April 1, 2016

First and 2nd periods met today. Students had time to complete and hand in the Midterm Reading Ladder. They also had time to make up any missing blog entries to get points back.

Be sure to bring Lord of the Flies on Monday! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the book!

Today's Board

March 31, 2016

Students took the STAAR test today! We are all glad that is over! Fourth period turned in the Midterm Reading Ladder, and 1st and 2nd periods will turn it in tomorrow. ALL students should have read Lord of the Flies by Monday!

Great job today!

March 30, 2016

We went to the library so students could check out an actual book (not an eBook) to read after the STAAR test tomorrow. We went over expectations for tomorrow. Students should report to the small gym before 8:15 for testing (some students are testing in classrooms--check the blue sheets posted in the main hallway).

We discussed the "connecting selections" short answer question. Students read two pieces and responded to the short answer question. We then looked at student samples to see how they were scored. Finally, students shared one tip they want to remember when testing and added it to a poster outside the classroom.

This week

• Thursday: STAAR English II EOC all morning; 4th will turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)
• Friday: 1st and 2nd only: blog time; turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)

Be sure you've read Lord of the Flies before April 4!

Today's Board

March 29, 2016

Writer's Notebook: Would you rather have more time or more money? Students responded to the question, then completed a form and handed in their notebooks.

I returned Short Answer Practice 1, and we used the STAAR rubric to discuss what a good short answer looks like. Students read a poem and responded to a short answer question. We read and scored student samples. We will complete the same activity tomorrow with a crossover question.

This week

• Wednesday: Wrap up STAAR reading (daily grade)
• Thursday: STAAR English II EOC all morning; 4th will turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)
• Friday: 1st and 2nd only: blog time--entry #5 due by 11pm on 4/10; turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)

Be sure you've read Lord of the Flies before April 4!

Today's Board

March 28, 2016

We reviewed the midterm exam. I returned the essay portion of the Greek drama test, then we started a discussion of what's expected on a STAAR essay. Students worked in groups to read and score sample essays. We discussed why each essay earned the score it received, and some students were surprised by the results!

With the remaining class time, students worked on blog entry #4 (part of a major grade, due by 11pm tonight) and the Reading Ladder activity (minor grade, due Friday, 4/1 [4th period will turn in Thursday, 3/31).

This week

• Tuesday: Writer's Notebook check #2 (minor grade); return 3/4 short answer; review ATE short answer strategy; STAAR reading passage with questions and short answer
• Wednesday: Wrap up STAAR reading (daily grade)
• Thursday: STAAR English II EOC all morning; 4th will have a substitute; 4th will turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)
• Friday: 1st and 2nd only: blog time--entry #5 due by 11pm on 4/10; turn in Reading Ladder (minor grade)

Be sure you've read Lord of the Flies before April 4!

Today's Board

March 24, 2016

Fourth period took their midterm exams today! All scores should be entered before the end of the day. Grades are not final, though. We still have four grades due next week.

Next week

• Monday: Blog time--entry #4 due by 11pm (Blog Entries are a major grade); review midterm; review Greek drama test; segue test essay into STAAR essay discussion; Midterm Reading Ladder due 4/1 (minor grade)
• Tuesday: Writer's Notebook check #2 (minor grade); return 3/4 short answer; review ATE short answer strategy; STAAR reading passage with questions and short answer
• Wednesday: Wrap up STAAR reading (daily grade)
• Thursday: STAAR English II EOC all morning; 4th will have a substitute
• Friday: 1st and 2nd only: blog time--entry #5 due by 11pm on 4/10.

Be sure you've read Lord of the Flies before April 4!

No board picture today, so here is a picture of Baxter and Boomer hanging out at doggy daycare.

March 23, 2016

First and second period classes took their midterm exams today. Fourth period will take the exam tomorrow.

Next week

• Monday: Blog time--entry #4 due by 11pm; review midterm; review Greek drama test; segue test essay into STAAR essay discussion
• Tuesday: Writer's Notebook check #2; return 3/4 short answer; review ATE short answer strategy; STAAR reading passage with questions and short answer
• Wednesday: Wrap up STAAR discussions
• Thursday: STAAR English II EOC all morning; 4th will have a substitute
• Friday: 1st and 2nd only: blog time--entry #5 due by 11pm on 4/10.

Be sure you've read Lord of the Flies before April 4!

Today's Board