Dec. 17, 2010

Today we defined, or attempted to define, vocabulary 11. Students were going to complete and SRI also if the wireless worked in their class.

Dec. 16, 2010

Today we took vocabulary quiz 10. We finished our word search. We finished class by reading Romeo and Juliet Act 3 scene 2.

Dec. 14, 2010

Today we did a big word search followed by a reading of Romeo and Juliet. The students need to study vocabulary for their quiz next class.

Dec. 13, 2010

Today students viewed a clip of the modern Romeo and Juliet film in order for some of it to sink in a bit more. We did word association with our new vocabulary. We also did a homework vocabulary assignment. The students have some moodle usage practice to complete by next class.

Dec. 9, 2010

Today we took a couple of pop quizzes on Romeo and Juliet Acts 1 and 2. We also wrote support paragraphs for an ACT prompt on year around school.

Dec. 7, 2010

Today we started a short usage unit. Students reviewed to,too and there, they're and their. We did some online review. We also took a vocabulary 9 quiz.

Dec. 6, 2010

Today we took a verb test. Students are to read Romeo and Juliet Act 2, scenes 5 and 6 for homework. We will have vocabulary quiz 9 tomorrow.

Dec. 2, 2010

Students completed a short brain teaser to start class. We spent a bit of time on verbs and classifying types of verbs. We will have a test starting Monday on verbs and classifying them. Students need to read two film reviews that are linked on moodle and see if they can find things that the reviews have in common. Vocabulary will be due on Monday. Our vocabulary 9 quiz will be Tuesday.

Dec. 2, 2010

Today students wrote on a forum about their motivating influences. Students received exercises for vocabulary 9. We talked about consequences of love at first sight. Students chose an article to read and identify verbs also.

Nov. 30, 2010

Today the students recited memorizations of the Prologue to Romeo and Juliet. Students have to read Act 2 scene 4 for homework. Tomorrow we will start new vocab and work on Romeo and Juliet comprehension.

Nov. 19,2010

Today we started off with a few short exercises on linking verbs and helping verbs. We wrote some paragraphs about curfews. The students are to finish the paragraphs if not finished. We have a vocabulary quiz next class. The students are to read Romeo and Juliet act 2 scene 3.

Nov. 16, 2010

Today we began vocabulary 8 and it is due Friday and Monday. We talked about the supporting paragraphs for essays. Students worked on projects that are due Thursday. Students received questions on Romeo and Juliet that are due Thursday.

Nov. 15, 2010

Today we took vocab quiz 7 on moodle. Students worked on Elizabethan projects while I evaluated their writing. We read Romeo and Juliet Act 1.5. We talked about love at first sight. Students will MEMORIZE the prologue for Romeo and Juliet over the next two weeks. Their homework was to start memorizing and read up through 2.1.

Nov. 11, 2010

Today we started with a clip from a modern version of Romeo and Juliet and then talked about why it is more understandable. We worked on projects. We wrote and introduction and students have Romeo and Juliet questions and reading to complete for homework.

Nov. 10, 2010

Students identified verbs today to start class. Students worked with a partner today on Elizabethan Age projects. We looked at a short piece of an old Romeo and Juliet. I have copies for a couple of writing contests. Students will have a vocabulary quiz on MONDAY in which they will use their vocabulary words in sentences. www.yourdictionary.com is the site I recommend for studying vocabulary sentences and synonyms.

Nov. 8, 2010

Today we started with some free rice donations. We did a short word game. The students were made aware of three opportunities to either enter writing contests or come in contact with a local writer. I gave students partners for their projects on Shakespeare's times and life. We talked about Romeo and Juliet Act 1 scene 2. Students are to read Act 1 scene 3 for homework.

Nov. 5, 2010

today we started with a brain teaser starter. We started vocabulary 7 which is due next time. We talked about act 1.1. We went over some verb worksheets. Students are to read Romeo and Juliet 1.2.

