Blog Archive

Friday, May 4, 2018

MP4 - Week 4

   MONDAY -FRIDAY    5-7   A-Day:  The Final 20% Time Presentation (TedTalk) - Writing Your Outline and Script     

     Announcements                                     

  • Remind Mr., DeGrandis to Take Attendance!
  • Check Your Gmail! 
__________________________________

     Learning Target(s)                    
  • I can create an outline for my TedTalk using the outlining feature in Google Docs and the TedTalk Guide for giving a great TedTalk! 
_________________________________

     Mini-Lesson:  The Illustrated TEDTalk Guide                             
__________________________________

     Work Time                                          
  • Create your outline in Assignment 72.0.  This is due on MAY 13TH.
  •   

_________________________________

     Assessment / Homework                    
    • Work on your outline - Assignment 72.0.






         FRIDAY  5-11    A-Day:  Submit Your Outline and Script in Google Classroom     





      DIRT Day Expectations

      1. Do the following BEFORE the bell rings…
        1. Open your DIRT Day Assignment in Google Classroom.
        2. Be in your seat reading.
      2. Focus on your reading the entire period.
      3. Do not sub-vocalize during DIRT.
      4. Complete 10 thoughts using the Active Reading Model by the end of the period. Do more for extra credit.



      If You Finish a Book…
      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write a review about your book in 3-paragraph essay format.
      Guidelines for the Essay:
      • ¶ 1 - title, author and genre of the novel and your opinion of the book (controlling idea).
      • ¶ 2 - short summary of the book and include at least two text-based examples from the book
               that support your controlling idea in ¶
      • ¶ 3 - explain why you would or would not recommend this book to a friend and where they might be able to find it or purchase it.

      If You Forgot Your Book…
      • Choose a book from the class library or Mr. DeGrandis will give you one.
      • Be sure to bring your book next week.

      If You Want to Switch Books…
      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write an Abandon Book Essay.
      Guidelines:


      • ¶ 1 – title, author and genre of the novel you are abandoning and
                three reasons you don’t like the book (controlling idea).
      • ¶ 2 through 4 - Develop each reason using text-based details from the book.
      • ¶ 5 - Offer your suggestions for other novels you have read that another student might enjoy.

      Sunday, April 29, 2018

      MP4 - Week 3

         MONDAY    4-30     D-Day:   TedTalk Analysis     

           Announcements                             

      • Tell Mr. D. to take attendance please!
      • Check Your Gmail for a special email from Mr. Tierre about math testing tomorrow!
      • Math Testing Tomorrow and Wednesday
      • Turn in your structured notes for chapters 18-31 today if you haven't done so!
      __________________________________

           DO Now - Take Notes!              


      Directions:  Make a list of the six kinds of presentations using this link to a presentation about presentations.
      1. xxx
      2. xxx
      3. xxx
      4. xxx
      5. xxx
      6. xxx
      ___________________________________

           Learning Target(s)                   
      • I can analyze a TedTalk to determine what makes this style or presentation so appealing. 
      _________________________________

           Mini-Lesson:     Giving a Great TedTalk     
         
      • Watch this TedTalk...
      • What are some reasons you liked (or didn't like) this TedTalk?
      • Now watch this TedTalk...
      • Compare this TedTalk with the one you just saw on ocean life.  What are some reasons these two TedTalks capture people's attention AND inform them?
      __________________________________

           Work Time                                   
      • Do Assignment 53.0 in Google Classroom.   
      _________________________________

           Assessment / Homework       
        • Complete assignment 53.0 by Thursday and submit.





             TUESDAY  and Wednesday   5-1 and 5-2    A-Day:   Math Testing     





             THURSDAY   5-3-18    C-Day:  Attributes of Great TedTalks - Making a Rubric     

               Announcements                       

          • Check your Gmail! 
          • Assignments 70.0 and 71.0 are due tomorrow by end of the period.
          __________________________________

               DO Now - The Greatest Party Ever!                      
          Make a list of the factors you feel are important if you want to host the best party ever!  Consider the people you'd invite, the food you would have, the place you would have it and the entertainment you would have. (Money is no object!)
          Cut and paste this rubric into a new entry titled, The Greatest Party Ever and fill it out!  Note:  You may have to readjust the column widths.


