Allusions Assist

So you know it's coming....and you know that it's going to take hours....BUT you also know that if it's good enough to read there is probably a movie :)

Now I'm not advocating cutting corners, because the film/ TV show is NOT the text, but I do encourage having multiple experiences with information in order to have time to reflect and question. So with that said I have some really cheesy 80s TV shows and movies that introduced me to some of the Grimm Fairy Tales. So some of these are kiddie-fied, but some aren't. Some nail that uncomfortable feel which as a kid went right over my head. Some of these are on Hulu some are on Netflix


Free Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theater
The Story Teller

unfinished post

Comedy Poll

You know you wanna!
Our 3 choice comedies are Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and As you Like it!

A Siren of the Sea to make you all feel better

CLIKC ME:Please Watch This to see the importance of the Siren in our Culture Still

About discussion

So I read your evaluations :) One person nuked me with a 75-ouch, but my Fu nourishes me and makes me want to improve!

Several comments and questions were brought up when you guys were asked to comment on the functionality of discussion; I'd like to address some of these here on the e-mail. 

Most people said seminar worked for them, but I know it's not working for everyone. 

Some people said that discussion had to be at least 40 minutes. I'm inclined to agree. There have been occasions were we had to push discussion back because someone was presenting. With this in mind, please try to keep your presentations to about 10-15 minutes. 

Some people said that they dislike grading others--yeah how do you think I feel? I do the peer evaluation so you as a leader can get a feel for what needs to be done in a position of power. Very soon you'll have to present and lead people in the real world, and wouldn't you rather people spoke up now then in 4 years when you're at your job? No one like being the person discussed over the copier :P

Some people said that they needed some in class analysis of poems. They stated that at home they felt lost so even though they understood some things in discussion they couldn't find these things alone. Together we must figure out how to help these people. I have a few ideas, but any input would rock. 

Many people commented on my silence during discussion as a negative. Please, let me explain. I, personally, hate being told what to do or what to think. I enjoy the journey to discovery. I realized this when I was in high school, and I had to sit through people telling me what things meant and disagreeing the entire time. On another note, I also am trained in this area and, to some, I sound like an authority. Trust me, there will never really be just one answer, and I don't want my personal or professional opinion to stop you guys from looking for an answer. Lastly, I've been told I have a domineering personality--I.E. I shut down people hard without meaning to. 

I don't want that to happen, but in order to keep discussion alive, how about I ask more questions? Sound good? Also some people want me to chime in about author info, but then I'll kill the leaders :( On another note, for every 3-5 student lead discussions there will be one instructor lead--we share the work around here!

 Some people said that they didn't want just a few people to dominate. Yeah....yeah I could see that. OKay, look there are about 5 of you I need to pull aside and make you a person who only gets to ask questions for a few seminars. IF you need help ask Taylor M--she always questions at the right time in the right way--it must be HER FU! As for my quiet people come on guys, we're all fumbling in the dark with these poems sometimes. If you want to feel better, talk to Mack and Cheese she can tell you about the importance of trees in Wyatt poetry. She's one of the smartest cookies in the box, but even she makes mistakes! So come on play with us and train!

Some people stated that they felt that it was hard for them to go as deep as others. Don't be afraid! Sometimes we need people to just come up with a translation into plain English! You're that person! Please help us! Especially if you're our quiet person who got it when we started talking :)

Also according to several people the Wyatt poems were the hardest--go figure. Well, Kudos to Lady Flash and The Object of CC's affection! 

With all that said, guys we're a community. So the ninja village has to unify and help each other out. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be afraid to offer it either. Also, for personality difference, anger is not the road! You may hate that ninja's mask, but you know their Fu is strong--learn from them. 

Good Night, little ninjas see you Wednesday and Keep Calm and Carry On!

KHdz

Heads up: Allusion Megamix

Many of you have been asking what's the next step here. What are doing next? I can't tell you just yet, but here is some of the stuff we've just done.

Projects with author research, Poetry terminology, poetry analysis, 16th century perspective, presentations :) Hmm so by the way 16th century and poetry vocabulary quiz the 16th sound good? Tone vocabulary quiz the week after that maybe....

Soon there will be rewriting and in that there will be discussion of senior essays. Also we'll be getting into our allusion megamix--which will make your kungfu backpacks so heavy you'll need even more will power just to carry it :) The allusion megamix is something like a scavenger hunt. I look forward to it because like your author research it becomes this game of hide and seek with information and people.

For those of you eager to know, you will need to be like the Renaissance Courier. Informed on not only Christianity but also Mythology and Folklore. You will know so much crap by the time we're done it'll boggle everyone's mine :) You'll be like a quality wikipedia with feet.

The Allusion Megamix will probably run parallel to Othello. so double duty my loves--but by that point you won't be presenting :D It'll be a nice change of pace. I look forward to it so much. I may give it to you in pieces.

