English 9--4/22/2104

"Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences and failing to achieve anything useful." (Margaret J. Wheatley, American writer and management consultant)

Jump Off (8-10 mins.)
--Pick up the following items from Mr. Martin at the front of the classroom:

• Your S.M.A.R.T. Goal from the beginning of Quarter 3
• Your Odyssey Unit Exam packet

--Read back through your S.M.A.R.T. Goal.  Hopefully, you did not lose sight of your goal throughout the quarter!
--Purposefully look through your Odyssey Unit Exam.  Do you notice any patterns?  Jot down your observations in a free area on your S.M.A.R.T. Goal document.

S. the C. (10-15 mins.)
--The following students need to see Mr. Martin at the end of class today for some important information:

• Carlos
• Mike
• General Fishtail
• The Popmaster
• Hannah Montana
• That Guy
• Noble 6
• Oranges
• Pikachu
• Loki
• The Legit Dave Strider
• Fidget

--agenda/rationale (consider quotation, future performances, etc.)/HW
--go over the Odyssey Unit Exam three-in-a-row style--what is the correct choice and why?

Transition (2 mins.)
--Return your Odyssey Unit Exam by placing it in the black basket on the front table.
--While you are up there, pick up a copy of the "Chapter 4 Paragraph--Feedback Analysis" halfsheet.  Read the directions quietly and independently back at your desk while Mr. Martin returns your scored writing.

Writing Workshop -- Dragonsong Unit--Chapter 4 Paragraph--Feedback Analysis (25-30 mins.)
--Mr. Martin models use of the halfsheet (if necessary)
--independent work time (feedback analysis/handwritten revisions)--during this time, students with specific questions can meet with Mr. Martin as per the order established on the front board

--whole-group share-out ("I wrote...in the _____ category..."/"I improved...by...")--Mr. Martin adds items under the appropriate categories on the front board and models where appropriate--TAKE NOTES EITHER IN YOUR NOTEBOOK OR ON THE FRONT/BACK OF YOUR FEEDBACK ANALYSIS SHEET IN ORDER TO HELP YOU SUCCEED ON YOUR END-OF-UNIT ESSAY

Transition (2-3 mins.)

--When finished, clip your paragraph and feedback analysis sheet into (the Writing Section of?) your binder. The hole puncher is located on the front table if you need it.

--Pick up your scored "Assessment: Commas with Introductory Elements" from Mr. Martin at the front table.

Review/Instruction -- The Grammar Hammer: Commas with Introductory Elements (5-8 mins.)

--briefly review the rule/tips
--go over the assessment (projected on the SmartBoard), reiterating the rule/tips
--For HW, prepare for a grammar hammer assessment about the comma splice, FANBOYS, WUBAIS, the possessive apostrophe, and introductory elements.

Transition -- take out a clean sheet of lined paper and write your name at the top (1-2 mins.)

Closure -- S.M.A.R.T. Goal Reflection/Rough S.M.A.R.T. Goal for Quarter 4 (Remaining class time)

--Write a brief reflective response in which you respond to the following questions/address the final prompt:

• Did you achieve your Quarter 3 S.M.A.R.T. Goal?
• How do you know that you did or did not achieve your goal?
• Why or why not did you or did you not achieve your goal?  Be specific.
• Set a rough S.M.A.R.T. Goal for Quarter 4 based on today's class.

--Leave both your Quarter 3 S.M.A.R.T. Goal document and your reflection on your desk at the end of class.

HW

--Prepare for a grammar hammer assessment about the comma splice, FANBOYS, WUBAIS, the possessive apostrophe, and introductory elements.  This assessment will take place next class (Thursday, 4/24) and will be similar to the assessment taken in class on 3/3.  Feel free to swing by Mr. Martin's room after school for help/practice.
--Spend some time reading back through your Post-its/notes for Dragonsong in order to review everything that you have read and your "conversation with the text."  Don't forget, too, that some of our notes from class discussion have been posted on the blog.  Expect a novel assessment in the near future.
--As you go through your Dragonsong notes, have this question in mind: about what from the novel could I successfully write/about what would I not mind writing?  It wouldn't hurt to jot down a few ideas.

--YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAGONSONG BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE DRAGONSONG UNIT.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR BOOK, EXPECT CONSEQUENCES FOR LACK OF PREPARATION.
--BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK TO CLASS DAILY.  YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED IT!

English 10 Honors--4/21/2014

Jump Off (3-5 minutes)
--Pick up the “Kid Nation ‘Episode #1: I’m Trying to be a Leader Here!’ Notes” page from the front table.  Read the directions and sample notes quietly and independently as preparation for the first hour of today’s class block.

S. the C. (5-8 minutes)
--agenda/HW

Activity -- Kid Nation “Episode #1: I’m Trying to be a Leader Here!” (60 minutes)
--Actively view the episode by taking notes as directed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu1bly7YhAs

 

--When the episode ends, put your notes page in your binder.  We will return to this notes page in the future.

 

Transition (2 minutes)

--Take out your vocabulary book and open to the nonfiction passage preceding the Unit #9 word list (page 108).

 

Independent Work Block -- Vocabulary Unit #9 (remainder of block)

--Copy down the “Whimsical Words” from the front board.

--Read the nonfiction passage preceding the Unit #9 word list and attempt to determine the meaning of the bolded words using the context.

--Mindfully go over the word list on pages 110-112 (writing words on the lines, starring some of the more difficult words, etc.).

--Mindfully complete the “Completing the Sentence” exercise (pages 115 & 116).

 

HW

--Finish completing the “Completing the Sentence” exercise (pages 115 & 116).  Underline the context clues that help you determine which word you select for each sentence (skill-building). BRING YOUR VOCABULARY BOOK AGAIN NEXT CLASS.

--Continue preparing for the Unit #9 vocabulary quiz, which will take place this Friday, 4/25.  Make sure to familiarize yourself with the “Whimsical Words.”

--Read through all of your notes for Chapter One-Chapter Seven of Lord of the Flies.

English 10 Honors--Lord of the Flies Unit: Terms/Concepts to Know/Be Able to Apply

• allusion
• characterization
• Christological figure
• conflict
• diction
• imagery
• marked for greatness
• microcosm
• simile
• symbolism
• theme

English 9--4/11/2014

BLOCK 1

Jump Off
--Take out a clean sheet of lined paper.

S. the C.
--agenda/HW

Review Activity -- Unit #8 Vocabulary, Grammar Hammer Rules, and Dragonsong Chapter 8
--complete the activity using the PowerPoint slides
--Closure--share via a drawing of cards, focusing especially on the vocabulary words used

Transition
--Engage in some last-minute studying quietly and independently. As you do so, Mr. Martin will return your Unit #6 quiz and Unit #7 quiz so that you can take a quick look and reflect. Then, he'll be around with the recycling bin.

Assessment -- Vocabulary Unit #8
--When Mr. Martin directs you to do so, pick up the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz from the front table. Complete the quiz quietly and independently. Good luck!
--When you finish with the assessment, take out either your copy of Dragonsong or your Hooked on Books book and get reading!

Closure
--trade and grade--return quizzes to rightful owners--reflect on performance and note still-not-mastered words in your vocabulary book--Mr. Martin collects quizzes
 
HW Time/Hooked on Books Part 2
 
Dragonsong Reading Breakdown

• You must finish reading the novel by our first class day back from April break, which is Tuesday, 4/22.  56 pages remain (unless you read ahead, in which case, GOOD FOR YOU!).  If you read approximately 6 pages a day, you will finish the novel on time.

 
HW
--Actively read the rest of Dragonsong via the Post-it Note Strategy and expect a final novel assessment in the near future.

--YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAGONSONG BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE DRAGONSONG UNIT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR BOOK, EXPECT CONSEQUENCES FOR LACK OF PREPARATION.

BLOCK 2/BLOCK 4
 
Jump Off
--Engage in some last-minute studying quietly and independently. As you do so, Mr. Martin will return your Unit #6 quiz and Unit #7 quiz so that you can take a quick look and reflect. Then, he'll be around with the recycling bin.
--When Mr. Martin directs you to do so, pick up the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz from the front table. Complete the quiz quietly and independently. Good luck!

--When you finish with the assessment, take out either your copy of Dragonsong or your Hooked on Books book and get reading!

 
S. the C.

--trade and grade--return quizzes to rightful owners--reflect on performance and note still-not-mastered words in your vocabulary book--Mr. Martin collects quizzes
--agenda/HW

HOOKED ON BOOKS

Dragonsong Reading Breakdown

• You must finish reading the novel by our first class day back from April break, which is Tuesday, 4/22. 56 pages remain (unless you read ahead, in which case, GOOD FOR YOU!). If you read approximately 6 pages a day, you will finish the novel on time.

HW

--Actively read the rest of Dragonsong via the Post-it Note Strategy and expect a final novel assessment in the near future. 

--YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAGONSONG BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE DRAGONSONG UNIT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR BOOK, EXPECT CONSEQUENCES FOR LACK OF PREPARATION.

English 10 Honors--4/10/2014

Jump Off
--The focus of today's brief wrap-up discussion (a continuation of last class) is clarifying the meaning of "marked for greatness" as a literary concept and applying the concept to the following characters/settings: Piggy (S.N.--Block 4), Simon (___ and A.K.), the birthmarked face boy (S.M. and ___), and the island (J.W. and S.B.). Take your notebooks back out so that you can jot down some notes for future reference.

S. the C.
--agenda/HW

Discussion #1 -- "Marked for Greatness" in Lord of the Flies
--discussion as per the J.O. list

Transition
--Look through your purposeful/active reading notes for Chapter One-Chapter Five of Lord of the Flies in order to re-wrap your mind around your thoughts and ideas. While doing so, plan some contributions for today's discussion.
--group roles defined and modeled:

• Leader
• Scribe
• Runner

-- small groups assigned by Mr. Martin for discussion purposes

Discussion #2 -- Lord of the Flies Chapter One-Chapter Five
--in small groups, share your thoughts and ideas with each other--what, typically, are our focal points when discussing literature/what have been our focal points so far for this novel?
--every so often, Mr. Martin will sound an alarm--when he does so, if he points to your group, send your Runner up to the front board to write a contribution on the front board--the more specific and related to authorial purpose the response, the better!
--place each contribution under a topic heading so that we can try to keep all of this "stuff" somewhat organized!
--during this discussion, it is suggested that you take notes--these notes will come in handy when crafting your end-of-course final assignment!

Transition -- re-row the desks/Scribes: submit your group discussion notes

Closure #1 -- Lord of the Flies Chapter One-Chapter Five
--Mr. Martin processes through the notes written on the front board
--during this summary session/discussion, it is imperative that you take notes--these notes will come in handy when crafting your end-of-course final assignment!
--any final thoughts, questions, etc.?

Transition -- pick up the "Final Countdown" graphic organizer from the front table

Closure #2 -- Final Countdown

HW Time/Hooked on Books Part 2

HW
--Purposefully/actively read Chapters Six and Seven of Lord of the Flies as preparation for analysis/discussion next class (Monday, 4/21).
--Bring your vocabulary book to our next class meeting.
--Enjoy break!

English 9--4/9/2014

BLOCK 1

HOOKED ON BOOKS

Jump Off
--Pick up the "Vocabulary Units--Exercise Check" slip from the corner desk. Write your name on the line and open your vocabulary book to page 105.

S. the C.
--quickly complete exercise check--when finished, pass up facedown
--go over the homework ("Completing the Sentence" exercise on pages 105 & 106) three-in-a-row style
--For HW, finish preparing for the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz, which will take place at the beginning of next class.
--agenda/HW

Review Activity/Discussion/Notetaking -- Majority Rules! (Dragonsong Chapters 1-7)

--quick review of how the activity "works"
--during the playing of the game, take notes--much will come out of today's review/discussion that will come in handy when coming up with an idea for and writing your final essay at the close of the unit
--finish reviewing/discussing/notetaking

Transition
--Pick up an index card and write your name at the top of it.
--Re-column the desks normally.

Closure -- During the review activity/discussion, I drew the following conclusion about Anne McCaffrey's purpose:
--respond in detail to this prompt on your index card--when finished, submit
--responses shared--notes/connections on front board

HW Time

Dragonsong Reading Breakdown

• You must finish reading the novel by our first class day back from April break, which is Tuesday, 4/22.  71 pages remain.
• Including today, if you read 5 1/2 pages a day, you will finish the novel on time.
• Another reading requirement will be assigned for Friday (actively reading Chapter 9) in order to help you stay on track.  Reading up to the end of Chapter 9 for Friday will leave you with 56 pages to read over break (approximately 6 pages a day).
• If you have read up to the end of Chapter 8 and would prefer to finish the novel by the end of the day this Friday so that you do not have any reading obligations over April Break, if you read 24 pages a day including today, you will have the novel finished after reading 24 final pages on Friday.
• If you have committed yourself to reading 17 pages a day as per the suggestion in the last blog post, stay committed!
• Hooked on Books is this week, and you are free to read Dragonsong during your reading blocks. However, the true purpose of Hooked on Books is to read something that you have chosen!

