Thursday, June 1, 2017

June 1

Fourth period students took their final exam today! As of this posting, all grades are complete and final.

Have a great summer, and don't forget to read!!!


How To Avoid the Summer Slump!

We read an article about summer learning loss, so I asked students to come up with some tips to stay sharp this summer! I taped them up in the hallway so other students can benefit from their wisdom. Here are their great ideas!





Wednesday, May 31, 2017

May 31

First and 2nd period classes completed their final exams today! Exam grades will be posted tomorrow morning.

Fourth period will take their exams tomorrow.

It's been a great year!

Instead of a board pic, here's a funny by one of my favorite funny people, http://lizclimo.tumblr.com

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

May 30

I encouraged students to keep an eye out for my classroom books and return them as soon as possible.

Students read other students' blogs and left comments.

Students created a list of tips on how to beat the summer slump (inspired by a past article of the week).

Students spent the remaining class time working on their exam review. I answered a few questions and reminded students that they'll be writing about their AP title on the exam, so they should know the title and author.

Here's a little send-off I wrote--I'll be delivering this speech to the seniors at the pinning ceremony tonight.

Today's Board
Week-at-a-Glance

May 26

Students picked up their writer's notebooks today. As of the publishing of this blog entry, all grades are current. I'll be entering Reader's Blog by Tuesday, 5/30.

We reviewed some of the big questions that students wrote on notecards yesterday. We may not know all of the answers ourselves, but we know books can help get us closer to them.

Students completed a final reading reflection. This assignment should be turned in on Classroom before the end of the class period. These grades should be entered by Wednesday, 5/31.

Coming Up:
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 4th period final exam & early release!

Today's Board

Thursday, May 25, 2017

May 25

IRT: ~20 minutes

Students who did not finish the persuasive letter yesterday handed it in today.

Students completed an end of course survey. I use this information to find out what's going well in class and what I need to improve.

We discussed philosophy and the big questions in life. Students wrote questions they have about life, love, and the world in general. We'll share a few of these tomorrow.

With the remaining class time, students worked on the final exam review.

Today's Board

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

May 24

IRT: ~20 minutes

We updated the final review that students received yesterday because I removed a few things and added a few things in the Julius Caesar section. A revised version is available on Classroom with the changes highlighted in yellow.

Students determined the speaker, situation, and significance for 4 quotes from Julius Caesar. Students also practiced using their persuasive skills in a letter requesting a bonus opportunity from their teacher.

Today's Board



Tuesday, May 23, 2017

May 23

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "Never underestimate the power of a kind word." Write about the last time someone said something kind to you. How did it make you feel?

Students handed in yesterday's work if they had not already done so. Groups presented their illustrations of scenes from Acts IV and V of Julius Caesar.

After completing today's notebook entry, students filled out a notebook check form and handed in their notebooks.

Students received a copy of the final exam review. First and 2nd periods will take their exams on Wednesday, 5/31. Fourth period will take the exam on Thursday, 6/1.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

Monday, May 22, 2017

May 22

I'm travelling back from Kansas today after attending a graduation, so here is the agenda students followed in class. Today's article was "Conquer Fear of Public Speaking through Emotional Intelligence."


Friday, May 19, 2017

May 19

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Think about the careers you researched last week. How will you use technology to do that job?

Students handed in their Julius Caesar notes and the speech analysis chart.

Students worked in groups to create a visual representation of an assigned scene from Acts IV and V.

Coming Up
Tuesday, 5/24 - Notebook Check
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period final exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 3rd & 4th period final exams -- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today's Board

Thursday, May 18, 2017

May 18

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Think about the careers you researched last week. How will you use reading and writing skills to do that job?

Students recommended great books to future students on a Google form. Those enrolled in AP English III or Humanities next year picked up the summer reading assignment.

We watched Act III of Julius Caesar (because plays are meant to be seen as well as read). We used the scenes of the funeral speeches to help us finish the two-column chart from yesterday.

Coming Up:
Tuesday, 5/23 - Notebook check
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 3rd & 4th period exams -- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today's Board

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

May 17

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Select 1 abstract noun from the list, and explain how it applies to your IRT book. (List: fear, anger, betrayal, love, joy, hope) Be sure to include the title and author of your book in your response along with a quote that supports your choice. (If none of the words on the list apply, come up with your own.)

We wrapped up our reading of Act III. Students outlined the two funeral orations then analyzed them for persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices. We will finish this work tomorrow.

Today's Board
Coming Up
Tuesday, 5/23 - Notebook Check
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 3rd & 4th period exams ... LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

May 16

Students used the first 30 minutes for blog time. The last entry is due by 11pm tonight!

We finished reading Act III of Julius Caesar, answering questions along the way. We will analyze Brutus' and Antony's funeral speeches more closely tomorrow. (Choir & golf kids, we'll do the 2 column chart in class tomorrow--we didn't get to it today.)

During A block tutorials today, I reviewed the questions from Act I through Act III Scene 1 for students who were absent. I'll repeat this review during B block tomorrow (5/17). Students will hand in their notes/questions this week.

Coming Up
Today - Last blog entry due by 11pm
Tuesday, 5/23 - Notebook check
Thursday, 5/24 - 4th 9 weeks reading work
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 3rd & 4th period exams & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today's Board
Blog Checklist - entry due by 11pm

Monday, May 15, 2017

May 15

IRT: ~15 minutes
WNB: This week's article of the week involves 2 articles about sleep - "Study: A Third of US Adults Don't Get Enough Sleep" and "What Snacks To Eat for Better Sleep"

We read and answered questions for Act II, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, and I provided summaries of scenes 3 & 4. We read the first part of Act III, Scene 1 (stopped at line 121). We will pick up here tomorrow!

Students will hand in questions this week, so they should plan to come to tutorials A block Tuesday to catch up on any missing questions.

Coming Up
Tuesday, 5/16 - Last blog entry due by 11pm
Tuesday, 5/23 - Notebook check
Thursday, 5/24 - 9 weeks reading work
Wednesday, 5/31 - 1st & 2nd period exams
Thursday, 6/1 - 3rd & 4th period exams...LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today's Board
Week-at-a-Glance


Friday, May 12, 2017

May 12

Students handed in courage essay revisions with originals and the college info from Wednesday.

We used the first 30 minutes for blog time. Students received a grade check slip and comments on their last blog to consider as they work on their last entry--due by 11pm Tuesday, 5/16.

Blog Checklist
We wrapped up Act I of Julius Caesar. We read Act II Scene 1 and answered questions along the way. We will pick up here on Monday!

Today's Board
By the way, I misspoke today--the only anachronism in scene 1 is the clock. Caesar designed the calendar in 45 BCE.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

May 11

The majority of students took the AP world history test today, so those of us in class watched Mean Girls and made connections to Julius Caesar. This site does a pretty good job of explaining the comparisons (although the last paragraph referencing Tina Fey's inspiration for the screenplay is a little misleading; the movie was inspired by the book Queen Bees and Wannabes).

Courage essay revisions are due tomorrow!

An interesting chart I shared with students yesterday when we were exploring colleges and careers--hopefully it encourages them to pursue higher education after high school!

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

May 10

WNB: When you were 5 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? What do you now want to be when you grow up?

We wrapped up Act I, Scene 3 of Julius Caesar. We have a few more questions that we will answer on Friday.

Ms. Scott from the counseling office guided us through the Career Cruising program. Students explored careers along with colleges and programs that will help prepare them for those careers.

Today's Board

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

May 9

IRT & WNB combined: ~30 minutes
Article of the Week: "15 Critical Facts Everyone Should Know about Summer Learning Loss" - Does this article make you rethink how you spend your summers? Explain.

We almost finished reading Act I of Julius Caesar. We will complete Scene 3 tomorrow before we begin our Career Cruising activities with Ms. Scott.

Revised courage essays are due in class on Friday, 5/12.

Today's Board
Tutorial schedule for the week

Monday, May 8, 2017

May 8

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Think of a time when you made a wrong decision, even though your intention was good. Write about why you had this unexpected outcome.

