December 20

Students took their final exams today!

It's been a pleasure getting to know these students over the past 18 weeks. I hope you continue to read!

Here's to tackling your to-do list this holiday season!

December 19

IRT: ~20 minutes

We wrapped up our discussion of fake news and satire and handed in the fake news notes.

Students will take their English final exam tomorrow.

Today's cartoon

December 18

IRT: ~20 minutes

We updated the Final Exam Review, changing "oxymoron" to "paradox" in the literary terms section and eliminating the revising and editing section. Students will take their final exams in English on Friday.

We learned about fake news and how satire plays a role. We will finish this work tomorrow.

Not much interesting on the board today, so here's a Liz Climo cartoon instead.

December 17

IRT ~20 minutes

Students used class time to finish and turn in the Final Reading Reflection assignment. When finished, students were encouraged to study for their final exams.

Today's Board

December 16

IRT: ~30 minutes

Students picked up their writer's notebooks today.

I passed back rubrics for PT 2. Grades entered include the points from the scored article that students handed in.

Students began working on the Final Reading Reflection assignment. Students will finish this tomorrow, and it is due at the end of class Tuesday, 12/18. This is the last major grade.

Tutorial Schedule
Tuesday, 12/17 - A block
Wednesday, 12/18 - 7:45am & 3:45pm
Thursday, 12/19 - 7:45am & 3:45pm

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

December 13

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: 2019 was the best year. - Agree or disagree, and respond personally or historically, locally or globally.

Students completed a notebook check form and handed in their notebooks.

Students had the opportunity to hand in 2 scored articles to add points to the PT2 assignment and next week's reading reflection.

Students received a final exam review.

Students analyzed video clips for satire.

Coming Up
Tuesday, 12/17 - Final Reading Reflection due (major grade)
Friday, 12/20 - Final Exams // Early Release @ 12:20pm

Today's Board

December 12

I helped with STAAR testing today, so students had a substitute.

Today's Agenda for 3rd period

Today's Agenda for 4th period

December 11

WNB: Students made a list of awesome things, then chose one to write about.

We went to the library so students could find books and recheck books before tomorrow's STAAR test.

We discussed the format of the STAAR test. We checked answers for the "Big Fish" passage from Monday. Students completed crossover questions about that passage and the poem from last week.

Students will take the STAAR English II EOC tomorrow!

Today's Board

December 10

I helped with STAAR testing today, so students had a substitute.

Today's Article: "Not a Regular Reader? 4 Strategies To Make Reading a Habit"

Today's Agenda

December 9

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: We watched a satirical commercial, and students wrote about what elements made it funny.

I walked through the steps for submitting the Performance Task 2 assignment. Students should change the sharing settings on the slides so that anyone in LISD with the link can view them. They should then copy that link and paste it when submitting the assignment. The assignment is due at 11:59pm tonight (59 minutes added by popular demand)!

Students took notes over satire, and we discussed examples along the way. This material will appear on the final exam next week.

Students completed a practice STAAR Reading passage. We will go over this on Wednesday.

Coming Up
Today, 11:59pm - PT 2 due on Canvas (major grade)
Thursday, 12/12 - English II STAAR EOC
Friday, 12/13 - Final Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade)
Tuesday, 12/17 - Final Reading Reflection (major grade)
Friday, 12/20 - Final Exams and Early Release

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

December 6

Students had the option to begin class with reading time or go right to work on their projects. This is the last day we will use class time to work--the assignment is due at 11pm on Monday. I'll answer any questions about the assignment on Monday, but students will not have class time to work. I've set up a discussion on Canvas where students can ask questions over the weekend. I'll be checking in and responding periodically.

The English II STAAR EOC test is Thursday, December 12. Students should check the lists posted in the hallway to find out where to report for testing.

Coming Up
Monday, 12/9 - Performance Task 2 due @ 11pm (major grade)
Thursday, 12/12 - English II STAAR EOC test
Friday, 12/13 - Final Writer's Notebook Check (minor grade)
Tuesday, 12/17 - Final Reading Reflection (major grade)
Friday, 12/20 - Final Exams & Early Release

Today's Board

December 5

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist." - Indira Gandhi // Write an essay stating your opinion on whether anger hurts or helps when solving a problem.

