Laptop Etiquette Policy-F14

Today you will begin by reading through your classmates comments from Wednesday's "Getting Started with Laptops" blog topic. Our goal will be to generate a list of guidelines that will help make our use of laptops a rewarding experience. Please open up a MS Word file and type notes for the following statements below as you read through the comments. You have approximately 15 minutes to complete this task. We will then share this information in a class discussion.


1. I really liked the comment(s) from_________________because... (Note at least two)


2. The following guidelines should become part of our Laptop Etiquette Policy in F14: (Suggest at least three)

Writing Contests

Letters About Literature

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores and in cooperation with affiliate state centers for the book, invites readers in grades 4 through 12 to enter Letters About Literature, a national reading-writing contest. To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre-- fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic, explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. There are three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4 through 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, and Level III, grades 9 - 12. Winners, announced in the spring of each year, receive cash awards at the national and state levels. (http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters.html )

Teen Ink

Teen Ink is a monthly print magazine, website, and a book series all written by teens for teens. There are over 18,000 pages of student writing on this site. We're now entering 18th year of publishing and look forward to many more! Curious? Request a free sample issue. Creative? Send us your work - have an opinion on something? Write it up and send it in! Send reviews - good or bad, of colleges you visit, movies you see, or whatever... (teenink.com)

Getting Started with Classroom Laptops

As you may have noticed in the front of our classroom sits a big metal box. Inside are 25 laptops, purchased for use in this classroom. Having such technology at our fingertips provides a wonderful opportunity to utilize the latest technology as we learn 21st Century literacy skills and concepts. However, it is more than simply putting laptops in a classroom. Some schools across the country who have experimented with laptops have reconsidered their decision. In Liverpool, N.Y., officials have decided to phase out the laptops in their school starting this year. Their decision made the front page of the New York Times in May. It also prompted many people in education to think harder about the best way to use laptops in the classroom. In response to Liverpool's decision, one educator criticized schools for giving up on technology so easily.I want you to think about the issue and help us craft a set of classroom guidelines for the use of our laptops. Click on the two links from the above paragraph and read the first page of both articles. Then, as a writing assignment, make suggestions about what we can do in F14 to get the best use out of the laptops. How should we use them in class? What should we be using them to learn? What guidelines do we need? What would you suggest the teacher do to make the most out of the laptops? Post your response in the comment section of the blog. Write your answer in a few paragraphs, using complete sentences and proper grammar. An honors-level answer will properly make reference to one of the articles. Sign your first name (no last names) and class period after your posting.

Grade 10 Nonfiction Newsweek Links

Taking a Stance...

Newsweek: "Girls Gone Bad"
Paris, Britney, Lindsay & Nicole: They seem to be everywhere and they may not be wearing underwear. Tweens adore them and teens envy them. But are we raising a generation of 'prosti-tots'?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16961761/site/newsweek/

TIME: "Sweet Sixteen and Spoiled Rotten"
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1184086,00.html

Newsweek:
"The Trouble With Boys"
They're kinetic, maddening and failing at school. Now educators are trying new ways to help them succeed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10965522/site/newsweek/

American Thinker:
January 23, 2006
"The Trouble With Newsweek's Cover Story About Boys"

http://www.americanthinker.com/2006/01/the_trouble_with_newsweeks_cov.html

Grade 10 2/4-2/8

Monday: In Class Response Writing "Catch the Moon"
Individual Writing Conferences
Homework:
Newsweek "Sweet 16" & Questions
Due Wednesday

Grade 11 The Things They Carried- Links

Interview w/ Tim O'Brien
http://www.wooster.edu/artfuldodge/interviews/obrien.htm

"Battlefield: Vietnam" PBS Historical Resource
http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/

Military Jargon
http://libwww.library.phila.gov/onebook/obop05/militaryjargon.htm

One Teacher's Notes...
http://www.masconomet.org/teachers/trevenen/things.html

Various songs related to the Vietnam War:
The Star-Spangled Banner ( Jimi Hendrix version)"Ballad of the Green Berets""Fortunate Son" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)"The Unknown Soldier" (The Doors) "Give Peace a Chance" (John Lennon) "Born in the USA" (Bruce Springsteen

