Students: working with you this year has been a delight. Each of you has brought innumerable insight, joy, fun, and hope to Rm. 33, and once summer arrives, I will miss our conversations, projects, and collective growth.
However...however!
We still have our final project to finish: our "Ideal Country" creations. As we discussed in class today, these projects give you a chance to try and form a society better than the ones we have recently explored. We want to try and create systems that can help provide justice, equality, and freedom for the people who live in your countries, and yet also maintain stability. We have seen how rule in Nazi Germany and then in Taliban Afghanistan failed miserably on those fronts, and now you have the chance to create in hope.
Think deeply, yet marry your thinking to solid and practical ideas.
Good luck!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Writing to (Help) Change the World
As we finish Livia Britton-Jackson's powerful memoir, I Have Lived a Thousand Years, we will begin to ask ourselves one of the toughest questions we can: How can we take our learning beyond the four walls of our classroom to create change for the world in which we live?
We've studied the Holocaust, we have learned about child labor, and we now know that there are currently approximately 27 million slaves in the world today. It is time to take our passion for writing beyond the walls of our classroom and create change for justice.
Towards the end of this week and in the following two weeks, we will craft insightful essays in which each class will choose a theme. Together, we will revise our work, help one another edit, and learn about what it takes to put together a book of meaningful writing that we can then use as a fundraiser for one of the important causes we have studied this year.
Last year's class chose to work with an organization called Women for Women, which helped to free women from slavery and also educate many women who have never learned to read. It was a moving experience for us as a class, and I can't wait to dive into this project with you all!
It is a way to continue to work on strong writing skills while we also make a difference in the world around us!
We've studied the Holocaust, we have learned about child labor, and we now know that there are currently approximately 27 million slaves in the world today. It is time to take our passion for writing beyond the walls of our classroom and create change for justice.
Towards the end of this week and in the following two weeks, we will craft insightful essays in which each class will choose a theme. Together, we will revise our work, help one another edit, and learn about what it takes to put together a book of meaningful writing that we can then use as a fundraiser for one of the important causes we have studied this year.
Last year's class chose to work with an organization called Women for Women, which helped to free women from slavery and also educate many women who have never learned to read. It was a moving experience for us as a class, and I can't wait to dive into this project with you all!
It is a way to continue to work on strong writing skills while we also make a difference in the world around us!
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Single Raspberry
There is a story told on the glass walls of the Holocaust Memorial in Boston, MA. It's of a Jewish man who has been imprisoned in a concentration camp, and he sees a little German girl on the other side of the fence one day.
Somehow, the Jewish prisoner has managed to get a single raspberry while inside the camp, and as he is preparing to eat it, he sees the little girl, looking at him--staring at him. Without hesitating, he reaches his hand through the fence and gives the raspberry to the girl.
Years later--many years later--that girl grew up and remembered what the Jewish man gave to her. She had this to say: "Imagine a world in which your only possession is a single raspberry--and you give it away." The generosity of spirit from someone so abused remained with that little girl throughout her life, and changed forever the way she viewed the world.
This month in ELA, we'll be reading the powerful Holocaust memoir by Livia Britton-Jackson entitled, I Have Lived a Thousand Years. We'll be exploring the tragedy and inhumanity of the Holocaust, but we'll also see how the power of love and courage can be used today to stop the genocides that are occurring right now in our world. We'll look at the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and see how we can make a difference there.
Be ready to learn, grow, and consider ideas and perspectives you may never have before!
Somehow, the Jewish prisoner has managed to get a single raspberry while inside the camp, and as he is preparing to eat it, he sees the little girl, looking at him--staring at him. Without hesitating, he reaches his hand through the fence and gives the raspberry to the girl.
Years later--many years later--that girl grew up and remembered what the Jewish man gave to her. She had this to say: "Imagine a world in which your only possession is a single raspberry--and you give it away." The generosity of spirit from someone so abused remained with that little girl throughout her life, and changed forever the way she viewed the world.