HW

--Finish preparing for the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz, which will take place next class (Friday, 4/11).

--Actively read Chapter 9 of Dragonsong via the Post-it Note Strategy.

--YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAGONSONG BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE DRAGONSONG UNIT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR BOOK, EXPECT CONSEQUENCES FOR LACK OF PREPARATION.
--Bring something good that you want to read to class the rest of the week for Hooked on Books (unless you prefer to read Dragonsong).

BLOCK 2/BLOCK 4

Jump Off
--Pick up the "Vocabulary Units--Exercise Check" slip from the corner desk. Write your name on the line and open your vocabulary book to page 105.

S. the C.
--quickly complete exercise check--when finished, pass up facedown
--go over the homework ("Completing the Sentence" exercise on pages 105 & 106) three-in-a-row style
--For HW, finish preparing for the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz, which will take place at the beginning of next class.
--agenda/HW

Review Activity/Discussion/Notetaking -- Majority Rules! (Dragonsong Chapters 1-7)

--quick review of how the activity "works"
--during the playing of the game, take notes--much will come out of today's review/discussion that will come in handy when coming up with an idea for and writing your final essay at the close of the unit
--finish reviewing/discussing/notetaking
--Transition--pick up an index card and write your name at the top of it--re-column the desks normally
--Closure--During the review activity/discussion, I drew the following conclusion about Anne McCaffrey's purpose:
--respond in detail to this prompt on your index card--when finished, submit
--responses shared--notes/questions on front board

Review Activity -- Unit #8 Vocabulary, Grammar Hammer Rules, and Dragonsong Chapter 8 
--take out a clean sheet of lined paper
--complete the activity using the PowerPoint slides
--Closure--share via a drawing of cards

HW Time

Dragonsong Reading Breakdown

• You must finish reading the novel by our first class day back from April break, which is Tuesday, 4/22. 71 pages remain.
• Including today, if you read 5 1/2 pages a day, you will finish the novel on time.
• Another reading requirement will be assigned for Friday (actively reading Chapter 9) in order to help you stay on track. Reading up to the end of Chapter 9 for Friday will leave you with 56 pages to read over break (approximately 6 pages a day).
• If you have read up to the end of Chapter 8 and would prefer to finish the novel by the end of the day this Friday so that you do not have any reading obligations over April Break, if you read 24 pages a day including today, you will have the novel finished after reading 24 final pages on Friday.
• If you have committed yourself to reading 17 pages a day as per the suggestion in the last blog post, stay committed!
• Hooked on Books is this week, and you are free to read Dragonsong during your reading blocks. However, the true purpose of Hooked on Books is to read something that you have chosen!

 HW

--Finish preparing for the Unit #8 vocabulary quiz, which will take place next class (Friday, 4/11).

--Actively read Chapter 9 of Dragonsong via the Post-it Note Strategy.

--YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAGONSONG BOOK TO CLASS EVERY DAY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE DRAGONSONG UNIT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR BOOK, EXPECT CONSEQUENCES FOR LACK OF PREPARATION.
--Bring something good that you want to read to class the rest of the week for Hooked on Books (unless you prefer to read Dragonsong).

English 10 Honors--4/8/2014

HOOKED ON BOOKS

*While you read, Mr. Martin will be around to return your "Lord of the Flies--'Marked for Greatness' On-Demand Writing" pieces*

Jump Off
--The focus of today's brief discussion is clarifying the meaning of "marked for greatness" as a literary concept and applying the concept to the following characters/settings: Ralph (D.D. and J.M.), Jack (___ and ___), Piggy (K.L. and S.N.), Simon (___ and A.K.), the birthmarked face boy (S.M. and ___), and the island (J.W. and S.B.).  Take out your notebook so that you can jot down some notes for future reference.

S. the C. 
--agenda/HW

Discussion -- "Marked for Greatness" in Lord of the Flies
--"marked for greatness"--what it is vs. what it is not (Mr. Martin)
--discussion as per the J.O. list
--HW Time

HW
--Purposefully/actively read Chapter Five of Lord of the Flies as preparation for analysis/discussion next class.
--Bring something good that you want to read to class again next time in case we get another opportunity to independently read.