August 30

We were on a pep rally schedule today, so 4th period was considerably shorter than 3rd period. As a result, we did not have formal reading time or a notebook entry today.

I passed back the choice summer reading writing assignment and the TWISTT paragraphs from yesterday. Students have an opportunity to choose 1 of the paragraphs to revise, type, and submit for a major grade. This is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. Specific instructions are on Canvas.

Students worked in groups to create speeches about different scenarios. We'll use this work as we learn more about argument and persuasion in the coming weeks.

Block lunch begins Tuesday! I have tutorials during A block on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Today's Board

August 29

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week. When they finished, they had time to read their independent reading books.

Today's Article: "A California High School Found Students' Devices Too Distracting, so They're Locking Them Up"

Students worked independently to write two paragraphs in response to yesterday's readings. They handed it in at the end of class.

Today's Board

August 28

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside entry - Students may choose to write whatever they like for their notebook entry today. The entry should be at least 1/2 page long.

Students worked with their groups to compose a literary analysis response to the excerpt from Dispatches from the Edge.

Independently, students read two new passages and used one to complete a TWISTT chart. We will complete the writing task for this tomorrow.

Sometimes I erase the board and start preparing for the next day before I get a picture. When that happens, I share a picture of my dog instead. Baxter loves his tie. :)

Updated Week-at-a-Glance

August 27

IRT: 20 minutes
WNB: We calculated our reading rate today and determined how long it would take to finish our books. Students wrote about the different factors that influenced their reading rate.

We resumed our work with the excerpt from Dispatches from the Edge. Students worked in groups to create a thematic statement and practice embedding quotes (slides available on Canvas). We will continue this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

August 26

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Imagine it's a hundred years in the future and an archaeologist has somehow discovered the entire contents of your digital life. What does your "digital footprint" reveal about you? If you think of you online presence as a historical artifact, what will future historians know and think about you? And how do you think the contents of your digital life match up with what you would want to be known about you? After thinking about a future person discovering your entire digital life, are there any changes you would want to make to what you do and share online?

We wrapped up our work with "The Moth" from Friday. We read an excerpt from Anderson Cooper's Dispatches from the Edge and discussed theme and embedded quotes. We will continue this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

August 23

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world as it should be." - Barack Obama (modified)

Students learned about the TWISTT strategy for analyzing literature. We practiced with a short piece called "The Moth." We will continue working with this strategy next week.

Today's Board

August 22

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "The Graying of America"

Students completed an in-class writing about the perspective or theme of their chosen summer reading book.

Students should bring charged iPads tomorrow!

Today's Board

August 21

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: What message or lesson is the author of your independent reading book trying to get across? How do you know?

We wrapped up our work with perspective and point of view from yesterday. Students spent a little more time thinking about how an event in their chosen summer reading book would be different if told from a different character's perspective.

We began a discussion on theme and big ideas. Students watched a short film called "Oktapodi," listened to a song called "Clean" by Taylor Swift, and applied the concept to their chosen summer reading book.

Students will write about perspective or theme in class tomorrow.

Today's Board

August 20

IRT: ~20 minutes

WNB: What is the point of view of your independent reading book? How would the story be different if told from a different perspective?

Students handed in the Mirrors & Windows assignment.

We began a discussion of perspective and point of view. Students read an excerpt from Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, watched a short film called "Red's Dream," and applied the concept to their chosen summer reading book (the same book they used for the mirrors and windows assignment). We will wrap up this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

August 19

WNB: What's the biggest misconception about teenagers today? When you hear people say "Kids today," what do they usually follow it up with?

Students handed in the One Pager assignment.

Students completed the district-required Nelson Denny reading assessment.

Students used the remaining class time to work on the Mirrors and Windows assignment that is due tomorrow. Students also completed today's notebook entry and reading during this time.

Please bring your iPad all week!

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

August 16, 2019

We went to the library to choose books so we can begin independent reading time on Monday.

We set up our writer's notebooks and completed the first entry: Write a letter to yourself when you're 30 years old.

Students used the remaining class time to work on the Mirrors & Windows assignment (due Tuesday) or the One Pager assignment (due Monday).

Kindness Week starts Monday--wear PURPLE!

Also, please bring your iPad on Monday!

Today's Board

August 15, 2019

We began class with a positive identity activity. Students wrote about how they want to be perceived and remembered.

We spent some time with the iPads and learned about Apple Classroom and other useful tools.

I introduced the article of the week protocol, and students practiced on their first article.

Students received the Windows and Mirrors assignment--this is due at the beginning of class Tuesday, 8/20.

Students should bring a notebook tomorrow so we can set up our writer's notebooks.

Don't forget: One-Pager due at the beginning of class Monday.

Today's Board

August 14, 2019

Students spent some time discovering new books and creating a to-read list in a speed-dating activity.

Students received the one-pager assignment. This is due at the beginning of class on Monday.

Students should be prepared with their summer reading book tomorrow!

Today's Board (Speed dating took a while, so we didn't get to the Positive Identity Activity today.)

August 13, 2019

Welcome to English II PreAP!

We spent some time meeting each other and learning about the classroom today. Students completed an info form, wrote about their names, and discussed summer reading. Students should bring their chosen summer reading novel on Thursday.

Each day, I'll post a picture of the agenda from the board.

At the beginning of each week, I'll post the week-at-a-glance (always subject to change).