We've finally made it to the holidays! I don't know about anyone else, but it seems like I'm noticing more people already set up for Christmas this year than I've ever seen before...way before Thanksgiving! I'm thinking everyone is just really ready for holidays, festivities, relaxation, celebration, and family. I know I am! I love Thanksgiving because it's not about presents and stress...it's just about gathering together and being thankful for what we have...a wonderful idea!
Last week both of my classes made great headway into their texts. English 9 is now through Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird. We're almost at the end of Part I, which means this week we'll pause to reflect and do some creative writings with it. I'd also like to put in a couple of activities that get them up and moving...we'll see, since the week is so short. They have read the whole thing on their own. I prefer to mix in some reading in class, but time constraints have prevented this. Hopefully they're all taking care of this in a responsible fashion. I keep telling them that the academic habits they form now will carry them into their post-high school future!
English 11 classes are reading a book independently (due date December 6th) since we're working on Macbeth in class together. We did the preliminary background work this week, and we're into Act I. My goal for this short week is to finish this act, and do some kinesthetic activities to get them up and moving. I'm adding a video here of my 1st and 3rd Hours doing a game that involved them calling out a word from the play and tossing a ball to someone across from them. I had two goals: get them moving, and speaking/hearing Shakespeare's words. I want them to play, play, PLAY with the language - it makes Shakespeare so much more fun.
The Language of Macbeth
I hope everyone has a very easy, fun short work week, and a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
One More Full Week, and then VACATION!
Another busy week has come and gone, and with it the leaves left the trees (for the most part). I'm so relieved to have made it through a "normal" week, however, because we get so much more done! This week was full of projects, tests, new books, work, and fun. It had everything!
In English 9 we completed and turned in the Romeo and Juliet projects. I took some pictures of the kids who created models of the Globe Theatre, including one made out of cake! Of course, after I took the picture and made a quick evaluation, they had to eat the cake at 8:30 A.M. I think it was a big hit! Then we quickly turned our attention to our new text: To Kill a Mockingbird. They have gotten some background information on the history and author, and are now reading the book. So far, I've assigned through chapter 4 for reading. Expect them to bring their books home every night to read about two chapters; there will also be written work that they'll need to complete. It's my favorite novel of all time, so I'm very excited that we're reading it right now!
In English 11, we're completing the Canterbury Tales unit. They have been tested and turned in their study guides and are now writing their own poetic tale - in couplets! It's a struggle to get going, but I'm encouraging them to embrace the silly and ridiculous and to have fun with it. On Friday, they seemed to relax into it a bit and a few even came back later in the day to share with me what they had accomplished so far. It is due on Monday, and then we'll turn our attention to Macbeth - another favorite of mine. I can't wait! I hope to have them not just reading and listening, but getting up out of their chairs and speaking lines. (I love Shakespeare if you can't tell.) They will read the play in class, so their homework is to read a book of their choosing; it needs to be read by December 6th.
The weather looks like it's going to cooperate for the most part for the week (which in my book means it's not going to be overly chilly), so I hope everyone has a great full week, and then we'll all be ready to prepare for the holiday season! Have a good one!
In English 9 we completed and turned in the Romeo and Juliet projects. I took some pictures of the kids who created models of the Globe Theatre, including one made out of cake! Of course, after I took the picture and made a quick evaluation, they had to eat the cake at 8:30 A.M. I think it was a big hit! Then we quickly turned our attention to our new text: To Kill a Mockingbird. They have gotten some background information on the history and author, and are now reading the book. So far, I've assigned through chapter 4 for reading. Expect them to bring their books home every night to read about two chapters; there will also be written work that they'll need to complete. It's my favorite novel of all time, so I'm very excited that we're reading it right now!
In English 11, we're completing the Canterbury Tales unit. They have been tested and turned in their study guides and are now writing their own poetic tale - in couplets! It's a struggle to get going, but I'm encouraging them to embrace the silly and ridiculous and to have fun with it. On Friday, they seemed to relax into it a bit and a few even came back later in the day to share with me what they had accomplished so far. It is due on Monday, and then we'll turn our attention to Macbeth - another favorite of mine. I can't wait! I hope to have them not just reading and listening, but getting up out of their chairs and speaking lines. (I love Shakespeare if you can't tell.) They will read the play in class, so their homework is to read a book of their choosing; it needs to be read by December 6th.
The weather looks like it's going to cooperate for the most part for the week (which in my book means it's not going to be overly chilly), so I hope everyone has a great full week, and then we'll all be ready to prepare for the holiday season! Have a good one!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Two Weeks of Normal (Maybe?)
