Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Juniors weeks of 8-27 and 9-3


Teacher:
Racquel O’Connor-Mesa
Class: Junior English
Dates: Week of 8-27-12 and Week of 9-3-12
Learning Development:
Performance Objective:  UW.G11.2R.C1.PO 2
Learning Objective: Interpret figurative language, including personification, hyperbole, symbolism, allusion, imagery, extended metaphor/conceit, and allegory with emphasis upon how the writer uses language to evoke readers’ emotions.
Kid-Friendly Language: I can identify how an author uses figurative language to advance the work and make the reader feel emotion.
Key Terms: Figurative language, Personification, Hyperbole, Symbolism, Imagery, Extended metaphor, Emotion
Essential Questions:
1. What is figurative language? How is my emotional reaction to literature affected by the author’s use of figurative language?
Bloom’s Level
Low

 Knowledge
x Comprehension
Middle

x Application
High

x Analysis
 Synthesis
x Evaluation
Anticipatory Set
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
Think of your favorite song and write down some of the lyrics (school-appropriate). Can you identify any type of figurative language in the lyrics you wrote? If so, what type and what does the artist want you to feel by selecting to express themselves using those words?  If you cannot identify figurative language, describe what the artist is saying and how they are trying to make you feel.  (One paragraph minimum and be ready to share with a partner).    
Instructional Strategies
Student-Led

x Identifying Similarities & Differences
x Summarizing
x Project-Based
 Nonlinguistic Representation
 Setting Objectives
x Peer Feedback
 Generating/Testing Hypothesis
Teacher-Led

x Lecture
x Discussion
x Homework
x Practice
x Cooperative Learning
x Instructor Feedback
x Questions, Cues, Advanced Organizers
Learning Activities & Modeling the H.O.T.S.
Week of 8-27-12 Students will take interactive notes on figurative language; specifically on symbols-similes-metaphors-allusion-personification-and hyperboles.  The teacher will then assist the students in creating a figurative language graphic organizer by modeling the desired format.  The teacher will then play a popular song and have the students dissect the song seeking out figurative language and noting it in their graphic organizer. This will happen as a focus activity Monday through Thursday.  Students will be placed in teacher created cooperative groups and given a page with song lyrics.  The groups will color code the figurative language it contains through the use of highlighters, and then explain what the meaning is behind each usage is as well as describe the feeling the artist was trying to create.   Students will be given Song Analysis homework to complete over the weekend.
Week of 9-3-12 The teacher will have students discuss their Song Analysis homework in cooperative groups and offer constructive feedback to their peers.  The teacher will then explain that figurative language is not only used in songs to create emotion, but in many genres such as poems and short stories.  The teacher will then assign two poems, Langston Hughes’ “A Dream Deferred” or Wilfred Owen’s, “Dulce et Decorum Est” for the students to read. The students will then identify and label the figurative language used throughout the work and describe how the student’s emotional response connects to the overall tone of the work. Students will read Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery” and analyze the use of allusion and symbolism.
Guided Practice
Teacher will guide and model figurative language graphic organizer and song analysis.    
Comprehension Check
Individual assessment will be based on poem and short story analysis.
Active Participation
·         All Students
·         All the Time
Students will be engaged in a variety of activities ranging from interactive notes, cooperative groups, figurative language analysis, and internal tone evaluation.
  Covert
  Overt
x  Combination
Assessment
 Selected Response                                                    x Extended Written Response
 Performance Assessment                                           Personal Communication
Closure
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
·         Student Summary
Students will summarize how figurative language is used in various genres to produce emotional effects. 
Independent Practice
Students will complete several analysis on various genres.







Seniors Weeks of 8/20 and 8/27


Teacher:
Racquel O’Connor-Mesa
Class: Senior English
Dates: Week of 8-20-12 and 8-27-12
Learning Development:
Performance Objective:  UW.G12.3W.CO3.PO1
Functional writing provides specific directions or information related to real-world tasks. This includes letters, memos, schedules, directories, signs, manuals, forms, recipes, and technical pieces for specific content areas.
Learning Objective:
Write a work-related document (e.g., application, minutes, memo, cover letter, letter of application,
speaker introduction, letter of recommendation, technical manual) that:
a. presents information purposefully and succinctly to meet the needs of the intended audience
b. follows a conventional format
Kid-Friendly Language: I can write a work- related document that meets the needs of a particular audience and format.
Key Terms:
Functional writing, Directions, Information, Real-world tasks, Letters, Memos, Schedules, Directories, Signs, Manuals, Forms, Recipes, Audience, Format
Essential Questions:
1. What is a work- related document? How does each work- related document function in the real world?
2. What is audience? How does audience determine the choosing of work – related documents?
Bloom’s Level
Low

 Knowledge
 Comprehension
Middle

x Application
High

x Analysis
 Synthesis
x Evaluation
Anticipatory Set
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
Have you ever applied for a job?  Were you required to fill out an application? Did you attach a resume or cover letter? Do you feel these work-related documents were critical in attaining employment?  If you have not applied for a job, why do you think an application, resume, and cover letter would be beneficial to you?    
Instructional Strategies
Student-Led

 Identifying Similarities & Differences
x Summarizing
 Project-Based
 Nonlinguistic Representation
x Setting Objectives
 Peer Feedback
 Generating/Testing Hypothesis
Teacher-Led

