PD Day 1

Here are some examples of Redo/Retake contracts from middle schools around the country:

Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Example #4
Example #5
Example #6



See anything you like? 




Grading isn't a super fun topic to discuss in June..... but it could be worse.

Here's a treat to thank you for being a fantastic audience:

SDMS gets their RED ON!

On Friday May 24th, SDMS conducted a "RED OUT" to honor those who lost their lives at Plaza Towers Elementary school in Moore, OK. Students wore red, created and sold ribbons, and sponsored a hat day to collect money. The event raised over $550 to support the community affected by the terrible tragedy. 

Arguments...Evidence...Proof

Grab that audience!

A good speech needs a strong opening.... Otherwise the audience won't bother paying attention.

Indigo team hearts Chromebooks!

Today we used the new school Chromebooks to start researching social issue topics for the upcoming speech projects. Don't you just love technology?!?!

We noticed lots of WDM craft elements!

We are writers of "craft" too!

An amazing "flashdraft" from a student in my Section A class. Great job!! 

Author's Craft

When you read WDM what do you see? What are his signature "moves" as an author?

Space research rubric

WDM Podcasts

Podcasts & Video Links

Walter Dean Myers really enjoys meeting the kids who read his books — he frequently visits schools and juvenile detention facilities to talk with young readers

Author study!

What Walter Dean Myers title is your book club reading?

Working on a deadline!

Publish a chapter of your memoir by Thursday (section A) Friday (sections B/C/D/E)

Chapter should be 1-2 pages and include:
Appropriate graphics/illustrations
Unique title
Font style that fits with themes in writing
At least 3 craft elements reviewed in class (see chart below)

Rehearse your drafts OUT LOUD!

Students spent part of today recording themselves as "storytellers" to encourage them to put more of their own personalities into their memoir writing.

We used modern technology to get back to our roots as "storytellers."

Reactions can be very telling!

Authors use the reactions of other characters in a memoir to help emphasize the significance of the events within a chapter.

Shocking!!

Another way to "add pizzazz" is by including a shocking one-liner to peak the interest of the audience to foreshadow or "tease" a major event. 

Jeanette Walls uses this technique really effectively in her memoir The Glass Castle. 

Spring can bring wacky weather....

and all that Jazz....

How do writers spice up their memoirs? 

Here are 2 ways to "add pizzazz," and there will be many more to come =) 

Crafting a Memoir

Writers use many different techniques to successfully put together a page-turning memoir. Over the course of this unit, we will add many of them to our own writing toolboxes. Here are the tips and tricks we discussed today...

"It's the Final Countdown!!!!"

Graphics and Captions...