Friday, December 11, 2015
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Teaching Tolerance: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Teaching Tolerance
Use the video as a resource to whet your appetite in thinking about social justice.
As you read and annotate the article that follows, think about your own take on how youths can play a significant role in Social justice/change.
Use the video as a resource to whet your appetite in thinking about social justice.
As you read and annotate the article that follows, think about your own take on how youths can play a significant role in Social justice/change.
Friday, October 23, 2015
The Yuckiest Foods of the Amazon Period 2-11th Grade
The Yuckiest Foods in the Amazon
Here is the link as background to the article written by Roach. Having viewed the Prezi presentation on it, compare how the information in the prezi is similar to the information that Roach presents in her article. What salient differences do you find between the two sources? Cite textual evidence from both and remember to use proper references to the pieces by naming each as you present the info.
Which piece did you prefer more? the Prezi or the actual article? Why?
Post your response in an extended paragraph of 10-12 sentences. WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE BLOG POSTING BEFORE YOU HIT "ANONYMOUS" TO SEND IT.
Having posted, you are required to READ and COMMENT on ONE other student's original blog posting. In commenting on the student's blog, you may discuss some of the points of the student's post that you agree with or that you like because you have not thought about the information in this way. But, you must also find ONE idea that you would like to disagree with or that you needed the person to shed more light on. In other words, you must diagnose and offer suggestion for improvment.
Happy Blogging! Please look at the Blog rubric to see how your work would be assessed!
Here is the link as background to the article written by Roach. Having viewed the Prezi presentation on it, compare how the information in the prezi is similar to the information that Roach presents in her article. What salient differences do you find between the two sources? Cite textual evidence from both and remember to use proper references to the pieces by naming each as you present the info.
Which piece did you prefer more? the Prezi or the actual article? Why?
Post your response in an extended paragraph of 10-12 sentences. WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE BLOG POSTING BEFORE YOU HIT "ANONYMOUS" TO SEND IT.
Having posted, you are required to READ and COMMENT on ONE other student's original blog posting. In commenting on the student's blog, you may discuss some of the points of the student's post that you agree with or that you like because you have not thought about the information in this way. But, you must also find ONE idea that you would like to disagree with or that you needed the person to shed more light on. In other words, you must diagnose and offer suggestion for improvment.
Happy Blogging! Please look at the Blog rubric to see how your work would be assessed!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Central Idea in a text-Textual Analysis
You have read, annotated, and discussed Billy Collins' poem, "The History Teacher." Based on your table/group's discussion, and based on the evidence presented in the poem, respond to the following prompt:
How does Billy Collins present/develop the Central idea in this text?
In your paragraph (6-8 sentence response):
-identify the central idea
-provide contextual evidence to support the central idea
-discuss the general technique Collins uses to bring out the central idea
Ensure your blog posting is free of Grammatical and Structural errors.
Having posted your blog, with your name written in the blog to identify yourself, you must now respond to at least ONE other classmate's blog posting by either agreeing or disagreeing with the central idea that he/she presented. In taking a position on the classmate's posting, you must support, using evidence from the text as well as your own reasoning, why you have taken such position in responding to the person's blog.
Use the blog rubric to guide how your grade will be assigned for this activity!
Happy blogging!
How does Billy Collins present/develop the Central idea in this text?
In your paragraph (6-8 sentence response):
-identify the central idea
-provide contextual evidence to support the central idea
-discuss the general technique Collins uses to bring out the central idea
Ensure your blog posting is free of Grammatical and Structural errors.
Having posted your blog, with your name written in the blog to identify yourself, you must now respond to at least ONE other classmate's blog posting by either agreeing or disagreeing with the central idea that he/she presented. In taking a position on the classmate's posting, you must support, using evidence from the text as well as your own reasoning, why you have taken such position in responding to the person's blog.
Use the blog rubric to guide how your grade will be assigned for this activity!
Happy blogging!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
11th Grade goals for Fall 2015
Click on the following link to write your S.M.A.R.T goal for ELA class for this semester.
Follow the guidelines on the PADLET platform before you begin writing your goal. Remember to review your goal to correct any editing errors.
11th Grade goal setting for Fall 2015
Follow the guidelines on the PADLET platform before you begin writing your goal. Remember to review your goal to correct any editing errors.
