NOTE: We are transitioning this class and website to Google Classroom by the end of 1st Quarter.
CRJ TOTAL: 7
27 October 2017--Friday
You did great today in Coffeehouse. I'm proud of you. It's hard to work on boring and challenging literature. You did well. Give yourself the space to be uncomfortable with new stuff--that's ok.
I'll see you on Monday for more hard work. I encourage you to be kind people this weekend.
Homework: CRJ Entries (7 by Monday).
You did great today in Coffeehouse. I'm proud of you. It's hard to work on boring and challenging literature. You did well. Give yourself the space to be uncomfortable with new stuff--that's ok.
I'll see you on Monday for more hard work. I encourage you to be kind people this weekend.
Homework: CRJ Entries (7 by Monday).
26 October 2017--Thursday
Wooo, weeee. We are getting all meta up in here--that means you're thinking.
Ok, so I book talked Amazing Grace by Johnathan Kozol today--a non-fiction text about education/school. Then we did choice reading and conferring. Then we watched a video clip (below) of Dead Poet's Society about the concepts of why we write. Then we talked a bit (you need some more effort behind your discussions, young people, some of you are just too quiet...) about this concept. THEN, we started discussing the idea of Classical, Creative and Community knowledge and tried to categorize these knowledges into a Venn Diagram. We'll return to this discussion on Monday.
Homework: Have your 2 questions per essay for Coffeehouse--Don't be a dud to your group--make sure these questions are legit--like you REALLY need to know the answers to them--Bring snacks!
All the documents/essays are below--in case you lost them.
Wooo, weeee. We are getting all meta up in here--that means you're thinking.
Ok, so I book talked Amazing Grace by Johnathan Kozol today--a non-fiction text about education/school. Then we did choice reading and conferring. Then we watched a video clip (below) of Dead Poet's Society about the concepts of why we write. Then we talked a bit (you need some more effort behind your discussions, young people, some of you are just too quiet...) about this concept. THEN, we started discussing the idea of Classical, Creative and Community knowledge and tried to categorize these knowledges into a Venn Diagram. We'll return to this discussion on Monday.
Homework: Have your 2 questions per essay for Coffeehouse--Don't be a dud to your group--make sure these questions are legit--like you REALLY need to know the answers to them--Bring snacks!
All the documents/essays are below--in case you lost them.
24 October 2017--Tuesday
Today I book talked Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi--this is a GREAT realistic fiction book that follows 14 characters from the late 1800s to the 1990s. It deals with slavery, racism and equity. I highly recommend it.
Then we choice read/conferred. After this, we did 2 infographic presentations and then I assigned to you an Essential Question Essay--the FINAL is due on November 7, but we will work on this in class.
Step 1--Read and annotate and develop 2 questions/essay about all 3 of the Mentor Texts. Use the buttons below for all the handouts/assignments--this is due Friday.
Homework: Reading/annotating/digesting the Mentor Texts
Today I book talked Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi--this is a GREAT realistic fiction book that follows 14 characters from the late 1800s to the 1990s. It deals with slavery, racism and equity. I highly recommend it.
Then we choice read/conferred. After this, we did 2 infographic presentations and then I assigned to you an Essential Question Essay--the FINAL is due on November 7, but we will work on this in class.
Step 1--Read and annotate and develop 2 questions/essay about all 3 of the Mentor Texts. Use the buttons below for all the handouts/assignments--this is due Friday.
Homework: Reading/annotating/digesting the Mentor Texts
23 October 2017--Monday
Today we started with your 4th vocabulary quiz of the school year. Then we set goals for choice reading (10 minutes of reading and counted pages using a formula on your new bookmarks). Next we had 2 groups present their Infographic Analysis assignments. Then it was time to go!
Homework: Choice reading and CRJ catch up (by the end of this week you should have 7 CRJ entries...)
Today we started with your 4th vocabulary quiz of the school year. Then we set goals for choice reading (10 minutes of reading and counted pages using a formula on your new bookmarks). Next we had 2 groups present their Infographic Analysis assignments. Then it was time to go!