I was so happy to meet so many parents last week at conferences! Thank you so much for caring enough to come in and meet with me. I truly love working with your children and I thank you for sharing them with me. If you were unable to come to conferences, but would like to set something up, please let me know.
Last week was short as far as time in the classroom, so here are just a couple of highlights: in English 9 we are finishing up our Romeo and Juliet unit by completing creative projects. They are due on Monday, and some have even already turned them in! In English 11 we're working on completing the "Prologue" for The Canterbury Tales. Third Hour English 11 also completed a second independent novel, had a donut party (thanks to those who contributed), and have moved on to their third independent novel.
Coming up this week, English 9 will be turning their attention to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird - a personal favorite of mine. Expect more homework - both reading and writing - since they will all have a book signed out to them. In English 11 we will complete the "Prologue" and move on to the "Pardoner's Tale." Expect a test mid- to late-week, and then they will be writing their own tale - in poetic couplets no less! They will also be working on another independent novel for Term 2, since our reading from the textbook is still all done in class.
Just as an FYI, I think I have Edmodo up and running. I'm attempting to keep a calendar with assignments on it, so that if they're absent they can look up what we are doing. I'm also going to attempt to use it this week for a poll and a discussion forum for English 9.
That's about all I've got for this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful one as we start to get prepped for the holidays!
Last week was short as far as time in the classroom, so here are just a couple of highlights: in English 9 we are finishing up our Romeo and Juliet unit by completing creative projects. They are due on Monday, and some have even already turned them in! In English 11 we're working on completing the "Prologue" for The Canterbury Tales. Third Hour English 11 also completed a second independent novel, had a donut party (thanks to those who contributed), and have moved on to their third independent novel.
Coming up this week, English 9 will be turning their attention to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird - a personal favorite of mine. Expect more homework - both reading and writing - since they will all have a book signed out to them. In English 11 we will complete the "Prologue" and move on to the "Pardoner's Tale." Expect a test mid- to late-week, and then they will be writing their own tale - in poetic couplets no less! They will also be working on another independent novel for Term 2, since our reading from the textbook is still all done in class.
Just as an FYI, I think I have Edmodo up and running. I'm attempting to keep a calendar with assignments on it, so that if they're absent they can look up what we are doing. I'm also going to attempt to use it this week for a poll and a discussion forum for English 9.
That's about all I've got for this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful one as we start to get prepped for the holidays!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Term 1 is Done!
Well, we've made it through the first term. Grades are not due for the teachers until Tuesday, so I'm still finalizing things. I hope everyone remembers that this is a benchmark of how they're doing; it's only 50% of their semester grade, and that's the one that earns credit and goes on record. So if your student's grades are not where they should be, we have another term to try it again and to push it up. If the grade is looking great...fantastic! Let's hold it there. Conferences are Thursday from 12:00 to 7:15 and I'm looking forward to seeing many of you. If you cannot make it, but want to meet with me, drop me a line and I'll arrange it with you.
Looking back at English 9 we accomplished two things: an independent reading book and review, and Romeo and Juliet. The tests are in HAC, and I'm finalizing all of the remaining writing assignments. Looking forward, they're doing a creative project that will be completed this coming week, and then we'll move into reading To Kill a Mockingbird as our major text of Term 2.
Here is a video of my 6th Hour doing a kinesthetic punctuation activity:
6th Hour Shakespeare Punctuation Activity
Looking back at English 11, we also accomplished two things: an independent reading book and review, although my 3rd Hour is in process of finishing a second book, and Beowulf. I'm still working on their final papers; if I can't get them done they'll go on 2nd term. From here we're doing a very short unit on The Canterbury Tales which includes the medieval times, and then we move to Macbeth - one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I've been investigating fun activities and ways to get them more involved in the play in order to make it more interesting to them. I'm hoping to have an evening celebration to share their many projects sometime in December. I'd like to invite all the parents in to see our Shakespearean projects, including the freshmen group. I'll let you know more as I get closer to it.
This week's schedule goes as follows:
Looking back at English 9 we accomplished two things: an independent reading book and review, and Romeo and Juliet. The tests are in HAC, and I'm finalizing all of the remaining writing assignments. Looking forward, they're doing a creative project that will be completed this coming week, and then we'll move into reading To Kill a Mockingbird as our major text of Term 2.
