TOW #30 Letter

Dear New APELC Student,

           

            I understand if you are feeling scared entering this class; I felt that way at the beginning of the year also. Although right now this class may seem very ominous, I can promise you it will be a rewarding year. I have a few tips for you to help you make it through.

1.     Write your TOW posts! They may seem to become a burden come the middle of the year, but the benefits later from the assignment are very curtail. Take the challenge to read more difficult material and take the time to think about your analysis.

2.     Take advantage of Mr. Yost’s help on essays. Use his advice when writing and editing, and you will see improvements. Coming from a person who met with him about every paper, his advice is very guiding; use it to help you focus your revising.  If you bring him specific questions about your work he will be able to help your specific needs better. This is an opportunity you should not pass up! Working with him has improved my writing substantially.

3.     Plan your writing before you start. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Planning is the key to timed essays. As the year progresses you will realize a 45-minute essay is plausible but the root of your essay comes from your planning.  Take the time to do it no matter what. HECTORing is not a joke. This acronym will allow you to write amazing essays efficiently.   

4.     When this class gets frustrating DO NOT give up. You will not always receive the scores you are hoping for in this class, that’s ok. You may not always be adequate on your timed essays, that’s ok. You may receive a B in this class, that is ok also. The outcome of this class is that you will be a much better writer; the road to get there may be tough, but it is completely worth it. The best way to learn in this class is from your “mistakes.” Use the feedback from your essays to improve the next one. When it comes time for the AP exam I can promise you that you will be ready.

Good luck in the course this year,

            Ellen Chinn 

TOW #29 Paperclips

The documentary Paperclips discussed issues of stereotype as kids in a Southern middle school learned about the holocaust. The movie addressed stereotypes that the kids face because of where they live and others that face people across America and around the world. The movie instructed its audience that in order to not prejudice others, it is important to understand other cultures.  

As seen through the mixing pot of America, understanding creates a much better community. In the secular school system today, knowledge of traditions from other religions and cultures allows more people to work together. In elementary schools, parents come to teach the children about cultures on diversity days, so that they can know more and not insult each other unintentionally. If these students grow up learning about others they will not prejudice people in their futures.

As the middle school students in the movie learned, the holocaust was a time when prejudice hurt a large population. In Germany, Hitler wanted to create a superior race but did not acknowledge all that these people had to offer. Without knowing their traditions or lifestyle, he eliminated 6 million Jews. He majorly shrunk the population by convincing the rest of the German citizens of false stereotypes. A greater understanding of others would have prevented this mass murder from happening.

The middle schoolers learned this lesson from the holocaust and then began applying it to their own lives. Through their paperclip project they met many new people of other cultures they were unfamiliar with, and treated tem with an open mind. By not accepting stereotypes or placing them on others they were able to broaden their education and become better citizen of the United States of America.