Nov. 3, 2010

Today we took vocabulary quiz 6. Students posted and responded to posts on moodle concerning Shakespeare's life and times. We started Romeo and Juliet. Students are to read Romeo and Juliet act 1 scene 1. Students also received verb sheets to reinforce helping and linking verbs due next class.

Nov. 2, 2010

Today was a big shakespeare introduction day. Students received credit for completing a vocabulary sheet. Students have a vocabulary quiz next class.

Oct. 29, 2010

Today we looked at a film on the controversiality of Huck Finn. The students are getting good at commenting online in a forum format.

Oct. 28, 2010

Today we took a short test on Huck Finn that included multiple choice questions and an introductory paragraph. The students handed in a linking verb worsheet. Students have a vocabulary 6 assignment to complete.

Oct. 26, 2010

Today we took vocabulary 5 quiz. We watched a film on Huck Finn and its importance to American Literature. The students received two verb sheets which are due next class. The students also wrote on some moodle forums to complete a discussion on Huck Finn.

Oct. 25, 2010

Today was a busy day in class! Vocabulary 5 tic tac toe was collected. Final questions for Huck Finn were collected. We went over some verb worksheets in class. The students learned about helping verbs and linking verbs. Vocabulary quiz 5 is next class. Students should have finished Huck Finn and should be reviewing content as we will have a test on Thursday.

Oct. 21, 2010

Today we wrote an introduction and the students rated their introduction knowledge. We also started verbs and talked about how students must vary their verbs in their writing. The students have three things due on Monday: Huck Finn questions through the end of the novel, verb worksheets, and vocabulary 5 tic tac toe.

Oct. 18, 2010

Students handed in questions for Huck Finn today for chapters 18-32. Students received questions through the end of the book today. They had their last day of work on projects due Wednesday. We talked about introductions again today. Finally, students received vocabulary 5 and a tic tac toe assignment. Projects are due Wednesday.

Oct. 13, 2010

Today the students took vocabulary 4 quiz. The students worked on their Huck Finn projects. The students turned in their last worksheet on indefinite pronoun agreement.

Oct. 12, 2010

Today was a busy day! We started with a quick pronoun agreement exercise as a group. Questions for Huck Finn were collected. Students worked on projects for Huck Finn. Three assignments were given out. Students received a short vocabulary assignment. Students received questions for Huck Finn through chapter 31. Students received their final pronoun agreement worksheet. We went over how to write introductions once more. Vocabulary quiz four will be next class. We will have a test on Friday over pronoun agreement and writing an introduction.

Oct. 8, 2010

Today I checked student writing. I looked at introductions written by the students and gave them feedback and a grade. Students received new vocabulary, worked on projects, worked at online infinite pronoun practice, and read their books. Homework is to have read Huck Finn up through chapter 19 and answered the questions.

Oct. 7, 2010

Today was vocabulary 3 quiz. Indefinite pronoun sheets 11&12 were collected. Students worked on raft/river projects. Students finished class writing an introduction from a prompt that was on the overhead projector.

Oct. 5, 2010

Today we took a pronoun quiz over the indefinite pronouns so that students can work with pronoun agreement better in their writing. We corrected a pronoun worksheet as well as starting a new one to reinforce the pronoun agreement issue. We are starting a project where students will create a raft as well as a map/diagram of the Mississippi River where Huck Finn takes place. The students learned about how to write an introduction today too.

Oct. 4, 2010

Today we looked at some pictures of steamboats on the Missisippi along with listening to a slave spiritual. We then talked about racism/slavery and the satire in Huck Finn. We talked about indefinite pronouns and the students will have a quiz over them next class. Questions were collected for the first nine chapters of Huck Finn. New questions for the next nine chapters were assigned as well as a sheet on indefinite pronouns. Students need to finish vocabulary three squares by Thursday.

