English Lab Daily Updates: What Did We Do Today?
Week 1
Wednesday, August 21: Students shared some information about themselves by taking a reading and an interest survey.
Thursday, August 22: Students shared some information with the teacher by taking reading and writing attitude surveys. Then they began a writing activity where they wrote a creative story based on a picture.
Friday, August 23: Students had extra time to work on their introduction letters from English 1.
Week 2
Monday, August 26: We completed a writing activity today where students wrote a story based on a picture.
Tuesday, August 27: We began reading Edgar Allan's Poe "A Tell-Tale Heart." As we read, students visualized the story by making an illustration.
Wednesday, August 28: We finished the Edgar Allan Poe story and illustration activity.
Week 3
Tuesday, September 3: We worked on comparing different mediums of the same story by watching a cartoon and live version of "A Tell-Tale Heart."
Wednesday, September 4: We finished the comparison activity from yesterday.
Thursday, September 5: Students had extra time to work on NWEA.
Friday, September 6: Students had extra time to work on NWEA.
Week 4
Monday, September 9: Students had extra time to work on NWEA.
Tuesday, September 10: Students had extra time to work on NWEA.
Wednesday, September 11:Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote about if they would rather have a rewind or pause button in life.
Thursday, September 12: We talked about commonly misused words today. Students took a pre-test about commonly misused words. Then we discussed the project we will be working on for the next few days.
Friday, September 13: We had a catch-up day today. Students worked on current or missing work for any class.
Week 5
Monday, September 16: We began the commonly misused words project today.
Tuesday, September 17: We continued working on the commonly misused words project today.
Wednesday, September 18: Today was another work day for the commonly misused words project.
Thursday, September 19: Today was the last work day for the commonly misused words project.
Friday, September 20: We had a catch-up day today. Students worked on current or missing work for any class.
Week 6
Monday, September 23: We began presentations of the commonly misused words project today.
Tuesday, September 24: We reviewed some of the commonly misused words. Then students took the post-test.
Wednesday, September 25: Today was a catch-up day due to the early release. Many students were still working on their post-test from yesterday. The others worked on current or missing work for any class.
Thursday, September 26: Because tomorrow is a grade check day, students had some time to work on current or missing work.
Friday, September 27: We reviewed some of the commonly misused words from the project. Then we watched a video to learn some more grammar mistakes. Afterwards, students completed a written reflection.
Week 7
Monday, September 30: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote a one page story based on a picture of a soldier standing at a piano.
Tuesday, October 1: We reviewed parts of speech today.
Wednesday, October 2: Today was a catch-up day. Students could work on current or missing work for any class, read a book, or complete an extra credit free write.
Thursday, October 3: Students had a catch-up day today.
Friday, October 4: There was no class today due to a Homecoming assembly.
Week 8
Monday, October 7: We continued reviewing parts of speech. Then we used our knowledge to manipulate some sentences.
Tuesday, October 8: We continued the assignment from yesterday. We finished completing the example together. Then students got with partners and did the same thing with an inspirational quote.
Wednesday, October 9: Students finished the manipulating quote activity from yesterday. Then they worked on current or missing work for any class.
Thursday, October 10: Students had a catch-Up day. They could work on missing or current work for any class, read a book, work on reading forms, or complete a free write for extra credit.
Friday, October 11: We completed a crossword puzzle.
Week 9
Monday, October 14: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote one page answering an either/or question, if they would rather give up steaming apps or social media apps. They weighed the pros and cons, discussed why they would make the choice, etc.
Tuesday, October 15: We had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Wednesday, October 16: We had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Thursday, October 17: Today was an 11:00 release day. Students read or worked on reading forms today.
Friday, October 18: There was no school today due to parent-teacher conferences.
Week 10
Monday, October 21: Today was a writing prompt day. Students had to choose between riding in a car with a 99 year old driver or a 9 year old driver. They explained what each situation would be like, weighed the pros and cons of each side, and gave evidence for their choice.
Tuesday, October 22: We had a catch-up day. Most students worked on reading forms or missing English work.
Wednesday, October 23: Students had another catch-up day to finish what we were working on in English 1. If they were done they worked on current or missing work for any class.
Thursday, October 24: We read "All Summer in a Day" and marked it up as we read. We discussed some main ideas and tried to determine the theme of the story.
Friday, October 25: Students worked on reading forms, vocabulary, or missing work.
Week 11
Monday, October 28: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote a creative story based on a picture of Ronald McDonald being arrested.