I passed back the courage essay. The majority of the most effective AP essays include at least one academic example as support, so this is what I was looking for when grading the papers. Students may revise this essay for up to half of the points back, up to a maximum of 90. The revision is due in class Friday. Students had the option of applying points from an article of the week to the lower score of the 2 major grades (Socratic or essay).

notes regarding essay pass-back (AoW points have now been added where applicable)

We began reading Act I of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Students were encouraged to download the free iBooks version and take notes there. We read all of scene 1 and up to line 78 of scene 2. The textbook version of the play is on Classroom. Absent students will need to come in A block Tuesday to make up questions.

Today's Board
Week-at-a-Glance
Tutorials This Week
Tuesday, 5/9: 7:40 & A block
Wednesday, 5/10: 7:40 & A block in 1520
Thursday, 5/11: 7:40, A block, & 3:30
Friday, 5/12: 7:40 (Courage revision due)

Friday, May 5, 2017

May 5

We started with 30 minutes of blog time. Students had the option of working on their entry that is due 5/16 or reading in preparation for that entry. Students must blog about 2 different books in the 2 entries, and one entry must be about their AP book.

Students participated in a four corners activity, moving to different areas of the room to express their level of agreement or disagreement with different statements.

I introduced the historical and literary elements of Julius Caesar ("Julius Caesar PreReading Notes" on Classroom). We will begin reading the play on Monday!

Coming Up
Monday, 5/8: Absent students make up TKAM Socratic seminar in B block tutorials.
Tuesday, 5/9: TKAM Socratic retake opportunity in A block tutorials (for scores below 70).
Wednesday, 5/10: Career Cruising with Ms. Scott
Thursday, 5/11: AP World History test in the morning. Good luck!
Tuesday, 5/16: Last blog entry due

Today's Board

Thursday, May 4, 2017

May 4

Happy Star Wars Day!

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Make a list of the top 10 qualities or traits that qualify a person as a friend. Make a list of the top 5 friendship infractions that could possibly absolve a friendship.

Students compared their lists with their table, then created one list for the group. This began a Friendship Summit where representatives from each table gathered to determine the top 10 qualities of a friend and the top 5 friendship infractions.



I connected their lists to the ideas of friendship and politics in Julius Caesar and introduce the play. We will continue this discussion tomorrow.

Today's Board

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

May 2

Students participated in a Socratic seminar today to wrap up our work with To Kill a Mockingbird. The central question (How is TKAM still relevant today?) spawned conversations ranging from race to women's rights to diversity.

As they reflected on their conversations, we watched the last portion of the film version of the book.

Students will have a substitute tomorrow.

Today's Board




Monday, May 1, 2017

May 1

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside entry

Students completed one last set of AP multiple choice questions over To Kill a Mockingbird. They also received "A Letter from Harper Lee."

With the remaining class time, students prepared for tomorrow's Socratic seminar. This assignment should be turned in on Classroom today.

Today's Board
Week-at-a-Glance



April 28

Students completed a timed writing over To Kill a Mockingbird.

I introduced the process for the Socratic seminar that we will complete on Tuesday (also available on Classroom). Students received the prep sheet and had time to begin gathering materials for the discussion. The preparation is due Monday.

With the remaining class time, students chose to work on yesterday's Recap activity (due ASAP), their Socratic prep (due 5/1), or their blog (next entry due 5/16).

Coming Up
Saturday, 4/29 - AP World History practice test, 9am
Monday, 5/1 - Socratic prep due on Classroom
Tuesday, 5/2 - Socratic Seminar (major grade)

Today's Board

Thursday, April 27, 2017

April 27

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: After Mrs. DuBose overcomes her morphine addiction and dies, Atticus tells Jem that he would have sent Jem to read to her anyway "to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand" (112). Defend or challenge Atticus' definition of bravery as an invisible strength rather than an observable action.

We wrapped up our discussion of madness in To Kill a Mockingbird with each group sharing the incidents that explain their characters' moments of madness.

Students used the Recap app to share responses to questions about Anna Quindlen's essay, "On the Greatness of Scout." Students who didn't finish during class time should complete this tonight.

Students began preparing for tomorrow's timed writing. They will plan answers to three possible topics, and they'll be allowed to use this planning tomorrow when we write.

