NOTE: I apologize in advance for the random formatting of this post. For some reason, paragraph breaks are not being registered, and you can imagine that just drives me CRAZY. So, to amend that situation, I have color coded each paragraph. New color? New paragraph! Thanks for your tolerance...
I have probably already mentioned that I grew up in a family where learning and knowledge were very important. My father was a chemist and my mother a nurse, so our dinner table conversations always took on an elevated tone.
I don't know what other families talked about as they reunited at the day's end, but I envisioned lively conversations where each member shared amusing anecdotes from their day... Pretty idealistic, huh? However, this Utopian vision stands in stark contrast to my own family's evening ritual. My parents would talk about their own days, their conversations peppered with words like "renal failure" and "ketoacidosis", "diatomaceous earth" and "titration." Yes, I knew more about diabetes treatment and waste-water filtration than the average teenager, and I could keep up with their discussions, but I was expected to do more than just listen politely: my parents expected that I participate.
Instead of "How was your day?", the benign question most kids heard after school, a question that could be answered with a simple "Fine" or even "OK," my parents asked a different question: "What did you learn today?" Oftentimes I struggled for an answer. I couldn't say that I learned that teenage girls are mean, or that my Spanish teacher always had chalk fingerprints on the side of her slacks, or that after three years the cafeteria still smelled like a wet dog: no, Norma and Duane expected a real answer, an intellectual response.
Some days the answers came easily -- lessons and their purposes were clear... "Well, I learned about the structure of the DNA molecule" or "We learned a new dialogue in Spanish: Esta Susana en casa? Si, esta con una amiga. Donde esta, en la sala? No, en la cocina!" Other days I had to reach a bit: What was the purpose of that Trigonometry lesson? And what is a parabola, anyway? And will I ever actually use this information?
So, we've been in school for almost two weeks now, and I'm posing the dreaded question to you : What have you learned so far? What have you taken away from our lessons in AP English? What have you gained about our approach to literature, to language, and/or to writing? What questions or concerns do you have?
You see, I think my parents always wanted the reassurance that their youngest child was actually learning something, that the hours and days spent in school were not in vain, that I wasn't utterly confused and lost, that I didn't waste my days searching for split ends and doodling in the margins of my paper (although I'm sure I was guilty of both...), and I'm afraid that I've inherited some of their concerns. I want our time together to be meaningful. I'd like you to gain something from each and every class. I hope that you'll understand the goals and outcomes for this class and see the purpose for our activities; however, I won't know for certain until you respond!
And so, I anxiously await...
85 comments:
So far in school I have learned many things such as Samuel Gompers started the American Federation of Labor and how to properly draw a pencil. I have also learned that specific gravity is the density of a substance divided by the density of a reference. In AP English I have learned how to develop a point in my writing through commentary and strong evidence, rather than just listing devices used in the passage. I have also learned how to analyze passages more thoroughly and dig to find the deeper meaning.
In school so far I have learned how to create a complex thesis statement and how to analyze a story even better than before. I have also learned vectors in physics, how to have conversations in spanish, I have learned about reflections in math, and all about early American history.
So far in school I have learned that the puritans did not go to America for religious freedom but to escape persecution. I also learned how to easily transform a function in math and that the domain and range are reversed in an inverse function. I have also learned in Chemistry which acids are considered strong. In English I learned how to comment on the author's style and how the author uses certain devices in order to better develop his purpose.
In English III, thus far, I've learned about what's important when analyzing a passage from a work of literature and how to select textual evidence which supports my analysis. I've learned the key questions to ask one's self when writing an analysis and how to address those questions in my writing. In Statistics I've learned about a half-dozen ways to display different types of data, and how to read and interpret various forms of displays. In US History, I've learned about the colonial period of American History (including Puritan Boston of the 17th century).
In these first two week of school, I learned that Chemistry II is not going to be easy! I realized that I have to be on time for everything or else trouble will follow. I learned to examine The Scarlet Letter more in depth.
