Monday, October 31, 2016

October 31

Happy Halloween! Students from 2nd period decorated my door for the StuCo contest.

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "You can now compete to spend one terrifying night in Dracula's castle" - students read the article and circled unfamiliar words. Students chose 4 words from the reading, looked up the definition, and copied it onto the article. They then wrote in their notebooks about whether or not they would want to win this contest.

Students used the remaining class time to finish and turn in the figurative language chart and visuals.

We will be looking at Ralph and Jack as heroes tomorrow (really!), so be sure to read the hero's journey notes on Classroom before then.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance



Friday, October 28, 2016

October 28

IRT: ~20 minutes (1st and 4th)
WNB: What does it mean to be civilized?

Students continued working on the figurative language chart. We will spend a little time on Monday finishing this up. We didn't get to talk about Ralph and Jack as heroes today, so we will do that on Monday. Be sure to read the hero's journey notes on Classroom before then.

Today's Board

Thursday, October 27, 2016

October 27

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read and work on their next blog entry, due Friday, 11/11.

Students completed practice AP and SAT multiple choice questions for chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies.

Students began searching for examples of figurative language. We will continue this work tomorrow.

Students should read the "Hero's Journey" notes that are posted on Classroom before class tomorrow.

Today's Board

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

October 26

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: vocab and foreshadowing in Lord of the Flies

We checked our answers on the SAT Writing Practice 1 sheet. This is similar to what students will see on the SAT and STAAR tests.

Students completed AP and SAT multiple choice questions over chapter 3. After working independently, they collaborated with their groups to come up with the correct answer.

Students should read chapter 4 in preparation for tomorrow's work.

Today's Board

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

October 25

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "My idea of paradise is..."

Students worked in groups to develop the perfect survival kit. We then discussed which items were most necessary in the kit.

Students read background information on the author and novel and shared new or surprising details that connected to the book.

We focused on chapters 1 and 2 of Lord of the Flies today, looking at imagery and figures of speech that connect to the idea of paradise.

Tomorrow, we will discuss chapter 3. We will also check answers to the SAT writing practice 1 handout that students received at the end of class.

Today's Board

Monday, October 24, 2016

October 24

WNB: Article of the Week - "US officially accuses Russia of hacking DNC and interfering with election" (I'll collect the annotated articles tomorrow.)

We spent some time resetting expectations of the course, discussing independent reading time and writer's notebook entries. Students suggested that I provide suggested prompts and quotes that they can reference for outside of class entries. I'm in the process of gathering these materials, and I will post them on Classroom when they're ready! (I shared these slides on Classroom. See me if you have questions!)

We visited the library so students could begin looking for their AP list title. Originally, students were to read 2 books from the AP list, but I have adjusted that requirement. The list is available in the About section on Classroom.

Students took a quiz over Lord of the Flies for the last 20 minutes of class. Hopefully, they read the book!

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance & Essential Questions

Friday, October 21, 2016

October 21

1st and 2nd periods took their midterm exams today.

All grades are up to date as of 5:30 pm.

On Monday, we will begin our discussion of Lord of the Flies.

Have a good weekend!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

October 20

1st and 2nd periods reviewed for the midterm and read and annotated two pieces that will be on tomorrow's (10/21) test.

Nothing too interesting on the board today, so there's no photo.

I apologize for the delay in posting some grades. Hope to have everything up to date by the end of the day tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

October 19

Students took the PSAT this morning, so I didn't see 1st or 2nd periods.

4th period reviewed for the midterm and read and annotated two pieces that will be on tomorrow's (10/20) test. Students who want more time with the readings may come to tutorials during A block tomorrow (10/20).

Nothing too interesting on the board today, so there's no photo.

Coming Up:
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd periods will review for midterms, and 3rd and 4th periods will take the midterm.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd periods will take the midterm, and students will have early release (12:15 pm).

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

October 18

I shared some last minute PSAT tips with students before they take the test tomorrow. (Thanks, Mrs. Nickerson!) You can find extra tips here: https://www.kaptest.com/psat/kaplan-psat-prep/all-about-the-psat (FYI: The links that were on the presentation we looked at in class did not work.)

Students used the rest of the class period to complete a reading reflection on Classroom. Those who finished before the end of class read silently.

1st and 2nd periods: Dig out a scored article of the week to turn in for points on the Antigone timed writing!

Coming Up:

  • Wednesday, 10/19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, 10/20 - 1st and 2nd periods will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, 10/21 - 1st and 2nd periods will take exams. Students will have early release at 12:15 pm. 
Don't forget to finish reading Lord of the Flies by October 24!

Today's Board

Monday, October 17, 2016

October 17

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "How do we respond to threats after our endorsement? This is how"

Students received a copy of the midterm review and completed a 9 weeks notebook check on Classroom today.

Coming Up:

  • 10/18 - Independent Reading Reflection (minor grade)
  • 10/19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT test in the morning. 3rd and 4th periods will review for midterms.
  • 10/20 - 1st and 2nd periods will review for midterms. 3rd and 4th periods will take midterms.
  • 10/21 - 1st and 2nd periods will take midterms. Students will have early release at 12:15 pm.
Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance



Friday, October 14, 2016

October 14

Students completed a 40-minute timed writing over Antigone.

With the remaining class time (shortened due to today's pep rally), students made sure their notebooks were up to date and read independently. We will have a notebook check on Monday, and we will do activities related to independent reading on Tuesday.

The midterm review is now posted on Classroom, and students will receive a paper copy on Monday.

Coming Up:

  • Monday, October 17 - Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade)
  • Tuesday, October 18 - Independent Reading Reflection (minor grade)
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th periods will review for midterms.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd periods will review for midterms. 3rd and 4th periods will take midterms.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd periods will take midterms. Students will have early release (12:15pm). 
Today's Board (with suggested outlines for today's timed writing)

Thursday, October 13, 2016

October 13

We started class with a practice PSAT writing test. Students scored the test, then calculated their scale score to see how they did for the verbal section of the PSAT. Links to resources are available on the PSAT Verbal Scoring doc on Classroom. College Board is a great resource!

We are tabling our discussion of reviews--we'll come back to it next 9 weeks.

We returned to Antigone and considered the 5 main conflicts as well as one man's opinion that Antigone is the most perfect example of drama. Students worked in groups to come up with modern-day scenarios of the 5 conflicts. We will use these ideas as support for a timed writing assignment tomorrow. The prompt for that assignment has been posted on Classroom under "Antigone is the best ever?!"

Coming Up:
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd period classes will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd period classes will take exams. Students will have early release (12:15pm) this day.

Today's Board

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

October 12

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Choose one character from the book you're currently reading (be sure to include the title and author of the book). How would that character fit in at Hebron High School?

Students took some time to update the "Currently Reading" section of their writer's notebooks. 

We scored the practice PSAT Reading from last week. Tomorrow, we will complete the writing section, and students will determine their overall verbal score. I'll also provide more resources for practice. If you haven't picked up a student guide from the table outside the counselors' office, do that this week!

Students grouped up by topic and looked at reviews of movies, music, video games, restaurants, etc., then determined which review was most effective and convincing. 

Coming Up
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd period classes will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd period classes will take exams. Students will have early release (12:15pm) this day.

Today's Board

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

October 11

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside of class entry

Students got the results of the Greek roots quiz. Grades have been entered.

We finished reading Antigone and discussed Creon and Antigone as tragic figures.

With the remaining class time, students read two reviews of stage performances of Antigone and discussed their findings. For homework, students should find a review of anything that interests them--a book, a movie, a video game, a restaurant, etc.--and bring a link to that review with them for tomorrow.

Coming Up
  • Tuesday, October 11 - Blog entry due by 11pm
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd period classes will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd period classes will take exams. Students will have early release (12:15pm) this day.
Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

Thursday, October 6, 2016

October 6

After completing the Greek roots quiz, students had time to work on their blogs. Refer to the "Book Blogging" procedures doc on Classroom. This entry is due before 11pm Tuesday, 10/11.

We recapped Scenes 3 and 4 of Antigone before reading the rest of the play. Well, almost the rest of the play. We will read the Exodos on Tuesday! Enjoy your 4-day weekend!

(Greek roots quiz grades will be entered on Tuesday.)

Today's Board

Go Rangers!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

October 5

1st and 2nd periods had a substitute today, and 4th period completed the same work. Here's the agenda I left for students: 

Here’s the plan:
  1. Take the practice PSAT reading test.
    1. Answer sheet - name & class
    2. Booklet - PLEASE DON’T WRITE ON IT!
    3. NO DEVICES!
  2. Once materials are distributed, you will have 60 minutes to work.
    1. Do your best!
    2. It’s not for a grade, but you should practice like you play! This is just like the real thing you’ll take in 2 weeks.
  3. When time is up, hand in both the answer sheet and booklet.
  4. Use the remaining class time to write your notebook entry.
  • A bucket list is full of things you want to do before you die. Some people want to travel the world; others want to go skydiving. But today’s entry isn’t about your bucket list.
  • For your writer’s notebook entry today, create your REVERSE bucket list: a list of 5-7 things you hope you never have to do before you die, like being alone in nature for an extended period of time (no thanks!).

  1. Then read, study Greek roots for the quiz tomorrow, or work on Antigone questions.

Today's Board

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

October 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside of class entry

We recapped Scene 2 of Antigone. Students had time to work on the Scene 2 chart and the questions packet (handout).

We read and discussed Scenes 3 and 4. We will finish the play on Thursday.

First and 2nd periods will have a substitute tomorrow while I attend a meeting. 

Important Dates
  • Thursday, October 6 - Blog time and Greek roots quiz
  • Friday, October 7 & Monday, October 10 - No school!
  • Tuesday, October 11 - Blog entry due by 11pm
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd period classes will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd period classes will take exams. Students will have early release (12:15pm) this day.

Today's Board

Monday, October 3, 2016

October 3

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - World's first baby born from new procedure using DNA of three people

After annotating and responding to the article of the week, we talked about the upcoming Greek roots quiz (Thursday). I reviewed the format and shared examples of the kinds of sentences students will need to write for the first part of the quiz.

We discussed the Scene 1 analysis chart before reading Scene 2 of Antigone. Students completed the Scene 2 chart while reading. This chart should be finished for tomorrow.

Important Dates
  • Thursday, October 6 - Blog time and Greek roots quiz
  • Friday, October 7 & Monday, October 10 - No school!
  • Tuesday, October 11 - Blog entry due by 11pm
  • Wednesday, October 19 - All sophomores and registered juniors will take the PSAT in the morning. 3rd and 4th period classes will review for exams.
  • Thursday, October 20 - 1st and 2nd period classes will review for exams. 3rd and 4th periods will take exams.
  • Friday, October 21 - 1st and 2nd period classes will take exams. Students will have early release (12:15pm) this day.

Today's Board
Week-at-a-Glance