Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The End.
I know my previous post says good-bye to fellow AP English students, but I would just like to say farewell to probably the most worthwhile and significant class of high school. Not to sound repetitive (my last two posts are similar to this) but AP English was a great course to sign up for. Although nerve-racking at first, the class helped me grow as a writer and a person, and for that I feel confident and prepared going to college in the fall. Many of my future friends and peers at college may feel anxious at the thought of writing their first paper for college, but I know that I will write a great paper with ease due to two years of AP English with Ms. Serensky. The past week of games and fun in AP English has let me reflect on all that I've accomplished these past two years. Talking to juniors in AP English who stressed so much over the AP Exam and telling them that it is all worth it in the end helped me realize that this class really was a great and life-changing aspect of my high school school career. Just last night when filling out an application, I found out I had to write two short essays. I really wanted to finish the application, and writing two essays seemed like the smallest, easiest task I could have asked for. Thank you Ms. Serensky and AP English!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Farewell!
Dear fellow AP English 12 students,
As we all go our separate ways, I know I will miss many aspects of high school. But one of the bigger parts about CFHS that I will miss, and never forget, is AP English 12. When we signed up together and went to class on that first day as juniors, we all felt nervous and anxious about the notoriously impossible class. But we all learned and improved our abilities to read, analyze, discuss and write exceptionally. The small number of students enrolled in the class helped make it a far better, more influential and significant experience in my life. I will miss the hilarious class discussions and the AP English inside jokes only the few number of us at CFHS can proudly say they understand. The class serves as a bonding experience which I will never forget.
Good luck everyone!
Hannah
As we all go our separate ways, I know I will miss many aspects of high school. But one of the bigger parts about CFHS that I will miss, and never forget, is AP English 12. When we signed up together and went to class on that first day as juniors, we all felt nervous and anxious about the notoriously impossible class. But we all learned and improved our abilities to read, analyze, discuss and write exceptionally. The small number of students enrolled in the class helped make it a far better, more influential and significant experience in my life. I will miss the hilarious class discussions and the AP English inside jokes only the few number of us at CFHS can proudly say they understand. The class serves as a bonding experience which I will never forget.
Good luck everyone!
Hannah
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Take AP English!
Dear Sophomore,
I recommend that you take AP English 11. Back when I was in Honors English 10, I was so clueless as to how to write an essay or correctly analyze anything. Taking AP English was one of the best decisions of my high school career. I have heard so many excuses for sophomores' reasons to not sign up for the class, such as "I am such a slow reader" or "I suck at English," but the point of taking AP English is to learn, not to automatically be the best student. I know the class has been one of my best learning experiences of high school and I guarantee it will continue to please students. AP English has prepared me well for college and beyond and I would definitely tell anyone who will listen to take the class. I think you would regret not signing up for AP English 11.
Sincerely,
Hannah
I recommend that you take AP English 11. Back when I was in Honors English 10, I was so clueless as to how to write an essay or correctly analyze anything. Taking AP English was one of the best decisions of my high school career. I have heard so many excuses for sophomores' reasons to not sign up for the class, such as "I am such a slow reader" or "I suck at English," but the point of taking AP English is to learn, not to automatically be the best student. I know the class has been one of my best learning experiences of high school and I guarantee it will continue to please students. AP English has prepared me well for college and beyond and I would definitely tell anyone who will listen to take the class. I think you would regret not signing up for AP English 11.
Sincerely,
Hannah
Monday, May 2, 2011
A Tour of the AP English Test
Merriman gives Bromden and Ruby a tour of CFHS's AP Testing events
Bromden: So, is this what school looks like now-a-days?
Merriman: "'Yes, sir.'" As you can see, students often take the most difficult test at the end of the year, to sum up everything they learned (Wilde, 30).
Bromden: Yes, "'Her face is smooth, calculated,'" and very much concentrating on what she is writing (Kesey, 5).
Ruby: "'I've been working for this [test] my whole life'" but the questions just seem so easy. Merriman, will you show us some other examples of an AP test? (Currie, 296).
