Completed Part 1 History STAR Test. On Weds., we will take History Part 2.
2nd and 5th periods completed a grammar handout. (No 2nd or 5th periods on Weds.)
4th period began a STAR practice test. To be completed on Weds.
On taking the tests: multiple choice, test-taking: Remember, read the question; eliminate all possible answers; decide which is the best. Sometimes you get a gut feeling. Go with it. If it takes too long, go on to the next question. Return to the hard one when you are all done with the test. Make sure you make some guess. You have a 1 in four chance of getting it right. No choice means zero chance.
One more thing on cliche, "saved by the bell." Was it boxers in the ring saved at the last minute or peopled being lowered into the grave, but not quite dead? Go here for plausible explanation. Pick yours.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Completed Parts 1& 2 of Science STAR Test. On Tuesday, will take History Part 1.
There were no 3rd or 4th period classes on Monday. Fourth period English will do the same work on Tuesday as 2nd and 5th did on Monday.
On Monday, 2nd and 5th periods tried another STAR test practice and discussed.
On multiple choice, test-taking: Remember, read the question; eliminate all possible answers; decide which is the best. Sometimes you get a gut feeling. Go with it. If it takes too long, go on to the next question. Return to the hard one when you are all done with the test. Make sure you make some guess. You have a 1 in four chance of getting it right. No choice means zero chance.
We finished going over "Good Writing" handout. Dreading and eliminating those cliches, tired phrases used so often that they indicate tired, lazy and uninspired writing. Dead metaphors. Overused expression. Find a new way to say it. Be precise. Create your own voice. If you think you have heard the phrase too often, then you probably have, and it's time to try something new. Don't "beat that dead horse," or be "as slow as molasses."
Here are few cliches to ponder: red as a beet, as easy as pie, go fly a kite, working 24/7, flat as a pancake, drives me nuts, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, saved by the bell
From sportscliche.com, an explanation of cliche:
"There's no question about it is a prolific cliche and deserves a special category all its own. This cliche runs rampant in the sports world and has begun to make inroads into political jargon. It’s only a matter of time before it infects the entire English language. Here are some examples of how one usually hears it:
'He's the best quarterback of all time, there's no question about it.' This comment might occur during an extended sports talk show devoted to this highly subjective and almost impossible to quantify topic. If there's no question about it, why are we even having this discussion? No question about it is just a cliche way of saying 'That's my opinion' and sounding authoritative about it. Another way to get the same effect is with the word arguably. If you state: 'He's arguably the best quarterback of all time,' you must really know what you're talking about. It seems you're even willing to get into an argument."
From Writer's Digest, lots more on cliche and writing. Check it out.
There were no 3rd or 4th period classes on Monday. Fourth period English will do the same work on Tuesday as 2nd and 5th did on Monday.
On Monday, 2nd and 5th periods tried another STAR test practice and discussed.
On multiple choice, test-taking: Remember, read the question; eliminate all possible answers; decide which is the best. Sometimes you get a gut feeling. Go with it. If it takes too long, go on to the next question. Return to the hard one when you are all done with the test. Make sure you make some guess. You have a 1 in four chance of getting it right. No choice means zero chance.
We finished going over "Good Writing" handout. Dreading and eliminating those cliches, tired phrases used so often that they indicate tired, lazy and uninspired writing. Dead metaphors. Overused expression. Find a new way to say it. Be precise. Create your own voice. If you think you have heard the phrase too often, then you probably have, and it's time to try something new. Don't "beat that dead horse," or be "as slow as molasses."
Here are few cliches to ponder: red as a beet, as easy as pie, go fly a kite, working 24/7, flat as a pancake, drives me nuts, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, saved by the bell
From sportscliche.com, an explanation of cliche:
"There's no question about it is a prolific cliche and deserves a special category all its own. This cliche runs rampant in the sports world and has begun to make inroads into political jargon. It’s only a matter of time before it infects the entire English language. Here are some examples of how one usually hears it:
'He's the best quarterback of all time, there's no question about it.' This comment might occur during an extended sports talk show devoted to this highly subjective and almost impossible to quantify topic. If there's no question about it, why are we even having this discussion? No question about it is just a cliche way of saying 'That's my opinion' and sounding authoritative about it. Another way to get the same effect is with the word arguably. If you state: 'He's arguably the best quarterback of all time,' you must really know what you're talking about. It seems you're even willing to get into an argument."
From Writer's Digest, lots more on cliche and writing. Check it out.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Quote of the Day: "My Einstein came out" -- Matt Stobba
Handed in Civil War novel project. Go Bears.
New novel assignment. Pick one. Your choice. 250 pages minimum. Choices due by Weds., April 29. Come up with one earlier and have something to do when finished STAR testing and in SSR. Get a jump on it! Find a novel you like and may love. Be engaged.
We worked on "On Good Writing" handout.
Handed in Civil War novel project. Go Bears.
New novel assignment. Pick one. Your choice. 250 pages minimum. Choices due by Weds., April 29. Come up with one earlier and have something to do when finished STAR testing and in SSR. Get a jump on it! Find a novel you like and may love. Be engaged.
We worked on "On Good Writing" handout.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
We are finished with class worktime on Civil War novel project. Due Friday, BOP.
HOWEVER, for those of you absolutely in dire need of an extra day, you can turn it in Monday morning with:
1) Use your one late pass for the quarter, signed and attached to the project.
2) Must be turned in to me by 9:05 a.m. Monday, NOT at your class time. NO EXCEPTIONS.
HOWEVER, for those of you absolutely in dire need of an extra day, you can turn it in Monday morning with:
1) Use your one late pass for the quarter, signed and attached to the project.
2) Must be turned in to me by 9:05 a.m. Monday, NOT at your class time. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Handed out 4th quarter late assignment passes. If you were absent, get yours.
Tuesday at lunch is make-up day for all missed vocabulary quizzes. See board for your name and what you missed. One-day only for make-up.
Discussed and had library and computer lab work time for Civil War project.
Extra help on works cited: go to the Owl at Purdue Writing Lab, a great resource.
Tuesday at lunch is make-up day for all missed vocabulary quizzes. See board for your name and what you missed. One-day only for make-up.
Discussed and had library and computer lab work time for Civil War project.
Extra help on works cited: go to the Owl at Purdue Writing Lab, a great resource.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
You should all be enjoying vacation, this lovely weather we are having. Incredible time to be at the beach, in Tahoe, hiking or just hanging out.
So why are you reading this?
Because, maybe, just maybe, you are thinking about next week and the Civil War Novel Project.
Could be.
If you are, please take a moment to review the assignment, which we will do on Monday when we return from spring break.
Much of the work you should already have done. We will have time left to complete the research, write the summaries of the five historical elements, and do a rough draft of the essay on Monday.
At project's end, due Friday, April 24, BOP: you will have:
So why are you reading this?
Because, maybe, just maybe, you are thinking about next week and the Civil War Novel Project.
Could be.
If you are, please take a moment to review the assignment, which we will do on Monday when we return from spring break.
Much of the work you should already have done. We will have time left to complete the research, write the summaries of the five historical elements, and do a rough draft of the essay on Monday.
At project's end, due Friday, April 24, BOP: you will have:
- Title Page 5 points
- 10 Double Entry Journals 20 points
- 5 Research Summaries 30 points
- Essay 50 points
- Bibliography & List of Works Cited 15 points
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Recapping the week before break:
On Thursday we wrote an in-class essay. 45 minutes. Timed.
On Friday, we finished up found poem recitations and continued working on Civil War novel project. The fourth DEJ was checked. You should have 10 total by now, all you needed for that first part of the project.
After break: first few days of week of April 20 will be class time to finish project. There will be library and computer lab time available.
