Last Day

Today we reviewed the quarter by playing Jeopardy. We focused on what we learned over the term: verbs, punctuation, The Outsiders, and using the computer to write an essay. The winning team will receive a one point boost to their AR score. I hope everybody has a good break and those that were unfocused and immature over the first quarter, I hope you find some guidance to help you in quarter two.

Homework:
Read AR (30 minutes per day)

Almost Done

With one day left, we were able to get through the rest of the mock trails. All that is left for students is AR and for some, the essay they have not turned in yet.Essays and AR points all are due by tomorrow. Final grades will not be completed until the essays are graded, which will take some of the intersession to do. Check edline periodically during the break as I will update as papers are graded.

Homework:
Read AR (points due tomorrow)
Turn in paper (for those that have not done it)

Mock Trials

Today we started our mock trials of the crimes in The Outsiders and so far, they were a little disappointing. Don't get me wrong, there were a couple of really good ones, but overall the preparation and logic is lacking. Hopefully the students will improve on these areas as the year progresses.

Homework:
Read AR (points due Wednesday)

Mock Trials

Today was a preview of our mock trials that will take place next week. The preview hopefully gave students an idea of what is expected of them.The rest of the time and tomorrow will be group time for them to talk about their cases and find evidence from The Outsiders to prosecute or defend the person on trial. Every students was given a sheet with an outline to fill in with questions and answers. To see the sheets, go into the "Contents" folder in edline.

Homework:
Read AR (points due 9/26)
Finish paper (due in class for those typing; 11:59 PM for those emailing)

Connection Summative

Today the students took a summative on making connections to reading through their values. Just one summative left and that is the essay we have been working on for the past month. It is due on Friday at 11:59 PM for those that are emailing it. Those typing it out or handwriting it must turn it in on Friday during class along with all drafts. Also, AR points will be added in edline tomorrow. Students have until the last day of school to get their points.

Homework:
Read AR
Finish essay

Inference Summative and Mock Trial

Today I passed back the inference summative and went over why so many students did poorly. The major problem was they didn't answer the question. The focus should have been on the culture instead of on the characters. Afterward, we went over the final week of class as we will be doing mock trials on the crimes committed by the characters in The Outsiders. Each group has a crime to present and all members have characters to play.

Homework:
Finish essay (due Friday at 11:59 PM) label as final paper
Read AR (points due next Wednesday)

Paper Formatting and Connection Practice

Today I went over the rubric for the essay that is due on Friday at 11:59 PM. Those that are not emailing the essay need to turn it in on Friday during class. Also, make sure all corrections are made to get the best grade possible. Afterward, students prepared for the connection summative on Wednesday by writing a paragraph. Click here to see the worksheet.

Homework:
Read AR (points due next week Wednesday)
Finish paper (due Friday)

Family Values

Today we started our next unit on how students connect to what they are reading. In this case, how do students view actions and characters in The Outsiders. They worked on a sheet that made them think about their values and we discussed how values are different for different people. Click here to see the sheet.

Homework:
Read AR
Finish connector sheets and 836 formative on connecting to reading

The Outsiders is Done

Today we finished reading The Outsiders in class, so the students need to finish up their connections. They will need the connections sheet to help them with formative and summative. I also went over what is left for students to do in the class to get their grade up. The main summative left is the five paragraph essay that is due next week. make sure the paper is done and proof read so you can get the best possible grade.

Homework:
Finish connections

Inference Summative

Today the students took their summative on inferences. Overall, the students didn't to too well so because it was a summative, grades may drop by two grades. Tomorrow we start the next unit on making personal connections to reading. Students need to finish their connections because we will be reading chapter 12.

Homework:
Finish chapter 11 connections

Inference Review and Ch. 11

With the summative scheduled for tomorrow, we reviewed making inferences, backing them up with details, and explaining how the detail proves the inference using text-to-world scenarios. Afterward, we read chapter  11.

Homework:
Do connections for chapter 11

Chapter 10

We are almost done with The Outsiders as we read chapter 10 and finished it in class. Students also had about 10 minutes to work on their connections. There are only two chapters left so students that are behind on their connections better get on the ball.

Homework:
Do connections for chapter 10

Formative Review

Today we went over the formative students took on Wednesday. The focus was on making their inferences correct and details supportive. Click here to see the presentation. Afterward, we worked on a tree map for making inferences about characters and supporting them with details. Click here to see the sheet.

Homework:
Conclusion due tonight by 11:59 PM

Chapter 9

Today we read chapter nine in class and reviewed chapters six-eight as the students have been reading a lot on their own. Students need to remember to keep doing their connections. The rubric for the paper was also passed out today. Click here to see it. Papers need to be emailed by tomorrow at 11:59 PM or, if handwritten or printed out, need to be turned in tomorrow.

Homework:
Read Ch. 9
Type and email conclusion

Inference Formative

Today students worked on a formative on making inferences. We have been working on inferences for the past few weeks and just looking at the formatives, most students seem to be understanding what is needed. Afterward, the students continued reading The Outsiders and need to read through chapter eight by tomorrow.

Homework:
Read chapter eight
Write conclusion (due Friday)

Conclusions

Today we went over conclusions for the students' 5-paragraph essay that is due next week Friday. Click here to see the presentation. Students can start writing their conclusions after making the corrections to the introduction and body. Afterward, we also went over inferences and details in preparation for our summative tomorrow.

Homework:
Read Ch. 7
Work on conclusion