Friday 10/29

Even with all the scary costumes we were able to read for at least one blissful half hour in class today. Each student also took the opportunity to complete at least one Cornell note (see link on yesterday's post) in order for me to check that they understood the assignment.  Homework for over the weekend is to continue reading and to work on expanding a moment for social studies class in the form of a journal, diary or letter. Remember just one moment and you should have no knowledge that the person experiencing the first hand account would have.  See yesterday's link to smiley face tricks and verbs to help you write well.  Happy Halloween.

Thursday 10/28

All periods today used smiley face tricks to write some very entertaining pieces in their writer's notebooks.  Please use the hyperlink above to check these tricks out.  You can also find some other helpful writing ideas in that folder.  Homework for tonight for all is to read in your IR books, (don't forget 20 Cornell notes by the end of the novel!) bring your IR books to class and work on writing the first hand account for social studies.  Talk to our senses. Make the letter, diary or journal entry come alive for us by using smiley face tricks!  Don't put it off for the weekend since it is Halloween weekend and most of you will be busy.

Wednesday 10/27/10

Period 1:
Wow today's discussion of symbols went so much better than other discussions. Thanks for being so prepared.  Annotations are an important part of the process of understanding.  I am looking forward to reading your reactions in the Cornell Note format that was introduced today.  Friday will be time devoted to independent reading.  Hopefully you will have completed at least one of the twenty required notes by then and we can discuss any concerns you may have at that time.  Read your independent reading books tonight and enjoy the evening.  Those of you who redid annotations should get them back tomorrow and your grade will be changed in the grade book.  Also, it was brought to my attention that I posted the annotation grades twice; I have deleted one of those posts--sorry.

Period 2,7,8
Today in class I required students to write a paragraph about the new independent reading book they chose.  Within this paragraph they indicated how they chose the book, the reading level of the book and how they found that reading level (hopefully you all are using the links on this blog!). Furthermore, the students wrote a paragraph reacting to the character of Squeaky.  They were to answer the question: If you were to meet Squeaky is she someone with whom you would choose to become friends?  Why or why not? Students were prompted to base answers on the discussions we had of Squeaky and her character in class.  They were urged to include details and truly make connections between Squeaky's traits and their own opinions.  HW is to read in IR books and be sure to have them in class on Friday.

Tuesday 10/26

Period 1:  We spent time investigating the theme of the short story "The Open Boat" and reviewing annotation guidelines.  Students were given the opportunity to revise their annotations to increase their grades.  HW is to come in armed with at least two symbols and explanations of how they work for discussion tomorrow.

Period 2,7,8: Students were given examples of book reviews and an additional 10--15 minutes to add to their reviews. We then spent time discussing the character of Squeaky and book levels were given out. Students ned to come to class tomorrow with a new IR book.  Please use the resources to the right to help find a new book.

Monday 10/25

Period 1:  Today we worked on writing a review of a character in the independent reading books completed.  I also collected annotations and homework completed on "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane. Students will need to choose a new IR book by Wednesday.  They will have their "levels" in hand tomorrow.

Period 2,7,8:  Today we worked on writing a review of IR books completed.  Students will need to choose a new IR book by Wednesday.  They will have their "levels" in hand tomorrow.

Thursday 10/21

Period 1: We spent time looking at vocabulary for "The Open Boat" and began discussing theme and symbols.  HW for this weekend is to find a passage that either develops the theme that nature is indifferent to the plight of man or that uses a symbol (This will be discussed on Tuesday).  Be sure to bring IR books on Monday as well.

Period 2, 7, 8: There was a quick reading quiz in class today on "Raymond's Run".  After the quiz students spent time investigating the character of Squeaky and how the author created the character's different personality traits.  HW is to bring IR books to class on Monday and be prepared to write about them and complete a citation for them.

Wednesday 10/20

Period 1:  In class today students met with their literature circles and further discussed the story "The Open Boat" and their assignments they completed last night based on this story.  Your homework for tonight is to identify five words from the story you have not used before and think you might use.  Once you have chosen the words you would like to add to your lexicon, a)write them on a sheet of loose leaf paper, b) indicate what page they were found on (and paragraph # on that page) c) give your best guess using the context provided at both part of speech and definition, d) use a dictionary to define the word (let the context of the story guide your choice of definition) e) after you have written out the definition and the part of speech—use the word in a sentence of your own that contains much context.
Period 2,7,8:  Today we read "Raymond's Run" with partners and stopped after each paragraph to discuss what happened in the paragraph and what that revealed about the characters.  HW: Finish the story if you did not in class and complete both sides of the note sheet as well.  IR books are now due on Monday instead of tomorrow.

Monday 10/18/10

Period 1: Today we talked about archetypes and looked at the stereotypes associated with the four characters of the short story "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane.  We then began to examine the point of view of the story. Most of hte literature circles did a great job stopping to discuss hte story using the text to justify their thoughts. Keep up the good work! HW is to finish reading the story and "flagging" questions as you read (write them in the margins of the text). Also mark any places that serve to develop the characters according to the stereotypes as we discussed them.  Also note any places where POV may seem to vary from third person objective.

Period 2,7,8: We took notes on Point of View today and discussed the idea that the point of view chosen by an author can change a story completely.  HW is to finish the note sheet for the short story, "Charles".  this sheet is double sided and needs to be completed thoroughly.  IR books need to be done by Thursday.

Friday 10/15

Period 1: We took notes on Point of View today and then read our IR books. HW is to keep reading as books must be completed by Thursday.

Period 2,7,8: We read quietly for 10 blissful minutes then we read the humorous "Charles" by Shirley Jackson together as a class. HW is to keep reading IR books as they are due by next Thursday in class.

Thursday 10/14/10

Period 1:  We talked about plot today and spent time discussing "The Bet".  We also talked about characters and stereotypes.  HW is to list the different associations or stereotypes we attach to captains, correspondents (Journalists) and oilers (working class man).

Period 2,7,8: We took notes on plot today and discussed "A Retrieved Reformation" in terms of plot lines.  HW is to be sure IR books are in class tomorrow and reading logs.  I will collect them.

Wednesday 10/13/10

Period 1: We spent time discussing the theme of the story "The Bet" today and much was said about greed and the value of human life.  Tomorrow we will take notes on plot and begin reading "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane.  HW for tonight is to write in writers notebooks about being stranded on a dinghy with three other people and two of them can not assist in the rowing of the boat to the shore that can be seen far, far off in the horizon.

Period 2,7,8:
We took a quick reading quiz today on "A Retrieved Reformation" then spent time investigating the text to make sure our opinions about what happened in the story were valid based on the information in the text.  Many people found they could not validate their reading of the story once they closely read the text!  HW is to bring IR books and reading logs to class, and to read for 1/2 of an hour tonight.

TUESDAY 10/12

Period 1:  Today we spent time in our literature circles discussing the story "The Bet".  The class did a nice job trying to use their texts to support their opinions and analyze their reactions.  HW for tonight is to reflect on the process using the handout as a guide for reflection particularly the last two questions and to add to the hw assignment from last night by including a paragraph or  two discussing the theme of the story.

Period 2,7,8
Those who completed the homework assignment drew some interesting pictures that captured the essence of the story so far.  We continued reading today stopping to check for understanding and to investigate how the author made us react in certain ways.  HW for tonight is to finish reading the story then to finish drawing the story on the notesheet.

Friday 10/8

1st Period:  We spent the morning sharing vocabulary and summarizing the story, "The Bet".  Homework for over the weekend is to REREAD the story for understanding and to complete your role specific job.  Please use the handouts from class to guide you in completing the assignment.  The assignment should be completed on a loose-leaf sheet of paper.

Period 2, 7, 8:  We spent the class period reading more of "A Retrieved Reformation'.  Your homework is to fill in the first two sketch boxes on the back of your note-sheet.  To do this you need to determine the two most important events of the story so far and make a decision about how you will depict these events.  

Enjoy the long weekend.

Thursday 10/7

First period today we began by debating which is more moral and humane the death penalty or capital punishment.  We then began reading "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov.  Homework for tonight is to finish reading the story while filling the margins with questions, thoughts and ideas.
 Periods 2,7,8 discussed the effectiveness of jail as a tool to change people.  We then began reading "A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry which is a short story about a bank robber who is not changed by jail but who is changed at least for a bit by something.  HW for tonight is to predict what makes Jimmy Valentine change if it isn't jail.  This should be  written on a loose leaf sheet of paper.

Wednesday 10/6

Periods 2,7,8:  Today we discussed figurative language further then put it into use in our writers notebooks and the students wrote some pretty interesting entries--some sill, some just beautiful.  We then talked about change as this will be  a unifying theme of the short stories we will begin reading in class tomorrow.  We discussed the idea that people don't necessarily like change, that change is often inevitable and many variables play into why people change.  HW is to read in IR books.
Period 1: We spent much of class discussing the logistics of literature circles, then we began talking a bit about Anton Chekhov and how he is known for his writing that does not judge or seem to have a bias. Homework for tonight is to complete the worksheet that asks for an opinion about which is mor e humane--life imprisonment or death penalty.

Tuesday 10/5

Today I distributed a handout of "Smiley Face Tricks" and we began looking at these tricks and playing with them so we can improve our writing. We practiced "Magic Three" in class today in our writer's notebooks and the kids produced some pretty funny and interesting pieces.  Thanks to all of those who bravely shared in class today :) First period students are embarking on a short story unit that will require some work in literature circles so we spent a bit of time looking at the different roles they will have to play in the next few weeks.  HW:  All classes need to read in their IR books for at least ten minutes (preferably 1/2 hour) and look for smiley face tricks as they read--marking them with  a post it or other means would be great.  Have a great night!

Monday 10/4

We read in our independent reading books in class today, wrote about them and listened to a narrative about a place of importance.  Students then created a chart in their writers notebooks to start describing places of importance to them.  For homework please find the reading level for the book you are currently reading by going to scholastic's book wizard  and also to complete the chart with sensory details about your important places (writer's notebook).

Friday 10/1

October has arrived and so has independent reading!  Students brought their IR books to class today and once I handed out the reading logs we read for about 30 blissful minutes.  Most students (so far) indicated they have chosen a book they are enjoying.  I tried to stress that I want them to truly have a book they are enjoying not one that they think I will think is impressive because of its length or one that everyone likes but they don' t.  reading should be a pleasure, students should be reading books they CAN read and WANT to read. If you feel your student is not reading such a book, suggest that he or she come see me and we will work together to find one. This first choice is one we are helping them make a little blind as we are not done assessing all reading levels but we are getting there.  Be sure to have conversations with your student about the book he/she is reading maybe even consider reading the same one.  HW: read and record reading times on log sheet--30 minute minimum. Bring IR books to class again on Monday please. Enjoy the weekend.