Where English teachers go to help each other
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Suzanne Segady
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- Colorado Springs, CO
- United States
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Suzanne Segady's Groups
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AP Lit and Language
536 members
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Native American Literatu…
48 members
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Recommended Resources
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Personal and Professiona…
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Poetry Corner
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Suzanne Segady's Discussions
Are too many kids taking AP classes?
Replied Dec. 24, 2009
Are too many kids taking AP classes?
Replied Dec. 22, 2009
Suzanne Segady's Page
Latest Activity
Color and size. I know, it seems inefficient. But for some reason, I always remember the color and size of a book rather than the title and author.
Oh, there are some I organize by subject. I try to keep all of my books on/about/by Shakespeare toget…
With that said though, I'd rather see a student in AP with a great work ethic and not a lot of mental firepower than the other way around. Similarly, I'd rather see a students shoot for AP/AICE and miss than to never venture to these courses.
Jon,…
Lori, I agree that there's an attitude problem that must change. "Regular" course have, for decades, prepared most students very well for college and, I believe, they still do. AP and honors courses may require more content depth on the part of the…
It's not only about pass rate, but I know I feel terrible when a student spends $90 on a test, gets a 1 or a 2, and has to chalk it up to experience.
The challenge can be a wonderful thing and, yes, many do go on and succeed in college. However, I'v…
Yes, too many students are taking AP courses.
When I began teaching AP Lit, 6 years ago, I had 50 students. and 95% of those who took the test (80% of the students) passed. In 3 years, that blossomed to 120. I was thrilled to see so many students wi…
I like to focus on a couple of things. One -- the two ghosts. Using those exerpts from Sawtelle & Hamlet work nicely to convey the importance of the disruptions of natural order and the attitudes of society.
Two -- "The rest is silence." Having a pr…
WHen I talk to my students about this, I tell them it's more than plot -- it's depth and thematic relevance. Why is Dracula a classic, while Twilight, for all its charms, will be YA lit forever? The depth that comes from symbolism, strength of dicti…
Profile Information
- Where do you work?
- Doherty High School -- Colorado Springs
- Choose all that apply to your job
- Graduate Student, High School English Teacher, Department Chair, Author
- What are you reading?
- A Mercy by Morrison & The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by Wroblewski
- How do you define your role/work?
- AP Teacher, Dept. Chair, all-around Lit Geek
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 8:19pm on September 24, 2009,
Krista Cox said…
- Thanks for the suggestions!
- At 9:19am on April 21, 2009,
Carol Ann Scheese said… - Thanks for the comedy advice --you offer some great suggestions.
- At 8:13am on February 22, 2009,
Jen said… - I have to thank you again for the sonnet ppt. It was the perfect jumping off point I needed to begin my sonnet unit. I think it went better this year than ever before, and I'm grateful for your help!
- At 8:59am on January 25, 2009,
Sue Knopp said… - Hello back former roomie! I'm gonna love this site I can tell!
- At 9:16am on January 19, 2009,
Jen said…
- Would you mind sharing that sonnet power point you referenced in your post on "Sonnets, Anyone?" I'm grateful for your advice and I'm trying to put some plans together based on your approach. Thanks so much! (mrshiller@gmail.com)
About
Latest Activity
Judith--
One opportunity is Teen Ink (http://www.teenink.com). This is a publication for teens only, ages 13-19, to submit and publish their work. The one draw back I found is that once accepted, Teen Ink keeps all rights to the work. This means ki…
Bill,
You have it wrong. I didn't say the theory has not had wide influence. I never said anything like that. I agree that it has had wide influence. What I said was I've never heard of teachers labeling themselves as constructivists or nonconstruct…
The Ugly Truth is that my number one goal for my students right now has to be to raise their 2010 standardized test scores.
I find it disturbing, off-base, heart-wrenching, and almost something shameful to admit. However, NCLB has my entire school'…
I am in search of a novel set during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl era. It will be used in a 10th grade history class; most of the students are struggling readers. The teacher would like to stay away from the "big name classics." He wants something…
Yay Doug! He was one of my teachers in pre-teaching grad school (itp.nyu.edu), and I'm a huge fan of his work. Thanks for posting this, Frank. I'm really excited to see what these guys have come up with this time.
I am looking for opportunities for high school students to publish their writing. I am in VT. We are part of the NWP and can certainly offer that to our students. I know about the Mountain Review, but I would really appreciate other venues where stu…
Oh, a marvelous poem, Carol -- by one of my favorite poets. In graduate school far back in the 60's, I took a creative writing class from Bly at the University of Kansas, and have never forgotten it. Thanks for the connection.
I actually do have a plan (I also have a yearly book filled with objectives). I just can't say I have a detailed plan. I found it easier to plan for 90 minute block lessons than the 45 minutes we have at this school which makes me feel like I am in…
Oh I do! I just had a tutorial with a final year student, who thank me for introducing her to philosophy. It's just that the rest of it sucks up so much time.
Andy,
The fact that you have not heard of it doesn't mean the theory has not had a wide influence. Nearly every school of education in America now promotes "constructivist" ideas, and it is why many of our student teachers are not receiving some of…
How about this for a poetic connection to your posting, Hamilton?
Gratitude to Old Teachers by Robert Bly
When we stride or stroll across the frozen lake,
We place our feet where they have never been.
We walk upon the unwalked. But we are uneasy.…
I really think that PDFs kick SOOO much butt compared to .mobi Kindle Books or any other text with DRMs.
... and xboxes can make lovely computers if you know how to hack them. But that's also illegal. ;)
My husband has a bebook, which will read PDFs and some other formats... I don't know if it does text files or not.
And yet many teachers would grade "gentle seductions" harshly and comment that they "take too long to get to the point" or "meander." It just goes to show the huge chasm that exists between persuasive essays taught in the "Cookie-Cutter School of Es…
While it may be true that in reality there are not that many people reading student work on the Web (who but an English teacher could love a character analysis of Scout Finch??), I wonder if that really matters.
I suspect it does matter. I think it…
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