Welcome Back... Monday?

Well - Wednesday would work better for my alliteration - but we can't always get what we want...

Now that the shock of the first day is over - let the real work begin!

Block B: We started our novel today -  Not as Crazy as I Seem - it's a good one! We practiced our predicting and then on to the reading strategies - there will be some bonus time tomorrow to complete the part C journal if you didn't get to it in class today.

Block C: Hooray for poetry! We started our new unit today with some terminology. You now have a list of all terms that could show up on the Provincial - make flash cards or a glossary for yourself - as those words are YOUR responsibility. There is no homework tonight!

Block D: Ah essay writing - there is no real joy that I can add to this unit - it just needs to get done :) After some work today on formulating topics and developing arguments - your homework tonight is to take the 3 topics you wrote in class and turn them into fabulous thesis statements - I'll be checking tomorrow!

It's Finally Here Friday!

Welcome to SPRING BREAK 2014 Sharks!!!

Block B: Great discussion today about stereotypes and judgements of "normal" have a wonderful break!!!

Block C: Thanks for handing in your final projects today - I'll mark them over the break - there is no official homework - just read your novel!

Block D: Looks like we made it to the end of short stories! Thank you for the projects - I'll mark them over the break - and you can read your novel!

Hope you all have a restful, and safe Spring Break - see you all on March 31st!

Thinking About Spring Break Thursday!

Block B: After strategy work today - we continued on with the movie Little Miss Sunshine. Make sure you have completed the while you are watching handout!

Block C: Your short story project is due tomorrow! Looking forward to reading all of your hard work!

Block D: This is it - the final short story analysis project is due tomorrow - I'm sure all of your hard work is going to pay off!

Work for this Wednesday:

Block B: Today after working on our reading strategies - we started talking about stereotypes in connection to our identity unit. We then started watching the movie Little Miss Sunshine. We will continue this tomorrow. No homework tonight!

Block C: Hope you enjoyed that little bit of sunshine we had during the fire drill today! Nice work on the organized evacuation! The rest of the class was yours to work on the final short story project - lots of great focus in class today - can't wait to see what you come up with for the finished product!

Block D: After silent reading - the rest of the class was yours to work on your short story analysis project. Make sure you have a double-spaced rough draft in class tomorrow - for peer editing.

Totally Tuesday!

Block B: Thank you to all students who handed in their missing work today! There are still a few floating around out there - but we're making progress! Today we finished reading "Identities" then you completed a reflection on a time when you were judged wrongly or when you wrongly judged someone else. I think most of you got those handed in - so there is no homework!

Block C: Your task for class today was to complete the yellow story analysis sheet. Make sure you are managing your time - so that you have all parts of this project finished for Friday!

Block D: There was an excellent level of concentration in class today! You should at this point have a completed plot summary (in full sentences with supporting quotes) finished and now be planning your analysis or creative task. The rough draft of your literary analysis (last part) is due on Thursday for peer editing.

Make it a Monday!

Block B: Make sure all missing work is in tomorrow! Interims go home this week! We will continue reading "Identities" tomorrow.

Block C: You will be given class time this week to work on your final project for short stories. By the end of class tomorrow you should have your entire story analysis completed. Make sure you have a plan for how all of this work is going to get done! Project is due on Friday.

Block D: If you did not finish the close reading questions for "Identities" please do so for tomorrow. You were assigned the final project for this unit today - which requires you to show what you have learned about short story analysis. You chose your story and started making a plan. I will give you class time to work on this - but it is due on Friday! Make sure you have the rough draft of your literary analysis paragraph in on Thursday for peer editing.

Fun on a Friday!

Block B: Great work on your learning style letters today! We will give you some class time on Monday to finish those up. If you are missing ANY work at all please have it in on Monday. Ms. Brown is offering her room on Monday at lunch for those who need some extra time to work on assignments. Please take advantage of this generous offer - as interim reports are going home next Friday.

Block C: Today in class - we worked on symbolism, discussion questions and an elements chart for "The Possibility of Evil." I also handed out the final project for this unit - but did not assign it for homework. Just something to think about over the weekend.

Block D: Today we worked on peer editing for the "Saturday Climbing" theme paragraph - don't forget the double-spaced good copy is due on Monday along with all of its components. We then read the short (very short) story "Identities" we completed a plot summary and started on the close reading questions. I am only going to require that you complete the plot summary for homework - leave the close reading questions for class on Monday.

Thoroughly Thursday:

Block B: If you did not hand in your athlete's profile assignment - make sure you get that in ASAP! We'll work on the business letter tomorrow.

Block C: Things are not always what they appear... Finish up your reading of "The Possibility of Evil" and complete the chart on making inferences from the handout. Nothing else - no questions, symbols or elements - just the inferences!

Block D: Tomorrow the double-spaced rough draft of your "Saturday Climbing" paragraph is due for peer editing. Consider the feedback you got on your last paragraph to make it your best yet!

Work on a Wednesday

Block B: If you did not finish the good copy of your paralympic athlete - please hand it in tomorrow. We're moving on!

Block C: The double-space rough draft of your "Harrison Bergeron" paragraph is due tomorrow - along with the rough draft, outline and peer editing sheet.

Block D: Good work on the theme statements - I know it's tough! The outline is due tomorrow for the theme paragraph.

And Now It's Snowing Tuesday!

Block B: Great job on the research for your paralympic athlete profile. If you did not finish up the research for your athlete please complete that tonight, in addition bring in a picture of your athlete - as you will need that to complete your assignment.

Block C: The double-spaced good copy of your "Harrison Bergeron" paragraph will be due on Thursday - make sure all components are complete and handed in. We almost finished the story before the bell rang - but didn't quite make it. Please read the last page or so for tomorrow - then we'll discuss reactions.

Block D: Please complete your amazing and profound theme statements for the story "Saturday Climbing" for homework tonight. Here are the big ideas if you didn't get a chance to write them down:

Mostly-Rainy Monday

Block B: Today after silent reading - we started our assignment on "What is a normal body" which is a profile of a paralympian. If you did not choose your athlete in class today - make sure you have chosen one for tomorrow as we are going to continue working on this assignment. If you need to bring extra technology to class to aid in your research - please do if you feel comfortable.

Block C: Today in class I gave you some time to work on the double-spaced rough draft of your "Harrison Bergeron" paragraph. If you didn't finish in class - please do so tonight. In addition we did some pre-reading for our next story "The Metaphor" if you did not complete the parts of a metaphor chart from the overhead - please do so tonight.

Block D: Thank you for your opinion paragraphs - looking forward to reading them! We read the story "Saturday Climbing" together in class - and the focus was extensively on theme. Not an easy task - but one that we will hopefully gain further insight into as our study progresses. If you did not finish the plot summary in class today - please do so for homework. Here is a link to a full text version of the story.