An Evening with the Peppers

As I am sure you are all already thinking, tonight was wonderful! All of the pieces the Ink Peppers read were great and their enthusiasm shined throughout the entire night. I think that the most important part of this event was that Ms. Triplett got their families and friends involved in their success. She let the Peppers show everyone how talented they truly are. The support she gives them really helps them to grow as writers because they can open up to her and she provides them with encouragement and confidence that they sometimes lack. Tonight, I was truly wishing that I could have been a part of that group when I was in High School. They are all so close. The memories they make now will last them forever. I am so glad that we were all able to share that with them.

Stacia

iTunes U

Dear Teachers, How are you doing working through problems with iTUNES? I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone tonight. Love, KES

SO EXCITED!!!!

I met with the host teacher for my first placement today, and I have just been re-energized!

I’m going to teach three sections of 9th grade honors, as well as two sections of 10th grade regular classes. This means two different, exciting unit plans!

For the 9th grade classes, I’m teaching an awesome book: Monster by Walter Dean Myers. You HAVE to check out this link , as it shows some of the book. It’s multigenre-ish, and is written as a narrative and sort of a screen play. I’m SO excited. I can’t stress that enough!

For the 10th grade classes, I’m teaching Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. This link provides an introduction to the book, in case you have not read it. If you haven’t you MUST.  I have loved this book since the first time I read it in high school. For more on Anderson, one of my favorite YA authors to date, check out her blog. What do you think of her writing challenge? Shall we participate?

I’m so excited to be able to teach texts that I am overly passionate about. I love the classics, but I see contemporary YA fiction as much more meaningful for students.

Along with these novels, I have freedom to do WHATEVER I WANT! I’m going to incorporate poems as well as short stories into my units, and I am being encouraged to do creative activities with the students. I’m SO happy to be working with Mrs. McKenney in the fall… She seems like the “dream” host teacher!

Krystina

Ink Pepper News

Stacia and I went to the rehearsal this afternoon to help Amanda and the Peppers set up.  They are extremely excited and the centerpieces are great! You will have to see tomorrow.

Also, we got a chance to hear some readings that will be read tomorrow.  Everything was different and I think you will all enjoy it.

Amanda wanted me to let you know that if you are serving, arrive at 4.  If you are not, come at 4:30.  Also, if you are serving, remember to wear a white top and black bottoms. 

See you tomorrow!

Alexis

Keep Writing!!

Dear Teachers, I really enjoyed our lunch today–a lovely time for me. Thank you so much for the card. That was such a thoughtful gift. I hope you will continue to post to the blog–way too soon to stop writing. I encourage you to post on anything we talked about today at lunch.

I will be in my office on WED between about 2:45 and 4:00 if you are turning in your 408 portfolio on WED. THURS I will be in later in the afternoon before the INK PEPPERS dinner.

Then I will be in again on MONDAY. Our semester is not over–until the middle of next week. So do continue posting and responding on the blog.

Amanda and I talked tonight and the kids are very excited that you will be coming on TH night. I look forward to seeing you at the dinner. KES

Feedback Requests

If you emailed me text tonight for feedback I will not most likely not be able to read and respond until after my grad class on Wed. I have to read grad work tomorrow morning and tomorrow night and I have meetings all day Wed. before the grad class meets. I moved this class so that I can come to the Peppers dinner on TH. That means I’ll be home after 8 o’clock on Wed. night.

I just don’t want anyone to be disappointed by not getting feedback tonight. If you would like feedback on any piece for the 409 portfolio, please let me know what it is you are concerned about in that particular piece. Re-send it with a specific focus on that/those area(s) of concern.

I am happy to grant an extension under those conditions. Of course.

If you would like feedback before submitting any pieces for 408 I will be able to and will offer that feedback on TH. That still gives you until Monday the 12th to make any revisions you would like to make. Thanks for understanding it’s unlikely I can read work the night before it’s due given my other class commitment. But I am not at all averse to granting an extension.

Let me know. And don’t worry. The goal is to show what you have accomplished and to produce insight about those accomplishments. And I know you are all doing just that. KES

P.S. Are you putting your thank you letter about/to your host teacher in your 409 folder? Of course!!

iTunes U

I know I have spoken with a couple of you, but does anyone know how to upload the multigenre piece on iTunesU? I can’t figure it out.

Thanks!

Alexis

Ink Pepper Update!

I was only able to meet with the Peppers today for a short while due to other commitments, but here’s the scoop:

Today, they read and discussed a short story by Amy Bloom, called “Silver Water.”  It’s about the narrator’s sister who had schizophrenia. For next week, the peppers are writing their own story about a character with some sort of mental disease. I’m looking forward to hearing these stories!

Other IMPORTANT information:

-If you can, please come to the dinner an hour early, at 4:00, on Thursday to help out.
-If you are reading on Thursday night (Darlene, Alexis, and whomever else), please show up at the Youth Bureau on Wednesday at 3:30 to practice, organize, and prepare.

-Kaitlin

Office Hours Today

I’ll be in closer to 11:30 due to having to call a prospective host teacher on his free period.

So hours are 11:30-4:00 today…hope to see you. Karen

Making English exciting at Henninger

Check out this link!

This teacher discusses ways that she has made English more fun in the classroom - and the students LOVE it!

http://www.wstm.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=125716

Kristin