Friday, May 22, 2020

Farewell Blog Response from Mr. P.


Dear Scholars,

With the year coming to a close, I would like to say how proud I am of all of you, and everything you accomplished this past year. If you peruse the blog and Turnitin.com you will find a considerable amount of written work, not to mention all the major novels, poems, short stories, and plays you explored. I am not sure if you noticed, but most of the pieces dealt with human relationships. I did my best to ensure that your experience transcended an “English Class” and became more about personal development. Who knew we would be going through this unprecedented world wide experience. This should help you remember that no matter what anyone tells you, it is a round world we live in. We are all in this together. Further, my experiences as a Fulbright scholar, TEA co-operating teacher, English teacher, world traveler, and Global Citizen reinforced to me that people are integrally all alike. We also read so many of the same authors. We just need the right translation. Always remember...

“We read literature to know we are not alone.”

This quotation remains with me to this day. With the focus in education shifting to more testing, factual information, and reading passages instead of complete works, I worry that people are moving away from novels. Personally, I felt misunderstood most of my life (still do) and being immersed in a novel made me feel safe. People often say “fiction is fake,” but nothing can be farther from the truth.

I am reminded of author James Baldwin, seeing him in past interviews from the documentary: I am Not Your Negro. In every interview, he tries to explain his experience and no one on the panel appears to understand. I can see why fiction became such a valuable outlet for him, another way of trying to make others see the world as it exists. Reading between the lines is vital, especially with the landscape we live in now.

I have never been much of a phone person, and I do not use social media. This year, I replaced scrolling through my phone with carrying a physical book with me. As a result, I have explored quite a few collections of poems, novels, plays, and nonfiction since January. I read The Plague by Albert Camus, Arias by Sharon Olds, reread sections of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, explored Tinkers by Paul Harding, as well as currently revisiting The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Hugo. For nonfiction, it was The Instruction and The Old Soul’s Handbook by Ainslie MacLeod, White Fragility: Why it’s so Hard to for White People to Discuss Racism by Robin Diangelo, and Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life by Joshua Fields Millburn. In every case, I found myself questioning the world around me and discovered answers in a book. I also reconnected with drawing and painting. Playing some guitar. This came from literature. Reading helped me focus, see what is important and move away from daily minutiae. I hope you will continue to read literature in your life, disconnect from the anger in the world and find peace.

Whatever you choose to do in the coming year, do your best to recognize the “ghosts” and make the best decisions for you. Life is about finding balance. Making choices, which means NOT choosing everything and enjoying nothing. A career and family. No matter what you do, you will have to choose to give one of these more of your time. Will you become a parent? Get married? Which order? None? The choice will be up to you. Know that you and you alone will choose. Be kind to yourselves. Also, if you see an opportunity to travel – take it! Explore the world. Take a cue from Ashoke Ganguli for Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake: “We all came out of Gogol’s Overcoat. One day you will understand.”

