Going to combine these two entries today because I have a lot to grade (thanks honors classes) and assessing each paper is taking me a while. (Doing this stuff online might save paper but it definitely does not save time). Anyway, we are both doing similar activities right now.
We are focusing on our nonfiction questions in class today and tomorrow. We will finish applying them to our articles and our corresponding videos. Then I have a unique video I found yesterday that we will also take a look at and breakdown.
We are doing our initial application of the questions as a class. We will then be transitioning to small groups before finally switching to completing the application of the questions individually. You need to be active to learn. Get involved.
Hopefully, we have a good understanding of bias based on our definitions and our discussion. That will remain important for the foreseeable future.
Keep reading those books and start watching those films. I'd be taking notes on the film and the book as well.
Remember to bring those books to class tomorrow in the standard classes. Honors, we'll make sure you all have your books for Thursday.
See you soon.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Standard 11-18-2013
You received a lot of material back today: the Precise/Vivid quiz; the Giver paper; the Nonfiction Question quiz. Hope you did well. If not, or if you have any questions on anything, just let me know. I'll be happy to speak with you about anything.
A couple of you still need to turn in a nonfiction book title and a film title. Let's finish this tomorrow so all of us can start reading and watching. You do not want to wait to get started. Use your time wisely.
Good start to our discussion of applying the four questions to our analysis of the Costco article. We will be completing our analysis tomorrow and then do the same to the Costco video. Remember the four questions whenever you read a nonfiction piece.
PURPOSE
AUTHOR
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
See you soon.
A couple of you still need to turn in a nonfiction book title and a film title. Let's finish this tomorrow so all of us can start reading and watching. You do not want to wait to get started. Use your time wisely.
Good start to our discussion of applying the four questions to our analysis of the Costco article. We will be completing our analysis tomorrow and then do the same to the Costco video. Remember the four questions whenever you read a nonfiction piece.
PURPOSE
AUTHOR
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
See you soon.
Honors 11-18-2013
Turn in those papers before you go to sleep tonight. I will not start to assess any paper tonight unless the author specifically requests it at which point I will take them in the order they were submitted.
Don't forget to polish up the works cited as well.
A few of you need to choose your nonfiction book and documentary film yet. Get it in now! Time's a wastin'!
We worked with the nonfiction questions today, and we will pick that up tomorrow. Remember,
PURPOSE
AUTHOR
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
Those are the big four with bias, credibility and both sides being equally represented as related questions.
Here's a link to the Killer Whale clip. We'll look at it tomorrow a little more closely.
See you soon.
Don't forget to polish up the works cited as well.
A few of you need to choose your nonfiction book and documentary film yet. Get it in now! Time's a wastin'!
We worked with the nonfiction questions today, and we will pick that up tomorrow. Remember,
PURPOSE
AUTHOR
EVIDENCE
SOURCE
Those are the big four with bias, credibility and both sides being equally represented as related questions.
Here's a link to the Killer Whale clip. We'll look at it tomorrow a little more closely.
See you soon.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Standard 11-17-2013
I have a new hero. His name is Bat Kid. If you don't know who he is check this out.
He is one amazing kid and the thousands of volunteers are pretty cool, too. How does something like this happen? The power of social media. Let's talk a little bit about this tomorrow.
Of course, that's after we do the work we were going to do with our Costco material. We have a little clip to look at considering the Black Friday shopping day and then an article as well. We'll be using this information to apply the big nonfiction questions we've been talking about. I know most of you know them because you did so well on the Nonfiction Question Quiz. Plenty of 5s to go around. Well done. Now I want you to focus on the big four primary questions:
Who is the author?
What is the purpose of the article?
What is the evidence?
What are the sources?
The secondary questions on the bias and credibility of the author and the article are important as is the question on both sides being equally represented. They stem from those primary four. Eventually, you will be applying these questions to the material yourself, so be sure you know how to use them and what to look for.
You will receive your papers tomorrow. There were plenty of good ones. I have to say that Sam Catrell's writing was especially noteworthy for the depth and insight it offered. Well done, Sam!
Your nonfiction book title and your film title are also due tomorrow. It will be an easy five points for you if you come through. Don't make any hasty decisions. Be sure you have looked into it carefully. I want you to care about what you will be presenting so that you can deliver a passionate presentation. Don't let me down. Don't let your classmates down. Don't let yourself down.
See you soon.
He is one amazing kid and the thousands of volunteers are pretty cool, too. How does something like this happen? The power of social media. Let's talk a little bit about this tomorrow.
Of course, that's after we do the work we were going to do with our Costco material. We have a little clip to look at considering the Black Friday shopping day and then an article as well. We'll be using this information to apply the big nonfiction questions we've been talking about. I know most of you know them because you did so well on the Nonfiction Question Quiz. Plenty of 5s to go around. Well done. Now I want you to focus on the big four primary questions:
Who is the author?
What is the purpose of the article?
What is the evidence?
What are the sources?
The secondary questions on the bias and credibility of the author and the article are important as is the question on both sides being equally represented. They stem from those primary four. Eventually, you will be applying these questions to the material yourself, so be sure you know how to use them and what to look for.
