Thanks for a great year!

and here's a link to the "about me" videos!

Work time

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend!
I am still in Miami because my flight was cancelled.
For me this means a long day of travel - for you it is a day of work on your final.
Do what you need to do!
Hoppefully I will see you tomorrow!

STAR test and Final Exam

We are going to take the STAR reading test today. Please do your best on this reading comprehension test. Again, this is so I can understand how you read and learn, then offer you specific help. Do your best.

• Click here to go to the link for the test.
• For your username, use the same name you are logging into the Chromebooks and computers with.
• Your password is your student ID number - but ONLY the number - i.e. 221XXXX - if you are unable to gain access after TWO tries, please ask for help before trying a third time.
• You will be presented with two choices - select STAR Reading
• Sometimes, the system will request a “Monitor Password.” If this happens to you, the password is “admin”
• If you are presented with a list of teachers, please select “Rigler”
• Take the test! Do the best you can!

With the remaining time, we will talk about working on the final essay.

Stand By Me - Day 2; Final Exam

Today we will finish watching the film. We'll write about some of the themes we saw there and discuss them.

Here is a link to your final essay. Please read it over - we will discuss it further on Friday.

Also on Friday, we will complete the final STAR test of the year.

Stand By Me - Day 1

Today we will meet in E116 to start watching Stand By Me.

Here is an overview sheet with some resources.

Film - Day 1; AQ recap

In addition to your annotations and class notes, here is a list of the work we've done with the novel during the unit:

• Background information about WWI
• The Google Slideshow you created with your group
• A look at different war-related songs, including a discussion about the different aspects of war they featured
• Rules of Notice - what we notice as we read
• Group work on chapters 1-3
• Individual writing about chapter 4 - "Make your own quiz"
• Group work on chapters 4-5
• Quiz on chapters 5 & 6
• Literal and Figurative language handout
• In-class writing - paragraphs about chapter 7
• Writing about "enemies"
• Group work about "enemies"
• Quiz on chapter 9
• Partner work on chapter 10

AQ - End of the novel - themes

Our work today will focus on the end of the novel.

• Why are the last two paragraphs tucked away on the back of what seems like the last page?
• What themes are present in those two paragraphs?
• What other themes from the unit are specifically not present there?

We'll keep track of these on the board. We'll also look at passages from chapters 11 and 12 to add to our list of themes.

Tonight, there is no specific homework. Make sure you're caught up with the reading and have finished the book.

For the next two days, we will meet in E116 to watch the film together.

AQ - Partner work and class discussion

Happy Friday!

For our work today you can choose a partner. This sheet will guide your work for the first part of class. We'll move to a group discussion after that.

Your homework this weekend is to finish reading the novel. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the ending! Also, next week we will start talking about the final. Woohoo!

AQ - Ch 9 quiz and reading time

Today we started with a short piece of writing about chapter 9.

When you are finished, please use the rest of the time to continue with your reading.

You need to finish chapter 10 by the start of class on Friday.

AQ - Enemies continued

Today I am out with the entire English department.

As you know, you will start the day in your groups. Please turn to the work from Monday's class, where you identified a quotation about enemies and then linked it to the personal example you created.

Your goal for today with your group is to identify 10 different lessons Paul learns about "enemies" as a result of this chapter and/or actions he takes as a result. Some of these will be stated explicitly while others are implied; some are on a literal level, some are figurative.

With your group, please create a document listing each of these factors for your 10 lessons / actions.

1. A quotation from chapter 8
2. An explanation of that quotation
3. The lesson / action it names, in terms of Paul and enemies.

Please be sure to share this document with me.

Once you are finished, please spend the rest of the period finishing your reading of chapter 9.

See you Wednesday!

AQ - Enemies

Today we'll write about enemies, both personal examples and details from chapter 8 of the novel.  You kept track of these in your notebook.

Tonight you are reading the first part of chapter 9.

AQ - In-Class writing

Today's work is primarily the in-class writing about chapter 7.

If you finish in time you can start reading chapter 8, which you will complete this weekend.

AQotWF - Literal vs. Figurative continued; Reading chapter 7

We'll continue our look at literal and figurative language today, using examples you identify from chapter 6.

The second half of the class period is set aside as time for you to continue reading chapter 7.

Please be sure not only to finish reading the chapter but also to review the work from the past few days in preparation for Friday's in-class writing.

