I think this is what we found on the sidewalk when we were chalking last week. Watch out--it looks like they're going to get bigger!
Clumps of forest tent caterpillars eating their way through Twin Cities | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Forest Tent Caterpillars (Ew!)
I think this is what we found on the sidewalk when we were chalking last week. Watch out--it looks like they're going to get bigger!
Clumps of forest tent caterpillars eating their way through Twin Cities | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ
Thursday 5/27/10
IN CLASS:
Today was a late start day, so all classes (except 6th hour) were shortened. Today we had time for some journal writing and vocab checking. Students should review their vocab for the quiz tomorrow. As a reminder, in the last two weeks students will be taking a vocab exam over lessons 13-16 on the following dates:
review for vocab quiz 16
Today was a late start day, so all classes (except 6th hour) were shortened. Today we had time for some journal writing and vocab checking. Students should review their vocab for the quiz tomorrow. As a reminder, in the last two weeks students will be taking a vocab exam over lessons 13-16 on the following dates:
- Hours 2, 5, 6 on Friday, June 4th
- Hour 7, 8 on Monday, June 7th
review for vocab quiz 16
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday 5/26/10
IN CLASS:
Today we began with 10 minutes of journal writing. We then
looked at the title The Freedom Writers Diary which is an allusion to the Freedom Riders from the Civil Rights Movement. We looked at a brief timeline of the Civil Rights movement to put things into a time perspective.
More Links and Videos:
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab Due Tomorrow
Today we began with 10 minutes of journal writing. We then
looked at the title The Freedom Writers Diary which is an allusion to the Freedom Riders from the Civil Rights Movement. We looked at a brief timeline of the Civil Rights movement to put things into a time perspective.- 1954--Brown v. Board of Education declared that segregated public schools was unconstitutional
- 1955--Rosa Parks refusal to give up her bus seat sparks the Montgomery Bus Boycott
- 1957--Little Rock 9 enroll at Little Rock Central High School
- 1960--Students in Greensboro NC stage first sit-ins at Woolworths demanding service--sparks more non-violent protests across the nation.
- 1961--Freedom Rides begin
- 1967--Thurgood Marshall becomes first black justice on the Supreme Court
- 1968--Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated
- 1991--Rodney King is beaten by police in LA
- 1992--Race Riots begin in LA
- 1994--The Freedom Writers begin work on their Diaries in Long Beach, CA
More Links and Videos:
- Get On the Bus: The Freedom Riders of 1961(National Public Radio)
- The Freedom Riders: New Documentary Recounts Historic 1961 Effort to Challenge Segregated Bus System in the Deep South (Democracy Now)
- Jim Zwerg in the hospital
- Freedom Ride 2009 by Vanderbilt University Students
- Watch The Freedom Writers Trailer (the movie based on the true story)
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab Due Tomorrow
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday 5/25/10
IN CLASS:
Today we began with root words:
After root words, we did some thinking about journal writing, why people write, and where their writing comes from. We talked about what makes journal writing easy and what makes it hard. We then started writing in journals. Students are able to write about whatever they choose.
ASSIGNMENT:
vocab due Thursday
Today we began with root words:
- PYRO=fire (pyromaniac, pyrotechnics)
- IGNIS=fire (igneous, ignite)
- VULCANUS=Vulcan, the Roman god of fire (volcano, volcanic)
- HYDROS=water (hydrant, hydrate)
- AQUA=water (aquarium, aquamarine, aquatennial)
- BONUS=good (bon jour, bounty, bueno)
After root words, we did some thinking about journal writing, why people write, and where their writing comes from. We talked about what makes journal writing easy and what makes it hard. We then started writing in journals. Students are able to write about whatever they choose.
ASSIGNMENT:
vocab due Thursday
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday 5/24/10
IN CLASS:
All classes today read two introductory pieces to The Freedom Writers Diary as an extension activity to Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. The first is a brief summary of the Freedom Writers story, while the second is the forward to the book written by Zlata Filipovic who wrote her own war diary during the was in Sarajevo in 1992. There were questions to accompany both readings.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
All classes today read two introductory pieces to The Freedom Writers Diary as an extension activity to Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. The first is a brief summary of the Freedom Writers story, while the second is the forward to the book written by Zlata Filipovic who wrote her own war diary during the was in Sarajevo in 1992. There were questions to accompany both readings.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Friday 5/21/10
IN CLASS:
Today all classes had their last time for independent reading. Then we created accordion folded journals that we will use during the last weeks of school to do some reflective writing tied to our reading.
