November 30

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: If you were not scared, how would you live your life? (from "9 Questions for Humanity")

We began going over the STAAR test that students took on Tuesday. I shared some test-taking tips as we worked.

Students had the remaining class time to continue working on their 55 Word Story assignment, which is due Monday.

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November 29

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "When Will Self-Driving Cars Take Over?"

I introduced students to a new tool on the iPad. Apple Classroom allows me to share links and files very quickly and monitor students' screens for productivity.

Students began working on the 55 Word Story assignment. This will be due on Monday.

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November 28

Students handed in the mandala from the mandala assignment. The written portion should be turned in on Canvas before midnight tonight.

Students had time to complete work from the past 2 days--some finished the STAAR essay from Monday, while others needed more time to finish the STAAR practice test from Tuesday. Students who were finished with those two assignments worked on the written portion of the mandala assignment or read independently.

(Apologies for the delayed posting and lack of board picture. It was a long day!)

November 27

I’m off campus at training today, so students have a substitute. Here’s the agenda for the day! We’ll resume work on the essay tomorrow. Don’t forget—the mandala assignment is due tomorrow!

1. Students will complete a practice STAAR test today.
1. They may use pencils, highlighters, and dictionaries.
2. They may not use their phones or iPads.
3. They may charge phones/iPads if they’d like!
2. Each student should receive a test booklet and answer document.
1. Answer documents sorted by row for your convenience.
2. Students may write in the test booklet.
3. This should take the entire class period. If a student finishes early, he/she may read a book or work on the mandala assignment. No phones or iPads.
4. At the end of the period, please collect all test booklets and answer documents. This is not homework; students will have more time in class to work tomorrow.

November 26

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

We recapped the mandala assignment. Students will hand this in on Wednesday.

We went over the blueprint of the STAAR test. Students will take a practice test tomorrow before the real thing happens on Wednesday, 12/5.

STAAR Blueprint

Students began working on a STAAR persuasive essay. We will continue this work in class on Wednesday.

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Week-at-a-Glance

November 16

WNB: What are you thankful for?

We watched today's episode of Hawk TV instead of reading independently to start class.

We read "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst and looked for archetypes. (Here's an audio version if you'd like to listen while you read.)

Students had time to plan their mandala. This assignment is due on Wednesday, 11/28.

November 15

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read, annotate, and respond to today's article in their writer's notebooks and read independently while I met with individual students for reading conferences.

Today's Article: "The Fear We All Live With" (op-ed)

We finished up the archetype notes from yesterday. Students received a mandala assignment that will be due Wednesday, 11/28.

Don't forget to check the Archetypes page on Canvas if you're looking for notes or more archetypes.

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November 14

Students had the first 25 minutes of class to finish and hand in the outlines from yesterday and read independently.

Our writer's notebook entry was "a walk in the woods." Absent students should make this up in tutorials.

We began taking notes over archetypes. Slides are available on the Archetypes page on Canvas. We will continue this work tomorrow.

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November 13

IRT: 20 minutes
WNB: Reading Rate - Students determined their reading rate for the book they're currently reading.

We went over the Antigone test. Some scores have been adjusted due to an error on the key.

We discussed the ROSE strategy for discovering evidence and examples to add to our essays.

Students began drafting 2 outlines for STAAR prompts that we've been practicing over the past few weeks. We will finish this work tomorrow.

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November 12

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Parallelism Practice - students practiced writing sentences in parallel structure and considered how they could include this rhetorical device in their own writing. (Absent students should make this up in tutorials A block Tuesday or Thursday.)

Students shared their additional scenes for Oedipus Rex and Antigone. Excellent work!

We completed a short AP-style multiple choice practice.

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Week-at-a-Glance

November 9

Students had time to work on the add-a-scene. Two groups presented live in 1st period. Other groups will present on Monday (and Tuesday if needed).

November 8

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Article of the Week - "These 5 Healthy Habits Could Help You Live a Decade Longer"

Students used the first 30 minutes of class to read, annotate, and respond to today's article of the week while I met with individual students for reading conferences.

Students used the remaining class time to continue planning their add-a-scene presentations. Students will begin sharing their scenes tomorrow.

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November 7

Students took the Antigone test today. We will continue working on the add-a-scene assignment tomorrow and begin presentations on Friday.

November 6

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

I passed back the comparison response that students wrote for the MLK letter/Antigone speech prompt last week.

Students continued working on their add-a-scenes.

The Antigone test is tomorrow! Here's a good video to help you review the story.

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November 5

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB:

We updated our Antigone test review. For Part II, students only need to recognize examples of similes, metaphors, personification, allusions, irony, and paradox. Students should also study a variety of tone words using the Study Stack on the Greek Drama page on Canvas.

Students began working in groups to add a scene to either Oedipus Rex or Antigone. They will present their scenes to the class beginning Friday. They will have time in class on Tuesday and Thursday to work (the Antigone test is Wednesday).

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Week-at-a-Glance

November 2

IRT: ~20 minutes
WNB: Outside Entry

Students resumed reading Antigone and completing the analysis packet. We finished filling in the literary devices and commentary for the 12 quotes on the first two pages. The test over Antigone is Wednesday, 11/7.

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Apologies for yesterday's very brief post!

November 1

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