Testing, Testing, is this thing on?

I almost wrote this in the middle of the week just because of how well Monday and Tuesday went. We were back in stations, and the more we do it, the more I like it. We had three stations set up. One was on the computer writing assigned blog number two. The second was a parts of speech assignment, and the third station involved two groups playing an Odyssey introduction version of Hollywood Squares.

It takes some balance to make the stations work. I need to be sure of a few things if they are going to be successful. I have to make sure they have enough to do during their time but not too much. Perhaps most importantly, I have to make sure the directions are clear and easy to follow. This week it just worked. The groups working on their blogs and their parts of speech assignments got right to it and made the most of their time. The other two groups got to compete Hollywood Squares style. Playing the game let us cover the necessary background information for The Odyssey in a fun and interactive way.

By the end of Monday, I feared it might be a fluke, but after Tuesday, It proved not to be. I was just really excited that everything worked so well. I love it when a plan comes together!

On Wednesday and Thursday, we worked on peer editing our change essays for a while. We then switched gears and presented parts of speech presentations. At the beginning of the week, students were in groups and had to create a song or skit that introduced all 9 parts of speech and told what they do.

The presentations were really a mixed bag. Two classes (same day) really did a good job with it. Those classes created engaging songs and memorable skits that I hope will help them remember what the parts of speech are and what they do. The other two classes overall lacked focus. There were select groups in each class that got it, but in the last two classes, it was rough at times. Seriously one day I was wishing that I had recorded them and the other day I was glad I had forgotten my video camera.

Nevertheless, it was a good week. We wrapped things up by watching all of the podcasts. I have them all posted on my podomatic site. After watching the podcasts, we started the long process of testing. But thanks to text messaging, things went smoothly.

Well, I cannot wait to set sail with Odysseus this week!!!