STAAR EOC English I and English II Training

   What a delightful training session.  After years of going to in-services and feeling disappointed when I left because I had not learned anything new there finally comes a training session which is not only new but has the most updated information around.  This is real life stuff you can use in the classroom with supporting information that can only increase the value of the education that our students receive.

This site has all the grade level and course curriculum you might need to prepare for your teaching.  These are the same ones as out fearless leader gave us during in-service.


http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

This site has even more information about what TEKS fit where and which work best.

http://portal.esc20.net/portal/page/portal/esc20public/Curriculum%20Forum/STAAR%20Quick%20Reference%20Guides?_piref130_1528264_130_1504884_1504884.tabstring=Math%20Tab

Overall I was pleasantly pleased with all the information I obtained and look forward to the next training session.

Alice in Wonderland (Disney) - The Walrus and the Carpenter

This little diddy was successful for Disney but left a lot out from the original text which is listed bel

Walrus and the Carpenter

The Walrus and The Carpenter

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

The sun was shining on the sea,

Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

The billows smooth and bright--

And this was odd, because it was

The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

After the day was done--

"It's very rude of him," she said,

"To come and spoil the fun!"

The sea was wet as wet could be,

The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead--

There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

Such quantities of sand:

"If this were only cleared away,"

They said, "it would be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops

Swept it for half a year.

Do you suppose," the Walrus said,

"That they could get it clear?"

"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,

And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"

The Walrus did beseech.

"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him,

But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

And shook his heavy head--

Meaning to say he did not choose

To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

Their shoes were clean and neat--

And this was odd, because, you know,

They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

And more, and more, and more--

All hopping through the frothy waves,

And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,

"To talk of many things:

Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--

Of cabbages--and kings--

And why the sea is boiling hot--

And whether pigs have wings."

"But wait a bit," the Oysters cried,

"Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

And all of us are fat!"

"No hurry!" said the Carpenter.

They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," the Walrus said,

"Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

Are very good indeed--

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

We can begin to feed."

"But not on us!" the Oysters cried,

Turning a little blue.

"After such kindness, that would be

A dismal thing to do!"

"The night is fine," the Walrus said.

"Do you admire the view?

"It was so kind of you to come!

And you are very nice!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

"Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf--

I've had to ask you twice!"

"It seems a shame," the Walrus said,

"To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

And made them trot so quick!"

The Carpenter said nothing but

"The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said:

"I deeply sympathize."

With sobs and tears he sorted out

Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter,

"You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?'

But answer came there none--

And this was scarcely odd, because

They'd eaten every one.

Dear Alice

      I can certainly see myself utilizing blogging in my classroom.  For each unit in each grade. I can replace a  paper grade in each class.  Let's say I am introducing "The Walrus and theCarpenter" teaching metaphors, Not only can I show examples from other sources as well as my own, but I can allow students to comment with their thoughts on the subject.  I can see this working in all my classes.....(Once I get a projector this can really get to grooving).  when learning this I can use the blog to post from you tube and other sites that may be helpful to content.  Such as these :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphor

A metaphor is saying that two things are the same regardless of similarity using is and are..
Ex: His head is a big balloon.
Her eyes are darts.
He is such a clown.
She is a cute little bug.
Her smile lights up the room.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simile

A simile is comparing two things that are not alike using like or as to connect the idea.
Ex: Her smiles is like sunshine.
His jokes are as finny as a broken gas pipe.
His living room was as cold as a winters day.
The cats fur was as soft as baby's skin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alegory

An allegory uses symbolism to send a message to the reader.  Using symbolism increases the figurative mode of language.  "Planet of the Apes", "X- Men", "Aesop's Fables" are all examples of allegories.  Whether making a political statement, a religious statement or any other topic the writer choose.  It acts like a written subliminal message.

Disney did "Alice in Wonderland"  and included a version of "The Walrus and the Carpenter".  And as you can see I have also added the original text/  See if you can find all the similes, metaphors and allegories that this little treasure holds.