Monday, June 10, 2013

Welcome!

Welcome to your blog!


1. Who are you? (No, no. Who are you really?) And who are you not?
Develop a response in the comment box below.
Include your first name and last initial at the beginning of your post.
If you have trouble commenting stop by 2207 and I can give you a quick tutorial.
2. Below you'll also find a copy of the letter I gave you on Tuesday.
Dear 2013-2014 AP English Language and Composition students,
During the 2013-2014 school year Gloucester High School will offer AP English Language and Composition for the second time. Late in the winter of 2013 you chose to take this course and now you have been accepted.  
You may have said to your self, "What have I gotten into?"
Here's a short version of the fun ahead.

During the summer you are expected to read All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald, Nickel and Dimed: on (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich, and Present Shock by Douglas Rushkoff, and a book of your choice. You will also be expected to keep a passage response journal for each work, participate in three AP English Language summer sessions (either in person or electronically), post comments on the AP English Language blog (apenglangghs2015.blogspot.com), and create an argument web at the end of the summer. (You will find out more about all of these assignments as the summer progresses) This list is not intended to scare you off. However, I want to be honest and upfront about the expectations. If you are seriously committed to reading, analyzing, writing, researching, talking, debating, and thinking at a college level, I promise that you will find the summer experience – and the course as a whole – to be fulfilling and rewarding. 

During each term of the school year you will read several hundred pages, write a couple dozen pages, and participate in several graded discussions. You are expected to be self-motivated and genuinely engaged; and, since the goal of the class is for every student to do well on the AP exam, it is important that you are willing to work with classmates in small groups to analyze text and evaluate peer work. You will learn from the texts, your teacher, and each other. To achieve this goal the class atmosphere must be collegial rather than competitive, and you must do your share of the work.
Please consider this description of the course and make a decision about whether or not you are committed to fulfilling the requirements of AP English Language and Composition. Please declare your commitment to take the course in the comment box below by Friday, June 14. If you have questions about any of the expectations please stop by 2207. I am looking forward to getting to know you.

Sincerely,

Mr. James Cook                        
English Teacher                                     
Gloucester High School              

36 comments:

  1. Accursio O.
    I am fully committed to taking the AP class next year. I am also prepared to fulfill the reading requirements over the summer.

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  2. Daniel C
    I will take this AP class next year.
    I am not my brother.

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    Replies
    1. i am a arrogant, prideful, cocky, talkative, self critical, and judgmental person that tries to show happiness, joy, self-control, gentleness, and love.

      Delete
  3. Joseph C.
    I declare my commitment to take the AP English Language and Composition course in this comment box.

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    1. I am a hard worker, and I manage my time and work to make sure I complete everything I need to. I like to set my goals high and I try my best to achieve them.

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  4. Cody E.
    I am a very motivated person that could be described as a "try-hard". My mind is constantly running and I am quite curious about the world around me. At the same time I am concerned by what I see; hopefully some day I will be working with the UN or even become president. I always share my opinion, and I love to discuss and debate. I almost always think that I am right, but I will surely admit it if proven otherwise. I am excited to start college level material, and I fully commit to this course.

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  5. Morey R.
    I see myself as a creative, independent individual. Throughout each day I spend time thinking about who I will be as I grow older - what I may study in college, the kind of person I will be, and what I will contribute to the world. I consider myself to be an "observer" of the world. My ultimate goal in life is to be doing something satisfying, and to be recognized for it. I know that this AP course will provide the heavier, in-depth material I have been preparing myself for (and am particularly excited to focus more on non-fiction writing). I am fully committed to the AP English Language and Composition course.

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  6. Melanie M.
    I think that I am a motivated, hardworking, and curious student. I would say that I always try to do my best, and sometimes I can be hard on myself. Although I am not sure what I want to do as a career, I am interested in learning and discovering new things. I know that this course will help me improve my writing skills, and I am excited to read many different types of literature. I am committed to take the AP English Language and Composition class next year.

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  7. Emma P.
    I am a self-aware and forward thinking person. I am always excited to learn new things and love to discuss these ideas with other people. The status of the world is of great interest to me and I am thinking of studying comparative religions in college. I am task- oriented and like to see things through to the end. I am committed to this class, this summer and throughout next year.

