Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Day 95

Objective:  The students will discuss what they found in the poem.

Note 1:  No jury duty today.  Maybe tomorrow.

Note 2:  Yesterday I saw three students using the internet for analysis of the poem.  As I have said before, I don't care what the internet says, I only care what you think (right or wrong).  As long as you try.  I don't want to see any more of this... it will not be pleasant if I do. 

Note 3:  Scholarship Opportunity:  https://www.hsf.net/scholarship 

1.  Get out "Mirror" and discuss your analysis with me.

In Sylvia Plath's poem "Mirror," the speaker reflects on identity, self-perception and the passage of time.  Analyze how the poet uses literature devices such as tone, imagery and structure to contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

2.  Analyze ""kitchenette building."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yQ7hOjX9v0

 

 

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Day 94

Objective:  The students will analyze a new poem.

I may have jury duty tomorrow so you will just have another poem to analyze. 

1.  Allusion Notes:  Narcissus

2.  "Mirror" listening:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nZht4WMoMo

3.  Mirror analysis.  Due tomorrow.  Use your checklist. 

Write an intro:

 In Sylvia Plath's poem "Mirror," the speaker reflects on identity, self-perception and the passage of time.  Analyze how the poet uses literature devices such as tone, imagery and structure to contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Day 93

Objective:  The students will complete a poetry MC Practice.

1.  Get out your analyzed poem.

2.  Go over it with me.

3.  MC Practice:  "The Frog"

4.  Complete all vocab terms for stamp on Monday if you haven't yet. 

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Day 92

Objective:  The students will analyze "Out, Out." 

1.  Get out your notes from yesterday on How to Analyze Poems Notes:

2.  Listen to poem:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQBdxu9t-zs&t=10s&ab_channel=BrianMonk

3.  Read and analyze with a partner.

4.  Write an intro paragraph for the following prompt:

Robert Frost, in his poem "Out, Out," seems to be making a statement about the fragility of life.  In an essay, explain how the poet uses literary devices to present the overall purpose of the poem.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Day 91

Objective:  The students will analyze their first poem.

1.  Get Chapter 2 Outline Stamped.

2.  Discuss Chapter PP 

3.  Allusion notes:  Macbeth.

4.  How to Analyze Poems Notes:

5.  Listen to poem:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQBdxu9t-zs&t=10s&ab_channel=BrianMonk

6.  Read and analyze with a partner.

7.  Write an intro paragraph for the following prompt:

Robert Frost, in his poem "Out, Out," seems to be making a statement about the fragility of life.  In an essay, explain how the poet uses literary devices to present the overall purpose of the poem.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Day 90

Objective:  The students will outline the second chapter on poetry.

1.  Get out yesterday's outline for stamp.  I am not going to count anything in packets this semester without a stamp showing it was completed ON TIME.

2.  Discuss my Power Point.

3.  Outline Chapter 2 for stamp tomorrow. 

Friday, January 09, 2026

Day 88

Objective:  The students will write their first Q3 Essay.

1.  Get the prompt.  You will like what I picked.

2.  Open GC and write essay on doc provided.

3.  Print. 

Thursday, January 08, 2026

Day 87

Objective:  The students will prepare for the first Q3 Essay of the year.

1.  Go over the Q3 Prompts handout activity from yesterday.

2.  Tomorrow:  Bring charged computer.  You will write a Q3 Essay using Frankenstein.  I will grade this like an AP Reader would.  It will be worth 100 points.

3.  Complete the Tone Terms from Perrine's Poetry Packet 1. 

Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Day 86

Objective:  The students will look at the last 10 years of Q3 Prompts.

1.  Print out your Q3 Study Form.

2.  Go over with me what a Q3 Prompt looks like and how it will be graded.

3.  In small groups, look at all the prompts, highlight key words that you must mention in he essay and each of you on a blank sheet of paper, tell what you would write about in the essay.  All 

Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Day 85

Objective:  The students will complete their Q3 Study Form.

1.  Complete the Q3 Study Form.  Make sure that everything is explained that needs to be.

Make sure that your Themes/UTs are complete statements:  "Playing God" is not a theme.

Make sure that your short quotes are SHORT and easy to memorize.

2.  Print it out when finished.  Make sure it is free of errors.

3.  It is due tomorrow. 

Monday, January 05, 2026

Day 84: A New Semester (and your last semester of high school)

Objective:  The students will review Frankenstein to use in May (or earlier) on a Q3 Essay.

