Friday, June 17, 2011

Today, we discussed the final exams. You will write your essay exam on Monday during your regular class time (you can write later if needed), You will then write your multiple choice final exam on Tuesday, June 21, at 12:45 p.m., in room 212.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Today, we finished watching A Thousand Clowns.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Today, we started watching the film A Thousand Clowns.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Today, we finished reading A Thousand Clowns. I then gave you the questions to answer for this Act. For those who were absent, these are in your portfolio. They are due tomorrow, so be sure to come in and get them in the morning before classes so you can get caught up.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Today, we finished reading Act II of A Thousand Clowns. I then gave you questions to answer. I have posted these below for those who were absent. They are due on Monday.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Today, you answered questions for Act One of A Thousand Clowns. We then read up to page 88 of Act II.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Today, we started reading the play A Thousand Clowns. We read from page 58 to the middle of page 79 (to the point where Murray picks up the Ukelele).

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Today, I introduced the play A Thousand Clowns. You then signed out a copy of the text from me.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Today, you wrote your Shakespearean exam (M.C.)

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Today, we finished watching The Merchant of Venice. When finished, you were instructed to prepare for a future essay by creating a summary of the play and a character sketch for each character as well. You were then to determine how the characters were affected by the plots and by one another. You were also instructed to look up themes for this drama. Keep in mind that you have your unit exam on Monday and need to be really familiar with the play to do well.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Today, we began watching The Merchant of Venice. Keep in mind that your answers to the questions for this play are due tomorrow

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Today, we finished reading The Merchant of Venice. You had questions to finish answering which are due for tomorrow.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Today we read up to Act 5, Scene 1, line 122 (page 219). I then handed out some questions which need to be completed by the end of this play (not all can be answered yet).

Friday, May 27, 2011

Today we read up to Act 4 scene 1, line 253, page 193 of The Merchant of Venice.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Today, you were given your Act II questions to re-examine. We discussed the importance of defining terms before attempting to answer questions as well as taking time to find relevant examples. These were then to be handed in again at the end of class.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Today, we finished reading Act 3, Scene 3 of The Merchant of Venice. You also need to have your Act II questions in for tomorrow (they were due today) so we can mark them.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Today, we finished reading Act II of The Merchant of Venice. I then gave you questions to complete for Tuesday and class time to work on them.

Thursday, May 18, 2011

Today, you wrote your Shakespeare terminology re-quiz. We then finished Act II scene 6.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Today, we read Act 2, scenes 1 thru 4 of The Merchant of Venice. You have a terminology quiz tomorrow (a rewrite) so read over your booklet on Shakespeare. Some of you also have Act I questions to hand in. Get these in by tomorrow as well.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Today, we finished reading Act I of The Merchant of Venice. I then gave you reading questions to answer for tomorrow.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Today, we read all of Act I, scene I of The Merchant of Venice.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Today, we discussed Iambic pentameter and the language of Shakespeare. You will have a quiz on the terms I handed out today tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Today, I introduced Shakespeare, focussing on the theatre and the society of the time. You also took out the play The Merchant of Venice from the library. If you weren't here, please get this.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Today, you watched the A & E special on Shakespeare and answered questions. This is in preparation for the rest of the unit.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Today, you wrote your novel study comprehension exam (m.c.). We will start the new unit on Monday.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Today, you wrote your critical/analytical essay for the novel unit. If you weren't here, there will be time before and after school next week to make this up. Your novel comprehension reading exam is tomorrow (m.c.).

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Chrysalids exam (essay) tomorrow. Here is what you need to know.

What you need to know:

