9/30/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students continued researching Edgar Allan Poe for a biography.  Assigned was the pre-write activity (graphic organizer) when notes were completed.  *Homework: pre-write- read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journal, students completed the IPOSSESS exam. We discussed the speech for tomorrow "A Relationship That is Important to Me and Why."   *Homework:   prepare for speech  -read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked on an example essay to identify (bing, bang, boom) or the 3 subtopics and underline them in color.  Then, they identified these items within both the intro and conclusion.  Assigned was identifying these items (and underlining in color) the subtopics on their own essay (in body paragraphs as well as intro & conclusion).   *homework: identify bing, bang, boom on essay rough draft - read AR

9/29/15

English 8:  Students took the STAR Reading assessment (mid-semester) to continue tracking progress in reading ability.  After the STAR test, students used Pearson Literature Research Center to research Edgar Allan Poe for a biography essay.   *Homework: biography notes - read AR
Teen Leadership:  We discussed self-motivation as the culminating activity in Ch. 4 IPOSSESS lessons.  Students were able to view the exam they will be given tomorrow.  In addition, they were given several Emotional Intelligence scales (3 sheets).  Students are to give these to 3 people outside of class for scoring (others will rate them, the student, on EI).    *Homework:   study for test & give EI scales to 3 people for assessment -read AR
English 7:  Students took the STAR Reading assessment (mid-semester) to continue tracking progress in reading ability.  After the STAR test, students worked on the rough draft of their Response to Literature essay.  *homework: rough draft Response to Literature (due tomorrow for peer editing) - read AR

9/28/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students completed the flow map (plot chart) of "Raymond's Run" and answered pg. 33 #6.  We will start a pre-write for a biographical essay tomorrow.       *Homework: flow map & pg. 33 #6 if not completed in class - read AR
Teen Leadership:  We further discussed empathy, and to that added "social skills."  Students created circle maps within small groups, and then chose the 3 most important social skills to practice.  Assigned was choosing the 3 most important and explaining when & how they will practice them.  *Homework:   3 social skills (when & how will practice) -read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, we continued working on the pre-write activity for a Response to Literature essay.  We'll work on the rough draft tomorrow.    *homework: pre-write for Response to Literature - read AR

9/25/15 Have a great weekend!

English 8:  After Journal, students worked on a plot chart flow map (thinking map) for the story "Raymond's Run."  We had a pep assembly toward the end of class, so this will be worked on further in class Monday (not homework).      *Homework: - read AR
Teen Leadership:  Most of class was missed today as we had a pep assembly.  We discussed AR going into the grade book this week for the few minutes we had of class.  Students should be at 36% as of today.  *Homework:   -read AR
English 7:  After Journal, we students learned about 5-paragraph essay format, and stared a pre-write activity for a Response to Literature essay about "The Treasure of Lemon Brown."  We'll continue with this Monday - it is not homework.  *homework: - read AR

9/24/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students we discussed pg. 33 #1-4, and it was collected.      *Homework: - read AR
Teen Leadership:  We continued the lesson on self-control and empathy.   Students completed the role-played scenarios for self-control and no self-control with a substitute teacher.  Toward the end of class they completed an empathy quiz, gauging their Empathy Quotient (E.Q.).    *Homework:   -read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed the text evidence and questions for pg. 17 #1-6.  Students completed #7 in class (theme).  This will culminate in a Response to Literature essay, which will be started tomorrow.  *homework: complete pg. 17 #1-6 if not yet completed - read AR

9/23/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students were assigned pg. 33 #1-4 (key ideas and details) from "Raymond's Run."    *Homework: pg.33 #1-4 (text evidence format) - read AR
Teen Leadership:  Students learned what it means to have self-control and empathy.   Students role-played scenarios for self-control and no self-control with a substitute teacher.  We will continue this lesson tomorrow, as we got caught up in great discussion.  *Homework:   -read AR
English 7B:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed  pg. 17 # 1&2 and text evidence format. .  *Homework:  pg. 17 #4-6 - read AR
English 7A:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed  pg. 17 # 1&2 and text evidence format. .  *Homework:  pg. 17 - fix #1-2 (making sure to use text evidence format) and complete #4 - read AR

9/22/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students were assigned the first read of "Raymond's Run" (pg. 23-32) and pg. 32 Language and Word Study questions.  *Homework: read pg. 23-32 & pg. 32 lang./word study questions - read AR
Teen Leadership:  Students learned what it means to be self-aware.  Assigned was a personal homework assignment - to ask someone with whom they have "relational capacity" a question about improving the relationship.   *Homework:  relational capacity question -read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed the academic vocabulary associated with the questions on pg. 17.  Students learned different text evidence format (quotes vs. paraphrasing).  They were given a reference sheet that will stay in their English folder for the semester. 
Students were assigned pg. 17 # 1&2.  *Homework:  pg. 17 # 1& 2 (text evidence) - read AR