Sept. 30, 2010

Today we started vocabulary 3 and a new set of vocabulary blocks on the computers. We also had a lesson about pronoun agreement and we will continue with pronoun agreement over the next week or so until we are ready for a test on nouns and pronouns. Students should have read through chapter 9 by Monday in Huck Finn.

Sept. 29, 2010

Today students received questions to go with their reading of Huck Finn. They should have the questions and the reading completed by next Monday for class. We went over a pronoun identification packet. I met with every student individually to look at their first attempt at writing a thesis statement.

Sept. 27, 2010

Mr. Annen had to stay home with a sick 3 month old and three year old:( Students worked on pronouns, reading the first ten chapters of Huck Finn and a thesis in class today. Pronoun worksheet is due the next class.

Sept. 23, 2010

We took vocabulary 2 quiz today. We started pronouns and the students wrote down all of them. We did some free writing on racism and slavery to lead us into Huck Finn.

Sept. 21, 2010

The students were told about www.freerice.com and should sign up for it. We talked about nouns and their noun sheet reading. We then looked at a topoic and learned how to write a thesis for the first time. Homework is to study vocabulary for their quiz on Thursday.

Sept. 20, 2010

Today we tried to finish our vocabulary squares. We also started a noun identification sheet. Vocabulary 2 quiz is Thursday. Students should be signing up for www.freerice.com at home. They need their email and then search for their block in school to compete as a class versus my other classes.

Sept. 16, 2010

Today we did a quick word game and then the students began a vocabulary project on their minis. They were to place the word in the middle of a page, put the definition on the top left, a sentence using the word on the top right, a synonym on the bottom left, and a picture on the bottom right. We will upload them to moodle to turn them in soon.

Sept. 15, 2010

Today we took our first vocabulary quiz and it was on the computer. This is how all of our vocabulary quizzes will be taken. Grades will be posted quickly. We watched a short film on Mark Twain and the students learned about taking notes and Mark Twain at the same time.

Sept. 13, 2010

Today we started with a form of brain teaser. We talked about nouns in two articles. There was a lesson on thesis statements. We finished with the students working on flashcards for their vocabulary quiz on Wednesday.

Sept 10, 2010

Today we worked on our first vocabulary lesson. The students will have a quiz Wednesday next week. We also started nouns and the students had to find nouns in two articles along with comprehending what they read.

June 4. 2010

Today students were reminded that they need to turn in their projects for Midsummer Night's Dream. We are completing our final vocabulary lesson of the school year.

June 3, 2010

Today toondoos were due. Many were not turned in and need to be to help student grades. We also collected a big worksheet packet. A final worksheet packet was assigned for Midsummer Night's Dream.

June 1, 2010

Today we tried to finish our toondoos. The students are to email them to me when finished by Thursday morning.

May 26, 2010

Today we worked on our www.toondoo.com MND projects. They will be due on Tuesday.

May 25, 2010

Today we worked on our www.toondoo.com projects with MND and also were assigned a big packet on complex sentences.

May 21, 2010

Today we started a project incorporating www.toondoo.com and MND. The students are going to demonstrate understanding of MND in making it into a comic strip that will be due right after Memorial Day.

May 20, 2010

Today we read some MND. We corrected and talked about our big packet on compound sentences. We also read a bit of Marley and Me.

May 18, 2010

Today we read some of Marley and Me. We did some reading in MND too. I showed the students the program toondo for an example of what we would be doing over the next week as we finish up with MND. We also did points for their vocabulary and creative pictures. Finally, we did a packet with compound sentences and punctuation.

May 17, 2010

Today the students learned about their EXPLORE test results. We defined vocabulary 17 and did some creative pictures with their words and definitions. We read some of Marley and Me too.

May 13, 2010

Today we took a vocabulary quiz. We then wrote an essay about non academic activities in school and students responded as to whether they should continue.

May 12, 2010

Today we read some of Marley and Me. We wrote down the paragraph overview of our college essay. We went over our worksheet on run on sentences, fused sentences, and comma splice errors. We ready some of MND also. Next class will be a vocabulary quiz.

