Category: Uncategorized

Good Day and Welcome Back!

I’m glad you’re here today.

Special Note: Today we will be saving files to the server. It is incredibly important that you take care to read the instructions carefully so that you save your files to the correct space so that you will get credit for your work. If you have questions, remember to raise your hand and I will be with you as soon as I possibly can.

Homework: Think of everything you know about introductory paragraphs. (Please write this in your agenda.)

We have four tasks to perform today:

Task 1: Recording Essential Information in Binders
Task 2: Respond to Prompt for 12 Minutes
Task 3: Completing Online Quiz
Task 4: Reviewing Body Paragraphs for Pledge Essay

Task 1:
No. 29 We will decide to make the best choices.
No. 30 Never cut in line. If someone cuts in front of you, do not say or do anything about it. It’s not worth it; just let me know what happened.
No. 31 When a guest visits our room, we will be on our best behavior and prepared to answer any questions the guests may have.
No. 32 When I call your home, answer the phone in an appropriate and respectful manner.

Task 2:
Respond to this prompt for 12 minutes MS Word.

Prompt: Parents, courts, and cities often impose curfews on teenagers. What do you think of curfews? Are they helpful in saving lives and keeping teenagers out of trouble, or are they just another insult to responsible teenagers? Write to explain your position.

Save your response as “Last Name” 10-3. My file would be saved as Chase 10-3. Please save your file in this class period’s folder in the folder marked “10-3-05 Prompt.”
Write until time is called. Remember, we write the entire time.

Task 3:
When we have finished writing, click HERE to complete Friday’s online quiz. If you do not remember your user name or password, please raise your hand and I will come provide you with that information. Remember to take all three opportunities to improve your quiz score.

Task 4:
Please take out your body paragraphs from your essay on the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Create a new MS Word file and type in those paragraphs. When you are done, save your essay as “LAST NAME” Pledge. My file would look like this “Chase Pledge.” Please save your file in this period’s folder in the folder named: Pledge Essay.

Ending task:
Post a comment to this blog explaining whether or not you think the country should continue to spend money on exploring space.

Welcome to Class!

I’m glad you’re here today.

Today we will accomplish the following goals:
1. Write No. 31.
2. Written response to a prompt for 11 minutes.
3. Completion and mastery of an online writing quiz.

If there is time, additional activities have been prepared.

Task 1

Please write the following in section 4 of your binder:
No. 31 When a guest visits our room, we will be on our best behavior and prepared to answer all questions the guests may have.

Task 2

Please read the prompt below and respond as a comment to this blog posting. If you have questions on how to do that, I will model it for the entire class.

Prompt: Much has been written about the negative effects of television on young people. Are all television shows bad for children? Write for 11 minutes describing a show you feel has a positive impact on today’s teens and explain how the show could be helpful.

When time is called, we will move on to Task 3.

Task 3

Today we will be taking an online quiz. You must work on your own to complete the quiz. To log in, click here. I have your usernames and passwords and will come around with them. You have two tries to master the quiz. You may not use your notes. I know you have been paying attention and should do a great job with this!

Greetings!

Today we will be discussing “ethics.”

Task 1
Work with your table partner to come up with a conclusion and action decision based on one of the ethical scenarios below. Write your response and make sure you back up your conclusions and decisions with reasons why you chose that answer.

1. A younger brother comes to you, telling you that another child in the neighborhood has been picking on him, calling him names, etc. He wants you to right the wrong. What do you do?
2. You are working on a school project in a group. One of your members refuses to do his or her part in the project. What do you do?
3. There is a gang of girls in the rest room, smoking. This is against school rules. These are pretty tough girls who are known to “get back” at people who “rat” on them. What do you do?
4. One of your friends has not prepared well for the test today, and you have. The friend would like to copy your answers. What do you do?

When I call time, we will discuss this as a class. Be prepared to explain your scenario, your choices and your reasons.

Task 2
Class discussion of basic values.

Task 3
Read the article linked below. As you read, on a piece of notebook paper, take notes of the main ideas, definitions and important details from the article. You may work with your table partner.
Link

Task 4
Use the information we have uncovered in class to complete the student worksheet. Find the worksheet in the Worksheets folder under “Chase” on the server. When you have finished, save it in your class period’s folder as: “last name ethics sheet.”

Good day! Welcome back to class.

For today’s lesson, you have three tasks to complete:

Finish typing your 3 Adjectives Essay. (15 minutes)
Continue examining verbs. (15 minutes)
Show what you know about verbs. (5 minutes)
Explore a current event and identify main idea and supporting details. (10 minutes)

First, please take out your AGENDA and write TODAY’S HOMEWORK:
Give one high-grade compliment.

