(I will not be in school Friday.)
I sent this in an e-mail to all parents today. If you did not get it, I do not have your e-mail address.
Dear Parents,
I am sending this message to let you know that I am expecting students to do some research over the break. If you check out the classroom calendar on www.mrboz.com, you will see my plans for getting the essay for The DuPont Challenge completed. Although we spent four days in the writing lab this week, many students did not get as much done as I would have hoped. I suggest students spend a few hours continuing to research and take notes over the break.
If the topic of The DuPont Challenge is confusing, I told the students to think about science as a hero. Write a report on a discovery or invention where science is the hero for one of humanity's problems. There is a sample on the DuPont site if you need one.
I, too, will be doing some work over the break. As I have explained in my blog, I got bogged down with work and did not get to finish grading all the love essays. As much as I love reading them, they take time, and I want to do things right. I will have all of the essays graded when we come back. I handed out grade slips yesterday and today. Half the students have "exc" listed as the grade for the essay. That means "excused." I will update the grades when I am done.
Finally, at this time of the year, I would like to express my love and caring for all of you by saying "Merry Christmas."
-MrBoZ
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
December 19, 2007
Homework:
Continue to research for the DuPont Challenge
Today:
We were in the writing lab again. In sections 3, 6, and 7, I am trying my best to get the kids to focus on a topic. I am getting frustrated because the children are not using the class time effectively. This is a persuasive research paper, yet many students don't even know what they will be writing on. Therefore, I added two more links on MrBoZ.com. They link to Time Magazine's lists of inventions and discoveries. I figure students can pick one of these and research it more. The goal is to explain how the invention will better humanity. Regardless, I have updated the due dates. See the classroom calendar on MrBoZ.com.
I am handing out updated grade slips today and tomorrow. They do not have to be signed. I want to explain, though, that not all of the love essays have been graded. On the slip they are excused for now. All of the essays will be scored over the break. This time of year is so busy, and I got overwhelmed. However, if you want to read a good example of a love essay, you can read this!
I will not be in school on Friday. I expect the students to research over the break.
Continue to research for the DuPont Challenge
Today:
We were in the writing lab again. In sections 3, 6, and 7, I am trying my best to get the kids to focus on a topic. I am getting frustrated because the children are not using the class time effectively. This is a persuasive research paper, yet many students don't even know what they will be writing on. Therefore, I added two more links on MrBoZ.com. They link to Time Magazine's lists of inventions and discoveries. I figure students can pick one of these and research it more. The goal is to explain how the invention will better humanity. Regardless, I have updated the due dates. See the classroom calendar on MrBoZ.com.
I am handing out updated grade slips today and tomorrow. They do not have to be signed. I want to explain, though, that not all of the love essays have been graded. On the slip they are excused for now. All of the essays will be scored over the break. This time of year is so busy, and I got overwhelmed. However, if you want to read a good example of a love essay, you can read this!
I will not be in school on Friday. I expect the students to research over the break.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
December 18, 2007
Homework:
Continue researching
Sections 1 and 2 should have a preliminary topic for tomorrow and be ready for the quiz.
Sections 3, 6, and 7 will have an open book quiz on Unit 6. They will research one more day.
Today:
I tried to get the students focused on a topic for the DuPont Challenge.
1. Pick a topic you like that is science related.
2. As you research it, look for the way that it is solving a problem.
3. Explore the solutions your topic is offering people.
4. How does your topic influence other areas of science?
5. Is there any opposition to your topic?
I was discussing an example of data storage. As someone who relies on computers daily, at home and at school, I understand the need for reliable data storage. I was explaining that there are multiple topics relating to storage. There are the topics of size and reliability for which science is providing solutions. But I was also playing with the topic of archiving. Will our data be available in the future? Grandma's leather bound photo album is viewable. So are scrolls from 2000 years ago. Will the electronic documents and pictures we create today be available to people in the future? How many of us have records we can't play? I have floppies with no drive to read them. (I don't need them anyway, but you get the point.)
Continue researching
Sections 1 and 2 should have a preliminary topic for tomorrow and be ready for the quiz.
Sections 3, 6, and 7 will have an open book quiz on Unit 6. They will research one more day.
Today:
I tried to get the students focused on a topic for the DuPont Challenge.
