On to Shakespeare!

Well, life wouldn't be interesting if there wasn't a bit of drama.  Last week we did a lot of group work and some of it even involved markers and poster board, and laying on the floor doing fun things, so I took some pictures 1st Hour to put on here.  Then on my way out of the building Friday, carrying mounds and mounds of papers, I evidently dropped my phone/camera out of my pocket and drove away leaving it in the teacher's section of the parking lot.  I only know this because Mrs. Sestak found it and called to let me know she has it (thank goodness for Mrs. Sestak!).  So I guess I'll have to post pictures on here next week instead.

As mentioned, last week we broke up the routines of reading, annotating, and writing essays.  We did a mini-unit comparing a small piece of non-fiction to the fictional short story "St. Lucy's", analyzing author craft and the differences between fiction and non-fiction when developing similar central ideas.  Instead of doing what we've been doing, they worked in groups to look at organization by taking dismantled paragraphs and putting them back together. Then they identified the central idea of their paragraph, and came together as a whole class to find the big overall idea of the whole passage.  We then applied the same techniques to the non-fiction piece.  Ultimately, instead of writing an essay, they created a Venn Diagram to compare our two pieces, and then wrote a paragraph comparing a similar idea between the two.  First through fourth hours created a group poster, while fifth hour each did their own.  It was nice to shake things up.

This week we're heading into Romeo and Juliet.  We'll do some motivational and background activities and information, then we'll start into Act I.  We will read the entire play together in school; while some students could handle taking much of it home to read on their own, many cannot.  Rather than have a chunk of the group not read it, we just do it together.  They will have some homework where they take portions of the text that we read in class home to do a close reading and annotation, but it will not be every night.  So here's the schedule for this week:

• Monday, 10/17 - I am out for the day with a personal appointment, but they have an assignment on Google Classroom for a Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt.  They'll use the Chromebooks in the classroom to do this.
• Tuesday, 10/18 - after doing a PSAT annotation activity, we'll do the background on Shakespeare and the English Renaissance.
• Wednesday, 10/19 - we'll review the preposition unit, then we'll do the literary term definitions and set up the note-taking strategy for R&J.  They'll be able to use their notes on tests and quizzes.  We're going to try to fit in the Prologue for Act I.
• Thursday, 10/20 - more preposition review, then we'll read Act I.
• Friday, 10/21 - preposition review, then we'll continue Act I.  I'd love to say we'll finish it, but past experience says that we won't be able to get it done that quickly.

So that's the plan.  Enjoy the warm weather through these few days.  You know you've had a warm streak when 55 degrees at the end of October sounds chilly.  Have a great Sunday!  Ciao!

 
On to Shakespeare! by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

Lots and Lots of Writing...

I love watching my students write.  You can see the wheels turning in their heads, and the moment when they figure something out, the "Ah Ha!" moment, their faces light up and all the struggles are worth it.

That's what this past week was about.  After we took the objective portion of the test (which is posted online, by the way), we spent the rest of the week working on a 5-paragraph essay that brings everything together for the core idea of the story.  It's as much about writing to learn as it is about writing to show what they've learned.  They really figure things out as they plan, and then craft, and I see lots of biting of lips, writing utensils poised over paper, eyes that light up bright when they figure something out, and heads bobbing to music as they work their way through the material (I like to let them listen to their own music because for many of them, it really helps them dive into what they are doing).

On Monday we'll submit the essays, and then we turn a corner.  We're doing a quick unit that links thematically with "St. Lucy's" in order to compare how authors craft their ideas, and by the end of the week we'll be getting the background knowledge on Shakespeare and his times so that we can read Romeo and Juliet.  Shakespeare's themes are timeless, but he really wrote about his own life and times (no matter where he set his plays), so it helps to understand his world when reading.  It also shows that as every generation thinks that their problems are unique, it turns out that they're really not.  Coping with things like - teenagers finding their own way and rebelling against their parents and societies institutions; war; facing new technologies (in our world, it's electronics that allow us to explore the universe, in his it was the technology that allowed them to explore the earth); disease; human rights - it was all prevalent in his day, much as it is in ours.

So here's the schedule:

• Monday - a PSAT annotation and reading test activity; we'll read a very short non-fiction piece on individual identity and how we find ourselves and annotate it.
• Tuesday - Preposition packet #3 - review what we've done; we'll look at how non-fiction pieces are organized and how that helps us find the Central Idea.
• Wednesday - Preposition packet #3 - adverbs vs. prepositions; we'll compare how authors of fiction and non-fiction organize and create to send out central ideas.
• Thursday - Preposition packet #3 - reviewing prepositions; we'll do a group poster with Venn-Diagram and paragraph focusing on comparing and contrasting our two readings.
• Friday - Preposition packet #3 - review; notes on English Renaissance and Shakespeare; Shakespeare scavenger hunt.

Well, that's the week.  As always, I'll keep the calendar updated as changes occur.  Ciao, everyone!

Lots and Lots of Writing by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

First Week of October...Already!

