Homework:
I asked the students to define the audience of their magazines. They need to determine the age, gender, race, and spending ability of the readers. We discussed that we either see who we are or who we want to be in ads. To determine the audience students should look at the people in the ads, people in the pictures for articles, and examine the content of the articles. Who would these articles appeal to most?
Today:
Buzzword
Quiz on unit 11
Miss Bastnagle taught sections 6 and 7. She discussed what the students found most appealing in two different ads. Did they like the ad with people or the one without people. She is gathering data which she will compare to data taken later in the unit.
In sections 1,2, and 3, I continued my discussion about where I should spend my $100,000 to place an ad in a magazine for my Piglet bowling pin. We decided on a magazine called Bowling This Month. The audience is not 3.2 million like SI; however, its 12,000 readers will appreciate the product more. Plus, a 1 page ad in SI is $300,000, but a full page ad in BTM is only $1,275! I could buy plenty of ads at that price. We also found that ESPN magazine was $55,000 for a full page ad. We might buy one ad in ESPN since it will be seen by 1 million readers.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
April 18, 2007
Homework:
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Quiz on unit 11 tomorrow
Today:
The topic was the same, but each class kind of studied the topic differently. Today we looked at how advertisers choose a magazine to place their ads in. I created a fictional product and gave the students a target audience of who buys the product most: male, 25, interested in sports, with a household income of $40,000. I wanted to spend $100,000 on ads.
We then looked at media kits from Girl's Life and Game Informer. I also gave them other kits from various magazines. The goal was to understand that each magazine has a specific audience and circulation. The more eyes that see the magazine, the more they can charge for ad space.
Since the product was a Piglet bowling pin, and the target was men, Girl's Life was not a good match. The ad money would be wasted! Game Informer is not so good either, even though the audience for the magazine is men who are 25. Tomorrow, we will see which, if any, of the other magazines might be a good use of my money.
By the way, a full page ad in Sports Illustrated is $302,000. A full page ad in Girl's life is $19,000. And a full page ad in Game Informer is $119,000. Even though SI might be a better fit for my product, I can not afford an ad.
Flashcards sections 3,6,7
Quiz on unit 11 tomorrow
Today:
The topic was the same, but each class kind of studied the topic differently. Today we looked at how advertisers choose a magazine to place their ads in. I created a fictional product and gave the students a target audience of who buys the product most: male, 25, interested in sports, with a household income of $40,000. I wanted to spend $100,000 on ads.
We then looked at media kits from Girl's Life and Game Informer. I also gave them other kits from various magazines. The goal was to understand that each magazine has a specific audience and circulation. The more eyes that see the magazine, the more they can charge for ad space.
Since the product was a Piglet bowling pin, and the target was men, Girl's Life was not a good match. The ad money would be wasted! Game Informer is not so good either, even though the audience for the magazine is men who are 25. Tomorrow, we will see which, if any, of the other magazines might be a good use of my money.
By the way, a full page ad in Sports Illustrated is $302,000. A full page ad in Girl's life is $19,000. And a full page ad in Game Informer is $119,000. Even though SI might be a better fit for my product, I can not afford an ad.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
April 17, 2007
Homework:
Finish unit 11 vocab
Be prepared for the quiz on Thursday
Today:
We continued our discussion about the audience of magazines and ads. I discussed the idea that in ads aimed towards us as an audience, we either see who we are or who we want to be. For example, if a teenage girl is looking at an ad with a beautiful older model in it, she would be thinking that she would like to be that young woman in the ad. As she looks at the ad, she is picturing herself using the product and being that woman. Likewise, if the girl in the ad is ordinary, the teenage girl looking at the ad will see herself in the ad. She would see what she would look like if she were using the product.
Tomorrow, we will continue our discussion of audience. Students will be looking through media kits for some magazines. These kits are given to advertisers to show the readership of their magazine. This way, advertisers can determine if the audience of the magazine is a good fit for their advertising dollars. They don't want ads where the people who would buy the product won't see them!