• Proper use of quotations
• never using "on page ..." to introduce a quotation
• using an introduction before a quotation (or incorporating it into a sentence another way)
• never letting a quotation stand as its own sentence
• citing with a page number in parentheses
• never announcing what you are doing ("I will use this quote to show...")
• Identifying literal and figurative layers of meaning
• literal meaning exists at the textual level
• figurative meaning uses metaphor, simile, symbolism, imagery, language, and more to suggest alternative layers of meaning

AQotWF - Literal vs. Figurative language

Happy Tuesday!

Our focus for today is on the difference between literal and figurative language. We will use this handout to guide our work. We will discuss several examples together in class. After that, you'll try a few on your own. This is helpful preparation for our in-class writing on Friday!

• Literal vs. Figurative language

AQotWF - chapter 5

Happy Monday!

Today there will be a short in-class writing about chapter 5. When you are finished you will have the rest of the period to continue reading chapter 6.

AQotWF

Happy Friday! Happy "F" day in the alphabet countdown!
I'm away for the weekend on a retreat with my synagogue's youth group.

You'll start in groups today. Here is a link to the document to guide your work. Please spend about 30 minutes on it. You don't need to turn anything in - just save it for Monday.

After that, you can use the second half of the period to start reading chapter 6 - you are assigned to read through page 118 over the weekend.

Have a great one!

AQotWF - writing about chapter 4

We'll start today with some individual writing about chapter 4.
After that, you'll have time to start reading chapter 5.

AQotWF - Group work continued

Today you'll have some time to finish the group work from yesterday. Then we'll use those responses to start a discussion about the book and its ideas. We'll work on a variety of levels, from making sure we are following the plot to an exploration of the themes and questions it raises.

Also, I reminded you of my expectations of good readers, including finding a system of annotations that works for you, keeping a list of characters, and looking up words you don't know.

As a reminder, for tonight you will be reading the rest of chapter 4.

AQotWF - Chapters 1-3

Happy Monday!

Today you'll meet with your final set of groups for the year:

All Quiet on the Western Front
Carly Ben F. Chase Aaron Sam C.	Abigail Bekah Will AJ Sammy	Colleen Autumn Ian Jeremy Max B.	Brianna Ari Luke Jack	Sydney Max K. Ben K. Matt Ben A.

Here is a link to your work for today. 

As a reminder, your homework for tonight is to read through page 64 of chapter 4.

Rules of Notice

Today we'll discuss some of the tools we use as readers, starting with this handout: Rules of Notice

Then, we'll look back over the opening pages of chapter 1 to practice this.

You'll have reading time for most of the period. While you are reading you'll have your notebook out to help you to keep track of some details from the novel and to process your thoughts.

By the end of the period, you'll write out 5 statements of things you notice in the chapters you read. Use this format: "I noticed the words / phrase __________. This suggests __________." You'll do this by hand and submit it by the end of the period.

As a reminder, over the weekend you are to finish chapters 1-3.

Intro. to the novel

Here are the presentations you created:

• Group 1
• Group 2
• Group 3
• Group 4
• Group 5
• Group 6

After we watch them, we'll check out this video crash course on World War I.

With time remaining we'll start listening to this recording of chapter 1. 

As we go through the book, feel free to use an audio recording if you find that to be helpful. Here is a link to one - it's free although it isn't the best one I've heard.

Remember that although I will not be specifically collecting or grading annotations, I expect you to be using them in a format that works for you.

War - a first look

We'll start today in the same groups as yesterday. Your group will look at one of these songs:

• Song 1
• Song 2
• Song 3
• Song 4
• Song 5
• Song 6

Listen to the song - read through the lyrics - watch the video - get to know it. Discuss these questions:

• What points is the song making about war?
• What topics does it cover?
• What type of people are mentioned in the song? Why?
• What emotions are at the core of the song?
• Which lyrics communicate these ideas?

Then, you will use the rest of the period to combine the answers to these questions with those you'll explore in this research project. You can combine them in any way you'd like - use the music, videos, images, etc. - in a presentation we'll share tomorrow.

• World War I Research Project

Be sure to have your book with you at the start of class tomorrow!

Songs about...

Today we'll play a game about songs.

Please remember you need to own a copy of All Quiet on the Western Front in class on Wednesday.

