Fabulous Friday:

Block B: Today was our last work block for our stories - and we have seen some awesome progress! If you need some extra time please hand in your completed stories on Monday - we can't wait to send them to Mitchell Elementary!

Block C: Today we talked some more about characters and characterization. We then started to prepare ourselves for the next short story that we will read on Monday. There is no homework this weekend!

Block D: We finished reading the short story "The Veldt" together in class - and yes - a creepy story indeed. We then completed the story map and a setting chart. If you didn't finish your setting chart - please do so for Monday. Here is a copy of the chart in case you didn't copy it down in class.

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block B: We are so close to the finish line writers! The good copy of your children's story is due at the end of class tomorrow. BUT... if you need some extra time you can hand it in on Monday.

Block C: Don't forget your Soap for Hope donations for tomorrow! We will start to take a closer look at character tomorrow - so there is no homework tonight!

Block D: We did not get a chance to finish reading "The Veldt" in class today - but I am NOT assigning it for homework - we'll finish reading it together tomorrow in class. If you were unable to finish your characterization chart for "The Necklace" please do that for tomorrow.

Tasks for a Tuesday:

Block B: We are very impressed with the steady progress you are all making on your stories! We will continue working on the rough drafts tomorrow in class.

Block C: Make sure that you are studying for the short story quiz on Thursday. We will continue setting and ELO 4 tomorrow.

Block D: The good copy of "The Father" advice letter is due tomorrow. If you didn't finish your characterization chart for "The Necklace" please complete that as well.

Most of all Monday

Block B: You are all making very steady progress on your stories! We will continue progress on the rough drafts tomorrow in class.

Block C: It is all about the plot! Good job working through the parts of "The Landlady" this was practice for the real ELO that we will be doing tomorrow or Wednesday. Don't forget to study for the quiz on Thursday! No homework tonight.

Block D: Characterization was the topic of the day today. A lot of great input from around the room. Make sure you study all terms related to short stories for Thursday's quiz. For homework tonight - please read the rest of "The Necklace."

Thoughtful Thursday:

Block B: Awesome work on your story lines today! Ms. McBurney and I are thrilled with the progress you are making on your plot lines. We will continue to conference with each of you on Monday. No homework this weekend!

Block C: Well that was a creepy story! If you did not finish the questions and foreshadowing chart on "The Landlady" please complete it for Monday!

Block D: Today in class we worked on the story map and letter task for "The Father." Here are the instructions just in case you missed it:

Don't forget that the good copy (double-spaced) typed or written in pen for your "Wish You Were Here" task is due on Monday!

Wondering about Wednesday?

Block B: Understanding audience and purpose - the two big take-away concepts from today's lesson. After some practice with these ideas - we jumped into our first major project. You will be writing children's stories combing everything that we've been learning about the different terminology and applying it to your own story. In class today - we worked on the character sketch. Almost everyone has a pretty good start to understanding who their character is - tomorrow we will get started on the basics of the plot.

Block C: Today we continued to talk about foreshadowing - and how authors hint at the action to come in a story. If you did not manage to complete the foreshadowing chart and questions for "Death by Scrabble" please do so for homework tonight.

Block D: There is no homework tonight! The good copy (double-spaced) of your "Wish You Were Here" Task is due on Monday. Here is a reminder of the different tasks - just in case you want to double-check the assignment.

 We will work on the story map for "The Father" tomorrow.

Tasks on a Tuesday:

Block B: Such violent and gory stories today! Great job on the character work. Everything was completed in class today - so no homework tonight!

Block C: Please bring in your toiletry donations for Soap for Hope please! We will continue our work on foreshadowing tomorrow in class. Please make sure you have your silent reading book at the start of class.

Block D: Please bring your silent reading book to class tomorrow! If you didn't finish the double-spaced rough draft of your "Wish You Were Here" task - please do so for tomorrow.

Most of All Monday:

Block B: If you didn't finish your Goal Setting Assignment in class today - please finish it for tomorrow!

Block C: Great job working with your inferences today! If you didn't finish the inference chart for "They're Made Out of Meat" please do so for homework tonight!

Block D: Today in class we finished reading "Wish You Were Here." If you didn't finish the story map in class - please use the link above to the story to finish it for tomorrow. I also assigned the responding task - three different choices - I am not assigning those for homework as you will get time in class tomorrow.

Fabulous Friday!

Block B: Today - after a great warm-up - we split the class so that the 11s could write their diagnostic and the 12s could preview a practice Provincial Exam. Hopefully now that you've seen an exam some of your anxiety is a little bit lessened. There is NO homework this weekend. We will give you time on Monday to finish your goals assignment.

Block C: So much fun with making inferences today! We didn't quite finish picture number 3 - but we'll tackle that one on Monday. Your homework for the weekend is to create the good copy of your Bio Poem. Make sure you have the rough draft and blue criteria sheet to hand in on Monday!

Block D: Today we started our short story unit. After reviewing the terminology specific to short stories we then thought more about how to read a short story in order to fully understand it. We practiced with a few Google Search stories then got started with "Wish You Were Here" unfortunately the bell rang before we could finish - but that's ok - we'll take it up on Monday. You're homework this weekend is to complete the good copy of the "Where I'm From" assignment - make sure you have the rough draft and green criteria sheet to hand in on Monday.

Thoughts on Thursday:

Block B: Thank you all for your thoughtful responses to the personal profile! Ms. McBurney and I are looking forward to learning more about you. Once completed you worked on and received feedback on the rough draft of your goals assignment. If you were able to - you showed us the draft and got started on the good copy. No homework tonight!

Block C: Today you were able to have the whole block to work on your Bio Poem. The good copy is due on Monday - there won't be any time tomorrow in class to work on it - but feel free to ask me questions!

Block D: Work continued today on your Where I'm From poem assignment. The good copy is due on Monday - but you may ask me questions tomorrow to see if you are on the right track.

Wonderful Wednesday:

Block B: Awesome class again today! We finished our reflection on the two activities from yesterday and then did some review of what SMART goals. We then got started on the first assignment of the semester - goal setting of course! There is no homework tonight - please get your pink letter signed by Friday!

Block C: Thank you for your concentration today. After completing your letter to me - you completed the English Snapshot. We then got started on the first assignment ELO 8: The Bio Poem. As this was just our first class we will continue working on the rough draft tomorrow. The only homework tonight is to have your yellow letter signed and returned by Friday.

Block D: Today in class you completed your introductory letters to me and then you finished your personal snapshot. I then assigned the "Where I'm From" poem. If you need to use the template you are more then welcome to do so. The good copy is due on Monday - I will give you time tomorrow to work on your draft, so the only homework tonight is to get your blue letter signed and returned to me.

Take That, Tuesday!

Welcome to semester 2 everyone! On this blog you will find a short summary of the days' classes, reminders about homework and upcoming due dates. Please bookmark this page so that you can easily stay up to date and focused on having a great second semester.

Block B: Thank you all for being so willing to jump on in to the community building challenges today. We are going to have a great semester together - both Ms. McBurney and I are really excited to work with you all! There is no homework tonight - we will continue with the reflection in class tomorrow. Please have your pink letter signed and returned by Friday.

Block C: Hopefully you learned some new things about your classmates today! I will give you time in class tomorrow to complete the English profile sheet. Please have your yellow letter signed and returned by Friday.

Block D: I know we were short on time today - so your English profile sheet is not homework tonight. Please have your blue letter signed and returned to me by Friday.