Kia ora whānau
We have a lot of things to cover this week, not least of all having a good look the ‘Mock Close Reading Test Results’ and understanding what individual students must do, in order to ‘best prepare’ for the formal ‘Close Reading’ assessment later in Term 1.
I will be honest with you whānau, overall it was a disappointing result. Whilst a small handful of students did exceptionally well, the vast majority demonstrated an inability to follow even the most simple of instructions (repeated several times I might add!!!), such as using a pen, or writing both ones first and last names on the test paper!
Of more concern, is the fact that there seems to be a large gap in understanding even the most basic of English conventions; such as using capitals at the start of a sentence or ‘reading for meaning’ in a text. We must practice, practice, practice whānau and make up for many years of lost ground it would seem! I cannot emphasize enough, that digital devices should enhance ones learning, not supersede one’s ability to read, write and articulate thoughts with a high degree of competence and fluidity. If you weren't motivated before, it’s time to ‘rattle your dags’ and make your English class a high priority!
We have a lot of things to cover this week, not least of all having a good look the ‘Mock Close Reading Test Results’ and understanding what individual students must do, in order to ‘best prepare’ for the formal ‘Close Reading’ assessment later in Term 1.
I will be honest with you whānau, overall it was a disappointing result. Whilst a small handful of students did exceptionally well, the vast majority demonstrated an inability to follow even the most simple of instructions (repeated several times I might add!!!), such as using a pen, or writing both ones first and last names on the test paper!
Of more concern, is the fact that there seems to be a large gap in understanding even the most basic of English conventions; such as using capitals at the start of a sentence or ‘reading for meaning’ in a text. We must practice, practice, practice whānau and make up for many years of lost ground it would seem! I cannot emphasize enough, that digital devices should enhance ones learning, not supersede one’s ability to read, write and articulate thoughts with a high degree of competence and fluidity. If you weren't motivated before, it’s time to ‘rattle your dags’ and make your English class a high priority!
Next week we have a very important guest speaker visiting RBHS for the express purpose of addressing our Accelerate classes. This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to learn how to host a VIP to our school and take full advantage of the opportunity to prepare a formal welcome and suitable questions for the discussion phase of the address.
Over the next couple of days, the objective of our classes will be to conduct background research on 'The Hon. Mr Todd McClay MP', before preparing a written submission of work, which you will email to me. Choose either:
1. A formal welcome, that briefs the Accelerate audience and attendant staff on Mr McClay's background, before inviting him to speak or,
2. A well structured question that you would like to ask the guest speaker.
I do not expect to read "How much do you get paid?", nor do I want to read anti National rhetoric. The guest speaker will approach this occasion apolitically, thus he will not be hoisting the National flag, rather he will share stories about being an ambassador and his journey into politics.
Please see the link below to get started, it is Mr McClay's official website and will provide you with lots of information on such things as his 'profile', how he helps his constituents and what his events calendar 'looks like' for the year 2014.
Please see my 'Weebly Contact Page' to access my email address. Good luck :)
Over the next couple of days, the objective of our classes will be to conduct background research on 'The Hon. Mr Todd McClay MP', before preparing a written submission of work, which you will email to me. Choose either:
1. A formal welcome, that briefs the Accelerate audience and attendant staff on Mr McClay's background, before inviting him to speak or,
2. A well structured question that you would like to ask the guest speaker.
I do not expect to read "How much do you get paid?", nor do I want to read anti National rhetoric. The guest speaker will approach this occasion apolitically, thus he will not be hoisting the National flag, rather he will share stories about being an ambassador and his journey into politics.
Please see the link below to get started, it is Mr McClay's official website and will provide you with lots of information on such things as his 'profile', how he helps his constituents and what his events calendar 'looks like' for the year 2014.
Please see my 'Weebly Contact Page' to access my email address. Good luck :)
Homework
Fantastic work Jayden Prakash and James Scott. Last night I received their work via email and am very impressed with the level of response. Well done boys. I look forward to reading the rest of 9A's homework as it comes in!
james_scott.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Not to be outdone, Jack Watson also rose to the challenge and sent me the following email question for Mr Todd McClay. "Tony Ryall is retiring from politics, will you be looking to take over his health portfolio? If so, would you make any changes to the health system?"
Not only is this a pertinent question, but it demonstrates to me, that Jack has gone 'above and beyond' my expectations with regards his homework research. Please check out the link below, which supports this political announcement and note the photo of Mr Tony Ryall standing in a supermarket with our Prime minister Mr John Key. Mr Ryall was famous for his flamboyant shirt and tie combinations around parliament.
Not only is this a pertinent question, but it demonstrates to me, that Jack has gone 'above and beyond' my expectations with regards his homework research. Please check out the link below, which supports this political announcement and note the photo of Mr Tony Ryall standing in a supermarket with our Prime minister Mr John Key. Mr Ryall was famous for his flamboyant shirt and tie combinations around parliament.
The Bone Tiki
Kia ora 10A and 10T
So this week we are launching into our extended text study on The Bone Tiki by David Hair. Pressure is on to read intensively in class, as we have to share the texts across both 10A and 10T. All do-able, as long as you settle quickly and apply yourselves.
I intend to walk through a verbal synopsis with you before we finish each period, just to ensure that we are cognisant of all of the Key Words that we learnt last year -
E.g. Text, Genre, Author, Narrator, Characters, Setting, Style, Narrative, Plot, Point of View and Theme.
To help deconstruct the text, I have downloaded a resource from TKI which contains chapter summaries and useful 'think and write' activities - such as...
Think & write
The first chapter of any successful novel has to introduce us to the action, the main characters, the setting and a problem (which is usually multi-faceted, ie. has several aspects). We meet Mat, who will clearly be the main character, his father, Tama, and a baddie - Mr Puarata. But what is the multi-faceted problem that Mat faces in this chapter?
So this week we are launching into our extended text study on The Bone Tiki by David Hair. Pressure is on to read intensively in class, as we have to share the texts across both 10A and 10T. All do-able, as long as you settle quickly and apply yourselves.
I intend to walk through a verbal synopsis with you before we finish each period, just to ensure that we are cognisant of all of the Key Words that we learnt last year -
E.g. Text, Genre, Author, Narrator, Characters, Setting, Style, Narrative, Plot, Point of View and Theme.
To help deconstruct the text, I have downloaded a resource from TKI which contains chapter summaries and useful 'think and write' activities - such as...
Think & write
The first chapter of any successful novel has to introduce us to the action, the main characters, the setting and a problem (which is usually multi-faceted, ie. has several aspects). We meet Mat, who will clearly be the main character, his father, Tama, and a baddie - Mr Puarata. But what is the multi-faceted problem that Mat faces in this chapter?
the_bone_tiki_chapter_summaries_-_final.doc | |
File Size: | 143 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Wide Reading Programme for 10.10
First Personal Response
Kia ora 10A
So this term we also begin our Wide Reading Programme. This will require that you complete 4/5 reading logs which are based on 'independent reading'. In Term 4, you will complete a 'wall chart'/report which shows how you have 'made connections' across the multiple texts. This year, you will deconstruct the importance of 'relationships' in each text you read.
Straight away, I know that you will be thinking about Matt (the protagonist in the story The Bone Tiki), his father Tama Douglas and the evil Puarata!
Long story short, I have photocopied off one Text 1 (Reading Log) doc for each of you to fill out, but I am more than happy for you to formulate your own A4 doc on your device and print that off all nicely typed!
So this term we also begin our Wide Reading Programme. This will require that you complete 4/5 reading logs which are based on 'independent reading'. In Term 4, you will complete a 'wall chart'/report which shows how you have 'made connections' across the multiple texts. This year, you will deconstruct the importance of 'relationships' in each text you read.
Straight away, I know that you will be thinking about Matt (the protagonist in the story The Bone Tiki), his father Tama Douglas and the evil Puarata!
Long story short, I have photocopied off one Text 1 (Reading Log) doc for each of you to fill out, but I am more than happy for you to formulate your own A4 doc on your device and print that off all nicely typed!
reading_log_1_001.jpg | |
File Size: | 684 kb |
File Type: | jpg |