English 9, Block 4, Mon. Jan. 31

Great listening skills today. Be sure to study your vocabulary words, organize your notebook, and choose a literacy project and / or partners. Bring your agenda to class everyday. Read everyday. Success breeds success. Set goals for reading and writing this year. Confer with your homework buddy to ensure you are prepared each day.

English 10, Mon. Jan. 31

Welcome to English 10. Be sure to re-read the course outline and bring any questions you may have to class tomorrow. Study your vocabulary words, 1-4. Know the meaning, the part of speech, how to use it in a sentence, and synonyms.

Get your notebooks organized. Find a USSR book you can't wait to read.
Make sure you have a Gmail or Facebook account.
Check out 750words.com

Confer with your homework buddy.
Call a friend and make a date to go see Romeo and Juliet at Claremont next week.

English 9, Block 2, Mon. Jan. 31

Welcome to English 9. We covered a lot of territory today.
Choose your USSR book tonight and start reading it. Study your vocabulary words. Get your notebook organized and look at our supplies list so you have everything you need to start off right tomorrow morning.

AGENDA book check.
Start thinking about what you want to accomplish with your literacy project.
Re-read the course outline and bring any questions you have to class.
Great to meet you all today. Please be patient with me as I learn your names.

Literature 12

Sorry for the tardiness of today's post. Couldn't log on at school.

Course outline should be fairly comprehensive. Have a good look at it and bring any questions to class tomorrow. Tonight, find your novel, start reading it. Pick a topic from the list I gave you and start post it noting key passages. You need 15 quotes in all. You'll have time now and then to confer with others who are reading the same book and to share quotes and responses/inferences.

Lit 12 is the best course on the planet. Lucky you.

English 9, Friday, Jan. 21

Exam: Wed. Jan. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. in room 326. Bring two blue or black pens and post-it notes.

All other exam materials will be supplied.

Study. Memorize your vocabulary list so you can use those words in your paragraphs.

I'll be in my room Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning if you have questions or email me. Also, visit www.claremont-school.ca/english for samples and study tips.

English 11E, Friday, Jan. 21

You did it!! You excelled in English 11E. You've written three essays, a short story, a personal essay, a manuscript of poems and 1001 literary paragraphs and you did it mostly with smiles. I thank you for that. If you symbol the future, the world is in excellent shape. Thanks for all you do around the school, too.

Exam: Tues. Gym. Rows A and C. It's not alphabetical but apparently you need to sit in those rows. Ms. Blakey will have your exams. I'm not here Tues. Mon. morning I'm in the gym invigilating a math exam. You may leave a note on my door or email me if you need something.

Arrive prepared! Study. Bring two pens and post-it notes, a bottle of water, and wear layers as the gym's temperature varies.

All the best.
Ms. Stenson

Writing 12, Friday, Jan. 21

Keep writing!! Check out http://www.750words.com/ and subscribe to Geist's emails. They're fun and announce contests so you'll be motivated to write.

Please return your essay texts and library books to the library asap....I really need your help on this as it means I won't have to send threatening emails or phone you.

Thank you.
It's been a great course. I'm a big fan of your writing.

I'll email you with details about the poetry slam.

English 9, Thurs. Jan. 20

Poetry test is finished. Tomorrow your manuscript is due and you will be reading two of your poems to the class. If you forgot to bring in the purple entry form and the two poems for the contest today, please do so tomorrow.

Thanks to all those students who volunteered to bring goodies for our poetry cafe.

Looking forward to hearing you read.

Let me know if you need anything to help you study for the final exam.

Visit www.claremont-school.ca/english for helpful ideas.

English 11 E, Thurs. Jan. 20

We wrote a poetry compare/contrast in class today. We focussed on creating strong thesis statements which clearly answer the question with the poems' main similarities and main differences. We reviewed how to cite poetry and I handed out two samples you can use to study for the exam section two, Tuesday.

Bring your essay to class -- an electronic version if you are entering Polyphony HS or a printed copy if you plan to send it to Island Parent Magazine.

Re-read your previously-marked assignments so you can build on your strengths, review and correct the weaker points.

Writing 12, Thurs. Jan 19

Great work in the lab today. I was also really impressed by the slam poets. We will win!

Manuscripts due tomorrow. Double space. Also, please make sure you have handed in your BCTELA and C. Review contest entries. Bring your $5.00 for the C. Review contest. Thanks.

Tomorrow, we'll plan our evening of spoken word, and talk about what to do now that writing is over. What routines to put into place, how to stay active as writers and publishers.

English 9, Wed. Jan. 19

Poetry test tomorrow.
Section 1: Read a poem and write a para. response, similar to the one we practiced today.
Section 2: State the author and title of three quotes from poems we've studied. Memorize the authors and titles. Next, explain why the line is important to the poem.
Section 3: How has poetry affected me?

BCTELA Contest: Bring two poems, typed and well-edited, attached to the purple essay cover sheet. paper clip only NO staples. Thanks.
Good luck in the contest.

English 11 E, Wed. Jan 19

We did it! We made notes on all the themes, conflicts, settings, characters etc for English 11E. It was remarkable how much we remembered. Now, it's time to study.

Tomorrow, I'll hand back the Othello essays and we'll practice the compare/contrast section of the exam.

Friday--section A, short fiction.

Have you entered your essays to Polyphony yet?

Writing 12, Wed. Jan 19

I collected the BCTELA and C.R. contest entries today. Please check these entries as some of you submitted them with your names on them.

I also checked that students entered fiction/essay to Polyphony HS and to Aerie INternational.

Tomorrow, meet in the lab.

Friday -- manuscript is due.

English 9, Tues. Jan. 18

Time to study for exams. Keep re-reading previous assignments and notes. Visit the English website for models. Go to tutoring with Mr. Bishop today or tomorrow afterschool in the library.

Poetry Test: Thurs. Outline in your agendas.
Poetry Cafe: Friday
Poetry Contest entries due: Thursday. Choose your two best poems and print them out. Don't put your name on the poems. Attach the poems to your cover sheet. (the purple one we filled out in class). Good luck.

English 11 E, Tues. Jan. 18

Excellent work in the lab today.
Key exam prep starts tomorrow. Yay.

PLUS . . . you must bring in evidence that you are sending your essays out to be published.

Polyphony HS accepts essays electronically. Google them.
Island Parent Magazine Google them and see if they accept electronic submissions. If not, you will need to mail it in.

Writing 12 Tues. Jan 18

Contest Time: For Wed:

Hand in $5.00 plus a story (without your name on it) plus the Claremont Review cover sheet. No staples. Attach with paper clip.

Hand in the BCTELA story plus cover sheet. No name on the story Max. 1500 words (This story may be re-submitted to any of the other contests).

Aerie International Google Aerie INternational, click on submissions and submit a story that you HAVE NOT sumbitted elsewhere. (not counting BCTELA)

Google Polyphony HS and click on submissions. Send them a story that hasn't been submitted elsewhere (not counting BCTELA) and send them an essay.

Thanks.

English 9, Mon. Jan. 17

Showing and not telling by using effective detail was the focus of today's lesson.

We wrote a poem about a 13 yr old girl and we wrote a pantoum based on a photograph.

Check with your homework buddy for criteria.

Poetry test is Thurs.
Poetry cafe is Friday.
Tues and Wed are exam review.

Tues: Bring your notes on Never Cry Wolf, short stories, and The Pigman so you can be prepared to write an essay.

English 11E, Jan. 17

I was so proud of you today. Your thesis statements are accurate, passionate and intriguing. Perfect!
Meet in the lab. Be early so you can start on time.
Bring your notes, your essay plan (front and back completed)

You may email yourself your introduction.

