In the Door (1 min.)
--sit in the same desk as last class block (alphabetical order)--these are your assigned seats
--attendance
Jump Off (5 mins.)
--Pick up a copy of the homework assignment ("Diagnostic Test") from the front table.
--Open your notebook to a clean page. Put today's date (9/10 [ACE] or 9/11 [BDF]) in the lefthand margin and label the page "Establishing Our Classroom Environment: Rule of the Room". The overarching rule in Room 203 is "Respect Each Other!". Based on your understanding of the concept of respect, think about some of your past experiences in classrooms and make a list of disrespectful acts that you have witnessed that could be considered disrespectful (and, therefore, would be breaking our key rule). For example, in my notes, I might write down "Talking while the teacher is talking". Good luck--raise your hand if you need these directions clarified.
S. the C. (5 mins.)
--agenda/rationale/HW
Discussion (cont.) – Establishing Our Classroom Environment: Commitments & Rule of the Room/Consequences (30-40 mins.)
--share commitments list written up on the front board gleaned from student index cards--a poster is forthcoming!
--share Rule of the Room--potential "breaks" from the Jump Off discussed (link to student commitments)
--discuss potential consequences and make decisions via chart on PowerPoint ("My thoughts...your thoughts?")
Transition (3 mins.)
--Take out your Article of the Week #1 document with which we have worked the past couple of classes. Purposefully read only the information located in the box at the top of the page and be ready to discuss your understanding of the text.
Literacy Activity (cont.) -- Article of the Week (20-25 mins.)
--take a look at the check system defined on PowerPoint as I return work from last class
--exemplary work from last class shared:
"LZ Granderson is trying to argue that Americans need school all year round, with small breaks, in order to rank higher in subjects and compete globally."
"Granderson's biggest claim is that children in the United States should be in school all year long. Instead of summer being spent playing video games and watching TV, he believes it would be better if we spent our summers in school."
--another key reason why we do Article of the Week shared: active reading practice!
--What is our purpose when re-reading the article today?
--discuss italicized question above/model via the SmartBoard
--independent active re-reading
Teambuilding Activity -- Artifact Bags (time permitting)
--I hand a paper bag to random student--he/she then displays items from the bag one at a time, briefly describing what he/she is seeing
--guess who?!
--owner of bag further describes, explains, shares anecdotes, etc. as a form of introduction to teacher/peers
--REPEAT THE PROCESS...
HW
--Complete the "Diagnostic Test" for our vocabulary program to hand in at the beginning of next class block. Do not look up any of the words as you complete the assessment--it is a pre-test meant to diagnose your current knowledge and understanding. The assessment will be scored based on completion, not how you actually perform. Thank you for your cooperation!