9/21/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students took the story elements quiz (open note).  *Homework: - read AR
Teen Leadership:  We finished Soul Surfer (Emotional Intelligence traits of persistence and optimism).     *Homework:  Soul Surfer packet (due tomorrow) -read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students listened to the audio version of "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" (available on the online book).  Assigned were definitions for the words in bold on pg. 17.   *Homework:  definitions pg. 17 (words in bold) - read AR

9/18/15

English 8:  After Journal, students presented their Glogster or PowerPoint about short story elements for the class.  As these were presented, students took notes in preparation for an upcoming quiz.  They were able to preview the 10-question quiz and will be able to use notes on Monday. (refer to pg's 16-18 in the Pearson Literature textbook)  *Homework: study/take notes for quiz Monday- read AR
Teen Leadership:  We continued Soul Surfer (Emotional Intelligence traits of persistence and optimism).  Students were able to take their affirmations home today.    *Homework:  read AR
English 7:  After Journal, students turned in both the full annotated "Lemon Brown" passage as well as their Flow Map.  We navigated through the online grade book.  Still available is extra credit for students showing me they can log into their StudentVUE grade book.  *Homework:  - read AR

9/17/15

English 8:  After Journal, students presented their Glogster or PowerPoint about short story elements for the class.  As these were presented, students took notes in preparation for an upcoming quiz.   *Homework: Short Story Elements (presentation) - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, persistence and optimism. Students started watching Soul Surfer in response to these Emotional Intelligence traits.  We will continue tomorrow.  A large portion of the class was spent taking school photos.  *Homework:  one affirmation- read AR
English 7:  After Journal, students continued with the 2nd read & annotations.  When this was completed, they created a Flow Map (thinking map) to sequence the events of the story with relevant details. The flow map is due tomorrow.  *Homework:  Flow Map - read AR

9/16/15

English 8:  After the DOL Journal, students worked in small groups to create presentations (Glogster or PowerPoint) on short story elements for the class.  Each group was assigned specific elements.  We will present these tomorrow.  *Homework: Short Story Elements (presentation) - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed the difference between I.Q. (intelligence quotient) and E.I. (emotional intelligence).  Students created role-play scenarios to demonstrate emotional intelligence traits. *Homework:  Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment sheet - read AR
English 7:  After the DOL /Journal, were assigned the 2nd read & annotations for "The Treasure of Lemon Brown."  This passage was given to them in photocopy form so they can mark up the text and annotate right on the passage.    *Homework:  2nd read and annotations - read AR

9/15/15

English 8:  After the DOL Journal, logged on to their online textbook to pg. 16-18 (short story elements).  In small groups, students will create presentations (Glogster or PowerPoint) on short story elements for the class.  Each group was assigned specific elements.  We will present these Thursday.  *Homework: Short Story Elements (presentation) - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, students gave their 4th speech on "A Memorable Moment."  Each student was given a rubric in which to self-evaluate.  Some students video taped their speech in order to self-evaluate more specifically (this was extra credit, not mandatory).  *Homework:  two affirmations & self-review rubric (review video if possible)- read AR
English 7:  After the DOL /Journal, students logged into their Pearson Literature textbook online.  Assigned was reading pg. 9-16, "The Treasure of Lemon Brown" (read one time) and create an objective summary.  This is due tomorrow.   *Homework:   Read pg. 9-16 (either hard copy book or online textbook) & write objective summary - read AR

9/14/15

English 8:  After the DOL Journal, students logged into both the Glogster website and the Pearson Lit. textbook website.  We will be working in Glogster over the next few days (story elements presentations), so students became familiar with the program today.  *Homework: read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed the short speech videos watched last Friday, and I collected the double-bubble thinking maps.  Assigned was a speech to prepare for tomorrow.  It will be a 1 minute speech with the topic: memorable moment.    *Homework:  prepare speech - read AR
English 7:  After the DOL /Journal, students logged into their Pearson Literature textbook online.  We were able to get logged in and set up in the program.  We'll be using these programs tomorrow for the next assignment.   *Homework:   read AR

9/11/15 Patriot Day (in memory)

