August 28, 2014

Post date: Aug 28, 2014 6:19:26 PM

Technology can be such a help...and then it can make frustrations escalate. I've had more trouble in the last few days - phone, computer, website. And to be honest, several of the issues have been the user (a.k.a. me) and not so much the machines. Oh, to wish for the days of ditto masters and chalk boards. O.K. let's not get too radical!

In English 10 we reviewed the information we've been talking about since the beginning of school. We took an old fashioned paper/pencil quiz (take that technology). Then we began to discuss the outline for our first speech. You are encouraged to use bullets or phrases rather than writing out your speech in complete sentences. Writing it out and memorizing is really not giving a speech - it's writing a composition.

In American Literature it was story time! I read a story about the Northern Lights, and we then applied the themes of Native American literature to it. Groups then presented their assigned reading to the class. We answered the questions and reviewed several literary terms. At the beginning of class each student selected a student they wanted to "follow" for the novel project. They were all reminded to post their summary, respond to my book, and comment on a classmates.

In Literature 9 we read the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. We discussed the illustrations the graphic novelist used and how it enhanced our reading and understanding. We then compared our list (10 important details from the essay "A Brother's Crime"). Off to a Moodle quiz. We ended with a SMART board activity with chronological order.

A rainy day makes for one "tired" teacher. Maybe a nap during study hall? Probably not :-)