Wow, time moves fast!  Here we are, already entering the first week of October.  That also means that we're halfway through Term 1, so everyone (including me) needs to check their student's grades!  I'm keeping up with the grading pretty well, but grading their writing takes me longer, so I hope everyone has patience with me. I have a 3-paragraph essay in my hands to grade, and we're writing a 5-paragraph essay this coming week.  With 160 kids, it's a lot to read.  I like to really take the time to read them well and I try to give feedback, so patience is the name of the game!

We're doing a lot in English 9.  When students are out it's difficult because we have so little down time.  We're always doing something, whether it be grammar, reading, writing, PSAT, educational/work technology...we're quite busy.  So here's what we accomplished last week:  we wrote, self-edited, and turned in a 3-paragraph essay that is the mid-unit assessment for Unit 1; we worked on grammar (prepositional phrases, subjects, verbs, adverbs, and infinitives); we did an annotation activity with a PSAT reading passage; we finished reading our short story "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" and annotated it, as well as doing a study guide.  So here's what's coming up this week:

• Monday, 10/3 - we'll review for the "St. Lucy's" Assessment
• Tuesday, 10/4 - objective portion of the "St. Lucy's" test; we'll go over the written portion which will begin either today or tomorrow.
• Wednesday, 10/5 (1/2 Day - 25 minute classes) - we'll plan out the 5-paragraph written assessment for St. Lucy's.
• Thursday, 10/6 - Career Advisory Day - we'll work on drafting the 5-paragraph assessment - paragraphs 1-3.
• Friday, 10/7 - we'll complete the 5-paragraph assessment, read-aloud and self-edit, and then submit it by the end of the hour.

That's the plan.  I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  The weather seems to be cooperating at this moment, but give it a minute.  I'll be that will change.  Ciao!

Homecoming 2016 Is In The Books!

What a fun, crazy, wild week it was!  It's always a challenge to blend the Homecoming madness with the academic world, but we did it!  When working with freshmen, Homecoming always feels like an indoctrination into the high school world, and I think my students did a great job.  I hope that they liked what they experienced, and that a fun time was had by all.

In the meantime, the weather has now cooled to a very seasonable fall temperature, meaning warmer clothes and yummy foods made from the bounty of the harvest.  My family managed to fit in about an hour of picking time on Saturday morning at a local apple orchard:

We've already made applesauce and I'm looking forward to pies, crisps, and just plain old eating of all the apples we brought home.

I have also managed to get in some grading time this weekend, including the Type 3's I still had left of the original writings, and I moved on to grading the Type 2's which are a single paragraph with very specific requirements for writing about literature.  I've got two of the classes done on those and I'll try for more today.

So here's what's coming up this week in English 9:

• Monday, 9/26 - we're writing a 3-paragraph mid-unit assessment (a Type 3, which means one self-edited draft).  Last week we planned it out and organized it; Monday they have time to either hand write it or type it - their choice.  It is due Tuesday when they walk through the door.
• Tuesday, 9/27 - Tuesdays with Teachers after school - we'll do the read-aloud of the essays and turn them in; we'll do a PSAT annotation activity; our first Type One of the week will happen; we'll read Stage 4 in "St. Lucy's" and annotate it; we'll work on the study guide.
• Wednesday, 9/28 - Academic Advisory - Preposition Packet #2 - helping verbs; check in homework; discussion of Stage 4
• Thursday, 9/29 - Activity Advisory - Preposition Packet #2 - infinitives; read Stage 5 of "St. Lucy's" and annotate; a Type One; finish the study guide
• Friday, 9/30 - Preposition Packet #2 - imperative sentences; a Type One - turn in for the week; finish the discussion of St. Lucy's - objective and written assessments next week.

As always, as things change I will update the calendar on my web page.  If you need me, you know how to find me.  Enjoy this beautiful Sunday! Ciao!

 
Homecoming 2016 in In The Books! byLaura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at laurastubbs.blogspot.com

Buona Notte.  I'm writing this as I watch football, having just finished a football Saturday homemade meal of carnitas and Texas trash dip.  I love Saturdays, especially in the fall!  Since Michigan seems to have Colorado well in hand, I decided to get a little work done.

It's been a busy week...and a chaotic one.  Every plan I made seemed to change as it became apparent quickly that I needed to slow things down to make sure my students understood my expectations and how to meet them.  So I changed the calendar every day, just in case anyone was counting on it.  What we finally accomplished was to gain access to Google Classroom on my Chromebooks (beautiful because they can access the assignments and documents from home), and an understanding of what I expect for a well written paragraph with quotes.  It took us three days, at least, but I think we did it.  Students were also introduced to how we do advisory days at the high school - Wednesdays and Thursdays - so we've gotten that accomplished as well.  Of course, this week will be different from last because it's Homecoming, so hopefully they'll retain the pattern for the week after. 