          The Best Party Ever Rubric
          CRITERIA
          4
          3
          2
          1
          Guests
          50 or more people.  Mix of family, friends and celebrities.  Several surprise guests.


          Just a few close friends.
          Food
          Plenty of food for everyone.  Food was catered by a famous chef.


          No food, just munchies and soda.
          Venue
          A unique and  unexpected, but exotic location for a party.


          A place that is laid back, relaxed and is familiar to everyone who attends.
          Entertainment
          Celebrity vocalist or group.   


          Radio, TV or internet music.

          ___________________________________

               Learning Target(s)                           
          • I can help my classmates create a rubric that clearly lays out the expectations for our TedTalks by analyzing some other TedTalk Rubrics. 
          _________________________________

               Mini-Lesson:     What is a Rubric Anyway?        

          __________________________________

               Work Time                       
          • With a group or on your own...
          • Read these two rubrics...
          •   Rubric One
          • Rubric Two
          • Complete Assignment 71.0 in Google Classroom.
          _________________________________

               Assessment / Homework                     
            • Complete Assignments 70.0 and 71.0 in Google Classroom
            • Due Friday at the end of class!






               FRIDAY    5-4    D-Day:  Start Planning Your TedTalk     

            Assignments 70.0 and 71.0 are due by end of the period!

            Tuesday, April 24, 2018

            MP4 - Week 2

               MONDAY   Superintendent's Conference Day     





                 TUESDAY  4-24    D-Day:  Finish Chapter 25, Start 28     

                   Announcements                        

              • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
              • Congrats to THE 8TH GRADE CHESS PLAYERS!
              • Check Your Gmail! 
              • Sadie and Jayla, please see Mr. DeGrandis before the end of class today!
              • Structured Notes due for Chapter 28 tomorrow! 
              __________________________________

                   DO Now - Visual Synectics                   

              EEntry Title: Add to your Visual Synectics entry


              Developing a theme as a writer is like _______


              because ______ .
              ___________________________________

                   Learning Target(s)                                         
              • I can explain how Harper Lee develops the symbol of the mockingbird through the characterization of Boo Radley in chapter 28 by tracking specific details. 
              _________________________________

                   Mini-Lesson:  The Symbol of the Mockingbird                     
                 
              • The Mockingbird represents innocence and beauty in the novel.
              • Tom Robinson is one "mockingbird" in the novel.
              • What are some other characters that might be considered mockingbirds and how?
              __________________________________

                   Work Time                                        
              • Use your structured notes to identify examples of how Harper Lee uses the character of Boo Radley to develop how he is like a mockingbird Chapter 28.
              _________________________________

                   Assessment / Homework                  


                  • Finish Chapter 28 structured notes for a HW check tomorrow.  




                     WEDNESDAY   4-25    A-Day:  Read Chapter 29     

                       Announcements     

                  • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                  • Check Your Gmail! 
                  • Structured Notes due tomorrow for Chapter 29! 
                  __________________________________

                       DO Now - Developing Theme                

                  Entry Title: (Add to this entry from last week)

                  Directions:  Find evidence from the novel that proves the statement below in the following excerpt from the novel.  Paste your evidence after the statement.

                       I suppose she chose me because she knew my name; as I read the alphabet a faint line appeared between her eyebrows, and after making me read most of My First Reader and the stock-market quotations from The Mobile Register aloud, she discovered that I was literate and looked at me with more than faint distaste. Miss Caroline told me to tell my father not to teach me any more, it would interfere with my reading. “Teach me?” I said in surprise. “He hasn’t taught me anything, Miss Caroline. Atticus ain’t got time to teach me anything,” I added, when Miss Caroline smiled and shook her head. “Why, he’s so tired at night he just sits in the livingroom and reads.” “If he didn’t teach you, who did?” Miss Caroline asked good-naturedly. “Somebody did. You weren’t born reading The Mobile Register.” “Jem says I was. He read in a book where I was a Bullfinch instead of a Finch. Jem says my name’s really Jean Louise Bullfinch, that I got swapped when I was born and I’m really a-” Miss Caroline apparently thought I was lying. “Let’s not let our imaginations run away with us, dear,” she said. “Now you tell your father not to teach you any more. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage-” “Ma’am?” “Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now.”


                  Statement 1:  In the beginning of the novel, Harper Lee introduces the theme of taking a stand in a simple way through the character of Scout who takes a stand for herself.
                  ___________________________________

                       Learning Target(s)                        
                  • I can explain how Harper Lee develops the theme of growing up through the characterization of Scout.  


                  ______________________________________

                       Mini-Lesson:  Developing a Theme Over the Course of a Novel     
                     
                  • When an author write a novel, they typically develop several themes throughout the book.
                  • Good authors introduce the theme at the beginning of  a novel in a simple way and as the novel progresses, they explore more complicated aspects of the theme.
                  • For Example
                    • In The Lion King by Walt Disney Pictures, the producers develop the theme of power through the character of Simba.
                    • In the beginning of the novel Simba has an naive view of power.  The song, I Just Can't Wait to be King, is evidence that he thinks being king is about status and being fierce, singing, "I'm brushing up on looking down.  I'm working on my roar!"
                    • Later in the film, Simba learns from his father that being king is more than just having power over his subjects.  Mufasa says, "Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope."
                    • By the end of the film, and after the loss of his father, Simba realizes that being King means taking responsibility for his people when he returns to Pride Rock to defeat Scar.
                  __________________________________

                       Work Time       
                  • Complete the structured notes for Chapter 29.  


                  _________________________________

                       Assessment / Homework       
                    • Finish your notes for a HW check on Monday.
                    • There will be a a quiz on chapters 18-30 Friday or Monday.  Be prepared!




                       THURSDAY    4-26    B-Day:  Teacher Directed DIRT Day     

                         Announcements                                        

                    • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                    • Check Your Gmail! 
                    • Structured Notes due tomorrow on Chapter 30!
                    • Quiz Friday or Monday on Chapters 17-30.
                    __________________________________


                         Learning Target(s)     
                    • I can record details about themes in the novel by completing structured notes.
                    _________________________________


                         Work Time              
                    • Read Chapters 30-31 and complete the structured notes.  
                    • Sue Monday!
                    _________________________________

                         Assessment / Homework       
                      • There may be a a quiz on chapters 18-30 tomorrow or Monday.  Be prepared!




                         FRIDAY  4-27    C-Day:  20% Time or DIRT Day     





                      DIRT Day Expectations

                      1. Do the following BEFORE the bell rings…
                        1. Open your DIRT Day Assignment in Google Classroom.
                        2. Be in your seat reading.
                      2. Focus on your reading the entire period.
                      3. Do not sub-vocalize during DIRT.
                      4. Complete 10 thoughts using the Active Reading Model by the end of the period. Do more for extra credit.



                      If You Finish a Book…
                      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write a review about your book in 3-paragraph essay format.
                      Guidelines for the Essay:
                      • ¶ 1 - title, author and genre of the novel and your opinion of the book (controlling idea).
                      • ¶ 2 - short summary of the book and include at least two text-based examples from the book
                               that support your controlling idea in ¶
                      • ¶ 3 - explain why you would or would not recommend this book to a friend and where they might be able to find it or purchase it.

                      If You Forgot Your Book…
                      • Choose a book from the class library or Mr. DeGrandis will give you one.
                      • Be sure to bring your book next week.

