English 9, Friday, April 29

We completed the paragraphs on "Warren Pryor" and did a poetry test today. See yesterday's blog for the test outline. Ensure that your poetry notes are organized.

Homework:
USSR FORMS DUE MONDAY.
YOUR FOUR POEMS PLUS DRAFTS AND COVER PAGE ARE ALSO DUE MONDAY.
Be sure to follow the criteria and use the edit/revise 10 steps to ensure an excellent mark.

Lit 12, Friday, April 29

We did the Hamlet test today. Homework: Study for the mid-term exam. Create detailed notes on the Restoration/18th century pages.

Monday--we start Pope--The Rape of the Lock!

Wed-Metro Theatre. Get your forms in and the money.
Thanks.

English 9, Thurs. April 28th

I collected the two poems for the BCTELA contest today. Last day for this is tomorrow.

We wrote a paragraph today on the poem, "Warren Pryer" which is found on page 170 in your Departures text.

Tomorrow is our poetry test. Make sure your notes are up-to-date as you will need to use your notes during the test.
Section A: Literary Terms /18
Study the following terms, how they are defined and used in poems
1. simile 2. metaphor 3. symbol 4. juxtaposition 5. personification 6. theme 7. symbols 8. theme 9.. allusion

Section B: Line Recognition

Be able to say which poem the line comes from, who wrote the poem and why the line is key to the poem's theme

Section C: Journal Entry 150 words How has poetry affected me?

In a journal of 150 words, answer the question above. Use specific examples to prove your opinions. You must address at least four of the topics below:

• writing poetry
• reading poetry
• editing poetry
• The Claremont Review
• your anthology
• how you see the world through poetic eyes
• the use of symbols
• the importance of detail
• how to revise poetry and what you learned
• why poetry matters
• what you like to write about and why

Lit 12. Thurs. April 28

We did a practice site passage to prepare for the Hamlet test tomorrow. There are samples on line. See previous blogs for the link.

We also started making notes on the 18th century. The notes are due Tuesday.

If you have not yet brought in your money and permission form for Wednesday's trip to the Metro Theatre,
I will need to kill you. Please bring it in tomorrow. Thanks.

Lit 12, Wed. April 27

We finished Act 5, Scenes 1 and 2 today. The board was filled with terrific notes so make sure to get a copy if you were absent. Hamlet test is Friday. Mid-term exam is next Thursday.
We go to the play next Wed. Busy weeks ahead. You definitely do not want to miss class.

Thursday: Bring your Lit texts. We'll be making notes on the political and cultural influences on 18th century literature. Make notes on pages 327-347. Be able to characterize the Restoration and the 18th century.
Compare it in your mind to the Renaissance era, the 17th century, and the Anglo-Saxon era. What differences are there? What similarities? Why?

Next week we'll read "To the Ladies", The Rape of the Lock, and A Modest Proposal.

You'll see a lot of differences in tone, structure and themes!

English 9, Wed. April 27

Contest poems are due tomorrow. Type up two good copies from the four poems you've been working on.
Make sure you do not put your name on the poems. Paper clip the poems to the contest cover sheet. If you need a new cover sheet, just ask.

Deadline for this contest is Sunday. NO LATES ACCEPTED.

English 9, Tues. April 26

Today we wrote poems using unique detail. Be sure to contact your homework buddy for the list of ideas.

I collected two poems from block 2 and a second poem in block 4.

I have now edited two poems from each of you. If you have not submitted two typed poems to me for editing, you are behind.

Bring two new typed poems for peer editing tomorrow. Bring the two poems I have edited. You'll have time to do revisions in class Wed. We're preparing for the contest and the manuscript of 4 poems plus 2 drafts per good copy which is due Friday.

Lit 12, Tues. April 26

We watched Act 5 and made notes on Act 4. sc. 7. Tomorrow, we'll discuss act 5 and study for the Hamlet test which will be Friday. Thursday, we'll make notes on the next unit so be sure to bring your Lit texts to class.

Next Thursday mid-term exam. Start studying now. There will be 30 mutlitiple choice questions and an essay to write.

