Final Goodbye...

Well now that we had our last final class of AP English what are your thoughts about the class? Did you learn something new? Did it let you discover something new about yourself? etc...

That's a Wrap!

Well guys, tomorrow is pretty much our last day in AP. Final thoughts?

New Year

Well, we are done with the year and it has been a very fun, yet stressful year. Luckily, we all made it pass the AP test (yay!) but now what? What are your goals for the upcoming year? Mine would be to help out more in the community, along with being organized for a new chapter in life, continuing school: college.

Poster Boards for Presentations

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you guys had any ideas about to do with the poster board? I was thinking to put information about the author on the poster board instead of their writing since that's what the whole presentation consists of and I felt it would be redundant to discuss their writing again in a different format.

Poster Boards

How are everyone's poster boards coming along? What kind of materials are you going to use?

Independent Reading Book

Sometimes re-reading a book again may seem a little bit of work or we become idle when it comes to reading it again. Did you guys find it helpful to read again a book you had read before? Did reading it again help you learn more about the book or make more connections now that you may have more background information since when you first read it? or any other opinions...?

Summer Time - prepare for senior year time-

Do any of you guys plan on taking the ACT or SAT this summer? Seniors do you guys have any suggestions to those of us who want to do better? Anything that helped or didnt help you?

ALEX #2

So for those who took the SAT how do you feel about it? Do you feel it is fair that this one test will be one of the major deciding factors as to what colleges and scholarships you'll have at hand? I have yet to take it and was curious as to whether it was a fair gauge of your intelligence as a student?

ALEX

Ok so now that the AP test is over but we cant speak specifically of the questions in general how do you guys feel you did? Was there any section that you feel you messed up on or overall was it easier or harder than what you expected? Was anyone else hesitant to allow College Board to access the information because you didn't know how you'd do?

Soooo.......

How is everyone doing on their project and book report? Has anyone finished yet?

Adaptations

Rarely do I care for film-type adaptations of literature, but specifically in the live-action department. I adore most cartoon adaptations.

I did some digging and found a really cute Mickey Mouse short on the book I'm reading The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. There are some major significances in how the boys become separated and there is not much motivation to live different lives (Parent Trap like) in the book. Despite that, it is pretty funny.

My Favorite Part:

Mickey: I can't be the prince! H-how do I act? What do I say?

Prince: To govern, you'd need only say one of two things: "That's a splendid idea! I'm glad I thought of it." or "Guards! Seize him!"

It's an old joke, but I guess the actor's delivery was what made it so funny.

It turns out this other old cartoon show called Animaniacs often told segments of Shakespeare in it's actual form with translation/jokes about it on the side. Those weren't bad either.
Or the A Midsummer Night's Dream adaptation, also a Mickey Mouse short.
(I went on a cartoon spree if you have not noticed.)

What's your favorite adaptation of a piece of literature? It can be either cartoon, live-action, or even anime (Romeo X Juliet, apparently).
And don't say The Scarlet Letter with Demi Moore, or I will be very disappointed!

It's Here. *Cue Dramatic Music*

The AP Exam is here, the day we all worked so hard for. Any last thoughts, nerves?
I wish you all good luck and may the force be with you.

Has anyone else really started on their independent reading project? I seem to be overwhelmed by all of the other projects I'm doing in other classes and keep forgetting to make time for it.

Im having trouble remembering the characters and plot in Fahrenheit 451 can anyone remind me?

The quotes you memorized...

...what do you think of them?

I actually had fun with that assignment and looked into quotes that were meaningful to me. My favorite was my quote from The Pearl about happiness in simplicity:

"They had spoken once, but there is no need for speech if it is only a habit anyway. Kino sighed with satisfaction - and that was conversation."

So I was wondering what your favorite quote was and why? I thought it would be interesting to discuss.

Approaching the Exam

What approaches have you guys taken outside of class to prepare for the exam? Any strategies that you have found helpful? Study guides? etc.

Recall Your Independent Reading Book From Freshmen Year

Thinking of outside reading, what was the earliest independent reading book you remember? I read The Freedom Writers Diary my freshmen year. It wasn't that bad, but I know that as a freshmen, I skimmed plenty. Just didn't have to attention span at the time, I guess. Plus, I know for a fact that I wasn't old enough to completely understand the magnitude of some of the entries.

I'm considering reading it again if I have room for it on my reading bucket list.

But what about you? What did you read for your freshmen year independent reading? Do you think you gave it proper attention? Would you consider reading it again?

Ideas/Plans for Summer Reading

What are you guys planning to read over the summer (assuming that you read outside of the classroom)? I'm going to try to finish The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain by the end of the year because I finished my independent reading and it is a pretty small book, though it might leak into after-graduation.

After that, my reading bucket-list says The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling then The Phantom Tollbooth. 

(You know, I like Mark Twain's writing. I'm exactly sure why, but I love his work.)

Anyways, share your thoughts, please.