TASK 1
Please open you’re your 3 Adjective Essay and finish typing it into the file.
If you do not finish typing your essay in the time given during class, post a comment to the blog telling me your Name and a Time when you will be able to come in BEFORE SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, or DURING LUNCH to finish typing it. If you would like to borrow a disk and finish typing it at home, you should tell me that as well.

TASK 2.1
Please open one of the English books on your table to page 142.
Read the book’s explanation of action and being verbs.
On a piece of notebook paper, write down the parts of the explanation that are important to know about verbs.
You may work with the partner at your table
This should include definitions and examples
After you have completed your notes, please bring them to me. If your notes are complete, I will give you a piece of paper on which to complete TASK 2.2

TASK 2.2
1. Please put your Name, the Date, and your class Period in the upper Left corner of your paper. 2. Complete 1-8 on pg. 142
3. You may work with your table partner if you wish.
4. You do NOT need to write the sentence.
5. You DO need to write the VERB as well as whether it expresses a MENTAL action, PHYSICAL action or BEING.
6. Please turn your completed assignment into your class period’s basket.

TASK 3
Please take out your homework from last night.
Look at your 3 sentences, make certain your name is at the top of the paper.
Underline the verb in each sentence.
After each sentence, write the type of verb you used: physical action, mental action or being verb.
Please, turn in your paper to your class’ basket.

TASK 4
Read This.
In a new Word document:
Type your name, the date and your class period at the upper-left corner of the page.
Identify the main idea and supporting details for 5 of the article’s paragraphs. Make certain you identify the number of the paragraphs.

Welcome Back!
For today’s lesson, you have three tasks to complete. They include:

1. Responding to today’s quote (15 minutes)
2. Finishing typing your essay into your Word file (15 minutes)
3. Begin examining verbs (15 minutes)

Before we get to that, please take out your agenda and write tonight’s homework in your agenda:
Write three sentences about your Monday. Due 9-13

TASK 1
Today’s quote comes from Kanye West:

“We all self-conscious, I’m just the first to admit it.”

Now:

1. Create a new Word file
2. Type your name and the date at the top
3. Copy and paste the quote into the file
4. Below the quote, explain what West meant and whether or not you are self-conscious. Be certain to use specific examples to back up your main ideas.
5. When time is called, save your response in the folder marked “9-12-05 Quote. Name your file: Last Name 9-12 Quote
6. Be prepared to share with your classmates.

TASK 2

1. Please open your 3 Adjectives Essay and finish typing your rough draft into the Word file you created last week. Remember, you only have 15 minutes to work on this task, so it is important you remain focused.
2. When time is called, click “File” and then click “Save.”

TASK 3.1

• Please open one of the English books on your table to page 142.
• Read the book’s explanation of action and being verbs.
• On a piece of notebook paper, write down the parts of the explanation that are important to know about verbs.
• You may work with the partner at your table
• This should include definitions and examples
• After you have completed your notes, please bring them to me. If your notes are complete, I will give you a piece of paper on which to complete TASK 3.2

TASK 3.2

• Please put your Name, the Date, and your class Period in the upper Left corner of your paper.
• Complete 1-8 on pg. 142
• You may work with your table partner if you wish.
• You do NOT need to write the sentence.
• You DO need to write the VERB as well as whether it expresses a MENTAL action, PHYSICAL action or BEING.
• Please turn your completed assignment into your class period’s basket.

EXTRA TIME
If you complete TASKS 1-3 and have extra time remaining, you may:

1. Post a comment to this blog about today’s class, your life or anything else on your mind.
2. Take out a book and read silently.

Yes, it’s Saturday and I’m in Tampa. “Are you up there to see a sporting event? Are you there to pick someone up from the airport? Are you there to go to the mall?” The answer to all is, “No.”
I’m up here to attend a daylong conference put on by the Tampa Bay Area Writing Project. It’s exactly what I need.
Because of all the moving around over the summer, I didn’t get to take part in any English Conferences. I depend on these things to sharpen the saw. They fill me with new ideas, yes. More to the point, though, they help me to remember all of the great and amazing things I can be doing in my classroom to help my students to achieve.
Today, I’ve been to a session on scaffolding, a session on multiple intelligences and now I’m in the third an final session on blogging and IMing and all that in school.

I thought it might be helpful to list the supplies required for my classes online. Eighth or ninth grade, it matters not, the supplies are the same. If I may suggest, www.officedepot.com has some pretty spiffy prices on the items below. I would imagine their in-store prices would be similarly spiffy.

