Last Blog Post of the Year!!!

Block A:  We have an optional provincial exam study group on Tuesday June 21st at 1:00

Block B:  If you would like to learn your final mark before report cards - stop by my room sometime on June 21st and I should have your Macbeth synthesis essays marked.

Block C:  Your provincial exam is on Monday June 27 - make sure you are there early as the exam STARTS at 9:00 that means be there ny 8:45.

Block C:  We have an optional provincial exam study group on Monday June 20th at 1:00

It has been a pleasure to teach each and every one of you this semester. If I don't see you in the next couple of weeks have a wonderful and safe summer!!!

Last Tuesday!

Blocks A&D:  We are on to the composition tomorrow!!! Good work on the synthesis today everyone!!!

Block B:  In-class essay on Macbeth tomorrow!!! POINT FORM ONLY outline - you may have a complete thesis statement - other than that - it must all be in point form! Please bring your research, your play and your outline.

Block C:  Provincial Prep continued!

Last Monday!

Blocks A&D:  No official homework tonight.  You may wish to work on flashcards or a glossary for terminology you are not familiar with from the Provincially Examinable Terminology handout. We will continue the practice provincial tomorrow.

Block B:  You will have one more work block to complete your Macbeth Synthesis essay outline.  Make sure that your outline is in POINT FORM ONLY.  The only full sentence that you may have is the thesis statement. Everything else must be in point form.

Block C:  Provincial Prep continued...

Final Friday!

Blocks A&D:  We wrote our in-class essays today.  A reminder to all that you theme quotation and vocabulary package are due on Monday.  Please hand them in with your green criteria sheet.

Block B: Just 1 more presentation on Monday.  We will continue our synthesis essay on Monday.

Block C:  Provincial Prep continued...

Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Go Canucks Go!

Thrilling Thursday!

Block A:  Your theme quotations and vocabulary are due on Monday.  You will be writing your in-class essay on A Midsummer Night's Dream tomorrow. Remember you may bring in your copy of the play and a POINT FORM outline.  The only full sentence you can have on the outline is the thesis statement. I will open the class at 1:10 for those who want to start early.

Block D:  Same instructions as block A, except that I will open the class at 8:00 for those who want to get started early.

Block B:  Presentations start tomorrow!!! I will allow about 5 minutes for groups to get organized before we start.  Make sure that you have given me a copy of your synthesis research with an MLA citation list.

Block C:  Provincial Exam prep continues!

Canuck/Athletic Wednesday!

Blocks A&D:  Today was your last work block for your theme quotation list and vocabulary.  The package is due on Monday.  Tomorrow we will begin the process of writing our in-class essay. So if you are looking for something to do tonight - then review thesis statements and essay structure.

Block B:  Your theme quotation and spine poems are due tomorrow.  Also please bring in your research for your synthesis essay.  Make sure you have a copy for me, as well as anyone in your group - if you have chosen to collaborate.  Presentations start on Friday!

Block C:  Provincial Exam review continues!

Totally Tuesday!

Blocks A&D:  Continue working on your theme quotation list and vocabulary.  I'll be collecting the package on Monday.  We will begin the process of writing our in-class essay tomorrow.

Block B:  Presentations on Friday.  Research for synthesis essays is due on Thursday - if you are in a group - you need 4 sources a copy for each member and one for me!  If you are alone then please bring in at least 3 sources.  I will be collecting your theme quotation and spine poems on Thursday.

Block C:  Provincial Exam review continued...

Magical Monday!

Blocks A&D:

1. How did you enjoy the play-within-a-play? Did it make you laugh? Make a list of some of the more humourous lines in the play performed by Bottom and his actors.
2.  Why does Hippolyta initially seem hesitant to watch the play?
3.  Why does Snug, who plays the Lion, make a fuss about proclaiming his true identity?
4.  In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audiences and performers?
5. Modern T.V. shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or "clueless" character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?

Block B:  You have 3 ongoing assignments:  The theme quotation package, the group presentation, and your synthesis research.  The synthesis research is due on Thursday.

Block C:  We will continue reading comprehension work tomorrow.

Sunshiny Friday!

Blocks A&D:  We read Act IV in class today. Here are the Response Questions you need to complete for Act IV:

1.  Compare this act to the previous one. In which act did the majority of the characters enjoy themselves most? Which act did you enjoy more? Explain.
2.  How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience?
3.  How does Theseus's current decision regarding Hermia and Lysander contradict his earlier statement?
4.  In this act, several characters look back at prior information with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation?

Block B: I will not be doing a specific homework check on Monday - but there are some ongoing assignments that need to be done.  Keep working on your theme quotation list, and spine poem.  As well as the final performance project.

Block C:  I will be collecting the Blood Diamond assignments on Monday.  Make sure that you are up-to-date with all of your work!! We are so close to the end now!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

A Rainy Thursday

Blocks A&D:  We have finished reading and watching Act III of our play.  We started working on our Theme Quotation List assignment in class today.  There are instructions in the green package.  Look for poetic devices in III.ii.  We will be starting Act IV tomorrow.

Block B:  Keep working on your Theme Quotation List and poetic devices for Act V.  I will be assigning the final presentation project tomorrow in class.

Block C:  We will finish the Blood Diamond assignment package tomorrow.  Make sure you have an outline ready and done!

Stanley Cup Wednesday!!!

Blocks A&D:  Here are the questions from Act 3:

1.  Some critics see Bottom as a fool.  Others think he is wiser than he appears. What is your opinion of Bottom? Make sure to back up your answers with evidence from the text.
2.  What causes Helena to become angry with Hermia? In your opinion why does Helena refuse to believe her friend and would-be lover?
3. Find as many examples as you can, of characters confusing illusion for reality. Make sure to note the lines in which you find your examples.
4. Some characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream are round characters. In other words, they undergo psychological growth as a result of their experiences. Other characters move the plot forward but do not undergo any real, inner change. These are flat characters. With a partner, categorize the characters in the play as either round or flat. For each character identify at least two examples from the text that support your analysis of the characterization. What role do you think flat characters play in a comedy?

We will discuss these together as a class tomorrow!

Block B:  We finished the play!!!! :) Review the play tonight, we will have about 10 minutes to finish the questions before we finish watching the movie.

Block C:  We worked on the business letter and visual design for Blood Diamond today, we will be working on the composition tomorrow in class.