Sally Homann's Blog

Students have been studying nonfiction text characteristics such as: Title, Dek, Subhead, Lead, Supporting Details, Quote and Byline. We will read "A Walk Through Harlem" from SCOPE magazine, revisit text structures and add a new concept, FQR (Facts, Questioning and Response). They will list facts about 6 different African American musicians while also writing questions about their reading and responses. The questions and responses which is their "thinking about their reading" will be recorded.

Well, well, well. A challenging year in so many ways. Really supporting a lot of choice and non-choice reading in the classroom, but I want to create more opportunities for them to understand the usage of english in a more meaningful way. My group has so many gaps. I also want to incorporate the technology which is available to me. I wrote a grant for another iPod Touch and camera which I received with the promise that we will focus on poetry. That will make 8 in my classroom; great for groups of 4. I'd like to teach some basics about the structure and value of poetry; introduce some famous and incredible poets. Then, I would like to pull a music lesson I did last year which shows the power of lyrics and then they can discover some lyrics on their own and analyze them. Finally, they would create their own poetry, illustrate it in keynote or iPhoto, then recite it for our own poetry presentation. This is very loose, as you can see. What do you think?

In groups of four or five students will create a keynote presentation with narration. They will produce 4/5 slides including title page, summary, setting and meaningful quote. The setting slide will address how the setting affected the plot of the story. The meaningful quote will address why the quote picked is meaningful to the story line.

Biography Report

How Should I Begin?

Step 1  Choose three famous people from the list provided. Is there another person you have in mind?  Let’s consult about that.

Step 2  Choose one person and research them using books and the internet. Is there enough information about this person? If not, go back to step 1.

Step 3  Write down the person you are interested in researching, in depth, and submit to your teacher.

What’s Next?

Begin taking notes on your famous person. Use the following guidelines for your notes.

1. Write basic information about your person such as: birthplace, birth date, early years, family, education, 

2. How did your famous person contribute to the world? Write details about this contribution.

3. Write why you admire this person. What kinds of details about his/her character pushed them to success? Did he/she have problems or obstacles to overcome?

4. Imagine that you have an afternoon with this person. What kinds of questions would you ask? What would you still like to know about him/her?

What Will My Project Look Like?

You will create a “keynote” project using your notes for the information you have researched. Your project will have the following slides:

1. Title Page

2. Bio Information

3. Contributions to the World

4. Character Traits

5. Interview or Unanswered Questions

6. Works Cited Page

file:///private/Network/Servers/rinconms.eusd4kids.int/Volumes/Data/Students/614886/Desktop/Keynote.nick.key/

Rincon Middle School

Your Name: Sally Homann

Date: January 18, 2009

Grade Level: 6

Subject: English/Language Arts

Standards addressed

Reading 1.1 Read aloud narrative and expository text fluently and accurately and with appropriate pacing, intonation, expression.

Reading Comprehension 2.3 Connect and clarify main ideas by identifying their relationships to other sources and related topics.

Writing Strategies 

1.1 Choose the form of writing that best suits the intended purpose.

1.5 Compose documents with appropriate formatting by using word-processing skills and principles of       design.

1.6 Revise writing to improve the organization and consistency of ideas within and between paragraphs.

Listening and Speaking-Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication

1.7 Use effective rate, volume, pitch, an tone and align nonverbal elements to sustain audience interest       and attention

Required Materials and Equipment:Copies of “I Have a Dream” speech, CD or live recording of speech(MP3), highlighters, paper, computer access for word processing, computer access to “Garage band” application.  

Objectives and Goals: Students will be able to analyze text, select relevant words and phrases, create original poem and record poem set to music/rhythm.

Day 1

Anticipatory Set (10 minutes):  Students will listen to a recording of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech while reading the text.

Direct Instruction (15 minutes): Model finding and selecting (highlighting) relevant passages in the text that enhance the piece. 

Guided Practice/Independent Practice (30 minutes): Students will find their own words and passages that are particularly relevant to them. 

Day 2

Direct Instruction/Guided Practice (35 minutes): Students will choose 9-12 phrases from speech. Each line must have 4-8 words. Words may not be added, some words may be left out. Must maintain original order. Write “new” lines to create Found Poem. Poem must be typed.   10-14 pt. font. Double-spaced.

Day 3

Direct Instruction (15 minutes) Model reciting poetry to “garage band” application. Carefully add intonation, expression and pause time as appropriate to each poem. 

Guided Practice/Independent Practice (5 minutes per student) Students will record their finished poems into “garage band.”

Closure (10 minutes): Students will orally reflect on the process of recording their work.

 Assessment and Follow-Up: Teacher review/grading of recordings based on written criteria

This lesson is designed to help introduce students to the very basic aspects of the iPod and practice one application.

1. Turn iPod on by holding down the button on the top.
2. Touch and "slide" button to unlock.
3. Tap "maps" application once to open google maps.
4. Tap "search or address."
5. Type: Rincon Middle School and tap search.
6. Location will be the "red pin."
7. Double tap to zoom into map.
8. What are the two nearest cross streets?
9. Tap directions
10. Choose one student's address and type in.
11. Tap "Next" and "Route"
12. How many miles from house to school?
13. Tap lower right scroll.
14. Tap list
15. Write down directions from house to school and turn in.


Next up...
Rotate use of iPods on a daily basis and research news articles during SSR.