Archive by Author
Monday: 06-Feb-2012 Freshmen English Block 1
In Class
Today in class we completed the following tasks:
- First students spent 15 minutes writing a brief piece on the topic Something that bugs me is.
- I wrote alongside the class and displayed my writing on the SMART Board
- We briefly discussed the writing choices I made and why I made those choices and not others.
- We will be working with this piece over the next few weeks.
- Next, we talked about Google Documents. The following topics were covered.
- All writing, from now on, should be completed in Google Documents.
- If something is typed in Microsoft Word, it must be uploaded and placed in each student’s shared collection as soon as possible.
- Students were directed to create sub collection inside their shared collection. This collection should contain all documents related to their first Narrative.
- Students are responsible for using Google Documents as directed in class. Students are responsible for placing all working documents into a shared collection.
- We spent the rest of the block discussing brainstorming.
- Students spent 5 minutes making a list of funny topics, 5 minutes making a list of sad/tragic topics, and 5 minutes making a list of turning point topics.
- Students then spent seven minutes completing a writing sneeze, where they listed words and phrases that related to the one of the brainstormed writing topics.
- I modeled each step along with the students and we discussed the choices I made
Distributed Materials
- None
Homework
- The following assignments must be stored in each students shared Google Collection
- Brainstorming lists on the following personal narrative topics
- Funny/Happy
- Sad/Tragic
- Turning Point
- A detailed list of images, ideas, concepts, or related facts for at least one of the brainstormed topics
- A first draft that is at least half-way along
- Each is due on 08-Feb-2012
Thursday: 02-Feb-2012 Freshmen English Block 8
In Class
Today in class we completed the following tasks:
- We began the day be reviewing the Independent Reading Assignment
- How to access Google Groups
- The difference between a summary and a reader response
- Why most students are not completing this assignment.
- Next, we wrote for 10 minutes on the following topic.
- Grammar. The very word strike fear and dread into the minds to students, parents and adults.Why? Why do most people (including myself) not like grammar? Why are they afraid? Why do you not like grammar?
- As a group, we discussed the purpose of grammar, the baggage we have with grammar instruction and the reasons why we did not learn a lot of grammar previously.
- Next, we reviewed the following grammatical principles
- Sentence = Subject + Verb
- Subject = Noun (person, place, thing)
- The person, place or thing that performs the action
- Verb = Action (what is done in the sentence
- Sentence is also know as an Independent Clause
- Dependent Clause, also known as a sentence fragment, does not have either a subject or a verb
- A run on sentence is a sentence that does not properly connect two independent clauses
- A run on sentence can be fixed by using a comma and a coordination conjunction (FANBOY)
- One of the four proper uses of a comma
- Students ended the class by inserting sentence that used a FANBOY into their narratives
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Continue independent reading assignment
- Keep up with the reading log
- First draft of narrative is due on Tuesday 07-Feb-2012
Full Story
Monday: 30-Jan-2012 Freshmen English Block 1
In Class
Today in class we completed the following task:
- Some students, last week, struggled to submit their essay and/or develop a critique, self grade, or reflection. As a result, I met each student at the door and provided them with specific instruction in regards to what they needed to complete during the first thirty minutes of class in order to be successful
- During the second thirty minutes of class, some students read their narratives with the class. Students were trained how to provide constructive feedback using the “sandwich” technique.
- For the last portion of class, we discussed what students can do during the next three weeks in order to master all 12 narrative standards.
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Reading Logs and Reader Response: Due 01-Feb-2012
- Continue working on personal narrative essays.
Friday: 27-Jan-2012 Word Power
In Class
Today in class we completed the following tasks:
- First the class completed their vocabulary tests.
- Next, we learned the vocabulary words for week9.
