Night Work
May 11th, 2012
We started our Night unit today. Wasn’t here? You still need to print off the unit guide and read this first half. It’s up to page 62 (depending on the version). See unit guide for specifics.
Also, you MUST watch this following clip with the author, Elie Wiesel, and Oprah. I’m no fan of Oprah, but I am a fan of Wiesel.
Don’t forget to print off unit guide #10 of Life of Pi AT HOME and put it in your binder this weekend. And, here’s one last reminder to buy a copy of Life of Pi. Do it now so you will not have to share books in our final unit.
Power of One Discussion Questions
May 4th, 2012
10th grade students: Here is a Word copy of the Power of One discussion questions. Cut out your section, paste, then complete the questions this weekend as a possibility. This will ensure your preparedness.
Happy last P1 weekend!
AP Language Student Volunteers
May 4th, 2012AP Language students who volunteered: Thanks! Your help will be welcome on the Power of One night, Wednesday, 5/9. I’ve called you in to Seminar on 5/8 for session one. We’ll talk briefly on what you’ll do.
As for you Model Congress kids who volunteered (Courtney, Steffany, Sam), I’d like you to consider being a moderator for a group. Donaven, I’d like you to consider it as well. Let me know.
Thanks again. I will offer something for this extra credit work you are doing on this.
Synthesis Essay Student Papers: Locavore
April 30th, 2012Read through the three student essays on the locavore prompt, along with the scoring commentary for each. Write down what worked for each, and what you did differently in your essay. You can print these to comment, or you can write them down separately. Just be sure you are analyzing what these papers did or didn’t do.
Link to essays:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap11_english_language_q1.pdf
You Are Exempt from the All Quiet Test…
April 3rd, 2012
IF you have an 90% or higher in class as of 5pm on Tuesday, 4/3. If this is you, bring something fun to do in class on Thursday; you’ve earned it.
Questions? Stop by on Wednesday.
Gatsby Fun
March 29th, 2012We watched this in class, but in case you wanted to practice your Gatsby-themed rhymes at home, here’s “Daisy’s Lullaby”:
The Great Gatsby in a Nutshell video. IRONY!
A Doll’s House Work for This Weekend
March 16th, 2012
Remember your homework tonight:
1. Write 5 vanity plates and 5 bumper stickers in your comp book.
2. Pick your best vanity and your best bumper sticker. Type it for display. Use a license plate template to make it especially interesting.
3. Study for A Doll’s House test. Remember, you MUST have your book for turn-in.
4. Turn in your Power of One part 1 of your second book. Be sure to have page 9 attached. Is your book punctuation correct?
5. One more: Reply to this post with your best vanity plate or bumper sticker idea. Due no later than Sunday, 3/18, 11:59 pm. This is a graded assignment.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! If you think of it, please call my mom to wish her a good Irish day.
First Steps towards Synthesis Essay
February 27th, 2012
Pick one of the topics, print, read, and annotate both articles in that topic.
College Sports:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2011/10/the-shame-of-college-sports/8643/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/seth_davis/09/21/Branch.rebuttal/index.html
Amazon:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/opinion/amazons-jungle-logic.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print
“Racist Coffee”
February 15th, 2012A Tale of One Outline about Two Cities
February 10th, 2012
Need an overview of what to include on an outline? Remember, your typed one is due on Monday.
- Complete intro reflecting our class work on how to write introductions (you should have this in your class notes)
- Clear, original thesis statement
- Two-three-four main points to prove the thesis
- Exact quotations from the novel that will be used
- Further points that will be discussed in the paper
- Complete working conclusion
Need help on how to outline? Check this out: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/1/
or
Further Huck Finn Resources
February 10th, 2012![]()
60 Minutes recently did a segment on the updated, sanitized version of Huckleberry Finn. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7360250n. David Bradley from Born to Trouble is interviewed.