1. Pick a topic you like that is science related.
2. As you research it, look for the way that it is solving a problem.
3. Explore the solutions your topic is offering people.
4. How does your topic influence other areas of science?
5. Is there any opposition to your topic?
I was discussing an example of data storage. As someone who relies on computers daily, at home and at school, I understand the need for reliable data storage. I was explaining that there are multiple topics relating to storage. There are the topics of size and reliability for which science is providing solutions. But I was also playing with the topic of archiving. Will our data be available in the future? Grandma's leather bound photo album is viewable. So are scrolls from 2000 years ago. Will the electronic documents and pictures we create today be available to people in the future? How many of us have records we can't play? I have floppies with no drive to read them. (I don't need them anyway, but you get the point.)
Monday, December 17, 2007
December 17, 2007
***Here is a great example of the love essay ***
Homework:
Finish unit 6 vocabulary
Students can be researching their topic.
The preliminary topic is due this Wednesday.
Today:
We began researching for The DuPont Challenge. Here is the assignment page.
We were in the writing lab today. Sections 3,6,and 7 answered some questions to get them thinking about what problems the world has and how science can offer solutions.
Unfortunately, some students think computer time is fun time. Also, with this being the week before a big break, they think what they do this week does not count. It will! In fact, all of their research is due the second week after the break. That is not an endless amount of time! Here is the calendar of due dates.
Homework:
Finish unit 6 vocabulary
Students can be researching their topic.
The preliminary topic is due this Wednesday.
Today:
We began researching for The DuPont Challenge. Here is the assignment page.
We were in the writing lab today. Sections 3,6,and 7 answered some questions to get them thinking about what problems the world has and how science can offer solutions.
Unfortunately, some students think computer time is fun time. Also, with this being the week before a big break, they think what they do this week does not count. It will! In fact, all of their research is due the second week after the break. That is not an endless amount of time! Here is the calendar of due dates.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
December 12, 2007
Homework:
Completing the sentence unit 6
(Must underline/highlight context clues.)
Today:
Sections 3,6, and 7 finished the agreement unit today. They took the end of the unit assessment.
Sections 1 and 2 got an introduction to the next writing assignment: The DuPont Challenge 2008 It is a contest!
More details about the essay will follow; however, the website is great! One reason I want to do the essay is because it is sponsored by DuPont, a local company. The essay also ties in with science and technology, a hot topic in education today. Furthermore, the guidelines and suggestions on the site spell out exactly what students need to create. After seeing how well students researched for the love essays, I know they will do well on this essay. I also plan to come up with a plan for submitting the essays for the contest.
For this essay I will focus on research skills, organization, comparing and scoring essays, and voice. We will look at some of the love essays to discuss how to organize our research. The sample for the contest is good, but it is so dry. I want to help students create a persuasive essay filled with scientific details that is interesting to read.
Research will be done next week, during break if they are dedicated, and during the first week back to school. After that, the students will be organizing and writing. The contest requires the papers to be submitted by January 28. We will be done before that.
Different classes will have different requirements. I will make those decisions as the unit progresses. Not all students are able to write a 700-1000 word essay. However, some students will be challenged to stay below 1000 words! This should be fun.
Completing the sentence unit 6
(Must underline/highlight context clues.)
Today:
Sections 3,6, and 7 finished the agreement unit today. They took the end of the unit assessment.
Sections 1 and 2 got an introduction to the next writing assignment: The DuPont Challenge 2008 It is a contest!
More details about the essay will follow; however, the website is great! One reason I want to do the essay is because it is sponsored by DuPont, a local company. The essay also ties in with science and technology, a hot topic in education today. Furthermore, the guidelines and suggestions on the site spell out exactly what students need to create. After seeing how well students researched for the love essays, I know they will do well on this essay. I also plan to come up with a plan for submitting the essays for the contest.
For this essay I will focus on research skills, organization, comparing and scoring essays, and voice. We will look at some of the love essays to discuss how to organize our research. The sample for the contest is good, but it is so dry. I want to help students create a persuasive essay filled with scientific details that is interesting to read.
Research will be done next week, during break if they are dedicated, and during the first week back to school. After that, the students will be organizing and writing. The contest requires the papers to be submitted by January 28. We will be done before that.
Different classes will have different requirements. I will make those decisions as the unit progresses. Not all students are able to write a 700-1000 word essay. However, some students will be challenged to stay below 1000 words! This should be fun.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
December 11, 2007
Homework:
Pictionaries 11-20 and synonyms unit 6
Today:
All the classes are at different spots. Some are completely done agreement. Others are almost done. I think we will be done with grammar by Thursday. Sections 1 and 2 will do something tomorrow while the other classes catch up.
Pictionaries 11-20 and synonyms unit 6
Today:
All the classes are at different spots. Some are completely done agreement. Others are almost done. I think we will be done with grammar by Thursday. Sections 1 and 2 will do something tomorrow while the other classes catch up.
Monday, December 10, 2007
December 10, 2007
Homework:
Unit 6 pictionaries 1-10
Today:
We are in the process of finishing up the unit on subject/verb agreement. Sections 1 and 2 are done. When they took an assessment, they had trouble, so I spent today reteaching the material. I then gave them an alternative assessment. I will take the higher of the two scores. These two classes will be scoring essays for the next two days.
Sections 3,6 and 7 are still finishing the grammar. After seeing how sections 1 and 2 did on the assessment, I am using an alternative strategy for finishing up the unit. These classes should be finished in the next two days.
Unit 6 pictionaries 1-10
Today:
We are in the process of finishing up the unit on subject/verb agreement. Sections 1 and 2 are done. When they took an assessment, they had trouble, so I spent today reteaching the material. I then gave them an alternative assessment. I will take the higher of the two scores. These two classes will be scoring essays for the next two days.
Sections 3,6 and 7 are still finishing the grammar. After seeing how sections 1 and 2 did on the assessment, I am using an alternative strategy for finishing up the unit. These classes should be finished in the next two days.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
December 6, 2007
Homework:
Grade slips! Many have not been returned.
Today:
Buzzword
Sections 1 and 2 finished the agreement unit. They took an assessment. Some did well. Others... well, maybe the test should be in another format. Regardless, my goal was to expose them to the rules and give them some practice. As their writing develops over the years, they will begin to apply some of these rules to their own writing. That is when what we covered will become relevant. These two classes will begin scoring essays until the other classes finish. I need them to help me with the love essays. They can read them for the specific content I assigned. I will score the essays using the state rubric for writing. I have graded 27 of 127 essays. (They take a long time to grade!)
Sections 3,6, and 7 are just about finished with the agreement unit. They are about a 1 1/2 days behind. We will start a new unit around Wednesday of next week. I am not sure what it will be yet.
Grade slips! Many have not been returned.
Today:
Buzzword
Sections 1 and 2 finished the agreement unit. They took an assessment. Some did well. Others... well, maybe the test should be in another format. Regardless, my goal was to expose them to the rules and give them some practice. As their writing develops over the years, they will begin to apply some of these rules to their own writing. That is when what we covered will become relevant. These two classes will begin scoring essays until the other classes finish. I need them to help me with the love essays. They can read them for the specific content I assigned. I will score the essays using the state rubric for writing. I have graded 27 of 127 essays. (They take a long time to grade!)
Sections 3,6, and 7 are just about finished with the agreement unit. They are about a 1 1/2 days behind. We will start a new unit around Wednesday of next week. I am not sure what it will be yet.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
December 5, 2007
Homework:
Many students did not get their grade slips signed.
Today:
Buzzword
Quiz unit 5
Continued to discuss subject/verb agreement
Section 1 is done the grammar unit. I will give them an assessment tomorrow. Section 2 will be done the unit tomorrow. Their assessment might be tomorrow.
The rest of the classes are plugging away! Sections 1 and 2 will be scoring essays for two days while the other classes finish the grammar.
Many students did not get their grade slips signed.
Today:
Buzzword
Quiz unit 5
Continued to discuss subject/verb agreement
Section 1 is done the grammar unit. I will give them an assessment tomorrow. Section 2 will be done the unit tomorrow. Their assessment might be tomorrow.
The rest of the classes are plugging away! Sections 1 and 2 will be scoring essays for two days while the other classes finish the grammar.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
December 4, 2007
Homework:
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Study for quiz unit 5
Get the grade slip signed
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed vocab homework
Practiced a study technique for parts of speech for vocab words
Continued to discuss subject/verb agreement
Parents, I sent home a grade slip today. Please sign and return. Thank you.
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Study for quiz unit 5
Get the grade slip signed
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed vocab homework
Practiced a study technique for parts of speech for vocab words
Continued to discuss subject/verb agreement
Parents, I sent home a grade slip today. Please sign and return. Thank you.
Monday, December 03, 2007
December 3, 2007
Homework:
Finish unit 5 work
Sections 3,6,7: I suggest you make flashcards tonight
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed the schedule for the week
Continued with the lessons on subject/verb agreement
My plan is to finish sub/verb agreement this week and have a quiz on it Thursday. We will see how that goes.
Finish unit 5 work
Sections 3,6,7: I suggest you make flashcards tonight
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed the schedule for the week
Continued with the lessons on subject/verb agreement
My plan is to finish sub/verb agreement this week and have a quiz on it Thursday. We will see how that goes.
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