Friday, October 11, 2013

More "Tell Me Something Good"

Here are 200 more entries for Tell Me Something Good
   I do try to call on some reluctant students. 
   I hope they come around and let us learn about their lives.
   Remember, these are typed up very quickly.  The good things are flying fast and furious!


abi good practice 1 9/25/13
Abi Messed Up His Arm 1 9/26/13
Abi Has a football game on Sunday 1 10/3/13
Abi He almost missed the bus  1 10/8/13
Abi I don't know what he said 1 10/8/13
Bozzzzzzz Likes his Mustang 1 10/11/13
Brian got his boot off. 1 9/23/13
brian got fifa 14 1 9/25/13
Brian Won His Soccer Game 1 9/26/13
Brian Get his phone tomorrow 1 10/2/13
Brian Has a phone coming in tomorrow 1 10/3/13
Brian He got his phone? 1 10/8/13
Brian Going to Virginia 1 10/8/13
Brian Eastern State Penetentary 1 10/11/13
bryshai no school next Friday 1 9/25/13
camrie tackes pics of soccer 1 9/27/13
deondre play football tomorrow 1 9/27/13
Deondre has a football game tommorow 1 10/11/13
deondre spend a day with his bestfriend Brianna halk 1 10/11/13
donni being watched 1 9/27/13
donnie had a good weekend! 1 9/23/13
donnie its hump day 1 9/25/13
donnie Ccd Teacher Signs 1 9/26/13
Donnie Stupid dog…. 1 10/8/13
Donnie Not going to be here tomorrow 1 10/8/13
Donny Sleep over and leave 1 10/2/13
gloria another singing gig for Saturday 1 9/25/13
Gloria Has Plans This Weekend 1 9/26/13
Gloria Party again 1 10/2/13
Gloria Has a thingy on Sunday 1 10/3/13
Gloria Has a party  1 10/8/13
Gloria got payed $100 1 10/11/13
Griffen Completed the knife song 1 10/3/13
Griffin Friday 1 10/11/13
Griffin  Got a good grade 1 10/8/13
grifin birthday tomorrow 1 9/27/13
Jack Got New Hockey Skates 1 9/26/13
jose b-day yesterday, 72 yrs old 1 9/23/13
jose nieces party on Saturday 1 9/23/13
Mr.Bosler Its his daughters 16th brithday 1 10/3/13
mr.boz confirmation for vacation 1 9/25/13
Mr.Boz Abi Has Given His Essay 1 9/26/13
Mr.boz He is happy 1 10/8/13
MrBoZ hump day is invisable this week 1 10/2/13
olivia went roller skating 1 9/23/13
Olivia Greatful For Her Math Skills 1 9/26/13
Rashoan Half days 1 10/8/13
Roberto No school Friday 1 10/2/13
seth won football game, and 2 touchdowns 1 9/23/13
seth doesn't lose 1 9/23/13
seth is going to be in a commercial 1 9/24/13
seth gets to miss football game thanks to being in a commercial 1 9/25/13
Seth Has An Electronic Game 1 9/26/13
seth almost Friday 1 9/27/13
Seth Likes Friday 1 10/2/13
seth Friday+football game 1 10/11/13
Sidra went to NYC yesterday 1 9/23/13
sterling happy cause he woke up 1 9/23/13
sterling cought his bus 1 9/25/13
sterling gets to type 1 9/27/13
Sterling No school tomorrow 1 10/3/13
Sterling Flag football was fun yesterday 1 10/3/13
Taylor Got Coffee  1 10/2/13
Taylor Is a cutie 1 10/8/13
Addie Mom ordered a lot of cannolies 2 10/2/13
Addie Three day birthday weekend 2 10/3/13
Addie 400 dollar shopping spree for bday 2 10/7/13
Addie Banana-smelling socks 2 10/11/13
Alex extended msdn subscription 2 9/25/13
Alex Honor Band 2 9/26/13
alex honor band 2 9/27/13
Alex lost 3 big coins 2 10/7/13
Alex House of Haties 2 10/8/13
Alex Almost finished with House of Hades 2 10/11/13
alix dmos is coming out 2 9/24/13
caroline attacked by a shark 2 9/23/13
Caroline Got a Uniform 2 9/26/13
caroline never mind 2 9/27/13