Tuesday, October 29: We had a catch-up day. Students worked on current or missing work.
Wednesday, October 30: We reviewed example main idea quotes and "so what?" questions that went along with "All Summer in a Day." Then we began reading and discussing "The Lottery" together as a class. As we read, we looked for some quotes to put in our chart on Google Classroom. Then we came up with two "so what?" questions to go along with each quote.
Thursday, October 31: We continued reading "The Lottery" and completing the assignment from yesterday.
Friday, November 1: There was a sub today. Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Week 12
Monday, November 4: Students finished up "The Lottery" and the activity that went along with it.
Tuesday, November 5: We watched the film version of "The Lottery" and reflected on it by coming up with similarities, differences, and connections.
Wednesday, November 6: We had a circle discussion about "The Lottery" today.
Thursday, November 7: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Friday, November 8: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Week 13
Monday, November 11: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote one page on whether they would want to live in a world with 24/7 winter weather or 24/7 summer weather.
Tuesday, November 12: We had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Wednesday, November 13: We began the book slide presentation project today. Students are creating a presentation for a book they've read recently to convince others to read that book.
Thursday, November 14: Students continued to work on the book slide presentation.
Friday, November 15: There was no school today. It was a scheduled day off.
Week 14
Monday, November 18: Students continued working on their book slide presentations.
Tuesday, November 19: Students continued working on their book slide presentations.
Wednesday, November 20: Students continued working on their book slide presentations.
Thursday, November 21: Students continued working on their book slide presentations. They are due at the end of class tomorrow.
Friday, November 22: Students continued working on their book slide presentations. They were due today at the end of class.
Week 15
Monday, November 25: Students had one more today to finish or fix their book slide presentation. If they were done, they proofread and corrected errors on their slides. Presentations will begin tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 26: Today was a catch-up day.
Wednesday, November 27: We played Kahoot! today.
Thursday, November 28: There was no school today! Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 29: There was no school today! Happy Black Friday!
Week 16
Monday, December 2: We went over the presentation guidelines. Then we began book slide presentations.
Tuesday, December 3: We finished the presentations today. Then students wrote a paragraph reflection on which book they would want to read based on their peers' presentations.
Wednesday, December 4: Students completed a writing prompt today. They wrote about what they would do if they were indestructible and could feel no pain for 24 hours.
Thursday, December 5: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work.
Friday, December 6: Students completed a crossword about literary terms today.
Week 17
Monday, December 9: Students had a catch-up day. They could work on current or missing work for any class or begin studying for exams.
Tuesday, December 10: Students had a catch-up day. They could work on current or missing work for any class or begin studying for exams.
Wednesday, December 11: Students had a catch-up day. They could work on current or missing work for any class or begin studying for exams.
Thursday, December 12: Students had a catch-up day. They could work on current or missing work for any class or begin studying for exams.
Friday, December 13: Students had a catch-up day. They could work on current or missing work for any class or begin studying for exams.
Week 18
Monday, December 16: Students got with partners and worked on study guides. They also had the options of working on missing English work independently.
Tuesday, December 17: Students continued working on exam study guides with partners. They also had the option to work on missing English work. Towards the end of class, they were able to ask questions about the study guide.
Wednesday, December 18: The exams for 1st, 3rd, and 5th hour were today. After the exams, students went to 2nd, 6th, and 7th hour. Those classes had some extra time to study with partners.
Thursday, December 19: The exams for 2nd, 6th, and 7th hour were today. Students were dismissed at 1:00.
Friday, December 20: Today was a chill day. We watched a movie to celebrate the end of the semester.
Monday, December 23 to Friday, January 3: Winter Break / No School! Happy Holidays!
Week 19
Monday, January 6: NO SCHOOL TODAY / Snow Day #1
Tuesday, January 7: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote about a fictional character they would be friends with and what they would do with that character.
Wednesday, January 8: We began talking about resumes today. We discussed what a perfect resume looks like in regard to form, function, and effectiveness. Then we looked at two different examples. We labeled their parts and took some notes on their form, function, and effectiveness.
Thursday, January 9: We continued the resume lesson today. First, we completed the Job Search Notes. We did an example together and then students found information online for a job they would want now or in the future.
Friday, January 10: Students finished the Job Search Notes assignment from yesterday. Then they had a catch-up day where they could work on something for any class or read a book.
