A frequent start-up activity is called KWL. Students are polled for the following information before a unit of study:
What do students KNOW about the topic?
and
What do students WANT to learn about the topic?
After the unit of study is completed, students are asked what they LEARNED.
SO, what do you KNOW about Shakespeare, comedy or Midsummer Night's Dream?
What do you WANT to learn?
Please comment below!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Word Masters Period 5 Team
Period 5 score: 70
8: Erica Williams
8: Christine Shanahan
7: Jeremy Sullivan
7: Michael Manley
7: Lindsay Ryan
7: Kelly O'Brien
7: Abby Magnussen
7: Brian Nickley
6: Alexia Cerasani
6: Vinny Picardi
Also finishing in the "6" category: Ryan Mariano, Rachel Clarke, Marianna Porcello, Robert McClafferty
Monday, October 24, 2011
Going paperless: Your thoughts
On this Friday morning, I will be presenting a session at a conference of my colleagues sponsored by The New England Association of Teachers of English titled, " Going Paperless: Using Blogs, Email, Net Books, and Websites in Secondary English Classrooms." I would appreciate your feedback on the blog so I can take you to the conference with me.
In your comments, please share your opinion/experience of class procedures related to:
In your comments, please share your opinion/experience of class procedures related to:
- Blogs
- Net Book (if you are using them)
- Teacher Websites
- Websites listed on the Blog and/or Teacher Websites
Friday, October 21, 2011
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Your Role?
After you skim through this Shakespearean comedy, reading the scene synopses, look at the cast list and consider what role you would like to have in this production.
Certainly, we can double cast some scenes or even select one scene for everyone to in groups. However, there are many roles to choose from: Greek Rulers, young lovers, warring supernatural beings (fairies), and ordinary townsmen rehearsing a play for a wedding gift.
If you would prefer not to act out a role, think about contributing to the performance in anoter way--creating music or sound effects, filming or photographing the performances, selecting costumes or props, providing reference resources when we have questions, or directing by providing alternate ways to interpret scenes.
In the comments below, please give me an idea of how you would like to participate or ask any question that would help you make that decision.
Certainly, we can double cast some scenes or even select one scene for everyone to in groups. However, there are many roles to choose from: Greek Rulers, young lovers, warring supernatural beings (fairies), and ordinary townsmen rehearsing a play for a wedding gift.
If you would prefer not to act out a role, think about contributing to the performance in anoter way--creating music or sound effects, filming or photographing the performances, selecting costumes or props, providing reference resources when we have questions, or directing by providing alternate ways to interpret scenes.
In the comments below, please give me an idea of how you would like to participate or ask any question that would help you make that decision.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Formal Paper F451: Questions and Answers
If you have any questions while you are working on your paper, post them here.
When reading through the comments, let me know if you are having any of the same difficulties.
If you can answer by sharing your strategies, go ahead.
I will monitor the page over the weekend.
We will be writing in class on Monday and peer editing on Tuesday.
Let's work on these papers together.
When reading through the comments, let me know if you are having any of the same difficulties.
If you can answer by sharing your strategies, go ahead.
I will monitor the page over the weekend.
We will be writing in class on Monday and peer editing on Tuesday.
Let's work on these papers together.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
F451: Thesis
The most important component of a paper's structure is its thesis.
The thesis provides, for the reader and the writer, a sense of direction.
In most formal papers, the thesis is explicit and previews the development of the paper so that the reader can prepare for what he or she is about to read.
A formal paper is not a narrative, does not depend on conflict or tension, and most of all, is neither a mystery nor a surprise.it can actually be compared to a tuxedo--formal in its language and structure. It is more a mini-van than a sports car... but it doesn't have to be a bus or a truck.
A formal paper is an act of analysis, or mapping, showing the reader the journey you have taken through a text--there may be other ways--and the thesis in the introduction tells what you are about to examine, the landmarks, the points not to be missed.The thesis is that map that gets the reader excited about reading, that gets the engine warmed up and ready to go.
Please comment with your working thesis in preparation for tomorrow's class.
The thesis provides, for the reader and the writer, a sense of direction.
In most formal papers, the thesis is explicit and previews the development of the paper so that the reader can prepare for what he or she is about to read.
A formal paper is not a narrative, does not depend on conflict or tension, and most of all, is neither a mystery nor a surprise.it can actually be compared to a tuxedo--formal in its language and structure. It is more a mini-van than a sports car... but it doesn't have to be a bus or a truck.
A formal paper is an act of analysis, or mapping, showing the reader the journey you have taken through a text--there may be other ways--and the thesis in the introduction tells what you are about to examine, the landmarks, the points not to be missed.The thesis is that map that gets the reader excited about reading, that gets the engine warmed up and ready to go.
Please comment with your working thesis in preparation for tomorrow's class.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Response: F451 Assignment
In your comments below, please give me some feedback:
How close are you to finishing the novel?
Do you have any questions about the assignment?
When is a reasonable due date?
What kind of in-class time and support do you need?
Remember, the assignment is on my teacher website.
As soon as the majority of the class responds, I will establish a due date and schedule in class writing.
How close are you to finishing the novel?
Do you have any questions about the assignment?
When is a reasonable due date?
What kind of in-class time and support do you need?
Remember, the assignment is on my teacher website.
As soon as the majority of the class responds, I will establish a due date and schedule in class writing.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Theme ID F451
Because you are an experienced reader of Bradbury, you are sure to identify the themes he tends to write about, especially those about the price we pay for progress--but there are others.
What themes do you see so far in this novel? Please comment below!
Remember, a theme is a statement, not a one-word topic.
These statements are usually:
What themes do you see so far in this novel? Please comment below!
Remember, a theme is a statement, not a one-word topic.
These statements are usually:
- advice about desirable behavior
- warnings about undesirable behavior
- observations about the general nature of behavior
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Response: Fahrenheit 451
Now that you are reading F451, what do you think?
How is the novel similar to and different from the short stories we have read?
Consider:
The Sound of Thunder
There will Come Soft Rains
The Pedestrian
and The Veldt.
DO NOT concentrate on whether you like the novel or do not like the novel.
How is the novel similar to and different from the short stories we have read?
Consider:
The Sound of Thunder
There will Come Soft Rains
The Pedestrian
and The Veldt.
DO NOT concentrate on whether you like the novel or do not like the novel.
- Consider, instead, whether the novel is an effective comment on the price society pays for progress.
- Or, consider whether or not the text has quality, "pores", or fresh and vivid detail.
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