DUE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15th.
Advice for Graduating Students (LSU Professor M. Chance)
10. Don't forget your alma mater.
9. Start a savings and investment plan as soon as possible. Learn as much as you can about investing. You'll be the envy of your friends and relatives. Share your knowledge with others.
8. Work hard and pursue the acquisition of wealth. It is not a sin to want to become rich. It is only a sin to hurt others while becoming rich. Wealth earned by honesty and hard work is a virtue. While acquiring that wealth you have helped others, and you can continue to help others such as by providing jobs and giving to charities. Start working toward building wealth. Live within your means. Use debt in moderation. And don't confuse income with wealth. To get you started, read the book The Millionaire Next Door. Above all, don't try to impress other people with your money.
7. Be your own person. What other people think of you is not as important as what you think of you. But set a high standard for yourself.
6. Understand that to become successful requires hard work. It is like a successful career. It doesn't just happen. You have to make it happen.
5. Set a good example for your children. Most of you will someday become parents. Start getting ready right now by working toward setting a good example for the children you will someday have. Don't do anything you wouldn't want them to do someday. Be a parent they can be proud of.
4. Don't forget the importance of reading. Read something interesting, something entertaining and something inspirational. In the latter category, I might suggest the Bible/Koran/Torah or something like Chicken Soup for the Soul, anything by Dr. Seuss, or the Diary of Anne Frank.
3. Never forget the Golden Rule. Appreciate and recognize others who practice it.
2. Take good care of yourself. Your health is a valuable asset. Never forget that you can lose it in an instant. But don't go around worrying about bad things happening. Things are rarely as good as they seem, but fortunately rarely as bad.
1. Never lose your honor. You can never get it back.
For the final blog, post your own Top Ten list. The list should be specific to Harrison High School and/or our AP Lit class. It is okay to be funny, but remember to exercise a certain amount of restraint and be respectful :-) Though I will delete the comments for past blog posts, I will leave this one for future classes to read, so think of this as an opportunity for you to leave an impression and/or give the upcoming class advice. The following is a collection of David Letterman's "Top Ten" lists which dates all the way back to 1993!
10. If you don't have a musical talent or a passion for the stang, maybe consider the honors class.
9. If you think it is going to be a good day when the teacher is absent, think again. You'll get legit AP multiple choice test to make the end of your day depressing (5th period).
8. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you asked to go to the bathroom and she looks like she is going to say no, offer to fill up her water bottle.
7. If you think a page of writing is long now, just wait until you have to fill one up responding to one line of a poem that doesn't make any sense.
6. Ask her about her Lady's Man wig... or was it a Lady's (pause) Man wig. ha. geez.
5. "Do you guys know what FML means?(Thompson)". Um, yes we do. Everyday.
4. Learn to love fire drills. It's a whole new meaning to saved by the (unusually loud, obnoxious) bell!
3. If she describes something as fun... just start to cry.
2. If the desks are arranged in a circle, be afraid!
1. If you enjoy sleeping, hanging out with your friends, and/or participating in sporting event over the weekend, this is probably not the class for you. :)
Despite many of my comments, this class is actually a lot of fun. There are so many funny and awkward moments, but there is just soooo much work. Thompson is really nice and loves to help, too. Pick your poison.. I guess. :) Enjoy.
Posted by: DisplayName22 | November 15, 2009 at 01:34 PM
I am currently contemplating several means through which I may or may not reveal certain questionable identities. Suggestions may be considered. Stay tuned; more information should soon follow.
Posted by: Demosthenes | November 17, 2009 at 03:23 PM
1. If she ever tells you that she will never give you a test on a book because she does not believe in testing books like that make sure you do not believe her.
2. She says she typecasts her plays and it is interesting to find out what she sees you as…
3. If she takes up your phone, just devise a plan to steal it back and act innocent.
4. If you don’t have any musical talent, join together with your classmates that don’t either and sing a ridiculous song together in front of the class.
5. Create-your-own card always wins.
6. Whatever you do, do not let her light a new candle in her room if she’s never tried it before.
7. Oh and ask her what her favorite candle scents are…
8. “It’s a college class…”
9. ! “AHH!”
10. If you don’t know, just relate it to Harry Potter, she won’t know the difference
hahaha
(She/her= Ms. Thompson)
It really is a great class, pretty entertaining at times.
Posted by: EmilyL | November 19, 2009 at 10:23 PM
oh one more..
fire drills are your friend, stay outside and enjoy the fresh air for a while..
