AP English Writing Warmup: Charles Dickens's "Preface" to A Christmas Carol

Illustration of Marley's ghost found on page 78 of your editions.

Writing Warmup:
In the "Preface" to A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens writes these famous lines:

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me.  May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

Their faithful Friend and Servant, 

C. D.

Dec. 1843. (5)

One of the great parts of your "Annotated" editions is that the editors show readers what Dickens meant to say to his readers, and how he interacted with his publishers, Chapman and Hall.  What your annotations don't tell you is why he chose to capitalize certain nouns (e.g., "Ghostly," "Ghost," "Idea," "Friend," and "Servant").

In the comments section below pick one or two of the nouns Dickens chose to capitalize and make "proper."  Then, answer the following questions.

1) Why do you think Dickens chose to capitalize these words?

2) How does the meaning of the word you picked change when it is capitalized?

3) What do you think Dickens means when he says, "Ghost of an Idea?" 

4) Why does he describe A Christmas Carol as a "Ghostly little book?"

Writing Warmup: "DIY SNAPCHAT FILTERS!" by Miranda

Writing Warmup: 
This video is of a woman who named herself "Miranda Sings." Miranda is youtube famous for her very humorous and immature videos. In this video Miranda is showing everyone how to make DIY snapchat filters.

Two-Three discussion questions.
1) Who is the audience?
2) What is the purpose?
3) How does this appeal to you or other viewers?

Writing Warmup: "How to Make Your Own Kylie Jenner Lip Kit!!" by Miranda Sings

Writing Warmup: 

Coleen Ballinger created a YouTube star named Miranda Sings who brings out a lot of humor in the YouTube world. Miranda's character can best be described as immature, sassy, rude, and childish. In this video, she is going to show people how to make the Kylie Jenner lip kit in her own "unique" way. 

1) Who is watching her videos?

2) Why did she make this video? 

3) What adjectives describe how she acts?

English Essentials Writing Warmup: Oddly Satisfying

A big thank you to Joel for helping create this week's informational writing activity! We would not be thinking about audience, purpose, and meaning without you!!!

Writing Activity:
1) Pick your favorite YouTuber, send Dr. B the video, and she will create a writing prompt based on that video. Note: make sure YouTubers are *appropriate* for school! A lot of them use language or discuss topics that may not be school appropriate.

2) Essential questions: How does this YouTuber bring in and attract audience members? Who is their audience? What is their content about? Why do you watch their videos?

English Essentials Writing Warmup: The Dude Project

Writing Warmup:
A big thank you to Joel for helping create this week's informational writing activity! We would not be thinking about audience, purpose, and meaning without you!!!

Writing Activity:
1) Pick your favorite YouTuber, send Dr. B the video, and she will create a writing prompt based on that video. Note: make sure YouTubers are *appropriate* for school! A lot of them use language or discuss topics that may not be school appropriate.

2) Essential questions: How does this YouTuber bring in and attract audience members? Who is their audience? What is their content about? Why do you watch their videos?

Creative Writing: "Critical Role" and Complex Characterization

Writing Warmup:
As part of our discussion of role playing games and fantasy genres, it's time to look into the world of role playing games with real people playing real games.  After watching this video, please answer the discussion questions below.

1. What are the character types portrayed in the show?
2. How do the actors portray those character types?
3. What have you learned about roleplaying and characterization?

Writing warmup:"Neature Nuggets" by vicscrappyvideos

Writing warmup:
This video gives comical tips on how to walk through the woods. This also shows the difficulties that might come with nature walks.

1. Who is the audience?
2. What is the purpose?
3. How does this appeal to you or other viewers?

English Essentials: Semicolons and Complex Lists

Bell Ringer Activity:
For today's class, we will talk about the semicolon's other uses: dividing text in complex lists.  Watch this video by Khan Academy and in the comments section below, answer the following questions.

1) How are semicolons used in complex lists?
2) Give one example of a semicolon in a complex list.
3) Reply to a classmate and describe what you like about their example. Tell them how they are using it correctly.

English Essentials Writing Warmup: The Gabbie Show

A big thank you to Joel for helping create this week's informational writing activity! We would not be thinking about audience, purpose, and meaning without you!!!

Writing Activity:
1) Pick your favorite YouTuber, send Dr. B the video, and she will create a writing prompt based on that video. Note: make sure YouTubers are *appropriate* for school! A lot of them use language or discuss topics that may not be school appropriate.

2) Essential questions: How does this YouTuber bring in and attract audience members? Who is their audience? What is their content about? Why do you watch their videos?

Retakes and Do-Overs? What Do YOU Think?

Bell-Ringer Activity:
Dr. B has been taking a class on Proficiency-Based Education (PBE).  One of the topics that has recently come up is the nature of retaking assessments and what that means.

This got me to thinking: when a student (you, for example) take an assessment in this class, what are you thinking about during that assessment? Are you thinking about things like, "I had better do my best! I better show Dr. B what I know!" Or, are you thinking differently? Asking questions like, "Oh, I can always re-do this in the future."

Here is an awesome video from an educator named Rick Wormeli. In this video, he discusses why it's so important that students have a chance to re-take their assessments. Wormeli argues that learning is a progression, an ongoing part of your lives, and that what you know today may not necessarily represent what you will know as your learning process continues.

For today, please watch Wormeli's video, then, in the comments section below, discuss anything that seems important, relevant, or interesting to you.  If you can find how it connects to your own life as a student or in this classroom, we would love to hear it!