This month in ELA, we'll be reading the powerful Holocaust memoir by Livia Britton-Jackson entitled, I Have Lived a Thousand Years. We'll be exploring the tragedy and inhumanity of the Holocaust, but we'll also see how the power of love and courage can be used today to stop the genocides that are occurring right now in our world. We'll look at the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and see how we can make a difference there.
Be ready to learn, grow, and consider ideas and perspectives you may never have before!
Monday, February 1, 2010
A Group of Real-Life Nonconformists...
As we continue working on our nonconformist research project this week, we begin a powerful film entitled Glory Road. The film explores the true story of the 1966 Texas Western College basketball team, and their journey to fight racism through sports.
Don Haskins, the coach of this remarkable team, makes some unpopular decisions which will prove to go beyond the basketball court and still cause powerful emotions and analysis today. As we view the film, we'll discuss other real-life application of being a nonconfromists, and we'll also do some background reading on Don Haskins and the Texas Western basketball squad.
I can't wait to learn more about your chosen nonconformist, too!
(See the links in the post, below, for two important documents as we view the film.)
Don Haskins, the coach of this remarkable team, makes some unpopular decisions which will prove to go beyond the basketball court and still cause powerful emotions and analysis today. As we view the film, we'll discuss other real-life application of being a nonconfromists, and we'll also do some background reading on Don Haskins and the Texas Western basketball squad.
I can't wait to learn more about your chosen nonconformist, too!
(See the links in the post, below, for two important documents as we view the film.)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Real-Life Nonconformists!
As we finish our novel, Stargirl, this week, we'll segue into our nonconformist research project. While we work on exploring the life of a nonconformist of our choice, we'll also view the powerful film, Glory Road, based on the true story of the 1966 Texas Western Division I basketball team.
See the links, below, for supporting materials we'll use as we view and discuss this real-life example of nonconformity.
1) http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMjJnYnNtam1nOA&hl=en
2) http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMjhkamZ6ZjNnaA&hl=en
See the links, below, for supporting materials we'll use as we view and discuss this real-life example of nonconformity.
1) http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMjJnYnNtam1nOA&hl=en
2) http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMjhkamZ6ZjNnaA&hl=en
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Nonconformity
Throughout this month in ELA, we'll explore what it means to be a nonconformist--in both small and large ways. As we read Jerry Spinelli's novel Stargirl, we'll also look at our own lives and ask where we might be lying about who we are so as to fit in with others. We will also consider the ways in which we break away from the mold to follow our own intuitions and beliefs.
Be ready to dig into some research, as well. We will have the opportunity to explore a nonconformist who has worked to have a positive impact on the society in which she / he lives or lived. You'll have the chance to meet some amazing people and dig into their lives, all the while considering how their voices might help strengthen and grow yours!
See this link for the full research assignment on a nonconformist:
Nonconformist Research Project
"Evil is created when good people do nothing." --Albert Einstein
Be ready to dig into some research, as well. We will have the opportunity to explore a nonconformist who has worked to have a positive impact on the society in which she / he lives or lived. You'll have the chance to meet some amazing people and dig into their lives, all the while considering how their voices might help strengthen and grow yours!
See this link for the full research assignment on a nonconformist:
Nonconformist Research Project
"Evil is created when good people do nothing." --Albert Einstein
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Poetry Rocks.
December is known here in New England for being bitter cold, icy, and dark. With this in mind, we're launching into a month of great poetry to keep our minds and souls warm in Room 33.
We'll explore the work of poets like Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Dylan Thomas, Maya Angelou, Billy Coillins, Sandra Cisneros, and even poetry that Mr. Reynolds wrote way back when he was in the 7th grade! (Warning: some of Mr. R's poetry from his 7th grade year is a little romantic!)