FYI, I do discuss how gender and race are qualities of audiences. In some classes, we discussed the fact that Ebony magazine has a black audience. There is not enough time to fully explain all this, but the short explanation is many magazines have very specific audiences. Magazines can even have niche audiences. This provides a very narrow target for advertisers. However, magazines like Sports Illustrated have a broader audience. Knowing the audience of a magazine is important for viewing the techniques ads use to persuade readers to buy their products.
Finish unit 11 vocab
Be prepared for the quiz on Thursday
Today:
We continued our discussion about the audience of magazines and ads. I discussed the idea that in ads aimed towards us as an audience, we either see who we are or who we want to be. For example, if a teenage girl is looking at an ad with a beautiful older model in it, she would be thinking that she would like to be that young woman in the ad. As she looks at the ad, she is picturing herself using the product and being that woman. Likewise, if the girl in the ad is ordinary, the teenage girl looking at the ad will see herself in the ad. She would see what she would look like if she were using the product.
Tomorrow, we will continue our discussion of audience. Students will be looking through media kits for some magazines. These kits are given to advertisers to show the readership of their magazine. This way, advertisers can determine if the audience of the magazine is a good fit for their advertising dollars. They don't want ads where the people who would buy the product won't see them!
FYI, I do discuss how gender and race are qualities of audiences. In some classes, we discussed the fact that Ebony magazine has a black audience. There is not enough time to fully explain all this, but the short explanation is many magazines have very specific audiences. Magazines can even have niche audiences. This provides a very narrow target for advertisers. However, magazines like Sports Illustrated have a broader audience. Knowing the audience of a magazine is important for viewing the techniques ads use to persuade readers to buy their products.
Monday, April 16, 2007
April 16, 2007
Homework:
Completing the sentence Unit 11
Finish the audience sheets discussed in class today
Today:
Buzzword- We will have a quiz on the buzzwords for April 16- May 1 on May 3
I handed out a grade slip so they know how they are doing.
I gave them a list of all the upcoming projects for the media unit. They can check them off as we do them to keep themselves on track. You can see them here.
We discussed audience today. We began exploring how each magazine has a specific audience. You can determine this from the people in the magazine, the ads and the people in them, and the articles. For example, when I pick up a Seventeen Magazine, I know I am not the audience of that magazine. I do not see myself in any of the people in the magazine or the ads. The articles are not what I am interested in. The ads are not for products I would want to buy.
Each day, we will have a discussion and then have work time to apply the lesson and research their magazines.
Completing the sentence Unit 11
Finish the audience sheets discussed in class today
Today:
Buzzword- We will have a quiz on the buzzwords for April 16- May 1 on May 3
I handed out a grade slip so they know how they are doing.
I gave them a list of all the upcoming projects for the media unit. They can check them off as we do them to keep themselves on track. You can see them here.
We discussed audience today. We began exploring how each magazine has a specific audience. You can determine this from the people in the magazine, the ads and the people in them, and the articles. For example, when I pick up a Seventeen Magazine, I know I am not the audience of that magazine. I do not see myself in any of the people in the magazine or the ads. The articles are not what I am interested in. The ads are not for products I would want to buy.
Each day, we will have a discussion and then have work time to apply the lesson and research their magazines.
Friday, April 13, 2007
April 13, 2007
Homework:
None
Today:
Here is the packet I gave the students.
Buzzword
Reviewed choosing the right word
Finished counting ads and determined the percentage of ads and text
Began discussing audience
I am posting the packet the students are using on my website.
I will have a small grade update next week for the fourth marking period. I have a few grades.
There will be a quiz on unit 11 Thursday.
I am thinking about grading class participation again. Some students are becoming lax about coming to class prepared. It is very frustrating, but not totally unexpected. However, it needs to stop.
None
Today:
Here is the packet I gave the students.
Buzzword
Reviewed choosing the right word
Finished counting ads and determined the percentage of ads and text
Began discussing audience
I am posting the packet the students are using on my website.
I will have a small grade update next week for the fourth marking period. I have a few grades.
There will be a quiz on unit 11 Thursday.
I am thinking about grading class participation again. Some students are becoming lax about coming to class prepared. It is very frustrating, but not totally unexpected. However, it needs to stop.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
April 12, 2007
Homework:
Choosing the right word Unit 11
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed Synonyms
Continued to count ads in the the magazines. Students were required to have a magazine today. I wanted them to study a magazine they are interested in. I counted having a magazine as a small class grade.
Choosing the right word Unit 11
Today:
Buzzword
Reviewed Synonyms
Continued to count ads in the the magazines. Students were required to have a magazine today. I wanted them to study a magazine they are interested in. I counted having a magazine as a small class grade.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April 11, 2007
Homework:
pictionaries 11-20 and synonyms unit 11
You must have a magazine tomorrow
Today:
We reviewed words 11-20 in unit 11.
We began the magazine study. We are first going to determine the percentage of the magazine that is ads.
I will post a copy of the packet on my website tomorrow so you can see what we will be working from.
pictionaries 11-20 and synonyms unit 11
You must have a magazine tomorrow
Today:
We reviewed words 11-20 in unit 11.
We began the magazine study. We are first going to determine the percentage of the magazine that is ads.
I will post a copy of the packet on my website tomorrow so you can see what we will be working from.
April 10, 2007
Homework:
Pictionaries 1-10 Unit 11
Bring in a magazine for class
Today:
It was tough getting up this morning. Breaks can be so relaxing. I am not saying mine was, though. It was jam packed with stuff! However, it was good to be back.
Now that the bully letter is done and handed in, Miss Bastnagel and I are beginning a new unit. This unit will be on magazine and TV advertising. Over the next five weeks or so, we will be doing activities that discuss the persuasive aspects of ads and the values they contain. These activities address the media literacy requirements of the Red Clay curriculum.
If your child said he/she needed a magazine, that is correct. We want the students to study something they already read. I can give them a magazine if they need one. However, I am making bringing in a magazine a small grade because I see no reason why a child can not get a magazine from somewhere. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
I will be posting the new assignment on the main web page sometime this week. I will post the packet I gave them so you can review some of the activities. This unit is always eye-opening. Pretty soon you child will be pointing out things you might never have noticed before. Let's hope so!
Pictionaries 1-10 Unit 11
Bring in a magazine for class
Today:
It was tough getting up this morning. Breaks can be so relaxing. I am not saying mine was, though. It was jam packed with stuff! However, it was good to be back.
Now that the bully letter is done and handed in, Miss Bastnagel and I are beginning a new unit. This unit will be on magazine and TV advertising. Over the next five weeks or so, we will be doing activities that discuss the persuasive aspects of ads and the values they contain. These activities address the media literacy requirements of the Red Clay curriculum.
If your child said he/she needed a magazine, that is correct. We want the students to study something they already read. I can give them a magazine if they need one. However, I am making bringing in a magazine a small grade because I see no reason why a child can not get a magazine from somewhere. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
I will be posting the new assignment on the main web page sometime this week. I will post the packet I gave them so you can review some of the activities. This unit is always eye-opening. Pretty soon you child will be pointing out things you might never have noticed before. Let's hope so!
Friday, March 30, 2007
March 30, 2007
Homework:
None! Enjoy your break!
Today:
We were in the writing lab. The students finished typing their essays. They submitted them and handed in a copy. I will take the GoMyAccess score for 100 points, and Miss Bastnagel and I will grade them for another 100 points.
After break we will begin a unit on media literacy. We will study magazines, TV ads, NASCAR sponsorship, and marketing strategies. I will be asking students to bring in a magazine so we can study it in depth.
None! Enjoy your break!
Today:
We were in the writing lab. The students finished typing their essays. They submitted them and handed in a copy. I will take the GoMyAccess score for 100 points, and Miss Bastnagel and I will grade them for another 100 points.
After break we will begin a unit on media literacy. We will study magazines, TV ads, NASCAR sponsorship, and marketing strategies. I will be asking students to bring in a magazine so we can study it in depth.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
March 29, 2007
Homework:
The bully essay will be collected at the end of class tomorrow. Students who have been absent during the writing lab time are still responsible for writing an essay. Miss Bastnagel and I will be scoring the essays as well.
Today:
Miss Bastnagel and I both did lessons for students on improving sentence structure in their essays. We also discussed ideas for improving organization by adding transitions. Finally, we looked at the model essay provided by GoMyAccess. We analyzed it to see why it scored so well.
