NOTE: We are transitioning this class and website to Google Classroom by the end of 1st Quarter.
CRJ TOTAL: 10
27 October 2017--Friday
Today I book talked The Kite Runner about 2 boys who are friends before the war in Afghanistan. Then, we choice read/conferred. Then we revisted some questions and statements about education and school. This is all prep for our analysis paper and for our next Coffeehouse. Please remember as we do all this work, that we are not out to just complain about school--that isn't the goal. The goal is to ask you to start considering some of these ideas of education so that you can really actually own your own education as I request of you daily.
Homework: CRJ Entries (10 by Monday); Vocabulary Quiz on Monday; Reading Goal Check on Monday.
Use the Quizlet above to study!
Today I book talked The Kite Runner about 2 boys who are friends before the war in Afghanistan. Then, we choice read/conferred. Then we revisted some questions and statements about education and school. This is all prep for our analysis paper and for our next Coffeehouse. Please remember as we do all this work, that we are not out to just complain about school--that isn't the goal. The goal is to ask you to start considering some of these ideas of education so that you can really actually own your own education as I request of you daily.
Homework: CRJ Entries (10 by Monday); Vocabulary Quiz on Monday; Reading Goal Check on Monday.
Use the Quizlet above to study!
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26 October 2017--Thursday
Hello! Today I book talked March by John Lewis, a graphic non-fiction novel about his time in working for civil rights in the 1960s. Then, we choice read/conferred. After that, we watched a short video in 1st period about Jason Reynolds, the author, and how he viewed school and reading. Then we quick wrote for a bit. And then we did a 4 corners activity with questions about School and Education. Next week we will do a Coffeehouse about Education, so this is all prep--AND we'll be working more with analysis too. So it's all connected!
Homework: Work on your CRJ entries, choice reading!
Hello! Today I book talked March by John Lewis, a graphic non-fiction novel about his time in working for civil rights in the 1960s. Then, we choice read/conferred. After that, we watched a short video in 1st period about Jason Reynolds, the author, and how he viewed school and reading. Then we quick wrote for a bit. And then we did a 4 corners activity with questions about School and Education. Next week we will do a Coffeehouse about Education, so this is all prep--AND we'll be working more with analysis too. So it's all connected!
Homework: Work on your CRJ entries, choice reading!
24 Tuesday 2017--Tuesday
Hello! Today I book talked Wake by Lisa McMann to your class--this is a great YA trilogy about a girl who falls into other peoples' dreams! Then we choice read/conferred for about 20 minutes for Choice Reading Tuesday. Then it was time for Vocabulary List 2 and we began to work on a quotation analysis for a Moment in a Novel assignment that is coming up.
Homework: Finish your vocabulary list--due Wednesday. CRJ catch up!
Hello! Today I book talked Wake by Lisa McMann to your class--this is a great YA trilogy about a girl who falls into other peoples' dreams! Then we choice read/conferred for about 20 minutes for Choice Reading Tuesday. Then it was time for Vocabulary List 2 and we began to work on a quotation analysis for a Moment in a Novel assignment that is coming up.
Homework: Finish your vocabulary list--due Wednesday. CRJ catch up!
23 Monday 2017--Monday
Today we started class by taking a vocabulary quiz--after that, we set reading goals for the week (# of pages read in 10 minutes and then that number x 11=your goal for the week). We have new bookmarks too! You'll turn these in on Mondays from here on out.
Homework: Work on your CRJ entries and Choice Reading.
Today we started class by taking a vocabulary quiz--after that, we set reading goals for the week (# of pages read in 10 minutes and then that number x 11=your goal for the week). We have new bookmarks too! You'll turn these in on Mondays from here on out.
Homework: Work on your CRJ entries and Choice Reading.
18 October 2017--Wednesday
Ooof, I have not updated the website this week. I am SO sorry. Here's what's been going on:
1) Monday--we did a READ IN--we just read.
