PRE AP Secret Santa Fun

"D-Bo" wishes everyone a very merry Christmas.

Happy Holidays--OXYMORON STYLE

Whether or not you know what the term OXYMORON means, you have seen such before...take a guess using the following examples:  JUMBO SHRIMP/ALMOST ACCURATE/PRETTY UGLY...

To learn more about oxymorons and to enjoy the holiday spirit, AP Language and Composition created some fun samples.  Read and enjoy!  (Share some in the comment area if you can think of some!)

The ornaments were thrown on the tree in harmonious chaos.

Buddy was a six foot tall little elf.

While Frosty was dancing, things were getting steamy.

Nate went caroling on a bright night.

Don't Be a Scrooge

Did you know:
Charles Dickens wrote A CHRISTMAS CAROL in 1843.  I have seen publication dates listed as both December 17th and December 19th.  Regardless of the publication date, this piece of literature is a classic.  I hope you won't say "Bah Hum Bug: to reading one of the greats over this holiday season.  The best to you and yours!  Merry Christmas.

Christmas Caroling and Pizza Eating

A huge thank you to all Key Club and NHS members who played holiday bingo and caroled at Bluff Haven last night.  It was a lot of fun!  The residents enjoyed singing and sharing stories with you.  I hope you chalk this event up in your memory books!  Your interaction with our community is what the holidays are all about...Ho Ho Ho!

Reading Counts Breakfast = HUGE SUCCESS

Thank you to everyone who visited Hardees this past weekend in support of our Reading Counts fundraiser. The breakfast earned over $3,000.  Yes, you read that amount correctly.  A huge thank you to Dave Bowar and his team for serving over 600 students, staff, families and friends!  May one of your Christmas presents this year be a fantastic book.  Happy reading everyone.

Declaration of Independence from Grammar

I guess not everyone loves grammar like I do.  I can learn to accept that.

My Pre AP students recently read and broke apart the Declaration of Independence.  With that, they had to use the skill of mimicry.  Their assignment was to select an idea from which to declare themselves free.  They had to develop an introduction explaining a bit of the background, to arrange a minimum of 6 parallel justifications, and to establish a closure.

Believe me, you have to read to see the group's document on order to see the creativity in declaring themselves free from grammar.  In breaking their grammar rules, I love how they recognized what their English classes have taught them not to do.  Fun presentation!

Declaration of Independence from Grammar

Tis the Season...to Celebrate!

Congratulations to my PreAp students as you have now finished the writing of your persuasive research paper!  As you take a breath from this process, I ask you to share your serious reflections!  What was the hardest part of writing a research paper?  What would you do differently?  Of what are you most proud?  Other ideas, please offer!

Research writing is a challenge!  I appreciate your efforts and look forward to reading your papers and hearing your SPEECHES!

Time Travel

English 10 has been preparing to read a Ray Bradbury short story called "A Sound of Thunder."  The story explores thematic concepts dealing with technology and what we should do/not do with it as it advances.  It also explores a wide variety of figurative language.  To lead into the story, English 10 students did a mini research/visual project.  They were to (without restrictions on pro or con) pick a past time period or event to visit.  They were to explain why they would want to return and what they would want to learn (share their research).  One group opted to visit the late 70's and 80's so that they could see their parents as teenagers.  I  was able to reflect with them as I was a teenager in the 80's.  One of the favorites in fashion, rolling our jeans.  These boys share with you their ability to roll their jeans.  Great presentations everyone.  You all proved that history is indeed fun and interesting!

Inflammatory Christmas Songs

Here is a fun little holiday puzzle for all of you!  Open the attachment, read the altered Christmas song titles and problem solve the what real titles/songs actually are.  We are all busy with homework, shopping, baking, sports...take a moment just to relax and think about your musical favorites!

Share your solutions with me and receive a treat!  Happy Holidays everyone!Inflammatory Christmas Songs

Process Analysis Presentations

Making family favorite Christmas recipes, learning how to use Google, becoming an expert on your smart phone...all of these things require skills in process analysis.  To experience the challenges of writing, reading and applying process analysis, AP English and Composition students completed a bit of an experiment today.

The first group received directions on how to make an egg white face mask.  This mask is to make one's skin softer using a natural cleaning product.  Thank you to our "volunteers" for being such fun spirits in the presentation.  They were rewarded shortly after with a Puppy Chow presentation (and really soft cheeks)!

Presentations today, December 5th:  We started to learn how to make a lollipop tree.  Started is about as far as we got.  Tim, how is your injury?  We also started making orogami birds.  No, the bird has not yet taken flight.

Final Presentations:  December 6th.  The bird is finished and is now a decoration on my Christmas tree.  Yes, when you pull its tail, the wings move.  The lollipop tree is smaller than intended.  It could only hold two lollipops.  More caused the tree to sag, just like out of Charlie Brown's Christmas.  The last project was to make a t-shirt into a tank top.  As you will see, a bit of pretty fashion had to be added.

Thanks to all of our models.  Great projects, AP.  They proved a variety of pros and cons within the process analysis procedures.

What is next?  Synthesis Essay writing, YEAH!