It's our last official class before finals. Hard to believe, but true. I remember the first B day, our first class together. You were museum curators who analyzed the historical significance of images that related to the Culture Clash that became America. You listened to each other, you asked sharp questions, you made deep connections and you designed a museum exhibit that I would love to witness and enjoy.
And that was only Day 1. Nine months have passed since that Septemeber day. You have completed numerous SOAPSTones, draft after draft of DBEQs, you've read and written and read and written some more. You put the System of Empire on trial, you became the shoemakers and slaves who never made it to the original Constitutional Convention, and you interviewed (or became) Roger Sherman, Anne Hutchinson and William Penn.
You came to school on Saturday (in the snow!) You made Prezis, brochures, Powerpoints, and study guides. You taught each other and me so many things, new ways of thinking, and new information.
I could clearly go on and on. But I think I should leave something for you to write about. So with this in mind, please use your time during today's opening to answer these questions. You can send your answers directly to me via email: leslieharper75@gmail.com
- We have spent a lot of time discussing and analyzing the American Identity. Now shift your thinking to our class directly. What do you think the Identity of our class it? Explain your thinking with evidence from our year together.
- When you think of our AP US History class, what will you remember most? Why do you think will you remember this?
- When you think about your work in this class, what are you most proud of? It doesn't have to be a specific assignment, it can also be the development of new habits or new ways of thinking. Explain why you are proud of this aspect of your work and/or personal growth.
- How do you think this class has positively impacted your future? What have you learned, accomplished or made progress on that will help you as you continue on your educational journey?
- I'm going to teach AP Government next year and AP US History again the year after that. Think about the students who haven't taken an AP class yet at Metro. What advice do you want to offer them? Be as specific as possible with your advice; offer them concrete ways to succeed in a rigorous and highly-challenging class.
- Finally, please also share specific advice for me. This was my first year teaching this course. Please let me know what I did well and what I need to improve. We all rely on feedback to improve and I value your experiences and your opinions.
Respectfully,
Ms. Blatteau
