Morning Sessions

Just as a reminder, we will be meeting at 7:15 am (sharp) every Wednesday throughout the school year unless otherwise notified. Please mark your calendars and make arrangements for being in my classroom and ready to go at 7:15am. It is recommended to show up a couple of minutes early in case you forgot something and have to go back to your locker etc. We will also set up a breakfast rotation during the first session (August 31, 2011). You must have the two different 5 Step to a 5 AP books by then.

Bonus question

This is not required.
You will receive credit for a full blog answer just for thoughtfully responding to the following questions. There are no absolutely "right" answers.

Why did you decide to take AP Language instead of English Honors III? What do you expect the differences to be between the two courses, especially considering that they meet at the same time? What is your independent study plan for the next year in order to achieve a passing score on the AP exam in May, especially since you did not pass AP Euro and/or AP Bio?

Last Two Required Blogs (8-13 & 8-21)

Weeks 7 & 8

The Grapes of Wrath

Blog Question #7--Trace the development of one minor character and one major character throughout the novel.

Blog Question #8--What are the major differences between the novel and the film? This should help with Caulfield's assignment.

Week 6--July 31, 2011 to August 7, 2011

The Grapes of Wrath

We have finally reached the last novel :) Hopefully the blog questions on The Grapes of Wrath will help you as you write the summer assignments for both AP U.S. History & AP Language & Composition. Understanding the historical background of a piece of literature is key. Hopefully you have already learned that from your previous English courses and the other questions I have been asking of you this summer. Spend some time investigating the historical setting of the novel in combination with the author. Blog question: What role does the historical context of the novel play with regards to the development of the plot and characters? I want some specifics folks!

Week 5--July 24, 2011-July 31, 2011

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Consider in detail the portrayal of black Americans in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Think about the portrayal of Jim. Twain’s characterization of Jim changes throughout the novel. Blog Questions: Is the novel “racist”? If the novel is racist, should it be read in schools? Is Jim at any point used as the butt of other’s jokes? If so, is this racist, simply a legitimate humorous technique, or a revelation of others’ character traits?

A Bit Concerned

I have only received blog question responses from Dianna, Danielle, Vince & Nia. If you know of others who are in AP or perhaps even honors who haven't responded remind them gently to do so soooooooon!

My comments in reponse to your answers...

Be specific, not general. Saying I'll talk about spirituality in my children's book implies that you really haven't read the book. What aspects of spirituality? Some responses are posted on the blog and others were emailed to me. Overall though it is a reasonable start.

Blog Issues

Apparently the Blog has not been publishing live to the public (that's you). I am glad to know though that you have actually been following through and checking the website. please go back and complete all of the blog questions posted for Weeks 1-4. I absolutely understand that you will need extra time to complete them since they were not properly posted until today...my new computer apparently didn't allow Java script to do its job. Week 4 is still due by Sunday, July 24, 2011...but as for the others...let's say Week 1 is due by July 21, 2011, Week 2 is due by July 24, 2011, and Week 3 is due by July 28, 2011. If you need more time for any of these blogs please email me (torourke@stbernardhs.com).

Please remember that answering these blogs should also assist you in creating better summer assignments. Much of what you post as a response can go directly into your essays. Each blog post is also worth 25 points.

Week 4—July 17, 2011 to July 24, 2011

The Many Adventures

of Huckleberry Finn

This is considered to be one of the greatest American novels ever written, but it is also one of the most controversial. Some misunderstand why it is a controversial novel and believe that it was banned simply for its repeated use of the word "nigger". That is truly naive. Think about when the novel was published. Blog Questions: What was going on in the country at the time in which the novel was published? What about the time period in which the novel is written about? Why would this novel be offensive to people in the North when it was published? Why would it be offensive to readers in the South?