Week 20
Monday, January 13: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote one page answering this question: would you rather be given $10,000 right now or $50 per a month for the rest of your life? They weighed the pros ad cons of each choice, made a choice, and gave evidence for why they would make that choice. They also explained what they would do with the money.
Tuesday, January 14: Students had extra time to work on the NWEA.
Wednesday, January 15: Students had extra time to work on the NWEA.
Thursday, January 16: Students had extra time to work on the NWEA.
Friday, January 17: Today was a Kahoot! day. Students played on teams to review English concepts.
Week 21
Monday, January 20: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote one page that included the following things: a celebrity, a tragic event, and a humorous and/or ironic ending.
Tuesday, January 21: Mr. Searfoss was out sick today. Students had a catch-up day where they could work on anything for any class.
Wednesday, January 22: We continued working with resumes. We completed the My Resume Ideas page and the Visualizing Your Resume page.
Thursday, January 23: Today was a catch-up day to finish up on the resume pages we worked on yesterday.
Friday, January 24: No School / Snow Day #2
Week 22
Monday, January 27: We continued working with resumes today. We got on the ReadWriteThink Resume Generator and wrote an example resume as a class. Then students used their notes to begin writing their own resumes.
Tuesday, January 28: Students used the ReadWriteThink Resume Generator to begin writing their resumes.
Wednesday, January 29: Students finished writing their resumes. They printed off two copies to prepare for tomorrow's peer review day.
Thursday, January 30: Students finished their resumes and/or had a catch-up day.
Friday, January 31: We played some Kahoots to review some English topics today.
Week 23
Monday, February 3: Students had two other peers look at and review their resumes. They filled out peer review pages to give feedback on form, function, and effectiveness.
Tuesday, February 4: We began talking about cover letters today. We learned about the form, function, and effectiveness of cover letters. Then we looked at and analyzed some example cover letters.
Wednesday, February 5: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work. Many chose to work on the ad essay pre-writing notes for English.
Thursday, February 6: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote a creative story based on a picture of an astronaut, who was on fire, walking through New York City.
Friday, February 7: We had a brain break day. We finished the movie that we started in 2nd hour English.
Week 24
Monday, February 10: No School / Snow Day #3
Tuesday, February 11: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote a one-page creative story based on a picture.
Wednesday, February 12: We had a catch-up day where students could work on current or missing work for any class. Some students worked on making corrections on their ad poster from last week and others worked on the ad essay.
Thursday, February 13: Students had another catch-up day. They worked on current or missing work.
Friday, February 14: We played Scrabble to improve our working vocabularies. Toward the end of class, students wrote Scrabble stories using at least 8 words from the board.
Week 25
Monday, February 17: We learned the steps for creating a cover letter. Then students reviewed their job search notes and worked on a pre-writing page (Visualizing Your Cover Letter) to prepare for writing cover letters tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 18: No School / Snow Day #4
Wednesday, February 19: Students had a catch-up day where they could work on current or missing work from any class.
Thursday, February 20: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work from any class. Many focused on finishing the essay for English.
Friday, February 21: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote about the perfect weekend. They wrote a story describing their perfect weekend if money and travel weren't an issue.
Week 26
Monday, February 24: We started looking at cover letters again. We previewed the ReadWriteThink Letter Generator and wrote an example cover letter as a class. Then students used the prewriting page in their packet to begin writing their cover letters.
Tuesday, February 25: Students began writing their own cover letters using the prewritng page in their packet.
Wednesday, February 26: Students continued writing their cover letters. If they finished, they printed it off.
Thursday, February 27: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work. If they were still working on the cover letters they finished those and printed them off.
Friday, February 28: Mr. Searfoss was at a meeting today, so students had another catch-up day.
Week 27
Monday, March 2: Today was a writing prompt day. Students completed one-page free writes.
Tuesday, March 3: Students had a catch-up day to work on current or missing work for any class.
Wednesday, March 4: Students got their rough drafts of resumes and cover letters back. They used Mr. Searfoss' notes to turn their rough drafts into final drafts.
Thursday, March 5: Student continued working on final drafts of cover letters and resumes.
Friday, March 6: NO SCHOOL!
Week 28
Monday, March 9: NO SCHOOL!
Tuesday, March 10: Students continued working on final drafts of cover letters and resumes.
Wednesday, March 11: Mr. Searfoss was at a competition today with the forensics team. Students continued working on final drafts of cover letters and resumes. They were due at the end of class.
Thursday, March 12: Today was a writing prompt day. Students wrote stories that included the coronavirus in some way.
Friday, March 13: