English 10 Honors--9/11/2015

In the Door (1 min.)
--sit in the same desk as last class block (alphabetical order)--your name cards are out to help you get situated
--attendance

Jump Off (10-15 mins.)
--concept of the Jump Off explained again as a reminder (if necessary)

• Turn in your signed sheet/slip by placing it in the black basket on the front table.
• Pick up a copy of the "Day 1 Review - You betcha vs. Nah, not so much" sheet from the front table.  Complete the task at hand quietly and independently--this is your assessment.  Good luck!
• When you finish with the assessment, turn the paper over and keep it on your desk.  Then, jot down in pen or pencil band names/song titles for Pandora-purposes on the back of the index card on which is written your name.

--HW policy reminder (if necessary)
*WHILE STUDENTS WORK, HW CHECKED--INITIALS LISTED ON BOARD FOR HR DETENTION (IF NECESSARY)

S. the C. (5 mins.)

--agenda/HW
--information about blog as a reminder

Instruction -- Important Information Document (20-25 mins.)
--go over policies in depth via the "Day 1 Review – You betcha vs. Nah, not so much" sheet

Transition (5 mins.)
--pick up an index card from the front table
--follow the directions on PowerPoint for creating commitments and establishing classroom consequences quietly and independently

Discussion – Establishing Our Classroom Environment: Commitments & Rule of the Room/Consequences (25-30 mins.)
--share my commitments and student commitments from posters/students share ideas from index cards--duh, right?!
--share Rule of the Room--potential "breaks" discussed (link to student commitments)
--brainstorm consequences--discuss and make decisions via T-chart

Transition

--If you do not already have a copy of the document, pick up the "Thematic Writing Assignment--Partner Interviews" assignment sheet from the front table.  Though we will not deliberately go over this document today, I want to get you a copy of it sooner rather than later so that you can be proactive!
--Take out any notes that you have about your partner as we will add to said notes during the next segment of today's class block.

Teambuilder/Research/Writing Workshop -- Thematic Essay Writing Assignment--Partner Interviews/Research  (time permitting)
--brief reminder of writing assignment's purpose given
--paragraph from a sample essay from the past shared 
--Transition--get in pairs (and one group of three) formed last class
--in partnerships/group, conduct interviews/take notes:

• FYI: YOU MUST INCLUDE A DIRECT QUOTATION FROM YOUR PARTNER IN YOUR ESSAY!

HW (Class Preparation)
--Complete the "Artifact Bag" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class next time (Tuesday, 9/15).  I am looking forward to taking "breaks in the action" the next few weeks in order to use these bags for teambuilding!
--Continue getting in touch with your writing assignment partner and engaging in the "research" process.  The more intriguing information you have gathered about your partner by the middle of next week, the better!   Expect to "officially" begin the writing process in class soon!
--Continue working with your "English 10 Honors--Literature and Nonfiction Terms/Concepts" as directed.
--Prepare for the following ASSESSMENTS:

• mastery of terms/concepts ("English 10 Honors--Literature and Nonfiction Terms/Concepts" document) near the end of next week (9/17) 

Miscellaneous
--Make sure to SEE ME if you have any questions about anything from today's class!

English 9--9/10/2015

In the Door (1 min.)
--sit in the same desk as last class block (alphabetical order)
--attendance

Jump Off (10-15 mins.)
--concept of the Jump Off explained again as a reminder

• Turn in your signed sheet/slip by placing it in the black basket on the front table.
• Pick up a copy of the "Day 1 Review - You betcha vs. Nah, not so much" sheet from the front table.  Complete the task at hand quietly and independently--this is your assessment.  Good luck!

--HW policy reminder
*WHILE STUDENTS WORK, HW CHECKED--INITIALS LISTED ON BOARD FOR HR DETENTION (IF NECESSARY)

S. the C. (5 mins.)
--agenda/HW (Class Preparation)
--information about blog as a reminder

Instruction -- Important Information Document (25-30 mins.)
--go over policies in depth via the "Day 1 Review – You betcha vs. Nah, not so much" sheet

Transition (2 mins.)
--Pick up two lined index cards from the front table.

