C. Getting more information

Getting more information

1. Why can't I send or receive attachments through the listserv?

Lyris stopped supporting sending and receiving of attachments because they so often contain viruses. Tim is unable to scan every attachment before approving it for transmission, and so no attached documents go through the listserv.


2. How do I get materials that someone has offered to send via email?

Contact them directly -- not on the list -- to ask. Postings of the "me too" variety tend to serve no widespread purpose, and don't forget that Tim needs to approve each message that goes through, so it just creates added volume for him.

Please make sure to send your request to the correct person (i.e. the person offering the material, not one of the other people requesting it). Also, please be aware that sometimes, people may have materials that were sent to them by someone else, but do not feel comfortable disseminating the originator's material without their permission. It is always best, whenever possible, to find the creator of the material and get it from him or her directly.

NOTE: Whenever someone takes the time to email some resources to you, it is usually considered courteous to acknowledge their receipt, so the sender knows they've reached you. Of course, such a receipt notice is also a good opportunity to thank the person for his or her time and willingness to share.


3. How do I reach the archives?

Go to this link: http://lyris.collegeboard.com/read/login. Log in using the same login information you used to join the list. Click through "Conference" to the AP-ENGLISH list. Among the tabs at the left is a "Search" tab. Use keywords to find archived posts. There seems to be a limit to the 100 most relevant or recent posts, which is why some people keep past posts in their email or in files on their own computers.

The page may also be accessed by clicking the very last link that appears in the footer information of any email that comes through the listserv. Misleadingly, it's labelled as the link you use to UNSUBSCRIBE; however, it will take you to the login page.

It's strongly suggested that you bookmark the URL above if you intend to make use of the archives. However, Lyris does occasionally change their website configuration, which may mean that the URL may change.


4. What is this "bootcamp" (or other APE shorthand) I keep hearing about and how do I get my hands on the instructions?

Over the years, several instructional techniques have become favourites of list members. Other regular events and popular novels also come up frequently. We tend to refer to them by their shorthand names (nicknames, abbreviations, acronyms). Searching the archives may yield some useful information that may already have been provided or discussed. It's often a good idea to take this step first. Please also feel free to ask about these items and to request information about them.


5. I'm a new / new AP teacher and don't have many materials to share. Is it OK to ask for others' materials without reciprocating?

We were all there once, keen with our own ideas but also struggling to deliver unfamiliar curriculum or find new strategies that work. The listserv is a great resource and everyone benefits from the sharing that goes on. Ask away! But, as mentioned earlier, people tend to be more willing to share if they have a sense of the person asking, so it's always a good idea to introduce yourself a little bit, or to provide some context about the reason you're asking for the materials. Eventually, we trust that you will be able to share some of your own ideas with the rest of us, in the form of materials and/or discussion. Also, remember that there are many more people on the list than there are frequent contributors, but even when long-time lurkers occasionally chip in with the occasional contribution it helps keep the overall pool of resources going.


6. Are there other sites where I can find more AP-related materials?

If you have not yet done so, you should browse the materials available at AP Central, the College Board's own repository of information and documents related to AP. (You will need to be logged in to AP Central to visit any of these sites. Also, if you have completed the syllabus audit, you will have access to an Education Professional account that gives you more information than available to the public at AP Central.)

Course homepages:
English Language and Composition: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2123.html
English Literature and Composition: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2124.html

Exam information:
These pages are repositories of exam questions dating back to 1999, including rubrics and sample essays with commentary
English Language and Composition: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2001.html
English Literature and Composition: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2002.html

The College Board Store - English AP:
Here is where you can purchase released exams and other materials published by the College Board that are useful for teaching the English courses.
The College Board Store - English AP


7. Are there other sites where I can find materials contributed by listserv members?

Many listserv members have started up online groups that serve as repositories for the documents that cannot be sent through Lyris. There are MANY documents helpful to newbies posted at these sites. Some also provide alternative discussion boards. They include:

Collective sites
APE listserv wiki -- a storage site for list members' shared documents. Registration required.
The English Companion Ning -- a site created by Jim Burke for English teachers of all stripes; includes a Group for AP teachers


Yahoo groups -- Yahoo groups require creating a Yahoo ID and logging in
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apenglishfiles/ -- for all AP English teachers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APLanguageTeachers/ -- for teachers of Language and Composition
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apsyllabi/ -- for discussion and resource-sharing related to the creation of syllabi for the AP course audit

List members' individual sites
Many individual members have their own websites, whose addresses they occasionally advertise onlist. Here are a few who have asked to be linked here. Please remember that these materials have been volunteered for your reference and use, but that it is still considered courteous to acknowledge their creators if you do use them. (All links below are posted with permission from the page owners.)

UNITED STATES

* Cary Tyler (Gilbert, AZ) archive and freshman materials -- or check his new site

* Noel Martinez (La Puente, CA)
* Sara Hayes (Los Angeles, CA)
* Ronnie Campagna (Petaluma, CA)
* Rolf Gunnar (Conifer, CO)
* Connie Shelnut (Lakeland, FL)
* Rachel Sutz Pienta (Walkulla, FL)

* Lara Mallard (Gainesville, GA)
* Edie Parrott (Kennesaw, GA)
* Janice Blaber (Kona, HI)
* Victor Moeller (Crystal Lake, IL)
* Carole Ronane (Metamora, IL)
* Kristie Ojeda (Shreveport, LA)
* Dan Sharkovitz (Oak Bluffs, MA)
* Karla Olson (Minneota, MN) also: Moodle site (login as "guest"); Diigo AP bookmarks* Shauna Rynn Waters (Meridian, MS)
* Mary Filak (NJ) Literature links & Language links
* Lisa St John (NY State)
* Vicki Turner (Medina, OH)
* Sandra Effinger (Oklahoma City, OK)
* Heather Adkins (Gallatin, TN)
* Alfonso Correa (Dallas, TX)
* William Kelly (Conroe, TX)
* Marti Nelson (Houston, TX)


CANADA

* Jen Cowley (Burnaby, BC)
* Jodi Rice (Toronto, ON) Del.icio.us bookmarks, school docs, and blog


EUROPE

* Becci McDaniel (Berlin, Germany) Powerpoints on literary history and Shakespeare


---
created June 2007 by Jodi Rice (jodi.rice AT gmail.com)
this version is a mirror of the original site at GoogleDocs
based in part on a series of welcome letters by Jeannean Berglund (nean007 AT lycos.com)
with material from
Marti Nelson (marthaellyn AT gmail.com)
Donna Tanzer (Tresvivace AT wi.rr.com)
Ben Reynolds (ben.reynolds AT jhu.edu)
Debbie Corpus (westiefan AT earthlink.net)
Tim Wells (mrtimwells AT hotmail.com)
Marcie Belgard (TCHRMARCIE AT aol.com)
Vicki Turner (vasturner AT gmail.com)
Gretchen Polnac (gpolnac AT gmail.com)
Hannah Dransfield (hdransfi AT uvm.edu)
Dixie Dellinger (dixied AT shelby.net)
Tim Averill (timaverill AT comcast.net)
Jen Cowley (genevieve AT telus.net)
Mary Filak (Shatzie2 AT aol.com)
Terri Washer (tcwasher AT gmail.com)