Important Link for Information About the New PSAT and SAT

Check out this link to learn about the new PSAT and SAT. At the end of the document are additional links that will help you prepare for these tests. (You may have to click on the link twice in order for it to work. Click once, then hit the browser back arrow, then click the link again.)

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/prepare-new-psat-nmsqt.pdf?ep_ch=PR&ep_mid=11155682&ep_rid=161074627

If the link does not work, google "college readiness pdf prepare new PSAT."

Make-Up Work

Remember it is your responsibility to find out the assignments you need to make up. Make-up work may be done after school in AEP. See me as quickly as possibly at the end of last period on the day that you want to make up an assignment. Tell me exactly what you need make up. Be very specific. I have several classes, many students, and a variety of assignments. Thank you.

After-School Tutoring for SAT

All Scholars:

After-school tutoring for the new SAT will take place in Mr. Mulhern's room, 2402, on the following dates:

September 21, September 22, September 24, September 29, October 1, October 6, October 8, and October 13.

Try to attend as many sessions as possible. The SAT is so important for college admission.

Grades 9 and 10--FSA ELA Question Stems

Scholars: Review the following question types for the FSA ELA. The more familiar you are with the wording and types of questions on the test, the better you will perform. You might even cut and paste the question types into a Word document and place it in your binder. In that way, when you read selections you can ask yourself these questions and improve your skill set for the assessment. Good luck!

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Excellent Resource for the New SAT

The following web page was created by Ms. Rohrbach, the Media Specialist at Atlantic Technical College High School in Coconut Creek, Florida. It is a fantastic resource for teachers and students.

http://browardschools.libguides.com/ATC/TestPrep

Free Practice ACT/New SAT at Atlantic Technical College High School

Our students will have an opportunity to take a Rock the SAT/ACT Practice Test on Saturday, September 26, at 7:30 am-11:45 am here at Atlantic Technical College High School. The event will be a Princeton Review Assessment consisting of ACT and New SAT practice questions to help evaluate student strengths for these question types. This test will enable students to sample both test formats and identify their target areas for improvement. Students wishing to participate must sign up with either Mr. Mulhern, Mr. Beames, Mrs. Celestino, Mr. Donoso, Mrs. Goldwyn, or Mrs. Lee.

Teacher Model--Responding to an Argumentative Prompt

Below is an example of a written response to the AP English Language and Composition Argumentative Prompt (2011). I will use this in my classroom to model for students the writing process on the AP Exam. (The response was written in a 40-minute timed session when I attended an AP Summer Institute.) I want to show students that AP Readers understand that their writing is a draft and that they will not be marked down because of cross-outs and penmanship that is difficult to read. The caveat I would tell students is to of course try to write as legibly as possible. If the penmanship is very poor, the AP Reader will struggle and may miss important content in the student response.

English III and AP English--Free Practice SAT and ACT

Free practice tests for the SAT and ACT will be offered on Saturday 11/14 through Princeton Review at Nova Southeastern University in Miramar.

Students can register for available test dates by visiting PrincetonReview.com/RockTheTest or by calling 800-2Review. Space is limited, and students should register early.

Freshman English--Sample Opening Paragraph: Happiness Synthesis Essay

                       

     The Beatles sing that money can’t buy love, but what of happiness? One of society’s many quandaries is trying to determine the nature of the relationship between wealth and happiness and whether or not one can greatly affect the other. Many argue that there is no connection between wealth and happiness, while others say it is the key. However, there are a multitude of factors that lead to a person’s happiness, affluence included. Money does not determine entirely whether or not a person is happy, but it can add to or detract from a person’s overall happiness.

(Opening paragraph written by Ms. Laura Baughman. Thank you, Ms. Baughman.)