Also for those of you who feel I haven't been doing a lot of "teaching" it's honestly because you guys are intelligent and can figure things out alone with a little push in the right direction. I mean Mack and Cheese proved that her Fu was killer today. Also I think you guys had a better time hearing it from her than me lecturing. Trust me, you guys are the authority, I'm just here to keep the authority in the realm of rhyme and reason :) If any of you need to talk to me after school, I'll be in the media center from 3-3:30 and then I'll be in my tin can on Thursday.

Free Technology You May Need

Microsoft Word Alternatives
First of all we need to address the lack of Microsoft Word on everyone's computer.
Now there are a lot of programs that are free that can replaced it, and I've tested a few. One that most people like is Open Office. I wasn't wild about it ( because it was more like word pad and not word) but some people swear by it. Jarte is also similar to word pad, but I believe it may let you save things as word documents.  Other alternatives include Abiword and Qjot. I haven't tested the last three so I can't speak to their functionality.

Now, of course, there is always out happy little GoogleDocs which I like because it's automatically accessible anywhere.  Another web based word processor, that works with your google log in, is ThinkFree. I haven't tested this one, but some people like it better than Google Docs.


Flash Drive Alternatives
First, of course I advocate google because it's more likely to be stable than other places. You COULD make a google site page and upload your files there like I do assignments. That aside we have synergy at school, but that one isn't always functioning. Now other things you can use might be Drop Box. I'm currently testing that one this week. So far it's pretty comfortable and also you can link more than one computer and a mobile device. On the internet "cloud based" or server based uploading is really taking off, While 5-10 years ago, Hernandez had to turn the internet upside down looking for a web based free server, they're in abundance now. A few I can't speak for but have heard some buzz about are Dmailer (this is a more a back up your computer files then really a online place to constantly access your files) Syncplicity ( be careful with this one. I'm not sure you can access these files if the computer source is not always online) Sparkle Share (Only for Linux and Mac right now) Sugar Sync (which is suppose to be amazing because a friend of mine bought an account for me to play with, but I haven't activated it yet)  Box, Wuala and Spider Oak

Now things to look out for, if you don't have to upload it anywhere that means that more likely than not your computer has to be on while you're away to be able to access your information .

If you ever are looking for an alternative program you may wan to stop by Alternative To. Net. It's a good place to read and compare.


Pirated Music Alternatives
This is a fun one for you guys. I like being able to get whatever music I want whenever I want. So with Piracy being bad and killing record companies I got with music sites. Most of these sites pay to play their music and thus will once in a while have an advertisement like the radio. The big difference is that it has a lot of music to choose from.
Spotify is a great one, but it's by invitation only. Usually you can just ask for an invitation and in 3 days you will have one. It allows you to find music, things that sound like that music, and listen to entire new CDs before buying them. I like it a little better than Pandora just because when I KNOW what I want I can go get it. Now I run Pandora all the time though because it allows me to just hit play and hear things that match a style of music. Also since I don't have to look for variety it allows me to find new things I like by accident. Stereo Mood is good for wanting something to suit a mood, and  Groove Shark is another.

Flash Drive Alternative

Hey I've already had 2 people have a flash drive failures. I found this online the other day. It words with Mac, PC, Droid, and iphone. I DON'T know about it's security, and I won't be takin assignments this way, but it might be useful to some of you. 


http://db.tt/UQpCbvt

Google Docs Tutorial

So when you get to Google Docs-click on Upload

Then click Files

Find wherever the file is on your computer

Make sure your Boxes match mine 

Wait unil in the bottome right it says 100%

Your document should show up near the top. Click on it

Next go to share in the upper right. 

Type in the e-mail address of the person you want to share with. 

Make sure your options match mine (can view, sent each person a copy ETC)

And click done.

MLA Format Sample Essay

SOOOOOoooo some people don't know/remember what MLA looks like. Don't worry Hernandez is here to help!
Click the link to get a sample of and MLA formated essay!
LINK!

Baby are you down, down, down, down, down. *Hernandez Dance*

A little guidance on paper

Okay so a few people were asking about how it should be formatted. One 1 was are the first few paragraphs history and then the book or what.
That's a rough way to do it. We want seamless synthesis. For example, if your writer is from a specific part of the country and the book takes place there then the life has affected the art in regards to setting.
If your author believed in woman's rights and was an activist what character strongly reflects those ideas ?
As for literary criticism- this is not the same thing as a review say on amazon. Literary criticism is woe that a professional has done that you can sight to back up your opinion. Google scholar is a great place to start. College level Galileo is also good which will have sites like Jstor.
This post has been brought to you by Kel and Chon who asked great Qs. Maybe bug them for more info.
Posted from cell phone please do t judge me harshly until I correct this.
Also- no you don't have to do the questions on the scan copies. Diction and tone due tomorrow !
Also VOTE

Hdz Thought: Mood, Tone or Something Else?

Every so often, when left unsupervised, I do this crazy thing called think. It's dangerous, I know, but many times it's when I get my most interesting ideas :)

The point of this Hdz thought is to discuss the following--so please comment. No this isn't mandatory and no this isn't for a grade, but any time you can expose yourself to a new training opportunity it's a good thing. Due to the explicit lyrics though, I wouldn't pursue this if you know your parents would not approve. There will be other opportunities. 


