Thursday, January 31, 2013

Week 21, Day 4

Objective: Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension. Using technology as a tool for classroom discussion.

1. Bell Work: If you have witnessed a Random Act of Kindness today, fill out a chain link and attach it to our chain. If you have not, your bell work is to perform a Random Act of Kindness today! :-) The more you do something the quicker it becomes a habit.  Random Acts of should be a habit! 
2. Read "The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" out loud, as a class. (p. 480)
3. Answer the Critical Reading Questions after the story
4. Have the Critical Reading Questions done by tomorrow and be ready for a quick quiz over the information. 
5. Remember you have an SAT Quiz tomorrow. 
6. If you have questions, you can tweet me @ChelseaAvalos.  I'll reply back as soon as I can.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Week 21, Day 3

Objective: Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.  Using technology as a tool for classroom discussion. 

1. Bell Work: An exact rhyme is that in which two or more words have identical sounds in their final stressed syllables, as in one/begun.  In slant rhyme, the final sounds are similar but not identical, as in one/stone.  Use the internet to find 10 exact rhymes and 10 slant rhymes.  
2. Get back in your groups from yesterday (of 4.)
3. Exchange the information you discovered about Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman.  
4. Discuss similarities and differences between the two poets and their writing style.  

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Week 21, Day 2

Objective: Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.  Using technology as a tool for classroom discussion. 

1. Bell Work: A writer intends to reach a particular audience.  Answer the questions that follow about how the audience affects what and how a writer writes.  How does the audience affect the subject matter?  How does the audience affect vocabulary?  How does the audience affect writing style?  How does the audience affect the organization of the essay?
2. Break up into groups of 4.
1. Take notes (you'll turn these into me and share with the rest of your group.)  Make sure all members of the group's name are on the document and share it with me via Google Docs.  
2. Two students from the group will read about Emily Dickinson (p. 404-406), the difference between exact rhyme and slant rhyme (p. 407), and read through her poetry.  Note Dickinson's use of the literary terms (exact rhyme and slant rhyme).
3. The other two students will read about Walt Whitman (p. 422-423), discuss what epic poetry, epit theme, style, free verse, long lines, catalogues, or lists, anaphora, diction, and onomatopoeia (p. 424-425), and read his 2 poems on the following pages.  
3. You'll have about 20-25 minutes to do this.  I will monitor progress and add more time, if needed.  
4. Then come back together and teach the other two in your group what you discovered.  If we need to, we can do the discussion part tomorrow.  

Monday, January 28, 2013

Week 21, Day 1

Objective: Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.  Using technology as a tool for classroom discussion. 

1. Bell Work: Write about three things you would like to change about yourself.  Then, write about three things you would not change about yourself.
2. Discuss Bell Work
3. Avalos Week 21 SAT Words
4. Crucible Essays handed back...I know, I know...it's about time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :-) 
1. The five scores at the top are:
1. on-time-10 points
2. 5-paragraphs-25 points
3. formatting/following directions-15 points
4. proofreading-10 points
5. mechanics and answer to question-40 points
5. Essay Scorer Online
6. If time, work with Essay Scorer Online, study SAT Words, or Free Rice.  

Friday, January 25, 2013

Week 20, Day 5

Objective: SAT Words Week 20 Assessment; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.  Using technology as a tool for classroom discussion. 

1. Bell Work: Free Write...at least 70 words.  Underline every 10th word, please.
2. Take Week 20 SAT Quiz
1. Quizlet
2. Click on Avalos Week 20
3. Click "test"
4. Uncheck "Written and True False"
5. Change it to 30 questions
6. Click Reconfigure
7. DO NOT CHEAT!  IF YOU CHEAT, IT WILL BE A ZERO AND A WRITE-UP!  Just be honest!  Really!  Your conscience will thank you.
3. Raise your hand and show me your grade.  
4. I sent you an invitation yesterday for piazza.com.  Check your google mail.  Activate your account.  
5. I'd like to start using this for class discussions.  Play around with it and get familiar.  There is also an iPhone app., not sure if there is one for Android or any of the other phones, but you might check it out.  Remember to write your username and password in your username/password google doc.  I will have no way to retrieve this information for you.  
6. Then you may read SILENTLY or play FREE RICE.  You may NOT work on work from another class.  Sorry!  
7. Have a GREAT weekend!  Be safe!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Week 20, Day 4

