Photos of Classroom Activities in English Language Arts & Reading
Outsiders Day
Students played into the roles of Socs and Greasers from the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton by dressing as one of the cliques. After a reading intensive, students interacted with the text through word puzzles, a personality quiz, and finally, watched the phenomenal classic movie. Wonderful participation!
Students played into the roles of Socs and Greasers from the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton by dressing as one of the cliques. After a reading intensive, students interacted with the text through word puzzles, a personality quiz, and finally, watched the phenomenal classic movie. Wonderful participation!
The 1st Annual Poetry Expo
Students took to the stage as announcers and performers for the 8th grade audience as well as attending parents. Everyone did an amazing job getting on stage, using microphones, and expressing themselves. Congratulations to everyone who commanded the stage and especially to the inspiring winners this year! Well done!
Students took to the stage as announcers and performers for the 8th grade audience as well as attending parents. Everyone did an amazing job getting on stage, using microphones, and expressing themselves. Congratulations to everyone who commanded the stage and especially to the inspiring winners this year! Well done!
Poetry Workshop
The 1st Annual Poetry Expo was announced and introduced to the students in combined classrooms that met in the library. Students saw many examples of the elements of performance poetry. Using their new knowledge, they began brainstorming and free writing their poetry slam poems individually or in groups with the performance in mind. The first round of the contest begins Friday in which several performances will be chosen to compete in the final round on June 2nd. Great job and good luck!
The 1st Annual Poetry Expo was announced and introduced to the students in combined classrooms that met in the library. Students saw many examples of the elements of performance poetry. Using their new knowledge, they began brainstorming and free writing their poetry slam poems individually or in groups with the performance in mind. The first round of the contest begins Friday in which several performances will be chosen to compete in the final round on June 2nd. Great job and good luck!
Poetry Analysis
Students traveled to stations to collaboratively analyze each aspect of the poetic elements guided by their graphic organizer. When done, they presented the poem and analysis to the class including the type, tone, and theme of their poem.
Found Poetry
Students kicked off the poetry unit with an interactive program that allows them to select their own image and create their own unique poem from word clippings. After participating in a group poem where students had to use poetic words to convey a specific mood using tonal words, they used this program to apply the skill individually. Great effort by all!
Students kicked off the poetry unit with an interactive program that allows them to select their own image and create their own unique poem from word clippings. After participating in a group poem where students had to use poetic words to convey a specific mood using tonal words, they used this program to apply the skill individually. Great effort by all!
Topic vs. Theme
Students used mini documentaries from the NY Times to investigate the difference between topic and theme. Through these poignant movies, students were able to determine that through a topic, a lesson is being conveyed. They were also able to use comparative thought to show which stories had similar themes, which could be used later to create an analytical, text-based essay. Wonderful engagement by all.
Students used mini documentaries from the NY Times to investigate the difference between topic and theme. Through these poignant movies, students were able to determine that through a topic, a lesson is being conveyed. They were also able to use comparative thought to show which stories had similar themes, which could be used later to create an analytical, text-based essay. Wonderful engagement by all.
Anne Frank Projects & Presentations
Students were grouped according to project interest. They submitted project proposals complete with an overview, task and timeline, and materials. They used the text to inspire albums of songs, to plan and build architectural structures, perform skits, and construct mini-museums. Throughout their presentations, they conveyed the essential elements of the play including setting, characters, conflict, and theme. Great job keeping on task and on schedule!
Students were grouped according to project interest. They submitted project proposals complete with an overview, task and timeline, and materials. They used the text to inspire albums of songs, to plan and build architectural structures, perform skits, and construct mini-museums. Throughout their presentations, they conveyed the essential elements of the play including setting, characters, conflict, and theme. Great job keeping on task and on schedule!
Figurative Language Presentations
Students put forth incredible effort to research, design, and deliver an interactive encyclopedia page with figurative language phrases. Many pages included backgrounds, videos, and animation to keep audience interest. Information included phrase type, meaning, origin, and how to use the phrase in context. Amazing work everyone!
Students put forth incredible effort to research, design, and deliver an interactive encyclopedia page with figurative language phrases. Many pages included backgrounds, videos, and animation to keep audience interest. Information included phrase type, meaning, origin, and how to use the phrase in context. Amazing work everyone!
Anne Frank Chestnut Tree
Students researched inspirational quotes from Anne Frank that provided evidence of her many character traits. All quotes and traits were written on leaves and chestnut bulbs from the chestnut tree she watched bloom and grow, as well as other elements of nature of which she wrote during her time in hiding. Now the class is able to be inspired every day by the same sights and words that Anne, herself, experienced. Well done everyone!
Students researched inspirational quotes from Anne Frank that provided evidence of her many character traits. All quotes and traits were written on leaves and chestnut bulbs from the chestnut tree she watched bloom and grow, as well as other elements of nature of which she wrote during her time in hiding. Now the class is able to be inspired every day by the same sights and words that Anne, herself, experienced. Well done everyone!
Quote Cafe
Students reviewed the process of using quotes in writing by taking notes from a PowerPoint, watching a brief video, and ordering from a menu of possible "Evidence Entrees." Partners had to create the quote sandwich by matching the appropriate "Claim Appetizer" and "reasoning Seasoning" to the selection. If the quote sandwich was not prepared to the customer's liking, it was sent back to the kitchen for a new one. Great job everyone!
Students reviewed the process of using quotes in writing by taking notes from a PowerPoint, watching a brief video, and ordering from a menu of possible "Evidence Entrees." Partners had to create the quote sandwich by matching the appropriate "Claim Appetizer" and "reasoning Seasoning" to the selection. If the quote sandwich was not prepared to the customer's liking, it was sent back to the kitchen for a new one. Great job everyone!
Words of Admiration
Students wrote an inspirational quote from the person they admire using the drab, commonly used word given to them on a poster. Then they rotated to stations to find sophisticated synonyms for all the other posters, each time building off the previous words to "heighten" their vocabulary. Then they revised their original quote by replacing the drab word with a fab word and added the picture and quote to the posters.
Students wrote an inspirational quote from the person they admire using the drab, commonly used word given to them on a poster. Then they rotated to stations to find sophisticated synonyms for all the other posters, each time building off the previous words to "heighten" their vocabulary. Then they revised their original quote by replacing the drab word with a fab word and added the picture and quote to the posters.
Role Reading of Diary of Anne Frank
Students volunteered for roles in the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Students eagerly participated with costumes and props while utilizing inflection to show character's emotions. Great job thus far!
Students volunteered for roles in the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Students eagerly participated with costumes and props while utilizing inflection to show character's emotions. Great job thus far!
Guided Reading Symbolism Presentations
Students worked in groups to read and discuss the leveled reading book. They wrote a summary, created a character analysis and brought in objects that symbolized an aspect of the novel's plot.
Students worked in groups to read and discuss the leveled reading book. They wrote a summary, created a character analysis and brought in objects that symbolized an aspect of the novel's plot.
Essay Evolution Presentations
Students worked to create evidence-based literary essays analyzing the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Students were paired with writing partners who evaluated their peer's paper at the start of their work and toward the end to see the evolution of their essay over time. Students presented their peer's paper showing the growth over time and treated the audience by reading an exemplary excerpt from the essay.
Students worked to create evidence-based literary essays analyzing the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Students were paired with writing partners who evaluated their peer's paper at the start of their work and toward the end to see the evolution of their essay over time. Students presented their peer's paper showing the growth over time and treated the audience by reading an exemplary excerpt from the essay.
Storyboards
Students were able to utilize the library to connect to an online program where they analyzed an Edgar Allan Poe short story. Students worked in groups to identify plot points, author's craft including point of view, tone, and irony, as well as vocabulary etymology. Project-based engagement and group etiquette were in full force. Students then presented their projects to the class with confidence and enthusiasm.
Students were able to utilize the library to connect to an online program where they analyzed an Edgar Allan Poe short story. Students worked in groups to identify plot points, author's craft including point of view, tone, and irony, as well as vocabulary etymology. Project-based engagement and group etiquette were in full force. Students then presented their projects to the class with confidence and enthusiasm.
Point of View
Students analyzed author's craft in point of view. They used their knowledge gained from the rap video and notes about point of view to work collaboratively and identify examples from classic and popular literature excerpts. Wonderful work.
Students analyzed author's craft in point of view. They used their knowledge gained from the rap video and notes about point of view to work collaboratively and identify examples from classic and popular literature excerpts. Wonderful work.
Writer's Workshop
Students work introspectively to write their memoir in class using the lessons they learned in narrative writing.
Students work introspectively to write their memoir in class using the lessons they learned in narrative writing.
Self-discovery and Reflection
Students worked in the computer lab to learn more about multiple intelligences and reflect on their own strengths from a short self-assessment. They also applied this information to the character's strengths in Flowers for Algernon.
Students worked in the computer lab to learn more about multiple intelligences and reflect on their own strengths from a short self-assessment. They also applied this information to the character's strengths in Flowers for Algernon.
Blogging
Students used the Chromebooks to blog about their page to screen comparisons of the text and movie versions of Flowers for Algernon. Kudos to students for working in a less than ideal situation and staying engaged in their work.
Students used the Chromebooks to blog about their page to screen comparisons of the text and movie versions of Flowers for Algernon. Kudos to students for working in a less than ideal situation and staying engaged in their work.
Flowers for Algernon Fishbowl Discussion
Students prepared discussion questions for a Fishbowl Forum based on the short story, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Interesting comments and vibrant discussion prompted deeper investigation into the responsibility of science in human intelligence as well as the treatment of intellectually challenged in the world today. Wonderful job building off each others' ideas and relating to real world issues!
Students prepared discussion questions for a Fishbowl Forum based on the short story, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Interesting comments and vibrant discussion prompted deeper investigation into the responsibility of science in human intelligence as well as the treatment of intellectually challenged in the world today. Wonderful job building off each others' ideas and relating to real world issues!
Writing Territories
Students brainstormed ideas for writing territories for their upcoming memoir. They later viewed what their classmates submitted to expand their ideas and finally recorded their own territories in their writing journals as part of their pre-writing stage of writing workshop. Great job staying on task!
Students brainstormed ideas for writing territories for their upcoming memoir. They later viewed what their classmates submitted to expand their ideas and finally recorded their own territories in their writing journals as part of their pre-writing stage of writing workshop. Great job staying on task!
Genre Buddies
Students define literary genres and get reacquainted with each other while finding buddies to pair with during group activities. Great focus everyone!
Students define literary genres and get reacquainted with each other while finding buddies to pair with during group activities. Great focus everyone!