Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 29
Today we practiced creating "significance" answers for the quote test on Block Day. See the link from yesterday for an example. Afterwards, we created a study card for the test which included characters, their manner of speaking, keywords, and their influence on IM. If you missed today, you will have the first few minutes of class to do this.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 25
Test Day!
Today we took the test over Invisible Man. If you missed the test, you can make it up either Wednesday after school or Thursday morning in test makeup.
Today we took the test over Invisible Man. If you missed the test, you can make it up either Wednesday after school or Thursday morning in test makeup.
Block Day, March 23,24
We spent the first part of class piecing together the Invisible Man "quilt" of themes, symbols and motifs.
After that was finished, we had a graded discussion over the IM essay posted on studywiz. If you were absent, you have to make this up. In order to do so, you must still read the essay, create 5 discussion questions, and answer them fully using textual evidence from the essay AND the book. This is due Tuesday.
After that was finished, we had a graded discussion over the IM essay posted on studywiz. If you were absent, you have to make this up. In order to do so, you must still read the essay, create 5 discussion questions, and answer them fully using textual evidence from the essay AND the book. This is due Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22
Today you had a choice of three things to do:
1. Work on your packets (which will be used as a study guide and are due after the test Friday).
2. Work on your assigned theme or motif (see me for the list if you were absent).
3. Read the IM, Washington, DuBois essay on studywiz (come to class with 5 prepared discussion questions for a graded class discussion).
1. Work on your packets (which will be used as a study guide and are due after the test Friday).
2. Work on your assigned theme or motif (see me for the list if you were absent).
3. Read the IM, Washington, DuBois essay on studywiz (come to class with 5 prepared discussion questions for a graded class discussion).
Monday, March 21
We took the last (phew) IM reading quiz over Ch. 22 - Epilogue. If you missed it, you can come to test makeup Wendesday afternoon or Thursday morning.
After the quiz, we spent time in our groups working on the packet.
After the quiz, we spent time in our groups working on the packet.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 18
Today we went to the media center, found a comfy spot, and read. Your DPP reviews are due on block day (since we've had some technical issues). Please see me if you are still unable to access your assigned project.
This weekend, finish reading IM and prepare for a quiz over chapters 22-the epilogue.
This weekend, finish reading IM and prepare for a quiz over chapters 22-the epilogue.
Thursday, March 17
Today we continued our Digital Poetry Review. The instructions are on studywiz (same file name) and the form to fill out once you are finished is right below this post.
For homework, you were to bring your IM book to class on Friday for a DEAR day.
For homework, you were to bring your IM book to class on Friday for a DEAR day.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Block Day, March 9-10
Today was the BIG DAY!!!
We spent all block day exploring poems. You guys presented your work and we followed along through the website Poets.org.
We spent all block day exploring poems. You guys presented your work and we followed along through the website Poets.org.
Tuesday, March 8
DPP peer review and workshop. I'm seeing some great stuff and I can't wait until Block Day when we all get to see your hard work.
Final products are due block day - I'll show you how to upload your movie and you'll present it to the class.
Final products are due block day - I'll show you how to upload your movie and you'll present it to the class.
Monday, March 7
Today we took an Invisible Man quiz over chapters 17-21. If you missed it, you need to make it up this week in test makeup. The quiz is made up of four questions (two quotes to discuss and two content questions) and four bonus opportunities. I'm looking to see that you actually read the book...you know, that paper thing you hold in your hand and move your eyes from left to right over?
We discussed the novel up to this point and then worked on a few discussion questions to add to your packets (see studywiz). You have one more discussion board activity over these chapters and it is due by this Sunday.
Your last IM reading assignment is to finish the book (including the prologue) by Monday, March 21.
We discussed the novel up to this point and then worked on a few discussion questions to add to your packets (see studywiz). You have one more discussion board activity over these chapters and it is due by this Sunday.
Your last IM reading assignment is to finish the book (including the prologue) by Monday, March 21.
Friday, March 4
We held a workshop for our Digital Poetry Project today. We've found that the order of creating your movie actually matters! Things seem to go best when we input the information in the following order:
Pictures
Transitions
Text
Music/sound effects
Narration
Go figure.
Pictures
Transitions
Text
Music/sound effects
Narration
Go figure.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Block Day, March 2
So today began with a discussion about what would make for a quality project. We'll work our way into creating a class rubric that we can all agree upon in order to evaluate our final products.
Next, we walked through the process of starting a new project in iMovie and importing our collected photos. We are using this step by step tutorial as the basis for our project.
Then we practiced importing a video by following this student-produced tutorial:
From there, we worked at our own pace to develop narration and add music to our slides. The final project is due on Monday. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!
