Thursday, August 27, 2015

Post date: Aug 27, 2015 7:37:47 PM

I really believe the weather has impacted the level of energy in the building. It seemed it took awhile for all of us to wake up and greet the world. Once the sun was out, and the rain stopped the mood definitely lightened.

In Literature 9 we're still trying to get everyone on the same page. I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel however. We reviewed the make-up policy, phones in the bag, and grading breakdown. In first hour we then reviewed our homework - figures of speech. Everyone in a group of three to four shared their answers, then highlighted the three clues that they thought were particularly hard, and then we shared. We then tied it to the concept of prior knowledge. Some people knew the phrases like "a New York minute" because of a television show or they had heard the phrase before. Then we (finally) got to our play dough activity. This activity was designed to see who had a work ethic to stick to creating something that represented themselves. We then went around the room and described our "creation". It's been a fun activity. Sixth hour worked on the figure of speech activity. Rather than doing it as homework, the groups worked on it for twelve minutes, then shared three difficult phrases, and then we discussed prior knowledge. All-in-all a great day!

In English 10 we continue to catch up from missed class periods. Second hour reviewed the grading procedure, make-up work, and phone policy. We then completed another reading activity (Drawing a conclusion). We're getting better at these - most figured it out before I read to the bottom of the selection. Then they too played with the play dough, described it, and bam! speech #1 completed. Sixth hour worked on a collaborative activity - solving the murder of Mr. Kelly. It was great to see how everyone really worked well in their groups. Each had a different way of coming to their answer. Then as a class we discussed a possible motive. It was a great lesson.

In American Literature we reviewed grading procedure, phone policy, and make-up work. We're all signed up for Remind and our discussion cards are filled out. We discussed what qualities it took when someone decides to move to en entirely new place. Then we adjourned to the commons to use the round tables. Each student was assigned to a colony with a specific purpose (religious, economic, or utopian). Then they chose the name for their colony. Some of quite the name and background. Then the group assignments were explained - personnel manifest and supply requisitions. The groups are then split to decide what type of colonists are needed to fulfill the purpose of their colony. A second group was given dimensions of a cargo hold and given the task to figure out what supplies are needed for the colonists. On Tuesday - the next time we meet - they will present their findings. Each colony should work during their study hall on this project.

I look back at what we accomplished today, and whew, I'm tired. What a great day! I love my job!