Students weigh in on the controvery of teaching Huckleberry Finn: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7360238n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox
At the very least, you can see an updated photo of our friend, David Bradley:

Better-than-Google Researchin’
February 10th, 2012
Here are the databases that Ms. Brookover presented today. Remember, go to the Intranet IC page first to get the usernames, passwords, and sites. Databases may be accessed from home by simply adding the letters ra to the front of the username and password (rakubahs/ra!dodea).
Kubasaki IC page: https://www.dragonnet.kubasaki-hs.pac.dodea.edu/info/default.aspx
ProQuest–> eLibrary http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/curriculum/do/search
Gale Online–>Opposing Viewpoints http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/?userGroupName=kubahs
Newsbank–>Access World News
In addition, here is a great link to get help from MLA formatting: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/
For this Huckleberry Finn paper, you’ll need resources from online databases from school. You’ll need in-text citations along with a Works Cited page.
UPDATE:
From out class discussion today, some needed help with in-text citations from web pages. Here is what I found from OWL:
Citing Non-Print or Sources from the Internet
With more and more scholarly work being posted on the Internet, you may have to cite research you have completed in virtual environments. While many sources on the Internet should not be used for scholarly work (reference the OWL’s Evaluating Sources of Information resource), some Web sources are perfectly acceptable for research. When creating in-text citations for electronic, film, or Internet sources, remember that your citation must reference the source in your Works Cited.
Sometimes writers are confused with how to craft parenthetical citations for electronic sources because of the absence of page numbers, but often, these sorts of entries do not require any sort of parenthetical citation at all. For electronic and Internet sources, follow the following guidelines:
- Include in the text the first item that appears in the Work Cited entry that corresponds to the citation (e.g. author name, article name, website name, film name).
- You do not need to give paragraph numbers or page numbers based on your Web browser’s print preview function.
- Unless you must list the website name in the signal phrase in order to get the reader to the appropriate entry, do not include URLs in-text. Only provide partial URLs such as when the name of the site includes, for example, a domain name, like CNN.com or Forbes.com as opposed to writing out http://www.cnn.com or http://www.forbes.com.
Huck Finn Research Links
February 7th, 2012![]()
Kyle W. made an excellent suggestion to post a few links he found on the Huck Finn research project so that others could find a starting point. Here is his contribution: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~acareywe/huck.html
If you find a link that may be of value to others, please post it in a comment along with a sentence or two telling what it is.
Thank you, Kyle!
Bamboozled Clips
January 20th, 2012
To continue our discussion on the important issues in our reading of Huckleberry Finn, we watched part of one or both of these clips in class. I wanted to post them here for your review. They may be a part of your reaction paper.
Trailer from the movie:
Spike Lee’s montage from minstrel shows:
10th World Literature Exam
January 20th, 2012
Part 1: Multiple-Choice exam on reading comprehension.
Part 2: Essay
In a well-written essay, compare two of the major works studied so far this year. Choose the two, and select one point of comparison (theme, plot structure, characters, historical perspective, perspectives of women, etc.) to explore. Be sure to discuss specific events and characters from the works as you write.
Include:
- Solid introduction with a clear thesis statement
- Body paragraphs each focus on one point of comparison
- Satisfying conclusion that brings essay to a proper close
- A creative title that connects to your essay
- Details and analysis that display your thorough understanding of the works
Select from:
- The Tempest by William Shakespeare
- Tartuffe by Moliere
- Candide by Voltaire
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Remember: choose only one point of comparison topic to view in two works. For example, show three ways in which the theme of resurrection is apparent in both A Tale of Two Cities and Things Fall Apart.
This essay will be scored using the 6 Traits rubric for
Ideas, Organization, Word Choice, and Conventions.
Posting Your Product Commercials
January 5th, 2012
For your Product Description essay on Monday, 1/9, you’ll need the box of the product, a picture of the ad, or, as some suggested, a commercial. If you want to use a brief ad to introduce your product, please post a comment with the product and link.
Best of 2011 Assignment
January 1st, 2012
This is for Wednesday, 1/4/2012. Do not do this now!
best-of-the-year-2011 doc (Download this and save with your last name.2011.period)
Begin by watching Google’s 2011 Zeigeist video
Station 1: News Year in Review http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/killing-bin-laden-voted-top-news-story-2011-15178436
Station 2: Words, Words, Words http://www.merriam-webster.com/the-year-in-words/index.htm
Station 3: Top Songs and Movies of the Year
Movies: http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2011&p=.htm
Songs: http://www.billboard.com/charts/charts-year-end?year=2011#/charts-year-end/hot-100-songs?year=2011
Station 4: Banished Words for 2012 http://www.lssu.edu/banished/
Station 5: Photo Gallery http://www.life.com/gallery/67641/image/ugc1393781/2011-pictures-of-the-year#index/0
Station 6: Internet Search Terms http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/top_10_most_searched_terms_2011_google_yahoo_bing.html
Station 7: Washington Post Top News Searches http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/the-top-search-terms-of-2011/2011/12/15/gIQAsbXmwO_gallery.html#photo=12
Station 8: Facebook Status Terms http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/07/9274609-osama-bin-ladens-death-tops-2011-facebook-status-updates
For each station, complete work on the Best of 2011 document. Work in triads discussing the trends from the year, and your thoughts on the questions in the small group discussion section.
Eleven Easy Ways to Read More in 2012
December 30th, 2011Here’s what I wrote regarding reading more in 2012: http://my52books.com/eleven-easy-ways-to-read-more-in-2012/
Life of Pi for only 99 Cents
December 27th, 2011Amazon just posted the Kindle edition of Life of Pi for only 99 cents! For all you with sparkling new Kindles from Christmas, this is a deal for you. We are reading this book in second semester, and this is a cheap, quick way to get your own copy. I highly suggest buying this.
This price is for today (12/27) only!
Power of One Documentaries
December 19th, 2011
Remember, you must complete the following for your Power of One character documentaries:
1. Watch a non-fiction documentary for your Power of One character. This can be from the libraries, purchased through Amazon, from Netflix, or from an educational site. It CANNOT be illegally downloaded or from sites like YouTube. The movie must be a minimum of 45 minutes long.
2. Write a review, outline, etc. for the documentary for turn-in. This MUST be typed. Turn in to Mr. Coia.
3. Bring in the DVD case or the receipt from iTunes, Netflix, etc. showing rental or purchase. Turn in to Mr. Hogen.
4. Have you found a good source for documentaries? (Biography, A & E, etc.). If so, post it in the comments to help other students.
Due on Wednesday, January 4th.
Tweeting through Candide
December 12th, 2011

After completing your worksheet on Tweeting a Novel you will add two of yours to this list. Include a recognizable username for a Candide character, and have up to 140 characters. It should look something like this:
@BestofAllCandides : “Ran into Pangloss and the Baron today as slaves. Starting to think that no one stays dead. Still waiting for Mr. Inquisitor to zombify.”
@TheFaithfulCacambo: “Is it just me or is Candide an idiot? The more he talks about this being the best possible world, the more I think he needs glasses.”
Value: 10 points
Candide’s Google Lit Trip
December 7th, 2011
Travel along with Candide throughout the world in search of the fair Cunegonde. This Google Lit Trip will take you through the book using Google Maps. We will complete this in class on Wednesday, 12/14.
1. Go to http://www.googlelittrips.com/GoogleLit/9-12/Entries/2006/12/1_Candide_by_Voltaire.html to download the small map file. [NOTE: You need to already have a copy of the free Google Maps to use this file.]
2. Take this journey. Allow about 45 minutes to go through and read up on some of the items that you missed. There is lots of background information.
3. Write up a short response on what you learned from this journey. [250 or so words.] Turn it in.4. Comment here that you completed the work.
“That’s the Price of Sugar You Eat in Europe.”
