Today, short story comprehension test. You will be reading a new short story, creating a chart and writing a formal, literary paragraph. You are prepared. You will do well.
Friday--study words 1-13, be ready for the test.
We'll be starting a novel soon. Monday, we have an event in the theatre.
USSR forms for Sept. are due today.
Thanks.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
English 11E, Thursday, Sept. 30
Yesterday, we worked with more ways to get you going with fiction writing. Get the notes from a friend and try the exercises. Today, you may have the entire class minus USSR to work on crafting your stories which are due Monday.
Hopefully, you have edited your essays by now. Due Friday. Also, complete the green sheets.
Vocabulary test--Friday, words 1-13.
Hopefully, you have edited your essays by now. Due Friday. Also, complete the green sheets.
Vocabulary test--Friday, words 1-13.
Writing 12 Thursday, Sept. 30
Thank you for submitting such fabulous poems. I'm so impressed and this is only week 3!!! Wow.
Imagine the quality of your manuscripts by the end of October. You will make money with these poems and change the world and not necessarily in that order, right?
Today, we focused on using our imagination by developing extended metaphors. Try imitating the samples.
See if you can go over some previously-edited poems and add more extended metaphors. They really work and they are fun to write.
Next week, we have two writers coming to class, one from Iceland and one from Ireland--Monday and Tuesday. You will not want to miss these classes BUT if you have to, remember, you must make up the time by attending an extra literary event outside of school.
If you have already attended an event, please submit your response forms, asap.
Thanks.
Imagine the quality of your manuscripts by the end of October. You will make money with these poems and change the world and not necessarily in that order, right?
Today, we focused on using our imagination by developing extended metaphors. Try imitating the samples.
See if you can go over some previously-edited poems and add more extended metaphors. They really work and they are fun to write.
Next week, we have two writers coming to class, one from Iceland and one from Ireland--Monday and Tuesday. You will not want to miss these classes BUT if you have to, remember, you must make up the time by attending an extra literary event outside of school.
If you have already attended an event, please submit your response forms, asap.
Thanks.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
English 9, Tues. Sept. 28
Friday, we read Morley Callaghan's story, "All The Years Of Her Life" and created a what/so what? chart to answer the question: Discuss what Alfred learns about his mother the day he is caught shoplifting.
Today, we wrote a 250-350 word, formal, literary paragraph. We used all of our handouts: literary must-haves sheet, the transitions sheet, hook sheet, how to cite sheet, how to incorporate quotations sheet, our corrected paragraphs from last week, and a thesaurus. Next, we edited the paragraph to catch any errors.
Writing formal paragraphs takes practice. This paragraph is number 3. If you feel lost, please make an appointment to see me. I am available before or after school.
THURSDAY:
USSR FORMS DUE FOR SEPTEMBER. THANK YOU. YOU'VE READ A LOT OF BOOKS.
FINAL SHORT STORY TEST, THURSDAY. YOU WILL BE READING A SHORT STORY, CREATING A WHAT/SO WHAT CHART AND WRITING A FORMAL PARAGRAPH. STUDY YOUR EDITED PARAGRAPHS. YOU MAY USE YOUR HANDOUTS DURING THE TEST, A DICTIONARY AND A THESAURUS.
PRACTICE AT HOME.
Friday--Vocab. quiz on the words 1-13.
Today, we wrote a 250-350 word, formal, literary paragraph. We used all of our handouts: literary must-haves sheet, the transitions sheet, hook sheet, how to cite sheet, how to incorporate quotations sheet, our corrected paragraphs from last week, and a thesaurus. Next, we edited the paragraph to catch any errors.
Writing formal paragraphs takes practice. This paragraph is number 3. If you feel lost, please make an appointment to see me. I am available before or after school.
THURSDAY:
USSR FORMS DUE FOR SEPTEMBER. THANK YOU. YOU'VE READ A LOT OF BOOKS.
FINAL SHORT STORY TEST, THURSDAY. YOU WILL BE READING A SHORT STORY, CREATING A WHAT/SO WHAT CHART AND WRITING A FORMAL PARAGRAPH. STUDY YOUR EDITED PARAGRAPHS. YOU MAY USE YOUR HANDOUTS DURING THE TEST, A DICTIONARY AND A THESAURUS.
PRACTICE AT HOME.
Friday--Vocab. quiz on the words 1-13.
English 11 E, Tues. Sept. 28
Congratulations on your successful in-class essays. You now have the essays returned and you need to edit them. Submit the corrections and the completed green sheets by Friday.
Short Story Assignment. Today we started writing fiction. There are several strict guidelines for these stories. Be sure to follow them.
Our lesson focused on how to "show and not tell". We did three writing exercises today. If you missed them, borrow another student's notes and be sure to do them as you need this practice. We focused on using descriptions of objects to "show" and dialogue with interjections to reveal character.
Thursday: LAST DAY FOR USSR FORMS FOR SEPTEMBER.
This week we will focus on how to write fiction.
Friday: VOCAB. TEST WORDS 1 -13.
Short Story Assignment. Today we started writing fiction. There are several strict guidelines for these stories. Be sure to follow them.
Our lesson focused on how to "show and not tell". We did three writing exercises today. If you missed them, borrow another student's notes and be sure to do them as you need this practice. We focused on using descriptions of objects to "show" and dialogue with interjections to reveal character.
Thursday: LAST DAY FOR USSR FORMS FOR SEPTEMBER.
This week we will focus on how to write fiction.
Friday: VOCAB. TEST WORDS 1 -13.
Writing 12, Tuesday, Sept. 28
Thanks to Claire and Hanna for their incredible presentation on Patricia Young's work.
Several students neglected to bring poems for workshop today.
Here's a review of our weekly routine. Please get involved asap as each week you are losing marks due to your lack of preparation.
Every Monday (or Tues. in the case of a holiday) bring enough copies of a new poem (which you have written) to give to your workshop group. Give one to each member of your group.
