Ella+Corrado

District: Brandywine School: P.S. du Pont Middle School Grade Level: 7th grade


 * Daily Reflections**

//1. Best Moment of Teaching// A very disruptive and busy student told me during class one day that something great was going to happen to me this week. As usual, I just redirected this student back to his task and continued with business as usual. A few days later a short staff meeting was called after school in the front lobby to announce the winner of an old school tradition. Before the dean announced the winner, he talked about a student "we all knew'' who had submitted a letter on his own volition to nominate a teacher. I was astounded to find out my student had submitted the letter on my behalf and had been able to keep it a secret the entire time. The best part was how he describe me as calm and helpful and how he thought students should take that out into the world and be team players to make it a better place. I keep that letter next to my desk so on the days I need to remind myself of that message I can easily read it and redirect myself back to my task.
 * Writing Assignments**

//2. Family Photo: Reflect and Express// Our four daughters have gone to the Italian Festival since the first one, Danielle, was born. My girls have almost completed the circle of events over the years; baby rides, sit-down dinner and dancing, midway, eating at the stands and separating out for the night. Each daughter's smile shows her delight in the evenings fun. The oldest, Danielle, is able to have a drink with us and then move on to traveling the area with her friends, finally. Angelina is now able to run with her sister and hang out with the older kids because her big sister "lets" her. Natalie loves being able to go to the midway and meet up with her friends with the youngest one in tow, Alicia. Natalie and Alicia have the ritual cannoli before heading out and calling out a meeting time for all of us. For a few brief moments now at the dinner and dancing my husband and I enjoy the smiles and love our children express in our direction...... until they return to us for the ride home.....a very sweet ride home.

3. //3-2-1// //3 things you learned last week you want to use this year// Teaching with Mentor text What my Childhood tasted Like The Neighbor Hood Spot Socratic Seminars //2 things you already do that were validated by last weeks activities or discussions// A form of Sentence Starters Memory Minutes //1 thing you wonder// I wonder how to modify Socratic Seminars when it is an inclusion classroom

//4. Amazon Review// Product: FATCAT FCP 1052 White Solar Rechargeable Desktop Wind Turbine Customer Review: I ordered this product for my middle school classroom-P.U! It has provided several valuable uses since I perched it on my desk. The most important is keeping adolescent body odor at bay. Students have "blinged" and "bejeweled' it with stickers and gems on the fan blades. Another very valuable purpose has been for the flagellant student to borrow the turbine for their own desktop to refresh his or her area. The most awesome part of the FATCAT is that it is rechargeable. So it is plugged in at the end of the day to provide tomorrows excitement or refreshment of the daily activities. P.S. Sometimes it does catch the eye of the ADHD student.........

5. //Multiple-Reading Activity// James Madison in "The Federalists Papers" is speaking about how men's opinions are tied and fluctuate with the things they own and desire. Also, the government has different views of society and as a result of what a man owns he receives different support and protection of his individual interests.

6.//Letter to the Principal Brainstorm// Monies to implement iPad, information to share, department presentation, Gallagher's book, cross curriculum

//7. Visual Picture: Salvador Dali// First Reading- 3 swans, lake, rock formation that looks like a bridge, animals on the left, green plants, reflections that looked like elephants Second Reading- man in background that looks half human and half animal, island branches look like elephant trunks

//8. Philosophical Chairs// Philosophical Chairs is a way for students to compare two sides of an issue in a debate format. Students work in collaborative groups to find support from readings to firm up their statements. Students may be persuaded to switch sides or be ambiguous ( stand in the middle) on the issue. Sessions are started with a time limit. Implementation in my class would have the stand format, time limit and clear posted instructions.

9. //Go on your iPad and find a news story from any news source-something some issue happening today. Use words and phrases from the story to creat a 5-10 "found" poem that reflects the most important information in the story.// []

1. A prison guard gone wrong 2. flexing his testosterone strong 3. serving inmates laced bread 4. Ajax and cleanser chemicals, putting them in bed 5. "They thought my hear was going to stop beating" 6. symptoms were consistent not fleeting 7. complaints are filed 8. phone calls have been dialed 9. guess there will be a complicated trail


 * Letter to the Principal**

Lesson Plan
KUD

Pre-Assessment

Acquisition Lesson 1

Acquisition Lesson 2

Extended Thinking

Attachments: A B C Brochure Template

Article On Gracie Firestone

Post Assessment

DE Seventh Grade Informative Writing Rubric []


 * Summer Institute Reflection**