Accelerated Core 7

Note: There is no homework over spring break.  Finish this today, make sure you're caught up, and then take a week off.  We've all earned it. Hi! I'm so glad you're here.  Pretend this is me greeting you on the porch with a handout! We will be using this class blog to coordinate all of our coursework. 1. Check this blog daily to see the game plan for the day. 2. Use Google Classroom for LA. 3. Use TCI for SS. 4. Use the AJHS Library webpage for AR. 5. Use Synergy to check your grades regularly. Important Notes:  --Each assignment on Google Classroom or TCI should be either  "Turned In"  or  "Marked as Done"  even if there is no attachment.  Before you go on Spring Break later today, you need to make sure this is complete. --Some of you turned in an incomplete "I Heart Revisions" assignment. Since this is our first real week of distance learning, you can finish it and resubmit it without a grade penalty. --Confused about an ...

Hi! I'm so glad you're here.  Pretend this is me greeting you on the porch with a handout! We will be using this class blog to coordinate all of our coursework. 1. Check this blog daily to see what you need to do. 2. Use Google Classroom to complete the Classwork that is assigned there and turn it in. ( Make sure you hit the "turn in" button or "mark as done" for credit. ) 3. Use TCI to complete much of your Social Studies work that is assigned here. (Remember to log in through Clever.) 4. Use the AJHS Library webpage to take your AR tests at home when you finish a book. 5. Use Synergy to check your grades regularly. Important Notes:  --Each assignment on Google Classroom or TCI should be either  "Turned In"  or  "Marked as Done"  even if there is no attachment.  I know it seems weird to you, but for teachers, it moves it from the "students still working" folder to the "students are done" folder. Here...

Hi! I'm so glad you're here.  Pretend this is me greeting you on the porch with a handout! We will be using this class blog to coordinate all of our coursework. 1. Check this blog daily to see what you need to do. 2. Use Google Classroom to complete the Classwork that is assigned there and turn it in. ( Make sure you hit the "turn in" button or "mark as done" for credit. ) 3. Use TCI to complete much of your Social Studies work that is assigned here. (Remember to log in through Clever.) 4. Use the AJHS Library webpage to take your AR tests at home when you finish a book. 5. Use Synergy to check your grades regularly. Important Notes:  --Each assignment on Google Classroom or TCI should be either  "Turned In"  or  "Marked as Done"  even if there is no attachment.  I know it seems weird to you, but for teachers, it moves it from the "students still working" folder to the "students are done" folder. --Today ...

I want to make things as clear as possible, so: We will be using this class blog to coordinate all of our coursework. 1. Check this blog daily, then use Google Classroom to complete the Classwork that is assigned there and turn it in. ( Make sure you hit the "turn in" button or "mark as done" for credit. ) 2. Use TCI to complete much of your Social Studies work. (Remember to log in through Clever.) 3. Use the AJHS Library webpage to take your AR tests at home when you finish a book. 4. Use Synergy to check your grades regularly. Important Notes:  --Each assignment on Google Classroom should be either "Turned In" or "Marked as Done" if you have completed them.  Before we start today's work, see if you forgot to do that on some Google Classroom assignments yesterday. --A few of you didn't finish the social studies assignments on TCI yesterday (the Lesson Game & the Quiz).  If that's you, check over yesterday's blog ...

Hi! I'm so glad you're here. Staying Organized with Distance Learning Check out this PowToon that was made by a fellow teacher and a former student of mine. I think staying organized could be a challenge for all of us with Distance Learning. This video has specific suggestions for you to consider.  Click the link below the video to watch. Powtoon - Online Learning Intro Children's Books As we enter the revision phase of our Children's Book Project, it might be worthwhile to see what some published authors have done to make their books come alive for readers (or listeners). Check out the options below:

Hi! I'm so glad you're here! This is a note about how we will work together even though we're apart.  It has general information: I am here to help you through this. I promise to be patient with you; I'll need your patience, too. We were really, really good at doing school in person. Now we get to become good at doing school remotely. We won't be perfect right away, but we'll get better with practice. I want to make things as clear as possible, so: We will be using the class blog to coordinate all of our coursework. 1. Check the blog daily, then use Google Classroom: Classwork to complete the work that is assigned there and turn it in. (Make sure you hit the "turn in" button.) 2. Use TCI to complete much of your Social Studies work. (Remember to log in through Clever.) 3. Use the AJHS Library webpage to take your AR tests at home when you finish a book. 4. Use Synergy to check your grades regularly. If things are confusing, you can ask a...

