Sorry for the absence yesterday. I got caught juggling too many items and something had to give. Back today! This will be the last day of the combo blog as well. The last several days we've been tracking together as we've worked through the practice performance task and taken the acuity test. We'll be separating again-somewhat--after tomorrow.
I say somewhat because we all will be reading Night by Elie Wiesel. It's a fantastic book. It's an easy read from a comprehension stand point but a difficult, draining read from an emotional perspective. I'll introduce it over the next couple days, and we can all expect to start reading it at the beginning of next week.
That means you best be working hard on finishing that nonfiction book of your own. You still have a couple more weekdays and a weekend to work on it, but I wouldn't want it hanging over my head as I start working with the Wiesel book. While you have the time, finish your nonfiction book, prepare and practice your QBT, and do what you can on that paper to move it along.
Our first QBTs will be Friday and Monday. It's a quick presentation so be sure you fall into the required time frame (120-180 seconds). Open up with a hook on what you will be talking about (what you learned) before mentioning the title and the author. Have the book with you so that you can show it when you mention the title. After a brief explanation on what the book is about, segue into your discussion of what you learned. While quotes can help, don't fill your presentation with one or two long quotes. Make sure you are talking to us and explaining what you learned in your own words. Close out the QBT effectively. Plan this. Don't make it up when you are standing up there. A couple other tips. Look at your audience. Talk at a good volume. Get rid of your timid, monotone voice and speak with flair and passion. Have note cards but don't read from them. They can guide you but you should not be dependent on them. If you've practiced enough (at least six times studies say), then you shouldn't need them that much. If you read from the cards, you will receive a failing grade.
One final thing about topics. You are talking about what you learned. Make sure it is something you learned and not something that you knew about before reading the book. Someone wanted to talk about how appearances can be deceiving. That's a concept we have all been aware of for some time. The old "You can't judge a book by its cover" idea. The individual had prepared the speech but realized that that part of the speech had to be changed. Part of your assessment will consider the legitimacy of the topics. Make sure you are learning.
In other news, the Acuity test today was a pretty good success overall. While some struggled, the vast majority came flying through with some terrific scores. I'd like to commend the individuals who earned perfect 30/30 scores today: Julia Kwak, Andrew Bernard, Hannah McGinness, Savannah Scott, Matt Eitler, Calley Tartaglione, Joe Bursley, and Jewel Eyestone. A special tip of the hat goes to period six who rocked it with over a dozen scores of 29/30.
Our verbals discussion will take a breather tomorrow, since our plates are going to be loaded with other activities. But hold on tightly to that verbals information--especially the gerund material--it'll be coming back soon, and a quiz will be sure to follow.
See you tomorrow.
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