You will receive your papers tomorrow. There were plenty of good ones. I have to say that Sam Catrell's writing was especially noteworthy for the depth and insight it offered. Well done, Sam!
Your nonfiction book title and your film title are also due tomorrow. It will be an easy five points for you if you come through. Don't make any hasty decisions. Be sure you have looked into it carefully. I want you to care about what you will be presenting so that you can deliver a passionate presentation. Don't let me down. Don't let your classmates down. Don't let yourself down.
See you soon.
Honors 11-17-2013
I have a new hero. His name is Bat Kid. If you don't know who he is check this out.
And actually, how about the entire city? The kindness and generosity that we are capable of is amazing. And how does something like that happen? Ah...the power of social media. Perhaps that is something that we will take a look at later this week.
Your papers are due tomorrow. Once you submit it in the folder, I will assume it is ready to be assessed. I won't look at any before 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, but after that, I will dive right in.
We started to take a lot at the Sea World situation on Friday. We got a taste of it, but there is more I want to look at in an attempt to apply the four main questions I want you thinking about whenever you read a piece of nonfiction. Come on, you know what they are by now. Say them with me!
Who is the author?
What is the purpose?
What is the evidence?
What are the sources?
In addition to those, you should be asking about the bias and credibility of the author and the article as well as checking to make sure that both sides are being fairly represented. We will use our Sea World article and perhaps another gander at the Sea World video tomorrow as a practice run.
I'll also be looking to collect everyone's nonfiction books and documentary selections. An easy five points on the line. Be sure you choose carefully not only so you don't feel the need to switch somewhere down the road, but so that you can make a passionate presentation in December because you care about the material you are talking about. Can't wait to see what awaits.
See you soon.
And actually, how about the entire city? The kindness and generosity that we are capable of is amazing. And how does something like that happen? Ah...the power of social media. Perhaps that is something that we will take a look at later this week.
Your papers are due tomorrow. Once you submit it in the folder, I will assume it is ready to be assessed. I won't look at any before 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, but after that, I will dive right in.
We started to take a lot at the Sea World situation on Friday. We got a taste of it, but there is more I want to look at in an attempt to apply the four main questions I want you thinking about whenever you read a piece of nonfiction. Come on, you know what they are by now. Say them with me!
Who is the author?
What is the purpose?
What is the evidence?
What are the sources?
In addition to those, you should be asking about the bias and credibility of the author and the article as well as checking to make sure that both sides are being fairly represented. We will use our Sea World article and perhaps another gander at the Sea World video tomorrow as a practice run.
I'll also be looking to collect everyone's nonfiction books and documentary selections. An easy five points on the line. Be sure you choose carefully not only so you don't feel the need to switch somewhere down the road, but so that you can make a passionate presentation in December because you care about the material you are talking about. Can't wait to see what awaits.
See you soon.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Honors 11-14-2013
Two weeks until Thanksgiving! Wow! time is sure rushing by. Soon enough we'll all be vacationing on the beach in Florida as we enjoy winter break. Okay, well maybe, we'll be slogging through our vacation shoveling snow off the driveway, but regardless, it will be vacation. For now you need to be focusing on a few different items.
First, make sure you are turning that paper into something amazing. Hopefully, you made good use of your peer edit time today and improved your paper. A couple things I noticed are weak claims and superfluous words. You need to make a claim. A claim is an opinion. Is your claim an opinion or is it just saying there are differences between the film and the book? If that is all you are saying then you are not completing the paper the way you should. Go back to the original hand-out. Read over the rubric. You are evaluating not just sharing the deviations. As for the superfluous words, you should embed a link to one of the words or phrases that appears naturally in your writing. Do not add words like "Animal Farm movie link" to the paper and attach the link to them. Attach the link to the words that naturally appear in the paper. One more day tomorrow to ask questions about the paper. I'd love to have the class examine a paper or two under the microscope of the document camera. Volunteers?
Many of you identified your nonfiction books and documentary films. You've earned your five points. The rest of you have until Monday, but I won't complain if it is all decided by tomorrow. One thing to consider, if you change your sources after Monday, November 18, then you will be docked a point. Do your research. Know that the selections you are giving me are the ones you want to work with. Monday is the deadline.
Okay, we will look at the killer whale article tomorrow. You should be thinking about those nonfiction questions we discussed yesterday (don't worry, period one, we'll catch you up). You need to be applying them to any piece of nonfiction you read. I want you to have them down cold. We'll see how you do.
Sorry I forgot to remind everyone: Pizza Party for Period Six Tomorrow! It will take place in period six. Bring your appetite!
See you soon.
First, make sure you are turning that paper into something amazing. Hopefully, you made good use of your peer edit time today and improved your paper. A couple things I noticed are weak claims and superfluous words. You need to make a claim. A claim is an opinion. Is your claim an opinion or is it just saying there are differences between the film and the book? If that is all you are saying then you are not completing the paper the way you should. Go back to the original hand-out. Read over the rubric. You are evaluating not just sharing the deviations. As for the superfluous words, you should embed a link to one of the words or phrases that appears naturally in your writing. Do not add words like "Animal Farm movie link" to the paper and attach the link to them. Attach the link to the words that naturally appear in the paper. One more day tomorrow to ask questions about the paper. I'd love to have the class examine a paper or two under the microscope of the document camera. Volunteers?