Literature 12, Thurs. April 21

We had a Kevin Brooks presentation the entire block today. Visit kevinbrooks.ca for details.

We haven't yet had a chance to discuss the Claudius/Laertes scene. Make sure you have detailed notes.

Bring the poems you wrote for staff to class on Tuesday as we'll be putting them into the cards Ms. Egan purchased.

Read Act 5 sc. 1. Take note of Hamlet's attitudes toward death. Post-it note key passages. Bring your ideas to class for discussion Tuesday.

Have a great weekend.

English 9, Thurs. April 21

Finish a USSR book this weekend. USSR forms for April are due Monday, May 2. NO LATES ACCEPTED.

Poetry Manuscripts are due Friday, April 29 BUT you must bring all four typed drafts to class Wed. April 27 for peer editing. Get those drafts completed this weekend. Be sure to follow the criteria. Tuesday, you will have time in class to write.

Cut out cliched words. Ensure you choose interesting details. Choose a symbolic title that invites the reader in. Make the setting and action clear so your reader does not have to guess. Use the techniques we've been learning for maximum effect: personification, juxtaposition, repetition, allusion, metaphor and simile.

Lit 12, Wed. April 19

We wrote poems today as part of our National Poetry Celebration. Ask me what you need to do if you were absent today as it's a secret which I cannot write on the blog!! he he he

English 9, Wed. April 20

Excellent work today. We wrote two poems in class and we corrected our Cooks Brook paragraphs.

Homework: Make sure you understand the criteria for the Manuscript (4 poems which you write) that are due Friday, April 19th. It's key that you follow the criteria.

Tonight: Re-write the Cooks Brook paragraph if your first score was less than 5. Due Tomorrow. No exceptions. You will be staying in at lunch or after school to complete these.

Tonight: Type up your first poem. It must follow the criteria. I could come from today's exercises or the ideas I wrote down for you in your anthologies or something you think of on your own.

This weekend: Be sure to finish reading a USSR book as April is almost over.

English 9, Tuesday, April 19

We did a short quiz on the terms we learned yesterday: theme, personification, juxtaposition, repetition, tone
We reviewed the poem, "Cherries".

Next, we reviewed the steps to reading a poem and we did a comprehension test on the next poem in the package, "A Slow Fuse" by Jay Ruzesky.

If you were absent today, read the poem and create a what / so what chart for the following question:

What does the poem suggest about the effects of violence (in families and in society) on children?

Be sure to choose the best symbols you can find to represent these effects.

Lit 12, Tuesday, April 19

Today, we completed the paragraph on the passage from Hamlet to prep for the final exam.

Homework is the same as yesterday. Have a look at Monday's blog.

IF YOU HAVEN'T YET RETURNED THE MONEY AND PERMISSION FORM FOR OUR TRIP, MAY 4. PLEASE DO SO TOMORROW.

English 9, Monday, April 18

We read our USSR books for 15 minutes. We are half way through April. Get reading!! Try to beat your March score.

We read the poem "Cherries". We focussed on reading strategies. How do you make sense of a poem?
Follow the steps we've been using:

Pre-reading: Find out about the author, the form, (lyric?) look at the question you're being asked to write on. Think about what your attitude toward war is? What is a politician's attitude toward war? A soldier's? A mother's? A child's? Engage in the topic before you start reading.

1st Reading: Look for what is happening and define any new words. Who is speaking? Setting? Etc.
2nd Reading: Significance of the title? Key symbols? Key verbs?
3rd Reading: Look for techniques: juxtaposition, tone, personification, metaphor, allusion

What attitude toward war is revealed in the poem, "Cherries"?  If you do not have the poem, be sure to get a copy from me.

Lit 12, Mon. April 18

We took notes and answered questions on Act 4, scenes 1-4. Get the questions from a friend. We discussed Hamlet's 7th and final soliloquy in Scene 4.
We read the beginning of Act 4 scene 5.
Homework for Wed: Read Act 4 to the end of scene 7.
Not in scene 7 how Claudius convinces Laertes to "work" for him--watch how he "seduces" Laertes with his charming words i.e. poisons Laertes' ears!!