So, what is it that you need?   Just remember...Everything you ever needed to learn, you learned in Mr. P.’s Class...
  • Life is unfair.
  • Beware the single story even if you mean well...some of us have never tried ginger beer and you do not need to belittle us.
  • You always have to live with the hours...the never ending hours.  Make the most of it!
  • Happy endings are all the same...the rising action is more fun.
  • Any of us can end up like Sonny...be kind to those suffering, especially while you're winning.
  • We have witnessed atrocities on our parent's shoulders that may have once appeared to be a picnic...that doesn't make it right.  We must readjust our minds to the truth.
  • Always remember what happened to Maggie.
  • Ghosts may haunt you but you can exorcise them if you are true to yourself.
  • You are free to eat all the macaroons you want...but you must be ready to handle the consequences.
  • Perhaps the reason people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain?
  • Nothing but a breath a comma separates life from life everlasting...so go out and enjoy yourselves with friends...hmmmm.
  • We create our own versions of the past from our memories...so make your moments count.
  • All women turn into their mothers that is their tragedy....no man ever does, that's his
  • Life is unfair
  • It doesn’t hurt to get insurance. 
  • Be careful with what you sign your name to, what you post...your word is forever.
  • We all just want to be more human.
  • To be premature is to be perfect...
  • There is always a subtext to the plot.
  • You are a symbolic character in search of the right foil character. A confidant or confidante. Choose wisely.
  • Finding the right translation is everything.
  • It’s all about timing, pacing, and blocking.
  • Life is unfair
  • We all live on an unaccustomed Earth.  You are not special in this regard.
  • Being a magician is fascinating...being honest with those you love is absolutely necessary.
  • Always wear the right costume to befit the scene.
  • Make sure we can hear your voice…
  • …Unless it is not your turn to speak.
  • Be kind to the Dr. Ranks and of the world. They may not be flashy, but they love you.
  • Kill people like Pastor Manders, Lady Bracknell, and John Wade…with kindness.
  • Know your lines. Prepare carefully…
  • …but, remember, there is something to be said about improvisation.
  • Treat the dress rehearsal like a Broadway performance.
  • If you screw up your lines, do not start over, just keep going.
  • Sometimes we have to play the Third Watchman, Student 4, Miss Prism, Lane, Helen, Regina, or Julie for a while, before we are cast as Nora, Mrs. Alving, Mrs. Dalloway, Marjorie, or Jack.
  • Some of us will NEVER be Nora, Mrs. Alving, Mrs. Dalloway, Marjorie, or Jack and that's okay, too.  We need the Third Watchman, Student 4, Miss Prism, Lane, Helen, Regina, or Julie because they are the ones who make it possible for main characters to exist.  
  • Do not disguise the best of yourself. Be seen.
  • Be kind to your family and loved ones
  • Life is unfair.
  • Your future is NOT mapped out for you.
  • Choose a partner who respects you, one who is your most trusted friend. Not someone who wants you to stay at home, judges your parties, or only loves you because your name inspires absolute confidence.
  • Being kind to yourself in all the above…
  • …is the most wonderful thing of all.
I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors,


Mr. Pellerin


P.S.  Feel free to leave a farewell comment to me and/or your classmates in this blog space.


Mr. P. says, "Always remember your five-year-old essence.  Be kind to yourselves."

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Due Friday, May 22nd - Final Project - Time Capsule

Overview:  This is your final assignment for me, but it is more for you.  I would like you to spend some time reflecting on your life as a reader and writer of literature.  You are an A.P. student, after all.  When you go off to college, or whatever your next phase may be, it will be possible to NOT read anymore novels or write for reflection.  I hope this will not be the case, but this project is a way of helping your future self reconnect with the dreams and aspirations you have presently.  Given our current state, I hope this assignment helps you put your thoughts in order and meditate on where you are and where you would like to be.

Directions:  You will create a time capsule to be opened 20 years from now.  It will contain a letter to your future self, personal mementos, lists of your Tops Fives, a drawing or photograph of your ideal bookshelf, and a book you would like your future self to read.  We will share on our final Google Meet class.  See full directions, below:

Time Capsule

I.  Container – Any size is fine. A shoe box works best.  It will probably stay in your closet waiting for you to open it years from now. You may decorate it or not depending on how you feel. The only criterion is that it must be labeled somewhere – Do not open until 2040.


II.  Letter – Write a letter to your future self. Include the following in your letter:
  • How do feel about yourself at present? What obstacles are you dealing with at present? (Use your journal to cull ideas from our global citizenship work).
  • What positive things are happening? Think about Mr. Rogers and his positive ideas of self.
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How will school turn out? What job do you expect to have? What will your love life be like? What will you relationship with family and friends be like?
  • Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Twenty? Do you expect to be married? Children? Traveling? Working?
  • Reflect on the course. What worked for you? What did you learn? What lessons or units were most effective and why? What books, stories, poems had the greatest impact on you? What concepts will you take with you? Has your reading and/or writing style changed? Are there any other general, memorable moments?
  • Reflection on your Ideal Bookshelf
  • Reflection on your Top Fives
  • Tell yourself what book you want to read and why.

III.  Mementos – You may include anything that you want your future self to see from your present. 

IV.  Book – This is essential. What book would you like to give your future self to read?  Is there a novel from high school you never read, and would like to someday?  Is there a favorite you'd like your future self to revisit?  Explore the possibilities.

V.  Top Fives - Lists of your all-time, desert island Top Fives of all media (See my lists at the bottom of the post)

VI.  Your Ideal Bookshelf Visit the website.  Use the handout (see below), create a vivid image, or photograph of your ideal bookshelf. What books changed your life? What books shaped you into the person you are today. Can you see yourself in the list? Here are some "prompts" to help you make your list.  (See my ideal bookshelf, at the bottom of the post).

  • My Favorite Book 
  • The Book That Changed My Life 
  • The Book I Read Again and Again 
  • The Book I Love the Most 
  • The Best Book I Ever Read 
  • The Book That Makes Me Cry 
  • My Favorite Trashy Novel 
  • The Book That Changed With Me 
  • The Book That Makes Me Feel Inspired 
  • The Book I Couldn’t Put Down 
  • The Nonfiction Book That Felt Like Poetry 
  • The Author Who Makes Me Race to the Bookstore 
  • The Book That Made Me Fall in Love With Poetry 


Mr. Pellerin's Ideal Bookshelf





Mr. Pellerin's Top Fives (I had trouble narrowing some lists down)

Fiction
  • Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Translated by Julie Rose
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
  • The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
  • Selected Stories by Andre Dubus
  • The Minority Report and Other Stories by Philip K. Dick
  • The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Plays
  • Wit by Margaret Edson
  • The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
  • Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen
  • Hamlet by William Shakespeare
  • Glengarry Glenn Ross by David Mamet
  • A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Non-fiction
  • Patient by Ben Watt
  • The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
  • The Instruction by Ainslie MacLeod
  • Little Girl Blue: The Story of Karen Carpenter by Randy L. Schmidt
  • Between the World and Me by Te-Neishi Coates
  • Townie by Andre Dubus III
Songs
  • Temptation by New Order
  • The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get by Morrissey
  • I Am Enough for Myself by Sinead O’Connor
  • Rainy Days and Mondays by The Carpenters
  • Here’s Where the Story Ends by The Sundays
  • Olympian by Gene
  • All Your Tears by Mojave 3
  • Brittle Heart by Brett Anderson
  • Sit Down by James
  • Megan by The Smoking Popes
Albums
  • Vauxhall & I by Morrissey
  • Singles 1969-1973 by The Carpenters
  • Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths
  • Les Miserables (10th Anniversary)
  • Amplified Heart by Everything But the Girl
  • Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic by The Sundays
  • Gospel Oak by Sinead O’Connor
  • Some Kind of Wonderful (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • The Stone Roses
  • Chronicles by Rush
  • Destination Failure by Smoking Popes
  • Out of Tune by Mojave 3
  • Eddie Reader
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • Love Story by Lloyd Cole
  • Violator by Depeche Mode
  • Powerslave by Iron Maiden
  • Abbey Road by The Beatles
  • Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Films
  • Defending Your Life
  • Happy-Go-Lucky
  • Amelie
  • Amadeus
  • Groundhog Day
  • Jaws
  • The Blade Runner
  • The Minority Report
  • The Empire Strikes Back
  • High Fidelity
  • Frank
  • Magnolia
  • The Wonder Boys
  • Castaway
  • The Shawshank Redemption
  • Broadcast News
  • Nothing in Common
  • Some Kind of Wonderful
  • Back to the Future
  • Rainman
  • It’s A Wonderful Life
  • Christmas Carol (1951)
  • Sideways
  • Pulp Fiction

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Post for Tuesday, May 5th - Go Over Practice Essay - 2002 "Kiss and Tell" Prompt


Today's Class:  We will go over the A.P. Exam instructions as well as the 2002 Kiss and Tell prompt, together.  You will find links to the prompt, student examples, teacher responses, as well as my personal notes, below.  Please look at Turnitin.com for personal feedback on your essay from me.  Take what you have learned today, and apply it to your last practice essay before the exam (in the "Homework" section, below).

2002 Kiss and Tell Passage and Prompt
2002 Kiss and Tell Student Examples
2002 Kiss and Tell Teacher Commentary


HOMEWORK

1) Due to Turnitin.com by Monday, May 11th: 
Practice Essay: 2019 Q2 excerpt from The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885)

2)  Reminder:  Be prepared to take the exam at home (see complete information below).

AP

How to Prepare Your Students for the 2020 AP Exams

Dear Colleague,

Additional information is now available to help guide you and your students through the exam day experience.