Many of you identified your nonfiction books and documentary films. You've earned your five points. The rest of you have until Monday, but I won't complain if it is all decided by tomorrow. One thing to consider, if you change your sources after Monday, November 18, then you will be docked a point. Do your research. Know that the selections you are giving me are the ones you want to work with. Monday is the deadline.
Okay, we will look at the killer whale article tomorrow. You should be thinking about those nonfiction questions we discussed yesterday (don't worry, period one, we'll catch you up). You need to be applying them to any piece of nonfiction you read. I want you to have them down cold. We'll see how you do.
Sorry I forgot to remind everyone: Pizza Party for Period Six Tomorrow! It will take place in period six. Bring your appetite!
See you soon.
Standard 11-14-2013
Identifying main ideas. Applying our nonfiction questions. Those are a couple things we will keep working on in the coming classes. We have been working as a class, but soon you will be working as a table, and soon after that, you will be expected to do the work on your own. With that in mind, I want you to KNOW those questions. Okay, I'll say it: Quiz tomorrow. Better be able to write down five things (five questions) you need to be thinking about as we read nonfiction.
Some of you selected nonfiction books today and your movies too. Don't be hasty. I want you to choose the right combination for yourself. If you are rash, you'll be locked into something you'll regret. Identify a few topics you like and then select your book and film.
I have an assignment hand-out that we will go over tomorrow. Yes, you will be making a presentation over the book and film, but you'll find out more details tomorrow.
I'll pass out those precise/vivid quizzes tomorrow.
See you soon.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Honors 11-13-2013
Well, well, well. We definitely did not get as far as I had hoped today (especially in periods 1 and 2). We need to nail the key questions to ask when reading any piece of nonfiction. We also were going to read an article about the Sea World/killer whale battle that is going on. (By the way, great documentary just released: Blackfish). We'll get to the article tomorrow, but for the sake of time, I'll share those nonfiction questions with you right here. Now these are not all-inclusive, but they are key questions I want you thinking about whenever we read nonfiction.
1) What is the purpose of the article? (What is the main idea the article is trying to get across?)
2) What evidence does the article offer for support? (What are the arguments? Are the arguments credible?)
3) What are the sources for that evidence/those arguments? (Are they credible sources?)
4) Are both sides equally represented? (Is there bias in the presentation?)
5) Who is the author? (What are his credentials? Is he credible? Is he biased?)
Okay that may appear to be many more than four questions, but the questions in parentheses are really just there to help you understand the original questions and allow you to probe deeper into the texts. I want you to know these. Memorize these. Have them readily available. If we read nonfiction, you need to bring these to the discussion.
Tomorrow's main focus will be on editing our Animal Farm papers. We have been given Lab D for tomorrow's editing. Help yourself out by having as polished and complete an effort as possible. The closer you are to finishing the piece, the more help tomorrow will be. If you come with a shoddy, incomplete effort, then you will not benefit as much from the peer edit.
Keep looking for those nonfiction books and documentary films. Several people have already given me their selections. That means they can start reading and viewing. The sooner you do the same the sooner you can start doing the same. Let's not wait until Monday. Let's make it a goal to have these selected by Friday. Remember, five points hang in the balance. But choose wisely. You'll be deducted a point for switching after the 18th.
Some super personal selections so far. I'll be typing up a list and posting it in the classroom so that you can see what your peers have selected.
See you soon.
1) What is the purpose of the article? (What is the main idea the article is trying to get across?)
2) What evidence does the article offer for support? (What are the arguments? Are the arguments credible?)
3) What are the sources for that evidence/those arguments? (Are they credible sources?)
4) Are both sides equally represented? (Is there bias in the presentation?)
5) Who is the author? (What are his credentials? Is he credible? Is he biased?)
Okay that may appear to be many more than four questions, but the questions in parentheses are really just there to help you understand the original questions and allow you to probe deeper into the texts. I want you to know these. Memorize these. Have them readily available. If we read nonfiction, you need to bring these to the discussion.
Tomorrow's main focus will be on editing our Animal Farm papers. We have been given Lab D for tomorrow's editing. Help yourself out by having as polished and complete an effort as possible. The closer you are to finishing the piece, the more help tomorrow will be. If you come with a shoddy, incomplete effort, then you will not benefit as much from the peer edit.
Keep looking for those nonfiction books and documentary films. Several people have already given me their selections. That means they can start reading and viewing. The sooner you do the same the sooner you can start doing the same. Let's not wait until Monday. Let's make it a goal to have these selected by Friday. Remember, five points hang in the balance. But choose wisely. You'll be deducted a point for switching after the 18th.
Some super personal selections so far. I'll be typing up a list and posting it in the classroom so that you can see what your peers have selected.
See you soon.