Tuesday: We are writing a paragraph in class on a passage (similar to the one we did last week).
Friday's blog has a link to the minstry website where you can read samples of Hamlet responses. I suggest you study the paragraph I returned to you today and that website plus your Hamlet notes in order to feel prepared for tomorrow.

Lit 12: Friday, April 15

We watched two film versions of Act 3, Scene 4, The Closet scene between Hamet and his mother.

We took a lot of notes and discussed the significance of this scene as the climax of the play and what its consequences will be. We discussed Hamlet's emotional state and whether or not his regret over the death of Polonius was sincere.

Homework: Read Act 4, Scenes 1-4. These are very short scenes which are mostly plot based so make sure you know what is happening.

Tuesday: Paragraph write for exam prep. Study the notes from the last one. Review our literary must-haves list. You may also visit the website to read samples from past exams: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/exemplars/welcome.htm#Lit12

English 9, Friday, April 15

Great job with the lip-dub and Spartan day!! Decide on how you wish to make your name at Claremont! Sports, Academics, Clubs, Service, Student Council, Volunteering, Theatre, Music, Technology, Set design, Cafeteria, Woodwork, Mechanics, Metal work, Contests, The Claremont Review  . . . the list is endless! Let me know what you already do and what you wish to add to your resume!!

Go Spartans Go!

If you have handed me your "Cooks Brook" paragraph and your poetry anthology then you have no specific homework. Try to get a USSR book finished this weekend as we are half way through April.

Next week, we'll write and edit poetry and enter contests!

English 9, Thursday, April 14

Today we read the poem, "Cooks Brook" by Al Pittman on page 60 of your text, Departures.
We created a chart to answer the question below and we completed a literary paragraph as well.

In a paragraph of 200 to 350 words, discuss the narrator's reaction to the dive before and after he does it. What does this poem reveal about peer pressure.

You may start the poem paragraph with: In the poem, "Cooks Brook" by Al Pittman, the narrator reveals that peer pressure . . . or

use your own set up. Be sure to include the author and the title.

Find evidence of what the narrator thinks about the dive before and after he does it.
State your opinions about what this evidence reveals.
Summarize the chart into a thesis which answers the question above.

When citing this poem, use the page numbers. For example: "...." (Pittman 60).

Remember to use the / to indicate a new line in the poem.

Lit 12, Thursday, April 14

Be sure to submit your Hamlet paragraph plus the draft. It was due Thurs. April 13.

Tonight: Read Act 3, Scene 4: The bedroom scene. Be sure to take careful notes.
How does Gertrude react to Hamlet's news? How is he changed by her reactions?
How does he react to killing Polonius at the time and at the end of the scene.
How does this scene connect to other scenes in the play?
Which soliloquies are most connected to this scene? Why?
This scene is considered the climax. Explain.

The act ends with Hamlet, our noble, insane prince carrying the body of an innocent man off the stage.
Look back at how acts 1 and 2 end. What connections can you make?

Tomorrow, we'll watch film versions of this scene to compare interpretations but be sure to have made your own notes before you arrive. I'll be checking your notes.

Lit 12, Tues. April 11

Be prepared for tomorrow's test. See Monday's blog for more details.

Be sure to read and make notes on Act 3, Scene 1, which is called The Nunnery Scene.

This scene is critical to the play's themes and includes soliloquy 4: To be or not to be.

English 9, Tuesday, April 11

POETRY ANTHOLOGIES ARE DUE TOMORROW: BE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL THE CRITERIA.

Struggling with the MLA style reference list? Visit our library website or try bibme.com

Make sure you follow the criteria closely. This section is worth 25 of the 100 marks.

Look forward to seeing the poems you choose and your front and back cover designs.

English 9, Monday, April 11

I returned all of the essays and quote logs and sent the marks around. Be sure that you check the marks as these are the final grades for your first term report card.

Also, make all of the corrections on your Corrections Sheet in your assignment file. Parent - Teacher - Student interviews will be happening soon and you will need to bring that file folder to the meeting. If you are not correcting your work on a regular basis, you are not being responsible for your own learning. Get to it asap.

