Homework:
Notebook quiz Friday
Today:
No daily drill
We spent the whole period listening to presentations.
I will hand out grade slips tomorrow to give students a little idea of how they have been performing. I have very few grades. However, some students will see that the few things they haven't done are affecting their grades! Most look good, though.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
September 18, 2007
Homework:
Be prepared for the oral presentation
Today:
Buzzword
Today was the first day of presentations. Today is when students finally learn what my expectations are for their reading. All the talking in the world beforehand does not prepare them for exactly what I am looking for when they get in front of the class. Therefore, on the first day of presentations, the first few students are the guinea pigs. After each of the first few readings, I go into detail explaining why I gave the grade I gave. This can be hard for students to hear, but each time I explain a score to the class, I am teaching. The students who follow these students have the advantage of taking more time to make their readings exactly what I want. They also are at a disadvantage because I will have heard lots of great readings! Today's guinea pigs, though, are allowed to revise their essays based on the feedback I provided. In the end, if a student revises a paper and makes it better based on my feedback to others, I have done my job! We will listening to presentations most of the week. I will eventually make a web page so you can listen to your child.
P.S. I have some students who were not prepared to read. They will be graded two grades lower for being late. That is my policy.
Be prepared for the oral presentation
Today:
Buzzword
Today was the first day of presentations. Today is when students finally learn what my expectations are for their reading. All the talking in the world beforehand does not prepare them for exactly what I am looking for when they get in front of the class. Therefore, on the first day of presentations, the first few students are the guinea pigs. After each of the first few readings, I go into detail explaining why I gave the grade I gave. This can be hard for students to hear, but each time I explain a score to the class, I am teaching. The students who follow these students have the advantage of taking more time to make their readings exactly what I want. They also are at a disadvantage because I will have heard lots of great readings! Today's guinea pigs, though, are allowed to revise their essays based on the feedback I provided. In the end, if a student revises a paper and makes it better based on my feedback to others, I have done my job! We will listening to presentations most of the week. I will eventually make a web page so you can listen to your child.
P.S. I have some students who were not prepared to read. They will be graded two grades lower for being late. That is my policy.
Monday, September 17, 2007
September 17, 2007
Homework:
1. Presentation essay due tomorrow
Students should be ready to read an organized essay. I explained that the essay should have a handshake and a thesis. The essay should be organized and focused on defining who they are. Those are the two main ways they will be graded. I will also expect the essay to be at least a certain length. Their readings will be recorded, and the recordings will be posted on a web page eventually! This way, you will be able download the recording and hear your child.
2. Notebook Quiz Friday on notes from 9/4 - 9/18
All the required notes are in this document.
Today:
DOL
Review the calendar for the week
Examine a good introduction which contains a handshake and thesis
Look at three ways to write handshakes:
1. Use questions
2. Use a quote
3. Use and interesting fact or statistic
Practice by using one of the new techniques for their own paper
1. Presentation essay due tomorrow
Students should be ready to read an organized essay. I explained that the essay should have a handshake and a thesis. The essay should be organized and focused on defining who they are. Those are the two main ways they will be graded. I will also expect the essay to be at least a certain length. Their readings will be recorded, and the recordings will be posted on a web page eventually! This way, you will be able download the recording and hear your child.
2. Notebook Quiz Friday on notes from 9/4 - 9/18
All the required notes are in this document.
Today:
DOL
Review the calendar for the week
Examine a good introduction which contains a handshake and thesis
Look at three ways to write handshakes:
1. Use questions
2. Use a quote
3. Use and interesting fact or statistic
Practice by using one of the new techniques for their own paper
Friday, September 14, 2007
September 14, 2007
Homework:
Rough essay due Monday
Sections 1 and 2: some students need to improve their collages
Today:
Buzzword
I was out yesterday for the Jewish New Year. The students were supposed to think about how they would organize their essays. Some classes worked harder than others, so I spent today making sure the students have an idea of what to write about.
I had the students trade their collages with someone else. I took the students few some steps so they could explain what they thought their partner was trying to say about him/herself. If the goal of the collage was to show how they define themselves, well, how did someone else see them? If it was not what they thought, maybe they need to think about what they will say on Monday.
