Monday, September 15, 2014

Moving Forward.

Source: teenfictionbooks
Hello and welcome to your new seats!


Get comfortable. You're going to be here for a while.


No computers today. Weird, right?

Get your books out!







You've just joined a group that you're going to spend a lot of time with over the next few weeks.

  • Introduce yourselves (make sure you know everyone's name).
  • Together, create a list of books that you all have in common (meaning every single person at your table has read that book).


I'm going to be giving each table a list of books. 
  1. Read the synopsis for each book on your synopsis sheet, and begin to explore which titles you are all interested in reading.
  2. As a group, decide which book you will all read together.
  3. We're going to the library to check them out (this is why you need your ID)

When you return from the library, discuss your reading schedule with your group. You will need to have your book completed by Monday, October 6th. 

Friday, September 12, 2014

Article of the Week #1

Source: YA Book Lover Blog
Let's Read!



Today you will be reading and summarizing your first Article of the Week, or AOW as we like to call them sometimes.





I keep sending you to new websites, and today is not any different. Right now, follow these directions:
Scroll all the way to the bottom. Do Not Create an Account.
Enter Classroom Number 6867.
Wait for a question on your screen.

Today's Article of the Week is called "Obama announces plan to "degrade and ultimately destroy" ISIL". You will find it in your binder in Newsela.
  1. Read the article.
  2. Take the quiz
  3. Open your English Journal and above yesterday's summary, write today's date and title it.
  4. You will write 2 paragraphs here. In the first paragraph, summarize the article. In the second paragraph, write your thoughts about the issue.
  Important Information:
You must bring your ID on Monday. You'll need it.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

A list.

Check out this handy dandy list I made for you. Some of this should already be completed. Some of it we will work on today.

The first thing you will do after we read today is fill out the 9th Grade Reading Survey. 

This is your priority. 

When you are finished, these are your next steps:








Join Remind:
I only have a few people who have joined Remind. It may be that you didn't complete all of the steps. That's okay, but here is a link that will help you get it done. It should only take a minute or two.

Create an English Journal
  1. Create a new document in Google Docs.
  2. Name it with your period# Full Name English Journal (i.e. 4 Alyssa Black English Journal)
  3. Share it with Ms. Black using her gmail address

Join Newsela and take the quiz on the article you read.
  1. Go to Newsela
  2. Sign in by clicking "Sign in with Google" (this will make your life so much easier).
  3. Use class code NIIJN when it asks.
  4. Click on your Binder in the top left corner, read the article that has been assigned to you, and take the quiz.

Summarize the article from Newsela in your new English Journal
  1. In your new English Journal, write today's date, and type the summary of the article in this document.
If there is anything else on this list that you have not completed, get it done.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Summarize it!

Make sure you have your books out; we'll be reading.

Today we have four goals. Because we always have goals.

  • Create an English Journal in Google Drive.
  • Join Newsela.com.
  • Read and summarize an article that you will read on Newsela.
  • Join Remind. The directions are on your desk.

Creating an English Journal

  1. Create a new document in Google Docs.
  2. Name it with your period# Full Name English Journal (i.e. 4 Alyssa Black (English Journal)
  3. Share it with Ms. Black using her gmail address


Join Newsela
  1. Go to Newsela
  2. Sign in by clicking "Sign in with Google" (this will make your life so much easier).
  3. Use class code NIIJN when it asks.

Read and Summarize the article on Newsela
  1. Find the article that has been assigned to you. It's called "Americans flushing much more water than they think."
  2. Take the quiz that you will find at the end of the article.
  3. Write a summary of the article in your new English Journal. Make sure you label it with today's date.

There is a piece of paper at your tables with directions on how to join Remind. 
Remind allows us to send you important information via text or email.

  1. Get your phone out.
  2. Follow the directions on the paper.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Summarizing a Text Pt. 2

Good morning! (or afternoon)

Please get your computers and sit in the same places you did yesterday. If you were not here, see me before you sit down.

We will read when the bell rings.


Yesterday you read an article about the drought in California and highlighted the six most important points. Here are the next steps:

  1. Reread the article.
  2. Either as a table or with the person sitting next to you, take what you've highlighted and choose the three most important points in the article. (Maybe highlight them in a different color.)
  3. Use those three most important points to help you to create an objective summary of the text. Click here to find the exit slip activity you will need to complete before you leave class today.

HINTS:
  • An objective summary does not include your opinion (i.e. do not use "I" in your summary)
  • Do not quote the text or copy the exact sentences into your summary. When you summarize, you explain the main idea and important supporting details in your own words.
  • You can copy and paste the following frame into the form to help you.
In his article "___(Article Title)___", the author, ____(Author)_____ argues/claims/contends 
that ______(Main Idea)____. According to the article, ____(Supporting Detail 1)________. In addition, Rogers states/claims/discusses/suggests __(Supporting Detail 2)___. 
Also, Rogers claims/suggests/states/discusses 
______(Supporting Detail 3)____.