Flipped Lesson: Using Transitional Devices

For our next flipped lesson, I want to introduce the concept of using complex sentences (LB, S) as transitional devices.  This short video will go over how to incorporate these sentences at the beginning of body paragraphs to add more maturity to your writing.  With this new skill, you will stop using the typical transitional words like "first" "next" "also" "finally" and "in conclusion" to begin body and concluding paragraphs.  Instead, you will use the LB, S to smoothly and maturely move from one idea to the next.  Don't worry, you will still use transitional words!  Those transitional words work perfectly within paragraphs to indicate examples, additional information, and/or comparisons.  

As with our first flipped lesson, please take notes and jot down any questions you may have to ask me in class.  Also, feel free to comment on the blog, and I will respond there as well.  Remember, asking questions is part of learning.  Don't be embarrassed if you feel as if you're missing something.  Chances are someone else feels the same way; be the hero and ask the question!

Rules for Writing

Read this article in The New York Times How to Write

Questions to consider:  Which of these rules seem important to you?  Did you learn anything new?  Do we need rules for writing?   

Sure, it's extra credit.  Read the article.  Answer the questions. Make sure your responses provide evidence that you actually read the article (quote it!).  Due by Friday, 9/28

ps - If you comment here, you will get extra credit at the end of the quarter for blog participation, but you will only receive extra credit for this separate assignment if you turn in a separate response as described above.

A Flipped Lesson: Grabbers and Clinchers

What's a flipped lesson?  It's a form of teaching that allows us to spend more time actually practicing skills in the classroom instead of lecturing.  For this lesson, you are going to watch a video presentation which reviews the concept of Grabbers and Clinchers. (This is a review because you all learned about Grabbers and Clinchers last year.)  Make sure you have a piece of paper to take some notes or jot down any questions you want to ask in class tomorrow.

The handout of the presentation is posted on the website.

Disclaimer:  This is my very first flipped video. Be kind!

Please, feel free to comment or ask questions below; I'll respond!

Here We Go Again...

It's the start of the new year which means new blog posts for me.  I usually begin the year by looking forward, but this year, I'd like to reflect.

For the first time in years, my family had a completely new summer experience.  Let me explain.  Since my husband and I are both teachers, summers have typically been pretty carefree and unplanned by the Powers family.  We hang out.  We go the beach. We take road trips. We pick a place on the map between here and New York and go.  It's fun to bond with our kids (for us, anyway) and get to visit family up north without care or time schedules.

This year, a great friend recruited us to Camp Green Lane in Pennsylvania.  My husband was the Athletic Director, and I was the supervisor for the Inter Boys (ages 8-10). The kids, well, they got to be campers.  None of us have ever been to sleep-away camp, and all of us are pretty used to all the comforts of home and doing whatever we want over the summer.  However, we embarked on our new adventure with our minds open (mostly) and ready to love it.  Love it? We did.   Since getting home, all we think about is "next summer," and we really, truly understand what people mean when they say they live ten months for two.

(Picture:  My kids and I in front of my cabin on visiting day.  This is the only time all summer I got to be with all three of my kids for a minute!)


I could go on and on about what made this an incredible experience for my family, but really, I want to hear about your summers.

What did you do?

The Hunger Games: A Different Point of View

Some of you aren't going to like this perspective on The Hunger Games, but I'm going to share it anyway.

Why I Don't Like Hunger Games

I think the author is a little harsh, but she does have some valid points.  Even if you are a Hunger Games groupie, do you see a point in anything she has to say?

Comment away.

Grammar. It does matter. I swear.

Yes,  I know you hate grammar.  You hated Caught'yas, and now the punctuation formulas are getting a bit tiresome.  I know. I know. I know.

If only all of you could get when to use A, B, C noun instead of A, B, conj C.... maybe, then I would be happy.  Someone fails inevitably.

If only you understood what I understand.  One day, you will be the leaders, the bosses, the people in charge, and I don't want your employees laughing behind your back because you don't know when to use their, there, or they're.  I want your future employees to respect you because that will make you successful.  I want your success.  That makes me happy.

Trust me.  Later in life, it will really matter that you know this stuff. It will matter that you can write well and speak properly.  The best part is that you will do it naturally, so it won't even be work.

Read this article. Why is Grammar, Capitalization, and Spelling Important?.

My question to you:  Why do you think it's unimportant?

School Controversy: The Hunger Games

Check out this article:  Schools debate educational value of 'The Hunger Games'

Read this one, too:  ‘Hunger Games’ novel helps teachers hook young readers

Thoughts?

Subject-Verb Agreement

The Hunger Games Trilogy: OMG

I'll admit that I was slow to catch on to this series.  I mean, I remember seeing last year's students cradling the book in their arms and sneaking minutes to read it during my class.  I will also admit that I completely understand their obsession.  I started reading The Hunger Games last Wednesday, and I just finished Mockingjay yesterday.

Wow.  What a story.  In fact, I can't stop thinking about it.  I can't get Katniss and Peeta and Prim and Gale and even Finnick (I grew attached to him) out of my head.

I don't want spoilers for those who haven't read this series because you all should.  Immediately.  In fact, I want to teach this series.  Seriously.  If I can get a sponsor to purchase a class set, I would teach it tomorrow because the themes presented begged to be discussed.

I do want to discuss it with those of you who did read all three books because I'm in desperate need of a debriefing.  Here's the deal, if you read the series and want to participate in a discussion, join me on Goodreads.com. I created a special group just for us to discuss this book.  Look me up, and I will add you to the group.

Oh, and here's a official trailer to the movie.  If you haven't read the book yet, this is amazingly similar to the book.  Maybe it will motivate you to READ!

ps - What should I read next?