I Can't Wait to See What This Week Will Bring!

One week is done, and boy did it go fast!  I really enjoyed meeting all my new students, and for those I had last year it was like we were having a reunion.  I don't know about them, but I truly enjoyed last week and hope the year continues in this positive vibe.  We had issues with technology, but everyone stayed upbeat and flexible.  It was great.

So what did we accomplish last week?  Both English 9 and 10 did the same thing, so I'll just give one recap.  We started many things: parent letters were sent out and the signatures collected, interest surveys were collected, Type 1's and Exit Tickets were completed each day - and collected (I'm trying to grade those and get them into HAC this weekend), we struggled through technology to try to complete the iAm videos, they wrote a Type 3 paragraph and turned it in on Friday, and we made it to the library, started silent reading, and I handed out the reading logs for week one.  Whew!  I will be spending part of my Sunday trying to get some of these papers graded and in HAC.  If you go to check HAC, you'll see a couple of things there already.

A note on the reading logs: parents have a task to do!  Each week, on Wednesday, your student should hand you their reading log for your signature.  You are signing for two things:

• You believe that they read at least 50 pages in their books this last week.
• You read through the work they did for the written portion and you feel that they put good effort into it and did their best.

The point totals for both aspects are listed at the top of the log.  Please do not sign the log if your student is not doing the task.  I would rather they take a hit on one week's log and learn to put the effort in than have them learn that our expectations (yours and mine) are low for what we think they can do.  The homework they have from my class is to read a book of their choice so that they get into a habit of reading.  This will do more than anything else to teach them lifelong reading skills and will also improve their grades in almost every class and increase scores on tests.

So what will we do this week?  Here's the plan:

English 9

• Monday, 9/11 - we will try to share our iAm videos (cross your fingers it all works); then I will go over the written assignment on the reading log and ask them to set goals for the week for reading.
• Tuesday, 9/12 - we'll do a sample PSAT test (this is what they will take in April) that will serve two functions - it shows them what it's like and will function as a pre-test for English 9; we're doing a KWL for the idea of assimilation in order to start previewing the core concept in our first unit "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves." It is a short story about daughters of werewolves who are sent to a boarding school and are forced to assimilate into regular society (weird, I know).
• Wednesday, 9 /13 - we'll be previewing information for our first unit by watching a video on Indian Boarding Schools and taking notes.  This is a real-world situation of children forced to assimilate into society.
• Thursday, 9/14 - we'll turn in our Week 1 Reading Logs.  Then we'll read an article about Indian Boarding Schools and do a 10% Summary.  
• Friday, 9/15 - Silent Reading Day!  I'll hand out the reading log for Week 2 and we'll start reading.

English 10

• Monday, 9/11 - we will try to share our iAm videos; I'll go over the written portion of the reading log.
• Tuesday, 9/12 - we'll do a sample PSAT test as a pre-test for English 10 - this year we'll focus on the English section; we'll do a KWL for Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh - they're authors of the two poems we focus on in Module 1.
• Wednesday, 9/13 - we'll watch a video about Christopher Marlowe and his mysterious death; we'll take notes, looking for his biographical information.
• Thursday, 9/14 - we'll turn in the Week 1 Reading Logs.  Then we'll read an article on Sir Walter Raleigh and write a 10% Summary.
• Friday, 9/15 - Silent Reading Day - I'll hand out the reading log for Week 2 and we'll start reading.

That is the plan.  As with all plans, they change, so I'll keep the online calendar updated.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Please let me know if you need anything.  Ciao!
 
I Can't Wait to See What This Week Will Bring! 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.

My Goals for Readers - 2017/2018

Welcome to a new school year.  Every week I write this blog for those who like to know more: more about me, more about what we're doing, and more about why we're doing it.  I thought I would start this first blog off by talking about my goals for your kids for reading for the year. My goal for your kids this year is that they formulate a reading habit.  I'm not deluded into thinking everyone loves reading like I do (my own son - 14-years-old - is a dormant reader, but his Language Arts teacher last year did a program like this, and now he's formed much better habits for reading, and he's much more open to reading to learn than he ever was before).  If there's one thing we know from research and practice, the more a student reads the better he/she does academically in high school and beyond, on the job, and on the standardized tests.  It is the basis for everything we do.

 Every week your student will have 50 pages of reading to do, plus a reading activity sheet to fill out.  I will give them the sheet on Fridays, and they will turn them in, signed by you, on Thursdays.  They get to choose what they want to read, fiction or non-fiction, as long as it has a voice (meaning narrator of some type) and tells a story.  It needs to be reading-level appropriate and age-level appropriate.  My goal is that they get used to reading all the time.  This is their homework, and it is what they should do when they have downtime in class because they're done earlier than others with an assignment. On Fridays I'm going to give them time to read their books in class.  They should carry their books with them everywhere.  In order to accomplish this, I will model the same behavior I expect from them.  If you haven't guessed, I am a reader.  I can't tell you how or why, I just am.  Here's a little bit about myself:

One of my earliest memories (I must have been 4) is sitting up in my canopy bed with my pink lamp on next to me.  First, my mom would read to me; then I would get the gift of 10 minutes to continue reading to myself.  In my earliest memories the book is always Ten Apples Up On Top. I remember "reading" it to myself and feeling so good about my ability to be a reader at four years old (I probably had it memorized).  I loved reading!