Week 3—July 10, 2011 to July 17, 2011

New Due Date

July 28, 2011

Black Elk Speaks

When creating a course for students, teachers are often stuck between two worlds: following the required California State Standards and what they believe is necessary for having a diverse and large breadth of materials. In truth, Native American literature is not a California State Content Standard requirement. Blog Questions: what is the significance of studying Native American literature in a survey course of American literature? Why is Black Elk Speaks a good choice to be included in the canon of Native American literature versus another text? Should a course in American literature taught in California include Native American literature? Why or why not?

Week 2—July 3, 2011 to July 10, 2011

New Due Date:

July 24, 2011

Black Elk Speaks

As we discussed in class this past year, analyzing literature in an AP course is much more complex than just looking at plot, characterization, theme, etc. Motivations of the author and the specific language being used come into play. So, let's see where you are at in terms of your ability to think about a work beyond the basics. Blog question: What is the inherent problem with Black Elk Speaks?

Week 1—June 26, 2011 to July 3, 2011

New Due Date:

July 21, 2011

Black Elk Speaks

Culture is perhaps the most significant influence in a person's life, and it is often misunderstood, made into stereotypes and jokes, or even worse ignored. for example, when people look at me they see a white woman and immediately make several assumptions about me. I am categorized into the entirety of "white culture" (whatever that means). In actually I identify myself in a very specific way. To begin with I was born in Ireland and my first language was Gaelic (Irish). Just those two facts alone mean that I am from an oppressed culture. Since before the birth of Christ the Gaels (Irish, Scots and Welsh) were looked at as the bottom of society or as savages. Have you ever seen the movie Braveheart? That was a mild example of what perceptions of the Irish and other Gaels were. Ireland is the poorest non-third-world country on the planet. Up until 1984 it was illegal to speak Gaelic in the North because of the British control of Northern Ireland. even children were publicly caned for speaking Gaelic on the school yard. Although no longer a law, many people who lived through that time in history don't speak Irish today. In fact, Gaelic is a dying language, which is precisely what the British wanted. I can go further into detail about cultural oppression in Ireland and as to what I identify myself as but it is time to think about Black Elk and his life.

Culture shapes a person. think about your own specific cultures. How important are they to you? Blog Questions: What have you learned about the Lakota culture as a result of reading Black Elk Speaks? what aspects of the culture are you planning on including in your children's book?

Summer Assignment 2011

AP Language & Composition Summer Reading Assignment

St. Bernard High School is committed to its belief in the importance of reading in the intellectual development of the student. For this reason, we supplement the regular English curricula with required summer reading. All students must have the following assignment completed for the first day of school. Assignments are to be submitted to your English teacher for grading. This will be an important part of your first semester’s grade. We hope that you will enjoy and be challenged by the books you read. Your English teacher looks forward to essays and children’s book.

You must read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Children’s Book for Black Elk Speaks
Students must create a children’s book for the novel explaining the life of the Sioux peoples. The book must meet the following requirements:
A cover page with a proper MLA heading.
Each page will have 3-4 sentences explaining the life of the Sioux peoples in language that can be understood by a child. Spelling and grammar count.
Each page must have an illustration to accompany the writing.
The concept of what it means to be Native American must be addressed at some point in your book.
MLA works cited.

Essays for The Grapes of Wrath and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Students must write an essay for each book on three of the following elements: Plot, Theme, Setting, Conflict, Symbolism, or Character Portrayal. In your essay mention the three elements in the first paragraph and develop those ideas in the body paragraphs. The essays must also meet the following requirements:
A traditional five paragraph essay.
A cover page with a proper MLA heading.
Essays must be word processed and double spaced.
MLA works cited.

Each of the above assignments is worth 100 points a piece.

***Students will also be required to submit short papers weekly (starting the first week of July) via blog-mail during the summer in response to the posted topic. The blog can be found at http://msorourkesclassroom.blogspot.com/. ***

The blog will be worth 25 points per week.

Additionally, be prepared for a test on each book during the first two weeks of classes. Students must complete the summer assignments in order to take the tests.

Please be aware that in your “AP Contract” it states: “I am aware that AP and Honors courses will require SUMMMER HOMEWORK, due the first day of school, which will be included in my grade. Failure to complete Summer Homework may result in my removal from the class.”