To seek, to strive, to find, and not to yield. - Ulysses

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Think about Thursday:

Block B: I know that this paragraph is not an easy one - but you are making great progress! The double-spaced rough draft of your connections paragraph is due on Monday. Make sure you complete a self-editing process, read through your draft and make changes before bringing your draft to class on Monday for peer editing.

Block C: Today we talked about plot - and how it is an essential to the construction of a short story. I gave you a duo-tang of readings and stories. For today you were to read through the plot section and complete the assisted notes. If you didn't finish in class, please do so for Monday.

Block D: We finished watching the movie Mean Girls in class today, and spent the rest of class completing the analysis and compare and contrast handout. Think about these aspects of the film and what universal truth you may be able to discover between these two texts - we'll discuss on Monday.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Work for this Wednesday:

Block B: I know that making connections seems easy - but it is tough stuff! On your outline, make sure you include an explanation that explains how making the connection helps you to understand the story better. We will work on the rough draft in class tomorrow - just make sure your outline is done.

Block C: Interpreting setting in different ways. Using the image from class today, produce 2 vastly different story summaries that could plausibly be related to the picture. I'm looking for creativity here people - dig deep!

Block D: We will finish watching Mean Girls in class tomorrow - make sure you are filling out your handout on the elements of fiction for the film. You should also start thinking about what bring these two works together - as we are going to be writing an essay next week.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tuesday Terrific!

Block B: For homework tonight - finish your T-Chart of connections to the story "The Pedestrian." We'll start the outline tomorrow.

Block C: Just a few more presentations to go! We'll wrap up tomorrow.

Block D: Awesome finish the the LOTF survivor challenges!!! A great effort by all - and a special congratulations to Lords of the English!!! Well done champions! No homework tonight.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Make it your Monday:

Block B: If you did not finish the quick THIEVES and text-coding work on the short story "The Pedestrian" please do so for homework tonight!

Block C: Great start to the presentations today - we'll finish up tomorrow!

Block D: We have a couple more theme groups to get to - but we'll finish those to start the class - then it is on to the FINAL CHALLENGE!!!! Make sure you read chapter 12 tonight in order to be eligible to compete!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Fabulous Friday!

Block B: Awesome work on the text-coding today! I love that we used two of our key strategies today - THIEVES and text-coding. Nicely done - and for that - you have no homework this weekend!

Block C: Presentations start Monday! Make sure you have backup plans for any technology that you might be using. Can't wait to hear your interpretations of these poems. Hope you had a great time at grad skate!

Block D: Nice work on your glasses challenge today - a lot of interesting insights. Read chapter 11 over the weekend for class on Monday.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Thoroughly Thursday

Block B: Thank you for handing in your descriptive paragraphs - I'm looking forward to the vivid experiences. In class today we set the stage for a new strategy that we can use to help us read smarter - text coding! We will continue this strategy tomorrow - no homework tonight!

Block C: Just one more day to work on your 2 ongoing projects - oral analysis projects start on Monday!

Block D: So many amazing words! Read and complete your sticky notes for chapter 10 tonight!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Walk This Way Wednesday:

Block B: The double-spaced good copy of your descriptive paragraph, typed or written in pen is due tomorrow. Make sure you have the web/chart, draft and peer editing sheet to hand in as well.

Block C: Work continues on your 2 poetry projects!

Block D: Great work on the Power and Control challenge today - charting and explaining the ways in which the boys are the beast! Read chapter 9 and complete your sticky notes for tomorrow's class!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Take-Away Tuesday!

Block B: All double-spaced rough drafts are due tomorrow for peer editing. Make sure your writing is as descriptive and vivid as possible!

Block C: Work continues on your two projects - the oral analysis project will be due on Monday Nov. 24 and the larger duo-tang project will be due Wednesday Nov 26. Make sure you are on track with both of these assignments!

Block D: Interesting insights into the novel - we're just over half-way now! Please read and complete your sticky notes for chapter 8 tomorrow.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Masterful Monday:

Block B: I know that descriptive writing is not necessarily something that comes naturally to all of us. But good work on not giving up! Keep working on your point-form outlines - we will write the rough drafts of your paragraphs tomorrow.

Block C: Today I assigned the oral analysis project. If you didn't sign up for your poem today - please do so tomorrow. If you are off on the law field trip - please continue working on both poetry projects - and I'll see you Wednesday.

Block D: Such a fun challenge today! Great job on the beasts from above. Please read chapter 7 and complete your sticky notes for tomorrow!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Fabulous Friday!

