3rd Quarter & FINAL "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment

Below are the requirements that will be shared with students on Tuesday, January 24th, in class, regarding their final "Red Bandana" assessment/assignment of the school year. Please take a moment to read through the below letter, so there is an understanding on all levels about this writing assessment. This will be the student's first assessment grade of the 3rd quarter. They will have two days of class time to complete it and an opportunity to make revisions for additional assessments points next Friday, February 3rd. This particular assessment is going to go live to the internet (anonymously ... no student names will be used) hoping we can get constructive feedback from the public on how to improve our writing. This is the first attempt #ENGRoom121 is making to involve the public in our writing process. Please stay tuned for more information about how you can get involved with this Friday's blog update. Thank you for your continued support.

3rd Quarter “Red Bandana”Assessment/Assignment

Writing for a Purpose and Getting Real World Feedback

“Perfect” Paragraph Assessment Dates - Thursday, January 26th & Friday, January 27th

Dear Students, Your final “Red Bandana” assignment for the school year is going to serve three purposes (please see below). It will be a 3rd quarter “Perfect” Paragraph assessment where we revisit the guidelines for writing a "perfect" paragraph from the first semester. You will be responsible for composing a topic sentence, body, and closing statement for your paragraph. Each “perfect” paragraph will be graded for a preliminary assessment grade. You will have an opportunity to correct mistakes and add to your paragraph for additional assessment points. Once you submit a second time, all paragraphs will be judged, and the top three will be pulled out. The three finalists will have an opportunity to make one more round of improvements and submit before WORLD WIDE judging begins. Each “Red Bandana” Finalist will have his/her paragraph anonymously posted online for people to comment on the writing and vote for the best-written paragraph. The paragraph that receives the most votes will be the final recipient of the “red bandana” award and be featured in our eBook on the dedication page, or introduction page for each chapter depending on what assignment your class receives.

“Red Bandana” Class Assessment/Assignment

Mod 1 - Introduction to the Kindness Chapter

Mod 2 - Introduction to the CommUNITY Chapter

Mod 4-5 - Dedication Page

Mod 8-9 - Introduction to the Courage Chapter

Mod 10 - Introduction to the Respect Chapter

On Tuesday, January 24th, in class, you will be introduced to this assessment/assignment. On Wednesday, January 25th, in class you will receive a task sheet for your “Red Bandana” assessment/assignment based on the above eBook chapter assignments. We will go over the requirements in class, and there will be time for any questions you may have. Please take a look at the below calendar, so you understand turn in dates.

 

Day 1 - Thursday, January 26, 2017 - “Red Bandana” Perfect Paragraph Assessment planning

Day 2 - Friday, January 27, 2017 - “Red Bandana” Perfect Paragraph FINAL COPIES DUE by end of class

Day 3 - Friday, February 3, 2017 - revisions for improvements and additional assessment points

Day 4 - Monday, February 6, 2017 - Online judging begins for “Red Bandana” Finalists

Day 5 - Sunday, February 12, 2017 - Online voting ends

Please take a look at the below calendar of events for next week.  

Here's a look at the return week (1/23 - 1/27):

1. No School - Power Outage (Monday, 1/23)

2. Daily Grammar Practice Week #2 & Go over requirements for "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment (Tuesday, 1/24)

3. "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment Requirements Introduced and Gone Over with Students (Tuesday, 1/24)

4.  "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment Task Sheets Handed Out to Students (Wednesday, 1/25)

5.  "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment Planning Day (Thursday, 1/26)

6.  "Red Bandana" Assessment/Assignment Final Copy Writing Day ... final copies due by the END of class (Friday, 1/27)


Vocabulary to know for the upcoming week (1/23 - 1/27):

NONE 

Welcome to 2017 and a Brand New Start

Welcome back!  Our return to school brings the beginning of a new semester, the start of our 3rd quarter, and chance to improve upon the work done during the first semester.  This week's blog highlights #ENGRoom121's BIG 3rd quarter project and where the inspiration for the project came from.  I ask you all to take a moment to read the excerpt (click on the title of the book in blue) from the novel, Wonder (read the chapter Choose Kind, and take a look at the Appendix) by R.J. Palacio. The idea of precepts, interpreting them, and sharing examples of the precepts in action came from the above book and short excerpt.  It is #ENGRoom121's twist on the idea while still teaching the standards for Grade 8 English/Language Arts.  Please take a look at the requirements and my precept presentation example that I shared with the students.  Do you have a precept that guides you when making difficult decisions?  If so, please share in the comments section below this post.  OR, tweet your precept to @aprok, and I'll be sure to share with the students. 