11th Grade goal setting for Fall 2015
9th Grade S.M.A.R.T goals for Fall 2015
Click on this link below to write your goals on the Padlet platform. Follow the guidelines on the platform:
9TH GRADE LINK FOR S.M.A.R.T goals
9TH GRADE LINK FOR S.M.A.R.T goals
Monday, July 27, 2015
Summer Blog #3:"The Fundamental Principle of a Republic"-Text Analysis
In preparation for your discussion of techniques used in writing and in preparation for successfully completing your writing on the Common Core piece "The Fundamental Principle of a Republic" use the links below to research key concepts relating to techniques in writing.
As you research, take copious notes that you can use for your blogging, for your group's discussion, as well as information you can draw on as you prepare your three paragraph textual analysis response.
Task for Blogging: Having concluded your research, write a short paragraph response in which you make a claim as to which technique is MOST readily used by Shaw in her writing. Provide at least one example from the piece as to where this was used and explain how effectively Shaw uses this technique in her writing.
The links are below. You are expected to research at least SIX links before you begin to blog. Every student must also read and take notes on the link entitled "Mandatory Article on Text Analysis."
Write your first name and last INITIAL at the end of the blog BEFORE you post it. Unnamed blogs would not be regarded for further comments and assessment!
Structure and Parallel Structure
Video on Structure
Rhetorical Question in Language and Literature
Differences between a Metaphor and an Analogy
Analyzing Devices of Metaphors, Similes, Analogies etc
Syntax and Diction
Theme Analysis
Mandatory Article on Text Analysis
As you research, take copious notes that you can use for your blogging, for your group's discussion, as well as information you can draw on as you prepare your three paragraph textual analysis response.
Task for Blogging: Having concluded your research, write a short paragraph response in which you make a claim as to which technique is MOST readily used by Shaw in her writing. Provide at least one example from the piece as to where this was used and explain how effectively Shaw uses this technique in her writing.
The links are below. You are expected to research at least SIX links before you begin to blog. Every student must also read and take notes on the link entitled "Mandatory Article on Text Analysis."
Write your first name and last INITIAL at the end of the blog BEFORE you post it. Unnamed blogs would not be regarded for further comments and assessment!
Structure and Parallel Structure
Video on Structure
Rhetorical Question in Language and Literature
Differences between a Metaphor and an Analogy
Analyzing Devices of Metaphors, Similes, Analogies etc
Syntax and Diction
Theme Analysis
Mandatory Article on Text Analysis
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Summer Blog 2: Elements of an Effective Short Story
Visit the following links below to read, discuss and take notes on the Elements of an Effective Short Story. YOU MUST VISIT AT LEAST TWO SITES FIRST! Since this is our new genre of study for Creative Writing, you are to respond to the following blog after you have gathered yours notes and discussed at your group tables.
Elements for an Effective short story
http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/elements.html
http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpm/ellsa/ellsa_elements.html
http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~karchung/Short_story.pdf
http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2012/12/10/tips-for-effective-storytelling-at-work/
http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/short.html
Which element of the Short Story writing do you consider to be the MOST important for ANY Short Story?
Why do you consider this element most important? Give details based on your own experiences as well as using any of the facts you found while you were researching.'
Remember to include your name for identification of your posting BEFORE you post your blog. Any "No Name" blog would not be acknowledged for assessment!
Happy blogging!
Elements for an Effective short story
http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/elements.html
http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpm/ellsa/ellsa_elements.html
http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~karchung/Short_story.pdf
http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2012/12/10/tips-for-effective-storytelling-at-work/
http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/short.html
Which element of the Short Story writing do you consider to be the MOST important for ANY Short Story?
Why do you consider this element most important? Give details based on your own experiences as well as using any of the facts you found while you were researching.'
Remember to include your name for identification of your posting BEFORE you post your blog. Any "No Name" blog would not be acknowledged for assessment!
Happy blogging!
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Summer 2015 (MS. JOSEPH)
Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
Having read the short story by Kate Chopin, develop a two paragraph blog posting in which you discuss the most interesting section of the story. Explain and discuss the specific technique that Chopin uses to develop this most interesting section of the story. Note that your response must NOT entail the ENTIRE story. The idea is to hone in on the author's CRAFT in developing the fiction.
In discussing craft, you may comment on the author's development of ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: narration, dialogue, syntax, diction, text structure, theme, moral etc.
If you need a refresher's course on any of the devices listed above, then conduct a Google search or click on the following link to review any of the devices.
Website to review Literary Devices and Elements
Remember to respond to another student's posting in a very intuitive way. Responses that are merely summaries of what the person has written will result in a lower grade according to the Blog rubric.
YOU MUST REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR FULL NAME IN THE BLOG SO THAT THE TEACHER CAN ASSIGN THE RIGHT COMMENTS AND GRADES TO YOUR WORK!
Happy blogging!