Posted by: EmilyL | November 19, 2009 at 10:24 PM
10. Appreciate the MWDS, you have yet to be aware of the IRA.
9. If you are not artistic, "fun" projects are the furthest thing from fun.
8. Skinny dipping is awesome, right Ms. Thompson?
7. Emily, I disagree, actually let her light candles that she hasn't tried before, you get to go on adventures to other classrooms spending less time reading Othello.
6. You will soon realize that a lot of things you read can be related to feminism.
5. She may get onto you for texting in class, but then after class she'll probably get excited if she got a message.
4. Make sure to speak a lot in socratic seminar's, if you think you are, you aren't.
3. Please, please, please, for my sake, continue trying to convince Ms. Thompson to read Harry Potter.
2. Usually when you walk into class you hope to see a substitute. If you see one in Ms. Thompson's place, ap practice multiple choice!! And then convince the sub that she told you it will be partner (or parnter...:P)
1. This may be a "college class" but maturity wise, it isn't. Just wait until you get to Othello with "tupping" and a "beast with two backs." You'll have a lot of fun with that.
As Katie and Emily have said before me, this class is a lot of fun. It's a whole lot of work, but if you survive, then it's worth it. Good luck and have fun!
Posted by: Caitlin | November 20, 2009 at 11:17 AM
1.Ms. T will want you to close read everything, so when you get to Othello make sure you do your best to pick up on the sexual innuendo and then ask her what they mean. Awkward moments make the play better.
2.Just when you think the semester is almost over… it isn’t. In fact, you will be doing your IRA, so to any of you who complain because of the MWDS, don’t. You have no idea because the IRA is a “fun” project!
3.“Fun” project is an incredibly deceiving title, but no worries the top of the page reads: Fun Project Fun Project Fun Project Fun Project Fun Project Fun Project
4.Do the blog and do the homework (no matter how long or stress filled or dumb or pointless) because if you don’t you might end up having a lower grade than you should… Matt.
5.Read Othello in an accent. It makes the play decent. Oh and just as a side note… If you get Iago make sure you like to read.
6.Foster will make it hard for you to ever look at beaches the same way again.
7.Her tests are fun… Remember: Fun does not mean fun when it comes to Ms. T.
8.If you have a talent… she wants to see it. So for anyone who can sing or play an instrument, do it. She likes that kind of stuff. Plus, it takes up class time!
9.She still hasn’t read Harry Potter, so if you need to make a connection to something use Harry Potter. (Harry Potter always works for most everything)
10.Try and have fun. You will meet new people and make new friends (or start dating someone in the class... if that's the case prepare for some laughs!). Laugh a lot because it is sometimes the only thing that will keep you sane when you find out that Ms. T wants you to have a paper or project done the next day.
Have fun in the class… Like everyone has already pointed out, it is a lot of work, but you will also have a lot of fun too. (And some pretty good inside jokes)
Posted by: LaurelD | November 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
1. Do not tell Ms. Thompson that you read spark notes instead of the actual books for the class.
2. If something you are reading gets dull, add sound effects and motions to the punctuations.
3.Subs are a bad thing.
4. Don’t let Ms. Thompson go to candle parties, because then she will say things like “I love skinny dipping!” in the middle of class.
5. Bring a jacket. Trust me.
6. If you are musically talented at all, Ms. Thompson will ask you repeatedly to play until you finally give in.
7. No matter how many times Ms. Thompson says a candle smells good, it doesn’t. It might just make you go into another classroom because of how bad it smells.
8. Try not to wait until Sunday at 5 to do your blog. They take longer than that to write. Not that i've learned from experience or anything...
9. When you watch SCND, watch how close Blanche and Stella talk to each other. Please do not imitate.
10. The work load comes in bursts, so take advantage of the couple of days you have where you aren’t doing a poetry response, MWDS, blog post, the IRA and reading all at the same time.
This class will be really annoying at times, but trust me, it is totally worth it. It is also one of the funnest classes that you will take.
Posted by: KatiePh | November 21, 2009 at 09:40 PM
.
10. When Edna commits suicide it’s a good thing
9. Ms, Thompson is always looking for a good place to skinning dip or have a holiday kiss
8. Everything can relate back to either Foster or SCND
7. It’s all about sex…on the beach
6. Heart of Darkness is literally darkness because you will have no idea what is going on
5. If you ever need a page number just ask Arivel
4. If you don’t do the blog, just claim to be the creeper who always comments on it and never reveals his/her identity
3. Emily is a big slut because Ms. Thompson likes to type cast
2. We like to accuse Ms. Thompson of being a lesbian. ..she has never denied it or confirmed it so who knows
1. Create your own card always wins no matter what the green card is
Posted by: prickly | November 22, 2009 at 03:39 AM
ATTN: CLASS
Wow, it's amazing the things I learn from this blog topic. You guys never surprise me. Thanks for the smiles.
ATTN:PRICKLY
I WILL CONFIRM HERE-No, I am not a lesbian! I prefer to be patient and selective. I see no need to drift off into an eternal Heart of Darkness or pick up on a Streetcar Named Desire. So few strong, warrior-like Othellos are left to Awaken the desire to marry; thus, I will wait patiently until someone can Foster my love of living life abundantly!!!
Posted by: Ms.T | November 22, 2009 at 08:52 AM
10. It is entirely questionable as to whether "candle parties" include actual candles. After knowing that Ms. T does in fact think that skinny dipping is AMAZING, you never know.
9. If you write MRS. Thompson on the top of your first paper, you might just get a lovely little note. :)
8. Foster will make you start analyzing everyday events.
7. The term Moor can be made into eleven plus adjectives, and that list is still a work in progress.
6. When doing a timed writing, getting a good score will propbably result in having to read aloud your entire paper to the class. Not as much fun as it sounds, I guarantee you.
5. We don't have "tests," except when she actually says we're NOT going to have a test. It's guaranteed to be a painful one, too, when it's the test that wasn't supposed to happen in the first place.
4. There's no place like the front parking lot. Fire drills are your friend. But if you're in class on time, it might just turn into a sacrificial frenzy to see who has to go to the dreaded tardy machine.
3. While reading Heart Of Darkness, be sure to have a class bonfire party planned for the week after you finish. I hear novels make for a pretty intense fire.
2. The more accents you can manage, the more likely you'll be to be picked for a part in the dramas.
1. If you have more than two people of the same name in one class, she'll probably start calling extra people by that repeated name. [Poor CAITLIN (Katie, according to Ms. T) May]. As if three Katies weren't enough...
To be completely honest, I really did love this class. There are some great discussions, and we're never short of laughter and good times. It's not easy, but it's definitely worth the long hours reading and doing those devilish MWDS.
Posted by: 5KatiePe | November 22, 2009 at 11:57 AM
1.Create your own card always wins. Always.
2.Everyone hates Edna and the pain she inflicts upon the class
3.Fire drills are your friend, take advantage of them and just don’t come back
4.If Ms. Thompson ever takes up your phone, don’t worry about it. Connive with some fellow students and steal it back
5.If someone in your class hits you (car wise), be prepared for a second person in the class to hit you…in the same week! haha
6.If the work load ever starts to overwhelm you just remember, it’s a “college level class guys”
7.In class relationships will provide jokes for the whole semester
8.skinny dipping…satin sheets…holiday kisses… flirtatious…just ask Ms. Thompson
9.Apparently using the word “precious” in the middle of a socratic seminar requires the seminar to stop immediately and to being a “make fun of Amy” session. Thanks Ms. Thompson.
10.If you actually do the work, you’ll be fine. It’s really a fun class, so enjoy, and remember…it’s all about sex!
Posted by: Amy | November 22, 2009 at 12:26 PM
ATTN: Ms. T
I know you are not a lesbian. You dated that guy with the phone on his knee. I just like to be humerous. I respect you are waiting for a man to sweep you off your feet. There is no problem in that.
P.S.
I liked all the book titles thrown in to your response.
Posted by: prickly | November 22, 2009 at 02:40 PM
these forms of "moor" we found spread
throughout various othello essays. it's nice to see the lengths people will go to to describe othello's moorness.
enjoy.
1. mooresque
2. moorlike
3. "othello, the moor of the story..."
4. moorish
5. likeamoor
6. moorness
7. moorable
8. mooress (referring to desdemona)
9. moored (this one we found in heart of darkness)
10. moor-al
Posted by: dinaz | November 22, 2009 at 04:00 PM
1.The MWDS is nothing compared to the IRA.
2.If you hear strange sounds from the corner, it’s probably Kelly.
3.Everything you will read will be somehow related to feminism
4.Don’t be excited when there is a substitute because a practice AP multiple choice test will be waiting for you.
5.Foster will come up in every discussion.
6.Be afraid of some of the candle scents.
7.The “fun” projects are never fun.
8.Enjoy the weekly poetry responses and the blog posts.
9.Don’t complain that there is too much work because Ms. Thompson says that it is a college level course.
10.Do not call anyone out in a Socratic seminar because some people hate it when others do that.
As everyone else has said, this is such a fun class that comes with a lot of work. Ms. Thompson is an amazing teacher and the class is definitely worth taking.