Homework: Choice reading and CRJ catch up (by the end of this week you should have 7 CRJ entries...)
20 October 2017--Friday
Today I book talked a work of Higher Literary Merit, East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Then we choice read/conferred for about 10 minutes. Next, we did one more quickwrite for the week--"Why is writing and discussion an important or unimportant part of your day?"--After that, I gave you the hour to work on your Infographic Anaylsis with your partner. This is due to me via GoogleDocs by 9:30am on MONDAY. It must be submitted electronically and cannot be handwritten. You do not need to print it.
Homework: Finish Infographic Analysis (1 paper for partnership). Study for your vocabulary quiz.
Catch up on CRJs--5 are due by Monday--you must have 5 done completely to get credit. 4 will not earn credit. #sorrynotsorry
Today I book talked a work of Higher Literary Merit, East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Then we choice read/conferred for about 10 minutes. Next, we did one more quickwrite for the week--"Why is writing and discussion an important or unimportant part of your day?"--After that, I gave you the hour to work on your Infographic Anaylsis with your partner. This is due to me via GoogleDocs by 9:30am on MONDAY. It must be submitted electronically and cannot be handwritten. You do not need to print it.
Homework: Finish Infographic Analysis (1 paper for partnership). Study for your vocabulary quiz.
Catch up on CRJs--5 are due by Monday--you must have 5 done completely to get credit. 4 will not earn credit. #sorrynotsorry
19 October 2017--Thursday
Today in class, I book talked Loving vs. Virginia about the real Supreme Court case in the 1960s that legalized integrated marriage between African American and White adults. Then, we choice read/conferred. After this, we did vocabulary copy and then QuickWrite answering the question: Make a claim--Reading IS or IS NOT an important part of my daily life. Use 2 specific examples to support your claim.
Then it was time to go to a Josten's meeting about graduation--goodbye!
Homework: CRJ catch up and reading!
Today in class, I book talked Loving vs. Virginia about the real Supreme Court case in the 1960s that legalized integrated marriage between African American and White adults. Then, we choice read/conferred. After this, we did vocabulary copy and then QuickWrite answering the question: Make a claim--Reading IS or IS NOT an important part of my daily life. Use 2 specific examples to support your claim.
Then it was time to go to a Josten's meeting about graduation--goodbye!
Homework: CRJ catch up and reading!
18 October 2017--Wednesday
Apologies for not updating sooner. Are you visiting the website? If so, good news--the first person who tells me that they see this note, gets a FREE CRJ pass. You can email me or tell me in person.
Now, for English 12 today we continued our discussion of the art analysis we started yesterday and also did a QW answering, "Why are you here?" This is building towards something. Then I partnered you up and you are working on analyzing responses from your class to the coffeehouse reflection. These are due Friday and you'll present these to your classmates.
Homework: Catch up on CRJ entries and choice reading.
Apologies for not updating sooner. Are you visiting the website? If so, good news--the first person who tells me that they see this note, gets a FREE CRJ pass. You can email me or tell me in person.
Now, for English 12 today we continued our discussion of the art analysis we started yesterday and also did a QW answering, "Why are you here?" This is building towards something. Then I partnered you up and you are working on analyzing responses from your class to the coffeehouse reflection. These are due Friday and you'll present these to your classmates.
Homework: Catch up on CRJ entries and choice reading.
12 October 2017--Thursday
Today I book talked Pat Conroy (hero)'s Lords of Discipline and then we did Choice Reading/Conferring. Afterwards, we discussed coffeehouse and some of the ups and downs that occurred. I understand and hear you when you say that you feel the person who wrote the comment regarding the LV victims should come forward, but I also will not force that person to do so (nor is there any way I could).
I have to hope, hope, hope that he/she regrets it, did it as a joke (that landed poorly) and that we can move on from it. Then you all had a chance to complete the survey (if you were absent, PLEASE do the survey above!)
