First, be sure to read the post under this one about making up ZEROS! That is vital, and I didn't want you to miss it!
OK, here goes:
Are you feeling a little weary? Frustrated? Burned out? Well, TODAY IS A NEW DAY!
After much thought and in taking pen to paper, I have decided to CHANGE! (Thank you, Bryan! Muah!) I have to be at my best for each of you (and my beautiful and AMAZING Curbi), and no one has to tell me I've been slipping - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I blame it on me, and I am going to take the steps to fix it before it's too late (we still have three weeks of school left).
I certainly cannot control my circumstances, but I can alter the way I plan and go about my day. Here's the plan (and I'm expecting you all to hold me to it):
I can't change that I have to read TWO novels for our classes, so I promise to read ahead of time, not wait until the night before. I will have WAW read one night in advance, and TGG will be done the DAY before I meet with you 11th graders. 'Nough said!
In doing that alone, I know I will sleep more. Even still, I promise to give my body (and mind) at least 6 hours of rest a night (but I will truly aim for 7). I'm also not drinking enough water (which might explain the dizziness, nausea, and heart palpitations yesterday...along with fatigue), so I promise to drink 90 oz. per day. Eating is an issue, too (not doing it enough and not eating enough), so it's back to peanut butter at 9-ish (that table in first period is just going to have to deal with it), and an apple (or orange) around 1! And with that said, I promise to cook at least two nights a week (until summer...then it's 5 times), and I will exercise at least 3 times a week.
The good news is that if I take care of the aforementioned issues, it is likely I will feel emotionally and spiritually stronger too! I am a little loca, and much of that will never change, but I promise to be better. More than anything, I need to kick Fear's butt. Too much fear is never good. I haven't even felt like going back to school (my Doctorate) because I fear I won't be good enough. Don't say, "Awwww, poor C-Rod!" In my heart and in the deepest parts of my being, I KNOW "I GOT THIS"! But for whatever reason, my mind is playing tricks on me. I'm going to fix that. I promise to be in that Doctoral regalia at 2014's graduation. God knows I will beaming with pride watching you strut across that stage, but I want you to be able to look up on stage and see me all decked out and know we made it TOGETHER. Therefore, I will register for my Fall classes MONDAY (they're my last two), and I will work on my dissertation (and study for my qualifying exam) at least six hours a week beginning June 11th!
OK, so now this is where you come in. I want you to create a list of changes you want to make so you can be a better you (if you feel there is room for improvement). However, you must be specific! Don't just say, "I will get more rest." Say, "I will sleep 7 hours a night." Don't say, "I want to earn a 'A'." Say, "I vow to do EVERY homework assignment." In addition, create some short-term and long-term goals. Feel free to post your goals here, and we will hold each other to it! Today is a NEW DAY, so let's do it! Just think - how amazing is it that God makes everything anew each morning, and allows us to end it the way we choose? Crazy crap is going to happen, but if our minds, bodies and spirits are at their prime, we will be able to handle it better!!!!!! Remember, life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% how you deal with it.
Love you all, and thank you for being so patient with me. I, too, am still evolving as a human being (and, truthfully, it never stops).
As always, SMILE :)
Don't forget to read the post under this one about making up ZEROS! I don't want you to miss it!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
HELP WITH ZEROS
ALL PERIODS:
First, did you know that the plural of "zero" is spelled two ways! "Zeroes" and "zeros" are both acceptable. Hmmm, wonders never cease! Anyway, to help you get those grades up, as well as get some added reading practice, we have the following opportunity for you:
If you have zeros in the gradebook for Reading Plus this quarter, you have until 5/25 to make up those sessions. You are responsible for printing your own Reading Plus reports showing the date, the sessions completed, and the comprehension percentage. On that report, you will indicate the dates you earned the zero, so we know which grades to replace. You must submit this by 5/25 at 2:20 p.m.
Know we love you!
First, did you know that the plural of "zero" is spelled two ways! "Zeroes" and "zeros" are both acceptable. Hmmm, wonders never cease! Anyway, to help you get those grades up, as well as get some added reading practice, we have the following opportunity for you:
If you have zeros in the gradebook for Reading Plus this quarter, you have until 5/25 to make up those sessions. You are responsible for printing your own Reading Plus reports showing the date, the sessions completed, and the comprehension percentage. On that report, you will indicate the dates you earned the zero, so we know which grades to replace. You must submit this by 5/25 at 2:20 p.m.