So far in English III, I have learned to look for something beyond the literal meaning in a passage of literature and find a more complex meaning. I have also learned that instead of just listing literary devices, it is more effective to use strong quotes with strong commentary to make a good point.
So far in English III, I've learned more about how to develop a thesis statement that addresses the purpose of a passage, and not the technique used (the "why" and not the "how). I've realized that once you establish the purpose and your argument, then you back it up with techniques used, and you support that with commentary. I've also realized the importance that is actually insightful, not just obvious remarks (for example: this imagery paints a clear picture in the reader's mind).
I have learned many things in the past two weeks at school. I have learned how to 'read inbetween the lines' in English, as well as create a strong thesis statement, and how to wright a strong argument. I have learned about vectors in Physics, as well as American History from the 1800's to the early 1900's. I have also learned a new football routine for Markettes and the proper use of sunscreen.
So far I have learned how to draw vectors and how to figure out if an inverse function really IS a function. I've also learned how to dissect passages to read beyond the text.
These past two weeks in English I have learned how to write a good analytical paper. I learned that the thesis cannot just be a listing of techniques, or whatever the prompt is asking, because that is just the how and the thesis is actually the what. I also learned that analyzing the text is not about the plot, but the author's message he or she is saying through the plot.
In English I learned that sometimes writers leave a meaning beneath the text and I have learned how to analyze that meaning and its purpose.
So far in school, I have learned a lot about how to look at a paragraph or passage mor anayltically than before. Now, I look for different and more important things in a passage than I did before. In addition, now I am able to write a more meaningful thesis. Also, I've learned how to write and take notes from a lawn chair!
English III AP has taught me that there is more to text than meets the eye and there is often a deeper meaning beyond superficial interpretations. I also learned that in writing that it is important to address WHY? something is important more so than HOW? it is done. The how only supports the why. Also I have learned to get to class early in order to get the desk of your choice.
I have learned to better analyze a passage and to study an author's technique. In math, i've learned about reflections and in physics i've learned about acceleration and velocity.
So far in English III I have learned how to correctly analyze a passage. I should be talking about what the purpose is of the passage. I have also learned that a thesis statement is not just a list of the type of literary techniques the author uses, instead it should focus on what the author's purpose of the passage is.
So far I have learned that even though I might want to deny it, authors always have a purpose for writing. This goes beyond reading just for fun to a deeper meaning found in the detail and imagery of the text. I have also learned that you can make up the answers in statistics as long as you have good "reasoning."
In English AP I have learned how to write for a purpose and to really examine an author's style through just a small passage. I was able to understand Hawthorne's style better after learning about the Puritan traditions vs. those of England, his scrutiny of women (calling them FAT!), the romantic style he incorporated in his works,and how Puritan society was pretty much soley based on appearence.
In my first almost two weeks at Memorial High, I learned to always make sure that the room name matches the teacher's name or else I may miss the first couple of days of my real class. Since being in AP English, I have learned that a thesis statement is more than just listing any and all literary devices an author has used. It is creating a statement on what the author wants the reader to take away from the passage. The rest of an essay is finding evidence to support that statement and providing a commentary to make the argument strong.
In English, I've learned to find meanings, beneath the words. To read between the lines and go a little deeper. Although I'm not that great at it now, I would like to get a little better.
So far this year in English III, I have learned a great deal about how to analyze a selected passage by asking questions such as "what is the author's purpose," and have learned the importance of reading things thoroughly looking for the author's underlying meaning. I have also learned the importance of providing textual evidence and commentary while writing an essay. In my United States History class I have been learning about the establishment of the thirteen British Colonies in the New World and how these colonies eventually came to resent British rule.
In English III, I have learned to dread the questions "So what?" and "Who cares?". I can't say that I have learned how exactly how to write a clear analytical essay, but I think that I'm out of the dark now.
I have learned a lot so far in English III. One of the most important things I've learned is how to write a strong thesis statement. It is better to write about the purpose of the author's writing, through revealing their use of literary devices, rather than simply stating the devices used. In American history, I have learned about Puritanism and in Pre-Cal I have discovered how little I learned in Algebra II.
