May 26, 2009

Homework:
Vocab final is Thursday
Be ready to ready your piece to the class.

Today:
Reviewed vocabulary
Shared pieces

From the beginning of this last unit, I explained to the students that I wanted them to write something that others should read/hear.  I am using the sharing time for that purpose.  I am recording what they read, but I am not posting individual files like I did in the beginning of the year.  I might post the whole class as one file, or I might not.  I will see how it goes.  I mostly just want them to get up and share their piece. I am recording it because I have missed capturing some great pieces in the past!

If they read over 2 minutes and 30 seconds, I will give them an A+, 2:00 is an A, 1:45 is a B, 1:30 is a C, 1:15 is a C-, 1:00 is a D, and :45 is a D-.  One student today actually stopped at 30 seconds.  We encouraged her to read a little more.  The time they have to read is not a surprise for the students.

May 22, 2009

Homework:
None
Be ready to read for 2 minutes on Tuesday.
I will take volunteers first.

Today:
Sections 3,6,7 took vocab quiz 15
All classes handed in their booklets
We began reviewing for the final that will be on May 28th


The year is wrapping up.  The booklet is worth 200 points if handed in on time, and assuming it looks like it was done correctly.  The students must record for 2 minutes for 50 points.  I told them that if they are reading something short, they need to prepare an introduction to fill up the time.  I will have a sliding scale if they can not make 2 minutes.

The vocab final will be worth 7% of their 4th MP grade.  It just works out that way.  They have taken the test two times already, so I want to see improvement from the fall.

May 21, 2009

Homework:
1,2-
No vocab homework
Booklet is due tomorrow- 200 points!

3,6,7
flashcards for unit 15
Unit 15 Quiz
Booklet due- 200 points!

Today:
Vocab review
Discussed the requirements for the 2 minute recordings we wil start next week
Gave sharing/work time to be prepared for Friday.

May 19, 2009 (A poem by a student)

Homework:
1,2 - Pages 174, 178, 179
3,6,7,- Synonyms and Choosing

Poem-
My Teacher is a...

My teacher is a slave driver.
He has to drive knowledge into our heads.
Without him our brains would be dead.
My teacher is a scuba diver.
His job is to help us surf, dive, and dig for knowledge.
I can imagine him riding an ostrich.
My teacher is a hawk.
When we first walk up the steps,
Until we walk back down for chips and dip.
My teacher is a miracle worker,
for he can make even the stupidest class
smart for once in their lives.
My teacher is Mr. Boz

Moriah P.

May 18, 2009

Happy Birthday to me!  I am 40.

Homework:
3,6,7: Pictionaries for unit 15
1,2: Pages 175-177 in vocab
The booklet is due Friday

Today:
Vocab
Read a piece from TeenInk
Discussed including dialogue in a narrative
Some ssw time for writing.

May 15, 2009

Homework:
Booklet due May 22

Today:
Quiz
Watched an episode of The Wonder Years

Sorry I have not written much on the blog.  I just finished grading the essays, and I have the grades up to date.  Now that all that is cleared from my inbox, I can focus on other things, like preparing the students for sharing one of their pieces in the coming weeks.  I plan to post the recordings like I did in the beginning of the year for the three academic sections.  Have a nice weekend.

May 11, 2009

Homework:
Pictionaries

Today:
Listened to vocab words
SSW time to write

Today was just a day.  I read a few poems from TeenInk as inspiration for ideas.  Then I gave the kids time to write. 

May 8, 2009

Homework:
None

Today:
Yes, I have tattoos. :)

I discussed imagery poems today.
Haiku Form
5/7/5 syllable (not set in stone)
First line is one image
Second and third lines are the other image
Express a deep truth through the comparison of the two images.
    The world is harsh
    Love conquers all
    Life is fragile
    We need each other

Examples:

head against head
two spring turtles
sunning on a log


Autumn twilight:
   the wreath on the door
     lifts in the wind

             -Nick Virgilio

middle of the highway
with bells on
our old dog

            -Carol Montgomery

May 7, 2009

Homework:
Vocab Quiz Friday

Today:
Notebook quiz on responders
Reviewed vocab
Writing time

Test

This is a test blog to see what the emailing feature looks like.

May 6, 2009

Homework:
Competing the Sentence
Bring notebook tomorrow

Today:
Last daily drill for the year.  I will need the time in class for writing workshop.
Vocab
Workshop

I made the pge for our next unit.

May 5, 2009

Homework:
Synonyms and Choosing the Right Word

Today:
Daily Drill
Reviewed pictionaries
Listened to more students share their proverb essays
Briefly introduced the next unit.

Check out the best promotional video!

These girls produced a great video.  Check it out!

May 4, 2009

Homework:
1-20 Pictionaries
There is a vocab quiz this Friday!

Today:
We are finishing up the current format of daily drills on Wednesday.  Since we will be needing more writing time in class, I cannot afford to lose the time daily drills consume.  I will have more details on the next unit soon.
We listened to words 1-20 in the vocab.
Some students read their final drafts of their proverb essays.  I can't wait to start reading them!

Here is a gallery of the t-shirts the students made.