January 28

English 10 (C & D blocks)

Today after silent reading, students were given a list of poetic terms.  Students were asked to test themselves to see how many they already knew.  Then we went reviewed the familiar terms and added definitions for the new ones.  Finally students were asked to organize the words in categories in a mind-map.  

Humanities 8

Today we started off with a A-Z writing list.  Students were asked to brainstorm different types of writing for each letter of the alphabet.  We shared ideas after the students had time to brainstorm.  There were some excellent ideas!  

A - apology, acrostic poem, adventure story 

B - biography, book, biopoem

After that, we went over the basic historical term sheet students worked on last class.  

January 27

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we organized all our poetry work into one package.  Then students were asked to do a worksheet with some basic history terms.  As a class we discussed the reasons why we study history and then I explained the connection between Roman chariots and space shuttles. 

English 10 (H block)

Today we skipped silent reading and briefly went over the rubric for the comparison essay that students are writing.  The remainder of the block was spent in the library writing the final version of the essay.  This was the last day to work on the essays and if students were unable to hand them in today, they were reminded that it had to be in on Thursday or else they would be expected to come into school on Friday to finish it off. 

Januarty 26

English 10 (C & D block)

Today we skipped silent reading and briefly went over the rubric for the comparison essay that students are writing.  The remainder of the block was spent in the library writing the final version of the essay.  This was the last day to work on the essays and if students were unable to hand them in today, they were reminded that it had to be in on Thursday or else they would be expected to come into school on Friday to finish it off. 

Humanities 8

Today students wrote their poetry tests.  When they were finished they were asked to fill in an assessment sheet for their poetry unit.  Once that was complete students were asked to finish off any missing work,  homework in other classes or to silent read.

January 25

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we did a practice test in preparation of our test tomorrow.  The remainder of the class was spent reviewing or finishing off the lyrics assignment.  

Poetry test: tomorrow!!

English 10 (H block)

Today after silent reading, we discussed different ideas for setting up our essays comparing the 2 poems Richard Cory and Roller Skate Man.  

body paragraph 1- similarities //  poem A   //  1st point of comparison

body paragraph 2- differences //  poem B   //  2nd point of comparison

body paragraph 3- n/a             // comparison  // 3rd point of comparison

It was emphasized that an outline is written in point form!!

We also discussed the two main focus points for this essay which are:  clarity and support.  We discussed how to provide support and when it would be appropriate.  The remainder of the class was provided to students as a work period to complete an outline and rough draft.  Completing a rough draft for homework was assigned .  Next class will be for editing and publishing a final draft.  

January 22

English 10 (C &D blocks)

Today after silent reading, we discussed different ideas for setting up our essays comparing the 2 poems Richard Cory and Roller Skate Man.  

body paragraph 1- similarities //  poem A   //  1st point of comparison

body paragraph 2- differences //  poem B   //  2nd point of comparison

body paragraph 3- n/a             // comparison  // 3rd point of comparison

It was emphasized that an outline is written in point form!!

We also discussed the two main focus points for this essay which are:  clarity and support.  We discussed how to provide support and when it would be appropriate.  The remainder of the class was provided to students as a work period to complete an outline and rough draft.  Completing a rough draft for homework was assigned .  Next class will be for editing and publishing a final draft.  

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, students were given the period to finish off their lyrics assignment.  Students were asked to finish it for homework if they were not able to finish it in class.  

Tuesday is the poetry test!

January 21

Ms Allison was in today.

English 10 (C&D blocks)

After silent reading today, we looked at two poems.  Students were asked to gloss the poems in partners and then we went over the poems as a class.   Next students were asked to fill in a comparison graphic organizer in preparation for writing a comparison essay.  Next class students will be writing their outlines and rough drafts.  The following class will be for typing up their final draft.  This will be the last assignment for term 2!

Humanities 8

Today students started with silent reading. Next students worked on their lyrics assignments.  The minimum expectation was to have the chart completed and the song printed out and analyzed.  

January 20

Humanities 8

Today we started off with reading.  Then students worked in groups to work on identifying literary devices.  We also went over the Poetry unit test which is on Tuesday January 26.  Finally, I explained tomorrow's assignment.  

English 10 (H block)

After silent reading today, we looked at two poems.  Students were asked to gloss the poems and then fill in a comparison graphic organizer in preparation for writing a comparison essay.  Finally, students were asked to work on an outline for their essay.  Next class students will be writing their rough drafts.  The following class will be for typing up their final draft.  This will be the last assignment for term 2.