The culminating piece to our 3rd quarter presentation is the creation of an eBook of all the student's precepts.  They will be put together in four chapters (Ch. 1 - CommUNITY, Ch. 2 - Courage, Ch. 3 - Kindness, and Ch. 4 - Respect).  One of the first official assessments the students will have this 3rd quarter will happen on Thursday, January 26th (this assessment will also serve as the students 3rd quarter "Red Bandana" assignment).  Students will have to write either a dedication page or chapter introduction for our eBook in perfect paragraph format.  Students will receive a writing assessment grade, and three students will be pulled from each mod as the best-written paragraphs (following assessment guidelines, varied sentence structure, mechanics of writing).  These three items will be published online for online voting to take place.  This will open up a whole new world to the students when it comes to receiving feedback on their writing.  The student who receives the most votes based on the criteria will be featured in our eBook on our dedication page, and the chapter introductions, as well as, receive our final Red Bandana of the school year.  Best of all, they will have a permanent place in our inspirational precept eBook.  The third quarter is shaping up to be an exciting one. 

Please take a look at the below calendar of events for next week.  

Here's a look at the return week (1/16 - 1/20):

1. NO SCHOOL - in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, 1/16)

2. Prok's Precept and "Wordture" presentation (Tuesday, 1/17)

3. Precept Speech requirements/expectations/calendar of events and "Wordture" shared w/ students (Tuesday, 1/17)

4. Introduction to Daily Grammar Practice (Wednesday, 1/18)

5. Understanding Annotating and Interacting with Reading (Thursday, 1/19)

6. Bi-Weekly Conference w/ Prok (Friday, 1/20)


Vocabulary to know for the upcoming week (1/16 - 1/20):

NONE 

Today in class we acknowledged and honored the #ENGRoom121 2nd Quarter High Achievers and Red Bandana Recipients ... take a look :-).  CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!

2nd Quarter HIGH ACHIEVERS:

100/100 on Accelerated Reader - Hope A., Ally B., Josh B., Paige D., Hannah D., Joshua G., Marissa K., Lexi L., Julia L., Liam M., Brennan M., Kyla M., Jimmy P., Abby P., Justin P., Connor Reynolds., Paige S., Kristen S., and David W.

Perfect Score on Ebenezer Scrooge Perfect Paragraph (35/35) - Emma R. 

Perfect Score on A Christmas Carol - Bio Poem (45/45) - Yadiel A., Jenna B., Jacob D., Collin G., Marissa K., Myrna L., Jacob L., Nick M., Alexandra Metot., Jimmy P., Jacob P., Zach P., Emma R., Jaden R., Kristen S., Roman W., and Dominic Z.

Perfect Score on "We are Family" Oral Presentation (45/45) - Kayla K.

A Christmas Carol - Bio Poem Finalists (2nd Quarter "Red Bandana" Assignment) - Hope A., Maddie K., Jimmy P., Lexi L., Zach P., Gavin S., Ally B., Jacob L., Sadie H., Adriel H., Alexandra M., Nick M., Yadiel A., Destiny R., Jenna B.

Purple Cow Recipient (for "thinking different" and being extremely creative) - Julia L.

2nd Quarter "Red Bandana" Recipients - Yadiel A., Sadie H., Adriel H., Lexi L., and Jimmy P.

Mod 1 High Achievers

Mod 2 High Achievers

Mod 4-5 High Achievers

Mod 8-9 High Achievers

Mod 10 High Achievers

Have a great weekend!

"We are Family..." Traditions & the 3rd Annual Gift of Words

This week's blog highlights some of the family traditions students shared with their #ENGRoom121 classmates.  There was a sense of pride with each student as he/she spoke about his/her family. Many students reached out to grandparents to find out important information the family, immigrating to this country, and where some family traditions started.  The post for this week is one highlighting the students work.  It is simply a collection of pictures taken before, during, and after the presentations. Thank you for sharing your students with #ENGRoom121.  They are a pleasure to learn from and teach.  There are also pictures from the 3rd Annual Gift of Words gift exchange.  We all know the power words have to tear down, but this was a new twist to show students how words can also build up, encourage, and lend a much needed hand.  It has always been a positive learning experience in #ENGRoom121.

Trying the Oplatki - A Christmas Tradition

Straw for the Manger Family Tradition; Victorian Era England; Summer Family Photo 

Poutine; Pierogies; Candies from England; Nut Roll

Replica of Puerto Rican Christmas Village Festival and the dessert Tembleque 

Learned about Advent Calendars and Coins in the Cabbage

3rd Annual Gift of Words Gift Exchange

Here's a look at the return week (1/4 - 1/6):

1. Return on Wednesday, January 4, 2017

2. STAR Reader Assessment for 3rd Quarter Accelerated Reader Goals (Wednesday, 1/4)

3. Begin 3rd Quarter read aloud, Wonder, (Thursday, 1/5 & Friday, 1/6)

4. Set 3rd Quarter Accelerated Reader Goals (Thursday, 1/5 & Friday, 1/6)

Vocabulary to know for the upcoming week (1/4 - 1/6):

NONE

ENJOY the next two weeks celebrating traditions with family and friends.  See everyone in 2017!

