So far, I have written about thirty multiple choice questions and about ten short answer. I am thinking that it would be appropriate to have a matching section as well. Actually, I think a matching section may make your lives less stressful. The multiple choice are difficult to write without getting overly detail oriented. I am trying to be fair. My goal has always been to keep everyone accountable for reading this book that will play such an important part in our coursework this summer and to stress the importance of close, critical reading. Hopefully, most of you are finished by now. My advice: review, review, review. Ask yourself which items (people, events, etc.) are repeated throughout the text. Identify what you believe to be significant events in the history and "biography' of cancer. Identify significant terms. Know the definitions of those terms. I am not talking vocabulary words as much as concepts, discoveries, methods in the history, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
This is not an easy test. 470 pages is a lot of text to master. Know that most of our assessments will not be like this one, but I have not found another way to keep students accountable for the summer reading, and so we will take this test. The very first day. And it will be difficult. So, prepare yourself.
Having said all of that, everyone is capable of getting an "A" in AP Lang if you are willing to work hard and do your best to improve.
It has been my pleasure to read the comments that have been posted this summer and I am very excited about our work together this year. Have I said this yet? I love teaching AP Lang. I think it is one of the most important courses you can take to determine your future success in all other classes. You must have a facility with language in order to avoid the glass ceiling. You must know how to articulate your ideas in all other disciplines and in your personal life.
I will be checking the blog periodically throughout the weekend to answer your questions, if I can.
Sincerely,
Mrs. McAllister
Reviewing, reviewing, reviewing! I'm very excited and very nervous for Tuesday. I'll probably think of a question or two later, but for now I'm off to visit Northwestern!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time.
ReplyDeleteHow detailed are you expecting us to be in the short answer? Sometimes I can only remember last names, and even then, some specific words escape me, but I can still describe the general picture of what occurred. I'm so scared about this test.... Dreading it....
ReplyDeleteDon't be scared, Sharath. The short answer mostly ask you to explain concepts, ideas and events. Not one of them asks you to get picky about names of people. This is one test. You are going to learn so much this year. It is going to be a really great class. I am going to make sure of it. You've done the hard work--getting through the text. Just spend some time tonight reviewing and keeping it all fresh in your memory. Thank you for your honesty. I am sure you are not alone. It is going to be just fine. Even if the test doesn't go well, it is going to be just fine. There is plenty of opportunity to recover.
ReplyDeleteI just finished making a study guide with what I think are the most important characters, I can send it to you if you want, Sharath!
ReplyDeleteThat' would be nice to add to my study list, my email is sharathsundaram228@gmail.com
Delete