ASSIGNMENT:
Decorate the cover of your journal to reflect your identity.
Today all classes had their last time for independent reading. Then we created accordion folded journals that we will use during the last weeks of school to do some reflective writing tied to our reading.
ASSIGNMENT:
Decorate the cover of your journal to reflect your identity.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday 5/19/10
IN CLASS:
Hour 7 completed their writing assessment for our Anne Frank unit.
Hour 8 used the direct quotation reflection pages to create sidewalk chalk quotes and images outside the junior high today.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Hour 7 completed their writing assessment for our Anne Frank unit.
Hour 8 used the direct quotation reflection pages to create sidewalk chalk quotes and images outside the junior high today.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Tuesday 5/18/10
IN CLASS:
Hour 2--Since I haven't seen this class since last Thursday, today was the day we corrected vocab, did a little reviewing, and took the quiz. After that we read a few diary entries from Anne Frank. We will finish up the unit in class on Thursday.
Hour 6--Today we read the last diary entry from Anne Frank's diary and looked at the contradictions she felt within herself. Students began working on their focus paragraphs evaluating which "side" of Anne was stronger. We'll finish these and wrap up the unit on Thursday.
Hour 8--Today students wrote a 2 paragraph mini-essay discussing the two sides of Anne and which side they found to be the stronger. Students also received a reflective writing task (download it using the link below) asking them to identify a meaningful passage in the text that they connected with. This will lead us into the activity for Wednesday.
ASSIGNMENT:
Hour 8--Complete Direct Quotation Reflection Page
Hour 2--Since I haven't seen this class since last Thursday, today was the day we corrected vocab, did a little reviewing, and took the quiz. After that we read a few diary entries from Anne Frank. We will finish up the unit in class on Thursday.
Hour 6--Today we read the last diary entry from Anne Frank's diary and looked at the contradictions she felt within herself. Students began working on their focus paragraphs evaluating which "side" of Anne was stronger. We'll finish these and wrap up the unit on Thursday.
Hour 8--Today students wrote a 2 paragraph mini-essay discussing the two sides of Anne and which side they found to be the stronger. Students also received a reflective writing task (download it using the link below) asking them to identify a meaningful passage in the text that they connected with. This will lead us into the activity for Wednesday.
ASSIGNMENT:
Hour 8--Complete Direct Quotation Reflection Page
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday 5/17/10
IN CLASS:
Hour 5--Today we finished up reading the last diary entries in Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. Then we started brainstorming some ideas for the final writing assignment for the unit. Students have been looking at the conflict and contradictions in the passages. Their assignment is to look at the two sides to Anne and decide which one is the stronger side. Then they need to write a well constructed paragraph proving it. We will finish up this task in class on Thursday when we meet again.
Hour 6--Today we checked through the vocab assignment and then took the quiz. After that students read some of the diary entries in partners and looked at the various conflicts in the text--both internal and external. Next, students started to look at the conflict Anne feels within herself, who she is, and who she wants to become. Tomorrow in class we will work toward writing the paragraph described above after reading the remaining entries in the diary.
Hour 8--First we checked the vocab assignment and then after a few minutes to review, they took the vocab quiz. Next we looked at the "rich and complex character" that is Anne Frank and began talking about her two sides. Students were given their writing assignment which will be completed tomorrow in class. They are welcome to do some preparatory work tonight to aid them in their writing.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Hour 5--Today we finished up reading the last diary entries in Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. Then we started brainstorming some ideas for the final writing assignment for the unit. Students have been looking at the conflict and contradictions in the passages. Their assignment is to look at the two sides to Anne and decide which one is the stronger side. Then they need to write a well constructed paragraph proving it. We will finish up this task in class on Thursday when we meet again.
