Ms. Scott's Spot for School Whatnot

Today we spent class in the computer lab so students could finish typing their Dinner Party essays and do their first submission to the Holt Online grading site.  Students were to carefully read and follow the directions on the  BLUE sheet and fill in their scores (holistic AND analaytic) and then read all the feedback given.  Students were then to begin working on revisions to the essay so as to improve the paper before the second scoring on Monday.   You will have a chance to submit it a total of 4 times before Thanksgiving Break.  PLEASE read all guidelines on the blue sheet to ensure you get maximum credit! I do not have a link to my blue sheet, but if you lost yours you should call a friend to get find out what it says and see me first thing Monday for another copy (while supplies last!).

HW: You may want to work on revisions to maximize your time in the lab.  Do NOT submit from home unless you have been given specific permission to do so.

Yesterday (while I was out facilitating Ropes Course), students read/performed Scene 2 of A Christmas Carol.  Today we had a discussion about it and some of the symbolism it contained.  We completed a worksheet on Scene 2 symbolism and studnets also turned in the completed Vocab Practice sheet. 

HW: Read Scene 3 ALOUD.

Today we spent time in the computer lab typing our Dinner Party essays.  We will continue with teh process outlined on the BLUE SHEET on Friday.  Mrs. Mead will be here tomorrow while I am out on Ropes Course.

HW: Bring $ for Book Fair tomorrow!  And don’t forget about the special Holiday Bazaar  tomorrow night from 6-8pm with the Book Fair and stuff from about 10 other vendors (including yours truly!)

Today we had students “audition” to read the part of their choice in our play.   Here’s what we have… we may make changes as needed.  Feel free to highlight your parts in your copy of the play.  Be sure to ONLY highlight the actual SPOKEN words of your character (not stage directions or narration).

Hallie – Girl, Fan (Scrooge’s sister)  

Seve – Scrooge (scenes 2-4)

Justin – Scrooge (scenes 5-6)

Macale – Fred, Sparsit

Parker – Cook, Fezziwig

Rickya – Charwoman Scene 2, First Spirit

Daniel – Jacob Marley, Second Spirit

Alec – Bob Cratchit, Ben Benjamin/Second Voice

Leondre – Leper, Child Scrooge

Xavier – Jack Walton/First Voice, Young Ebenezer

Jeremy – Tiny Tim

Makenzie – Mrs. Cratchit, Charwoman Scene 6

Eric – Boy and Peter

Today we did steps 3, 4, & 5 of the DOG and had some discussion and review for teh DOG QUIZ on Thursday.  Then we continued with GOLD RUSH.  Tomorrow students need to report to the 700 comp lab tomorrow with completed Peer-Edit form, 1st draft, 2nd draft and Blue Instruction Sheet with Holt username and password. (5th period did not get the blue sheet yet.)

HW: Students need to report to the 700 comp lab tomorrow with completed Peer-Edit form, 1st draft, 2nd draft and Blue Instruction Sheet with Holt username and password. (5th period did not get the blue sheet yet.) They should have read completely through the blue sheet before class.

Today we discussed symbolism and then completed a worksheet on symbolism in Scene 1.  Then students began work on a Vocab Practice sheet (front side only).

HW: Finish vocab sheet and find a passage in the play you want to read from your desired character for your ‘audition’.

Today we did Step #1 and 2 of the new DOG.  We spent some time completing  and correcting the DOG.  Then we began watching GOLD RUSH – a documentary of the Klondike Gold Rush.  We will continue watching it tomorrow, as well as complete DOG steps 3, 4, &5.  DOG QUIZ on Thursday!!

HW: You should have your peer-editing packet complete and your revised/second draft ready.  Please bring 1st and 2nd drafts and completed peer-editing sheets to class. (8th period may have until Wednesday) We will beging typing in the lab on Wednesday.  Don’t forget that ther is a DOG quiz on Thursday!!

Today we finished reading and discussing background info on A Christmas Carol.  We discussed “play protocol” and students followed along as Mr. Cranor and Ms. Scott read Scene One.  We then discussed the scene and answered some questions.  Students will be “auditioning” for a reading part over the next few days.

HW: Read Scene Two (out loud!) and look ahead and prepare to audition.

Today we did DOG step 5.   We then briefly discussed expectations for Peer-Editing and how to use the Peer-Editing Guide. Students then paired up and switched papers for peer-editing.  The first 3 pages of the guide are to be completed by the ‘editor’ and the back page by the ‘writer.’   Students could then beging revising and editing their own paper. 

HW: DUE BY TUES – Revise and edit your paper and then create a second draft that you will type in the lab during class next week. You may type it at home and bring it on a ‘jump drive’ if you like.  You will need to turn in (ON TUES) completed Peer-edit guide, first draft and second draft. Email me with any questions. scotts2@fultonschools.org

Today students had a few minutes to finish up yesteday’s vocab sheet, then they turned them in.  Then we read and discussed some further background on the novel A Christmas Carol, historical context, and some elements of the novel and play adaptaion.  Students will be “auditioning” to read the part of their choice next Tuesday.

HW: None – but DO NOT LOSE the study guide you were given!

Today we did DOG step #4.  Then students each received a unique username and password for the Holt Online Resources site (see link in blogroll to the right).  We then went to the computer lab for a quick setup of the document each student will use to type the Dinner Party essay.  Upon our return, we set aside Dinner Party stuff for a day and read about the Jack London, the author of our upcoming novel.  We will begin a novel study after Thanksgiving. Students were to read the brief bio and then thoughtfully and thoroughly answer the 4 question with neat handwriting and complete sentences. (5^th period did not do this, but began Peer-editing. 5^th period will be ‘flip-flopping’ Thursday and Friday’s lessons.)

HW: Finish the Jack London assignment.

Today we finished up the video on Charles Dickens and the questions.  Then we read a short article about how he came to write A Christmas Carol.  Students found out that we will be reading and studying the play version of this classic piece of literature!  We did a little more prep as we completed a vocab worksheet. 

HW: Finish Vocab wksht – or almost – we will give you until 9:05 am tomorrow to have it done, so come down at the bell and use the dictionaries in my room.

Today we did DOG Step#3.   We then analyzed the 2nd draft essay (rec’d a grade of 3 out of 4) on “Under the Rice Moon” a little further and then examined a final draft that got a “4″ – the highest mark and how the improvements were made.  Students were to complete the section on the back of the “4″ essay thoroughly and thoughtfully. 

HW: Finish any classwrok and bring complete and organized 1st draft tomorrow for Peer-editing.  

Today we watched biography of Charles Dickens and answered questions.  Students should have questions 1-16 answered by this point in the vidoe.  We will finish the last bit tomorrow.

HW: None

Today we did DOG step #2.  We read a short story “Under the Rice Moon” and then examined 2 student essays written about it and the message that the author conveys using the bird and the characters.  We analyzed these essays using the Literary Analysis Checklist and the Holistic and Analytic feedback chart that the students were given.  This was to see how a students essay like the ones they are creating will be graded and how they can be improved.   (All the bold words are links to the handouts.)  Students were to underline the thesis in each essay,  use 2 colors and highlight major and minor support, and give written feedback below.

HW: Finish the above mentioned activity for both essays.