Take home the poems you receive and edit them using our criteria sheet and our "how to edit" handout.
Practice makes perfect.
For Wed. Bring a poem that uses detail in a unique way. Be prepared to share it with the class.
Thursday: Two poems are due. Also, it's Sept. 30th which means all USSR forms for books read in Sept. are due.
Literary Events: Last day for these events is the end of October. Today, all event responses from last week are due.
Several students neglected to bring poems for workshop today.
Here's a review of our weekly routine. Please get involved asap as each week you are losing marks due to your lack of preparation.
Every Monday (or Tues. in the case of a holiday) bring enough copies of a new poem (which you have written) to give to your workshop group. Give one to each member of your group.
Take home the poems you receive and edit them using our criteria sheet and our "how to edit" handout.
Practice makes perfect.
For Wed. Bring a poem that uses detail in a unique way. Be prepared to share it with the class.
Thursday: Two poems are due. Also, it's Sept. 30th which means all USSR forms for books read in Sept. are due.
Literary Events: Last day for these events is the end of October. Today, all event responses from last week are due.
Friday, September 24, 2010
English 9, Friday, Sept. 24
Don't be discouraged if you are not yet achieving your goals on your literary paragraphs.
However, be sure to review all of the handouts, your notes, your editing feedback and be ready to explain to me what you need to do to improve.
Extra help is available if you need it. Please, ask.
This weekend, USSR is our theme. Three days to read. Yay.
Make sure you finish the What/So What? chart for the Morley Callaghan story,"All the Years of Her Life".
However, be sure to review all of the handouts, your notes, your editing feedback and be ready to explain to me what you need to do to improve.
Extra help is available if you need it. Please, ask.
This weekend, USSR is our theme. Three days to read. Yay.
Make sure you finish the What/So What? chart for the Morley Callaghan story,"All the Years of Her Life".
English 11 E, Friday, Sept. 24
Great work today. Can't wait to read your essays.
We will finish up our short story unit by Thursday and begin our new unit.
USSR forms due Thurs. for Sept. marks.
If you haven't attended a literary event yet, there are several this weekend. Look at the Writing 12 blog post for ideas.
We will finish up our short story unit by Thursday and begin our new unit.
USSR forms due Thurs. for Sept. marks.
If you haven't attended a literary event yet, there are several this weekend. Look at the Writing 12 blog post for ideas.
Writing 12, Sept. 24
Fabulous readers today in the library. Fabulous audience participation and feedback.
AHHH, you are wonderful. Have a good weekend. If you have attended a literary event this week, please compose a response and submit it to me Tuesday. Mon. is a professional day.
Also for Tues. three to four copies of a new poem for your workshop group is due.
We have a presentation Tuesday. Should be good.
Tonight: poetry at the Black Stilt Coffee House 7:30
Sat. night: Three poetry books are being launched: Art Gallery on Moss St. 7 p.m.
AHHH, you are wonderful. Have a good weekend. If you have attended a literary event this week, please compose a response and submit it to me Tuesday. Mon. is a professional day.
Also for Tues. three to four copies of a new poem for your workshop group is due.
We have a presentation Tuesday. Should be good.
Tonight: poetry at the Black Stilt Coffee House 7:30
Sat. night: Three poetry books are being launched: Art Gallery on Moss St. 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
English 9, Thurs. Sept. 23
Good work today. I look forward to reading your "Penny in the Dust" paragraphs.
We have completed 13 words from our list so far. Continue to study and work with your understanding of the parts of speech studied so far: verb, adverb, noun, adjective.
We'll have a test on these words next Friday, Oct. 1.
We have completed 13 words from our list so far. Continue to study and work with your understanding of the parts of speech studied so far: verb, adverb, noun, adjective.
We'll have a test on these words next Friday, Oct. 1.
English 11 E, Thurs. Sept. 23
Welcome back, Amir. We missed you!
In-class essay tomorrow. Meet in the centre lab. Get there a few minutes early so you can start by 12:02. You may use your essay outline during the class. All other materials must remain in your binder.
At the end of the class, submit the essay, the three charts and the outline. Be sure to double space.
Three days this weekend to read and to contemplate the short story you wish to write. Lucky you! Imitate the styles of stories we've read so far.
All USSR forms must be in by Thurs. Sept. 30.
In-class essay tomorrow. Meet in the centre lab. Get there a few minutes early so you can start by 12:02. You may use your essay outline during the class. All other materials must remain in your binder.
At the end of the class, submit the essay, the three charts and the outline. Be sure to double space.
Three days this weekend to read and to contemplate the short story you wish to write. Lucky you! Imitate the styles of stories we've read so far.
All USSR forms must be in by Thurs. Sept. 30.
Writing 12, Thursday, Sept. 23
I collected two poems today. I will return them Tuesday.
Homework: Fina a poem that adds detail in a way that you've never seen before. Bring the poem to class for a discussion, Tuesday. We worked on two ways to add detail today plus we discussed the difference between authentic, cliched and manipulative detail.
Friday: Meet in the library. Come early to help set up. Readers, be prepared to read for 6 minutes. Looking forward to it. Thanks to Cia for being our M.C. You'll be reading to Mrs. Orme's Eng. 11e class.
Tuesday: Bring enough copies of a new poem for your workshop group. Please get your printing complete well before class. Thanks.
Two poems due next Thurs.
Tues: Hanna and Claire B. present. Yay.
Homework: Fina a poem that adds detail in a way that you've never seen before. Bring the poem to class for a discussion, Tuesday. We worked on two ways to add detail today plus we discussed the difference between authentic, cliched and manipulative detail.
Friday: Meet in the library. Come early to help set up. Readers, be prepared to read for 6 minutes. Looking forward to it. Thanks to Cia for being our M.C. You'll be reading to Mrs. Orme's Eng. 11e class.
Tuesday: Bring enough copies of a new poem for your workshop group. Please get your printing complete well before class. Thanks.
Two poems due next Thurs.
Tues: Hanna and Claire B. present. Yay.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
English 9, Wed. Sept.22
Excellent work today. I think the new seating plan will work well.
You need to focus on your own work.
Ten of you did not have your paragraph ready for editing today.
That behaviour is not SPARTAN spirit. You realized the consequences today.
Don't find yourself in that situation again.
Good copy of the "Penny in the Dust" paragraph due tomorrow. Staple it to your "The Father" paragraph.
Your goal here is to make new mistakes. Don't make the same mistakes as last time.
Let's hope you do really well on this paragraph. Your highest mark counts.
Keep studying your vocabulary sheet and reading your USSR books. You need to have read three books and completed three response forms by Sept. 30th.
It's great to see so many of you using the agenda books without my prompting.
You need to focus on your own work.
Ten of you did not have your paragraph ready for editing today.
That behaviour is not SPARTAN spirit. You realized the consequences today.
Don't find yourself in that situation again.
Good copy of the "Penny in the Dust" paragraph due tomorrow. Staple it to your "The Father" paragraph.
Your goal here is to make new mistakes. Don't make the same mistakes as last time.
Let's hope you do really well on this paragraph. Your highest mark counts.
Keep studying your vocabulary sheet and reading your USSR books. You need to have read three books and completed three response forms by Sept. 30th.
It's great to see so many of you using the agenda books without my prompting.
English 11 E, Wed. Sept. 22
Great work today. Ensure that you have three strong thesis statements to represent each story.
Synthesize these three into one dynamic thesis for your essay.
Begin to complete the essay outline.
Study vocab. words 1 - 13. Test Tuesday.
USSR-You need to have read three books and completed three forms for an A by Sept. 30.
Review the elements of a literary essay. Read the sample I gave you. Bring your questions to class tomorrow.
Synthesize these three into one dynamic thesis for your essay.
Begin to complete the essay outline.
Study vocab. words 1 - 13. Test Tuesday.
USSR-You need to have read three books and completed three forms for an A by Sept. 30.
Review the elements of a literary essay. Read the sample I gave you. Bring your questions to class tomorrow.
Writing 12, Wednesday, Sept. 22
Wonderful work today. You are picking things up quickly. Wow!
SMUS reading Thursday night at 7. Please come. Terence has ordered cookies for you!
If you need a ride, meet me in the front of the school by 6:20 but let me know so I can find you. The reading takes place in the Cricket building, a small building, on Mcrae at Richmond. Mcrae runs from Richmond to Shelbourne. There's a restaurant called Mcraes at the corner of Shelbourne and Mcrae so it's easy to find.
Workshopping: Make sure that every person in your group receives a copy of your poem by 9:05 Monday. This week there is a professional day on Monday so please pass your poems to your group Tues. morning. That means the pressure is on you to ensure they are edited by Wed. Tues, we have a student presentation.
Two poems due tomorrow. Write WORKSHOPPED on the top of the poem which has been workshopped. Thanks.
SMUS reading Thursday night at 7. Please come. Terence has ordered cookies for you!
If you need a ride, meet me in the front of the school by 6:20 but let me know so I can find you. The reading takes place in the Cricket building, a small building, on Mcrae at Richmond. Mcrae runs from Richmond to Shelbourne. There's a restaurant called Mcraes at the corner of Shelbourne and Mcrae so it's easy to find.
Workshopping: Make sure that every person in your group receives a copy of your poem by 9:05 Monday. This week there is a professional day on Monday so please pass your poems to your group Tues. morning. That means the pressure is on you to ensure they are edited by Wed. Tues, we have a student presentation.
Two poems due tomorrow. Write WORKSHOPPED on the top of the poem which has been workshopped. Thanks.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
English 9, Tuesday, Sept. 21
Yesterday, we edited our formal, literary paragraphs which analyzed the father's motivations in the story, "The Father" by Hugh Garner. We worked with an extensive checklist and several students took their paragraphs home to revise.
Due today: Good copy of "The Father" paragraph.
We also completed a checklist for our literacy projects. Be sure to start those this week.
Present what you did, how well it went, what you would do differently next time, etc. to the class, early December.
Today: We read the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, page 196, in your short story text.
In a formal, literary paragraph of 250 to 350 words, discuss how the penny in the dust symbolizes the relationship between the father and son.
Be sure to follow our literary must-have list.
We brainstormed together
penny = love
dust = communication
There are several ways to answer this question. Here is one: In the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, the penny symbolizes a great love between a father and a son which is sadly never spoken.
Bring a double-spaced first draft to class for editing.
Due today: Good copy of "The Father" paragraph.
We also completed a checklist for our literacy projects. Be sure to start those this week.
Present what you did, how well it went, what you would do differently next time, etc. to the class, early December.
Today: We read the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, page 196, in your short story text.
In a formal, literary paragraph of 250 to 350 words, discuss how the penny in the dust symbolizes the relationship between the father and son.
Be sure to follow our literary must-have list.
We brainstormed together
penny = love
dust = communication
There are several ways to answer this question. Here is one: In the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, the penny symbolizes a great love between a father and a son which is sadly never spoken.
Bring a double-spaced first draft to class for editing.
English 11 E, Tuesday, Sept. 21
Monday we read two stories and completed two what/so what charts. We also added two more words to our Vocab. list. I collected the paragraph on how titles influence short stories.
Tuesday:
We read the third story. I handed out an essay plan sheet, a sample essay, and the criteria for Friday's in-class essay. Today's goal: complete all three charts, evidence and inferences. Make a statement for each chart which answers the question: What do stories have to say about the way parents influence their children.
Friday: in-class essay in the computer lab.
Tuesday:
We read the third story. I handed out an essay plan sheet, a sample essay, and the criteria for Friday's in-class essay. Today's goal: complete all three charts, evidence and inferences. Make a statement for each chart which answers the question: What do stories have to say about the way parents influence their children.
Friday: in-class essay in the computer lab.
Writing 12, Tuesday, Sept. 21
We are over half way through the first month. Be sure to complete the USSR response forms asap. You need to read three books per month for an A.
Sara and Clarire presented poet, Lorna Crozier's work today. Be sure to read her work for at least one hour if you missed today's class. We also wrote two poems in class today and read for 15 minutes. Get the prompts from another writer in the class.
Tomorrow is workshopping day. Make sure your group has your poems and that you edit these poems with gusto. Follow our criteria sheet.
You will have time Wednesday to work on the two poems due Thursday.
Sara and Clarire presented poet, Lorna Crozier's work today. Be sure to read her work for at least one hour if you missed today's class. We also wrote two poems in class today and read for 15 minutes. Get the prompts from another writer in the class.
Tomorrow is workshopping day. Make sure your group has your poems and that you edit these poems with gusto. Follow our criteria sheet.
You will have time Wednesday to work on the two poems due Thursday.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Writing 12, Monday, Sept. 20
Thank you for your compelling responses to Patrick Lane. If you were absent today, be sure and get these in first thing Tuesday morning.
This week:
GET TO A LITERARY EVENT. DO NOT DELAY! 10% BONUS. SEE FRIDAY'S BLOG POST FOR SUGGESTED VENUES.
Monday: We handed our workshop groups our poems for editing. Be prepared to discuss these and return the poems Wednesday. Submit this poem Thursday with the heading: WORKSHOPPED so I know which one you've already edited thoroughly. I will edit the other poem thoroughly.
Our focus this week is describing people in poems. We read several great student examples today in class. If you were absent, read them tomorrow during USSR.
Tuesday: Claire M. and Sara will present Lorna Crozier's work to the class.
Wednesday: workshopping and completing poems for Thursday
Thursday: Two poems due. Thurs. night at SMUS, four poets will be reading. It's in the little building on McRae St. at Richmond. 7 pm. start. Poets: Patricia Young, Eve Joseph, Dorothy Field and Susan Stenson are reading.
Friday: Our first class reading in the library. Thanks to Tara, Claire M, Robyn V. Hanna and Sara for offering to set up. Meet in the library at 8:45 if you can help to set up. Students go directly to the library before 9:05.
Sat. Book Launch at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. 7 pm for refreshments from Truffles Catering. Yum. Readings begin at 7:30 p.m. Free admission.
Tonight: Finish the poem we started in class.
1. Stanza one: describe the setting.
2. STanza two: have the character do something
3. Stanza three: describe the light there
4. Finish this prompt He/She believes . ..
5. Use this prompt, Yesterday, (then describe something that went wrong)
6. Use this prompt If only . . .
7. Try to help this person but know you can't (the person helping may be a new character or use I or some other point of view, you, we, he, they, she etc)
8. Finish with a stanza describing a new aspect of the setting (aim for showing us something we couldn't or didn't see before so that this stanza will now become a symbol for the character.
Choose a key title
i.e. The Spirit Walker, The Sad Girl, The Gregarious Optician, The Insomniac, etc allow your descriptions to flesh out these imaginary characters. You may also have someone in mind as you are describing them but now they are becoming this strange title: The Quieter Mary, Harold's Daughter, The Crow Tamer etc.
Enjoy your writing tonight. If you are coming to Munros Books, I'll see you there.
This week:
GET TO A LITERARY EVENT. DO NOT DELAY! 10% BONUS. SEE FRIDAY'S BLOG POST FOR SUGGESTED VENUES.
Monday: We handed our workshop groups our poems for editing. Be prepared to discuss these and return the poems Wednesday. Submit this poem Thursday with the heading: WORKSHOPPED so I know which one you've already edited thoroughly. I will edit the other poem thoroughly.
Our focus this week is describing people in poems. We read several great student examples today in class. If you were absent, read them tomorrow during USSR.
Tuesday: Claire M. and Sara will present Lorna Crozier's work to the class.
Wednesday: workshopping and completing poems for Thursday
Thursday: Two poems due. Thurs. night at SMUS, four poets will be reading. It's in the little building on McRae St. at Richmond. 7 pm. start. Poets: Patricia Young, Eve Joseph, Dorothy Field and Susan Stenson are reading.
Friday: Our first class reading in the library. Thanks to Tara, Claire M, Robyn V. Hanna and Sara for offering to set up. Meet in the library at 8:45 if you can help to set up. Students go directly to the library before 9:05.
Sat. Book Launch at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. 7 pm for refreshments from Truffles Catering. Yum. Readings begin at 7:30 p.m. Free admission.
Tonight: Finish the poem we started in class.
1. Stanza one: describe the setting.
2. STanza two: have the character do something
3. Stanza three: describe the light there
4. Finish this prompt He/She believes . ..
5. Use this prompt, Yesterday, (then describe something that went wrong)
6. Use this prompt If only . . .
7. Try to help this person but know you can't (the person helping may be a new character or use I or some other point of view, you, we, he, they, she etc)
8. Finish with a stanza describing a new aspect of the setting (aim for showing us something we couldn't or didn't see before so that this stanza will now become a symbol for the character.
Choose a key title
i.e. The Spirit Walker, The Sad Girl, The Gregarious Optician, The Insomniac, etc allow your descriptions to flesh out these imaginary characters. You may also have someone in mind as you are describing them but now they are becoming this strange title: The Quieter Mary, Harold's Daughter, The Crow Tamer etc.
Enjoy your writing tonight. If you are coming to Munros Books, I'll see you there.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 17
Writing 12
Wasn't Patrick Lane wonderful today? Thank you for your rapt attention and respect for him.
This weekend write a response. Due Monday.
Also, bring three copies of a new poem based on a person.
Tonight at the Black Stilt Coffee House, poet, Carla Funk is launching her fourth book of poetry. She is a wonderful poet and teaches at U.Vic.
7:30. $3.00
English 11E
Today we had our first vocabulary quiz.
We created an evidence/inference chart to get a good start on our paragraphs. We completed thesis statements in class. Good copy of the paragraph is due. It must be stapled to the "Enemy of the People" paragraph. We are aiming for NOT MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE theme this weekend soooooooooooooo be sure you understand my corrections. Follow the how to cite sheet, the how to incorporate quotations sheet, the hook sheet for assistance. Aim for a clear, passionate paragraph.
English 9
Today, we edited our own paragraphs using the hard and easy editing criteria. You will also find these criteria (under different categories) on your 'Literary Must-Haves' Sheet.
Using all of this year's handouts, aim for the least number of errors possible.
If you cite incorrectly or forget to incorporate a quotation, you will need to re-do the paragraph.
You must follow the criteria.
Bring the good copy (double-spaced) to class Monday.
We had our first vocabulary quiz today.
This weekend give some thought to your literacy project. How would you like to promote reading or writing in your school, neighbourhood or community?
Monday, you will need to commit to a project and create time-lines for completion of the project.
You will be presenting your experiences to the class in December.
Have a great weekend.
Ms. Stenson
Wasn't Patrick Lane wonderful today? Thank you for your rapt attention and respect for him.
This weekend write a response. Due Monday.
Also, bring three copies of a new poem based on a person.
Tonight at the Black Stilt Coffee House, poet, Carla Funk is launching her fourth book of poetry. She is a wonderful poet and teaches at U.Vic.
7:30. $3.00
English 11E
Today we had our first vocabulary quiz.
We created an evidence/inference chart to get a good start on our paragraphs. We completed thesis statements in class. Good copy of the paragraph is due. It must be stapled to the "Enemy of the People" paragraph. We are aiming for NOT MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE theme this weekend soooooooooooooo be sure you understand my corrections. Follow the how to cite sheet, the how to incorporate quotations sheet, the hook sheet for assistance. Aim for a clear, passionate paragraph.
English 9
Today, we edited our own paragraphs using the hard and easy editing criteria. You will also find these criteria (under different categories) on your 'Literary Must-Haves' Sheet.
Using all of this year's handouts, aim for the least number of errors possible.
If you cite incorrectly or forget to incorporate a quotation, you will need to re-do the paragraph.
You must follow the criteria.
Bring the good copy (double-spaced) to class Monday.
We had our first vocabulary quiz today.
This weekend give some thought to your literacy project. How would you like to promote reading or writing in your school, neighbourhood or community?
Monday, you will need to commit to a project and create time-lines for completion of the project.
You will be presenting your experiences to the class in December.
Have a great weekend.
Ms. Stenson
Thursday, September 16, 2010
English 9, Thurs. September 16
You worked hard today learning the ten steps to a literary paragraph. If you were away, you will want to call your homework buddy to get the ten steps.
Complete all ten sentences in your paragraph about the father in Hugh Garner's story for tomorrow.
Read your USSR book tonight.
Complete all ten sentences in your paragraph about the father in Hugh Garner's story for tomorrow.
Read your USSR book tonight.
English 11 E, Thursday, Sept. 16
Great work with the Orpheus myth today. Choose which story you are going to write about. Complete a formal literary paragraph for Monday. If you were away today, be sure to contact your homework buddy.
The two choices are "A Few Notes for Orpheus" or "The Fall of a City".
The question is
In a formal, literary paragraph of 300 to 500 words, discuss how the title influences and impacts the story's theme. You must staple this paragraph to the one I returned to you today. You need to ensure that you DO not make the same mistakes this time. You will need to revise Monday's paragraph as many times as it takes until you learn these writing skills. Be sure to use the handouts and visit the English dept. website for model paragraphs: www.claremont-school.ca/english
The two choices are "A Few Notes for Orpheus" or "The Fall of a City".
The question is
In a formal, literary paragraph of 300 to 500 words, discuss how the title influences and impacts the story's theme. You must staple this paragraph to the one I returned to you today. You need to ensure that you DO not make the same mistakes this time. You will need to revise Monday's paragraph as many times as it takes until you learn these writing skills. Be sure to use the handouts and visit the English dept. website for model paragraphs: www.claremont-school.ca/english
Writing 12, Thursday, Sept. 16
This week's focus is writing poems about people. Read the poems in your package.
Bring three copies of a poem about a person for your workshopping group on Monday.
Tomorrow, poet Patrick Lane is visiting our class. Prepare at least one thoughtful question to ask him. You may google Patrick Lane to find out about his work.
Response to Patrick's reading is due Monday.
Friday night at Planet Earth Poetry, the fabulous and former Victoria poet laureate, Carla Funk is launching her fourth book. 7:30. Arrive early to sign up for the open mic.
Those students reading next Friday in the library, please prepare now! Thanks to Cia for offering to m.c.
Bring three copies of a poem about a person for your workshopping group on Monday.
Tomorrow, poet Patrick Lane is visiting our class. Prepare at least one thoughtful question to ask him. You may google Patrick Lane to find out about his work.
Response to Patrick's reading is due Monday.
Friday night at Planet Earth Poetry, the fabulous and former Victoria poet laureate, Carla Funk is launching her fourth book. 7:30. Arrive early to sign up for the open mic.
Those students reading next Friday in the library, please prepare now! Thanks to Cia for offering to m.c.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
English 9, Wed. Sept. 15
We had a test on how to cite today. Most students did really well. Keep that sheet handy so you can refer to it when you are writing literary paragraphs.
We also reviewed all eight vocabulary words today and had a quiz. Big test Friday. The outline is in your agenda books.
We also learned three ways to incorporate quotations today. Study that sheet.
We practiced the concepts of adding a hook to our paragraph and you have a reference sheet with a list of how to create effective hooks.
