October 31, 2008

Homework
1,2:
None

3,6,7:
Speeches start on Monday.
Good draft due Monday.

Today
1,2:
Took quiz 4
Began watching other class's plays to pick a winner.
I e-mailed the user name and password to the videos on my website.

3,6,7:
Discussed the presentations of the speeches.  I will explain that more Monday.  I have to go.
Gave students time to work on their good drafts using peer editing.

Have fun trick-or-treating!  Stay safe.

October 30, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Finish Unit 4
Quiz unit 4

3,6,7:
Good rough draft of the Fight the Good Fight essay is due

Today
1,2:
We finished up the recordings.  I will be processing the as quickly as possible so we can watch them and begin the voting! 

3,6,7:
We had a little competition.  I gave the students one minute to persuade the class.  The winner was the one who could engage us for a full minute with good voice and good facts.  In all classes, the competition was close.   We even had a speak-off in one class!  The point of the exercise was to get the students to see that you have to speak with enthiasium if you are to be persuasive. 

Today's exercise inspired me.  Next week, when we give our speeches, students will be put head-to-head with another student.  The speaker who is the most dynamic and persuasive will win.  And yes, I do think it is fair.  An inspirational speech IS a competition.  You are competing for the hearts of the listeners.  By having the class actively engaged in the speeches, there is a greater incentive to perform well.  Most time when I get students in front of the class, they read like it is a terrible duty they have to do.  They want it over with.  Today showed me that the kids will put a little extra into their speaking when the can see who it is they need to beat.  They won't be reading for some vague rubric.  When they hear the other person speak, they will know what they are up against!

The format will go like this.  First, each student will give a 30 second taste of their paper, showing the other person what he/she is up against. Then we will flip a coin to see who go first.  Then it is on.  The students will have a rubric.  When the class has finished their scoring, I will get the results one by one, put them in a spreadsheet, and see what the total is.  (I have done this for years with another assignment.)

October 29, 2008

Really quick today. 
Sections 1 and 2 have Completing the Sentence in the vocab book and a quiz on Friday.  We are still performing the plays.  I am looking into how I can post them for friends and family to see.  I might password them.  I am waiting for an e-mail from district office.

Sections 3,6,7: I discussed the 4th paragraph of the essay where you have to address the opposition to your viewpoint.  I will post an outline on the assignment page as soon as I finish typing this.  The "good rough draft" will be due Friday.  On Friday I want them to choose which one they will bring to a good draft.  We will go over the requirements.  They will begin presenting the essays next week.

October 28, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Choosing the right word unit 4 with context clues.

3,6,7:
No vocab
It would be a good idea to be working on the current essay, Fight the Good Fight.

Today
1,2:
We reviewed the vocab homework.
I taped two performances.

3,6,7:
No Daily Drill
We did an exercise on adding details.
I gave them time to apply the lesson to their current essay.
SSW time to work on the essays.

October 27, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Pictionaries and synonyms unit 4

3,6,7:
The better students will be working on the new good rough draft that is due Thursday.
There is no vocab or daily drill this week.  We will be working hard on writing.

Today
1,2:
We reviewed the words for Unit 4
I gave them practice time for their plays.  We will begin performing them tomorrow.
I will post the rubric we will use to judge each other's plays.  I want the students to pick the best play as a winner.

3,6,7:
The next topic page is up on MrBoZ.com
No vocab  or Daily Drill
Each day this week I will start the day off with a writing or revising lesson.  That will leave about 30 minutes of work time each day.  I figure we have done 7 weeks worth of Daily Drills.  We have learned 6o vocab words as well.  We can take a break from that and focus on the writing.  I want detailed essays so the speeches will be good.

October 24, 2008

Homework:
None

Today
1,2:
I collected all the plays.  Every single student was prepared with the right amount of copies.  Awesome!  We went to the cafeteria so they could practice for Tuesday's performance.  Monday we will start vocab again.  Next week will be dedicated to finishing up the plays.  We won't work on them again until December.

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
We began brainstorming our next prompt, "fight the good fight."  I will make the prompt page next week.  I have a lot of work to do for sections 1 and 2 this weekend. 

