Jennifer Holzhausen's Homework Blog

March 26, 2010 (Gold)

G1/G2 - Adjective Packet DUE.  We went over those, then students watched the Adverbs video from Grammar Rock.  We defined Adverb, then we walked throught the Adverb packet together in class.  The packet was due at the end of the block after we'd been through the whole thing together.  G1 completed some Mad Libs to practice their use of Adjectives and G2 played Verb Charades.  No Assignment! 

G3 - Students took their Poetry Test in class today.  They were asked to write a six-paragraph analysis of one of the poems (or songs) they were given to choose from.  There is no assignment over Spring Break. :)  Have a great week!!  We will begin The Odyssey when we return.

March 25, 2010 (Blue)

B2/B3/B4 - Students took their Poetry Test in class today.  They were asked to write a six-paragraph analysis of one of the poems (or songs) they were given to choose from.  There is no assignment over Spring Break. :)  Have a great week!!  We will begin The Odyssey when we return.

March 24, 2010 (Gold)

G1/G2 - We had the Pur Fun Convo at 8:45, so G1 had a shortened class period today.  Verb Packets were due at the beginning of the period.  I checked those, then we went over them.  Students viewed the Adjectives video from Grammar Rock.  We defined "Adjective" using the definition on pages R46-R47 in the back of the book, then students began working on their Adjective packets before they left.  G2 also did a short Mad Libs activity using creative adjectives.  Assignment:  Adjective Packet.

G3 - Checked 5 paragraphs over the students' chosen poems, then we discussed the elements of each poem as a class.  This took quite a while, then we listened to and analyzed the elements of two different versions of the same song to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between what the two artists have done.  Discussion was cut a little shorter than I would have liked here, but the idea was to expose the students to a challenging piece before they write their essays for the test next time.  Assignment:  Be prepared for the test next time.  You will be writing quite a bit, so bring plenty of paper and a pen.  You will also need a pleasure reading book to dive into once you are finished writing your essay.  Yes... you will be allowed to use your notes!  :)

 

March 23, 2010 (Blue)

B2/B3/B4 - Checked 5 paragraphs over the students' chosen poems, then we discussed the elements of each poem as a class.  This took quite a while, then we listened to and analyzed the elements of two different versions of the same song to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between what the two artists have done.  Discussion was cut a little shorter than I would have liked here, but the idea was to expose the students to a challenging piece before they write their essays for the test next time.  Assignment:  Be prepared for the test next time.  You will be writing quite a bit, so bring plenty of paper and a pen.  You will also need a pleasure reading book to dive into once you are finished writing your essay.  Yes... you will be allowed to use your notes!  :)

March 22, 2010 (Gold)

G1/G2 - Nouns Packets DUE.  I went around and checked packets, then we went through each page and went over the answers.  Students were allowed to turn their packets in for half credit at this time; only a few of them took advantage of this opportunity to get some points.  After we finished the nouns packet, students viewed the Grammar Rock video on Verbs, then we defined Verb using the definition in the back of the textbook.  Students received a Verbs packet, and we walked through the first page together.  At this point, students worked with partners to write 10 sentences using transitive and intransitive verbs.  As time allowed, we were able to walk through the next few pages together a little bit to give them some direction before they attempted the assignment.  In G2, students had 20 minutes to complete the assignment in class.  Many of them turned it in before they left for the day.  Assignment:  The Verbs packet is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

G3 - Checked the four paragraphs about "Ode to My Socks," then we all read and discussed the poem as a class.  Notes: Run-ons and Fragments.  Daily Oral Grammar exercises #19-20.  Notes: Audience.  Students practiced writing about all five concepts today using two songs that are particularly good for identifying or describing their target audiences.  Assignment:  Choose one of the poems from the handouts given to you in class today and write five complete paragraphs for next time.  Your poetry test on Friday will be an in-class essay which asks you to write about each of the five analytical components we have been discussing in class these past few weeks.  I will give you some choices for the test so that you are able to choose the piece that is most comfortable for you.  In order to remain consistent with your efforts in class, your test "choices" will come from a combination of both poetry and song lyrics.  We will review and continue to practice in class next time in order to better prepare you for this test.  

