Welcome

I'd like to welcome everyone back to school! I'm so excited to meet my new students and dig into the wonderful world of English! I will also have some of my classes blogging again this year, utilizing all the knowledge we gained last year. I hope everyone gets off to a good start. Once again, WELCOME BACK!

Welcome, Summer!

It's official! Summer has arrived, and this blog is currently on vacation! See you all next year! Enjoy your summer.

Blogger Send-Off

As the end of the school year comes to a close, I can't help but reflect upon my positive blogging experiences. Many of my students were first-time bloggers, and I couldn't have been more pleased at how quickly they transformed our new digital classroom. Indeed, I feel like I have learned as much from the students about current technology as they have learned from me. It's been a successful partnership, merging ideas, content, and communication among my classes.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this experience. I hope it has been as rewarding for all of you as it has been for me. I look forward to continuing blogging next year, hopefully with some repeat bloggers!

As a final goodbye, I need to remind students and parents that I have now removed all student blog links from my own blog. This means I no longer have administrative control; students are encouraged to continue to utilize their blogs on their own time, but they will no longer be affiliated with my class. I trust my students will nevertheless continue the blogging excellence that they have demonstrated with me.

Thanks again and enjoy your summer.
Happy Blogging!

Blurb Contest Winners

As my Creative Writing and English 9 Honors classes have wrapped up their unit on children's literature, they've posted blurbs on their unique, hand-crafted books. We read these aloud in class, discussing the various features of children's literature. Then students voted on their favorite blurbs. Which books sounded most interesting? Which would appeal to children?

Congratulations to our winners!

Sarah (Pd 1) for Reggie the Squirrel-Coon

Kenna (Pd 5) for My Little Bunny

Please visit all of the student blogs for Pds 1 & 5 to view additional blurbs about a variety of exciting children's books. You won't be disappointed!

Welcome, Washington Teachers!

On Thursday, Pike Central's English Department will welcome fellow English teachers from Washington High School. Technology will be our agenda, as we gather to discuss and share ideas on how to implement today's technology into the classroom. I hope all of my classes will share my excitement in this collaborative opportunity as we open the doors of our school and our minds.

I would also like to take a moment to thank my student volunteers who will present their ideas and opinions on technology to the Washington teachers. Indeed, I look forward to hearing from both students and teachers. Such discourse is the foundation of the future of education.

In lieu of our focus on technology, I further encourage all students to take part in the Technology Survey posted on my blog. Your thoughts are invaluable to us!

Final Exams

Final Exam Schedule for Spring 2010

Seniors will take final exams on May 19, 20, and 21.

May 26 -Senior Trip
May 27 - Awards Program and Graduation Practice
May 28 -Graduation

Final exams for grades 9-11 will be on May 25, 26, and 28.

The following schedule will be used for ALL final exams, grades 9-11 and 12.

Day 1:
Period 1: 8:20 - 9
Period 2: 9:05 -9:40
Period 3: 9:45 - 11 - PERIOD 3 EXAM
Period 4: 11 - 12:30
Period 5: 12:35 - 1:10
Period 6: 1:15 - 1:55
Period 7: 2-3:15 - PERIOD 7 EXAM

Day 2:
Period 1: 8:20 - 9
Period 3: 9:05 - 9:40
Period 2: 9:45 - 11 - PERIOD 2 EXAM
Period 4: 11 - 12:30
Period 5: 12:35 - 1:10
Period 7: 1:15 -1:55
Period 6: 2-3:15 - PERIOD 6 EXAM

Day 3:
Period 3: 8:20 - 9
Period 2: 9:05 - 9:40
Period 1: 9:45 -11 - PERIOD 1 EXAM
Period 4: 11 - 12:30
Period 5: 12:35 - 1:50 - PERIOD 5 EXAM
Period 4: 2-3:15 - PERIOD 4 EXAM