This week, your first final poem (free verse) is due on Wednesday, December 2. Your second poem (rhyming and symbolism) is due on friday, December 4. Remember that when our poetry month is finished, you will each create a poetry pamphlet of your own work--and we'll plan a class reading with mood lighting and snacks and all!
We'll explore the work of poets like Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Dylan Thomas, Maya Angelou, Billy Coillins, Sandra Cisneros, and even poetry that Mr. Reynolds wrote way back when he was in the 7th grade! (Warning: some of Mr. R's poetry from his 7th grade year is a little romantic!)
This week, your first final poem (free verse) is due on Wednesday, December 2. Your second poem (rhyming and symbolism) is due on friday, December 4. Remember that when our poetry month is finished, you will each create a poetry pamphlet of your own work--and we'll plan a class reading with mood lighting and snacks and all!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Inner-City Connections...
During this week in ELA, we will finish Sharon G. Flake's powerful novel, The Skin I'm In. Maleeka Madison, the novel's protaginist, will undergo some very difficult experiences, but we'll watch as her truest self emerges. We will ask questions about courage: what is it, and how do people learn to use it in their lives? Is courage the absence of fear, or is it--as John F. Kennedy and others have commented--merely the doing of a deed even with the presence of fear?
After we finish our novel, we will begin our second major essay of the year: a comparison & contrast piece devoted to exploring the novel, The Skin I'm In and a very powerful film entitled, The Ron Clark Story, basedon the true story of one inner-city classroom in new York City and the teacher who impacted students within that school.
Come ready to dive into the literature, the film, the writing, the life of Room 33 this week!
After we finish our novel, we will begin our second major essay of the year: a comparison & contrast piece devoted to exploring the novel, The Skin I'm In and a very powerful film entitled, The Ron Clark Story, basedon the true story of one inner-city classroom in new York City and the teacher who impacted students within that school.
Come ready to dive into the literature, the film, the writing, the life of Room 33 this week!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our Ideal School
This week, as we continue to explore Maleeka Madison's life in the novel, The Skin I'm In, we will also be working on a project entitled MY IDEAL SCHOOL. Now that you've had seven years of school experience, you have a lot of credible thoughts to share regarding what makes a school successful, engaging, and worthwhile.
For this creative project, you will have the opportunity to create your own school schedule, a list of subjects that will be taught, and even the types of teachers who will work within your school! I hope you will use all of your wonderful insight in this creative endeavor as we continue to learn about Maleeka's inner-city school experience.
I am looking forward to a fantastic week!
For this creative project, you will have the opportunity to create your own school schedule, a list of subjects that will be taught, and even the types of teachers who will work within your school! I hope you will use all of your wonderful insight in this creative endeavor as we continue to learn about Maleeka's inner-city school experience.
I am looking forward to a fantastic week!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Our First Full Length Novel of the Year...
I am so proud of all the work you have completed on our first formal essay, exploring logos, ethos, and pathos in a film of your choice. Now, we are moving on into our first full-length novel of the year.
This week, we will begin reading The Skin I'm In, by Sharon G. Flake. The novel takes place in an inner city school in New York, and cnters around the life of Maleeka Madison, a 7th grade student who is often taunted by her peers, and who seems to have almost no friends.
However, Maleeka will learn the power of her own voice and ideas in the face of huge obstacles.
In conjunction with our novel, we will be exploring some very powerful statistics throughout our unit. We will look at literacy and illiteracy rates, variation in welath, and poverty both in America and abroad.
I look forward to exploring these powerful ideas with you this week!
This week, we will begin reading The Skin I'm In, by Sharon G. Flake. The novel takes place in an inner city school in New York, and cnters around the life of Maleeka Madison, a 7th grade student who is often taunted by her peers, and who seems to have almost no friends.
However, Maleeka will learn the power of her own voice and ideas in the face of huge obstacles.
