Fri. Feb. 28, 2014 Beowulf Discussion

Today, we discussed the excerpt from the open Beowulf. This involved reading it out loud and analyzing it to determine with Beowulf is a hero (locating evidence).

Thurs. Feb. 27, 2014 Active Reading: Beowulf

Today, we reviewed the answered to the quesitons you handed in regarding literature in early England. The purpose of these questions was to reinforce the usefulness of active reading strategies, especially paraphrasing. I then introduce the excerpt from the epic poem Beowulf and instructed you to have this actively read for tomorrow's class.

Wed. Feb. 26, 2014: Importance of Paraphrasing

Today, I put you into small groups to discuss the reading you were given yesterday. You were to use the questions from how to analyze a text to do this.
I then discussed how important active reading is, including paraphrasing paragraphs as you are reading (not doing it like an additional activity). I then gave you questions based more on paraphrasing than on reading of the entire paragraph for you to answer independently. Students who paraphrase are, generally, much quicker at finding the answer than those who do not paraphrase. If you were not here, the questions are in your portfolio.

Tues. Feb. 25, 2014 Active Reading/Intro to Heroic Traits

Today, we discussed heroes through time. Specifically, I explained the characteristics of an Epic (Grecian) hero (courage, intelligence, authority,attractiveness, strength), the traits of a Christian hero and then the traits of a Roman hero. I then gave you a reading to complete (read actively) for class tomorrow. If you were not here, it is in your portfolio.

Mon. Feb. 24, 2014 Heroes Introduction and visual text activity

Today, I introduced the first unit to the class. The focus of this unit is on ideals and virtues: what makes a hero or what makes a person stand apart from the rest.

I gave students a sheet intitled "Heroes" Introductory Exercise". If you were not here, the assignment is in your portfolio and you will have to complete it on your own. If this is the case, there will be a visual image attached to the assignment.

I defined what is meant by connotation and denotation. If you were not here, you will have to do this on your own as well.

The assignment was due at the end of class.

Thurs. Feb. 13, 2014 Pre test

Today, I handed out the pretest assignment and the guide to understanding it. This assignment, along with the independent novel study "Before" activity and the "Career Cruising" activity completion are all due on Monday, February 24, 2014.
Thes students used their time today to complete these as well as the introductory paragraph, which is due tomorrow.

We. Feb. 12, 2014 Intro par. & Career Cruising

Today, you worked on your paragraph assignment. It (along with your outline and rough copy) is due at the end of class on Friday, February 14. I also ensured that you have the computer expectations today so you can put it in the system correctly (this is a must for this assignment to be completed).
I also handed out the "Career Cruising" assignment that also needs to be completed for Friday (a paragraph is, in rough form, a ten-minute activity. The students will need to complete three assignments by Friday if they don't want homework). This assignment also utilizes the computer (they are in the class for this purpose).

Tues. Feb. 11, 2014 Intro Paragraph Assignment

Today, I gave you instructions for writing your first paragraph for me. The assignment is as follows:

Write a one paragraph self-introduction in which you describe a characteristic about yourself that you are proud of.

I have placed instructions for how to lay this out in the school computer system (a requirement) as well as paragraph expectations, in your portfolio (I must have an outline and a hand-written rough copy as well as the typed final revised and edited product in the computer system).
The due date for this assignment is Friday, February 14 (by the end of class).

Fri. Feb 7, 2014 Readings Questions Cont.

Fri. Feb. 7, 2014 Readings Questions Cont

On Wednesday, we began to discuss your answers to the reading questions (The Power of Habit: Why we Do What We Do...Charles Duhigg). Today, we finished discussing them.
Basically, we discussed how to determine the audience, find evidence, determine author's purpose and then instructor's purpose with an additional focus on how to respond to the purpose (student response to the message) which takes us into the next step: writing a solid paragraph.

Thurs. Feb. 6, 2014 Independent Novel Study info

Today, you were given the instructions you are to follow for your Independent Novel Study (which will be due on the first day of class in June). You were also given a list of novel study choices. YOu are expected to have your novel for Tuesday, February 11.

Tues, Feb. 5, 2014

Today, we reviewed the first five questions/answers in response to the reading you received on Monday (The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg).
If you were not here, you may come to be at lunch and I will provide you with the information you missed (it is on my overhead) or you can do an Internet search and study up on the following:
Citation
Title attribution
How to determine topic
What is evidence
How to provide detailed information on a speaker

I also reminded the students that they need a Hilroy Exercise Book (they come in packs of four) for their Independent Novel Study, which will be introduced tomorrow.

Tues. Feb. 4, 2014 Understanding Purpose

Tues. Feb. 4, 2014

Today, you were put into groups to answer questions on the reading you received yesterday. I have pasted the questions below. A number of skills are being tested in this assignment including the following: title attribution, proper citation, topic identification, evidence identification, understanding audience, understanding purpose in context.

If you were not here, these need to be completed for the next class that you are here for.

Questions for Analyzing any Essay

1. What is the title of the essay?

2. What is the “Works Cited” information for this essay (properly presented in MLA format)

3. What is the topic of this essay?

4. What evidence is provided to support the topic of the essay?

5. Who is the speaker of this essay?

6. Who is the audience of this essay?

7. What evidence is there to support that the audience is the one you chose?

8. What is the purpose of reading this essay (think about the class you are in and what the teacher’s goal might be. There may be more than one!)

9. What is your response to this message (you can agree and explain, providing evidence, or you can create a rebuttal providing evidence. You can do this in point form.