We started a paragraph on the story, "The Father". Homework: Edit and revise your thesis statement so that it does a good job of answering the question: what are the reasons for the father's neglect of his son.
We also reviewed all eight vocabulary words today and had a quiz. Big test Friday. The outline is in your agenda books.
We also learned three ways to incorporate quotations today. Study that sheet.
We practiced the concepts of adding a hook to our paragraph and you have a reference sheet with a list of how to create effective hooks.
We started a paragraph on the story, "The Father". Homework: Edit and revise your thesis statement so that it does a good job of answering the question: what are the reasons for the father's neglect of his son.
English 11 E, Wed. Sept. 15
Great job interpreting Alden Nowlan's short story today. Be sure to get the notes if you were away. These stories will all be on the exam.
Tonight, find out all about the myth of Orpheus. It is used as a motif in a story we'll be reading Thursday.
Also, study your vocabulary words as we have a test on Friday. Be prepared by knowing the word's definition, part of speech, synonyms and how to use it correctly in a sentence.
Tonight, find out all about the myth of Orpheus. It is used as a motif in a story we'll be reading Thursday.
Also, study your vocabulary words as we have a test on Friday. Be prepared by knowing the word's definition, part of speech, synonyms and how to use it correctly in a sentence.
Writing 12, Wed. Sept. 15
Two poems due Thursday. Can't wait to read these fresh, new poems! Yay.
Be sure to sign up for our library readings. We also need an M.C. Some brave person out there?
10% bonus marks for attending a literary event next week.
Every Friday: Planet Earth Poetry at the Black Stilt Coffee House 7:30 $3.00
Monday Sept. 21
John Gould's book launch at Munros Books on Gov't. St. 7 p.m. Free
Pen-in-Hand Readings Monthly at Serious Coffee 3rd Monday of the month 7:30 $3.00
SMUS readings 7 pm. Susan Stenson and Dorothy Field this month Free
Book Launch at the Art Gallery on Moss St. Sat. Sept. 25th 7 p.m. Free
Be sure to sign up for our library readings. We also need an M.C. Some brave person out there?
10% bonus marks for attending a literary event next week.
Every Friday: Planet Earth Poetry at the Black Stilt Coffee House 7:30 $3.00
Monday Sept. 21
John Gould's book launch at Munros Books on Gov't. St. 7 p.m. Free
Pen-in-Hand Readings Monthly at Serious Coffee 3rd Monday of the month 7:30 $3.00
SMUS readings 7 pm. Susan Stenson and Dorothy Field this month Free
Book Launch at the Art Gallery on Moss St. Sat. Sept. 25th 7 p.m. Free
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
English 9, Tues. Sept. 14
Tomorrow is picture day. Be sure to bring your photo money.
Tonight, study the how-to-cite sheet. Be prepared for a quiz in class Wed.
Friday is the test on the first 8 vocabulary words. Know the definition, the part of speech, synonyms and be able to use the word in a sentence.
Great work today. A few of you did not have your homework complete for today. This is NOT acceptable in English 9. Plan. Get organized. Use my room at lunch as a quiet study hall.
Tonight, study the how-to-cite sheet. Be prepared for a quiz in class Wed.
Friday is the test on the first 8 vocabulary words. Know the definition, the part of speech, synonyms and be able to use the word in a sentence.
Great work today. A few of you did not have your homework complete for today. This is NOT acceptable in English 9. Plan. Get organized. Use my room at lunch as a quiet study hall.
English 11 E, Tues. Sept. 14
Tonight, take all the great ideas learned in class and apply them to your revision of the paragraph.
Submit the good copy stapled to the edited draft in class tomorrow.
Remember Wed. is picture day and fire drill day.
Submit the good copy stapled to the edited draft in class tomorrow.
Remember Wed. is picture day and fire drill day.
Writing 12, Tuesday, Sept. 14
Follow up today's discussion by completing a new poem to be edited in groups tomorrow.
Bring three copies of the poem. Follow the criteria sheet and the editing sheet.
Enjoy.
Faulkner says, "Kill your darlings." I believe that means let lines go that really are not that good.
Bring three copies of the poem. Follow the criteria sheet and the editing sheet.
Enjoy.
Faulkner says, "Kill your darlings." I believe that means let lines go that really are not that good.
Monday, September 13, 2010
English 9, Monday, September 13
A large number of you are meeting our reading goals of one page per minute. Well done! Keep reading.
When you finish a book, fill in a response form.
Today, we reviewed our 8 vocabulary words. Test on Friday. Study. Know the part of speech, the definition, the synonyms, and be able to use the word in a sentence.
Tonight, finish reading the story, "The Father". Be sure to post-it one point per page (at least). Post-it note parts of the story that you feel reveal the most about the father.
Be prepared to make inferences based on your choices during class tomorrow.
Practice the reading strategy: Think Aloud. When you read make predictions, make inferences, make connections, test out your theories about a character and his/her motivations.
When you finish a book, fill in a response form.
Today, we reviewed our 8 vocabulary words. Test on Friday. Study. Know the part of speech, the definition, the synonyms, and be able to use the word in a sentence.
Tonight, finish reading the story, "The Father". Be sure to post-it one point per page (at least). Post-it note parts of the story that you feel reveal the most about the father.
Be prepared to make inferences based on your choices during class tomorrow.
Practice the reading strategy: Think Aloud. When you read make predictions, make inferences, make connections, test out your theories about a character and his/her motivations.
English 11 E, Monday, September 13
Homework: Make sure the first 8 words from the vocabulary list are complete and neatly recorded in your notebook. Quiz on the vocabulary words every Friday.
Review the content, style, and structure expectations for literary paragraphs.
Write a formal, literary paragraph of 300 to 500 words on Callaghan's use of irony in the story, "An Enemy of the People." Be sure to have a compelling thesis statement which you prove in your paragraph. Call your homework contact for examples.
Be ready to edit the paragraph.
Review fire drill. From room 321--Exit left down the stairs to the main entrance of the school. Turn left.
Walk toward the staff parking lot and find your way to the track. Walk quickly and check in with me, under S. which is usually near the tennis court.
Good copy and edited copy of the paragraph are due Wednesday.
Review the content, style, and structure expectations for literary paragraphs.
Write a formal, literary paragraph of 300 to 500 words on Callaghan's use of irony in the story, "An Enemy of the People." Be sure to have a compelling thesis statement which you prove in your paragraph. Call your homework contact for examples.
Be ready to edit the paragraph.
Review fire drill. From room 321--Exit left down the stairs to the main entrance of the school. Turn left.
Walk toward the staff parking lot and find your way to the track. Walk quickly and check in with me, under S. which is usually near the tennis court.
Good copy and edited copy of the paragraph are due Wednesday.
Writing 12, Monday, September 13
Today we read for fifteen minutes. Worked with the flip dictionaries and applying titles to lists. Focussing on trusting the image and building up writing muscles. Working with rhythms and sounds and fabulous words from the Flip. Explained the Author Presentation assignment. Wed. we'll be in the library to find books. Pick a partner and get started right away. I collected the first list poem.
Homework: Write a new list poem. Type it up for Wednesday's class
Thursday: Two poems due for marks. These poems may be the two list poems or any two new poems you've written this month. Focus on clarity, unique and apt imagery that appeals to the five senses. Focus on using language to provoke feeling.
Homework: Write a new list poem. Type it up for Wednesday's class
Thursday: Two poems due for marks. These poems may be the two list poems or any two new poems you've written this month. Focus on clarity, unique and apt imagery that appeals to the five senses. Focus on using language to provoke feeling.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
English 9 Friday, Sept. 10
Finish the vocabulary words 1-8. Study their meanings, parts of speech and synonyms. Be prepared for a practice quiz on Monday. The real quiz takes place Friday. Also, be sure to check your agenda daily since you write the homework down each day before the end of class. This weekend read the number of pages in your USSR book that you committed to reading.
Also, check to ensure that the sentences you wrote for the vocabulary words contain the word's meaning.
For example,
She has empathy for her father. (This sentence is not acceptable since it does not include a reference to the word's meaning) Fix this error by adding more information.
She has empathy for her father because he is upset about losing his job.
or
She has empathy for her father; she understands that he is upset due to the loss of his job so if forgiving him for acting angrily around the house.
Proofread each sentence for spelling or grammatical errors.
Look forward to seeing you Monday.
Also, check to ensure that the sentences you wrote for the vocabulary words contain the word's meaning.
For example,
She has empathy for her father. (This sentence is not acceptable since it does not include a reference to the word's meaning) Fix this error by adding more information.
She has empathy for her father because he is upset about losing his job.
or
She has empathy for her father; she understands that he is upset due to the loss of his job so if forgiving him for acting angrily around the house.
Proofread each sentence for spelling or grammatical errors.
Look forward to seeing you Monday.
Friday, September 10, 2010
English 11 E, Friday, Sept. 10
Vocabulary:
All grade 11 students are studying/learning/using the same 75 words. These words are found in the books you'll read this year.
For each word, complete the following
Part of Speech:
Definition:
Synonym:
Sentence: NOTE: Ensure the word's definition is included in your sentence.
For example, empathy-to understand how someone is feeling. Shelby has empathy for her father who has just lost his job; she understands his feelings of despair.
For those students who were absent today, here are the first eight words. Complete all eight for Monday. Pick up the list of 75 words on Monday, also.
1. foreordained
2. propinquity
3. convalescence, convalescent
4. Belsen
5. gallivanting, to gallivant
6. gangling, gangly
7. florid, floridly
8. resplendent, resplendently
I will be checking this homework on Monday.
Keep this list in the front of your notebook as we'll be accessing it frequently. Weekly quizzes. Memorize the word. Use it in your writing.
Read your USSR book this weekend. Aim for three books by the end of September.
Also, finish reading Morley Callaghan's story, "An Enemy of the People". Keep looking for examples of irony. Be able to provide oral responses to all the questions we wrote down in class.
We will be writing a paragraph on this story Monday. Good copy due for peer editing on Tuesday.
All grade 11 students are studying/learning/using the same 75 words. These words are found in the books you'll read this year.
For each word, complete the following
Part of Speech:
Definition:
Synonym:
Sentence: NOTE: Ensure the word's definition is included in your sentence.
For example, empathy-to understand how someone is feeling. Shelby has empathy for her father who has just lost his job; she understands his feelings of despair.
For those students who were absent today, here are the first eight words. Complete all eight for Monday. Pick up the list of 75 words on Monday, also.
1. foreordained
2. propinquity
3. convalescence, convalescent
4. Belsen
5. gallivanting, to gallivant
6. gangling, gangly
7. florid, floridly
8. resplendent, resplendently
I will be checking this homework on Monday.
Keep this list in the front of your notebook as we'll be accessing it frequently. Weekly quizzes. Memorize the word. Use it in your writing.
Read your USSR book this weekend. Aim for three books by the end of September.
Also, finish reading Morley Callaghan's story, "An Enemy of the People". Keep looking for examples of irony. Be able to provide oral responses to all the questions we wrote down in class.
We will be writing a paragraph on this story Monday. Good copy due for peer editing on Tuesday.
Writing 12 Friday, Sept. 10
Building Poetry Muscles via attending to detail. Sit yourself down in any location: your room, kitchen, den. A laundromat, a park, on a bus, in a car and record a list of details. No need to editorialize. Art galleries are great for this. You can also use books. Open up a how-to-repair manual, a poetry book, a National Geographic and start recording details. Buy yourself a Flip Dictionary: absolutely wonderful for writers as it contains gigantic lists that writers need: all the lakes in Siberia, brain surgeon terms, diseases of the liver, poisonous plants, names of wind, plus it's a thesaurus. Why didn't they call it Flip Thesaurus?
