Final grades are entered in HAC.

Novels Section 2 will read over the summer.

The presentations are finished in Section 2.  I asked the students to pick two books they will read over the summer.  Below you see the top choices of the class and the choices of each student. 

I plan to make a wiki page for each of these books below.  I encourage the students to enter some notes on the page after they have read the book.  I will create a blog entry when they are ready.

I am planning to read As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury, among others.  I would like to read Frankenstein  and some more Steinbeck books.

10	Fahrenheit 451
7	Carrie
6	The Pearl
6	The Great Gatsby
5	Dawn
3	1984
3	Kafka
3	Schindler's List
3	Three Musketeers
2	As I Lay Dying
2	Robinson Crusoe
2	To Kill a Mockingbird
2	Wuthering Heights
1	Catch 22
1	MacBeth
1	The Color of Water
1	Treasure Island
1	Twelfth Night
1	The Sound and the Fury

 

Addy S.	To Kill a Mockingbird	Wuthering Heights
Alex Y.	1984	The Great Gatsby
Alexis Y.	Dawn	Fahrenheit 451
Anna	Wuthering Heights	To Kill a Mockingbird
Brad T.	The Pearl	Robinson Crusoe
Caroline	The Great Gatsby	Dawn
Christmas	As I Lay Dying	The Great Gatsby
Dakota N.	The Pearl	Fahrenheit 451
Ella M.	Carrie	Schindler's List
Elyse	The Color of Water	Dawn
Erin D.	Fahrenheit 451	The Sound and the Fury
Gavin F.	Fahrenheit 451	Dawn
Gunjan M.	The Pearl	Kafka
Ian	Kafka	Carrie
Isra	Carrie	The Pearl
Jaheem	Fahrenheit 451	The Great Gatsby
Jeh-Leen	As I Lay Dying	The Great Gatsby
Kameron M.	Carrie	The Pearl
Katie E.	Fahrenheit 451	The Great Gatsby
Kyle N.	Fahrenheit 451	The Three Musketeers
Laura M.	MacBeth	Twelfth Night
Lien A.	Kafka	Schindler's List
Nathan B.	Fahrenheit 451	Dawn
Nawel	1984	Fahrenheit 451
Nisaiah W.
Noshin I.	Carrie	The Pearl
Shane L.	MacBeth	Schindler's List
Shannon S.	1984	Carrie
Will G.	Fahrenheit 451	Robinson Crusoe
Yunsik	The Three Musketeers	Treasure Island
YuQing	The Three Musketeers	Catch 22

Section 1 grades for the 4th MP are finalized in HAC

In a few hours, my students will be high schoolers! 

Section 2 grades are finalized in HAC

Honestly, I am a little disappointed with the scores for the assignment that included the reading log, vocab, and reader reflection from the wiki.  These should have been easy 100's.  Oh well.  I score them as I see them.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me.

Section 3 grades are finalized on HAC

I went through the wiki pages and entered all the work that I have.

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me.

I will try to get some of Section 2 done tonight.

Novels Section 3 will read over the summer.

The presentations are finished in Section 3.  I asked the students to pick two books they will read over the summer.  Below you see the top choices of the class and the choices of each student. 

I plan to make a wiki page for each of these books below.  I encourage the students to enter some notes on the page after they have read the book.  I will create a blog entry when they are ready.

I am planning to read As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury, among others.  I would like to read Frankenstein  and some more Steinbeck books.

8	Lord of the Flies
7	Animal Farm
7	The Sun also Rises
5	Dante's Inferno
5	The Sound and the Fury
4	Farenheit 451
4	Frankenstein
3	The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
3	The Great Gatsby
1	Of Mice and Men
1	The Hobbit
1	The Pearl
1	The Time Machine
Ria A.	The Sun also Rises	The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Emma B.	Lord of the Flies	The Great Gatsby
Jeighton B.
Erin C.	The Sound and the Fury	The Sun also Rises
Patrick C.
Ben D.	Farenheit 451	The Time Machine
Sid G.	Lord of the Flies	Animal Farm
Courtney G.
John G.	Dante's Inferno	Lord of the Flies
Janaya G.	The Sound and the Fury	The Sun also Rises
Elana H.	The Pearl	Farenheit 451
Camirra
John K.	The Boy in the Striped Pajamas	Animal Farm
Sarah K.	The Sound and the Fury	The Sun also Rises
Becky L.	Frankenstein	The Great Gatsby
Liam M.	Farenheit 451	Animal Farm
Amaya M.	Frankenstein	Lord of the Flies
Angella M.
Maggie N.	The Sound and the Fury	Dante's Inferno
Jeff N.	Animal Farm	The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Emily R.	The Sound and the Fury	The Sun also Rises
Nikhil S.	Lord of the Flies	Frankenstein
Ananya S.	The Sun also Rises	Animal Farm
Nadia S.
Shinny S.	Dante's Inferno	Of Mice and Men
Maddie V.	The Hobbit	Dante's Inferno
Vasista V.	Lord of the Flies	Animal Farm
Haoda W.	Dante's Inferno	Farenheit 451
Angela W.	The Great Gatsby	Lord of the Flies
Tayla W.
Eliza W.	The Sun also Rises	Frankenstein
Lucas W.	Animal Farm	Lord of the Flies

My goal is to go through all the work tonight

Sections 2 and 3, I will go through all the wikis and enter the completion grades.  Also, most students are done their presentations. 

Section 1, I will enter the last few grades I have and finalize the grades. 

By tomorrow morning, the grades should be done.

Not much to update...

Sections 2 and 3 are presenting their classic books.  I think they are going really well!  All the wiki assignments are due ASAP.  I would like to grade them over the weekend if I need to.

Section 1 is watching a video on the Civil War.  I am exploring how the creators of Anne Frank, Night, and this documentary are conveying a theme through different mediums.  Tomorrow we will finish the movie and put it all together for the last assignment.

I entered Section 3's Guided Questions #3 in HAC

I am going through everything on your pages.

Here is what I have so far.  There are a lot of assignments missing.

The 1, 2, 3 are the story elements activities I told you not to burst your brains on.  However, they do need to be done soon.  The reading log should have been done.  Yellows are not late. 

This has taken a long time.

I entered Section 2's Guided Questions #3 in HAC

I am going through everything on your pages. 

Here is what I have so far.  There are a lot of assignments missing. 

The 1, 2, 3 are the story elements activities I told you not to burst your brains on.  However, they do need to be done soon.  The reading log should have been done.  Yellows are not late. 

Now I will read section 3.  This is taking a long time.

Clarification for the book presentation due Tuesday (Sections 2 & 3)

Independent Novel Study Presentation

You must demonstrate your proficiency with the following standards:

CC.8.R.L.2 Key Ideas and Details: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
CC.8.R.L.3 Key Ideas and Details: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
CC.8.R.L.6 Craft and Structure: Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

These are the basics from the standards:

Theme

Analyze theme’s development

Through characters

Through setting

Through plot

Particular lines of dialogue & Incidents in a story

Propel the action

Provoke a decision

Differences in the points of view (optional)

Please use the bolded words in your presentation!

1.     Introduce the book in a creative way. Be sure to state the title, author, and the genre of the novel.

2.     Briefly summarize the book without giving away the ending. Provide information that will make them want to read it too… or not!

a.     Analyze theme’s development through plot

b.     Internal and external conflicts

3.     Read aloud an interesting section and explain its significance.

a.     Particular lines of dialogue & Incidents in a story

                                              i.     Propel the action

                                            ii.     Provoke a decision

4.     Describe the main characters from the book. Who are the protagonists/antagonists? What were their roles within the story?

a.     Analyze theme’s development through characters

5.     Describe the setting of the book. Tell us when and where the story takes place.

a.     Analyze theme’s development through setting

6.     Tell about some ways in which you connected with the novel (text-text, text-world, text-self).

7.     Tell about the underlying message you thought the novel was trying to communicate.

a.     Theme

8.     Your presentation is engaging and uses visuals: the wow factor.

The book should be done ASAP!  The presentation is Tuesday! 

 The questions from the project are there to help the students analyze the book deeper than just the plot and the theme.

Section 2

Section 3

 

Blank Grades on HAC: ALL CLASSES

Because I know exactly what needs to be done before the end of the marking period, I put those assignments on HAC as blank.  Blanks do not affect the grade until a score is entered.  However, I am sure you understand that if the assignment is not completed, the grade will drop.

Sections 2 and 3 were supposed to be done 75% of their book by yesterday, which means they should have entered the responses for guiding questions 2 on the wiki.  If they did not get that far, they have a MIS on HAC.  That grade will be changed when they are done with no penalty for late... within reason.

I balanced the grades today to make sure that the formatives and summatives reflect the proper weights of the assignments.  Section 1 needed some adjusting, but sections 2 and 3 were right where I wanted them.  Literature should count more than the vocabulary.  

At this point, the 4th marking period grades are in the students' hands.  All of my students, honors and academics, are capable of finishing the year strong, working independently on a novel.  Most grades are completion anyway.

Finish strong!

Section 2 completion

Section 3 completion

Sections 2 and 3 are behind in their reading!

If you ever thought about buying a Porche...

The students should have finished the second set of guiding questions by today.  However, those questions deal with the book up until near the end.  In other words, they should have read at least 75% of their book by now.  If you look at the charts below, you will see that most have not. 

I am not going to look at the questions until a student has read 80% of his/her book.

I am giving students LOTS of time to work in class, but they will need to work at home.  Students had their books May 5.  It is now May 19.  If a student had a 200 page book, that works out to 14 pages a night, which is reasonable.

I sure hope the students step it up.  I am providing lots of opportunities for some easy A's.  They just have to do the required work.

Section 2

Section 3

Assignments to complete for 4th MP: the end is near!

Don't forget, the formal is tomorrow night!

Here is a checklist of assignment.  When these are finished, the grades are done.

