Lesson Share Sunday

I've decided to start sharing lesson plans once a week from the previous week. Not just to show how awesome students are, but so that others can steal and tweak these lessons to inspire students everywhere.

This week we are learning and mastering properly punctuating dialogue. It can be tricky. Students don't notice how often they see it, how it works exactly, and how to write their own. They often don't recognize it as dialogue. 

I start by having students analyze objects in the bin. They are then to brainstorm about how these objects would act as if they are humans- as a way to introduce character traits. Some of the objects I put in their bins this year were paper clips, fuzzy pens, pom-poms, and eraser tops. They get pretty creative with the items. 

After that I prompt them to then brainstorm the different words they could use as speech tags to convey to their audience those character traits. (Speech tags like said, yelled, and asked are off limits) 

Notice the fuzzy red pen ("she" will come back into play later on).

Then, in their "table-hoods" they are to create a poster about a character of their choosing (does not have to be from the object bin) and (1) illustrate the character, (2) surround him/her with the speech tags, and (3) frame the picture with 4 examples of dialogue. 

This is the draft I show them:

 And then I tidy it up a little bit.

This year one of my classes really made me giggle. They were so inspired by the character they created of the Fuzzy Red Pen they used her as their character for their poster.

Her name is Beatrice. 

She is a granny who loves tracksuits, eats too much bubble gum, and speed walks around the mall! Their poster was just as hilarious. Please notice some of the dialogue-

 "My chewing gum brings all the boys to the yard," announced Beatrice. 

"Excuse me, I need to buy another tracksuit," informed Beatrice. 

"My chewing gum is losing flavor!" shrieked Beatrice. 

And my personal favorite...

"I'm single and ready to flamingle!"cackled Beatrice. 

Even my principal got to witness that little gem in class.

 Their creativity and enthusiasm was pure magic. 

Our Saturday project

For the past 15 years, about, a ghastly florescent light has attempted to provide enough light for our kitchen. When I'm cooking, I cast a shadow on the stove.  When I'm washing dishes, I cast a shadow on the sink.  When I have a migrane, it is a killer! 

Today we (Matt) spent the day drilling, measuring, and mounting various things for our new light fixture. I've never been one to be able to put things together- especially with patience. But he did an amazing job! 

Let there be light! 

Gunner

Dog post day 2. Because now I have two dogs. Gunner is a goofball. In his heart, he is kind, gentle, playful, and curious. But his body is large, clumsy, and relentless when searching for his next treat. He does the most peculiar things. 

He thinks at 100 pounds that he is a lap dog. I assure you, he is not. 

But he is loyal, kind, and loving.  We would be lonely without him.

The Murphy Belt

As I type, I have on what my dad calls, "The Murphy belt". Stretched across my body is a furry, white mass of puppy too adorable for words. 

I have always loved dogs. In elementary school, in Gahanna,Ohio as a first grader, I once wrote, "I love my mom because she lets me ride my dog around the house." What a great sentiment however, I never had a dog. Believe it or not I drew a picture to further accompany the tale in my head. 

It wasn't until I was in a new state and a new school when my parents finally caved and got me my first dog, Charlie. I enjoyed his companionship for 18 years.  He passed last year. 

In January, 2014, I decided just to casually browse the adoption websites and look for puppies that need a home and I fell in love. His name is Murphy. His short white hair, chestnut patched eye, and adorable little spots suckered me right in! I just had to have him. 

I want to say that it was a Sunday when I sent in my application and by the next Sunday, I had my little bundle of joy all the way from New Hampshire. 

He changed my life. He saved me.  He was a ray of sunshine through the night, the fog, and the clouds.  

Here's to the little Murph Man- the day after National Puppy Day! 

I swear I am an adult

Yes, I attend middle school everyday. Yes, I sometimes lolly-gag in the hallway talking to my friends. Yes, I talk when teachers are talking. Yes, I sometimes forget to do my homework. Yes, I bring pizza lunchables to school, sometimes. Yes, I get nervous when I get called to the main office. Yes, I dream and pray for snow days. Yes, I long for summer vacation. And yes, I currently have a tongue tattoo from my fruit roll up. 

My current guilty pleasure. 

I am an adult- I swear. 

Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Pumpkin

3/14/15 9:26 

Yesterday in all of my Math7 classes we celebrated the Pi day of the century! And this morning, I am posting in celebration of this auspicious occasion! My students were really excited about the Pi day of the century all week! They were mildly, well, greatly disappointed I did not bring them pies to indulge on! But we celebrated with a few crafts- to include an ode to math poem- that's right! Poems! And a competiton, as to, who could remember the most numbers in Pi. 

Happy Pi day of the century! 

Our Pi day bracelets- the varying colors represent the values in Pi and beneath us is the room long Pi chain we made- again representing the values of irrational Pi. . 

Tomato soup and grilled cheese

The only thing that feels better than my bed is a hot mug of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Cheers from the infirmary!