October 30, 2015

Students had 25 minutes at the beginning of class to read their independent reading books and complete today's Writer's Notebook entry. Since it's Friday, students may write/draw whatever they choose for their notebook entry; however, I shared an article about a change in Snapchat's privacy terms that they could respond to. Many kids were shocked by the update!

We spent about 20 minutes in a whole class discussion about our interpretations of "The Demon Lover." Most students believe the fiance (either in reality or ghost form) took Mrs. Drover away at the end of the story. The majority of students were able to base their interpretations on details from the story, so that was great! Students can find a recap of the discussion on Classroom under "Interpretations: 'The Demon Lover.'" A link to a PDF version of the story is also there in case students need access to it over the weekend.

With the remaining class time, students revised their initial interpretation which should be turned in on Classroom before class begins Monday.

Today's Board

October 29, 2015

Independent reading and Writer's Notebook collided today in the form of a one-page activity. Students had 25 minutes to complete the activity and read independently.

We challenged the structure of Elizabeth Bowen's "The Demon Lover," considering how the story would have been different if told in chronological order rather than with flashbacks. Most students believe the mystery would be lost if the story started in 1916 when Kathleen met the soldier.

We finally got to interpret the story! Students have probably been thinking about what the story means on a deeper level since we started reading on Monday. Today, they put those ideas on paper. Students were asked "Who--or what--takes Mrs. Drover away at the end of the story?" Students considered language and events to support their responses.

After writing, they shared their response with a partner to be sure the interpretation could be supported by the text. We closed out our session by updating the events and questions that we have been tracking and thinking about the group discussion that will happen tomorrow.

Today's Board

October 28, 2015

We started the day with 20 minutes of independent reading time. Students then chose a word from their reading to define in their Writer's Notebooks. My word today was "truculently," which means a state of being cruel, harsh, or belligerent. It comes from the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: "'No, there hasn't been any one else," she answered almost truculently" (Huxley 40).

We began session 2 of our Retellings unit. Students reread Bowen's "The Demon Lover" and focused on moments that seem significant to understanding young Kathleen and her relationship with the soldier. Students then discussed their findings and constructed an oral portrait of young Kathleen, examining her relationship with the soldier and what attracts her to him. We added more details to our character descriptions and eliminated questions that we uncovered the answers to.

Tomorrow we will examine the story's structure and get into some interpretations of our own.

Today's Board

October 27, 2015

We went to the library today to search for our next independent reading book. Students should read at least 2 books from the AP lists by the end of the 9 weeks. Lists are available on Classroom.

For our Writer's Notebook entry today, I read an entry from the 1000 Awesome Things blog, and students created their own lists of awesome things. We'll revisit those lists next week and develop that idea further.

We completed Session 1 of our Retellings unit. Students finished reading Bowen's "The Demon Lover" and discussed the characters and sequence of events with a partner. Then we created a document with the sequence of events from the story and information about the characters. We finished the session by creating a list of questions that we have about the story.

Today's Board

October 26, 2015

We spent the first few minutes of class reviewing the midterm exam, then students had 15 minutes of reading time with their independent reading books. Students should read 2 books from the AP reading lists that I shared on the blog Friday (the lists are also available in Classroom). We'll go to the library tomorrow.

For our Writer's Notebook entry today, we read and wrote a half page response on "The $750 Pill." Students may not think this topic is relevant to them now, but if they talk to their grandparents, they'll understand how much of an impact drug prices make on our lives. Since that article was published, another company has begun offering the drug for just $1 a pill. (Most frequent reaction: This is ridiculous!)

We began a new unit on retellings, introduced with a quote from Umberto Eco: "Books always speak of other books, and every story tells a story that has already been told." Over the next few weeks, we will read and work with three texts that share the same title: "The Demon Lover." One text is a Scottish ballad that has more than 200 variations; the other two are twentieth-century retellings of this ballad. We will read and discuss each of the texts separately and as a set. Today, students read Elizabeth Bowen's 1946 retelling of "The Demon Lover." As they read, they annotated in a notebook and considered these questions: What is literally happening in this story? and Who are the characters? What do we know about them? Most students were able to complete the reading and some annotations today. Tomorrow, we'll pick up where we left off and have discussions at our tables.

Today's Board

Carrollton Public Library is holding a Teen Read Week contest. Students are encouraged to write a book review and enter to win prizes!

October 23, 2015

Third period completed their midterm exams today. All grades have been entered and are final unless I've spoken with (or emailed) a student individually.

Reflections on the 1st 9 weeks:

• Writer's Notebook entries are still a little thin. Students are challenged to write at least 1/2 a page on Mondays and Tuesdays when we respond to articles and share our own opinions. Be sure you're telling the whole story in your entries!
• Often, when we think of a protagonist, our minds automatically go to "good guy." That's not always the case. The protagonist is the character who drives the action and usually undergoes a change. Same goes for the antagonist: he/she isn't always a bad guy. The antagonist is the character who is in conflict with the protagonist.
• When you read a passage and become confused, that doesn't mean the author's intention was to confuse the reader. 

Goals for the 2nd 9 weeks:

• Write every day!
• Read every day! (2 independent choices from the AP lists provided on classroom: List 1 List 2)
• Use proper MLA format on everything!

We'll begin the 2nd 9 weeks on Monday with an Inquiry By Design unit about retellings.

October 22, 2015

First and 2nd periods took their midterms this morning. Grades will be entered by Friday afternoon.

Third period will take their midterm tomorrow morning at 8:15. We'll meet in 1410 (because desks).

I can't believe the 2nd 9 weeks begins on Monday!