Seeing-Double Thursday

It is PJ day tomorrow - coming to school like you rolled out of bed - idea? I think so.

Block A: Today we read the short story "The Veldt" and got started on the story map. If you didn't finish the story map in class - please do so tonight.

Block B: We read chapters 4-6 of our novel in class today and started the questions. They are not for homework - you will get time in class tomorrow to work on them.

Block D: We read "Saturday Climbing" in class today, with a focus on theme. Please complete the plot summary for homework tonight.

Think Pink on Wednesday!

Love the love for anti-bullying day today!!! Think twin-like for Thursday.

Block A: Lots of great writing today - we worked on the persuasive graphic organizer, outline and rough draft - all due tomorrow.

Block B: Nice work on the questions for Last Sam's Cage today! We will move on to the next section tomorrow - no homework tonight :)

Block D: Good work on the close reading today. Finish up the questions for homework tonight - it is on to theme tomorrow!

Fancy Tuesday!

Please show your support for Anti-Bullying day tomorrow by wearing pink!!!

Block A: Methods of persuasion were the topic of the day. A lot of good discussion of the various ways we are persuaded in our everyday life. No homework tonight :)

Block B: Great work on the pre-reading predictions for the novel study. Together we read the first 3 chapters of the book, and got started on the questions. We will continue the questions in class tomorrow - so no homework tonight :)

Block D: Are you enjoying the close reading of "Identities"? You need to complete up to and including question number 5 for homework tonight - and we will continue our work tomorrow.

Mouse-Ears Monday:

It is spirit week here at SLSS, and today's theme was Disney day - show your school spirit by dressing your best for formal day tomorrow!

Block A: The double-spaced rough draft of your expository paragraph is due tomorrow.

Block B: Pack your bags - we are all heading to Orlando FL for spring break! Our class took a vote on all of the travel projects that you have been working so hard on, and voted for the trip that sounded the most appealing - so Orlando it is! Great work on the reading strategies and pre-reading activities for our novel study today. There is no homework tonight :)

Block D: Today we went over a few common issues that I saw in your literary analysis paragraphs. If those issues applied to you - hopefully you took note to make changes for next time! We also read the short story "Identities" and completed the plot summary - if you didn't finish - please do so for tomorrow.

Fun-times Friday!

Thank you to all the students and parents who cam to Meet the Teacher Night yesterday!

Block A: I collected your characterization chart for "The Necklace" today. We also wrote a quiz on short story terminology. We then got started on reviewing the different types of paragraphs. We are focusing on expository paragraph writing for our first attempt. I gave a handout of different topics, you need to complete the pre-writing section - could be a brainstorm or a list, then the point form outline on the back for homework this weekend.

Block B: Thank you to all of those who handed in their completed Travel Project today. If you did not hand in task 1 make sure you do so for Monday. The lesson today was on what good readers do to make meaning from what they read. We took some notes on reading strategies and started to practice with a short story. Please do not read the rest of the story - we will finish it together as a class on Monday! 

Block D: Thanks for presenting your ideas on the story "Boys and Girls" today! Some interesting ideas and interpretation. Your paragraph response is due on Monday.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Block A: Great work on your cinquain characters today! I will be checking to see that you have 2 completed poems tomorrow in class. Don't forget that we have a quiz on short story terms on Friday.

Block B: Travel Project continues. The completed assignment is due tomorrow at the end of the class.

Block D: Tonight - complete the plot summary for "Boys and Girls" in addition to the chart on connotation, stereotypes and symbols. Here is the link to the full text version of the story "Boys and Girls" Make sure to study for the terminology quiz on Friday!

Take on Tuesday!

Block A: Today we tackled the question about honesty... Is honesty the best policy? Some interesting points of view on this. We then read the story "The Necklace" together and completed the story map in class. If you did not finish your story map please do so for homework tonight. Here is the link to the full text version of the story.

Block B: We had an in-class work block today. We worked on the 2 paragraphs needed for task 1 of the travel project. We are going back to the library tomorrow - you need to do the best you can to keep up with the class. If you continue to work as hard as you did today - an extension might be possible!

Block D: The good copy (double-spaced) of your "A&P" paragraph is due tomorrow. Please hand it in with your rough draft and outline. We started the story "Boys and Girls" but I will finish reading it to you tomorrow - there is no "Boys and Girls" related homework.

Monday Musings:

Block A: Great work on your advice letters to John Purcell Sr. If you did not finish - please do so for homework. We start characterization tomorrow.

Block B: Travel project continues - itineraries look exciting so far! We have an in-class work block tomorrow.

Block D: Phew - some tough work today on your outlines and thesis statements! The double-spaced rough draft of your paragraph is due tomorrow.

Fabulous Friday!

Block A: Today we read the short story "The Father" you are to complete the story map for homework if not done in class.

Block B: We will continue our travel projects on Monday - you should be done the flight info, as well as the summary of the Government of Canada travel warnings or advisories.

Block D: Fun class today! We finished up our "A&P" discussion questions and had some reminders of literary analysis writing - then got started on the formal paragraph. You need to complete the brainstorm and the outline of the paragraph for Monday.

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block A: Today we were treated to a program planning information session by Ms. Easton. Grade 10 is a big year for you - where you have more choice than ever in your courses - so make sure to do your research and choose your courses wisely. The blue course planning sheet is due to the counsellor's office on March 1st - don't forget!!!