Hour 6--Today we checked through the vocab assignment and then took the quiz. After that students read some of the diary entries in partners and looked at the various conflicts in the text--both internal and external. Next, students started to look at the conflict Anne feels within herself, who she is, and who she wants to become. Tomorrow in class we will work toward writing the paragraph described above after reading the remaining entries in the diary.
Hour 8--First we checked the vocab assignment and then after a few minutes to review, they took the vocab quiz. Next we looked at the "rich and complex character" that is Anne Frank and began talking about her two sides. Students were given their writing assignment which will be completed tomorrow in class. They are welcome to do some preparatory work tonight to aid them in their writing.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday 5/14/10
IN CLASS:
Hours 5 and 7 had class today. We had some time for independent reading, corrected vocab, took the vocab quiz, read some Anne Frank, and began to prepare for the final Anne Frank assessment which will come next week whenever I see these classes again.
ASSIGNMENT:
Hour 5--none
Hour 7--finish reading diary entries for Anne Frank
Hours 5 and 7 had class today. We had some time for independent reading, corrected vocab, took the vocab quiz, read some Anne Frank, and began to prepare for the final Anne Frank assessment which will come next week whenever I see these classes again.
ASSIGNMENT:
Hour 5--none
Hour 7--finish reading diary entries for Anne Frank
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday 5/13/10
IN CLASS:
Today Hours 2, 5, 8 completed the NWEA reading test during class.
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab 15 hours 5, 7 due tomorrow
Vocab Quiz 15 tomorrow
Today Hours 2, 5, 8 completed the NWEA reading test during class.
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab 15 hours 5, 7 due tomorrow
Vocab Quiz 15 tomorrow
Wednesday 5/12/10
IN CLASS:
Today students attended a field trip to the Minnesota History Center and the Westwood Nature Center. Both parts were very successful, but I was especially impressed by our students enthusiasm and commitment to the service work we did at Westwood. They made us proud.
ASSIGNMENT:
See vocab due dates from yesterday's post.
A note on the ongoing construction in the Blue Team hallway:
Some of your students may have told you about the noise, dust, and fumes we are dealing with in our hallway due to the construction at the Junior High to prepare for the 6th graders next fall. The distractions and irritations (both physically and mentally) have reached a point that I am looking for an alternate location to hold my classes. This may mean that each hour meets in a different room. I know this will complicate things for me and for students during the last few weeks for the school year. However, I believe the impact of moving the class will be lesser than the issues we are experiencing in class now.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact me, Prinicpal Bork, or Assistant Superintendent, Bob Laney.
Today students attended a field trip to the Minnesota History Center and the Westwood Nature Center. Both parts were very successful, but I was especially impressed by our students enthusiasm and commitment to the service work we did at Westwood. They made us proud.
ASSIGNMENT:
See vocab due dates from yesterday's post.
A note on the ongoing construction in the Blue Team hallway:
Some of your students may have told you about the noise, dust, and fumes we are dealing with in our hallway due to the construction at the Junior High to prepare for the 6th graders next fall. The distractions and irritations (both physically and mentally) have reached a point that I am looking for an alternate location to hold my classes. This may mean that each hour meets in a different room. I know this will complicate things for me and for students during the last few weeks for the school year. However, I believe the impact of moving the class will be lesser than the issues we are experiencing in class now.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact me, Prinicpal Bork, or Assistant Superintendent, Bob Laney.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday 5/11/10
IN CLASS:
Hour 5--Today students did some silent reading of entries from 1943 in Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. They also worked on finding examples of both internal and external conflict in the text. Finally, we watched two sections of the the PBS movie.
Hour 6 completed NWEA testing during class.
Hour 8--Students worked on flow maps trying to organize the causes and effects surrounding the Frank family's experiences in hiding. We also watched one section from the PBS movie. 8th hour students should finish reading the entries from Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl in their copy of Junior Great Books.
Video Links:
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab due dates by class:
Hour 5--Today students did some silent reading of entries from 1943 in Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. They also worked on finding examples of both internal and external conflict in the text. Finally, we watched two sections of the the PBS movie.
Hour 6 completed NWEA testing during class.
Hour 8--Students worked on flow maps trying to organize the causes and effects surrounding the Frank family's experiences in hiding. We also watched one section from the PBS movie. 8th hour students should finish reading the entries from Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl in their copy of Junior Great Books.
