Week of November 14, Quote Sandwiches and other fun stuff

Quote Sandwiches and Inferences

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to learn about the characters in The Color of Water.

In Google Docs, create a document called Blog 5: "Character Quote Sandwiches"

You will be creating three quote sandwiches, one for 

• Ruth (Rachel Shilsky)
• Fischel Shilsky
• Hudis Shilsky

Write paragraph for each character, as a quote sandwich, following this structure:

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the character. "Ruth is ________________ because __________."

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from chapter 1-5 that teaches us about this character. "We can see this in the quote on page ___, "...."".

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving what you believe about this character.

• When you are finished, post your quote sandwiches to our blog.

Week of October 24, Research for The Color of Water

Hi everyone,

This week we are using our computer time to continue doing our research for The Color of Water by James Mc Bride.

Please share a computer with the people on your research team.

Here are the group topics:

·      The KKK

·      Sitting Shiva

·      Reciting the Kaddish and death rituals in Judaism

·      Gospel music and the Black Baptist church

·      Kosher dietary laws

·      The Black Panthers and the Black Power Movement

·      The Harlem Renaissance

·      Malcolm X

Use this time to create the quiz for your topic, to be given after your presentation.

Remember, you need to have:

1. Two research logs from each student in the group attached to a copy of the printed articles.
2. A group poster that uses images and text written by you (paraphrase)
3. A quiz for the other students to take when you have finished your presentation, so that you can see if they really understood the main ideas of your topic. 

We will be presenting on Monday October 29, and it counts as a test!

Be prepared and please do your best!!

Week of October 17, Grades for Marking Period 1

Hi everyone,

Today we will think about grades for the first marking period. 

• I am using a program called Engrade to calculate your grades. Please go to the Engrade website to register and see your grades. You need your access code to do this.

• Now please answer the questions below in Google Docs:

• Please give me feedback (comments/suggestions) about your experience in the class. Please be specific and honest as this will help make the class better for you and everyone else in the coming semester.

1. What did you enjoy about class this marking period?  Why?  Please refer to specific activities, projects, workshops, etc.
2. What didn't you enjoy and why?  Please be specific.
3. Were there any activities/projects/topics that we didn't cover that you want us to cover?  Which ones? 
4. What can I do to make the class better for you (aside from no homework J )?  Please be specific.
5. Has your English improved since the class began?  If yes, how?  If no, why not?  Please think carefully about this.
6. When and where do you usually do your homework?
7. Do you find it difficult to do your homework? Why?
8. How much time do you spend looking at your class notes each week?
9. What can you do to improve your class participation?
10. How do you study for tests and quizzes?
11. Do you feel that the grade you are getting right now is the best you can do? Why?
12. What strategies will you use to get a better grade next marking period?
13. What advice can you give to your classmates to make their experience in this class more meaningful?
14. Fill in the blanks..."From class this marking period, one thing I will take is _______________ and one thing I will give is ________________."

• Finally, post your answers as a comment to our class blog.

Week of October 1, "Replay" scavenger hunt

Jewish boys with Yarmulkes

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to find images of topics mentioned in "Replay".

1. Use Google images to find pictures of the following things, and paste what you find into a document in Google Docs (call it Blog 3):

• yarmulke
• courtyard
• jumprope
• Holocaust

2. Use Google to find information about the following and write what you find in your Blog 3 document in Google Docs:

• The Holocaust
• Anti-semitism

3.  Post your Blog 3 document to the comments section of our blog.

4. Read another classmate's post and tell him/her what you learned.

5. Congratulations to our students for their excellent presentation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tahmid, Nathaly, Domenica, and Michelle presenting at the Met

Here is what another teacher said about them:

Dear Ms. Mann,

I am on my way home from the Open House for Educators at the Met with one of my colleagues. I must tell you how blown away the both of us were by your students. 

First of all, the students projects were very well done. But then their presentations and enthusiasm for their work, their school, and their teachers was awe inspiring. I am not an effusive person and I don't often send out emails like this. I thought it was important for you to know how delightful it was to talk with your students and to hear their stories. 

Sincerely,
Lisa Federici
Art Teacher
Kennedy High School - Bellmore

Week of September 24, "Passing" scavenger hunt

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to find images of topics mentioned in "Passing".

1. Use Google images to find pictures of the following things, and paste what you find into a document in Google Docs (call it Blog 2):

From "Passing":

• cabaret
• porter
• South Side (Chicago)
• musical revues

2. Use Google to find information about the following and write what you find in your Blog 2 document in Google Docs:

"Passing"

• Jim Crow Laws
• Segregation
• The Great Depression

3. Post your Blog 2 document to the comments section of our blog.

4. Read another classmate's post and tell him/her what you learned.

Week of September 17, Welcome to our Class Blog

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to become familiar with using a class blog.

Each week we will be using our blog to share our ideas about the literature we read and the themes we discuss in class.

Requirements:

• Headphones
• Gmail account (click here to get a gmail account) (make sure you choose a user name and password that you will remember because you will have to sign in often)
• Google docs account (comes with gmail and is free)
• Internet at home

I will expect you to finish the assignments on this blog each week. If you do not, you will have to finish them for homework.

This week, please use google docs to answer the questions below:

1. How do you feel about using technology (computers, internet, smart boards, etc.) in theclassroom and why?
2. What experience do you have using blogs as part of your classes?
3. Why is it important to learn to use a blog for our class?
4. How will using this blog help you in the future as a college student and when you are aprofessional adult?

Once you have answered the questions below, please paste your answer into a comment to our blog. Be sure to put your first and last name on your post so we know who you are. Please do not use a nickname because this can be confusing.

Then, read two classmate's comments and write a comment to them answering the questions below:

1. What do you like about their blog post and why?


2. What did you find interesting and why?

Week of May 15, Letters to John Steinbeck

Hi everyone,

Today we will write only the body of a letter to John Steinbeck, telling him what we think about his novel Of Mice and Men.

Type your letters in Google Docs, saved as "letter to John Steinbeck".

In paragraph one, please introduce yourself and explain why you are writing him (to tell him your reaction to his novel).

In paragraph two, please tell him three things you liked and/or learned from his novel.  Also tell him your favorite characters and why.

In paragraph three, please ask him two questions and tell him two things you would like for him to know.

Post this letter to our blog as a comment.