Looking Ahead -- Establishing Our Classroom Environment: Commitments & Rule of the Room/Consequences (5 mins.)

--Follow the directions on PowerPoint for creating commitments and establishing classroom consequences quietly and independently.  The brainstorming you do today will be used next class in order to engage in discussion and make some important decisions.

Transition (1 min.)
--When finished, place your index card on the front table and pick up the "English 9--Article of the Week #1 (9/7-9/11)--2015-2016 School Year" document that we did not get to last class.

Literacy Activity -- Article of the Week (20-25 mins.)
--share rationale behind the Article of the Week (PowerPoint)
--purposeful oral reading of Article of the Week #1 (LZ Granderson's "We Need Year-Round School to Compete Globally") in order to answer the following closure question:

• What is LZ Granderson's main claim?  In other words, what is the author of the text ultimately trying to argue?

--Closure--Ticket-Out-the-Door

• Write your name at the top of the lined side of your second index card.  Then, answer the italicized question above in one-two complete sentences.  Good luck!
• As soon as you have completed your best work, submit it to me at the front table along with your Article of the Week document, which we will continue working with in the future.

HW Time (remainder of class)
--set parameters for work time
--work on your "Letter to Mr. Martin" assignment

HW (Class Preparation)
--Complete the "Artifact Bag" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class next time (Monday, 9/14).  I am looking forward to taking "breaks in the action" the next few weeks in order to use these bags for teambuilding!
HW (Take-Home Assessment)
--Complete the "Letter to Mr. Martin" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class on Monday, 9/14.  Make sure to do your best work!
Miscellaneous
--Make sure to SEE ME if you have any questions about anything from today's class!
--Remember that my classroom is available until 3:30ish each day if you would like to stay after and work on homework!

English 10 Honors--9/9/2015

In the Door  (2 mins.)
--sit at desk with HW pass and index card
--attendance
--purpose of HW pass

Jump Off  (8 mins.)
--concept of the Jump Off explained (an in-the-door protocol we'll follow each class day this year)
--write down five interview questions on index card--I will provide a few examples and share the writing prompt toward which today's interviews are building

Anticipatory Set  (8-10 mins.)
--welcome/broad course overview:

• Reading Like a Champ
• Literature
• Nonfiction 
• Writing Like a Champ
• The Human Element

--agenda/HW
--information about blog

Activity #1 -- Teacher Introduction/Teambuilding (15-20 mins.)
--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?!
--I further describe, explain, share anecdotes, etc. as a form of introduction (also referring to the "Who is Mr. Martin?" bulletin board)
--Transition--pick up a paper bag and the "Artifact Bag" sheet from the front table
--purposeful oral reading of assignment sheet
--Q & A

Activity #2 -- Partner Interviews/Research  (30-35 mins.)
--form pairs by drawing cards
--in partnerships, conduct interviews/take notes (10 mins.)
--Transition -- form two lines (partners facing partners)--shift the line
--in new partnerships, conduct interviews/take notes (10 mins.)
--REPEAT PREVIOUS THREE STEPS ONE MORE TIME

Transition -- HW materials up/directions given (3 mins.)

• Letter
• "Important Information" document
• "English 10 Honors--Literature and Nonfiction Terms/Concepts" document

HW Time -- Mr. Martin's "Important Information" Document  (remainder of class time)
--engage in purposeful reading of document in preparation for assessment next class

HW (Class Preparation)
--Complete the "Artifact Bag" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 9/15.  I am looking forward to taking "breaks in the action" the next few weeks in order to use these bags for teambuilding!
--Get in touch with the first partner you worked with during class today and continue engaging in the "research" process.  The more intriguing information you have gathered about your partner by the middle of next week, the better!
--Purposefully read the "Important Information" document and bring the necessary materials to next class.  Have your parent(s)/guardian(s) review the letter and the document. Bring the signature slip to next class to turn in for a 100% homework grade.
--Begin/continue working with your "English 10 Honors--Literature and Nonfiction Terms/Concepts" as directed.
--Prepare for the following ASSESSMENTS:

• mastery of the policies ("Important Information" document) next class (9/11)
• mastery of terms/concepts ("English 10 Honors--Literature and Nonfiction Terms/Concepts" document) at the end of next week (9/17) 

Miscellaneous
--Make sure to SEE ME if you have any questions about anything from today's class!

