June 2, 2016 - Farewell!

As of this posting, all grades are entered and final. 

I appreciate you for your willingness to take risks and share your thoughts. 

I hope you will continue to blog over the summer and tweet me (@k8mayo) or email me (mayok@lisd.net) when you publish something new. 

I wish you all the happiness and success that you deserve!

Thank you for a great semester! 

Ms. Mayo

Boomer and Baxter wish you a happy summer!

June 1, 2016

First and second periods took their final exams today! Final grades should be entered before 4th period tomorrow.

Fourth period will take their final exams tomorrow! Final grades should be entered before 3pm tomorrow.

No board photo today!

May 31, 2016

I shared the updated review for the final exam. Students have a copy of the review, and it is available on Classroom. Students may use their literary terms packet on the exam, so if you've misplaced yours, print off a copy from Classroom.

We revisited our discussion from Friday about philosophy and dug into our own deep questions. On a notecard, students shared questions anonymously that give them pause. They then chose one of their questions (or one of Needleman's 9 questions) and applied it to a book they've read, explaining how the book attempts to answer the question.

With the remaining class time, students completed a character analysis, part three of the Reading Recap activities. Students also had time to finish the other activities and complete an end-of-course survey. All were due before the end of the period.

Coming Up:
Wednesday, 6/1: 1st and 2nd period Final Exams; all classes pick up notebooks
Thursday, 6/2: 3rd and 4th period Final Exams; early release

Today's Board

May 27, 2016

IRT: ~15 minutes

Students who revised the Messages essay turned them in for a second look.

We started a discussion on philosophy with the idea of kindness. We watched the "Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley" skit from Saturday Night Live. I shared the quote, "Never underestimate the power of a kind word," then students worked in groups to list as many motivational messages they could think of, from posters to greeting cards. After they created a list, I asked students to choose which of those messages they would like to receive when they were having a bad day. Students then anonymously wrote a message or two on an index card and turned them in. These will turn up again soon!

Students took time to discuss the word "philosophy" in their groups, determining what the word meant and what people are famous for it. We learned that "philosophy" comes from the Greek words "philo" and "sophia," meaning "loving" and "wisdom or knowledge." While most philosophers we're familiar with are dead Greek guys like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, students also mentioned Confucius, Marx, and Nietzsche. Since wisdom and knowledge are derived from questions, students created a list of universal questions that we seek answers to. After about 4 minutes, I shared Dr. Jacob Needleman's list of 9 great philosophical questions. Many lists contained variations of most of the questions!

Needleman's Nine Questions

I also gave students a quote to ponder over the long weekend. We will start with this on Tuesday.

Students used the remaining class time to work on the reading ladder and IRT questions and assessments, two parts of the Reading Recap assignment. They'll receive the last part on Tuesday.

Coming Up:
Thursday-Tuesday, 5/26-31: Independent Reading Activities (minor grade)
Wednesday, 6/1: 1st and 2nd period Final Exams
Thursday, 6/2: 3rd and 4th period Final Exams; early release

May 26, 2016

IRT: 20 minutes
WNB: You're almost finished with your sophomore year of high school! Share your thoughts on how the year has gone, and predict what's to come for your junior year.

We went over yesterday's argument and persuasion test. Students who scored below a 70 may come in to retest during A block Friday or A block Tuesday.

Students received a copy of the final review (also posted on Classroom). Students will be allowed to use their lit terms packet on the test.

Students completed a form, flagged two of their favorite entries, and turned in their notebooks to be checked. (minor grade)

Students reflected on their reading for the semester, ranking their books from the most difficult to the least difficult. This is the first of three activities students will complete for the reading recap (a minor grade).

Coming Up:Friday, 5/27: Messages essay revision due
Thursday-Tuesday, 5/26-31: Independent Reading Activities (minor grade)
Wednesday, 6/1: 1st and 2nd period Final Exams
Thursday, 6/2: 3rd and 4th period Final Exams; early release

Today's Board

May 25, 2016

Students completed the argument and persuasion test today. Grades will be entered before I leave for the day.

Coming Up:
Thursday, 5/26: Writer's Notebook check (minor grade) - Absences don't excuse you from notebook entries. Check the blog for entries on days you were absent.
Thursday-Tuesday, 5/26-31: Independent Reading Activities (minor grade)
Wednesday, 6/1: 1st and 2nd period Final Exams
Thursday, 6/2: 3rd and 4th period Final Exams; early release

Today's Board

May 24, 2016

IRT: 15 minutes
WNB: Look back at your Tuesday entries (most are "This I Believe" starters). Has your opinion on any of the topics changed? (Maybe you believe more or less strongly about the topic.) Which topic is the most interesting to you? Why? Which topic is the least interesting to you? Why?

We finished up Julius Caesar with a 3-2-1 activity for Act III Scene 2. Working independently, students wrote 3 summary statements, chose 2 significant quotes and explained them, and developed 1 genuine question and answer.

We read Antigone's speech to Creon and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and looked for the claim and rhetorical devices. We then compared and contrasted their messages and audiences. This was good preparation for the argument and persuasion test that we will take tomorrow. Students may use the lit terms packet and their copy of "On Nuclear Disarmament" on the test.

Coming Up:
Wednesday, 5/25: Argument and Persuasion Test - notes and review on Classroom
Thursday, 5/26: Writer's Notebook check - Absences don't excuse you from notebook entries. Check the blog for entries on days you were absent.
Wednesday, 6/1: 1st and 2nd period Final Exams
Thursday, 6/2: 3rd and 4th period Final Exams; early release

Today's Board