The bully essay will be collected at the end of class tomorrow. Students who have been absent during the writing lab time are still responsible for writing an essay. Miss Bastnagel and I will be scoring the essays as well.
Today:
Miss Bastnagel and I both did lessons for students on improving sentence structure in their essays. We also discussed ideas for improving organization by adding transitions. Finally, we looked at the model essay provided by GoMyAccess. We analyzed it to see why it scored so well.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 28, 2007
Homework:
Sections 1 and 2 should have finished the worksheet we began Tuesday.
Today:
We were in the writing lab. Many students spent their time trying to slowly improve their scores. Tomorrow, Miss Bastnagel and I will teach lessons to help them improve their letters.
The final essay will be due when they leave class on Friday. It will be scored by Miss Bastnagel and me. Judging by the model essays provided by GoMyAccess, she and I will be scoring the essay more thoroughly than the computer does. We will stress the importance of NO grammar errors.
Sections 1 and 2 should have finished the worksheet we began Tuesday.
Today:
We were in the writing lab. Many students spent their time trying to slowly improve their scores. Tomorrow, Miss Bastnagel and I will teach lessons to help them improve their letters.
The final essay will be due when they leave class on Friday. It will be scored by Miss Bastnagel and me. Judging by the model essays provided by GoMyAccess, she and I will be scoring the essay more thoroughly than the computer does. We will stress the importance of NO grammar errors.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
March 27, 2007
Homework:
Sections 1 and 2 should finish the packet we started in class today for Thursday.
Today:
In sections 1 and 2 I talked about how to improve the readability level of an essay. We looked at the readability statistics that Microsoft Word can display when doing a spelling and grammar check. I taught them that the higher readability comes from the words to syllables ratio. Fewer words with more syllables will result in a higher readability. I reminded them about the word bank in GoMyAccess. They should pick words that are one level above their current level. If they write using 25 cent words now, they should not use $50 words! They should use $1 words. Otherwise, the huge words will sound silly... if they even know what they mean!
Sections 3, 6, and 7 reviewed comma usage. Miss Bastnagel taught sections 6 and 7.
Sections 1 and 2 should finish the packet we started in class today for Thursday.
Today:
In sections 1 and 2 I talked about how to improve the readability level of an essay. We looked at the readability statistics that Microsoft Word can display when doing a spelling and grammar check. I taught them that the higher readability comes from the words to syllables ratio. Fewer words with more syllables will result in a higher readability. I reminded them about the word bank in GoMyAccess. They should pick words that are one level above their current level. If they write using 25 cent words now, they should not use $50 words! They should use $1 words. Otherwise, the huge words will sound silly... if they even know what they mean!
Sections 3, 6, and 7 reviewed comma usage. Miss Bastnagel taught sections 6 and 7.
Monday, March 26, 2007
March 26, 2007
Homework:
None
Today:
We were in the writing lab. We began typing in the bullying essay. Tomorrow we will work on lessons to improve their sentences. We will be back in the lab on Wednesday. That's it, really. Not much to say.
None
Today:
We were in the writing lab. We began typing in the bullying essay. Tomorrow we will work on lessons to improve their sentences. We will be back in the lab on Wednesday. That's it, really. Not much to say.
Friday, March 23, 2007
March 23, 2007
TGIF!
Homework:
Ideally, I would like a letter writen for Monday. This way, when the students get on the computers on Monday, they will be able to use GoMyAccess for revision and not just a word processor. However, if the letter is not done, that is fine, too.
Today:
I handed out the pen prizes to sections 1,2, and 3. We finished the movie for those classes. We discussed what should be included in the letter to the bullied friend.
Homework:
Ideally, I would like a letter writen for Monday. This way, when the students get on the computers on Monday, they will be able to use GoMyAccess for revision and not just a word processor. However, if the letter is not done, that is fine, too.
Today:
I handed out the pen prizes to sections 1,2, and 3. We finished the movie for those classes. We discussed what should be included in the letter to the bullied friend.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
March 22, 2007
Homework:
Continue working on the letter to the friend who is being bullied.
Today:
I only saw sections 6 and 7, and both of those classes were 35 minutes long. We finished watching the movie. The kids are pretty fried after testing anyway!