Know we love you!
Monday, May 14, 2012
HW - Periods 1, 3 and 5
ALL CLASSES NEED TO CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE TONE WORD LIST FOR TONIGHT'S HW.
Period 1 - You are reading the rest of Chapter 2. Remember that you need to annotate your book, identify literary devices and the reasons the author used them. You should also print the Tone Word List, and as you read, look for the tone created by the author (the narrator) and the teens' diary entries. You should also identify the words and quotes that catalyze this tone. DON'T FORGET TO ALSO DOWNLOAD THE POETRY PORTFOLIO DOCUMENTS ON THE RIGHT . . . and begin your sonnet. The more you have done, the more we can help next class.
In addition, let's work on better behavior for next class! Even though we were slightly disappointed in your silliness, I have to say we were impressed by your quiz grades. GREAT JOB THERE! See, we cannot be mad at you too long!
Oh, and since so many of you liked it, I am including the "Eyes of Blue" sonnet. (CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT) In that document, I shared a third sonnet I wrote, "Freed Heart." Let's see if you can figure out the kind of sonnet it is.... :)
We will post the rest of the POETRY items later tonight or tomorrow, sorry :)
Periods 3 & 5 - Even though I did not see 3rd period today, you all are still responsible for Chapters 1 & 2 for next class. You should also print the Tone Word List, and as you read, look for the tone created by the author (the narrator). You should also identify the words and quotes that catalyze this tone, AND TELL ME THE "AND SO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before your write the words (and their meanings) into your vocab journal, you will need to divide the words into these categories: positive, negative, and neutral. You don't have to copy down the Spanish words...just the word and definition.
As always, you should be annotating your book! (Don't only point out the lit tools; you should also include the "AND SO.") You must do it on post-it notes, unless you plan on buying the book. You CAN keep the one you have, and just pay the $15.
WE LOVE YOU GUYS!
Period 1 - You are reading the rest of Chapter 2. Remember that you need to annotate your book, identify literary devices and the reasons the author used them. You should also print the Tone Word List, and as you read, look for the tone created by the author (the narrator) and the teens' diary entries. You should also identify the words and quotes that catalyze this tone. DON'T FORGET TO ALSO DOWNLOAD THE POETRY PORTFOLIO DOCUMENTS ON THE RIGHT . . . and begin your sonnet. The more you have done, the more we can help next class.
In addition, let's work on better behavior for next class! Even though we were slightly disappointed in your silliness, I have to say we were impressed by your quiz grades. GREAT JOB THERE! See, we cannot be mad at you too long!
Oh, and since so many of you liked it, I am including the "Eyes of Blue" sonnet. (CLICK HERE TO ACCESS IT) In that document, I shared a third sonnet I wrote, "Freed Heart." Let's see if you can figure out the kind of sonnet it is.... :)
We will post the rest of the POETRY items later tonight or tomorrow, sorry :)
Periods 3 & 5 - Even though I did not see 3rd period today, you all are still responsible for Chapters 1 & 2 for next class. You should also print the Tone Word List, and as you read, look for the tone created by the author (the narrator). You should also identify the words and quotes that catalyze this tone, AND TELL ME THE "AND SO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before your write the words (and their meanings) into your vocab journal, you will need to divide the words into these categories: positive, negative, and neutral. You don't have to copy down the Spanish words...just the word and definition.
As always, you should be annotating your book! (Don't only point out the lit tools; you should also include the "AND SO.") You must do it on post-it notes, unless you plan on buying the book. You CAN keep the one you have, and just pay the $15.
WE LOVE YOU GUYS!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Periods 2 & 6 HW (5th Period, Your HW is Under This Post)
For your HW, you will write an essay then enter it into Writing Roadmap 2
(WR2)! Once you have your essay written (it should only take 50 minutes
TOPS...including your planning), you need to go to writingroadmap2.com.
The site code is WR31-0018; your ID is your ID, your last initial then first initial (e.g., 179604RC would be mine); your PWord is your ID number then Hia (e.g., 179604hia would be mine).