                      If You Want to Switch Books…
                      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write an Abandon Book Essay.
                      Guidelines:


                      • ¶ 1 – title, author and genre of the novel you are abandoning and
                                three reasons you don’t like the book (controlling idea).
                      • ¶ 2 through 4 - Develop each reason using text-based details from the book.
                      • ¶ 5 - Offer your suggestions for other novels you have read that another student might enjoy.

                      Sunday, April 15, 2018

                      MP4 - Week 1

                         MONDAY    4-16    C-Day:  Comedy Sketches of To Kill a Mockingbird      

                           Announcements                                        

                      • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                      • Check Your Gmail! 
                      __________________________________

                           DO Now -    None                      


                      ___________________________________

                           Learning Target(s)     
                      • I can recall the events of Chapters 6-18 of the novel by creating a comedy sketch that summarizes the main action of the story.
                      _________________________________

                           Mini-Lesson:  Assigning Cast Members          
                         

                      • 6
                        Pants on the Fence Part I
                        3-11
                        7
                        The Knot-Hole
                        3-11
                        8
                        The Morphodite and Miss Maudie’s House Fire
                        3-11
                        10
                        One Shot Finch
                        3-18
                        12
                        Jem and Scout to Church
                        3-18
                         

                        15
                        Scout Saves the Day
                        3-23
                        17
                        It Begins - Mr. Ewell Testifies
                        3-23
                        18
                        Meyella Ewell on the Stand
                        3-23
                      __________________________________

                           Work Time                          
                      • With your cast members, create a quick comedy sketch and summary of the chapter assigned to you by your teacher.
                      • Steps to take...
                            • Decide on which characters you will need and who in the cast will play each character.
                            • Discuss what basically happened in your assigned chapter.
                            • Build your skit around your group's idea.
                            • Make it funny! But be sure the performance is...
                              • ...what actually happened in the book.
                              • ...brief.
                              • ...appropriate for school.
                      _________________________________

                           Assessment / Homework       
                        • None






                             TUESDAY     4-17    D-Day:  Read Chapter 19     

                               Announcements                                        

                          • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                          • Check Your Gmail! 
                          • Structured Notes due tomorrow!
                          __________________________________

                               DO Now - Copy               

                          Entry Title: What is Development of a Theme?
                          • Development = building something.
                          • Authors use characters, setting (time and place), and plot (what happens) to develop or build their theme(s) (message to the reader).
                          • In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses literary elements to develop the themes of prejudice, compassion and taking a stand.
                          • Here is a great resource...
                          ___________________________________

                               Learning Target(s)                               
                          • I can explain how Harper Lee further develops the theme of prejudice in chapter 19 by tracking specific details. 
                          _________________________________

                               Mini-Lesson:  Developing aTheme     
                             
                          • Authors use characters, setting (time and place) and plot (what happens) to develop their theme (message to the reader).
                          __________________________________

                               Work Time                                        
                          • Use your structured notes to identify examples of how Harper Lee develops the theme of racism in Chapter 19.
                          _________________________________

                               Assessment / Homework                  
                            • Finish Chapter 19.  Possible quiz tomorrow.




                               WEDNESDAY    4-18    A-Day:  Read Chapter 20       

                                 Announcements     

                            • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                            • Check Your Gmail! 
                            •  Structured Notes due tomorrow! 
                            __________________________________

                                 DO Now - Copy                                  

                            Entry Title: Developing a Theme or Not?

                            Directions:  Copy the statements below into a new entry.  Read each statement and highlight it green if it is the author developing the theme of self-discovery (knowing who you are).  If not, color it red.

                            1. The song How Far I'll Go! in the film Moana, is used as a metaphor to establish the idea that Moana has an internal conflict about her purpose in life.
                            2. Moana's grandmother introduces the film by telling a folk tale about how Maui stole the heart of Tefiti.
                            3. The director uses the death of Moana's grandmother as a catalyst for Moana to make the decision to follow "the voice inside." 