2) Tuesday--We worked on Theme Journals and got new Vocabulary for both classes. Click HERE to access your vocabulary sheet.
3) Wednesday--Today we started with a book talk about Loving vs. Virginia in 5th Period and then choice read/conferred. Then we reviewed the protocol for CRJ entries and discussed Theme Journals briefly. Then, I gave you 15 minutes of time to work on either of these--though it took a couple minutes, you settled in and did a great job.
Homework: Work on CRJ entries (8 total by Monday) and read in your Choice Reading novel!
Ooof, I have not updated the website this week. I am SO sorry. Here's what's been going on:
1) Monday--we did a READ IN--we just read.
2) Tuesday--We worked on Theme Journals and got new Vocabulary for both classes. Click HERE to access your vocabulary sheet.
3) Wednesday--Today we started with a book talk about Loving vs. Virginia in 5th Period and then choice read/conferred. Then we reviewed the protocol for CRJ entries and discussed Theme Journals briefly. Then, I gave you 15 minutes of time to work on either of these--though it took a couple minutes, you settled in and did a great job.
Homework: Work on CRJ entries (8 total by Monday) and read in your Choice Reading novel!
12 October 2017--Thursday
Hello! Today I book talked Lords of Discipline by (my hero) Pat Conroy. Then we choice read/conferred. Then we revisited our focus on theme for the week and watched a short video--here is the video below (warning: it's sort of sad!). Then I had you write for about 10 minutes regarding theme and your ideas on theme from the video. Then I previewed Theme notebooks for you and we will get into these tomorrow.
HOMEWORK: Reading--Goal Check is tomorrow!
MONDAY is a READ IN in English 9--I'll remind you of this on Friday!
Hello! Today I book talked Lords of Discipline by (my hero) Pat Conroy. Then we choice read/conferred. Then we revisited our focus on theme for the week and watched a short video--here is the video below (warning: it's sort of sad!). Then I had you write for about 10 minutes regarding theme and your ideas on theme from the video. Then I previewed Theme notebooks for you and we will get into these tomorrow.
HOMEWORK: Reading--Goal Check is tomorrow!
MONDAY is a READ IN in English 9--I'll remind you of this on Friday!
11 October 2017--Wednesday
Today I book talked All the Bright Places to 5th Period and Me Before You to 1st period. Then we choice reading/conferred. Afterwards, we revisited a theme of silence and discussed the video regarding theme, adding to our notes, etc. Afterwards, we practiced a CRJ prompt that focused on the question of Silence in our current Choice Reading novels (NOTE: IF YOU WERE ABSENT, YOU SHOULD DO THIS CRJ PROMPT!) Then it was time to leave!
Homework: Choice reading, catch up on CRJ prompts!
Today I book talked All the Bright Places to 5th Period and Me Before You to 1st period. Then we choice reading/conferred. Afterwards, we revisited a theme of silence and discussed the video regarding theme, adding to our notes, etc. Afterwards, we practiced a CRJ prompt that focused on the question of Silence in our current Choice Reading novels (NOTE: IF YOU WERE ABSENT, YOU SHOULD DO THIS CRJ PROMPT!) Then it was time to leave!
Homework: Choice reading, catch up on CRJ prompts!
10 October 2017--Tuesday
Today I started by book talking a couple of books, including Quiet by Susan Cain and Blackbird by Anna Carey. Both are awesome books, but one is non-fiction and the other is mystery. Then we engaged in Choice Reading Tuesday where you read for about 20 minutes and I conferred. Remember, as you come to the conferring table, you want to be prepared to discuss your book and answer questions! Then we revisited the Danger of Silence TED Talk/Close Reading and worked on some individual writing and ideas. Elbow partners shared with one another, and developed questions as an exit slip for the class.
Homework: Watch the video below on THEME and take notes on it. Your goal is to return to class on Wednesday being able to explain theme and some examples from the video AND be able to guess, discuss, predict what the theme of your current Choice Reading novel might be.
