We had a lively class today–this group is fun-loving and had some insightful comments during our discussions. .
Quick Write
The students had a prompt today about “Fun theory”. They watched a short video about a company’s attempt to encourage commuters to take the stairs instead of the escalator because it’s healthier. Does making something “fun” encourage people to make better choices?
How would you describe “Fun theory”?
Describe a time you devised a way to make an odious task more “fun”.
Pretend you are one of those stairway goers–describe your experience
How could you incorporate “fun theory” into your life?
Or whatever!
Words of the Day
I started something new this week for Words of the Day. I handed out punched index cards with an O ring. Students are to write the definition and etymology of the word. On the reverse side, they’ll do a short activity to make the definition “stick”--like make a list or a quick drawing. Research shows interacting with a word helps us remember it. I hope to hear students using these words in conversation or to incorporate them in their writing.
(Learning-process related words)
Dilettante–fr Latin delectare, to delight, charm, please; formerly positive connotation, but has shifted to negative connotation. Means a person who takes up an art, subject or activity merely for amusement; a dabbler
Neophyte–fr Latin neophytus; neo=new; phytos=planted; means a beginner or novice
Literature Discussion
The class has read the first 20-some pages My Antonia and done their first set of reader responses. We had small group discussions about grammar, and next week we'll have small group discussions about this book.
Grammar Topics
Last week I had the students write 3 - 5 questions that they had about grammar. They could be specific questions or general, over-arching ones. This week we used the 4-Square model for asking and answering these questions. This model requires everyone in the group to listen in order to respond. One question that I suggested was "Why Grammar?" I heard lively, grammar-centered conversations going on. For our grammar topics this semester, we will start with a parts of speech review and then work through different types of phrases. They will review nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs this week.
As I mentioned in the class policies, this year I am doing something different with the grammar homework. This week students were given keys to all of the worksheets. After they finish the grammar homework that was assigned for a week, they should correct it and then hand it in. I want to see what they missed, so they should mark what was incorrect and then fix whatever was wrong. Doing it this way will be more beneficial to the students. They can see right away if they know the material. Each worksheet is worth 10 points, regardless of how long it is. If a student forgets to correct it, I will hand it back to be corrected.
Assignments for this Week
–Read pgs. 24-47 in My Antonia
Links for This Week
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