My iTunes library is huge and diverse. I make a point of keeping it well organized too. Now with over 8,000 songs floating around to hear the same song twice on shuffle is a little odd. That aside, this is one of my favorite songs( please take note that there are references to sexuality, drug use, and profanity. If you or your parental figure find these things unacceptable DO NOT pursue this activity):

This song is a cover--circa 2006--and the original--circa 19995--is below

NOW, the lyrics are the same, which means the ____________ is the same( this would be a good place to look at your readings for the word) The question is is it the tone or the mood or something else that is different?

"Advisory." Explicit Content-Sexual Lyrics. Web. 14 Aug 2011. <http://www.thecampussocialite.com/explicit-content-sexual-lyrics/>.

"Biggie Smalls Big Poppa(lyrics)." YouTube. Web. 14 Aug 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3GYbqEULk4>.

"Mindless Self Indulgence Big Poppa." YouTube. Web. 14 Aug 2011.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnxQB5HBXoU>.

Research Paper and Literary Criticism

Hey Guys,
Many of you e-mailed me Thursday and Friday night asking about the paper. Friday is my official night off--it's when I go to football games or basketball games or hang out with my people. So if you expected an e-mail back last night, sorry, but,as you can see it's before 9 am on Saturday, and I'm back. First of all, the official due date IS the 19th. Second, we're going to do some workshopping on the paper during class. About half the class will be spent on Connotation, Denotation, Tone and Diction--from the readings, and the other half will be discussing how to execute the research paper. Also I think I'm going to scan some information on what literary criticism is for us to read and discuss. Also, news flash, Monday if your phone or Ipod doesn't have a dictionary--please find a cheap one! Dictionary Thesaurus combo is best for obvious reasons.

If you got some Q's e-mail me.
Keep Calm and Carry On,
KHdz

Files, Calendar, and SHOUT OUT

Shout out, honor and praise to Avis! For finding Carly for me.
Files
Calendar

Avis, the person finder,  is a master of  "I got your back" Fu!
Secondary shout out to RL--practitioner  of "I'll help too" Fu!

Depth of Knowledge or...

The newest educational propaganda.  I call it propaganda just because it's the new buzz word we're hearing in all our meetings. So not really propaganda in the strictest sense, but I always wonder about things being pushed hard.

One of my things as a person and teacher is that I like to let people know where things are coming from. I know that I've posted a bit on Bloom's Taxonomy  and that's something that education has been preaching for years, and I think it's been around about 50 years. This doesn't necessarily mean that it's no longer true, but it does seem like it's about that time for re-evaluation. During the week, your RHS teachers had a meeting about Webb's Depth of Knowledge. Honestly, it's not too different from Bloom's, but I thought I would shoot it at you so you could become comfortable with it. This little system is from 1997, again a little old, but not necessarily a bad thing.

Again this is another system of levels of evaluating learning.

DOK 1: (recall) Recall - Recall or recognition of a fact, information, concept, or procedure..

Webb's DOK 1 Aspects :
Identify Who , What, When, Where, Why
Recall facts, terms, concepts, trends, generalizations and theories
Recall elements and details of story structure such as sequence of events, character, plot and setting
Use a variety of tools
Recognize or identify specific information contained in graphics
Define
Describe
Identify purposees
Label
Measure
Illustrate
Repeat, quote, recite, name, tell, match, state, use

This, to me is a lot like the lower levels of Bloom's.

DOK 2: (skill/concept) Basic application of Skills and Concepts - Use of information, conceptual knowledge, following or selecting appropriate procedures, two or more steps with decision points along the way, routine problems, organizing/displaying data.

Webb's DOK 2 Aspects :
Graph
Classify, Organize, Categorize, Construct
Separate
Cause/Effect
Estimate, Compare, Observe, Interpret, Distinguish, Show
Infer
Relate
Use Context Clues
Describe how or why
Give an example
Solve multi-step problems (A two step problem is not automatically a DOK 2 if the steps require only rote or mechanical knowledge or skills)

DOK 3: (strategic thinking) Strategic Thinking - Requires reasoning, developing a plan or sequence of steps to approach a problem; requires some decision making and justification; abstract and complex; often having more than one possible answer.

Webb's DOK 3 Aspects
Revise, crique, formulate, draw conclusions
Investigate, construct
Hypothesize,
Cite Evidence
Assess
Make ands upport decisions
Recognize and explain misconceptions

DOK 4: (extended thinking) Extended Thinking - An investigation or application to real work; requires time to research, think, and process multiple conditions of the problem or task non-routine manipulations, across disciplines/content areas/multiple sources, requires complex reasoning, planning, developing most usually over an extended period of time.