Continue working on the letter to the friend who is being bullied.
Today:
I only saw sections 6 and 7, and both of those classes were 35 minutes long. We finished watching the movie. The kids are pretty fried after testing anyway!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
March 21, 2007
Homework:
Students should be working on the letter to their friend who is being bullied. Unfortunately, I don't think many students are working on it now. The essay is due Monday, though.
Today:
Ms. Bastnagel taught the lesson today. This was here first day teaching, and she did an excellent job. Since she has been teaching second graders for 9 weeks before this, she had more than enough experience to handle the more mature? seventh graders. :)
Using a lesson she created, Ms. Bastnagel reviewed the characters from the movie and how each coped with Joe, the bully in the movie. After discussing the different reactions to a bully, she asked the students to put themselves in the same situation and decide how they would handle it. She had four different choices for the students to elaborate on. The students chose a paper that symbolized their choice and wrote out how they would handle being bullied. Some students read their papers to the class.
Students should be working on the letter to their friend who is being bullied. Unfortunately, I don't think many students are working on it now. The essay is due Monday, though.
Today:
Ms. Bastnagel taught the lesson today. This was here first day teaching, and she did an excellent job. Since she has been teaching second graders for 9 weeks before this, she had more than enough experience to handle the more mature? seventh graders. :)
Using a lesson she created, Ms. Bastnagel reviewed the characters from the movie and how each coped with Joe, the bully in the movie. After discussing the different reactions to a bully, she asked the students to put themselves in the same situation and decide how they would handle it. She had four different choices for the students to elaborate on. The students chose a paper that symbolized their choice and wrote out how they would handle being bullied. Some students read their papers to the class.
Monday, March 19, 2007
March 19, 2007
Homework:
Work on the bully letter (new assignment page on MrBoZ.com)
Today:
We read over the suggestions on this page. Then we watched more of the movie How to Eat Fried Worms. Today we focused on the bystanders and the role they play in allowing the bullying to continue. Later, we will see how they can affect change.
FYI:
I sent home grade e-mails today. They should be the grade they receive for the 3rd marking period. This week is testing, so there will not be any new grades. Then the marking period is over. There are a few things that can be made up.
Work on the bully letter (new assignment page on MrBoZ.com)
Today:
We read over the suggestions on this page. Then we watched more of the movie How to Eat Fried Worms. Today we focused on the bystanders and the role they play in allowing the bullying to continue. Later, we will see how they can affect change.
FYI:
I sent home grade e-mails today. They should be the grade they receive for the 3rd marking period. This week is testing, so there will not be any new grades. Then the marking period is over. There are a few things that can be made up.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
March 15, 2007
Homework:
None
Today:
I saw the rest of the classes today. We are starting a new essay on bullying. We watched 10 minute from the beginning of the movie "How to Eat Fried Worms." We discussed how three characters in the movie deal with being bullied. One ignores it. Another gives into it and is miserable. And the main character thinks he will stand up to the bully and be strong. He takes a bet that would humiliate the bully if he wins, but the bet will humiliate him in the process. He has to eat ten worms! We will watch some other parts of the movie, but we are mainly going to be focusing on reading an article that has suggestions about what to do if you are being bullied.
FYI:
I have a student teacher who will be with me until the end of May. Here is a letter she sent home with your child. (Some classes do not get it yet.)
Dear Parent(s) /Guardian(s)/ Families of Seventh grade team:
My name is Elizabeth Bastnagel and I will be student teaching in your child’s seventh grade English class for the next eight weeks. I am a student at the University of Delaware working to receive my degree in Elementary Education.
I have had several field experiences through the University, including three other placements in the Red Clay School District at Heritage Elementary School, Richardson Park Elementary School, and at H.B. Dupont Middle School. I have also worked for the Western Family YMCA of Delaware in the before- and after-care school program. These experiences have made me confident that I can succeed in working with your child.
