12-17-12

Students wrote and discussed an AOW today. Students worked in groups on their publication. Students need to complete two chapters of reading.

12-13-12

Well, we made it past 12.12.12 without incident:) The students took a vocabulary quiz over the past two days, did some reading, and started their online publications. (Please ask the kids about this-- we are very excited to see how it turns out.)

12-11-12

Students wrote an article of the week today and we started a big undertaking with creating a blog that the students will take part in over the next month. Be sure to ask your students about this as we are very excited to see how it turns out.

The Past Week +

The students have been working on EDPs so we haven't been updating our blog but it is back to it now. We are currently finishing up comparison/contrast essays.

11-8-12

Students completed a creative writing assignment today in which they wrote a part of The Hunger Games from a different point of view. Students also read chapter 20 of the book.

11-12-12

Today was lexile testing. Students had a chance to share creative writing from last class. Student read chapters 21,22,and 23 of Hunger Games.

11-13-12

Today students found a meaningful quote or passage from the book that relates to the theme of the book and discussed it. Students finished reading The Hunger Games too.

11-15-12

Today was test review day and students reviewed everything that will be on the test.

11-16-12

Today was test day and students answered short answer and composition questions about The Hunger Games based on the Common Core.

11-20-12

Students started watching The Hunger Games movie today. We will write a comparison contrast essay about this.

11-26-12

Today we completed the Hunger Games film. Students will be writing a full comparison contrast essay about the book and the movie. EDPs are next.

11-7-12

Today is a vocab quiz. Students also received a rubric for their Fakebook (not Facebook) exercise to demonstrate understanding of characterization. Students are reading a couple of chapters of Hunger Games too.

11-5-12

Students created a map of Panem for the Hunger Games and completed some reading. Students also were retaught how to write an introduction. Papers were handed back too.

11-2-12

Students learned new vocabulary today. Students also reviewed how to write an introduction today. They also wrote an introduction today. Finally, students were assigned two chapters to read in Hunger Games.

10-30-12

Today students took a vocab quiz and completed an article of the week. Students should be very close to chapter 13 in Hunger Games.

Article of the Week

The purpose of Articles of the Week is to give students something interesting to read and discuss. We assign these to also teach students to read actively and learn to highlight and think while reading. Students are required to highlight words that they don't know and define them in the text. They are also required to add comments and questions throughout the short article. Finally, they are required to answer the short questions at the end and write a short paragraph response. If any of those elements are missing, the student has not done the required learning that we expect.

10-29-12

Today students discussed chapters 10 and 11 from Hunger Games. We completed comma exercises on the white board together. Students did some reading for homework.

10-22-12

Students took a vocab quiz today. We discussed comma usage. Students also read an article of the week.

10-18-12

Today students did work with thesis statements and also looked at some examples of introductory paragraphs in class. We are working hard to get students to make up missing work and give the option to retake quizzes and our test. Students also worked on creating a FAKEBOOK for a character from Hunger Games in order to demonstrate characterization. This will be an ongoing project over the next week or two. We have a vocab quiz next class.

10-11-12

Students discussed Hunger Games today along with characterization and the benefits of reading. Students also read and wrote about International Day of the Girl.

10-9-12

Today students wrote a thesis statement and peer edited it. Students also started to read Hunger Games and take notes about characters.

10-8-12

Today we discussed "The Most Dangerous Game", we discussed the Article of the Week, and we will be starting Hunger Games next class. Test retakes are Friday after school.

10-5-12

Today students took vocabulary quiz 3 and did some reading of The Most Dangerous Game. Students also completed an article of the week. Some students will be retaking the test from this week next week after a review.

10-3-12

Students took a test on short stories over the past two days and started reading "The Most Dangerous Game." We will be reading a novel next.

10-1-12

Today we discussed symbolism. Students also reviewed for the test and told what to study and that they could email me with any questions concerning the test. We started vocabulary so that we can take a quiz at the end of the week. We will take a test next class.

9-26-12

Today students took a vocabulary quiz and we conferenced about student thesis statements so that they know what they are doing right and wrong on them.

9-25-12

Today students learned about irony, tone, parable, and allusion. Students have a vocabulary quiz tomorrow. Students were to write a thesis about the possibility of five years of high school too. Students need to watch videos on verb conjugation and add to their notes.

9-21-12

Today students caught up on reading and writing with Gift of the Magi as well as Verb Conjugation. We read and discussed an article of the week. Students also critiqued some thesis statements in class today. Students need to complete work that has been assigned over the past couple of days.

9-20-12

Students discussed vocabulary and shared words that they know with other classmates today. Students were to watch a video on verb conjugation and take notes on Google Drive. Also, students were to start the short story Gift of the Magi. Notes were to be taken on Google Drive.

9-19-12

Today students learned a lot about short story elements. Students also did some work on google drive and were to have taken notes on types of nouns. Finally students were assigned an article to read and write a thesis.

Good Article-- Technology and Creativity

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/is-technology-sapping-childrens-creativity/2012/09/12/10c63c7e-fced-11e1-a31e-804fccb658f9_blog.html Thought some might find this interesting with what's going on in our world today.

9-17-12

Today we talked about our article of the week and discussed any confusion and discussed any comments. We also finished reading "The Black Cat" by Poe. Students are note taking on that and adding vocabulary words that they don't know. Students were set up in mahoodle today and learned a little about thesis statements.

9-12-12

Today students wrote up social contracts. We also learned several literary terms and applied them to our first short story "Brownies." Finaly, we started the short story "The Black Cat" by Poe.

9-10-12

Today we finished reading the short story "Brownies" and students were to add questions and comments along with words that they didn't know to a document in google drive.

9-6-12

Today students set up google docs and wrote about a short TED video on school and skateboarding.

6-1-12

Students should have finished google docs portfolios and we are finishing our reading. Exam reviews have been passed out and students need to study vocabulary, grammar, and writing rules that they have learned.

5-31-12

Students worked on completing and cleaning up their portfolios in google docs today. We also did a lot of reading and note taking. Students must have their portfolios finished for their exam.

5-25-12

Students are reading, writing, and discussing an article today. We are also going to discuss our book and do some higher level thinking. Finally, students will start vocabulary 19.

5-23-12

Students today took notes on the words affect and effect. They also did some interactive quizzes and wrote some sentences of their own demonstrating mastery. We also read a chapter and took notes. Finally students worked together to complete part 2 of their literature circles.

5-22-12

Today, students learned about affect vs. effect and took notes. Students also did writing and reading today.

5-18-12

We completed and answered questions on Moodle today. We did some reading and note taking. Students finished class working in groups for literature circles.

PBL is Coming!

Visit the following site for more info! http://www.bie.org/about/what_is_pbl

5-15-12

Students are taking a vocabulary quiz today and completing reading along with notes and questions.

5-14-12

Today students completed an article of the week and we discussed biological mutations. Students also discussed vocabulary 18 and will have a quiz next class. Finally we read a chapter of their book.

5-10-12

Students took a short quiz today on colons and semicolons. We also read a couple of chapters. Students are note taking during the reading.

5-9-12

Today students discussed information from their literature circles. I've also uploaded some nice art done by our students! Students also have a new vocabulary list from the reading. Next class we will take a colon and semicolon quiz.

5-7-12

Today we read a lot and then worked on literature circles a little. Students will work on literature circles more next time and do some reading/writing.

5-4-12

Today we wrote a five paragraph essay in class. The essay is as follows: In recent years, technology has changed the way people read. While books, newspapers, and magazines are still popular, many now read on computers, tablets, or other digital platforms. In your opinion, is reading better when done on paper or digitally? We also read a chapter from our book.

5-3-12

Today we did some work in our literature circles, we listened to our book, and we did some work with colons and semicolons.

5-1-12

Students practiced colons and semicolons today because many indicated that they needed it. Students also listened to the new story and took notes.

4-27-12

Students took vocabulary 17 quiz today and listened to and read the new story.

4-26-12

Today we started listening to a new story. Students chose roles for literature circles. We are also working on colons and semicolons.

4-24-12

Today students came up with a list of words that they didn't know from the short story Nightfall. We also read and wrote about the Article of the Week for this week and technology.

4-23-12

Students finished up Nightfall today and have a few questions to answer on googledocs.

4-19-12

Students today worked a short time on colons and semicolons and we discussed any issues that students have with them. We will continue this for a week or so more. Students also started reading and listening to Nightfall, a science fiction short story.

4-18-12

Today students watched and listened to videos and podcasts about colons and semicolons.

4-16-12

Students took two quizzes today about commas and vocabulary. Students must have EIGHT documents in google docs for Wednesday.

4-13-12

Students completed a big review of commas and then we had a discussion concerning a short story and some writing.

4-12-12

Students completed an article of the week and we talked about how people eat and why. We talked about vocabulary today too. We will be taking a comma quiz in a few days and a vocab quiz.

4-10-12

Today we started vocab 16. Students read a short story and responded to it also. We will be practicing commas and taking a quiz at the end of this week.

3-29-12

Today students wrote an essay about Facebook and a topic in the news recently. Here is the prompt: Employers are asking workers to allow the employer to have logins for Facebook so that they can get an idea of the type of person that they are hiring. The employers believe that this is a good way to get an impression of a potential employee. Potential employees believe that their Facebook is a private site that they share only with those that they choose. In your opinion should employers be able to login to any potential employee Facebook and see their history?

3-28-12

Today students took vocabulary quiz 15 and a Romeo and Juliet quiz. Students also had their read an article and respond to it. The article should be on google docs before break is complete.

3-26-12

Students talked about vocab 15 today and we'll take a quiz next class. Students will also have a short Romeo and Juliet/Shakespeare quiz next time. We finished Romeo and Juliet in class today.

HUNGER GAMES!

What a great movie and a lot of fun for the 170+ students that attended Hunger Games on March 23!!! Thank you all for coming!!!

March 23, 2012

Students finished up or are finishing up their portfolios for third marking period on google docs. We also watched some of Romeo and Juliet.

March 21, 2012

Students read an article and are learning to read actively and then respond. We also finished reading Romeo and Juliet.

3-20-12

We are learning vocabulary 15 today. All grades will be updated tomorrow. We are completing Romeo and Juliet today!

3-16-12

Students took vocabulary quiz 14 today. Students must make up previous vocab quizzes that were assigned weeks ago. Students also talked about and learned about commas today.

How Much Should Kids Be Reading!

3-15-12

Today students learned to read actively! Students read and article and wrote about it after highlighting information! We talked about how much students need to be reading. We talked about our vocab 14 too. Next class will be a quiz.

3-13-12

I had to be gone today because my whole family is sick. Students worked through Romeo and Juliet and wrote reminders on their portfolio essays.

3-12-12

Students need to have three essays in google docs this week. We are reviewing Romeo and Juliet today.

Last couple of days

All classes have met and written an essay that should be on google docs in their personal portfolio. The topic was concerned with the importance of extra curricular activities.

3-7

The shortened classes are writing an essay on the importance or lack thereof with extra curriculuar activities at school.

3-5-12

Students defined vocab 14 today, read some of Romeo and Juliet, and had some comma sheets assigned. Homework is to complete the comma sheets on Moodle.

2-29-12

Today we read a couple of scenes in Romeo and Juliet and talked about them and what had happened previously. Students worked on common craft videos and will have a vocab quiz on Friday. Common craft videos are due on Friday at the end of the school day.

2.28.12

Today we talked about our vocab and any questions concerning the terms. Students worked on their common craft videos and they are due by the end of school Friday. Money for Hunger Games on March 23 at 5p.m. at Celebration Cinema North is due asap. We will have vocab 13 quiz on Friday.

2-23-12

Students turned in notes on three videos that they watched at home. Students worked on common craft videos. Vocab 13 was assigned to define: CURRENCY DESCENT
CUSTODY DESIROUS
DATA
DEBRIS
DEDICATE
DEDUCTION
DEFECTIVE
DEFIANCE
DEFLATE
DELEGATE
DEMONSTRATION
DEPRESSION
DESCENDANT

Feb. 20, 2012

Students created portfolios online today. All writing will be placed in a folder on googledocs and be used at the end of the semester and throughout the semester to improve on previous writings. Students also worked on research for their common craft videos. Students need to watch and take notes on three short videos at home on commas.

Youtube Issues

Students are still getting blocked at school, so please use a home computer to watch the videos to take notes and ask questions. (This should be resolved next week.)

Third Video on Commas

Second Video on Commas

First Comma Video

Upcoming Week

This week students will be creating online portfolios for their writing on google docs! This will be part of their final exam grade for second semester. Students will also be working on their common craft videos this week. Students may bring their own devices to class whether they are ipods, ipads, droid devices or smart phones. We will use these to make our videos and work on research for their issue project. Students also need to bring in their $6-$10 for the Hunger Games movie. We have a short fun-filled week ahead!

HUNGER GAMES

March 23! Students will pay Mr. Annen $6 for a ticket to see the movie on this evening at 5 p.m. at Celebration Cinema North. If students want group concessions, it will cost $10 for the movie and the concession. All students have said they want to attend so parents need to work on rides and carpooling so that kids are there on time for this special showing the day the movie comes out!

2-15-12

Students learned about their vocabulary words today. We read a couple of scenes of Romeo and Juliet. Finally, we talked about student projects. Students will be creating a video based project that is called Common Craft about an issue they choose that surrounds Romeo and Juliet. Next class students will take a vocabulary quiz and write an essay.

