Friday, April 3, 2009
History Hysteria
Tantasqua is a very special place. The events today once again amazed me as a teacher. I am so happy that I found such a warm creative place that truly values education- without loosing focus that learning can, and SHOULD, be fun.
Soph Lit:
Get ready to work this week. I wanted to relax a bit today to give you a break from all the testing/writing. Don't look now, but it is 4:12 am and you are ready this blog. Inside comment for Sophomore class...
My aim is to wrap up Lord of the Flies this week.
My aim is to wrap up Lord of the Flies this week.
WOS:
Today we looked at a newer, and some may say better, version of the Twelfth Night. The last 15 minutes, we looked at some of your "dreams" from last Friday with your conscious mind. Did it feel like trying to move your little toe?
Monday we will be playing my review game: Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party. Tuesday we test... Have a great weekend!
Monday we will be playing my review game: Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party. Tuesday we test... Have a great weekend!
Brit Lit:
This morning we looked at how Shakespeare uses a final moment of suspense in ALL of his tragedies. At the start of act 4, we have a fleeting moment where the audience thinks/hopes everything is going to work out. Of course, as this is a tragedy, we know that it can't end well...
I asked the class to write a page on what may be Macbeth's last hope. Many ideas generated...some good thoughts...
We also watched a wee bit of the Macbeth movie, before we left early for History Hysteria day.
I asked the class to write a page on what may be Macbeth's last hope. Many ideas generated...some good thoughts...
We also watched a wee bit of the Macbeth movie, before we left early for History Hysteria day.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Soph Lit:
Today we listened to the U2 song Shadows and Tall Trees- the same title as CH 7.
We worked on the following "scenes"
The Hunt
Piggy's Glasses
Fire on the Mountain
The Beast
No HW- Best of luck on the last day of MCAS!!!! Remember- always end in greatness.
We worked on the following "scenes"
The Hunt
Piggy's Glasses
Fire on the Mountain
The Beast
No HW- Best of luck on the last day of MCAS!!!! Remember- always end in greatness.
Monday, March 30, 2009
MCAS Tip #3
Relax and go to bed at a reasonable hour the night before the test.
The MCAS test is designed to measure general knowledge skills and achievement. There is no specific information that you have to learn or can study to prepare for it. Rather, interpreting information provided and understanding basic principles and how to apply them are the keys to success on the test. In reality, all the time you have spent in classes at school and doing lesson assignments and practice problems at home represents your study and preparation efforts for the MCAS test
Try and mentally review the major books that you have read Freshman and Soph year. You will most likely have a general writing prompt that may call on you to use a novel or a character as the basis of your writing.
Relax the night before the test. Watch television, play a game of Halo, read a novel, socialize with your friends, or do something else you find relaxing. Then go to sleep at your usual bedtime to make sure you get sufficient rest. Do not go to bed early. If you do, you probably won't be tired and will only end up lying awake thinking (and worrying) about the test! And that will only make it more difficult for you to perform well the next day. Relaxing ensures you will be ready to put forth your best effort at exam time. Make sure you get a solid night sleep for the three days preceding the test. One night of good solid sleep will help- 3 days will make you recharged and ready to rock.
Eat a carbohydrate based meal. My suggestion- a big bowl of pasta. You want energy that will not burn out in the morning.
Have a solid breakfast- even if you normally skip it as many teenagers will do. Avoid energy that you will burn through fast. Slow and steady always wins the race :-)
Be confident! Positive attitude has been proven to lead to improved scores. Tantasqua has prepared you well, and you WILL do a great job!
The MCAS test is designed to measure general knowledge skills and achievement. There is no specific information that you have to learn or can study to prepare for it. Rather, interpreting information provided and understanding basic principles and how to apply them are the keys to success on the test. In reality, all the time you have spent in classes at school and doing lesson assignments and practice problems at home represents your study and preparation efforts for the MCAS test
Try and mentally review the major books that you have read Freshman and Soph year. You will most likely have a general writing prompt that may call on you to use a novel or a character as the basis of your writing.
Relax the night before the test. Watch television, play a game of Halo, read a novel, socialize with your friends, or do something else you find relaxing. Then go to sleep at your usual bedtime to make sure you get sufficient rest. Do not go to bed early. If you do, you probably won't be tired and will only end up lying awake thinking (and worrying) about the test! And that will only make it more difficult for you to perform well the next day. Relaxing ensures you will be ready to put forth your best effort at exam time. Make sure you get a solid night sleep for the three days preceding the test. One night of good solid sleep will help- 3 days will make you recharged and ready to rock.
Eat a carbohydrate based meal. My suggestion- a big bowl of pasta. You want energy that will not burn out in the morning.
Have a solid breakfast- even if you normally skip it as many teenagers will do. Avoid energy that you will burn through fast. Slow and steady always wins the race :-)
Be confident! Positive attitude has been proven to lead to improved scores. Tantasqua has prepared you well, and you WILL do a great job!
Friday, March 27, 2009
MCAS Tip #2
As you read through the passage, try to form an idea of the overall purpose of the text and make a note of what and where detailed facts (which invariably are included) are located.
For Word Meaning multiple choice questions, if you do not know the meaning of the word, try to choose a definition by making an inference based on the context in which the word is used.
For Supporting Idea multiple choice questions, never rely on your memory or what "sounds right" when choosing your answer. These questions ask about unimportant facts presented in a stream of piddling details. Since these are the types of thing that one tends to ignore or forget while reading, the people who write the test take advantage of this tendency and purposely include tricky answers. Remember that this is a comprehension test -- not a memory test -- so always refer to the text.
For Thematic Summary multiple choice questions, look for answer choices that capture the main idea or overall topic. Avoid the trap of selecting answer choices that repeat a detail or fact appearing in the passage.