· All of the five Ws (who, what, where, when, why)
o Names (first and last)
o What refers to the situation they are in (including context)
o Where refers to the geographical location of the town as well as where they are located in the world… including the other places mentioned and the distances.
o When refers to the historical time between the nuclear war and the “present” time they are in.
o The Why is about what happened (obviously) in relation to the war… but we don’t really know too much about this, so we have to focus on “other” whys…
§ Why does she have different feet?
§ Why does she have to hide it?
§ Why do they send those with deviations away?
§ How important is conformity in a society?
§ Why can’t those with differences be allowed to communicate?
§ How is Petra different from the other telepaths? How do these differences impact the group as a whole?
§ How importance is acceptance in a society?
§ How influential is power in maintaining or changing a society?
§ What influence does the notion of personal freedom have on the strength of a society?
§ How influential is family in the development of beliefs?
§ What impact can jealousy have on the decisions one makes?
§ Why are those with differences treated negatively?
§ Religion and power are closely tied in this story. How is religion altered to meet the needs of those in power?
§ Cruelty is present in this novel and is often used to control those in weaker positions. Does this cruelty strengthen or weaken the society as a whole? Explain.
§ This society seems to revolve around superstitions. How much of an impact do these have on the way the society deals with differences?
§ The methods used to control the society change over time. Why might this have occurred? Do the changes positively or negatively affect the society as a whole?
§ We are introduced to four societies in this novel. How do they compare? Is any society superior to any other?
§ What do we learn about society from this novel?
§ What do we learn about conventions from this novel? (conventions are unwritten rules or norms of a society)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Today, we marked the rest of the Chrysalids question (you also handed in your major research assignment).

Tuesday, May 3: we will discuss the Essay exam and the multiple choice exam for this novel unit

Wednesday May 4: You will write a Critical Analytical Essay (in-class: on the novel Chrysalids)

Thursday, May 5: You will write your comprehension exam (m.c.) on various readings

Tuesday, April 26 to Friday, April 29, 2011

Today, you were given your major assignment to complete. This is a research assignment and is due on Friday. The details of it are below:

Topic: Deviations from the Norm

For this assignment, you will need to research how some people/countries/governments, treat(ed) those who are (were) "different" from the norm.

To do this correctly, you will have to understand all the key words (deviations, norm) and then look for case studies about such treatment.

You will also have to narrow this topic by creating a question that you can answer (see Fit to Print, pages 3-8).

You will then have to create a thesis (an arguable opinion) based on what you have discovered about your topic (see Fit to Print, pages 3-8).

You will also have to research using APA formatting (see Fit to Print, pages 141 - 142 as well as the handouts I have already provided).

You must locate and utilize information from 10 sources. This will help you determine if what you are reading is indeed accurate.

Your paper must contain an introduction, body paragraphs with strong evidence to support your main points and a strong conclusion.

You may have more than three body paragraphs.

Your paper must have a bibliography (Fit to Print, page. 92) and a cover page (Fit to Print, p. 85).

