SS: HW Read over your notes and study (practice with) the 12 vocabulary words.
This week we finished going over section 1 of chapter 20 answering the following questions:
1: What was it like to be an immigrant coming to US (in early 1900s)
2: Describe a typical tenement.
Now we are reading section 2 about the growth of cities due to immigration.
English HW: I returned their rough draft of their CARE essay and students began improving it in class today. Students will be expected to have it done by Monday. Since they cannot really work on it easily at home, they should at least brainstorm ideas and/or plot out things that they expect to write when they return.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday September 27, 2011
WASHINGTON DC TRIP MEETING TONIGHT (TUES 9/27) AT BMS AT 7 P.M. PLEASE BRING A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRYING TO GO ON THE DC TRIP. IT MAY BE THE ONLY SENIOR TRIP THIS YEAR!
SOCIAL STUDIES HW: As usual, review your notes. Today we nearly wrapped up section 1 of chapter 20 entitled Immigration and Urbanization. You should be reviewing the 12 vocabulary words and making sure that you have answered questions one and two in your FOCUS QUESTIONS STUDY-GUIDE. There is a digital copy available in the right hand column of this blog under SS Handouts. We filled out a worksheet detailing at least 10 difficulties to living in a turn-of-the-century tenement building in NYC. We specifically looked at the Tenement Museum at 97 Orchard Street in NY. The links to review that video or other online resources is also in the SS handouts page on the right hand side off this blog.
ENGLISH HW: Although there is no HW tonight, IF you felt that your CARE ESSAY could be improved, feel free to work on it and develop it in Advisory or at home. I will be happy to pick up newer versions tomorrow (WEDS) We've been analyzing our own writing and thinking of ways to make essays stronger. I do have one ESSAY HELP document in the right hand column of this blog to help students or parents to see what is expected in a five-paragraph essay. We are looking into ways to improve our essays to make them more memorable and to make them stand out from the crowd. Including transition words to smoothly change from one paragraph to another and feeling free to use our creativity in essays will make them flow better and be remembered.
SOCIAL STUDIES HW: As usual, review your notes. Today we nearly wrapped up section 1 of chapter 20 entitled Immigration and Urbanization. You should be reviewing the 12 vocabulary words and making sure that you have answered questions one and two in your FOCUS QUESTIONS STUDY-GUIDE. There is a digital copy available in the right hand column of this blog under SS Handouts. We filled out a worksheet detailing at least 10 difficulties to living in a turn-of-the-century tenement building in NYC. We specifically looked at the Tenement Museum at 97 Orchard Street in NY. The links to review that video or other online resources is also in the SS handouts page on the right hand side off this blog.
ENGLISH HW: Although there is no HW tonight, IF you felt that your CARE ESSAY could be improved, feel free to work on it and develop it in Advisory or at home. I will be happy to pick up newer versions tomorrow (WEDS) We've been analyzing our own writing and thinking of ways to make essays stronger. I do have one ESSAY HELP document in the right hand column of this blog to help students or parents to see what is expected in a five-paragraph essay. We are looking into ways to improve our essays to make them more memorable and to make them stand out from the crowd. Including transition words to smoothly change from one paragraph to another and feeling free to use our creativity in essays will make them flow better and be remembered.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Review of 9/19 - 9/23 in SS and English
Mr. Ezzard Social Studies:
We are currently studying about our 18th & 19th century immigration including famous stuff like Ellis Island, Angel Island, the horrible conditions of steerage (like 3rd class in the Titanic) and such. Next week we will be discussing living in crowded cities like NYC and all the social problems associated with that. There is no homework except to review your vocabulary terms for chapter 20 and be sure that you have taken some notes on question one from Section one of the focus questions. (These vocab and focus questions are in the study guide I gave to each student. Extra copies can be obtained from the links in the right hand margin of my blog (mrezzardblog.blogspot.com)
Mr. Ezzard English:
We finished our essay about something we care deeply about. Students used a special 'outline method' I taught in order to guide them through their five paragraphs. Next week I hope to continue essay work. I consider this especially important at the begining of the school year because essays may be required in other subjects and may show up on NECAP testing. There is no HW, but if a student turned in an incomplete essay, he/she should come in prepared (and armed with ideas) for the quick completion in class. I will ask some students to project their essays on the LCD projector to show the rest of the class. We will point out certain things they did well and we may even give some constructive feedback for everyoe to learn from.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
SPECIAL MEETING TUES SEPT 27 @ 7 p.m. for DC Trip!