Homework:
Create a list poem on any topic or re-vise the one you did in class today. Type it up. Ensure that your details are sharp. No room for vague ideas. Edit for areas where you rushed. If you say car, change it to Ford Galaxy. Tree? Change it to pine or the pine we planted last summer. Appeal to all five senses. How does the colour green sound _- a single violin, tender shoots pushing through the damp earth. How does green feel--my father's hand, one callus on the thumb from the hammer. How does green look? I remember Wednesday, riding the number six bus, ribbons in my hair. Don't worry too much about the conscious connection at this point. Aim for clean, fresh language. Write it. Edit. Revise. Bring it to class on Monday.
Type it up.
Homework:
Create a list poem on any topic or re-vise the one you did in class today. Type it up. Ensure that your details are sharp. No room for vague ideas. Edit for areas where you rushed. If you say car, change it to Ford Galaxy. Tree? Change it to pine or the pine we planted last summer. Appeal to all five senses. How does the colour green sound _- a single violin, tender shoots pushing through the damp earth. How does green feel--my father's hand, one callus on the thumb from the hammer. How does green look? I remember Wednesday, riding the number six bus, ribbons in my hair. Don't worry too much about the conscious connection at this point. Aim for clean, fresh language. Write it. Edit. Revise. Bring it to class on Monday.
Type it up.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
English 11 E, Wednesday, Sept. 8
Great to meet you all today. I'm very excited about this course and hope that it meets your expectations.
Tonight, find a book you wish to read for USSR and bring it to class.
Start looking for a literary event or two or three. Look forward to our short story unit which starts tomorrow.
Sweet dreams.
Tonight, find a book you wish to read for USSR and bring it to class.
Start looking for a literary event or two or three. Look forward to our short story unit which starts tomorrow.
Sweet dreams.
English 9 Wednesday, Sept. 8/10
Welcome to English 9. Great to meet you all. Tonight's homework involves finding a wonderful book that you wish to read. I suggest starting it tonight, if you can. Be sure to bring it to class every day for USSR time.
Also, start thinking about a literacy project that excites you. How could you promote reading and writing to your friends, school or community? Stay tuned for more ideas.
Visit the English dept. website and visit The Claremont Review website and enter the contest. Good luck.
Sweet dreams.
Also, start thinking about a literacy project that excites you. How could you promote reading and writing to your friends, school or community? Stay tuned for more ideas.
Visit the English dept. website and visit The Claremont Review website and enter the contest. Good luck.
Sweet dreams.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday, September 7
Writing 12
It was wonderful to meet you all today. Tonight begin reading the two magazines you chose. For Thursday morning, bring one poem from either magazine that you really like. Be prepared to read it aloud to a small group of four. Present what you like about the poem. The goal here is to teach the group some wonderful aspect of poetry writing. Feel free to bring poems that puzzle you, too. That kind of poem often generates good discussion. Here's a favourite poem of mine:
Try To Praise The Mutilated World (published in the New Yorker magazine the week after the 9/11 tragedy) translated from the Polish
by Adam Zagajewski
Try to praise the mutilated world.
Remember June's long days,
and wild strawberries, drops of wine, the dew.
The nettles that methodically overgrow
the abandoned homesteads of exiles.
You must praise the mutilated world.
You watched the stylish yachts and ships;
one of them had a long trip ahead of it,
while salty oblivion awaited others.
You've seen the refugees heading nowhere,
you've heard the executioners sing joyfully.
You should praise the mutilated world.
Remember the moments when we were together
in a white room and the curtain fluttered.
Return in thought to the concert where music flared.
You gathered acorns in the park in autumn
and leaves eddied over the earth's scars.
Praise the mutilated world
and the grey feather a thrush lost,
and the gentle light that strays and vanishes
and returns.
Translated by Renata Gorczynski
I love the rhythms--try to praise the mutilated world (even the soft sounds of the repeated phrase soften me as a reader because I don't want to praise the mutilated world, why would I ever want to do a thing like that??? but of course, we must, we live in the dual world: good/bad. We have great capacity for love and an equal capacity for hate. Remember that juxtaposition in grade 10? Romeo and Juliet.
Look forward to hearing your poems.
Ms. S.
It was wonderful to meet you all today. Tonight begin reading the two magazines you chose. For Thursday morning, bring one poem from either magazine that you really like. Be prepared to read it aloud to a small group of four. Present what you like about the poem. The goal here is to teach the group some wonderful aspect of poetry writing. Feel free to bring poems that puzzle you, too. That kind of poem often generates good discussion. Here's a favourite poem of mine:
Try To Praise The Mutilated World (published in the New Yorker magazine the week after the 9/11 tragedy) translated from the Polish
by Adam Zagajewski
Try to praise the mutilated world.
Remember June's long days,
and wild strawberries, drops of wine, the dew.
The nettles that methodically overgrow
the abandoned homesteads of exiles.
You must praise the mutilated world.
You watched the stylish yachts and ships;
one of them had a long trip ahead of it,
while salty oblivion awaited others.
You've seen the refugees heading nowhere,
you've heard the executioners sing joyfully.
You should praise the mutilated world.
Remember the moments when we were together
in a white room and the curtain fluttered.
Return in thought to the concert where music flared.
You gathered acorns in the park in autumn
and leaves eddied over the earth's scars.
Praise the mutilated world
and the grey feather a thrush lost,
and the gentle light that strays and vanishes
and returns.
Translated by Renata Gorczynski
I love the rhythms--try to praise the mutilated world (even the soft sounds of the repeated phrase soften me as a reader because I don't want to praise the mutilated world, why would I ever want to do a thing like that??? but of course, we must, we live in the dual world: good/bad. We have great capacity for love and an equal capacity for hate. Remember that juxtaposition in grade 10? Romeo and Juliet.
Look forward to hearing your poems.
Ms. S.
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