January 12

First and 2nd periods completed their final exams today! Fourth period students had the option of attending a volleyball game this afternoon, and they will take their final tomorrow at 10:18am.

I'll be archiving Classroom on Tuesday, so please don't remove yourself from the roster. I'll need access to your work until then.

Today's Board

January 11

I handed back the Julius Caesar timed writing from last week and explained the grading.

Students completed an end of course survey (on Classroom). I'm always looking for ways to improve my teaching and the class, and students always provide great feedback!

Students completed the final reading ladder and reflection (on Classroom).

First and 2nd periods will take their final exams tomorrow! Fourth period will take their final on Friday during the 2nd period timeslot.

Today's Board

January 10

Students used the first 35 minutes of class to complete today's notebook entry (an excerpt from Michelle Obama's final speech as First Lady) and the final notebook check (on Classroom).

With their table groups, students completed a round of blog commenting, visiting each other's blogs and noting good lines, asking questions, and making connections.

We continued the fake news lesson (on Classroom), and we will finish this tomorrow.

Today's Board

Updated Calendar

January 9

We reviewed logical fallacies, and students worked in groups to create their own examples to share on Classroom.

Students used the remaining class time to catch up on their notebook entries (notebook check tomorrow), finish their last blog entry (due by end of class today), and read independently (reading reflections Wednesday).

Today's Board

Updated calendar

Week-at-a-Glance

January 6

IRT: ~20 minutes (Don't forget to update your "currently reading" page!)
WNB: What actions can you take to become a better-informed human?

Students received the final exam review (also posted on Classroom), and we discussed the format. First and second periods will take the exam on Thursday, 1/12, during the usual class time. Fourth period will take the exam on Friday, 1/13, at 10:10am.

We began a discussion of fake news. I shared stories and video clips with students, and they talked at their tables about times they encountered fake news. The slides will be available on Classroom, and we will finish this work on Monday.

Also on Monday, students will have time in class to complete and publish their last (required) blog post.

Today's Board

Calendar

January 5

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to work on their last blog entry. I reminded students that one of their entries must be about their AP book. This entry is due by the end of class on Monday, and we will have class time on Monday.

Students completed SAT-style questions about Antony's speech. Students used the remaining class time to write a response related to the speeches.

Today's Board

Updated calendar

Here's the "One Word" wall that we created yesterday!

January 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

I reminded students to be sure their currently reading pages are up to date in their notebooks. We'll be working with that information starting Monday.

We revisited Brutus and Antony's speeches in Act III, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, looking for persuasive techniques (logos, ethos, and pathos) and rhetorical devices (repetition and parallelism). Students will need to be able to identify these things on the final exam.

Here's a calendar tracking the last days of this semester.

The blog will not be due Friday because we won't have computer access that day. Blogs will be due at the end of each class on Monday.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance