Thoughtful Thursday:

Block A: Hopefully you're thinking about the poem that you are going to recite to the class on Thursday next week!

Today, we started the process of our culminating assignment for poetry: The Great Poetry Composition. You will write a 4 paragraph composition explaining what you have learned about what great poetry is and why this poem is an example of it. I demonstrated what it looks like to label a poem to break down the parts of it - then turned the rest of the class over to you. Your challenge is to choose a poem (of at least 14 lines) that you think is an example of truly great poetry. Once you have chosen the poem copy it down (or print it off) and label your poem just like I did on the overhead projector - I'll be checking your poem on Tuesday.

Blocks B&D: Our further investigation of "Identities" continues! If you haven't finished the questions regarding the literary techniques of the author, please do so for Tuesday. Additionally, you will need to complete the making connections chart and summary of the TED talk that we watched by Chimamanda Adichie.

Have a great long weekend everybody!

Wondering about Wednesday?

Block A: Poetry stations are done! I hope you had some fun being creative and getting the opportunity to try some different types of poetry! Homework tonight is to finish any of the poems you didn't finish in class - tomorrow you should have 7 completed poems.

After poetry stations were finished I handed out a new assignment CLS#6 a poetry recitation assignment. You will be tasked with performing an original piece of your own poetry (of at least 15 lines) for the class next Wednesday April 18th. I know that performing in front of the class is a very nerve wracking experience - but it is also a very important skill. When you present your poem you must:

1. Introduce yourself
2. Introduce the title of your poem
3. 4-5 sentences about why you wrote the poem (explain your inspiration)
4. Performance

Blocks B&D: Homework tonight is all related to "Identities" make sure you have used quotations to fully support your answers. I'll be doing a homework check on this tomorrow.

Talk about Tuesday!

Block A: I hope you enjoyed your time a the various poetry stations today! If you didn't finish the work from the stations that you went to today - please do so for homework tonight!

Blocks B&D: We are all finished with our "A&P" paragraphs - I'm looking forward to reading them. We're on to our next story tomorrow - so there is no homework tonight.

Masterful Monday!

Block A: If you did not get a chance to finish the depth of meaning poem and reflection in class today - please do so for homework tonight.

Blocks B&D: Rough drafts and peer editing are done! You will have one class tomorrow to complete your good copy.

Our fabulous Friday!

Block A: Thank you for handing in your found poems today - they look great! Thank you also for your excellent, on-task behaviour displayed in the library today! You chose your art books and got down to the task of writing a poem with depth of meaning, without needing any prompts from me. You will have time on Monday to keep working on your poem and the reflection. Make sure you spend some time studying the poetic devices we've been working with on our journey to find great poetry - the quiz will be first thing on Monday.

Blocks B&D: Oh Sammy - who even cares if you have undergone a major change or not?! Well, unfortunately for you, the task to analyze this change is not done yet! You will have Monday to finish the draft and complete some peer editing before we write the good copy on Tuesday!

Thoughts on Thursday!

Block A: Will you be an explorer or a conqueror of poetry? This is the question I leave you with for the last part of our journey towards great poetry. Homework tonight is to complete your found poem with visual and hand it in tomorrow.

Blocks B&D: Today in class you worked on your outline of the literary analysis of Sammy. I've collected your outline and you will be starting the rough draft in class tomorrow.

Walkabout Wednesday!

Block A: keep working on your found poem - the good copy is due on Friday. This means that the poem is done - in pen or typed and you've completed your visual to support it. Make sure you make a note in your agenda that you will have a quiz on poetic devices on Monday!

Blocks B&D: We will continue the brainstorm and outline of the literary analysis paragraph in class tomorrow. Due to issues with academic dishonesty - all written work needs to be done in class. I encourage you to think about your topic and bring any questions or concerns you have with you to class tomorrow.