Coach Mc\’s Online Playbook

Okay gang,

Today we are starting the nitty-gritty portion of our project.  We are going to begin videotaping our “confessions,” so if you are answering one or more of the first three questions, then you need to be ready!!!

If your group is in charge of questions 1, 2, or 3, you will be taping your classmates’ responses toyour question.  Make sure to keep the camera as still as possible and center their face as you are taping.  You may choose to video tape in a place that you like…as long as it is approved by me first!

If your group is not videotaping today, then you are going to begin your search for creativity in this project.  You will need to decide how you will begin and end your movie.  You will also need to search for pictures, sounds, and music to add in as well. 

So, no one should just be sitting, just staring at the computer screen.  We have got to get crackalackin’!!!  So, GO!

Here are a few links that will help you in your search for sounds and music:

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The Confessions of an 8th Grader…

Okay guys and gals,

We are now entering what I call “TALK TIME!”  We will begin a project this week that will help my 7th graders next year to begin my class.  Have you ever seen “The Real World”?  Well, what you will be doing in this project is essentially having “Confessions” about Coach Mc’s class. 

You will be making a movie of advice to help students better succeed in my class.  You will be answering these questions:

1. How have you changed?
2. What have you learned academically that will help you in the future?
3. What do you wish you would have known?
4. What would you do differently when it comes to school?
5. What was your biggest life lesson?
6. What advice would you give your teachers so they may help you better?

Go to the Projects Page for more details.

So, make sure to put your heads together and just have a blast with this!!!  We will then put them on the iPods…as long as it will work…and view every movie.  How awesome!

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Well, my wonderful young scholars…I am back!  We are starting in full swing for the last few weeks of school.  I just want to give you an update on our next assignments…so beware! =-)

1. We will compare and contrast the hero/villain in the novel we just read, Redwall, with the hero/villain of Star Wars.  As you watch the movie, be careful to pay close attention to their actions, motivations, reasoning, and thoughts.  It will be very important for your assignment!

2. We will move on to modern folklore and discuss urban legends.  This is one of my favorite units because you will truly learn how to distinguish between what is real and not real.  You know those crazy emails that say, “Beware!  Don’t do this…or don’t do that,” or “Don’t go out to your car because there is a man with…”  Well, these are urban legends if that tells you how much fun we are going to have!

3. Our last project will be your most rewarding!  It will be called “The Confessions of an 8th Grader.”  We will be using our iPod grant to complete this project…how cool, huh?  You will break up into groups and each will have a reflection question based on your 8th grade year.  We will then videotape responses and compile them into an “advice” video for the little “Sevies” next year.  I am so pumped about this!  It will be the first thing my students next year will see.  Your legacy will live on!  You will be famous…well, almost.  =-)

So, as you can tell, we are going to have a busy few weeks but they will be most memorable.  What a wonderful time we will have!  I look forward to it.  Have a good weekend!

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Hola!

Your Darfur Extension Project is due Monday, so I thought I’d remind you of that. Remember, this isn’t a tough project…you just have to do it. You can make it a T-shirt, a brochure, a “myspace” layout, a powerpoint, a video…to infinity and beyond!!! Just use your imagination and be creative. ANYTHING BUT A POSTER!!! You need to make sure that you include info. from the 5 bullets on the assignment sheet, but it doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. You’ve seen the examples I have shown in class, so use those ideas and just let it flow!!! =-)

Click on the “Project” page for the handout, links to helpful sites, etc. Leave me a comment if you need help!

Have a great weekend! See you Monday!!!

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Hi Lions!

Welcome to my webpage and my class!  I know you are SO excited about leaving your summer vacation to start your 8th grade year (yeah right =-) ), but I just want you to know that this year will be one you remember forever!  We are going to have a blast and the new info. that you learn will just rock your socks off!  I do need to warn you that I am not what you would call an “easy” teacher, but I am a lot of fun.  If you do the work, you will definitely succeed.  That’s just a tad bit of advice from your new teacher…so, let’s get started!

Being the wonderful teacher that I am, I have set this site up to give you all the information you need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  I will post comments, podcasts, assignments, links to pages you need, etc. here–so no midnight panicking!  It’s all going to be here…just check it.  So, it’s in your best interest to know how to use it.  On the right-hand side, there are “pages”–a class page, a project page, and a vocabulary page.  I will post handouts, podcasts, and information on each of these that will greatly benefit you as a scholar.  You will be able to listen to me explain assignments, give vocabulary reviews, and you will also be able to download important handouts.  Cool, huh?

You can also post a comment anytime you need me, have a question, and just want to say hi.  Don’t panic when it doesn’t show up right away because I have to approve each comment first.  So, make sure to leave me a comment so that I know you have visited. 

Finally, on this post, I am attaching the “Survival Guide” for my class.  If you ever have a question about what we are covering, late work, homework, the vocabulary ritual, etc.–just download this and you will find your answer. 

mcintosh-survival-guide-2007.pdf

Hope all this info. helps!  See ya in class!!!

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