3rd quarter reflection-4th quarter agenda
Hey Hey!
Hope everybody is ready to take on 4th quarter! Because I am well rested and ready to teach teach teach!!! So I definitely need to some active learners in class this quarter.
Please Please, Please
See my files for an update on curriculum and expectations.I have everything mapped out for you; so there aren't any surprises nor many breaks in lessons.
I enjoyed watching all of my students explore poetry last quarter. It was nice to be able to teach outside and allow nature to inspire poetic thoughts as it is intended to do:) The poetry booklets look nice.
The 4th quarter is where the real interactive learning takes place being that is our Drama Unit. So start peeking around the house for quirky prompts and costumes to bring in for our plays.
Again see the files for agenda updates.
See ya in class,
Ms. Schloesser
Be the Change you Wish to see in the World....--- Ganghi
Hope everybody is ready to take on 4th quarter! Because I am well rested and ready to teach teach teach!!! So I definitely need to some active learners in class this quarter.
Please Please, Please
See my files for an update on curriculum and expectations.I have everything mapped out for you; so there aren't any surprises nor many breaks in lessons.
I enjoyed watching all of my students explore poetry last quarter. It was nice to be able to teach outside and allow nature to inspire poetic thoughts as it is intended to do:) The poetry booklets look nice.
The 4th quarter is where the real interactive learning takes place being that is our Drama Unit. So start peeking around the house for quirky prompts and costumes to bring in for our plays.
Again see the files for agenda updates.
See ya in class,
Ms. Schloesser
Be the Change you Wish to see in the World....--- Ganghi
reflective blog 2nd quarter
Second quarter curriculum is primarily made up of nonfiction studies. In Language Arts, we are currently under way with our Media Literacy unit. During this study students will analyze, evaluate and critique different forms of mass media.They will recognize bias and unbias writing within journalism using the Code of Ethics for Journalism. Students will be introduced to persuasive techniques used by writers for advertorials. Strategies for building an argument will led them into a class debate on controversial and significant topics.
In Writing, students will produce two formal essays this quarter. The first essay will be an expository and the second will be persuasive. Students spend a great deal of time in their writing workshops developing strong support for their body paragraphs and working toward creating a theme in their writing. They are also engaging in peer editing which leads to more polished final drafts.
I will also be introducing the idea of figurative language. The goal is for students to use types of figurative language in their writing in order to create a writer's voice.
Overall, I do see improvement in writing due to the all the grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure lessons given during the 1st quarter.
In History, the 8th graders will been working diligently on researching and paraphrasing historical context on American Colonization and the Revolutionary War. They have been creating timelines and flow charts illustrating cause and effects. There has been improvement on overall focus and paraphrasing information. They still need to work on presentation skills which are pretty low. But we will continue to work on these.
In Writing, students will produce two formal essays this quarter. The first essay will be an expository and the second will be persuasive. Students spend a great deal of time in their writing workshops developing strong support for their body paragraphs and working toward creating a theme in their writing. They are also engaging in peer editing which leads to more polished final drafts.
I will also be introducing the idea of figurative language. The goal is for students to use types of figurative language in their writing in order to create a writer's voice.
Overall, I do see improvement in writing due to the all the grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure lessons given during the 1st quarter.
In History, the 8th graders will been working diligently on researching and paraphrasing historical context on American Colonization and the Revolutionary War. They have been creating timelines and flow charts illustrating cause and effects. There has been improvement on overall focus and paraphrasing information. They still need to work on presentation skills which are pretty low. But we will continue to work on these.
Reflective blog on 1st quarter
We are mid way through the 1st quarter of the 2011-2012 school year. Both 7th and 8th grades are making great progress when it comes to developing their new found writing skills. I have taught many writing strategies through grammar and vocabulary lessons and the students are applying them to their formal writing assignments. I am very proud of the students who have overcome great obstacles concerning their writing. Many have abandoned old habits and are applying the strategies that are being taught to them. This in return has shaped them into confident and relaxed writers the classroom.
As for literature, both grades have completed their first author study. The 8th graders studied Ray Bradbury and the 7th graders studied Gary Soto. These author studies are designed to expose the students to various selections by the same writer and notice patterns of style. Throughout the study, the students worked in groups to analyze characterization, theme development, language and visualization. They were able to notice patterns of style by a specific author and make real life connections to the themes and characters. They are now writing Responses to Literature to demonstrate what they learned concerning the author's style.
For the remainder of the 1st quarter, both grades will explore new authors and fictional concepts such as foreshadowing, suspense building, surprise endings and continue to analyze plot development and theme. The main objective this quarter for analyzing fiction is for students to understand how plot development and characterization builds a theme.
As for North Carolina History, the 8th graders have been engaged in group work researching the geographical regions. They created maps and brochures with the information and presented to the class. We are currently researching North Carolina Native American Tribes and creating murals depicting each tribes culture.
Overall, I am pleased with the progress of the students. They have been taking instruction fairly well despite any personal struggles they are working through. I will be implementing some test taking strategies in the next week or so to prepare for the IOWA tests in November.
As for literature, both grades have completed their first author study. The 8th graders studied Ray Bradbury and the 7th graders studied Gary Soto. These author studies are designed to expose the students to various selections by the same writer and notice patterns of style. Throughout the study, the students worked in groups to analyze characterization, theme development, language and visualization. They were able to notice patterns of style by a specific author and make real life connections to the themes and characters. They are now writing Responses to Literature to demonstrate what they learned concerning the author's style.
For the remainder of the 1st quarter, both grades will explore new authors and fictional concepts such as foreshadowing, suspense building, surprise endings and continue to analyze plot development and theme. The main objective this quarter for analyzing fiction is for students to understand how plot development and characterization builds a theme.
As for North Carolina History, the 8th graders have been engaged in group work researching the geographical regions. They created maps and brochures with the information and presented to the class. We are currently researching North Carolina Native American Tribes and creating murals depicting each tribes culture.
Overall, I am pleased with the progress of the students. They have been taking instruction fairly well despite any personal struggles they are working through. I will be implementing some test taking strategies in the next week or so to prepare for the IOWA tests in November.