Derek Thomas -- PHS AP English Blog

AP Literature: RANT

Angry Teacher Says

Only 24 of the 53 of you submitted your poetry analysis essay that was due last night. Pathetic. I closed the Turnitin window and Turnitin will NOT accept your work late. At this point, the only way to turn in a late essay will be to email it to me at derek.thomas@sdhc.k12.fl.us BEFORE 10:00 Tonight -- Friday, March, 12th. You will get HALF credit if the essay is perfect and lose points from there. I will not accept it after that. You will receive a 0. There are a few of you that have an outstanding essay exemption. You MUST email me that you are using your exemption -- also before 10pm tonight -- or I will assume you are just taking a 0.

It's way too late in the year to be missing work. The last poetry essay -- that you got in class today -- is due Monday night. I will not accept any late essays. Turn it in on time or take a 0.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but we are not done with the school year yet. I'm giving you the whole month of May off. The least you coud do would be to complete your assignments until then.

Mr. Thomas

AP Literature: Existentialism

Closing Out The Year

We will wind up our study of literature this year with a section on existentialism.  Besides doing some research on the theory of existentialism itself, we will read three works:  Siddhartha (Herman Hesse), Waiting for Godot (Samuel Beckett), and The Stranger (Albert Camus).

Existentialism is the philosophy that places emphasis on individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism stresses the individuality of existence, and the problems that arise with said existence. Because there is so much diversity in the philosophy of existentialism, a concrete definition is hard to put down. Certain themes are common to almost all existential writing, which helps mark the writing as such. The term itself suggests one major theme, the stress on concrete, individual existence, and on subjectivity, individual freedom and choice.

Click below for the worksheet that outlines the readings and some of your final assignments for this year.

Download Existentialism

AP Language: Projects

Three Projects Due in Coming Weeks

Below you will find the link for the worksheet on the three projects you have due before Spring Break.  Remember that each of these projects is 200 points and each requires a good deal of work on your part.  The most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN with them.  They are designed to be educational, interesting, and FUN.  Be sure you choose topics that interest you and partners that you work well with.

I look forward to seeing the results of your work.  Good Luck.

Download AP English Language and Composition Projects

Download Speech Rubric

AP Language: Three Cups of Tea

Imperative That You Keep Up With Reading

 As we begin our journey through Pakistan and Afghanistan it is essential that I remind you that you MUST keep up with the reading in Three Cups of Tea.  We will be discussing chapters at least three times a week and discussion is the key to understanding and enjoying this profound piece of literature.  If I have to give reading quizzes, I will. 

AP Language: Welcome to 2nd Semester

Time to "Kick It Up A Notch"

Now that our mini-two day week is over, it's time to really begin.  Here's some information that you will need:

1.  The Glass Castle needs to be completed by Wednesday, January 27th.  There will be a reading quiz that day.

2.  Your writing assignment for The Glass Castle is attached.  It's more in depth than usual and requires a minimum of 800 words.  I'm trying to grow your papers to the length of a research paper, which will be coming soon.

3.  The schedule for next week is as follows:  Monday -- Discussion of conclusions with homework assignment.  Tuesday -- Multiple choice practice.  Wednesday -- Glass Castle Quiz and discussion of work.  Thursday -- TBD.  Friday -- Glass Castle Socratic Seminar.

4.  A week from Monday you will begin your next book, Three Cups of Tea.  I'm checking to see if we have them at PHS.  If not, you must purchase them.  I'll let you know for sure soon.

I'm really expecting to see growth this semester as we make our final run up to the AP Exam in May.  Good Luck.

Download The Glass Castle Writing Assignment

Mr. Thomas

AP English Language: January 1 Update

 Happy New Year

I hope you had a nice break and as it winds down I just want to remind you of a few things:

1.  Your grades have been updated on Edline to include The Great Gatsby test and The Great Gatsby essay of choice.  Please also go into Turnitin to read the comments on your Gatsby essays.  I provided a lot of insight for you.

2.  The only grade outstanding now is the Horace adversity essay.  I will have those graded before you return on Monday.

3.  I hope you are reading "Endurance".  We will have a reading quiz when we return on Monday and begin our discussion of the book.

4.  Also brush up on your rhetorical terms.  There will be many of them on the exam and you should know them by now.  I will give a review and another quiz later next week.