Students had time to work on the character mandala and performance task 2 assignments. The written portion of the character mandala was due at the end of class today. Students also turned in their theme statement to be checked today. The mandala and PT2 are due at 11pm Monday, 12/9. Students will have class time tomorrow to continue working.

Today's Board

December 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Students selected an interesting quote from their independent reading book today and followed the instructions in the picture below.

Today's writer's notebook entry

I recapped the instructions for the character mandala and Performance Task 2 assignments and attempted to clarify any confusion. Students used the remaining class time to work. The written portion of the mandala assignment is due at the end of class tomorrow. The actual mandala and Performance Task 2 are due Monday, 12/9. Students will have class time tomorrow and Friday to work on these assignments.

Today's Board

December 3

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

We went over the Antigone test. Students will see this material again on the final exam.

I introduced Performance Task #2. Students had class time to work on the Character Mandala Assignment (minor grade - written portion due end of class Thursday) and PT2 (major grade - due end of day Monday, 12/9). We will use the majority of class time for the rest of the week to work on these two assignments.

Today's Board

Overview of the next 3 weeks

December 2

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

Writer's Notebook entry for Monday, 12/2

We completed a STAAR reading practice passage. (I'm going to move this practice to later in the week.) The English II STAAR EOC is Thursday, December 12.

Students began working on the Character Mandala Assignment. The written portion of this assignment is due at the end of class Thursday. The actual mandala will be incorporated into Performance Task 2, which we will begin tomorrow.

Students should bring their charged iPads and headphones all week!

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

November 22

Students had the first 25 minutes to read, annotate, and respond to today's article in their writer's notebook, then read independently.

Today's article: "Revenge: Will You Feel Better?"

We finished viewing The Lion King and tracking archetypes.

Wishing you all a restful and thankful Thanksgiving break!

Today's Board

November 21

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Oxford Dictionary named "climate emergency" as the word of the year. Share your thoughts on this development. (Read more about how the word is chosen.)

Students completed a practice STAAR reading passage.

Students applied their new knowledge of archetypes to The Lion King. We will complete this work tomorrow.

Students will begin a project involving their AP book on Monday, December 2. They should have finished reading the book by that date. (I added a reminder to the board after I had already taken today's board photo.)

Today's Board

November 20

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Why is it that we sometimes fear people who are different? Why do many people think it's so important to fit in? If someone doesn't mind being different, why do we often still pressure them to conform?

We finished the archetype notes from yesterday (available on the Archetypes page on Canvas). We read "The Scarlet Ibis" and looked for archetypes in the story.

Today's Board

November 19

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: A Walk in the Woods -- Students responded to different scenarios and encounters. This is a brief introduction to archetypes and the collective unconscious.

Students completed a STAAR revising and editing practice.

Students received notes on archetypes and shared examples from movies and books they're familiar with. We will continue these notes tomorrow.

Today's Board

November 18

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: What kind of traditions do you and your family have during the holidays?

We practiced using the "Judging Poetry" criteria to evaluate a poem in Poetry Packet #1 ("Barter") and discussed how the system works.

Students used the "Judging Poetry" page with their 2 chosen poems from Poetry Packet #2 and determined which poem best fits the criteria. Students handed this work in before the end of class (Poetry Battle & 2 TWISTT Charts assignment on Canvas).

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

November 15

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week then read independently.

Today's Article: "China Introduces Restrictions on Video Games for Minors"

Students completed a STAAR revising and editing practice.

Students chose 2 poems from Poetry Packet #2 to analyze using the TWISTT strategy. This work is due Monday.

Today's Board

November 14

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Today's notebook entry was inspired by a request from a podcast called RadioLab. If you'd like to submit a suggestion, you can do so at this link: Sounds for Jimmy

Students handed in the Spoken Word Response from yesterday.

Students completed a STAAR revising and editing practice. - We actually didn't get to this today--we'll try again tomorrow.

Students received a new packet of poems and took some time to explore. Students chose 1 poem to discuss with their classmates. We will continue this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

November 13

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

We used the TWISTT strategy to analyze a poem. Students will continue this work through the week.

Students chose a spoken word poem and completed analysis and discussion questions after they listened.

Students who need to retake the Antigone test should come in A block tomorrow. All students should bring charged iPads all week.

Today's Board

November 12

Students completed a timed writing assignment today.

Students who would like to retake the Antigone test should plan to come in A block Thursday, 11/14.

Students should bring charged iPads and headphones tomorrow and bring charged iPads all week.

Today's Board

November 11

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Why is it important to recognize Veterans Day?

Students took some time to wrap up the outline they began on Friday. We discussed the format of tomorrow's timed writing.

We took a few notes over poetry terms and read some poems that utilize those terms. We will return to this work on Wednesday.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

November 8

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: A bucket list is full of things that you want to do before you die. Some people want to travel the world; others want to go skydiving. But today's entry isn't about your bucket list. Instead, create your REVERSE bucket list: a list of things you hope you never have to do before you die, like being alone in nature for an extended period of time (no thanks!).

We reviewed the "How To Persuade" slides and practiced planning responses to two different prompts. We will continue this work on Monday. Hopefully this will prepare students for Tuesday's timed writing.

Today's Board

November 7

Students took the Antigone test today. This test takes a little longer to grade, so scores should be entered by Tuesday.

Tomorrow's timed writing has been postponed to Tuesday.

Not much on the board today, so here's a fun cartoon. Have a good weekend!

Finally feels like fall.

November 6

Students used the first 30 minutes to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week then read independently.

Today's Article: "The Flu Vaccine: Everything You Need To Know"

We read and analyzed a speech from Antigone and an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Students looked for common elements.

Tomorrow is the Antigone test! May the odds be ever in your favor!

Today's Board

November 5

IRT: 20 minutes
WNB: Students calculated their reading rate and wrote about factors that affected it.

Students handed in the Antigone packet. We reviewed the end of the play, and I answered questions about the test. The test is Thursday.

Students rewrote their Ode 1 Paradox assignment and practiced writing short answers to more questions.

Today's Board

November 4

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

Today's notebook entry

We finished up the last 4 literary devices in the Antigone packet. Students used the remaining time to complete the packet and begin working on the test review. The test will be Thursday, 11/7.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

November 1

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

Students worked with their groups to finish reading and analyzing Antigone. Students will have time to complete this work on Monday before they will hand in the packet on Tuesday. The test over this material will be Thursday, November 7. Students will receive a review on Monday.

Today's Board

October 31

Students used the first 30 minutes to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week, and then read independently.

Today's article: "California Becomes First State in the Country To Push Back School Start Times" - Many of our articles mention California because the person who curates them lives there.

We recapped Scenes 2 & 3 of Antigone and filled in the literary devices page through #8. Students then worked with their groups to continue reading and analyzing the play. Students should finish the play today or tomorrow and complete the packet before Tuesday.

Today's Board

Happy Halloween!

October 30

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Some people believe that there's no such thing as a truly unselfish act, that even when we do something to help others, we're still seeking glory and satisfaction for ourselves. What do you think?

We went over a few of the literary devices from the first page of the packet. Students used the remaining time to read and analyze Antigone with their groups. Most groups are on track to complete the reading by Friday.

Today's Board

October 29

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Are there any present-day rules or laws that you feel are unjust? What laws would you like to see changed and why? What are some ways to protest an unjust law?

I recapped Scene 1 of Antigone and answered any questions students had. Students worked in their groups to continue reading and analyzing the play. Students also responded to a question about Ode 1 on Canvas.

A test over this material is scheduled for Thursday, November 7.

Today's Board

October 28

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

Writer's Notebook for 10/28

I recapped the Prologue and Parados from Antigone with students. Students continued working with their groups to read and analyze the play. Students should have read the Parados and Scene 1 (and possibly Ode 1) and completed the corresponding work today.

I reminded students that they should select and read and AP book this 9 weeks. The book should be completed by Monday, December 2, so we can use it for an assignment that week.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance