We're Taking Our Final and Loving It!

Focus: What can we learn about our society through each other's films?

1. Warming up by establishing the presentation order

2. Offering a few final thoughts:

• Take out your purple film rubric and write your name(s) at the top; give it to me before you show your film along with your printed Works Cited page (unless your Works Cited is part of your film).  

• Keep it on the quiet side...tests could be happening on the other side of the wall.

• No late work will be accepted at this point; make-up work and revisions were due last Thursday.

• Final grades for this class will be posted by noon the day after your English final.

• An 89.4% = B+; an 89.5 = A-. Grades are non-negotiable, so please don't e-mail me.

• Watch each other's mockumentaries respectfully, and enjoy!

3. Presenting our films!

We're Filmmakers and Loving It: May 15, 2014

Focus: What final editing does our film need?

1. Warming up with Ms. Leclaire's final mini lesson on publishing:

Be sure your film is finalized, published, and exported BEFORE class tomorrow (it can take some time, so don't wait until class).

• Click "Publish," then check your e-mail for further directions.

• Click on "Exports" in wevideo to make sure your film is there and finalized.

• Click on the link to make sure it works and watch your video from beginning to end.

• E-mail your link to me at kleclaire@lps.k12.co.us.

2. Working on your films for the final time!

3. Looking through the rubric one last time; make sure you have a copy for me to use tomorrow.

Do you know when your English final is?

(If you are not present at your final, your film will be counted as late and receive half credit.)

1st hour: Monday, 7:15 am

3rd hour: Tuesday, 8:56 am

6th hour: Friday, 8:56 am

HW:
1. All make-up work and revisions are due today by 3:00 pm. Remember that you can only make up or revise work from the most recent 6-week grading period.

2. Mockumentaries are due at the beginning of class tomorrow, Friday, May 16. Any late work will result in half credit, and no exceptions will be granted (this your final exam).

3. Bring to class your purple rubric for the film (not the preparation one); if you do not have a Works Cited slide in your film, be sure you bring a PRINTED COPY of your Works Cited to hand in before I view your film.

4. I will start grading your websites on the Monday of finals.

We're Filmmakers and Loving It: May 14

Focus: How can we edit and polish our films?

1. Warming up with a mini lesson on volume and your two Works Cited options:

Include a Works Cited slide in your film.

OR

PRINT a hard copy of a Works Cited page and hand it in BEFORE you present your film.  Please do not just Google share it with me because I will be grading your films on the spot.

Remember to include all sites on your Works Cited page.

2. Working on your mockumentary films

3. Reminding you of your work habits grades

You start off with 50 points in the Growth category (5 work days left, 10 points each).

You lose a point each time you...

• Distract or are distracted by someone sitting near you
• Play on your cell phone
• Do other homework
• Use language inappropriate to class
• Pack up early or start late

HW:
1. All make-up work and revisions are due Thursday, May 15; remember that you can only make up or revise work from the most recent 6-week grading period.

2. Mockumentaries are due at the beginning of class this Friday, May 16. Any late work will result in half credit, and no exceptions will be granted (this your final exam).

3. I will start grading your websites on the Monday of finals.

We're Filmmakers and Loving It: May 13, 2014

Focus: How can synthesize our images, videos, music and narration into a professional film?

1. Warming up: Viewing a sample student mockumentary and assessing its strengths and weaknesses

2. Reminding you of your work habits grades

You start off with 50 points in the Growth category (5 work days left, 10 points each).

You lose a point each time you...

• Distract or are distracted by someone sitting near you
• Play on your cell phone
• Do other homework
• Use language inappropriate to class
• Pack up early or start late

3. Working on your mockumentaries (only three work days left including today)


HW:
1. All make-up work and revisions are due Thursday, May 15; remember that you can only make up or revise work from the most recent 6-week grading period.

2. Mockumentaries are due at the beginning of class this Friday, May 16. Any late work will result in half credit, and no exceptions will be granted (this your final exam).

3. I will start grading your websites on the Monday of finals.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 12, 2014

Focus: What can we take away from our book club novels?

1. Warming up by perusing the book-film club website rubric (click HERE)

2. Understanding the final task of your book clubs: Synthesizing the book and film

3. Finishing your website

HW:
1. Continue working on your mockumentary; due at the beginning of class this Friday, May 16.
2. I will be grading your book club websites this Saturday.
3. All make-up work, revisions, etc. due this Thursday, May 15.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 9, 2014

Focus: How do we synthesize our images, videos, music, and script into a film?

