I collected the essays in class. We continued the debates. Two classes are finished. One class is almost finished. The two honors classes, because they are so large, have about 5 more debates to go. We will have to finish them after the break.
After the break we will begin a new essay. I think it will be a compare contrast essay. The topic will not need to be studied so much, so we will have time for sentence diagramming... for real this time. We will have time to work the whole period, not just the little daily drill time. I mentioned the essay topic in an earlier blog. I THINK it might be something comparing what goals parents have for their children and how the children think they are measuring up to those goals, or something like that.
I will grade the ant debate essays after the break. They will be quicker to grade because I will just score them based on the lessons I have been teaching about organizing persuasive essays.
Have a nice break (students). I will not be blogging over the break. If you have a real desire to know what I am up to, you can check out my mobile blog: http://mrbozmobile.blogspot.com/ . I post pictures from my cell phone.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
December 19, 2006
Homework: pages 80-83 in the vocab book
Quiz on units 4-6 tomorrow
Ant essay due Thursday
Vacation has not started yet! The debates are rolling along now. The first ones are so hard, but now that we have scored a few, it is getting quicker. The idea behind having the debates it to see the strategies needed to effectively persuade. When they are in front of the class, they see how strong (or weak) their arguments are, especially when they see their scores. My hope is they will use that experience to strengthen their essays. There is so much that could be used in the essays. Unfortunately, too many students are only using a fraction of what was discussed.
Quiz on units 4-6 tomorrow
Ant essay due Thursday
Vacation has not started yet! The debates are rolling along now. The first ones are so hard, but now that we have scored a few, it is getting quicker. The idea behind having the debates it to see the strategies needed to effectively persuade. When they are in front of the class, they see how strong (or weak) their arguments are, especially when they see their scores. My hope is they will use that experience to strengthen their essays. There is so much that could be used in the essays. Unfortunately, too many students are only using a fraction of what was discussed.
Monday, December 18, 2006
December 18, 2006
Homework: Pages 78 and 79 in vocab
Be ready for the debate (which too many are not!)
Have the essay written by Thursday
I had too many students not ready for the debates! Even when we have had three weeks to prepare, too many students are standing in front of the class like they have no idea what to talk about. I am disappointed.
The essay has a format that I am asking them to follow. It is the standard format for a persuasive essay:
p1 Introduction
p2 Discuss your position fully
p3 Discuss the opponent's position
p4 Rebut the opponent's position point by point
p5 Maybe have a final strong paragraph
p6 Conclusion
The essay should have some passion to it, unlike too many of the debates.
(I am just frustrated. Oh, well. It is their grade.)
Be ready for the debate (which too many are not!)
Have the essay written by Thursday
I had too many students not ready for the debates! Even when we have had three weeks to prepare, too many students are standing in front of the class like they have no idea what to talk about. I am disappointed.
The essay has a format that I am asking them to follow. It is the standard format for a persuasive essay:
p1 Introduction
p2 Discuss your position fully
p3 Discuss the opponent's position
p4 Rebut the opponent's position point by point
p5 Maybe have a final strong paragraph
p6 Conclusion
The essay should have some passion to it, unlike too many of the debates.
(I am just frustrated. Oh, well. It is their grade.)
Friday, December 15, 2006
December 15, 2006
The debates are in full swing! Some are amusing, while others are disappointing. I can't emphasize this enough: be prepared! I suggest students deliver their presentation to someone beforehand. When they are ready to present should NOT be the first time they have spoken their research to someone! If you are interested, here are some things to consider about the scoring:
You get extra points for a proper introduction. (5 points total)
You should have four main reasons for your side with two explanations each. (12 points minimum)
You get two points for each rebuttal. If the other side said four points, that is 8 points.
There is another round for rebuttals (maybe 6 more points)
A good conclusion that incorporates the opponent's weaknesses gets 5 points
Visuals can give you three points
Eye contact can give you five points.
Here are the grades:
30 = A
20 = B
15 = C
14 + 13 = C-
How could one even get a D?
If you look above at the way they get points, it is hard to see how a student could not get an A! Only the winner gets the A, though. The winner gets 5 points for winning. That can push the grade up to the next grade.
You get extra points for a proper introduction. (5 points total)
You should have four main reasons for your side with two explanations each. (12 points minimum)
You get two points for each rebuttal. If the other side said four points, that is 8 points.
There is another round for rebuttals (maybe 6 more points)
A good conclusion that incorporates the opponent's weaknesses gets 5 points
Visuals can give you three points
Eye contact can give you five points.
Here are the grades:
30 = A
20 = B
15 = C
14 + 13 = C-
How could one even get a D?
If you look above at the way they get points, it is hard to see how a student could not get an A! Only the winner gets the A, though. The winner gets 5 points for winning. That can push the grade up to the next grade.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
December 13, 2006
Sorry I did not blog yesterday. I guess I forgot.
Homework: pages 76 and 77 in the vocab book
I assigned an outline for the essay in sections 3,6,7
They should be working on their debate presentations and essays
By tomorrow, all classes will be in full swing with the debates. They are fascinating to see, really. Some students are good at presenting their position. Others come up unprepared. Still others don't really turn it on until the rebuttals. But when the class gives me the results, we see who won.
The debates teach the students lessons for writing. I stress good introductions and conclusions. Debate after debate forces the students to observe good organization and bad. They also evaluate the effectiveness of the supports given. It is like every student gets to be the teacher; they give the scores for the debates. For all the time this takes, I think the lessons learned are great. Look for the winners and losers off of the ant debate page on MrBoZ.com.
Homework: pages 76 and 77 in the vocab book
I assigned an outline for the essay in sections 3,6,7
They should be working on their debate presentations and essays
By tomorrow, all classes will be in full swing with the debates. They are fascinating to see, really. Some students are good at presenting their position. Others come up unprepared. Still others don't really turn it on until the rebuttals. But when the class gives me the results, we see who won.
The debates teach the students lessons for writing. I stress good introductions and conclusions. Debate after debate forces the students to observe good organization and bad. They also evaluate the effectiveness of the supports given. It is like every student gets to be the teacher; they give the scores for the debates. For all the time this takes, I think the lessons learned are great. Look for the winners and losers off of the ant debate page on MrBoZ.com.
Monday, December 11, 2006
December 11, 2006
Homework: pages 72 and 73 in the vocab book
work on the debate
maybe they want to start writing the essay that is due next week
The debates are getting closer every day! Today I discussed how the debates will be scored. It's hard, really, to explain how they will be scored until they see it in action. I wanted to show them, though, that they need to have a lot to say. They get points for each good reason and/or explanation of that reason. The more they say, the more points they get. They also get points for a unique introduction, eye contact, visuals, and solid conclusion. They will need to listen during the debate to earn points during the rebuttal round where they refute what the opponent has said.
The essay will be a written version of the debate format. There will be an introduction, a discussion of the main reasons they have for their position, a discussion of the opposition, rebuttal of that opposition, and a strong conclusion. The essay and debate should show depth of thought and a consideration of both sides.
work on the debate
maybe they want to start writing the essay that is due next week
The debates are getting closer every day! Today I discussed how the debates will be scored. It's hard, really, to explain how they will be scored until they see it in action. I wanted to show them, though, that they need to have a lot to say. They get points for each good reason and/or explanation of that reason. The more they say, the more points they get. They also get points for a unique introduction, eye contact, visuals, and solid conclusion. They will need to listen during the debate to earn points during the rebuttal round where they refute what the opponent has said.
The essay will be a written version of the debate format. There will be an introduction, a discussion of the main reasons they have for their position, a discussion of the opposition, rebuttal of that opposition, and a strong conclusion. The essay and debate should show depth of thought and a consideration of both sides.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
December 6, 2006
Homework: Keep researching for the ant debate.
Use the sheet I gave you to organize rebuttals for "Hey, Little Ant."
Today we finished the movie in all classes. I had them finish the sheet I created to go along with the movie. I see three themes discussed in the movie: education eliminates prejudice, the world we live in varies as a result of our perspective, and what would the world be like if we discovered "the ant with-in?" I do not have time to write a paper on how each of these is seen in the movie. Like many children's movies, though, this one has plenty for adults to think about. The children will not catch the deeper, spiritual quest that is encourage throughout the movie. This self actualization and guidance is realized through a supernatural belief that the ants have.
Interestingly, the "religion," if you will, of the ants resembles many world religions all in one. Sure, the boys learns that ants are not just stupid. But if you enjoy looking for deeper meanings in a movie, check this one out! (I did not spend much time at all on the religion part. I merely mentioned that the ant religion seems to be comprised of many ideas from many world religions.)
Use the sheet I gave you to organize rebuttals for "Hey, Little Ant."
Today we finished the movie in all classes. I had them finish the sheet I created to go along with the movie. I see three themes discussed in the movie: education eliminates prejudice, the world we live in varies as a result of our perspective, and what would the world be like if we discovered "the ant with-in?" I do not have time to write a paper on how each of these is seen in the movie. Like many children's movies, though, this one has plenty for adults to think about. The children will not catch the deeper, spiritual quest that is encourage throughout the movie. This self actualization and guidance is realized through a supernatural belief that the ants have.
Interestingly, the "religion," if you will, of the ants resembles many world religions all in one. Sure, the boys learns that ants are not just stupid. But if you enjoy looking for deeper meanings in a movie, check this one out! (I did not spend much time at all on the religion part. I merely mentioned that the ant religion seems to be comprised of many ideas from many world religions.)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
December 5, 2006
Homework: Flashcards sections 3,6, and 7
Study for quiz 6
Continue researching for the ant debate
Most of the classes are finishing The Ant Bully. I look forward to seeing how the movie will be used in the debates. I see many ways to argue whether the ant should be squished. In some ways, the factual information can help. But since the book is fictional, and the ant is more human, the details from The Ant Bully will help. However, those aren't the only angles that can be discussed. What about bullies? What about morals and ethics? What about laws, both human and in the movie? What about larger guiding ideas, sort of univeral laws?
No, I do not have one specific answer that I want to hear. What I do want to do for the students is teach them how to write a well thoughtout piece that not only proves their position but explains how they are more correct when both sides are considered. It is a big task, and the debates help them to see the many positions. In their minds, they are right. Once they see how many ways this can be argued, they will have to rethink their positions.
Oh, I forgot. The essay position DOES NOT have to be the same position they took during the debate.
Study for quiz 6
Continue researching for the ant debate
Most of the classes are finishing The Ant Bully. I look forward to seeing how the movie will be used in the debates. I see many ways to argue whether the ant should be squished. In some ways, the factual information can help. But since the book is fictional, and the ant is more human, the details from The Ant Bully will help. However, those aren't the only angles that can be discussed. What about bullies? What about morals and ethics? What about laws, both human and in the movie? What about larger guiding ideas, sort of univeral laws?
No, I do not have one specific answer that I want to hear. What I do want to do for the students is teach them how to write a well thoughtout piece that not only proves their position but explains how they are more correct when both sides are considered. It is a big task, and the debates help them to see the many positions. In their minds, they are right. Once they see how many ways this can be argued, they will have to rethink their positions.
Oh, I forgot. The essay position DOES NOT have to be the same position they took during the debate.
Monday, December 04, 2006
December 4, 2006
Homework: Finish Unit 6 vocabulary
I checked the progress of the students today. As expected, some are doing just fine with the research, but too many don't really have much to show. Many had a proper bibliography, but they were lacking abundant notes.
I told the students that they would be standing in front of the class delivering a speech. I don't know how else to put this. If they do not have research, they will look pretty silly! We are watching The Ant Bully examining prejudice and "the ant within." I look forward to how this movie will be incorporated into their debates. Although the movie shows what ants do, not everything is true to life. There are many ways to attack the opponent in the debate. I hope by showing them multiple angles of attack, they will produce a thought out debate with and equally impressive essay that follows.
I checked the progress of the students today. As expected, some are doing just fine with the research, but too many don't really have much to show. Many had a proper bibliography, but they were lacking abundant notes.
I told the students that they would be standing in front of the class delivering a speech. I don't know how else to put this. If they do not have research, they will look pretty silly! We are watching The Ant Bully examining prejudice and "the ant within." I look forward to how this movie will be incorporated into their debates. Although the movie shows what ants do, not everything is true to life. There are many ways to attack the opponent in the debate. I hope by showing them multiple angles of attack, they will produce a thought out debate with and equally impressive essay that follows.
Friday, December 01, 2006
December 1, 2006
Homework: Be finished taking notes. Have a bibliography ready to show me that you have been researching. Use http://www.easybib.com to format your sources.
All classes are in the middle of watching The Ant Bully. I have created a worksheet that goes with the movie. If you are interested, you can look at it from the assignment page for the ant debate. The goal for the coming week is to finish the movie, do more sentence diagramming, and develop strategies for organizing their essays and debates.
All classes are in the middle of watching The Ant Bully. I have created a worksheet that goes with the movie. If you are interested, you can look at it from the assignment page for the ant debate. The goal for the coming week is to finish the movie, do more sentence diagramming, and develop strategies for organizing their essays and debates.
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