Grade 10 Frankenstein Related Readings

Newsweek January 26th
"Brave New Babies"
Parents now have the power to choose the sex of their children. But as technology answers prayers, it also raises some troubling questions
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3990134/site/newsweek/

PBS- "Frankenfoods" Debate 10/4/02
http://www.pbs.org/now/science/genedebate.html

Parents' Plan to Stunt Girl's Growth Sparks Debate
by Joseph Shapiro NPR 1/5/07
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6730813

Surgery to stunt girl’s growth sparks debate
Parents say drastic treatment allows them to take better care of their child
AP 1/5/07
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16473471/

"The Ashley Treatment" - Ashley's Blog
http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?_c02_owner=1

NOVA Stem Cells 15 Minute Clip
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3209/04.html

Grade 10 Frankenstein Full Original Text

Edutopia Article- Student Video

Grade 11- December 4-8

Monday:
Return Vocab Quizzes
Poem Memorization Quiz (R. Frost)
Homework:
The Road Not Taken Poem Memoriztion (Take 2)

Tuesday:
Video (Sub) End of Act I

Wednesday:
Discussion of the end of Act I- Treatment of Linda
What does Biff know about Willy???
Linda Loman Character Acivity
Letter to therapist/friend
Good Housekeeping- 50's wife discussion
Homework:
Complete classwork

Thursday:
Begin Act II
The mood is very optimistic...will it last???
What significance may Willy's coat have?
Samll group readings
Homework:
Type Biopoem

Friday:
Small groups readings
Quiz

Grade 10 - November 27-December 8

Monday:
Vocabulary Chapters 5-7
Check Responses for Chapter 4 & Discuss
Homework:
Read Chapter 5
Complete Response Questions 1-3

Tuesday:
Homework Check
Small Groups - Charting Richard's Exposure to Violence
Homework:
Read Chapter 6
Complete Response Questions 1 & 2

Wednesday:
Homework Check
Quiz 1-6
Homework:
Read Chapter 7
Complete Response Questions 1 & 2

Thursday:
Homework Check
Small Groups- Character Chart
Homework:
Study for Vocabulary Quiz

Friday:
Vocabulary Quiz
Extra Points for Flashcards
Homework:
Read Chapter 8
Complete Questions 1 & 2

Monday:
Homework Check
Vocabulary Chapter 9

Homework:
Read Chapter 9
Complete Questions 1& 2

Tuesday
Small group activity w/ Mrs. Dunn
Homework:
Chapter 1o & Questions

Wednesday
Smartboard- Themes in Black Boy (Group Assignment)
Homework:
Chapter 11& Questions

Thursday:
Jim Crow South Webquest-Computer Lab
Homework:
Chapter 12 & Questions

Friday:
Jim Crow South Webquest-Computer Lab
Homework:
Chapter 13 & Questions

Grade 11- November 19-21

Monday:
Death of a Salesman- Act One (continued)
Small groups of 4-5 to read up to page 39
Note the significance of "The Woman" & The Stockings
Homework:
Study for Vocab Quiz on Wed. 1-20
Tuesday:
Large group reading/discussion of Act I 40-50
Homework: Vocabulary Quiz on Wednesday 1-20
Wednesday:
Vocabulary Quiz 1-20
Happy Thanksgiving!

Grade 10 - November 19-21

Monday:
Black Boy Vocabulary Chapter 2& 3
Discuss Chapter 2 Questions, Specifically R.W.' s Superstitions
Homework: Chapter 3 due Wednesday
Tuesday:
Dicsuss Chapter 3
Homework:
Read & complete questions- Chapter 4
Vocabulary Quiz
Wednesday:
Vocabulary Quiz
There is no additional reading over break, but be sure to use the time to catch up!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Grade 11 - November 13th-17th

Junior English- Mrs. Baker
Goal:
To submit a sample of your best writing to be published
Possible Markets:
Teen Ink, Branford Review, New Haven Register, BHS Newspaper, Newsweek “My Turn” Competition, etc…
Assessment:
BHS PGR Writing Rubric (distributed in class)
Peer Revision:
Tuesday
Final Draft:
Wednesday

We will begin Death of a Salesman on Thursday

Grade 10: November 13-17

Monday: November 13th:
Black Boy Essential Questions:
How does this novel enhance my understanding of being southern, black and male in the early 20th century?
Why would it be important in 2006 to read a novel such as this?
What messages about race and gender are found in this novel?
How is this novel similar to other novels & stories that we have read about "Coming of Age"/ Moving from a state of "Innocence to Experience"?
Would "American Hunger" have been a better title for this novel? Why or Why not?