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Period 2: Resources for Characterization of Shakespeare's Macbeth
As you work on completing tasks on "Macbeth" my Williams Shakespeare, here are resources that can help you to do well:
Character Analysis in Macbeth
Characterization and Theme in "Macbeth"
Character List in "Macbeth"
Indirect Characterization
Analysis of Macbeth
Characterization in Drama: Its Importance
Where's the drama?
Images of Macbeth
Please feel free to access your own resources to complete your group's tasks. YOUR BLOG POSTING will be updated to this post on the successful completion of your group's task.
Character Analysis in Macbeth
Characterization and Theme in "Macbeth"
Character List in "Macbeth"
Indirect Characterization
Analysis of Macbeth
Characterization in Drama: Its Importance
Where's the drama?
Images of Macbeth
Please feel free to access your own resources to complete your group's tasks. YOUR BLOG POSTING will be updated to this post on the successful completion of your group's task.
Period 1: Resources to guide your writing of the various vignettes and follow-up blog posting
Here are a few resources to assist you as you compose/write your various vignettes, staring with "My Name." Remember that these are guides. YOUR vignettes can include other forms of YOUR creativity.
Click on the resources below to assist you on producing your first vignette on "My Name." Your details for writing the vignette comes from your research-note taking worksheet!!
Having completed your FIRST assigned vignette, you must respond to the question:
What has been your greatest or most memorable experience researching and writing YOUR vignette?
Which resource/site on this blog as been the MOST helpful for you? Why?
Your response must be at least an extended paragraph of at least 10-12 sentences. You must also respond to at least two classmates' postings with meaningful comments. Please remember to use the Blog rubric to guide what you produce.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Period 1: Preparing for Dialogue and Narration
House on Mango Street Audio book
As you preapre for your first piece of work on Dialogue and Narration, listen to at least two of the vignettes or short stories in PART ONE of A House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Based on your work on dialogue, discuss what changes you would make to CHANGE some of the narration to actual dialogue, so the characters are SPEAKING DIRECTLY rather than the narrator is telling what they are thinking or doing.
Change at least four lines to show this in action. YOU MUST FIRST TELL WHICH STORY YOU ARE USING, AND SAY WHICH LINES AND PARAGRAPHS YOU ARE REFERRING TO; that is, you must cite the exact source carefully. Keep the context of what the original story is so you don't change the meaning, but make it "COME ALIVE."
YOUR WRITING MUST HAVE NO USE OF INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE!
The classmates who comment on your blog would determine to what extent you are able to successfully keep the original langauge of the story while demonstrating your effective use of dialogue in the text.
Happy blogging!
As you preapre for your first piece of work on Dialogue and Narration, listen to at least two of the vignettes or short stories in PART ONE of A House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Based on your work on dialogue, discuss what changes you would make to CHANGE some of the narration to actual dialogue, so the characters are SPEAKING DIRECTLY rather than the narrator is telling what they are thinking or doing.
Change at least four lines to show this in action. YOU MUST FIRST TELL WHICH STORY YOU ARE USING, AND SAY WHICH LINES AND PARAGRAPHS YOU ARE REFERRING TO; that is, you must cite the exact source carefully. Keep the context of what the original story is so you don't change the meaning, but make it "COME ALIVE."
YOUR WRITING MUST HAVE NO USE OF INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE!
The classmates who comment on your blog would determine to what extent you are able to successfully keep the original langauge of the story while demonstrating your effective use of dialogue in the text.
Happy blogging!
Period 2 ONLY: The Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin
Copy of "The Story of an Hour" by Chopin
Having read the short story by Kate Chopin, develop a two paragraph blog posting in which you discuss the most interesting section of the story. Explain and discuss the specific technique that Chopin uses to develop this most interesting section of the story. Note that your response must NOT entail the ENTIRE story. The idea is to hone in on the author's CRAFT in developing the fiction.
In discussing craft, you may comment on the author's development of ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: narration, dialogue, syntax, diction, text structure, theme, moral etc.
Remember to respond to another student's posting in an very intuitive way. Responses that are merely summaries of what the person has written will result in a lower grade according to the Blog rubric.
Happy blogging!
Having read the short story by Kate Chopin, develop a two paragraph blog posting in which you discuss the most interesting section of the story. Explain and discuss the specific technique that Chopin uses to develop this most interesting section of the story. Note that your response must NOT entail the ENTIRE story. The idea is to hone in on the author's CRAFT in developing the fiction.
In discussing craft, you may comment on the author's development of ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: narration, dialogue, syntax, diction, text structure, theme, moral etc.