I appreciate all of the answers in the survey from you and look forward to reviewing your answers in more detail tonight. Then I handed back speech notes.
We watched a video called Under the Surface. It's pretty powerful. If you were absent, I'd like you to watch it.
Homework: Study for your vocabulary quiz!
Today I book talked Pat Conroy (hero)'s Lords of Discipline and then we did Choice Reading/Conferring. Afterwards, we discussed coffeehouse and some of the ups and downs that occurred. I understand and hear you when you say that you feel the person who wrote the comment regarding the LV victims should come forward, but I also will not force that person to do so (nor is there any way I could).
I have to hope, hope, hope that he/she regrets it, did it as a joke (that landed poorly) and that we can move on from it. Then you all had a chance to complete the survey (if you were absent, PLEASE do the survey above!)
I appreciate all of the answers in the survey from you and look forward to reviewing your answers in more detail tonight. Then I handed back speech notes.
We watched a video called Under the Surface. It's pretty powerful. If you were absent, I'd like you to watch it.
Homework: Study for your vocabulary quiz!
11 October 2017--Wednesday
Today we started with a book talk about Quiet by Anna Cain and discussed first the importance of reading non-fiction and also understanding personality traits in classrooms, teams, workplaces and such--some people are social, other people are less so and knowing this helps us work together. Then we started our first part of Coffeehouse--a silent conversation where we traveled around the room to probably 8-10 papers and wrote responses. From looking through the documents, you guys did AWESOME. These are difficult conversations to have, and you did a great job. I'm very proud of you! We will continue tomorrow in class discussing and getting read to start our first whole class text next week.
Homework: Work on a Critical Reading Journal entry! I'll do a random check on Monday.
Today we started with a book talk about Quiet by Anna Cain and discussed first the importance of reading non-fiction and also understanding personality traits in classrooms, teams, workplaces and such--some people are social, other people are less so and knowing this helps us work together. Then we started our first part of Coffeehouse--a silent conversation where we traveled around the room to probably 8-10 papers and wrote responses. From looking through the documents, you guys did AWESOME. These are difficult conversations to have, and you did a great job. I'm very proud of you! We will continue tomorrow in class discussing and getting read to start our first whole class text next week.
Homework: Work on a Critical Reading Journal entry! I'll do a random check on Monday.
10 October 2017--Tuesday
Today we started with book talking Blackbird by Anna Carey and then did choice reading for 10 minutes. Then we practiced a CRJ Entry and went over the CRJ assignment for the semester. Please remember--CRJ entries are 50S% of your final exam for this class in January. The expectation is 2 CRJs on your own per week. 15 minutes of reading and then 15 minutes of writing.
Then I gave you an assignment to write 2 letters to your classmates regarding their speeches. Please answer: What you learned from their speech. Specifically what you enjoyed about it. How your viewpoint of them might have changed. These should be POSITIVE and THOUGHTFUL letters. Please share them with me via GoogleDocs by 9:15am tomorrow morning and DO NOT SIGN YOUR NAME TO THEM.
Also, as Zack kindly explained--EVERYTHING is due tomorrow:
1) Coffeehouse Prep
2) Letters to your Classmates
Today we started with book talking Blackbird by Anna Carey and then did choice reading for 10 minutes. Then we practiced a CRJ Entry and went over the CRJ assignment for the semester. Please remember--CRJ entries are 50S% of your final exam for this class in January. The expectation is 2 CRJs on your own per week. 15 minutes of reading and then 15 minutes of writing.
Then I gave you an assignment to write 2 letters to your classmates regarding their speeches. Please answer: What you learned from their speech. Specifically what you enjoyed about it. How your viewpoint of them might have changed. These should be POSITIVE and THOUGHTFUL letters. Please share them with me via GoogleDocs by 9:15am tomorrow morning and DO NOT SIGN YOUR NAME TO THEM.