New Moodle

Here is the link to the new moodle that we are using:)

http://moodle.capsk12.org/moodle/login/index.php

Feb. 10, 2012

Today we watched the 1968 version of the Balcony scene. Students then discussed and came up with a list of issues in Romeo and Juliet. Students should create account for diigo, delicious, voicethread, and symbaloo for next week. We talked about adverbs and started vocab 12.CORRUPT CULTURAL
COUNCIL CURIOSITY
COUNSEL
COUNTENANCE
COUNTERFEIT
COURAGEOUS
COURTESY
CREED
CRIMINAL
CRISIS
CRISP
CRUDE
CRYSTAL

Feb. 9, 2012

Students read Romeo and Juliet Act 2:2 today in class. Students have several adverb exercises to complete for homework. Pages 28, 29, and 30.

Feb. 7, 2012

Today students had a chance to conference about their writing. Students are to keep all writings for the semester and will be turning in a portfolio at the end of the semester. I'm hoping for an electronic portfolio. Students also took vocab 11 quiz today. We worked on adverbs online too. I want to get a good feel for how they are working with adverbs in the next class or two so that we can finish them up.

Another Adverb Mini Lesson

Adverb Mini Lesson

Adverb song

Feb. 6, 2012

Students looked at some versions of Romeo and Juliet today to get a better idea of the play. We talked about vocabulary today. Students watched some adverb videos and did some practice with them. Students will complete p.27 Adverbs from moodle and study vocab 11 for a quiz next time.

Feb. 2, 2012

We discussed love at first sight today with Romeo and Juliet. We read to the end of Act 1. We defined v. 11
conspicuous conspiracy
contagious contaminate
contemplate contemporary
contempt continuous
controversy converge
conviction convoy
cordial cooperation
correspond
Students also watched some of Romeo and Juliet.

Feb. 1, 2012

Students read an article about text writing today and responded on a forum. Students also wrote a five paragraph essay in class.

Jan. 30, 2012

Students took a vocabulary 10 quiz today. Students also had a chance to view an older version of Romeo and Juliet in order to compare and contrast the two versions and comment on them for an online forum discussion.

Jan. 27, 2012

Students demonstrated understanding of adverbs in class today with a short adverb exercise online. We read the rest of Act 1:1 from Romeo and Juliet. We watched some of the modern version of the play and talked about whether or not it works for the students. We also talked about vocabulary and collected points for it. Students have a vocab quiz next class.

Flipping Classes Article

My View: Flipped classrooms give every student a chance to succeed http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/18/my-view-flipped-classrooms-give-every-student-a-chance-to-succeed/ #cnn

FLIPPING-- For those curious

Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

Jan. 25, 2012

Students are going to be given videos to watch in class that I want them to review at home if possible. They are meant to give instruction so that I can answer questions in class and help them understand the concept. This is called FLIPPING. It will benefit most of our students! We are starting Adverbs!!! Students will be reading Romeo and Juliet in class too. Students are learning MLA style formatting for essays. And, as always, vocabulary is an ongoing topic in my class.

Jan. 23, 2012

WELCOME TO SECOND SEMESTER!

Today we talked about Shakespeare! We talked about MLA formatting for research papers. Students are to define vocabulary 10 for next class. VOCAB 10

CONCESSION CONCISE
CONDENSE CONDITIONAL
CONFERENCE CONFIRM
CONFISCATE CONFORM
CONFUSION CONGESTION
CONSCIENCE CONSCIOUS
CONSEQUENCE CONSEQUENTLY
CONSISTENT

Jan. 16, 2012

Students took a short quiz on DeathWatch today. Students also wrote up a review for the final exam. It will include an essay, vocabulary, and grammar sentences.

Jan. 12, 2012

Students wrote an essay for class today about the positives or negatives of facebook. Students need to finish Deathwatch for a short quiz and prepare for exams by looking at vocabulary and grammar from the semester. Have a great long weekend!

Jan. 10, 2012

Students did a free write today to start class. We talked about adjectives today. Students should have a review sheet for a quiz on Deathwatch Friday and Monday. Students need to finish reading the book over the next couple of days.

Jan. 6 and 9

Students did some reading of DeathWatch. I would like them to complete the book by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. There are two worksheets on adjectives that students are to complete for Tuesday and Wednesday. We did some describing of interesting pictures in class. Students should be studying vocabulary for their final exam.

Jan. 5 2012

Students read some of Deathwatch in class and finished up their list for vocabulary on the exam. We talked about adjectives and students are doing an online reading to identify them and critique them.

January 4, 2012

Students are starting to prepare for finals. They were asked to write down words that they missed on vocabulary quizzes all semester so that they can work on sentences for them. They will have to write sentences with them on their final. Students are also finishing up DeathWatch for the next couple of weeks. All quizzes and writings need to be made up before exams or they will be marked as missing in the gradebook.