Thursday, August 27, 2015

Agenda 8/27

Character Analysis: Click here to complete a character analysis for a secondary character in Of Mice and Men. Please read the directions carefully.

  • Google doc link:  https://goo.gl/gNHPGF

Schoology Vocabulary Story: If you did not write and post your vocabulary story to Schoology, please do so now. If you did post your story, please read through the most recent postings and gently suggest improvements or corrections and complement specific words that are used well.

StudySync: Join our class StudySync group.
  • Click here to get to StudySync.
  • Then click "Student Create an Account with Key" button below the sign in window. 
  • Enter our class code: d3v31336w 
Once you join our group, you will see there is a Blast Assignment waiting for you in your binder. Read through the information on empathy, a central idea in the novel, then respond to the blast question in 140 characters. You will also be asked to read and review 5 other blast responses.

Sign up for Google Classroom (*directions will be given when we get to this part of the lesson)

  • Go to Gmail 
  • Log in with your WHS credentials 
    • first letter of first name+first four letters of last name+last four digits of student number+@stu.wusd.org
    • Example: ctuck1234@stu.wusd.org
    • Password: welcome15
    • You'll need to reset your password. 
  • Complete this form -->Click here


Begin reading Chapter 3 in Of Mice and Men


Thursday, May 21, 2015

Class Evaluation (*Final assignment for Tucker's class!)

Click here to evaluate my class! Please keep your comments specific and criticism constructive. Thank you in advance for your time on this and your feedback!


Final Exam Overview:
1-60 Vocabulary lists #1-14
61-80 Romeo and Juliet 

  • Character ID
  • Quote ID
  • Historical context 
81-100 Grammar (who vs. whom; accept vs. except) and other stuff you should know after a year in my class ;)  

Note: Bring a book or notes to study since the exam will not take two hours.              

Agenda 5/21

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Homework 5/19

Bring ALL books (including literature circles book) to return to the WHS Library. If you have all books returned, I'll add +10 to final exam grade.

All bathroom passes/crisis cards must be submitted on Thursday for credit.

Literature Circles Book Club Chat - Thursday!

Literature Circles Book Club Chat
Combining good food, good conversation and good literature!
40 Points

You will be sharing your literature circle book with your fellow classmates while relaxing and eating a dish inspired by your book. You will share your reflections and observations about what you have read with your group. My hope is that your conversations will expose your group to a book they would not otherwise know about. Hopefully, you will walk away with book titles you are excited to read!

This project consists of 4 parts:

1. The Passage: Hook your group members! Choose an exciting, interesting or descriptive passage to read to your group. The passage should be long enough (at least a page in length) to reveal something interesting about a situation in the story (element of the plot) or provide insight into a main character.
2. Visually Stimulating: A picture is worth a thousand words! Create a small 8x11 (size of a piece of computer paper) poster with the title of the book, the author, and at least one symbol incorporated into your collage or drawing. This poster should be creative and colorful! I am looking to see that you have invested time, energy and effort into this visual. I will hang these on the wall so you can see all the books your peers are currently reading.
3. Honest Reaction: Is this book worth reading? Write an 8-12 sentence reflection about your book. This reflection should focus on your reaction to the book. Are you enjoying this book? Why or Why not? Do you connect with the subject of the book or with a character in the book? What was your favorite part of the book? Why? Would you recommend this book to a classmate? Why or why not? What type of reader would enjoy this book?
4. The Perfect Dish: This book makes me crave… Choose a type of food, dish or beverage that you think goes nicely with this particular book and bring it in to share. Is there a scene that involves a particular type of food? Are the characters from a distinct cultural background that specializes in a particular type of food? Is your story sad or emotionally draining and therefore results in cravings for “comfort food”? Is your book a teen-read where the character is addicted to pizza or popcorn flavored jelly beans? Is your action adventure taking place on a climb to Mt. Everest where the characters only have access to Cliff Bars or freeze dried meals? Look at the details in your book and come up with something creative to share with your group of approximately 5 students. Write a 4-6 sentence explanation of how this food goes with your book.