Caroline went ziplining 2 10/7/13
Chin Chin We beat Stanton 2 9/26/13
Chin Chin New calculator prgm 2 10/2/13
Chin Chin Last day of the week 2 10/3/13
Chin Chin Harry got his program on the internet 2 10/8/13
Christmas Walking dead starts this month 2 10/2/13
dakota hump day 2 9/25/13
Dakota It's Thursday 2 9/26/13
Dakota Second to last day of school this week 2 10/2/13
Ella addie and her went to octoberfest 2 9/23/13
ella nothing 2 9/24/13
Ella got everything she wanted in activity period 2 9/25/13
Ella Taylor is a BFF 2 9/26/13
ella finished the book divergent 2 9/27/13
Ella Got a new camera 2 10/2/13
Ella going to frightand 2 10/7/13
Ella Peace 5 hanging out after school 2 10/11/13
elyse scored a goal 2 9/23/13
Elyse Field Hockey game 2 9/25/13
Elyse Hat trick 2 9/26/13
Elyse Brandywine Springs Game 2 10/2/13
Elyse had 3 goals this week 2 10/7/13
Elyse Chorus people are leaving 2 10/8/13
Erin Sitting next to Nawel 2 10/3/13
Gunjan joe corby sales man of year 2 9/23/13
Ian played games with my friends for 4  hours 2 9/23/13
Ian Amazing Book 2 9/26/13
Ian Reading House of Hades 2 10/3/13
isra its Friday 2 9/27/13
katie best soccer game ever had 2 9/23/13
katie found cookie dough 2 9/24/13
Katie did fairly well 2 9/25/13
Katie Found a series on Netflix 2 9/26/13
katie season 10 premier of grays anatomy 2 9/27/13
Katie Mom got her one direction thing 2 10/2/13
Katie One Direction Day 2 10/3/13
Katie union one 2 10/7/13
Katie Made apple pie 2 10/8/13
Katie Cleaned room yes. 2 10/11/13
kristen auditioning for hipohop thingy 2 9/24/13
Kristen got to help manage field hockey 2 9/25/13
kristen going to be in a fashion show 2 9/27/13
Kristen Performing in Oxford 2 10/3/13
Kristen Hip hop audition 2 10/8/13
Kristen Walking Dead starts Sun. 2 10/11/13
kyle has a b in math 2 9/24/13
Kyle New York tomorrow 2 10/8/13
Kyle Friday 2 10/11/13
lamey made the lax team thing  2 9/24/13
Laura its my bday 2 10/7/13
Lien went camping saw first scary movie 2 9/23/13
lien getting new pupyyy 2 9/24/13
Lien Picking up puppy 2 9/25/13
Lien Got a puppy surprise 2 9/26/13
Lien Didn't get moved to  2 10/11/13
Mr. Boz 2 months ago, went on waiting list and got the vacation he wanted at Hilton Head 2 9/25/13
Mr.Boz Alex+others showed him quizlet stuff (e.g., app) 2 10/11/13
Nathan went to ud game got hit by will 2 9/23/13
Nisiah Went to carnival 2 9/23/13
Nisiah Drawings 2 10/8/13
shane it's a beautiful day 2 9/24/13
Shane football team 5-0 2 10/7/13
Shane Half day 2 10/11/13
shannon little cousins aren't scared of dogs 2 9/24/13
Shannon Got 40 bucks 2 9/25/13
shannon going to hershy park on Sunday 2 9/27/13
Shannon New book 2 10/2/13
Shannon friend lent a lot of stuff  2 10/7/13
Shannon House of night comes out in 6 days 2 10/8/13
Shannon Her movie is almost done filming 2 10/11/13
will played gta 5 over at shanes house 2 9/23/13
Will Finished essay 6/6 2 10/3/13
Will football team is not loser 2 10/7/13
xqiyu crushed conrad 2 9/24/13
yuni presintting for group 2 9/24/13
Yunsik Friends candy bombed him in lunch 2 10/2/13
Yunsik aking a high school test  2 10/7/13
Yunsik New book 2 10/8/13
Yunsik Doing stuff with Chinchin 2 10/11/13
Yunsik  didn't get bad classes for activity period 2 9/25/13
Angela Best friend's birthday 3 9/23/13
Angela  Six Flags 3 9/27/13
angie play date 3 10/3/13
