The students are also reading Jane Eyre at home for homework and working on group chapter presentations. We will begin our study of Jane Eyre on Monday Feb. 3rd. Unlike Godot, JE is a little easier to figure out.
Monday, January 27, 2014
What Are We Waiting For? We're Waiting for Godot!
We began the 2nd semester with a short but busy week. With no time to lose and the AP Exam fast approaching in May, we jumped into our next piece of literature---Waiting for Godot--an existential play by Samuel Beckett. Even though this play is only two Acts in length, it packs a lot of weight regarding what it's actually about. At this point, I'm pretty sure the class is still trying to figure that out. On the surface level Beckett's play appears to have no value except to watch to tramps hang out next to a tree and play with their hats and boots, but we all know in AP that there is something "bigger" going on. We just have to figure it out. So, in order to do that I've broken the class into two groups "Existentialist" critics and "Christian" critics and we are working our way through deconstructing the play that way. We shall see how it turns out.
The students are also reading Jane Eyre at home for homework and working on group chapter presentations. We will begin our study of Jane Eyre on Monday Feb. 3rd. Unlike Godot, JE is a little easier to figure out.
The students are also reading Jane Eyre at home for homework and working on group chapter presentations. We will begin our study of Jane Eyre on Monday Feb. 3rd. Unlike Godot, JE is a little easier to figure out.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
We Survived Senior Projects! (1/10/14)
Wow, what can I say? Last week was a whirlwind of activity as we prepared for the "Big day." Senior Project presentation week is always a little stressful for students and of course teachers, but this time around seemed more stressful since we returned from Christmas break, and then it was time to present just three days later.
Luckily, as a class we had pretty much finished up all of our curriculum as far as literature was concerned, so we could focus on practicing presentations. Some of us practicing a little more than others, and anxiety and nerves certainly ran high.
However, the outcome was awesome. As a class we all did phenomenally. Out of 29 students, our class produced 6 perfect scores of 100 and many 99 and 98s. For a teacher, I was extremely proud of all of the hard work the class committed themselves too and it paid off on presentation day. I'm still receiving compliments from judges and teachers who were so impressed by the group.
As Senior Projects came to a close, so did the end of the semester. On Friday, everyone received their scores from portfolios and the judges' feedback sheets. I think as a group all were pleased. I left the class with a little thank you note I created for them--"Mrs. Davala's 14 Life Lessons for the Class of 2014" and then we concluded the class with the kids feeling the need to "give themselves a party". I'm so glad we have this class during 2nd block next semester.
Mrs. Davala
Luckily, as a class we had pretty much finished up all of our curriculum as far as literature was concerned, so we could focus on practicing presentations. Some of us practicing a little more than others, and anxiety and nerves certainly ran high.
However, the outcome was awesome. As a class we all did phenomenally. Out of 29 students, our class produced 6 perfect scores of 100 and many 99 and 98s. For a teacher, I was extremely proud of all of the hard work the class committed themselves too and it paid off on presentation day. I'm still receiving compliments from judges and teachers who were so impressed by the group.
As Senior Projects came to a close, so did the end of the semester. On Friday, everyone received their scores from portfolios and the judges' feedback sheets. I think as a group all were pleased. I left the class with a little thank you note I created for them--"Mrs. Davala's 14 Life Lessons for the Class of 2014" and then we concluded the class with the kids feeling the need to "give themselves a party". I'm so glad we have this class during 2nd block next semester.
Mrs. Davala
Saturday, January 4, 2014
It's a New Year in AP 12 and Senior Projects are Around the Corner!
It's a new year and and we have finally made it to Senior Project presentation week. It has been a long semester preparing for this very moment. As a teacher, I am very excited for the students to present and share the truly amazing work they have done this semester. Presenting Senior Projects will mark the end of our 1st semester together in AP. Normally, I would lose my students at this point and gain new ones, but I am SUPER excited to keep this group until Graduation in June. I cannot wait to delve deeper into more fabulous literature this semester and prepare for the AP Exam on May 8th.
We have had some great times so far this semester from reading Pride and Prejudice and the girls falling in love with Darcy to exploring Hamlet's mental idiosyncrasies. We must not forget all of the Romantic Nature elements in Frankenstein, Tea Cake and Janie's "Real Love" and her connection to the "Pear Tree"- (I know that made some of the class uncomfortable), in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Probably the oddest but nonetheless more interesting was just how odd Meursault was in The Stranger, and finishing off our semester with our truly unique study of Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It was interesting to explore our own hearts of darkness.
We did not just read this semester. We took a day off to learn just what it was like to have a traditional Victorian Tea, and I brought my mom to work with me that day. We tried different kinds of tea, and traditional tea food, dressed up, and used our best manners. It will be hard to top that tea party!
All in all, I believe we have learned a great deal as a group this semester. Here's to a productive 2nd semester as we work our way to Graduation in June.
Mrs. Davala
We have had some great times so far this semester from reading Pride and Prejudice and the girls falling in love with Darcy to exploring Hamlet's mental idiosyncrasies. We must not forget all of the Romantic Nature elements in Frankenstein, Tea Cake and Janie's "Real Love" and her connection to the "Pear Tree"- (I know that made some of the class uncomfortable), in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Probably the oddest but nonetheless more interesting was just how odd Meursault was in The Stranger, and finishing off our semester with our truly unique study of Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It was interesting to explore our own hearts of darkness.
We did not just read this semester. We took a day off to learn just what it was like to have a traditional Victorian Tea, and I brought my mom to work with me that day. We tried different kinds of tea, and traditional tea food, dressed up, and used our best manners. It will be hard to top that tea party!
All in all, I believe we have learned a great deal as a group this semester. Here's to a productive 2nd semester as we work our way to Graduation in June.
Mrs. Davala
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