Friday, December 19, 2009

We will finish marking Hamlet. We will then mark the unit exam. Remember that you have a novel study due on January 5.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

We will watch Hamlet.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

We will finish reading Hamlet. You will then write the unit exam for this.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Read Hamlet up to page 305.

Monday, December 15, 2008

We read Hamlet, from Act 3, Scene 4 to Act 4, Scene 5 from page 186 to 245. When finished, students summarized what happened in this class (to Hamlet). This is to be kept in their notes.

Friday, December 12, 2008

We read Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2 from page 115 to 186. When finished, students summarized what happened in this class (to Hamlet). This is to be kept in their notes.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

We read Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 1. We also started on Act 2, Scene 2 and finished on page 115. When finished, students summarized what happened in this class (to Hamlet). This is to be kept in their notes.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

We read Act I, Scene 3, Act I, Scene 4, and Act I, Scene 5. As homework, students are to explain what the people of Demark believe killed the king, how the ghost said the king was killed, and what reservations we should have when believing the answers…. This is due tomorrow.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Today, we read up to and including Act One, Scene 2 (we are now on page 43). Students had to write a summary of what they learned today as well.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Students were given this class to work on their novel study. No additional class time will be given (beyond the usual)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

You will get this class to work on your novel study. You have already received the information on it and so you need to be either working on it or reading the novel. If you are off-task, you will be separated. This is an independent activity that needs NO discussion with others.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Today we discussed Hamlet and I gave an overview. We then chose people to play out (read) certain roles. Students started taking notes about information given to them (in a semi-concept map formation). If you were not here, a copy of mine will be in your portfolio. You will add to this or start on another page and let it grow as you study the play. We got to the bottom of page 15 (act one scene one) ending just where the ghost reenters.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Handed out concept map info (how to do one). Reminded them that their novel should have been read by today (major project due Jan. 5, first day back after holidays). Students formed groups of three and worked on the questions from the reading (Shakespearean), then formed conjoined groups of 6 or seven and came up with consensus. These were handed in for a group mark.

Bring the play Hamlet to class tomorrow.

Friday, November 28, 2008

We will go through the Shakespearean piece I gave you yesterday, discuss Shakespearean plays as a how (their value), and hopefully, get you interested in doing this!!! You have questions that are due on Monday.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Today we will go over the meaning of the Shakespearean piece I gave you yesterday. We will also do and go over the questions.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Today we will review iambic pentameter (students were to be prepared to explain it for today). We will then look at a piece of Shakespearean writing and analyze it (in pairs or singularly). There will be questions once the initial work is completed (we will do class analysis and questions tomorrow).

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Students will turn in their novels Night. They will then do their novel study. I will hand out their novel study major assignment which we will review. I will also hand out the Play "Hamlet" once their novel has been returned. Students are expected to be prepared to answer the question :"What is iambic pentameter" for tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Students will be writing an in-class critical/analytical essay. They will also make an appointment with me to discuss this essay.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Today, we will look at writing a critical literary essay. You will have one to do in-class tomorrow in which you can refer to either The Pianist, or Night.
Today, you will be given an overview of what is expected in a critical analytical essay. You will also be given a marking rubrics so you will know what they are marking you on. I will then hand out a list of previously used themes for English 30. You are to examine them in pairs and decide if either of these choices above could be used to address these themes. We will then look at a question for one of them, brainstorm it on the board, pulling out key words, and then examine an exemplar to address how it was approached well.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

The students finished watching "The Pianist" Today. They handed in their notes and their rubric.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Students started watching "The Pianist" Today. We discussed the events (it is based on a true story... look it up on-line to find out more). They are taking brief notes about it and will do a critique at the end.

Tuesday, November 19, 2008

Today we will go back to finishing off our notes on the novel "Night" as well as discuss why some people follow orders.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Today, you will watch the video (VHS) Sobibor.
It is about a death camp during WWII. The thing that makes this video so relevant to what you are doing are doing is that it shows how good the Nazi regime was at covering its tracks.
You are to take BRIEF notes while watching and then fill in a movie critique sheet at the end and hand in with your notes. If there is time left over, you are to read your novel.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Yesterday, we ended up viewing more presentations on Genocide. Today, we have one left. After this, we will go into the notes you will need on the novel "Night". These will include major themes, characters, summary, climax, and developing an understanding of foreshadowing and opportunity. Today, we got through the summary and the overall theme (man's inhumanity against his fellow man) and I told you about the three sub themes (Night, Faith, Power of Evil). We then examined the theme of Night to see how it is present. Your homework is to look at the themes of Faith and Power of evil and find evidence from the text that supports these as themes. This can be in point or paragraph form. It is due tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Today, we will finish the presentations on genocide. From here, we will discuss the novel "Night", focussing on the themes present. You will also create a visual on this novel to help you retain it and use it for study purposes. It is also a tool you will be able to bring into an in-class essay.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Students showed their presentations on Genocide. These were not completed so they will be done on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Today, you will finish your research on Genocide (a case study).
This should only take about half the class. We will share them tomorrow.
I then want you to read the novel Night.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The students were given an act of genocide to research. They had to come up with the information using at least three sources (cited). These were to be written on paper (not on the computer as I want to get them away from cut and paste). They were then to locate visuals (at least 20) to show on the projector. At least three sources were to be used for visuals and all of them were to be cited (address under each one). This is due on Friday.
I also handed out the novel Night. They are to read it by Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Today, we finished watching The biography of Elie Wiesel. Students handed in their visual questions and their critique rubric of the documentary.
From here, we discussed what it means to discriminate (both the positive and negative definitions from the dictionary).
From this discussion, students were reminded that, when writing, it is important to make sure they define the key concepts or words in the question so that the reader isn't using their own interpretation but must use theirs.
We then went on to discuss the meaning of "Genocide" (see below)
Genocide' coined by Raphael Lemkin in 1944
Greek word 'genos' (race)
Latin word 'cide' (killing).
United Nations in 1948 : any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, including:
(a) killing members of the group
(b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
(c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
(d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
(e) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
While I provided some examples, they were extremely general and need to be developed and "proven". The main message was that they need to understand that genocide (by definition) does occur everywhere and can occur at any time if people are not on guard for it.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Today, we are starting our novel unit, which is "Night". I will introduce you to the concept of Genocide, how it works in a society, and how Weisel and his family fit into this time period. You will also watch the video "Elie Wiesal, first person singular (VC 940.53 37777000000629) and answer questions. You will also fill in a critique.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

We will analyze the poem “An Old Man’s Winter Night”. We will look at the questions I gave you yesterday and create visuals to go with it. We will analyze their effectiveness as a class.

Wednesday, October 29

We will analyze the poem “An Old Man’s Winter Night”. You will not have to do stanza count or rhyme scheme. This poem is, however, highly visual. I want you to write down how many different images it creates (at the bottom of the page).

Tuesday, October 28

We are going to go over the poem "Common Magic" and discuss the answers.

Friday October 24

Today we will go over the questions from the poem "Common Magic" I will place you in pairs and have you work through it with rules of conduct to ensure everyone has a voice. Then you will be in groups of four... then as a class. The bottom line is, EVERYONE needs to speak out. For the weekend, you'll need to go over your poetry terminology.

Wednesday, October 22

Today you will analyze the poem "Common Magic". You will do this according to the steps indicated in "How to read a Poem". There will also be questions that will be provided once this step is done.

Tuesday, October 21

Today, we are going to mark the questions on the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" A number of you have stated difficulty with this one, so we will invest most of the class time to it. If there is any time left over, we will look at terminology or at the figurative language assignment you did last week.

Monday, October 20

Today, We will review both "Lines on a Young Lady's Photograph Album" and "Did I Miss Anything?". These were both due last week and are therefore late if not in today. This cannot be extended as they are being marked in class.

Friday, October 17

Today, you will actively read the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" (using the "how to read a poem" outline you received Wednesday). Once you are finished, you will bring it up to the desk to show completion and then get the questions. These are to be finished by the end of class and handed in. Follow the instructions carefully as failure to do so will reduce your overall mark.

Thursday, October 16

Today you will read the poem ""Lines on a Young Lady's Photograph Album" actively (marking it up as indicated on the sheet you got yesterday... keep in mind that you will use this format throughout this unit, so don't lose that sheet!). Once you are finished, you will take it up to the desk to show completion and then be given the questions. Follow the instructions carefully. This is an independent activity and must be completed by the end of class (and handed in).

Wednesday, October 15

Today you are starting your Poetry unit. You will be given a yellow booklet with additional terminology that Alberta Learning expects that you will know by the end of your time here. Keep in mind that you need to also comprehend the terminology you've already been given and that ANY of these terms may be used in any of the units you will do. I'm just handing it out in smaller doses so you won't be overwhelmed.
You will also receive a reading explaining why poetry is important (which will be read in class) and a sheet explaining how poetry needs to be read in this class. You will then be given a short, two stanza excerpt from a poem to try your skills out.
By the end of the class, you need to have finished analyzing that excerpt (and have it handed in) and have the terminology you are familiar with highlighted so that you will know what you need to study.

Tuesday, October 14

Today we will review the answers you guys came up with in relation to "The Shining Houses" (from last Thursday) and the Venn/similarities and differences activity from Friday ("The Shining Houses" and "The Lottery". The average on your recent exam was 61%.

Thursday, October 9

Today, you will hand in your answers from "The Shining Houses" and then work on a venn comparison between "The Lottery" and "Shining Houses" (showing similarities and differences).
Remember that you have a comprehension unit exam (mc) tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 8

You are working on answering the questions for "Shining Houses" today. Keep in mind that you have a comprehension exam on Friday.

Tuesday, October 7

Today, we will read the short story "Shining Houses" which is in Viewpoints 12. You will have questions on this story, but I am not sure how far we will get.

Monday, October 6

Today, we will discuss that answers you came up with for the short story "The Lottery". Your homework is to read teh story "The Rockinghorse Winner" (In Viewpoints 12)

Thursday, October 2

Today, we will be working on the questions that accompany "The Lottery". This will be paired work followed by discussion.

Wednesday, October 1

We will discuss the role of lotteries in our lives today and then you will read the Short story "The Lottery". You will do this actively. When finished, you will answer questions on it fully.

Tuesday, September 30

Today we will mark the answers from the short story "Outside Edges". This will involve group discussion. You will then need to read the short story "The Lottery" (a handout). This must be completed for tomorrow.

Monday, September 29

Today, you will work on understanding the short story "Outside Edges", which you read last week and did a fishbone on. There are questions, which I have attached here, which you are to answer fully (complete sentences with the question flipped into a statement). This assignment will be added to the fishbone you did on Friday, resulting in a combined mark of 60. You may work on it in pairs.

Friday, September 26

Today you will read the story "Outside Edges" in Viewpoints 12 (pages 49 - 59). You will then create a fishbone diagram to contain the elements of the story (I have printed out an example fishbone for you all and it is in your portfolio. Create yours following this example. This is due today.

Thursday September 25

Today, we will review the booklet I gave you yesterday on Short Stories. We will expand upon some of the information in there (you will add this in) and discuss some of the information that is unfamiliar.

Wednesday, September 24

We sart a new unit today (Short Story). We will discuss the exam from yesterday (which went well for a first exam) and then move on to discuss what goes into a short story. I have a pretty comprehensive handout for you on it as well (called "Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories but Were too Afraid to Ask")

Tuesday, September 23

You are writing your Essay Unit Multiple Choice, comprehension exam today. This is the first one and is often the most challenging. Studying your terminology is the best way to prepare at this point. Once you are reading and answering questions, it is important to read actively and then eliminate the "wrong" answers before choosing the best... keep in mind that transfer to scantron should be the LAST thing you do. It ensures less mistakes on that key and also make you aware if you've skipped any questions. If you are not able to finish the exam in the time given, you can stay in fourth block as that class is also writing a unit exam.

Friday, September 19

Today, we are going to work some more on the law and order approach to writing, coming up with concrete opening statements on both sides.
One student will present their groups, and then the other will.... after this, we will discuss how successful they were in creating an attention getting, insightful, position.
We will then look at the role of evidence and closings.
The students have a MC on Tuesday for this unit. It is reading comprehension. They need to study their terminology.

Thursday, September 17

Today, we are going to discuss essay building by using a "law and order" approach. This is a class group activity.

Wednesday, Sept17

We will finish examining the essay "The Death of the Moth" breaking into groups to defend our answers. We will then approach it as a class discussion. For the rest of the class, we will work on terminology to help prepare you for your exam on September 23.

Tuesday, September 16

Today we started actively reading the essay "The Death of a Moth". If you were not here, it is in your portfolio. You had to highlight, paraphrase and define unknown words. Those who finished early also had to locate metaphors and similes. I handed out the questions that they are to attempt on their own... and have placed those in the files as well.

Mon, Sept. 15

Today, we will discuss your answers to "If you Drop a Stone". We will then try this activity again with the essay "The Death of the Moth"

Friday, Sept 12

Today, we are going to examine the essay "If you Drop a stone." This will involve group work. All changes to your essay (I had to rewrite the intro) are to be handed in today.

Thursday, September 11

We will continue working on the essay "If you drop a stone..." This will be an individual and group activity.

Tuesday, September 10

Today is your first novel reading day. Have it....
I am going to give you about 15 minutes to edit your essay intro so that it includes an effective attention getter.
We are then going to examine the essay "If You Drop A Stone" and answer the corresponding questions.

Tuesday, Sept 9

This is your first journal day
Today, we are going to look at how to write an attention-getter as many of you had trouble with this on your essays. You are also going to redo your introduction so that you have one.

Monday, September 8

You are doing your first in-class essay today. It is NOT meant to stress you out, just see where you are at in terms of understanding and basic structure. I plan to flip through these fairly fast and give you feedback as a class. This is a personal essay.

Thursday, September 4

You will be given an Essay Unit glossary and are expected to highlight the
terms you know
We will discuss the list of approved novels for novel study
You are to have an approved novel by Wednesday, September 10
You will be given the essay “Coda” to read and then answer the questions
Students are to read it and, as pairs, answer the attached
Questions.

Wednesday, September 3

Today we discussed what items belong in an essay as well as types of essays. The notes were brief and are contained below: The purpose of this class was to: Identify types of essays, understand and agree on the basic format, and understand what a thesis is (and arguable opinion) as well as main points and evidence.

In order to write an essay, one must have a TOPIC and a position/opinion about that topic.. and it MUST BE ARGUABLE (law and order approach)

Purpose of essays:
1. To Teach (about something) Expository
2. To Defend (about an issue)
3. To Pass a test!!!! (often critical analytical)
4. To communicate on an informal level
(conversational)
5. To analyze (often critical analytical)

Layout of an essay

Introductory paragraph
Includes
Thesis: is an opinion that is arguable
Three main points of opinion that you are
going to try to prove with evidence/facts

Body paragraph one
One main point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Body paragraph two
Second point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Body paragraph three
Third point of the argument
Three pieces of evidence to support it
The pieces connected to main idea!!!!!

Conclusion
Includes
Summary of all three points and thesis
A tie-in to your best evidence