Hand in your essay plan with your essay.

WED: Bring all your notes from the short story, Lord of the Flies, book club and Othello units to class as we will begin reviewing for next Tuesday's test. Exam--Gym Tues. Jan. 25 9 a.m.

Bring two pens and post it notes. No pencils.

Writing 12, Mon. Jan 17

Writing 12--We workshopped the essay today and went to the computer lab.

I also handed out the BCTELA and Claremont Review contest entry cover sheets.

You need to enter fiction to BCTELA, C.R. Aerie and Polyphony.

Enter an essay into Polyphony.

All entries need to be completed by Wed. Add $5.00 to the Claremont Review submission if you've already paid the 20.00 for poetry.

Lab times this week: TUES and THURS

Manuscript due Friday. No need to send me an electronic one. Fiction electronic manuscripts are overdue.

English 9, Fri. Jan. 14

Congratulations to Sara, Emily, Emi and Mia. Two members of the Read Society visited to congratulate this team's effort for literacy. They will be writing an article about their literacy project Loonies for Literacy and posting the girls' photos on their website. Way to go, Spartans! You are all making a difference in your community.

We were invited to Mr. Plant's year-long drama class today to watch performances, which means that the poems must be emailed to the contest by midnight Jan. 15 (Sat.).

Send to: readings@poets.ca
Subject line: Poetic License contest for youth

Body of the email

Title/s of the one or two (max) poems you plan to enter.

Your name
house number and street
city and postal code
phone number inlcuding area code
email address (use one that is checked regularly)

Title of poem 1

Put the poem under the title

Title of poem 2 (optional)

poem

Homework: Keep writing poems. You need two edited drafts per poem X 4 for Friday.

We'll write some more on Monday. Use the suggestions I gave you in your poetry anthologies. Imitate the poems in there but make sure you follow the criteria list for you manuscript.
Next, use the list of how to edit poetry as you edit. Mark each one draft 1 or draft 2 as appropriate.

English 11 E, Jan. 14--Friday

We made notes on Act 4, Sc. 3, Act 5 Sc 1 and 2. We finished reading the play.

In-class essay is Tuesday. Homework: Bring five passages that you think speak to the question:

What does this play reveal about love??? Remember, you are not to add your interpretations of love, here. Your job is to explain what is revealed by the characters, motifs, and symbols and settings in the play. The topic is a broad one. You'll need to narrow it down.

We'll write a good thesis statement and review the essay components Monday.

Start studying for the final exam. Visit www.claremont-school.ca/english for ideas.

Writing 12, Friday, Jan. 14

Research Essays--here we come! Bring two copies of the essay for workshop on Monday.
We're in the labe 1/2 of Mon. All Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Manuscripts are due Friday, Jan. 21.

Slam Poetry Team: Bring a poem on Monday that you think might work in performance. Jeremy Loveday's workshop TBA.

English 9, Thurs. Jan. 13

We edited our poems today using a list of "how to edit poetry". Call your homework buddy and get the list. Edit your poem and write Draft 1 on the top. Re-write the poem and call it Draft 2.

Email this draft and bring a copy to class. We'll be editing it in class and emailing it to
readings@poets.ca a national poetry contest with cash prizes.

Be sure to bring your address and postal code to class.

Re-read last year's winners on http://www.youngpoets.ca/

Good luck.

You are allowed to enter two poems so if you have a second poem, email it to yourself as well.

English 11E, Thurs. Jan. 12

We watched a film version of the play today. We looked for the ways the director had interpreted the key themes. Read to the end of Act 5 tonight. Pay particular attention to the murder of Desdemona sections in scene two. Be prepared for a quiz to test your comprehension skills.

Tues. we write the essay in the lab. Monday we'll prep for it.
Start searching for quotes on the topic:

What does the play reveal about love?