Video Links:- Watch The Diary of Anne Frank chapter 6 (from class today)
- Watch full movie (today is the last day to watch this online)
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab due dates by class:
- Hour 2--Tuesday, May 18
- Hour 5--Friday, May 14
- Hour 6--Monday, May 17
- Hour 7--Friday, May 14
- Hour 8--Monday, May 17
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday 5/10/10
IN CLASS:
Today only Hour 2 had Language Arts due to NWEA testing and the block schedule. During Hour 2, we read some of the entries from Anne's diary during 1943. We talked about the external and internal conflict she dealt with during the time and how she used her diary to help her make sense of all the conflict around her. We watched another chapter from the recently released PBS movie and finished up the hour with some more reading.
Hour 7 completed their NWEA testing today during class.
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab Lessons and Quizzes will be on the following days:
Today only Hour 2 had Language Arts due to NWEA testing and the block schedule. During Hour 2, we read some of the entries from Anne's diary during 1943. We talked about the external and internal conflict she dealt with during the time and how she used her diary to help her make sense of all the conflict around her. We watched another chapter from the recently released PBS movie and finished up the hour with some more reading.
Hour 7 completed their NWEA testing today during class.
ASSIGNMENT:
Vocab Lessons and Quizzes will be on the following days:
- Hour 2--Tuesday, May 18
- Hour 5--Friday, May 14
- Hour 6--Monday, May 17
- Hour 7--Friday, May 14
- Hour 8--Monday, May 17
Friday 5/7/10
IN CLASS:
Today in class, we read Act 1, Scene 4 in the play The Diary of Anne Frank which was based up on the book, Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl and dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hacket in 1954. The play was created just 7 years after the first publishing of Anne Frank's Diary. After finishing the scene, students completed a Critical Response looking at the mood or feeling conveyed through the narration.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Today in class, we read Act 1, Scene 4 in the play The Diary of Anne Frank which was based up on the book, Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl and dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hacket in 1954. The play was created just 7 years after the first publishing of Anne Frank's Diary. After finishing the scene, students completed a Critical Response looking at the mood or feeling conveyed through the narration.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday 5/6/10
IN CLASS:
Hour 2, 5, 6--Today we filled out a character chart for all the characters we have met so far through the reading and watching of Anne Frank's story. You can download a copy of the character chart by clicking here. After that, we read three journal entries together in class. Some hours had time to watch part of a clip of the movie recently presented on PBS. Click here to watch the clip.
Students also received the vocab packet for lesson 15. For due dates by hour, see yesterday's blog entry.
Hours 7, 8--During these hours, students started off with a short clicker quiz checking their comprehension of the reading assignments. They they filled out the character chart. At the end we watched some of the movie recently presented on PBS. Click here to watch the clip.
ASSIGNMENT:
Hour 2, 5, 6--Today we filled out a character chart for all the characters we have met so far through the reading and watching of Anne Frank's story. You can download a copy of the character chart by clicking here. After that, we read three journal entries together in class. Some hours had time to watch part of a clip of the movie recently presented on PBS. Click here to watch the clip.
Students also received the vocab packet for lesson 15. For due dates by hour, see yesterday's blog entry.
Hours 7, 8--During these hours, students started off with a short clicker quiz checking their comprehension of the reading assignments. They they filled out the character chart. At the end we watched some of the movie recently presented on PBS. Click here to watch the clip.
ASSIGNMENT:
- Hours 2, 5, 6,--complete the character chart.
- Hours 7, 8--Read entries beginning on page 110 through the entry that ends on page 116
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday 5/5/10
IN CLASS:
Hours 2, 5, 6--Today we read an article on the history of the Anne Frank's diary and how it came to be published. Students took a brief reading comprehension quiz following the article. Then we watched a short portion of the most recent movie made of Anne Frank's experience from PBS (click here to watch the clip).
Hours 7, 8--Students did some reflective writing thinking about what they would bring if they, like Anne Frank, were forced to go into hiding on short notice. While some students went for the obvious like iPods or computers (I did tell them there would be no cell signal or wifi in their hiding spot), others shared more sentimental items like gifts from grandparents, stuffed animals from childhood, or photo albums of memories. After that we discussed the reading assignment from yesterday and watched a clip from the PBS movie. Click here to watch the clip.
