Monday, March 17, 2008

Today you will work with a partner to create a series of illustrated similes in a PowerPoint slideshow to be shared on our classroom blog.

See an example below.

View Upload your own

Step one: Work with your partner and write three similes. Use an animal for the first one, either the word "happy" or "mad" for the second one, and use your creativity for the third.

Step two: Open a new PowerPoint project and make one slide for each simile. Add a title slide and a slide for your credits. Use either clipart or images from pics4learning. (No free search.)

This will appear on our blog, so remember to check your spelling and keep it clean.

Save your PowerPoint file where you can find it.

Step three: Go to SlideShare and log in. Username: serms_student. Password: titans.

Step four: Upload your slideshow.

Step five: Check out the work of other serms_students on SlideShare.

Content Objective: 5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by leading small group discussions, discussing the effects of such literary devices as figurative language, and extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences, and within various contexts.

Language Objective: Participate in the small group discussion necessary for the creation of a simile PowerPoint slideshow to be posted online.

Essential Question: Is this an example of the future of education?

Homework: SSR.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Content Objective: 5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher, taking an active role in whole class seminars, and discussing the effects of such literary devices as figurative language. 5.02 Study the characteristics of literary genres (drama) through reading a play.

Language Objective: Take a part in the reading of a play.

Essential Question: What happens to a dream deferred?

Today in class we checked the reading comprehension questions from the excerpt from The Cay. We made up a few similes and I discussed Monday's lesson. Then we shared the reading of A Raisin in the Sun and I cast it pretty well. I enjoyed it all four times. My homeroom came back at the end of the day to enjoy their prize for winning a poster contest: a soda party with the added bonus of watching the UNC/FSU game on TV. I broke out the Scrabble games and they were a hit around the room. I'll be sure to keep that going.

Homework: SSR.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Content Objective: 3.03 Evaluate and create arguments that persuade by: understanding the importance of the engagement of audience, developing a controlling idea that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment, arranging details, reasons, and examples effectively and persuasively, anticipating and addressing reader concerns and counterarguments, and creating an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.

Language Objective: Participate in the process of creating a persuasive argument while in pairs and small groups.

Essential Question: Can I create an argument so effective that my teacher will allow my class to watch the ACC Tournament on TV tomorrow afternoon?

Today's class discussed how to be persuasive. First, we tried the Word Splash activity again. This time "ACC Tournament" was surrounded by words like education, motivation, peace, America, etc. and student pairs made their own connections. Next, students worked together in small groups brainstorming supporting details for a persuasive argument, anticipating counter-arguments, and preparing rebuttals. Participation levels were high because students had both a clear purpose and an audience which was well-known. This is a great assignment to generate quality writing samples from across the classroom spectrum.

Homework: SSR.