                            ___________________________________

                                 Learning Target(s)                               
                            • I can explain how Harper Lee further develops the theme of prejudice in chapter 20 by tracking specific details. 
                            _________________________________

                                 Mini-Lesson:  Developing a Theme     
                               
                            • Authors use characters, setting (time and place) and plot (what happens) to develop their theme (message to the reader).
                            • Watch this Adobe Spark presentation on Developing Theme

                            __________________________________

                                 Work Time                                        
                            • Use your structured notes to identify examples of how Harper Lee develops the theme of racism in Chapter 20.
                            _________________________________

                                 Assessment / Homework                  

                                • Finish Chapter 20.  




                                   THURSDAY    4-19    B-Day:  Read Chapter 21      

                                     Announcements     

                                • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                                • Check Your Gmail! 
                                •  Structured Notes due tomorrow! 
                                __________________________________



                                       DO Now - Copy                                  

                                  Entry Title: Developing a Theme or Not Part II?

                                  Directions:  Copy the statements below into a new entry.  Read each statement and highlight it green if it is the author developing a theme.  If not, color it red.

                                  1. Thahhna Lai uses the symbolism of Ha's mother's ring to establish her mother's joy.
                                  2. Thahhna Lai uses the character of Pink Boy to establish the theme of bullying once Ha arrives in Alabama.
                                  3. Thahhna Lai uses the symbol of the papaya tree to develop the theme of homesickness in Ha throughout the novel.

                                    ___________________________________

                                         Learning Target(s)                               
                                    • I can explain how Harper Lee further develops the theme of prejudice in chapter 21 by tracking specific details. 
                                    _________________________________

                                         Mini-Lesson:  Developing a Theme     
                                       
                                    • Authors use characters, setting (time and place) and plot (what happens) to develop their theme (message to the reader).
                                    • Watch this Adobe Spark presentation on Developing Theme
                                    __________________________________

                                         Work Time                                        
                                    • Use your structured notes to identify examples of how Harper Lee develops the theme of racism in Chapter 21.
                                    _________________________________

                                         Assessment / Homework                  

                                        • Finish Chapter 21.  



                                         FRIDAY    4-20    C-Day:   DIRT Day or 20% Time     


                                           Announcements                                       

                                      • Remind Mr. D. to take attendance right now!
                                      • Check Your Gmail! 
                                      •  Structured Notes due Monday!


                                           TedTalks by Kids                                       

                                      • Go to this link...  
                                      • Listen to the TedTalks by these amazing kids.
                                      • Then, ask yourself...
                                            • What makes these presentations so good?
                                      Image result for ted Talks



                                      DIRT Day Expectations

                                      1. Do the following BEFORE the bell rings…
                                        1. Open your DIRT Day Assignment in Google Classroom.
                                        2. Be in your seat reading.
                                      2. Focus on your reading the entire period.
                                      3. Do not sub-vocalize during DIRT.
                                      4. Complete 10 thoughts using the Active Reading Model by the end of the period. Do more for extra credit.



                                      If You Finish a Book…
                                      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write a review about your book in 3-paragraph essay format.
                                      Guidelines for the Essay:
                                      • ¶ 1 - title, author and genre of the novel and your opinion of the book (controlling idea).
                                      • ¶ 2 - short summary of the book and include at least two text-based examples from the book
                                               that support your controlling idea in ¶
                                      • ¶ 3 - explain why you would or would not recommend this book to a friend and where they might be able to find it or purchase it.

                                      If You Forgot Your Book…
                                      • Choose a book from the class library or Mr. DeGrandis will give you one.
                                      • Be sure to bring your book next week.

                                      If You Want to Switch Books…
                                      In an email to Mr. DeGrandis, write an Abandon Book Essay.
                                      Guidelines:


                                      • ¶ 1 – title, author and genre of the novel you are abandoning and
                                                three reasons you don’t like the book (controlling idea).
                                      • ¶ 2 through 4 - Develop each reason using text-based details from the book.
                                      • ¶ 5 - Offer your suggestions for other novels you have read that another student might enjoy.