Costume-filled Wednesday:

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween tonight!

If you are not going out and staying inside to be dry - here are some things to work on!

Block A: Try and finish up the poetry challenge if you didn't get the whole thing done in class today. We will discuss the rest of the poem tomorrow.

Block C: Write your own paradox, oxymoron and antithesis for homework - I'll give you some time tomorrow to find your examples if you didn't finish today.

Block D: We have a meeting tomorrow - so be prepared with your reading and sticky notes done!

Take Away Tuesday:

Block A: I hope you all enjoyed watching the hard work of our student actors! TALES OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE was a great show - I encourage anyone who hasn't seen it yet to make the effort to go and see it!

Block C: Comparative devices and their role in extending the literal meaning of the text - if you did not write your poem with explanation, and the synthesis of the lesson then please do so for homework tonight.

Block D: Read, read, read! Complete your next set of sticky notes for the meeting on Thursday. In addition to the usual reading strategies please focus your thoughts on conflict. Try to put your conflict in terms of literary vocabulary. Person vs. Person, or Person vs. Technology etc.

Mega-Fun Monday!

Block A: What makes poetry worth stopping for, our central question of inquiry. I've enjoyed reading the responses I've got so far. If you didn't finish yours - then please complete it tonight and hand it in on Wednesday. Don't forget to meet me at the theatre at 1:35 for Tales of Mystery and Suspense!

Block C: Comparative devices were the task for today. A Quiz on terminology and some time to start your poetry project. Work with comparison continues tomorrow.

Block D: Make sure that you have your reading and sticky notes ready for discussion - plus your first set of 2 journals is due tomorrow.

Fun-times Friday!

Block A: Today was peer editing day - so hopefully you got some good feedback from your editor that you can incorporate into your good copy due on Monday.

Block C: Nice work on your performances today! This weekend think about the project for the unit and what you need to do to get started.

Block D: Lesson today about symbolism, and how to find symbols in your novel. For your next set of sticky notes keep up with our usual reading strategies - but start looking for symbols in your novel as well. Don't forget that you have 2 personal responses due on Monday for group discussion.

Thursday Dance-day!

If you are going to the dance tonight - have a great time - be safe and make good choices!

Not going to the dance? How about some awesome and fun homework?!

Block A: The rough draft of your essay is due tomorrow. Please make sure that it is double-spaced regardless if it is typed or hand-written.

Block C: Hope you enjoyed your throw back to story time today! The book we read, Love that Dog, is the basis for the poetry project that you are going to be doing for this unit. There is no homework tonight!

Block D: Read, read and read some more - focus your sticky notes on theme: isolation, identity and survival - but themes that are unique to your novel too. The first set of 2 journal entries is now due on Tuesday - make sure you have your 2 personal responses done for Monday.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Block A: We will talk about writing good conclusions and titles tomorrow. The rough draft needs to be complete for Friday for peer editing!

Block C: The sound of words, and what is the impact our voice has on these words that we use? We got a small start on this today. If you did not finish your initial reaction - that is due tomorrow. If you get the chance look up more videos of Shane Koyczan - love slam poetry!

Block D: Great work today! Homework tonight is to read, read, read! Don't forget that your journals are due on Monday!

Terrific Tuesday!

Block A: If you had any difficulty with quote integration please come and see me for extra help! We will continue writing our rough drafts tomorrow in class. The draft is due on Thursday. Also please bring your $4.00 admission fee for the drama performance we are going to see next Tuesday.

Block C: How does the form of poetry impact the mood and meaning. Exploration into the whys and hows of poetry began today. If you did not choose your "happy" or "sad" poem in class - please do so tonight. I will give you time in class tomorrow to finish up your task.

Block D: Make sure your reading is done for tomorrow! 3 sticky notes per chapter - focus on character and setting.

Marvelous Monday!

Block A: Mull over your essay topics - complete your incorporating quotations worksheet if not done in class!

Block C: An event out of the ordinary - there is NO homework tonight!

Block D: Today was the day to sign out your novel - if you did not get your novel signed out - you can do it tomorrow. Please complete 3 sticky notes per chapter. I will be checking on Wednesday that you have finished your reading! :)

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block A: So..... work continues on your essays. If you did not get your outline done in class - then make sure it is finished for Monday! Keep in mind how you want to organize your points - review your notes for the best method for you.

Block C: Phew! Essay is done!!! Verbal Visual is due on Monday.

Block D: Today we learned about reading strategies - and practiced using them in the story "The Sniper" we will finish up our work with that story on Monday. No homework this weekend! :)

Wonderful Wednesday:

Block A: Great work on your introductions today! Tonight for homework make sure you have an awesome thesis and completed intro for me to check. In addition you need to find and print off an article or study that supports your topic. We will talk about incorporating evidence tomorrow.

Block C: In class essay tomorrow!!! Bring your outline, transitions sheet and novel to class with you.

Block D: Isolation, Identity and Survival - the big topics of the lesson today - all will be revealed tomorrow! The good copy of your short story is due tomorrow - double-spaced please!

Tasks for Tuesday:

Block A: Today in class we worked on developing essay topics and writing effective thesis statements. Your homework tonight is to develop an essay topic that you would like to write about for your unit assignment. Remember the 4 S's of good essay topics.

Block C: Work on your outlines continues tomorrow - in class essay Thursday. I've posted a link to the Literary Analysis Writing Guide along the right hand column of the blog - check it out if you are still confused!

Block D: I know that not everyone had the chance to complete the peer editing process today. I will give you time at the beginning of class to finish editing, as the feedback that you provide will be very valuable for the person writing the story. The good copy of your short story is due on Thursday. In addition you should review the handout I gave you on your Book Talk assignment (presentations start in Nov). Start thinking about how you are going to present your chosen book for the class.

Monday Musings:

Block A: Essay writing continues tomorrow! Please ensure that you have Lesson 24 completed in your grammar package.

Block C: Some excellent ideas flowing about your Verbal Visual Essays! A reminder that your completed visual is due on Monday. We enter the wonderful world of Literary Analysis Essay Writing!

Block D: Rough drafts of your short stories are due tomorrow for peer editing - make sure it is double-spaced!

Finally some rain Friday!!!

It has been a long time coming - and we should be grateful!

Block A: Awesome class today - love the snowball stories - the best of the best will be read aloud on Monday. Meanwhile finish up your Short Story final project - all due on Monday. In addition if you didn't finish your grammar work on sentences - lessons 22 and 23 are due on Monday - we will review answers in class.

Block C: It was your LAST group meeting today - I hope you made it count! Journals are due on Monday. 4 personal responses and 2 group group responses. Next week will see the end of our time working on this novel study unit. Monday's class to be determined - but bring your materials for your verbal visual essay just in case!

Block D: Great work on your rough drafts today! I gave a stamp for completed story package and plot lines. You will have another work block on Monday for your draft. The rough draft will be due on Tuesday for peer editing.

Wednesday Work:

Block A: rough draft of your literary analysis paragraph is due tomorrow for peer editing. The entire project will be due on Monday!

Block C: Last group meeting tomorrow - make it the best one yet!

Block D: We started our short story project today. By the end of class tomorrow you should have the plot line, and the entire package finished - the storyboard and all. I will be doing a homework check on this on Friday.

Left Over Turkey Tuesday:

Block A: Keep working on your short story final project. The rough draft of your literary analysis paragraph for your chosen story will be due on Thursday.

Block C: Take a deep breath everyone - your last set of journals will be due on Monday.  Tomorrow will be a work block to finish up any discussions left from the archetypes TOTD, and to get started on your Verbal Visual Essay.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Block D: No homework tonight! Double-spaced good copy of your chosen paragraph will be due on Thursday.

Fun-times Friday!

Block A: Keep working on your analysis project. Due for Tuesday is the completed plot line, brainstorm and outline for your chosen literary response question. If you would like to choose your own, send me a tweet or an email!

Block C: Archetypes continues on Tuesday! Check the changes for scheduling as things have been pushed back.

Block D: Due on Monday: the short story package - all 5 story maps and all 5 tasks together with the green sheet attached. Also Audio themes worksheet. Bring all 3 paragraph rough drafts on Tuesday for editing!

Enjoy your 3 days off!!!

Thoughts for Thursday:

Block A: No official homework tonight - absorb the feedback that I gave you on your elements work and we will continue the plot line and analysis tomorrow.

Block C: Group meeting and second set of journals tomorrow. Come prepared with your reading done and sticky notes filled with awesomeness to talk about in your groups.

Block D: Gah! Theme?! Why does it have to be so complicated?!!! Today we finished taking some notes, and reviewing the pink handout on theme statements. Then you started your final short story task: Write an awesome theme statement for all 5 of the stories we have read in this unit.  I did not assign the theme statements for homework, I will give you some time in class to keep asking me questions - talking it through is really the best way to develop a theme statement. Think over and absorb what was taught in class today and we will continue our theme journey tomorrow.

Work for Wednesday:

Block A: Work continues on your short story analysis project. There will be another work block tomorrow - you should be done all of your elements by now, and be thinking about creating your detailed plot line that we will start in class tomorrow.

Those going to Victoria: make sure that you have your elements done for Friday - you will need to catch up to the class over the long weekend.

Block C: Journal discussion continues tomorrow - this set of 4 entries is due on Friday.

Block D: Today we reviewed the story map for "Penny in the Dust" and worked on questions 1-8 on the handout. If you did not finish questions please do so for homework. I also gave some notes about finding the theme, and writing theme statements, which we will finish tomorrow. Tricky stuff I know... we will keep working on it tomorrow.

Tuesday Tasks:

Block A: Today we got started on our Short Story Analysis Project. Each person signed up for the story that they would like to analyze, and we got started on task number 1. You will have time tomorrow in class to continue working on your elements of fiction.

Block C: Theme work will continue tomorrow if your group did not finish the task of the day. In addition you will have time to work on your group responses for your next set of journals.

Block D: Today we read the last short story in our unit "Penny in the Dust." Homework tonight is to finish the story map, and the double-spaced rough draft of your descriptive paragraph.

Mostly Monday:

Block A: Today in class, you had to opportunity to have your literary response paragraph peer-edited. Please take into consideration all the feedback you were given for your good copy. Please double-space and hand in your outline, draft, peer-editing sheet and good copy tomorrow. In addition I handed out the final short story analysis project. Please choose your story and start reading it tonight.

Block C: Meeting #3 tomorrow. Consider the notes I gave today. Come prepared to discuss. Have questions ready and connections made. Next set of journals due Friday.

Block D: What is descriptive writing? Well, after today's class you should be able to answer that question with confidence! Homework tonight is to complete the point-form outline for your chosen topic. Review your notes to ensure that you are adding enough vivid details. Make sure you SHOW don't TELL!!!!