Standard 11-13-2013
Those questions are coming along. I like the way you called them out, remembered them and then started to apply them to the article on Jackie Robinson and the movie 42. We still have some work to do on that last one, but don't worry, we will keep coming up with ways to use those questions.
One of the big ways was introduced today. You must read a nonfiction book and then view a movie that is either based off of the nonfiction book or watch one that is related to the book. It can be a Hollywood blockbuster or it can be an independent documentary. Either way you will be reading the nonfiction book, watching the film, and then making as presentation over how the two different mediums present the same (or similar information). Both mediums (the text and the film) have advantages and disadvantages. Your job will be to examine both and then present those advantages and disadvantages. You'll be responsible for a little more as well, but you can look for that tomorrow in class when I distribute the hand out.
For now here is a link to nonfiction books that have been turned into films. If you can't find anything on that list you can always try this one. In addition, here is a list of nonfiction books with brief descriptions after them. You don't need to choose any of these books. They key is for you to find something that is of interest to you because you are going to be spending an awful lot of time on it. Don't be rash. Choose wisely.
See you soon.
One of the big ways was introduced today. You must read a nonfiction book and then view a movie that is either based off of the nonfiction book or watch one that is related to the book. It can be a Hollywood blockbuster or it can be an independent documentary. Either way you will be reading the nonfiction book, watching the film, and then making as presentation over how the two different mediums present the same (or similar information). Both mediums (the text and the film) have advantages and disadvantages. Your job will be to examine both and then present those advantages and disadvantages. You'll be responsible for a little more as well, but you can look for that tomorrow in class when I distribute the hand out.
For now here is a link to nonfiction books that have been turned into films. If you can't find anything on that list you can always try this one. In addition, here is a list of nonfiction books with brief descriptions after them. You don't need to choose any of these books. They key is for you to find something that is of interest to you because you are going to be spending an awful lot of time on it. Don't be rash. Choose wisely.
Nonfiction Titles
Into the Wild (man escapes to Alaskan wilderness)
Where Men Win Glory (Pat Tillman and Afghanistan)
Zeitoun (Katrina aftermath)
Under the Banner of Heaven (scathing look at fundamentalist Mormons)
Ghost Soldiers (prisoner of war rescue)
Black Hawk Down (American soldiers in Somalia)
Into Thin Air (climbing and dying on Mt. Everest)
Between a Rock and a Hard Place (man cuts off own arm to live)
The Wild Parrots (man bonds with parents)
Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth (yup, it’s about dirt)
Half the Sky (plight of repressed women)
The Payback (economics)
Silent Spring (birth defects due to chemicals)
Black Boy (black in America)
The Autobiography of Malcolm X (Malcolm X)
This Boy’s Life (young boy in America)
In Cold Blood (true crime)
Angela’s Ashes (poor in Ireland)
Perfect Storm (storm over water)
War (book about war in Afghanistan)
Death In Belmont (true crime)
Devil in the White City (murders in Chicago)
In the Garden of Beasts (Americans in Nazi Germany)
The Last Lecture (man’s advice to his children)
I am Malala (young girl shot by Taliban)
Killing Kennedy (book on Kennedy)
Band of Brothers (WWII book)
The Heart and the Fist (Navy Seal and Humanitarian)
Seal Team Six (memoirs of navy seal)
Dreams of my Father (Barack Obama)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (growing up female and blackin the 1930s)
A Walk in the Woods (Appalachian Trail)
Fast Food Nation (food in America)
And the Band Played On (AIDS at the start)
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
The Executioner’s Song (death penalty)
The Blindside (football)
An Innocent Man (true crime/death penalty)
Eat, Pray, Love (woman stuff and travel)
A Long Way Gone (African child soldiers)
See you soon.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Honors 11-12-13
I was in such a hurry to get upstairs to the IMC and Lab B for our nonfiction work, that I failed to celebrate today's unusual date: 11-12-13. You still have a few hours to enjoy it!
All three periods requested a peer review day for the Animal Farm paper you are currently working on. We settled on Thursday as long as I can get one of the labs. It looks good for right now but I'll tell you for sure tomorrow. Regardless, the final copies look good to go for Monday.
Don't forget to compile your list of four questions you should always have in the back of your mind whenever you are reading nonfiction. They don't need to apply to a specific article of nonfiction; instead, they need to be able to be applied to any nonfiction piece of writing. Write them down and bring them to class tomorrow.
The BIG, HUGE, VASTLY IMPORTANT Nonfiction Book Documentary Film Presentation assignment was distributed today. About a dozen individuals have locked in on their book and documentary already (and earned their five points in the process). You want to be sure you tell me both--IN WRITING--by Monday, November 18 to earn your five points. After that, your earnings will decrease. (Past earnings do not in any way reflect future possible earnings).
I shared with you a substantial list of nonfiction titles and documentary films, but that is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to go elsewhere to find a book and film that work for you. You'll be attached to the book and film for the next 4-6 weeks. You'll be making a BIG, HUGE, VASTLY IMPORTANT presentation that will require you to be in front of your peers for well over ten minutes. You better be sure you find something that interests you. Something you care about. Something you can get excited about. Something you are passionate about. Get the idea?
