Author Archives: Mr. Benton
for incoming freshmen …
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To get a head-start on some writing mechanics, please complete this writing diagnostic and, if you’d like, some subsequent skill practice over the summer: just join up with our class on Quill.org with the class code hops-flag. (Once you complete the diagnostic, Mr. Benton will open up some activities to help you brush on your conventions. You can get some early-bird Quarter 1 bonus here.)
When you watch a thought-provoking movie, binge a compelling series, or read an interesting book, you might pause for a minute to consider what’s going on here? I’m asking all of my incoming students to find books of their choice to read over the summer. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some fiction recommendations from this year’s Florida Teens Read list. (To stretch yourself just a little further, consider coming out of summer with an analytical thesis statement hammered out based on whatever text you choose.)
Lastly, and here’s the course syllabus for curious minds. Should you need any help at any point, or if you have any questions about the year ahead in Pre-IB English 2, feel free to email Mr. Benton anytime at bentonro@pcsb.org. Or you can join the summer Remind group on the Remind app with the code @bentonds.
Literature Improves Empathy
Have you ever felt that reading a good book makes you better able to connect with your fellow human beings? If so, the results of a new scientific study back you up, but only if your reading material is literary fiction; pop fiction or non-fiction won’t cut it.
Empathy occurs in the spaces between characters, such as Joe and Pip in Great Expectations. Photograph: Moviestore/Rex Features
Psychologists David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano, at the New School for Social Research in New York, have proved that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people’s emotions, a crucial skill in navigating complex social relationships.
How & Why We Read
Week 4:9 (May 18–21)
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AP Language: Exam Schedule, Semester Grade Chart, Essay Prompts for the Exam, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms, The Tempest E-text, Theme Log, Literary 3×3, Structural RA Essay Rubric, Resume Verbs
IB Freshmen: Exam Schedule, Exam Signups, Exam Study Guide, Semester Grade Chart, Analytical Verbs, Sub-Con Kit, Wheel of Feels (for Tone), Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template (Docs), MLA Template (Word), MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List
Week 4:8 (May 11–15)
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AP Language: Exam Study Guide, Hamburger Helper (for Essays), 2025’s Essay Prompts, Thesis Frames, Essay Sets, AP Exam Rooms, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Rhetorical Analysis: Thesis Frame, Official Rubric, Structural Rubric, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms; Synthesis/Argument: Rubric, Transitions, Evidence, Appeals
IB Freshmen: Exam Study Guide, Semester Grade Chart, Analytical Verbs, Sub-Con Kit, Wheel of Feels (for Tone), Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Macbeth: Theme Log, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Interactive E-text, Plain E-text
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Semester Grade Chart; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List
Week 4:7 (May 4–8)
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AP Language: Exam Study Guide, Thesis Frames, Essay Sets, AP Exam Rooms, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Rhetorical Analysis: Thesis Frame, Official Rubric, Structural Rubric, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms; Synthesis/Argument: Rubric, Transitions, Evidence, Appeals; The Tempest: E-text, Theme Log, Literary 3×3, Essay Rubric
IB Freshmen: Exam Study Guide, Semester Grade Chart, Analytical Verbs, Sub-Con Kit, Wheel of Feels, Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Macbeth: Theme Log, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Interactive E-text, Plain E-text, Audioplay #1, Audioplay #2, Performance Prep Sheet, Performance Jobs (B3–4, B6–7, C6–7)
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Semester Grade Chart; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List
Week 4:6 (Apr. 28–May 1)
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AP Language: PM3 Rooms, Exam Rooms, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Analysis: “Of Cannibals” Excerpt, RA Thesis Frame, Official Rubric, Structural Rubric, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms; Synthesis/Argument: Rubric, Transitions, Evidence, Appeals; The Tempest: Claymation!, E-text, Audioplay, Theme Log, Journal #3, Character List, Performance Prep Sheet, Performance Jobs: (1st pd. & 2nd pd.), Literary 3×3
IB Freshmen: PM3 Rooms, Analytical Verbs, Sub-Con Kit, Wheel of Feels, Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Macbeth: Theme Log, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Interactive E-text, Plain E-text, Audioplay #1, Audioplay #2, Theme-Tracing Task, Performance Prep Sheet, Performance Jobs: (A3–4, B3–4, B6–7, C6–7)
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Semester Grade Chart; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List
Week 4:5 (Apr. 20–24)
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AP Language: PM3 Room Lists, AP Lang Testing Rooms, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Analysis: “Of Cannibals” Excerpt, RA Thesis Frame, Official Rubric, Structural Rubric, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms; Synthesis/Argument: Rubric, Transitions, Evidence, Appeals; The Tempest: E-text, Audioplay, Theme Log, “Reading Shakespeare”, Pre-Notes, Vocab Practice, Journal #3, Character List, Performance Prep Sheet, Performance Jobs: (1st pd. & 2nd pd.)
IB Freshmen: PM3 Room Lists, Analytical Verbs, Sub-Con Kit, Wheel of Feels, Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Macbeth: Theme Log, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Interactive E-text (CODE: G9CDBT), Plain E-text, Vocab Practice, Audioplay #1, Audioplay #2, Theme-Tracing Task, Performance Prep Sheet, Performance Jobs: (A3–4, B3–4, B6–7, & C6–7)
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Semester Grade Chart; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List
Week 4:4 (Apr. 13–17)
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AP Language: Two Passages to Annotate, Sub Con Kit, Thesis Frames, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels (for Tone), Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Analysis: “Of Cannibals” Excerpt, RA Thesis Frame, Official Rubric, Structural Rubric, SPACE-CAT, Rhetorical Terms, HD Essay Rubric Reflection; Synthesis/Argument: Outlining Two Argument Prompts, Rubric, Transitions, Evidence, Appeals; The Tempest: E-text, Audioplay, Theme Log, “Reading Shakespeare”, Pre-Notes, Vocab Practice, Character List & Job Chart, Journal #2, Performance Jobs: (1st period & 2nd period)
IB Freshmen: the Sub-Con Kit, Analytical Verbs, Wheel of Feels, Analytical Verbs, Analyzing Diction & Syntax, Blank Outline; Macbeth: Theme Log, Essay Rubric, Film Adaptations, Choice-Emphasis Tracker, Interactive E-text (CODE: G9CDBT), Plain E-text, Vocab Practice, Audioplay #1, Audioplay #2, Pre-Notes, Journal #5B, Soliloquy Breakdown, Theme-Tracing Task, Performance Jobs: (A3–4, B3–4, B6–7, & C6–7)
IB Diploma Support: Rotation Calendar, Semester Grade Chart; Research: Gale Databases, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Sci-Hub; EEs: English Guide, Cross-disciplinary Guide, MLA Template, MLA Sample Paper, Prescribed Reading List