When you're done:
- Finish your Omelas Creative Writing
- Finish your Omelas Essay Outline & Introduction
- And/or finish any other missing work****

QUESTION:

Read the short poem "You Mean You Don' Weep at the Nail Salon" by Elizabeth Acevedo (attached as a PDF). As you read, think about the speaker's character.

What are three (3) things you know about the speaker from reading this poem?

WARNING: this poem contains a curse word

At the end of today's lesson, you'll practice switching between poetry and prose in order to identify the differences between the two forms of literature.

Follow the instructions in the document!

(I’m also attaching a jamboard that we’ll do all together)

What’s the difference between poetry and prose?

Today we're starting our first poetry unit!

We'll complete these three activities in class. If you miss class, do them on your own and select "Mark as Done" when you're finished. Enjoy!

1. Intro to Poetry PearDeck (10 mins)
- Click the link or go to joinpd.com and enter wjenbd

2. Poetry vs. Prose EdPuzzle Video (10 mins)
- Click the link to watch the video and answer questions. FYI, our open class code is dudagce

3. Quizlet Poetry Terms (10 mins)
- Practice the flashcards on your own!

We're less than a week away from the end of the first marking period of your senior year! Take a moment and reflect on the past four weeks.

What are you most proud of at this moment?

Examples:
- I'm getting better at using Google Classroom
- I made it to senior year!
- I'm maintaining my friendships, even with social distancing
- I'm solving complex problems in my classes
- I'm reading and writing with a high level of sophistication
- I'm making a good impression on my teachers
- I've made up missing work
- I'm balancing work and school at the same time
- I'm learning and applying new vocabulary
- I completed something that really challenged me
- I'm making life better for the people I care about
- I got out of bed today and logged on

You are no longer responsible for writing a complete essay for "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas," BUT I still want to see your outline and introductory paragraph. Use today's class time to complete this! We'll go over the instructions together.

CHANGE: Participation was great this morning, so I'm modifying this assignment. I want you to continue developing your analysis, but you are NO LONGER responsible for writing a full essay. You're welcome!! 😄

However, if you WANT to write the essay for extra credit that's perfectly fine with me.

On Monday, you will create an OUTLINE for your essay and you will write a one paragraph introduction. Then we'll move on to the poetry unit!

If you missed class on Thurs. & Friday, check out the Jamboard.

Which of these literary elements do you feel most confident analyzing?

Be prepared to explain your choice!

What is a thesis statement? Define it IN YOUR OWN WORDS please :)

PS - use the image to help you...

Read this excerpt from David Brooks' opinion article, "The Child in the Basement," then answer the question.


"Life is filled with tragic trade-offs. In many different venues, the suffering of the few is justified by those trying to deliver the greatest good for the greatest number.

Companies succeed because they fire people, even if a whole family depends on them. Schools become prestigious because they reject people — even if they put a lifetime of work into their application. Leaders fighting a war on terror accidentally kill innocents. These are children in the basement of our survival and happiness.

The story compels readers to ask if they are willing to live according to those contracts. Some are not. They walk away from prosperity, and they make some radical commitment. They would rather work toward some inner purity.

The rest of us live with the trade-offs. The story reminds us of the inner numbing this creates. The people who stay in Omelas aren’t bad; they just find it easier and easier to live with the misery they depend upon. I’ve found that this story rivets people because it confronts them with all the tragic compromises built into modern life — all the children in the basements — and, at the same time, it elicits some desire to struggle against bland acceptance of it all." - David Brooks


QUESTION: Do you think most people in America are comfortable with the suffering of a few people as long as it benefits the majority? Explain your reasoning.

Please sign up for the College Board website by clicking the link and entering JOIN CODE - PVK4K4

This will allow you to take practice tests, use study materials, and sign up for your AP exam.

When you're done signing up, come back and select an option!

DUE TUES. 10/13

You will have most of today's class and the whole weekend to complete this creative writing task. Your task is to write a diary entry or letter from the point of view of one of your story's characters.

Your writing must:
- Tell me who you are and explain your personal values as a resident of Omelas
- Include a detailed description of Omelas based on text evidence - but in your own words!
- Articulate your perspective on the child in the basement; tell me how you feel about the child being there, and whether you want the child to be released

Please review the rubric and read ALL of the instructions for this task!