I showed some classes how they could group what they would say in the essay. Here are a few suggestions: (1) Family, Friends, Hobbies; (2) things I do, places I go, TV shows I watch; and (3) I define myself as fun, fun, and more fun. Students were to come up with their own.
I also began the discussion on handshakes for the intro paragraph. We will discuss introductions all year long. I will listen to their introductions more on Monday.
Rough essay due Monday
Sections 1 and 2: some students need to improve their collages
Today:
Buzzword
I was out yesterday for the Jewish New Year. The students were supposed to think about how they would organize their essays. Some classes worked harder than others, so I spent today making sure the students have an idea of what to write about.
I had the students trade their collages with someone else. I took the students few some steps so they could explain what they thought their partner was trying to say about him/herself. If the goal of the collage was to show how they define themselves, well, how did someone else see them? If it was not what they thought, maybe they need to think about what they will say on Monday.
I showed some classes how they could group what they would say in the essay. Here are a few suggestions: (1) Family, Friends, Hobbies; (2) things I do, places I go, TV shows I watch; and (3) I define myself as fun, fun, and more fun. Students were to come up with their own.
I also began the discussion on handshakes for the intro paragraph. We will discuss introductions all year long. I will listen to their introductions more on Monday.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 12, 2007
Homework:
Collage due Friday
Written presentation due Monday
Today:
Buzzword
Today, we finished examining "Fabulous" and how Sharpay defines herself by her material things and her popularity. I also showed them the video "Material Girl" by Madonna. In the video, the material girl is the woman wooed by lots of men. She gets everything she wants, but she does not get one man. The actress (a character in the video) who plays the material girl has a boyfriend who gives her lots of stuff, but she does not like it. In the end, the actress ends up with a man who gives her simple flowers and drives a simple truck. The video juxtaposes the material girl on stage getting stuff with what love should really look like.
I then pointed the students towards what they should be writing about for their presentation. I keep telling them to do the collage first. This way, by looking at what they made, they can better organize how they want to present themselves to us. The topic of how we define ourselves is deep. In some classes, I discussed that there is who we actually are, what we think we are, and how we want to be seen by others. We present ourselves to varying degrees in all three ways. Ultimately, during the presentation to the class, the students, like Sharpay, will present how they want to be seen. Of course. That is what I do as well in my class. I am not going to reveal all of myself, and neither does Sharpay as we learn later in the movie.
Collage due Friday
Written presentation due Monday
Today:
Buzzword
Today, we finished examining "Fabulous" and how Sharpay defines herself by her material things and her popularity. I also showed them the video "Material Girl" by Madonna. In the video, the material girl is the woman wooed by lots of men. She gets everything she wants, but she does not get one man. The actress (a character in the video) who plays the material girl has a boyfriend who gives her lots of stuff, but she does not like it. In the end, the actress ends up with a man who gives her simple flowers and drives a simple truck. The video juxtaposes the material girl on stage getting stuff with what love should really look like.
I then pointed the students towards what they should be writing about for their presentation. I keep telling them to do the collage first. This way, by looking at what they made, they can better organize how they want to present themselves to us. The topic of how we define ourselves is deep. In some classes, I discussed that there is who we actually are, what we think we are, and how we want to be seen by others. We present ourselves to varying degrees in all three ways. Ultimately, during the presentation to the class, the students, like Sharpay, will present how they want to be seen. Of course. That is what I do as well in my class. I am not going to reveal all of myself, and neither does Sharpay as we learn later in the movie.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
September 11, 2007
Homework:
Collage is due Friday
I changed the presentation date to at least Monday. (I was over ambitious.)
The worksheet we did in class today needs to be finished for tomorrow.
Today:
We discussed popularity and materialism.
If you look at the assignment page on MrBoZ.com, you can see the lyrics of the two songs we studied.
Sorry this blog is not detailed. I ran out of time after school and had to post this at 8:00 P.M.
Collage is due Friday
I changed the presentation date to at least Monday. (I was over ambitious.)
The worksheet we did in class today needs to be finished for tomorrow.
Today:
We discussed popularity and materialism.
If you look at the assignment page on MrBoZ.com, you can see the lyrics of the two songs we studied.