Sit anywhere.  It is your chance this week to move seats from last semester.  I will make a new seating chart on Friday after we get all of the class changes (new students here, old students gone).

1.  Complete a Q3 Study Form for Frankenstein.  You have two days in class.  Today do it from memory.  Tomorrow, bring your book to finish it if needed.  DO NOT USE INTERNET!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-HTZWpDXy7P1VYar3-TsTF0xnM2OIadrXMHVsO6cpbQ/edit?usp=sharing 

Monday, December 15, 2025

Day 83

Objective:  The students will finish all presentations.

1.  Last three presentations. 

Friday, December 12, 2025

Day 82

Objective:  The students will present their final.

1.  Staple your FIVE sources. Put a STAR on the three books.  Put your name on it.  You will turn it in when you present.

2.  Presentations.  Let's do three. 

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Day 81

Objective:  The students will present their final.

1.  Staple your FIVE sources. Put a STAR on the three books.  Put your name on it.  You will turn it in when you present.

2.  Presentations.  Let's do three. 

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Day 80

Objective:  The students will complete all parts of Frankenstein in preparation for the final presentations.

1.  Book Check Number 3

2.  Turn in completed packet for 120 points.

3.  Presentation Editing:  Tomorrow we start presenting.  Your group will lose 5 points per grammar error, so each member needs to check ALL the slides, not just the ones that you made.  It should be easy to read from the back of the room, it should not have lengthy paragraphs, and you should not simply read from the board. 

Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Day 79

  Objective: Students will make progress on their packets and projects.

This week:

Monday: Chapter 22 Worksheet

Tuesday: Ch. 23 Worksheet

Wednesday: Ms. Rush's Last Day

Ch. 24 Worksheet

Reading Check

Packet Due 

Thursday: Presentations

Friday: Presentations 

Monday, December 08, 2025

Day 78

 Objective: Students will make progress on their packets and projects.

1. Get Chapter 20-21 worksheet stamped

2. Complete project 

3. Complete Chapter 22-24 worksheet 

This week:

Monday: Chapter 22 Worksheet

Tuesday: Ch. 23 Worksheet

Wednesday: Ms. Rush's Last Day

Ch. 24 Worksheet

Reading Check

Packet Due 

Thursday: Presentations

Friday: Presentations 

Friday, December 05, 2025

Day 77

Objective:  The students will complete reading and work on research project.

1.  Finish Frankenstein reading and handouts.

2.  By the end of the period I expect each student to have a minimum of two source notes. 

Thursday, December 04, 2025

Day 76

 Objective: Students will analyze chapters 18-20

1. Chapter 18-20 Quiz

2. Get worksheets stamped

3. Complete Chapter 20-21 worksheet

4. Make progress on project! 

Wednesday, December 03, 2025

Day 75

 Objective: Student will make significant progress on their projects

1. Complete 1 page of handwritten notes for each of your 5 sources.

2. Work within your groups to create 7-10 minute presentation.

3. Complete Chapter 17-18 worksheet. 

Tuesday, December 02, 2025

Day 74

 Objective: Students will make progress on their projects.

1. Review Chapters 16-17 

2. Complete Chapter 16-17 worksheet

3. Work with group to make progress on your project 

Monday, December 01, 2025

Day 73

 Objective: Students will analyze a chapter from their novel and create a slide.

1. Get Chapter 10-15 worksheet stamped.

2. Complete slide within groups.

3. Present slide with group.

Friday, November 21, 2025

Day 72

 Objective: Students will continue to analyze the next chapters of their novel.

1. Get Ch. 10-11 on worksheet stamped

2. Complete Ch. 12-15

Talk with your group about what parts of your project you can complete over the break. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Day 71

 Objective: Students will analyze Victor's characterization throughout the novel so far

1.  Review Ch. 10-11

2. Get Ch. 8-9 worksheet stamped

3. Complete Ch. 10-11 worksheet

Day 70

Objective:  The students will discuss Frankenstein and their projects.

If you were given the following prompt, how would you answer it?

In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is a very complex character.  What literary devices does she use to create his complexity?

In Frankenstein, the main character, Victor is portrayed as a ___________ and _______________ person who ___________  _______________  _______________ through the use of _____________ and ___________ .

Now find me three great quotes from the book that you would use to prove the above thesis statement.

 

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Day 69

  Objective: Students will analyze the next chapter of the novel.

1. Chapter 7 Quiz

2. Get handout from yesterday stamped

3. Complete chapter 7 handout

Monday, November 17, 2025

Day 68

 Objective: Students will analyze the next chapters of the novel.

