Words From Watson

12/10 Noodle Tools - build IMOVIE Group Citation page/ IMOVIE final editting HMWK:  Complete IMOVIE project Study for Lesson 3 and 4 Vocabulary Test 12/11 3 and 4 Vocabulary Test IMOVIE DUE Watch IMOVIES 12/12 Continue Watching IMOVIES HMWK:  Study for 2nd set of Latin prefix quiz 12/13 2nd set of Latin Words Quiz Final Review 12/14 "The Watsons" IMOVIE award ceremony Final Review

12/3 Vocabulary Lesson #4 - go over highlighted definitions and Latin Roots/ mark derivatives Work on Script and StoryBoard Script and StoryBoard are DUE Dec 4th Turn in Adjective Packet to the basket 12/4 Groups meet with Mrs Watson to review script and Storyboard 12/5 Vocabulary Lesson #4 Hmwk Due and Check in class Finish watching the Crucible Movie IMOVIE Group Project IPADS in classroom 12/6 Vocabulary Quiz #4 IMOVIE Group Project IPADS in classroom 12/7 Activity Schedule IMOVIE Group Project IPADS in classroom

11/26 Vocabulary Lesson #3 Turn in Act IV SGQ's Take out Cause/Effect Worksheet/Irony Worksheet - Group Discussion Introduction of IMOVIE PROJECT Place in Groups 11/27 Field Trip to Play 11/28 Lesson #3 Vocabulary HMWK check Watch Examples of Past IMOVIE projects WORK ON Play script and storyboard in assigned GROUPS Please NOTE:  you may bring in your personal technology to work on this project. 11/29  Lesson #3 Vocabulary Quiz Adjective Packet -- Due Monday Dec 3rd Group Work for IMovie Script and Story Board 11/30 Group work for IMOVIE Script and Story Board Adjective Packet Due Monday Dec 3rd UPCOMING DUE DATES: Typed IMOVIE Script and Draw out Storyboard DUE Tuesday Dec 4th

11/19 Verbs  - 3 types Verb worksheet Due Tuesday Read and Annotate Act IV Pass out Irony Worksheet - Due Monday the 26th Cause Effect Worksheet - Due Monday the 26th Act IV Study Guide Questions Due Monday the 26th 11/20 Check Verb Worksheet Complete Act IV Group work on SGQ's and Worksheet with time left 11/21   HAPPY THANKSGIVING BREAK.  I am thankful for each of you.  Blessings this Thanksgiving to you and yours! 11/22 11/23 Upcoming: Purchase ANIMAL FARM if you haven't already done so ACT IV QUIZ  IMOVIE Group Project

11/12 Act III Vocabulary - copy into packet Finish reading Act III out loud - annotate Crucible Movie HMWK: Act III SGQ's due Tuesday Motivation Chart in packet due Wednesday Vocab lesson 1 and 2 Test on Tuesday 11/13 Vocabulary TEST over Lesson's 1 and 2 - need to know Latin as well as derivatives in addition to definitons of the words Crucible Movie Through Act III HMWKMotivation Chart Due Wednesday 11/14 Go over Motivation Chart Begin Act IV annotate Pass out Cause Effect Chart - Begin working on it through Act III HMWK:  re read ACT III 11/15 Act III Quiz:  True/False, Vocabulary complete the sentence, literary elements/devices in play context, quote matching.  30 questions Resume Act IV annotate Complete Cause Effect Chart - due Friday 11/16 Cause Effect Chart Crucible Movie HMWK:  Irony in the Crucible Worksheet

11/5 Turn in WANTED POSTER Vocabulary Lesson #2 Gather Worksheets for GRAMMAR TEST Go over Act II Quiz ACT III Read Outloud/Annotate HMWK:   Study for GRAMMAR TEST Vocabulary Lesson #2 11/6 Run on Sentence/ Fragments Grammar Packet DUE FRIDAY Brain POP:  Run on Sentences/Fragments Take Quizzes over Brain Pop Continue Reading ACT III/Annotate 11/7 Check Vocab Lesson #2 Homework Act III Read Outloud/annotate Act III SGQ's 1-12 Grammar packet DUE FRIDAY 11/8 Vocabulary Lesson #2 Quiz Grammar Test Diamante Poem - for Crucible Character (if there is time) 11/9  TURN IN GRAMMAR PACKET ACT III Vocabulary- copy into packet Read ACT III outloud and annotate  Answer ALL SGQ's for Act III DUE MONDAY "Elizabeth's Lie" Worksheet- Due Monday UPCOMING:   Vocabulary Test over Lesson #1/#2 on TUESDAY November 13th Act III Quiz on THURSDAY 15th

10/29 Turn in Noun Packet Act II Crucible Mary Warren Worksheet Due Tuesday Conflict in the Crucible Web Due Tuesday SGQ's 1-17 10/30 Act II Vocabulary Discuss Mary Warren/Conflict Web Join Edmodo - code on board Edmodo Journal Assignment - Due Friday Timed Writing Introduction - Handout - Outline and explanation - Will complete Timed Writing in Class on Friday OPEN BOOK OPEN NOTES HMWK: SGQ's and ACT II Quotes Worksheet in Packet - Due Wednesday 10/31 Small Group discussion over Act II worksheet in packet Read Act II Out Loud - annotate Complete Act II SGQ's Hmwk- study for Act II Quiz: Act II vocabulary and  Act II in play  11/1 Act II Quiz 25 questions T/F,complete the sentence/multiple choice Watch Act II movie WANTED POSTER - Due Monday 11/2 TIMED WRITING:  Theme prompt Quote Analysis Edmodo assignment Due

10/22 Vocabulary Unit I - go over defn/Roots/Derivatives Anticipation Guide Crucible -  Anticipation Paragraph Check Weekend HM-WK:  "Events/ Romance - is it over?" Re-read Act I to study for the Act I Quiz 10/23 Act I Quiz 20 questions - 14 T/F 6 Multiple Choice Theme PWPT and fill in Theme Handout Theme Statements Twain's "Curious Romance" - Annotate, Q's, write Theme Statement 10/24 Check Vocabulary Unit One Hmwk Act Two Vocabulary - pwpt- copy into Packet Act Two:  Read out-loud/annotate Act Two SGQ's 1-7  10/25 Vocabulary Unit One Quiz Act II Read out-loud/annotate Act Two SGQ's 8-13 10/26 RIDDLE ME THIS Finish Act II Crucible Movie 9-11 sentence Paragraph on Abigail's Reputation with Theme Statement

10/15 SGQ- Check Daily Grade Act One Vocabulary Pwpt "Dialogue and Characterization Worksheet" due Tuesday Update Character Chart Read play out loud up to Pg 40 Act One - Annotate SGQ's 17,18 10/16 Characterization Chart Check "Dialogue and Characterization" Worksheet ( handout 4) - group Discussion Anne Bradstreet Poem Annotation (handout 3) - Group Work Finish Reading Act One Out loud 40 to end - Annotate SGQ's 20-23  Update Character Chart 10/17 EXPLORE TEST 10/18 Crucible Background/Act One Vocabulary/Act One TEST 10/19 "Riddle Me This" - critical thinking exercise Crucible Movie up to Act One - answer guiding questions  HMWK - Handout 6/8 "A look at Events in Act One and An Illicit Romance - is it Over" Due Monday NEXT WEEK Bring Vocab Books - Unit One Lesson Hmwk due Wed the 24th Quiz over Unit One Thursday the 25th Begin Act Two in the Crucible

10/8  Holiday 10/9  Grammar check Simple/Compound Sentence worksheet 10/12 Grammar Complex Sentences/compound Sentences 13/14 HMWK Act I Vocabulary Anticipation Guide Read Act I 8-... Annotate  Update Characterization Chart in packet Study Guide Questions Act I 10/10  Grammar Check 13/14 Grammar Recognizing Sentences/Fragment 15/16 HMWK Read Act I Annotate  Update Characterization Chart in Packet Study Guide Questions Act I 10/11 Grammar Check 15/16 ROOTS/Bloom's Taxonomy Level's of Learning TEST 10/12 RIDDLE ME THIS  Group Work Anne Bradstreet " To My Dear and Loving Husband" Poetry Analysis Wks Dialogue and Characterization - CRUCIBLE Quote analysis Wks  Read Act I Annotate  Update Characterization Chart in Packet Study Guide Questions Act I

October - Happy Fall Y'all 10/1 - 10/5 10/1 Grammar Sentence and Fragments Paired Text Articles (Background for Salem, Mass-- Mass Hysteria, Tx Sized Travesty, Mars) Themes: Hysteria, Guilt v.Innocence,Motive, Reading Analysis Questions Theme emphasis:  Mass Hysteria 10/2 Grammar Simple/Complete Subjects and Predicates PowerPoint Salem 1692 Background Puritan/Children/Village V. Townspeople, Indians v. Settlers Puritanism Worksheet "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" analysis Theme emphasis: Religious Intolerance/Reputation   10/3 Grammar Compound Subject and Predicates Declarative Sent Discovery Channel Salem Witch Trials Video Guiding Notes Worksheet 10/4 Grammar Interrogative Sentences/ Imperative Sentences Pass out Crucible Packet-- Introduce how to use packet Anticipation Guide/ 7 sentence Paragraph Begin Reading Pg 3-8 Out-loud Annotation guidelines 10/5 Turn in Grammar worksheets Riddle Me This Read and annotate  8-14 Fi