Also, as Zack kindly explained--EVERYTHING is due tomorrow:
1) Coffeehouse Prep
2) Letters to your Classmates
6 October 2017--Friday
Today I book talked My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult about 2 sisters. After that, we choice read and conferred and turned in reading goals. After that, we had 6 speeches! THESE SPEECHES ARE SO AWESOME!!! I'm so proud of what you are all writing and sharing. Ok, ok, ok!! :) Well done!
Homework: Work on your Coffeehouse Prep (links below) for Wednesday and Choice Reading--if you haven't finished your first book yet, THIS weekend needs to be the push to do that!
Today I book talked My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult about 2 sisters. After that, we choice read and conferred and turned in reading goals. After that, we had 6 speeches! THESE SPEECHES ARE SO AWESOME!!! I'm so proud of what you are all writing and sharing. Ok, ok, ok!! :) Well done!
Homework: Work on your Coffeehouse Prep (links below) for Wednesday and Choice Reading--if you haven't finished your first book yet, THIS weekend needs to be the push to do that!
5 October 2017--Thursday
Hello, today we started with a book talk about A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It's a good book. You should read it. Then we choice read and conferred--just as a note, if you are still in the first book of the year and it is under 250 pages, you NEED TO GET IT TOGETHER and start reading outside of class. Trust me. It will haunt you later.
After choice reading and conferring, we did 4 Object Speeches (These are going SO well!). Then we had about 5 minutes to watch and annotate the Mindless Menace of Violence speech for Coffeehouse--remember--you are looking for mentions of logic, emotion and authority (Logos, Ethos and Pathos) in both this speech and Kimmel's monologue.
Homework: Practice your speeches, read in your choice reading books and prep for Coffeehouse!
Hello, today we started with a book talk about A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. It's a good book. You should read it. Then we choice read and conferred--just as a note, if you are still in the first book of the year and it is under 250 pages, you NEED TO GET IT TOGETHER and start reading outside of class. Trust me. It will haunt you later.
After choice reading and conferring, we did 4 Object Speeches (These are going SO well!). Then we had about 5 minutes to watch and annotate the Mindless Menace of Violence speech for Coffeehouse--remember--you are looking for mentions of logic, emotion and authority (Logos, Ethos and Pathos) in both this speech and Kimmel's monologue.
Homework: Practice your speeches, read in your choice reading books and prep for Coffeehouse!
4 October 2017--Wednesday
Today we started with a reset regarding classroom expectations/respect for classmates and integrity--then I book talked 11/22/63 by Stephen King and we read/conferred. Then we reviewed information for our 2nd Coffeehouse of the year--the prep will be outside of class work and you have 1 week to get the work done. Click on the PREP button below for info. Then we started with Object Speeches.
Homework: Start your Coffeehouse Prep
Today we started with a reset regarding classroom expectations/respect for classmates and integrity--then I book talked 11/22/63 by Stephen King and we read/conferred. Then we reviewed information for our 2nd Coffeehouse of the year--the prep will be outside of class work and you have 1 week to get the work done. Click on the PREP button below for info. Then we started with Object Speeches.
Homework: Start your Coffeehouse Prep
3 October 2017--Tuesday
Today, we began prepping for our 2nd coffeehouse of the year--which you probably didn't realize--and this month we are discussing guns and violence in America--the Las Vegas shooting that occurred over the weekend is, unfortunately, a timely event for analysis and discussion. Today after choice reading, we discussed briefly a KWL chart about both the Las Vegas shooting and guns/gun control in America.
Then we watched Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue from last night--you'll review this on Wednesday and Thursday for bias, ethos, logos and pathos and also be able to respond to it in your own way. I know some of you had strong opinions one way or the other regarding Kimmel's message and notes and I look forward to discussing those more as a group.
Homework: Practice and rehearse your speech. Speeches start tomorrow. Not sure when you go? Click the button below!
