Monday, August 22, 2016

English 9--9/6/2016 & 9/7/2016

In the Door (3 mins.)
--sit at desk with Classroom Coupon/index card/marker
--attendance
--purpose of Classroom Coupon

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
--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/PowerPoint)
--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:
  • PurposeYou should know exactly what to do between now and Monday, 9/12 (ACE classes)/Tuesday, 9/13 (BDF classes) (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.)
--Has anyone been paying attention to the news/current events/pop culture this summer?  If so, what has struck you?
  • briefly engage in discussion--I will share/clarify as necessary
--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 1st claim:  Team U.S.A. swimmer Ryan Lochte should be stripped of the medals he won at the recent Rio Olympics due to his inappropriate behavior and the false claims that he made.
  • show your position
  • cold-calling--students randomly selected to briefly explain their stance (no more than three sentences)
--My 2nd claim:  Pokemon Go should be banned in the United States.
  • show your position
  • cold-calling--students randomly selected to briefly explain their stance (no more than three sentences)
--My 3rd claim:  The band Twenty One Pilots has "sold out" and is now creating uninspired music simply to get more airplay and sell more albums.
  • show your position
  • cold-calling--students randomly selected to briefly explain their stance (no more than three sentences)
--Transition
  • Pick up one of the following choices for "English 9--Article of the Week #1 (9/5-9/9)--2016-2017 School Year":
    • Choice A: "USA Today Sports Investigation Raises Questions About Rio Cops, Lochte Incident"
    • Choice B: "Augmented Reality Games Like Pokemon Go Need a Code of Ethics--Now"
    • Choice C: "Review: Twenty One Pilots--Blurryface"
--share rationale behind the Article of the Week (PowerPoint)
--purposeful oral reading of the directions in the box at the top of the first page for Article of the Week #1 (same directions regardless of article)
  • PurposeYou should know exactly what to do while independently reading both today and in the future with regard to this assignment.
    • How can you attend to this purpose before, during, and after the upcoming oral reading block?
--Q & A
--independent reading of Article of the Week #1 (5 mins. maximum)

Transition (1 min.)
--As soon as the independent reading block ends, turn in your Article of the Week #1 document to me at the front table; we will continue working with this document 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, 9/12 (ACE classes)/Tuesday, 9/13 (BDF classes).  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, 9/12 (ACE classes)/Tuesday, 9/13 (BDF classes).  Make sure to do your best work!
Miscellaneous
--Make sure to SEE ME if you have any questions about anything from today's class.  Though I know it might be a little intimidating or seem "weird," you need to get used to advocating for yourself and become comfortable working with me and your other teachers ASAP! :)

Monday, August 15, 2016

Rough Notes--Planning for School Year 2016-2017

--preview the idea of slant and bias and the importance of awareness of from where information is coming--with each Article of the Week, provide a quick blurb about the source
--use a variety of argumentative pieces as choices for first Article of the Week after first making some claims about the end of summer, pop culture, and opinions:
  • Pokemon Go--something about how "ridiculous" it is?
    • http://www.wired.com/2016/08/ethics-ar-pokemon-go/
  • Ryan Lochte--something about how he is a liar, entitled, immature, and giving the United States a bad name?
    • http://www.forbes.com/sites/shannonsims/2016/08/18/the-case-for-ryan-lochte/#38e395132634
      • Information about Forbes:
  • TwentyOnePilots--something about how the band has "sold out"?
    • http://underthegunreview.net/2015/05/14/review-twenty-one-pilots-blurryface/
--use Kelly Gallagher's "Nerd Alert: Reading is Good for Your Health" article as an Article of the Week prior to informing students about Free Reading Course Component (add to sheet created by GB and modified by me accordingly)
--check this out: http://argumentcenterededucation.com/