Thursday, September 8, 2011

Content Objective: 1.02 Analyze expressive materials that are read by monitoring comprehension for understanding. 1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student shares personal reactions to questions raised and gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.

Language Objective: Join small group discussion about a reading passage and corresponding questions.

Essential Question: Are my reading comprehension skills improving?

Today we continued our discussion of the origins and uses of idioms. Students shared their illustrated idioms; the best were added to the bulletin board. Next, I introduced some new idioms. Following a reading comprehension quiz, we played Idiom Bingo using an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. From the dozen idioms I had written on the board, students selected nine to fill in their bingo grid; we then watched "The Great Filling Station Robbery" and students listened for the idioms. The first with a complete card was the winner. It was educational and entertaining: the perfect combination!

Homework: SSR.

Flashback: June of 2008

Speeches were made, pictures were taken, and tears were shed; the eighth grade students have graduated!


My summer 2008 to do list:
1. Set up a Moodle site that promotes technology facilitation
2. Prepare for the transition to SAMS (see #1)
3. Have fun: river picnic, treasure hunts, treehouse, 4th of July at the beach, Ed's wedding, etc.


Homework: SSR; have a great summer!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Today we finished up with Degrassi, had our final commencement practice, had our picnic at Franklinville Park, and had fun on some inflatables and a climbing wall. The only thing we missed was the swarm of bees that took up a temporary residence near the front mobile units.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Today we had our final Awards Assembly for the year. Students were recognized for academic achievement and perfect attendence. Next, we began our commencement practice. After lunch, we enjoyed watching the Degrassi graduation special.

Students going on the picnic tomorrow should bring sunscreen and a hat in addition to their lunch.

Content Objective: 1.02 Analyze expressive materials that are read by monitoring comprehension for understanding. 1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student shares personal reactions to questions raised and gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.

Language Objective: Join whole class discussion about the teen market.

Essential Question: What techniques are used to market products to teens?

Today in class we watched The Merchants of Cool ; students reacted to the program and discussed what they saw. While the program was a bit dated, the questions which arose from the information remain: What techniques do marketers use to target and influence the behavior of teens? What is the impact of teen oriented media having on society? How can one become a more informed consumer?

Homework: SSR.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Content Objective: 1.02 Analyze expressive materials that are read by monitoring comprehension for understanding. 1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student shares personal reactions to questions raised and gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.

Language Objective: Join whole class discussion about the elements of a short story.

Essential Question: What are common storytelling elements?

Today we continued the study and enjoyment of language arts. We reviewed terms like protagonist, antagonist, quest, conflict, and resolution in the context of a dramatic short story. The basis for our discussion was The Princess Bride, a book by William Goldman. I have long wanted to read the novel with AG students; however, I only had one copy of the book and it was borrowed long ago and never returned. We watched the beginning of the film version of The Princess Bride; it was enjoyed by all. Hopefully, some students will be inspired by the film to read the book on their own.

Homework: SSR.