Juicy Bits & Multiple Choice

I was listening to NPR this morning and this very fascinating program came on regarding gifted and talented programs in Houston, Texas.  It caught my attention because I started my teaching career in Houston back in 1998.  Anyhoo, the claim is that minority students in the Houston Independent School District are overlooked for GT programs.  I'd encourage you to take a listen.

As a Hispanic female who grew up in Texas and took a test one day that changed my life (and has me typing these words to you today) I urge you to consider the claim that is being made.  Are "blacks and Latinos" being overlooked?  What are the demographics of your upper level/AP classes?

In terms of MC, continue reflecting on the thinking that goes into strategy.  A test doesn't show your character, it just shows your skill set.

Tomorrow come prepared for brain food.  And Friday I expect for you to "feed me" with quality SAS.

xoxo

p.s. - Outliers needed by October 12th.  Check out Thrift Books if you're looking to purchase a copy.  BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO!  Go to the library! AND, you will also be required to read John Steinbeck's East of Eden so you might want to start looking for copies.

Shawn Achor

My boyfriend!!  Enjoy the TED Talk again before next week and take notes like a good student would!!

Have a great Tuesday,
xoxo

Essay Feedback and Tomorrow

Thanks for being open to the essay feedback.  The only way we improve is with a growth mindset, not a fixed one.

For tonight, MAKE SURE YOU WRITE YOUR DAILY JOURNAL.  And make sure you have TED Talk notes (the kind that meet my standards) on Brene Brown and Benjamin Zander.  You will need them in class tomorrow.

Grab a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers by Monday, October 12th.

Try to stay cool, read something that will feed your brain, check out NPR, and be open.  Just open.

Be brave.
Be kind.
Be open hearted.

I'm just saying!!!

xoxo

P.S. - In an effort to just see who is here, leave a comment that tells me your all time favorite place to eat...

T.G.I.F. **Updated**

**I just read through all of period 4's journals.  Loving it.  Loving you. :)
**I will be asking for your TED Talk notes on Tuesday (Brene Brown & Benjamin Zander)

Multiple Choice happened.  Welcome to AP Language.  We will use your results to teach you how to mindfully take tests.  Promise.

As a heads up, though, you will ALL need to secure a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers.  You will need a copy of the book by Monday, October 12th.

Ideas for securing a copy:

• Buy a copy if you can (bookstore, friends of library book sale)
• Check the book out from the school library
• Check the book out from the public library
• Borrow a copy from a friend
• Borrow a copy from a teacher on campus (I only have 1)
• Share a copy with a friend in a different class
• ***And here's the kicker, if you can afford it, buy an extra copy of the book and donate it to the class so someone else can use it.

See me with questions/issues.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Second Thursday Post

For period 7, the book I mentioned in class is called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. And someone in Period 3 mentioned the VW recall. Check out the depth of their deception in this Mother Jones article. Pardon the title. I'd recommend reading the article referenced regarding the peanut CEO.

See you tomorrow.
Xoxo

Multiple Choice Tomorrow

Hey there. Great job on SAS. Period 4 slayed me!!!!!!

I'll see you tomorrow for Multiple Choice. Gotta go to my other job: mom.

Xoxo

Gratitude

I very much appreciate your effort today.  I could sense that this was not an easy task for many of you, and I can only imagine the brain pain in writing a timed essay after a glorious summer of not.  :)
I will be reading through your work and scoring it according to the AP scale of 1-9.  You can expect feedback on Monday, and I will teach you what it means to get a paper back in this class because it's more than just shuffling papers and reading your score.  It's a learning opportunity.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SAS IS HAPPENING TOMORROW instead of Friday.  

And in an effort to show you that I do the work I ask you to do, here is a great article from a fantastic site called Greater Good, The Science of a Meaningful Life.  Some of you might enjoy it.

Have a great rest of the day!
xoxo