Ben didn't get the worst schedule 3 9/25/13
Ben activity period 3 9/27/13
Eliza erin is her best friend 3 10/11/13
emily 3 day weekend 3 10/3/13
Erin Neck is feeling better 3 9/23/13
Erin good lines judge yesterday 3 9/24/13
erin won a volleyball game 3 10/3/13
Erin Went to the union game 3 10/7/13
Erin C. Vollyball game today 3 10/2/13
Erin C. Volleyball practice today 3 10/8/13
Erin Cullen Her shopping injury is ok 3 9/25/13
Harry The world is not destroyed yet 3 9/23/13
Harry A supernova didn't destroy the world.  3 9/24/13
harry something about a pulsar did not destroy us 3 9/26/13
Harry Math Counts!!! 3 9/27/13
Harry Read a book on writing 3 10/2/13
harry robots did not take over the world 3 10/3/13
Harry Essay 3 10/7/13
Harry Submitted 1400 word essay 3 10/8/13
Harry got 400 dollars 3 10/11/13
HARRYY cant think of anything which is good for us 3 9/25/13
jania  lunch is next 3 9/26/13
jeff going camping  3 9/26/13
Maddie sprained her ankle 3 9/23/13
Maddie New thing on TV series 3 9/24/13
maddie getting a  $2000 kitten 3 10/3/13
Maddie Lost a volleyball game 3 10/7/13
maddie  sid is wearing shorts 3 9/26/13
Maggie Trying out for a travel lacross team 3 9/24/13
maggie in a theater with a cute girl  3 9/26/13
Maggie finished tryouts 3 10/7/13
Maggie Went on a Mustang road trip 3 10/8/13
Maggie Monday we will know if she made lacrosse team 3 10/11/13
Magnis Maggie is gonna make lacrosseee 3 9/25/13
mr bozzz buy is daughter a bunch of books 3 9/26/13
Mr. Boz Went shopping with daughter for birthday w/ $500 3 10/8/13
naria new white sneakers 3 9/23/13
Naria Had a pop tart (strawberry and warm) 3 9/24/13
Naria learn how to play guitar 3 9/27/13
Naria Finished mug 3 10/2/13
naria activiy block 3 10/3/13
Naria has coloring club 3 10/7/13
Naria Has a migraine from eye strain 3 10/8/13
Naria she lost her broken glasses but is getting them fixed 3 10/11/13
naria  is awsome 3 9/26/13
Nikhil Friday activity period 3 9/27/13
Nikhil Bought a book from the book store 3 10/2/13
Nikhil Partied until one o'clock 3 10/7/13
Nikhil SAT Prep did skit 3 10/8/13
Nikil got new shorts 3 9/24/13
nikkel  outside in math class 3 9/26/13
Nikkil got into band 3 9/23/13
PJ Went to Philies game 3 9/23/13
PJ MODERN FAMILY ON TONIGHT  3 9/25/13
PJ Won a Baseball game  3 10/7/13
Ria Fieldhockey game today 3 10/2/13
Sarah Apples ? 3 9/27/13
Sarah won spoccor game 3 10/3/13
Shiney Broadway show at DuPont Theatre 3 10/2/13
Shinny has mustang folder…still 3 9/23/13
Shinny her presentation is here today 3 9/24/13
Shinny Cleaned up a mess  3 9/25/13
shinny reading good book  3 10/3/13
Shinny Shinny has her narrative 3 10/7/13
Shinny Has bracelet that matches her colors 3 10/8/13
Sid Dad is going to france 3 9/23/13
Siddharth Show around Matt Dem, got to skip S.S. 3 9/27/13
Siddharth in Mr.Boz's class 3 10/11/13
Tayla Mom's Birthday 3 9/23/13
Tayla First game 3 9/23/13
Tayla mom got crabs for her bday 3 9/24/13
Tayla is going to suffer in baseball and I will laugh 3 9/25/13
Tayla Castle is on tonight and homocide is good 3 9/25/13
tayla captin in baseball 3 9/26/13
Tayla activity period: cheerleading 3 9/27/13
Tayla Twist Craddle 3 10/2/13
tayla stunt went well 3 10/3/13
Tayla Last day to wear sling 3 10/7/13
Tayla Lukas got a sweatshirt 3 10/8/13
Tayla going to be flyer at next practice 3 10/11/13