 Lecture
x Discussion
 Homework
x Practice
 Cooperative Learning
x Instructor Feedback
x Questions, Cues, Advanced Organizers
Learning Activities & Modeling the H.O.T.S.
Week of 8-20-12
After evaluating two different work applications and evaluating their overall clarity utilizing the Six-traits, students will take interactive notes on how to create a resume and cover letter.  Students will then be given the weekend homework of bringing in a completed employment application of their choice on Monday. 
Week of 8-27-12
Students will review their notes and write a 2 paragraph summary covering resume writing and cover letter writing.  Students will then be given class time to create a rough draft resume and cover letter for the employment application they bought in.  Typed resumes and cover letters along with applications will be due on Thursday, 8-27-12. 
Guided Practice
Teacher will model correct format of resume and cover letters. Teacher will demonstrate numerous ways to construct work-related documents. 
Comprehension Check
Comprehension will be based upon the successful completion of the work-related document project, which includes an application, resume, and cover letter. 
Active Participation
·         All Students
·         All the Time
Students will be engaged in a variety of activities ranging from interactive notes, discussion, contemplation, and individual work.
  Covert
  Overt
x  Combination
Assessment
 Selected Response                                                    x Extended Written Response
 Performance Assessment                                           Personal Communication
Closure
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
·         Student Summary
Students will define work-related documents and summarize their importance in attaining employment. Students will be instructed to note the most helpful aspect of writing their work-related documents to the class.   
Independent Practice
Students will complete work-related documents.







ACT

If you have not taken the ACT you have 3 opportunities at the Miami High School Library. 

October 27, 2012
February 09, 2013
June 06, 2013

Register now! WWW.ACT.ORG

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Senior Lessons for Weeks 8-13-12, 8-20-12, 8-27-12


Teacher:
Racquel O’Connor-Mesa
Class: Senior English
Dates: Week of August 13, 2012-
Week of August 20, 2012- Week of August 27, 2012
Learning Development:
Performance Objective:  UW.G12.3R.C2.PO1
Analyze how patterns of organization, hierarchical structures, repetition of key ideas, syntax, and word choice influence the clarity and understandability of functional text.
Learning Objective: Identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of the purpose, structures, clarity, and relevancy of functional text.
Kid-Friendly Language: I can examine how the six traits influence the understandability of functional text.
Key Terms: Organization, Structure, Repetition, Ideas, Syntax, Word choice, Clarity, Understandability, Functional text
Essential Questions:
1. What is organization? How does the author apply organizational technique to produce clarity within functional text?
2. What is a hierarchical structure? How does the author apply different types of hierarchical structures techniques to produce clarity within functional text?
3. What is repetition of key ideas? How does the author apply repetition techniques to produce clarity within functional text?
4. What is syntax? How does the author apply syntax technique to produce clarity within functional text?
5. What is word choice? How does the author apply word choice techniques to produce clarity within functional text?
Bloom’s Level
Low

 Knowledge
 Comprehension
Middle

 Application
High

 Analysis
 Synthesis
x Evaluation
Anticipatory Set
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
Write down a time when you have ever seen an instruction manual, diagram, or application and been confused by its directive? Explain why it was so confusing in a paragraph utilizing as many details as you can recall.  If this has happened to you on more than one occasion, select one to describe in detail, but list the others underneath your paragraph. 
Instructional Strategies
Student-Led

x Identifying Similarities & Differences
x Summarizing
x Project-Based
 Nonlinguistic Representation
x Setting Objectives
x Peer Feedback
 Generating/Testing Hypothesis
Teacher-Led

x Lecture
x Discussion
x Homework
x Practice
x Cooperative Learning
x Instructor Feedback
x Questions, Cues, Advanced Organizers
Learning Activities & Modeling the H.O.T.S.
Week of 8-13-12 Students will take interactive notes on PowerPoint presentation reviewing the six traits of writing and functional text.  The teacher will lead a class discussion regarding why certain traits are essential to understanding the functionality of functional text. Students will break into cooperative groups and analyze 4 different types of functional text and score each utilizing a 6-trait rubric, noting the most effective and ineffective trait on each sample. Students will then create an effective piece of functional text and present it to their classmates, who will then evaluate the functional text utilizing a 6 trait rubric.
Week of 8-20-12 Students will complete various applications Monday-Wednesday, and then break into cooperative groups to discuss its overall effectiveness based on their prior knowledge of the 6-traits.
Week of 8-27-12 Students will be placed in cooperative groups and will be the opportunity to look at various cookbooks and the techniques utilized to increase effectiveness based on the 6-traits.  Students will then design their own recipe in a cookbook utilizing the most effective strategies they have previously evaluated.
Guided Practice
Teacher will model how to use a rubric when evaluating functional text.  The teacher will also give example through class-led discussion in the most effective techniques authors of functional text utilize. The teacher will complete the first day application with the students to decrease confusion.
Comprehension Check
The students’ comprehension will be assessed through the successful completion of interactive notes, cooperative group rubric evaluations, application evaluations, and recipe presentation.
Active Participation
·         All Students
·         All the Time
All students will be active learners and have a role in the successful mastery of this skill through individual note taking, discussion, observing teacher modeling, processing rubric attributes, application completion, and project presentation.
  Covert
  Overt
x  Combination
Assessment
 Selected Response                                                     Extended Written Response
x Performance Assessment                                          x Personal Communication
Closure
·         Congruent
·         Active
·         Past Experience
·         Student Summary
Students will summarize the importance of promoting the functionality of functional text through the 6-traits.  Students will recall the initial functional text evaluations noting effective and ineffective strategies.  Students will celebrate their learning by bringing in the recipe they created for the class cookbook to share with their classmates.
Independent Practice
Students will take interactive notes, complete applications, and evaluate functional text utilizing a rubric.