Get caught reading!

When I started our program, "Get caught reading!", I really had no idea the life it would take on. The SSR program is going well for the teachers who are following the three guidelines (student choice, teacher modeling, and non-assessment). I am seeing great successes with my advisory students.

The thing of it is this--the students are not just reading, but they are talking about reading. They are sharing books with friends and relating books to their lives and there is just an attitude towards reading that I have never seen before. They are excited about books. They are coming to me for more books. I am dealing books as though they are a narcotic.

So I decided to award the students who were doing well with a free t-shirt. The front says Bulldogs and the back has an awesome graphic of a dog and books with a caption that reads, "I dig books!" These t-shirts are a hit. Sure its a free shirt. But they want their shirt. No one wants to miss out on their new shirt. Its awesome. It just makes me excited and renews my spirit. These kids renew my spirit.

Oh and just so you know--we had over 75 kids read more than 6 books in the first semester! That is sneaking up on 10% of our student body!

Read-Aloud: The House that Crack Built

I recently spent several class periods with our human growth and development classes. They have been studying the effects of illegal drugs, so I took my picture book, The House That Crack Built in for a read-aloud.

This book is so simple, yet so powerful. Its a very structured tale, modeled after The House that Jack Built. This read-aloud is very appropriate as a kickstart for drug discussions.

After the read-aloud, the students participated in written conversations. These are one of the easiest ways to incorporate writing into the content area curriculum. Once the read-aloud was complete, students were asked to write down whatever their thoughts were on a sheet of paper. I gave questions and prompts to help guide their writing--I prompted them to think about the book, its illustrations, the drugs that they had studied, their personal experiences. After a few minutes of silent venting, the students traded papers with a neighbor. The neighbor read their comments and then responded at the bottom of the paper.

This letter-writing, of sorts, can go on for a few minutes. Students simply respond to each other's thoughts in writing. They enjoy writing letters in class anyway. Why not let them write on a topic that you approve?

Book Talk vs. Book Pass

I have done three days worth of book talks with an English teacher's classes this week. Wow am I tired.

Book talks are an easy way to help students find a book that they are interested in. You simply address the class, talk about books that you like, give them as much information on them as you can, maybe even do a read-aloud from some, and try to hook them onto a book. The trick with book talks is that you have to know what you are talking about. You can't fake enthusiasm for a book and you certainly can't sale something you aren't excited bout yourself. Students know when they are hearing the real deal and when you are just trying to pull one over on them.

With the last group of students, I tried something different. I chose to do a book pass instead of book talks and I even varied the typical book pass method. I sat the student at tables of four with stacks of 7 books on them. Each student had a book pass worksheet (a page that has a column for the title, the author, and any student comments). Instead of passing the books like they do in a typical book pass, it was more of a book grab.

I almost think that this method worked better with the students that I don't know. Since I was working with someone else's class, I lacked some of the validity that I would have with my own classes. The book pass exposed each table to a different set of books. Once we finished, I talked about some of the ones that I felt most passionate about, but it wasn't my show alone. The students were able to have more ownership in choosing their books. I think it went well.

Post Secret for Classes

There is a new phenomenon reaching internet bloggers--Post Secret. Basically, an author asked the public to send him post cards with the deepest secrets on them. No names or addresses necessary. Just the post card and the secret.

Of course it spread like wildfire. Everyone has a secret and many of them would like for that secret to be told--without the consequences of telling.

So take this concept into your classes. If you are a social studies teacher, challenge your students to create a realistic secret that a historical figure may have. What kinds of secrets would Robert E. Lee have had? Washington?

And what about the secrets of plants and animals? Push the envelope and create secrets for the content area. Good luck and post your secrets!

Great social studies idea!

I am reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. In it, he assigns his English students excuse notes. He realized that some of the best writing comes from their excuse notes and he turned that writing around on them.

What a great idea for a social studies class! When studying a major historical event, students can write an excuse not to someone. For example, Adam can write an excuse note to God. Hitler could write an excuse note to the Jews. Robert E. Lee could write an excuse note to Lincoln. The list goes on.

Excuse notes. Who would have imagined?

Thank you!

Thank you to the Class of 2006! You have been fun to teach for two whole school years and I will miss you dearly. You each hold a special place in my heart. Good luck in all that you do and remember that I am always here for you.

Oh---and thanks for soaking me down at the picnic!

Lord of the Flies project

As we near the end of the novel, it is time to start thinking about the final project for Lord of the Flies. In pairs, you are going to reformulate the text. You will transform the novel into another type of text.

Here are some options:

• comic book
• picture book
• ABC book
• Cumulative Tale Structure (like I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly)
• If-Then Story (like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie)

Go ahead and start thinking about your project. More information is coming soon. For those of you who are borderline already, it wouldn't be a good idea to take this lightly!

Good Readers

Who are some of the good readers that you know?

What do they do that makes them good readers?

Are you a good reader?

Two Questions for You

When you are reading--

How do you know when you are confused?

What do you do when you are confused?

I will consider your answers a quiz grade for the 4th nine weeks!

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper

Sharon Draper might be my new favorite author. I recently read Copper Sun by her (which is going to be one of our read alouds this year) and I just read Tears of a Tiger in like two days. Its heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking.

Andy Jackson and Robbie Washington have been best friends for years. They are both on the high school basketball team. After the game one night, they and two other players decide to have a few beers and cruise around town. Andy, the driver, probably had more than anyone else and loss control of the car. This was funny to a bunch of drunk kids, until a concrete wall seemed to appear out of nowhere. They crashed.