Another distinct memory is from first grade when I was placed in a second grade reading group.  I remember being proud and intimidated by those who were better readers.  Mrs. DeLind would say, "Slow down.  Just read at your own pace." I did, but I also worked my tail off. I identified myself as a reader, and I wanted others to do so, too.

I don't know how I learned to read.  I don't remember phonics or drill-and-skill activities.  I just always seemed to do it.  I loved all fiction, and I'm sure my mother steered my love of it.  I'm positive I read all of the Little House books with her because I remember her telling me stories of my grandmother's childhood farm in Hillsdale County that matched up (and then my grandmother filled in the rest of the details when I asked her about them). My grandmother also sat down and read to me whenever asked - Rosy Nose, a picture book about a reindeer - was my favorite.  I also remember going to the school library and sitting on the floor in front of the stacks of books, looking and looking, always going back late to the classroom.  I loved my 3rd through 5th grade classrooms because they were directly around the library which was an open space in the middle of the block of classrooms.  My favorite books from this time period were in a series about a little witch.  I wish I could remember the titles, but I can't.  I also remember loving The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

In middle school I remember going to my other grandparents' house.  I would sit in front of a book case and pick out a book - my favorite being Little Women - and then my grandparents and I would sit in the living room and read.  It sounds like they were neglecting me, but they weren't.  It was actually a bonding experience as we would talk about the books we were reading.

I continued to read in high school and college, sneaking in 10-15 minutes before bed as necessary.  I've continued that pattern through today.  Vacations are the greatest because I get in quite a bit of reading time, but during the school year I still need to squeak in 10-15 minutes at least.  I have to read.  It's as necessary as eating and breathing.  I carry books with me wherever I go so that if I have down time I can read a few pages.  I tried eReaders, but they're not for me.  To each his own.  So my bag is always big enough to carry a book or two.  Have I mentioned that I love reading?

If you would like, I would LOVE to hear about your reading experiences.  If you want, you can put a comment on this post and I can reply back to you.  Whether you're a reader or not, I'm interested in your story.

So welcome to a new school year.  Let's make this one a year for reading!


My Goals for Readers - 2017/2018 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.

Winding Down

We're nearing the end of the school year.  It's always a good time of year, but also comes with a bit of nostalgia.  In many ways, that's a good thing because it allows a chance to reflect back:  what went well, what didn't, what will we do differently next year?  I feel a Type One journal coming on within the next few days.

We've accomplished so much this year, so we continued last week working toward finishing our final unit: Of Mice and Men.  I love finishing with this book because so many of them enjoy it.  It makes such a difference to the atmosphere in my classroom when they enjoy the text.  Last week we read through Chapter 5, the pivotal moment in the novella. We've been taking notes which will be able to be used on the test and then turned in for credit.  We've been filling out a characterization chart for one of the two main characters (they chose which one), and we'll use that chart to do an activity this week and then turn it in.  So here's what's coming up this week:

• Monday, 6/5 - we'll finish notes for Chapter 5, read the final chapter of the book, then finish the notes for the book.
• Tuesday, 6/6 - they will use their notes to complete two academic assignments: a short-answer writing assignment about theme, and then a more creative focus on their character.  They'll submit all of it for academic credit.
• Wednesday, 6/7 - Academic Advisory - Test for Of Mice and Men!  They will also turn in their notes for credit at that time and go to the library to turn in their books.
• Thursday, 6/8 - Academic Advisory - We'll watch the movie and do a comparison/contrast worksheet to the book.
• Friday, 6/9 - we'll finish the movie and turn in the compare/contrast for the book.

On a final note, this will be my last blog post for the year.  I hope it has been a good year for everyone and that my students have experienced growth this year - both academically and emotionally.  It's almost time to start calling them Sophomores!  Thanks for a great year everyone.  Ciao!

Winding Down 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.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day - a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us can be free.  I'm so thankful for them, and for their families who suffered as a consequence; I'm also thankful for the members of my family who have served - in WWII and Vietnam, and stateside in more recent years; what a great nation of people we live amongst.

I have spent my extended weekend grading 9th grade writing - at least 7-hours per day.  The good news is: I'm done!  I have all of the research papers and argumentative essays graded.  If your student has a zero for either of those assignments, I'll still take them for 50% since they are an assessment.  I also still have a few smaller items to grade from those who turned in late work or came to advisory or Tuesdays with Teachers and made up some credit on a quiz, but all of that should be finished tomorrow.  The bad news is that my house and garden are a trainwreck, and I definitely don't look like I'm ready for summer.

Last week we got through the first half of Of Mice and Men.  They read, took notes, drew a picture to reflect the details in the imagery, and wrote a Found Poem.  This week we will work on the rest of the book.  Here's the schedule as it stands:

• Tuesday, 5/30 - we'll hand back papers, finish discussions for chapter 3, and look at a Blackish clip in order to discuss the language being used in the book and author choice for that language.
• Wednesday, 5/31 - Academic Advisory -  we'll read chapter 4.
• Thursday, 6/1 - No Advisory - we'll discuss chapter 4 and add notes to our charts.
• Friday, 6/2 - we'll read chapter 5 (the big moment in the book).