The List

• 1 Mead Composition Notebook (the black and white kind with the cardboard cover, though other colors are acceptable)
• Enthusiasm
• 1 1-inch Binder
• Dedication
• At least 12 #2 Pencils
• Sense of Humor
• 1 package of college-ruled loose leaf paper (at least 150 sheets)
• Willingness to try
• 1 5-pack of binder dividers to keep things organized

Another week of NeXt Generation Teacher training started today. Last week’s training was facilitated by the folks at the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. They certainly did a great job at giving all of us new insights and techniques to incorporate into our classrooms.

I can’t wait to get into the classroom again and meet all of my new students. One of the great parts about being back from summer vacation a few weeks early is the opportunity to meet and and work with the my new colleagues. Being part of a small community of dedicated educators is something that simply motivates me to be a better teacher. When everyone around me is so excited to be doing what they’re doing, it motivates me to do even more to make certain each day is my best. It is daunting, and at the same time, exhilarating.

My focus for the upcoming year will be on writing, on helping my students become the expressive, genuine, talented writers I know they are inside.

I was out mowing the lawn this afternoon and took the time to think and focus on any and all of the possibilities that lie in the year ahead. The potential for life and world-changing work from my students is unlimited. Coupled with my interest in improving their writing is my interest in helping them to see their roles and power as thoughtful, productive participants in our society.

At university, my professors referred to it as “Realizing the Democratic Ideal.” I was swamped with finals and my senior thesis at the time, so I don’t think I really took a close look at the phrase nor the time to think about all it implies. As a teacher, now, with my own classroom and responsibilities to my students, that phrase has returned to the front of my thinking. It’s what I think this year needs to be about.

Three weeks of early-morning training sessions began today. I was at Phoenix at 7:45 this morning to begin my training as a NeXt Generation Teacher.

As nerdy as it may seem, I’m excited to be part of the NeXt Generation program. To be a part of the first wave of the program is even more exciting.

I’ll admit, I was a bit out of my element at first. Today’s session focused on following up on training everyone but I had attended during the second semester of last year. So, each time they were referring to what they had discussed during their last meeting, I was listening to everything I could in order to catch up. I was the kid in class who desperately wanted to contribute, but who had to learn the language first.

About a third of the way through the day, I was up to speed on the whole process and able to be a part of the discussions. What it boils down to is a way to look at teaching in hopes that a class includes a focus in three distinct and important areas: engagement, alignment and rigor.

Is an observed class engaging a large percent of its students at a given moment, and are those students focused on what they should be learning or just on appearing to be listening?

Has the teacher made certain that the materials and tests are actually based on what the state and county say students should be learning? OR Are lessons aligned with state standards?

And lastly-

Is the material being covered at a level that is appropriately challenging to the students.

No matter how much you know about education, it should be fairly clear that these are all areas that are difficult to really say with any certainty whether they are being observed in a classroom. Of, if they are, to what extent.

What I took away from today’s session, though, is the idea that evaluating these factors will hopefully lead to those teachers doing the evaluating make sure they focus on EAR when they design their lessons.

Again, so much of this stuff feels like “duh” stuff, as in, “Duh, shouldn’t we already know this?”

I did not raise my hand and say that. It would have been disrespectful and rude.

Changing the Subject

I got my classroom assignment today. I’ll be teaching 8th Grade Language Arts. Well, to start the year, I’ll have 3 sections of 8th grade and 3 sections of 9th grade. My focus is to be on improving our writing scores. I can’t wait! What an amazing year we’re going to have.

I was talking with Dr. Shelley today and she showed me an article that ran in the New York Times about the school Phoenix is modeled after. Click here to read it. It’s an amazing story we should definitely find inspiration in.

It’s so funny to talk to people about Phoenix and tell them I’m working there and see the looks on their faces or hear their remarks of pity. They act as though I’ve been sent to detention. They just don’t know, yet, that I’m working at what will be the most successful school in the county when the school year is done. Both Mr. Cantees and Dr. Shelley have made the comment that, “If we can just get the students in the building, they will be sold on coming to Phoenix.” It’s true.

Though this year will have it’s challenges – I would be foolish and ignorant not to acknowledge that fact – it’s successes will far outweigh any failures.

I can’t wait.

So Excited!
That’s how I’m feeling about the upcoming school year. I can’t wait to get things started at Phoenix. From out meetings working on the School Improvement Plan two weeks ago, I have no doubt we’re gearing up for a tremendous year of success.

One of the best things that came out of the SIP meeting was also one of the first things we wrote, the school’s mission statement. I’m a firm believer in the idea that you can’t get where you’re going without a map and a compass to guide you. This mission statement will act as our map and compass.
“What is the mission statement?” you ask? Well, let me tell you.

“Recognizing the individuality of each student, Phoenix Academy will meet the needs of every student, everyday.”

That’s what we’re about. That’s what we’re going to do. It’s going to be a tremendous year. I can’t wait meet all of the new students!