March 31

I set up the WebX Teams spaces for each of my classes and helped troubleshoot some issues for my colleagues today during AM office hours.

I left the house to pick up some prescriptions for my mom and a few other essentials. Took Baxter for a walk when I got home. Some of you may know that I was fostering a puppy from DFW Humane Society. She was adopted over the weekend, so things are really quiet at my house right now, and Baxter is very happy about that. He likes other dogs, but he's 12 now, and he just doesn't have the patience for the younger ones.

Nothing too exciting to report from PM office hours except for the governor's announcement that schools will be closed until at least May 4. Haven't decided how I feel about that yet; Baxter, however, is thrilled!

It was a beautiful day for a walk with Baxter!

March 30

Welcome to the "new normal"!

I wasn't sure if I'd continue to post a recap blog now that everything is virtual. At first, it didn't seem necessary since everything is right there in Canvas. However, the blog was also a way for me to reflect on the day, so I think I'll continue to use it in that way.

Today was the first official virtual day. Students accessed a weekly plan on Canvas that directs them to choose 3 different "experiences" to complete throughout the week. Additionally, students are expected to keep up with their independent reading. I figure you've watched everything on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Disney by now, so time to read should be easy to come by!

I held office hours from 9-11:30 and 2:30-4. Today, I spent time calling students in my advisory class to check in and see if I could answer any questions. I also answered a few emails from my English II PreAP students who were getting a good start on the lessons in Canvas. Many students have submitted work already, and I'm really impressed by what they've produced!

Since it's #MissYouMonday, I have to let you know that I really miss you! Most of you know that I taught online for a year or so, and the main reason I returned to the classroom was because I missed the face-to-face interaction that you just don't get online. It's weird to be back in the virtual world, but the skills I learned are definitely useful, and I've been able to support my colleagues along the way. Hoping to see you all again soon!

Here's my work-from-home situation (coffee not pictured)

March 13

Third and 4th periods took their midterm exam today. All grades will be finalized before I leave this afternoon.

Have a great spring break!

March 12

Second period completed their midterm exam today. Grades will be posted before the end of the day Friday.

Third and 4th periods reviewed for the exam, completing a STAAR revising and editing practice and a Kahoot over satire terms.

Today's Board

March 11

IRT: ~20 minutes

Second period students completed a revising and editing practice, which had examples of the types of questions they'll answer on that part of the midterm exam. We also completed a satire terms review on Kahoot.

We were having network issues yesterday afternoon. Since many students in 3rd and 4th periods weren't able to complete the assignments, we took time in class today to do that. We'll do the review activities tomorrow.

Today's Board

March 10

WNB: Reflect on your sophomore year so far. What has gone well? What would you change?

Students completed the midterm writer's notebook check assignment.

Students used the remaining class time to complete the midterm reading reflection.

Today's Board

March 9

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

We completed a practice AP-style multiple choice passage over Julius Caesar and discussed the responses.

Students began working on the midterm reading reflection. This is a major grade, and it is due at the end of class tomorrow.

Students have the opportunity to add points to the reading reflection, notebook check, and midterm exam by handing in scored articles of the week. All points should be handed in by Wednesday.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance

March 6

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: "The more you get into someone else's stories, the less they become an 'other.'" - Glynn Washington

I passed back scored rubrics for the Performance Task 1 assignment. Students can find comments on Canvas. Those who have questions should plan to come to tutorials anytime before or after school or A block Tuesday.

Students received a copy of the midterm review.

We finished reading Julius Caesar, focusing on Antony's speech in Act III Scene 2 and the violence in Act III Scene 3. We completed the comparison chart from yesterday and discussed slide 17 from "Speaker Situation Significance."

Coming Up
Monday, 3/9 - Midterm Reading Reflection, due end of class Tuesday (major grade)
Tuesday, 3/10 - Midterm Writer's Notebook check (minor grade)
Thursday, 3/12 - 2nd period midterm exam
Friday, 3/13 - 3rd & 4th periods midterm exams, early release

Today's Board

March 5

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Choose 1 and respond. "A stumble may prevent a fall." // "Better to light a candle than curse the darkness."

I reminded students to keep up with the currently reading pages in their writer's notebooks. This will be important when we begin the reading reflection assignment on Monday.

We recapped Act III Scene 1. We watched and discussed Brutus' speech in Act III Scene 2 (lines 1-56). Students completed a comparison chart to analyze Brutus' speech and responded to slide 27 from "Reading Julius Caesar." We will continue this work tomorrow.

Coming Up
Monday, 3/9 - Midterm Reading Reflection, due end of class Tuesday (major grade)
Tuesday, 3/10 - Midterm Notebook Check (minor grade)
Thursday, 3/12 - 2nd period Midterm Exam
Friday, 3/13 - 3rd & 4th periods Midterm Exam // Early Release

Today's Board

March 4

Students had the first 30 minutes of class to respond to a brief assignment on Canvas about Act II of Julius Caesar then read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week in their writer's notebooks.

Today's Article: "What Would Happen if US Schools Close Because of Coronavirus?"

We read and watched Act III Scene 1 of Julius Caesar and discussed slides 20-23 from "Reading Julius Caesar" and slide 15 from "Speaker Situation Significance," adding our responses to our notes. We will continue this work tomorrow.

Today's Board

March 3

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

We finished reading Act II today, discussing and taking notes over slides 13-18 from "Reading Julius Caesar" and slides 12-13 from "Speaker Situation Significance." Students worked with their groups to  read and answer questions about Scenes 3 and 4 and complete a storyboard for an assigned scene.

Today's Board

March 2

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: On paper

We recapped our reading of Act I of Julius Caesar. Students shared their scene storyboards and responded to slide 9 on the "Reading Julius Caesar" slides.

We began reading Act II, discussing and taking notes over the first two parts of Scene 1 (slides 10-12 on "Reading Julius Caesar" and slides 10-11 on "Speaker Situation Significance"). We will finish reading Act II tomorrow.

Today's Board

Week-at-a-Glance