Hat's off to Thursday!

Don't forget that tomorrow is Pro-D which means you get a 3 day weekend - try to get out and enjoy the last of the good weather.

Block A: Theme, theme, theme. What is that allusive thing called theme? Well, it is your job to wrestle with the theme of "Saturday Climbing" for your second literary response paragraph. The assignment:
In a well-developed paragraph, analyze the theme of "Saturday Climbing." In other words, what is the message that the author is saying about life and what it means to be human. Use evidence in the form of quotations to prove and analyze the theme. The outline and double-spaced rough draft is due on Monday.

Block C: Great work in your groups today - homework this weekend is to read and prepare for your meetings next week.

Block D: The creative energy in class today was great! A lot of good work on your setting haiku. If you did not finish your three haiku, make sure they are done for Monday. Also, if you are behind on any other aspect of your paragraphs or other story maps take this weekend to catch up on missing work!

Hoodie Wednesday

Block A: Homework tonight is to finish the questions and plot summary for "Saturday Climbing"

Block C: First set of dialectical journals is due tomorrow. Also you should have your reading done and be ready to contribute to your meeting.

Block D: No Homework - ENJOY!

Jersey Tuesday!

Block A: Finish up the questions and story map for "Identities." In addition to the character description paragraph.

Block C: Journals are due on Thursday - you will have a work block tomorrow to read and prepare for discussion on Thursday.

Block D: Persuasive rough draft is due tomorrow. Finish reading the last few lines of "The Most Dangerous Game." We will complete the story map and task tomorrow.

Must Wear PJ's Monday

Block A: We started a new story today: "Identities" in small groups we worked through a close reading of the story with guided questions. For homework tonight answer the questions up to number 9. I will give you time tomorrow for the rest. Also don't worry about the plot summary - we will work on it tomorrow.

Block C: A great first meeting today! A lot of really rich discussion. As I was walking around it really seems as though people are benefitting from the opportunity to ask their group questions. For homework tonight - focus on your journals. I know that not everyone was able to finish their group work on analyzing fictional worlds, but you need to get some time for your journals, as the first set is due on Thursday.

Block D: We started thinking persuasively today. And how to write a persuasive paragraph. Remember this is not about stating your opinion, it is about convincing someone - with evidence - to believe what you want them to believe. It is not an opinion piece. Tonight you may want to make sure that your graphic organizer and outline are finished. The rough draft (double-spaced) will be due on Wednesday. There may be some time in class tomorrow to continue working on what you did not get finished today.

Fun for this Friday!

Block A: Homework this weekend is the good copy of your opinion paragraph. You need to hand in an outline, rough draft and good copy on Monday. Good copy must be double-spaced!

Block C: Great start to the novel unit - I am SO excited to listen in on your first meeting on Monday. Make sure you have your reading and sticky notes done in preparation. You should be thinking about your journals but you don't need to have all 4 entries complete.

Block D: Intro to formal writing today. Expository paragraphs to start with. I gave you a selection of topics to choose from. Once you made your choice you wrote an outline in point form and started your rough draft. If you did not finish your rough draft it is due on Monday.

This is/was Thursday:

Block A: Quiz is over - yay! Homework tonight is to answer questions 1-7 using full sentences and a quote in each answer.

Block C: Wow. Are you ready for this? The novel study has begun and it is going to take a lot of work and dedication on your part to make sure that you are meeting the expectations of this demanding unit. You should read and complete your sticky notes in preparation for Monday's meeting, and get started on your first set of journals.

Block D: 2 Cinquain character poems are due tomorrow for a homework check! If you finished in class - you are free!

Picture Taking Wednesday

Block A: Study for your quiz tonight - all terms on the blue sheet are game. If you did not finish the "Boys and Girls" chart on stereotypes, symbols and connotations it is due tomorrow.

Block C: Put your thoughts in writing: we watched The Matrix, and learned about Plato and Descartes - not it is up to you to put it all together. What does it all mean in relation to the theme of our novel study Insiders and Outsiders? What have you taken away from this whole idea of intertextuality?  One to two pages, single-spaced is fine, due tomorrow.

Block D: Do your best to finish up the characterization charts from class today - they are due tomorrow. Study the blue sheet of terms for the quiz tomorrow!

Tuesday Tasks:

Block A: We read (the not so short) short story "Boys and Girls" by Alice Munro. Homework tonight is to complete the Plot Summary. Here is the link to a full-text version of the story

Short Story terminology quiz on Thursday.

Block C: Intertextuality - What have you gotten yourselves into English 12?!!! Plato, Descartes and The Matrix... What does it all mean?!!

REMINDER: Good Copy of your essay is due tomorrow - double-spaced and awesome!

Block D: "The Necklace" Story map is due tomorrow. Don't forget to study for the quiz on Thursday.

Monday Musings:

Block A: Your characterization paragraphs are due tomorrow about our protagonist Sammy - homework check in the afternoon.

Block C: Great work with your peer editing today - the good copy of your transformational narrative is due on Wednesday.

Below are the 8 novel choices for our unit. Read through them all, and consider your options. I will have one novel of each group on display in the classroom for you to look over and make your top three choices. Submit your selections to me on a small piece of paper by Tuesday at 3:00. Please indicate the title only - no need to include the author. If you do not submit your choices, I will put you in a group.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
    This novel chronicles the experiences of a German soldier during the war, from the physical and emotional stress of war to the confusion and isolation he experiences upon return from the trenches. A sad tale of war, remorse, and the pain inflicted on each other during times of war. If you enjoy history and war stories in particular this novel 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 and possibly haunted 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 in order 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. And a pivotal era between two world wars. 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 on a separate piece of paper. Also indicate the novels you have already read. No promises that you'll get your top pick but I'll do my best!

Block D: The good copy of your advice letter to John Purcell is due tomorrow - in pen or typed!

Friday Fantastic!

Hooray for the weekend! Get out and enjoy the sunshine! But not before you finish these exciting tasks:

Block A: Your characterization work is due on Monday. Make sure you are using quotes and explaining your thinking. The more you put in - the more you will get out!

Block C: Wonderful work today everyone! I'm glad we had the opportunity to view Jane McGonigal's TED talk and discuss it. Looking forward to reading your responses - if you didn't finish in class - please hand it in on Monday.

Rough draft of your personal narrative is due for peer editing on Monday.

Block D: We shared our alternate endings in small groups and we read the short story "The Father." If you didn't finish the story map in class - please complete it for Monday as there will be a homework check and discussion.

Extra Thursday Thinking:

Block A: Homework tonight is to finish up the discussion questions for "A&P that we started today in class - we will debrief tomorrow in class.

Block C: Rough draft of your transformational narrative is due on Monday. There will be something a little different on deck for tomorrow.

Block D: Finish up the "Wish you Were Here" story response - either the police report - and how you would investigate the crime, or the alternate ending. Be prepared to share tomorrow.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Block A: Today we began our unit on Short Stories! I gave a handout of the list of terminology that you need to know - study it as there will be a quiz next week. We read the first short story "A&P" by John Updike. Complete the Plot Summary handout and be prepared to discuss it tomorrow.

Block C: Tomorrow will be your last class to work on your personal narrative. Editing will commence on Monday.

Block D: What was going on in that story today? "Wish you Were Here" story map is due tomorrow. I will be doing a homework check to make sure yours is complete. We will discuss to try and figure out, just what was going on in that story.

Tuesday Terrific!

Block A: Thanks for all the listening today - I know it was a lot of me talking - but I think knowing the expectations of English 11 writing is really important right at the beginning of the semester. Fun times with short stories begins tomorrow - but for tonight you are homework free!

Block C: Worried yet? The next two days will be dedicated to writing the rough draft of your transformational narrative. The draft will be due on Monday for peer editing - make sure it is double-spaced!

Block D: Phew - now you know about the expectations of English 9 writing - and you will never think about surprises in the same way ever again!!! There is no home work tonight! The real work starts tomorrow...

Mostly Monday

Block A: Today was the dreaded in class writing diagnostic assessment. Thanks for putting forth your best writing efforts. We will be working with these again tomorrow.

Block C: Think transformationally. Today in class we viewed and discussed 2 examples of transformational narratives. The discussion continues tomorrow - along with the beginning of your essay writing journey.

Block D: Many of you forgot your silent reading novel today - please bring it tomorrow. My novels are for emergency use only! Good work on your in class writing diagnostic - we shall discuss these further tomorrow.

Fabulous Friday!

Phew! We made it through the first week of school!!! Next week a full 5 days...

Here is some work to help get you through the weekend until you get the come back to school!

Block A: Extended metaphors with visual support are due on Monday. In addition you need to choose your silent reading novel. I will consult with each of you to see if it is appropriate for the reading level in grade 11 English. See the helpful sites on the side bar for book suggestions.

Block C: Your contradictory natures will be on display when you hand in your paradox assignments on Monday. Silent reading novels are also due - there are lists on the side of some books you may want to think about for your independent novel study assignment. Remember to challenge yourself - read something unfamiliar - and outside what you are used to reading.

Block D: Bio poems are due on Monday - bring a silent reading novel as well - challenge yourself with something new and interesting!

Enjoy your weekend and see you on Monday!

Thorough Thursday

Block A: Today we looked at what an extended metaphor is. And watched the opening monologue of the movie Dear John as an example - what are you? Probably not a coin in the US Army.... Think about your metaphor and what you can reveal about yourself in this comparison. Metaphor and visuals are due on Monday.

If you have not already handed in your salmon coloured sheet - it is due tomorrow.

Block C: You and your paradoxes! You are contradictory and contrary - write about - create a visual and hand it in on Monday. There will be time to work on these tomorrow.

Blue sheets are due in the morning - if not already handed in.

Block D: We started our bio poems today - you will get a work block tomorrow to ask questions and get help if you are stuck. 

If you didn't finish your snap shot it is due tomorrow in addition to your blue coloured sheets.

Welcome Back Wednesday!!!

Here we go! Off on an adventure through the trials and tribulations of high school English! I promise to be your guide through the rough patches - let's make this an awesome semester!

This is what you are responsible for tonight:

Block A: Have your salmon coloured sheet signed and complete the personal snapshot to hand in tomorrow.

Block C: Have your blue sheet signed, and complete the personal snapshot.

Block D: Have your purple sheet signed and complete the letter to me if not done in class. The criteria from the overhead is below:

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. You must provide a good reason s/he's by 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.

Think about what novel you would like to read for your silent reading novel this semester. Remember you will be giving an oral presentation on this novel so please make sure that it is one that meets the criteria we discussed in class. You need to bring your book for Monday's class as I will be checking and approving each novel.