Today, we began prepping for our 2nd coffeehouse of the year--which you probably didn't realize--and this month we are discussing guns and violence in America--the Las Vegas shooting that occurred over the weekend is, unfortunately, a timely event for analysis and discussion. Today after choice reading, we discussed briefly a KWL chart about both the Las Vegas shooting and guns/gun control in America.
Then we watched Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue from last night--you'll review this on Wednesday and Thursday for bias, ethos, logos and pathos and also be able to respond to it in your own way. I know some of you had strong opinions one way or the other regarding Kimmel's message and notes and I look forward to discussing those more as a group.
Homework: Practice and rehearse your speech. Speeches start tomorrow. Not sure when you go? Click the button below!
28 September 2017--Thursday
Hello. Today in class, we didn't book talk or confer because of the shortened schedule for Homecoming Games. When you returned from the Games, we added our vocabulary to our Writer's Notebook section--then I reviewed the extremely complicated RED and YELLOW editing system. Then I gave you time to work on editing your papers.
Final drafts of your papers/speeches are due on Tuesday 10/3--I will show you on Friday how to turn this paper in via the GoogleForm on the website.
Vocabulary quiz is MONDAY with Mr. Sneed (I'm absent)
Hello. Today in class, we didn't book talk or confer because of the shortened schedule for Homecoming Games. When you returned from the Games, we added our vocabulary to our Writer's Notebook section--then I reviewed the extremely complicated RED and YELLOW editing system. Then I gave you time to work on editing your papers.
Final drafts of your papers/speeches are due on Tuesday 10/3--I will show you on Friday how to turn this paper in via the GoogleForm on the website.
Vocabulary quiz is MONDAY with Mr. Sneed (I'm absent)
27 September 2017--Wednesday
Today I book talked Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, an adult realistic fiction book with a timely message. Then we choice read and conferred--we are on round 2 of conferring. We watched a TED Talk about the Danger of Silence--this is where I feel some of you are for right now--you're not telling your story--you're keeping your silence. We've got to break that. Then we reviewed notes I had for editing on your papers--my main note overall for all of you is: Make it more personal. Speak your truth. Then we worked on editing, revising and fixing our papers--
Homework: Clean Up Your Typewriter (edit!)-
Final paper/speeches due on Tuesday 10/3/2017 and presentations are in random order.
Today I book talked Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, an adult realistic fiction book with a timely message. Then we choice read and conferred--we are on round 2 of conferring. We watched a TED Talk about the Danger of Silence--this is where I feel some of you are for right now--you're not telling your story--you're keeping your silence. We've got to break that. Then we reviewed notes I had for editing on your papers--my main note overall for all of you is: Make it more personal. Speak your truth. Then we worked on editing, revising and fixing our papers--
Homework: Clean Up Your Typewriter (edit!)-
Final paper/speeches due on Tuesday 10/3/2017 and presentations are in random order.
26 September 2017--Tuesday
I book talked John Green's Looking for Alaska today (a book that has been challenged/banned in the past) and then we choice read/conferred. Note--I am on the second round of conferring, so please remember that you need to keep up with your reading to earn your conferring grades. Then we peer edited 2 Object Speeches from classmates and turned in your rough draft to me for some feedback. Tomorrow I'll give you more time in class to edit and revise and then speeches will start Thursday in random order! Finally, we ended the hour with new vocabulary.
Homework: Finish your Vocabulary Sheet--due Wednesday (theme: donuts); Work on your Object Speech (especially those of you who are still in the outlining stage...)
I book talked John Green's Looking for Alaska today (a book that has been challenged/banned in the past) and then we choice read/conferred. Note--I am on the second round of conferring, so please remember that you need to keep up with your reading to earn your conferring grades. Then we peer edited 2 Object Speeches from classmates and turned in your rough draft to me for some feedback. Tomorrow I'll give you more time in class to edit and revise and then speeches will start Thursday in random order! Finally, we ended the hour with new vocabulary.
Homework: Finish your Vocabulary Sheet--due Wednesday (theme: donuts); Work on your Object Speech (especially those of you who are still in the outlining stage...)
25 September 2017--Monday
Today we welcomed Banned Book Week with a book talk about JD Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Then we choice read/conferred for 10 minutes and set reading goals for Friday. Then we took a vocabulary quiz. After the quiz, I gave you time to work on the drafts of your Object Speeches--drafts are due Tuesday for editing. Speeches will begin on Thursday!
Homework: Work on your Object Speech drafts. Draft is due Tuesday.
Today we welcomed Banned Book Week with a book talk about JD Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Then we choice read/conferred for 10 minutes and set reading goals for Friday. Then we took a vocabulary quiz. After the quiz, I gave you time to work on the drafts of your Object Speeches--drafts are due Tuesday for editing. Speeches will begin on Thursday!
Homework: Work on your Object Speech drafts. Draft is due Tuesday.
22 September 2017--Friday
Hello--today in class, we took a break from a book talk, and I told the story of the Thailand life saving experience. Believe it or not, we will use that story for several things throughout the school year, so while it was a good story, it was also a story that impacts your learning! Then we worked on beginning to draft our Object Speech essays. You can hand draft or type these, but at bare minimum, you want to have an object you are committed to and begin thinking about how it represents YOU.
Monday in class, I'll give you some time to work on drafting these as well.
Homework: Study for your vocabulary quiz (Monday) and choice reading!
Hello--today in class, we took a break from a book talk, and I told the story of the Thailand life saving experience. Believe it or not, we will use that story for several things throughout the school year, so while it was a good story, it was also a story that impacts your learning! Then we worked on beginning to draft our Object Speech essays. You can hand draft or type these, but at bare minimum, you want to have an object you are committed to and begin thinking about how it represents YOU.
Monday in class, I'll give you some time to work on drafting these as well.
Homework: Study for your vocabulary quiz (Monday) and choice reading!
20 September 2017--Wednesday
Good morning! Today in class, I started with book talking The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac--this is a book of poetry and prose by the deceased (?) rapper Tupac Shakur. Then we choice read for about 10 minutes. After that, we visited with the I Am A Medicine Beaker mentor text I gave you and asked questions, and clarified. We will workshop this on Thursday in class, but I wanted to give you some time to start working on your own outline and brainstorming. Your outline is due by 11:59pm on Thursday night via the link below. I'll review with you in class on Thursday how to do this.
If you want to start typing your outline, click on the button below and MAKE A COPY of the image to your Google Drive, then begin editing!
HOMEWORK: Working on your outline (due Thursday by 11:59pm) and choice reading.
Reminder--You have a vocabulary quiz on Friday!
Good morning! Today in class, I started with book talking The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac--this is a book of poetry and prose by the deceased (?) rapper Tupac Shakur. Then we choice read for about 10 minutes. After that, we visited with the I Am A Medicine Beaker mentor text I gave you and asked questions, and clarified. We will workshop this on Thursday in class, but I wanted to give you some time to start working on your own outline and brainstorming. Your outline is due by 11:59pm on Thursday night via the link below. I'll review with you in class on Thursday how to do this.
If you want to start typing your outline, click on the button below and MAKE A COPY of the image to your Google Drive, then begin editing!
HOMEWORK: Working on your outline (due Thursday by 11:59pm) and choice reading.
Reminder--You have a vocabulary quiz on Friday!
19 September 2017--Tuesday
Hello! I book talked Thank You For Your Service by David Finkle today--READ THIS BOOK! Then we did choice reading and conferring, and then did our first Critical Reading Journal entry of the year (extremely exciting stuff, I know). Then we shared vocabulary sentences (this week's theme: horses!)--quiz is on Friday. Then we moved onto visit the HW last night regarding your Desired Self--I gave you the last 10 minutes of the hour to work on these Writer's Notebook questions (all this is prep for your I Am a Medicine Beaker speech).
Homework: Finish your questions in your Writer's Notebook, and read and annotate the I am a Medicine Beaker mentor text--this is due Wednesday.