Sleigh Bells Ring Assessments, Assessments, Assessments for ALL Learners

This week's blog found the students anxiously awaiting the FIRST official snowfall so we could officially start our new #ENGRoom121 Polar Bear Challenge tradition.  Students needed to understand a tradition is simply something passed on from one generation (or class :-) ) to another. Traditions don't have to be grand, or religious, or associated with a holiday; it just has to be something started by one person and then passed down, and done again the next year, and the next year, and the next year.  A simple and inexpensive one was introduced to the students when the "We are Family..." project was first announced, and it was, when the first snow falls during our class we will stop what we are doing, grab a popsicle, go outside to eat it and enjoy our FIRST class snowfall. It's as simple as that ... a NEW tradition has been started.  After this week's forecast, I stocked up on the popsicles, the students opened my blinds to make sure I didn't miss it, and we wait...

WE are waiting...#ENGRoom121 Polar Bear Challenge

Please share little traditions you have that are meaningful and important to you, so that I can then share with the students.  Traditions are an important part of who we are and where we came from. They can be traditions with family, friends, or just yourself.  On twitter use the hashtag #ENGRoom121Traditions or comment below in the comments section.  Thank you for your participation and for helping my students learn about traditions.

This rest of this week's blog post consists of reminders regarding our upcoming assessments.  To reach all types of learners, multiple assessments are planned for the end of the 2nd quarter.  It is the hope that with the first semester coming to an end, and a variety of assessments planned, each student will do well on at least one of them, if not ALL of them, and achieve success and confidence in English.

Please be sure to click on the links attached with each project to see what the expectations/requirements and due dates are.

Take a look:

- A Christmas Carol Character Bio Poem (2nd Quarter Red Bandana Assignment) - Person Requirements OR Spirit Requirements

- 3rd Annual Gift of Words Requirements

- "We are Family - A Celebration of our Ethnicity and Family Traditions" Expectations/Requirements

- "We are Family..." - Presentation Dates by MOD and DATE (students learned of their presentation date in class TODAY - 12/9/16)

Here's a look at the upcoming week (12/12 - 12/16):

1. A Christmas Carol Character Bio Poem (2nd Quarter Red Bandana Assignment) Assessment (Monday, 12/12) followed by work session for "We are Family..." speeches

2. "We are Family..." presentations work session for visual component ... BRING YOUR MATERIALS TO WORK WITH (PICTURES, CAPTIONS, POSTER BOARD/PRESENTATION BOARDS, ETC.) - (Tuesday, 12/13)

3. "We are Family..." presentations Day #1 (Wednesday, 12/14)

4.  3rd Annual Gift of Words project is DUE (Thursday, 12/15)

4.  "We are Family..." presentations Day #2 (Thursday, 12/15)

5.  Mid-Term DAY #1 (FRIDAY, 12/16 - MODS 1, 2, & 4-5)

SIDE NOTE - please continue to prepare for your #ENGRoom121 midterm exam by studying the A Christmas Carol comprehension questions, your Summer Vocabulary list, and your types of sentences resources ALL CAN BE FOUND IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

Vocabulary to know for the upcoming week (12/12 - 12/16):

NONE

ENJOY THIS WINTER FILLED WEEKEND!

Dashing to the End of the 2nd Quarter and 1st Semester

This week's blog post consists of information regarding our upcoming projects.  Please be sure to click on the links attached with each project to see what the expectations/requirements, and due dates are.

Take a moment to read over the requirements for:

- A Christmas Carol Character Bio Poem (2nd Quarter Red Bandana Assignment) - Person Requirements OR Spirit Requirements

- 3rd Annual Gift of Words Requirements

- "We are Family - A Celebration of our Ethnicity and Family Traditions" Expectations/Requirements

Here's a look at the upcoming week (12/5 - 12/9):

1. Go over Stave 4 A Christmas Carol Comprehension Questions (Monday, 12/5)
2. Read Stave 5 and Go Over Comprehension Questions (this will be done verbally) of A Christmas Carol (Tuesday, 12/6)
3. Receive Expectations for the 3rd Annual Gift of Words Gift Exchange (Wednesday, 12/7)
4. Prok's We are Family... Presentation (this will be modeled for the student so they know the expectations ... they will time and grade me) (Wednesday, 12/7)
5. Attend A Christmas Carol Field Trip/Luncheon (Playhouse Square - Thursday, 12/8)
6. Take STAR Reader Assessment for Use with Recommendations for 2017-2018 School Year (Friday, 12/9)
7. Receive We are Family... Presentation Date - either Wednesday, December 14th OR Thursday, December 15th (Friday, 12/9)

SIDE NOTE - please continue to prepare for your #ENGRoom121 midterm exam by studying the A Christmas Carol comprehension questions, your Summer Vocabulary list, and your types of sentences resources.

Vocabulary to know for the upcoming week (12/5 - 12/9):

NONE

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend!