Thursday, December 20, 2012

English 9--1/3/2013

Jump Off -- Think
--Take out your "'The Lady or the Tiger?' Analysis/Application Questions" sheet. Purposefully look back through your responses. Your purpose: 1.) Put an asterisk next to one of the questions/prompts that "tripped you up"; 2.) Circle one of your responses that you are confident about sharing with the whole group; and 3.) Add more information to one of your responses that you know could be stronger.

S. the C.
--Take a look at some items from the unit plan (listed below)--how are we doing so far?:

Skills
  • Distinguish and apply the first four habits from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens in both literature and everyday life
  • Demonstrate understanding of concepts in a simple and concise manner
  • Identify and support theme statements from literary works
  • Recognize and explain the use of tieback sentences
Required Content
  • Study The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey focusing on the following terms/concepts: habit, proactive behavior, reactive behavior, personal mission statement, priorities, relationship dynamics (Win-Win, Win-Lose, Lose-Win, and Lose-Lose)
  • Teach/Review the following terms: theme, antagonist, protagonist, five types of conflict (person vs. self, person, society, technology, and nature), characterization methods (e.g., character says, thinks, does; reactions of other characters; narrator tells; etc.) + static and dynamic character, plot.  The focus is on HOW or WHY--authorial purpose
--agenda/HW

Discussion Preparation (cont.) -- Pair ("The Lady or the Tiger?" Analysis/Application Questions)
--Pair up and share your reflections with each other.

Transition -- form a circle

Discussion -- Share ("The Lady or the Tiger?" Analysis/Application Questions)
--Review the discussion protocol/"Discussion Contribution Rating Scale"
--Engage in discussion using the questions as a starting point

Transition -- re-row desks

Writing Workshop -- "The Lady or the Tiger?" Analysis/Application Question Paragraph Response
--On a clean sheet of lined paper, turn one of your fourteen responses into an AMAZING paragraph response (bear in mind Meaning, Development, Organization, Language Use, and Conventions).
--Once you’ve finished writing, “mark up your paragraph”--MR. MARTIN WILL MODEL:
1.)  Underline the topic sentence.  Label it in the margin.
2.)  Circle focus word(s)/phrase(s) in the topic sentence only.
3.)  Highlight one specific detail pulled from “The Lady or the Tiger?”  Label it in the margin.
4.)  Put a box around one tieback.  Label it in the margin.
5.)  Place brackets around the concluding sentence.  Label it in the margin.

Transition -- place your paragraph in your binder/pick up both a copy of "The Lottery" and the "'The Lottery Analysis/Application Questions" from the front table

Purposeful Reading -- Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
--oral reading--purposefully read the story. Your purpose during this reading is to consider the concept of fairness (briefly discuss first) and answer the questions on the “‘The Lottery” sheet as preparation for in-class discussion/writing practice next class.
--Closure--Engage in preliminary discussion (time permitting)

HW
Optional assignments:
--Review literature terms, especially those with which you are currently struggling, as you will be expected to know/apply these terms throughout the rest of the unit and on the 7 Habits Unit Exam (which will most likely take place next week).
Mandatory assignments:
--Finish purposefully reading Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”. Your purpose during this reading is to consider the concept of fairness and answer the questions on the “‘The Lottery” sheet as preparation for in-class discussion/writing practice next class.
--Bring your vocabulary book next class.

Senior English--1/2/2013


Jump Off (10-12 mins.)
--Turn in your Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay by placing it in the black basket on the front table.  If you have a clean grading sheet and/or rubric for the assignment, staple the sheet and/or rubric to the back of your essay. 
--Pick up the sheet entitled “Understanding Argument” from the front table.  Carefully read the directions.  Then, purposefully read the information included within the charts.  Finally, spend some time thinking of answers to the italicized question included within the directions.  Jot down your thoughts on the back of the sheet, as we will spend some time discussing this question together.
--We will use a little bit of class time today determining the speaking order for the upcoming Show and Tell Speeches.  Think about whether or not you are interested in going sooner rather than later--it is worth noting that volunteering to go first is an impressive show of confidence and a good way to help speakers conquer their fears! 

S. the C. (15-20 mins.)
--Mr. Martin shares some information about our next few weeks together (time earned due to postponement of library time and consequent change in first speaking date, “paving the way” for the Research Unit [hence the Jump Off task], midterm examination on the horizon [rough date/a little bit of information about the format]) 
--Mr. Martin shares his ideas and elicits advice for the use of class time on Friday (final class day prior to the delivery of speeches)
--Create speech delivery order (volunteers followed by random order determined by pulling cards) 
--Discuss the “Understanding Argument” sheet--What is argument?  What does an argument require?  How can you come up with the perfect argument topic? 
--agenda/HW

Transition -- pick up both the sheet and the packet from the front table (2 mins.)