Webb's DOK 4 Aspects:
Design
Synthesize
Criqute
Analyze
Create
Prove
Apply and adapt information to real-world situations
Complex reasoning with planning, investigating or developing a product that will most likely require an extended period of time-must require applying significant conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking

Anyway long story short, shoot for the top level in things you do for your classes.  You will obviously have to do the first few levels of knowledge to get there, but don't stop until you reach the top.


Crites, Christien. "Depth of Knowledge Information."East Carter R-II School. East Carter R-II School, 14 May 2008. Web. 6 Aug 2011. <http://www.ecarter.k12.mo.us/dept/curriculum/dok.html>.

"Distractions." Web. 6 Aug 2011. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MOk5ui8gKj3FrjoHCkOqMI8E3MzDZjQfD8SO5WhUOQengkvTgwoFmDPhdRIc0Qng4Yb3TRkyhx8pmfeVpAxyklE2bbmjKL8Tl68R2gOCocZ_bOWZRiLl33_HCp0mPbY2UxG297_f6wbo/s1600/distractions.gif>.

Regarding ReGrading

It's that time sport fans! Many people are done with both their novels, and now they are sitting on the other side of their computers b-boy stance style waiting for me to give them feed back. I can not make them wait any longer.

I officially start second round grading today. Second round grading will be done (God please let them fix the internet in my RHS trailer) by Thursday. This is the FINAL time I will give you a glimpse into your academic future for these assignments. This means it's the end game. Now, again I got up this morning and there were 30 new blog posts so just putting this out there:

Anything posted after noon tomorrow will not be counted towards the second round grading.

Procrastination is costing some of you on several levels. Come on, there are people who are going clear to Mississipi today and will still get this done, people in surgery, on top of people who are out of the country, and then there are those really brave people--the ones who have to close every night just because they are a high school student. Interestingly enough--these people who have the most extreme schedules are on their grind.

Keep calm, carry on, and stay strong!
KHdz

Regarding the Hunger Games

....Dear Everybody......
I've said this a few,  times but I'll say it again. 
(http://rhskhernandez.blogspot.com/2011/07/second-book-ideas.html)
Don't do The Hunger Games This is not an AP list book, and it is not appropriate for the second novel.
It is a Young Adult literature book. 
It is a part of a trilogy. 
Let me give you some perspective about this book.
The Hunger Games has a Lexile score of 810....that means it's a 4th- 5th grade book....
The Awakening one of the books we will read this semester scores between 1100 1200 that's supposedly 10-12th grade level.
The Bluest Eyes is about 930 which is 10-11th. 
So The Hunger Games


“The heat is horrible, but worse than the heat is the smoke, which threatens to suffocate me at any moment. I pull the top of my shirt up over my nose, grateful to find it soaked in sweat, and it offers a thin veil of protection. And I run, choking, my bag banging against my back, my face cut with branches that materialize from the gray haze without warning, because I know I am supposed to run


Notice the small words and pretty simple sentence structure. Lots of I. 
Now Jane Eyre and The Hunger Games  are considered  9th grade level readability books on the Flesch Kincaid scale....let me kick you a paragraph. 


This lane inclined up-hill all the way to Hay; having reached the middle, I sat down on a stile which led thence into a field. Gathering my mantle about me, and sheltering my hands in my muff, I did not feel the cold, though it froze keenly; as was attested by a sheet of ice covering the causeway, where a little brooklet, now congealed, had overflowed after a rapid thaw some days since. From my seat I could look down on Thornfield: the grey and battlemented hall was the principal object in the vale below me; its woods and dark rookery rose against the west. I lingered till the sun went down amongst the trees, and sank crimson and clear behind them. I then turned eastward.



Both of these are pretty much two scene about two characters dealing with their environment, but they are very different in terms of syntax and structure. So that scale is not really accurate to me.  Anyway you get the idea. What I'm saying is that The Hunger Games is not going to help get you trained up for AP lit class.  Honestly, most of the summer reading from the county is at a low readability but high interest area. So...read it for fun, not for class. 


Citaitons forth coming. 

The Dojo has a Docket: Unofficial Schedule for Month of August

So some people have been asking, what's the day to day grind going to be like? Well that's hard to stay I'm still developing it, but I can give you the rough draft for the first month or so.
By the way, we don't actually have some of the books I mention under the date so you'll be dealing with zerox copies. With that said, PLEASE GET A 3 RING BINDER.

Also some of this is inverted style teaching. I.E. In a regular class, for instance math, you do the lesson and then when you go home you do the work. Sadly, the work is when you have questions, but there is no one to guide you at home. So for many of the reading assignments simple definition and example (I'll warn you now, sometimes you'll have to read over the weekend) and then in class we will do what most people would have assigned as homework. I think this keeps people from giving up at home because they, "don't get it."

In case your wondering I took a picture of the first assigned reading so you could get an idea of how much it will really be. the Sharpie is there as a frame of reference. Click to enlarge.