In class:
Chapter One Vocabulary
Study Guide- Chapter One Questions due Thursday
Read Pages 3-9

Homework:
Complete 10 of the sentence starters inspired by pages 7-9
Read to page 15
Index Cards for vocabulary = extra credit on the quiz
Study Vocab

Tuesday, November 14th:
Share sentence starters and discuss pages 7-9
In class reading 15-25
Homework:
Complete Chapter One
Study Vocab

Wednesday, November 15th:
Complete Study Guide Questions
*Challenge Option: Intro. to book
Homework:
Complete Study Guide Questions
Study Vocab

Thursday: November 16th (Mini-day):
Small groups to discuss and report to the class Chapter One
Homework:
Study Vocab- Quiz Tomorrow!

Friday, November 17th:
Vocabulary Quiz
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
Homework:
Read pages 36-50

Grade 11 October 30-November 3

Moday, 10/30:
TKM/SAT ESSAY
Homework:
Read SAT Essay Article
3-Important facts
2-Suprising Details
1-Question to discuss in class

Tuesday, 10/31:
Review/ Return Test
Grade Printouts
Share 3-2-1
Homework:
Make-up work

Wednesday, 11/1:
Book Fair/Independent Novel
Homework:
Make-up work

Thursday, 11/2:
Teen Ink "Market Analysis"
Homework:
Independent Novel needed for Thursday

Friday 11/3:
Grammar Video
Homework:
Independent novel needed for Thursday

Grade 11 - 10/16-10/27

October 16:
Complete viewing of trial scene, Complete Scottsboro Video
Chapter 20 in class
What do the children represent and stand for in this novel?
Vocabulary
Homework:
Index Cards
Chapter 21

October 17:
Chapter 22 in class
Homework:
Chapters 23 & 24
Note:
Is Boo as prisoner or refugee?


October 18 & 19:
Discuss Chapter 23: The Children's Reaction to the Verdict: "Only Children Weep..."
Compare Aunt Alexandra's views of people/folks w/ Scout & Jem's
Homework:
Complete 25 & 26

October 19:
Discuss Chapter 24: Irony & The Missionary Circle Meeting
Homework:
Write a one page paper about "Institutionalized Racism" citing examples from our society.
(This lesson skipped due to time constraints)

October 20:
Vocabulary Quiz
Video: The Verdict
Homework:
Newpaper Article covering Tom Robinson's Death
How has Scout changed/matured? Cite specific examples.

October 23:
Discuss the news of Tom's death (End of Chapter 24 & all of 25)
In class reading Chapter 26
Homework:
Complete 26 & 27
Make a list of predictions based on the tone of these these two chapters

October 24:
Discuss Predictions
Complete Chapters 28 & 29 in class
Homework:
Complete Novel
30 & 31

October 25:
Video Verdict-End
Homework:
List of 5 Possible Paper Topics/ Thesis Statements

October 26:
Novel Discussion
Paper Assignment
H/W: Study for Test

October 27:
TKM Unit Exam
H/W: Paper due Thursday

Grade 10: October 16 - November 3

*Please note that I will be adding additional classwork & homework assignments.