March 19, 2010 (Blue) SSR Day

B2/B3/B4 - Checked the four paragraphs about "Ode to My Socks," then we all read and discussed the poem as a class.  Notes: Run-ons and Fragments.  Daily Oral Grammar exercises #19-20.  Notes: Audience.  Students practiced writing about all five concepts today using two songs that are particularly good for identifying or describing their target audiences.  Assignment:  Choose one of the poems from the handouts given to you in class today and write five complete paragraphs for next time.  Your poetry test next week will be an in-class essay which asks you to write about each of the five analytical components we have been discussing in class these past few weeks.  I will give you some choices for the test so that you are able to choose the piece that is most comfortable for you.  In order to remain consistent with your efforts in class, your test "choices" will come from a combination of both poetry and song lyrics.  We will review and continue to practice in class next time in order to better prepare you for this test.  

March 18, 2010 (Gold)

G1/G2 - Quiz: 8 Parts of Speech.  After the quiz, students reviewed their notes over Run-ons and Fragments, then they completed Daily Oral Grammar exercises #21-22.  We viewed the Grammar Rock video for Nouns, defined nouns, then students worked through a Nouns Activity Packet for the majority of the period.  Assignment:  Finish the Nouns packet.

G3 - I went around and checked the homework for today--three paragraphs about a poem chosen from the handout I gave everyone in class last time.  We went through and discussed each of the poems, then I gave students notes about Point of View.  We practiced with a song or two (depending on time) and practiced writing about subject and plot, tone, theme, and point of view.  Assignment:  Read "Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda (page 706+) and type or write four paragraphs about this unique poem.

March 17, 2010 (Blue) St. Patrick's Day!

B2/B3/B4 - I went around and checked the homework for today--three paragraphs about a poem chosen from the handout I gave everyone in class last time.  We went through and discussed each of the poems, then I gave students notes about Point of View.  We practiced with a song or two (depending on time) and practiced writing about subject and plot, tone, theme, and point of view.  Assignment:  Read "Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda (page 706+) and type or write four paragraphs about this unique poem.

March 16, 2010 (Gold)

G1/G2 - Distributed new homework calendars at the beginning of the block.  Students received two copies... one goes in the binder, and the other one goes home.  Graded work was moved from the Graded Work section of the binder into the Misc. section in the back.  We will start fresh for the second 9 weeks in the Graded Work section.  I will be passing out new Grade Record Sheets on Thursday.  Students received some notes and we discussed Run-Ons and Fragments.  Next, we completed Daily Oral Grammar exercises #19-20 over Run-ons and Fragments.  To introduce our Parts of Speech unit, I had students begin with two simple Mad Libs activities to introduce our unit on the 8 parts of speech.  A few students shared and presented their stories for 2 bonus points.  Next, groups created parts of speech posters FOR A GRADE.  If you were absent, you are responsible for completing this on your own.  It is worth 66 points!!!  Please turn it in as absent work.  Groups were given 30 minutes to complete this activity in class.  Assignment:  Be ready for a possible quiz over the 8 parts of speech.  If you were absent, complete the parts of speech poster.

 

G3 - I went around and checked the homework.  Students were asked to write two paragraphs about "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe. Next, we read and discussed the poem.  Journal:  Write something creatively about Barbie.  We shared and discussed the journals, then I read the short story, "Barbie Q" by Sandra Cisneros, and we discussed the meaning behind the story.  Notes: Theme.  Today, we practiced writing about Subject/Plot, Tone, and Theme using "Barbie Girl" by Aqua.  Students discussed the meaning behind the song as well as the hidden implications behind the idea.  Assignment:  Write three paragraphs about one of the poems from the handout.  Choose a poem we did not discuss in class (if applicable). 

March 15, 2010 (Blue)

B2/B3/B4 - I went around and checked the homework.  Students were asked to write two paragraphs about "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe. Next, we read and discussed the poem.  Journal:  Write something creatively about Barbie.  We shared and discussed the journals, then I read the short story, "Barbie Q" by Sandra Cisneros, and we discussed the meaning behind the story.  Notes: Theme.  Today, we practiced writing about Subject/Plot, Tone, and Theme using "Barbie Girl" by Aqua.  Students discussed the meaning behind the song as well as the hidden implications behind the idea.  Assignment:  Write three paragraphs about one of the poems from the handout.  Choose a poem we did not discuss in class (if applicable).