This is not everything we are doing in class, but I've found that most students want to know how much of my life am I going to have to give up on to be able to do you class. I've left the assignments off on purpose. Some of you are a little overzealous :D

First Semester Pacing--August

Week 1 August 9th Possible Nightly readings Perrine's Connotation and Denotation Pages p.686-692	Diagnostic Information: Poetry and Drama diagnostic test Presentation Discussion Essay Topics Possible Readings: "When my move swears that she is made of truth" by Shakespeare  Assignments: Total Possible Pages for this week: 6
Week 2 August 15th--ESSAY DUE THIS WEEK Possible Nightly readings Bedford Close Reading: Analyzing Poetry and Fiction p.19-24 Perrine's Tone p.804- 809 DiYannip.787-793	Basics and Remediation Presentations Historical Notes on 16th Century Literature Poetry:  Diction, Tone, and Mood Possible Readings: The flea by John Donne The Apparition by Jon Donne Since there's no help Michael Drayton Assignments: Total Possible Pages for this week: 18
Week 3 August 22 Possible Nightly readings Bedford p. 26-30 Perrine's 822-830 DiYani 799-802	Basics of Poetry: Figurative Language--Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Apostrophe, Metonymy, Symbol, Allegory, Paradox, Overstatement, Understatement, and Irony Presentations Possible Readings: A valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne To the Virgins to Make Much of time by Robert Herrick Peace by George Herbert Hymn to God My God, in My Sickness The Sun Rising by John Donne Batter My Heart, three-personed God by John Donne Assignments:  Total Possible Pages for this week: 15
Week 4 August 29  Perrine p.822-830 DiYanni 817-820, 824-829	Basics of Poetry: Sound Devices—Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance, Internal Rhyme, End Rhyme, Rhyme scheme, onomatopoeia presentations Possible Readings: Assignments:  Total Possible Pages for this week: 16

None of this is in stone yet, I still need to let a few people read it and advise and suggest. I just thought I'd give you a heads up because I know 1. You are all very busy people with multiple AP classes, jobs and sports and 2. Many of you are worriers. So to help you I wrote this up. Normally I'm not this structured, but I got the impression that you guys needed this from me. You know what they say, "Cry at the dojo, laugh on the battlefield." 

Keep Calm and Carry on

KHdz

P.S. If you needed a podcast for this class....what would you need it to address?

Literary Terms

Some people have stated that they don't know what to write about exactly. Here are some suggestions.

AP Literature Terms

Ap English Glossary

I will warn you in advance that these are not MY definitions or MY lists. So, use at your own risk. I have provided these because I didn't have one readily available on this computer.  I hope they assit those of you in need of them. Also, also you can just google Literature Terms, but make sure you find several definitions of the same word to verify and evaluate the credibility.

Bloom's Taxonomy or Someone Find Me a Mushroom

Some people have been asking why just summary is not going to fly. Let me take you to the chart of intelligence--that's my name for it sometimes, you can't google that and find anything---This ia a Bloom's Taxonomy chart.

Knowledge 0 point zone

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
tell list describe relate locate write find state name	What happened after...? How many...? Who was it that...? Can you name the...? Describe what happened at...? Who spoke to...? Can you tell why...? Find the meaning of...? What is...? Which is true or false...?	Make a list of the main events.. Make a timeline of events. Make a facts chart. Write a list of any pieces of information you can remember. List all the .... in the story. Make a chart showing... Make an acrostic. Recite a poem.

Okay, this is the lowest form of intelligence. This is like memorization at best, blind obedience at worst. This is useful, but alone is useless. Who really cares that the capital of Georgia is Atlanta? So what? Do something with it.
Lit Example: Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter.

Comprehension 1 point

("Mario-star__2")

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
explain interpret outline discuss distinguish predict restate translate compare describe	Can you write in your own words...? Can you write a brief outline...? What do you think could of happened next...? Who do you think...? What was the main idea...? Who was the key character...? Can you distinguish between...? What differences exist between...? Can you provide an example of what you mean...? Can you provide a definition for...?	Cut out or draw pictures to show a particular event. Illustrate what you think the main idea was. Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events. Write and perform a play based on the story. Retell the story in your words. Paint a picture of some aspect you like. Write a summary report of an event. Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events. Make a colouring book.

Okay, let's say you find a Mario mushroom and grow up a little bit. Now that you are a little bigger, I'll let you know, this is the land of summary. As we all know, Mario can't get all the way through the game with just a mushroom. If you summarize the text, AP exam will end you.

This,at best, is a middle school execution of information. An example of comprehension would be to being able to define a capital of a state and then being able to find GA on a map and then being able to point to Atlanta.
Lit Example: Hester Prim is standing on the scaffold in the early chapters of  The Scarlet Letter. 

Application 1 point zone

("fire_mario_smb3")

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
solve show use illustrate construct complete examine classify	Do you know another instance where...? Could this have happened in...? Can you group by characteristics such as...? What factors would you change if...? Can you apply the method used to some experience of your own...? What questions would you ask of...? From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions about...? Would this information be useful if you had a ...?	Construct a model to demonstrate how it will work. Make a diorama to illustrate an important event. Make a scrapbook about the areas of study. Make a paper-mache map to include relevant information about an event. Take a collection of photographs to demonstrate a particular point. Make up a puzzle game suing the ideas from the study area. Make a clay model of an item in the material. Design a market strategy for your product using a known strategy as a model. Dress a doll in national costume. Paint a mural using the same materials. Write a textbook about... for others.