In school so far, I have learned all about early American History, functions and how to graph them in math, and lots of new spanish. In english, I've learned how to write a solid thesis statement and how to analyze an author's work for it's deeper meaning. I can't say I am perfect at that yet, but I do understand that I am looking for the author's style and why he wrote it more than just literary terms.
Thus far in school I have learned many new things. I have learned how to analyze a passage much better. I have also learned how to write programs in java in my comp sci Ap class. In algebra I have learned about functions, domain, and range. The most important thing I have learned in english is how to revolve my point around commentary and strong evidence.
English III has taught me that there is more to the text we read in school than just the words. There are interpretations that can be taken in and everyone's interpretation is different. I have also learned how to base a thesis statement on why instead of how and what lit. terms are actually important. In US History i've learned how important it is for people to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. In physics i discovered my love of triangles and their simplicity. Pre-cal how ever taught me the importance of retaining information and not just learning what you need to know for tests then forgetting it.
English III, thus far, has challenged my preconcieved ideas on writing an essay. I knew my previous essays were too systematic, with an almost fill-in-the blank thesis and a clear cut quote commentary format. This left little room for interpretation, or to discuss an author's purpose in writing. I feel that my writing will develop greatly this year, as I emphasize the WHY rather than HOW a novel is written. With the progression of this year, I expect to hone my reading and writing skills, see the purpose and meaning of text, and enjoy what has been termed "dreaded junior year."
I have learned that this year will test my patience and organizational skills. I will have to make sacrifices in order to better myself as an individual, especially in English Ap. So far I have learned more about how to develop a thesis statement in the past two weeks than the past 10 years of school. I look forward to becoming a better writer and passing the AP exam.
So far in English III I have started to learn how to find clues given by an author through details and connotations.These clues tell the reader about a character or characters, an event, or even an upcoming event. This is helping me to learn how to analize passages. I am also learning how to write a proper thesis statement.
So far in school, I have learned many different things. In English, I've learned that the key to writing a proper essay begins with analyzing the passage correctly. In Physics, I've learned how to read a velocity-time graph. In US History, I've learned about the effects that the Puritans have had on our way of life. Finally in pre-cal, I've learned about inverses and reflections of equations.
Thus far in English III, I have learned much about the flaws surrounding my writing. I often overemphasize structure, which can be good in some cases but for the most part takes away from the details. This emphasis on structure starts with a thesis that does not cover the true meaning of the passage or story. In short, instead of writing what is happening, I need to write why it is happening and why the author lets it happen. Fortunately, I have no doubt that English III will help me overcome my bad writing habits and help me to achieve a more detail oriented style of writing.
In school so far, I have learn how to analyze three complicated Nathaniel Hawthorne passages in English, reviewed different types of functions in PreCal, and studied vectors' magnitude and direction in Physics. In addition to all of that, I have learned how to make my writing more interesting and using better commentary to support my quotes. Also, in History I learned about the first colonist that landed in the New World.
Oh junior year....
So far this year I have learned how to accuratley draw vectors in Physics and solve for the resulatant of a vector. I History, I have learned that Delware was named after Lord De La Warr of England (found that rather funny). In Algebra II we have been reviewing Algebra I so, I haven't learned anything new.
so far in english i have learned how to write a compelling thesis, support it with text, and how to actively read and search for a deeper meaning than what is seen on the surface.
So far in English III, I have realized that my writing as it is now, is not good enough to recieve a 6 or a 7 on the AP grading scale. I have learned that authors many times use characters or situations as a vehicle to get their messages across. In pre-Calculus I have learned that the domain and range of an inverse function are the opposite of its original function. In chemistry I have learned how to turn a Coke can into Alum.-Kayvon Bina
After 2 weeks of school I've learned that my hardest class is English, but it's the class I learn the most. I've not only learned how to write a real thesis statement, but also how to closely analyze a passage and figure out what the author is trying to say using the passage. I can't imagine an author going through all the thinking and analyzing that we do when writing a piece of literature. Maybe they do. I just don't see it happening.