1. Reading check Letters-Ch.5 (33 pts.)

2. Get worksheet from Friday stamped

3. Review chapters

4. Complete today's worksheet

*Project Check-In!!

Friday, November 14, 2025

Day 67

 Objective: Students will continue to analyze their novel.

1. Chapter 1-4 Quiz

2. Get yesterday's worksheet stamped

3. Complete chapter 3-4 worksheet independently

4. Work with groups to complete poster

Check reading schedule for weekend reading.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Day 66

Objective: Students will discuss the novel.

1. Review new reading schedule

2. Discuss ch. 1-2 of the novel

3. Complete ch. 1-2 worksheet

Make sure you are signed up for the group project. 

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Day 65

Objective:  The students will discuss the Letters section of the novel with a partner.

1.  Letters Section Quiz.  

2.  Letters Section Handout

3.  Discuss anything that you don't understand with Miss Rush or Mr. Warren

4.  Reading Schedule:  

 

Date


Frankenstein

Nov. 10


All Letters

Nov. 12


Chps. 1-2

Nov. 13


Chps. 3-4

Nov. 14-16


Chps. 5-6

 

 

 

Monday, November 10, 2025

Day 64

Objective:  The students will be introduced to our new novel.

1.  Reading Schedule Handout 

2.  Projects Sign Up and Discussion

3.  Intro Notes 

4.  Homework:  People who ditched Monday:  You are responsible for this!!!!  

Reading:  Read the Letters Section Monday


 

Friday, November 07, 2025

Day 63

Objective:  The students will complete a MC Practice.

1.  Grab the handouts.  Write your name on both.

2.  Complete the MC Practice (no phones)

3.  Scan into the computer.  Write the score on scan sheet.

4.  Staple the scan on top.  Turn in for points.

Bring Frankenstein Monday!! 

Wednesday, November 05, 2025

Day 61

Objective:  The students will complete a group TTSTCANDI to share tomorrow.

1.  Get into groups and create your TTSTCANDI Slide to present tomorrow.  DO NOT USE ANY AI or INTERNET ANALYSIS.  If this is observed, your group will get a zero out of 50.

2.  Buy, borrow, print our next book:  Frankenstein.  You will close read it for 50 points.  We start it in ONE WEEK!!

https://www.amazon.com/Frankenstein-Mary-Shelly/dp/1514651777/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G724E7RLZQ00&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q7n7sP9AGAuZPm2OKe0OLA.OTUpJKWsq5-WtDo6p2ox_lMjW3GlcY2fHf9s7P-YN3M&dib_tag=se&keywords=9781514651773&qid=1762206689&sprefix=9781514651773%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 

https://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdfhttps://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdf 

 

Tuesday, November 04, 2025

Day 60

 Objective: Students will analyze our last Hemingway story.

1. Take out "The Grave" close reading and TTSTCANDI for stamping.

2. Introduce jigsaw assignment and assign groups.

3. Close read "The Three Day Blow"

4. Buy, borrow, print our next book:  Frankenstein.  You will close read it for 50 points.  We start it in ONE WEEK!!

https://www.amazon.com/Frankenstein-Mary-Shelly/dp/1514651777/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G724E7RLZQ00&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q7n7sP9AGAuZPm2OKe0OLA.OTUpJKWsq5-WtDo6p2ox_lMjW3GlcY2fHf9s7P-YN3M&dib_tag=se&keywords=9781514651773&qid=1762206689&sprefix=9781514651773%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 

https://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdfhttps://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdf 

Monday, November 03, 2025

Day 59

Objective:  The students will analyze "The Grave."

1.  "One Time One Night" activity.  Listen and Read:  Be prepared to discuss how you would address the following prompt:

Read the lyrics to "One Time One Night" and then write a well-written essay where you analyze how the author uses literary elements such as tone, imagery and diction to achieve his purpose. 

2.  TTSTCANDI "The Grave" 

3.  Buy, borrow, print our next book:  Frankenstein.  You will close read it for 50 points.  We start it in ONE WEEK!!

https://www.amazon.com/Frankenstein-Mary-Shelly/dp/1514651777/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G724E7RLZQ00&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q7n7sP9AGAuZPm2OKe0OLA.OTUpJKWsq5-WtDo6p2ox_lMjW3GlcY2fHf9s7P-YN3M&dib_tag=se&keywords=9781514651773&qid=1762206689&sprefix=9781514651773%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 

https://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdfhttps://ia802908.us.archive.org/9/items/Frankenstein1818Edition/frank-a5.pdf 

Friday, October 31, 2025

Day 58

Objective:  The students will read the last story of the packet.

1.  Get yesterday's essay.  I did not read them, just gave you points.  If you would like me to read them (you don't trust your readers' grades), then bring them up.

2.  Last story of the packet:  "The Grave."  Close read.  We will TTSTCANDI on Monday but I will quiz you too to make sure that you read. 

3.  Get your next novel:  Frankenstein:  Yes we will close read it, so buy or print. 

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Day 57

Objective:  The students will do an essay share/grade.

1.  Get out your printed essay and a grading sheet.

2.  Switch with two people like last time.  Read it like an AP teacher, not a friend.

3.  MC Practice.  This is the last one that we will do as a group.  From now on, individual scores will be put into Aeries so that you can see how you are progressing. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Day 56

Objective:  The students will do another 1/2 essay.

1.  Get yesterday's half essay and see what Ms. Rush or I graded it.

2.  Get out TTSTCANDI for Stamp.  Discuss your TTSTCANDI of "The End of Something."

3.  Write 1/2 essay for story.   

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Day 55

Objective:  The students will see an example of a student 1/2 essay.  Then score two others.

1.  Get out your 1/2 essay that you wrote and printed.

2.  Go over a 4 paper from my other period.  See what they did right, and what they need to do to improve.

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WxRpV7qa9jUoRs2WtVmsIemanMTenSNgD7Pj75Lpokk/edit?usp=sharing

3.  Read two other student essays and score them.  

4.  Turn in for a teacher score and 50 points.

5.  Complete yesterday's "The End of Something" TTSTCANDI. 

Monday, October 27, 2025

Day 54

Objective:  The students will analyze the first Nick Adams story.

1.  If you were absent on Friday, you MUST do the half essay now.

2.  Make sure your half essay is printed.  Tomorrow we will do a group read.

3.  Close Read:  "The End of Something."  Start the TTSTCANDI.  We will finish it tomorrow after the essay part of class. 

Friday, October 24, 2025

Day 53

Objective:  The students will complete a 1/2 essay.

1.  All essays have been graded.  Get them out.

2.  Write 1/2 essay on Cat in the Rain 

AP Essay Problems that Can Be Fixed Next Time

1.  FOCUS!!!  Your paragraphs need clear Topic Sentences to guide your thoughts.

2.  No Universal Truth (Theme) stated.  Put it in the intro.  BUT PROSE essays do not need one if the prompt doesn’t as about “author’s purpose.”

3.  State the devices that you’re going to write about in your intro.

4.  Intro too long.  2-3 sentences.  Mention title, author and UT.

5.  Writing:  “the reader” or “the audience.”  You are NOT part of the essay.

6.  If you say that you are going to write about imagery, tell what kind!

7.  No need for citations and page numbers (Mansfield 89)

8.  Just saying “Mansfield uses diction and syntax…” That just means he uses words and sentences.  Well duh!!!!  Mansfield uses adjective diction and adjective syntax.

9.   Quotes way too long.  Integrate 3-7 word quotes into the flow of your writing.  Example:  She “liked his dignity” and “the way he wanted to serve her.”

10.                   Writing about tone without giving specific words that create it.

11.                   Using first person.  Do not put yourself in the paper.  Try not to even say, “The reader…”

12.                   Slapping the reader (me) in the face with a quote that is not introduced or provided with context.

13.                   Do not mention things that are not part of the piece (The Brill Fish)

14.                   Saying:  This quote shows….

15.                   _____________ diction.

16.                   In conclusion,

17.                   NOT KNOWING WHAT FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IS….  Many people wrote a paragraph on symbols, then started the next paragraph with, “Hemingway uses figurative language.”

18.                   You have to speed up.  That will take practice.

19.                   Mentioning “rhetorical devices.”  This is LAST YEAR!

20.                   Analysis without and textual evidence (quotes).

21.                   Only one body paragraph

22.                   WRONG FACTS

23.                   Too many devices in one paragraph.  Lacks focus.  Let Topic Sentences guide your writing.

24.                   Too much summary. 

25.                   Maybe use a formula:

a.   Thesis

b.  Claim 1:  Topic Sentence

1.  Fact from poem

2.  Text evidence

3.  Comm

4.  Comm

5.  Fact

6.  Text evidence

7.  Comm

8.  Comm