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Ten

Due Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Nine

Due Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Eight

Due March 12, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Seven

The Bravery of Martincho in the Ring of Saragassa,
Francisco Goya (1815-1816)

Due February 24, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

AP English--Teacher Model of Revision, "I Have a Dream" Analysis

Scholars: Notice how the elaboration in the original paragraph is vague and non-specific. To say that an author "elicits the beauty" that "etches a picture in each listener's mind" says nothing especially original or interesting. Basically, I am saying, "Imagery creates a picture in a reader's mind." That is stating the obvious. Of course, visual imagery creates a picture! The original elaboration does not "dig deep" enough. It fails to say what was effective about that specific use of imagery, the meaning of those particular words. I need to elaborate on this new information in King's text and, through reflection (utilizing the SOAPSTone technique), decide how I can better express the effectiveness of King's prose. Every time I reflect in this way (metacognition), I not only utilize the skills I have already learned, but I also improve my learning process for future assignments.

Freshman English and AP English--Reflecting on Your Learning (Metacognition)

Reflection Sheet

Scholars: Consider the following before, during, and after any lesson. Write your responses on a separate sheet of paper after the class, but I encourage you to simply think about these questions during the lesson. By reflecting as much as possible about your learning (metacognition), you will be more engaged, and as a result, become a better student not only in this class, but all of your classes.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Six

Romeo and Juliet, Frank Dicksee (1884)

Due February 18, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also underline (or highlight) the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Five

Romeo and Juliet, Frank Dicksee (1884)

Due February 18, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also underline (or highlight) the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.

Responding to a Synthesis Prompt

Synthesis of Movement, Giacomo Balla (1914)

Responding to the Synthesis Prompt on the AP Exam (You Can Use These Ideas to Write Any Synthesis Essay)

The Synthesis Prompt appears first in the Free-Response Section of the AP English Language and Composition Exam.  Synthesis is a blending of ideas from other sources to create a new whole (your essay).  In this exam, there will be either 6 or 7 Sources (A through G) that you will need to read and gather ideas to support your argument--your response to the prompt. At least one of the Sources will be visual (a chart, a graph, a picture, a cartoon).  The directions on the exam tell you that you must incorporate at least 3 different Sources into your discussion (essay).  You may think of the Synthesis Essay as a mini Research Paper.  You are being tested on your ability to read, evaluate, and utilize the Sources in a coherent written argument.  Below are some pointers that I have come up with after teaching AP English for many years, as well as from my experience as an AP Reader.  The suggestions below are not necessarily part of the rubric from The College Board.  They are based on the conclusions that I have drawn after reading and evaluating thousands of Synthesis Essays over the years.

How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay

The Book, Juan Gris (1913)



Print out the following notes (or handwrite) so that you can keep this rubric in your binder for future essay assignments.

• Analysis means explaining (with textual evidence, i.e., quotes) how an author effectively renders/shows/establishes a particular literary aspect.  For example, theme, mood, characterization, conflict.  Before you begin to write the essay, you have to figure out what larger aspect of the text you will be analyzing. (Sometimes your teacher will assign a specific literary aspect for you to analyze; other times, you will have to choose that literary aspect on your own.)  As you are reading the text, you need to find excellent examples (quotes) that will support that larger literary aspect.

Freshman English--Sample Opening Paragraphs for Theme Analysis Essay on "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell

The following examples are products of collaborative writing in my first period English I class.

Group One

     “I have hunted every kind of game in every land.  It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed.”  This quote is proudly spoken by the self-confident character General Zaroff from the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell.  However, his self-confident personality is quickly overpowered by his more practical opponent, Rainsford, who shows the general that he can outsmart him in his own hunting competition.  Connell's story shows us that self-confidence can turn on you when you are trying to survive.

Freshman English--Vocabulary List Four

Banks of the Seine, Paris Albert Marquet (1896)

Due February 3, 2015

Directions: Copy the vocabulary words. Most of them have been taken from your textbook; some words/terms are not typical vocabulary words (for example, names of places or allusions to famous things); nevertheless, you should know them. Look up the definitions and parts of speech of each word. Write both in your notebook. (You must handwrite this assignment; not type, or cut and paste). For each of the words, find an excellent context sentence by googling the Internet (always cite your source within parentheses after the sentence--the name of the website). In addition, create an excellent context sentence of your own. Please clearly label the "googled" sentence and your "own" sentence: "I" for Internet sentence; "My" for the sentence that you create. Also highlight the vocabulary word in each sentence. All of this work should be written on loose-leaf paper in your notebook, so that it can be turned in for a grade.