Help! - Isabel Jenkins

At the beginning of the year, when you said "I'm going to teach to the test," I internally rolled my eyes. I figured that meant the class would become formulaic and dull. But honestly, walking into that AP test, I felt prepared - certainly more than my Physics test (I hardly even know the layout). I was definitely pressed for time on the writing, and I know I'm capable of writing much better, but in my opinion the multiple choice wasn't much different than the ones we did in class. Although I was unenthusiastic about in-class multiple choices and essays, I would prefer that than having to go into the exam without formal preparation.

However, I feel like there are some things that could be done differently. I liked doing the analysis essay first, but reading the prompt on the AP test it was like I hadn't written one in years. I found the "organic approach" effective in most situations, but the passage we had on the test was so long - I felt like my essay was weakened by my attempt to use it. Perhaps you could give students advice on analyzing shorter/longer than typical passages, so they have a clearer line of thinking in those situations.

I liked the TED talks and Socratic Seminars, but in hindsight I felt like they didn't have much relevance. The final exam projects were again interesting - but I felt ill-prepared for them. During first semester, we hadn't covered much about giving/writing speeches, we had only written essays. If we had SS first semester, maybe that could tie in better with speeches since we would have already discussed/debated with classmates? And second semester we mainly prepared for the AP test, as opposed to learning about camera and directing techniques for filming a PSA. You did show us sample PSAs and talk about speeches eventually, but other than the summer assignment I was confused as to how all these things tied in. I did love the idea of Life Lessons with Logsdon, though. If possible it might've been nice to have more time devoted to that.

*edit: YES! ACT review was a bless please continue that