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Study for the Week 9 Vocabulary Tests
- Continue working on independent reading, word studies, and reading logs
Tuesday: 24-Jan-2012 Freshmen English Block 8
In Class
Today in class students completed the following tasks:
- First all students took the STAR Reading tests
- Next, we discussed the 6 things students need to do in order to complete and submit their narratives by the end of the day on Thursday.
- Write a 1/2 page reflection
- Identify the standards their draft is trying to meet. Grade themselves on each standard using the three point scale discussed in the Writer’s Workshop handout
- Write a 1/2 page critique of your pieces that analyzes its strengths and weaknesses
- Email a final draft to freshenglish8@justinboyd.net
- If your draft is not shared on Google Docs, place hard copies of your draft in your folder
- Put brainstorming in your folder as well
- Students spent the rest of the block working on their narratives
Distributed Materials
- None
Homeowork
- Reading log and reader response due 26-Jan-2012
- Narrative due 26-Jan-2012
Monday: 22-Jan-2012 Freshmen English Block 1
In Class
In class today, students completed the following tasks.
- First student completed the following freewrite.
- Are you making progress with your current narrative? Explain.
- What standards is your current narrative designed to meet?
- Next we spent the block studying internal monologue.
- First we defined internal monologue
- After showing students several examples, of internal monologues, students worked to create internal monologues for specific images.
- Lastly, students worked at including internal monologues into their own narratives
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Continue working on personal narratives
- By 26-Jan-2011 students need to submit one or more personal narratives designed to purposefully meet 6 of the 12 personal narrative standards.
- Students need to plan their time accordingly in order to meet this deadline.
- Complete the self assigned homework
- Work on reading logs and reader responses. Due: 24-Jan-2012
Friday: 20-Jan-2012 Freshmen English Block 1
In Class
In class today, students completed the following tasks.
- First student completed the following freewrite.
- What is your goal for today?
- What will you be working on?
- What standards is your current draft designed to meet?
- Next, I spent 25 minutes teaching students about the setting description and flashback.
- Students spent the last part of class working on their Personal Narratives.
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Continue working on personal narratives
- By 26-Jan-2011 students need to submit one or more personal narratives designed to purposefully meet 6 of the 12 personal narrative standards.
- Students need to plan their time accordingly in order to meet this deadline.
- Reader Responses and reading log are due on Wednesday 25-Jan-2012
Friday: 20-Jan-2012 ACT Test Prep
In Class
Today in class we completed the following tasks:
- First students complete their week 7 vocabulary test.
- Next, we spent the first part of the block reviewing the answers for the homework passage
- Lastly, students worked to complete a sample English passage
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Study for the Week 8 vocab test on Friday, 27-Jan-2012
- Complete the English sample passage distributed at the end of class
- Correct both the English test and the Reading test: Due: 25-Jan-2012
Friday: 20-Jan-2012 Word Power
In Class
Today in class we complete the following tasks:
- Student took their Week 7 vocabulary test
- Students submitted their week 6 Word Studies
- We learned the Week 8 Vocabulary Words
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Continue reading your independent reading novels
- Continue creating new reading logs
- Work on your word studies
- Study the vocabulary words for next week
- The definition for Luxuriant and Kindred was not covered in class today. Use available resources to find the definition.
Tuesday: 17-Jan-2012 Freshmen English 8
In Class
In class today, students completed the following tasks.
- First student completed the following freewrite.
- Are you making progress with your current narrative? Explain.
- What standards is your current narrative designed to meet?
- Next we spent the block studying internal monologue.
- First we defined internal monologue
- After showing students several examples, of internal monologues, students worked to create internal monologues for specific images.
- Lastly, students worked at including internal monologues into their own narratives
Distributed Materials
Homework
- Continue working on personal narratives
- By 26-Jan-2011 students need to submit one or more personal narratives designed to purposefully meet 6 of the 12 personal narrative standards.
- Students need to plan their time accordingly in order to meet this deadline.
- Complete the self assigned homework
- Work on reading logs and reader responses. Due: 19-Jan-2012