9/24  Check Literary Terms Review Packet " The Witch" (Laying the Foundation) Brain Pop Parts of Speech and Quiz Continue " Mother to Son" Analysis -- 6 Levels of Learning Paragraphs - Due Tuesday  (GL) Mother to Son Paragraph 3 - Applying 9/25 PreAP/GT:  Turn in " Mother to Son" Levels of Learning Paragraphs Literary Elements Exam-- Scantron 9/26 Grammar Warm - Up Latin Roots Notes What are the Cultures that Shape You?  Packet and class discussion (GL) Homework Paragraph 4- Analysis " Mother to Son" 9/27 Grammar  Warm -up Introduction to the Crucible/Shape of Mercy(GL) Background Salem Mass. 9/28 Riddle Me This - Critical Thinking Practice Crucible/Shape of Mercy Book(GL) Check Twilight Zone - Critical thinking questions -- an introduction to Mass Hysteria

9/10:  Prezi Tone and Mood Denotation/Connotation Worksheet 9/11: Work Packet - Awareness of Mood to Analysis of Tone Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge, Comprehension, and Application Levels Grade Level: Project paragraphs 9/12:   Laying the Foundation:  Excerpt from " By the Waters of Babylon" Grade Level: Roaches Analysis  9/13:    Summer Reading Projects due - send email to Megan.watson@springbranchisd.com with website link in email body.  Please put your name and period number in the subject line "By the Waters of Babylon" Analysis Continued Grade Level: Roaches Analysis Continued/ Mother to Son 9/14:  "Riddle Me This" Socratic Circles Poem Analysis Lit Term review packet -- weekend Homework Grade Level:   Literary Terms Notes and review Upcoming: September 25th Literary Devices/Terms TEST September 28th" Crucible"/ Shape of Mercy(GL) Book-check

9/10:  Tone Flip chart-- Take Notes  Tone Analysis Practice Hmwk all week: Summer Reading Project Due September 20th 9/11:  Tone Analysis Continued House of Usher Passage Jacob I have Loved Passage Tone - Face Sentences - Paired 9/12:  Song Lyric Analysis Song Lyric Analysis Writing assignment 9/13:   School Pics Song Lyric Analysis Continued 9/14: "Riddle Me This" Critical Thinking Practice Google Docs Noodle Tools Weekend Homework:  Song Analysis Due Typed on Tuesday 9/18                      Summer Reading Project Due Thursday Sept 20th

This Week in Watson's ELA Classes Note: this is a GENERAL overview of the assignments/material for the week - not an all inclusive list.  Tuesday - 9/4  Turn in Final Typed Draft of your Letter to Mrs. Watson Literary Terms Pre - Test (daily grade) PREAP/GT View Summer Reading Project Samples HMWK:  30 minute sit-com filling out the PLOT ELEMENTS Chart  Pre AP/Gt ADD: 5-7 Sentence Summary with the HMWK  Wed - 9/5  Turn in Plot Chart for 30 minute sit-com  Book Fair - 20 minutes "Abigail and the Pony" - annotate/plot elements  Discuss Thurs - 9/6 Tone Tone Element Faces Chart Create Tone Faces Original Sentences Annotate Tone Passages  NOTE:  Parents Night --- Book Fair will be open late in the Library Fri - 9/7  RIDDLE ME THIS Book Fair for those who have $  Speaker "Miss Rosie" Annotate for Tone

PREZI- used to show 12 different Persuasive Commercials for my LS classes to analyze I need to be more pro-active about exploring technology, immediately using any new tech skills so I can work through the kinks and get comfortable utilizing them in the classroom, and reworking old assignments with new technology    Renewed the notion about myself that I DO love to learn new things, I just need to get over the procastinating and the anxiety and geterdone

Online lasts forever, your reputation on -line follows up where ever you go, you really are not anonymous Wes Fryer - "Movin at the Speed of Sound" After years of teaching and coaching, I have several anedotes that explain the importance of digital citizenship - the discussion actually comes up easily with the LA curriculum.  Additionally, I would ulitze Fryer at the beginning of each year. With the Parents, DCitizenship can be addressed at "Parents Night"  

Is is important as educators to tie Technology to an objective so the students view Tech as a educational tool AND so they know why they are doing what they are doing. "Communicate, Collaborate, Create" In order for their to be learning, the students must be accountable for meeting said objectives Thinkin Snappy words, Glogster and Lexipedi would be dandy Apps for Language Arts - would use Google Docs to interface with the students regarding the Apps Use Ipads in stations on Google Docs to create a group narrative... each station could focus and add another element

Super excited about having the Dells in the room along with the Ipads - the kids need to be able to work on both a PC and Mac.  I am planning an Andy Rooney project along with the persuasion unit and the kids can use the Dell camera as well as I movie - great to know we have additional tools. AND learned how to sync the classroom Ipads off my teacher Ipad Regarding classroom management - the kids are really good about using the technology.  Currently I have a cow with 20 Macs that they have used off and on all year.  They are good citizens and take good care of them.  As 8th graders I don't feel like they should be micro managed.  The expectations for behavior were set at the beginning of the year.  "it is important to have clear guidelines and procedures in place so students know and understand the expectations for classroom use." Agreed.

