Today we did make-up quizzes for those who were absent yesterday.
Then we made a time-line of Malcolm X's life (so far in the book) and then wrote different creative pieces to represent the different parts of his life -- sort of a collective multi-genre project.
Then we got instructions about making our own personal multi-genre project and a sample project to look at. We may use the writing we've already done in class in order to contribute to it and it will be due in approximately 2 weeks (depending on winter carnival stuff).
Homework: Be sure to be caught up on your reading (no new reading tonight) and bring your book, literary cheatsheet, writings and journal/folder tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Review in lieu of CATC visits
Since half the class was gone to the CATC center, we spent the day reviewing. We copied definitions from the posters onto our literary cheatsheets and then (after a pop quiz to check how far we'd read), we divided the reading up to do "summary" assignments: we had to summarize key events from the reading to the rest of the class as well as some key quotes. This assignment was due by the bell tomorrow.
IF you had an excused absence, you do not have to make up this assignment. If your absence was unexcused, you will need to make it up.
HOMEWORK: Read in Chapter 6: 94-98, 107-114, 116-118
IF you had an excused absence, you do not have to make up this assignment. If your absence was unexcused, you will need to make it up.
HOMEWORK: Read in Chapter 6: 94-98, 107-114, 116-118
Friday, January 27, 2006
Review & Fixes
Today we surveyed the class to see what literary terms the class already knew and then made posters over those in order to "review" them. If you were absent, you need to sign-up for a term with Mrs. Gilbert and make up a poster of your own.
Then we got back our Procedure Quizzes and finished the seating chart portion. We then had to go through the wrong answers and find the right answers. For two of the wrong answers, you need to write on a piece of paper, why did you pick the wrong answer and what is is that makes the "right" answer a better choice? (5 points each, be sure to reflect the question and write in sentences).
Homework: Read Chapter 5 excerpts (79-88 and 90-93) and write 2 discussion questions for Chap. 4 and 2 discussion questions for Chap. 5
If you are going to be absent Monday, don't forget to read excerpts of Chap. 7 (94-98, 107-114, and 116-118) for Tuesday.
Then we got back our Procedure Quizzes and finished the seating chart portion. We then had to go through the wrong answers and find the right answers. For two of the wrong answers, you need to write on a piece of paper, why did you pick the wrong answer and what is is that makes the "right" answer a better choice? (5 points each, be sure to reflect the question and write in sentences).
Homework: Read Chapter 5 excerpts (79-88 and 90-93) and write 2 discussion questions for Chap. 4 and 2 discussion questions for Chap. 5
If you are going to be absent Monday, don't forget to read excerpts of Chap. 7 (94-98, 107-114, and 116-118) for Tuesday.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Do you choose the roses or nappy?
Today we started class by comparing Gwendolyn Brook's "A Song from the Front Yard" to the reading from last night (Chapter 3 of Malcolm X). Many students had not completed the reading, so Mrs. Gilbert told them they could take the worksheet home and turn it in tomorrow for partial credit. Mrs. Gilbert also emphasize the importance of doing the reading so that we can do fun stuff in class and so that our reading/writing can improve.
After we discussed the metaphor of the poem, we had some writing time.
Then we read a children's book by bell hooks and watched a scene from the movie version of Malcolm X in order to discuss how society tries to make people try to be something they're not and Mrs. Gilbert pointed out that we could write about that as well.
Finally, Mrs. Gilbert handed out progress reports and told us we would need our literary cheatsheets, poems, and book tomorrow. The reading is from Chapter 4: page 67-78.
After we discussed the metaphor of the poem, we had some writing time.
Then we read a children's book by bell hooks and watched a scene from the movie version of Malcolm X in order to discuss how society tries to make people try to be something they're not and Mrs. Gilbert pointed out that we could write about that as well.
Finally, Mrs. Gilbert handed out progress reports and told us we would need our literary cheatsheets, poems, and book tomorrow. The reading is from Chapter 4: page 67-78.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Quiz & talking about language
For bellwork we had another worksheet on Malcolm X, but this one asked us our opinions about language and prejudice in order to spark a class discussion.