In English III I have learned that a stylistic analysis is more of an argument using the style to support the argument than a discussion about the style used.
So far in English III, I have learned what to concentrate on while analyzing a passage and how to select textual evidence to support my thesis. I have learned a lot about Nathaniel Hawthorne’s style as well and how his choices contribute to the novel as a whole. I have also realized the flaws with my writing and how to correct them.
So far in my time at school I have learned many things of value. From reflections and inverse functions in Pre-Calculus to dissecting and analyzing literature in English, these first two weeks have been full of useful knowledge. Specifically in English, I have learned how to better develop my commentary of passages to make it more inciteful and less superficial.
So far in English III, I have learned how to write a better thesis statement! (And also how to hide my extreme hatred for "The Scarlet Letter".) I still hope to improve on analyzing the hidden meanings of certain passages.
already in two weeks at school in English III AP, i have learned how to dissect a passage with speed and accuracy. how to look at a piece of writing and put down on paper a well thought out thesis statement with great backing detail. however, ive also learned that no matter how good my teachers seem to be... school is still gonna be a long and difficult road as usual.
So far I've learned a few new physics equations, how to analyze and understand the passages I'm reading much better than before, and how to draw/shade a paper clip
So far in English 3, I have learned to make a stronger thesis and analyse the text for more then the superficial. In Pre-Calc I learned about the different forms to write quadratic functions.
So far in English III AP I have learned how to greatly improve my writing. I have learned how to correctly write a thesis statement and how to provide good, in-depth commentary and support it with direct evidence from the text.
So far in English III AP, i have learned how to create a thesis statement acceptable for the AP exams. I have also learned how much analysis can come from a short passage that before i thought was insignificant to the story. I am however still having trouble with both of these things but i hope by the end of the year it will be easy for me.
So far in English III I have learned how to really analyze a passage and find a deeper meaning than what is just there in the plot. I have also learned how to take a quote and write commentary that doesn't just restate what the quote says.
The first two weeks of junior year have come as complete surprise to me. Junior year certainly cranks up the difficulty of what and how much to know in order to make the grade. However, I have learned much more than any other year, even in the first two weeks! I have learned how to properly write a response essay, calculate various motion types in physics, understand different elements in films, how to organize a music library in band, polynomial functions, and how to take important notes in US history. Most of all, how much it rocks to have a parking spot!
So far in English III AP, i have learned how to analyze passages better and to find the authors purpose. I've learned how to use commentary to explain the importance of a quote and what the words reveal.
In the 2 weeks that have passed I've learned that the tricks and techniques that got me through English I & II won't work 3 years in a row. I've begun to understand how to break down a passage, look past the obvious and conjure a meaningful thesis as well as how to analyze a passage (that last skill however needs much more refining).
So far in English III AP I have learned how to closely analyze a piece of literature so as to find its deeper meaning and not just the face value. This allows me to get a clearer image of what the author is really trying to say, which gives a me a better understanding of te story.
So far in English III I have learned a great deal about how to analyze a passage to find the overall meaning of it, rather than just what sits on the surface. I often skip over purpose of the passage and go straight to what I “think” the question is asking. I realized that this form of thinking is wrong and that in order to correctly address the question you need to fully understand the meaning of the passage. To completely defend your point, you need commentary and textual evidence to back it up. Although my writing is still vague and sometimes doesn’t portray the importance of the passage, I am positive that it will improve greatly throughout the year
In the two weeks since school started I have learned many things. I've learned about the history of early America in U.S. History, the use of velocity and time in Physics, and I'm not quite sure what I've been learning in PreCal. In English III, I've learned the importance of the thesis statement when writing an essay and how you shouldn't just list out the techniques that the author uses. I have also come to understand that most authors actually do have a deeper meanings in their stories, and that their purpose is very important to an essay.
So far I have learned that junior year is going to be tough!! I have learned more in English than in all my other classes combined. I understand now that a good response must have a strong thesis, important quotes, and relevant commentary. I'm also learning to read between the lines in the Scarlet Letter.
In English III I've learned what to look for while reading.Writing insightful essays that capture the author's intentions and thoughts will be key to a successful year, in my opinion. I also realize that this class might not be as hard as people have said.
So far in school, I have learned that Pre-Calculus is a lot easier when Mr. Vieth is your teacher. I have also learned that in English 3, you don't read for fun; you read for comprehension and analysis. Also, I learned that the Indians were not very good at making deals with the English settlers (they traded Long Island for some beads). Finally, I learned that in order to get a good spot at lunch, always carry a foldable chair with you; it's your ticket to any table you want.
So far, I have learned specific techniques to help me in my analysis of literature. Also, I have learned about colonial life in America and about the lack of religious freedom the people back then experienced. In math, we've been reviewing Algebra, though it seems all new to me.
In English I have learned there are even more complicated words beneath the actual words. I've also learned that an authors biases sometimes seep through into their writing and each paragraph has a purpose. I have learned that novels are like overly complicated tapestries or something like weaving that is really intense.
In English III, so far this year, I have learned the correct formatting for writing an AP paper, and how to quickly analyze the paper in order to get all my thoughts down before the allowed time is up. This is very useful because I usually get very distracted and my mind wanders, so with this skill hopefully that will cease to happen again. I have a also learned about the founding years of the colonies in US. History, and specific function uses is Pre-cal.
So far in English I have learned that there is often a much deeper meaning to the text in novels than I would have ever thought. I have learned that I have to stop emphasizing things like structure in my writing and focus on reading between the lines to figure out what the author is really trying to say.
The last two weeks I have learned to look for the author's meaning in a passage while writing a style analysis essay instead of simply identifying and commenting on devices used in the passage. I know now that I have to explain why I think a literary device is used instead of just pointing it out. I really like addressing the purpose of a passage because it is more interesting. I enjoy hearing everyone's opinions about the author's purpose in class. I hope my writing will continue to improve this year so I'll be ready to take the AP test this spring.
So far in school this year I have learned how to structure my essay on a certain passage more effectively to make my point more persuasive. I have also learned many things about the early colonization period in America. Additionally I have learned about specific gravity in Physics and how to calculate certain things such as acceleration.
These past two weeks in school i have learned many things covering many different areas, in regards to english i have learned how to properly write a timed writing essay, how to critically analyze a passage and apply theme. ohh ya commentary=important. So far in math i have learned more than i learned all of last year and other subjects have been keeping me busy.
So far in school I have learned that a good paper should have a well-developed thesis statement and should have enough evidence to back up the argument. I still need to work on actually writing an argument instead of writing about the story. I have also realized that this class is going to be very challenging!!
In the past two weeks I have learned how to write a more sophisticated thesis. Rather than merely listing what I am going to write about, I now have a better understanding of how to convey the author's purpose in writing a particular passage. I also have refined my anotating skills. I have a better idea of what to look for when analyzing a passage.
After two weeks of school, I have learned that in order to produce a beautiful sound while singing, I have to look like a clueless fish, that the Britons were really different from the Anglo-Saxons, that a derivative is a slope and that it somehow has a connection to limits, that a ballot has much more than one candidate on it and that American media's focus on the presidential candidates revolves significantly around what sport they played during high school. As I am retaking Chemistry, US History as well as english III, I have learned that I still have much more to learn. This is especially true for English. As I reread (and reread) the Scarlet Letter, I was amazed at how many significant details I managed to miss the previous times I read it. The students of this year also have commentaries and ideas that are quite different from what I heard last year, allowing me to see even better the complexity of the text. Out of all the things I learned, what I consider important is that as I read the passage, I found myself searching for the meaning of the text and the message the author intends to convey through his words much more often than last year. I also discovered that one of my weaknesses is that I tend to use too much quotes and not enough commentary. Overall, I learned how to appreciate a literary work (even boring ones) by finding a significance to it and how to simply enjoy a reading better. As for my concerns, as I think back, I realized that my writing has stagnated and that I was not able to improve it during a whole year. I feel like I am unable to advance at all. I am especially concerned at the fact that I tend to use the same expressions and words again and again with little variety and that I constantly am short of time in all of my timed writing. I am afraid that I have reached my maximum potential in writing and am clueless at how I will be able to improve the pace of my thinking process as well as my analysis and writing skills. My question would be if you could give me some advice on what I could do in order to improve myself. [Sorry, I did not realized how long my comment was...]
