Thurs. Nov. 30, 2017: "Jamie" Literary Devices Continued

Yesterday, students were instructed to take back the poem "Jamie" and really scrupulously apply the literary devices to the last three stanzas. Today, students got in groups and applied what they learned to the stanzas in question, which we then discussed.
It was an informative class. Tomorrow, we will quickly discuss the paraphrasing of "Jamie" and I will give you another poem to analyze.

Wed. Nov. 29, 2017: "Jamie" Analysis

Today, we continued on "Jamie" Analysis. We worked on the second read (During) and focused on locating literary devices. For tomorrow, I want you to take back the poem and locate all the literary devices possible in the last three stanza. Trust yourself to try! You can do it.

Tues. Nov. 28, 2017: "Jamie" Before and During Discussion

Today, we did a "My Blueprint" activity as well as a Reading Plus Comprehension. We then returned to class and examined "Jamie" up to the point after creating the end-rhyme scheme. If you want credit for the answers given on Friday, get them in before we mark them. We will continue through the steps tomorrow.

Fri. Nov. 24, 2017: "Jamie" Questions after Analysis

Today, the students were given time to finish analyzing the poem "Jamie," and then were provided with additional questions specific to this poem to answer. These are due on Tuesday.

Thurs. Nov. 23, 2017: "Jamie" Analysis: All Steps

Today, I gave you the poem "Jamie" by Elizabeth Brewster. Your task is to do the "before" "during" and "after" steps as you work through it. If you were not here, I have linked the poem and the steps on how to read a poem below.

Jamie

How to Read a Poem

Wed. Nov. 22, 2017: Poetry Introduction Continued

Today, we did the "After" Steps for  the poem "I Am..." If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Tues. Nov. 21, 2017: Poetry Introduction

Today, I introduced the poetry unit. I handed out the sheet on how to read poetry (before, during and after) which is on blue paper and in the student's portfolio if the student was missing.
I also handed out the poem "I am..." which we used to model active reading of poetry.

Mon. NOv. 20, 2017: Short Story Unit Exam (m.c.)

Today, you wrote your short story unit exam. Those with time left over went and got caught up on Reading Plus. We will start on poetry tomorrow, so be sure to bring your MOSES sheet.

Fri. Nov. 17, 2017: Catch-up Day

Today, students worked on ReadingPlus and then used the rest of the time to get their letters and other outstanding assignments submitted.

Keep in mind tat you have a short story reading comprehension exam on Monday.

Thurs. November 16, 2017: Letter to Luke Layout

Today, we went over the writing of a letter to Luke, which is due today. I stressed the importance of working on context when writing as well as being observant to common errors. The latter is due tomorrow.
Keep in mind that you also have a short story reading comprehension unit exam on Monday.

Wed. Nov. 15, 2017: Letter Writing Continued

Today, the students are to continue working on their letters. By the end of class, The students should have the letter typed into their folders. Please call this assignment "Luke Letter."

Tues, Nov. 14, 2017: Writing Class

Today, you were given a writing activity to complete (rough draft). This is a letter tied to the short story "The Little Businessman." If you were not here, the information you need is in your portfolio.

Thurs. Nov. 9, & Fri. Nov. 10, 2017: Harrison Bergeron and Notes

Today, the students finished watching "Harrison Bergeron." The value of this film is to get the background of the political system for a greater context in understanding the short story.

I also gave out some notes:

Equity = fair but not always eqaul
Ethic = dong things that are as right as possible for all

Differences in this short story are minimized intentionally

The positive outcome is equality reduces envy.

The negative outcomes could be no advancement, no creativity, inability to problem solve, become followers of rules without thinking about them.

The students are to read, "So, What are You Anyway," "Harrison Bergeron," and "The Little Businessman" for the end of class tomorrow. They are to consider the following questions:
How do differences impact the outcomes for the main characters?

Wed. Nov. 8, 2017: Harrison Bergeron Film

Today, I handed out and discussed the ReadingPlus results. I then gave you some notes on "Harrison Bergeron, specifically, I discussed dystopia and what is meant by common denominator. I then put on the film "Harrison Bergeron" which can be found on YouTube. We watched 41.07 minutes of it. The questions you were to consider are as follows:

What is different between the short story and the film?

How is a society impacted by lowering citizens' standards?

We will finish watching this tomorrow.

Tues. Nov. 7, 2017: Apostrophe Discussion

After ReadingPlus, we discussed the use of the apostrophe possessives. I showed you a Powerpoint to help and instructed you to ACTIVELY read the rules sheet given out tomorrow. I then gave you mire questions to try. These new questions and the ones assigned yesterday are all due tomorrow.

Mon. Nov. 6, 2017: ReadingPlus Assessment

Today, you are doing a ReadingPlus assessment. If you are not here, you will have to do this at lunchtime. Be sure to have your headphones.

Fri. Nov. 3, 2017: "What Are You..." Questions & "Harrison Bergeron" Reading

Today, you were given our questions back from the marking of the multiple choice yesterday and instructed to answer the longer questions. I also instructed you to finish reading "Harrison Bergeron" acitively.

REMEMBER: you need to bring your headphones/ear buds for Monday as we are doing a midpoint "ReadingPlus" assessment. This is NOT something to stress over. If you have been taking the program and activities seriously, we should see some improvement. This is all I am focusing on.

Thurs. Nov. 2, 2017: Marking "So, What are You Anyway" M.C. Questions

Today, you did Reading Plus" and then we marked the multiple choice questions for the short story "So, What are You Anyway" by Lawrence Hill.

Wed. Nov. 1, 2017: "So What are you Anyway?"

Today, you were given the short story "So What are You Anyway" to read actively. Read actively for ANYTHING follows a number of similar steps:

1. Examine the title and respond
2. Highlight the 5 ws, words you do not know and any relevant information while you read.
3. Paraphrase at natural breaks as you read to show me you understand what you are reading.

You were then given the multiple choice questions to answer. If you did not complete this, it is homework. I have linked the reading and the questions below.

"So What are You Anyway" Readings

"So What are You Anyway" Questions