Once you select your material, don't wait. Start reading. Start watching. I'd read actively, taking notes along the way. I'd watch the film at least twice (once for viewing and once for a deeper analysis) taking notes along the way. Have a general idea of what you will be presenting before you start either so that you can be taking notes on the material that will be most beneficial.
More to come.
See you soon.
All three periods requested a peer review day for the Animal Farm paper you are currently working on. We settled on Thursday as long as I can get one of the labs. It looks good for right now but I'll tell you for sure tomorrow. Regardless, the final copies look good to go for Monday.
Don't forget to compile your list of four questions you should always have in the back of your mind whenever you are reading nonfiction. They don't need to apply to a specific article of nonfiction; instead, they need to be able to be applied to any nonfiction piece of writing. Write them down and bring them to class tomorrow.
The BIG, HUGE, VASTLY IMPORTANT Nonfiction Book Documentary Film Presentation assignment was distributed today. About a dozen individuals have locked in on their book and documentary already (and earned their five points in the process). You want to be sure you tell me both--IN WRITING--by Monday, November 18 to earn your five points. After that, your earnings will decrease. (Past earnings do not in any way reflect future possible earnings).
I shared with you a substantial list of nonfiction titles and documentary films, but that is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to go elsewhere to find a book and film that work for you. You'll be attached to the book and film for the next 4-6 weeks. You'll be making a BIG, HUGE, VASTLY IMPORTANT presentation that will require you to be in front of your peers for well over ten minutes. You better be sure you find something that interests you. Something you care about. Something you can get excited about. Something you are passionate about. Get the idea?
Once you select your material, don't wait. Start reading. Start watching. I'd read actively, taking notes along the way. I'd watch the film at least twice (once for viewing and once for a deeper analysis) taking notes along the way. Have a general idea of what you will be presenting before you start either so that you can be taking notes on the material that will be most beneficial.
More to come.
See you soon.
Standard 11-12-13
Love that date today. I heard from Gabe Spencer in period three that a couple got married at 9:10 on 11-12-13. That's funny. Or creative. Or weird. But it's memorable regardless.
Today should be memorable for you because you turned in your Giver papers. From this point forward this quarter, we will be focusing on nonfiction writing as you undoubtedly could tell from today's discussion. We broke down the key differences between fiction and nonfiction. I highlighted that two big differences are that a nonfiction text will often have a works cited page and an index in the back of the book. They become more reliable if they are able to demonstrate where all their information came from. Works cited page and an index. Don't forget them!
We also went over some key questions that you need to be thinking about whenever you begin reading a nonfiction text. Based on our discussion we settled on several key questions. I shared them below and offered a little elaboration in parentheses.
1) What is the purpose of the article? (What is the main idea the article is trying to get across?)
2) What evidence does the article offer for support? (What are the arguments? Are the arguments credible?)
3) What are the sources for that evidence/those arguments? (Are they credible sources?)
4) Are both sides equally represented? (Is there bias in the presentation?)
5) Who is the author? (What are his credentials? Is he credible? Is he biased?)
Often we accept what we read as true, especially if it is in a newspaper or magazine. However, to become better readers, we need to be more discerning readers. We need to be skeptical sometimes. If we keep those questions in mind when we read, we are less likely to be duped into believing something that isn't true or supporting something that is not worthy of our support. Read with your eyes open.
Tomorrow, we will look at another short nonfiction article and apply our questions to it. Will we also have a quiz over the questions?
We will visit the IMC for a nonfiction book. Do you know what you will be reading?
See you soon.
Today should be memorable for you because you turned in your Giver papers. From this point forward this quarter, we will be focusing on nonfiction writing as you undoubtedly could tell from today's discussion. We broke down the key differences between fiction and nonfiction. I highlighted that two big differences are that a nonfiction text will often have a works cited page and an index in the back of the book. They become more reliable if they are able to demonstrate where all their information came from. Works cited page and an index. Don't forget them!
We also went over some key questions that you need to be thinking about whenever you begin reading a nonfiction text. Based on our discussion we settled on several key questions. I shared them below and offered a little elaboration in parentheses.
1) What is the purpose of the article? (What is the main idea the article is trying to get across?)
2) What evidence does the article offer for support? (What are the arguments? Are the arguments credible?)
3) What are the sources for that evidence/those arguments? (Are they credible sources?)
4) Are both sides equally represented? (Is there bias in the presentation?)
5) Who is the author? (What are his credentials? Is he credible? Is he biased?)
Often we accept what we read as true, especially if it is in a newspaper or magazine. However, to become better readers, we need to be more discerning readers. We need to be skeptical sometimes. If we keep those questions in mind when we read, we are less likely to be duped into believing something that isn't true or supporting something that is not worthy of our support. Read with your eyes open.
Tomorrow, we will look at another short nonfiction article and apply our questions to it. Will we also have a quiz over the questions?
We will visit the IMC for a nonfiction book. Do you know what you will be reading?