So far in this class i've learned that an essay meant to be written in the time span of maybe 40 minutes, won't be perfect. I've also learned that gel pens don't work as well on arms as ballpoint pens, Biology two AP is actually secret code for chemistry, the simpson's paradox can makes things seem like the opposite of what they are, and how to turn off my cell phone.
I have learned how to annotate literature and enjoy it rather than dread it. annotation was never taught well, if at all, in the past and i now think it's a very important skill to have.
So far I have learned how to read faster and analyze the work more closely. I was not a very good reader before this class forced me to be on top notch with the reading.
Hmm...let's see here. I learned how to develop a better thesis statement. "But how?", you'd ask. "Well ma'am, by pointing out the why, not the how", I say. I learned how to use Microsoft Word aswell.
In school so far I have learned that when aluminum, KOH, water, and H2S04 are mixed they form a white precipitate called aluminum hydroxide. I have learned forty different terms for speech class including an unexpected definition for friendliness: warmth and charisma. I have learned how to score a volleyball game and how to burn a disk using a Mac computer. I have learned the names of every transcontinental railroad: the First, the Santa Fe, the Southern Pacific, the Northern Pacific, the Great Northern, the Milwaukee, the San Diego-Arizona, the Sunset limited and the Gould transcontinental system. I have learned the difference between irony and sarcasm and that a big 'but' can make a big difference.
So far in School this year in Physics have learned How to draw, analyze and measure the directions of vectors, in Math I have learned the function on X, in International Business I have learned how to create a formal Power Point Presentation, in English I learned how to dissect a passage to find a stronger more hidden meaning and in study hall I learned how to study.
Over the past two weeks, I have learned how to develop a more complex and deeper thesis statement. I have also learned an immense amount about how to analyze and annotate a passage. I now better understand Hawthorne's style of writing. In addition, I have learned how to select important quotes from a passage and use them to support my argument while analyzing an excerpt or novel.
So far in English III I have learned how to go beyond the literal text in literary works, and to find deeper meanings and messages. I have also developed new ideas on how to write a paper that analyzes the work with stong evidence and meaningful commentary.
So far in school I have learned so much. I feel as though the last 2 years in English have been a complete waste compared to things I have now learned about writing in just the past 2 weeks. Last year I had a teacher that knocked my confidence in myself and my writing down, and i was very scared going into this class. I started to believe that what my teacher said about my writing and the insult of my knowledge was true. I never realized that all i needed was a simple explanation of the structure of writing that was proper and what teachers were looking for. With what you've taught us I feel so much better about my writing and now I feel like actually have the capability do well in this class.
in the first 2 weeks of school ive learned a fare amount even though most of my classes have been reviews. however english has definatly taught me, already, how to look deeper into my essays and how to write a better thesis.
These last 2 weeks have taught me about how to thrive in school. I experienced the ways each individual class is organized and figured out different methods to participate in school and prepare out of school. I also learned that gravity always works at a force of -9.8m/s². That explains my fear of heights...
In English I learned how to write a detailed, analytical essay in 40 minutes. Although I'm not that good at it yet, I feel I will get better with every practice. And this blog's clock is on Pacific Standard Time.
This year I have learned about many things. In precal I have learned about functions. In physics I learned about drawing and adding vectors. In U.S. History I learned about the uprising of business after the civil war. Finally in English I learned about analyzing literature, and writing an essay over that literature.