Remember to respond to another student's posting in an very intuitive way. Responses that are merely summaries of what the person has written will result in a lower grade according to the Blog rubric.
Happy blogging!
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Revision Stage of Writing
Click on the following link. Read the instructions carefully and complete the the work starting at passage 1 then continuing.Call your teacher to record your score for each.
Revision exercises to strengthen skills relating to style and Mechanics
Revision exercises to strengthen skills relating to style and Mechanics
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
The Argumentative Essay Rubric and Task-My thoughts and Evaluation for Next Steps
Now that you have done work on the argumentative essay and the corresponding rubric, write a 6-8 sentence reflective/evaluative paragraph in which you address the questions:
Copy of the CCLS Argumentative RubricWhat are the main areas of strength observed in completing the Argumentative essay?
What are the areas of weakenesses observed?
How can we, as a class, continue to address these weaknesses and build on these strengths?
In your response, make a determination as to where you think we need to do more work on this unit.
Your ideas to build the paragraph will come from your reflection on your essay as well as the essays (s) you have assessed for your peers.
As usual, you need to edit your response before posting and then respond to at least two classmates' responses.
Remember the blogging rubric used for assessment!
Happy blogging!
Friday, March 20, 2015
The Revision Stage of the Writing Process-Period 1
Click on the link below to examine some tips on the Revison Stage of the Writing Process.
Having taken notes on the major ideas that you gained from the resource, identify and write about ONE point from this resource that can really benefit students as they revise their writing.
Explain fully, what the point is by providing examples on it and then explain how the point can benefit writers into becoming better revisors of their work.
As usual, you must respond to another classmate's blog after completing your original post of approximately 6-8 sentences.
Follow the Blog rubric to help you in maximizing what you produce for this activity.
Happy Blogging. Reemmber to include your names in the blog and remember to edit before you post your blog.
Document on the Revision Stage of Writing
Monday, March 9, 2015
The Drafting Stage of the Writing Process for Creative Writing
Having brainstormed at your tables, choose one idea from your brainstorming activity to develop a 6-8 sentence paragraph that shows one version of your first draft.
Before you do this, explore and take notes on at least 2 of the links below to examine the Drafting stage of the Writing Process.
What is the Drafting Stage?
How to develop a Draft?
Steps in the Drafting Stage
Audio Resource on Tips in Drafting
Use your notes from the resources above to prepare your first draft paragraph.
Having written your paragraph and having placed a topic at the top so your fellow bloggers know what you are writing about, read at least two other original blogs and as usual and respond to the students' drafts by making suggestions for improving.
Happy Blogging!
Before you do this, explore and take notes on at least 2 of the links below to examine the Drafting stage of the Writing Process.
What is the Drafting Stage?
How to develop a Draft?
Steps in the Drafting Stage
Audio Resource on Tips in Drafting
Use your notes from the resources above to prepare your first draft paragraph.
Having written your paragraph and having placed a topic at the top so your fellow bloggers know what you are writing about, read at least two other original blogs and as usual and respond to the students' drafts by making suggestions for improving.
Happy Blogging!
Poetry Analysis using Poetic Term/Devices from Wordle Period 2
Poem #1 "On Living" by Nazim Hikmet
Building on your table discussion of the poem, in which you were able to annotate for the poet's use of the chosen device, use your discussion as well as your annotated notes to address the question:
The author communicates the message of this poem in a very effective way!
In your blog response, you may agree or disagree, but you must support your position using at least two pieces of textual evidence.
Your response must also include how the author uses a specific device to communicate this message (you must first identify the message of the poem.)
YOU MUST ALSO CITE WHICH POEM YOU ARE USING SO THAT YOUR FELLOW BLOGGERS WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY.
YOUR ORIGINAL BLOG RESPONSE MUST BE AT LEAST 6-8 SENTENCES IN LENGTH.
AS USUAL, TO COMPLETE YOUR BLOG FOR ASSESSMENT, YOU MUST RESPOND TO ANOTHER CLASSMATE'S ORIGINAL BLOG BY BUILDING ON THE ARGUMENT OR BY DISAGREEING, BUT PROVIDING EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR COUNTERARGUMENTS.
Happy Blogging!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
"Triple A Thursday" Survey
Please click on the link below and complete the Google Docs survey to assess our "Triple A Thursday" initiative here at Transit.
Thank you for your participation."Triple A Thursday" survey
Thank you for your participation."Triple A Thursday" survey
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Creative Writing Survey for Period 1
Please CLICK on the link below to complete the Creative Writing survey.
