Dear AP Lang Teacher (Week 9),

So here's the deal…
First let me apologize for the delayed post. I was in California consulting this weekend and I used about every spare second to grade my kids’ stuff.

Now, let's talk the heartache of a weak performance on an assessment. What I realized while tackling their prewriting check was that the same old issues are popping up with rhetorical analysis. Describing strategies is so hard for them, and it seems like more of the same. I'm hoping my sample moves them in the right direction... but it's always discouraging.

Sigh.

Week 9

But we are on the move nonetheless, the kids are tackling their first RA tomorrow, and I am honestly just hoping they finish. Ha!

We all know the hard truth that is the first solo RA. They'll make silly mistakes you explicitly told them NOT to. They'll write "uses pathos" no matter how many times you tell them that doesn't make sense. They'll manage their time poorly, even though you did all the prewriting before class. Nothing feels quite as discouraging as that first FRQ, but we'll persevere! (After a little shock).

Something I am passionate about is building a growth mindset. This week - or rather, whenever they get their scores - is ROUGH. A three kills them more than any F on a math quiz ever did, and for that reason, it's about a positive positive positive reaction for me:

“You know, a three is pretty good when a 6 means you qualify to skip a year of college.”
“You were so close! I needed one more sentence. Fill in the gap, and you're there!”
“This is just a check in. We'll revise and keep at it!”

So plaster on your best teacher smile, hide the panic, and brace yourself. It's FRQ week.

Lesson Plans