Writing 12, Thurs. Jan 13

Sandy Mayzell really knows her stuff. She knew exactly what each reader needed to do to improve! Yay. We'll keep working on it. Middle of Feb. we'll have a Writing 12 night that people will talk about for a million years!!

Meet in the lab tomorrow. Tonight, get a good start on your research essay. Find the sources you'll need.

English 9, Wed. Jan. 12

I collected the Cherries paragraphs and returned the poetry anthologies today.

We did two poetry writing exercises today and the homework is to type one of them up as a poem which follows our criteria list.

The next homework is to visit http://www.youngpoets.ca/ and find the samples of past winners of their contest and arrive in class prepared to explain why they won. Notice the criteria they use for the winners. Claremont grade 9s have won this contest many times. The deadline is Sat. so we'll have to do a good job editing our poems over the next two days.

English 11E, Wed. Jan 12

Well done on the Temptation Scene paragraphs except some of you neglected the literary must-haves list and threw marks out the window. Forgetting these key skills on the exam will COST you. You've been warned.

We reviewed the homework and took more notes on the last scene in Act. 3. We read Act 4, Sc. 1 aloud and made notes. We read the next two scenes silently. Keep your eye on Othello!! Watch him head towards doom!

Finish reading the play for Friday. Monday, we review the play and prepare for the in-class essay on Tuesday.

You're doing really well with your Shakespeare reading.

Writing 12, Jan. 12

We read five essays from the text today. Be sure to read them.

I collected the 300 word re-write of the opinion pieces. Well done.

We reviewed the criteria for the research essay which is due Monday. Bring two copies to workshop. Include a MLA style reference list (bibliography). Ask me for help with this if you've never done MLA style before.

English 9, Tues. Jan. 11

Finish the Cherries paragraph and hand it in Wed. Explain what the poem reveals about war in a literary paragraph of 250 words. Follow your literary must-have list.

We read and made notes on the poem, "A Slow Fuse". Write a thesis for this poem that explains the poem's view of violence.

English 11E, Tues. Jan. 11

If you missed today, you'll need to bring a note in order to write the paragraph in class tomorrow. However, by doing so, you will miss tomorrow's discussions. It is imperative to attend all classes during this unit.

Tonight read and make notes on Act 3, Scene 4. Post it note evidence of how the temptation of Othello has changed him and post it note how these changes are affecting Desdemona.

Come to class willing to discuss the end of Act three and predict what will happen in Act. 4.

Start studying for the final exam.

Writing 12, Tues. Jan. 11

Today, I collected the Jack Knox responses and returned the opinion pieces. Tonight, choose a section of the essay to revise, apply the criteria we addressed while studying the Knox and Black samples, and submit a really excellent 300 words Wed. If you missed Jack Knox, be sure to make it up by attending another literary event. If you haven't attended a second literary event. Planet Earth starts this Friday at 7:30 on Hillside near Shelbourne. The Black Stilt is now a Moka House.

Thanks to Nick and Barbara for their presentation on Susan Musgrave's work.

Thursday: Sandy Mayzell visits our class.

English 9, Mon. Jan. 10

We reviewed the criteria for the poetry anthologies which are due tomorrow.
You have them written in your notebook and they are on previous posts on this blog so be sure to check. We also edited our reference lists today. Be sure to follow the MLA style sheet.

Next, we read and discussed the poem, "Cherries" today. We made inferences and learned how to cite poetry. Be sure to get the notes from a friend asap.

Tomorrow in class we will write a paragraph. Review your "Spring" paragraph. Choose three items that you wish to improve on in your next paragraph. It's time to stop making the same mistakes.

Final exam. Check Claremont's website for a list of times for all your exams. It is your responsibility to be at school ready to write. English 9 is Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you plan on staying for the full three hours, you will need to ensure that you have a ride home.

You must complete all three sections in the time allotted.

English 11 E, Mon. Jan 10

Act 3, Scene 3 -- The Temptation Scene

We read and made notes on the first few pages of this scene. Be sure to get them from a friend. Tonight, read and make notes on the remaining five pages. How does Othello change?
Who is guility here?

