Day Eighty-Six / 01.31.11

Today we started with a quote from Steinbeck: "For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have." We discussed whether we agree or disagree, and whether it is "superior" to be satisfied or unsatisfied.

Next, we read Chapter three. Then we worked out the "Your Pearl" project.

Day Eighty-Five / 01.28.10

Today we started by taking the Master Puppeteer quiz. Then, we watched the following video:

We discussed how a phone could be a "pearl" for junior high-ers, how the ad itself is incredibly ironic, and how a "pearl" can be generalized to something all people are seeking after.

Next, we began a slideshow of "pearls" in society. Then, when we were too unruly, we worked independently on reading Chapter 3 and filling out the worksheet. Note: this was not the high point of the day.

Day Eighty-Four / 01.27.10

Today we started with a question: Does Steinbeck give greater value to traditional behaviors and even primitivism or to modern conveniences and, in particular, those who have luxuries?

Then we discussed our discussions from yesterday, and reviewed the Chapter 2 Reflection. Then we read silently, then went over the Master Puppeteer review guide.

Day Eighty-Three / 01.26.10

Today we started with a POTD:

We discussed whether or not our culture was as greedy as the doctor, albeit in a different way. We then took our vocabulary quiz. Finally, we had group discussions on different topics from Chapters 1 and 2.

Day Eighty-Two / 01.25.10

Today we started with a quote from Chapter 2 of The Pearl: "The minds of people are as unsubstantial as [a] mirage" (15). We journaled on whether or not the use of our imaginations was a good or a bad thing, and whether they were truly mirage-like, or visionary...

Then we read Chapter 2. We then read silently, then worked on 1 of 4 projects: 1. Our vocabulary words; 2. Our Character Chart and Picture; 3. Our Chapter 2 Response Sheet; 4. Our extra credit assignments.

Day Eighty-One / 01.24.10

Today we started with a journal writing activity. Then we discussed our responses. Next, we read silently, then we had a group discussion about Chapter 1, based on your questions and reflections.

Day Eighty / 01.21.10

Today we started with a quote from Steinbeck: "As with all retold tales that are in people's hearts, there are only good and bad things and black and white things and good and evil things and no inbetween anywhere."

We wrote on why our stories become "black and white," and whether that is a good or a bad thing.

Next, we read chapter 1, while Caitlin drew our village for us on the board. We read silently for a while, then discussed the extra credit opportunity. See below:

Creative Collection Book

Day Seventy-Nine/ 1.20.11

Today we started with a quote by George Santayana: "There are books in which the footnotes or comments scrawled by some reader's hand in the margin are more interesting than the text. The world is one of these books." We asked the question, how does this work? What would it look like to "scribble in the margins of the world"?

Then we began our presentations. Next, we went to the library to check out the Pearl. We read silently, then began the vocabulary for the book.

Day Seventy-Eight/ 1.19.11

Today we started with a quote from Nicholson Baker "When I first wanted to be a writer, I learned to write prose by reading poetry." We wrote on, how can poetry help our writing? And, does just reading poetry help, or can writing help as well?

Then we went to the computer lab to work on our Pearl topic presentations. We we ended the day by beginning our presenting of the presentations (by the presenters).

Day Seventy-Seven / 1.18.11

Today we started with a piece by All Things Considered, on Google's poetry translator. It is here.

Then we started our unit on the Pearl, by John Steinbeck. We began with a walk around the room, filling in our prior knowledge. We looked at the following slides.

PearlBackground

Then, we began research in groups on our particular topic.

Day Seventy-Six / 1.14.11

Today we started with another VOTD, Kilian Martin's skateboarding. You can see the video here.

We journalled on whether this was art or sport, and what elements made it more artistic.

Then we finished our poetry presentations.

Day Seventy-Five / 1.13.11

Today we started with a VOTD (Video of the Day), on how schools can kill creativity. The video is below:

Next, we began our poetry presentations.

Day Seventy-Four / 1.12.11

Today we started with a POTD.

We discussed our initial responses to the picture, then wrote on what it might mean, considering this is a commissioned self-portrait.

Next, we took the vocabulary quiz, then went to the computer lab to finalize our poetry presentation projects.

Day Seventy-Three / 1.11.11

Today we started with Art Masters. Then, on to a quote by Charles Wright:

"Our dreams are luminous, a cast fire upon the world.

Morning arrives and that's it.

Sunlight darkens the earth."

We wrote on whether our dreams or reality were more exciting, and whether our dreams can cast fire upon the world.

Then we continued subordinating conjunctions, went over vocabulary, then went over a slideshow about Charles Wright. It is below.

Poet - Charles Wright

Day Seventy-Two / 1.10.11

Today we started with three quotes by Walt Whitman.

"Every moment of light and dark is a miracle."

"Be curious, not judgmental."

"And your very flesh shall be a great poem."

We chose one and wrote on it, then evaluated what we could learn about Walt from his lines.

Then we went over subordinating conjunctions. Go here if you'd like to know more.

Next we went over a slideshow presentation about Whitman. It is below:

Poet - Walt Whitman

Finally, we read silently, then worked in the computer lab.

Day Seventy-One / 1.07.11

Today we started with: "The whole race is a poet that writes down / The eccentric propositions of its fate." (Wallace Stevens)

Is poetry a log of our destiny?

Is the poets job to understand/interpret our fate/destined state?

Then we watched a clip about poetry. We looked at some poets, then learned about poetry from a powerpoint slideshow.

Finally, we listened to Fix You by Coldplay, analyzed the lyrics, then wrote our own poems using repetition.

Here's one student's poem:

What's in your heart, love it

What's in your mind, think it

What's in your palm, never let go

When you're low, go high, reach

the stars, and one day you'll glow.

Day Seventy / 1.06.11

Today we started with a POTD:

We discussed the implications of this picture, on three levels (literal, metaphorical, ironic). Then we journaled on, is this art? Or is this it's own form of pollution?

Next, we re-read "My Papa's Parrot," answering questions about the story. Finally, we discussed our poetry presentation, and went to the computer lab to begin working.

Poetry Slam

Day Sixty-Nine / 1.05.11

Today we started with a QOTD: "If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." (Rudyard Kipling)

We journalled on:

Do you remember stories better than facts?

Do you learn more from stories, even if they’re fiction?

Then we wrote 3 compound sentences using a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Next, we took a vocabulary quiz, then read silently.

Finally, we read "My Papa's Parrot."

Day Sixty-Eight / 1.04.11

Today we started with a POTD (Picture of the Day).

We wrote on the importance, to us, of the new governor, and what this picture, compositionally, says about Jerry Brown, being governor, etc. Next, we discussed compound sentences joined with semicolons. Click here for more information!

After that, we re-read "After Twenty Years," completing a sheet and journaling from Jimmy's POV. Finally, we took a quiz on the story.

Day Sixty-Seven / 1.03.11

Today we started with a new seating chart. Then we shared stories from our holiday break. I reminded you that you need to finish your 250,000 words by February 1, 2011. Here's a log sheet if needed:

250,000 Words

Also, The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Patterson must be read by January 28, 2011. We also went over our classroom pact, and decided to make 2011 a great year in 1/2 period.

We then covered FANBOYS as conjunctions. You can learn more at this helpful grammar website.

We then wrote about our quote of the day: "Crime doesn't pay." We debated whether this was actually true, and if there was ever a time when you could break the law. Finally, we read "After Twenty Years" by O.Henry, and discussed the surprise ending and its implications.