Blog Creation

We are creating students blogs using blogger for student reflection, writing, and creativity. Students are to use their school email with this. The blog can be named anything that is school appropriate. The blog url needs to be coopersvilleengl9 and then following that should be the student's first and last initials. Do not use your name for the blog. If it won't let you use your first and last initials, use something else like parts of your name. That should be for your url as well as your display name. This should be done by Friday or Monday. It just needs to be set up for now. We will be using it throughout the year. Students are welcome to personalize their blogs as much as they would like but they need to be sure and be school appropriate. Do not use your name on your blog as it takes away from the anonymity of the blog. Good luck and have fun creating your blog!

Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29 and 30

Today we took a noun/pronoun quiz. Students read Hunger Games chapter 9 and students are also creating blogs for school use. They are to use blogger. The next post will address that.

Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 28 and 29

Today students took a short quiz on nouns and pronouns. Students are starting to create their own blogs using www.blogger.com for class responses, reflections, and other educational reasons. And, we read some of chapter 9 of Hunger Games in class. Homework: Students should try to just set up a blog.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 27 and 28

Today we started with vocabulary 3. We talked about nouns and pronouns. Students read chapter 8 in Hunger Games. Homework: Study nouns/pronouns for quiz next class.

Mythology

Friday and Monday, Sept. 23 and 26

Students started the class with a brain exercise. We talked about learning targets and kids rated themselves on where they feel they stand on the topics being taught in class so far. Students practiced pronouns again and we are coming up on a noun/pronoun assessment in a few days. Students read Hunger Games chapter 7. And, we started vocabulary 3 today. Homework: Finish vocabulary 3

Thursday and Friday, Sept. 22 and 23.

Students took vocabulary quiz 2 today. We read chapter 6 in Hunger Games. Students wrote a thesis to be graded. Homework: If reading Huck Finn, don't be afraid to ask questions on moodle.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20 and 21

Today we started with a chapter in Hunger Games. The kids love it! We then moved on to nouns and pronouns. I had the kids model some writing because I wasn't confident with their pronoun use. They did wonderfully. Finally we talked about Huck Finn. I spoke to the classes about why some of the kids should read it. It is not required but it recommended for those interested in Honors English next year. Finally, students made flashcards for their vocab quiz next time. Homework: Flashcards and study vocabulary.

Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 19 and 20

Students read a chapter in Hunger Games. Students had their thesis statements read by Mr. Annen and graded on the spot with immediate feedback. Students received two worksheets to check understanding of nouns and pronouns. For students who didn't have the thesis and received a 0 for homework, they can have it checked for half credit next class. Homework: Complete grammar worksheets for next class.

The Website

Don't be afraid to email me suggestions to make additions to the website. It's a work in progress. There are some limitations but it seems like a great program. jannen@coopersville.k12.mi.us

New Site

If you didnt' know, Mr. Annen now has a full website that is ever expanding at www.mrannen.weebly.com

Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 14 and 15

Today we took our first vocabulary quiz. Students were also introduced to their first writing topic. Homework: If you have a copy of Hunger Games, please bring it in:) Note: Mr. Annen now has a full webpage that is linked to this blog. It is www.mrannen.weebly.com

Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 12 and 13

We started with some madgab thinking games. We talked about specific definitions for the quiz next class on our first set of vocabulary words. We finished chapter 1 of Hunger Games out loud. Students played I Spy in class identifying nouns and types of nouns. Homework: Vocabulary 1 Quiz

Sept. 9, 2011

Today students finished reading aloud. Students received credit for vocabulary if it was completed. Some students (if they have phones) still need to sign up for www.remind101.com.

Reading

We are trying to get kids more interested in reading!!! I am looking for used copies of all three of The Hunger Games series that you may have or find for really cheap. I am not concerned with the shape of the book. If you would like to donate it, that would be great. If not, I would be willing to purchase it too. Kids can bring it in if they want to donate it to our "Get Kids Reading" collection:) I'm also looking for The Book Thief. Thanks much!

Sept. 7, 2011

Today we started vocabulary and students are to write definitions that THEY understand. Students were also assigned to write five sentences using the words designated by row in class. We read aloud for about 20 minutes today. Homework: Finish vocabulary assignment 1

First Day!!!

Welcome to my blog! Today was a great first day. We talked about working hard and being positive. Students received several ways to communicate and keep up with my class including twitter (@MrAnnen1), this blog, and remind101. I also would like every parent to establish an email that you check if you don't now. I will be asking students for them over the next few days. The following article is a great read for parents with kids heading back to school this year. http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/06/living/teachers-want-to-tell-parents/index.html?hpt=hp_c2