Re-read today's notes as we are now starting to collect good essay topics for next Tuesday's in-class essay. Make sure you are making inferences as you read since reading Shakespeare is not about reading for plot. Read for character. Read to notice all the cool structural things he does with diction, juxtaposition, repetition, long and short lines....

oooo so muchest fun

I collected your essays today and handed out new marks. Make sure that you have a good look and check for errors.

Writing 12, Monday, Jan. 10

Jack Knox was here!! And did he ever have a lot to teach us.
Jack Knox responses are due Tuesday. If you missed it, you can make up this event by attending
a literary event outside of class. Last day for literary event responses is Fri. Jan. 21

Tues: Presentation by Nick and Barbara

Thurs: Sandy Mazyzell--theatre teacher and film producer extraordinaire. Sandy's seminar is called Off The Page. She teaches authors how to read their works so that they are understood and appreciated when heard! Don't miss it.

I collected the opinion pieces today. You still have two weeks to edit them. A few of you have a knack for this style but most of you are still doing what all new writers do--failing to engage the reader with sufficient detail. Some of you didn't use any of the literary techniques at all, including paragraphs. So, back to the drawing board it is.

Now--a longer personal essay. Search for a key topic. Begin your research. Interview, check and re-check your sources. You cannot use any data that isn't true. Include a bibliography.

Due Monday -- two copies for workshop. DOUBLE SPACE THEM.

English 11 E, Fri. Jan. 7

We had two guests from Writing 12 read to us today, Mitch Cram and Nolan Turcotte. They were wonderful and answered a lot of questions about English options for next year. If you have questions, let me know.

Personal essays are due Monday. Check previous posts for criteria. You should all have received your drafts back from me. I've edited them and they look fabulous. Good luck.

We have read and taken notes on the first two acts. Be prepared to work hard next week.
We'll do an in-class essay in the lab, Tues. Jan. 18. Review for the final exam 19-21.

Exam: You have three hours. Date TBA.

First section: Fiction. Read and respond to a story.
Second section: Poetry. Read two poems and write an excellent compare/contrast paragraph.
Second Three: Course Content Essay. Write an essay to prove a given thesis. You must refer to at least two books, plays, or stories studied this year. You'll need to memorize authors, titles, characters, conflicts and quotes.

Writing 12, Friday, Jan 7

We worked on our opinion pieces today. Good copy is due Mon. See previous posts for criteria.
I checked the first 50 words today.
Next week, bring your text books as we start reading the longer essays.

English 9, Thurs. Jan. 6

I've tallied the Dec. reading forms and some of you didn't hand in anything which is really disappointing. I see you reading but it can't count for marks without response forms.

We went to the computer lab today to take part in a survey called What did you do in school today? Thanks for your attentive behaviour in the lab.

We had three wonderful literacy project presentations today. Thanks to you all.

I also sent around the updated marks. If there are errors or omissions, be sure to have me correct them in our computer so your report card mark will be accurate.

Homework: Choose all ten poems for your project. Bring all the bibliographical info to class. We will do our reference list Friday. Project is due Tuesday. Type in all your poems. Write a three sentence response per poem. Design a front and back book cover. Give your book a title.

English 11 E, Thurs. Jan 6

You did well on your quizzes today. If you found the quiz difficult, go back and re-read but read with a critical eye. Look for character development, symbols.

Be sure to get the notes if you missed today. What is the great chain of being? What do we learn about Iago in solioquy two?

Homework: Read Act 2, Scene 3 and record what happens-- a lot happens.

Recall the purpose for act 2.

We start Act 3 tomorrow.

PERSONAL ESSAYS ARE DUE MONDAY.

Writing 12, Jan. 6

I loved your enthusiasm for Jack Knox's work. Be sure to read the remaining two articles in the package looking for keys to his success.

Ticket in the door Friday: First 50 words of your opinion piece.

Criteria:
750 to 1000 words
Purposeful
Aware of your audience (community minded)
All sources are cited
Technically proficient--delight us with your literary talents--look through your notes for all the ideas we have been sharing
Insightful--your language, opinion, ideas all add up to one oh-so-satisfying read

English 9, Wed. Jan. 5

Today we practiced how to read a poem and we took a page of notes on the poem, Spring. If you missed the discussion, call your homework buddy and copy out the notes.

We created thesis statements for the poem's theme. I.e. Why does this mother let the children play despite her fear they may catch pnemonia and certainly make more work for her?

Follow the literary must-haves. Include at least three pieces of evidence for your opinions.
Marks awarded for excellent vocabulary, insight, development and proofreading.
Good copy, double spaced due Thurs.

Next, we started a practice exercise for poetry using the Flip Dictionary.
We imitated a poem called You bring out the boring white guy in me.
This poem is basically a list of associations of things a boring white guy might do--wear white briefs, shop at Wal Mart, have flares in his trunk, eat Cheese Whiz etc.
This exercise is designed to build your creative muscles of lots of associations. The Flip dictionaries are excellent tools for this exercise as they have lists and lists. For example--lists of gardening tools, lists of heart diseases, lists of instruments, lakes in Russia, etc.

I collected all the Dec. USSR forms today as well.
Keep reading.

English 11, Wed. Jan. 5

Today we reviewed Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2 and we had a 10 mark quiz. It's imperative that you attend these next 12 days. You cannot make up these quizzes.

Tonight finish reading Act 3 from page 25 to the end and make notes on the following.
Include quotes to support your opinions and cite properly. (Act, Scene, Line) (1.1.25).

1. Explain how Othello and Desdemona fall in love. Look for any sign of weakness. Predict their vulnerabilities. Do you think they are well matched?
2. How does Brabantio react? Find the curse he puts on Desdemona.
3. Record how Roderigo responds to the news of Desdemona's marriage and how Iago talks him out of suicide.
4. Read Iago's soliloquy on page 31. Examine what it reveals about his character.

Be prepared for a quiz on these questions. You may use your notes but not your text.
Keep looking for the three motifs:
blindness
animal imagery
betrayal

Writing 12, Wed.Jan. 5

We had a wonderful presentation on Jack Hodgins by Mitch and Nolan today. Thanks, guys. We also filled out the survey in the computer lab so we didn't get back to our opinion pieces yet.
Tomorrow we'll work hard! Friday, I've booked the computer lab so you can write your draft which is due Monday.

English 9, Jan. 4. 2011

We started poetry today.

First project is a poetry anthology. Be sure to write down the criteria from your homework buddy.
Also, pick up a copy of the poetry text, Departures, in the library.

Dec. USSR forms are due tomorrow.

English 11 E, Tues. Jan. 4, 2011

December reading logs due tomorrow as well as the first half of your personal essay. Typed and double spaced.

We started Othello today. Pick up a copy in the library when you return your essay book.

USSR shortened this month so read read read at home. 2 books for an A in Jan.

Post it note--blind motif, and all the animal imagery. Take notes for every scene. I'm looking for your inferences, not just facts.

Writing 12, Tues. Jan. 4/2011!!!

Welcome Back. You are so wonderful, it's great to be back in your presence again.

New deadlines:
Monday-opinion piece (imitating a column-style piece for a local newspaper). Read the ones I photocopied for you and clarify the wealth of literary techniques used.

Choose a topic that interests you. Choose language that sets a consistent tone.

750-1000 words, double spaced due Jan. 10.

Jan. 17--a longer personal essay with a focus on research and ideally including quotes from interviews. Think of key people you can call or email with questions.

Friday, Jan. 21 Final Writing 12 personal essay manuscript is due.

Wow! Only 14 days left.