Merriman: "'Yes, miss.'" But first, I would like to spend some more time watching Hannah over here. Notice how she never looks up from that paper? She seems to be concentrating so hard, as are the other students in this room. During some other tests in other subjects, students care less and do not seem to concentrate as much (Wilde, 24).
Ruby: "'I want to do it.'" AP tests seem like so much fun, an easy challenge. Bromden, we should sign up to take one together! (Currie, 296).
Bromden: Hahaha oh Ruby, you make me laugh.
Merriman: Shhh!!!
Bromden: Sorry, Merriman, but I just realized that was "'the first laugh I've heard in years.'" Ruby, are you sure you really want to go through one of these tests? I mean, look at Hannah, she seems really nervous (Kesey, 12).
Ruby: I guess your right, Bromden. But I hardly feel nervous!
Merriman: I bet you would during the test, Miss.
Bromden: Yeah, I heard some of the students before the test this morning, they seemed extremely frightened. Although you are intelligent and would inevitably pass, I suggest we do not sign up for unnecessary stress.
Ruby: Well, I think that makes sense. No point, it would be a waste of time, and Hannah does seem like this test is one of the hardest things she's done.
Merriman: I hope you enjoyed your tour today, thank you for cooperating.
Ruby and Bromden: Thank you!
Bromden: So, is this what school looks like now-a-days?
Merriman: "'Yes, sir.'" As you can see, students often take the most difficult test at the end of the year, to sum up everything they learned (Wilde, 30).
Bromden: Yes, "'Her face is smooth, calculated,'" and very much concentrating on what she is writing (Kesey, 5).
Ruby: "'I've been working for this [test] my whole life'" but the questions just seem so easy. Merriman, will you show us some other examples of an AP test? (Currie, 296).
Merriman: "'Yes, miss.'" But first, I would like to spend some more time watching Hannah over here. Notice how she never looks up from that paper? She seems to be concentrating so hard, as are the other students in this room. During some other tests in other subjects, students care less and do not seem to concentrate as much (Wilde, 24).
Ruby: "'I want to do it.'" AP tests seem like so much fun, an easy challenge. Bromden, we should sign up to take one together! (Currie, 296).
Bromden: Hahaha oh Ruby, you make me laugh.
Merriman: Shhh!!!
Bromden: Sorry, Merriman, but I just realized that was "'the first laugh I've heard in years.'" Ruby, are you sure you really want to go through one of these tests? I mean, look at Hannah, she seems really nervous (Kesey, 12).
Ruby: I guess your right, Bromden. But I hardly feel nervous!
Merriman: I bet you would during the test, Miss.
Bromden: Yeah, I heard some of the students before the test this morning, they seemed extremely frightened. Although you are intelligent and would inevitably pass, I suggest we do not sign up for unnecessary stress.
Ruby: Well, I think that makes sense. No point, it would be a waste of time, and Hannah does seem like this test is one of the hardest things she's done.
Merriman: I hope you enjoyed your tour today, thank you for cooperating.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
My Favorite Book
The Importance of Being Earnest is my favorite book I read in AP English 12 this year. The comical and absurd assertions put forth from ridiculous members of Victorian society and the light message Wilde depicts make The Importance of Being Earnest "'wicked and...really good'" (Wilde, 24). Reading the short and famous play made me realize "'for the first time in my life the vital importance of'" being well-read and cultured about different aspects of history, such as the Victorian Era (Wilde, 54). I also enjoyed this play because I loved hearing my classmates read the lines of some of the absurd characters. Ms. Serensky's choices for who to read which part seem very humorous and some-what accurate. In fact, she told us, "'My professor in college picked me to read the part of Lady Bracknell.'" When the play got going, I was so curious to know what would happen next. "'The suspense [was] terrible'" but I really did "'hope it [would] last'" (Wilde, 52). Overall, I am glad I had the chance to read Wilde's famous and comical play, The Importance of Being Earnest.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Top Ten Most Thrilling Academic Moments of My High School Career
1. I entered high school, freshmen year, thinking, "Now that I'm in high school, I am smart." The first day, although I felt extremely nervous, was quite thrilling as well. I thought I was smarter than I had ever been, but"'What could have put such an idea into [my]...little head?'" (Wilde, 38). I am not sure, because when I remember the classes I took my first year of high school, I laugh at their simplicity and long to be back in Honors English 9 or World History.