In class we are watching some scenes from Speed Racer and Malcolm X.  In both of those movies, the lead character has something important to fight for. I am trying to get the students to think about something they would like the class to start caring about. 

October 22, 2008

Homework
1,2:
I explained to one section that I need THREE copies of the play on Friday.  I forgot about the one copy for me so I can score them.  Besides that, keep on working on the play.

3,6,7:
Students owe me a "good rough draft" of their inspirational essay.  Tomorrow we start our second topic: what is something worth fighting for?

Today
1,2:
We watched a play called 1-900-DESPERATE.   We scored it using the rubric we discussed yesterday.  We thought it had a weak ending, so we discussed what could have been done to improve the story.  I wanted them to apply that lesson to their own plays.

We also looked at a section of dialogue from a student's play that sounded unrealistic.  We gave some suggestions.  Then I gave them some time to look at each other's essays for unrealistic dialogue.  I will give them one more day to work together Thursday.

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
We read a sample essay from TeenInk.com .  The essay had most of the things I am looking for in their essays.  I like to show samples so students can see the big picture.  I plan to read more samples.  I am stressing the 5 paragraph essay this year. Today I focused on the introduction.  It should lead us into the paper and tell us exactly what the essay will be about.

October 21, 2008

Homework
1,2:
The play is absolutely due Friday!  Please follow the format required.

3,6,7:
I think the more responsible students will come in with a draft of the first topic tomorrow.  I plan to read two examples with them.  When we are done, they should look at what they have written and think about was to improve their writing.  They can't do that if they have not written anything.

Today
1,2:
First, we read through the rubric from the Delaware Theatre Company.  It is the same one they will use when we submit our plays.  We discussed what each section means and how it could apply to their plays.  Then we started looking at each other's plays using the rubric.  Since the students don't have much of a background of plays, I figure their scores will be a little off.  This rubric is used for 12th grade plays as well.  However, it gets them thinking.  I would like to examine Right Hand Man using the rubric.  I do not think it would score excellent.  (I will have to scan in the rubric so you can see it.  I will post it on the page soon.)

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
SSW time for writing.  Here is an outline I gave the kids to start thinking about one of the inspirational speeches:
How do we lift people up?

Introduction:
Grab attention!
Show them the need to be inspired.

P2
Set the stage!
There is a need for a change.
There is a solution.

P3
What are the sources of strength?
Family, friends, loved ones, pets, professionals, religion

P4
How do you know that this is true? Make the essay personal.

Conclusion
Remind the person of the clear need to change.  You believe in them.
By now you should have said your main ideas

October 20, 2008

I had to leave school quickly for an appointment.

Homework
1,2:
I asked for all the plays to be written for Monday.  Some did not have it with them.  If MUST be ready for Tuesday.  However, the typed version MUST MUST MUST be handed in on Friday or before.  The deadline for the contest is Friday, no exceptions!

3,6,7:
There is no vocab homework this week; however, I there is a draft of an essay due on Thursday.  I am having the students write two essays.  Each one will be written as a rough draft.  Next week we will choose one to be taken to a good draft.

Today
1,2:
I checked off that the rough draft was finished.
We read over each others plays a little.  I explained how important Friday's due date was.
We read the early draft of Right Hand Man.  It had a character named GIRL.  We looked at why the writer eliminated her. (Basically, she was replaced by the body in the bag on stage.  We saw some reasons why she was eliminated.  First, she was treated like a "girl."  We thought that was condescending.  Second, by having her crying so much, it made the play darker.  Finally, by having another person captive, it took the focus off the main character who was tied up.  The play was about the two of them, not Jerry.)

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
SSW time to work on the essays.
Here is the topic the students have been working on for a few days.

October 17, 2008

Homework
1,2:
The rough draft of the play is due Monday.  There are some useful links on www.mrboz.com 

3,6,7:
None

Today
1,2:
We reviewed the formatting of the typed play.  We did not go into too much detail because there is a template on the DYPF page.  We also looked at a few minutes of a finalist from last year from the DYPF.  The lesson for the day was to try to get the dialogue to be more than just a quick back and forth.  I play to post some videos of what some students have written so far.  I hope to have that up today if possible.

3,6,7:
Daily drill.  I got them started on the next writing topic.  I will have a formal page up on the web site Monday or Tuesday.  There will be no vocab next week because I want to dedicate out time next week to lessons on writing and giving them time to write.  Students need large chunks of time to organize their thoughts, so there will be plenty of SSW time.
 :)

October 16, 2008

No time to write today.  We have conferences. 
1 and 2 should just keep working on their plays.
3,6,7 have no homework.

October 15, 2008

Homework
1,2:
I would like the students to have 4 pages of the script done for Thursday.  I forgot to tell section 2, but I did send them an e-mail.  If not, no big deal.

3,6,7:
Flashcards
Study for the unit 3 quiz

Today:
I have to leave school right away today.  Sorry.  I do not have time to write down a lot.

Sections 3,6,7 did Daily Drills.  You can always make them up from www.mrboz.com .

October 14, 2008

Homework
1,2:
I want two pages of the play written.  It is an arbitrary number, but it is something.

3,6,7:
Finish completing the sentence, vocab in context, and antonyms unit 3


Today
1,2:
We acted out the beginnings of some of the plays.  I wanted them to see what they sound like when people are speaking the lines.  Since most of us have not written plays, I think is is difficult to picture how to move a story along with just dialogue.  We have a ways to go, but I am working hard to help them be successful.

I was speaking to one class today trying to explain their grades.  It is going to be challenging, but I am going to have to grade their plays.  The plays are due October 24, and the marking period is over October 29.  I think I will have time. I have never graded a play before; however, I have a rubric provided by the Delaware Theatre Company.  I need to give a grade that reflects the quality of the students' work.  You might have noticed that there have not been a lot of "classwork" grades lately.  And if there are grades, I have been pretty easy with giving full credit.  I have to say that their "classwork" part of their grade is NOT indicative of anything more than the ability to get something in on-time.  Therefore, I will be encouraging the students to do the best they can with the plays.  By next week I will have a better idea of how I will score them, and I will let them know on Monday or Tuesday so they can meet the standard by Friday.

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
Finished any recordings
Read scored essays and discussed the rubric so they know what my scores mean.
3 and 6 have received their essays back.
We are starting the next essay soon.  More information will follow.
The grades are updated.  I will hand them out tomorrow.

October 13, 2008

Homework
1,2:
No vocab for the whole week.
I asked that they be done blocking out their play into scenes.
I wanted them to begin writing the play tonight.  I want them to have something, even a little something, written for tomorrow.  They must have the rough draft of the play written by NEXT MONDAY!  We are going to spend this week discussing how to use dialogue to move the story along.  This will be something new for me as well.  Today we read through the script of "Right Hand Man."

3,6,7:
Completing the Sentence Unit 3
Quiz on Unit 3 this Thursday

I don't have time to write what we did in each class.  I will just say that the essays are graded.  I want to explain what I expect in an essay and then I will give the essays back to the students.  Section 3 got theirs back.  Sections 6 and 7 are finishing the readings.  They might get them back tomorrow.  However, the grades are posted on the on-line grades if you are interested.

October 8, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Pages 49 and 50 in vocab
Quiz on 1-3 Thursday (tomorrow)
!!!I am asking that students have a blocked version of their story for Monday.  We are running out of time!  What I need is a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th breakdown of the play, sort of a bare bones sketch of the play. we have been going over the story ideas in class.  Almost every student has a workable play idea.  I helped them think about what they might look like on stage.  Now it is time for the students to build the play.  Next week we will focus on dialog and writing the play.  I will want the play written in a draft form by Monday October 20th.  THERE WILL BE NO VOCAB ALL NEXT WEEK!

3,6,7:
Choosing the Right word unit 3

Today
1,2:
We reviewed the vocab and finished going over the play ideas.  That's it.

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
Reviewed vocab work
Finished most of the readings in all sections.  On Monday I will finish all classes.  I will not post the recordings until I have finished grading the essays.  Those grades are more important.  Plus it will take some time to process all the recordings.  Please be patient.  I will send out a mass e-mail when they are posted.