English 9--9/8/2015

In the Door (3 mins.)
--sit at desk with HW pass/index cards/marker
--attendance
--purpose of HW pass

Jump Off (3 mins.)
--concept of the Jump Off explained (an in-the-door protocol we'll follow each class day this year)
--write name neatly on index card using marker--jot down group/band names and song titles on the back using pen or pencil
--pick a student to collect

Anticipatory Set (5 mins.)
--welcome
--agenda/HW (Class Preparation)
--information about blog

Activity #1 -- Teacher Introduction/Teambuilding (15-20 mins.)
--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?!
--I further describe, explain, share anecdotes, etc. as a form of introduction (also referring to the "Who is Mr. Martin?" bulletin board)
--Transition--pick up a paper bag, the "Artifact Bag" sheet, and the "Letter to Mr. Martin" sheet from the front table
--purposeful oral reading of assignment sheets:

• Purpose: You should know exactly what to do between now and Monday, 9/14 (two classes from now) in order to succeed on your first two official assignments of English 9
• How can you attend to this purpose before, during, and after the upcoming oral reading block?

--Q & A

Activity #2 -- Take a Stand/Article of the Week (35-40 mins.)
--explanation of the protocol for Take a Stand (a quick activity we'll likely use often this school year):

• Momentarily, I will make a debatable statement:
• If you agree with the statement, STAND UP next to your desk.
• If you strongly agree with the statement, STAND ON your desk chair.
• If you disagree with the statement, STAY SEATED in your desk chair.
• If you strongly disagree with the statement, SIT ON THE FLOOR next to your desk.

--My claim: Year-round schooling should be mandated by the government.  In other words, we should no longer have summers off.
--show your position
--cold-calling--students randomly selected to briefly explain their stance (no more than three sentences)
--Transition--pick up the "English 9--Article of the Week #1 (9/7-9/11)--2015-2016 School Year" document from the front table
--share rationale behind the Article of the Week (PowerPoint)
--purposeful oral reading of Article of the Week #1 (LZ Granderson's "We Need Year-Round School to Compete Globally") in order to answer the following closure question:

• What is LZ Granderson's main claim?  In other words, what is the author of the text ultimately trying to argue?

--Closure--Ticket-Out-the-Door

• Write your name at the top of the lined side of your second index card.  Then, answer the italicized question above in one-two complete sentences.  Good luck!

Transition (1 min.)
--As soon as you have completed your best work, submit it to me at the front table along with your Article of the Week document, which we will continue working with in the future.
--While you are up at the front table, pick up the necessary HW materials:

• Letter
• "Important Information" document

HW Time (remainder of class)
--set parameters for work time
--work on purposefully reading the "Important Information" document

HW (Class Preparation)
--Complete the "Artifact Bag" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class on Monday, 9/14.  I am looking forward to taking "breaks in the action" the next few weeks in order to use these bags for teambuilding!
--Purposefully read the "Important Information" document and bring the necessary materials to next class. Have your parent(s)/guardian(s) review the letter and the "Important Information" document.  Bring the signature slip to turn in at the beginning of next class for a 100% Class Preparation grade.
--Be ready for an ASSESSMENT next class about the "Important Information" document.
HW (Take-Home Assessment)
--Complete the "Letter to Mr. Martin" assignment as directed to turn in at the beginning of class on Monday, 9/14.  Make sure to do your best work!
Miscellaneous
--Make sure to SEE ME if you have any questions about anything from today's class!