Friday, December 18, 2015

Fishbowl Retakes

UPDATE: This retake protocol is for ALL FISHBOWLS until further notice.
YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL PORTIONS OF THE RETAKE
Use this as a checklist to help ensure you are successful.

ALL FISHBOWL RETAKES (chapters 4, 5, 6-7, 8-9) have been extended to Monday, Jan. 11 by 3:15 pm. No retakes submitted after this time will be accepted.  You need a purple relearning sheet for each retake you will complete.

If you would like to retake a fishbowl, follow the protocol below.

Fishbowl Retakes


You will need:
  • a video recording system (that can be emailed, like a YouTube video)
OR
  • a voice recording system (also will need to be emailed, maybe a VoiceMemo type app?) --> I have received many using Talk&Comment for Google Chrome, which is a FREE EXTENTION for Chrome available here
  • notes and text evidence
  • a Google Doc
  • A turned-in completed relearning document (purple sheet)


In order to complete this retake, you must:

  1. complete your purple relearning document before submitting the retake
  2. hold a 1-person discussion.  It may seem weird, but you are going to record yourself talking, either in a voice recording system, or as a video, using notes and text evidence just like you would in an in-class fishbowl.  You should plan on recording for about 7-10 minutes, or as long as you need to concisely report on your ideas with supporting evidence.
  3. Create a Google doc titled with YOUR NAME (first and last) and the fishbowl title retake.  It may seem like a lot, but this clearly labels the retake you are submitting for assessment purposes.
    1. Ex: Joe Schmo: Night Ch. 4 Fishbowl Retake
  4. On your Google doc, write a brief summary of the main points you discuss in your video/voice recording, as well as any new learnings you discovered through your thinking process.
  5. Make sure you have shared your Google doc with me (ctrecek@lewiscentral.org).
  6. Send me an email with the subject that matches your Google Doc title, and includes both an attachment of your Google Doc and the link to your video/recording.

If you would like to print these expectations, click this link!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Night Text

Click the picture to access an online copy of the Night text.  The printed page numbers are correct to our translation, the pages of the PDF are not.  Go by what is printed on the page.

Chapter breaks are listed below.


Chapter 1: 3-22
Chapter 2: 23-28
Chapter 3: 29-46
Chapter 4: 47-65
Chapter 5: 66-84
Chapter 6: 85- 97
Chapter 7: 98-103
Chapter 8: 104-112
Chapter 9: 113-115

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Absent when your section held their fishbowl over chapter 1?

If you were absent on 11/13 (most were in Honor Band), you need to make up the fishbowl discussion that you missed.  As of right now, the best way to complete a fishbowl makeup is to add your comments on the voicethread video.  Keep in mind, I have never done one of these before, this is kind of an experiement, but we do not have enough school days left in the trimester to schedule another make-up fishbowl during class.
For credit, you must add ideas, questions, and relations to our themes, symbols, and ties to our reading of chapter 1 in Night.  Standard fishbowls require 5 building comments, and 5 written comments/questions, you do not NEED to record your voice on the voicethread if you absolutley do not wish to do so, just keep in mind this will increase your writing requirement.

You may have to tie your Google account to a new account on VoiceThread to comment.



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

CHECK THIS OUT! Some great prizes available for those chosen.

Doodle 4 Google Contest

Here is the info link.

Animal Farm Test

Animal Farm novel test:

Your novel test is this Thursday (tomorrow) and Friday!  

Students were given this STUDY GUIDE in class yesterday.  The expectation is that students also save this study guide for their trimester final.


  • Students also have their novel reading study guides that were completed as they completed the novel.
  • Our building background prezi is still linked to this blog.
  • Clips of the audio book and embedded questions (great for practice!) are on EdPuzzle (chapters 1-8 only)


Thursday: Essay Questions

  • Students should bring something to write with and something to work on when they finish
  • Students may use ONE handwritten sheet for text evidence only, no notes.  If students come to class with part of their essay written, they lose the privilege to use any handwritten supports

Friday: Everything else
  • Students should bring something to write with and something to work on when they finish
  • Students are not allowed any notes on this part of the novel test

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Deadline for Animal Farm Retake

The deadline for Animal Farm, chapters 1-4 is fast approaching.

