No Texting and Driving

After a brief, but potentially life-saving lecture about driving safely - no cell phones, no texting EVER, and no drinking (which shouldn't be a problem because you are all too young to drink!) - we reviewed the subjects and predicates worksheets. In the sentence, "Will you text and drive?", the subject is YOU, the predicate is "will text and drive"; and the answer is "NO, not ever."
Then, you handed in the questions on The Catcher in the Rye; and we discussed the emerging themes in the novel. We had impressive presentations from you concerning the following:

1. Longing for Love vs. Isolation and Rejection
2. Purity and Innocence vs. Impurity and Experience
3. The Adult World vs. Childhood
4. Reality and Truth vs. Phonies and Facades

We still need to hear from group 5 about Madness, Depression, and Suicide (gosh this class is so uplifting!).

I sincerely apologize for making you read the excellent Francine Prose essay, and then not getting to it. On the flip side, you were exposed to some intelligent and thought-provoking writing, which is always good for you. So, you win as usual. I am so dedicated to your learning.

Homework: Vocabulary worksheets page 9, 11, and 12 (from the package I gave you some time ago.) Complete questions 1-4 on the symbols worksheet I handed out today. Finally, re-read the student sample essays I gave from the AP exam. Please annotate / write down why the first essay is an 8 and the last essay is a 4.

Test: There will be a "Did you read the novel?" test next week on either Wednesday or Friday. Yes, I know, I gave more answers to the test today in class, so it will be easy.

Quotation about Ernie being a phony: "... old Ernie turned around on his stool and gave this very phony, humble bow. Like as if he was a helluva humble guy, besides being a terrific piano player. It was very phony - I mean him being such a big snob and all. In a funny way, though, I felt sort of sorry for him when he was finished. I don't even think he knows anymore when he's playing right or not. It isn't all his fault. I partly blame all those dopes that clap their heads off - they'd foul up anybody if you gave them a chance.