Quizlet: Using your smartphone to study for our vocab quizzes!

I am always looking to utilize the latest technology to help kids learn.  A few students in my class have been introducing me to a sight called Quizlet.  I have had links on may home page which allow students to study their words from a web browser, but I have learned that they can study from their phones!

Download the Quizlet app from the App Store or that other store for Android.
Students can log-in using their Facebook or Google account, or create a free account with Quizlet.
       Parents, you are in charge of where your children go.  If you disapprove, that is your right. 
       Students, other classmates will see your screen name, so choose wisely.
Once you are logged in, search for this class, MrBozClassof2014, and join. 
As far as I have seen, there is no messaging or interactions between members.


Tuesday, October 08, 2013

All classes have essays due tomorrow.

Section 1 will have time to type in the library, but I expect to see a draft of the essay done by the end of the period.  I have provided all the guidance I could.  Please see past posts and below.

Sections 2 and 3 have their narratives due tomorrow or Thursday.  There is a chorus trip, so many students will be absent.  Please remember to submit the piece to the online scoring site as well.

Today:
  • In sections 2 and 3 we have our first discussion about the topic of reality.  It was pretty deep and hard to grasp.  Tomorrow's topic asks if family is still relevant in today's world.
  • In sections 2 and 3, I did one last study of The Chase by Annie Dillard.  Just like the movie Inception, we tried to go deeper!  When we finally got to the level I wanted, the students had this look on their face like "really?"  Basically, the older woman has written a story about when her seven year old self learned about the differences between adults and children.  But think about it.  This is the older woman looking back at the seven year old, yet she is now the adult the seven year old was learning about when young.  The more we read it, the more we sense the loss of that childhood view of the world.  
  • We also played a fun game using the vocab words.



Section 1 essay brainstorming from today:
The essay topic is How do the setting, characters, and plot impact the theme of Raymond’s Run?  I think the students were having trouble seeing how to examine this, so I had them brainstorm the following changes to the story.  If these changes are made, the theme of the story would be difficult to convey. 

Here is the introduction I gave the students:
Tony Cade Bambara wrote the story Raymond’s Run.  The setting, characters, and plot are important to the theme of the story: You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. If anything were changed, the story would not be as good.

How would these changes to the PLOT lessen the impact of the theme?
       Raymond doesn’t run with her?
       Gretchen wins the race?
How would these changes to the SETTING lessen the impact of the theme?
       The setting is at school and not the May Day Race?
       Squeaky is still living in the country in 1950?
How would these changes to the CHARACTERS lessen the impact of the theme?
       Squeaky has no brother to care for?
       Squeaky is still friends with Rosie?
       Squeaky is white?

Monday, October 07, 2013

Wrapping up our current units

Narratives?
Homework:
  • Sections 2 and 3 should have their narratives to me Wednesday (or Thursday if they have the trip).
  • Sections 2 and 3 should complete the pictionaries for unit 3 in the vocabulary.  The words this week are challenging.
  • Section 1 should be working on their essay for Raymond's Run.  See the outline on October 3rd's post.
  • Section 1 will take the Raymond's Run test tomorrow.  They have the story, and we reviewed the vocabulary in class today.

Today:
  • Section 1 had time to write their pieces in class. I reviewed the outline and how they need to find examples in their stories.
  • Sections 2 and 3 started their new discussion format.  I spent time leading them through what a good discussion should look like.  For the next few weeks, the students should be prepared for the day's discussion.  I will have given them the topic beforehand.  
  • Sections 2 and 3 discussed transitions using the Power Point from Holt.



Sections 2 and 3: Outline of concepts to include in your narratives.

Introduction
       Begin with an engaging first sentence using your natural voice—the words and phrases you would use when telling the story to your friends.
       Use the first-person point of view; refer to yourself with the pronouns I, me, and my.
       Establish context by including details about when and where the experience took place.
Body
       Develop a logical event sequence, using transitional words, phrases, and clauses such as first, next, and then to guide readers.
       Use sensory language to help readers experience the action.
       Include your reflections, or your thoughts and feelings, as the events unfold.
       Use dialogue to reveal details about the narrator or others in your piece.
       Use effective pacing to keep events moving smoothly in your narrative.
Conclusion
       Provide a conclusion that reveals why the experience is meaningful to you.

       Reflect on your experience and how what you learned might apply to readers’ lives.
12 Types of introductions
Grab our attention. Walk us out the board.  THEN tell us exactly what you will prove.
Humor
Imagery and Details
Dialogue
Quote
Question
Anecdote
Excite Curiosity
Bold, Challenging Statement
Amazing Fact or Statistic
Real-Life Emotion
Nostalgia
Pretending

Friday, October 04, 2013

PLEASE read this post and offer your feedback.

