Getting Goal Oriented

This past week brought another glitch in my plan, but it also gave us a lot to work with.  Glitch: snow day - it knocked me off schedule and we got behind; benefit: it gave us a chance to work on how to work toward a goal even when life gets in the way.  I started the week asking them to make a specific strategy to work on for the week; on Friday they reflected back on their progress.  Despite the fact that they don't enjoy this topic, I think that some of them are becoming more goal oriented and are focused on what has to happen to achieve those goals. 

They have also had more homework to deal with this week.  On Monday, many did not finish their quizzes and had to take them home to finish them, and then bring them back!  (If there's an empty space in HAC right now for the quiz, it's because I'm still working on grading them.)  Bringing them back is often the challenge.  On Wednesday they had to take their worksheet for the 10% Summary home to finish, and then Thursday they needed to take the actual writing home and finish it...and bring it all back!  On Friday, they all brought reading home to finish over the weekend.  During their analysis of their goal on Friday, one of my students said the most amazing thing.  This person commented that their goal is to get all assignments turned in. When I asked what strategy they are using, this person said, "Well, I do my homework at home the night before, then I'm able to turn it in on time when I get to class."  Personal growth, my friends, that's what it's all about!

So this coming week, here's what we have in store:

• Monday, 2/6 - we'll finish and turn in Verb Packet #3; we'll briefly discuss what they've read for Act II in The Crucible, then they'll read through the end of the act; what they don't finish goes home for homework.
• Tuesday, 2/7 - we'll discuss Act II of The Crucible  and make notes on conflict, character, and figurative language.  If time, we'll do a Type 1.
• Wednesday, 2/8 - Academic Advisory - we will do the pre-writing for the mid-unit assessment (yes, it will be another multi-paragraph essay).
• Thursday, 2/9 - Career Advisory - we will write the essay for the mid-unit assessment; what they don't finish will go home for homework.
• Friday, 2/10 - we'll start Act III of The Crucible which will be read together in class.

I hope everyone has a great week!  Ciao!

Getting Goal Oriented by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

Personal Responsibility

Well, it's been a bit of a rocky week.  I find that many of my 9th graders are still coasting, allowing others to do things for them and relying on a lot of hands to hold to get things done.  If there's been one theme for the week for me, it's been Personal Responsibility.  I've harped on them to check HAC; we've talked about how they should check it at least once a week and be pro-active with tackling issues and talking to their teachers right away.  I've re-iterated that it's not their parents or their teachers who are responsible for their education, it's them (though with 9th grade, we all know that it also takes a lot of pushing from behind to get them to that point). I've also asked them to set goals with specific steps to accomplishing them; things don't just happen: you don't suddenly know how to turn in all your work or remember to go to the bathroom on your break.  You have to have specific strategies, and you need to alter them as you discover whether they work or not.  We're working on being forward thinking and bringing all of our stuff to class - no more running out of the room for lockers, drinks, bathrooms.  If there's an emergency, we'll deal with it, but it's gotten out of hand.

So please be aware that I'm trying to push them over the hurdle that will make them better students as they enter 10th grade.  I always think about how I handle things with my young teens at home and go from there.

On another note, we're a little behind again.  This week we have managed - for the most part - to finish reading Act I of The Crucible, but that's about it.  I didn't make it to the quiz or 10% summary, or even the Khan Academy PSAT prep work, so there are not a lot of grades in the book for this week. To fit everything in, that means that we're moving those things to next week:

• Monday, 1/30 - we'll finish Verb Packet #2 and turn it in; we'll take a quiz for Act I using notes and books.
• Tuesday, 1/31 - we'll start Verb Packet #3; 10% Summary for The Crucible non-fiction information.
• Wednesday, 2/1 - 1/2 Day for Students - Khan Academy PSAT practice
• Thursday, 2/2 - Career Advisory - we'll start Act II and read pp. 47-59; whatever is not finished goes home for homework.
• Friday, 2/3 - we'll read Act II pp. 60-76; whatever is not finished will go home for homework.

That's the plan.  As always, I'll keep the electronic calendar on my webpage up to date as things change.  I hope everyone has had a relaxing weekend. Ciao!

Personal Responsibility by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

And We're Off!

Good morning, and to all of you new to my class, welcome!  I do this just about every week.  It's my way of connecting with anyone who would like a more thorough understanding of what we're doing in 9th grade English.  It's not required reading (ha!), but I know as a parent that it can be helpful to have some insight into what my kids are doing in the classroom so that I can be more supportive at home.  Now that second semester has started, it's time for a new post so that anyone who wants to know what we're doing - parents, students, guardians - can get the information they need.