If you find a flower, Mario has fire, now you're more powerful. How would knowing where the Capital is be helpful?
Lit Example: If I could ask Hester Prim one question, I would want to know why she remained in that town rather than leaving.

Analysis-2 points zone

("/super-mario-3-power-ups-cape" )

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
analyse distinguish examine compare contrast investigate categorise identify explain separate advertise	Which events could have happened...? I ... happened, what might the ending have been? How was this similar to...? What was the underlying theme of...? What do you see as other possible outcomes? Why did ... changes occur? Can you compare your ... with that presented in...? Can you explain what must have happened when...? How is ... similar to ...? What are some of the problems of...? Can you distinguish between...? What were some of the motives behind...? What was the turning point in the game? What was the problem with...?	Design a questionnaire to gather information. Write a commercial to sell a new product. Conduct an investigation to produce information to support a view. Make a flow chart to show the critical stages. Construct a graph to illustrate selected information. Make a jigsaw puzzle. Make a family tree showing relationships. Put on a play about the study area. Write a biography of the study person. Prepare a report about the area of study. Arrange a party. Make all the arrangements and record the steps needed. Review a work of art in terms of form, colour and texture.

Now, if you, in the words of Skyla and Drake, "are fancy," you find a feather and get a super hero cape, you can transcend the mediocre standards of high school freshman you can analyze.

VERY short Lit Example: What's the problem with Dimmsdale, Hester's baby's daddy and a preacher,  living with Chilingsworth, Hester Prim's husband who was thought dead?

Evaluation 3 points zone 

("art_superMarioBros3HammerSuit-300x187")

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
judge select choose decide justify debate verify argue recommend assess discuss rate prioritise determine	Is there a better solution to... Judge the value of... Can you defend your position about...? Do you think ... is a good or a bad thing? How would you have handled...? What changes to ... would you recommend? Do you believe? Are you a ... person? How would you feel if...? How effective are...? What do you think about...?	Prepare a list of criteria to judge a ... show. Indicate priority and ratings. Conduct a debate about an issue of special interest. Make a booklet about 5 rules you see as important. Convince others. Form a panel to discuss views, eg "Learning at School." Write a letter to ... advising on changes needed at... Write a half yearly report. Prepare a case to present your view about...

Become Hammer Mario to thrown down and use amazing thoughts. Use your hammers to build up  or tear down the craftsmanship of the literary work--that's evaluation

VERY short Lit Example: The Scarlet Letter is an excellent example of American Gothic Romantic literature because of it's address of secret sin, guilt, and the truth coming out in extreme situations.

Notice: This is kinda like a thesis statement. 

Synthesis and Creation 3/4 points 

("Mario-star__2")

Useful Verbs	Sample Question Stems	Potential activities and products
create invent compose predict plan construct design imagine propose devise formulate	Can you design a ... to ...? Why not compose a song about...? Can you see a possible solution to...? If you had access to all resources how would you deal with...? Why don't you devise your own way to deal with...? What would happen if...? How many ways can you...? Can you create new and unusual uses for...? Can you write a new recipe for a tasty dish? can you develop a proposal which would...	Invent a machine to do a specific task. Design a building to house your study. Create a new product. Give it a name and plan a marketing campaign. Write about your feelings in relation to... Write a TV show, play, puppet show, role play, song or pantomime about...? Design a record, book, or magazine cover for...? Make up a new language code and write material suing it. Sell an idea. Devise a way to... Compose a rhythm or put new words to a known melody.

(Dalton)

Now, if you get just crazy, find a star to  make you invincible You are trying to put info together and design things. 

VERY short Lit Example: Compose a essay where you create  an essay combining the themes in The Scarlet Letter and Brave New World. 

"art_superMarioBros3HammerSuit-300x187"Top Shelf Gaming: Top 5 Mario Power Ups ."Web. 27 Jul 2011 <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOBbgHl9QZ0U9C__qhKFOwogrBoWsJ-RBx0o2Ia6vGXYaqWR-IbXUZcf-z213Fs5NO3GTlp-3t28tM9W9kQ84-65bDb8U7iVGfLuAuVP1TWMcYhqCIr7xtmGzb61vSW59dAocCZ7HKfQ/s1600/art_superMarioBros3HammerSuit-300x187.jpg>.

Dalton, J. & Smith, D. (1986) “Extending Children’s Special Abilities – Strategies for primary classrooms”  pp36-7

"fire_mario_smb3" Top Shelf Gaming: Top 5 Mario Power Ups ."Web. 27 Jul 2011 <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbHuJsMmMe8Rlr3HXRavOz_1w0R7PBBWhhlS8860bgAEJskDUptgdA53GoAgaZiLQnHJw4XSgPNoyxXT1obpRgU4PtyDMHKsK4ZSXMPoqNQqbivaw0pbwU7VylWKw7P9Vdx2AMGoE1IU/s1600/fire_mario_smb3.jpg>.