Then click on the "Young People" link and enter your essay. You need to type it in AS IS on your paper. Do not fix the spelling, the grammar, or add or delete any words from your essay! The score won't be accurate if you do. We have to make this as real of a situation as possible...and on AICE day, there is no FIXING your essay.
You are also going to need to print Writing Roadmap Feedback Form on the right of our blog. Fill it out in accordance with the feedback the program provides. Then pull out your AICE mark scheme papers (rubric) and see where the WR2 comments compare or relate to the AICE rubric. What score would you have received if the WR2 graded you on the AICE scale?????
Your written draft, feedback form and your AICE score is due when you return on Tuesday.
SMILE :)
The site code is WR31-0018; your ID is your ID, your last initial then first initial (e.g., 179604RC would be mine); your PWord is your ID number then Hia (e.g., 179604hia would be mine).
Then click on the "Young People" link and enter your essay. You need to type it in AS IS on your paper. Do not fix the spelling, the grammar, or add or delete any words from your essay! The score won't be accurate if you do. We have to make this as real of a situation as possible...and on AICE day, there is no FIXING your essay.
You are also going to need to print Writing Roadmap Feedback Form on the right of our blog. Fill it out in accordance with the feedback the program provides. Then pull out your AICE mark scheme papers (rubric) and see where the WR2 comments compare or relate to the AICE rubric. What score would you have received if the WR2 graded you on the AICE scale?????
Your written draft, feedback form and your AICE score is due when you return on Tuesday.
SMILE :)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Period 5 HW
Since I didn't get to tell you, here is your HW:
Create a crossword, by hand, using all of your vocab words from Unit 9. Be sure to include a nice mix of definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and completing the sentence.
SMILE, BE SAFE and HAVE A NICE WEEKEND! BTW, there is still plenty of space for our Saturday tutoring session (PERSONALIZED ATTENTION)!
Create a crossword, by hand, using all of your vocab words from Unit 9. Be sure to include a nice mix of definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and completing the sentence.
SMILE, BE SAFE and HAVE A NICE WEEKEND! BTW, there is still plenty of space for our Saturday tutoring session (PERSONALIZED ATTENTION)!
Monday, April 23, 2012
ALL CLASSES, AICE TUTORING
To the right of our blog, there is an AICE icon; click on it to see the tutoring schedule. You will need to sign up for the sessions in class. We will only allow 30 students per session. Basically, when you sign up, you will be making an appointment. If you cannot make your appointment, we will need at least 24-hours notice, which will allow for someone else to take your slot. If you do not show up (and you didn't cancel your appt), you will be penalized with an additional HW assignment.
We will have the sign-up sheets tomorrow. Be sure to look at your calendar tonight to see which session(s) you would like to attend.
We will have the sign-up sheets tomorrow. Be sure to look at your calendar tonight to see which session(s) you would like to attend.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Want 30 Points Extra Credit????
Whoever is the first person to respond to this post AND bring me a working DVD copy of Disney's Mulan (the first movie, not the sequel) will get 30 points. If you are interested, please post it here then see me in the morning. More than one of you can post and bring in the copy, as the people before you may have copies that don't work. I will return it on Thursday! Good luck...just please don't bombard me as I walk into school. No student can greet me outside. I must at least be in the door of the school.
SMILE! Thanks for the help!
SMILE! Thanks for the help!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Periods 3 & 5 HW
Write the opening chapter of a novel entitled The Invasion. In your writing you should create a mood of fear and suspense. Your chapter should be between 600-900 words, and it should also include 10 of your Unit 9 vocab words (underline them, please). You should consider that in the opening chapter, we usually have the setting and the onset of a conflict, background, and/or some characterization. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MARK SCHEME. Remember that it's under Section A: Narrative/Descriptive/Imaginative Writing.
No typing, please. If you fail to do the assignment, plagiarize, etc., I will be calling home.
Have fun at the beach.
See you Wednesday READY TO ROLL!
No typing, please. If you fail to do the assignment, plagiarize, etc., I will be calling home.
Have fun at the beach.