See you soon.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Honors 11-11-2013
We edited dog drafts today and received some tips on what needs to be done to take the dog draft (a rough rough draft) to a rough draft. I'm currently eyeing Monday as the day to submit the final copies. Keep working on those papers every night.
Tomorrow is the day. You'll be making some decisions that will effect your next four to six weeks. I'll fill you in when we visit the IMC. I'm putting the finishing touches on some hand-outs tonight. Can't wait to see where this will take us.
What questions should you be asking when reading nonfiction? These questions are different from the ones you ask when reading fiction. Be thinking of possible responses. We'll be falling back on these questions a lot.
See you soon.
Tomorrow is the day. You'll be making some decisions that will effect your next four to six weeks. I'll fill you in when we visit the IMC. I'm putting the finishing touches on some hand-outs tonight. Can't wait to see where this will take us.
What questions should you be asking when reading nonfiction? These questions are different from the ones you ask when reading fiction. Be thinking of possible responses. We'll be falling back on these questions a lot.
See you soon.
Standard 11-11-2013
The paper is due tomorrow. Be sure you have it typed and double spaced and looking good. Have your peer edit sheet and your drafts too. If you have the instruction sheet with the rubric on back, that would also be helpful.
Here is a review of the questions I asked today.
1) Do you have the right heading?
4) Do you transition to the claim?
5) Is the claim clear?
6) Do you mention the title and author in the introduction?
8) Do you start your second paragraph with a topic sentence?
9) Do you give enough story background so that your ideas are clear? This refers to CONTEXT!
10) Do you present the information in logical order?
11) Is what you are discussing directly related to your claim?
12) Do you use quotes?
13) Do you explain the quotes?
14) Do you close the paragraph by referring back to the claim?
15) Do you use a transitional topic sentence to start paragraph three?
16) Do you repeat the ideas listed above in questions 9-14 for paragraph three? paragraph four?
17) Do you have a closing paragraph?
18) Do you restate the claim and connect your ideas to the claim through a brief summary of the paper?
19) Do you close with a BANG!?
Here is a review of the questions I asked today.
1) Do you have the right heading?
Name
Date
Period
Type
of Paper
2)
Do you have a creative title?
3)
Do you have an effective hook?
4) Do you transition to the claim?
5) Is the claim clear?
6) Do you mention the title and author in the introduction?
7)
Is
the title underlined or italicized?
Is
the author's name spelled correctly?
8) Do you start your second paragraph with a topic sentence?
9) Do you give enough story background so that your ideas are clear? This refers to CONTEXT!
10) Do you present the information in logical order?
11) Is what you are discussing directly related to your claim?
12) Do you use quotes?
Are
they cited?
Are
they cited correctly?
13) Do you explain the quotes?
Every
one of them?
Are
they explained well?
14) Do you close the paragraph by referring back to the claim?
15) Do you use a transitional topic sentence to start paragraph three?
Does
it connect and build upon what was already said in paragraph two?
Does
it relate back to the claim?
16) Do you repeat the ideas listed above in questions 9-14 for paragraph three? paragraph four?
Do
you handle both tier one and tier two?
17) Do you have a closing paragraph?
18) Do you restate the claim and connect your ideas to the claim through a brief summary of the paper?
19) Do you close with a BANG!?
20)
If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then you should feel
good and be ready to hand your paper in to me tomorrow.
Be
sure you have a clean final copy with you and all the drafts you have
written.
We start something new tomorrow.
See you soon.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Standard 11-06-2013
Just a reminder tonight. The entire draft of the paper should be typed and in class tomorrow. We will be working on them and editing them tomorrow. the more prepared you are tomorrow, the better off you will be going into the next three days. I will be gone Friday (in Indianapolis at a conference) and will lie to see the final copies of the papers by next Tuesday.
See you soon.
See you soon.
Honors 11-06-2013
Make sure you are spending at least 30 minutes working on your paper tonight. Identify your three discussion points, find your support, practice embedding those links. By 6th hour we figured out the best way to link the exact quote (beginning and ending) that you need. Here are the steps.
Enter www.tubechop.com in your search bar.
Search for Animal Farm.
Click on the 1954 cartoon version.
Enter the start time and the end time for your clip.
Where it says " (optional) write something about your selection" identify your clip.
Click on "chop it"
Copy the address in the Link box.
Now go to your Google document, highlight the word or phrase you plan on making the link.
Click on the chain symbol in the top tool bar.
Paste the address from the Link box into the space provided.
You should be good to go.
Bring your headphones and any questions to class tomorrow.
See you soon.
Enter www.tubechop.com in your search bar.
Search for Animal Farm.
Click on the 1954 cartoon version.
Enter the start time and the end time for your clip.
Where it says " (optional) write something about your selection" identify your clip.
Click on "chop it"
Copy the address in the Link box.
Now go to your Google document, highlight the word or phrase you plan on making the link.
Click on the chain symbol in the top tool bar.
Paste the address from the Link box into the space provided.
You should be good to go.
Bring your headphones and any questions to class tomorrow.