October 16:
Share “Boys & Girls” Responses and “Hair Vignettes
Figurative Language Notes
Read & Discuss 12-27
Homework:
Pages 29-38 & Response
Study Vocabulary

October 17:
Share Responses
Conferences w/ Mrs. Baker & Mrs. Dunn (“Moustache” Quiz & Dress Code Essay)
Homework:
39-52 & Response
Study Vocabulary

October 18:
Share Responses
Vocabulary Quiz
Homework:
53-64 & Response


October 19:
Author's Style Group Assignment Laptops & Smartboard
Homework:
Pages 65 – 73 & Response

October 20: (Shortened Classes)
Groups to finish assignment from yesterday
Figurative Language Quiz
Period 8- Vocab Quiz
Homework:
Pages 74-83 & Response


October 23:
REVISED PAPERS - "Moustache" & Dresscode are DUE BY TUESDAY, TOMORROW!
Groups to present information to the class about Cisnero's Style
Homework:
Pages 74-91 & Complete ONE Response (From either section)
Compose a vignette about your own life modeled after Sandra Cisneros's Style due Thursday

October 24:
Share Responses/Vignettes
Class discussion (two groups) up to 91
Homework:
Pages 92-102 & Response
Vignette due Thursday

October 25:
Complete Study Guide Questions
Homework:
Study Guide
Pages 103-110 & Response
Vignette due tomorrow

October 26:
Return Quizzes
Discussion of "Red Clowns"
Class divided into two groups to review the study guide
Homework:
Review novel & study guide for tomorrow's assessment

October 27:
Mango Street Test

October 30:
1. 15 Minutes to finish Mango Test
2. Review Assignment Sheet
3. Brainstorming: “What are the stories
of your life?”
Homework:
Complete brainstorming sheet
List the topic/theme of each of the four vignettes you plan to write. What will be the “tie that binds”?

October 31:
Computer Lab
Homework:
Personal Vignette Assignment
Research “El Dia de los Muertos”- One page, typed
Bring in something for the celebration

November 1:
“El Dia de los Muertos” Mexican Celebration
Homework:
BHS Writing Rubric- Put into your own words

November 2&3:
Computer Lab
Homework:
Personal Vignettes due Monday 11/6

November 6:
View student vignette samples
Label rhetorical questions, similes, metaphors, personification, repetition, alliteration, etc...
State Theme
Homework:
Option of revising
Final Draft/ Sharing of Vignettes Wednesday & Thursday

November 7: No School for Students

November 8 & 9:
Vignette Reading/ Sharing

November 10: No School

We will begin Black Boy next week!

Grade 11: October 3- October 6

Tuesday:
Complete Scottsboro Video
What additional information was gained from the video? What do you still want to know?
Share 3-2-1 Duluth Article
"Strangefruit" Billie Holiday
Exit slip: What significance do these events in our country's history have on you?
Homework:
Read to the end of Chapter 16

Wednesday:
Discuss mad dog episode in relation to the develoment of Atticus as a character
Gender Stereotypes & Chapter 13
Homework:
Bring in index cards
Read to the end of 16

Thursday:
Quiz Chapters 13-16
Next set of Vocab- Quiz Thursday
Homework:
Read up to Chapter 19 for Monday

Friday:
Discuss 13-16
Possibly "I Have a Dream"
Homework- To be added

Monday:
Quiz 17-19
Acting out courtroom scene- Mayella
Homework: To be added

Grade 10: October 3 - October 6

Tuesday:
Reading Quiz "The Moustache"
Read the Dave Barry column & write a one page reaction in your journals. How is this column like "The Moustache"?
Homework:
Prepare to discuss "The Moustache" in small groups tomorrow:
Develop:
2 Discussion questions
2 Clarification questions
1 Meaningful Connection
Write down and be prepared to share your thoughts on the theme, the meaning of the title, and symbolism.


Wednesday:
Small group discussions
Exit slip: How was your interpretation of the story deepened through today's discussion? Explain any difficulties that you had interpreting this story.
Overview of dress code letter to the editor assignment
Marginal notes mini-lesson: How can marginal notes save you time and help you organize your letter?
Mini-lesson audience, especially source # 3
Homework: Interview a parent, friend, etc...about his/her views on school dress codes

Thursday:
Reading, highlighting, marginal notes for all sources
Homework:
Complete reading, highlighting, and marginal notetaking
Important for tomorrow's lesson

Friday:
Using the graphic organizer: Does it help you? If not, what will you use in its place?
Essay to be written in class and finished for homework
H option- Elements of Persuasion Mini-lesson ???
Homework:
Type letter and bring on Monday