Wicked Weather Wednesday!

Block A: Please complete the planning process for your short story - we will write our rough drafts tomorrow.

Blocks B&D: Take the night off - you deserve it!!! Well at least for my class that is!

Block C: If you didn't finish the rough draft of your essay today - then please complete it for tomorrow.

Topical Tuesday

Block A:  We started our short story project today in class. You have the choice to work with a partner or solo to write your own short story. Planning will continue tomorrow. You will hand in your rough drafts, peer editing sheet, and good copy of your chosen paragraph.

Blocks B&D:  Wonderful work on the creative writing this morning - so enjoyable! Due for tomorrow are your drafts, outlines and chosen good copy.

Block C: Our essay on Stand By Me continues tomorrow.

Make the Most of your Monday!

Block A:  Today we handed in our story maps and tasks, then we started to edit our chosen paragraphs. On Wednesday you will hand in all four of your drafts, the peer editing sheet, and one good copy.

Blocks B&D: Elements charts and vocab were due today. Then students worked on their pink peer editing sheet to be handed in on Wednesday.

Block C: Essay writing started today. We discussed the charts from Stand by Me and examined some essay writing notes. From then we started thinking about the character we would like to choose to write our identity essay on. Tomorrow we will start the outline.

Footloose Friday!

Good luck to the junior and senior dance teams as they complete at Footloose tonight - I'll be there to cheer you on!!!

Block A:  Today we continued to work on theme statements - I know they are not easy to write - but keep at it! For homework this weekend make sure that all of your story maps are finished, as well as the tasks. Also please bring all of your rough drafts of your paragraphs to class in order to complete the peer editing process.

Blocks B&D: Today was a work block to clean up and lingering issues you are having with any of your elements charts and vocab before you hand them all in on Monday. Also make sure that all five paragraphs are completed in rough draft form for peer editing.

Block C: We finished watching Stand by Me in class today - and homework this weekend is to fill in the chart as much as you can.

Enjoy the soggy weekend everyone - spring will get here eventually!!!

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block A: Wow - writing theme statements is hard! Don't give up though - and try your hand at the five theme statements for the stories we have read.

Blocks B&D: Keep working on your symbolism paragraph - the brainstorm and outline are due tomorrow. The time line for the rest of the unit is as follows:
Monday - all elements charts and vocab to be handed in.
Monday - all rough drafts are printed off and in class for peer editing
Wednesday - the good copy of your chosen paragraph is due - with all outlines and rough drafts.

Block C:  We will finish watching Stand by Me tomorrow.

What a lovely sunny Wednesday!

Block A:  Today we had a mini-lesson on writing narrative paragraphs. After the lesson, we started brainstorming our chosen topic, and tried to get a start on our planning form. If either were not finished in class, then they are to be completed for homework.

Blocks B&D:  After the homework check on the outline for "The Metaphor" persuasive paragraph, I read to you "The Possibility of Evil" a story about how things are not always what they appear to be. Homework tonight is to complete the elements chart and vocab. In addition please complete the rough draft of your persuasive paragraph for "The Metaphor."

Block C:  If you didn't complete the reading log for the "Nobel Prize" article please do so this evening, I'll be collecting it tomorrow.

Tasks for Tuesday:

Block A: Today we read the short story "Penny in the Dust" the last of our unit. We completed the story map and discussed it in class. We also started the questions for analysis as well. For homework you are to complete 1-6 of the questions for tomorrow.

Blocks B&D: As a group we brainstormed possible persuasive paragraph topics for "The Metaphor" Once you chose your topic, you were to brainstorm it, and start an outline. I'll be checking the outline tomorrow.

Block C:  Presentations for "Objects Speak" start tomorrow!

Mostly Monday

Block A:  Today we started writing 3 haiku poems for the short story "The Masque of the Red Death." I will be doing a homework check to make sure that all 3 are done.

Blocks B&D: The elements chart and vocabulary are due for a homework check tomorrow. We will start paragraph #4 tomorrow: think persuasion.

Block C:  Today I collected the good copy of your paragraph for "The Destructors"then we started a new assignment called "Objects Speak and so do you!" Presentations start Wednesday!

Championship Basketball Thursday

Good luck to the Sr. Girls, Sr. Boys and Junior Girls basketball teams in championship playoff games tonight!! Go Sharks!

Block A:  For Monday complete the rough draft of your descriptive paragraph.

Blocks B&D:  Over the weekend finish reading "The Metaphor" and complete the rough draft of your character profile of Harrison Bergeron.

Block C:  The good copy of "The Destructors" paragraph is due on Monday. Please hand in: good copy, rough draft, peer editing sheet, outline, and brainstorm.

Enjoy your three days off everyone!!!

Flag Day for a Wednesday

Block A:  Today we read "The Masque of the Red Death" and yes, it was a little bit complicated - but I think for the most part we are trying to work our way through it.  Homework for tonight is to complete your persuasive paragraph draft, and the story map for "The Masque of the Red Death."

Blocks B&D:  Today we worked on a character web for Harrison Bergeron. Use the information gathered to create an outline for a character profile paragraph. I will be doing a homework check on the outline tomorrow. Point form is fine.

Block C:  The rough draft of your paragraph for "The Destructors" is due tomorrow.

Tuesday is Twin Day!

Block A:  Today we examined what it means to take a position on a topic, and provide arguments, not opinion to prove our point.  I handed out the persuasive paragraph assignment, and your task was to choose a topic, complete the claims and evidence chart, then fill out your outline.  There will be a homework check tomorrow on the outline of the paragraph - but not the rough draft.

Blocks B&D:  Today we read the short story "Harrison Bergeron" out of Inside Stories II. Homework tonight - is to complete the elements chart and vocabulary task for the story.

Block C:  Good work today on head start you made for "The Destructors" paragraph assignment. We will continue working on the outline tomorrow - so no homework tonight!

Mousey Monday

Block A:  Today we switched gears from short stories to writing, and we started our expository paragraph assignment. You were given the choice of topics, and started the writing process. You were to first brainstorm the topic, then start an outline, and finally begin the rough draft.  I will be doing a homework check on the outline and rough draft tomorrow.

Blocks B&D: At this point you should have 2 elements charts, 2 vocab charts, and 2 rough draft paragraphs finished.  We will start our next story tomorrow.

Block C:  We will continue with "The Destructors" paragraph assignment tomorrow.

Filled with Fun Friday!

Block A:  Today we reviewed the story map for "The Necklace" and started on the task: creating 2 cinquain poems for the main characters in the story.

Blocks B&D:  Most people are finished their story elements and vocab for "Brother Dear." I then assigned paragraph #2. The rough draft is NOT due on Monday - I will give you some time to complete it in class because you are unable to take the stories home.

Block C: We did some more work with reading strategies today - and began putting them to use as we started to read the short story "The Destructors." We finished part one of the story today - and we will continue working on it on Monday.

Happy Weekend to all!

Work for a Wet Wednesday

Block A:  Finish up the advice letter for "The Father" Make sure it is 3/4 of a page!

Blocks B&D:  The rough draft of your "The Sniper" paragraph is due tomorrow. Make sure the focus of the paragraph is on conflict. It is NOT a summary of the story.

Block C:  Memorialization project is due on Friday.

Task-worthy Tuesday

Block A:  Today we read the story "The Father" and completed the story map. We will debrief the story map first thing tomorrow - so if you did not complete it in class, please do so this evening. Also I'm going to do a binder check tomorrow on your 5-dividers.

Blocks B&D: We finished up our notes on short story terminology, then read the first story "The Sniper." If you did not finish the elements chart in class, make sure you get it done tonight. We will continue with vocab and the paragraph tomorrow.

Block C:  Today we talked about memorialization, and you started working on your memorial of a victim of 9/11. You will have some class time tomorrow to work on this - but you are welcome to work on it tonight as well.

Mostly Monday:

Block A:  Today we finished reading the gnome story, "Wish You Were Here" and completed the story map. Then you were given two options for responding to the story - due tomorrow.

Option #1:
Imagine you are one of the police officers investigating the mysterious death of Dorothy.


Write about your reaction to the case, and how you are going to move forward to prove your case.


Option #2:
Re-write the ending of the story.

Think you could end the story more satisfactorily? Take a shot - and re-write the ending the way you think it should have been done.

Blocks B&D:  Today was the start of our short story unit. We looked at the overall expectations of the unit, and started taking some notes - we didn't quite finish - but we will tomorrow, and start reading our first story.

Block C:  Today we attempted to visit the 9/11 interactive timeline with varying success. Hopefully the New York Times will be more successful tomorrow!!!

Comm lesson links for Monday and Tuesday

Fingers crossed that these links work on the ancient school computers!

For Monday:
9/11 Interactive Timeline

For Tuesday:

NYTimes Portraits of Grief

Fabulous Friday!

Block A:  Today we started short stories, and we took some notes on how to read short stories effectively.  We got part of the way through our first story "Wish You Were Here," which we will finish up on Monday - no homework for you this weekend!

Blocks B&D:  Today we investigated what the Provincial exam will be like in June. Now you know. So you don't have to worry!  The real work begins on Monday, so come prepared with your brains fired up!

Block C:  Today we started talking about identity, and the how the mark that we leave behind will be interpreted by those who come after us. We watched a pretty emotional video about the events of 9/11, which can be found here: How it was: Voices of 9/11 We'll discuss this further next week. Don't forget that your coat of arms is due on Monday!

Thoughtful Thursday:

Blocks A, B, & D: My apologies for all the talking today!!! I promise not all English classes will be like it was today - but we really needed to go over the fundamentals of writing expectations to set you up for a successful semester.  Remember: Bio poems are due tomorrow - make sure you hand in your criteria with the poem!

Block C:  Good work today on the writing samples - we'll start the real work on our unit tomorrow.

Wonderfully Sunny Wednesday!

Blocks A, B & D:  Today we completed the writing diagnostic for English 9 or 10. I'll read them tonight, and then tomorrow we will discuss the Ministry of Education's expectations for writing at your grade level. I can already feel your excitement!!!

Block C:  Today we started the "If you really knew me" assignment. Completed coat of arms is due on Monday - although there probably won't be any further class time to work on it.