Wed: Poetry anthologies are due. Bring all the ten poems and the biblographical info as we will be doing the Reference List in class tomorrow.

We started reading a poem called "Spring" today and we started taking notes on it. Be sure to get all the notes as you need this information to do well on your poetry test and on your final exam.

Literature 12, Monday, April 11

I collected the found poems and/or paragraphs from the weekend. Thank you.

We created leaves for the library's POET-TREE for the display. If you were away, pick up a leaf from Mrs. Orme or Mrs. Ippen and write your poem on there in felt pen.

Next, we took two boards of notes on Friday's assignment. I passed out the paragraphs from Friday and each one was marked by two students following the criteria on the board. Next, we marked our own.
A good copy of this paragraph, attached to Friday's draft is due Thursday.
Next, we did review quizzes on terms and authors, titles and it was obvious that some students are not keeping up with the review. So, in order to help you make studying a priority: (drum roll here)

WED April 13:

REVIEW QUIZ ON ALL THE AUTHORS AND TITLES AND TERMS WE'VE DONE IN LIT 12 SO FAR. BE SURE TO STUDY. 

HOMEWORK: Study your notes. Make a card for each piece of literature on the core--copy out key themes, quotes, vocab words, style, structure, terms, author and title. These cards will provide an easy way to study.

Lit 12, Friday, April 8

Finish reading Act 2, Scene 2. Create a found poem on the character, Hamlet, using words and phrases found in this scene. Your poem will reveal your interpretation of Hamlet at this point in the play. If you prefer, you may opt to write a paragraph response instead of a poem. This scene has a number of characters discussing Hamlet--Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Ophelia, plus his love letters, plus his 3rd soliloquy so it is rich in imagery and character development. YOU MUST ARRIVE WITH YOUR POEM. NO LATES ACCEPTED. THE POEM WILL INDICATE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE READ AND CONTEMPLATED THIS SCENE. BRING QUESTIONS, THEORIES, IDEAS TO CLASS.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

Pay particular attention to two speeches by Hamlet
His soliloquy and the short passage lines 297-313 (This passage is often on the provincial exam so study it thoroughly and be prepared to discuss it on Monday).

Also, the soliloquy, how does the comparison that Hamlet makes between himself and an actor compliment the appearance vs reality theme? Come prepared to discuss.... If you didn't speak up much last week, don't delay. 5 marks per day for contributing to group and class discussions.

English 9, Friday, April 8

BIG VOCABULARY TEST MONDAY:
1-46! Study.

You must achieve at least 25/30 or else you will need to attend study blocks.

Poetry Anthology is due Wed. April 13.

Choose poems from The Claremont Review, Departures or the following websites:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/ (American)
http://www.poets.ca/ or http://www.youngpoets.ca/ (Canadian)
Canadian Poetry Online: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/canpoetry/ (Can.)
or Poetry 180 http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/  (American)

Criteria:
Front Cover: is attractive and thought-provoking, contains an image, a poetic title and your name
Back Cover: imitates poetry covers i.e. tries to sell the book with quotes or poets' names or reviews etc Two Thumbs Up that kind of thing, plus it must have a price, an ISBN number and scanning code and a publishing name (You may make it up or use a famous Can. poetry company i.e. Brick Books or Sono Nis Press or Stenson Publishing Company.

Inside:
10 poems that you love typed up with author and title

Reference List: a formal bibliography using MLA style. I will help you with this task on Tuesday so bring all your poem titles/authors and books/website info to class Tuesday.

English 9, Wed. April 6

Block 2: Prepare for the English 9 Cross Grade test. Study all that you have learned so far in English. Bring two blue or black pens, post-it notes and your USSR book to class tomorrow.

Block 2 and 4: Poetry Anthology Project is due Wed. April 13. Work on parts of it every night. Don't leave it until the last minute. We started with The Claremont Review. Look on line http://www.theclaremontreview.ca/ if you do not have a copy at home. They are in the library as well for you to sign out.