Section 1

Vocab

• Unit 15 Quiz (summative)
• Vocab Final 300 words (summative)
• Pages 183, 184 responder (form)
• 187-189 responder (form)
• Write all 300 words on paper (form)

Literature- Night

• Answered all questions on sheet (easy form 100%)
• Handed in chart (easy form 100%)
• Take test on Night (summative)
• 
  
• Common Core Writing project on Night (summative)

Sections 2 and 3

Grades to finish up the MP

Vocab

• Unit 15 Quiz (summative)
• Vocab Final 300 words (summative)
• Pages 183, 184 responder (form)
• 187-189 responder (form)

Literature- Independent Reading

• Response 2 Guiding Questions (Due: May 19)
• Response 3 Guiding Questions (Due: May 23)
• Signposts in Literature
• Story Element Activities: Visualize, Synopsis, Theme 1 ½ hours (Due: May 27)
• Reader Reflection Assignment
• Book Talk (Due: May 28)

Grade updates on HAC

Homework:
ALL Classes: Synonyms and Antonyms due tomorrow.
ALL Classes can practice for the vocabulary final by using this huge collection of words!

I tried to catch all classes up today.  Please check HAC.

• In sections 2 and 3, I added vocab scores.
• In section 1, I helped students get in the missing work.

Independent Reading assignment in sections 2 and 3:
I read through all the answers for the first responses that were due yesterday.  It took me about four hours or so because I also gave feedback.  I wanted to see how each student is progressing.

I had said that I was not scoring the answers, but students needed to do ALL the work.  I do want to see that students are reading and reflecting.  Please see HAC for the grades.  The scores will stand.  They had plenty of time to do these.

Sections 2 & 3: Um... you knew the questions on the wiki were due today, right? Yes.

I have been looking over the wiki pages, and too many students have not done the required work on time.  I have to go photograph the boys baseball game, and I might not get to the rest of the questions until tomorrow morning.  I sure hope the questions are done by then!  This was supposed to be an easy 100%.

Also, the reading logs are not detailed enough. 

Disappointed so far.  :(

Quick post

All classes should have pictionaries and Choosing the Right Word unit 15 done for tomorrow.
All classes have quiz 15 on Friday.

Sections 2 & 3 were to have finished the first set of questions on the wiki. 

• We spent some time working in book discussion groups today.  
• I am asking that students write longer answers for the second set of questions which is due Monday, May 19. 
• I am thinking five lines as of right now. 

Section 1 seems to be struggling with the assignment below.  I told the students it would be best if they worked on this tonight.  Many did not bother to take the book home. 

Common Core Standard 8.R.L.3 Key Ideas and Details: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Pages ______ - _______  Briefly summarize what happens in this section of the text.

	Example from the text	Explain (including  how it fits into what we have read so far)
Find a line of dialogue that propels the action forward.
Find an incident that propels the action forward.
Find a line of dialogue said by a character.  What qualities do we learn about that character from that quote?
Find a meaningful incident.  What do we learn about the character as a result of the incident?
Find a line of dialogue that provokes a decision by a character.  Explain the decision and why it was made?
Find an incident that provokes a decision by a character.  Explain the decision and why it was made?

Classroom Update

Homework:
Section 1: 

• Synonyms and Antonyms unit 14
• Quiz Thursday unit 14

Sections 2 & 3:

• Pictionaries unit 14
• Synonyms and Antonyms unit 14
• Both types of quizzes on Thursday unit 14

Interims:
I am using  the grades that are in HAC as of today for interims.
There are some homework grades for vocab, but I will get to them.

Sections 2 & 3
I gave students a printed version of their independent book project.
I tried to express that since we are short on time, I am not expecting huge answers to the questions on their reflections.  I am looking for accurate, concise answers.
All of the activities are supposed to prepare them May 27 when they present their books.

While I have spent the year trying to increase their writing, I am asking students to participate in the process of close reading.  I ask that the assignments be COMPLETED and ON TIME.  I will be doing my best to assess their progress towards their presentation.

Grades sections 2 & 3
THIS PROJECT IS THE MAJORITY OF THE 4TH MP GRADE.  

1.  The most important assignment is the book presentation. I will create a rubric.
2. Another piece of writing I will ask students to take their time on is the reflection/connection piece where they explain their interaction with their book.  This piece should be typed and be about 450 - 600 words.

Check out this collection of classic works! 
These are the books the students have chosen. I like how some students are doing the same book.  This way they can have discussions.

1984

Animal Farm

Animal Farm

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying

Carrie

Catch 22

Dante's Inferno

Diary of Anne Frank

Diary of Anne Frank

Farenheit 451

Farenheit 451

Farenheit 451

Farenheit 451

Farenheit 451

Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Go Ask Alice

Great Expectations

Gulliver's Travels

Kafka

Little Women

Little Women

Little Women

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

MacBeth

Red Badge of Courage

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe

Shindler's List

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Color of Water

The Grapes of Wrath

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

The Hobbit

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Life of Pi

The Pearl

The Sound and the Fury

The Sun also Rises

The Time Machine

The Time Machine

Three Musketeers

Three Musketeers

To Kill a Mocking Bird

To Kill a Mocking Bird

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Treasure Island

Twelfth Night

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights