Fabulous Friday!

Block A:  Think about ideas for your short story - your proposal is due sometime before the end of class on Monday.

Block C:  Keep up with your reading for the meeting on Monday. You should also be thinking about quotes and personal responses for your journals - as the next set of entries is due on Wednesday.

Block D:  If you have not finished the rough draft of your expository paragraph, it is due on Monday. Make sure that you are keeping up with your reading in preparation for Tuesday's meeting.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fire Drill Thursday!

Block A:  The questions for "Boys and Girls" are NOT due tomorrow. However if you would like to complete the questions, you can find full-text versions of the story online.

Block C:  You will have time in class to complete your Task of the Day tomorrow.

Block D:  Make sure you have your reading done for the meeting tomorrow. In addition, you should have 2 completed journals ready to hand in at the beginning of class.

No rain = less leaking on this Wednesday!

Block A:  Presentations are finished!!! Great job everyone - for tonight complete your reflection on the group project. We will be completing the short story "Boys and Girls" and the questions in class tomorrow.  Start thinking about which genre you would like to write your story in as well.

Block C:  I am SO pleased with the level of analysis and discussion today! Wonderful work sharing your journal responses. Remember that the first set of 4 journals is due tomorrow. Also have please complete your sticky notes and reading for the meeting tomorrow.

Block D:  I will be giving you some time tomorrow to meet in your groups and complete your journal discussions. We will learn about the next sticky note task tomorrow.

A lot of noise from the roof Tuesday... hopefully that is a good sign!

Block A:  Thanks to the two groups who presented today - we have 2 more presentations tomorrow then we will finish up "Boys and Girls" the Alice Munro short story we started today.

Block C:  A great first meeting today - you will have time in class tomorrow to work on your first set of journals that are due on Thursday. You will also need to complete the reading for your next meeting on Thursday.

Block D:  Continue your reading and sticky notes for the meeting tomorrow.

More water is falling from my ceiling Monday...

Block A:  Great job to those groups who presented today - we will be continuing on with presentations tomorrow - along with a short story activity.

Block C:  In preparation for your first group meeting tomorrow - make sure your reading and sticky notes are done - in addition you should have 2 of your personal responses complete and ready to share.

Block D:  You should start your next section of reading. You will need to look for great quotes as your next sticky note task. Please have 2 personal responses done for Wednesday's meeting.

Oh no! There is a leak in my ceiling Thursday!

Block A:  Now that your terminology check in is over and done with, you can concentrate all of your energies on creating wonderful, informative and entertaining presentations which start on Monday.

Block C:  Your response to The Matrix is due on Monday. In addition you should start your reading and use of sticky note reading strategies. I will be reviewing some of the terminology that I expect you to use on a regular basis when discussing and writing about your novels, then you will have time in class to begin working on your first set of dialectical journals.

Block D:  You need to complete the reading for Mondays group meeting - remember you are looking for symbolism in your novel. In addition I will be collecting your two journal responses.

Have a great three day weekend everyone!  Hopefully the leak will be fixed by Monday!!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Block A:  Continue working on your group short story projects - presentations start on Monday! Remember to study your blue sheet of terminology - for the knowledge check in tomorrow.

Block C:  The journal response to The Matrix is due on Monday - see your handout for the prompt.

Below are the 8 novel choices for our unit. Read through them all, then email me your top THREE choices to nmatsuzaki@sd38.bc.ca or leave your picks in the comments section below. Please indicate the title only - no need to include the author. You will have until 9:00 tonight to post your preferences, or else I will put you in a group.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
     This novel is about a family struggling for survival during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Beautifully written, this novel takes the reader on a journey across The United States, facing many obstacles as the family seeks work in California. If you enjoy the writing of Steinbeck and his masterful use of language this book is for you.

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
    Stark and bleak is the world of 1984. Big Brother (a term coined by Orwell) has the ability to control and spy on all citizens. This novel is about one mans struggle for survival in a frightening world controlled by the Big Brother regiem. If you like to read about satire, in distopic settings and with some sci-fi undertones this book is for you.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
    A moving and heartbreaking story of survival, friendship and political struggle in Afghanistan. This book spans decades of conflict in a complicated country. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the background to the conflict in Afghanistan this book is for you!  This story does contain graphic depictions of violence - so if you feel that you don't want to read about that - then don't choose it!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
   I LOVE this book! Jane is a poor orphaned girl, left in the care of a neglectful aunt, and a cruel cousin. In order to make a living she becomes the governess for a girl in the mysterious Thornfield Hall, where she meets the equally mysterious and tortured Mr. Rochester. This story is not only a romance, but also the triumph of the individual to overcome obstacles to truly know oneself. A wonderful read.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
   Those of you who have read Chaucer will recognize the intertextuality in the title to The Canterbury Tales. This is Atwood's response to Orwell's 1984. Atwood's distopic society is a world where the rights of women have been decimated to the point where they no longer have control over their own bodies and are forced to bare children for the wealthy. This story does contain strong language, and sexual references - so please don't choose it if you are concerned about that. This novel is poetic and political so if that appeals to you then this might be your book.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
   Love, hate, revenge and intrigue. This novel is set in the 1920s - the age of Jazz. The narrator takes a summer house beside the wealthy, extravagant and mysterious Jay Gatsby. Soon the narrator finds himself caught up in a world where appearances can sometimes be deceiving.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
    The original monster story. Dr. Frankenstein sets out to create life - but in doing so he breaks the natural order of things, the consequences of which have lasting and damaging effects. There are elements of horror in this story - but not really graphic or bloody - it is poetic in nature, and will push you to understand life and humanity in ways not previously thought.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
   Set in the future, this distopic novel is about a society where people are classified and ranked at birth. Based upon your rank - you are designated certain jobs and certain partners in life. Freedom is limited, but there are those who don't believe and those who wish to seek a world where these kind of restrictions don't exist. A challenging read - but certainly shares some interesting intertextuality with The Matrix.


Once again, choose 3 titles and write your choices in an email to me or in the comments below by 9:00. No promises that you'll get your top pick but I'll do my best!


Block D:  Great second meeting today - I can already tell that you've taken the feedback from the first meeting and continues on. Your next reading task is on symbolism. On your notes make a column for the symbol, and a column for the meaning. These sticky notes will be connected to the next task of the day.  Your 2 journal responses are due on Monday.

Terrific Tuesday!

Block A:  Continue working on your genre presentations, and study your short story terminology. We will be signing up for our presentation time slots tomorrow.

Block C:  The good copy of your transformational narrative is due tomorrow, make sure you hand in: your brainstorm, map, rough draft, blue peer editing sheet, good copy and pink criteria sheet. Also continue your investigation into illusion vs. reality and the intertextuality of The Matrix. We will finish the movie tomorrow - and begin your journal response to the movie as outlined on the handout.

Block D:  As I was walking around - I was noticing some GREAT work on your journals! I'm looking forward to our 2nd group meeting tomorrow to see what kind of rich discussions we will have about our novels and the 3 themes of identity, isolation and survival. Please have at least 1 of your personal responses done for the meeting tomorrow, but 2 would be great!

Marvellous Monday!

Block A: Continue working on your short story genre project. Bring all necessary materials to class in order to make the most of this time you are being given. There will be some sort of knowledge check in of short story terminology from the blue sheet on Thursday - so please study for that!  Presentations will start NEXT Monday!

Block C:  The good copy of your transformational narrative is due on Wednesday - make sure you hand in the brainstorm, map, rough draft, peer editing sheet, good copy and pink criteria sheet.

Block D:  Great work on your first Lit Circle meetings today! I will be giving you time tomorrow to read in class - but if you think you need a head start, then please do! Today you looked up, and recorded the definitions for the 3 key themes of all of our novels: isolation, identity and survival. Keeping those definitions in mind, you are to record (on your sticky notes) any instances of connections, visuals and/or any of the other reading strategies that we have been practicing for Wednesday's meeting. I will be checking your notes - so please do a diligent job.

Finally Friday!

Block A:  Continue working and gathering information and research to make yourself an expert in your genre. We will continue working on the project on Monday - please bring any material that will enhance your productivity to class.

Block C:  The rough draft of your transformational narrative is due on Monday for peer editing. Today we watched this TED talk. Afterwards you were asked to write an informal response to the video. I will be marking for level of insight, thought, analysis and ability to show your understanding. Here are the questions from the overhead:

How can WE change the world?

Write a page or two response to the TED talk by Jane McGonigal. In your response address the following questions:

1.  Elaborate on your reaction to the talk

       a.  Do you agree - explain why you think she might be on to something

       b.  If you disagree - explain why you have this opinion, try to be specific - avoid speaking in generalizations

       c.  Would you ever consider playing any of the games she mentions? Why or why not?

2.  In what ways do you think that change is possible?

3.  What role do video games play in our lives? What are the benefits and the drawbacks of using more and more technology?

4.  What can we do today to change the world?

Block D:  We have our first lit circle meeting on Monday - make sure you have your reading done and your stickies complete - ready to be a contributing member of the group!  I will also be doing a binder check to see that you have all of your dividers with your notes organized!

Thoughtful Thursday!

Block A:  Finish the 7 questions for the short story "On the Sidewalk Bleeding." I will collect them at the beginning of class.  Remember that we are going to be in the library tomorrow - please come to class first to hand in your homework and take attendance.

Block C:  There will be some time tomorrow to work on your transformational narrative but not the whole block. The rough draft is due for peer editing on Monday.

Block D:  No homework for tomorrow - although we will have a binder check on Monday - along with our first group meeting, so make sure you have your reading and your sticky notes done!

Work for Wednesday:

Block A:  Study your short story terminology and your plot line handouts from class today - as there will some sort of knowledge detection in class next week.  We will be choosing our groups for the short story group project so come prepared to sort yourselves out tomorrow. We are going to be in the library on Friday and Monday.

Block C:  I will give a short refresher on how to incorporate dialogue into your transformational narrative at the beginning of class tomorrow - then I will give you the rest of the block to continue working on the first draft of your narrative.

Block D:  Finish reading "The Necklace" and make sure to mark up the text using the sticky notes and the reading strategies we learned about in class today.

Tasks for Tuesday:

Block A: We will be starting our journey into short stories tomorrow - so I want you to think way back to grade 10 and everything that you learned last year. Plus think about 3-4 people that you would like to work with for your short story project - choose wisely - you will be getting marked both individually and as a group.

Block C:  I will be checking the map of your transformational narrative first thing tomorrow - make sure that you have completed all of the sections.

Block D:  You will need 5 dividers for your binder this semester in English - organization is the key to success so start off your semester right by getting in the habit of keeping your work organized early. The five sections for your binder are:

1. Short Stories
2. Writing
3. Novel Studies
4. Drama
5. Poetry
6. Notes *
7. Homework *
8. Returned Assignments *

*These three are optional if you choose to have 8 dividers

Fantastic Friday!

Weekend work for all classes:

• Make sure that the coloured letter is signed and handed in on Monday
• Your collage is due on Monday - please make sure that you hand it in with the criteria sheet attached.

Get out this weekend and enjoy the sunshine while we have it! We have to take advantage of these nice days - because we all know that the rain is coming sometime soon!!!

Thriving Thursday!

Homework for ALL blocks A, C, and D:

• Bring a silent reading novel from home if you have one. If not, you may borrow one for use in class from my classroom library.
• Please have the coloured letter completed and signed by Monday.
• Bring any images, quotes, pictures, drawings or phrases that you would like to use to enhance your collage - it is due along with the criteria sheet on Monday.

Welcome to the 2011/2012 School Year!!!

This is IT! The start to a great first semester. My apologies for the late posting - I was having some Internet issues!!!

Block A:  We will have time in class tomorrow to work on your letter to me as we only had a few minutes to work on it.

Block C:  Some of you were able to finish your letter - but not all - so we will have some time in class to complete it, while the rest of the class starts the first assignment.

Block D:  I got a lot of letters today - but for those of you who didn't finish - here are the questions:

Part A:  Explain to me a little bit about you. What kinds of things do you like doing outside of school? Do you belong to clubs or sports teams? Anything that will help to give me a better picture of who you are.


Part B: What do you expect to get out of my class? What makes a good teacher? What expectations do you have of me as your teacher?


Part C: Tell me about the kind of student you are. Do you hate to be called on in front of class? Do you sometimes need extra help? Do you need help keeping your work organized? Extra reminders about homework and due dates?


Part D: Think seriously about who would be a good person for you to sit near in order to benefit your learning. I'll take your reasons into consideration when I make my seating plan tonight. You must provide a good reason - s/he's my bff is not a good reason! You may also tell me who you think you might need some space from - with a good reason, for example: I am easily distracted by......... and I want to do better academically this semester. I'm not making any promises - but I'll do the best I can.


In your letter feel free to include anything else you think might be helpful for me to know about you.