I’m thoroughly excited about the opportunity to work with Mr. Bosler and his seventh graders. I look forward to getting to know your child during the next eight weeks. If at any time during my placement you need to reach me please call the school at (302) 239-3420.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bastnagel
None
Today:
I saw the rest of the classes today. We are starting a new essay on bullying. We watched 10 minute from the beginning of the movie "How to Eat Fried Worms." We discussed how three characters in the movie deal with being bullied. One ignores it. Another gives into it and is miserable. And the main character thinks he will stand up to the bully and be strong. He takes a bet that would humiliate the bully if he wins, but the bet will humiliate him in the process. He has to eat ten worms! We will watch some other parts of the movie, but we are mainly going to be focusing on reading an article that has suggestions about what to do if you are being bullied.
FYI:
I have a student teacher who will be with me until the end of May. Here is a letter she sent home with your child. (Some classes do not get it yet.)
Dear Parent(s) /Guardian(s)/ Families of Seventh grade team:
My name is Elizabeth Bastnagel and I will be student teaching in your child’s seventh grade English class for the next eight weeks. I am a student at the University of Delaware working to receive my degree in Elementary Education.
I have had several field experiences through the University, including three other placements in the Red Clay School District at Heritage Elementary School, Richardson Park Elementary School, and at H.B. Dupont Middle School. I have also worked for the Western Family YMCA of Delaware in the before- and after-care school program. These experiences have made me confident that I can succeed in working with your child.
I’m thoroughly excited about the opportunity to work with Mr. Bosler and his seventh graders. I look forward to getting to know your child during the next eight weeks. If at any time during my placement you need to reach me please call the school at (302) 239-3420.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bastnagel
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
March 14, 2007
Homework:
None
Today:
Sorry about not blogging yesterday. We were in the lab yesterday, and they were to enter the Richard Petty essay for a score. I took the score from GoMyAccess as a grade. Students who were absent are excused. You may have heard that it was hard to get a six on the speech. That is true. I also wanted to say that many students were lax about getting drafts done on time. This speech has been like pulling teeth. Their effort will be reflected in their grade slip which I should have for Friday of this week.
Today, I saw sections 7,1,and 2. Tomorrow I will see sections 3 and 6. We are starting our next writing topic. I handed out the prompt today. I will make a web page for the assignment soon.
None
Today:
Sorry about not blogging yesterday. We were in the lab yesterday, and they were to enter the Richard Petty essay for a score. I took the score from GoMyAccess as a grade. Students who were absent are excused. You may have heard that it was hard to get a six on the speech. That is true. I also wanted to say that many students were lax about getting drafts done on time. This speech has been like pulling teeth. Their effort will be reflected in their grade slip which I should have for Friday of this week.
Today, I saw sections 7,1,and 2. Tomorrow I will see sections 3 and 6. We are starting our next writing topic. I handed out the prompt today. I will make a web page for the assignment soon.
Monday, March 12, 2007
March 12, 2007
Homework:
Revise the Richard Petty essay so we can enter it into GoMYAccess tomorrow.
Today:
Buzzword
We read examples of essays that scored 3,4, and 5 for the Richard Petty speech. These were scored by GoMyAccess. I wanted the students to see what the difference is between their essays and the essays we read. All the students have the same details to include, but how is it that they can't all get a five? They must be doing something wrong. My job is to help them find out what that might be.
We used a checklist to see if the 5 had all the details possible in it. It had most of them. Honestly, I don't see what is missing to get the six in the essay we read. I thought it sounded pretty good. But that is the challenge of GoMyAccess. We should keep reading the samples and trying to get our essays to be scored at least a four. The computer is consistent.
We will be in the writing lab tomorrow.
Revise the Richard Petty essay so we can enter it into GoMYAccess tomorrow.
Today:
Buzzword
We read examples of essays that scored 3,4, and 5 for the Richard Petty speech. These were scored by GoMyAccess. I wanted the students to see what the difference is between their essays and the essays we read. All the students have the same details to include, but how is it that they can't all get a five? They must be doing something wrong. My job is to help them find out what that might be.
We used a checklist to see if the 5 had all the details possible in it. It had most of them. Honestly, I don't see what is missing to get the six in the essay we read. I thought it sounded pretty good. But that is the challenge of GoMyAccess. We should keep reading the samples and trying to get our essays to be scored at least a four. The computer is consistent.
We will be in the writing lab tomorrow.
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