SOCIAL STUDIES HW THURSDAY 9/22: If you neglected to turn in your "Family Origins" HW on Thursday, please use your pink "late form" (signed by a parent) to bring it in Friday or Monday at the latest for credit. (See "Family Origins Form in SS Handouts in this blog and information below for more details.) ALSO, REVIEW NOTES DAILY! I would review your 12 vocabulary words starting yesterday!
ENGLISH HOMEWORK THURSDAY 9/22: Students have been developing their "What I Care About" essay in class based on their outline. I expect to collect the finished work Friday 9/23, so make sure it is done! (See information below for more details)
DC TRIP UPDATE! There is a SPECIAL MEETING TUES SEPT 27 @ 7 p.m. for DC Trip! If you are interested in going to Washington DC or just want to know more about the trip, please see Mrs Potvin ASAP and consider attending the Tuesday Night meeting.
SOCIAL STUDIES HOMEWORK: See yesterday's blog below for details about the FAMILY MIGRATION form Due Thursday 9/22. Also, you were issued the Chapter 20 study guide today, and so you can begin with daily reviews for HW on a regular basis. I'd start with reading through the CHAPTER SUMMARY and getting to know the 12 vocabulary words. IF YOU LOSE YOUR PACKET, YOU CAN REPRINT THE PAGES FROM MY BLOG HANDOUTS!
Also, you can check out this website about the crowded living conditions in NYC tenement Buildings:
ENGLISH HOMEWORK: We finished the outline for our CARE ESSAY on our laptops and began actually using that outline (printed in red) to guide our actual essay (Written in black.) There is NO HW regarding this because laptops cannot go home yet, but you can THINK about what details you'll use when you write the actual paragraphs.
ENGLISH HOMEWORK THURSDAY 9/22: Students have been developing their "What I Care About" essay in class based on their outline. I expect to collect the finished work Friday 9/23, so make sure it is done! (See information below for more details)
DC TRIP UPDATE! There is a SPECIAL MEETING TUES SEPT 27 @ 7 p.m. for DC Trip! If you are interested in going to Washington DC or just want to know more about the trip, please see Mrs Potvin ASAP and consider attending the Tuesday Night meeting.
SOCIAL STUDIES HOMEWORK: See yesterday's blog below for details about the FAMILY MIGRATION form Due Thursday 9/22. Also, you were issued the Chapter 20 study guide today, and so you can begin with daily reviews for HW on a regular basis. I'd start with reading through the CHAPTER SUMMARY and getting to know the 12 vocabulary words. IF YOU LOSE YOUR PACKET, YOU CAN REPRINT THE PAGES FROM MY BLOG HANDOUTS!
Also, you can check out this website about the crowded living conditions in NYC tenement Buildings:
ENGLISH HOMEWORK: We finished the outline for our CARE ESSAY on our laptops and began actually using that outline (printed in red) to guide our actual essay (Written in black.) There is NO HW regarding this because laptops cannot go home yet, but you can THINK about what details you'll use when you write the actual paragraphs.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 20, 2011
English: Students are currently preparing an outline for their "Care Essay." They chose to write about something they care about deeply. Today in class we hand wrote an outline for a five paragraph outline which they are to type into their laptops. For HOMEWORK they should complete copying their outline into their laptop. Since this cannot be done at home, they should use class time (Today) and Advisory time tomorrow (Wednesday.)
Social Studies: We discussed many aspects of history in general. On Wednesday students will be starting Chapter 20 from http://my.hrw.com. It deals with Immigration and Urbanization in America. For HOMEWORK on Wednesday (9/21) I will ask students to bring home a form about how their family migrated to Maine. You can find an extra copy of this in this blog off to the right called 20 chapter introduction. If a family does not know how they ended up in Maine, please have a parent or guardian sign the back of the form explaining that nobody actually knows how they ended up in Maine.
Social Studies: We discussed many aspects of history in general. On Wednesday students will be starting Chapter 20 from http://my.hrw.com. It deals with Immigration and Urbanization in America. For HOMEWORK on Wednesday (9/21) I will ask students to bring home a form about how their family migrated to Maine. You can find an extra copy of this in this blog off to the right called 20 chapter introduction. If a family does not know how they ended up in Maine, please have a parent or guardian sign the back of the form explaining that nobody actually knows how they ended up in Maine.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday Night HW
Social Studies HW is ALWAYS to review what we studied the last day. Since we devoted time in class to defining history and wondering why we study history, students should still think about that this weekend. Students already wrote their answers on a form I collected, but they may adjust/improve their answers on Monday. I gave every student a username and password for the http://my.hrw.com (History Text Online) website and we reviewed how to access and use my blog, the online text, and Parent Portal (to check grades.) I have entered the first Social Studies grades.