See you Wednesday READY TO ROLL!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Periods 1 & 2 HW
Your HW is to write a discursive essay on one of the following topics:
3. Should women be more prominent in the public life of your country?
9. How true is to claim that pesticides have done more harm than good?
13. "If we all spoke the same language, the world would be a better place." How true is this?
Take no more than one hour to write your essay!!!!! Please do not type it :)
SMILE :)
3. Should women be more prominent in the public life of your country?
9. How true is to claim that pesticides have done more harm than good?
13. "If we all spoke the same language, the world would be a better place." How true is this?
Take no more than one hour to write your essay!!!!! Please do not type it :)
SMILE :)
Monday, April 9, 2012
PERIODS 2, 4, AND 6 (and a Period 1 reminder)
Periods 2, 4 and 6 - By Wednesday, you need to do one session of FCAT EXPLORER. What is one session? One passage and ALL the questions that accompany it.
Remember that you need to be on the TIMELINE!!!! If you are not there yet, you have to do the SKILLS section and move on (the SKILLS do not count as sessions)! Many of you earned a zero for not doing your session over the weekend (check the grade book to see if you're one of the lucky ones). If you do two for the one you missed this weekend (in addition to the one reading you need to do today), we will replace that zero!!!!! GET ON THE BALL!!!!!
Period 1 - You had to do two this weekend...don't forget!
We're getting down to the wire!!! FCAT, HERE WE COME!!!!
Remember that you need to be on the TIMELINE!!!! If you are not there yet, you have to do the SKILLS section and move on (the SKILLS do not count as sessions)! Many of you earned a zero for not doing your session over the weekend (check the grade book to see if you're one of the lucky ones). If you do two for the one you missed this weekend (in addition to the one reading you need to do today), we will replace that zero!!!!! GET ON THE BALL!!!!!
Period 1 - You had to do two this weekend...don't forget!
We're getting down to the wire!!! FCAT, HERE WE COME!!!!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Periods 3 & 5 - Your HW
You are going to create a chart with your Unit 9 vocab words. In your chart, include the word, definition, phonetic pronunciation (e.g., PRO-NUN-SEE-AY-SHUN), the part of speech, two synonyms, and one antonym. You CANNOT type it :) This is due on Tuesday when you walk in the door.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE WORDS :)
Smile,
C-Rod
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE WORDS :)
Smile,
C-Rod
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
To all underclassmen NHS applicants:
Tomorrow's NHS lunch meeting is postponed until after spring break. Please advise your friends & classmates who also applied for membership. :o) Thank you!
Tenth Grade Classes
We are going to be reading We Are Witnesses after break. If you need us to buy it, please bring in $7 by Friday, 3/9. You can also buy it on your own, check one out from a library, or borrow one from a friend. You will need your copy on the first day when we return from break. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY SPECIAL TIME FOR ALL OF US!Friday, March 2, 2012
Periods 3 & 5 HW
Click HERE for the HW link. Remember to give your vocab spectrum a theme, and be sure label the outliers! This is due on Tuesday :)
Smile and know that I do love you...even if I make you crazy! That's what families do! LOL!
Smile and know that I do love you...even if I make you crazy! That's what families do! LOL!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
We're Proud of You!
Hearing your feedback only confirms what we've known all along: YOU ARE SUPERSTAR STUDENTS and STELLAR WRITERS! We are proud of you and look forward to the score release so we can party!!!!!
Love you all,
Mrs. Rodriguez & Ms. Curbelo
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Periods 1 and 3 HW
Period 1: Your assignment is to assess two FCAT prompts. You can find these essays by CLICKING HERE. In addition, you will need to print the Writing Roadmap Feedback form, which is on the left of the blog (you will need one form per essay). Pretend you are the Writing Roadmap program generating a score for each of these essays. If you were the computer program, how would you grade the essays according to each category on the feedback form (organization, mechanics, etc.)? What score would you give it for each section? What would be the holistic score (typically, it's an average of the various categories)? What comments would you provide for the essays on the Narrative Feedback section? Remember to include both a positive comment, as well as a recommendation for improvement for each of the categories. You DO NOT have to fill out the Self-Reflection or the Peer Score section. Attach the forms to the essays. Let's see how close you get the score we would give it! This is due next class.