2. Honors Chemistry, my sophomore year of high school, was not my favorite class. However, when the end of the year came around, I loved doing 'unknowns,' a lab everyday where Mrs. Salyers gave us an unknown substance and we had to perform tests in order to figure out which chemical it was. I felt like a real scientist and felt "'more pleased with [myself] than I've seen'" (Kesey, 158).
3. A big moment in my high school career was learning how to study. My sisters have told me that you think you know how in high school, but learn how in college, and again, that you don't really learn how until grad school. So, although I will probably become a much better studier in college, I remember how bad I used to be at taking tests in middle school, and how much better I am at test taking in high school. When I could study and prepare well for tests, I told myself, "'I ain't no little kid'" and gladly moved on in my high school experience (Kesey, 172).
4. In physics, at the end of my junior year, we built toothpick bridges. I slathered a bunch of toothpicks with glue and crossed my fingers the day that Mr. Roberts would place weights of the bridges. But Mr. Roberts placed more and more weights on my bridge, and I though, "'I am quite ready for more'" (Wilde, 31). It wasn't the strongest bridge, but I accomplished something I had never done before.
5. Another thrilling moment in my high school experience was when I decided to drop band and take Arabic. Although it was a difficult decision, I am extremely glad I did it because Arabic is one of my favorite subjects and it helped me realize my interest in international studies. I realized, "'I am, God help me, in a state resembling happiness'" (Currie, 196).
6. Sophomore year, I signed up for Creative Writing. I couldn't wait for this class, as I signed up with friends and thought it would look great on my high school transcript. But the first day, I walked in Mr. Stuart's room, and learned that the class consisted of 5 or 6 sophomore girls, and the rest senior, AP English guys. What made this worse was when Mr. Stuart told us we would have to read everything we wrote out loud to the class. Having my friends around seemed "friendly and comforting," but the smart, older guys made reading my stories out loud practically impossible (Currie, 46). However, I found this class a thrilling moment of my high school career due to my ability to overcome a fear, and it's great preparation for AP English 11
7. In Mr. Sweeney's honors algebra 2 class my sophomore year, he placed a sticker on A tests, and when you got a sticker, you put it on the sticker chart in the back of the room. The stickers helped you obtain extra credit on the final exam, so whenever I received I sticker, it was quite thrilling to walk to the back of his room and place it on the chart. I felt like getting stickers on math tests was the "'the visible personification of absolute perfection,'' until I got to AP English (Wilde, 31).
8. A thrilling academic school year was taking photography class. Although I'm not exactly artistic, my experience in that class was fun and exciting. Learning how to work in the dark room and print pictures was a great stress relief from my other classes. When I first walked through the mysterious door to the dark room, "'I notice[d] all the machinery...is quiet, like it's still waiting'" (Kesey, 149). But once I got the hang of things, I realized the thrill of taking a completely different class than all my others.
9. Another thrilling experience of my high school career was when I realized I could understand and speak Spanish. The first couple years of the language were slightly unproductive, but the last couple of years, I realized I actually do know Spanish! The first time I watched a movie and understood what was going on, I felt like I had "never experienced a moment quite like it" (Currie, 285).
10. Last, but not least, I found it quite thrilling when I passed the AP English 11 exam. I doubted myself so much but actually passing was a confidence boost for AP English 12. After passing, I feel like, "'Anything, anything, anything is possible'" (Currie, 302).
2. Honors Chemistry, my sophomore year of high school, was not my favorite class. However, when the end of the year came around, I loved doing 'unknowns,' a lab everyday where Mrs. Salyers gave us an unknown substance and we had to perform tests in order to figure out which chemical it was. I felt like a real scientist and felt "'more pleased with [myself] than I've seen'" (Kesey, 158).