English: Today (Friday) we had a fire-drill in English class, and so we were seriously limited in our time together. We reviewed the parts of a good, well-written, powerful, organized essay. On Monday, we will create outlines of our "CARE" essays. Students who turned in the first rough draft got full credit even if there were shortcomings in their writing style. IF students did not have three reasons to support/explain the thing they cared about, they should brainstorm a few more to be ready for Monday.
SAMPLE: I really care about field hockey because:
A) It helps to keep me fit
B) It gives me fun social time with my friends
C) It helps me with my future goals to be on professional teams, (Hopes/Dreams)
DON'T FORGET, THIS SATURDAY IS OPEN LIGHTHOUSE DAY! If you go to participating lighthouses in Maine between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday, you should be able o get a tour of the inside. For more information, try googling Open Lighthouse Day Maine.
English: Today (Friday) we had a fire-drill in English class, and so we were seriously limited in our time together. We reviewed the parts of a good, well-written, powerful, organized essay. On Monday, we will create outlines of our "CARE" essays. Students who turned in the first rough draft got full credit even if there were shortcomings in their writing style. IF students did not have three reasons to support/explain the thing they cared about, they should brainstorm a few more to be ready for Monday.
SAMPLE: I really care about field hockey because:
A) It helps to keep me fit
B) It gives me fun social time with my friends
C) It helps me with my future goals to be on professional teams, (Hopes/Dreams)
DON'T FORGET, THIS SATURDAY IS OPEN LIGHTHOUSE DAY! If you go to participating lighthouses in Maine between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday, you should be able o get a tour of the inside. For more information, try googling Open Lighthouse Day Maine.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
English and Social Studies for week ending 9/16
English: On Wednesday students quickly 'threw together' an essay about something they cared about deeply. I took them home and tried to 'deconstruct' their essays into their main ideas. It is like reverse engineering. Based on what they wrote, I came up with a list of their main ideas. Then on Thursday we took a step back to discuss what makes a good, powerful, well-organized essay. After that, I returned their essays and asked them to determine if it was indeed as strong as it could be. On Friday we will 'reverse engineer' the students' essays. Students will be required to create a usable outline for their rewrite, and then use their laptops (Issued on 9/15) to type up a great new draft of their essay about something (or someone) they care about deeply. HOMEWORK: THURSDAY: Consider ways to improve your essay.
Social Studies: This week we spent a great deal of time looking at examples of history in the world around us. Students were able to recognize different 'turning points' in American history and even learn about some great historical sites nearby like Battery Steele on Peaks Island off of Portland and Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. I encouraged students to look into raising money to go on the WASHINGTON D.C. trip later in the year. (See Mrs Potvin for more details.) Then we looked at some questions that I hope students will be able to share their thoughts on this Friday such as "What is history," and "Why study history?" HOMEWORK: THURSDAY: Organize your thoughts about these two questions so you will be able to express your answers in your own words. Finally, I expect to give students their USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS for the online textbook found at http://my.hrw.com this Friday. Students should keep this information handy (stored in 3 places) so that they can access the online text any time.
NOTE: This Saturday 9/17, is Open Lighthouse day and many lighthouses throughout Maine will be open to the public. I intend to go to Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth to see if I can get to the top of Portland Head Light. (Open from 9-3, but come early to improve your chances of getting in!) Look online for more details at:
http://www.visitmaine.com/attractions/sightseeing_tours/lighthouse/lighthouse-day/
Or just 'Google" Open Lighthouse Day
Social Studies: This week we spent a great deal of time looking at examples of history in the world around us. Students were able to recognize different 'turning points' in American history and even learn about some great historical sites nearby like Battery Steele on Peaks Island off of Portland and Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. I encouraged students to look into raising money to go on the WASHINGTON D.C. trip later in the year. (See Mrs Potvin for more details.) Then we looked at some questions that I hope students will be able to share their thoughts on this Friday such as "What is history," and "Why study history?" HOMEWORK: THURSDAY: Organize your thoughts about these two questions so you will be able to express your answers in your own words. Finally, I expect to give students their USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS for the online textbook found at http://my.hrw.com this Friday. Students should keep this information handy (stored in 3 places) so that they can access the online text any time.
NOTE: This Saturday 9/17, is Open Lighthouse day and many lighthouses throughout Maine will be open to the public. I intend to go to Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth to see if I can get to the top of Portland Head Light. (Open from 9-3, but come early to improve your chances of getting in!) Look online for more details at:
http://www.visitmaine.com/attractions/sightseeing_tours/lighthouse/lighthouse-day/
Or just 'Google" Open Lighthouse Day
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday September 14 2011
HOMEROOM: Students were given a form to have signed by parents regarding permission to use a laptop. It should be back in the hands of the homeroom teacher by Thursday September 15 in order for the student to obtain a laptop for use in school. ALSO: remember to turn in any and all forms we sent home the first week.