That's the plan.  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their Memorial Day Weekend.  Ciao!

Memorial Day 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.

April Showers Bring May Flowers...and Allergies

A lot of sneezing is happening in my classroom right now, including me!  I love spring...the flowers, the warm air, the open windows...but I could do without a couple of things.  One would be the allergies, and the other would be the busyness.  On a personal level, over the last four weeks when I'm not teaching at school I'm chasing my own children around.  Between baseball practice, baseball games, track practice, track meets, music lessons, music concerts, and - oh, yeah - they both had birthdays which involved celebrating on the actual day, celebrating with family (usually at a track meet or baseball game), and celebrating with friends, I've barely had time to breathe (or correct writing assignments).  Well this week, it all comes to an end.  I'm sad because I love supporting my kids, but I'm happy because I'll get time back to finish the writing assignments; I've gotten everything else graded and lessons planned for, but I need large chunks of time for the writing, and that time is coming quick!

So, while I'm finishing off correcting the writing, here's what's going on.  Last week we finished the assessment for Sugar Changed the World and we've moved on to our final text of the year: Of Mice and Men.  I had them do a little preliminary information and activities, and now we've moved into Chapter 1.  Here's what this week looks like:

• Monday, 5/22 - 2nd Hour will work on Verb packet #7; everyone will work on notes for Chapter 1; we'll do a character sheet that will go through the entire book.
• Tuesday, 5/23 - 2nd Hour will finish Verb packet #7 and turn it in; everyone will read chapter 2 and start the notes.
• Wednesday, 5/24 - Academic Advisory - we will finish the notes for chapter 2; we'll start reading chapter 3 which is a long chapter.
• Thursday, 5/25 - Academic Advisory - we will finish reading chapter 3; we'll take notes on chapter 3.
• Friday, 5/26 - we'll do a "Found Poem" for the book so far. (We'll be halfway through.)

That's the plan.  I'll keep the electronic calendar up and running for any changes.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Don't sneeze too much! Ciao!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...And Allergies 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.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  It's always a nice day, but my favorite part is spending it with my mom and my kids, with my grandmothers near and dear to my heart.  Here's a picture of my mom and I almost 20 years ago on my wedding day:

My plan is to head for Lansing today and spend the day with family celebrating my mom, and then we turn our attention to the many birthdays in the family, so it will be a very nice gathering.

In the meantime, I thought I'd fill you in on what we're doing right now in class.  We're in the final stages of Module 4 - Sugar Changed the World - and writing an argumentative essay based on the notes taken in class.  Then we'll head for the final unit of the year: Of Mice and Men.  I can't wait to start this novella since it's one of my favorites!  Here's the plan for the week:

• Monday, 5/15 - we'll write the 5-paragraph argumentative essay that is the final assessment for Sugar Changed the World.  It is due Tuesday.
• Tuesday, 5/16 - we'll read-aloud the essay and turn it in; then we'll hand back papers. After that we'll do preliminary work for Of Mice and Men and go get the books from the library.
• Wednesday, 5/17 - Academic Advisory - we'll begin reading Of Mice and Men  - chapter 1.
• Thursday, 5/18 - Academic Advisory - we'll continue reading Of Mice and Men - chapters 1-2.
• Friday, 5/19 - we'll continue reading Of Mice and Men - chapters 2-3.

So that's the plan. I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day Sunday and a fabulous week!  Ciao!

Happy Mother's Day! 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.

Finishing Module Four

May is here, and so are the field trips.  I'm starting to lose people left and right, so it's very important for students to check calendars and check in frequently since the curriculum doesn't stop for spring.  We're really on a roll and getting things done, so I'm trying to keep things going while being flexible and working around all of the schedules.  One of the hardest things to get across to them, however, is that field trips don't excuse students from the work, and we go until June 14th, so any help parents can give is much appreciated.

Here's what we accomplished last week: we continued with our lessons on verbs; we also read two more sections of the text Sugar Changed the World and are working on study guides and filling in a structural chart for argumentative writing.  My goal for this coming week is to finish the Module and do the final assessment.  On that note, here's the plan:

• Monday, 5/8 - verbs; we'll do the study guide and the argumentative structure packet for the reading we finished last Friday.
• Tuesday, 5/9 - we'll read the final packet for Sugar Changed the World and work on the study guide; for homework they'll need to read pp. 118-21 and annotate it.
• Wednesday, 5/10 - Academic Advisory - quiz for pp. 118-21; we'll go over Tuesday's reading and then finish reading and annotating the text; we'll finish the study guide and the argumentative structure packet.
• Thursday, 5/11 - Academic Advisory - we'll do the pre-writing for the final assessment - outlining the argumentative essay.
• Friday, 5/12 - we'll write the 5-paragraph argumentative essay which is the final assessment for Module 4.

So that's my plan.  I hope everyone enjoys spring as it (hopefully) warms up.  Ciao!
 
Finishing Module Four 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.