Day 3 August 30, 2017 (Wednesday)

Post date: Aug 30, 2017 7:58:45 PM

I think we're getting into the swing of things. We're still trying to get all the introductory activities completed, but soon we'll be in midst of units, objectives, and tests. Today I discussed the importance of collaboration, perseverance, and integrity. I think I've always emphasized those things in class, but I didn't necessarily emphasize the words themselves. I'm going to make a stronger effort to use those words, create lessons that build those attributes and model them for all I encounter.

In Literature 9 we finished up our stations (still have two to go in Period 2). We then stapled all our papers together, turned them in, and prepared for moving on. At the beginning of class, we watched a video about "Making Your Bed". This Admiral really puts together a wonderful argument for making your bed, judging people by their hearts rather than their statures, and never giving up. I watched this five-minute video eight times, and each time I've been inspired. For homework students have another "perseverance" assignment - Figurative Language puzzle.

In English 10 I could almost cut and paste from Literature 9. We watched the video, finished up our stations, and turned in the appropriate work. We then started our four for 4th Quarter. We're going to start with mechanics - commas, capitalization, and end punctuation. We worked with a letter called "Dear John". First it's a lovey-dovey letter, and then with the simple movement of punctuation, it becomes a "get-lost" letter. For homework, complete the front or backside of the letter (depending on which hour you had English 10).

American Government was discussing and applying the four roles of government. We started class by listening to and watching the video of Pink's song "Dear Mr. President". I was surprised at the number of students who had never heard this song, but who am I kidding? I hadn't heard it either. We then discussed which president she was referring to, was the letter true or fair, and what did you agree or disagree with. Then we linked this conversation to "why study government". I distributed the syllabus which has 10 reasons for studying government, we read them together, and then everyone was to circle one reason that applies to them. Now we moved onto the four roles of government. We completed a graphic, and then we tried to get to where we applied it to Hurricane Harvey, but time got the better of us. Homework is to gather ideas you want to put in your own letter to the president. We will gather more ideas, and the letter is due next Wednesday (after Labor Day).

Tonight is open house, and that is a little different than what we're used to, but I'm excited to see people.