New Resources

2020 AP Testing Guide (.pdf/10.9 MB): The guide, designed for educators to walk their students through test day, provides information about:
The AP Exam e-ticket
Five steps to take before test day
Understanding the test day experience
Exam scores, credit, and placement
2020 AP Exam Day Checklist (.pdf/526 KB): Teachers should have their students complete this checklist for each exam they take and keep it next to them while testing.
Explainer Videos: New videos are available to give students quick, easily accessible information about their test day experience, what they need to do to prepare, exam security, and more. Explore the playlist.

Other Reminders

AP Exam Demo (available May 4): AP students should use the clickable exam demo to practice the different ways to submit their exam responses. The demo will help students confirm that their testing device will be able to access and run the online exam. If they can’t access the demo, the final slide of the Testing Guide can help them troubleshoot. The sample content in the demo will be the same for all users and isn't a practice exam. We’ll send educators and students an email to remind them when the demo is available. Please encourage your students to take this important preparation step.
Educator Webinars: Trevor Packer, the head of the AP Program, will walk participants through the 2020 AP Testing Guide. AP staff will answer questions during the presentation. This series of webinars includes:
Online AP Classes and Review Sessions prep week: The week before exams, online AP classes will focus on the exam day experience and sample exam questions.
Student Outreach: If any of your students are having difficulty receiving College Board emails, walk them through the steps on the "Confirm your email address" page.
Information for AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams:
The above exams will be administered using a new dedicated app, the AP World Languages Exam App. Students taking these exams must use this app on smartphones or tablets. This free app will be available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store the week of May 11. We’ll email students and their teachers to let them know when the app is available to download. Visit our site for more details.
A video walk-through of the test-taking experience will be available the week of May 4.
Details on accommodations for the above exams are also now available.
If your students are unsure about accessing the app, or if they don’t have a device, they can fill out this survey (or you can complete it on their behalf) as soon as possible so we can help support them (applicable to U.S. and U.S. territories).
Information for AP Music Theory Exams:
Before exam day, students will need to print or hand copy the 2020 Music Theory Answer Sheet and gain access to an audio recording app or software before exam day. Please see more information on the website.
Thank you for all that you’re doing for your students.

Sincerely,

Advanced Placement Program

College Board
         
College Board | 250 Vesey Street | New York, NY 10281
To ensure these emails make it to your inbox, please add collegeboard@e.collegeboard.org to your address book.
© 2020 College Board.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Post for Friday, May 1st - Preparing for A.P. Exam and Practice Test to Complete

Google Meet for Friday, May 1st (8:30 am - 9:15 am)

Hello my friends,

Below, you will find resources for the A.P. exam that you will be taking virtually, at home, on Wednesday, May 13th at 2 pm. I want to shift gears and devote the next four classes to the test. I will go over the material below to help you navigate the details for testing virtually (see practice test, below). Leading up to the test, I will provide you with practice prompts and give you feedback on your writing. We will also work on pacing yourselves, to compose your work in the allotted time, and go over any other details you would like me to cover. There will not be a lot of time after the test, so I hope to keep things light with my Literary Time Capsule project or Top Five project (Both are super easy to do and A.P. students found it enjoyable).

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,

Best,

Mr. P. ;)

HOMEWORK

1) Due to Turnitin.com by Tuesday, May 5th: Practice Exam: Question 1 from Kiss and Tell by Alain de Botton

Johnny Got His Gun 2007 Essay A.P. Prompt from Midterm

Johnny Got His Gun 2007 Essay Examples and Commentary from A.P. Board

Johnny Got His Gun - Midterm Essays Review Blog Post with Samples


AP

How to Prepare Your Students for the 2020 AP Exams

Dear Colleague,

Additional information is now available to help guide you and your students through the exam day experience.

New Resources

2020 AP Testing Guide (.pdf/10.9 MB): The guide, designed for educators to walk their students through test day, provides information about:
The AP Exam e-ticket
Five steps to take before test day
Understanding the test day experience
Exam scores, credit, and placement
2020 AP Exam Day Checklist (.pdf/526 KB): Teachers should have their students complete this checklist for each exam they take and keep it next to them while testing.
Explainer Videos: New videos are available to give students quick, easily accessible information about their test day experience, what they need to do to prepare, exam security, and more. Explore the playlist.

Other Reminders

AP Exam Demo (available May 4): AP students should use the clickable exam demo to practice the different ways to submit their exam responses. The demo will help students confirm that their testing device will be able to access and run the online exam. If they can’t access the demo, the final slide of the Testing Guide can help them troubleshoot. The sample content in the demo will be the same for all users and isn't a practice exam. We’ll send educators and students an email to remind them when the demo is available. Please encourage your students to take this important preparation step.
Educator Webinars: Trevor Packer, the head of the AP Program, will walk participants through the 2020 AP Testing Guide. AP staff will answer questions during the presentation. This series of webinars includes:
Online AP Classes and Review Sessions prep week: The week before exams, online AP classes will focus on the exam day experience and sample exam questions.
Student Outreach: If any of your students are having difficulty receiving College Board emails, walk them through the steps on the "Confirm your email address" page.
Information for AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams:
The above exams will be administered using a new dedicated app, the AP World Languages Exam App. Students taking these exams must use this app on smartphones or tablets. This free app will be available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store the week of May 11. We’ll email students and their teachers to let them know when the app is available to download. Visit our site for more details.
A video walk-through of the test-taking experience will be available the week of May 4.
Details on accommodations for the above exams are also now available.
If your students are unsure about accessing the app, or if they don’t have a device, they can fill out this survey (or you can complete it on their behalf) as soon as possible so we can help support them (applicable to U.S. and U.S. territories).
Information for AP Music Theory Exams:
Before exam day, students will need to print or hand copy the 2020 Music Theory Answer Sheet and gain access to an audio recording app or software before exam day. Please see more information on the website.
Thank you for all that you’re doing for your students.

Sincerely,

Advanced Placement Program

College Board
         
College Board | 250 Vesey Street | New York, NY 10281
To ensure these emails make it to your inbox, please add collegeboard@e.collegeboard.org to your address book.
© 2020 College Board.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Post for Tuesday, April 28th - Table Reading & Discussion of "An Enemy of the People" by Henrik Ibsen - Act III


Recap of Today's Class:  As a class we engaged in a table read of An Enemy of the People, Act III.  Thank you for a wonderful discussion!  Below, you will find everything you need to begin An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, including the full text, audiobook, and a performance. We will continue reading the play during the next class session.






Audiobook



Performance Adapted and Directed by Adria C. Le Boeuf for The Catalyst Theatre Company


Friday, April 17, 2020

Post for Friday, April 17th - Table Reading & Discussion of "An Enemy of the People" by Henrik Ibsen - Act II

Google Meet for Tuesday, April 28th (8:30 am - 9:15 am)

TERM THREE GRADES IN ASPEN - YOU HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK TO EMAIL MISSING WORK.

Recap of Today's Class:  As a class we engaged in a table read of An Enemy of the People, Act II.  Thank you for a wonderful discussion!  Below, you will find everything you need to begin An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, including the full text, audiobook, and a performance. We will continue reading the play during the next class session.

Late Work: The first order of business. If you have not done so, please complete any work assigned before March 13th (ACT II blog for Ghosts is the last one). This work will be graded and will count for graduation. Send all completed late work to my K12 email for evaluation. Final district due date is Friday, April 17th.






Audiobook



Performance Adapted and Directed by Adria C. Le Boeuf for The Catalyst Theatre Company


Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Post for Tuesday, April 14th - Table Reading & Discussion of "An Enemy of the People" by Henrik Ibsen - Act I

Google Meet for Friday, April 17th (8:30 am - 9:15 am)

TERM THREE GRADES IN ASPEN - YOU HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK TO EMAIL MISSING WORK.

Recap of Today's Class:  As a class we engaged in a table read of An Enemy of the People, Act I.  Thank you for a wonderful discussion!  Below, you will find everything you need to begin An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, including the full text, audiobook, and a performance. We will continue reading the play during the next class session.

Late Work: The first order of business. If you have not done so, please complete any work assigned before March 13th (ACT II blog for Ghosts is the last one). This work will be graded and will count for graduation. Send all completed late work to my K12 email for evaluation. Final district due date is Friday, April 17th.






Audiobook



Performance Adapted and Directed by Adria C. Le Boeuf for The Catalyst Theatre Company