See you soon.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Standard 11-05-2013
We worked on the papers a bit more today. You should come to class tomorrow with the claim and most of the body paragraphs typed up. We'll be think about adding the introduction and the conclusion paragraphs tomorrow in class.
Make sure you are developing the tier one aspects of the paper before developing tier two.
Topic One : Show how Sameness is developed and then explain how it benefits the Community.
Topic Two: Show how pain is used or avoided in the Community and then discuss whether it is hypocritical.
Topic Three: Show three ways Jonas has changed and then explain why those changes are significant.
Topic Four: Show what is right and wrong with the Community and then come to a conclusion on the quest for perfection.
Topic Five: Show how parents can raise their children better by loving them (or show how they would do a worse job by loving them) by sharing experiences from the book and your own life.
Proofread your ideas aloud too. Too many times I've read sentences that just don't make sense. You can identify precise and vivid sentences. Now write them.
See you soon.
Make sure you are developing the tier one aspects of the paper before developing tier two.
Topic One : Show how Sameness is developed and then explain how it benefits the Community.
Topic Two: Show how pain is used or avoided in the Community and then discuss whether it is hypocritical.
Topic Three: Show three ways Jonas has changed and then explain why those changes are significant.
Topic Four: Show what is right and wrong with the Community and then come to a conclusion on the quest for perfection.
Topic Five: Show how parents can raise their children better by loving them (or show how they would do a worse job by loving them) by sharing experiences from the book and your own life.
Proofread your ideas aloud too. Too many times I've read sentences that just don't make sense. You can identify precise and vivid sentences. Now write them.
See you soon.
Honors 11-05-2013
We are in the writing lab tomorrow to work on our Animal Farm papers. The prepared student will come with a list of potential discussion topics narrowed down to the top three or four. Less time will be spent sifting through all your notes that way.
Once there I will spend some time going over the link instructions. I'll walk you through the steps and you should be good to go by the time I'm done. It's pretty easy.
I'd also like to spend some time going over the rubric before making a final copy and passing it out to everyone.
You'll be typing on Google docs. Make sure you know your log in information.
See you soon.
Once there I will spend some time going over the link instructions. I'll walk you through the steps and you should be good to go by the time I'm done. It's pretty easy.
I'd also like to spend some time going over the rubric before making a final copy and passing it out to everyone.
You'll be typing on Google docs. Make sure you know your log in information.
See you soon.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Standard 11-04-2013
I have some grading to do tonight, so I will be making this one quick.
We looked at claims today and I think we all realized that there was some significant work that needed to be done yet. Make sure you have strong claims by tomorrow.
You should also be working on fixing body paragraph number one and adding body paragraph number two. All of this should be typed.
We will be going to the IMC tomorrow to look for books and do some writing. Be prepared.
We'll probably spend a few minutes on Acuity in Tool Time tomorrow too. Remember I was gone last Thursday at an Acuity meeting. I want to share with you what I discovered.
Have those paragraphs typed and in class tomorrow!
See you soon.
We looked at claims today and I think we all realized that there was some significant work that needed to be done yet. Make sure you have strong claims by tomorrow.
You should also be working on fixing body paragraph number one and adding body paragraph number two. All of this should be typed.
We will be going to the IMC tomorrow to look for books and do some writing. Be prepared.
We'll probably spend a few minutes on Acuity in Tool Time tomorrow too. Remember I was gone last Thursday at an Acuity meeting. I want to share with you what I discovered.
Have those paragraphs typed and in class tomorrow!
See you soon.
Honors 11-04-2013
Just a quick one today so I can get back to assessing those timed writings.
We watched the rest of the film (period two has ten minutes left) and you have the instructions for the paper in your hands. you can ask your questions tomorrow, and then we will get writing. Look for a rubric in your future. The Google doc link idea is going to be a good one. I'll demonstrate how to do it--probably tomorrow--and you can practice at home and let me know what difficulties you have. We'll adjust accordingly.
Speaking of links, here is a link to the Animal Farm film. You'll definitely need this to write the analysis.
We are going to the IMC tomorrow. I had something big planned for you, but I think I'm going to hold off for one more week so I can work out some kinks.
I have a cool quote from Karl Marx I found (with the help of Mrs. Burnette) too. I want to see each of you tie it in to Animal Farm.
I was off last Thursday in an Acuity meeting to see what areas we struggled with and now need to focus on. Surprisingly, all five classes struggled with the same three areas. I'll show you tomorrow.
Finally, as a reminder, I'm off this Friday to find out what I can about gifted children. Do you feel gifted? You should.
See you soon.
We watched the rest of the film (period two has ten minutes left) and you have the instructions for the paper in your hands. you can ask your questions tomorrow, and then we will get writing. Look for a rubric in your future. The Google doc link idea is going to be a good one. I'll demonstrate how to do it--probably tomorrow--and you can practice at home and let me know what difficulties you have. We'll adjust accordingly.
Speaking of links, here is a link to the Animal Farm film. You'll definitely need this to write the analysis.
We are going to the IMC tomorrow. I had something big planned for you, but I think I'm going to hold off for one more week so I can work out some kinks.