For Generalization multiple choice questions, look for answers that reflect a logical conclusion that might be drawn from the facts presented by the reading. Eliminate from consideration any answers summarizing the main idea of the passage or expressing a conclusion directly stated within the text.
Back-up your answer to every Open Response question with details, facts, and examples appearing in the passage. Even if you do not write the ideal answer, doing this will earn you partial credit.
For Word Meaning multiple choice questions, if you do not know the meaning of the word, try to choose a definition by making an inference based on the context in which the word is used.
For Supporting Idea multiple choice questions, never rely on your memory or what "sounds right" when choosing your answer. These questions ask about unimportant facts presented in a stream of piddling details. Since these are the types of thing that one tends to ignore or forget while reading, the people who write the test take advantage of this tendency and purposely include tricky answers. Remember that this is a comprehension test -- not a memory test -- so always refer to the text.
For Thematic Summary multiple choice questions, look for answer choices that capture the main idea or overall topic. Avoid the trap of selecting answer choices that repeat a detail or fact appearing in the passage.
For Generalization multiple choice questions, look for answers that reflect a logical conclusion that might be drawn from the facts presented by the reading. Eliminate from consideration any answers summarizing the main idea of the passage or expressing a conclusion directly stated within the text.
Back-up your answer to every Open Response question with details, facts, and examples appearing in the passage. Even if you do not write the ideal answer, doing this will earn you partial credit.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
MCAS Tip #1
In General:
Remember that your success largely depends on your ability to present relevant and persuasive arguments related to your opinion or position on the writing prompt topic.
Write down everything, documenting your development process. Even if your essay is poor, showing your thought process and progression from rough ideas to finished essay will earn points.
During the First Session:
Write down a concise, direct, and clear statement of your opinion or position on the essay topic.
Brainstorm, writing down ideas for arguments you might present to support or justify your opinion.
Identify and write down examples, facts, or details that bolster each of these arguments.
Select the three or four arguments that seem the strongest or most persuasive.
Think about how to order and link the arguments you select, numbering them and writing down notes on key transitional phrases or ideas.
Write down a summarizing and concluding statement.
Write a quick first draft of your essay beginning with your position statement, followed by your arguments connected with transition statements and in the planned order, and ending with a summary and conclusion paragraph.
During the Final Session:
Focus on strengthening arguments, connections and transitions, and the concluding paragraph.
Refine your sentence structures and diction, and check your punctuation, capitalization, and adherence to rules of grammar and usage.
Remember that your success largely depends on your ability to present relevant and persuasive arguments related to your opinion or position on the writing prompt topic.
Write down everything, documenting your development process. Even if your essay is poor, showing your thought process and progression from rough ideas to finished essay will earn points.
During the First Session:
Write down a concise, direct, and clear statement of your opinion or position on the essay topic.
Brainstorm, writing down ideas for arguments you might present to support or justify your opinion.
Identify and write down examples, facts, or details that bolster each of these arguments.
Select the three or four arguments that seem the strongest or most persuasive.
Think about how to order and link the arguments you select, numbering them and writing down notes on key transitional phrases or ideas.
Write down a summarizing and concluding statement.
Write a quick first draft of your essay beginning with your position statement, followed by your arguments connected with transition statements and in the planned order, and ending with a summary and conclusion paragraph.
During the Final Session:
Focus on strengthening arguments, connections and transitions, and the concluding paragraph.
Refine your sentence structures and diction, and check your punctuation, capitalization, and adherence to rules of grammar and usage.
WOS:
Today in class we examined terms that we use everyday that come directly from Shakespeare's plays. We also shared examples of satire, and argued what makes real good satire. Many of you brought in political satire which was interesting.
Next we put together fictional cast lists for 12th Night, and debated your selections. My fav. from today: Adam Sandler playing the fool. That would just be killer.
Friday we will be doing a writing assignment based on She's the Man. Don't forget the popcorn....
Next we put together fictional cast lists for 12th Night, and debated your selections. My fav. from today: Adam Sandler playing the fool. That would just be killer.
Friday we will be doing a writing assignment based on She's the Man. Don't forget the popcorn....
Soph Lit:
HW: Please read ch7 in LotF.
Today in class we worked on MCAs prompt, and how to answer questions based on poetry.
Today in class we worked on MCAs prompt, and how to answer questions based on poetry.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Soph Lit:
Today in class you were asked to "survive" using only what you had with you in class, and the random survival guide that I distributed. I had you write about how you would use the guide that you were given to survive.
Next, we looked at the MCAS questions that you answered yesterday. I asked those with an 88 or above to comment on their strategies. We brainstormed on the following:
1. Underline main ideas as you read.
2. Put the question into simpiler language.
3. Cross out the answers that you are sure are wrong.
4. If you have time, go back to any questions that you are not sure of
The questions that you will face fall into a few main catergories- which is important to understand.
You will be asked recall questions that test your comprehension.
You will be asked for context questions
You will be asked questions that will ask you to refer to the story, and devise a logical answer.
Remember to beat your adversisary, you must completly understand them.
Next, we looked at the MCAS questions that you answered yesterday. I asked those with an 88 or above to comment on their strategies. We brainstormed on the following:
1. Underline main ideas as you read.
2. Put the question into simpiler language.
3. Cross out the answers that you are sure are wrong.
4. If you have time, go back to any questions that you are not sure of
The questions that you will face fall into a few main catergories- which is important to understand.
You will be asked recall questions that test your comprehension.
You will be asked for context questions
You will be asked questions that will ask you to refer to the story, and devise a logical answer.
Remember to beat your adversisary, you must completly understand them.
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