Playing Along

At times throughout the year, I will read aloud to my students.  Yes, Junior Honors English students need to be read to, too.  It's good for them to hear the rhythm and voices of a skilled reader.  I also find that reading aloud to students gets them more interested in reading in general.  Around prom time, I usually read Jean Shepherd's Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and other Disasters out loud to my students.  It's a silly story, and we have fun with it.  The goal for the reading varies depending on the group in front of me.  This time around we focused on: part to whole.  How do parts of the story (setting, characterization, literary devices) help support the overall message of the story.  I read all parts of the story out loud--except for one.  There is a part at the dance when the band playing (ah...a time before DJs played bump and grind music) features the "band's romantic vocalist" who also doubles as the drummer.  I always request a student volunteer to read the parts where he sings.  It's fun to see the personalities of the classes come out.  I can usually predict which classes are going to need a bit more coaxing to get a volunteer.  This year, I got an volunteer, but he would only do it with a pal--a backup singer, if you will.

Here they are, prepping to "moo," as the text requires them to do:

As you can see, one of our warblers is not too thrilled at the prospect of being filmed/photographed during his singing--but they rose to the occasion.  Thanks for playing along, gents.  And for showing that reading is more fun the more you get into it.

Take a Chance Tuesday 1.27.15

Freshman College Prep Agenda

Tuesday: January 27, 2015

EQ:  How can I be a better reader?

How do annotations help me as a reader?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

1.     Annotation practice/review

2.     Chapter 8 Annotation Presentation: Meet with group

HW: Chapter 8 Lord of the Flies for Thursday; presentation on annotations

You will:

1.     Address why annotating is important (provide at least ONE reason)

2.     Share an annotating tip

3.     Present your annotations for your pages in Chapter 8; explain why they are important. 

4.     YOU SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING SOME SORT OF VISUAL AID.

ASK YOUR FRESHMAN:

1.  How is chapter 8 coming along?

2.  What IS the Lord of the Flies?

3.  What will you do for your presentation?

Junior Honors Agenda

Tuesday: January 27, 2015

EQ:  What is essential to understanding the whole (scene of Shakespeare)?

How can I persevere when I struggle?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

1.      “To be or not to be” speech

a.     Methods of presentation

2.     Film versions of “To be or not to be”

3.     Act III—chart Hamlet’s motivations

HW:  none

ASK  YOUR HONORS JUNIOR:

1.  What did you learn from the "to be or not to be" speech?

2.  Which film version made the most sense?

Junior College Prep Agenda

Tuesday: January 27, 2015

EQ: What conventions issues do I still struggle with?

What are my writing strengths?

Tech Expectations: Closed and put away

1.     Book read aloud

2.     Grammar photos

3.     Peer editing

HW: Final draft due Tuesday

ASK YOUR COLLEGE PREP JUNIOR:

1.  Did the book What if? seem interesting to you?

2.  What was most challenging in English today?