Now as for the class work... I gave you time in class to complete your creative alternate ending or police report for the short story "Wish You Were Here." If you did not finish in class - please complete it for a homework check tomorrow.

Block B: Thank you for your hard work typing up the good copy of your descriptive paragraphs. When you finished - you got started on your travel project - some interesting choices in destinations so far! We will continue our work tomorrow.

Block D: Really enjoyed the discussions today around the story "A&P" We will start with question number 6 tomorrow and try to get through the rest of the questions before moving on to Literary Analysis writing - as we ran out of time today. This means - there is no homework tonight :)

Comm Travel Trip Links

Here are some of the links you should use for your Travel Project

Country Travel Report

http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Travel Sites

http://www.expedia.ca/

http://www.travelocity.ca/

Looking for hotels?

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/

http://www.hotels.com/

Work on this Wednesday:

Block A: We started work on your two choices, either the detective case or the alternate ending in class. We only had about 8 minutes left in class - so there is no homework tonight - we can continue our work tomorrow!

Block B: Great work on your outlines and drafts today! all double-spaced rough drafts are due in class tomorrow morning.

Block D: What is up with that character of Sammy? For tonight you need to complete the chart on direct and indirect characterization. We'll discuss tomorrow.

Tuesday, Terrific!

Block A: We almost managed to read to the end of "Wish You Were Here" - but the bell rang... Please finish up the last page of the story tonight for homework. We will complete the story map in class tomorrow.

Block B: Great work today on writing amazing paragraphs. Your homework tonight is to finish the brainstorm and point form outline of your descriptive paragraph. Ms. White and I will conference with each of you individually tomorrow before you start your draft.

Block D: Today we started our unit on short stories. Make sure you are familiarizing yourself with the terminology as there will be quiz at some point. Homework tonight is to complete the plot summary handout for the story "A&P" for each box you need to have a direct quote from the story to support your explanation.

Thoughts on Thursday:

Have a happy and relaxing long weekend!

Block A: Great job on the writing assessment today! We went through the expectations of writing at the English 9 level - and you gave yourself some feedback about what you would like to focus on for this semester. There is no homework this weekend except to find a silent reading book for Tuesday.

Block B: Awesome work on the sentences today! Also the cup challenge seemed to have mixed results - although there were some who believe we need a second round with this one... Enjoy the weekend - no homework for you!

Block D: It seemed like you were all basically on target for the expectations of English 11 writing. You set some pretty realistic goals on what you would like to improve on throughout the semester. With some hard work - I'm sure you can do it! There is no homework this weekend - other than to find a silent reading book for Tuesday!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Well students - I hope you all enjoyed the writing diagnostic day!!! I promise that this will not be the trend of how your English classes are going to be from now until June... This is just the start of semester business that needs to be taken care of.

Block A: Goals assignment is due tomorrow - please hand it in with the blue criteria sheet attached. Reminder that you will need a silent reading book for Tuesday.

Block B: There is no homework tonight :)

Block D: Bio poems are due tomorrow - hand them in with the salmon coloured criteria sheet attached please! Make sure you are thinking about what novel you would like to read for silent reading - which starts on Tuesday.

Terrific Tuesday!

Block A: Attention nines - today was your last work block for the bio poem - you will not be getting time in class tomorrow to work on this assignment - but don't forget that it is due on Thursday. Please also note that you will be expected to have a silent reading novel in class for Tuesday. Choose well - and make sure you sign up early to make sure your choice is not already taken.

Block B: Great work on your goals projects - can't wait to see the final results tomorrow when you hand them in.

Block D: So elevens - today was your final work block on your goals assignment. Don't forget that it is due on Thursday. You should also be thinking about your silent reading novel for this semester. You need to have your book in class for Tuesday. Look at the book lists that I've posted here to the right - but don't forget to ask Mrs. Shigeno in the library as well.

Marvelous Monday!

Block A: Thanks for your hard work today! We got started on your first assignment, the Bio Poem, which is due on Thursday. For homework tonight please bring in your yellow signed sheet, if you have not done so already, and any materials you need to work on your poem.

Block B: Great work on your goals! This assignment is due on Thursday. If you have not yet handed in your green letter - please do so as soon as possible. If you need to bring in materials for your goal assignment please bring them to class tomorrow - as it may be your last in-class opportunity to complete this assignment.

Block D: I like what I'm seeing so far! A lot of hard work and thinking being put into your first assignment, which is due on Thursday. You have all class tomorrow to continue working on your assignment - please bring in any materials you might need. If you have not handed in your signed blue form - please do so by Thursday.

First Day Friday?!

I know it feels strange - but here we are on a Friday - and it is the first day of Semester 2!!!

Block A: Great first class today! I know we ran out of time to get our letters written - but I will give you some time on Monday to finish up. If you could please get your yellow parent/guardian letter signed and returned that would be great!

Block B: I have a good feeling about this group! We will finish up our personal profile on Monday. Please have your green parent/guardian letter signed and returned as soon as possible.

Block D: Nice work today class! We got started on your letters to me this afternoon. If you did not finish up here are the instructions from the overhead:


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.

In addition to your letter please sign and return the blue parent/guardian letter.

We're going to have a great semester together - and I can't wait to get started!!!