There is a collaboration between the 8th grade L.A. teachers with the Persuasive Unit - part of the unit focuses on Persuasion in Advertising. The objective will be for the students to accurately identify the persuasive techniques utilized in the commerials as well as be able to identify Claim and Support. This will be implemented immediately as we are currently teaching the Persuasion Unit. Tools:  Lit Book, Handouts, Google Docs, Prezi,Activ board I created  PRezi presentation in two parts with 6 commerials in each.  The document shared on Goolge Docs goes along with the PRezi.  I have shared the Prezi with the other teachers as well as the document on Google Doc-- they in turn can share the Doc with their classes and show the Prezi on their Activboards

Edmodo and Google Docs work efficiently in the classroom.  Google Docs funtions were mentioned in previous posting, but I just recently shared a new Document with coworkers for a little collaboration and received feedback - quick and clean Edmodo is new to me and creating the groups was new for me, but now I am ready to use Edmodo for warmups and perhaps with Riddle Me This, which was previously done on Friday in Powerpoint form and pencil and paper. Now I will easily be able to check for accuracy. My edmodo URL http://edmodo.com/watson2m

Ok so love having the WEB 2.0 on the NEW Library Resources page - First used Web 2.0 options with the kids Summer Reading.  Rather than the typical "poster" for their Summer Reading Project, the Grade Level kids used Big Huge Labs and created Playing Card for the Protagonist/Antagonist/ Seeing Storybird as an option, I signed up for an account and created a story using artwork that the kids will have to actually write the narrative.  This will be a good way to review/utilize plot elements early in the year.  Could be a great group activity. Additionally, LOVE Prezi- used a Persuasion Prezi with the kids today to examine commericals and what persuasive techniques were present.  What appeals were used? What type of support? http://storybird.com/books/who-is-she-5/ Additionally, LOVE Prezi- used a Persuasion in Commercials Prezi with the kids today to examine commericals they see on TV and what persuasive techniques were present.  What appeals were used? What types of suppo

Google Docs is an amazing tool that Karen Rodgers had already introduced to the LA team two years ago.  My classes have been utilizing Google Doc since last year to turn in assignments to me, to complete group work or tasks, and to use personally for assignments between home and school - no longer having to email from one account to another. Craftily I shared a GDoc with my 8th grade LA team a worksheet  that went along with my Prezi Presentation on Persuasion in Commercials that I put together and shared with them from Tool # 3.  I asked them to look at the Gdoc and make suggestions or revisions.... on to Numero 5

Oh my goodness, Wendy Smith was an inspiration at just the right moment.  She presented in staff today on how to utilize PREZI and lo and behold, it was so user friendly I cranked out a presentation for my kids on Persuasion in commerials for class tomorrow AND I could use it as my imbedded link for my 3rd tool!  The proverbial two birds baby. http://prezi.com/8yonnqob11fk/copy-of-persuasive-unit-commerical-examples-set-one/ And believe it or not, I already had a Dropbox account as USATF ultilizes it to share video of the elite athletes with coaches. On to #4

Hmm PLN's who knew?  Didn't know there was a tech term at all.  The only "PLN" I had been a part of up to this point was through USATF - United States of American Track and Field and their comment section.  It links to my Gmail account and sends me updates when folks feel pressed to comment.  After reading a few of the posts, it seems like rather than a "comment" section, it was a bluster/complain section and they are usually deleted with little fanfare.  The PLN's that I looked at for Educators/Education were of a different ilk.  They were supportive, informative and thought provoking.  The "Rules of Commenting" was a classic and it should be a mandatory read for all those who " comment" away behind closed doors anonymously. In the commenting publicly inner debate, this one usually errors on the side of um " no comment" but when presented with the idea of "teammate" commenting, that went down better.  All for posi

Finally, logged in and got started and well um, enjoyed it. Really cannot call it creative problem solving when the directions were so intuitive , but I felt creative.   I had some trouble navigating back and forth from the directions to back to the blog spot, but that is USER error for certain.  The directions were helpful and I especially appreciated the mini videos.  Lovin on- line learning to date.  Thanks SBISD  and Karen Rodgers for helping me become more Tech Savvy