Also remember that the FINAL PRODUCT of your vocab game is due on Thursday! SMILE :)
Period 3: As a result of your hasty exit today, I was not able to chat with you about your HW...so here it is! Using the hand graphic organizer (like we did in class today), and plan for an ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY on the following quote: “In the classroom, every moment counts." Use your notes from today for what you should be including. On the back of your graphic organizer, write an introduction for this argumentative essay :)
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE VOCAB TEST IS MONDAY! Woohoo!
Also remember that the FINAL PRODUCT of your vocab game is due on Thursday! SMILE :)
Period 3: As a result of your hasty exit today, I was not able to chat with you about your HW...so here it is! Using the hand graphic organizer (like we did in class today), and plan for an ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY on the following quote: “In the classroom, every moment counts." Use your notes from today for what you should be including. On the back of your graphic organizer, write an introduction for this argumentative essay :)
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE VOCAB TEST IS MONDAY! Woohoo!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hallway of Hope!
This is from Mr. Binder, and I thought we could help out!
The GSA Club needs donations of peanut butter, jelly, bread or plastic sandwich bags. We are making the sandwiches for the homeless. Maybe some of your classes/clubs/team will donate . If your club or students want to join the sandwich making we will be in rm. 4105 this Friday during lunch.
YOU CAN HELP in 3 WAYS:
1) Bring in one of the items listed to Ms. Curbelo or me by Friday morning.
2) If you cannot bring in items, but you want to help prepare sandwiches, you can do that too.
3) If you want to do both, GREAT!
Please reply under COMMENTS and let us know if you plan to help out (and what you plan to do or bring).
This is NOT for extra credit; it's about helping humanity :)
SMILE :)
Periods 1, 2, 4, and 6
The Winter Interim Assessment is here: CLICK ON THIS LINK! Use the booklet to analyze how or why you got certain questions wrong :) Did you notice any "trickeration" on the assessors' part? Did you fall for those tricks? Did you make careless mistakes? Reflect on your performance! We promise this will help you for the next assessment :)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Periods 1, 2, 4, and 6
For your Class Money essay, you need to enter it into Writing Roadmap 2 (WR2)! Once you have your essay written (it should only take 45 minutes TOPS...including your planning), you need to go to writingroadmap2.com.
The site code is WR31-0018; your ID is your ID and your last then first initial (e.g., 179604RC would be mine); your PWord is your ID number then Hia (e.g., 179604hia would be mine).
Then click on the Class Money link and enter your essay. You need to type it in AS IS on your paper. Do not fix the spelling, the grammar, or add or delete any words from your essay! The score won't be accurate if you do. We have to make this as real of a situation as possible...and on FCAT day, there is no FIXING your essay after 45 minutes!
When you are done, you need to fill out the feedback form (fill in every component). I am going to create a link list to the right with all the various links for that, WR2 and FCAT Explorer! You will turn in the feedback form, your essay and your planning sheet in THAT ORDER :) This is due on Monday!
Remember that some of you still have to do the first session of FCAT Explorer (and some even have the pre-flight check to do). If you have lost your FCAT Explorer password, you MUST see us tomorrow. We will not take calls, texts or emails over the weekend about this! You are supposed to have it written in your agendas already :)
ALL OUR LOVE,
C-Rod and MCurb!
The site code is WR31-0018; your ID is your ID and your last then first initial (e.g., 179604RC would be mine); your PWord is your ID number then Hia (e.g., 179604hia would be mine).
Then click on the Class Money link and enter your essay. You need to type it in AS IS on your paper. Do not fix the spelling, the grammar, or add or delete any words from your essay! The score won't be accurate if you do. We have to make this as real of a situation as possible...and on FCAT day, there is no FIXING your essay after 45 minutes!
When you are done, you need to fill out the feedback form (fill in every component). I am going to create a link list to the right with all the various links for that, WR2 and FCAT Explorer! You will turn in the feedback form, your essay and your planning sheet in THAT ORDER :) This is due on Monday!
Remember that some of you still have to do the first session of FCAT Explorer (and some even have the pre-flight check to do). If you have lost your FCAT Explorer password, you MUST see us tomorrow. We will not take calls, texts or emails over the weekend about this! You are supposed to have it written in your agendas already :)
ALL OUR LOVE,
C-Rod and MCurb!
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