"Mario-Mushroom." Games-Mario Mushroom. Web. 27 Jul 2011. <http://www.320x480.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/mario-mushroom.jpg>.


"Mario-star__2" Satanic symbols in the oil field."Web. 27 Jul 2011 <http://mario1.info/mario-star__2_.jpg>.


"super-mario-3-power-ups-cape" Top Shelf Gaming: Top 5 Mario Power Ups ."Web. 27 Jul 2011 <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlsr66cBfVUXIrIrCDvVZQpTVi7KIuYBS7ei0ju2JNqPlBZH3bbk5UTnLh1GSEN0HHSNgQLpFi10C-FpYaS8hvBiPXE2W9ySQ1087iOhreBGUto5O2Si695Cy8eqZk_Z-7v09456-UYY/s1600/super-mario-3-power-ups-cape.jpg>.

Regarding Posts and Mr. Miyagi

I really should have said this sooner, but it never occurred to me that people would do it this way. I know many teachers aren't in the habit of "explaining themselves" because they "shouldn't have to explain" themselves, but I like to be logical. Also, I personally don't like being ordered around or told to do things without knowing why I'm doing them. You won't always get a why from me, but most of the time you'll get something.

I have come to find out that some of you are reading diligently away but not posting. You are instead keeping journals and plan on posting closer to the first day of classes. NOW this is smashing for certain things, but bad for others, let me explain.

Why this is bad for H:
Uhm I don't know if you've realized, but there are only so many hours in a day. I know, it boggles the mind, considering that I know some of you have heard I'm a blood-drinking, soul-crushing, student-tormenting vampire, I'm sure you expected me to be able to read all your posts in one sitting. Alas, it is not to be. For example, one lovely student posted 18 blog entries in one day. This, I later found out, is because Cox is stupid and so is her computer.

Now one person doing it, not so big a deal, 12 people doing it is a problem. Having to read that many and provide god feed back and give suggestions in a timely manner  is almost impossible. Due to the mechanics of website navigation, it is much faster to read all of one person's posts then clicking on 1 of each of the 12 and providing feedback like that.

Now on to something a little more important, why is this a problem for you?

Well, if you posts 18 posts in one day along with 11 other people and you're at the bottom of my update list, I may not get to read ANY of your posts until about a week later--and it's about 2 weeks before we go back kids.  Without the time to give you feed back and let you correct mistakes--you take the grade you take.

People who already have their grade for the first 22 assignments have a leg up on you. They can go back and fix things before the due date and thus receive a higher grade. These students will also be better prepared for the writing assignments of the course because they know my expectations.  If you wait until the night before the due date, you're taking the grade you are designated. No correction time because at that point we will be doing other things that will require not only my full attention but also your full attention.

In short, what can you do?

If you're keeping a journal, I highly recommend that before the end of today, type up your first 5 posts. This way you can get an idea if what you are writing on and focusing on is the correct thing.

I'm trying to cover your back as best I can, which I know is annoying as summer is coming to an end, but all good things must right?

Remember, anything you really know how to do well is because you did it repeatedly. Even if you didn't like it or weren't very good to start off with. Let's go to the clip :)

Daniel-san does it on his own a lot then shows Miyagi, Miyagi corrects a bit, and magically, we have functional karate. How can I up your Lit fu without you showin' me your moves?

Keep Calm, Carry on, and Come Back Tomorrow.
KHdz

Questions about Grading

Darn good ones I might add.

One meticulous blogger asked the following:

Would commenting answers from your questions be helpful enough to bring my grade up? Or just adding to the posts in general? And will the site notify you of the corrections I've made?

Answer

Answers to comments can be helpful depending what I wrote at the time--to be honest, like you guys I'm not always on a 3 questioning level. Also, since the AP literature course is the training ground for college courses and, of course, the AP test, I recommend going to the source.


"A generic method for the approach to such close reading involves the following elements: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. By experience, we mean the subjective dimensions of reading and responding to literary works, including precritical impressions and emotional responses. By interpretation, we mean the analysis of literary works through close reading to arrive at an understanding of their multiple meanings. By evaluate, we mean both an assessment of the quality and artistic achievement of literary works and a consideration of their social and cultural values"
(English Literature and Composition: The Course Reading, 6).
You do an amazing job of discussing the literary experience (IE I felt this because of this) and you also push through to interpretation often. What's really left is evaluate some things, and not in that this is good and this is bad sort of way, but in the is the device being used effective. By effective I mean is the writer's meaning being yet again presented to you in a memorable and meaningful way.


A great example of this is your tears entry where you discuss the influence of not saying cried. Spot on work. You can also go back and comment in the following way, "After finishing the book I now see that X is important because of ______." Sometimes we don't understand what the author is doing in the first 50 pages until we've read the last 30.


