Agenda, December 19

Late:"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" handout
Due today at the end of class: Final Draft of short story   

Today's Learning Targets:
I can show what I know on a quiz.
I can practice good reading strategies while watching an American classic.

1. Quiz
2. Typing Time, if you haven't finished
3. "A Keaton Carol"

Agenda, December 18

Due Now: Rough draft of short story 
Due Yesterday:"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" handout
Due today at the end of class: Final Draft of short story   
Coming Tomorrow: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature
Vocab Quiz Makeups and Retakes will be Wednesday at 2 pm in B106. You will need to arrange your own transportation.  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use technology to improve my writing

1. Typing Time
2. When you finish, study for tomorrow's quiz

Agenda, December 17

Late: Parent Signature on Your Progress Report
Due today at the end of class: Rough draft of short story 
Due today at the end of class:"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" handout
Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of short story   
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature
Vocab Quiz Makeups and Retakes will be Wednesday at 2 pm in B106. You will need to arrange your own transportation.  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can practice the skills good readers use.
I can write an effective opening to a short story.
I can apply the elements of literature to the stories we've read.

1. Amusing Plagiarism Video
2. Quiz Review
3. Exploding the moment
4. Finish "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
5. Writing Time

Agenda, December 16

Late: Parent Signature on Your Progress Report
Due Tuesday at the end of class: Rough draft of short story 
Due Tuesday at the end of class:"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" handout
Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of short story   
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature
Vocab Quiz Makeups and Retakes will be Wednesday at 2 pm in B106. You will need to arrange your own transportation.  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can practice the skills good readers use.
I can write an effective opening to a short story.
I can apply the elements of literature to the stories we've read.

1. Three Openings
2. What do you know about plagiarism?
3. Writing Time / Reading "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
4. Quiz Review

Agenda, Lucky December the 13th

Due Now: Parent Signature on Your Progress Report
Due Tuesday at the end of class: Rough draft of short story
Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of short story   
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can practice the skills good readers use.
I can show what I know on a quiz.
I can use the plot pyramid to organize my ideas for a story.

1. Progress Report Collection Time!
2. Quiz Time
3. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
4. The Plot Pyramid and You

Agenda, December 12

Due Now: Parent Signature on Your Progress Report
Coming Tomorrow: Vocab Quiz 1
Due Tuesday: Rough draft of short story
Due Wednesday at the end of class: Final Draft of short story  
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a free write to generate ideas.
I can compare two videos made in different eras.
I can practice the skills good readers do.

1. Progress Report Collection Time!
2. Freewrite #5: Write about a daydream (or a daydreamer) OR Write about an adventure
3. Do stories have to follow the plot pyramid?
4. "Walter Mitty" Video Venn Diagram
5. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

Agenda, December 11

Late: "Jump Away" Text Analysis Assignment
Due Now: Bring your planner  
Coming Friday: Vocab Quiz 1
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can reflect on the quality of my own work.  
I can identify the elements of characterization in a story.  
I can use the grammar decoder to improve my own conventions.
I can use images to build my understanding of SAT level vocabulary.

1. Progress Report Party Time!
2. Elements of Characterization Review
3. Grammar Decoder with Hobby Paragraph
4. Vocabulary Slide Show

Agenda, December 10

Late: "Jump Away" Text Analysis Assignment
Due Tomorrow: Bring your planner
Coming Friday: Vocab Quiz 1
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature  

Today's Learning Targets:
I can define the elements of characterization.
I can identify the elements of characterization in a story.
I can create well-developed characters.

1. Vocab Review
2. Story Review
3. Elements of Characterization
4. Writing Time
5. Debrief

Agenda, December 9

Due Now: "Jump Away" Text Analysis Assignment
Coming Friday: Vocab Quiz 1
Coming Thursday, 12/19: Quiz on short stories and elements of literature 

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.
I can recall the five types of conflicts.
I can read independently, practicing the skills good readers use.
I can define four different types of characters.
I can identify examples of the character types.

1. Freewrite #4: Write about your friends / family OR Write about a prank you played or had played on you.
2. Review Conflict
3. Preview Text
4. Read Independently: "Fish Eyes"
5. Whole class discussion
6. Four Types of Characters  
   

Agenda, December 6

Late: One original sentence for each vocab word, shared via google doc.

Late: Post a friendly comment to the blog. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can write a well-organized, well-developed paragraph.