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  9. Hannah L.
    I am talkative, outspoken and hard headed. I am not shy, quiet or willing to keep my opinion to myself. For some I may be too much to handle.
    I am ready to take this course next year!

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  10. I am a highly driven individual and self motivated to complete tasks.Taking this class next year will help to develop an idea of what I may or may not want to study in college as of right now I am unsure about what I want to do. English is an interst of mine and I am looking forward to taking this class next year.

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  11. Ryan B.

    I am a relaxed individual who works to the best of my ability and take great pride in everything i do. I am fully committed to this AP course and am looking forward to strengthening my English skills.

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  12. I, Everest Crawford, see myself as a tireless worker, someone who puts all they can into what they love. I also see myself as a person who truly enjoys literature and writing. I fully aim to work my hardest during the vacation and throughout the school year.

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  13. Kate P.
    I am passionate; I always try to put everything I have into what I'm doing with hopes of taking away something enjoyable from my experience. I am harmonious in that I enjoy the company and energy of others. I empathize with those around me- which unfortunately can double as a weakness- and thoroughly feel all emotions. I give significant credit to my creativity for conducting my sanity on a daily basis. Though scholastic understanding doesn't always come easy to me, I pride myself in my work, and it is rare that I will give up on improving. I am fully committed to this class and all that it entails.

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  14. Josette T.
    I am a very hard working English student who is very interested in pursuing a future career involving english and literature. I always put in my best effort and try to voice my opinion as much as possible. I am very interested in the different genres of writing and I am very excited that we will be focusing more on non fiction which we haven't done in the past. I am fully committed to this course and all that comes with it.

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  15. Winslow L.
    I am curious, capable and just a little bit confused. I am looking forward to learning how to better express myself through my writing. I have no idea what lies ahead, but this uncertainty excites me. Hey, maybe if I play my cards right I can be Cody's VP. I am fully committed to taking this course next year.

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  16. Kelly H.
    I am a very thoughtful, ambitious person that is always up for a challenge. I love English and to think analytically. I like to try to see the different point of views of arguments and like to debate different ideas and concepts. I always try to do my best and seek to improve my writing in any way I can. I am committed to this course and am very excited for what we'll be doing through out the year.

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  17. Jaclyn W.

    I am a person that exists on this planet like everyone else in this group, but with a different set of traits. To place my differences on who I am as a person in words would most likely be such vocabulary as being an imaginative, talkative, quirky, low confidence, and a very nervous person. My goal in this AP class is to broaden my spectrum of knowledge of the English language so that I may someday pursue something great in my future like basically everyone else. I may not show up to class with a smile on my face everyday and I may even scream into my desk out of frustration over all the little details, but I am determined to keep myself in this class. English is one of my favorite classes and I hope that my enjoyment of the subject will continue next year in this AP class. To put this in more proper words I must say that that this will be... interesting.

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  18. Rachael S.

    When presented with the question "Who are you?", I seem to forget who I am. Or maybe I never knew to begin with. As a young individual I can see myself and others around me changing everyday making it hard to discover who we really are. I am not the same person I was yesterday, nor will I be the same person tomorrow, for, with each day, I change and must rediscover who I believe I am and where I belong. Throughout this course I hope to find out exactly where I belong now and in the future. I am fully committed to this course and all that goes along with it.

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  19. It is sort of tough really nailing down who I am, but I guess I'll give it a shot. I am, at heart, a hard worker, and once I begin a project, I won't be satisfied until it is entirely perfect. Perfection has always been an important staple of my frame of mind, so I hold myself to a high standard (Sometimes excessively so) and usually refrain from procrastination, whether it be school, work or whatever I may be doing. I have devoted my life to a pursuit of knowledge in all areas of life, and like to use reading to absorb information, then writing to reform it into something new. Defining what I am not is a bit tougher. I suppose that I am not a slacker, and most of all, not closed-minded. I will be open to any new experiences hat are provided to me,and will use whatever I have to improve myself. (Wow, sorry...I kind of went overboard.)

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  20. Zoe P

    I am a creative and caring person who can be shy at times. I set my standards high and I am always up for a challenge. I feel as if this course will be a great opportunity for me to test and improve my knowledge. I am prepared and completely dedicated for the year ahead.