October 7, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Pages 46,47,48
I am encouraging students to really get started on writing the play.  I explained that they should be blocking out the play.  I am posting the script for the play we watched in class as an example to start with.  Since we have seen the play, I hope that reading the script will help the students think about staging their play.

3,6,7:
Pictionaries 11-20 and synonyms unit 3

Today
1,2:
We reviewed the homework for the 1-3 review unit
Another set of students presented their play ideas and we discussed the staging.
I asked them to do a sketch of the opening of the play.  In other words, the lights have just gone up.  What does the audience see when your play begins.  I am going to keep encouraging the students to work hard to get their plays written.  I feel like the October 24 deadline is approaching too fast!

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
Listened to 11-20 unit 3
Continued to record the students reading their essays. 
We still have at least one more day of reading, possibly two.
I plan to start reading their essays soon since I have to start planning the next essay!

October 6, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Pages 42,43,45 in vocab book
I want the story of the play down by the end of the week, more than just the three sentences.  We will work on this all week.

3,6,7:
Pictionaries 1-10 unit 3


Today
1,2:
We watched a one act play.  I do not have time to give the address, but it is called "Check Please," and I found it on Vimeo. 
Then I had half the students present their play ideas.  The we discussed the idea trying to figure out what it might look like on stage.  Most of the stories sound good, but I can't picture what they would look like as a play.  That is our goal for the week.

3,6,7:
Daily Drill
Listened to words 1-10 unit 3
Continued to read the essays and record
I will be posting the recordings within a week.  They take time to process.  I also hope to grade the essays this week.  They will be scored on a 4,3,2,1 scale like the DSTP.  I need to give a quick grade with one clear suggestion for next time.

I can't write a detailed account of today.  I have to get home.

October 3, 2008

Homework
1,2:
They are to have a full character description of their main character for Monday.  I gave them a sheet that asks a lot of questions.  I also wanted them to make a picture of this person.  It can be a picture from the Internet or a magazine, or even a compilation of various pictures to make one person.  I want them to be able to know this character well so we can put two or three characters together to see how they will react based on their characteristics.  We will explore this on Monday.  I have not been giving a lot of grades, but this is one thing that is due.

3,6,7:
None

Today:
1,2:
We took quiz 3
We read the answers to some questions we had for the writer of Right Hand Man.
I explained the homework.

3,6,7:
Daily drill
Handed out grades in 6 and 7

We began reading the essays to the class.  I will post some examples soon.  I will make a page so you can download or at least listen to your child's reading... I hope.

October 2, 2008

Homework
1,2:
Quiz on Unit 3
Have all vocab work done
Think about some of the ideas Matt gave us in class

3,6,7:
The good draft of the picture essay is due!

Today
1,2:
Matt from the Delaware Theatre Company came in to help us with our plays.  He began by getting the kids on stage to experience some improvisation.   You can see some pictures on this page.  Then he helped the students to flesh out the stories from their three sentence proposals.  I will be reading through those ideas soon.  It was nice to hear from Matt that we are farther ahead than many classes.  Good, because I feel like we don't have a lot of time to finish!  I am using the proposal as a small grade.

3,6,7
Daily Drill
We discussed the requirements for the essay due tomorrow.
SSW time to write

I told the students that they will get 100 points for the essay long enough and handed in on time.  Then they will get 50 points to record the essay in front of the class (I will post these later).  Then I will score the essay as a DSTP essay: 4,3,2,1.  Each of the scores will represent a letter grade on a 100 point scale.  My essays are big grades.  They must be include the ideas we have been covering: introductions, 5 senses, dialog. This is the first essay, so they are still learning what I require.

October 1, 2008

Yesterday I had a sub.  I did not have time to post a blog entry.

Homework
1,2:
Pitch me your play.  E-mail me your three sentence pitch.  See the explanation on MrBoZ.com
Finish Unit 3 vocabulary
There will be a person from the Delaware Theatre Company tomorrow to help us with our plays!

3,6,7:
The good draft of the picture essay is due Friday.  It can be typed.

Today
1,2:
Reviewed vocabulary
Discussed how to pitch the play. 


3,6,7:
Daily Drill
Checked that all vocab homework was complete
Reviewed for the Unit 2 quiz
Quiz unit 2
work time on the essays