Today I started by book talking a couple of books, including Quiet by Susan Cain and Blackbird by Anna Carey. Both are awesome books, but one is non-fiction and the other is mystery. Then we engaged in Choice Reading Tuesday where you read for about 20 minutes and I conferred. Remember, as you come to the conferring table, you want to be prepared to discuss your book and answer questions! Then we revisited the Danger of Silence TED Talk/Close Reading and worked on some individual writing and ideas. Elbow partners shared with one another, and developed questions as an exit slip for the class.
Homework: Watch the video below on THEME and take notes on it. Your goal is to return to class on Wednesday being able to explain theme and some examples from the video AND be able to guess, discuss, predict what the theme of your current Choice Reading novel might be.
6 October 2017--Friday
Today I book talked Go Ask Alice to 1st Period and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult to my 5th Period classes. Then we choice read and conferred--turned in reading goal sheets too. After that, I reviewed on to format your paper in MLA formatting and how to turn it in via the class website. The FINAL draft of the paper is due by 11:59pm TONIGHT on the class website. If you simply share it with me over email, I will delete it. Please make all your final edits before 11:59pm tonight and do not edit it after that!
Since this is an assessment grade, it will be 50% off if you turn it in late. Just to give you perspective, that would move a student who has 100% down to a 42%!
Homework: Finish your final draft of your paper! Work on your CRJ entry for the week. When you come back on Monday, you should have 4 CRJs total.
Today I book talked Go Ask Alice to 1st Period and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult to my 5th Period classes. Then we choice read and conferred--turned in reading goal sheets too. After that, I reviewed on to format your paper in MLA formatting and how to turn it in via the class website. The FINAL draft of the paper is due by 11:59pm TONIGHT on the class website. If you simply share it with me over email, I will delete it. Please make all your final edits before 11:59pm tonight and do not edit it after that!
Since this is an assessment grade, it will be 50% off if you turn it in late. Just to give you perspective, that would move a student who has 100% down to a 42%!
Homework: Finish your final draft of your paper! Work on your CRJ entry for the week. When you come back on Monday, you should have 4 CRJs total.
5 October 2017--Thursday
Hello--today I started by book talking A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Then we choice read/conferred (Goal Check tomorrow!). Then we reviewed a few general editing notes I had regarding your narratives. After that, I went over how to include sensory details and also how to begin Self Editing your papers. I gave you about 20 minutes of Self-Editing time on these papers. These are due by 11:59pm on Friday night (tomorrow) and they are the first major assignment of the school year--please make a plan to get them finished and finished well!
Homework: Reading for your Reading Goal, Editing your paper, CRJ Entry #4
Hello--today I started by book talking A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Then we choice read/conferred (Goal Check tomorrow!). Then we reviewed a few general editing notes I had regarding your narratives. After that, I went over how to include sensory details and also how to begin Self Editing your papers. I gave you about 20 minutes of Self-Editing time on these papers. These are due by 11:59pm on Friday night (tomorrow) and they are the first major assignment of the school year--please make a plan to get them finished and finished well!
Homework: Reading for your Reading Goal, Editing your paper, CRJ Entry #4
4 October 2017--Wednesday
Today I book talked a creepy book called 11/22/63 by Stephen King (Note: it's CREEPY! Know yourself--it scared me a little!) and then we choice read/conferred. THEN, we got our Critical Reading Journal prompts for Semester 1 and practiced 1 in class for 12 minutes of writing. You all did a GREAT job of maintaining your writing stamina--way to go! Then we discussed some strengths and weaknesses of our writing. The CRJ is a BIG part of your grade for this class--it will count as 50% of your semester grade. Starting next week, you will do 2 CRJ entries PER week on your own outside of class. Need help staying organized? Just ask!
Homework: Reading, reading, reading, reading!
Today I book talked a creepy book called 11/22/63 by Stephen King (Note: it's CREEPY! Know yourself--it scared me a little!) and then we choice read/conferred. THEN, we got our Critical Reading Journal prompts for Semester 1 and practiced 1 in class for 12 minutes of writing. You all did a GREAT job of maintaining your writing stamina--way to go! Then we discussed some strengths and weaknesses of our writing. The CRJ is a BIG part of your grade for this class--it will count as 50% of your semester grade. Starting next week, you will do 2 CRJ entries PER week on your own outside of class. Need help staying organized? Just ask!
Homework: Reading, reading, reading, reading!
3 October 2017--Tuesday
Hello, today we book talked Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and then choice read/conferred. Remember, we are in round 2 of conferring now, so I am giving you a grade based on your conference and your ability to talk through your book with me. I certainly would encourage you to consider giving me as much info as possible as we talk--it will help your grade!
After that, we reviewed thesis statements and began working on your rough draft.
Homework: Bring your Rough Draft of your Narrative Assignment to class--if it's typed, make sure it is printed before you come to class. I'll be collecting them!
Hello, today we book talked Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and then choice read/conferred. Remember, we are in round 2 of conferring now, so I am giving you a grade based on your conference and your ability to talk through your book with me. I certainly would encourage you to consider giving me as much info as possible as we talk--it will help your grade!
After that, we reviewed thesis statements and began working on your rough draft.
Homework: Bring your Rough Draft of your Narrative Assignment to class--if it's typed, make sure it is printed before you come to class. I'll be collecting them!
28 and 29 September---Thursday and Friday
Today in class, we worked on the Memoir Assignment--it's due 10/3/2017 and is an ASSESSMENT grade. You can click through the link HERE to access the assignment or below.
Please remember that you will get time in class to work on this, but you need to plan for time outside of class too--don't wait until the last minute.
Homework: Make sure your Outline is done!!
Today in class, we worked on the Memoir Assignment--it's due 10/3/2017 and is an ASSESSMENT grade. You can click through the link HERE to access the assignment or below.
Please remember that you will get time in class to work on this, but you need to plan for time outside of class too--don't wait until the last minute.
Homework: Make sure your Outline is done!!
27 September 2017--Wednesday
Hello! Today I book talked 2 great books--Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell and Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Then we choice read and conferred--reminder, I am on round 2 now and this is when you start getting a grade.
After that, we reviewed our 6 Word Memoirs and did some visualizing writing in our Writer's Notebook about a favorite place. We listed aspects of the place that make it "your place" and shared a bit. Then I gave you your first major writing assignment of the year--your Personal Narrative paper--The ONLY thing I want you to do for homework with this tonight is to choose the option you want to write about--1-6--and have that decided on when you come tomorrow to class.
Homework: Choose your Personal Narrative option. Choice Read in your book--goal check is this Friday!
Hello! Today I book talked 2 great books--Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell and Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Then we choice read and conferred--reminder, I am on round 2 now and this is when you start getting a grade.
After that, we reviewed our 6 Word Memoirs and did some visualizing writing in our Writer's Notebook about a favorite place. We listed aspects of the place that make it "your place" and shared a bit. Then I gave you your first major writing assignment of the year--your Personal Narrative paper--The ONLY thing I want you to do for homework with this tonight is to choose the option you want to write about--1-6--and have that decided on when you come tomorrow to class.
Homework: Choose your Personal Narrative option. Choice Read in your book--goal check is this Friday!
25 September 2017--Monday
Today 1st Period and 5th Period did different things. So make sure to read for your class. Both classes started with a book talk about The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger and Choice Reading. Today we set goals for our week of reading using a formula on the bookmark I gave you. You will turn this bookmark in on Friday; make sure you don't lose it!
1st Period: 1st Period had to finish their coffeehouse since it was shortened from Friday bc of the Class Meeting for Homecoming.