That's all.  I hope your holidays were enjoyable.  Mine sure were.

AP Literature: Winter Break Update 1

 Just to Keep You Up-To-Date

First I want to wish you a happy holiday season and tell you to enjoy your winter break.  I am enjoying mine, but doing a minimum of school work so we can be prepared to finish the semester when we return -- I hope you do the same.

Your grades are now current and up to date on Edline.  The King Lear tests and the HTRLLAP assignments have been graded and added in.  The Lear tests turned out to be pretty good, however I added a 10 point curve since no one got 100.  The scores in Edline include the curve.  With the curve the grades ranged from 35 to 103 with almost 20 of you getting an A.  Since I don't give a lot of tests, this is about what I expected.  The How to Read assignments were much more throrough than the last batch.  I hope you enjoyed the book and it gave you some insight into all that literature has to offer.

Finally, a reminder about the winter break assignments.  First, I hope you are enjoying The Picture of Dorian Gray.  We will have a brief reading test when we return followed by a week of study on the novel.  We will then move onto Frankenstein and Doctor Faustus.  Also, do not forget the very important King Lear/A Thousand Acres essay that is due Monday night, January 4th.  There will be no extension, so finish in plenty of time.  I know you will be glad to be finished with Lear after this is complete.

That's all for now.  I'll try to remember to get back with you as the break comes to an end.  Best wishes.

AP Language: Endurance Ordered

 Books Should Be At Barnes and Noble on Friday

I have called Barnes and Noble and they should have Endurance in by Friday afternoon.  Please pick one up over the weekend OR order it on your own OR put it on your Christmas list.  You need to have the book read before you come back to school on Monday, January 4th.  It's a great adventure story.  You should enjoy it.

AP Literature: Winter Break Updates and More

 Busy Time Between Now and January Return

Because of how short this quarter is (only 7 weeks) and the fact that Winter Break is NOT mid-term break this year, we have a lot to get accomplished between now and when the semester ends in mid-January.  Here's the schedule for you.

Monday December 14th -- King Lear Act IV
Tuesday December 15th --King Lear Act V
Wednesday December 16th -- Early Release.  King Lear wrap up.
Thursday December 17th -- King Lear Test.  How to Read Literature LIke a Professor Part 3 Due to Turnitin.
Friday December 18th -- Winter Wonderland.

Winter Break -- Complete the A Thousand Acres /King Lear Comparison Essay (document below).  This is worth 100 points and is due Monday night, January 4th to Turnitin.  Late Essays will NOT be accepted.  Additionally, we are set to begin our 'horror' unit which will entail the reading of Frankenstein and the Marlowe play, Doctor Faustus.  But first, over Winter Break, you must read The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Because the work was published over 100 years ago, it is in the public domain.  Therefore you can find it on the internet and read it for free (See the link below).  If you prefer, you may purchase a copy of the book.  The best price I have found is from Dover (See the link below).

There will be a reading quiz when you return to school on Monday, January 4th.  At that point we will spend a few days discussing the work as well. 

Have a great Winter Break.

Download King Lear A Thousand Acres Essay Choices

The Picture of Dorian Gray Online

The Picture of Dorian Gray from Dover Publications for $3.50 

AP Language: Winter Break Assignments

 Last Week Before Holiday Is BUSY

Because of how short this quarter is (only 7 weeks) and the fact that Winter Break is NOT mid-term break this year, we have a lot to get accomplished between now and when the semester ends in mid-January.  Here's the schedule for you.

Monday December 14th -- Have The Great Gatsby completed.  Be prepared to discuss.
Tuesday December 15th -- The Great Gatsby discussion.
Wednesday December 16th -- Early Release.  The Great Gatsby wrap up.
Thursday December 17th -- The Great Gatsby Test. The Great Gatsby Essay of Choice Due.
Friday December 18th -- Winter Wonderland

Winter Break -- Read Endurance:  Shakleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.  See below for a link from Amazon.com or stop by the South Tampa Barnes and Noble to purchase.  You must aquire this book on your own.  Put it on your Christmas List.  Additionally, you must complete the worksheets I give you on Thursday.  There will be a reading quiz when you return to school on Monday, January 4th and the worksheets will be due at that time as well.

I hope you enjoy your Winter Holidays.  I know you will enjoy this great adventure story.

Amazon Link for Endurance by Alfred Lansing