ENGLISH: On Wednesday Sept 14 we will be creating our first writing sample based on something that the student cares about deeply, be it a human, an animal, an idea, or an object/material thing. Whatever the student chooses, it should be understood that an entire passage will be dedicated to explaining why they care so deeply about the person/thing.
SOCIAL STUDIES: we had a "Quiz" on Tuesday about 911 after 2 days of in-class discussion/videos on that topic. Students graded their own papers, but the 'real grade' will be given next week when I ask students to prove their responsibility and organization by showing me that same test safely filed in their Social Studies section of their binders (or folders). Credit will be issued when they are able to produce that quiz after holding onto it a week!
ENGLISH: On Wednesday Sept 14 we will be creating our first writing sample based on something that the student cares about deeply, be it a human, an animal, an idea, or an object/material thing. Whatever the student chooses, it should be understood that an entire passage will be dedicated to explaining why they care so deeply about the person/thing.
SOCIAL STUDIES: we had a "Quiz" on Tuesday about 911 after 2 days of in-class discussion/videos on that topic. Students graded their own papers, but the 'real grade' will be given next week when I ask students to prove their responsibility and organization by showing me that same test safely filed in their Social Studies section of their binders (or folders). Credit will be issued when they are able to produce that quiz after holding onto it a week!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday September 12, 2011
Social Studies: Please remember to return your signed stub from the classroom expectations form.
So far we have had round table discussions regarding 9-11 and we have discussed some of the many historical photos posted in the back of my classroom. Turning Points in history are the focus of these conversations/discussions. All students should have turned in their "Big History/Little History" form in which you explained what you thought one of the 86 historical photos was about.
English: Please remember to return your signed stub from the classroom expectations form. So far we have used open-ended questions (like a reporter) to get Mr. Ezzard to report out about his life. Every student has had the opportunity to ask a polite question about Mr. E's life. I was pleased to see that all students were brave enough to ask a question. Next we will be writing a passage in class. Mr. Ezzard will use this as a 'base-line' writing sample. Give it your best shot so I can see what you are capable of writing.
Block 5 Social Studies: Please remember to bring back your LAPTOP PERMISSION FORMS signed please
Social Studies: Please remember to return your signed stub from the classroom expectations form.
So far we have had round table discussions regarding 9-11 and we have discussed some of the many historical photos posted in the back of my classroom. Turning Points in history are the focus of these conversations/discussions. All students should have turned in their "Big History/Little History" form in which you explained what you thought one of the 86 historical photos was about.
English: Please remember to return your signed stub from the classroom expectations form. So far we have used open-ended questions (like a reporter) to get Mr. Ezzard to report out about his life. Every student has had the opportunity to ask a polite question about Mr. E's life. I was pleased to see that all students were brave enough to ask a question. Next we will be writing a passage in class. Mr. Ezzard will use this as a 'base-line' writing sample. Give it your best shot so I can see what you are capable of writing.
Block 5 Social Studies: Please remember to bring back your LAPTOP PERMISSION FORMS signed please
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Social Studies
Welcome to Mr. Ezzard's social studies class.
I am still new to the blog-o-shere, so please bear with me.
Students will be issued a username and password for an online textbook the second week of school.
They will be able to access this textbook anytime at home or in school.
The Social Studies Help Page (below) in this blog may help you to check it out ahead of time.
Please remember to bring the following to class daily:
AGENDA book
Plastic SS folder or binder
Notes (as I issue the packets for each unit, please save them in your folder)
Blue or black pen (no gel pens please
Laptop
pendrive (optional)
I am still new to the blog-o-shere, so please bear with me.
Students will be issued a username and password for an online textbook the second week of school.
They will be able to access this textbook anytime at home or in school.
The Social Studies Help Page (below) in this blog may help you to check it out ahead of time.
Please remember to bring the following to class daily:
AGENDA book
Plastic SS folder or binder
Notes (as I issue the packets for each unit, please save them in your folder)
Blue or black pen (no gel pens please
Laptop
pendrive (optional)
English
Welcome to Mr. Ezzard's English Blog.
I am still learning how to create a blog, so please bear with me.
Students should come to my English class with the following:
Positive attitude
Plastic folder (or binder) to hold notes
Laptop (when issued)
Blue or black pen (no gel pens please)
Your AGENDA Book
Pendrive (optional)
I am still learning how to create a blog, so please bear with me.
Students should come to my English class with the following:
Positive attitude
Plastic folder (or binder) to hold notes
Laptop (when issued)
Blue or black pen (no gel pens please)
Your AGENDA Book
Pendrive (optional)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)