We finally started independent reading time today! Students are required to read one non-fiction book this 9 weeks, so many chose that for their first book. We determined our reading rate by multiplying the number of pages we read in 10 minutes by 6. This gives us the number of pages we could read in an hour, and from there we can figure out how many pages we should read in a week. I'm currently reading You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness by Julie Klam. (I read a really sad chapter today that made me think I might want to read something different during IRT!)
Our Writer's Notebook entry for today was a response to this week's article of the week: excerpts from "The Economic Guide To Picking a College Major." (Overheard after reading this article: "We're learning in this class. Like actual life lessons.")
We finished the day with a trio of short excerpts--one fiction and two non-fiction. Students read and annotated the the pieces then discussed first reactions with their groups. We'll do more with these three excerpts tomorrow.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
August 28, 2015
It's Friday! Feels like it's been a really long week.
In our Writer's Notebook today, we shared why we chose a particular quote for the Quote Poster assignment that we turned in today.
I distributed a packet containing literary terms that students will be learning over the course of the semester. Each group was assigned one term to teach to the class. They designed a poster with the definition, an illustration, examples from their summer reading, and tips and strategies for recognizing the term in literature. Students created some great work!
In our Writer's Notebook today, we shared why we chose a particular quote for the Quote Poster assignment that we turned in today.
I distributed a packet containing literary terms that students will be learning over the course of the semester. Each group was assigned one term to teach to the class. They designed a poster with the definition, an illustration, examples from their summer reading, and tips and strategies for recognizing the term in literature. Students created some great work!
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| Figurative Language |
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| Archetypes |
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| Diction |
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| Tone |
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| Symbolism |
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| Theme |
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| Voice |
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| Syntax |
Remember to bring your charged iPad and compliance check sheet to 2nd period every day next week!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
August 27, 2015
Today's Writer's Notebook entry was about tests--how do you feel about them? We discussed the format of the new PSAT that all sophomores will take in October. We answered questions from one part of the Writing section to familiarize ourselves with the test format.
We revisited a character from our summer reading, determining personality traits and completing a cubing activity. Students then found common bonds between their different characters. (2nd period ran out of time and will complete this part tomorrow!)
Based on yesterday's work, it appears that our summer reading adventure was a success! Most students enjoyed being able to choose their own path of reading. I was surprised by some of their choices! Kids really challenged themselves to attempt books they may not otherwise have read, and they felt empowered by the option of abandoning a book.
Remember, the Quote Poster is due tomorrow. Here is how you'll be graded:
We revisited a character from our summer reading, determining personality traits and completing a cubing activity. Students then found common bonds between their different characters. (2nd period ran out of time and will complete this part tomorrow!)
Based on yesterday's work, it appears that our summer reading adventure was a success! Most students enjoyed being able to choose their own path of reading. I was surprised by some of their choices! Kids really challenged themselves to attempt books they may not otherwise have read, and they felt empowered by the option of abandoning a book.
Remember, the Quote Poster is due tomorrow. Here is how you'll be graded:
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
August 26, 2015
We started class with a vocab entry in our Writer's Notebook. Students chose a word from their summer reading novel, copied the sentence where the word appeared and cited the source, and provided the appropriate definition. We'll add a vocab word or two to our notebooks each Wednesday.
I shared my favorite read from the summer, Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman. You can see other books I've read if you follow me on GoodReads.
For the remaining time in the class, students reflected on their own summer reading then ranked each book in order from most difficult to least difficult. While they worked on that, I went around the room and talked with each student about the book they chose to annotate (I wasn't able to visit with everyone in 2nd and 3rd period, so I'll continue the process tomorrow). Students who didn't complete the work in class were to finish it as homework and turn it in tomorrow.
That's all for today!
I shared my favorite read from the summer, Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman. You can see other books I've read if you follow me on GoodReads.
For the remaining time in the class, students reflected on their own summer reading then ranked each book in order from most difficult to least difficult. While they worked on that, I went around the room and talked with each student about the book they chose to annotate (I wasn't able to visit with everyone in 2nd and 3rd period, so I'll continue the process tomorrow). Students who didn't complete the work in class were to finish it as homework and turn it in tomorrow.
That's all for today!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
August 25, 2015
We explored Google Classroom and all of its neat features today! Students will be able to access and submit assignments through the Classroom app.
On Tuesdays, our Writer's Notebook topic will be "This I Believe," patterned after the 1950s radio show hosted by Edward R. Murrow. Mr. Murrow explains the premise in the video below. Our topic today was "It's the year 2023. What's happening in your world?"
Finally, we explored the poem "Autobiography in Five Chapters."
Students should bring Summer Reading assignments tomorrow, 8/26. The Quote Poster assignment is due Friday, 8/28.
On Tuesdays, our Writer's Notebook topic will be "This I Believe," patterned after the 1950s radio show hosted by Edward R. Murrow. Mr. Murrow explains the premise in the video below. Our topic today was "It's the year 2023. What's happening in your world?"
Students should bring Summer Reading assignments tomorrow, 8/26. The Quote Poster assignment is due Friday, 8/28.
Monday, August 24, 2015
August 24 - First Day!
We spent time learning a little about each other and about how the classroom operates today. Students visited 5 stations, exploring novels for literature circles, examining the syllabus, and completing other activities.
Be sure to download the necessary apps tonight and join your class period's Google Classroom. You should also bring a notebook so we can begin working in our Writer's Notebook tomorrow. And of course, share the syllabus with your parent/guardian, and return the last page signed as soon as possible!
Be sure to download the necessary apps tonight and join your class period's Google Classroom. You should also bring a notebook so we can begin working in our Writer's Notebook tomorrow. And of course, share the syllabus with your parent/guardian, and return the last page signed as soon as possible!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! Here I will share the happenings of my English II PAP classes.
A little about me: This is my 17th year of teaching. I enjoy teaching because something different happens every day! I'm a baseball fan (go Rangers!) and a big animal advocate. In my free time, I volunteer at an animal shelter. I have two dogs of my own, Boomer and Baxter.
I'm looking forward to a great school year!
A little about me: This is my 17th year of teaching. I enjoy teaching because something different happens every day! I'm a baseball fan (go Rangers!) and a big animal advocate. In my free time, I volunteer at an animal shelter. I have two dogs of my own, Boomer and Baxter.
I'm looking forward to a great school year!
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