After the discussion, Mrs. Gilbert pointed out some pre-reading tips for tonight and then we took a quiz over procedures, rules, and literary stuff covered so far.
Homework: Chapter 3, page 50-57, 59-end.
After the discussion, Mrs. Gilbert pointed out some pre-reading tips for tonight and then we took a quiz over procedures, rules, and literary stuff covered so far.
Homework: Chapter 3, page 50-57, 59-end.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Diction, Tone & Malcolm X's family
Today we started with a worksheet that connect our reading of Malcolm X with the ideas of details/exposition we studied yesterday. After some discussion, we turned it in.
Then we added diction and tone to our literary cheatsheets. We read a couple more partner interviews and noted the diction and tone in them, and then read an "I am from" poem and did the same.
We then had 15 minutes of writing time. Students are reminded to keep all of their daily writings together for credit later on.
Finally we reviewed the reading schedule (Chapter 2 for tonight, pages 30-36 and 39-44) for tomorrow and what will be on the quiz tomorrow (names, procedures, rules, and some of the literary/reading stuff we've covered)
Then we added diction and tone to our literary cheatsheets. We read a couple more partner interviews and noted the diction and tone in them, and then read an "I am from" poem and did the same.
We then had 15 minutes of writing time. Students are reminded to keep all of their daily writings together for credit later on.
Finally we reviewed the reading schedule (Chapter 2 for tonight, pages 30-36 and 39-44) for tomorrow and what will be on the quiz tomorrow (names, procedures, rules, and some of the literary/reading stuff we've covered)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Details, details
Today we started class with a scavenger hunt to review some class procedures and terminology. We also turned in our homework (the 10 quotes of language you love).
Then we got literary cheatsheets -- big thick packets we are going to use all semester. We wrote the definition and purpose of "details" on there (be sure to get it from a classmate) and then we read some partner interviews aloud and identified the details in them. Then we read a couple of poems about childhood (e.g. "I am from...") and had time to write (10-12 minutes total) about something and use plenty of details. Be sure to keep all of your writing for future use (it will be turned in eventually).
Finally, we talked about what we know about Malcolm X and why we want to read his autobiography. We signed out books and got homework reading for tonight (pages 3-6, 11-16, and 24-26). Please look for "details" that Malcolm chooses to reveal about himself in this opening chapter and bring your book and literary cheatsheet to class tomorrow.
Then we got literary cheatsheets -- big thick packets we are going to use all semester. We wrote the definition and purpose of "details" on there (be sure to get it from a classmate) and then we read some partner interviews aloud and identified the details in them. Then we read a couple of poems about childhood (e.g. "I am from...") and had time to write (10-12 minutes total) about something and use plenty of details. Be sure to keep all of your writing for future use (it will be turned in eventually).
Finally, we talked about what we know about Malcolm X and why we want to read his autobiography. We signed out books and got homework reading for tonight (pages 3-6, 11-16, and 24-26). Please look for "details" that Malcolm chooses to reveal about himself in this opening chapter and bring your book and literary cheatsheet to class tomorrow.
Friday, January 20, 2006
District Writing Assessment
Today we took the District Writing Assessment. Anyone who was absent should plan on spending 90 minutes with Mrs. Gilbert after school either Monday or Tuesday in order to make it up.
Don't forget to bring your homework (10 quotes of language you love) to class on Monday.
Don't forget to bring your homework (10 quotes of language you love) to class on Monday.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Class Procedures
Today we turned in our "I Want" letters to Mrs. Gilbert and reviewed questions/comments about the syllabus.
Then we reviewed some of the class procedures we already learned and divided up the teaching of "new" procedures to groups. Anyone absent should get a slip with a procedure on it from Mrs. Gilbert and make a poster on it as a substitute assignment.
Mrs. Gilbert also passed out passes -- permission to bring CD players tomorrow for the writing assessment, the 3-passes to the bathroom/locker that we get in a quarter, and a "Late" homework pass that is good for excusing one piece of homework by one day.