So far, in English, I have learned how to analyze literary works more closely. I learned how to write a more well-developed essays than in my earlier years. In World History, I have learned about the early settlements and the ethnic diversity in the colonies. Also, in my Statistics class, I learned how to draw many kinds of charts and graphs and how to analyze information and transfer them into math. In Chemistry, I reviewed what we had learned in Chemistry I and I guess it is going to get harder. So far, I think school was good but I am a little scared that it is going to get harder.
In these last two weeks what I have learned in English, is how to effectly anaylze passages. I learned how to write a more well-developed essays. In World History, I have learned about the early settlements and the ethnic diversity in the colonies. Every other class has just been a review on material I already knew.
Well, two weeks into this school year I've learned that my procrastination and lack of time management skills are going to be real killers if I don't do something about them soon. I've relearned a lot of Algebra II stuff in math, and have discovered that physics is basically incomprehensible. I swear it seems to defy the very laws of time and space and motion that it's trying to teach us sometimes. Very confusing. I was reminded within the first day of school how much I want to be fluent in spanish, and I have also reconnected with my love of art, which seemed to had died along with space in my schedule to actually take fun classes up until this year. In history I've learned more about early American colonies than I feel I will ever need to use in real life situations (save the off-chance that I'm ever a Jeopardy contestant...) And what to say about English III.... I've learned that determining the author's purpose is definitely the best way to get ideas flowing and pens moving when it comes to writing a timed essay. I've never really had much of a process to writing papers; they've always just kind of flowed. I really like the steps of questions though that you ask yourself once you've read the passage once through. Author's purpose, how do they convey it, why do they convey it. Meaningful questions that when all answered will fill out your entire essay. I've also learned that I really like having English 7th period (contrary to my initial feelings about having it as the last period of the day) because 1) my actual class is small and has fun people in it and 2) it's really chill and just a fun, relaxed environment. You're really understanding, Mrs. Kohlmaier, to the fact that it's the end of the day and everyone's pretty tired, and that we're not going to be as peppy or focused as a 2nd or 3rd period class (1st is still waking up...), so thanks for being on the same page as us on that issue. And as much as I always am anxious to find out what grade I made on a timed writing, I really like how we spend the next day going over them as a class. I feel like the more times we do it in class, the better and better I'll get, and eventually I'll hopefully be able to piece together my ideas while actually writing the essay instead of while reviewing it with my teacher and peers the day after.
So far in school this year I have learned many new things, such as the power of observation in pyschology, how to use lab equipment in chemistry, and the rise of big business in history. In AP English III, so far, I have learned how to deeply analyze a passage and discover the author's purpose using themes, commentary, and quotes, instead of literary terms.
So far I have learned that in English writing is not my forte. In physics I learned about vectors and in speech I learned about the importance of confidence. I have also learned that A lunch is a lot better than B lunch, and History is not going to kill me.
So far this year in Junior AP English I've learned how to write an insightful thesis statement about more than just an author's techniques. Also, that first essay taught me that receiving one bad grade doesn't necessarily mean that I'm bad at writing, but that there's always room for improvement. I've also learned the meaning of hard work and sleep deprevation as these past two weeks have been killer. I look forward to the "character building," as my mother would say, that this year is going to bring. I hope to learn a lot from you this year, Ms. Kohlmaier!
Am I allowed to post here, now? Do I have to set a good example and use spell check or can I pass on NSCU to young impressionable minds? (NO SPELL CHECK USED) This year I have learned that I do not know enough. I have learned that being streamlined and efficient is harder than it sounds. Perhpas I am destined to be a squiggle. I have learned to like some that I didn't and vice versa. I am learning to laugh more, pray more, and share more. I am learning that the unusually LARGE desk chair in my classroom feels really good about 3:30. If Ryan were near I'd let him try it out. I've learned that high school kids need to know it is acceptable to include a little humor and personality in blog responses-- in fact, it is preferred. Have a great year. Sister, Nancy NSCU
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