Also, I just posted a link to our final calendar! Look right over there --->

A Tale of Two Cities - Last Day!

Today we will share our projects in E116!

After you've had some time to check out everyone's projects, you use this form to respond to two of them. When you are done, you'll submit it to Schoology.

• Multi-Genre peer feedback

Also, you will need to own a copy of our next book, All Quiet on the Western Front, by next Wednesday. It is available in the bookstore for $6.

A Tale of Two Cities - Final Work Days!

Monday and Tuesday of this week are set aside for work days.

Your final project is due by the start of class Thursday morning.

Please be sure to review the assignment handout to make sure you are submitting all of the required work. There is a space in Schoology ready and waiting for your projects! Good luck as you bring the unit to a strong conclusion!!

A Tale of Two Cities - Project Work Day

Today I'll return the final set of quizzes from A Tale of Two Cities. Then, we'll have time to review the multi-genre assignment for the unit.

I've extended the due date - the project is now due on Thursday, April 18th.

A Tale of Two Cities - Start of Final Project

Happy Monday!

Today I distributed copies of this handout describing the final project.

Please look it over carefully and let me know if you have any questions!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 34

Happy Friday! By the time you read this, you will have completed your in-class writing for today.

Now it is time to take the first steps toward the final project for this unit. As a reminder, here is a link to the original handout I gave you about the multi-genre pieces you created.

This weekend, you are to select at least 5 of your multi-genre pieces to use in your final project. There are a few factors you should consider as you make your choices:

• I will be asking you to find some sort of connection between the pieces - a character, a theme, a symbol, or a key question - so you might want to have that guide your choices
• You should choose ones you find most interesting or engaging
• You should choose ones you are proud of or where you did something interesting or unique
• You should choose ones you want to spend more time with over the next week

Then, for each one, you will answer these questions:

1. Explain what you created - go into as much detail as possible
2. Why did you choose this particular style/format for this piece?
3. What did this format help you to see/learn differently than if you were to just write a journal response?
4. What was most successful about this piece? What was the least successful? If you were to spend more time with this piece and revise or remake it, what would you do differently, and why?

These answers will be a portion of your final project, so please treat it that way. Brief, incomplete answers would not indicate you doing your best work.

These are not due on Monday, but I highly recommend you at least start the process since I will assign the rest of the project then.

Have a great weekend!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 33

It's time for the last chapter! We'll listen to chapter 15 in class together.

After answering some reflective questions in your journals, we'll whip around to share answers to one of these questions:

• Which character in the book were you most interested by? Why?
• What point do you think Dickens was making with the book? What theme(s) did he include?

Then I'll give out a copy of these questions. You will be writing about them in class on Friday. You chose one of them and I will randomly assign a second one to you. On Friday you will be able to use your book and notebook, but not your Chromebook or any electronic resources to write your paragraphs. You can use as much time as you'd like to answer the questions in class. Also, you may prepare for the writing by doing any advance work in your journal.

• A Tale of Two Cities discussion questions

Lastly, your homework for Friday is to create your final M-G response.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 32

We'll start the day with an activity, pairing various mysteries from the book with their solutions. You'll work with a partner to make sure you identify where the solution appears in the book, as well as what it means and how it fits into the overall picture.

• Here is a link to the master list of mysteries and solutions

Please note - I changed the calendar - tonight you are reading chapter 14 - 

you do not need to do an M-G response - we will listen to the last chapter in class tomorrow!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 31

Greetings! Welcome back from spring break! I hope it was all you wanted it to be!

Today we'll view some of the emoji summaries we created right before the break - I'll post links to them here so you can check them out:

• Group 1
• Group 2
• Group 3
• Group 4
• Group 5

After that, we'll listen to chapter 12 in class. 

(Note - we did not get to finish - please be sure to read the final pages tonight for homework)

As a reminder, for homework tonight you will be reading chapter 13.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 30

😃🚲1⃣2⃣🌞!
👍🕰👎🕰...

It is emoji day as we wrap up third quarter! You'll work with your groups today as we think about and use emojis. But first, as a warm-up, try out these quizzes:

• Sporcle - Movies by Emoji
• Guess Emoji - the Emoji quiz

Then, your task sounds simple, but it's not exactly easy. You are going to re-tell key moments from chapters 6-11 using only emojis. No, not all of it, and certainly not word-for-word. Here's what you will do:

1. Discuss the chapter with your group and come up with 1 sentences / pieces of dialogue that capture the essence of each chapter (6 total).
2. Using the emoji keyboard or any similar tool you'd like, create an emoji version of those ten lines.
1. 🗡😳, 👹🇫🇷
1. “ ‘Take off his head’ said the audience “An enemy to the republic’ ” (325)
3. Put these into a Google Slide show. 
1. The first slide is a title, including emojis representing the people in your group
2. Then, have the emoji sentence by itself on a slide, followed by a slide with a "translation" of it
3. Continue this for all of your lines.
4. Then we'll read these together as a class and see if we can figure them out!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 29

Today our focus will be to listen to the recording of chapter 10 - Dr. Manette's letter. We'll spend time discussing chapter 9, especially the development of Sydney Carton. Take good notes!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 28

Our focus for today is to listen to the recording of chapter 8 - we'll talk through it along the way. It is jam-packed with information and developments of the story! Make sure you are taking good notes!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 27

Happy Monday! Happy last week before spring break!

Today - surprise, surprise - we will start with a short quiz on the recent chapters.

Then, you will have the rest of the time to focus on the connections between the novel and history. This sheet will guide your work. It is due to Schoology by the start of class tomorrow.

• Connecting A Tale of Two Cities to the history of the French Revolution

I've adjusted the homework a bit, so you can focus on this tonight. We'll listen to chapter 8 in class tomorrow.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 26

Happy Friday!

We'll start today with a few minutes to complete and discuss the worksheets you started last time, focusing on the "return to France" of many characters.

After that, our focus today will be on the ways in which Dickens makes use of history in his narrative. You will be working individually on this document to explore a variety of sources. Make a copy of it to submit at the end of the period.

• Connecting the novel and history

This weekend you will be reading chapters 6 & 7. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 25

Happy Wednesday!

Today we'll start by hearing from your groups - yesterday you were assigned a chapter to summarize and today you'll share that information. We focused on chapters 21-24 of book 2, and chapter 1 of book 3.

Next, you worked on this handout, exploring the different details involved as many characters return to France.

As a reminder, your homework for tonight is to read chapter 5 and to create M-G #14.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 24

Happy Tuesday!

We'll start off today with the STAR test - here are the directions:

We are going to take the STAR reading test today. Please do your best on this reading comprehension test. Again, this is so I can understand how you read and learn, then offer you specific help. Do your best.

• Click here to go to the link for the test.
• For your username, use the same name you are logging into the Chromebooks and computers with.
• Your password is your student ID number - but ONLY the number - i.e. 221XXXX - if you are unable to gain access after TWO tries, please ask for help before trying a third time.
• You will be presented with two choices - select STAR Reading
• Sometimes, the system will request a “Monitor Password.” If this happens to you, the password is “admin”
• If you are presented with a list of teachers, please select “Rigler”
• Take the test! Do the best you can!

After that, we'll get into groups to look back at the last few chapters. While you are doing that, I'll check in your M-G work.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 23

(I was out sick today - you had the day to read)

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 22

Happy Friday! As you may recall, I'm out of the building today. Actually, the whole English department is away for a day-long meeting.

You'll start the day with this short research project. Hopefully, all of the directions are clear.

• Here is a link to the Google SlideShow you'll be creating today. 

I imagine this will take you and your partner around 10-15 minutes to complete. After that, please use the rest of the time to start your reading for the weekend.

Reminder: Monday is multi-genre (MG) check-in day - I will not be collecting them, but I will be keeping track of which ones you completed. Please be sure they are labeled. Also on Monday, you will be taking the next STAR test.

Have a great weekend!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 21

A few reminders about the upcoming schedule:

• Friday - Partner work on research topic (15 minutes) + individual reading time
• Monday - Multi-Genre check-in (#1-13) + STAR test

Today is dedicated to a twofer: a piece of in-class writing that will also serve as one of your multi-genre pieces. Here are the directions for it:

• Writing in the voice of a character

I imagine this will take 30 minutes. You can use the rest of the time to start the homework (ch. 22)

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 20

Happy Tuesday!

Today we'll start by going over some minor changes to the schedule. Please make sure to check it and especially to note the multi-genre check-in on Monday, March 11th. I will not be collecting these pieces on that day, but will just keep track of which ones you have or don't. Be sure to label which number each one is!

We'll listen to the recording of chapter 20 together. Afterward, half of you will keep track of what Carton asked of Darnay, while the other half will focus on what Lucie asked of him. We'll review all of that using this slideshow:


Reminder - tonight you are reading chapter 21

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 19

Happy Monday!

We'll start off today with some time in your groups to finalize the preparations for your highlight reel performance of the first 212 pages of the book in 90 seconds. It's gonna get wacky!

Tonight, you are reading chapter 19.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 18

Happy Friday! It's theater day in Freshman English!

Today you'll work in your groups to recap 212 pages of the book in 90 seconds! How will you do that? All of the instructions are in this handout:

• A Tale of Two Cities - Halftime recap!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 17

Happy Wednesday!

Today we'll go over the work you did yesterday - reading and answering questions about chapter 15. I made the quiz a formative one, which means it will be entered into Schoology but will not factor into your actual grade.

Part of the goal here is to improve your skills as a reader, so we'll spend some time reflecting on ways to do that.

Then, with about 40 minutes to go, we'll do a similar exercise with chapter 16. Hopefully, you will have some suggestions for yourself about how to improve your score this time around.

This also means that for Friday you just have a multi-genre response. My suggestion is to focus it on what happens in chapters 15 and 16!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 16

Today you'll have time to read chapter 15 in class. While you are reading (or afterward, if you prefer) you will complete these study questions. I'm specifically asking you not to listen to the recording today because I want to have a clear sense of how your reading comprehension with the book is going. I'll collect your work at the end of the period.

Tonight your homework is to complete your next multi-genre response.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 15

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend - it's nice to start off the week together!

We'll start today with a recap of chapter 12, which you read over the weekend.

Then, we'll listen to the recording of chapter 13 together, pausing to discuss it along the way. Make sure you are closely following Sydney Carton's conversation with Lucie, noting how she makes him feel and what he is willing to do for her.

With remaining time we'll start to listen to the recording of chapter 14.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 14

Happy Thursday!

Today we'll be in groups to look at the two chapters you read last night, 10 & 11.
You'll read the dialogues out loud, keeping an eye on new information and shifts in tone.

As a reminder, over the weekend you are reading chapter 12 and creating your next multi-genre response. See you Monday morning - don't forget, it is a cycle 12 day!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 13

Greetings! Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the long weekend!

We'll start off with a quick quiz today before we get into some group work. Please have one person in your group open this document to keep track of your ideas and evidence.  When you are finished we'll discuss your ideas together and we'll figure out our top suspect.

You'll have the rest of the period to work on a multi-genre response to these chapters.

For tomorrow you are to read chapters 10 and 11.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 12

Happy Friday Thursday! Ready for the long weekend?

Today we'll work in groups with chapters 7 and 8 to get a sense of the Marquis de Evremonde. Each group will bring to life one moment from this list:

1. The carriage of the Marquis kills a child
2. Gaspard's reaction and interaction with the Marquis
3. The reaction of the Defarges
4. The Marquis, the mender of roads, and Gabelle
5. The Marquis and the old woman

Then, we'll spend a few moments looking at these summary sites:

1. SparkNotes
2. Shmoop
3. eNotes
4. Grade Saver
5. Cliffs Notes

With your group, look at what these sites have to say about chapters 7 and 8. Then, compare/contrast them with what we did in class today as well as the actual details of the chapter. What do they add? What do they leave out?

Over the long weekend, you are reading chapter 9 and creating a multi-genre response. Enjoy the time off!  See you Wednesday!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 11

Today you'll start in groups to look back at chapter 6. I'll assign a few pages to each group - you'll re-read those pages and then determine several different key moments / lines to share (one for each member of your group). We'll share and discuss these.

We'll spend the second half of class listening to the recording of chapter 7, which will bring us back to France.

For Thursday you are to read chapter 8 and create your next multi-genre piece.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 10

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend!

We'll start off today with a short in-class writing about the similarities and differences between Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, as seen in chapters 3-5 of book 2.

Then, you'll move into your groups for a creative look at those same characters. You will be creating a "found poem" about Sydney Carton:

• Found Poem description and directions

As a reminder, tonight you will be reading chapter 6.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 9

Happy Friday!

Lots of things on the docket for us today!

First, I'd like you to take some time to reflect on your work with the multi-genre responses.

• Please complete this questionnaire
• Here is a link to the multi-genre project description, in case you need to refer to it

Next, we'll return to the questions we were answering on Wednesday. If you already answered your question, you'll help create a tableau of the trial scene.

Lastly, we'll look at Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay - we'll discuss their similarities and differences in small groups, thinking about:

• Physical qualities
• Personality
• Social skills
• Employment
• anything else?

For the weekend you will be reading chapter 5 and creating multi-genre piece #5.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 8

Today you were randomly assigned one of the questions from this list. You prepared a response (in your notebook, making sure you included page numbers) and then we had a discussion about them. Hopefully, this helped you understand everything that has been happening so far!

We did not get to create multi-genre piece #4 in class today, so I have renumbered them on the calendar. For Friday, please read chapter 4 of Book 2 and create a multi-genre piece.

• Note - if today helped you to understand things, start your homework by creating a multi-genre piece about one of the topics/characters we discussed! You could even do that first and then read the chapter.

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 7

Happy Tuesday!

Today we'll work in groups for a little while to review the end of book 1. There is a puzzle activity and then some individual journal writing.

A Tale of Two Cities
Carly AJ Ari Max B. Matt	Abigail Chase Aaron Sammy Jack	Colleen Sydney Max K. Ben A. Sam	Brianna Jeremy Ian Ben F.	Autumn Bekah Will Ben K. Luke

After that, we'll listen to chapter 2 of book 2.

Tonight, you are finishing chapter 2 and then reading chapter 3. Be sure to annotate!

A Tale of Two Cities - Day 6

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend!

Today we'll start with a quiz - but hopefully a type of quiz unlike you've done before. Please take the time to read through the instructions thoroughly, including a close look at the examples, before you ask any questions or get started. Be sure to submit your work to Schoology when you are finished.

• A Tale of Two Cities - quiz #1

With time remaining, we'll discuss what has happened in chapters 5 and 6.

Tonight, you are reading chapter 1 of Book 2 and creating multi-genre piece #3.

ATOTC - Day 5

Happy Friday! (Even though it feels like a Monday!)

Today we'll review chapter 4 and listen to chapter 5.

**Note - we did not finish listening to chapter 5 in class, so please finish it for the weekend. Please also read/listen to chapter 6. There is no writing due, but make sure your annotations are excellent - there will be a quiz on Monday. 

Have a great weekend!

ATOTC - Day 4

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a great weekend, with the extended snow day dance mix thrown in. I've revised the calendar and I'll be assuming we will not have school tomorrow.

Today we'll listen to chapter 3 and part of chapter 4. For the next day we have school, whenever that will be, please finish reading / listening to chapter 4. You do not need to create another multi-genre piece.

The Dover Mail (from chapter 2)

ATOTC - Day 3

Happy Friday! Class ends at 10:26 today.

Today you'll meet the group you'll be with for this unit.
We'll start by sharing your Multi-Genre responses to chapter 1.
After that, work with your group to name and clarify 2 ideas from the chapter and to create 2 questions you have about it.
We'll share these out loud.

10:00 - We'll listen to chapter 2 together. Please annotate along the way. Afterward, you'll discuss your annotations with your group.

This weekend, you are creating multi-genre response #2! Stay warm!

ATOTC - Day 2

Happy Thursday!
Today we will start our work with A Tale of Two Cities.

Calendar
Annotations
Multi-Genre Project

ATOTC - Day 1!

Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a great long weekend and were able to enjoy the snow - or at least not get stuck in it.

Today we'll start our unit on A Tale of Two Cities (I will abbreviate it as ATOTC).
You need to be sure to have your book with you every day!

To get things started today - a mystery!!

Poetry Out Loud - Day 6

Lots to do today - our last day to prepare before tomorrow's competition!

1. We'll go over the two scoresheets (I'll give you each a physical copy) 
2. I'll review the details for the evaluation criteria
3. We'll watch a few sample videos
4. You'll work with a small group to recite your poem and receive scores from your peers
5. If we have time, people can practice in front of the class

Also, don't forget to buy a copy of A Tale of Two Cities by Wednesday!

Good luck with your final memorization and preparation tonight!

Poetry Out Loud - Day 5

We'll start today with a chance to recite your poem to an assigned partner in preparation for our quiz. The quiz is simple - take out a sheet of paper and write out your poem. Then, exchange pages with your partner and give them a copy of your poem. You will then score each other for accuracy, based on the Poetry Out Loud Accuracy Sheet we will use during our competition (and for all POL competitions). The maximum score you can earn is an 8.

Then, we'll watch a few more videos and discuss what those presenters are doing with their poems and how you might incorporate those skills into your recitation. Following that you'll work in groups of three to continue working on your recitation.

Lastly, it is time to buy our next book - A Tale of Two Cities! You will need it in class next Wednesday, the 23rd. Copies are available now at the bookstore - I HIGHLY recommend you purchase the same edition as everyone else in the class will have so you do not get lost looking for page numbers.

Poetry Out Loud - Day 4

Now that you have your poem and have started to work with it, it's time to get to know it well.

Here's the plan for today:

1. Choose a partner - stand together somewhere in the room (stand, not sit!). Read/recite your poem to that person 2-3 times. Don't forget to switch and listen to the other person's poem!
2. Make a copy of this document to use today. Hopefully the directions there are self-explanatory. Take your time - this should take you 30 minutes or more.
3. When you are finished, upload your work to Schoology
4. While you are doing this I will have a short meeting with you to discuss your grade on the final exam and for the semester, as well as your English class recommendation for next year
5. Lastly, find a different partner to work with and read/recite your poem to that person 2-3 times. Switch!

Your homework is to practice reciting your poem multiple times throughout the weekend. Recite it to your friends, your family, your dog, your snapchat story - whatever works!

On Monday morning we will start with a quiz - you will write out your poem! Good luck with it!

Poetry Out Loud - Day 3

You can either check the work you submitted or refer to this chart to see which poem I've selected for you to work with during this unit.

To help inspire our work today, here are a few more examples of people reciting poems:



Here are our tasks for today:

1. Copy your poem into your notebook - yes, by hand - make sure you are able to read it. Write it a little bigger and a little clearer than you usually write.
2. Read your poem aloud
3. Examine your poem
1. Put a box around words you need to define
2. Mark natural breaks - word, line, sentence
1. See Nate Marshall's "god made the hundreds, man made it wild" for an example of the role of breaks
3. Highlight words/phrases - the center of gravity for each break
4. Notebook reflection:
1. What did the work we did today with this poem – thinking about it, writing it out by hand, speaking and hearing it, looking at the language – help you see and understand about this poem?
2. How do you understand it better or differently
3. What do you see or feel in this poem that you had not before you came to class today?

Poetry Out Loud - Day 2

Greetings! We are going to take the next round of the STAR reading test today. Please do your best on this reading comprehension test. Again, this is so I can understand how you read and learn, then offer you specific help. Do your best.

• Click here to go to the link for the test.
• For your username, use the same name you use to log into your Chromebook
• Your password is your student ID number - but ONLY the number - i.e. 122XXXX - if you are unable to gain access after TWO tries, please ask for help before trying a third time.
• You will be presented with two choices - select STAR Reading
• Sometimes, the system will request a “Monitor Password.” If this happens to you, the password is “admin”
• If you are presented with a list of teachers, please select “Rigler”
• Take the test! Do the best you can!

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Poetry Out Loud!

I hope you enjoyed the videos yesterday and have a little sense of what this project looks like. Here are a few examples (we'll watch a few each day) of some other students (from around the country) to check out and (hopefully) inspire you.

After we watch and discuss them, here is the plan for the day:

1. Go to the website to start the process of choosing a poem 
2. In a new Google doc, copy and paste three poems (including title and author) 
3. For each one, write 3-4 sentences about why you chose it 
4. Submit your work to Schoology by the start of class tomorrow.

Happy New Year! Poetry Out Loud!

Happy New Year! Happy 2019!!
Welcome back!! I hope you had a wonderful winter break!

Congratulations on finishing your finals and completing your first semester of high school!
We will have opportunities to talk about your final essay and your semester grade later this week.

For the next two weeks, we'll be doing something a little different - something many other English classes will also be doing during this time. It's called Poetry Out Loud. Here is a link to the calendar for the next two weeks.

We'll watch a few videos to introduce the project. Then, you will start the process of selecting your poem using this link.