Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Experience super-hard?
Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's answer: American Experience is a rigorous class. Our philosophy is not "Teachers teach," but rather, "Students learn." This means, basically, we're going to ask you to process lots of information in order to create your own conclusions, find patterns, and analyze from multiple viewpoints rather than focusing on memorization, lecture, or long standardized tests. We do have homework nearly every day. We read a lot. We write a lot. We think a lot. However, we work hard to strike the right balance--having just enough rigor to push you but not so much that the class becomes impossible. The class does demand time and attention, but we'll be here to support you the whole way. We're confident you can do it!
Former students' answer: It's only hard if you make it hard. Don't get behind because that makes it way harder. Manage your time wisely. Get your work done on time.
Can I take American Experience?
Yes, you can. You can sign up for American Experience as long as you have passed you English 10.
Will I succeed in American Experience?
Yes, you will succeed in American Experience. However, in order to succeed, you will need to complete your homework and projects on time, come to class everyday, participate in class everyday, and generally work hard. Check out the grade contract for a more detailed list of the behaviors that will help you succeed. Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer will support you every step of the way. Please ask questions, let them know when you're struggling, and do your best! We're confident that you can do it!
What if I fail?
You'll probably feel like you're failing at least once. That's okay. We promise that's okay. You won't fail that class and you're not failing us or failing your parents. Please let Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer know when you feel like you're failing so that we can work together to teach you the skills or content you need, modify an activity, assignment or project for you, or simply listen to you vent and tell you we're proud of you, that we believe in you, and that you can do it. We'll never leave you alone to struggle by yourself.
How much homework is there?
Former students' answer: A Lot.
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: Anticipate homework every day. Then, you'll have a pleasant suprise when on the few days when you don't have homework. :) You'll always know your deadlines ahead of time--check the calendar--so you can work ahead if you anticipate not having time the night before a particular assignment is due. You can also check out Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's Homework Philosophy to understand why we have homework.
How many novels do we read?
We read a total of six novels and a full length play, in addition to many short stories, articles, and non-fiction pices.
How many full-lenth essays do we write?
This number changes each year depending on the needs of the students in the class. Lots. Ms. Ringelspaugh's goal is to write so many essays that essay writing becomes innate and easy, to the point where you can write one nearly automatically and very quickly, to the point where you don't remember not knowing how to do it.
Teaching this class seems easy. Why do I have to work so much harder than you?
Hahahaha. That's super funny. Remember, for every essay you write, we've probably written a sample and we're grading 50 of them. For every book or article you read, we're reading it, too. (And we've probably read three, four, five or more finding the right one.) For every Scarlet Letter or Uncle Tom's Cabin chapter you listen to, or every webcast you watch, we spent time recording that. For every bit of this website and Facebook page that you see, and every activity that we do, we have seen it through multiple drafts to make it as effective as possible. And we give lots of feedback by e-mail, telephone, and conference after-school, on the weekends, and in our own time. We work long hours to make this class as effective as we can, while still, evidently, presenting the illusion that it's effortless. :) We work hard for you guys, and we love doing it!
Is this stuff really useful? When am I going to need to know this?
Yes, this stuff is really useful. You'll use it in college and in the workforce. We work hard to align our curriculum to the Common Core Standards and College and Career Readiness Guidlines, to prep you for the ACT and for your College Clasees, including lots of professional development, test research, and talking to college professors. We have students every year that come back from college to say "Thank You," they used all that stuff we taught them in American Experience.
Why do we have to do Dig Deeper Sheets and DBQs (Document Based Questions)?
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's anwser: Dig Deeper sheets and DBQs help you practice skills that you'll need later. Dig Deepers prepare you for the essays and both teach analytical and synthesis skills.
Former students answer: Dig Deepers help you organize your thoughts, analyze the book, find patterns and motifs, and prepare for major assessments. DBQs prep you for the AP tests. Do them! All of them!
What's the best part of the class?
Responses are mixed. Everybody loves a different project. Every project and unit is designed to teach different skills, to build skills you already have, to layer skills together differently, and to teach the skills in different ways.
What's the most difficult part of the class?
Former students' answer: Staying on top of assignments and not procrastinating.
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: The amount of independent, critical thinking you have to do. We're asking tough questions and we're not telling you the answers.
What if I don't want to post my name on the website?
Then don't. Let Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer know the username you chose.
How are you keeping us safe on-line?
We'll never post student last names, and never post student names with their pictures. We'll teach on-line skills, both ettiquette and tools, as we teach content.
Why is Ms. Ringelspaugh having a coughing fit in the corner?
Former students's answer: Many possible reasons. Probably she's trying to give you a hint about something.
Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: Probably, I'm choking. I have no idea what you're talking about. *wink*
Do Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer yell a lot?
Former students' answer: Nope. They're not yellers. You'll know when they're mad though. Watch out for Ms. Ringelspaugh standing on the stool! Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh want you to do well and they get frustrated when you stand in your own way, like, when you're talking when you shouldn't be, or when you've been really mean to someone, or when you're not doing your work.
Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's answer: Nope. We're not yellers. However, we do expect you to focus the whole class period, be polite and respectful, and do your best at all times. We will give clear directions and conference with you when you're not living up to our expectations.
Why is it so cold in this classroom?
Everybody's answer: I don't know. I'm cold, too. I have no control over the temperature. Bring a sweatshirt.
Overall, is it worth it to take this class?
Former students answer: Yes. You should take it. Yes, it was a lot of work, but you will learn so much. It will help you in college and it will make you more confident.
Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's answer: American Experience is a rigorous class. Our philosophy is not "Teachers teach," but rather, "Students learn." This means, basically, we're going to ask you to process lots of information in order to create your own conclusions, find patterns, and analyze from multiple viewpoints rather than focusing on memorization, lecture, or long standardized tests. We do have homework nearly every day. We read a lot. We write a lot. We think a lot. However, we work hard to strike the right balance--having just enough rigor to push you but not so much that the class becomes impossible. The class does demand time and attention, but we'll be here to support you the whole way. We're confident you can do it!
Former students' answer: It's only hard if you make it hard. Don't get behind because that makes it way harder. Manage your time wisely. Get your work done on time.
Can I take American Experience?
Yes, you can. You can sign up for American Experience as long as you have passed you English 10.
Will I succeed in American Experience?
Yes, you will succeed in American Experience. However, in order to succeed, you will need to complete your homework and projects on time, come to class everyday, participate in class everyday, and generally work hard. Check out the grade contract for a more detailed list of the behaviors that will help you succeed. Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer will support you every step of the way. Please ask questions, let them know when you're struggling, and do your best! We're confident that you can do it!
What if I fail?
You'll probably feel like you're failing at least once. That's okay. We promise that's okay. You won't fail that class and you're not failing us or failing your parents. Please let Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer know when you feel like you're failing so that we can work together to teach you the skills or content you need, modify an activity, assignment or project for you, or simply listen to you vent and tell you we're proud of you, that we believe in you, and that you can do it. We'll never leave you alone to struggle by yourself.
How much homework is there?
Former students' answer: A Lot.
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: Anticipate homework every day. Then, you'll have a pleasant suprise when on the few days when you don't have homework. :) You'll always know your deadlines ahead of time--check the calendar--so you can work ahead if you anticipate not having time the night before a particular assignment is due. You can also check out Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's Homework Philosophy to understand why we have homework.
How many novels do we read?
We read a total of six novels and a full length play, in addition to many short stories, articles, and non-fiction pices.
How many full-lenth essays do we write?
This number changes each year depending on the needs of the students in the class. Lots. Ms. Ringelspaugh's goal is to write so many essays that essay writing becomes innate and easy, to the point where you can write one nearly automatically and very quickly, to the point where you don't remember not knowing how to do it.
Teaching this class seems easy. Why do I have to work so much harder than you?
Hahahaha. That's super funny. Remember, for every essay you write, we've probably written a sample and we're grading 50 of them. For every book or article you read, we're reading it, too. (And we've probably read three, four, five or more finding the right one.) For every Scarlet Letter or Uncle Tom's Cabin chapter you listen to, or every webcast you watch, we spent time recording that. For every bit of this website and Facebook page that you see, and every activity that we do, we have seen it through multiple drafts to make it as effective as possible. And we give lots of feedback by e-mail, telephone, and conference after-school, on the weekends, and in our own time. We work long hours to make this class as effective as we can, while still, evidently, presenting the illusion that it's effortless. :) We work hard for you guys, and we love doing it!
Is this stuff really useful? When am I going to need to know this?
Yes, this stuff is really useful. You'll use it in college and in the workforce. We work hard to align our curriculum to the Common Core Standards and College and Career Readiness Guidlines, to prep you for the ACT and for your College Clasees, including lots of professional development, test research, and talking to college professors. We have students every year that come back from college to say "Thank You," they used all that stuff we taught them in American Experience.
Why do we have to do Dig Deeper Sheets and DBQs (Document Based Questions)?
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's anwser: Dig Deeper sheets and DBQs help you practice skills that you'll need later. Dig Deepers prepare you for the essays and both teach analytical and synthesis skills.
Former students answer: Dig Deepers help you organize your thoughts, analyze the book, find patterns and motifs, and prepare for major assessments. DBQs prep you for the AP tests. Do them! All of them!
What's the best part of the class?
Responses are mixed. Everybody loves a different project. Every project and unit is designed to teach different skills, to build skills you already have, to layer skills together differently, and to teach the skills in different ways.
What's the most difficult part of the class?
Former students' answer: Staying on top of assignments and not procrastinating.
Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: The amount of independent, critical thinking you have to do. We're asking tough questions and we're not telling you the answers.
What if I don't want to post my name on the website?
Then don't. Let Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer know the username you chose.
How are you keeping us safe on-line?
We'll never post student last names, and never post student names with their pictures. We'll teach on-line skills, both ettiquette and tools, as we teach content.
Why is Ms. Ringelspaugh having a coughing fit in the corner?
Former students's answer: Many possible reasons. Probably she's trying to give you a hint about something.
Ms. Ringelspaugh's answer: Probably, I'm choking. I have no idea what you're talking about. *wink*
Do Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer yell a lot?
Former students' answer: Nope. They're not yellers. You'll know when they're mad though. Watch out for Ms. Ringelspaugh standing on the stool! Mr. Palmer and Ms. Ringelspaugh want you to do well and they get frustrated when you stand in your own way, like, when you're talking when you shouldn't be, or when you've been really mean to someone, or when you're not doing your work.
Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer's answer: Nope. We're not yellers. However, we do expect you to focus the whole class period, be polite and respectful, and do your best at all times. We will give clear directions and conference with you when you're not living up to our expectations.
Why is it so cold in this classroom?
Everybody's answer: I don't know. I'm cold, too. I have no control over the temperature. Bring a sweatshirt.
Overall, is it worth it to take this class?
Former students answer: Yes. You should take it. Yes, it was a lot of work, but you will learn so much. It will help you in college and it will make you more confident.