Here is a video of my 6th Hour doing a kinesthetic punctuation activity:
6th Hour Shakespeare Punctuation Activity
Looking back at English 11, we also accomplished two things: an independent reading book and review, although my 3rd Hour is in process of finishing a second book, and Beowulf. I'm still working on their final papers; if I can't get them done they'll go on 2nd term. From here we're doing a very short unit on The Canterbury Tales which includes the medieval times, and then we move to Macbeth - one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I've been investigating fun activities and ways to get them more involved in the play in order to make it more interesting to them. I'm hoping to have an evening celebration to share their many projects sometime in December. I'd like to invite all the parents in to see our Shakespearean projects, including the freshmen group. I'll let you know more as I get closer to it.
This week's schedule goes as follows:
- Monday - regular school day
- Tuesday - regular school day
- Wednesday - ms/hs professional development day; no school for students
- Thursday - ms/hs conferences 12:00 - 7:15; no school for students
- Friday - regular school day
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Wow! What a Week!
This is going to be fairly short and sweet, since I spent most of the week in a courtroom. Everyone told me to take lots of papers to grade because I would spend most of the day just sitting there and never get placed on a trial. So I took many papers - many, many papers - and had graded a total of five before my name was called and I was placed on a jury! It was very interesting, but very disruptive to my schedule, and I missed your kids! Kudos to all of them for their patience and efforts getting through the week. We had a wonderful sub., and Mrs. Johnson in the main office made sure that the same person could be there all week for consistency, and everyone made it through! The first part of this coming week will be me back-tracking and making sure everyone got what they needed last week, and then we'll be able to move forward.
Luckily I was able to be finished with jury duty on Thursday, so I could attend the 9th grade field trip on Friday to see Romeo and Juliet at the Emagine Theater in Canton. Thank you to all who attended as chaperones! The kids were great. I loved the girls' reaction to their first view of the actor playing Romeo; I think it took almost 5 minutes until we had them calmed down. I also loved hearing them saying lines, and spotting differences between the text and movie. I really feel like they all "get" the play and we're ready to assess later this week. Lunch afterward was a bit chaotic; Emagine shifted us from Novi to Canton the day before, so we just tried to find a strip of fast food joints to dump them all in. Somehow we (and the restaurants) got us all through and back on the bus, and the kids were gloriously happy (and the adults were exhausted)!
So now we're on to the final week of the term. English 11 is getting ready to head into the Medieval Times and Canterbury Tales. English 9 will be finalizing Romeo and Juliet information; at the moment I have the test scheduled for Thursday, with papers/projects to follow, but I'll email everyone when I have finalized the plans. Then Friday is a no-school-day for your kids while the staff go to a Countywide Inservice Day. Good for them since it's the day after Halloween, but maybe not so good for you?
Have a wonderful week!
Luckily I was able to be finished with jury duty on Thursday, so I could attend the 9th grade field trip on Friday to see Romeo and Juliet at the Emagine Theater in Canton. Thank you to all who attended as chaperones! The kids were great. I loved the girls' reaction to their first view of the actor playing Romeo; I think it took almost 5 minutes until we had them calmed down. I also loved hearing them saying lines, and spotting differences between the text and movie. I really feel like they all "get" the play and we're ready to assess later this week. Lunch afterward was a bit chaotic; Emagine shifted us from Novi to Canton the day before, so we just tried to find a strip of fast food joints to dump them all in. Somehow we (and the restaurants) got us all through and back on the bus, and the kids were gloriously happy (and the adults were exhausted)!
So now we're on to the final week of the term. English 11 is getting ready to head into the Medieval Times and Canterbury Tales. English 9 will be finalizing Romeo and Juliet information; at the moment I have the test scheduled for Thursday, with papers/projects to follow, but I'll email everyone when I have finalized the plans. Then Friday is a no-school-day for your kids while the staff go to a Countywide Inservice Day. Good for them since it's the day after Halloween, but maybe not so good for you?
Have a wonderful week!
 |
| Images from the field trip to see Romeo and Juliet |
Saturday, October 19, 2013
The Calm Before the Storm
This week was definitely the calm before the storm. I do not even have any pictures or video of my students to post since most of the week was all about reading, writing and taking tests. Mostly my students were working busily at their desks, which in its own sense is a joy to me, but for picture and video purposes, it's a little like watching paint dry.
In English 9 we have finished reading through Act III of Romeo and Juliet. They took a quiz over Act II and did a couple of activities with passages from the text, but most of our time was spent just getting through the reading. The amazing thing to me is that as they are listening to the recording, I'm stopping much less, but hearing much more as far as spontaneous gasps, laughter, and under-the-breath comments, which means - THEY''RE GETTING IT!!! We're going to try to finish at least reading the play this next week, hopefully in time to go on the field trip to the movie on Friday.
In English 11 we have finished Beowulf, taken the test, and are now working on a fairly complex, analytical essay. They are hand writing the rough draft in class (Type Three), and then next week we will go to the computer lab to type it and do peer edits before submitting the final draft (Type Four). It's a painstaking process, but I truly believe it is beneficial in that it challenges them to communicate in a different way than they normally do, and when they rise to the challenge they can be proud of their work. After the essay we will turn our attentions to the Medieval Times and Canterbury Tales. I have a couple of fun projects to go with this, so I'm looking forward to the change.
The storm: several things are coming up in the next few weeks. This coming week I may be out due to Jury Duty, something I've never been called to do. In one sense, I'm excited because I think it will be interesting; in another, this is terrible timing since it's the end of two units in class. I won't know until I call this weekend whether they want me to show up or not for Monday, so cross your fingers (I just don't know what I want you to wish for).
I almost forgot to put this in: go to celebratemydrive.com to vote for Airport to win $100,000 in a safe driving campaign. Imagine what we could do with that money! You have to be 14 and older to vote (I tried to have my 12 year old vote and it wouldn't allow it).
Friday, our field trip to Novi is on! I'm so excited because this is my first field trip in years and I think the students will really enjoy it. I just hope I'm not sitting on a jury and will be able to go! A big thank you to Mrs. Williams for taking care of all arrangements; I just came along for the ride.
Upcoming events: Halloween is always a little chaotic at school, and then the students have November 1st off while teachers and staff attend professional development. The week after that, we have conferences on 11/6 and professional development on 11/7, so the students have two days off, and then we're back in for Friday, 11/8 (I know, crazy - right?). Thanksgiving is late this year, November 28th, which means we'll have a very short time after it until Christmas break. Lots of fun stuff coming up!
In English 9 we have finished reading through Act III of Romeo and Juliet. They took a quiz over Act II and did a couple of activities with passages from the text, but most of our time was spent just getting through the reading. The amazing thing to me is that as they are listening to the recording, I'm stopping much less, but hearing much more as far as spontaneous gasps, laughter, and under-the-breath comments, which means - THEY''RE GETTING IT!!! We're going to try to finish at least reading the play this next week, hopefully in time to go on the field trip to the movie on Friday.
In English 11 we have finished Beowulf, taken the test, and are now working on a fairly complex, analytical essay. They are hand writing the rough draft in class (Type Three), and then next week we will go to the computer lab to type it and do peer edits before submitting the final draft (Type Four). It's a painstaking process, but I truly believe it is beneficial in that it challenges them to communicate in a different way than they normally do, and when they rise to the challenge they can be proud of their work. After the essay we will turn our attentions to the Medieval Times and Canterbury Tales. I have a couple of fun projects to go with this, so I'm looking forward to the change.
The storm: several things are coming up in the next few weeks. This coming week I may be out due to Jury Duty, something I've never been called to do. In one sense, I'm excited because I think it will be interesting; in another, this is terrible timing since it's the end of two units in class. I won't know until I call this weekend whether they want me to show up or not for Monday, so cross your fingers (I just don't know what I want you to wish for).
I almost forgot to put this in: go to celebratemydrive.com to vote for Airport to win $100,000 in a safe driving campaign. Imagine what we could do with that money! You have to be 14 and older to vote (I tried to have my 12 year old vote and it wouldn't allow it).
Friday, our field trip to Novi is on! I'm so excited because this is my first field trip in years and I think the students will really enjoy it. I just hope I'm not sitting on a jury and will be able to go! A big thank you to Mrs. Williams for taking care of all arrangements; I just came along for the ride.
Upcoming events: Halloween is always a little chaotic at school, and then the students have November 1st off while teachers and staff attend professional development. The week after that, we have conferences on 11/6 and professional development on 11/7, so the students have two days off, and then we're back in for Friday, 11/8 (I know, crazy - right?). Thanksgiving is late this year, November 28th, which means we'll have a very short time after it until Christmas break. Lots of fun stuff coming up!
Here's a picture of what my children and I did last night at AHS. Thanks to Mrs. Moschetti, we have two of our pumpkins carved and had lots of fun visiting with Carleton community members doing it. While there we also carved away with Maleigha, a former student who made a winky pumpkin, Mrs. Hopper who teaches social studies, Mrs. Kull who teaches in many locations around the high school, and of course, Mrs. Moschetti, the art teacher. It's nights like this that let me know how privileged I am to work at AHS. I'm so honored that the wonderful community of Carleton and its surrounding areas has welcomed me in and allowed me to play a small part in the lives of its children.
Have a wonderful week, everybody!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Another Week Down and We're Now In Routine
Another week has come and gone. When we're in the middle of them I feel like they're dragging, but by the weekend when I look back it feels like the school year is flying. We're into our routines by now: reading difficult texts, writing papers, and presenting information in various ways. My routine of weekend Type 3 essay grading is off to the races. I'm working through them as fast as I can, while trying to keep up with the regular paperwork.
In English 9, we're still working our way through Romeo and Juliet. It's so slow for us because I keep trying to throw in interesting activities that allow us to play with the text, rather than just reading and testing. I truly believe that Shakespeare was playing with words and he'd like us to do the same. I think a huge mistake people make with his plays is taking them too seriously. They should be played with, messed with, and explored. This week I showed your students how to do a common dance in his day: the Prevane. Sixth hour was so fabulous and open to this experience, that they all ended up twirling around the lobby with their partners. They let me take video of them, so here's what I put together:
6th Hour Shakespearean Prevane
For the rest of this week, we'll still be trying to get through more of the text. They seem like they're really getting into it now, and mostly want to keep going in order to see where this play goes. An exciting thing coming up (we hope) is that we're trying to pull together a fieldtrip to Novi to see the brand new movie. If your student says they have no homework, they're in earnest. I'm trying to get through the R&J text more quickly, and then I'll assign another book. If they have a writing to do at home, I'll notify you.
In English 11, we're finishing Beowulf. In my 1st and 5th hours, one of the funniest moments of the week was a class directed act-out of the fight between Beowulf and Grendel's Mother. Unfortunately, I didn't get it on video. In 3rd Hour, we're moving more quickly, so they have already started toward the goal of reading another book. All classes have had writings to finish at home for homework, but third hour is the only class with assigned readings. This will quickly change as we finish Beowulf. All of my English 11 classes wrote their first blog. I had them use Beowulf's voice, but I had two goals: have them dig into the text and find Beowulf's voice, and learn how to use a blog. Those who were able to make it work now have access to their own blogs. Those who did not, ended up creating it on a Word document. One way or another, they all got it done. Here's a picture of them blogging away:
In English 9, we're still working our way through Romeo and Juliet. It's so slow for us because I keep trying to throw in interesting activities that allow us to play with the text, rather than just reading and testing. I truly believe that Shakespeare was playing with words and he'd like us to do the same. I think a huge mistake people make with his plays is taking them too seriously. They should be played with, messed with, and explored. This week I showed your students how to do a common dance in his day: the Prevane. Sixth hour was so fabulous and open to this experience, that they all ended up twirling around the lobby with their partners. They let me take video of them, so here's what I put together:
6th Hour Shakespearean Prevane
For the rest of this week, we'll still be trying to get through more of the text. They seem like they're really getting into it now, and mostly want to keep going in order to see where this play goes. An exciting thing coming up (we hope) is that we're trying to pull together a fieldtrip to Novi to see the brand new movie. If your student says they have no homework, they're in earnest. I'm trying to get through the R&J text more quickly, and then I'll assign another book. If they have a writing to do at home, I'll notify you.
In English 11, we're finishing Beowulf. In my 1st and 5th hours, one of the funniest moments of the week was a class directed act-out of the fight between Beowulf and Grendel's Mother. Unfortunately, I didn't get it on video. In 3rd Hour, we're moving more quickly, so they have already started toward the goal of reading another book. All classes have had writings to finish at home for homework, but third hour is the only class with assigned readings. This will quickly change as we finish Beowulf. All of my English 11 classes wrote their first blog. I had them use Beowulf's voice, but I had two goals: have them dig into the text and find Beowulf's voice, and learn how to use a blog. Those who were able to make it work now have access to their own blogs. Those who did not, ended up creating it on a Word document. One way or another, they all got it done. Here's a picture of them blogging away:
1st Hour English 11 Blogging in the Lab
By Thursday, we should be able to take a test over Beowulf, with another Type3/4 writing to follow. I'll try to send out reminders.
I hope you're all enjoying this glorious weather we've been having and have been able to get out and enjoy it. It's a beautiful Michigan fall, but we all know what follows, so here's to hoping you've been able to take a few minutes to relax in it.
Have a great week!
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