First period also has Homework--the Article of the Week regarding the recent NFL protests. Read it, annotate it, and write 2-5 sentences in your Writer's Notebook on your reaction--due Tuesday.
5th Period: Worked on their first Critical Reading Journal entry of the year after goal setting. Then I finished (almost) the Thailand story, and your homework is just Choice Reading for Tuesday.
Today 1st Period and 5th Period did different things. So make sure to read for your class. Both classes started with a book talk about The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger and Choice Reading. Today we set goals for our week of reading using a formula on the bookmark I gave you. You will turn this bookmark in on Friday; make sure you don't lose it!
1st Period: 1st Period had to finish their coffeehouse since it was shortened from Friday bc of the Class Meeting for Homecoming.
First period also has Homework--the Article of the Week regarding the recent NFL protests. Read it, annotate it, and write 2-5 sentences in your Writer's Notebook on your reaction--due Tuesday.
5th Period: Worked on their first Critical Reading Journal entry of the year after goal setting. Then I finished (almost) the Thailand story, and your homework is just Choice Reading for Tuesday.
21 September 2017
Today I book talked A Rose that Grew Through Concrete by Tupac Shakur, a book of poetry written in his handwriting. Then we choice read/conferred. After that, I told you a scootch bootch of the story of how I saved Ian's life (I'll finish it Friday), and then we watched a TED Talk by Michele Sullivan called Asking for Help is a Strength Not a Weakness. The Talk will be used in our Coffeehouse on Friday.
Homework: Finish your Coffeehouse Prep--this is your entry ticket for class!
20 September 2017--Wednesday
Welcome back from camp!! I'm glad to see you all and am excited to hear all about camp. This week on Friday, we are doing our first coffeehouse of the year, and we will use some of your camp experiences to drive that discussion!
Today in class, I started with Book Talking Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel, a powerful non-fiction text about the men who return from military service. Then we choice read/conferred for about 20 minutes (moved Choice Reading Tuesday to today!). Then, we dove into our Writer's Notebooks and did several pieces of writing--first reflecting on camp and then writing about either an object or a fear. All of this work is prep for Coffeehouse and also prep for your first major writing/presentation assignment of the year, which we will begin on Monday.
HOMEWORK: Reading for at least 15 minutes in your Choice Reading novel.
Welcome back from camp!! I'm glad to see you all and am excited to hear all about camp. This week on Friday, we are doing our first coffeehouse of the year, and we will use some of your camp experiences to drive that discussion!
Today in class, I started with Book Talking Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel, a powerful non-fiction text about the men who return from military service. Then we choice read/conferred for about 20 minutes (moved Choice Reading Tuesday to today!). Then, we dove into our Writer's Notebooks and did several pieces of writing--first reflecting on camp and then writing about either an object or a fear. All of this work is prep for Coffeehouse and also prep for your first major writing/presentation assignment of the year, which we will begin on Monday.
HOMEWORK: Reading for at least 15 minutes in your Choice Reading novel.
15 September 2017--Friday
Happy Friday! Today we started with a Book Talk about Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Then students Choice Reading/Conferred for 10 minutes. After that, we did a self-grading reader response and then moved into working on illustrating a quotation from either Shake the Dust or Sunscreen. This is due on Wednesday when you return from camp!
Homework: Finish your quotation illustration--due Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.
Have an awesome time at Camp!! I can't wait to hear all about it!
Happy Friday! Today we started with a Book Talk about Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Then students Choice Reading/Conferred for 10 minutes. After that, we did a self-grading reader response and then moved into working on illustrating a quotation from either Shake the Dust or Sunscreen. This is due on Wednesday when you return from camp!
Homework: Finish your quotation illustration--due Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.
Have an awesome time at Camp!! I can't wait to hear all about it!
14 September 2017--Thursday
Hello! Today I started with a Book Talk about the Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Then we choice read for about 10 minutes. After that, we returned to our discussion/viewing of Shake the Dust by Anis Mojani. Students discussed in groups and then we rewatched it, then wrote for awhile in our Writer's Notebook about our own "dust"--if there was time, we shared some ideas.