I have a cool quote from Karl Marx I found (with the help of Mrs. Burnette) too. I want to see each of you tie it in to Animal Farm.
I was off last Thursday in an Acuity meeting to see what areas we struggled with and now need to focus on. Surprisingly, all five classes struggled with the same three areas. I'll show you tomorrow.
Finally, as a reminder, I'm off this Friday to find out what I can about gifted children. Do you feel gifted? You should.
See you soon.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Standard 11-03-2013
I know I enjoyed that extra hour of sleep this weekend. How about you? I love falling back.
That means I'm that much more ready to work on these Giver papers we are writing. It also means you all had an extra hour to perfect your claims and first body paragraphs. We'll be grouping ourselves by topic and doing some serious reading, analysis, and discussion about where we are so far. We will also have a bit of writing time and an author's chair for class discussion. This is one of the first assessments of quarter two. Let's get off to a good start. First thing: BE SURE YOU HAVE THE CLAIM AND THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH TYPED AND IN YOUR POSSESSION!
We'll do a little Tool Time and then transition into the papers.
See you soon.
That means I'm that much more ready to work on these Giver papers we are writing. It also means you all had an extra hour to perfect your claims and first body paragraphs. We'll be grouping ourselves by topic and doing some serious reading, analysis, and discussion about where we are so far. We will also have a bit of writing time and an author's chair for class discussion. This is one of the first assessments of quarter two. Let's get off to a good start. First thing: BE SURE YOU HAVE THE CLAIM AND THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH TYPED AND IN YOUR POSSESSION!
We'll do a little Tool Time and then transition into the papers.
See you soon.
Honors 11-03-2013
Just watched a powerful documentary about Terry Fox this weekend. He was a young man who lost his right leg to cancer but didn't let that beat him; instead, he decided to run across Canada on one leg raising both money and awareness. I had never forgotten him because of the role he played in my running career way back in 1981, so when I saw this documentary was available on Netflix courtesy of ESPN's 30 for 30, I quickly logged in. Yet as I was watching it, I was thinking about how we could use this video in our nonfiction unit this quarter (Every time I watch anything I'm always wondering if we can use it in class somewhere---ahhh...the life of a teacher). We will be going to the IMC on Tuesday. We will be looking for nonfiction books to read on our own outside of class. Between now and then, I'll be studying the standards and trying to see if there is a way to bring all of this together: documentaries, books and nonfiction.
I've been assessing the timed writings over the weekend. There were several impressive submissions from period one. Renee Yaseen's writing stands out as one strong example. In order to gain insight into who the men were, she went beyond just summarizing the book and the poem in the authors' words to characterizing the men based on what she knows about them through their writings and our discussions. Great results. These have been fun and interesting to read; however, they are taking longer than expected. Please be patient as I work my way through them.
We will be watching the end of the Animal Farm film tomorrow. You had a start last Thursday with Mr. Alfrey. Based on what he told me, you also had some decent discussions (period six especially) about how the film and book coincide and how the film also takes some liberties with the presentation. It's those liberties that we will be interested in once our viewing is done. I know you are all aware that we will be writing a paper on this topic. If you've taken good notes--and continue to take good notes--you should do well. You'll want to go beyond merely saying, "Look, that's different." Instead, you'll want to say, "Look, that's different and this is how it affects the story and this is why the director made the decision to change it." We'll talk more about it in class, but prepare yourself well.
Guess what. I won't be here Friday. I'm going to the National Association of Gifted Children (that's you) conference in Indianapolis. For three days (Friday, Saturday, and even Sunday) I'll be finding new ways to challenge and stimulate you with rigorous and standard based curriculum. Sound fascinating? I know I'm looking forward to it. Ask me about it next Monday.
See you soon.
I've been assessing the timed writings over the weekend. There were several impressive submissions from period one. Renee Yaseen's writing stands out as one strong example. In order to gain insight into who the men were, she went beyond just summarizing the book and the poem in the authors' words to characterizing the men based on what she knows about them through their writings and our discussions. Great results. These have been fun and interesting to read; however, they are taking longer than expected. Please be patient as I work my way through them.
We will be watching the end of the Animal Farm film tomorrow. You had a start last Thursday with Mr. Alfrey. Based on what he told me, you also had some decent discussions (period six especially) about how the film and book coincide and how the film also takes some liberties with the presentation. It's those liberties that we will be interested in once our viewing is done. I know you are all aware that we will be writing a paper on this topic. If you've taken good notes--and continue to take good notes--you should do well. You'll want to go beyond merely saying, "Look, that's different." Instead, you'll want to say, "Look, that's different and this is how it affects the story and this is why the director made the decision to change it." We'll talk more about it in class, but prepare yourself well.
Guess what. I won't be here Friday. I'm going to the National Association of Gifted Children (that's you) conference in Indianapolis. For three days (Friday, Saturday, and even Sunday) I'll be finding new ways to challenge and stimulate you with rigorous and standard based curriculum. Sound fascinating? I know I'm looking forward to it. Ask me about it next Monday.
See you soon.
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