Speech Content Instruction -- Incorporating Transitions (20-25 mins.)
--Discuss the importance of including transitions within speeches (smoothness/limiting vocal fillers)--point out the value of this content piece on the “Public Speaking Unit Assessment Rubric” 
--Read through the sheet about using transitions together
--Independently complete the practice, considering the implications for your upcoming Show and Tell Speech--if you finish early, take out your Show and Tell Speech outline and add in appropriate transitions 
--Mr. Martin draws cards--students write transitions up on the front board
--Mr. Martin “delivers” the speech with transitions for the sake of example--consider the effectiveness of the transitions up on the front board in comparison to the transitions that you crafted 
--Closure--Consider the implications for your upcoming Show and Tell Speech (if you have not already done so)

Transition -- view video clip--Mr. Martin shares anecdote/form a circle (2 mins.)

Community Circle (15 mins.)
--Share “good stuff” from break

Transition -- re-row desks (2 mins.)

Brain Break -- Will Ferrell’s Speech at Harvard (2003) 
--Continue viewing, considering both content and delivery
--Briefly discuss

HW  
--Mr. Martin has quite a bit of work to do before you get your Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essays back.  Once the essays are returned, you will have one month to prepare your writing piece for the Cumulative Writing Portfolio.
--The first day of Show and Tell Speech deliveries will be January 8th.  Speeches will be delivered as scheduled.  Progressing through this assignment might include finishing your outline and then engaging in a few practice sessions. Remember that you have the scoring rubric for this assignment, and it is imperative that you align your content/delivery with the rubric. 
--Be thinking about potential topics for your Senior English Research Paper (Arguing for a Position).

English 10 Honors--12/21/2012

Jump Off
--Spend the first few minutes of class studying for the forthcoming Unit #5 vocabulary quiz quietly and independently. Mr. Martin will be around momentarily with the quiz.
--Complete the vocabulary quiz quietly and independently.  Good luck!
--While you work on the quiz, Mr. Martin will be around to return your Short Story Unit exams.

S. the C.
--agenda/HW
--trade and grade--quizzes returned/self-reflection

Transition -- submit graded quizzes/pick up “Exam Responses--Feedback Analysis” sheet and a half-sheet rubric from the front table

Instruction -- Crafting AMAZING Literary Analysis Paragraph Responses
--rationale--our writing targets/importance of feedback
--Mr. Martin models use of the half-sheet while sharing two exemplars
--independent work time--feedback analysis of questions 17 and 18
--whole-group share-out--Mr. Martin creates a list on the front board/models where appropriate

Writing Workshop -- Crafting an AMAZING Literary Analysis Paragraph Response
--assignment details:
  • Re-read your literary analysis paragraph (section IV of the exam) with the list on the front board/specific feedback for questions 17 and 18 in mind--make revisions accordingly (THIS WILL TAKE PLACE IN CLASS TODAY FOLLOWING THE SHARING OF THE MORE SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION BELOW)
  • Over break, type your revised response in proper MLA format for submission on Monday, January 7th at the beginning of class
  • This writing assignment will receive three scores total, all three of which will count within the Writing portion of your overall Quarter 2 average:   
    • One score will be determined via the rubric you picked up earlier in class—mastery of MLA format is important, so be especially careful!  This score will count once.
    • Another score will be determined via the Meaning, Development, Organization, Language Use, and Conventions framework--this score will count twice.
    • Your M, D, O, L, C score will be included within your Writing Portfolio--remember that you must receive a score of 85% or higher in order for this assignment to go into the portfolio without further revisions/rewriting.
    • Your M, D, O, L, C score will also be converted to a score out of 30 and determine the remainder of the points allotted for your Short Story Unit exam.
--How can I help you?!—questions answered/instruction/modeling after re-reading/revision time

Transition -- form a circle

Discussion -- LotF Chapters 1-6
--engage in discussion about the following topics: symbols, an interconnectedness of everything, names as significant, dark/light imagery, good or bad island?, conflicts, human nature, application of Foster’s ideas, etc.

HW Time
--begin purposefully reading Chapters 7 and 8

HW
--Complete the writing assignment as directed for submission on Monday, January 7th at the beginning of class.
--Finish purposefully reading Chapters 7 and 8 of Lord of the Flies as preparation for analysis/discussion next class.
--Enjoy break!

English 9--12/21/2012

HOOKED ON BOOKS

Jump Off
--Spend a few minutes studying for the forthcoming Unit #5 vocabulary quiz quietly and independently. Mr. Martin will be around momentarily with the quiz.
--Complete the vocabulary quiz quietly and independently.  Good luck!

S. the C.
--agenda/HW
--trade and grade--quizzes returned/self-reflection--graded quizzes collected

Discussion Preparation -- Think/Pair ("The Lady or the Tiger?" Analysis/Application Questions)
--Take out your "'The Lady or the Tiger?' Analysis/Application Questions" sheet.  Purposefully look back through your responses.  Your purpose: 1.) Put an asterisk next to one of the questions/prompts that "tripped you up"; 2.) Circle one of your responses that you are confident about sharing with the whole group; and 3.) Add more information to one of your responses that you know could be stronger. 
--Pair up and share your reflections with each other.

Transition -- form a circle

Discussion -- Share ("The Lady or the Tiger?" Analysis/Application Questions)
--review the discussion protocol/"Discussion Contribution Rating Scale"
--engage in discussion until the end of class

HW
Optional assignments:
--Review literature terms, especially those with which you are currently struggling, as you will be expected to know/apply these terms throughout the rest of the unit and on the 7 Habits Unit Exam.
--Purposefully read sections of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens in order to "beef up" your notes page.
Mandatory assignment:

--Enjoy break--Sharpen the Saw!!!

Senior English--12/20/2012 (Block 4)

Jump Off
--Pick up the following items from the front table: notes packet pertaining to FAQs (Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay), grammar editing chart, outlining sheet for speech, and speech assessment rubric.

S. the C.
--agenda/HW

Looking Ahead -- Materials Analysis
--independent previewing time--Mr. Martin answers questions/models (complete this process for all four items)

Transition -- notebooks out for finishing up speech content notes

Speech Content Instruction -- The “Formula for Success”--Assert, Preview, and Action
--the “Formula for Success” PowerPoint (slides 19-end)
--independent Assert, Preview, and Action planning/outlining time for Show and Tell Speech--Mr. Martin models


Application Activity-- Show and Tell Speech--Outlining/Assert and Preview OR Action
--students deliver planned Assert and Preview OR  Action in small groups as practice, garnering content feedback (and, ideally, working on volume, tone, eye contact, speed, pauses, and limiting vocal fillers)
--Transition--return to desks
--card drawn--student delivers Assert and Preview OR Action in front of class--Mr. Martin FlipVideos (repeat until five students have spoken)


Closure -- What was your biggest “take away” from today’s class?
--craft a response to the question above for submission on an index card


HW
--Finish the Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay assignment--Mr. Martin is available for appointments! This assignment is due on January 2nd (our next class). Remember that you have the scoring rubrics, and it is imperative that you align your work/writing with the rubrics. THE MEANING, DEVELOPMENT, ORGANIZATION, LANGUAGE USE, AND CONVENTIONS RUBRIC WILL DETERMINE YOUR SCORE FOR THE CUMULATIVE WRITING PORTFOLIO. Additionally, careful use of today's materials should help you find success.
--The first day of Show and Tell Speech deliveries will be January 4th (our second class back from break). Progressing through this assignment might include taking your rough speech notes and refining your work via the "Show and Tell Speech Outlining Sheet" and then engaging in a few practice sessions. Remember that you now have the scoring rubric for this assignment, and it is imperative that you align your content/delivery with the rubric.
--If you spoke in front of the class today, view your video with this question in mind--What is my ultimate goal for the public speaking unit? If you have practiced at the podium and have not received a video via e-mail, this most likely means that I do not have your e-mail address!
--Enjoy break!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Senior English--12/20/2012 (Block 1)

HOOKED ON BOOKS

Jump Off
--Pick up the following items from the front table: notes packet pertaining to FAQs (Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay), grammar editing chart, and speech assessment rubric.

S. the C.
--agenda/HW

Looking Ahead -- Materials Analysis
--independent previewing time--Mr. Martin answers questions/models (complete this process for all three items)

Transition -- notebooks out for finishing up speech content notes

Speech Content Instruction -- The “Formula for Success”--Action
--the “Formula for Success” PowerPoint (the final slides)
--independent Action planning/outlining time for Show and Tell Speech--Mr. Martin models


Application Activity -- Show and Tell Speech--Outlining/Action
--students deliver planned Action in small groups as practice, garnering content feedback (and, ideally, working on volume, tone, eye contact, speed, pauses, and limiting vocal fillers)
--Transition--return to desks
--card drawn--student delivers Action in front of class--Mr. Martin FlipVideos (repeat until five students have spoken)


Closure -- What was your biggest “take away” from today’s class?
--craft a response to the question above for submission on an index card


HW
--Finish the Tuesdays with Morrie Analysis Essay assignment--Mr. Martin is available for appointments! This assignment is due on January 2nd (our next class). Remember that you have the scoring rubrics, and it is imperative that you align your work/writing with the rubrics. THE MEANING, DEVELOPMENT, ORGANIZATION, LANGUAGE USE, AND CONVENTIONS RUBRIC WILL DETERMINE YOUR SCORE FOR THE CUMULATIVE WRITING PORTFOLIO.  Additionally, careful use of today's materials should help you find success. 
--The first day of Show and Tell Speech deliveries will be January 4th (our second class back from break). Progressing through this assignment might include taking your rough speech notes and refining your work via the "Show and Tell Speech Outlining Sheet" and then engaging in a few practice sessions.  Remember that you now have the scoring rubric for this assignment, and it is imperative that you align your content/delivery with the rubric.
--If you spoke in front of the class today, view your video with this question in mind--What is my ultimate goal for the public speaking unit?  If you have practiced at the podium and have not received a video via e-mail, this most likely means that I do not have your e-mail address!
--Enjoy break!