On Friday we started a creative writing assessment to explore the elements of setting, character, and narration in “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.”

Which character’s perspective will you write from?

(Response Questions Due Fri. 10/9)

In today's class, we'll be reading the end of "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" aloud.

Tomorrow, you'll work in groups to analyze the setting, narrator, and characters and answer the response questions.

Friday, you'll turn in the response questions and do some creative writing.

Imagine this scenario: a train or trolley is coming down the tracks at a high speed. There is a group of five people tied up on the tracks, and the train is heading right for them.

You see a lever that would allow you to switch the tracks, thereby saving the five people. BUT, there’s a small child playing on the second set of tracks.

Would you switch the tracks and save the five people, even though it could kill the child? Why or why not?

A paradox is a situation or statement that seems to be contradictory or nonsensical, such as “without war, there can be no peace,” “to save money, you have to spend money,” or “If I know anything, it’s that I know nothing.”

“The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” contains a very famous paradox. What is the paradox in this story?

What would you be willing to give up in exchange for a perfect society? You must pick one :)

We'll be working through these questions in today's class to analyze the narration in part one of "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas."

If you miss class, please answer the questions on your own!

(If you want to listen to an audio recording of the text, you can click a link in the document. The first 9 minutes and 40 seconds is part 1)

Juxtaposition is a literary device where a writer places two opposite or contrasting elements side by side. They do this for dramatic effect, or to show similarities or differences between the elements. For example, “no justice, no peace,” “all is fair in love and war,” “beggars can’t be choosers,” “better late than never.”

Which of these quotes from part one of “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” Part One uses the literary device of juxtaposition?

DUE MONDAY 10/5
This has five pages, and it will take you 45-60 minutes to complete.

You will read the first five pages of Ursula Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas," paying special attention to how she describes the setting.

After close reading and annotating for word choice and sensory details, you will answer four response questions.

Take your time with this! Setting is a very important concept in AP Lit. Don't try to rush it!!

We're going to watch this Flocabulary video and complete the Read & Respond together in class.

If you miss class, please complete this on your own! Remember - the goal is to understand the difference between point of view (how a writer tells a story), and perspective (what the writer & characters think and feel)

Click the link to log in to Flocabulary using your BGHS Google account.

Last week we explored the ways in which writers convey certain values through their descriptions of setting.

This week, we’re thinking about point of view and perspective in order to understand character and narration.

In literature, what is the difference between point of view and perspective? (If you’re not sure, guess!)

Remember that point of view is HOW an author TELLS a story, and perspective is WHY an author tells a story and how they feel about that story.

1. What is the POINT OF VIEW of the narrator in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”? (1st person, 2nd person, or 3rd person?)

2. What is the PERSPECTIVE of the narrator in “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”? (what is their worldview?)

(hint - these are actually really complicated questions with multiple correct answers. We’ll talk about it more tomorrow!)

What is the best party you've every been to?

Why was it so good??

(Please keep your answers PG-13!!! 😭 )

We'll do this interactive Pear Deck activity together in class.

If you miss class, you need to complete this on your own before reading part 1 of "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas." The Pear Deck will take 10-15 minutes.

To open the Pear Deck, click the link below or go to joinpd.com and enter ukhtus

(Remember to log in with your BGHS Google account!)

If you can't use Pear Deck for any reason, you can write your responses on paper and send me a photo.

We will be completing all three tasks in this document during today's class.

If you miss class for any reason, please complete the three pages on your own by the end of the day!

Today we're thinking about how writers convey the VALUES associated with a particular SETTING.

Take a look at this travel poster. What VALUES does the poster convey about Grenada? (In other words, what features of the island is the image trying to show off?)

This week is all about PERCEPTION: The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.

Today and tomorrow, you will be using remote class time to complete a literary analysis essay where you examine how author Hari Kunzru uses sensory details to convey the narrator's perception of his surroundings in "White Tears."

**You can type your essay in the attached document, or you can write by hand and email me a photograph of your work with the subject "Baseline Assessment."**

You can use your blackout poem from Friday's class to help you with this task.

If you finish your essay in less than two class periods, you will be able to participate in an extra credit activity (more about that on Weds. 9/30...)

Your THESIS is a 1-2 sentence answer to the essay question.

What is your thesis for your baseline assessment (the literary analysis essay from yesterday?)

Remember, the essay question is: How does Hari Kunzru use sensory details to convey the narrator’s perception of his surroundings in "White Tears."

Describe your current surroundings using sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).

Try to include at least 2 different senses in your description!

EXTENDED - DUE SUNDAY 9/27

Please submit your common application essay to me by next Friday! You can submit the same essay you wrote for Ms. Melo in the spring. If you did not complete an essay for Ms. Melo in the spring, you can see the essay prompts by clicking the PDF, and you can see examples by clicking the link.

You can view the grading rubric by clicking "rubric"

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns! Have a good weekend!

Today we'll be reading an excerpt from "White Tears" and annotating for sensory details. Out of all the five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound), which one is your FAVORITE and why?

DUE FRI. 9/25

Next week, you will be writing a timed literary analysis essay as part of your baseline assessment for 12th grade ELA.

In today's classwork, we’re going to prepare for that assessment by reading and annotating the text excerpt with a special focus on sensory details. Then, we're going to use our annotations to create a blackout poem.

If you miss class for any reason, read the instructions and complete this activity on your own!

Below you'll see five examples of personal statement introduction hooks. Which one do you think is the STRONGEST, and WHY??

(Just write the number you chose & your explanation: "I chose #1 because...")

1) I've never been comfortable bragging. In fact, I was raised to be modest about my achievements, whatever they might be. Applying for college is nothing but bragging, and it makes me uncomfortable.

2) It's pretty easy to think you already know everything. Yet beliefs can exist inside of you that you don't remember consciously making, like old files on a computer that somehow avoid being purged.

3) I have a scar above my left eyebrow from when I fell from a tree when I was five years old. I landed face-first on a particularly pointy rock. Now, you're probably thinking, "Where were this kid's parents?!"

4) There's a short list of what is supposed to matter. It's been signed off on, supported by the culture, and in some cases bolstered by millions of years of evolution. Things like friendship, family, perseverance.

5) Being different is lonely. No one ever tells you, but it's true. You can be in a huge group of good friends and feel like a complete outsider if there's something about you that "others" you.

DUE THURSDAY 9/24

For today's classwork, you're going to take a look at the grading rubric for your common app essay draft. Then, you're going to choose an area of your draft to improve upon and come up with some next steps.

Once you're done with this short activity, you can use the rest of our class time to work on your drafts (due tomorrow)!

For this task, you'll use Flipgrid to record a short video where you use an anecdote (or short story) to illustrate your own relationship to reading.

You can use the memory you described for Question of the Day as a jumping off point! All the instructions plus an example can be found on Flipgrid.

**If you are asked to log in, please use your BGHS google mail account**

Think of a meaningful memory you have about reading. It could be a positive memory or a negative memory. Describe that memory in 2-3 sentences.

Examples of memories:
- a memory about a book your grandma read out loud to you when you were little
- a memory of pretending you read the class novel in 8th grade but you were actually faking it
- a memory of the first time you read manga and loved it
- a memory of reading a poem or song lyric and being emotionally moved

DUE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

This survey will help me adjust the class to meet your interest and needs. Thank you in advance for your honest responses. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!

Read each of these quotes about the importance of reading. Then, pick the quote that resonates with you the most.

(In other words, which quote offers the most accurate description of reading?)

DUE TUESDAY 9/22

Open the Google Slides presentation to complete the classwork for Tues. 9/22. If you're not in class, please complete this on your own. There are 5 slides and you will watch 4 videos total. It will take about 35 minutes.

PART 1: We will watch a pair of videos together, briefly discuss, and answer the response question on slide 3.

PART 2: You'll have 15-20 minutes to select 2 videos from the playlist on slide 4. Once you've watched your videos, you'll answer the exit ticket questions on slide 5. Then you’re done!

Today we're jumping into the curriculum! Look at the attached PDF with our "at a glance" calendar.

1) Which weekly topic are you most interested in?
2) Which weekly topic are you most nervous about?

DUE MONDAY 9/21

We will be completing this reading and activity in class. If you miss class for any reason, please complete this on your own. There are 4 pages and it will take about 35 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions!

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Who would you take with you?