Robbie was in the front seat, with his legs propped up on the dash. The other three were thrown from the car, but Robbie was trapped by the windshield with it caved in. Even though they tried to pull him out, they couldn't and the car ultimately exploded with Robbie still inside.

This is only the beginning of Andy's story. The book gives a close look at those left behind--their pain and grief and guilt. This is great book and I highly recommend it.

The purpose of life is to increase the warm heart. Think of other people. Serve other people sincerely. No cheating.

~The Dalai Lama

In honor of Valentine's Day...

The World is Not a Pleasant Place to Be

the world is not a pleasant place
to be without
someone to hold and be held by

a river would stop
its flow if only
a stream were there
to receive it

an ocean would never laugh
if clouds weren't there
to kiss her tears

the world is not
a pleasant place to be without
someone


~Nikki Giovanni

In honor of Valentine's Day...

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

~ e.e. cummings

Macbeth Questions

Post any questions you have about the play here. Check back often for answers!

Macbeth journals now due next Wednesday!

Journals are now due February 22nd. However, no late journals will be accepted. You either have it on the 22nd or you don't. Remember that you have a long weekend to get everything done. DO NOT COME TO ME WEDNESDAY TO TELL ME THAT YOUR PRINTER IS BROKEN!

The following are journal topics that will help you in your analysis of the play, Macbeth. Complete the journals as you read the play to aid in your understanding of the action. Type all journals to present in a portfolio at the end of the unit. All journals must be approximately 300 words, or one typed, double-spaced page.

• Discuss the following quote: "Ambition destroys its possessor."
• Is Macbeth essentially a good character gone bad or was he evil all along? Draw your ideas from the text.
• Shakespeare took precise steps to achieve his goal of becoming a playwright. List the practical steps toward achieving your chosen career goal.
• Examine Macbeth's desires, motivations, and internal conflicts. Write a character profile.
• Think of something you want so much you would do just about anything to get it. Describe what you desire and consider what it would take to gain it. Do you need it?
• (Act III) If you could talk to Macbeth as a friend or confidant, what advice would you offer? Do you think he would take it? Do most people take the advice of friends?
• Would you say that Macbeth has a conscience? Why or why not?
• (Act IV, Scene ii) Write a letter from her husband that Lady Macduff might be reading as Ross arrives. Consider where he has gone, whom he plans to see, and the purpose of his trip. Explain why he has left his family.
• If the events in Macbeth were taking place today, would you want the president to send troops to Scotland to help Macduff and Malcolm? Explain why or why not.
• (Act V) Macbeth desperately wants to be king, but he proves himself to be unworthy of the position. Which characters would actually be right for the job? Complete a chart using "Character", "Skills", and "Personality" as column headings. Who would be the most qualified person? (Does not have to be 300 words)
• Do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exchange personalities as the play progresses? Find examples from the play.
• What causes Macbeth's downfall--a tragic flaw, errors in judgement, forces beyond his control, or a combination of these? Support your opinion with evidence from the play. (See page 352 for help.)

Remember that no late journals will be accepted--not even for computer problems.

What are you reading?

I have really enjoyed SSR this nine weeks. Its given me a chance to get some reading in.

Right now, I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha. I didn't see this movie when it came out, because I wanted to read the book. Its so beautifully written! The imagery and similes and language is astounding!

I also read Copper Sun by Sharon Draper. This book examined the life of a slave, from her kidnapping in her African village through her journey to slavery. Its a great book and there are two copies in the library for you to check out!

Stems 21-24

1. -i plural
2. jus law
3. lum light
4. ann year
5. apo away or up
6. sen old
7. sol alone
8. bas low
9. rogat ask
10. parl speak
11. potent power
12. surg rise
13. log word or reason
14. gram writing
15. cant sing
16. reg rule
17. pro forward
18. gyn woman
19. ag to do
20. act to do
21. mob move
22. sess sit
23. fic make
24. nounce tell
25. andro man
26. an- without
27. ab away
28. mel song
29. aden gland
30. aer air
31. alb white
32. ase enzyme
33. ep on
34. hum earth
35. -be life
36. bon good
37. struct build
38. chlor green
39. cyan blue
40. cyt cell
41. diplo double
42. dys bad
43. eco house
44. emia blood
45. enter intestine
46. eythro red
47. idio peculiar
48. exo out
49. im not
50. fil thread

STEMS TEST

Your stems test will still be Tuesday. I'll post the stems here over the weekend, so you can use the blogspot to study.

Fundraising idea?

Seniors--

I am looking at one of these designs as a possible sweatshirt/t-shirt idea to help raise money for prom. Is there one that you prefer? Any input is appreciated, but don't post if you don't care.

I'm out today and tomorrow with bronchitis. Leave me a message here if you need to or e-mail/im me. See you soon!

Heart Map Poetry

Post your heart map poems here.

SSR Books

What are you reading now during SSR? This is a great time to read your AR books. I've enjoyed SSR...its given me the chance to read The Kite Runner. This book gives an interesting insight to life in Afghanistan. Its been fascinating.

Shakespeare Webquest

What questions do you still have about Shakespeare? What would you like to talk about in class? (Nothing is not an acceptable answer.)

William Shakespeare Webquest

You completed a brief webquest today in class on Shakespeare. What did you learn that you didn't know before?