English 8:  After Journal, students completed their username/password sheets including their Pearson login information.  Pg. 13 #1-7 was due and collected (with annotated passage).   *Homework:  read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed qualities of a good speaker.  Students watched two very different speakers (videos), and then created double-bubble thinking maps to compare and contrast their methods.  *Homework: Finish double-bubble & respond to the question:  Why do good leaders need to be good speakers?  - read AR
English 7:  After Journal, we discussed the qualities of a good objective summary.  Students revised the summary from yesterday to make sure it is clear, concise, and meets criteria.  *Homework:   read AR

9/10/15

English 8:  After the DOL Quiz, we discussed pg. 13 #1-4.  Assigned was read 2 with annotations (and added to #1-4) was pg. 13 #5-7.   *Homework: Read 2, annotate,pg. 13 #5-7-  read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, students gave their 3rd speech, "Out of Comfort Zone."    *Homework:  - read AR
English 7:  After the DOL Quiz, students wrote in their journals.  Assigned was reading pg. 5-6 in the Literature textook, and writing an objective summary on the passage.  *Homework:   objective summary - read AR

9/9/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, I collected the revised objective summary. Assigned was reading pg. 9-12 in the Literature book (An Hour with Abuelo), and answer questions #1-4 on pg. 13.     *Homework: Read 1 time pg. 9-12 - pg. 13 #1-4-  read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, students learned how to respond in a professional environment.  They role-played specific scenarios in small groups.  We discussed further the speech preparation sheet and grading rubric.  Students will give their speech tomorrow ("Out of Comfort Zone").  *Homework:  prepare speech - read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students were given a bit of time to finalize (or check over) the independent CLOSE Read activity.  After these were collected, students received their Literature textbook.  We will start working in these tomorrow.   *Homework:   - read AR

9/8/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed the passage on pg. 5-6 of the Lit. textbook and further detailed "objective summary."  Students were given their summaries from last week and asked to check for the details discussed - then rewrite them to fine-tune or fix what wasn't already present.    *Homework: objective summary (revised) -  read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed further "first impressions" and the 8 cues.  Students worked in small groups to discuss personality traits (after a personality identifying activity - True Colors).  The speech preparation sheet was given along with grading rubric.  Students will give their speech Thursday ("Out of Comfort Zone").  *Homework:  prepare speech - read AR
English 7:  After Journal, students were given their graded "Partner" CLOSE Read activity to identify areas of improvement.  Assigned was the "Independent" CLOSE Read passage with accompanying questions.  This is due tomorrow.   *Homework:   Independent CLOSE Read & questions - read AR

9/4/15 - Have a great 3-day weekend!!

English 8:  After Journal, students CLOSE read a passage on pg. 5-6 in the Literature textbook and completed an objective summary.   *Homework:  read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed "first impressions."  Students identified 8 aspects to creating first impressions, and conversely what we notice in others when evaluating them for a first impressions. Students took home their affirmations from the mail bags.   *Homework:  Affirm someone outside of class - read AR
English 7:  After Journal, we further discussed the Social Contracts and put them into place in this classroom.  *Homework:   read AR

9/3/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, we discussed answers on the CLOSE reading activity.  Students received their Literature books, covered them,  and will start work in them tomorrow.    *Homework:  - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed "reframing."  Students shared times that a negative comment or event shaped their confidence & self-concept.  They worked in groups to resolve and look at these issues more positively.  They also completed a course leader evaluation form, and I'm impressed with the honest and valuable feedback.   *Homework:  -  read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, I collected the partner CLOSE Read activity.  We discussed the Social Contract created in homeroom class and how it would look and be implemented in this class.   *Homework:  Number, Chunk, and perform the first read on the reading passage given - read AR

9/2/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in pairs to CLOSE Read a complex text passage and annotate. They were given a passage to read & annotate independently, along with a worksheet to complete.  *Homework:  Independent CLOSE Read & w/s - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed "self-confidence."  Students turned in activity ideas with date of completion, as well as took a student manual accountability quiz.   *Homework:  -  read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in pairs to CLOSE Read a complex text passage and annotate.  *Homework:  if not completed in class, finish partner CLOSE Read & worksheet - read AR

9/1/15

English 8:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in pairs to CLOSE Read a complex text passage and annotate.  We will continue working on this tomorrow.  *Homework:  - read AR
Teen Leadership:  After journals, we discussed "self-concept" more in depth.  Students were presented with an activity that will culminate into a speech.  Students need to decide on the activity and when this will be conducted (they will take notes on social reactions for the speech that will be given after Labor Day)  *Homework: identify type of activity and date of action for speech preparation -  read AR
English 7:  After DOL/Journal, students worked in pairs to CLOSE Read a complex text passage and annotate.  We will continue working on this tomorrow. *Homework:  - read AR