Rubric Breakdown:
  • 10 points- Quality of passage & overall group conversation
  • 10 points- Quality of visual
  • 10 points- Quality of reflection/critique
  • 10 points- Food and explanation of why you chose the particular food or drink

Agenda 5/19

Friday, May 15, 2015

Homework 5/15

Digital Portfolios Due by MIDNIGHT!

Remember to have all 3 reviews (family, non-core friend, and core member) in by 5/19!

Agenda 5/15

Write your future self a letter. If you could give yourself advice about life, your goals, your relationships, what would you say? Write yourself a thoughtful letter about your life using Remind2Me. Before submitting your letter, please take a screenshot (Shift+Command+4) and email it to me as an attachment. Note: Please begin with "Dear ______, (personal letters have a comma) and end with a salutation.

If you are close to finished, you may want to work on:
  • Write your 5th and final reflective blog. This blog should be a thorough reflection on the class and your growth this year as a student (~250 words). 
  • Double-check that all of your documents have been properly shared as "View only" with "Anyone with the link."
  • Write emails to the individuals you want to provide feedback on your site and send them the review link --> https://goo.gl/pz8Qn9Remind them all reviews are due by 5/19!
  • Complete the review form for another member of the core. 
If you are all finished with the digital portfolio (congrats!), work on your literature circles performance tasks! 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Agenda 5/13

Digital Portfolio 
Today you have the entire class period to work on your digital portfolio. Click here to review the requirements. I expect you to use this time wisely since I know you all have a ton on your plates.  

If you are close to finished, you may want to work on:
  • Write your 5th and final reflective blog. This blog should be a thorough reflection on the class and your growth this year as a student (~250 words). 
  • Double-check that all of your documents have been properly shared as "View only" with "Anyone with the link."
  • Write emails to the individuals you want to provide feedback on your site and send them the review link --> https://goo.gl/pz8Qn9. Remind them all reviews are due by 5/19!
  • Complete the review form for another member of the core. 
If you are all finished with the digital portfolio (congrats!), work on your literature circles performance tasks! 

Monday, May 11, 2015

Digital Portfolio: Reviewer Feedback & Critique Google Form

Please share this Google Form link https://goo.gl/pz8Qn9 with your reviewers and remind them that reviews are due by May 19th!

Remember you need at least ONE family member, ONE friend outside the core, and ONE Luminescent student to review your site.


Digital Portfolio Submission Form

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out in Google Forms.

Digital Portfolio Submission Form

* Required

Homework 5/11

Literature Circles Vocabulary #2
Watch the student produced vocabulary video (or videos) for your class and take Cornell notes. Please write down the word, part of speech, definition and one example.


Literature circles reading & performance task. 

Digital Portfolio: Due May 15th (*4 days from today!)
  • Edit and post your strongest online contribution (response not reply) and write your 4rd reflective blog. 

Agenda 5/11

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Homework 5/7

Watch the student produced vocabulary video (or videos) for your class and take Cornell notes. Please write down the word, part of speech, definition and one example.

Type your "I Remember..." poem and share it with me. UNLIKE the notify with an email then fill in this Google Form.

Literature circles reading & performance task. 

Digital Portfolio: Due May 15th (*8 days from today!)
  • Edit and post your favorite vocabulary story and write your 3rd reflective blog. 

Agenda 5/7

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Homework 5/5

Literature Circles Vocabulary Video Due Thursday --> Submit here

Literature Circles Performance Task & Reading

Digital Portfolio: Edit and post one poem & post one digital piece (e.g. TED Style Talk)

Agenda 5/5

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Homework 4/29

Study for Vocabulary #14 Quiz on Friday
Literature Circles reading and work (see unit overview).
Digital Portfolio: Edit and post business letter (remove personal info) and one narrative (don't forget TKAM on Schoology).

Agenda 4/29

Monday, April 27, 2015

Homework 4/27

Read and annotate 25 pages in your literature circles book.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Homework 4/23

Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack - Post your song analysis for Act V, scene iii and reply thoughtfully to at least 2 peers! *All extra-credit assignment due on Monday.