You ONLY have until THURSDAY, October 8th to complete a retake.  THIS IS TOMORROW.

If you need a retake you must see me ASAP.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Conflicts Quiz Retakes

     I have only had a few students ask to retake the Conflicts Quiz from 9/16.

Students only have until 10/2 (that is THIS Friday) to retake!

     Remember, a class expectation in LA 8 is that students self-monitor their learning on PowerSchool!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Animal Farm Week 1

The following videos are what I've linked on EDpuzzle.

PLEASE BE AWARE that these videos are for study purposes ONLY.  I've posted a generic (not class specific) link, that will not save your individual responses.  If you want feedback on your responses, you need to log in to EDpuzzle and complete the videos that are posted as assignments.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2



Chapter 3


Chapter 4


Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution Prezi from 9/21 and 9/22

Monday, September 14, 2015

Extra reading challenges

For those who want to add some extra challenge to their independent reading, I've shared the AP Literature reading list under the Independent Reading tab.  This is a list of novels, plays, and short works that are frequently found on the AP Literature Exam.

Titan Games Name Votes

Tbadgers has been deemed an inappropriate name for Titan Games.  I am going with the second-highest-voted name: Tornadoes.

Do we want shirts? Who is organizing/designing them? We need to think of deadlines and budget time to get shirts before October 2nd.

Who is working on our banner?  When/how will it be completed?

Student Council- Final Votes!

Congratulations Shelby Hatcher and Colbey Roth for being elected our 2015-2016 Student Council representatives!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Videos from 9/8-9/11

The two characterization videos we used this week are posted on the Useful Links page.  You can rewatch them directly on the blog for a quick review.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Homeroom students!!!!!!

The first thing you should do when you get your Chromebook is click HERE and fill out the Chromebook Condition Form.

Be VERY detailed in your description and make sure you fill out the form correctly.  You are to click Trecek as your homeroom teacher :) please do not click any one else's name so your results go to the right teacher.  If damage is not noted of the form, you will be charged for your Chromebook and any repairs needed at the end of the school year when I fill out a check in form.

Take the time to do it now, save money later!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Electronic Instagram Permission Slip

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!

Dear Parents and Guardians;


Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year at LCMS!  I am looking forward to working with you and your student this year.
This year’s learning in language arts will include reading, writing, speaking, listening, participation in discussion and debate, collaborations and individual opportunities to explore learning.  In language arts, we seek to discover understandings of the following essential questions:
  • Can all conflicts be resolved?
  • How much information is enough?
  • What is the secret to reaching someone with words?
  • Is it our differences or our similarities that matter most?
  • Are yesterday’s heroes important today?
Time in class will be devoted to exploring these big ideas and growing as readers, writers, and speakers, though students should be prepared to spend some time outside of class on their studies.  Please bookmark our class blog on home devices so you have access to documents and announcements: http://trecekla8.blogspot.com/
Students are welcome to see me if they need additional help with coursework.  I am usually available before school from 7:15 until the AM Homeroom bell, and after school until 3:15, if a student is staying later than 3:15, they must ask in advance (at least 24 hours notice) to ensure they can get the help they require.  Emailing is the fastest way to get a hold of me, sent to ctrecek@lewiscentral.org, please expect at least 24 hours return time.
Thank you for being an integral element of your student’s success, and thank you in advance for your support.  You are an important part of the LCMS atmosphere!  I look forward to meeting you at LCMS Open House and seeing you at Parent/Student/Teacher conferences.
Sincerely,
Carrie Trecek
8th Grade Language Arts and Literacy
Lewis Central Middle School

Click HERE if you'd like to print an extra copy of the Welcome Back letter.