I was imagining that the district would reset the dates for AR, the end of third quarter, and the grading deadlines, so that we could deal with AR tests, absent work & make-up tests in person once we were back in school. It appears that I was wrong. (*gasp*) At this time, it appears that all district deadlines will stay the same.  That means that Q3 ends on Tuesday, March 24, and Q4 begins on Wednesday, March 25.  It also means I need to finalize grades as soon as possible.  To that end, I will not be adding any new test or assignment columns. (There were just too many absences during the last week we were together to do it any other way.)  If you have work that has a zero at this point, you should keep reading. So, here's the plan: First of all, everyone should check over all of their grades for all of their classes.   Make sure you're looking at each assignment for each class.  Make a list of issues you need to address.  Write down:...

Homework for Friday, March 20, 2020: Read lots of good books this week. Plan to read at least 30 minutes per day.  Read more if you need to reach your AR goal or if you want to because reading is awesome.  You should be able to quiz at home now with AR; just remember to use the link on the school library's website .  Have integrity with this process (and all virtual learning where it might be easy to cheat): Your junior high grades don't count toward college, but your learning does.  --Here are some  authors reading their children's books  on various platforms this week.  Consider tuning in to one.  If the form gets weird, click "Sheet 1" for dates, times, and platform info. Some of you have added pages to your Children's Book Plan in your Unit 3, Lesson 3 Packet.  If so, today is your day to complete any additional pages.  The Story Board template is here if you need it. If your story only has eight pages (including the title page...

Homework for Thursday, March 19, 2020: Read lots of good books this week. Plan to read at least 30 minutes per day.  Read more if you need to reach your AR goal or if you want to because reading is awesome.  You should be able to quiz at home now with AR; just remember to use the link on the school library's website .  Have integrity with this process (and all virtual learning where it might be easy to cheat): Your junior high grades don't count toward college, but your learning does.  Complete two more storyboards today for a total of eight so far this week.  One of these might be your cover, so think about your title, a subtitle (if you want one), the author & illustrator's name (that's YOU!) the placement of all of this text, and your artwork.  Remember to do a rough sketch only. --Here are some  authors reading their children's books  on various platforms this week.  Consider tuning in to one.  If the form gets weird, click ...

It appears that Synergy email isn't working well for me and for some of my students.  Please use this email address if you have questions: jenna_etemad-lehmer@pvusd.net Homework for Wednesday, March 18, 2020: Read lots of good books this week. Plan to read at least 30 minutes per day.  Read more if you need to reach your AR goal or if you want to because reading is awesome.  You should be able to quiz at home soon with AR (perhaps by Thursday or Friday).  Remember to have integrity with this process (and all virtual learning where it might be easy to cheat): Your junior high grades don't count toward college, but your learning does.  Complete two more storyboards today for a total of six so far this week.  Play around with narrative techniques using the Anchor Chart we created together as a class (it's in your Unit 3, Lesson 1 Packet). Optional:--Here are some  authors reading their children's books  on various platforms this week.  C...

Homework for March 17: Hi! I am so glad you're here!  Could you text a classmate and tell them to check the blog and Google Classroom? “I wish it need not have happened in my  time ," said Frodo.  "So do I," said  Gandalf , "and so do all who live to see such  times . But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the  time  that is given us.” --J.R.R. Tolkien Is it time for a Lord of the Rings re-read? Some Harry Potter, perhaps? Let's consider pulling inspiration during this trying time from characters who have overcome challenges. A case in point: Consider reading all of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.   It's available here . Read lots of good books this week. Plan to read at least 30 minutes per day.  Read more if you need to reach your AR goal or if you want to because reading is awesome.  You should be able to quiz at home now or soon with AR.  Remember to have integrity wit...

Homework for Monday, March 16 ONLY: A. Read your independent reading book. You should read for at least 30 minutes today.  If you need to read more to reach your AR goal or because reading is awesome, do so. B. Read SS Textbook p. 204--207 and complete Workbook p. 123-124  Note: Creating the mosaic mentioned on Workbook p. 122 is OPTIONAL and worth EXTRA CREDIT in social studies. C.  For today's storyboard assignment, complete TWO storyboards.  That means you should complete the first rough draft of the text and a rough sketch. --Here is a link to the  storyboard  handout if you need it.  --Remember to number your pages. --Please note--You do not need to do the Second Draft of the text this week. --For students who were absent, here is a link to the storyboards. If you don't have a printer at home, feel free to adapt the assignment to best meet your needs.