So here's what's coming up this week:

• Monday - Assembly at the end of the day, freshmen wear white for spirit week - we'll work on annotating text, check in and discuss this weekend's homework, and do a Type 1.
• Tuesday - students dress up as twins and take a selfie - we'll finish Preposition Packet #1 and turn it in, do a Type 1, read Stage 3 and annotate it, and do the study guide.
• Wednesday - pajama day, assembly at the end of the day - we'll start Preposition Packet #2, check in and discuss the homework, do a Type 1, and prewrite for the mid-unit assessment.
• Thursday - animal print/camo day, advisory schedule - we will work on writing the mid-unit assessment.
• Friday - blue and gold day, assembly at the end of the day - we'll do a Type 1 and turn them in for the week, work on prepositions, and then we'll finish the mid-unit assessment.

As always, as things change, I'll update the online calendar.  I hope everyone has a good week.  If you go to the game on Friday and see me, make sure you say, "Hi!" I'd love to see you!  Ciao!

We're Off to a Good Start

Buongiorno! Week one is in the books!  We're off to a good start, and believe it or not, I have several assignments in the grade book.  Most of them are just practice (or participation points, if you prefer), but the first writing assignment is listed there and I'm working on grading this weekend.  We accomplished a lot, and we trained a lot.  Seats are assigned, I showed them how I like to do Type 1 and Type 3 writings, and I showed them that I mean it when I assign homework by checking in that they attempted it before we went over it.  They are in that transition period from middle school to high school, so we had to have conversations about time management and meeting deadlines; some of them are struggling a bit, but they will get there.

For those who are unfamiliar with Collins Writing and the whole Type 1,2,3 thing, be aware that we train your students so that they get it.  They'll also do it in every class and every subject, so they learn quickly.  I am working on creating a pamphlet to hand them, but for parent/guardian benefit, here's a really basic breakdown:

1.) Type 1 Writing - it's like journaling - there's no right answer and they get points just for 
      participating.
2.) Type 2 Writing - there are right answers and it's like a quiz.
3.) Type 3, 4, 5 Writing - these have FCA's (Focus Correction Areas) that tell the student exactly
      what he/she will be graded on.  I think of them as drafts - Rough Draft, Final Copy, Perfect and
      Publishable Copy.  I rarely get to a Type 5 writing.

So here is what is coming up this week:

• Monday, 9/12 - a type 1; annotation training; begin working on literary terms; read Stage 1 in "St. Lucy's"; HOMEWORK - finish the vocab. packet, do ques. 3-7 in the study guide
• Tuesday, 9/13 - begin a preposition unit; check in homework and go over it; Google Classroom on Chromebooks - Type 2 for Stage 1
• Wednesday, 9/14 - Academic Advisory Day, so shortened hours - prepositions; a type 1; read Stage 2 in "St. Lucy's"; HOMEWORK - do ques. 8-13 in the study guide
• Thursday, 9/15 - Activity Advisory Day with shortened hours - prepositions; check in and go over homework; Google Classroom on Chromebooks - Type 2 for Stage 2
• Friday, 9/16 - a type 1 - turn them in for the week; read Stage 3 of "St. Lucy's" and work on ques. 14-17 of the study guide; HOMEWORK - whatever did not get finished needs to be finished.

That's the plan.  When things change, I adjust them on the calendar online.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Ciao!

Welcome to the 2016/2017 School Year!

Welcome!  Can you believe summer flew by that fast?  Here we are at the beginning of the 2016/2017 school year...already!  I am your student's 9th grade English teacher for this year.  I like to use this space to post information about what we have accomplished and what we will work on in the upcoming week.  This is not required reading (I'm a parent, so that makes me go, "Ha!"), but for anyone who would like more detail than what a calendar or email can provide, this is the space for you!

First, let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I am in my 23rd year of teaching (amazing, since I'm only 35, right?), this being my 18th year at Airport.  I began my career in the Lansing School District (my home town) and then moved this direction and received the opportunity to work at Airport.  I have two boys of my own - 13 and 15 - and they are the light of my life.  I also have a husband who helps me keep my sanity as I try to negotiate my two worlds: teacher and mom.  Much of what I do in the classroom is driven by my experiences in the mom-world, so I try to make sure that my classroom is not only student-friendly, but parent friendly, because I know what it's like to be on the other side of the table.  If you ever need me, want to address an issue, or even just want to say hi, please feel free to contact me.  My door is always open to both you and your student.

So let's get things started.  Here is what is coming up this week:

• Monday - Labor Day - hopefully you get a chance to enjoy your day.
• Tuesday - First Day of School - parent letters will go out to be signed by you (due by Friday); introductions will be made; they'll interview another student in the room; homework - a type-three writing - due Thursday - based on the interview.
• Wednesday - Pre-Test for Reading.  This will take the whole hour and is PSAT based since your student will be taking this test in April.
• Thursday - turn in the type three writing; pre-reading activities for our first unit, along with instructions on notes, type ones, and procedures; homework - vocab. and study guide questions.
• Friday - parent letters are due; check in of homework from Thursday; instruction on reading and annotation; reading of "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised By Wolves" Short Story; homework - vocab. and study guide questions.

Please note that this is my plan, and plans change (the best laid plans of mice and men, and all that).  I try to keep my calendar up to date on my webpage so that if you need to know about changes, you can check there.

This is going to be a great year.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope you can feel the excitement as well.  Have a great week.  Ciao!