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Today, you finished working on the plagiarism activity. This is due on Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Today, you worked on understanding how to properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Today, we marked the questions for Chrysalids. We also discussed in more detail, some of the themes and plots as they related to the questions. We didn't quite finish but we will tomorrow.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Today, I allowed more time (and one-0n-one help) to work on fixing up the essay you wrote before the spring break. You Chrysalids questions were also due today.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Today, you were given time to revise your last essay. This was a busy class which I will extend into Monday; however, make sure you examine your essay over the weekend and work on it.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Today, he had a computer technician in the room to show you how to access your novel files (and save on them). I then gave a talk on how to fix your essays. I have pasted it here for those who were absent. How to Fix Your Essay · * Your paper needs to be in Times New Roman, 12 point font · · * Make sure you have a header that includes your first and last name, class, and date – that is all (no title or page numbers in it). ASK IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW!!!! · Make sure you have page numbers inserted on the bottom right of the page. · Create a title using the key words from the question (not the title of the text you will use for evidence) · Make sure your title is centred and bolded (not in a larger font) · Make sure that your paper is double spaced but with no extra spaces between the paragraphs. · Make sure that your paragraphs are indented. Introduction · Do you have an attention getter that is tied to the topic (NOT the text you will be using)? These are two sentences at a minimum (can be a quote explained, a little known fact, an anecdote, a definition, an opinion you plan to challenge). · Do you have a sentence that introduces the text including the author’s name, genre, title properly attributed, and overview of work as a whole? · Do you have three sentences that summarize the evidence as it will be used to prove your thesis? · Do you have a thesis (an arguable opinion about the topic that you will attempt to prove using the evidence)? Body Paragraph One, Two and Three · Do you start with your first main point (opinion) that you will prove? · Do you provide evidence to support the main point? · Do you explain how the evidence supports the main point you are presenting in this paragraph? BODY PARAGRAPH TWO · Do you start with your second main point (opinion) that you will prove? · Do you provide evidence to support the main point? · Do you explain how the evidence supports the main point you are presenting in this paragraph? BODY PARAGRAPH THREE · Do you start with your third main point (opinion) that you will prove? · Do you provide evidence to support the main point? · Do you explain how the evidence supports the main point you are presenting in this paragraph? CONCLUSION · Did you remind the reader that you have proven your main points using evidence so your thesis is a sound one? · Do you provide a deeper insight into the topic showing an alternative if things were different in some way (or another type of clincher)?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Today, you worked on answering the questions for Chrysalids. These are due on Monday, April 18. We will not, however, use any more class time for reading it independently.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Today, you worked to catch up on outstanding assignnments or read your novel. You will get this time again tomorrow; however, your questions are due for Thursday without exception as a result.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Today, we decided as a class to allow the next three days to finish the questions for Chrysalids or catch up on other work/readings.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Today you wrote your poetry unit comprehension exam. Your work over the break is to finish reading The Chrysalids and answer the reading questions (point form). Some have already finished the novel. Have a great spring break.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Today you wrote a personal response to texts (essay) to finish up your poetry unit. Tomorrow, you will write your comprehension exam. Be sure to study your terminology from this unit, as well as the layout of the essay introductory paragraph and the steps to follow when reading a poem.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Today I reviewed how to write a personal response to texts in preparation for the exam tomorrow (written). On Friday, you will write the multiple choice, comprehension exam for poetry. In addition to this, you will need to be able to state the seven sentences expected in an introductory essay paragraph as well as the steps to follow when analyzing a poem.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Today, we marked/reviewed the figurative language assignment from earlier in the term and the one you worked on yesterday. If you are preparing for the exam on Friday, study your terminology.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Today,we discussed the way to attempt to answer questions you are having trouble answering using inquiry skills. I then handed out a sheet of questions created by a previous group of students for you to answer in order to improve your skills. This will not be a problem if you have read the booklet I gave you ("Everything you need to know about poetry...") and answered the questions accompanying it on the cue cards you were to have completed two Mondays ago.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Today you were given time to work on your major poetry assignment. If you are done (or didn't bring the work in) proceed to the library and take out the novel The Chrysalids. You can read this this quietly or work quietly on your project during this block. If neither of those appeal to you, study your terminology. You should also study and know the steps to analyzing a poem as you will also be tested on this knowledge.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Today you analyzed the Poem "At the Wedding" and answered multiple choice questions on it.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Today, you worked on answering long answer m.c. responses to the poem "Cyclops" with others in small group formations. This was due by the end of class.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Today, I gave out an additional handout on referencing APA in a bibliography. I also handed out a sheet on how to answer multiple choice questions. I then handed out the poem "Cyclops" which you were to analyze following the steps I have given you. I then handed out multiple choice questions for this poem which were to be in to me at the end of class. Keep in mind that to do well on this unit, you have to study and learn the terminology (I also handed out an acronym sheet on literary terms from grade nine with other definitions on the back). You also have a major assignment due on April 1st

Friday, March 18, 2011

Today you were given class time to finish the questions handed out yesterday and to work on your major assignment.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Today, students worked on answering questions about the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" If you weren't here, see me tomorrow for the questions. You were allowed to do this in pairs or independently.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Today, you worked further on your poetry analysis of "Did I Miss Anything?" I provided you with questions once you

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Today we discussed how to read poetry. If you were not here, please see me so I can show you how to in an illustrated form.
You then were given the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" to analyze (in pairs or individually). This was to be completed by the end of class. I took them in to reflect on so you have no homework tonight. Keep in mind, however, that you still have terms you need to put on your cue cards.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Today you were given time to work on your major poetry assignment. Some of you went to the library (I want some references to be from books). I also handed out a section on how to do a bibliography APA style. Use this to help you cite your sources properly.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Today, you worked on grammar. You had to take the sentences and discover what literary devices are contained in each one. I have pasted it here for those who are absent. The students in class created a legend and then highlighted the types when they came upon them.

Grammar Assignment #2

Simile a comparison using the word like or as

Metaphor a direct comparison

Alliteration repeating the beginning sound in a series of words

Personification describing an inanimate object as though it had human characteristics

Onomatopoeia a word whose name imitates its meaning

Oxymoron two apparently opposite words used together

Repetition repeating a word or phrase over and over

Allusion a reference to a famous event that you should recognize

i.e., The toothpaste hurried toward the ground like a kid in a candy store.