The Week At A Glace ***At your request, I will be posting daily assignments as well as a weekly overview, to give you a sense of pacing and to help with time management.  Please know that you don't have to do that exact assignment on that exact day.  You can work ahead or double up one day.  I don't recommend saving it all until the deadline, though. Homework for the week of March 16--20: A. Read your independent reading book. You should read for at least 30 minutes per day.  If you need to read more to reach your AR goal or because reading is awesome, do so. B. Read SS Textbook p. 204--221 and complete Workbook p. 123-136  Note: Creating the mosaic mentioned on Workbook p. 122 is OPTIONAL and worth EXTRA CREDIT in social studies. C.  Have the first draft of all storyboards & text completed for each page of your children's book, including the title page. --This will be a total of 8  storyboards --though you may have more if you adde...

Correct SS homework Finish Writer's Roundtable from yesterday or Work on tonight's SS homework/read/get enough books from the library to get you to your goal  I can use the tools of a narrative writer efficiently and deliberately.  I can recognize the importance of sensory details and using nouns and verbs instead of adjectives in narrative writing.  I can use feedback from my peers to make my story more clear and thoughtful.  I can recognize and correct common sentence errors.  1. Opening  A. Entry Task: I Heart Revisions (10 minutes)  2. Work Time  A. Mid-Unit Assessment Part 2 (10 minutes)  B. Sharpening Your Tools, Part 1: Show-not-Tell and Sensory Details (15 minutes)  3. Closing and Assessment  A. Beginning Your Storyboards (10 minutes)  4. Homework for the week of March 13--20: A. Read your independent reading book. You should read for at least 30 minutes per day.  If you need t...

1. Opening A. Entry Task (5 minutes) 2. Work Time A. Writer’s Roundtable: Fishbowl (20 minutes) B. Writer’s Roundtable: Whole Class (15 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment A. Writer’s Roundtable: Self-Assessment (5 minutes) 4. Homework --Complete the one remaining page of the 3.3 packet --Complete the 3.4 packet --SS Textbook p. 202-203 and Workbook p. 121 (Section 3 ONLY) --Read for at least 30 minutes tonight. All AR points are due March 20, so check out enough books to get you to your AR goal.

Letter Writing Assignment--See Google Classroom Please ask students to take the following items as they enter the classroom: a slip of paper, an envelope, & their assigned Chromebook.   Students should start by addressing the envelope to their local businesses.  They should use the name and address on the little slip of paper they selected. For the return address, they should use the school’s address. Please show students how to address an envelope using the doc cam. Next, students should go to Google Classroom and use the template there to write their letter.  Please bring their attention to the bracketed sections. Ask students to have it proofread electronically by a peer, then bring the computer to you for editing.   Once it is correct, please ask the students to print it to AJR-021.  They should fold their letter and place it in their envelope BUT ASK THEM NOT TO SEAL IT.   Ask them to turn the unsealed enve...

Complete the Unit 3, Lesson 2 Packet from yesterday.  When you are done, read a book, use the library, or begin your homework. I can plan a children’s book that is organized in a way that makes sense to the reader.  I can use narrative tools purposefully. 1. Opening  A. Entry Task: Preparing for the Mid-Unit Assessment Part 1 (5 minutes)  2. Work Time  A. Tell a Friend (12 minutes)  B. Writing My Children’s Book Plan (23 minutes)  3. Closing and Assessment  A. Exit Ticket: Planning for the Mid-Unit Assessment Part 1 (5 minutes)  4. Homework  A. Complete the Unit 3, Lesson 3 Packet to prepare for the Mid-Unit Assessment: Part 1 on Thursday. B.  Read your independent reading book. C.  Read SS Textbook p. 197-199 and complete Workbook p. 119-120

• I can write a concluding thematic statement that connects the experience of Frederick Douglass to situations beyond the story. • I can recognize narrative techniques in a children’s book. • I can combine phrases into a complete sentence. 1. Opening A. Entry Task: Summing It Up (15 minutes) 2. Work Time A. Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt (20 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment A. Study for the SS Lesson 13 Quiz B.  Lesson 13 Quiz C.  If you finish early: Complete the Unit 3, Lesson 2 Packet, read a good book, renew or return library books, check out a book, take an AR test, or begin homework. 4. Homework A. Reread the excerpt you want to turn into a children’s book. As you read, underline sentences that you think you could borrow to help you develop character, add sensory details, create dialogue, include strong verbs, and craft the thematic statement. B.  Finish as much of the Unit 3, Lesson 2 Packet as possible, given that you don't have the children's b...

I can articulate the difference between a narrative and a summary.  I can combine phrases into a complete sentence. I can identify where a modifier goes in relation to the noun it modifies. 1. Opening  A. Entry Task: Introducing the Children’s Book (10 minutes)  2. Work Time  A. Distinguishing Narrative from Summary (15 minutes)  B. Introducing the Narrative Writer’s Toolbox (10 minutes)  3. Closing and Assessment  A. Sentence Practice (10 minutes) B.  SS Test Make-Ups--Lesson 12 & Unit Pretest--or time to read/begin homework/use the library C.  Create a Quizlet set or flash cards to help you study.  D.  Partner quiz 4. Homework  A. Finish the Unit 3, Lesson 1 Packet. B.  Independent reading check-in: Complete a narrative arc diagram for an episode in your AR book. This should be a basic summary—not a narrative. C.  SS  Textbook p. 192-195 and Workbook p. 117-118.  Stud...

Last round of peer editing.  Look for: Final Draft Check Off Sheet Correct citations, like this (Excerpt 3). Title is italicized every time it is used as a title Author's name is mentioned in the first paragraph Correctly formatted Work Cited page Indented paragraphs No extra spaces between paragraphs Double-spaced, Times New Roman, Size 12 Intro and conclusion are compelling Clear sentences that distinguish one perspective (Douglass's) from another (white Northerners) North, South, Northerners, Southerners, etc. are all capitalized Sentences are combined correctly (comma + conjunction or a semicolon) Writing is clear and easy to understand Best evidence is selected to prove each position/aspect of slavery Analysis is thoughtful and explains the significance fully Double check page numbers in the upper right corner (e.g., Spencer 1) Address all parts of the prompt I can articulate the difference between a narrative and ...

Period 3 and 4 Time to: Finish typing your essay. (top priority) Take the Unit Pretest if you were absent yesterday. Work on SS homework (from yesterday--sorry about the workbook situation, CJSF folks-- or today) Read a good book, take an AR test in the library, or check out a book Period 5 and 6 Peer Editing --Read over your own essay, making edits and comments --Make a list of things you'd like feedback on --Meet with your ______ partner --Discuss areas for growth and review feedback best practices --Time to read and provide feedback --Read a book if you finish early --Time to discuss --Get your ChromeBook and make corrections you and your partner identified Homework: LA:  Work on any edits or revisions to your essay. SS: Read Textbook p. 188-189 and complete Workbook p. 116 (for sections 2 & 3 ONLY) Reading: Read a good book for 30 + minutes tonight.  Get parent signatures, if necessary.

Heads Up! This is TUESDAY'S blog post. Periods 3 and 4: Pre-Test for Unit 3 (Lessons 13 & 14) ---The point of a pre-test is to introduce your brain to (potentially) new ideas.  It does not count toward your grade in the course, but you should still consider each problem as a "preview" of what is to come. Done? Keep your test and read your AR book.  Allow students until the last 10 minutes of each period (11:23 for 3rd period and 12:18 for 4th period) to read silently and independently.  If necessary, they may use the library to take an AR test, check out a book, or return a book. At 11:23/12:18, Students should correct their own pre-test using a correcting pen.  Please collect them as Exit Tickets as students exit the classroom for 4th or lunch. Periods 5 and 6: Using your SS Textbook (p. 182--183) and Workbook (p. 110-112), complete the Unit 3 Geography Challenge as a class.  Call on students to read Textbook p. 183 aloud.  Then, rerea...

Correct the Timeline Challenge Turn in SS Workbook SS Lesson 12 Assessment Finish typing your rough draft.  Done? Print it out on AJR-021 and turn it in to Ms. EL. The rest of the time is yours to read, take a test in the library, check out an AR book, or work on other homework. Homework: Read a good book! You should be roughly 70% of the way to your goal.  Get parent and teacher signatures, if necessary. Bring your SS textbook to class tomorrow and an AR book to read.