Extra-Credit opportunities:

  • Design a creative cover for your soundtrack with imagery on one side and song titles on back.
  • Burn a CD of your soundtrack, create a playlist on Spotify, or find another creative way to share your music with me.
  • Write and record an original song for your soundtrack.  

Watch SAT vocabulary #14 and take Cornell notes

Digital Portfolio: Edit ONE Informative Piece & Write Your 1st Reflective Blog

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Homework 4/21

Can Challenge: If every students brings in ONE nonperishable food items, your class will only need to post a song and analysis for Act V, scene iii (not scenes i-iii).



Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack Project: Act IV, scenes iv-v – Post your songs and analysis with 2 replies to peers per song!

Write your insult sonnet and post it to our Schoology discussion. Read and reply to at least 2 peers!

*Digital Portfolio: Create your website and edit one piece of argumentative writing.

Agenda 4/21

Friday, April 17, 2015

Homework 4/17

Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack Project - Act IV, scenes i-iii. Post strong analytical paragraphs and 2 substantive replies to peers PER song (6 replies total).

*Digital Portfolio: Decide on your website creator.


Digital Portfolio Handout - Share this with your parents!


Literature Circles:
     Erudite
     Candor
     Dauntless

*If you would like to buy your own hard copy or digital copy, please have it by the end of this week. Thank you!

Agenda 4/17

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Homework 4/15

Every CAN Helps! 

Watch Grammar: Affect vs. Effect video & take Cornell notes (with practice sentences).

Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack Project: Act III, scenes iv-v with 2 replies per conversation (4 replies total). Note: Generic compliments or replies will not earn credit.

Literature circles book selection ---> CLICK HERE

  • Remember to read the descriptions carefully, consider the page count, and rate the books from #1 (your first choice) all the way to #8 (your last choice). 

Agenda 4/15

Monday, April 13, 2015

Homework 4/13 (Erudite & Candor ONLY)

Dauntless, congratulations on your interclass can DOMINATION! Enjoy an evening without Tucker homework. You will not be taking the vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, but those words will appear on the final exam.

Erudite & Candor

  • Study for Vocabulary 13 Quiz - Wednesday!
  • Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack Project - Act III, scene ii-iii with 2 substantive replies to peers for each scene.
  • Blog comments - please read two blogs by two different authors and post a thoughtful reply to each. Click here to view spreadsheet. 

Agenda 4/13

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Homework 4/9

Canned Food Drive Class Competition
Which core class will bring the most nonperishable food on Monday and enjoy a night with no Tucker homework?!?



Post your Vocabulary 13 narrative on Schoology and reply thoughtfully and substantively to at least two peers!

Blog - Topic of your choice. Either written (~250 words) or video blog. Media is a must. Surprise me!

Agenda 4/9

Core Final Presentations
Vocabulary 13 syn/ant
Rehearse for Act III performances

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Homework 4/7

Watch SAT Vocabulary 13 video and take Cornell notes.

Post songs and analysis for Act II, scenes v-vi and Act III, scene i. Post 2 replies per scene.

Agenda 4/7

Monday, March 30, 2015

Homework 3/27

Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack 
Post Act II, scene iii-iv soundtrack paragraphs and reply to a minimum of 2 peers per scene.

Core Final Due 4/6 --> Submit your information and URL to this Google Form.





Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Homework 3/24

The Canned Food Drive has officially begun. 
The first Tucker Challenge is to bring in 3 nonperishable food items on Thursday! 
I want to see just how committed YOU are to the WIN. 

Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack Project - Post your songs and analysis for Act II, scenes i-ii. Reply thoughtfully to at least 2 peers in each discussion. 

Study for SAT vocabulary 12 quiz - Thursday!

Agenda 3/24

Friday, March 20, 2015

Homework 3/21

Complete the StudySync assignment on story structure. Use the digital annotation tool to take notes on story structure and complete the activity. Be prepared for a quiz on this info!

Schoology - Post Vocabulary 12 narrative and reply thoughtfully and substantively to at least 2 peers.

Shakespeare Soundtrack Project - Post song and analysis for Act I, scene v and reply thoughtfully to at least 2 peers.