Also remember to collect your questionnaires before class on Wednesday and have them with you when you arrive.
Hello! I book talked Thank You For Your Service by David Finkle today--READ THIS BOOK! Then we did choice reading and conferring, and then did our first Critical Reading Journal entry of the year (extremely exciting stuff, I know). Then we shared vocabulary sentences (this week's theme: horses!)--quiz is on Friday. Then we moved onto visit the HW last night regarding your Desired Self--I gave you the last 10 minutes of the hour to work on these Writer's Notebook questions (all this is prep for your I Am a Medicine Beaker speech).
Homework: Finish your questions in your Writer's Notebook, and read and annotate the I am a Medicine Beaker mentor text--this is due Wednesday.
Also remember to collect your questionnaires before class on Wednesday and have them with you when you arrive.
18 September 2017--Monday
Today in class, I started with book talking Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This is a non-fiction book about a 19 year old kid who took off into the wilderness and lived an adventurous life. Then we read in our novels and conferred. After this, I gave you a bookmark/reading tracker to keep track of your goals for the week. You'll turn this in on Friday. Then we got our first vocabulary list of the year--Click HERE to access the list. This is due tomorrow. Quiz is on Friday. Finally, we are beginning to prep for our first major writing assignment, an Object Speech. I gave you this final piece of prep-work. Tomorrow I'll give you the rubric and jobsheet for this!
Homework: Finish your vocabulary sheet (sentences, word pictures, parts of speech) and do the Desire Self questions from the Prep Sheet for Object Speech--due Tuesday.
Today in class, I started with book talking Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. This is a non-fiction book about a 19 year old kid who took off into the wilderness and lived an adventurous life. Then we read in our novels and conferred. After this, I gave you a bookmark/reading tracker to keep track of your goals for the week. You'll turn this in on Friday. Then we got our first vocabulary list of the year--Click HERE to access the list. This is due tomorrow. Quiz is on Friday. Finally, we are beginning to prep for our first major writing assignment, an Object Speech. I gave you this final piece of prep-work. Tomorrow I'll give you the rubric and jobsheet for this!
Homework: Finish your vocabulary sheet (sentences, word pictures, parts of speech) and do the Desire Self questions from the Prep Sheet for Object Speech--due Tuesday.
15 September 2017--Friday
Good morning! Happy Friday! Today we had our first Coffeehouse discussion of the year, using Adiche's The Danger of a Single Story and Staples Walk on By--we are getting ready to engage in our first major writing assignment of the school year next week and this is all prep for that process. Before coffeehouse, we read for abbot 10 minutes and conferred.
Homework: Reading of your choice reading novel!
Good morning! Happy Friday! Today we had our first Coffeehouse discussion of the year, using Adiche's The Danger of a Single Story and Staples Walk on By--we are getting ready to engage in our first major writing assignment of the school year next week and this is all prep for that process. Before coffeehouse, we read for abbot 10 minutes and conferred.
Homework: Reading of your choice reading novel!
14 September 2017--Thursday
Good morning! Today we started with a Book Talk about The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Then we choice read/conferred for about 12 minutes. After that, we finished the Danger of a Single Story by Adichie and then did some writing in our notebooks about the initial impact/questions we had about it. Then I provided you with your Coffeehouse Entry Tickets (you must have these finished in your Writer's Notebooks for entry to class tomorrow) and reviewed a couple details about how Coffeehouse works. Any left over time was to get you started on your work for Friday.
Homework: Prepare your Entry Ticket questions and ensure you have your mentor texts for Friday! If you want to bring a mug to leave in the room, feel free to do so.
Good morning! Today we started with a Book Talk about The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Then we choice read/conferred for about 12 minutes. After that, we finished the Danger of a Single Story by Adichie and then did some writing in our notebooks about the initial impact/questions we had about it. Then I provided you with your Coffeehouse Entry Tickets (you must have these finished in your Writer's Notebooks for entry to class tomorrow) and reviewed a couple details about how Coffeehouse works. Any left over time was to get you started on your work for Friday.
Homework: Prepare your Entry Ticket questions and ensure you have your mentor texts for Friday! If you want to bring a mug to leave in the room, feel free to do so.
13 September 2017--Wednesday
Hello! We started today with a Book Talk about We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Then we choice read/conferred for 10ish minutes. Afterwards, we used your HW about Just Walk on By to discuss stereotypes, structure and craft of the essay. We discussed a few stereotypes that people hold about teenagers, women, men, sports, and Glen Lake in general. Then we began watching the TED Talk The Danger of a Single Story--we will finish it tomorrow!
Homework: Compose your Letter to Ms. Alt--due THURSDAY. You can type it or hand write it, but if you type it, make sure it's printed before you come to class.
Reminders--Friday is your coffeehouse. If you want to bring a mug for English 12 to keep in the classroom for coffeehouses, feel free to do so!
Hello! We started today with a Book Talk about We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Then we choice read/conferred for 10ish minutes. Afterwards, we used your HW about Just Walk on By to discuss stereotypes, structure and craft of the essay. We discussed a few stereotypes that people hold about teenagers, women, men, sports, and Glen Lake in general. Then we began watching the TED Talk The Danger of a Single Story--we will finish it tomorrow!
Homework: Compose your Letter to Ms. Alt--due THURSDAY. You can type it or hand write it, but if you type it, make sure it's printed before you come to class.
Reminders--Friday is your coffeehouse. If you want to bring a mug for English 12 to keep in the classroom for coffeehouses, feel free to do so!
12 September 2017--Tuesday
Today we started with a book talk about A Thousand Naked Strangers by Kevin Hazzard (Nonfiction about a paramedic!). After that, students read for about 12 minutes in their Choice Reading novels. Then we revisited our Quick Write from Monday (see below) and finished those up, taking some time to share with table mates. Then we began reading and annotating an essay as a class, Just Walk on By.
Homework is to finish your annotations, reading and answer the 3 questions in your Writer's Notebook. Click HERE for a Google Doc of the essay.
9-12-2017--My Story Quick Write (started Monday, finished Tuesday):
Today we started with a book talk about A Thousand Naked Strangers by Kevin Hazzard (Nonfiction about a paramedic!). After that, students read for about 12 minutes in their Choice Reading novels. Then we revisited our Quick Write from Monday (see below) and finished those up, taking some time to share with table mates. Then we began reading and annotating an essay as a class, Just Walk on By.
Homework is to finish your annotations, reading and answer the 3 questions in your Writer's Notebook. Click HERE for a Google Doc of the essay.
9-12-2017--My Story Quick Write (started Monday, finished Tuesday):
- What’s your story?
- If someone were to approach you and ask you “What makes you YOU? Who are you? Where did you come from? What makes you tick?” how would you answer him/her?
- Things to consider:
- What you love and hate, What moments have changed you, How your family has shaped you, What struggles you have overcome, What struggles you live with on a daily basis
11 September 2017--Monday
Today in class, I book talked 3 books--The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner about September 11, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Then we choice reading for about 10 minutes, elbow partner shared, and then moved into revisiting our list of 25 Things and did some quick writing about these and the "story" that you carry each day as a 12th grader.
Reminder: This week we have a coffeehouse on Friday--you can bring donuts, snacks and hot drinks if you'd like. I'll provide some goodies too.
Homework: Read for 15-20 minutes in your Choice Reading novel!
Today in class, I book talked 3 books--The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner about September 11, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Then we choice reading for about 10 minutes, elbow partner shared, and then moved into revisiting our list of 25 Things and did some quick writing about these and the "story" that you carry each day as a 12th grader.
Reminder: This week we have a coffeehouse on Friday--you can bring donuts, snacks and hot drinks if you'd like. I'll provide some goodies too.
Homework: Read for 15-20 minutes in your Choice Reading novel!