VOCAB 15 date changes:
Due to NWEA testing, the due dates and quiz dates for lesson 15 will be changing. During the block schedule time, classes will be approximately 90 minutes long. Therefore, we will correct the assignment AND take the quiz on the same day. Dates are listed below by class. Students should have these changes noted in their agendas.
Vocab Lessons and Quizzes will be on the following days:
ASSIGNMENT:
Hours 2, 5, 6--Today we read an article on the history of the Anne Frank's diary and how it came to be published. Students took a brief reading comprehension quiz following the article. Then we watched a short portion of the most recent movie made of Anne Frank's experience from PBS (click here to watch the clip).
Hours 7, 8--Students did some reflective writing thinking about what they would bring if they, like Anne Frank, were forced to go into hiding on short notice. While some students went for the obvious like iPods or computers (I did tell them there would be no cell signal or wifi in their hiding spot), others shared more sentimental items like gifts from grandparents, stuffed animals from childhood, or photo albums of memories. After that we discussed the reading assignment from yesterday and watched a clip from the PBS movie. Click here to watch the clip.
VOCAB 15 date changes:
Due to NWEA testing, the due dates and quiz dates for lesson 15 will be changing. During the block schedule time, classes will be approximately 90 minutes long. Therefore, we will correct the assignment AND take the quiz on the same day. Dates are listed below by class. Students should have these changes noted in their agendas.
Vocab Lessons and Quizzes will be on the following days:
- Hour 2--Tuesday, May 18
- Hour 5--Friday, May 14
- Hour 6--Monday, May 17
- Hour 7--Friday, May 14
- Hour 8--Monday, May 17
ASSIGNMENT:
- Hours 2, 5, 6--none
- Hours 7, 8--read diary entries pages 99-109. There will be a quiz tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday 5/4/10
IN CLASS:
Today we are starting to study Anne Frank in earnest. After a brief reflection on Mrs. Singer's stories from yesterday, we watched the first part of the movie Anne Frank: The Whole Story to get a sense of what her life was like before the Germans invaded Holland and the Frank family was forced into hiding. After that we began reading excerpts from her diary before their time in hiding.
ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR TODAY:
ASSIGNMENT:
Today we are starting to study Anne Frank in earnest. After a brief reflection on Mrs. Singer's stories from yesterday, we watched the first part of the movie Anne Frank: The Whole Story to get a sense of what her life was like before the Germans invaded Holland and the Frank family was forced into hiding. After that we began reading excerpts from her diary before their time in hiding.
ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR TODAY:
- Watch Anne Frank: The Whole Story
- Anne Frank channel on YouTube
- Anne Frank House
- The Diary of Anne Frank (new PBS movie)
ASSIGNMENT:
- Hours 2, 5, 6--none
- Hours 7, 8--Read the first 2 diary entries (June 20th, July 9th)
Monday 4/3/10
IN CLASS:
Today Mrs. Singer, a teaching assistant at the Junior High, spoke in all classes and shared stories she knows from the Holocaust. Though Mrs. Singer is not a Holocaust survivor, she is very interested and passionate about the topic and came to share her perspective with our students. During Mrs. Singer's talk, students took 3-2-1 notes (3 things they learned, 2 things that surprised them, 1 question they still have). To learn more and hear actual survivors tell their stories, visit the University of South Carolina Shoah Foundation Institute website.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Today Mrs. Singer, a teaching assistant at the Junior High, spoke in all classes and shared stories she knows from the Holocaust. Though Mrs. Singer is not a Holocaust survivor, she is very interested and passionate about the topic and came to share her perspective with our students. During Mrs. Singer's talk, students took 3-2-1 notes (3 things they learned, 2 things that surprised them, 1 question they still have). To learn more and hear actual survivors tell their stories, visit the University of South Carolina Shoah Foundation Institute website.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Friday 3/30/10
IN CLASS:
Today in class students had about 20 minutes for independent reading time. After that they took the vocab quiz for lesson 14.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
Today in class students had about 20 minutes for independent reading time. After that they took the vocab quiz for lesson 14.
ASSIGNMENT:
none
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