“Toothpaste hurried” personification
“like a kid in a candy store” simile

1. The wind whipped their whispers away like scraps of paper.
2. The basketball game was like a reenactment of Custers Last Stand.
3. Time is just a stream I go fishing in and idleness is my lure.
4. The wind howled in pain as it whipped itself against my window.
5. “We shall fight on the landing ground, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
6. Her craggy face was carved in granite with ringing blows of an iron.
7. The hobo whistled wanly as he walked down the path.
8. The silky dress caressed her soft body as it encased her body in beauty.
9. In death we are born eternally and then Death thou are dead.
10. Her sad smile was the last I saw of her.
11. The dead and dry desert was like a child’s sad sandbox.
12. They were as close as two peas in a pod and two burrs in a bear’s tail.
13. The waves licked and tickled my feet as I plopped myself down on the lonely beach.
14. My boots grated on the rough stones and then gurgled as they sloshed through the puddle.
15. Her talon touch was like sandpaper and her voice was like nails on a chalkboard.
16. His name was Killgood and he was the king of beggars.
17. The pond was a perfect crystal; a pane of glass waiting for my hook to break its smooth, patient face.
18. He heard the ping of the bullet’s ricochet after it crashed from the mouth of the gun.
19. The volcano yawned and stretched in hopes of swallowing up the small group of explorers.
20. “Death lies on her like an untimely frost.”

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Today, you were to located the answers to the questions on poetry you were given yesterday. These are to be filled out on cue cards. If you had any time left you could use it to work on your major assignment.

Thursday, March 9, 2011

Today, I introduced the new unit (poetry). I handed out a booklet entitled "The Least You Should Know about Poetry" and a sheet of questions to put on cue cards and answer (the booklet has all the answers). I also handed out your major poetry assignment. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Today, we wrote the Short Story Unit Exam. This exam will evaluate you on the terminology you were to learn as well as reading comprehension. Our next unit will be poetry.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Today, you wrote your first in-class essay. Tomorrow, you are writing your unit exam. Be sure to study your terminology.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Today, I handed out the story "Gezabel Jessie" for you to read in praparation for your in-class essay on Monday. In preparation for the exam, you should be sure that you know two of the stories really well. Make sure that you can do the following:
You will be writing an in-class essay on Monday. In order to prepare for this exam, you will need to review the short stories we have read.

1. What are the short stories we have read (and the names of the author)

2. Write out a three sentence summary for two of the short stories (pick the two you liked the most… or disliked the least…).

3. For many of the characters, you have identified personality characteristics using evidence to prove your choice of traits. You need to know these. Go over the list of terms again and think of antonyms for each one.

4. What goals do the characters have (main character and others)?

5. What conflicts are there in these stories?

6. For each one, is the conflict resolved for the main character? For others? Explain.

7. What is the theme of these stories (what does the protagonist discover about life)?

If you choose not to do these questions, you will have a more difficult time writing the essay. Even though it is not being taken in for marks, it is imperative that you prepare yourself.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Today, you worked on developing your short story. I also handed out the completed list of terms for you to study.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Today you answered questions for the short story "Penny in the Dust". You were then allowed to work on your short story. I am allowing you class time tomorrow to work on this or to study your terminology so come prepared.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Today, I gave you each a copy of the short story "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler to read. In addition to reading, you were to do the following:


Highlight Descriptions (the father has soft hair) in pink
Highlight Direct Speech from Peter (“What’s wrong with my purple pants?”) in yellow
Highlight his father’s Direct Speech in blueHighlight actions (Watching TV reruns alone late at night ) in green

In addition, always read accurately; at the very least, you should have unknown words highlighted and defined and a three sentence summary written after you have read it (you can put this on the back page).

Monday, February 28, 2011

Today, we reviewed the questions for the short story "War" and I pointed out some expectations that need to be followed.
We then watched the video for the Short Story "War" focussing on similarities and differences between the video and the text.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Today, you were given classtime to work on your short story. I expected that everyone would have handed an overview to me by the end of class today.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Today, You watched two pixar shorts and did a plotline of them. You had to answer the following questions on both "Tin Toy", and "For the Birds". If you weren't here, these are available on line. If you can't find these, find two Pixar shorts, view them, and then answer the questions.

· Expository information (what we need to know for context)
· Initial incident (that starts the conflict)
· Rising action (leave lots of space)
· Climax (the moment of highest intensity for the main character)
· Falling action (what happens after; what wraps the story up).
· Mood of the story
· Tone of the story

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Today, you were given the questions for the short story "War" by Timothy Findlay. These were due at the end of class (though I extended so you could get them to me at the beginning of class tomorrow).

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Today, I introduced the short story "War" by Timothy Findlay. I was having Smatboard problems so all we managed to discuss was what subplots are (look this up using Google)
and I read out a summary of the story as well as a quick review of the plotline. Then you read the story.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Today's class was cancelled due to a trip to the career fair. If you want something to do this weekend, read and/or study your terminology.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Today, you were given class time to work on your short stories. I expected you to complete and hand in the following: o A character sketch of their main character
o The conflict the main character will try to overcome
o The point of view that will be used and the reasons why
o The expository information needed (in what time period will this occur, what the place is like as in rural or urban/ night/day, etc)
I will expect these handed in today

Monday, February 14, 2011

Today, I handed out an exercise to complete using your Fit to Print text. This was an independent activity. If you were not here, I have put it in your portfolio. Be sure to complete it ASAP

Friday, February 11, 2011

Today we discussed how to cite a source in an answer so that students will be covered as far as plagiarism is concerned
We reviewed the need to collect evidence to do a proper character sketch.
I then handed out the essay layout page and we discussed it as a class, discussing the proper essay formatting for a five paragraph essay.
I then had them create a chart to write down the personality characteristics of Miss. Strangeworth as well as to locate the evidence which supports their opinion.
We also discussed that titles need to contain the name of the work and then what is being presented (ie: "The Possibility of Evil" Answers)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Today, we discussed the layout of things that are being word processed; specifically, the header and page number. We then discussed the questions for "The Possibility of Evil". They are due for tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Today, I handed out the questions for “The Possibility of Evil”. You are to answer the questions provided FULLY and NEATLY ·
These questions are due for tomorrow. They are to be done on the computer.
f there is time left over, you were to work on answering their terminology questions or on your short story preview activities.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Today, I explained what is meant by “Stream of Consciousness” writing. You then wrote your first timed journal.
I then handed out a yellow sheet entitled “Critical Reading Strategies”, which I read to you.
I then handed out the yellow sheet entitled “How to Read a Short Story” which I read to you.
I then handed out the short story “The Possibility of Evil”. Strudents need to read this for tonight in order to be prepared to answer questions tomorrow.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Today, you began reading your novel in class and received a journal to record your times for reading in. From here, I went on to duscuss "The Crystal Stars..." assignment, pointing out concerns about where names and dates go, what a premise is, and the fact the "alot" is NOT one word...
I then handed out a sheet of personality characteristics, one of proper attribution (with an exercise for you to do) and your major assignment for this unit: writing a short story (the deadline is March 8). If you were not here, these items have been put in your portfolio.

Thursday, February 4, 2011

Today, we discussed the concept of a premise and defined it. We then worked on premise creation. I then handed out a sheet on verb tenses which should (if studied) help you when you write your first essay. Finally, I had you write a premise for the short story "The Crystal Stars..." which was due at the end of class.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Today I gave a lesson on what a theme is as well as a thesis. I then handed out questions pertaining to your reading of the short story "The Crystal Stars...". You don't have to complete question 6 just yet as we haven't discussed "premise". The rest of the questions are due for tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Today, I introduced the short story unit. I also handed out terminology that you will need to know by the end of this unit (I had you highlight the terms that you know so that you will be able to concentrate on memorizing the ones you don't know). You then had to read the short story "The Crystal Stars Have Just Begun to Shine"(I handed copies out - if you weren't here, the story is in your portfolio. Come in in the morning and get a copy so you are caught up). We then got copies of the text Fit to Print out of the library. Finally, I did a mini-lesson on major and minor works and citation.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Welcome to this class. Today, you are getting a course outline which includes a list of necessary supplies. I expect that you will have these by Monday, February 7. This gives you the week, plus a long weekend to acquire them.
·(Hilroy Exercise book, 32 pages (comes in packs of four with various colours·
Pens (blue and black only)·pencils·
Binder with dividers·
Loose leaf paper·
Ruler (or other “straight line” item)·
Highlighters (get a pack with four colours)·
Flash drive (memory stick, USB, jump drive)
Approved Novel (I will give you a list of options)
I also gave you a letter for your parents to sign, which is also due by February 7.