Next, we walked through the process of starting a new project in iMovie and importing our collected photos. We are using this step by step tutorial as the basis for our project.
Then we practiced importing a video by following this student-produced tutorial:
From there, we worked at our own pace to develop narration and add music to our slides. The final project is due on Monday. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!
Tuesday, March 1
After studying our poems in-depth, we began brainstorming for our Digital Poetry Project. This step involves looking beyond the words of the poem and starting to figure out the meaning, as we see it. We started to ask ourselves questions like:
What tone do I want my DPP to have?
What is my poem saying to ME?
What images might be able to convey this?
What kind of music might make sense with these images?
Next, we created a folder on our desktop (or in iphoto) to collect images from different sources. These photos will only be used internally for educational purposes, so we are not limited to MorgueFile or our own photos.
Next up, putting the pieces together.
What tone do I want my DPP to have?
What is my poem saying to ME?
What images might be able to convey this?
What kind of music might make sense with these images?
Next, we created a folder on our desktop (or in iphoto) to collect images from different sources. These photos will only be used internally for educational purposes, so we are not limited to MorgueFile or our own photos.
Next up, putting the pieces together.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 28
Today we spent the first part of class completing the first draft of our poetry write up. The goal of this was to put into words your interpretation of the poem along with the results of your research. This exercise will help you begin to formulate how your digital poem might look.
The second part of class was spent making initial decisions about your DPP.
*What tone do I want to convey?
*What will enable me to convey that tone? (music, photos, video clips)
*Will my DPP include a voiceover narration only or will it also include text?
Then we created a DPP folder on your desktop to include pictures and video clips that you collected in your study. We also bookmarked this site which will serve as our step by step guide to creating our story.
The second part of class was spent making initial decisions about your DPP.
*What tone do I want to convey?
*What will enable me to convey that tone? (music, photos, video clips)
*Will my DPP include a voiceover narration only or will it also include text?
Then we created a DPP folder on your desktop to include pictures and video clips that you collected in your study. We also bookmarked this site which will serve as our step by step guide to creating our story.
Block Day, February 23-24
Today we began to prepare for the Poetry Unit Test scheduled for March 9 (tentatively). We made a wikispace review and we will be adding to it in the coming week in order to prepare as a class.
The remainder of block day was spent exploring possible poems for our digital poetry project.
1. We found samples of digital poems on youtube and created a starter rubric on a google doc.
2. We then spent time looking at and choosing poems from the DPP list.
3. Your assignment for the weekend was to become an expert on your chosen poem. This includes learning about your author, annotating the poem on your own, and doing literary research on you selected poem.
Next up? Visualizing your poem and planning your "digital telling" of it.
The remainder of block day was spent exploring possible poems for our digital poetry project.
1. We found samples of digital poems on youtube and created a starter rubric on a google doc.
2. We then spent time looking at and choosing poems from the DPP list.
3. Your assignment for the weekend was to become an expert on your chosen poem. This includes learning about your author, annotating the poem on your own, and doing literary research on you selected poem.
Next up? Visualizing your poem and planning your "digital telling" of it.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Block Day, February 16th-17th
The big day.
We spent the first 45 minutes of class doing the timed writing. I narrowed the field from 5 to 3 and then students picked the one they thought they could best tackle (their group's poem excluded). We stopped after 15 minutes to check our progress and evaluate our thesis. (NOTE: sometimes when writing, you figure your way to a better train of thought - that can work out fine if you go back and adjust your opening paragraph. Go with the good idea. Content is King!)
We then spent the rest of class evaluating our three TW's and deciding which one to submit for a major grade.
We spent the first 45 minutes of class doing the timed writing. I narrowed the field from 5 to 3 and then students picked the one they thought they could best tackle (their group's poem excluded). We stopped after 15 minutes to check our progress and evaluate our thesis. (NOTE: sometimes when writing, you figure your way to a better train of thought - that can work out fine if you go back and adjust your opening paragraph. Go with the good idea. Content is King!)
We then spent the rest of class evaluating our three TW's and deciding which one to submit for a major grade.
Tuesday, February 15
Today we finished presenting the packets and we spent the rest of class period preparing for the Timed Writing on Block Day.
Monday, February 14
After wiping the sugar from the desks, we worked on our Compare and Contrast packets. Most groups presented their analysis and we asked questions. The last group (2008) is scheduled to go tomorrow.
Friday, February 11
We worked in Invisible Man groups on the packet/wiki. At least, some of us did. Others tried to be invisible while decidedly not working - they will be subjected to an electroshock lobotomy come test time.
The next reading assignment is chapter 12-16 due Feb 25.
The next reading assignment is chapter 12-16 due Feb 25.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Block Day, February 9-10
Today we worked in groups to analyze past compare and contrast AP prompts. We got a packet of 5 poems and worked to do the following:
1. Read and dissect the prompt
2. Read and annotate 1st poem (solo, group)
3. Ditto poem 2
4. Spend 10 minutes finding literary criticism to see if you are on track with your analysis
5. Create plan of attack in order to answer the prompt
6. View student sample essays and create outlines to see their organization methods
1. Read and dissect the prompt
2. Read and annotate 1st poem (solo, group)
3. Ditto poem 2
4. Spend 10 minutes finding literary criticism to see if you are on track with your analysis
5. Create plan of attack in order to answer the prompt
6. View student sample essays and create outlines to see their organization methods
Tuesday, Monday 8
We discussed "My Papa's Waltz" then we read and annotated "Those Winter Sundays".
This was all done in anticipation of writing a compare and contrast essay. After reading these two poems, we created graphic organizers to discuss their similarities and differences.
This was all done in anticipation of writing a compare and contrast essay. After reading these two poems, we created graphic organizers to discuss their similarities and differences.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, February 7
Today we annotated the poem "My Papa's Waltz" individually. We then worked in pairs and then we went to Bedford/St.Martin's interactive website.
We turned in the poems at the end of the class period.
We turned in the poems at the end of the class period.
Friday, February 4
We worked in our IM groups on the packet for chapters 4-6. We then created questions for chapters 7 and 8. The two discussion threads for IM were due by Sunday evening.
Block Day, February 2-3
We took a look at the analysis we did the day before on "The Broken Heart" and we discussed the poem as a whole. Then we did a guided timed write on the poem, stopping every 5-7 minutes to refocus and evaluate.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
We started with a look at Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" paying special attention to the sound. There is a copy of the poem on studywiz. We also watched this short video to discuss if whether or not Frost would agree with the "reading" of his poem.
We then discussed the main topics of most poets - the universal themes that most poems tend to discuss:
Nature (beauty of...man's relationship to...)
Human Nature
Relationships (love, sex, family)
Time (death, seasons, cycle of life)
Sex
Beauty
Faith/Spirituality
Finally we learned about TPCASTT (see handout on studywiz) and applied it to a blind reading of John Donne's "Broken Heart".
Whew.
We then discussed the main topics of most poets - the universal themes that most poems tend to discuss:
Nature (beauty of...man's relationship to...)
Human Nature
Relationships (love, sex, family)
Time (death, seasons, cycle of life)
Sex
Beauty
Faith/Spirituality
Finally we learned about TPCASTT (see handout on studywiz) and applied it to a blind reading of John Donne's "Broken Heart".
Whew.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Today we had a timed writing on "Blackberry Picking'.
For information concerning the novel study of Invisible Man, here's what you need to do:
1. Go to the following link and follow the navigation for Invisible Man. You should get to the home page of our class wiki within two clicks.
2. Once there, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.
For information concerning the novel study of Invisible Man, here's what you need to do:
1. Go to the following link and follow the navigation for Invisible Man. You should get to the home page of our class wiki within two clicks.
2. Once there, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.
Monday, January 24
We read Seamus Heaney's "Blackberry Picking" noticing three types of imagery. We paid attention to corporeal imagery, natural imagery, and the use of color. We also noticed shifts in the poem and attempted to trace the movement of the poet's experience of picking the berries in order to expound upon his meaning.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
We finished norming the Wolsey essays and posted our decisions on the discussion board. You were to finish reading ch. 1-3 on Invisible Man.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday, January 4
Welcome Back!
Today we discussed your previous assignments (Monster Mosaic essays and Final Exams) and took a look at the semester to come. If you want to see your final exam and the correct answers, you may come by either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week between 3-3:30 or Wednesday morning at 7:30.
This semester we will not have a final exam. Instead, you will be creating a portfolio to turn in as a culminating activity. Details to come.
Please print out the AP contract on Studywiz and have mom and dad sign it. It is due next Monday. Your IRA is due the morning of your block day (before homeroom Wednesday and before chapel Thursday).
Today we discussed your previous assignments (Monster Mosaic essays and Final Exams) and took a look at the semester to come. If you want to see your final exam and the correct answers, you may come by either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week between 3-3:30 or Wednesday morning at 7:30.
This semester we will not have a final exam. Instead, you will be creating a portfolio to turn in as a culminating activity. Details to come.
Please print out the AP contract on Studywiz and have mom and dad sign it. It is due next Monday. Your IRA is due the morning of your block day (before homeroom Wednesday and before chapel Thursday).
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