Sorry this blog is not detailed. I ran out of time after school and had to post this at 8:00 P.M.
Monday, September 10, 2007
September 10, 2007
Homework:
Collage and short essay about yourself due Friday
Bring Vocab money if you have not done so already
Today:
We began the next writing piece by studying Sharpay's song "Fabulous" in High School Musical 2. Since Sharpay is central to the whole movie, this song establishes her character. Through the lyrics, the singing and dancing, and the colors used throughout the scene, we get a good picture of what she thinks of herself and what she values. I wanted the students to think about how they would present themselves. Would you show who you are, or would you present yourself as how you want to be seen? Is Sharpay what she sings about, or is she showing us how she wants us to think about her?
The next writing topic is up on MrBoZ.com. I will discuss the requirements with the students tomorrow.
Collage and short essay about yourself due Friday
Bring Vocab money if you have not done so already
Today:
We began the next writing piece by studying Sharpay's song "Fabulous" in High School Musical 2. Since Sharpay is central to the whole movie, this song establishes her character. Through the lyrics, the singing and dancing, and the colors used throughout the scene, we get a good picture of what she thinks of herself and what she values. I wanted the students to think about how they would present themselves. Would you show who you are, or would you present yourself as how you want to be seen? Is Sharpay what she sings about, or is she showing us how she wants us to think about her?
The next writing topic is up on MrBoZ.com. I will discuss the requirements with the students tomorrow.
Friday, September 07, 2007
September 7, 2007
Homework:
Bring in vocab book money. $8.50
Today:
DOL
Lesson on introductions
Some students read their essays to the class.
Today I taught the first lesson on introductions. I think of the intro as trying to get someone to jump off of a high dive into the pool. From that high up, the jump is scary. It's the same way I feel when I look at a four-page essay! I am not so sure what to expect! However, a nice "handshake" will ease me out the board, and a clear thesis will tell me what to expect. If the intro makes me interested, I am ready to read the paper. If the intro is bad, I am reluctant to read the paper. There will be many more lessons on introductions.
On Monday, we will be starting our next piece. I will begin reading the summer essays next week.
Bring in vocab book money. $8.50
Today:
DOL
Lesson on introductions
Some students read their essays to the class.
Today I taught the first lesson on introductions. I think of the intro as trying to get someone to jump off of a high dive into the pool. From that high up, the jump is scary. It's the same way I feel when I look at a four-page essay! I am not so sure what to expect! However, a nice "handshake" will ease me out the board, and a clear thesis will tell me what to expect. If the intro makes me interested, I am ready to read the paper. If the intro is bad, I am reluctant to read the paper. There will be many more lessons on introductions.
On Monday, we will be starting our next piece. I will begin reading the summer essays next week.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
September 6, 2007
Homework:
Bring in $8.50 for a vocabulary book.
Today:
Daily Oral Language (DOL)
Students read someone else's essay and made two positive comments.
We discussed the purpose of writing- to communicate ideas clearly.
I had students read some introductions from the essays, and we discussed what a good introduction should do.
I look forward to reading these essays. I will read them just to get an idea of students' strengths and weaknesses. I want to see what I should be focusing on in the coming year. All students received an A for handing the essay in on time. That means all my students have an A in my class so far! (Well, almost all handed it in on time.)
Bring in $8.50 for a vocabulary book.
Today:
Daily Oral Language (DOL)
Students read someone else's essay and made two positive comments.
We discussed the purpose of writing- to communicate ideas clearly.
I had students read some introductions from the essays, and we discussed what a good introduction should do.
I look forward to reading these essays. I will read them just to get an idea of students' strengths and weaknesses. I want to see what I should be focusing on in the coming year. All students received an A for handing the essay in on time. That means all my students have an A in my class so far! (Well, almost all handed it in on time.)
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
September 5, 2007
Homework:
Summer essay is due tomorrow, Thursday.
Today:
1. Daily Oral Language (DOL)
2. I discuss how my essay was going. I read different revisions of my essay to different classes demostrating how reading aloud helps in the revision process. In some classes I discussed how I revised my essay. Sometimes I condensed two paragraphs into one. Other times I had to just rewrite whole sections because it was easier than editing what was there.
3. I gave the students time to work in class.
Important: I told the students that if they do not have the essay tomorrow, the late grade is two grades lower. I will give them a grade for just having an essay to hand in.
Summer essay is due tomorrow, Thursday.
Today:
1. Daily Oral Language (DOL)
2. I discuss how my essay was going. I read different revisions of my essay to different classes demostrating how reading aloud helps in the revision process. In some classes I discussed how I revised my essay. Sometimes I condensed two paragraphs into one. Other times I had to just rewrite whole sections because it was easier than editing what was there.
3. I gave the students time to work in class.
Important: I told the students that if they do not have the essay tomorrow, the late grade is two grades lower. I will give them a grade for just having an essay to hand in.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
September 4, 2007
Homework:
The summer essay is due Thursday.
Today:
We started Daily Oral Language today. In the beginning of class, we do a warm-up activity. I plan to alternate between the Daily Buzzword and DOL. This week we will practice DOL. Basically, if you look at the daily drills sheet from MrBoZ.com, there are two sentences that require corrections. The errors provide a way to review/teach grammar rules.
I sent out a test e-mail to see which ones were incorrect. If you did not receive one, please e-mail me so I have your information.
Also, sorry about not being consistent with blogging last week.
The summer essay is due Thursday.
Today:
We started Daily Oral Language today. In the beginning of class, we do a warm-up activity. I plan to alternate between the Daily Buzzword and DOL. This week we will practice DOL. Basically, if you look at the daily drills sheet from MrBoZ.com, there are two sentences that require corrections. The errors provide a way to review/teach grammar rules.
I sent out a test e-mail to see which ones were incorrect. If you did not receive one, please e-mail me so I have your information.
Also, sorry about not being consistent with blogging last week.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
August 29, 2007
Homework:
The first essay was assigned today. You can see the requirements on the assignment page at MrBoZ.com. The essay must be handed in HAND-WRITTEN.
Today:
Sorry I did not get to post this right after school. I had to leave early. My son starts kindergarten tomorrow, and I had to meet his teacher.
I handed out the assignment page for the essay. Then we discussed a few songs: Beyonce's "Summertime" and the Beach Boy's "All Summer Long" and "Be True to Your School." I used the time today to discuss three questions. How does the song convey the feeling of summer? Why do we enjoy songs about summer? In what ways are the songs reality or fantasy? High School Musical is a throwback to a more innocent time. As we study the musical, I want to explore the era that reveled in innocence. In today's day, HSM stands out as different because it goes against what is cool, because in order to be cool there has to be some rebellion. How cool would it be if the new cool were a rebellion against rebellion!
The first essay was assigned today. You can see the requirements on the assignment page at MrBoZ.com. The essay must be handed in HAND-WRITTEN.
Today:
Sorry I did not get to post this right after school. I had to leave early. My son starts kindergarten tomorrow, and I had to meet his teacher.
I handed out the assignment page for the essay. Then we discussed a few songs: Beyonce's "Summertime" and the Beach Boy's "All Summer Long" and "Be True to Your School." I used the time today to discuss three questions. How does the song convey the feeling of summer? Why do we enjoy songs about summer? In what ways are the songs reality or fantasy? High School Musical is a throwback to a more innocent time. As we study the musical, I want to explore the era that reveled in innocence. In today's day, HSM stands out as different because it goes against what is cool, because in order to be cool there has to be some rebellion. How cool would it be if the new cool were a rebellion against rebellion!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 28, 2007
Homework:
Be sure to get the e-mail addresses and permission slip signed.
Also, please e-mail me because it is easier to add the addresses to my database. (It is also more accurate!)
Today:
We began discussing the first writing assignment. As of now, the topic will be summer. I will post an assignment page on MrBoZ.com soon. We listened to "What Time Is It?" from High School Musical and "Summertime" by Will Smith to get us thinking about summer. In the first song, the students were looking forward to the promise of summer. In Will Smith's song, he is looking back nostalgically to the summers when he was young. He was defining what summer meant to him when he was young. I plan to listen to a song by Beyonce and two songs from the Beach Boys. More details will be up tomorrow.
Be sure to get the e-mail addresses and permission slip signed.
Also, please e-mail me because it is easier to add the addresses to my database. (It is also more accurate!)
Today:
We began discussing the first writing assignment. As of now, the topic will be summer. I will post an assignment page on MrBoZ.com soon. We listened to "What Time Is It?" from High School Musical and "Summertime" by Will Smith to get us thinking about summer. In the first song, the students were looking forward to the promise of summer. In Will Smith's song, he is looking back nostalgically to the summers when he was young. He was defining what summer meant to him when he was young. I plan to listen to a song by Beyonce and two songs from the Beach Boys. More details will be up tomorrow.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
May 31, 2007
Homework:
None
Today:
We took the vocab final.
I sent a grade update out by e-mail. The grades are pretty much done. A few students have to finish the final.
Monday, the students will be working on Unit 15 in the vocab book. I will be on a school trip, so I will have a sub.
None
Today:
We took the vocab final.
I sent a grade update out by e-mail. The grades are pretty much done. A few students have to finish the final.
Monday, the students will be working on Unit 15 in the vocab book. I will be on a school trip, so I will have a sub.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
May 30, 2007
Homework:
Vocab final on units 1-14 Thursday
Today:
We took the quiz on Unit 14.
After the quiz, I had the students do the Final Master Test in the book as practice for the quiz. (It was like pulling teeth to get them to work!)
Vocab final on units 1-14 Thursday
Today:
We took the quiz on Unit 14.
After the quiz, I had the students do the Final Master Test in the book as practice for the quiz. (It was like pulling teeth to get them to work!)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
May 29, 2007
Homework:
Quiz Unit 14 Wednesday (tomorrow)
Review for the final on Thursday
Today:
I will just be focusing on the vocab book this week. The writing assignments are wrapped up for the year. All we have left are two quizzes: unit 14 and the final. Today we reviewed unit 14. Tomorrow we will be reviewing for the final. At some point we will complete unit 15 in the vocab book. That's it.
Quiz Unit 14 Wednesday (tomorrow)
Review for the final on Thursday
Today:
I will just be focusing on the vocab book this week. The writing assignments are wrapped up for the year. All we have left are two quizzes: unit 14 and the final. Today we reviewed unit 14. Tomorrow we will be reviewing for the final. At some point we will complete unit 15 in the vocab book. That's it.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
May 24, 2007
Homework:
Be ready for the Buzzword quiz on words from 5/7 - 5/23
The students can get the missing words from the archive.
Today:
I handed out grade slips. They do not have to be signed.
We had quite the discussion today. I don't know how much your child talks about what we do in my class, but today we discussed the results of the voting for the best TV ad. The background to the story is that a student in one of the classes is Asian and very serious. As you well know, students can be cruel, and they pick on him. In his TV ad, his group was advertising the lights for a party scene. I asked him to dance a little to make the video more lively. As you can guess, the kids thought this was a scream. I did not fully comprehend the impact this recording was having on the student until he won the vote for the best TV ad. He was so embarrassed.
It was when I heard students joking about this in the hall that I realized this had gone too far. The students did not vote for him because his ad was good. It wasn't. That was obvious to the kids. What the students did by voting him as the winner was ridicule him. I explained that they had the power with their votes to recognize a group for their hard word in producing a good ad. Instead, the students wasted their vote by making this student the winner. They thought that since it was so stupid and made them laugh that that was a good thing. So they voted for him.
This reminded me of William Hung from American Idol. We read paragraphs from his entry at Wikipedia. We explored why William Hung became so famous. It was because people could make fun of him. But it wasn't just that he was a bad singer. William Hung is Chinese, and if you read the entry on him, what bothers commentators about the phenomenon is that people laughed at him because he embodied the qualities of the stereotypical Chinese person. People used him as the fool and made money.
After reading about William Hung, I asked the students again why they thought the student's video was so funny. In general, they got the point. Not every student voted for this child, and I am sure there were plenty of students who thought laughing at him was wrong. However, in the class he was in, we did have a friendly laugh. It was funny because, in that class, we care about each other and appreciate each other. It's like watching family be silly. But what I saw happening over the course of the day was not fun. I saw children being mean to a fellow classmate, and we needed to discuss it.
I did not include this student in the re-vote. I only included videos that were worthy. "With great power comes great responsibility." The students did not act responsibly. They acted like kids. Therefore, I thought it was time to teach them how they should be acting.
Be ready for the Buzzword quiz on words from 5/7 - 5/23
The students can get the missing words from the archive.
Today:
I handed out grade slips. They do not have to be signed.
We had quite the discussion today. I don't know how much your child talks about what we do in my class, but today we discussed the results of the voting for the best TV ad. The background to the story is that a student in one of the classes is Asian and very serious. As you well know, students can be cruel, and they pick on him. In his TV ad, his group was advertising the lights for a party scene. I asked him to dance a little to make the video more lively. As you can guess, the kids thought this was a scream. I did not fully comprehend the impact this recording was having on the student until he won the vote for the best TV ad. He was so embarrassed.
It was when I heard students joking about this in the hall that I realized this had gone too far. The students did not vote for him because his ad was good. It wasn't. That was obvious to the kids. What the students did by voting him as the winner was ridicule him. I explained that they had the power with their votes to recognize a group for their hard word in producing a good ad. Instead, the students wasted their vote by making this student the winner. They thought that since it was so stupid and made them laugh that that was a good thing. So they voted for him.
This reminded me of William Hung from American Idol. We read paragraphs from his entry at Wikipedia. We explored why William Hung became so famous. It was because people could make fun of him. But it wasn't just that he was a bad singer. William Hung is Chinese, and if you read the entry on him, what bothers commentators about the phenomenon is that people laughed at him because he embodied the qualities of the stereotypical Chinese person. People used him as the fool and made money.
After reading about William Hung, I asked the students again why they thought the student's video was so funny. In general, they got the point. Not every student voted for this child, and I am sure there were plenty of students who thought laughing at him was wrong. However, in the class he was in, we did have a friendly laugh. It was funny because, in that class, we care about each other and appreciate each other. It's like watching family be silly. But what I saw happening over the course of the day was not fun. I saw children being mean to a fellow classmate, and we needed to discuss it.
I did not include this student in the re-vote. I only included videos that were worthy. "With great power comes great responsibility." The students did not act responsibly. They acted like kids. Therefore, I thought it was time to teach them how they should be acting.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
May 23, 2007
Homework:
Choosing the right word unit 14
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed vocab homework
Voted on the best TV ad from all classes
FYI: I will be handing out a grade slip Thursday.
Choosing the right word unit 14
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed vocab homework
Voted on the best TV ad from all classes
FYI: I will be handing out a grade slip Thursday.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
May 22, 2007
Homework:
Pictionaries 11-20 and Synonyms unit 14
Today:
We began scoring their TV ads.
We will begin watching all the ads from the other classes so we can vote on the best ad from all classes.
Pictionaries 11-20 and Synonyms unit 14
Today:
We began scoring their TV ads.
We will begin watching all the ads from the other classes so we can vote on the best ad from all classes.
Monday, May 21, 2007
May 21, 2007
Homework:
Pictionaries 1-10 unit 14
Today:
Buzzword
Listened to words 1-10 unit 14
Finished up recording any remaining commercials.
Reviewed the upcoming calendar.
**This is interesting. My hard drive is dying on my laptop, which is my life in this class! So, I cannot guarantee that the website will be as up to date as I would like. I can still do grades and this blog, though. And I will be showing the students the TV ads they made so they can vote on which ad is best out of all the classes. Oh well. These things happen. Remember: back up your information! I always do, so this is no more than a delay while the new drive is put in.
Pictionaries 1-10 unit 14
Today:
Buzzword
Listened to words 1-10 unit 14
Finished up recording any remaining commercials.
Reviewed the upcoming calendar.
**This is interesting. My hard drive is dying on my laptop, which is my life in this class! So, I cannot guarantee that the website will be as up to date as I would like. I can still do grades and this blog, though. And I will be showing the students the TV ads they made so they can vote on which ad is best out of all the classes. Oh well. These things happen. Remember: back up your information! I always do, so this is no more than a delay while the new drive is put in.
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