Block B: If you didn't finish the web or chart on your chosen topic for your descriptive paragraph please do so for a homework check on Monday!

Block C: Most of you were able to finish up your practice TP-CASTT poems in class today - but if you didn't - please complete it for Monday. Don't forget that I want to see your concrete poems in class on Monday! GREAT work so far poets! Seriously, you make me proud.

Block D: Thanks for your work on symbolism today. Make sure you read chapter 6 and complete your 4 sticky notes for the challenge on Monday - it's a good one - so don't miss out!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block B: Our lesson on descriptive writing continues tomorrow - for tonight - no homework :)

Block C: If you didn't hand in your contrast tasks today - please do so for tomorrow. Don't forget that I need to see your anonymous poems by tomorrow and concrete poems by Monday!

Block D: Awesome painted faces today. Really good work!!! Read chapter 5 and complete your sticky notes for tomorrow's class.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Work on a Wednesday:

Block B: Great job on the THIEVES lesson today! I've read over your notes and exit slips - a lot of good ideas there! No homework tonight :)

Block C: I will give you time in class tomorrow to work on tasks 1&2 for contrast. Keep working away on your project - you need to show me your anonymous poems by Friday, and concrete poems by Monday!

Block D: A little trouble on the fears challenge today - direct references are hard! Make sure you read chapter 4 tonight and complete your 4 sticky notes in order to compete tomorrow in challenge #4! There needs to be one member of the group who is willing to get a bit messy...

Monday, November 10, 2014

Masterful Monday

Thank you to all the students and staff who organized the Remembrance Day Ceremony today. Speeches and performances were all very inspirational.

Block B: We will continue work on another ELO1 strategy on Wednesday - no homework tonight!

Block C: Keep up the good work on your poetry projects! Anonymous poems are due on Friday - make sure I check them before you put them up in the school!

Block D: Good work on the group discussions today. Read chapter 3 and complete your 4 sticky notes for Wednesday's challenge!


Friday, November 7, 2014

Fun-times Friday!

Block B: For homework this weekend - finish your 6 sentences using an adjective and adverb in each sentence - there will be a quiz on Monday!

Block C: If you didn't finish up the work on figurative comparison today - here are the terms for the quiz and the figurative comparison task that is due on Monday - if you didn't finish in class.


Block D: Awesome work on Survivor Challenge #2!!! Your islands look great - I'm going to tweet pictures of some of your fabulous creations today. Homework this weekend is to read chapter 3 and complete your 4 sticky notes for Monday.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block B: I know that there were some challenges with the context clues activity today - but the point is to try - not to be perfect! We will postpone the adverb and adjective quiz for Monday - to add in another day of practice. No homework tonight!

Block C: Today I assigned the next big project for English. You are to complete a series of tasks and lessons designed to showcase your ability to turn abstract concepts into reality. There will be limited structure for getting your work done - but DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! There is way too much to do. No formal homework tonight - just get started on your project.

Block D: Some interesting dynamics today in your groups as you got started on Lord of the Flies Survivor Challenge #1. Team posters are up in the room - and I will announce the winners at the start of class tomorrow. Make sure you read chapter 1 tonight and complete your minimum of 4 sticky notes that you need to have in order to compete in the challenge tomorrow. No sticky notes - means no challenge!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Wonderful Wednesday

Block B: Great start to context clues today! If you didn't finish the adverb exercises C&D - please complete those for homework tonight!

Block C: We are almost done our sound performances today - we'll finish the last one tomorrow. For tonight: no homework!

Block D: Think about the groups you would like to form for tomorrow - there will be 5 groups of 5 and 1 group of 4. Make sure all members of class feel like they are included! Tonight - there is no homework!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Tuesday, Terrific!

Block B: Please complete the outline and rough draft of the making connections paragraph for Ms. Moore.

Block C: There will be a quiz tomorrow on types of poems and the sound terminology from today's lesson - make sure you study the hand outs!

Block D: Phew - essays are done :) No homework tonight!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Mostly Monday

Block B: Great work on the peer editing today! Make sure that you have a double-spaced (in pen or typed) good copy in class tomorrow. Also - don't forget that you will have a grammar quiz on Adjectives and Adverbs on Friday!

Block C: Awesome start to poetry today! If you did not finish the task and reflection in class - here are the two slides that show the instructions.


Block D: Essay writing continues tomorrow. Make sure you have a correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page to hand in with your essay!!!

Wallowing Wednesday!

Block B: Poetry Stations are done! There will be some time tomorrow to share more poetry if you feel so inclined. There is no homework tonig...