Homework for today: Write a Letter to Ms. Alt--this is due Friday. It can be typed or handwritten, but if you type it, make sure to print it before you come to class.
Hello! Today I started with a Book Talk about the Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Then we choice read for about 10 minutes. After that, we returned to our discussion/viewing of Shake the Dust by Anis Mojani. Students discussed in groups and then we rewatched it, then wrote for awhile in our Writer's Notebook about our own "dust"--if there was time, we shared some ideas.
Homework for today: Write a Letter to Ms. Alt--this is due Friday. It can be typed or handwritten, but if you type it, make sure to print it before you come to class.
13 September 2017--Wednesday
Hello! Today we started with 2 Book Talks--The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and We Were Liars. After that, we choice read for 10 minutes/conferred. Then, we moved onto a spoken word poem and practiced annotation and discussion. Then we watched the poem, noting differences between a cold reading and a performance. We will return to this poem tomorrow. The Exit Slip was to list some pieces of "dust" that you want to shake off this year that will help you live your #bestlife.
Homework: Read for 15-20 minutes in your Choice Reading novel. Yes. Really.
Hello! Today we started with 2 Book Talks--The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and We Were Liars. After that, we choice read for 10 minutes/conferred. Then, we moved onto a spoken word poem and practiced annotation and discussion. Then we watched the poem, noting differences between a cold reading and a performance. We will return to this poem tomorrow. The Exit Slip was to list some pieces of "dust" that you want to shake off this year that will help you live your #bestlife.
Homework: Read for 15-20 minutes in your Choice Reading novel. Yes. Really.
12 September 2017--Tuesday
Today we started with a Book Talk about A Thousand Naked Strangers by Kevin Hazzard. Then we did Choice Reading Tuesday where students read for about 20 minutes. During that time I conferred with 4 students about the choice reading selections using their reading survey as a guide. After this, we did a Reader's Response about how Choice Reading is going thus far. Then we returned to the Sunscreen song and finished our QW about it.
Homework for tonight is to Choice Reading for 15-20 minutes in your novel!
Today we started with a Book Talk about A Thousand Naked Strangers by Kevin Hazzard. Then we did Choice Reading Tuesday where students read for about 20 minutes. During that time I conferred with 4 students about the choice reading selections using their reading survey as a guide. After this, we did a Reader's Response about how Choice Reading is going thus far. Then we returned to the Sunscreen song and finished our QW about it.
Homework for tonight is to Choice Reading for 15-20 minutes in your novel!
11 September 2017--Monday
Hello! Today we started class with 3 book talks by Ms. Alt--one was The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner about September 11, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. After that, we started with our first Choice Reading day of the year--students read for about 12 minutes in their Choice Reading novels and then elbow partner discussed what they read. After that, we watched/listened to a song that will frame some of the school year, Sunscreen by Baz Luurham and did a Quick Write response to it. We'll revisit this tomorrow.
Reminders: Tuesday is Choice Reading Tuesday in English 9 which means you'll get more reading time than usual (about 20 minutes). Make sure you have a book! I'll begin conferring tomorrow too.
Homework: Read tonight in your choice reading book for about 10-20 minutes!
Hello! Today we started class with 3 book talks by Ms. Alt--one was The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner about September 11, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. After that, we started with our first Choice Reading day of the year--students read for about 12 minutes in their Choice Reading novels and then elbow partner discussed what they read. After that, we watched/listened to a song that will frame some of the school year, Sunscreen by Baz Luurham and did a Quick Write response to it. We'll revisit this tomorrow.
Reminders: Tuesday is Choice Reading Tuesday in English 9 which means you'll get more reading time than usual (about 20 minutes). Make sure you have a book! I'll begin conferring tomorrow too.
Homework: Read tonight in your choice reading book for about 10-20 minutes!