December 6th, 2011
To follow up our discussion in class today on Candide and the sugar trade, here is an article about how the world ought to respond to diamonds. Change this to sugar, clothing, iPods, etc.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/05/world/africa/conflict-diamonds-explainer/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Writing a Novel in One Month
November 18th, 2011
November is National Novel Writing Month, where participants are challenged to write a novel in 30 days! Writers work on a 50,000 word novel (approximately 175 pages) by writing furiously each day. I tried this three years ago, but I couldn’t complete it. However…
Our very own Corenne S. from A1 is in the middle of her novel, and I am excited for her. I am posting this for her to post updates on how she is doing, and for us to post words of encouragement as she plows through this endeavour.
Find out more information here.
Go Corenne!
Post Your haiKUBAs
November 16th, 2011Post your two favorite haiKUBAs here. Give us that snapshot of the environment of our school. This is a graded assignment for A1 and A2. A3 is exempt as we did not complete this activity in class.
Tartuffe Links
November 7th, 2011
In case you’d like to see how others interpret the play:
Here’s a trailer to the 1926 silent film version. It looks more like a bad horror movie to me:
Extra Credit: Go See a Play!
November 5th, 2011
Want to start Quarter 2 strong with extra credit, while also supporting Kubasaki Theater AND enjoying a great comedy? Here’s your chance to do all three.
Go see Kubasaki’s production of The Red Velvet Cake Wars on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday (November 10, 11, 12) at 6:30 pm. Save your program as proof, write your name on it, and turn it in to the inbox by Tuesday morning.
It’s that simple!
Post here if you are planning on attending. This opportunity is open to both Sophomores and Juniors.
Tartuffe Audio
November 5th, 2011A few students asked about getting the dramatized version of Tartuffe that I played in class. Here is the link to it from iTunes. It’s a mere $3.95, and worth it, especially for you Far Easters.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAudiobook?id=389709650&s=143441
The Scarlet Letter Trailer from 1995 Movie
October 30th, 2011Here is the trailer for the terrible version of The Scarlet Letter from 1995. This was Demi Moore’s worst decision (of course, before getting lower by marrying Ashton Kutcher).
Indian wars, Spanish conquistadors, and monk chanting…just like in the novel!
Six-Word Memoirs
October 25th, 2011Six-Word Memoirs by Teens: The Video from SMITHmag on Vimeo.
Here is the link to the teen site for six-word memoirs. Remember, some may not be appropriate for students. If you encounter one, move on to another. http://www.smithteens.com/. Go to the site and submit one. Who knows? You may be in the next book.
For our homework on Wednesday, 10/26, you’ll need to write 20 in your composition book. Out of those, pick two of the very best to cut into neat strips, in color, and with creative fonts.
In the meantime, add a comment here and write one or two showing off your writing powers. Eventually, I’d like to add a six-word memoir portion to my site to showcase your work. Be sure that your memoirs are properly punctuated. This is a graded assignment!
Here are a few from me:
Loved books, now I teach them.
Rhode Island is far from home.
Write the truth; all else follows.
Some students sit, stare, sleep, slack.
AP Language Minor Updates
October 7th, 2011Thurs 10/6 · AP Multiple-Choice quiz on MLK passage · Discuss responses to questions · Finish “Letter to Birmingham Jail” · Complete any three of questions 8-12 HW: If not completed in class, finish “Letter” and questions; begin work on AP essay question (choose one of the four); bring a minimum of a typed outline to class; read and notate chapters 1-6 (not “Custom House”) Tues 10/11 · Quiz on Rhetorical Terms (RT) 1-15 · Groups based on essay choice · Work on writing essay HW: Complete essay; bring in two copies; read and notate chaps 1-6 in TSL Thurs 10/13 · Student grading · Reading quiz on chaps 1-6 · Begin The Scarlet Letter discussion HW: Chapters 7-11
The Tempest Updates
October 7th, 2011
Since A1 and A2 are missing classes on Wednesday for the PSAT, I am making an adjustment to the schedule.