Coming Up
Friday, 4/28 - Timed Writing (major grade)
Saturday, 4/29 - AP World History practice test, 9am
Tuesday, 5/2 - To Kill a Mockingbird Socratic Seminar (major grade)

Today's Board

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

April 26

Students completed the Nelson-Denny test to measure their current reading level. The district requires us to collect this data each semester.

We continued our discussion of madness from yesterday. Students worked with their groups to identify and describe madness in different characters from To Kill a Mockingbird. We will finish this work tomorrow. We will also discuss the Quindlen essay tomorrow, so be sure you've read it!

Coming Up
Thursday, 4/27 - Timed Writing Prep
Friday, 4/28 - Timed Writing (major grade)
Saturday, 4/29 - AP World History Practice Test, 9am
Tuesday, 5/2 - To Kill a Mockingbird Socratic Seminar (major grade)

Today's Board

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

April 25

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Atticus explains that he must still defend Tom Robinson even though he knows he will not win the case, arguing that "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (76). Sometimes even when we know that we will not succeed, we must still take on a challenge. Defend or challenge Atticus' belief.

Students had about 10 minutes to finish the chapter 20 multiple choice from yesterday, then we went over the answers.

We recapped the scene at the end of chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird where Atticus and Uncle Jack are discussing the upcoming trial and how it might impact the family (pages 87-89). Students worked with their groups to find connections to the idea of "madness" in the passage. Then they responded to the following:

  • Explain how chapters 9 and 10 are juxtaposed (placed close together for contrasting effect). 
  • How do these chapters foreshadow and symbolize the idea of "madness"?
All of this work was done as notes. We will continue this conversation tomorrow.

Students should read the essay, "On the Greatness of Scout" by Anna Quindlen, for tomorrow. 

Also, bring your iPad tomorrow!!!

Today's Board

Monday, April 24, 2017

April 24

IRT: ~15 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "What Happens to Your Brain When You Give Up Sugar?"

We discussed examples of logos, ethos, pathos, repetition, and parallelism in Atticus' closing argument from To Kill a Mockingbird. Students then completed the SMELL chart handout. We watched the film version of the scene and analyzed specific elements using the chart handout. With the last 15 minutes of class, students completed as many AP multiple choice chapter 20 questions in that time before handing them in. We will start with this tomorrow!

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

Friday, April 21, 2017

April 21

Students had the first 30 minutes of class to work on their next blog entry, due by 11pm Sunday, 4/23. Here are some reminders!

Blog Checklist

1st & 2nd periods
We watched the courtroom scenes from To Kill a Mockingbird. We analyzed Atticus' closing argument from chapter 20, looking for examples of logos, ethos, pathos, repetition, and parallelism. We will finish the analysis and compare this to the film version on Monday.

4th period
Each group answered the clarifying questions that were posted on their body biographies. Students completed the "I like & I wonder" handout and handed it in.

We watched the courtroom scenes from To Kill a Mockingbird. We will complete the analysis of Atticus' closing argument from chapter 20 on Monday.

Today's Board

Thursday, April 20, 2017

April 20

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: After Atticus shoots the rabid dog, Scout wonders why Atticus never told her he was good at shooting, and Miss Maudie explains, "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents" (98). Defend or challenge Miss Maudie's claim.

1st period
Each group answered the clarifying questions that were posted on their body biographies. Students completed the "I like & I wonder" handout and turned it in.

2nd period
We completed two more rounds of the gallery walk, then each group answered the clarifying questions that were posted on their body biographies. Students completed the "I like & I wonder" handout and turned it in.

4th period
Students participated in a gallery walk to view some of the body biographies. We will finish this work tomorrow.

Don't forget: Your next blog entry is due by 11pm Sunday, 4/23!

Today's Board

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

April 19

Students had the first 30 minutes of class to work on their next blog entry, due by 11pm Sunday, 4/23. I reviewed expectations and reminded them where to find resources. We will also have time in class on Friday.

1st & 2nd periods
Groups had about 15 minutes to finish up their body biography posters. Students then participated in a gallery walk, viewing other groups' posters and leaving questions and comments along the way. We will finish this work tomorrow.

4th period
Since we did not meet on Thursday because of the half day, this class had the remaining class time to finish their body biography posters and will complete the gallery walk tomorrow.

Today's Board
Tutorial schedule change