Student Council has been busy!

I have had the pleasure to work this year with our Student Council.  My co-advisor, Mrs. Shedivy, and the council members have made this a FANTASTIC experience.  See a little of what we have been up to...

English 11 bonus--Franklin Aphorisms

Ben Franklin aphorisms

We have been talking about how what we see/do/hear/experience influences what and how we write/speak. The same is true of our historical authors, authors such as Benjamin Franklin.

Look at the provided link.  On it you will find a variety of Benjamin Franklin aphorisms (life sayings).  Think about what made him write them.  Think about how they apply to your life.  Select one and write a short 5-10 sentence reflection on how the aphorism applies to your life.  How does the aphorism influence you or what has happened for you to believe the aphorism to be true.

10 points maximum
Sentences should be grammatically clean, and content should be developed.

Respond to other classmates as comments progress in number.

Parodies

https://docs.google.com/a/pdc.k12.wi.us/file/d/0B9KRl3ZnLu3NNGFndno2X3dDaGs/edit


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcgDExm0ImQ


It has been quite a while since I have been on my blog.  However, since it is the end of the year and my AP classes are finished with their exams, we are creatively exploring a variety of experiences, Loop Poetry, Jacob Stars, ABC Poems...we recently moved into/reviewed parodies and satirical samples.  Here are a couple of samples.  Maybe more will come.  Both of these are really fun.  Can you guess the focus of each?

6 Word Memoirs, 2014 AP English Language and Comp

How would you describe your life, your goals, your personality, YOUR everything in only 6 words?  This challenge was presented to my two AP English Language and Composition courses.  They put together short videos for your viewing.  The second video is will require QuickTime or VLC in order to be viewed.

Think about what these students had to say!


http://flipagram.com/f/6D0W9k6CZT

Kite Wall--AP English Language and Composition

AP Language and Composition has been reading THE KITE RUNNER.  We have had some great character discussions.  We have explored the cultures and traditions of Afghanistan--and how they have changed so much since the 1970's.  If you have not read the novel as of yet, I really believe all of the students would recommend you to do so.  I would!

The photograph of the kite wall relates to our most recent assignment.  Every year that students have read this novel for my class, we have made kites.  The kites are based off of a novel quote, something the students felt significant to the story itself.  From there, we have explanations of the quotes, photographs, and personal connections.  Every kite is a little different!  If you have a moment, stop in and see the designs and ideas.  They, of course, reflect people's creativity and busy schedules, but they also (more importantly) reflect people's emotions and thoughts of the novel itself.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to Dave Bowar of Hardees for sponsoring the Reading Counts breakfast!  He and his crew were fantastic!  The fundraiser earned $2577.64.  What an accomplishment!  All of the proceeds will be placed into the Reading Counts account, to be used for the quarterly prizes.  Continue to read, everyone!  Find time to use reading for pleasure and for furthering your academic and professional goals!

Reading Counts breakfast

Thanks to everyone who made the Reading Counts breakfast on Saturday.  Once again, the turn out was quite a success.  We really appreciate Dave Bowar and his Hardees crew for all of their efforts.  Continue with your reading efforts, everyone!  We hope you find a great book this semester.  We also look forward to handing out our up and coming quarterly prizes!

Happy Thanksgiving from AP English Language and Composition

Today is the last day before the Thanksgiving holiday.  May everyone enjoy a little family time and A LOT of turkey!

James Thurber

“I think that maybe if women and children were in charge we would get somewhere.” 
― James Thurber

The author and cartoonist James Thurber was the focus of Friday's vocabulary quiz story.  Using the vocabulary terms and the context clues, you learned a little bit of biographical information about him.  Some of you may remember his short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", which is coming out on film shortly.

If interested in a blog bonus, find a quote or a cartoon by James Thurber and apply it to a personal life situation.  Explain the quote or the cartoon and identify how it connects to you personally.

10 points
due Wednesday, November 13th.

Scrabble Fun

Once or twice a year, English 11 likes to play a modified Scrabble vocabulary game.  8th period was victorious as they problem solved 37 out of 40 vocabulary terms on our "Scrabble board."  (Period 2 came in 2nd with 35 and Period 4 came in 3rd with 25)

Great efforts!  Thanks to those who participated in all classes.

"The Gettysburg Address"

To help close off the quarter, English 11 was asked to create digital projects of "The Gettysburg Address." Stupeflix and Prezi were common technological resources used.

Although just under two minutes in length, Lincoln's speech had a huge impact on the audience.  It will forever remain an icon in honoring those we lost in the Civil War as well as in any war!

