Supplies for this year

Below is a list of the supplies you will need this year:

binder
8 dividers (Anglo-Saxon Period, Medieval Period, English Renaissance, Novels, Plays, Poetry, Composition, Journals/Warm-ups)
lots of 3x5 index cards (no colors or sticky top cards; white with lines only)
blue and black ink pens
highlighters
lots of post its (stickies) for books
2 three-prong folders (pockets optional)
jump drive/flash drive

ADVICE ON FALLING

Last semester, we read the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. I have placed it below this post, in case you have forgotten it. My question to you is this: How does this poem relate to the novel A Lesson Before Dying? Who is the voice of the mother in the novel? Who is the son? Is there more than one mother or son? Explain. (This post closes at midnight on July 20th.)

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor

--Bare.

But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the dark

Where there ain't been no light.

So boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now --

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

LET FREEDOM RING

There are many themes in the novel HUCK FINN, but one of the most clearly seen is FREEDOM. Since this is July 4th weekend, I thought you might want to write about freedom and how that theme is shown in HUCK FINN. Select two passages from the novel and discuss how Twain develops the theme of freedom in these passages. Have a Happy 4th of July. (This post closes on July 9th at midnight).

Understanding Jim

In chapters 11-15, Twain develops Jim's character. Select one event from these chapters and explain how this event helps characterize Jim. Include how you personally relate to Jim. ( This post closes at midnight on June 29th.)

I Need Your Help

June 10th was the deadline to submit your independent summer reading choice. However, several people have not emailed me their choices. If you see that someone is not listed below that you know is taking AP, please contact him/her and have him/her email the book choice to klpalombo@yahoo.com. Thanks. Happy reading.


Lauren Stealey-----Catch 22
Sarah Torgeson—Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Abby Herrington—Jane Eyre
Jamie Jelinski—1984
Teresa Reese—Fahrenheit 451
Kenny Herbert—Frankenstein
Gineca Garriga—The Optimist’s Daughter
Bruce Strong—The Reader
Laurel Bruce—Brave New World
Ashley Ladner—Yellow Raft on Blue Water
Sunnie Palode—The Color Purple
Casey Linn—The Road
Becca Keith—The Handmaid’s Tale
Brian Armenta—The Kite Runner
Ashley Appel--East of Eden
Meghan Lind---She's Come Undone
Alex Meyer---A Gathering of Old Men
Logan Rader---A Farewell to Arms
Brittany Eakins--The Grapes of Wrath
Renee Lee---All the Pretty Horses
Lauren Smith---The Catcher in the Rye
Richard Mauffray---David Copperfield

Reading Huck Finn

In chapter one of Huck Finn, Huck says about the Widow "After supper she got out her book and learned me about Moses and the Bulrushers and I was in a sweat to find out all about him; but by and by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time; so then I didn't care no more about him, because I don't take no stock in dead people." Mark Twain is often noted for his ability to disguise wisdom in laughter. What is the hidden truth about Huck and people, in general, in this line? Do you agree with it? Explain. (You are AP now; your answer must be very well developed.) This post closes on June 13th at midnight.

WELCOME CLASS OF 2010

This is your new posting spot. I hope that you will visit it often during the summer and throughout the coming year.