May 10, 2010

Today we read a chapter from Marley and Me. We answered some college questions like what is expected academically, what is expected extracurricularly, what type of essay is expected, and a couple other college issues. We also did some work on run on sentences that the students have homework to compelte.

May 7, 2010

Today I read some of Marley and Me to the students. We then finished reading Act 3 of MND. The students had to tell me what they read as a group after finishing it up.

May 5, 2010

Today we read some of Marley and Me. We did research on college costs. We also handed in some homework on MND and compound sentences.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Today we read a chapter from Marley and Me. We read some of MND act 3.2. We worked on some questions about MND. We did grammar work on compound sentences as well as sentence errors. We also did some work on college costs.

April 29, 2010

Today we took a vocabulary quiz. I started reading to the kids a bit from Marley and Me. We read MND Act 2.2.

April 27, 2010

Today we practiced writing a five paragraph essay. The students learned how to objectively peer edit their classmate's essay. We also did an activity demonstrating fused sentence errors, comma splice errors, and various sentence types.

April 26, 2010

Today we did a reading aptitude test and read MND act 2.2. The students will have a vocabulary quiz on Thursday and they should have a worksheet for me next class on MND.

April 22, 2010

Today we added a new wrinkle to vocabulary. Ths students not only had to understand the words, they had to be able to use them in a sentence about something in their lives. I checked them for correctness before they were considered finished. We also started to write out over-sized independent clauses and punctuation in order to work on common writing errors over the next several classes.

April 21, 2010

Today we took vocabulary quiz 14. We finished reading MND act 2.1. We watched a little of ACT I in class to show the "rude mechanicals" to the students. We talked about gender roles and Shakespeare's true genius. We did a grammar lesson on fused sentences, comma splices, and correcting them.

April 19, 2010

Today we took a spelling quiz. We talked about the difference between to, too, and two. We learned about the Pyramus and Thisbe myth. We watched the introduction of MND act 1 scene 1. We finished class by reading Act 2 scene 1 of MND.

April 17, 2010

Today we did several mini lessons on the there, they're and their issue in English. We also did a couple of interactive exercises on the board via the internet. We read Act 1 scene 2 of Midsummer Night's Dream. We talked about the lower class in Shakespeare.

April 15, 2010

We watched Act 1 scene 1 of Midsummer Night's Dream today. We did a lesson on the difference between its and it's. We did a quick worksheet on these too. We also did a timed writing where the students had to write an entire essay in 30 minutes. Ask the kids how they did.

April 13, 2010

Today we started class with a talk about dreams and Midsummer's Eve in order to set the stage for the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. We watched a short youtube lesson on the your/you're problem in English. We completed some exercises using the your/you're issue. The students will be looking for those mistakes somewhere (internet/billboards/written). We also read Act1.1 in the play together.

April 1, 2010

The students did research on dreams and Midsummer's Eve today in order to prepare for reading Midsummer Night's Dream when we return from Spring Break.

March 31, 2010

Today we did a summary of the introduction to A Midsummer Night's Dream.

March 29, 2010

Today the students took a short test on clauses. We also went over essays and scores were given. We will be starting Midsummer Night's Dream soon.

March 24, 2010

Today we viewed the students' projects on The Odyssey and Ulysses. We also started an essay that is following.
Educators often debate what teaching method will result in greater understanding of subject matter by high school students. Some educators think that class discussion results in greater understanding because it encourages students to thoroughly examine ideas from many perspectives. Other educators advocate for assigning individual projects that require students to identify and solve problems independently because applying what they know to a problem will contribute to deeper understanding. In your opinion, what teaching method will result in greater understanding of subject matter by high school students?

We will also be having a short test on independent and subordinate clauses and conjunctions on Friday.

ANIMAL FARM - RESPOND

This is an informal way for you to simply tell me what you think of Animal Farm. Type up a coherent response and use examples. It's not a grade or a reflection on you personally, but I want to get an idea of what you thought of the book and the ideas hidden in it. Also, say which days before school over the next week and a half would work to meet for half hour to eat and discuss the book together :)

March 23, 2010

Today we finished up our projects on Ulysses and The Odyssey. We started new vocabulary and new spelling. We will have a test at the end of the week on clauses. We will also be doing a writing next class period on an ACT topic.

March 19, 2010

Today we worked on The Odyssey and Ulysses project for the computers once again. The students were also warned that there is going to be a clause test at the end of next week. Please be sure to have them study their independent clauses, dependent clauses, coordinating conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions.

March 18, 2010

Today we started a computer project where the students synthesize The Odyssey with the poem Ulysses and make a presentation using parts of both. We should be working on this for one more class.

March 16, 2010

Today we took a spelling quiz. We also looked closely at the poem Ulysses. We are trying to figure out how The Odyssey fits into this poem or is embodied by it. We did some more clause work. The students will be starting a project using The Odyssey and Ulysses over the next week.

March 15, 2010

Sorry, first day of Track and I forgot to post. We wrote two sentences. One was complex and one was compound. Students took vocabulary 11 quiz. We talked about the end of The Odyssey. We looked at some homework. We also read the poem Ulysses.

March 8, 2010

Today we wrote compound and complex sentences about the weekend. We had practice identifying types of clauses between independent and dependent. We also had to circle subordinating conjunctions. The homework is for students to read up to Book 23 in The Odyssey. We will have a vocab quiz next Monday.

March 5, 2010

Today I collected pictures for Book 18 in The Odyssey. We then worked on compound and complex sentences the entire class. Students wrote them and identified coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

March 3, 2010

Today we started with a discussion on vocabulary words and how they are used. We did a short sketch of the Odyssey chapter the students were to read along with what they thought was the most important quote from the chapter. We talked about conjunctions too. Homework is to read the next chapter and study vocabulary as the students also made flashcards.

March 2, 2010

Today we wrote a thesis about Great Books curriculum. We also counted points for spelling and vocabulary being completed. I gave the students a chapter out of Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters to read to compare to The Odyssey and they did a nice job with that. The homework is to read The Odyssey book 18 and be able to discuss the meeting between Odysseus and Penelope.

Feb. 25, 2010

Today we defined vocabulary and spelled a new set of spelling words. We are closing in on the end of The Odyssey and the students will read Book 16 as homework.

Feb. 24, 2010

Today we took a test and the students were to read or finish book 13 from The Odyssey.

Feb. 22, 2010

Today we took Vocabulary 10 quiz. We also had a nice talk about The Odyssey and how it has spawned so many things in pop culture, why it has remained for so long, and how that has happened. The students are reading Book 13 of The Odyssey for homework and completing some exercises to prepare for a test on Wednesday. Wednesday's test will be on adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions.

Feb. 19, 2010

Today we read The Odyssey book 12 and had to learn to write notes. Also, lots of makeup writing was completed. We will be having a test on adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions next week. Also, there is a vocabulary quiz coming up next class.

Feb. 17, 2010

Today we took a spelling quiz. We wrote some haikus. We discussed The Odyssey in class. We did some reading and reading was assigned as homework. Students need to make up missed work asap as mid marks are coming on Friday.

Today's Essay Prompt

Educators often discuss whether high school sports have a positive influence on students. Some educators think high school sports do have a positive influence because the lessons learned from athletic competition add to the lessons learned from the classroom. Other educators think high school sports do not have a positive influence because the emphasis on sports often overshadows student achievement in other areas. In your opinion, do high school sports have a positive influence on students?

Feb. 16, 2010

Today we are working on writing again and students are getting immediate feedback. We took a spelling quiz and the students are to read Book 12 in The Odyssey. Please be sure students are checking with me to get homework if absent and also check the blog as this is what we are doing each day.