Here are a couple of examples.

Stupeflix Gettysburg video

Gettysburg video

National Honor Society 2013

Congratulations to those inducted to the Prairie du Chien National Honor Society (Monday, October 21st, 2013).  We are proud of your accomplishments.  Continue with all of your efforts in academics, service, leadership and character!

Positively Pronoun

It is time to review pronouns in all shapes and sorts.  There are personal pronouns, intensive pronouns, reflexive...relative...indefinite...interrogative...nominative...objective...possessive...take a breath!

Pronouns are everywhere.  It is important to make sure we use them well.  We need to remember that pronouns must be clear in reference.  Ambiguous pronoun usage is confusing.  We also need to remember pronoun agreement.  The pronouns must agree with their antecedents.  (Lack of pronoun/antecedent agreement can also affect subject/verb agreement, which affects one's writing even more.)

Review pronouns.  Know the above pronoun types.  For those of you who had English 10 last year (as well as English in even earlier years), these are all review.  If the pronoun types are not familiar, explore some.  Look online for notes.  Come ask questions.  Talk with a neighbor.

Our goal in discussing pronouns is not to necessarily memorize every pronoun but to make sure we use any pronoun well!

Take a moment to watch a Blast from the Past...School House Rocks...pronoun style!
Schoolhouse Rock--Pronouns

Artistic Forms of English

Did not mean to trick you...Maybe this looks more like a math problem to you.  English 11 has used a chunk of the first quarter to explore a traditional form of a grammar lesson through the "art" of diagramming.  Some students love it; others...

English 11 Pudding Fun!

Nothing is better than coming to English 11 on a glorious Thursday than when our beloved Brittany brings her special treats.  Today we were each gifted with a little pudding graveyard.  I can't tell you how quiet the room got as everyone enjoyed them.  So cute and so fun...thanks so much, Brittany!

Mary Chestnut--diary

In her diary, Mary Chestnut makes reference to Shakespeare's MACBETH by saying, " Sound and fury, signifying nothing."  At this point, Mrs. Chestnut is contemplating the significance of life and death after a tragic event.

For a 5 point bonus, think about this quote and its significance.  In a few solid sentences, respond as to why people have a hard time finding value in life after difficult events, such as disease, death and war.  Think about events you have experienced or watched.

Read others' responses as the come, too.  Write back to each other.  Create a running dialogue!

Due Wednesday, October 23rd.

What Makes a Person Free

As we study the Civil War and its effects on literature, we need to take a moment to appreciate Frederick Douglass and his writing MY BONDAGE AND MY FREEDOM.

After reading our excerpt from Douglass, reflect on this Mahatma Gandhi statement.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, "The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall."

React to this statement and explain whether or not you feel Douglass was free even while in bondage.

Bonus:  10 points will be given for a developed response.  If others write, respond to them as well.
Due date:  Thursday, October 3rd, 2013.

Homecoming Fun

The start of the school year has been a whirlwind!  Homecoming was the second week.  Although we love watching the games, the dress up days and the floats, by the time it is finished we are all exhausted.  Take a moment to review the week.  Thanks to Yearbook staff member, Brett, for creating this video!

Thanks to the Student Council and to the Class Advisors for making the week the best possible.

https://docs.google.com/a/pdc.k12.wi.us/file/d/0B5ksucvvFiwESUxrSzkxaGdDVlE/edit

Return to School

The first week is now finished.  For some, the time went by extremely quickly.  For others, it stalled with each second.

I wish each of you the best year possible.  Take each day and each challenge as it comes.  When I struggle with things, I remember a favorite quote of mine, "Carpe Diem."  I first heard this quote used in a movie called DEAD POET'S SOCIETY, a fantastic story!  I have since found out that this quote comes from a Latin poet named Horace (65 BC-8 BC).  Over the years, this quote has become commonly translated as "Seize the Day."  That may be difficult to do sometimes, but remember that even when a class is difficult, a schedule is chaotic, or a game is not victorious, lessons can be learned and experience that will make the next issue more successful will be gained.

What is your favorite quote, one you like in good and harder times?  Where from does it come (author, song title/writer...)?

Respond to this blog by Friday, September 13th.  Read others as they are posted.  10 points

Welcome Back

It is hard to believe that the 2013-2014 school year is about to start.  I have had a super summer of reading, baseball, and relaxation.  I hope you have as well.

As we begin our new adventure, remember to call or email me any time for questions.  CARPE DIEM!  Take on the challenge of each new school day!  Have fun.  Best of luck.