Autoethnography Day 5

Today is one of the last days to work on our Autoethnography in class. Next class we will be in the library for the entire period - there only limited time to use computers. Because of this, I am extending the deadline for submitting your work to the class Anthology to next Tuesday, Nov. 17.

This is a typed draft of my autoethnography. If I were a student, I would be "Ahead of Pace" according to this chart:

Ahead of the Pace	On Pace	Behind the Pace
Complete draft of Autoethnography typed on Google Drive & shared with Staysniak.	In the process of typing a draft on Google Drive.	Haven’t started typing. Still working on a handwritten draft of one page or on completing the outline.

Where are you on this chart? Read the chart and use this link to respond to the survey projected on the board.

Below are the steps to follow for completing your Autoethnography - what do you need to do today?

-Complete a written outline & handwritten draft. (GET FEEDBACK FROM STAYSNIAK)
-Type & revise your draft. (CONDUCT A PEER CONFERENCE)
-Make necessary changes & revisions. (SELF-ASSESS USING EDIT CHECKLIST & RUBRIC)
-Print your work & submit a hard-copy to Staysniak with your Self-Assessment attached.

Student Led Conference #1

In preparation for the first Student Led Conference of the year, open this Google Slides template, make a copy of it, and begin to fill it in.

If you have time, open this SLC Action Plan document, make a copy, and begin to create your action plan before your SLC.

Understanding Powerschool

As more grades begin appearing in Powerschool, this document that explains assessment practices in English I.

 If there are questions about any assignment entered into Powerschool, don't hesitate to contact me on either of my emails: stephen.staysniak@new-haven.k12.ct.us or sstaysniak@gmail.com.

Our practice at Metropolitan is that students are allowed to revise an assignment as many times as necessary to get the grade they want - English I is no different. In English I, I want all students to know not just their grade and how it was calculated, but how they are progressing as readers, writers, speakers and listeners.

2015-16 Class Blog Introduction

This is the class blog for English I at Metropolitan Business Academy. The purpose of this blog is to keep students, families, and community partners informed about English I at Metro.

I will update the blog about once a week with previews of what's coming up, posts with significant documents, and other information that is pertinent to our study of reading, writing, speaking & listening.

This is our course outline. As our school works towards a full transition to mastery-based learning, expect the course outline to be revised and updated.

This is the Honors Contract for English I.  Honors Contracts should be submitted as soon as a student determines that  she or he wants to work towards Honors for the year.

Daily Flow 05.12

Daily Flow 05.12

The Freshman Call to Action Speech Symposium is only 10 days away!

In preparation for in-class delivery of speeches and the speech symposium, we will start class today with a series of questions from this Speech Workshop worksheet. I will use this time to check-in with students on the progress made developing speech outlines, notecards, deciding on topics, and whatever else needs to be resolved.

Booktalks are scheduled for A3 and A4 today. Following booktalks, students will have a chance to work on independent reading.

After independent reading, students will workshop speech ideas in small groups of 4-6. Each student will present and receive written feedback on their speeches using the feedback starters from the bottom of the speech workshop sheet. Students will use the feedback they receive to decide on their "next steps" and also self assess their preparation, listening, and participation in the workshop.

We will conclude class with students selecting their first and second choice of speaking venue for next Friday's speech symposium. 

Daily Flow 05.06

Daily Flow 05.06

Class will begin with "speeches on the spot". You will have to make a 30 second speech about a topic you pick at random. We will then review different strategies for how to organize and plan out a speech.

Everyone will have time to read independently and work on book talks.

A large chunk of class-time will be left for conferences about speech topics, individual time to plan speeches, and time to review comments on argument essays.

I am available after-school today and tomorrow for students who want to work on speeches or argument essays.

Daily Flow 05.04

Daily Flow 05.04

Big Brother is watching.

Today's class will begin with a book talk by me. I will highlight the qualities a book talk should have as a refresher for those who have book talks coming up this week and early next week.

We will spend time reading independently while I review the book talk outline with people individually. Those who have not signed up for a book talk date yet will have a chance to do so today.

Our speech focus area study will culminate with a speech by Ismael Nazario. He delivered a TED talk on his experiences being incarcerated as a youth on Rikers' Island in New York City. Using his speech and the others we watched, everyone will reflect on the qualities of great speeches we have observed over the past three classes in the Speech Focus Areas Analysis. 

Homework tonight will be to complete the Speech Focus Areas Analysis, read independently, and prepare for your book talk (if it's coming up soon).

This week I am available after school until 3:15 on Monday, Wedesnday, and THursday. If you can't stay after but need assistance, email me at sstaysniak@gmail.com.