1. Warming up with an important reminder

2. Offering a few tips on how I would approach this if I were you...

• Gather all your images, music (MP3s) and videos (MP4s); create your text slides.

• Switch from Storyboard to Timeline in wevideo.

• Start dragging your images and videos into your timeline and play around with transitions, order, etc.

• Drag in your narration and music and play around with timing.

3. Developing our mockumentary films

HW:
1. Finish your book-film club book and have fun watching your movie!
2. MAY 15 is the final deadline for revisions, make-up work, etc.
3. MAY 16 is the final deadline for mockumentaries; late work will result in half credit only.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 8, 2014

Focus: How do we turn our preparatory work into a film?

1. Warming up with your tip of the day: Use the app on your phone to gather images and videos

2. Reminding you of Work Habits expectations and grades

3. Giving you time to create your film!

Here are the helpful conversion websites I had on yesterday's blog:

Click HERE  for a website that converts youtube music videos to MP3s.

Click HERE for a website that converts youtube videos into videos (MP4s) you can use in your film.

KEEP TRACK OF ALL WEBSITES USED.

HW:
1. Record your narration at home.
2. Assigned book club reading and activities (characterization, setting, motifs).
3. MAY 15 is the final deadline for revisions, make-up work, etc.
4. MAY 16 is the final deadline for mockumentaries; late work will result in half credit only.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 7, 2014

Focus: How do we actually start making a film?

1. Warming up by meeting www.wevideo.com

Can you...

• Import an image?
• Create a text slide?
• Import a video?
• Import music?
• Layer narration, music, and images?

2. Finishing your script and making a plan for recording it; remember that you must record your narration on your own time

3. Starting to gather images and create text slides for your mockumentary

Click HERE  for a website that converts youtube music videos to MP3s.

Click HERE for a website that converts youtube videos into videos (MP4s) you can use in your film.

KEEP TRACK OF ALL WEBSITES USED.

HW:
1. Record your narration into wevideo by the end of the week.
2. Assigned book club reading/activities.
3. ALL REVISIONS/MAKE-UP WORK DUE THURSDAY, MAY 15.
4. MOCKUMENTARY IS DUE FRIDAY, MAY 16. If your film is not completed by this date, you can only receive half credit.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 6, 2014

Focus: How can we turn the timeline into a powerful script?

1. Warming up: Listening to the openings from two "real" mock/documentaries:

Example #1: Remember Epic?
Example #2: Supersize Me

Your task: As you listen, describe the opening of each script, typing up powerful words, phrases, and tactics.

2. Showing me your timeline if you have not yet done so

3. Composing a rough draft of your script with a focus on the following aspects:

It should have a powerful opening and closing.

It needs smooth transitions between years/events.

This is a great place to show off your creative voice; choose your words carefully.

You need to have it written out EXACTLY as it will be narrated.

4. Explaining how your work habits for this project are being graded:

You start off with 50 points in the Growth category (5 work days left, 10 points each).

You lose a point each time you...

• Distract or are distracted by someone sitting near you
• Play on your cell phone
• Do other homework
• Use language inappropriate to class
• Pack up early

HW: 
1. You must have a rough draft of your script completed before the start of class tomorrow.

2. Assigned book film club reading and activities for Friday.

3. ALL REVISIONS AND MAKE-UP WORK ARE DUE THURSDAY, MAY 15.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 5, 2014

Focus: What motifs are starting to emerge in our book club novels?

1. Warming up: Human minesweeper: Brainstorming concrete motifs vs. abstract motifs

2. Finishing your setting activities from last week if you have not done so (make sure it's published on your website)

3. Developing your motif activity (this one might take you a little longer) and publishing it on your website

HW:
1. Finish today's motif activity by Friday; assigned book club reading for Friday.

2. Finish your mockumentary timeline by tomorrow if you have not yet done so; script due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 2

Focus: Analyzing SETTING with your book-film clubs

1. Warming up by spending some time reading your book club novels

• Is your website finished? 
• Have you published your expectations and your characterization activity?
• Have you changed the "Share" setting to "Anyone with the link"?
• Have you e-mailed me the link to your website?

2. Interpreting and discussing setting with your book-film clubs: Please click HERE for instructions.

3. Publishing your setting activity on your website

HW: 
1. Assigned book club reading for Monday; finish the setting activity.
2. Timeline should be finished by now; please finish it if you have not done so.
3. Script will be due by the beginning of class on Wednesday, May 7.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: May 1, 2014

Focus: How do we developing your mockumentary script?

1. Warming up: Listening to an opening clip from a "real" documentary

What do you notice about the script itself (powerful words and phrases)?

How does the script turn this into a movie about us? In other words, how does it capture human interest?

What ideas can you steal for your mockumentary?

2. Looking at a sample script and developing the script for your mockumentary

3. Please make sure that by the end of class, you have shown me your annotated research and your timeline

HW: 
1. Bring your book club novel to class tomorrow; make sure you have completed the reading assignment (as determined by your book club).
2. Your characterization activity from Monday should be finished by tomorrow.
3. Mockumentary script will be due by the beginning of class on Wednesday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 30, 2014

Focus: How can we combine our ability to invent with our ability analyze history?

1. A quick warm-up: Which projection into the future is stronger and why?

Projection #1: In the year 2021, Apple releases a new version of iPod that is smaller, comes in various colors and patterns, and can be worn as jewelry.

Projection #2: In the year 2021, Apple releases iChip 1, an iPod that measures one millimeter by one millimeter and can be implanted directly into the tympanic cavity of the ear. Although the iChip has to be surgically implanted, it is an outpatient procedure costing less than a typical professional teeth whitening session. Many recipients of the iChip 1, however, complain about the inability to turn the iChip off, finding themselves tormented by constant noise and unable to think or concentrate.

2. Finishing your timeline

HW:
1. Please finish your timeline before class tomorrow.
2. Assigned book club reading for Friday.
3. Finish your characterization activity before class on Friday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 29, 2014

Focus: How we can we establish a strong, academic background for our mockumentaries?

1. Warming up: Introducing the timeline

2. Finishing your five annotated articles; please show me your research as soon as you finish.

• Remember that you need to annotate each article with your brainstorming and questions.
• Keep track of your sources and start a Works Cited page.

3. Starting the timeline and creating your projections into the future

HW:
1. If you have not yet finished your five annotated articles, please finish BEFORE class tomorrow.

2. Assigned book club reading for Friday.

3. Make sure your characterization activity is finished BEFORE class on Friday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 28, 2014

Focus: How do we start discussing our books?

1. Warming up: Finishing your book club expectations/rules (make sure you print and sign them)

2. Creating websites for your book clubs:

Two possible web applications for your website: www.wikispaces.com and Google sites

Criteria for your website:
Remember that this website will be how you share all of your book club work with me. Your website grade will be your culminating grade for this unit.

First names of group members (no last names, please).
Title and author of book club book

You will need separate links/pages within your website for the following items:

1. Statement of purpose: Who are you, and why are you creating this site?
2. Group expectations/rules
3. Characterization activity (description of assignment and link to it and the product you created, whether it was a series of brains or a discussion)
4. Setting activity
5. Motif activity
6. Theme activity
7. Book-film comparison

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE WEBSITE ON THE BLIND SIDE.
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE WEBSITE ON SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.

Please e-mail your website link before the end of class.

3. Discussing CHARACTERS!

a. Click HERE for Option #1

b. Click HERE for Option #2

Feel free to mix and match Options 1 and 2; be sure to publish your work on your website!

HW:

1. Finish any work not finished in class today (website, characterization, expectations/rules).

2. Annotated mockumentary research due by the end of class tomorrow.

3. Assigned book-film club reading for Friday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 25, 2014

Focus: How can set ourselves up for successful book-film clubs?

1. Warming up: Reading the first chapter of your books

2. Establishing in-class and out-of-class expectations for your club; after receiving my approval, please print and sign them.

—Outside of class:

—Work Ethic: How much time should we spend on reading each night? What do we need to do as we read? What is our division of labor (writing prompts, discussion questions, activities)?

—Accountability: What happens of some members of our group drop the ball? Forget their book? Don’t finish the assigned reading? How do we prevent ugly situations? How do we enforce the expectations?

—In class:

—Work Ethic: What are our expectations for discussion? How do we plan to spend class time?

—Accountability: What happens if two of us (or all of us) starting losing our focus? What happens if the bell rings and we haven’t accomplished everything we were supposed to do?

3. Setting up your reading calendar for the next three weeks: Write in your student calendars which specific pages/chapters need read by each of the following dates, keeping in mind that the book must be finished and the film must be watched no later than Monday, May 12. 

Monday, April 28: Discussion of characterization
Friday, May 2: Discussion of setting
Monday, May 5: Discussion of motifs
Friday, May 9: Discussion of themes
Monday, May 12: BOOK MUST BE FINISHED AND FILM MUST BE WATCHED BY THIS DATE

4. (If time allows) Creating your Google site and/or wikispace and/or other website for your book club

HW:
1. Assigned book club reading for Monday, April 28.  Please note that if you have not done your book club reading, you won't be able to complete the characterization assignment during class, which will result in a zero.

2. Your mockumentary annotated research must be completed by the end of class on Tuesday; if you have not started this yet, you will want to work on it before Tuesday.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 24, 2014

Focus: How do we build a strong foundation for our mockumentaries?


(1st hour: Finishing book talks)

1. Warming up: Showing you the glory of annotated research!

2. Completing your how-why chart; please see the purple handout for the example and follow it closely.  Share it with me via Google docs when you finish it (label it, "How/Why Chart" and make sure it has an MLA heading).


2. Starting on your research; remember that you need at least FIVE articles, and you must annotate them.  See purple handouts for an example.  When you finish researching and annotating, please share it with me via Google docs (label it, "Annotated Research," and give it an MLA heading).

Please note that all purple documents are now linked to our website calendar.

HW:
1. Please finish your how/why chart AND annotated research by Tuesday, April 29th at the latest (you will need to do some of this at home because Friday and Monday are book club days).

2. BRING YOUR BOOK FILM CLUB BOOK TO CLASS TOMORROW (10 pts).

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 23, 2014

ACT: Very Shortened Class Today

1ST HOUR AGENDA

Focus: What can we learn from each other's book talks?

Please turn in your signed book club proposal today if you have not yet done so.

1. Warming up: Enjoying book talks

2. Cooling down: Enjoying book talks


3RD HOUR AGENDA

Focus: How can we start on our mockumentaries?

1. Warming up: Working on your how/why charts

2. Cooling down: Finishing your how/why charts (if you finish, let me know so I can grade yours and get you started on the annotated research)


6TH HOUR AGENDA

Focus: How can we develop strong schedules for next year?

Please turn in your signed book club proposal today if you have not yet done so.

1. Warming up: Clarifying Language Arts electives

2. Working on your schedules


HW FOR ALL CLASSES:

1. Bring your book-film club novel to class this Friday, April 25 (10 points in the completion category).

2. Finish your How/Why chart so that I can grade it during class tomorrow and you can start your research.

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 22, 2014

Focus: How do we start creating our mockumentaries?

1. 3rd and 6th hours: Warming up with book talks

1st hour: Warming up with a quick overview of English electives and a little time to work on your schedules

2. Testing your topic by brainstorming: The How/Why Chart

3. Working on your How/Why Chart; if you finish class, please show me so that I can give you credit on your rubric and get you started on your annotated research.

HW:
1. Complete your How/Why Chart if you did not finish in class.
2. Signed book film club proposals must be handed in tomorrow or you will be reading A Separate Peace.
3. Bring a hard copy (or electronic copy) of your book film club novel to class this Friday, April 25.
4. 1st hour: Work on your book talk if you haven't given yours yet.

Midsummer revisions?  Synthesis outlines/Truman Show notes?

We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: April 21, 2014

Focus: What is our final project in English 10?

Please turn in your book film club proposals.  They are due today.  If I do not receive your signed proposal by this Wednesday (ACT day), you will be reading A Separate Peace.

1. Warming up: Viewing a few sample mockumentaries

Austin and Graham
Boring History Lesson on Music
iPods

2. Figuring out the purpose and process of creating a mockumentary

3. Brainstorming possible topics

HW:
1. If you parent approved your book film club novel, then you may go ahead and purchase that novel.  You must have a hard copy of your book in your hands this Friday, April 25.

2. Prepare for your book talk if you haven't given yours yet.

3. Decide on your mockumentary topic by the end of class tomorrow.

4. 1st and 3rd hours: I will go over English electives with you tomorrow; 1st hour, bring your schedules to class on Tuesday; 3rd and 6th, bring your schedules to class on Wednesday.

Catch-up work...
Signed proposals were due today.  If I don't have yours by Wednesday, you will be reading A Separate Peace.  

Outlines were due last Friday.

Midsummer essay revisions: If you wish to revise your essays, I encourage you to stop by for a conference.  Remember that to receive credit for a revision, you must the following:
1. Highlight all changes on your new draft.

2. Staple it to the original draft with my feedback and rubric.