Class Activities

Good morning!
Here I am again as your virtual teacher.  I am attending Cognitive Coaches training, which means that I am learning new ways to help others think and develop problem-solving skills.  You know that I believe that helping you learn how to use good thinking skills is one of the most important parts of my job! I have tried to prepare some interesting lessons for you today.  Please work quietly and independently.  Remember to read, think, reread, and think some more as you work to follow the directions.  Follow the steps in order and enjoy your lesson!
1.  Put on your headphones and listen to this podcast from me.

2.  Open Smart Notebook.  Click File, Open, GH708 drive, ELA folder, Compare and Contrast file.  Carefully read through the 5 pages of the file.  Reread if you need to do so.  Pay attention to the model of writing on the 5th page.  Notice how it is organized:
* Paragraph 1: Introduction
* Paragraph 2: Details about Superman
* Paragraph 3: Details about Batman
* Paragraph 4: Closing paragraph
3. Now click on this link to view a compare and contrast lesson.  Use the arrow button on the right to click through 10 pages.  This document is very long.  Don’t read it all!  The last slide you read should be titled Balanced Ideas in the white box between the arrows. 
4. Now I’m going to read you a book.  You will need your headphones. Double click on My Computer.  Click GH708, the ELA folder, and then Teacher from the Black Lagoon.  When you finish, you may watch it a 2nd time if you wish.
5. Your next activity will require some thinking.  Your next task is to compare and contrast Mrs. Green from the story with your own teacher, Mrs. Foxworth!  Create an Open Mind map to organize your ideas.  Click on the Open Mind image below to get a larger view.  Use this map to create yours.  Add your own details to to the Appearance (how she looks), Actions (what she does), and Character Traits (personality) branches.  You may go back to the story if you need to reread.

6.  Now open a new Word document.  Using your graphic organizer, write a paper to compare Mrs. Green with Mrs. Foxworth.  Remember how the model paper was set up.  Plan to write 4 paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, a paragraph describing Mrs. Green, a paragraph describing Mrs. Foxworth, and a closing paragraph.  Use vivid vocabulary and descriptive language.  Save this document to your folder.
7.  Now make a comment on these assignments. (Use your gagglenet account as the email address.)  Describe something in the lesson today that you liked , something you learned, or something you found challenging.
8.  Now get your reading folder and engage in self-selected reading.

Good Morning!  Mr. Bosch and I are at our conference meetings by the time you are reading this.  Hopefully we are learning some exciting new technology learning activities.  Remember that we have high expectations for you to do your best today in every way.  Here are the things you need to do today:

1.  Scroll down this page and look in the Links box on the left.  Play the Vocabulary Quia 3 times. 

2.  Take your vocabulary quiz and put it in the basket.

3.  Open PowerPoint.  Go to File, Open, GH drive, and open the ELA folder.  At the bottom of the dialogue box look at the Files of Type line.  Use your drop-down arrow to select All Files. Then open the Great Leads PPT.  Carefully read through this by yourself and think about the questions.

4.  Open Open Mind 2 and open your Digital Story Web.  Look through each one of your branches (the ones above the frames branches) and see if you have text notes for each one, except Genre, which has a sub-branch.  Read through the notes to see if you have been detailed enough.  When they are great, go to your Frame 1 branch.  You are to write in the text note editor and finally begin writing your story.Remember to start your story with a great lead that will capture your audience’s attention. Write everything that you need to say about the beginning of the story that will go with your storyboard frame 1. 

5.  Go to branch Frame 2 and continue writing your story.  Continue working/writing your way through the frames to tell the rest of your story.  Remember the sequence of events in your story.

6.  SAVE and close Open Mind.  I am proud of your hard work!!  You are doing an awesome job.

If you finish writing your story, look in the Links box on the left and click on Native American Legends.  Read some of these great stories.

1. Click on the Comments link and post a comment on this topic: Tell which genre is your favorite and why you like that particular genre.  Remember to use complete sentences and your best writing skills!  If you can’t remember your email address, open Word and your Quia Foxworth document.  Only use your first name as you post your comment.

2.  Click on the Vocabulary 2 link in the Links box on the left.  Play the matching review game 3 times.

3.  Click on the Sentences Quia link in the Links box on the left and work through this pop-up activity. Use the drop down arrow at the end of each sentence to get your answer choices.

4.  Get out your Writer’s Notebook.  Open Word and your Personal Narrative story from your folder on the GH drive.  Continue typing your story.

5.  When you finish, you may open Gaggle.net and check your email.  Send an email to a friend.  In this email tell your friend whether or not you would have liked to have been a homesteader in the Great Plains.  Explain why you would or would not want to be a homesteader.  Use good writing skills and give evidence from both the Pioneer Girl story and our social studies reading.

We have finished our author study of Chris Van Allsburg.  We enjoyed reading many of his books.  Please post a comment to share your thoughts about your favorite book by this author.