Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Post date: Sep 16, 2015 7:23:23 PM

Today was another really good day. I just love the way this school year is starting. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but maybe I should be a little more optimistic.

In Literature 9 everyone turned in their Ship-Trap Island maps. They were amazing. One student turned in a three-dimensional map that absolutely blew the doors off everyone. Great job Joe! We then used the rest of the class period to work on our first vocabulary lesson. It seemed like everyone was o.k. with the words and activities, but we'll see if our new vocabulary strategies are working. We were going to try and do a little bit reviewing figurative language, but we didn't quite make that, so we'll finish that up tomorrow.

In English 10 we reviewed the seven elements of an effective speaker and the six steps to being a good listener. We then took those steps and applied them to a TED talk on a listening bias. Then we took notes on blocks to listening. Finally I gave a sample Past, Present, and Future speech. Tomorrow we will write our speaking notes, rehearse, and then give the speech itself.

In American Government we started class discussing things we had seen in the news. We had some pretty lively conversations going. Then I presented the Types of Government (Democracy, Totalitarian, Communism, Fascism, Monarchy, Theology, and Oligarchy. Using that information, everyone is supposed to write a postcard as if they live under two of those particular governments. The pictures should reflect what people's lives are like under that form of government. They should then write a narrative describing their lives.

Another day done, and hopefully another student inspired!