Finally, we got our homework for Monday. We have to collect 10 quotes of language we love -- excerpts from songs, movies, books, poems, etc. of lines where we like what they said and how they said it.
Then we reviewed some of the class procedures we already learned and divided up the teaching of "new" procedures to groups. Anyone absent should get a slip with a procedure on it from Mrs. Gilbert and make a poster on it as a substitute assignment.
Mrs. Gilbert also passed out passes -- permission to bring CD players tomorrow for the writing assessment, the 3-passes to the bathroom/locker that we get in a quarter, and a "Late" homework pass that is good for excusing one piece of homework by one day.
Finally, we got our homework for Monday. We have to collect 10 quotes of language we love -- excerpts from songs, movies, books, poems, etc. of lines where we like what they said and how they said it.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Cultivating a classroom of roses
Today we turned in our syllabus-parent-signature sheet as well as our partner interviews (after reading a few of them).
We then read about the Dr. Williams Glasser's description of basic "needs" and completed surveys (on the walls) about what we "need" in the class from each other, from the teacher, and just as a atmosphere in general. We discussed how it was important to respect each other's likes by not getting down on them (because that would be like pulling the petals from a rose) and then we agreed on some classroom rules and policies.
Mrs. Gilbert wrote a letter to everyone about what she wants from the class, and our homework is to write a letter back to her about what we want from this class.
We ended class by reading a couple more interviews and everyone got a rose to take home with them.
We then read about the Dr. Williams Glasser's description of basic "needs" and completed surveys (on the walls) about what we "need" in the class from each other, from the teacher, and just as a atmosphere in general. We discussed how it was important to respect each other's likes by not getting down on them (because that would be like pulling the petals from a rose) and then we agreed on some classroom rules and policies.
Mrs. Gilbert wrote a letter to everyone about what she wants from the class, and our homework is to write a letter back to her about what we want from this class.
We ended class by reading a couple more interviews and everyone got a rose to take home with them.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Soon and very soon...
Soon we will be starting a new semester and one of the new classes of the new semester will be Sophomore English. This blog has been hibernating for the last year while I taught other classes (and those classes reported their doings on their own blogs), but now it is time for this blog to wipe the dust from its eyes and wake up.
Expect to see daily updates beginning on January 17th, 2006.
I look forward to an exciting semester with all of you!
Expect to see daily updates beginning on January 17th, 2006.
I look forward to an exciting semester with all of you!
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Today in class we had to write an essay about our very first interview paper in this class. This was Part. 2 of our Final Exam. This was due today at 1:55 pm. After turning this in we were to get out our MLA cheat sheet. After that we were to look it over and then ask Mrs. Gilbert any questions that we may have about citations and any other things that we might not understand about it. We also talked about how to be prepared for our test on 1/12/06 on plagiarism and citations.
We also talked about things that you don’t have to cite when doing citations such as writing your own opinions, common knowledge, and names that are common knowledge. We then talked about things that we do have to do such as facts, pictures, statistics, and other ideas and opinions. We also talked about how to cite books, magazines and internet.
Rod
Today in class we had to write an essay about our very first interview paper in this class. This was Part. 2 of our Final Exam. This was due today at 1:55 pm. After turning this in we were to get out our MLA cheat sheet. After that we were to look it over and then ask Mrs. Gilbert any questions that we may have about citations and any other things that we might not understand about it. We also talked about how to be prepared for our test on 1/12/06 on plagiarism and citations.
We also talked about things that you don’t have to cite when doing citations such as writing your own opinions, common knowledge, and names that are common knowledge. We then talked about things that we do have to do such as facts, pictures, statistics, and other ideas and opinions. We also talked about how to cite books, magazines and internet.
Rod
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Prepping for the Final Exam
Today we worked on getting wrapping up the definitions for our literary cheat sheets and brainstormed topics for our final exam and started writing our outlines which are due tomorrow. We also watched the movie and for homework work on your outline and cheat sheet
Ryan
Ryan
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