PLEASE READ THIS POST AND RESPOND

Throughout my whole teaching career, I have heard that I must teach children to think critically.  The caveat is, when people think critically, they start making their own decisions.  For the past month, we have been having great discussions about some deep, and most times, philosophical topics.  I was giving the students time to write in class, and then we would have a discussion as a large group.  I would like to try something for the next thirty topics.

Below you will see the Common Core standards that address comprehension and collaboration.  I would like to place students in discussion groups and have them share, listen, and then strive towards a consensus... or at least share what they discussed. In order to use the time wisely, I will give them the topic the day before.  This way they can come prepared and they can discuss right away.  I think it will also make sure they are not caught off guard.

I must tell you that I have been holding off on some of these remaining topics because they will require maturity to discuss.  Here is the list that I have been taking the questions from. (see below) For example, I know that asking questions about souls, the afterlife, and God will produce answers that some students might not want to discuss, or even believe that there is a reason to discuss because there is only one answer.

There are plenty of topics left to discuss, and we do not have to cover all of these.  I have been joking that I have been deciding when to cover some topics because I don't want to lose my job!  :)

So far, I have not had any problems with the class discussions.  Then again, I have been leading the discussions.  The question could be asked, Why are you discussing these topics? My answer would be Because we as humans have been asking these questions for centuries and have not figured out the answers.  Artists, musicians, poets, writers, philosophers, theologians, scientists, and everyday people have been sharing their thoughts on these questions. 


Thank you for reading this.  After writing this, I have not come to a decision about the blue topics.  Eventually, I would like the students to choose one topic and write about it in depth, bringing in the opinions of others.

-Mr. Bosler



CC.8.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions  building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CC.8.SL.1.a Come to discussions prepared to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.
CC.8.SL.1.d Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented.

The red topics are ones we have already discussed.
The italic questions are the ones I am concerned about.

65 philosophical questions

1. Is it worse to fail at something or never attempt it in the first place?
2. If you could choose just one thing to change about the world, what would it be?
3. To what extent do you shape your own destiny, and how much is down to fate?
4. Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture?
5. Should people care more about doing the right thing, or doing things right?
6. What one piece of advice would you offer to a newborn infant?
7. Where is the line between insanity and creativity?
8. What is true happiness?
9. What things hold you back from doing the things that you really want to?
10. What makes you, you?
11. What is the truth?
12. What is reality?
13. Do you make your own decisions, or let others make them for you?
14. What makes a good friend?
15. Why do people fear losing things that they do not even have yet?
16. Who defines good and evil?
17. What is the difference between living and being alive?
18. Is a “wrong” act okay if nobody ever knows about it?
19. Who decides what morality is?
20. How do you know that your experience of consciousness is the same as other people’s experience of consciousness?
21. What is true strength?
22. What is true love?
23. Is a family still relevant in the modern world?
24. What role does honour play in today’s society?
25. If money cannot buy happiness, can you ever be truly happy with no money?
26. How do you know your perceptions are real?
27. How much control do you have over your life?
28. What is freedom?
29. Isn’t one person’s terrorist another person’s freedom fighter?
30. What happens after we die?
31. What defines you?
32. What do people strive for after enlightenment?
33. Do we have a soul?
34. What is intelligence?
35. How should people live their lives?
36. If lying is wrong, are white lies okay?
37. Is trust more important than love?
38. Is it easier to love or be loved?
39. Is it better to love and lose or never to love?
40. Do aliens exist?
41. The structure of DNA appears to be intelligently designed, what are the implications?
42. If everything evolved from amoebas, how does the world still have amoebas?
43. Is life all a dream?
44. When does consciousness begin?
45. What are numbers?
46. Can we have happiness without sadness?
47. How did the universe begin?
48. Is there a supreme power?
49. What is education?
50. What will happen at the end of the world?
51. Is there a reason to life?
52. Where does the soul live?
53. Is it more important to be liked or respected?
54. Does sound happen if nothing is present to hear it?
55. What is infinity?
56. Where does the universe end?
57. Does observation alter an event?
58. Does the Law of Attraction exist?
59. How does gravity work?
60. Where were people before they were born?
61. What is beauty?
62. Where do thoughts come from?
63. Is mind or matter more real?
64. What is time?
65. How can people believe in truths without evidence?