As for adding posts no no! Please just put additional info into the bottom of your post or in your comments. As for the site notifying me, sadly, no. I will have to physically go through and look for them. I will start looking for at corrections in about 4 days I think. That should be enough time to get everyone's work graded at least once.

Question:

Are you going to update these once we've fixed the post?

Answer:

Indeed :) but I won't be able to go back and start checking until I graded everyone's blog at least once

English Literature and Composition: The Course Reading. Professional Development AP English Literature and Composition Workshop

Handbook 2009-2010. The College Board. 2009. 7. Print.

Regarding Grades

Okay, you may freak out a little when you see this so I'm including a few comments about how we came to these grades--which are not in stone. 

The scoring is as follows for the quotes

1. Needs Improvement. The student chooses a quote that seems irrelevant to the plot. Rather than discuss the meaning to the overall work the student just rewords it and provides the context that it is said. 

2. Developing, The student chooses a quote and claims that it is significant in regard to theme, character development, symbolism, irony or any other literary device, but does not provide evidence from the text or real world to support. 

3. Mastery. The student choose a quote, claims that it has merit to the work in regards to theme, plot, character development, diction or any other literary device and provides evidence from the text. The student also discusses how the quote fits into the work as a whole and adds to it's literary merit. 

For reader response:

1. Needs Improvement. The student does not appear to grasp the concept at present. The student simply summarizes the happenings of the plot and the characters action. The student lives almost completing in the realm of experience according the AP literature close reading novel. 

2. Developing, Identifies the device but does not explain fully. The student also questions character motives and makes predictions to the plot. The student relies still heavily on solely experience of the AP close reading approach but is moving towards interpretation step. 

3. MasteryStudent identifies, analyzes and evaluates the impact of the devices on the text. The student also utilizes all three levels of the AP approach to close reading

First of all 10 quotes and 10 reader response.

Rather than make every reader response worth the same there is a staggered progression. There is the acceptance that you may start off weak in the beginning, the "what do you want from me?!" stage, and with guidance and more information you can obviously better complete the task. 

The first 3 posts are only worth 25% of your overall grade. This means they are worth something, but they won't kill you if you start weak. Starting off weak can be attributed to not having as much information, being unsure, or the author taking his/her sweet time. This is also why this section is worth a little less. 

The next 3 posts are worth 35 % of the over score. At this point in your responses, you should be getting a better idea of what to post thanks to examples from classmates and the "in regard to" posts. Also, at this point, all the setting up is over, and you can start making real predictions and statements of symbolism motifs and themes. 

The last section is worth 40% of the score. This is because by the end of the novel you really have all the information you need to address many of the devices in literature. Also your plot is almost completely unfolded. Also at this point, I've commented or other have about thoughts to explore.  I'm trying to reward improvement rather than kill you for not starting strong. 

  

Many of you will be getting a projected grade this week for your first novel. Also many of you in the 2 range are just not using correct terms 


IE So this is a good entry that is missing some focus. You're talking about the structure, point of view, characterization, and flow of your novel, but you're saying it like a kid. IE A bathroom for a little kid is "potty." A shift in point of view to an annoyed tired senior is "switching back and forth." :P Use your clear headed senior words more than your tired senior words.


Don't freak out. For a lot of these an addition of a paragraph will fix it. 


Keep Calm and Carry On
KHDZ

I write like
H. P. Lovecraft

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

How Chat This Weekend

Some of you are no doubt technical geniuses and don't need this tutorial, but since someone asked I decided to show. first of all your inbox in google may look like this

You'll notice in the bottom left corner there is a section called "Chat"
Mine is open so I can see who is online and who is not.

If it's closed hit the little plus sign, and you'll be able to see everyone.


Now if you're not on google for your email client it will look different, but there should be an option to import contacts from other clients. If you have questions about your client take some screen captures and we'll see what we can do. At the bottom, I'll have some information about how to do screen captures.






So once you click on someone's name in the lower right corner will pop up a window where you can instant message people.....now I could IM skyla and make her very uncomfortable with like "DO YOUR WORK," but I'll spare her. If you'd like it bigger, you can click on the arrow pointing up in the air and you'll have a bigger screen.

---

How to do a screen capture
For Macs-- you push the apple, shift and 3 button (all at once) and it'll save to your desktop. Apple, shift, and 4 (all at once) will give you precision 


For PCs-- Windows 98--alt and the  print screen keys at the same time, places the screen on the clipboard and you can paste it to wherever you need it.. 


With Vista and Windows 7  in the Accessories folder in Start you'll find Snipping Tool which will allow you to use the mouse to select the area of the screen you want to grab. 


With newer computers sometimes the print screen key should be near F12 or say PRTSC

Change in Plans

Okay so I can't access the group mail list on my phone so I'm posting it here. I got here at 10, and I've managed to cut my finger while moving a desk and it won't stop bleeding....and I can't get into the building...which means I'm heading out. To compensate I'll be online longer. And maybe tomorrow. Sorry guys. AT where are you with your first aid kit?