READING CHECK DUE DATE SET

Chapter 10 has been assigned for a reading check. The due date has been set for March 11, 2008.

NOTE TAKING RE-ADDRESSED
It has been discovered that students have been just typing the complete chapter and then using the complete retyped notes for the reading check. Students have also been just sitting and hand copying the entire chapter as well. This has been addressed and discussed this week in class.

The reading check is designed to allow students to practice a skill that will help them in their future educational courses. Also, this assignment allows the students to practice TAKS skills for the 7th grade TAKS test of finding the main idea and summarizing the main idea. With the students either just hand writing the complete chapter or typing the chapter word for word, this is a form of cheating.

One, the students are cheating themselves first and foremost. They are not taking the opportunity to practice finding the main idea, practice summarizing the main idea, practicing organizing those main ideas for their notes. What they are doing is practicing their type writing or hand writing skills. The reading check was not meant for that task.

The second form of cheating, as explained in class this week, is copying the entire chapter and then using that in class. I picked up over 33 copies of typed reading check "NOTES" and 3 sets of notes that were hand written, which actually were word for word from the text book. I have no proof that students were printing these off for each other and just changing the font style. But, for the reason mentioned and explained to the students. THIS WILL BE SEEN AS CHEATING in the future.

4 types of Spanish Settlements in New Spain.

I am very proud to say that every project that was turned in looks great.

I am currently sitting and grading these projects as fast as I possibly can.

Photostory assignment turned in.

This last week, students completed the class assignment of creating a photo story that advertises for the different empressarios of Texas. The add was to encourage immigration to Mexican Texas. Students were given a grading rubric 4 days before the project was due and students were allowed 5-6 days to work on this assignment in class.

This last Monday, the photo stories were watched and graded in class. I am sitting down with each group and having them grade their photo story following the grading rubric that was provided. Their are about 70 groups and I am attempting to sit down with each group and speak with them as fast as I can. As of now, I still have about 25-30 groups to go. This task must be completed by 2-29-08. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Political Cartoons introduced

This week in Texas History, how to read a political cartoon was introduced. The lesson that was used allowed students to view political cartoons that addressed the James (Jim) Crow Supreme Court Case.

AP-PARTS have been introduced

AP-PARTS is a document based question stratagy that allows students to interpret a primary or secondary document. During the first semester the students were taught to use what I call "the W's". With the "w's" being taught last semester is allows students to have a foundation that easily allows them to "flip" to the AP-PARTS stratagy. This is a skill designed to help them for the rest of their education.

Reading Check for PRE-AP SET

I am very glad to be able to say that over all most students have improved very well on the reading check. For those students that continue to have issues on the reading check, when asked they are self assess very well, the problems and issues that they are having.

The next reading check has been set and it is CHAPTER 8. Due on 22 February 2008.