3/27/2013

It was the last time Nikki, Lorena, Zully, Jordan, and Aaron said the mission statement. What a bittersweet moment! Soon, it will be you walking around the school in a cap and gown. For some, it might just be nine short weeks away!

In any case, we took finals today and had the award ceremony. I owe Victoria a gift card to Taco Bell for being my First Mate – so please don’t let me forget! 😀

Also, everyone who was an active player (student) in the game got to the yellow line. That means I have to dye my hair. I need to get this approved with Admiral Ekster, as it has been a long time since all the players completed this task. But, I suspect that I’ll be buying some Kool-Aid in the near future.

If I have you for Term 4, get ready for fun! And if this was your last voyage with me, then I wish you fair winds and following seas for a successful voyage.

 

3/26/2013

Today, first block took their final – GOOD LUCK – and 2nd and 3rd blocks reviewed for the final. All final exam review material can be found in the Final Exam Review folder in the LMS. Tomorrow, you will take 2nd and 3rd Block finals. The final will be about 120 multiple choice questions with some matching.

3/25/2013

Today, we did our last assignment – the COLLEGE ADMISSION ESSAY!

I know we were originally supposed to write an essay over guilt in Othello, but this is a little easier to grade (and most people get a good grade).

In LMS, you can find the instructions with a list of topics – feel free to choose the topic of your choice and write between 500-700 words.

I’m not worrying about MLA format – just type and turn in. I’m grading this like timed writing, so if you want to see the rubric, check it out in LMS.

3/22/2013

Welp. We finished Othello Act 5 today. Some people weren’t very happy with the ending, but that’s the way the story ends! I love to hate Iago – he’s a great villain.

If you want to read about possible ways that the torture MAY have happened, there is a link in LMS (it’s the hand icon).

Finish those haikus and drop them off – I’ll print them and we can use them on the final exam if you need them.

Early congratulations to Zully, Nikki, and Jordan (and Lorena and Aaron!)

3/21/2012

Today we (you guessed it!) read Act IV. We talked a lot about sticks and stones may break your bones and how words are powerful.

You guys are getting to the point where you are starting to hate the “actors” who are playing Iago – this is the best part of my job. I love it when people interrupt the play and yell out “Damn Iago!” 🙂

We had time to work on haikus today – this should be a great opportunity for you to earn an easy 150 points. Last year, I think the lowest grade that I gave last time was 130, which is still a pretty good grade.

I’m starting to call parents/guardians if your grade is not where it needs to be. We are running out of days for you stay after school, and I get worried when you say that you’re going to work on stuff at home, because it rarely happens.

If you have missed a lot this week (Rolley and Alexis) you’ll need to get caught up on your reading of the play. Make sure that you work on the haikus as well!

Extra credit can be taken up until the final exam. You can still work on this!

3/20/2013

Today, we read Othello Act 3. Things are heating up, so make sure if you missed today (Colin), read this on your own. Major plot points are introduced. And besides, you missed me flapping my arms around acting like a bird and kissing/making out with the LARGE fish pillow.

We also took a quiz after the reading today to prove a point – that you can’t tell about someone’s personality based solely on his/her appearance. It’s kind of a creepy quiz.

3/19/2013

Ok. Today we read ct 2. All of the scenes. We had plenty of time to work on our haikus – even 3rd Block, who lost time because of the Leadership/Klenk bus debacle.

Today, we read 2.1, 2.2., 2.3 – 2.2 is *really* short. It’s just the announcement of the party.

If you need help, remember – use the link in LMS to help you with the summaries. Also, Becca is the HAIKU MASTER! Seriously, if you need help, check her out. Just don’t steal her haikus.

We only have a few days left before final exams. I am once again starting to get more and more worried about your grades. I even gave you a make up day the Friday before Spring Break, and there are still an inordinate amount of zeros in this grade book. Sad Riley.

3/18/2012

We are in the final countdown to final exams next week. Block 1 Final will be next Tuesday, the 25th. 2nd and 3rd finals will be on Wednesday, the 26th.

This week, we will be reading Othello and writing a haiku for each scene/act that we read. This will be a total of 15 haikus by Friday. There is a template in LMS that you can use.

Today, we read Act 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.

We also started the haikus today. There is a link for a summary broken down for each scene that will be a huge help when are you working on your haikus.

If you were absent (ALEXIS!), read this scene on your own. 🙂

3/8/2013

The day before Spring Break. Yay! Since you have been working really well the past week and there are still lots of missing assignments out, we just used today as a “Shut Up and Work” day. Use your time wisely.

We also talked about the Extra Credit Scavenger Hunt – it’s in LMS. Go look at the instructions and the example for detailed instructions. For each 25 points you find on the scavenger hunt, you will earn 10 points for your grade. 🙂

Happy Hunting!

3/7/2013

Before we even go into what we did in class today, be aware of a few things:

  • You will not be able to take your laptops over Spring Break.
  • Gradespeed will not be available during Spring Break.
  • There is a small chance that Angel LMS won’t be open over SB, too.
  • This does not mean that you have an excuse not to work on your zeros over the break.

Phew. With that said, we have one day left before Spring Break! w00t!

Before we read, I asked the girls in the class a question: What is the one thing you want more than anything else in the world?

Then, I asked the guys would they spend the rest of their lives with an ugly, old partner who is faithful, nice, and intelligent OR a beautiful partner who cheats, lies, is mean, and starts petty fights all the time.

Then we read/listened to the Wife of Bath’s tale. This year, we used Bab Brinkman’s rap. You can find the text and song in LMS.

Afterwards, we created an online dating profile for the Lady in the tale. There are LOTS of links in LMS to help you create this, but the six basic questions are as follows:

Remember – I need to get an idea from her answers that not only is she ugly and old from the questions, but also her ideas about wealth, fidelity, appearance, and morality. If you don’t remember, go back to her lecture when the knight says that he thinks she is too ugly and low class to love.

Have fun!