On Monday, we will begin the rough draft of the essay. A rough gives you/me/peers time to look over and polish for the final.
The final project is due Friday, April 24, a 3-day extension of original deadline. Keep up with this one and take advantage of class time to work on project.
On Thursday we wrote an in-class essay. 45 minutes. Timed.
On Friday, we finished up found poem recitations and continued working on Civil War novel project. The fourth DEJ was checked. You should have 10 total by now, all you needed for that first part of the project.
After break: first few days of week of April 20 will be class time to finish project. There will be library and computer lab time available.
On Monday, we will begin the rough draft of the essay. A rough gives you/me/peers time to look over and polish for the final.
The final project is due Friday, April 24, a 3-day extension of original deadline. Keep up with this one and take advantage of class time to work on project.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Today and Tuesday we read more poems from Poetry 180.
On Tuesday we recited a few more of our own favorite poems. Will finish on Thursday/Friday.
We had lab and library research time for Civil War Project. Use time wisely. Abuse it; lose it.
HW: Thursday lunch: make-up vocabulary quizzes if absent. One day only.
Fri: Last DEJ; finish book.
SPRING BREAK! YEAH!
On Tuesday we recited a few more of our own favorite poems. Will finish on Thursday/Friday.
We had lab and library research time for Civil War Project. Use time wisely. Abuse it; lose it.
HW: Thursday lunch: make-up vocabulary quizzes if absent. One day only.
Fri: Last DEJ; finish book.
SPRING BREAK! YEAH!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Today's poems from Poetry 180.
Recited more poems, with gusto. Graded for completeness and presentation.
Finished found poems work and handed in. Did you give yours a title?
Tuesday and Wednesday: Lab and library research time for Civil War Project. Bring materials. use time wisely. Use it or lose it.
Thursday lunch: make-up vocabulary quizzes if absent. One day only.
Recited more poems, with gusto. Graded for completeness and presentation.
Finished found poems work and handed in. Did you give yours a title?
Tuesday and Wednesday: Lab and library research time for Civil War Project. Bring materials. use time wisely. Use it or lose it.
Thursday lunch: make-up vocabulary quizzes if absent. One day only.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
On Friday, we began sharing our own favorite poems, reciting them and telling why they were meaningful to us, or we liked them, or how they "spoke to us." It was inspiring and enlightening. To be continued next week.
We began found poem work -- first by finding about 50 to 100 words of a prose piece (roughly two paragraphs), copying that piece of prose, and then selecting words or phrases with the most impact. On Monday, we will have time to re-arrange into our very own found poems, just in time to submit to the 8th grade literary magazine.
We began found poem work -- first by finding about 50 to 100 words of a prose piece (roughly two paragraphs), copying that piece of prose, and then selecting words or phrases with the most impact. On Monday, we will have time to re-arrange into our very own found poems, just in time to submit to the 8th grade literary magazine.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Analy speech and debate class visited today, bringing the art of oratory and debate and a lot of fun. Demonstrations. How easy and how fun to argue. "Spontaneous Arguments?" Thought we knew but learned a whole lot more.
HW: Friday: Civil War, 2 DEJs
Poem to recite and talk about.
Today's poem, Unbidden by Rae Armantrout.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
National Poetry Month starts today.
We read poems from Poetry 180, as well as watched personal interpretations from Americans who contributed to the Favorite Poems Project.
Poetry is universal. Poetry is choice. Poetry is individual.
Check it out at the Favorite Poem Project, or find other poems at the Academy of American Poets.
Also, check out Poetry 180.
HW: Thurs, Analy forms due
Fri: Pick out a poem. Write it down. (Don't cut and paste) Look up words you don't understand. Read it three times. Think about what it means to you. Be prepared to read it in class and explain how it speaks to you. Look on the Internet, books in the library, books in your home library, books in my classroom. Find one that has meaning for you.
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