I can define theme.

I can identify the theme of a short story and support my interpretation with evidence.

1. Say 10 Words
2. Hobby Paragraph
3. "Jump Away"

Agenda, December 5

Due at the end of class yesterday: One original sentence for each vocab word, shared via google doc.

Late: Post a friendly comment to the blog. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas.

I can define theme.

I can identify the theme of a short story and support my interpretation with evidence.

1. Freewrite #3: Write about a dare or write a story that involves a river
2. Start thinking about tomorrow's paragraph today!
3. "Jump Away"

Agenda, December 4

Due at the end of class today: One original sentence for each vocab word, shared via google doc.

Late: Post a friendly comment to the blog. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can find my way around the library.

I can use SAT Level Vocabulary Words in an original sentence.

I can share a google doc with my teachers.

1. Library Orientation with Mr. Stull
2. Word Processing Original Vocab Sentences

Agenda, December 3

Due Now: Bring your planner to class.
Late: Parent Signature on Syllabus 

Late: Completed Name Tag

Late: Post a friendly comment to the blog. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can define SAT Level Vocabulary Words

I can use a grammar decoder to correct my own conventions errors.

I can practice the skills good readers have: previewing, questioning, predicting, and connecting.

1. 5 Vocab Words 
2. Grammar Decoder Practice with Name Tag Paragraph
3. “An American Childhood,” by Annie Dillard 

Agenda, December 2

Due Tomorrow: Bring your planner to class.
Late: Parent Signature on Syllabus 

Late: Completed Name Tag

Due Now: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you can't post to the blog, send me an e-mail. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can define SAT Level Vocabulary Words

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas for a story.

I can practice the skills good readers have: previewing, questioning, predicting, and connecting.

1. 5 Vocab Words 
2. Freewrite #2: Write about a snow day OR Tell me a story about getting in trouble.
3. “An American Childhood,” by Annie Dillard 

Agenda, November 27

Due Now: Bring your planner to class.
Due Now: Parent Signature on Syllabus
Due Now: Completed Name Tag

Due Monday: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you can't post to the blog, send me an e-mail. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can use a freewrite to generate ideas for a story.

I can use a grammar decoder to improve Mr. Kline's conventions.

I can invent examples of the 5 basic conflicts.

1. Freewrite #1: Write about the worst meal ever OR Tell me about a holiday gone wrong.
2. Introducing the Grammar Decoder
3. Five Conflicts
4. Put a movie on the plot chart

Agenda, November 26

Due Wednesday: Bring your planner to class.
Due Wednesday: Parent Signature on Syllabus
Due Monday: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you can't post to the blog, send me an e-mail. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can recall definitions of important terms from middle school English.

I can craft a paragraph that explains the connection between my name tag and my personality.

I can apply elements of literature to a movie.

I can use symbolism to capture my personality.

1. 15 minutes of name tag time: your name needs to be large and easy to read. Use a minimum of three symbols to explain your personality; use color.
2. What is a topic sentence?
3. What is a paragraph?
4. Name Tag Paragraph
5. Plot Pyramid Review
6. Put a movie on the plot chart

Agenda, November 25

Due Wednesday: Bring your planner to class.
Due Wednesday: Parent Signature on Syllabus
Due Monday: Post a friendly comment to the blog. For example, you could ask a question, tell me your favorite word (and explain why it's your favorite word), or post an interesting link. Be sure to use your best spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you can't post to the blog, send me an e-mail. Bookmark the blog while you're at it.

Today's Learning Targets:

I can reflect on last trimester's events.

I can use active reading strategies to understand the class rules.

I can summarize the plot of a movie.

I can use symbolism to capture my personality.

1. Freewrite: Tell me about last trimester. What did you learn? What did you like? What didn't you like? What are your hopes / expectations for this trimester?
2. Read with a pencil: underline key ideas, circle unfamiliar words, write notes and questions in the margins.
3. Read with a partner: Partner A reads one section to Partner B, then partner B summarizes it. Switch roles with each section.
4. Movie Review
5. Make a Name Tag: Your name needs to be large and easy to read. Use a minimum of three symbols to explain your personality; use color.

Agenda, June 7

Kline's last day is today. All books are due back to the classroom library by Friday.
Due Now: Outline for Sin Essay
Due by the end of the day today: Quotation stems
Due by the end of the day today: Romeo and Juliet essay. NO LATE WORK can be accepted.

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can finish an essay by Friday.

1. The devil is in the details: make sure the author and title are in your introduction, italicize the play title, don't put quotation marks around it, the act should be in capital Roman numerals, the scene should be in lower case Roman numerals, and the line should be in Arabic numerals, follow the format guidelines on your handout.
2. Good conclusions could leave the reader with a warning OR analyze the theme of the play OR connect the play to the modern world.
3. Good titles: are usually short, create a little suspense, suggest your subject or point of view, often connect to the conclusion.
4. Typing time.
5. When you are done, print, power down your laptop, and let your classmates work in a calm, quiet atmosphere.

Agenda, June 6

Kline's last day is Friday. All books are due back to the classroom library by Friday.
Due Now: Outline for Sin Essay
Due by the end of the day today: Quotation stems
Due by the end of the day Friday: Romeo and Juliet essay. NO LATE WORK can be accepted.

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can finish an essay by Friday.

1. Well-developed paragraphs
2. Typing time

Agenda, June 5

Kline's last day is Friday. All books are due back to the classroom library by Friday.
Due Now: Outline for Sin Essay
Due by the end of the day tomorrow: Quotation stems
Due by the end of the day Friday: Romeo and Juliet essay

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a play.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.
I can organize my ideas in a logical and convincing manner.
I can write an introduction that invites the reader in.

1. Three openings
2. Typing time

Agenda, June 4

Last Day for Independent Reading is Wednesday.
Due Now: Bookmark 6, front and back
Kline's last day is Friday. All books are due back to the classroom library by Friday.

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a play.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.
I can organize my ideas in a logical and convincing manner.
I can write an introduction that invites the reader in.

1. Independent Reading is back! 
2. Romeo and Juliet Quotation Stems
3. Sin Essay Outline
4. Revisit the prompts
5. Three openings

Agenda, June 3

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Do tonight: Read 15 minutes. Record your reading on your bookmark when you finish.
Due Tomorrow: Bookmark 6, front and back
Kline's last day is Friday. All books are due back to the classroom library by Friday.

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a play.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.
I can use context clues and word roots to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words.

1. Independent Reading is back! 
2. Could it really happen?
3. Finish the sin chart

Agenda, May 31

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Do tonight: Read 15 minutes. Record your reading on your bookmark when you finish.
Week 6: 5/28 - 6/3

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a play.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.
I can use context clues and word roots to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words.

1. Independent Reading is back! 
2. Bookmark Back Models
3. Hunting for sin quotes
4. Could it really happen?

Agenda, May 30

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Do tonight: Read 15 minutes. Record your reading on your bookmark when you finish.
Week 6: 5/28 - 6/3

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a play.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.

1. Independent Reading is back!
2. Quickwrite #5: Which of the seven deadly sins (and their good friend haste) is most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? You may blame more than one of the sins, but start with the most important.
3. Hunting for sins
4. Could it really happen?

Agenda, May 29

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Do tonight: Read 15 minutes. Record your reading on your bookmark when you finish.
Week 6: 5/28 - 6/3

Today's Learning Targets: 
I can compare two different versions of a film to analyze the effects of a director's choices. 

1. Independent Reading is back!
2. Quickwrite #5: Coming tomorrow ...
3. Zeffirelli v. Luhrmann
4. Could it really happen?

Agenda, May 28

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Do tonight: Read 15 minutes. Record your reading on your bookmark when you finish.
Week 6: 5/28 - 6/3

Today's Learning Targets:
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a full length film.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.
I can support my opinion with evidence from the text.

1. Independent Reading is back! Woo hoo!
2. Quickwrite #4: Who is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Why do you think so? You may argue that more than one person is responsible, but work through them one at a time, beginning with the person with the greatest responsibility.
3. Getting the facts straight
4. Could it really happen?

Agenda, May 23

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book. We will resume personal reading formally next Tuesday, but you always want a book with you, just in case.
Due Last Friday: Thematic Paragraph. You can turn this in for full credit any time up until Thursday.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a full length film.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.

1. Quickwrite #3: Write about love at first sight OR continue a previous quickwrite. You may write in the narrative, expository, or argumentative mode.
2. Question Check
3. Romeo and Juliet Video (with notes)

Agenda, May 22

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book. We will resume personal reading formally next Tuesday, but you always want a book with you, just in case.
Due Last Friday: Thematic Paragraph. You can turn this in for full credit any time up until Thursday.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a full length film.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.