Wednesday: A3--> Act IV due. We’ll read Act V in class
Friday: A1, A2, A3--> Play must be completed, regardless of absences, etc.
While you are at it, check out the modern version of The Tempest. I haven’t seen it, so I cannot vouch for its content or accuracies. Review on it are abysmal.
Alicia N. posted this commentary on the play: it may be worth checking out. Thanks, Alicia!
Zoey’s Cartoons: “Ron’s Dating Advice”
September 27th, 2011Power of One Characters STILL NEEDED!
September 24th, 2011
Quizlet for AP Rhetorical Terms
September 22nd, 2011To aid in your memorizing the 120-Rhetorical-Terms, I’ve created this Quizlet (actually, Zoey C. did!). Work on the flashcards and games to help you commit these to memory.
http://quizlet.com/6676736/ap-language-comp-terms-flash-cards/
Posting Your Power of One Characters
September 16th, 2011
Click on the link to add in your Power of One characters. DO NOT POST YOUR CHARACTER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEVUMV9yZ1VrQnNOLV94eWQxOHgzRUE6MQ
This MUST be completed no later than Wednesday, 9/21.
Any questions? Please ask.
A Smoking-Good Example of Dramatic Irony
September 13th, 2011
Here’s an ad from the 1950s about the “safety” of cigarettes. A perfect example of using ethos to persuade.
9 out of 10 teachers enjoyed watching this ad.
Posting Your Ads for the Three Appeals
September 13th, 2011For our assignment for the three appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos), you will print off your three ads, OR you can add a comment and post the links here for presentation in class.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you find.
The Prince Full-Text (in case you need it)
September 10th, 2011Need the full-text of The Prince? It’s all over the Internet, but here is a quick link, should you need it.
Remember, chapters 17 and 18 are due next class.
10IH: “Is Google Making You Stupid?” Essay
September 2nd, 2011
After our three excellent Socratic Seminars in classes today, you are to write a 500-word Reaction paper answering the question: How does the Internet affect us? Be sure to follow the essay format, and based your responses on the text. You’ll also need at least three quotations from Carr’s article.
If you were in class, you can opt to complete this option assignment in place of the essay:
Go on a 24-hour media fast. No Internet, no TV, no texting, no video games, no smartphones. To participate in this, you must tell your parents before you begin. Go on the fast. After, write a 250-word journal entry explaining your experience with this exercise. Then, have your parents sign the paper stating that they vouch for your fast.
You can only do this alternate assignment if you were in class for the Socratic seminar!
If you were absent from the Socratic Seminar, you MUST have a second essay stating your thoughts about this issue. This is a make-up for your absence.
First Post of School Year 2011-2012
September 1st, 2011Sorry for the delay in posting here. I want to remind students of a few items:
1. Check the site each weekend for about 15 minutes. You will check for grades, the forum, and print off any materials if you need them.
2. I’ll post updates to lessons here. I’ll also post extra credit assignments, if any, here.
3. Feel free to post comments using only first name and period #. (e.g. Will-A4)
4. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
This is a graded assignment: Post a brief message here to show that you’ve been online on the site as the rule state.
Mr. Coia
I’m Reading a Book
April 2nd, 2011Organizing a Bookshelf
February 26th, 2011A Student’s Version of Me
February 13th, 2011Nixon vs Kennedy: First Televised Debate
February 6th, 2011
(At school? Here is the site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazmVHAO0os)
Read more on this. Time has an article titled, “How the Nixon-Kennedy Debate Changed the World.”
Fun with Words
January 26th, 2011I could care less about Little Italy. Little Italy. Little Italy. Littlitaly.
Enjoy, English mavens.
(In case you are at school and this site is blocked, you can try this: http://www.whatyououghttoknow.com/show/2008/02/27/things-we-say-wrong/)