Last week we started The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and we started the semester in true chaotic form.  The snow day (fog/ice day) on Tuesday delayed the start of our text, and then Wednesday began with a meeting for me during 1st Hour, so I didn't even really get to meet them to start things off well.  After that, however, we got back to business.  They read one of Arthur Miller's expositions in the text and did an assignment on Google Classroom, answering questions about what was in the play.  Then we began reading.  Every hour is at a different place in the text (and second hour hasn't actually started the play yet), so I'll keep the online calendar up to date.  No homework was assigned unless they did not get the Google Classroom assignment done.

This coming week we'll continue forward and try to finish Act One.  We'll also begin to prepare for the PSAT 9 test that comes up in April by getting started with Khan Academy.  They can access this system online at home if you ever want to see what it's about.  We're also going back to the Verb Unit so that we can address some grammar issues.  So here's the schedule:

• Monday, 1/23 - Verb Packet #2 - we'll do the first page; then we'll continue reading Act One and taking notes, and we'll do a Type 1.
• Tuesday, 1/24 - we'll do another page in Verb Packet #2; we'll do another Type 1; then we'll continue reading Act One.
• Wednesday, 1/25 - Academic Advisory - the first priority will be to finish Act One; if there's time we'll take a Type 2 quiz.
• Thursday, 1/26 - Career Advisory - if needed, we'll finish the Type 2 quiz; then we'll work on a 10% Summary - whatever is not finished becomes homework.
• Friday, 1/27 - we'll do another page in Verb Packet #2; then we'll go on www.khanacademy.com and start the prep work for the PSAT/SAT.

As always, plans change and I usually can't go as fast as I'd like, so I'll keep the online calendar up to date.  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend and has a great week.  Ciao!


And We're Off! by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

Welcome Back!

I know we started back last Tuesday, but somehow it didn't quite feel like we were fully back.  At this point, everyone is back, so now it feels real.  And of course, all the busy schedules kicked up again, so this is going to be fairly short and sweet.

Last week we finished Module 2, Unit 1.  For their assessment they completed an analytical chart on a Central Idea between two different pieces (Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" and Dickinson's "I felt a Funeral in my Brain") and looked at how the two developed the same idea; then they wrote a paragraph explaining it in sentence form.  After that, they began an online project intended to introduce them to topics that are helpful to know as we jump into Module 2, Unit 2.  This unit will be for Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  Because the text is not just about the travesty that occurred in 1690's Massachusetts, they're getting an overview of five topics: McCarthyism, Arthur Miller, the Cold War, Puritan Culture and History, and the Salem Witch Trials.  Please note: there is no witchcraft in this play.  Instead of me lecturing to them, they are on Google Classroom.  Last week they took notes on all five topics, keeping track of the source information.  This coming week, they'll pick one topic and delve a bit deeper, then create a small project to present to the class on Friday.  They will not need to stand up and present; they'll have their project sitting on their desk and we'll walk around and share what each student learned.  So here's the plan:

• Monday, 1/9 - they have the hour to pick their topic and then use Google Classroom to more thoroughly investigate the topic online through websites, encylopedia articles, and video; they will also create Works Cited entries with their sources.  We will also be going to the library to check out The Crucible texts.
• Tuesday, 1/10 - they will use their notes to create a project.  They have three options: a brochure, a timeline, or a Google Slide presentation.  Obviously the Google Slide presentation will be online; the brochures and timelines can either be created online and printed, or done old-school with craft materials.  The project is due Friday.
• Wednesday, 1/11 - academic advisory - we will start Verb Packet #2; then we'll jump into The Crucible.
• Thursday, 1/12 - career advisory - we will do a page of verbs, then we'll continue The Crucible.
• Friday, 1/13 - 1/2 Day - we'll share our projects and take notes on the information we learn.  End of Semester 1!

That's the plan.  I'll keep the calendar updated day to day for anyone who needs it.  I'm so glad to be back and moving forward!

 
Laura Stubbs by Welcome Back! is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

What a Great Time of Year!

Wow, what a great weekend it's been for the Fitch family (yes, that is my maiden name; no, I do not get discounts at Abercrombie &, though it never hurts to try it when there, right?).  I'm on the road in Dayton, OH, driving home from my nephew's wedding in Lexington, KY.  Yesterday it was 60 degrees and we didn't even need coats!  We were able to spend some time at the plantation of Henry Clay, who among his many roles was Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams:

We were also able to go on campus at the University of Kentucky and get pizza at the Mellow Mushroom:

Finally, we ended the day celebrating the marriage with family, both new and old:

This is the same nephew who was ring bearer in my wedding twenty years ago.  How is this possible?