Objective:Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: What is Civil Disobedience?  Give some recent examples of Civil Disobedience.  
2. Read the Student Background Information
3. Read this article
4. Read these quotes
5. Group Activity #1
1. Break up into groups of 2-3
2. Investigate one of the authors of the quotes that was directly involved in acts of civil disobedience (such as Thoreau or King) and perform  basic research on the figure.  To guide your investigation, ask these questions:
1. When and where did the person's act(s) of civil disobedience take place?
2. What specific societal issue(s) inspired him/her to commit civil disobedience?
3. How much recognition (or notoriety) did the person receive as a result?
4. When viewed in hindsight, how successful were the actions?  Was there a change in policy as a result?  Did the acts bring the issues into focus for the public?
3. Present findings from each group.
6. Group Activity #2
1. Analyze the concept and practice of civil disobedience as well as your own beliefs by addressing the following: 
2. Which quotes are most relevant to our own times?  Which are least relevant.
7. Discuss needs for civil disobedience today.  
8. For homework, pick TWO of these topics and write a paragraph about each:
1. What conclusions might you draw about the class' discussion on civil disobedience?
2. What sacrifices would one need to make to commit an act of passive resistance? What could some of the negative consequences of the action be? In what ways does a person who commits civil disobedience alienate him/herself from society?
3. In your view, how effective is civil disobedience in causing positive change in the world?
4. DUE TOMORROW!  You may do this on your own paper (in pen!) or in a google doc.  
9. Reminders:
1. SAT Quiz tomorrow

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Week 20, Day 2

Objective:Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: Write this definition of “transcendentalism” in your bell work from yesterday: Transcendentalism focuses on gaining spiritual knowledge by recognized one’s connection to God and nature.  Transcendentalists tried to simplify their lives and live according to basic principles. 
2. Week 20 SAT Words are up.
3. Finish reading “from Walden” and “from Civil Disobedience”  These need to be read by tomorrow, no exceptions. 
4. If you have time in class, read the author information over Ralph Waldo Emerson on page 365 and his poems that follow. 
5. At training, I will be back tomorrow.  Please be good. I miss you!!!!!!!!
6. If you have questions you can tweet me @ChelseaAvalos.  I'll reply back as soon as I can. 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Week 20, Day 2

Objective:Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work:Search the internet and find the definition of "transcendentalism." Then, put it into words that you and your classmates will more easily understand.  
2. Discuss Bell Work
3. Talk about Henry David Thoreau
4. Finish reading "from Walden" and "from Civil Disobedience"
5. Author information about Ralph Waldo Emerson (p. 365)
6. If time permits, read a few of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poems (p. 364)
7. SAT Words will be up sometime today.  

Monday, January 21, 2013

Week 20, Day 1
Objective: Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexitites within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1.   Bell Work: Explain why/how the title "The Fall of the House of Usher" has two meanings (figurative and literal).

2.   I'll have new SAT Words for you tomorrow!!!!!

3.     Read as a class: page 374-375 Gretel Ehrlich Introduces Walden by Henry David Thoreau

4.     Author information over Henry David Thoreau (p. 377)

5.   Read and take notes

7.  Begin reading  "from Walden" and "from Civil Disobedience," I will give you time to finish tomorrow.  

8.   At debate, I will be back tomorrow.  Please be good. I miss you!!!!!!!!

9.   If you have questions you can tweet me @ChelseaAvalos.  I'll reply back as soon as I can. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Week 19, Day 5
Objective: SWBAT use technology for aspects of writing, vocabulary development, establish and adjust purpose for reading, read silently with comprehension, read to be entertained, to appreciate a writer's craft, to be informed, to take action, and to discover models to use in his/her own writing.

1. Week 19 SAT Quiz (on paper)
2. Bell Work: Free Write...Remember, all bell works this six weeks need to be 70 words.
3. Turn in your "The Fall of the House of Usher" work
1. Reading Guide
2. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO TURN THEM IN!  YOU HAVE TO SHARE IT WITH ME, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO EDIT IT, AND PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME AN EMAIL.  
4. Read on your own (it needs to be either the English textbook, a book you're reading, etc.)  Look for examples of the Smiley Face tricks as you read.  You do not have to write anything down.  
5. Reminders:
1. Be good for the sub.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Week 19, Day 4
Objective: Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: None 
2. Finish listening to "The Fall of the House of Usher"
3. Discuss any questions you may have. 
4. Work on "The Fall of the House of Usher" Reading Guide--you may work with a partner.  HOWEVER, you EACH must turn the document in.  Don't cheat, I promise it is not in your favor!
1. Due TOMORROW!!!!!!!!  I'll have a link on here to turn it in.  
5. Reminders:
1. SAT Quiz tomorrow over Week 18 and 19 words
2. I will be gone again tomorrow for Debate, please bring a book to read after you do your SAT Quiz and bell work.  Be good.  I'll miss you!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Week 19, Day 3
Objective: Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: None 
2. Finish listening to "The Fall of the House of Usher"
3. Work on "The Fall of the House of Usher" Reading Guide
1. Due Friday

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Week 19, Day 2
Objective: Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: None 
2. SAT Words for Week 19
3. Discuss Edgar Allan Poe Author Information (p. 288-290)
4. Discuss the "Smiley Face Tricks" Assignment
5. Work on "The Fall of the House of Usher" Reading Guide
1. Due Friday

Monday, January 14, 2013

Week 19, Day 1
Objective: Determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words derived from Latin roots and affixes; Use dictionaries and thesauri as needed; Demonstrate familiarity with works by authors in American fiction from each major literary period; Revise drafts to clarify meaning and achieve logical organization by adding transitional words and phrases; Write an interpretation of a literary text that identifies and analyzes the ambiguities, nuances, and complexitites within the text and anticipates and responds to readers' questions or contradictory information; Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension.

1. Bell Work: Write an impossible poem such as, "One day while walking barefoot I stopped to tie my shoe. You'd better pull your socks up. I see you're barefoot, too."
2. Read and take notes on the Edgar Allan Poe Author Information (p. 288-290)
3. On your own, read "The Fall of the House of Usher."  It is only 16 pages...you need to finish it by class tomorrow. 
4. We will discuss the "Smiley Face Tricks" Assignment tomorrow.
5. Make sure you are DONE with your MOY Benchmark. I looked at the results Sunday night and there are WAY TOO MANY people NOT done.
6. My baby girl is sick, and I don't feel well either. I should be back tomorrow. Please be good!
7. If you have questions you can tweet me @ChelseaAvalos. I'll reply back as soon as I can.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Week 18, Day 5
Objective: SWBAT use technology for aspects of writing, vocabulary development, establish and adjust purpose for reading, read silently with comprehension, read to be entertained, to appreciate a writer's craft, to be informed, to take action, and to discover models to use in his/her own writing.

1. Week 18 SAT Quiz (on paper)
2. Bell Work: Free Write...Remember, all bell works this six weeks need to be 70 words.
3. Read on your own (it needs to be either the English textbook, a book you're reading, etc.)
4. While reading, find examples of the Smiley Face tricks we talked about yesterday.
1. You must find at least 5 examples of the Smiley Face Tricks.
2. Write your examples down.
1. What Smiley Face Trick is it an example of?
2. Write the quote down, with the page number.
3. What book/story is it from?
4. Who is the author?
5. We will discuss these examples on Monday.
6. Reminders:
1. Finish your MOY by this afternoon. You may NOT work on it during class. You need to be reading and finding examples of the Smiley Face Tricks!
2. Be good for the sub.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Week 18, Day 4
Objective: SWBAT write in a voice and style appropriate to audience and purpose, use technology for aspects of writing, vocabulary development, establish and adjust purpose for reading such as to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy, and to solve problems, read silently with comprehension, read to be entertained, to appreciate a writer's craft, to be informed, to take action, and to discover models to use in his/her own writing.

1. Bell Work: What is wrong with telling other people what their New Year's resolutions ought to be?  Write a description of your reaction to someone who has told you what your resolutions should be for this year.
2. Take notes over the handout "Smile-Face Tricks" (either on a new Google Doc, or on your own paper)
1. This is a class set, please make sure I get it back and you don't write on it.  
3. If time, recognize short stories/books that use these tricks in their writing.
4. Reminders:
1. SAT Quiz tomorrow!
2. Finish your MOY by tomorrow afternoon.  
3. I won't be here tomorrow.  Be good and bring a book to read!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Week 18, Day 3
Objective: SWBAT write in a voice and style appropriate to audience and purpose, use technology for aspects of writing, vocabulary development, establish and adjust purpose for reading such as to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy, and to solve problems, read silently with comprehension, read to be entertained, to appreciate a writer's craft, to be informed, to take action, and to discover models to use in his/her own writing.

1. Bell Work: Did you make any new year's resolutions?  If so, what are they?  How do you plan to keep them?  If you didn't, why not?
2. Finish MOY Benchmark and Diagnostic Test
1. https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp
2. Username: FIRSTNAMELASTNAME (ALL CAPS)
3. Password: ENGMMDDYY (ENG + your birthday, include any leading zeros)
3. If you don't finish...it is YOUR responsibility to finish it BY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!
4. Free Read (preferably not a textbook or magazine)
5. Free Rice (make sure you are signed in and in my group)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Week 18, Day 2
Objective: SWBAT write in a voice and style appropriate to audience and purpose, use technology for aspects of writing, vocabulary development, establish and adjust purpose for reading such as to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy, and to solve problems, read silently with comprehension, read to be entertained, to appreciate a writer's craft, to be informed, to take action, and to discover models to use in his/her own writing.

1. MOY Benchmark and Diagnostic Test
1. https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp
2. Username: FIRSTNAMELASTNAME (ALL CAPS)
3. Password: ENGMMDDYY (ENG + your birthday, include any leading zeros)
2. Free Read (preferably not a textbook or magazine)
3. Free Rice (make sure you are signed in and in my group)
4. Free Write (maybe you like to write...you may do so, write a novel, a diary entry, song lyrics, a poem, whatever you are inspired to write.)