Creative Writing Survey
Here is a quick review of the Writing Process that you may complete to refresh your knowledge of each stage and what the stage entails.
Click on the link below to take the quick review quiz:
Writing Process Review Quiz
Creative Writing Survey
Here is a quick review of the Writing Process that you may complete to refresh your knowledge of each stage and what the stage entails.
Click on the link below to take the quick review quiz:
Writing Process Review Quiz
Monday, February 23, 2015
The Stages of the Writing Process Period 1 Creative Writing
Review the stages of the Writing Process as found on the handout from class. Building on the discussion from your table,which stage of the Writing Process do you consider to be MOST CHALLENGING (that is which is most difficult for you or other writers to go through)? WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE BLOG FIRST TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF FOR GRADING.
Which stage do you consider to be the MOST IMPORTANT to writers? While there is no wrong or right response for this question, you must SUPPORT your reasoning with strong evidence. You may use some of the ideas from the actual handout to build your response.
Your total response must be no less than 6-8 sentences. PLEASE DO NOT SIMPLY ANSWER THE QUESTION. INSTEAD, BUILD AN ARGUMENT AROUND THE POINTS YOU ARE MAKING.
All students must respond to one other student's response to complete this blog.
When you respond to your peer's blog, you must agree or disagree respectfully and SUPPORT (using a few sentences) WHY you are agreeing or disagreeing.
Review the Blog rubric to determine how your grades would be assigned for this blog activity.
Happy blogging!!!
Which stage do you consider to be the MOST IMPORTANT to writers? While there is no wrong or right response for this question, you must SUPPORT your reasoning with strong evidence. You may use some of the ideas from the actual handout to build your response.
Your total response must be no less than 6-8 sentences. PLEASE DO NOT SIMPLY ANSWER THE QUESTION. INSTEAD, BUILD AN ARGUMENT AROUND THE POINTS YOU ARE MAKING.
All students must respond to one other student's response to complete this blog.
When you respond to your peer's blog, you must agree or disagree respectfully and SUPPORT (using a few sentences) WHY you are agreeing or disagreeing.
Review the Blog rubric to determine how your grades would be assigned for this blog activity.
Happy blogging!!!
SMART GOALS FOR 2ND PERIOD FOR SPRING 2015
Please click on this link below to arrive at PADLET.COM where you will write your goals for spring 2015. Follow the guidelines carefully as you develop your goals!
SMART GOALS FOR SPRING 2015
Having COMPLETED your Smart goal and having DETERMINED which goal best meets the requirements of a smart goal, you must now create a paragraph of at least 5-6 sentences in which you address the question:
Why is setting goals an important aspect of an individual's life.
In your response, write your definition of a goal, explain some of the things that must be considered when individuals set goals and determine/explain/justify how and why goals can help in shaping progress. Also, consider how failure to set goals can mean failure to succeed.
Having written your original post, you must respond to another classmate's post to complete your blog for grading.
Follow previous methods of blogging for classmate's reponses.
SMART GOALS FOR SPRING 2015
Having COMPLETED your Smart goal and having DETERMINED which goal best meets the requirements of a smart goal, you must now create a paragraph of at least 5-6 sentences in which you address the question:
Why is setting goals an important aspect of an individual's life.
In your response, write your definition of a goal, explain some of the things that must be considered when individuals set goals and determine/explain/justify how and why goals can help in shaping progress. Also, consider how failure to set goals can mean failure to succeed.
Having written your original post, you must respond to another classmate's post to complete your blog for grading.
Follow previous methods of blogging for classmate's reponses.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Steve Harmon's trial in Monster by Walter Dean Myers
You have read chapters 6 and 7 as well as the other opening chapters of Monster by Dean Myers.
Having done so as a group, you are expected to respond to the following post using an extended paragraph (8-10 sentences). In your post, you must address the question:
Steve's trial has many issues that will work against Steve getting a fair opportunity to defend himself.
What is your argument on this statement?
To complete your post for assessment, you MUST FIRST respond as a group. Then, you must also respond, build on, or reject the arguments made by another group through their original post.
As usual, please write your the FIRST Names and Beginning letters of your group members' last names for identification and assessment.
Having done so as a group, you are expected to respond to the following post using an extended paragraph (8-10 sentences). In your post, you must address the question:
Steve's trial has many issues that will work against Steve getting a fair opportunity to defend himself.
What is your argument on this statement?
To complete your post for assessment, you MUST FIRST respond as a group. Then, you must also respond, build on, or reject the arguments made by another group through their original post.
As usual, please write your the FIRST Names and Beginning letters of your group members' last names for identification and assessment.
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