1. Quickwrite #3: Coming tomorrow ...
2. Question Check & Act I Review
3. Romeo and Juliet Video (with notes)

Agenda, May 21

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book. We will resume personal reading formally next Tuesday, but you always want a book with you, just in case.
Due Last Friday: Thematic Paragraph. You can turn this in for full credit any time up until Thursday.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a full length film.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.

1. Quickwrite #2: Write about a good best friend OR continue your writing from yesterday. You may in either the narrative or the expository mode.
2. What is learned helplessness? How do I fight it?
3. Romeo and Juliet Video (with notes)

Agenda, May 20

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book. We will resume personal reading formally next Tuesday, but you always want a book with you, just in case.
Due Last Friday: Thematic Paragraph. You can turn this in for full credit any time up until Thursday.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can track the development of a theme over the course of a full length film.
I can make connections between the culture of Elizabethan England and our culture.

1. Why did he have to kill the baby?
2. Quickwrite #1: Write about two groups of people that hate each other. You may in either the narrative or the expository mode.
3. Romeo and Juliet Video (with notes)
4. Return The Pearl to the Library

Agenda, May 17

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book.
Due at the end of class today: Thematic Paragraph

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use evidence to support my interpretation of a novel's theme.

1. Revisiting the opinionaire
2. Punctuating quotations
3. Type like the wind ...

Agenda, May 16

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book and your copy of The Pearl.
Due Now: Read to the bottom of page 77. We'll start there on Thursday. If you're behind, you won't have a chance to catch up. 

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a theme.
I can work with my peers to develop multiple interpretations of a text.
I can write good questions. 
I can use evidence to support my interpretation of a novel's theme.

1. Chapter 5: 1 quote
2. Read Aloud
3. Gut reaction
4. Class discussion
5. Thematic Paragraph

Agenda, May 15

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book and your copy of The Pearl.
Due Tomorrow: Read to the bottom of page 77. We'll start there on Thursday. If you're behind, you won't have a chance to catch up.
Test re-takes are Wednesday, 5/15, at 2 pm in B105.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a theme.
I can work with my peers to develop multiple interpretations of a text.
I can write good questions. 
I can identify examples literary devices in a complex text and explain their purpose and effect.

1. Chapter 4: 3 quotes on pink chart
2. Read Aloud
3. Chapter 5: 1 quote
4. Chapter 5 Literary Devices and effect

Agenda, May 15

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book and your copy of The Pearl.
Due Last Friday: Character Analysis Paragraph
Due Tomorrow: Finish Chapter 4.
Test re-takes are Wednesday, 5/15, at 2 pm in B105.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a theme.
I can work with my peers to develop multiple interpretations of a text.
I can write good questions. 
I can identify examples literary devices in a complex text and explain their purpose and effect.

1. Read aloud 
2. Chapter 4: 2 good questions
3. Whole class discussion
4. Chapter 4: 3 quotes on pink chart
5. Chapter 4 Literary Devices

Agenda, Monday the 13th

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book and your copy of The Pearl.
Due Now: Chapter 3 of The Pearl
Due Last Friday: Character Analysis Paragraph
Due Tomorrow: Finish Chapter 4.
Test re-takes are Wednesday, 5/15, at 2 pm in B105.

Today's Learning Targets:
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a theme.
I can work with my peers to develop multiple interpretations of a text.

1. Poetry Test Retakes Sign Up: this is a commitment, not a maybe
2. Chapter 3 Literary Devices: Onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, simile, symbol
3. Chapter 3: 13 questions
4. Chapter 3 Storyboard Review
5. Chapter 4 Read Aloud

Agenda, May 10

Do Every Day: Bring your personal reading book and your copy of The Pearl.
Due Now: Chapter 3 of The Pearl

Today's Learning Targets:
I can show what I know on the OAKS test.
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a theme.
I can use textual evidence to track the development of a character.
I can work with my peers to develop multiple interpretations of a text.

1. Poetry Test Retakes Sign Up: this is a commitment, not a maybe
2. OAKS Testing - We need to be silent while our classmates finish up.
3. Character Analysis Paragraph
4. Chapter 3 Storyboard
5. Chapter 3 Literary Devices: Onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, simile, symbol
6. Chapter 4 Read Aloud