Feb. 12, 2010

Today I read over individual essays. Many of them were quite good! We also handed in a few prepositional practice sheets. Students are to read book 11 of The Odyssey adn study spelling words.

Feb. 8, 2010

Today the students completed preposition practice sheet and watched a bit of The Odyssey mini series from NBC. Vocabulary and spelling quizzes at the end of the week.

Feb. 5, 2010

Today we did preposition practice and wrote a full essay. If students didn't finish the essay, it was homework so please check them on this. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Feb. 3, 2010

Today we tried to write haikus about The Odyssey. The students struggled at first and then we talked about it and they had more success. Students were given points if their spelling and vocabulary was complete. We also practiced identifying prepositions and prepositional phrases. Homework is to finish book 10.

Grammar House Rock Prepositions

Grammar House Rock Adjectives

Feb. 2, 2010

It's February already! Today we started new vocabuarly and new spelling. I introduced prepositions and the kids have reading/writing to do at home in The Odyssey and on their essays about school starting time. The first half of book 10 in The Odyssey is assigned for reading homework.

MEETING WITH STUDENTS

This week I'm going to make an effort to meet and talk to all of my students who didn't do well first semester. I will ask them what we can do to get them on track and I'm going to see if we can figure out a motivation to get them motivated to succeed. Please ask your student what we discussed in order to help him/her succeed!

Jan. 28, 2010

Today we took vocabulary quiz 9. We turned in some adjective work and practiced more with adjectives. We talked a bit about The Odyssey and the students are to read the rest of Book 9. We also talked about essay writing and how to think about an alternate suggetion when writing a persuasive essay.

Jan. 26, 2010

Today we took a spelling quiz. We did some adjective practice. We talked about background for The Odyssey. The students are to read the first nine pages of book 9.

Welcome to second semester! Jan. 25, 2010

Today we talked about working hard this semester. I discussed an option some of the students will have to do some outside reading. We started on adjectives. We introduced "The Odyssey" with a short film. We have a spelling and vocabulary quiz tomorrow. I'll post the note for those that might not see it about the extra reading we are asking some of the kids to do.

Jan. 21, 2010

This week has been exam week. We started the week watching a PBS film about inner city kids in London putting on Romeo and Juliet. It was excellent! The exam consists of what we've covered throughout the semester. The students wrote an essay on Romeo and Juliet and answered questions reviewing the grammar that they've learned/reviewed.

Jan. 18, 2010

Today I handed back papers. We defined vocabulary 9. We spelled 10 new spelling words. We ended clas by discussing the exam and what will be on it.

Jan. 14, 2010

For Thursday and Friday we took a vocabulary quiz. We worked on Act I questions for Romeo and Juliet. We read most of the final scene of the play. We also watched an eight minute clip of West Side Story that the kids thought was interesting:)

Jan. 13, 2010

Today we took a spelling quiz. We reviewed how an essay should look. We read Romeo and Juliet act 4.1 and 4.2. We also talked about our exam. It will be review of grammar and then an essay on Romeo and Juliet.

Jan. 11, 2010

Today we read all of act 4 for Romeo and Juliet. We did adverb exercises. The students will have vocabulary and spelling quizzes this week.

Jan. 6, 2010

Today the students were supposed to have a typed draft of their research paper for me to look at before the final draft is due next class. I looked over those that were done and reprimanded those who weren't. We did a lot of adverb practice today. We also read Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scenes 2 and 3. Final papers are going to be due Friday.

Jan. 5, 2010

Welcome to 2010!!! We have a busy few weeks ahead of us. Papers are due this Friday! We are also trying to wrap up Romeo and Juliet. Today we watched a few short videos on formatting papers in MLA format as well as a fun little adverb film (some parents remember conjunction junction). We talked about first draft typed papers being due next class so that I can help students with them. We did some adverb exercises and we read a scene of Romeo and Juliet.