3. A big moment in my high school career was learning how to study. My sisters have told me that you think you know how in high school, but learn how in college, and again, that you don't really learn how until grad school. So, although I will probably become a much better studier in college, I remember how bad I used to be at taking tests in middle school, and how much better I am at test taking in high school. When I could study and prepare well for tests, I told myself, "'I ain't no little kid'" and gladly moved on in my high school experience (Kesey, 172).
4. In physics, at the end of my junior year, we built toothpick bridges. I slathered a bunch of toothpicks with glue and crossed my fingers the day that Mr. Roberts would place weights of the bridges. But Mr. Roberts placed more and more weights on my bridge, and I though, "'I am quite ready for more'" (Wilde, 31). It wasn't the strongest bridge, but I accomplished something I had never done before.
5. Another thrilling moment in my high school experience was when I decided to drop band and take Arabic. Although it was a difficult decision, I am extremely glad I did it because Arabic is one of my favorite subjects and it helped me realize my interest in international studies. I realized, "'I am, God help me, in a state resembling happiness'" (Currie, 196).
6. Sophomore year, I signed up for Creative Writing. I couldn't wait for this class, as I signed up with friends and thought it would look great on my high school transcript. But the first day, I walked in Mr. Stuart's room, and learned that the class consisted of 5 or 6 sophomore girls, and the rest senior, AP English guys. What made this worse was when Mr. Stuart told us we would have to read everything we wrote out loud to the class. Having my friends around seemed "friendly and comforting," but the smart, older guys made reading my stories out loud practically impossible (Currie, 46). However, I found this class a thrilling moment of my high school career due to my ability to overcome a fear, and it's great preparation for AP English 11
7. In Mr. Sweeney's honors algebra 2 class my sophomore year, he placed a sticker on A tests, and when you got a sticker, you put it on the sticker chart in the back of the room. The stickers helped you obtain extra credit on the final exam, so whenever I received I sticker, it was quite thrilling to walk to the back of his room and place it on the chart. I felt like getting stickers on math tests was the "'the visible personification of absolute perfection,'' until I got to AP English (Wilde, 31).
8. A thrilling academic school year was taking photography class. Although I'm not exactly artistic, my experience in that class was fun and exciting. Learning how to work in the dark room and print pictures was a great stress relief from my other classes. When I first walked through the mysterious door to the dark room, "'I notice[d] all the machinery...is quiet, like it's still waiting'" (Kesey, 149). But once I got the hang of things, I realized the thrill of taking a completely different class than all my others.
9. Another thrilling experience of my high school career was when I realized I could understand and speak Spanish. The first couple years of the language were slightly unproductive, but the last couple of years, I realized I actually do know Spanish! The first time I watched a movie and understood what was going on, I felt like I had "never experienced a moment quite like it" (Currie, 285).
10. Last, but not least, I found it quite thrilling when I passed the AP English 11 exam. I doubted myself so much but actually passing was a confidence boost for AP English 12. After passing, I feel like, "'Anything, anything, anything is possible'" (Currie, 302).
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
"Chester:" My New, Simple Life
"Chester," by John Koethe, is my favorite poem of the year. Koethe's illustration of a simple life through the repetitive mention of a cat makes me realize that "'I been away [from a simple life] a long time'" (Kesey, 325). I was so caught up with my school work, extracurricular activities, work, and friends that my life was more than complicated. Koethe's poem was one of the first we read, and although I understood the message he condoned, I didn't do anything about it until much later in the year. Once everything had buried me in a pile of stress, I felt as if I was "'Not one of those whose sole aim [was] enjoyment'" (Wilde, 23). After I remembered "Chester" and decided to apply the simplistic life to my own, "'I [felt] a strange and massive sense of relief'" (Currie, 169). Without worrying so much about all the stresses in my life, I maintained my grades and worked the same amount of hours, spent enough time with my friends and still had time for myself and my new, simple, uncomplicated lifestyle.
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