C.R. Riders of C 105

Quick-start Guide to This Page:

1. Entries are in order from most recent to oldest
2. Lesson events are in black
3. My (the teacher) commentary is in blue
4. Homework assignments are in red
5. Entry dates will be italicized when there is a test, quiz, or other MAJOR due date

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Thurs., 28 Aug. 2008

• Grammar ASSESSMENT  (10 points)
  
• Writing prompt  To enable me to get an idea of your writing style, you will spend the remainder of class working on a writing prompt that was a former D.S.T.P. prompt.  We will work more with these prompts next Friday after I have had sufficient time to look at them, peruse your D.S.T.P. scores from last year, and ascertain what steps we need to take so everyone can work on his or her own strengths and weaknesses.  The prompt is below:

Writing Prompt

You have been selected to speak at an assembly for the
new student orientation. Write the text of your speech
giving advice to the incoming students based on the
following quotation regarding success by Don Shula
(former coach of the Baltimore Colts and the Miami
Dolphins football teams), “Success is not forever and
failure isn’t fatal.”

Thinking about the following questions will help you focus and plan your writing.

• What does the quotation “Success is not forever and failure isn’t fatal” mean?
• What advice would you give incoming students based on this quotation?

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Wed., 27 Aug. 2008

• Grammar warm-up
• Watch “Rikki Tikki Tavi” & diagram its plot individually
• Plot diagram T.P.S.S. (Think, Pair, Square, Share)
• Compare plot diagrams across the class

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Tues., 26 Aug. 2008

• Grammar warm-up
• Complete Elements of Fiction PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD NOTES: Elements of Fiction PowerPoint
• Textbook distribution–S.S.R. Textbook distribution is actually quite serious; while this occurs, I will need you to be reading silently from your own book (required student material for every class!). If you did not bring it today, I will loan you a book to read.
• Homework: (1) Create a fiction-based tissue box (see directions on the last slide of the “Elements of Fiction” PowerPoint).

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Mon., 25 Aug. 2008

• Grammar warm-up
• Due today: Syllabus signature sheet (beginning of class)
• Elements of Fiction PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD NOTES: Elements of Fiction PowerPoint
• Read-aloud & discussion: We will discuss potential “reader’s questions” after reading the super-short Fredric Brown’s Answer
• Textbook distribution–S.S.R. Textbook distribution is actually quite serious; while this occurs, I will need you to be reading silently from your own book (required student material for every class!). If you did not bring it today, I will loan you a book to read.
• Homework: (1) Create a fiction-based tissue box (see directions on the last slide of the “Elements of Fiction” PowerPoint).

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Fri., 22 Aug. 2008

• Grammar warm-up: Caught’Ya: Grammar with a Giggle
  • Every single day, we will use a grammar warm-up that’s part of the Caught’Ya system. To download the directions, goals (including state standard/GLEs, and grading explanation and rubric), and TODAY’S (not a usual posting) Caught’Ya, click here:Caught’Ya PowerPoint
• A-Z Recap: Link between C.R. High School and C.R.H.S.’s Room C 105
• H/W: (1) Find a book–any book–that you will enjoy reading and get it into your backpack/purse. You will ALWAYS need to have a book with you in my class!
  

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Thurs., 21 Aug. 2008

• Brief Teacher Introduction
• Discussion of the Single Rule and the Policies Disclaimer
• Syllabus Distribution (Click here to download our syllabus)
  • Course overview
    • Content to be covered
    • General unit calendar
    • Assignment types
    • General assignment calendar
  • Grading policy overview
• Student Information Sheet Distribution/Re-collection (Click here to download the Student Info. Sheet)
• A-Z Activity The last thing–although surely for very different reasons–that you or I want is for you to take a full, written “pre-test” that enables me to assess what you already know from middle school. Therefore, we won’t. =) Instead, we’ll work in small groups to complete a team building exercise. This lets you catch up with friends you haven’t seen all summer, make new friends, and get your blood pumping through your brain again–not that you need it, since I’m sure you pored over nonfiction, wrote essays, and calculated equations all summer just for fun! Plus, this activity gives me a great opportunity to circulate around the room and get to know you personally. I can see how you interact with one another, whether or not you seem to like to lead or follow, and get a feel for your learning style by your behavior. The better we know each other, the better our working relationship will be; thus, the more you will learn and grow as a student and individual!
  
• A-Z Debriefing
  • Post all posters in juxtaposition (Don’t worry–”juxtaposition” is actually going to be one of your first vocabulary words!)
  • Look for similarities/differences among posters
  • Link key points to C.R.H.S. “necessary date for freshmen existence” (e.g., dress code, hall passes, tardies, cafeteria tips/tricks)
• Points to Ponder Before You Go On Your Way: Pertinent information not covered in the A-Z debriefing
• H/W: Find a book–any book–that you will enjoy reading and get it into your backpack/purse. You will ALWAYS need to have a book with you in my class!

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Wed., 20 Aug. 2008

• Brief teacher introduction
• Web site (this site) preview