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  21. Tess B.
    I suppose you could say I'm competitive. During sports I have to be the game winner, in school I have to get the highest grade, at home I have to be the perfect child, and in general I like being near or on top. Saying this I know I am not always the MVP, I may not get the highest grade, and I am certainly not the golden child. I set goals that are impossible to reach and I am extremely self critical but my work ethic is something I pride myself in. I don't always know where I'm going but my mistakes and achievements make me who I am. I believe a person changes every day, and I am no different.

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  22. Gloria K

    I am a creative, shy, quiet, and slightly opinionated person with high ambitions. When it comes to any English or writing class, I like to challenge myself and see what happens when I work hard. I will definitely take this course next year.

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    1. I'm not a mean person or a complete slacker.

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  23. Meghan O.
    I am a friendly person if you're nice to me. I am blunt and honest and I like food. Books are ok too. I strongly dislike the beach and Carmen Electra. I'm taking this class purely because I don't want to take it in college, so I am fully committed to doing well in it. Maybe I might even enjoy it along the way?

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  24. Lauren H.

    I live to taste the rainbow, and to bounce on clouds, possible or not. I want to fall in love with a man who loves my brain and isn’t a zombie. I believe the only thing worse than finding a worm in you apple is finding half a worm; and dream of a better world where chickens can cross roads with out having their motives questioned. That’s the bio I publish with my poetry because I think I’m funny. I’m not funny. I’m not very organized. I have a bad memory. I’m unskilled with technology. This was honestly a challenge.

    oh, and I definitely want to take this course.

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  25. Emily N.

    I have never worried about myself more than other people have. If there is any way to put someone other than myself first, I will do it. Frankly I don't notice when I do, and some people tell me I need to learn to love myself. I don't have confidence in anything other than my writing, singing, and speaking skills. Vocabulary has always flowed eloquently from my mind to my lips and I am excited to be taking this course next year. Debating in English, history, or politics are certain passions of mine. I have no desire to know any more than I need to in order to get by. After all, wordiness is far from "need to know basis" if you ask me.
    I am not one to ask for help if I need it. I won't rely on someone else to carry me through, because that wouldn't be right. I am not the most organized person but everything I do is evidence of how my mind works, if "works" is the correct term for my own kind of dysfunctional style of cogitation. In college I will study Criminology to understand how severe the twists, turns, caverns, and hills of human thought can be when thoroughly worn out. Experience shapes a person, and I can't wait for this class to make a mold to me.

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  26. I don't really know what to say, and that I completely forgot to write this Friday since I had a terrible weekend. I want to take this course and I am definitely committed to it. I'm spontaneous and do what comes to mind. I'm quite funny when I want to be, but people that don't know me might think I'm not friendly. I like food, art and music.I sing a lot, and I'm pretty good at it, I just don't like singing in public. I can be kind of shy but I think this class might help me on that subject.So I'm expecting next year to be a year of change for me. Changes for the better, of course.

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  28. Meagan H.
    I am made up of different people, the person I want to be, the one I hate, and the person that everyone else sees. I can't explain myself, because I don't really know who I am. I have goals, and I've seen some interesting aspects of life, but I don't see myself as wise yet. I try to take opportunities as they come to me, but I often do not get to live them through. I am not as quiet once you get to know me. I am also not a pushover, contrary to popular belief between some friends I've had forever. I can be quite stubborn, and really impatient. I like the simple things that lighten my day a little at a time. I plan a lot, even though the best days aren't planned at all. I would like to see the world when I am older. I've always dreamed of retiring in Paris after a long but happy career. So, I'm ambitious, but sometimes I have pushed myself too far. The last few years I have gotten to know my limits and I try not to put so much stress on myself, but sometimes it seems inevitable with the goals I hope to achieve. Whether not I truly know where I want to see life taking me, I recognize how much I am prepared and looking forward to this class.

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  29. Michael M.

    I am an out going, loud, talkative, and sociable person, but I am also a hard worker. I am ready for the year ahead. I can not make the first summer class but I have not let that stop my commitment to fulfill all of the summer reading requirements along with their responses.

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  30. Laura J.
    I know this post is extremely late but i just signed up for this class. I know that doesn't scream commitment or excitement but that's actually because I was scared of this class. I often sell myself short and have a hard time boosting my own self confidence. I care a lot about what other people think of me (which is a hard thing for me to admit) and I will do anything to avoid confrontation- even saying sorry when I don't mean it. I'm always late wherever I go, I love to laugh, and I hate trying new foods.

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