Posted by: 5HopeG | November 22, 2009 at 04:36 PM
10. It’s a good idea to actually get your blog posts in on time and not forget about them, like I did with this one.
9. Just go ahead and check your pride in at the door because you’ll be asked to act out very ‘absurd’ things with all different accents, no matter if you can do them or not.
8. Evidently, it really doesn’t matter if you read the books or sparknote them. In fact, those who sparknote often times get better grades than those who actually read.
7. Enjoy the moments where there isn’t much work, because in this class, when it rains, it pours.
6. But it’s important to remember that you are taking a “college-level class”
5. From what I hear, ‘skinny-dipping is AMAZING’…
4. and apparently there is no difference between a lady’s ‘man-wig’ and a ‘lady’s-man’ wig.
3. Don’t forget your winter coat, for the 10-below temperature, and your nose plugs for all the different candle scents.
2. It’s not what movie Ms. T went to go see over the weekend that is important, but more who she went to see it with.
1. Overall, this is definitely one of the most fun classes I’ve ever taken. There may be a lot of work, but honestly, it will seem a lot less if you don’t procrastinate. Even now, while I’m in the middle of the worst book I’ve ever read (HOD), and the biggest project ever (IRA), I’m super grateful that I got this class for AP Lit. That can be directly attributed to all the awesome people in the class and how much effort Ms. T puts in to making the class fun.
Posted by: AlexW | November 22, 2009 at 06:52 PM
1. Summer reading is AWFUL, but do it during the SUMMER because it takes longer than expected. Also, it’s helpful if you read a book Ms. Thompson has never read… (a.k.a The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter)
2. Foster messes with how you comprehend everything. Forever. Even music you are singing in chorus. (Laurel and I have experienced this firsthand)
3. No texting. Even though it may be the only room in the entire school that gets service.
4. It’s helpful if you are an amazing artist, actor, and are musically inclined. Ms. Thompson likes that. HOWEVER, never directly tell Ms. Thompson that you have any talent whatsoever or else she will make you perform. If this happens and you’re a singer, fake a sore throat :)
5. When in doubt, every book you read is about feminism. Speaking of which, Edna… what an interesting character. We all love her.
6. If you find it funny to skip class and walk around the school after a fire drill, you’re wrong. She locks you out of the classroom and you have to get a tardy slip (unless you’re Matt Cole)
7. Once Ms. Thompson starts talking about her dating experiences, let her talk. These stories are funny, informative, and take up class time.
8. A substitute= practice AP test… then Apples to Apples
9. With plays, Ms. Thompson likes to type cast… so get ready to find out something about yourself you never knew (ex. you're a promiscuous feminist). Also, remember that reading with an accent makes every play slightly more entertaining.
10. If you’re good at reading and analyzing Shakespeare, you’ll get student of the month… Matt. Even if you’ve never done anything for the class (poetry responses, blogs, ect.). If this happens you will also get an earful from a very jealous Honduran.
As many before me have said, this class was, and still is, very demanding and difficult; yet, it has turned out to be fun and informative as well. Don’t be intimidated by those students who stand out with their amazing analysis and creativity, just be yourself and work hard because it really does pay off. Never be afraid to ask Ms. Thompson for help because she wants to see you succeed, even when all evidence proves otherwise.
I have no clue when this is/was due… so I’m doing it anyway in hopes that I can still turn it in.
Posted by: Account Deleted | November 24, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Iconic Moments--AP Lit Class Fall 2009
1. Uncanny collective procrastination when it comes to responding to the blog topics
2. “I got a feelin’ that today’s gonna be a good, good day” for that test I said you’d never have.
3. Pillaging through my closet on the days I am absent for Apples to Apples—seriously?
4. On Your Feet Shakespeare—memorable barbaric roars and funtastic accents
5. Two words: Candle Evacuation
6. Absurd, Absurdist Plays—I am still in awe of the complexity and sophistication of the costumes and contents of your plays. Well done.
7. During the first week of school every student with a musical talent adamantly announced that they would not be performing in front of the class this semester. I won that one now didn’t I ;)
8. Honesty, it only gets you harder test. No, A.W. I appreciate your honesty. I truly do.
9. Poetry Café w/ Laffy Taffy jokes and Taylor Swift in AP Lit-Style
10. Glazed looks while reading HOD—guess that’s typical, not iconic.
Posted by: Ms.T | November 28, 2009 at 07:07 PM
10. Anything with an abbreviation should be cause for alarm these include IRA MWDS and HOD oh and “Fun”. Anything fun is bad, really bad
9. Marlow should have taken Willy, Edna (Though Edna was more of a bad swimmer), and Othello’s lead and killed himself so we wouldn’t have to read his story.
8. Ms. Thompson loves skinny dipping
7. Don't make fun of someone who rear ended another person in your class because you might find yourself doing the rear ending later on in the same week (Sorry Amy)
6. No matter how many times you ask, Ms. Thompson will not microwave your copy of the Awakening
5. If you find that you have the lowest grade in the class don't worry you can still be student of the month
4. Instead of the practice AP test she leaves behind play Apples to Apples and remember create your own card always wins!
3. Watch out for a day that comes completely at random, where Ms. Thompson will make fun of everyone in the room especially if you have just broken up with your girlfriend or if you have begun an in class relationship
2. Tupping, Saucy Wrongs, a beast with two backs, “!” AHHH, The joys of Othello
1. It’s never important what Ms. Thompson did over the weekend only who she was with and if she was a female
I really enjoyed this class except for the giant waves of work and the books we read. The class discussions (especially the ones off topic and involving Thompsons love life) were great and the room was always full with laughter (and strange candle scents). And as a final note don’t trust her when she says that you will not have a test. Odds are that she will spill coffee on her important GHP documents and will give you the hardest test of your life (Which everyone in the class will get an “A” on except you) in order to shut everyone up and let her work. Be happy you’re in Thompson’s class, because it definitely is the best.
Posted by: Polo Bear | November 30, 2009 at 05:46 PM
1. Scented candles are your worst enemy
2. Hope to god Ms. Thompson is always there, or else you will get to enjoy a practice AP test.
3. Dont read any of the books, you can get away with sparknotes
4. MWDS plus IRA equals SUICIDE
5. distract by asking about her boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, or whatever comes to mind
6. if someone drives a volkswagon beetle, it will get hit twice by two people in your class
7. if you can bs a paper/presentation/discussion, this is the class for you
8. hope you dont have to deal with someone like create-your-own-card, if you do, drop your stuff and leave right there
9. SAUCY WRONGS!
10. BEAST WITH TWO BACKS!
Posted by: stud hoss | November 30, 2009 at 09:33 PM
1. If you ever have a part in a play, bring a desk with you so that you can sit down when you get tired.
2. If you are a guy, you will always have a major speaking part in every play.
3. If you want to be student of the month, sing crazy songs in front of the class
4. If you take this class, make sure you also have Georgia Tech math so you can do all of your work in there instead of at home.
5. If everyone in the class b.s.'s a practice AP Test, blame the flood and she won't count the grade.
6. This is a college level class. But Ms. Thompson, how many blog posts, poetry responses, and/or FUN projects do you do in college classes? NONE
7. If ever locked out of the class room due to being tardy, look very sad and pathetic and Miss T will let you in.
8. Don't ask what making a beast with two backs means. Miss Thompson will say that she does it alot.
9. Try to get a creeper to post to the blog because talking about him/her/it will waste a ton of class time.
10. If you "forget" to do an assignment, come up with a really good excuse and Ms. Thompson will let you turn it in the next day.
Posted by: Diesel | November 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM
ATTN: Ms. T ***************************
UCP (Uncanny collective procrastination) is the phenomenon of the 21st century, so I wouldn't expect it to dissipate any time soon :)
The candle evacuation was a nice break, but I'm pretty sure it contaminated my lungs for the next two weeks! ... Turns out Skinny Dipping was not so awesome.. or was it Othello? (now that would have been ironic)
Bee Tee Dubs.. some of us had talents you didn't know of ;) ... so who's the winner now!? :)
I didn't understand your number 8, but I'm sure it was great :)
[I had nothing better to do on my Tuesday night.. so here I am.. posting to the blog. Who's cool?]
*****************************************
Posted by: DisplayName22 | December 01, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Attn: DisplayNamee22
In reference to #8. Honesty, it only gets you harder test. No, A.W. I appreciate your honesty. I truly do--There was a certain someone in your class who candidly admitted that he only read four pages of The Awakening and still did quite well on the quizzes!
Posted by: Ms.T | December 02, 2009 at 08:13 AM
I'm me.
Posted by: Demosthenes | December 02, 2009 at 08:48 PM
More specifically, I'm Brent.
Posted by: Demosthenes | December 02, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Omg! Brent, you rock! Your anonymity and controversial posts added to our discussion this semester. Thanks for joining us. I specifically liked your first post, Explode a Moment. It was quite suspenseful and the imagery was impressive. :)
I hope you're doing well.
Posted by: Ms.T | December 03, 2009 at 10:24 AM