Important Announcement

As you may have heard in the past couple of days, I will NOT be returning to SBHS.  L  This may have caused a bit of concern for you and your future in AP English Language and Composition.  I am sorry that I cannot answer any questions regarding who will be your teacher as I no longer officially work at Bernard’s.  However, one of the things you would have gotten to know about me (if you don’t already know), is that I rarely leave my responsibilities undone.  We started off on this blog venture together this summer so I see you ALL as MY responsibility.  So here’s the deal…the summer blog is still on.

You are responsible for completing all of the blog responses and flashcards!  Why?  Well, the purpose of the blog has always been to begin getting students to think about how to look at literature from a different perspective, to keep students on track with the reading and writing required to develop good summer reading essays, to get a jump on AP content (this year that’s the flash cards), and to get used to a high level (in amount and intensity) of work.  The blog responses due this week will directly relate to your first essay.  As I also stated, you really should write a good draft of the essay after completing this week’s blog response.  You can use another student’s ideas in your essays as long as you cite him/her as your source.

At the end of the summer (just a couple of weeks left—we will go through August 18^th—that’s 7 blog posts), I will give your grades (up to 25 points per blog post response) to Ms. Capell (and whomever is your new teacher) and she will add them to your AP English Language (or if you prefer, English Honors III) grade.  I will also notify them (Ms. Capell and the new teacher) that you were also expected to complete 149 flash cards for 149 points.  Please study these cards throughout the year as they contain the concepts and terms that are salient for writing a good AP response essay (yes, I am speaking of the exam).  In the Appendix of the O’Rourke Reader are several other terms (with the definitions and examples) that I recommend making flash cards for and studying.  You should ask your teacher if he/she will give you credit for making flash cards of those terms as well.

I will continue to post resources and ideas at least once a month throughout the school year to help keep you on track.  Of course, I won’t be able to give you grades throughout the school year but I want to make sure you study throughout the year if you have a chance at passing the exam.  My new position at Maranatha High School (in Pasadena) is more on the administrative side, but I will be teaching AP Language there as well.  Of course, your participation in what I post after August 18^th is voluntary.

If you ever have any questions please contact me via my personal email tgorourke@verizon.net, as I will no longer have access to my Bernard’s email soon.

I really am going to miss working with you on a daily basis this year!