In conjunction with our novel, we will be exploring some very powerful statistics throughout our unit. We will look at literacy and illiteracy rates, variation in welath, and poverty both in America and abroad.
I look forward to exploring these powerful ideas with you this week!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Writing with Logos, Ethos, and Pathos
This upcoming week, we will be crafting our first formal essays of the year. We will analyze movies of all kinds--each choosing a movie of our choice--and examine how the Rhetorical Trinagle functions within that movie in order to "trick" us into believing its message.
Last week, we watched some powerful clips from the documentary, Tough Guise, and we questioned how certain stereotypes and cultural expectations are set up for boys and girls, and we also wondered about what kinds of dangerous messages we can glean from films and video games.
Now, we'll use logos, ethos, and pathos to try and unpack the movie of our choice, and find out what messages are reallybeing sent our way! Be ready to type, revise, type, revise, and then type and revise again.
I am confident that your final essays will be something of which you and I can both be proud!
Last week, we watched some powerful clips from the documentary, Tough Guise, and we questioned how certain stereotypes and cultural expectations are set up for boys and girls, and we also wondered about what kinds of dangerous messages we can glean from films and video games.
Now, we'll use logos, ethos, and pathos to try and unpack the movie of our choice, and find out what messages are reallybeing sent our way! Be ready to type, revise, type, revise, and then type and revise again.
I am confident that your final essays will be something of which you and I can both be proud!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Power of Language
This week in ELA, we will explore the way language moves us, persuades us, reveals information to us, or hides information from us.
On Monday, we begin with The Boston Photographs from 1975. You will assume the roles of the Editorial Board of the Boston herald, and you'll time-travel back through history to make a controversial decision about whether or not to print photos taken by Stanley Foreman. You will need to defend your decision with clear examples and a passionate defense.
On Tuesday, we look at the Rhetorical Triangle--learning about terms like ethos (credibility), logos (logos), and pathos (emotion). We will look at how creators of texts use these appeals to create meaning--and to persuade us to agree with them!
For the remainder of the week, you will becomne expert salespeople, as you craft your own presentations to seel an odd item that Mr. Reynolds gives you (it may even be his tiny bottle of free toothpaste which he received free on a plane ride from the U.S.A. to India years ago.,..so watch out!). You'll employ the Rhetorical Triangle to create a commercial for your product.
Meanwhile, we will investigate how language works in our society to often "trick" us in believing things that we might not even notice...
Be ready to learn a ton and have fun doing it!
On Monday, we begin with The Boston Photographs from 1975. You will assume the roles of the Editorial Board of the Boston herald, and you'll time-travel back through history to make a controversial decision about whether or not to print photos taken by Stanley Foreman. You will need to defend your decision with clear examples and a passionate defense.
On Tuesday, we look at the Rhetorical Triangle--learning about terms like ethos (credibility), logos (logos), and pathos (emotion). We will look at how creators of texts use these appeals to create meaning--and to persuade us to agree with them!
For the remainder of the week, you will becomne expert salespeople, as you craft your own presentations to seel an odd item that Mr. Reynolds gives you (it may even be his tiny bottle of free toothpaste which he received free on a plane ride from the U.S.A. to India years ago.,..so watch out!). You'll employ the Rhetorical Triangle to create a commercial for your product.
Meanwhile, we will investigate how language works in our society to often "trick" us in believing things that we might not even notice...
Be ready to learn a ton and have fun doing it!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Book Talks and Futuristic Stories
This week in ELA class, we'll present our book talks and begin with our first unit on Short Stories.
On Monday, Mr. Reynolds will model a book talk, and he'll use one of the best books he read from this past summer: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Then, we'll have a chance to finish our index cards and practice presenting our books with partners within class.
On Tuesday, we'll spend the class presenting our books, and learning how to speak effectively in front of our peers, and also be great listeners.
From Wednesday through Friday, we'll begin our first short story, "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut. This futuristic story takes place in the year 2081, and we'll have a blast acting it out in front of the class, and then discuss some of its big themes: equality, fighting injustice, and young people stadning up to authority figures. We'll also read a great short story by Roald Dahl entitled, "Lamb to the Slaughter."
Be sure to review your notes on the Plot Chart, and come to class ready with a pen or pencil, your ELA binder, and a willingness to dive right in! I can't wait to see the great writing, discussion, and learning we'll all have this week!
On Monday, Mr. Reynolds will model a book talk, and he'll use one of the best books he read from this past summer: The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Then, we'll have a chance to finish our index cards and practice presenting our books with partners within class.
On Tuesday, we'll spend the class presenting our books, and learning how to speak effectively in front of our peers, and also be great listeners.
From Wednesday through Friday, we'll begin our first short story, "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut. This futuristic story takes place in the year 2081, and we'll have a blast acting it out in front of the class, and then discuss some of its big themes: equality, fighting injustice, and young people stadning up to authority figures. We'll also read a great short story by Roald Dahl entitled, "Lamb to the Slaughter."
Be sure to review your notes on the Plot Chart, and come to class ready with a pen or pencil, your ELA binder, and a willingness to dive right in! I can't wait to see the great writing, discussion, and learning we'll all have this week!
Monday, September 7, 2009
A New Week: The Courage to Speak!
Meeting all of you last week was a tremendous time for me. I have so enjoyed our laughter together, our writing together, and our time of learning about what challenges this year offers us.
Throughout this week, we'll focus on the theme: Things aren't always what they seem. We'll hear some powerful stories about this idea, and also have the chance to write about and share our own.
Also, we'll begin preparing for our book talks based on summer reading. Jerry Seinfeld jokes that in America, the number one fear is public speaking, while the number two fear is death. We'll try to prove him wrong as we become more comfortable speaking in front of one another--and we'll try some uncommon practice routines to help us get ready for our talks.
Be sure to take good notes as we discuss the elements of a good speech, and write your index cards and practice them at home this week.
I believe that each of you will give a stunning talk!
Throughout this week, we'll focus on the theme: Things aren't always what they seem. We'll hear some powerful stories about this idea, and also have the chance to write about and share our own.
Also, we'll begin preparing for our book talks based on summer reading. Jerry Seinfeld jokes that in America, the number one fear is public speaking, while the number two fear is death. We'll try to prove him wrong as we become more comfortable speaking in front of one another--and we'll try some uncommon practice routines to help us get ready for our talks.
Be sure to take good notes as we discuss the elements of a good speech, and write your index cards and practice them at home this week.
I believe that each of you will give a stunning talk!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Do You Live Like a Crab?
Welcome to ELA class with Mr. Reynolds!
This year, we will work very hard on our writing and reading skills, and we'll explore our passions in a variety of ways. That's right: I'll be asking you to think deeply about what matters in your life. We will meet a variety of characters in the amazing books and short stories we'll read this year; also, we will create our own stories, poems, essays, projects, and presentations.
I can't wait to dive into all of the remarkable experiences we'll share!
However, for now, let's begin with a question: Do you live like a crab? To understand what I'm asking, explore the document linked below, and we'll complete and discuss your written response.
Here is the link to the Crabs document:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMTNmOWtwcHA2dg&hl=en
This year, we will work very hard on our writing and reading skills, and we'll explore our passions in a variety of ways. That's right: I'll be asking you to think deeply about what matters in your life. We will meet a variety of characters in the amazing books and short stories we'll read this year; also, we will create our own stories, poems, essays, projects, and presentations.
I can't wait to dive into all of the remarkable experiences we'll share!
However, for now, let's begin with a question: Do you live like a crab? To understand what I'm asking, explore the document linked below, and we'll complete and discuss your written response.
Here is the link to the Crabs document:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWu8U06kQIhbZGYzd3R6bXBfMTNmOWtwcHA2dg&hl=en
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