AP Lit? I Might Not Get a 5 (If I Took It)

WE ARE OUR BEST MOMENTS

I would probably not have gotten a 5 on the AP Lit test (don't tell my school!). However, to use a sports metaphor (that I have used before), I kind of think we are as good as our best at bat---our most impressive snag as an outfielder, or strike we threw bowling. We can definitely write as well as our best essay--maybe as well as our best paragraph, or sentence. People may think it's consistency that shows the level of our talent, our potential for "genius." I disagree. I got lots of A- grades on essays in college.  But when I got an A,  it was special. And arrogantly, I knew my actual talent level was finally represented. It wasn't the professors--the others were totally A- or B+ papers. Their grading was fair. But I knew I had that stellar product in me. So I said to myself then and still do. 

GETTING A "5" IN AP LIT IS HARD

Nevertheless, though I believe I have some sparkling talent (mostly latent, of course), no way would I have gotten a 5 on either AP English test in high school.  Most of you would have (or did). I would have wanted to do a backflip if I got a 4 on the AP Lit test.* We didn't have AP in 1983 at  my tiny school. Anyway, I have kids who get 5's on it every year.  They are probably smarter than I am. Fortunately, I am a  better teacher.  Maybe I would get a 5 in AP Lit now--let them believe that. But when I do a new practice essay with them, 40 minutes is not enough, and the AP Lit multiple choice is hard. 

STUDENT WRITERS ARE DEFINED BY THEIR BEST MOMENTS 

 Whenever we do a student paper, I am wishing all my students their most beautiful writing moments. But I know they are smart no matter what.  By this point I've seen a ton of their writing. I know they've crafted a paragraph that went over the fence. 

Take Alyse. (I wrote about her yesterday.) She is a pretty brilliant junior, and her best paper I am sure has not been written yet. Did it happen somewhere Wednesday morning?  Who knows? But I think as far as AP essays, her last practice on Gatsby was stellar--she was quoting so much someone might think she's cheated. She's brilliant, I tell you! It showed what she CAN do--even in just 40 minutes! Go, Alyse, keep moving toward your green light!  I'm on your side.  I'm on all of their sides. 

"Go team, write well, write fast, have fun"--that was my hope for Wednesday's exam. It seems they're all kind of proud of themselves. Conquering a three-hour test is an accomplishment--especially AP Lit.  

I hope your kids feel good about the test--or at least "fine." I know no content details, but some said Q2 was hard. Shocker!

WE'RE ALL WRITERS, RIGHT?

Most of what I write, I believe, is still a B+, but I also believe in my best sentences--wherever they landed. So I write anyway. 

And maybe I am selling myself short and would get a 5 on the AP Lit exam...maybe  I could get extra time due to my now-diagnosed ADHD! 

AP Lang I believe I would get a 5 (humble brag). I am an editing hero, and I could crush Q1 and Q2...Q3, depends. The multiple choice are also easier, I think. There are only 45 questions in an hour in AP Lang!

BACKLIPS

*I have never done a backflip.

A girl emailed me this today: "Thank you so much for the hard work you placed into prepping us. I felt confident on the test and had extra time afterwards to scan over everything and make sure it looked good!"   

Backflip!

---Tracy out