Agenda 3/21

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Homework 3/18

Soundtrack Project Act I, scenes iii-iv
Post your song for Act I, scene iii & iv on our Schoology site. Please read the directions carefully. Reply thoughtfully and substantively to at least four peers. For more on the project, read the explanation below.
*Click here to access the entire play online. Remember you can go to "Edit" at the top of your screen and click "Find" then enter keywords to search for them on a webpage. That may make using the online text and finding evidence quickly.
 Watch SAT Vocabulary #12 and take Cornell notes.

Finish Expert Group Investigation Multimedia Presentations. 

  • 2 groups selected at random will present on Friday.
  • Review you information. You need to be the expert!
  • Make sure your final slide has complete MLA citations.
  • Your entire presentation should follow the guidelines from the video tutorial. 

Agenda 3/18

Monday, March 16, 2015

Homework 3/16

Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack Act I, scene ii
Post your song for Act I, scene i on our Schoology site. Please read the directions carefully. Reply thoughtfully and substantively to at least two peers. For more on the project, read the explanation below.
*Click here to access the entire play online. Remember you can go to "Edit" at the top of your screen and click "Find" then enter keywords to search for them on a webpage. That may make using the online text and finding evidence quickly.
Then We Masked...
 You’ve been invited to the Capulet’s feast.  A mask is part of the dress code, so you will need to make one tonight.  It does not have to be extremely artistic or complicated, but it should reflect some time, energy and thought!  There will be prizes given to the following masks:
  •      Most unique materials
  •       Most original design
  •       Most carefully done


You can use any materials you already have at home. Suggested Materials: Cardboard, felt, fabric scraps, construction paper, aluminum foil, tissue paper, wrapping paper, crayons, glitter, sequins, paint, markers, stickers, feathers, magazine pictures, ribbon, string, etc…

*Important:  Your mask should be easily tied to your face or held in hand using a stick!  Your mask does not have to cover the entire face, but should cover the eyes!

Agenda 3/16

A Google A Day

  • Get into teams of two or three
  • Go to www.agoogleaday.com
  • Click "Start Playing" 
  • 5 minutes to answer all three questions correctly using your Google search savvy


Explore Digital Story Tools & Strategies (20)
Explore different tools and decide how you want to "show" the story you are telling. If you're ready, you can submit the proposal via this Google Form.


Romeo & Juliet Act I, scene ii (15)
Listen to the audio recording of Act I, scene ii.

Romeo & Juliet Film Adaptation (10)
Watch prologue through Act I, scene ii of film version.

"Then We Masked..." (5)
Discuss the mask assignment.

Expert Group Investigations (30)
Work with your group to design your slides. Remember to add a complete citation for each online resource you used to find information and every image in your slide show.  See the excerpt below from the OWL Purdue website. Please note the different formats for web pages and images.

A Page on a Web Site

An Image (Including a Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph)

An Article in a Web Magazine

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Homework 3/12

Joy Luck Club Essay Edits
Make any last minute peer edits on your essay. I will begin grading them beginning on Monday. There should be NO peer notes on your document when I begin grading. All edits should be revised or resolves. 

Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack Act I, scene i
Post your song for Act I, scene i on our Schoology site. Please read the directions carefully. Reply thoughtfully and substantively to at least two peers. For more on the project, read the explanation below.

*Click here to access the entire play online. Remember you can go to "Edit" at the top of your screen and click "Find" then enter keywords to search for them on a webpage. That may make using the online text and finding evidence quickly.
Expert Group Investigations
Watch "Tutorial: Tips for Designing a Strong Google Presentation" and take Cornell notes (*to be checked on Monday). After watching the tutorial, begin working on your Shared Google Slide Presentation. Make notes on the slides indicating who will edit each slide and what the topic of each slide will be. Remember to share your presentation with me!
*Presentations Due: Friday, March 20th

Important: Monday I'm assigning a creative mask. I realize the weekend may be a more convenient time to pick up supplies to create a face mask. I'll post the assignment Monday with details, but you may want to pick up supplies this weekend.