It was also my neice's graduation from CMU, so since my dad was unable to travel to Kentucky, she was able to have a cheering party in Mt. Pleasant.  She was my flower girl, by the way:

So much to cheer for as we begin to pass the torch to the next generation.

It's back to reality for me, however; at least for three days.  Last week we finished Edgar Allen Poe, so this week we're going to try to do Emily Dickinson and then combine the two together for an end of unit assessment.  Here's what the schedule looks like:

• Monday, 12/19 - we'll read and annotate a Dickinson poem.  There's a Type 2 Quiz at the end of it.
• Tuesday, 12/20 - we'll fill out a pre-packet and begin the assessment.
• Wednesday, 12/21 - we'll finish the assessment.

That's the plan; as always, I'll update the calendar if we get behind.  Second Hour Co-Taught, by the way, is behind and might need to do the End-of-Unit assessment after break.

Have a great couple of weeks and I'll see everyone in 2017! Ciao!


What a Great Time of Year! by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Do you think this is a harbinger of things to come?  I hope we don't end up with a winter like we did a few years ago.  I don't mind a snow day here or there, but I detest making up days in June!

Well, we made it.  Romeo and Juliet, along with Module 1, is done!  We finished up the assessment on Friday and they did a culminating activity on Google Classroom.  So now we're ready to move forward.  Module 2 surrounds fiction pieces such as "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" by Emily Dickinson, and "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller; the non-fiction centers around Bernie Madoff.  The theme for the Module is Personal Accountability, and continues with the idea of Individual Identity vs. Group Identity, and our struggle to remain true to ourselves while being part of a society.  Very appropriate for today's world, I think.

So this is what we have on deck for this week:

• Monday, 12/12 - we will begin by getting new seating charts, handing out some papers, and then we'll turn to Verb Packet #1.  Back to grammar for bell work (they'll be so excited).  I'll hand out the Type 3 vocab. cards for Unit 1, and then focus on Edgar Allan Poe.  I have a short video biography aimed at kids for them to watch.   
• Tuesday, 12/13 - we will do some verbs and then listen and read "The Cask of Amontillado".  When finished we'll go back through the text and annotate it.
• Wednesday, 12/14 - academic advisory - we'll work on verbs and then we'll finish "Cask" and take a short Type 2 Quiz, and then we'll turn to Emily Dickinson and begin her poem "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain."
• Thursday,12/15 - career advisory - we'll do another sheet of verbs and turn in packet #1, and then attempt to finish annotating and concentrating on "Funeral".   There's a short Type 2 Quiz for this poem, as well.  
• Friday, 12/16 - we'll begin the End of Unit Assessment.  This will take us 2-3 days in class.

If there is a snow day on Monday, everything will just be pushed off a day.  I'll adjust the online calendar as needed.

A note on scheduling:  we were given an email to clarify that as advisory teachers we were being asked to collect the purple sheets as they are completed.  If you student was told different information, just have them check in with the counseling office.  If you have questions, it would be best to check in with the main or the counseling office.

I hope everyone is staying safe today and enjoying the snow a bit.  Have a great Sunday! Ciao!


Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.

The End of Tragedy

Finally!  We're at the end of Romeo and Juliet.  Every class has finished reading it and all study guides are turned in.  It seems like it took forever, but we're actually a month and a half ahead of last year's schedule, so I don't think we're doing badly.

A couple of notes for this week that are not related to Romeo and Juliet:
     A.)  Wednesday is a half day, so your student will be released from school early.  Check the
             district website for release times.
     B.)  All students should have received a purple schedule for 10th grade from the counseling
            office.  These are due back to their advisory teacher by 12/8 (Thursday).  I've been going
            over things and talking about how to access the course selection guide with them, so they
            should all be aware.  By Thursday they should have made all decisions, gotten all signatures
            (including yours), and returned to school with it in hand.

So here's what our schedule this week looks like:

• Monday, 12/5 - we'll finish watching all movie clips, and then I'll hand out the pre-writing worksheet and explain the final assessment.
• Tuesday, 12/6 - we'll work on the pre-writing worksheet; this involves a lot of quotes, so we'll do it all in class.
• Wednesday, 12/7 - 1/2 Day (30 minute classes) - we'll finish doing the pre-writing worksheet.
• Thursday, 12/8 - career advisory - schedules are due - we'll transition over to doing the actual assessment which is not an essay, but has the same type of information on it with a short writing.
• Friday, 12/9 - the final assessment is due by the end of the hour, stapled to the pre-writing worksheet.  If time, we'll start looking at a biography for Edgar Allan Poe, which begins Module 2, Unit 1.

Well, that about covers it. As always, if we find more time to get things done, I'll adjust the online calendar. I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Ciao!

The End of Tragedy by Laura Stubbs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.laurastubbs.blogspot.com.