• Choose 10 poems that you LOVE from the books and websites assigned in class
• Create front and back covers using the criteria discussed in class
• Type up each poem, title and author
• Write a 2 to 3 sentence response describing the features of the poem that you admire

Lit 12, Wed. April 6

Make sure you get all the notes from our discussion of Act 1, Scene 3. Also, this Friday, we will be doing a practice Hamlet section from the final exam. See notes on yesterday's blog.

We read and made notes on Scene 4.

Homework: Read Scene 5 and make notes on the following questions. Make sure that you have quotations from the text to support your answers.

1. What do you learn about the ghost's life in purgatory?
2. How did Hamlet Sr. die?
3. What does the ghost think about Gertrude's marriage to Claudius?
4. Read Hamlet's second soliloquy (93-111). What is he going to give up in order to devote himself to revenge? What are the implications of this idea? Copy down at least three key quotations from this passage.
5. How does Hamlet seem after his encounter with the ghost? How do Horatio and Marcellus react to him?
6. The last three lines of this scene seem to contradict Hamlet's soliloquy, why?

English 9, Tues. April 5

Block 2: We added two new words to our vocabulary list. We played Vocab. Bingo and edited our essays.
Block 4: We wrote the English 9 X-Grade test.

Homework:
Put the finishing touches on the essay. Make sure you go through all the checklists thoroughly. Check off each item as you complete it on the pink sheet.

Staple together: The good copy (on top) to the draft to the pink checklist.
                         Hand in the Quotation Log in separately.
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT THE WORK TOMORROW, PREPARE FOR CONSEQUENCES. If you have computer problems, handwrite the essay.

Lit 12, Tues. April 5

Incredible discussion today! Well done. I learned an enormous amount about Hamlet's character from his first soliloquy: (1.2.129-159).

We created five boards full of notes (4 what / so what charts and a criteria list of the Hamlet section on the provincial exam). BE SURE TO GET THESE NOTES AND MAKE YOUR OWN NOTES ON HAMLET'S FIRST SOLILOQUY AS IT SETS UP THE ENTIRE PLAY.

Next, we made notes on the remaining lines of Scene 2.

Scene 3: Introduction to the sub-plot--Ophelia and Hamlet's relationship and the meddlesome nature of Polonius.
Answer the following questions as you read this scene and bring your interpretations to class. Be sure to support your opinions with examples from the scene.

1. What do you learn about Laertes' character in this scene? Note his relationship to his sister. What might this relationship foreshadow?
2. Examine the advice Polonius offers Laertes before Laertes departs for Paris. How apt is the advice?
3. What advice does Polonius give Ophelia regarding her relationship with Hamlet? In the context of the overal play, why might this advice be devastating to Hamlet?

English 9, Monday, April 4

Excellent work today. We did 15 minutes of USSR and added words 41 and 42 to our list-sap and petty.

Next, I collected all of the first drafts of the Pigman essays and distributed them for peer editing.
If you were away, use the checklists below and do a thorough edit of your draft.
Editing is not simply finding errors, it also implies revising sections in order to make them clearer, more insightful and more interesting.

Wednesday:
Submit your first edited draft, your good copy of the essay, and your completed quotation log.

Do NOT arrive to class Wednesday without your work. Term 3 ends Friday so I cannot offer extensions.

IF YOU WERE ABSENT TODAY, COPY AND PASTE THE CHECKLIST BELOW INTO A WORD DOCUMENT AND PRINT IT OUT. USE IT AS A GUIDE FOR REVISING YOUR FIRST DRAFT.

Essay Checklist:

 

English 9 Essay CHECKLIST

 

Name______________ Editor _____________________

The items below must be in your essay.  Do not submit an essay with any of the items below missing.  The checklist is worth 40 marks as completing it competently ensures an excellent finished product and reveals your editing skills. Spend a lot of time with this list.  

Introduction Checklist

1. _____ All verbs are in the present tense and no contractions are used.
2. _____ The thesis answers the question So What??? meets the other thesis criteria discussed, and includes the author’s name and the title of the novel is italicized.
3. _____ Each body paragraph is represented by a category summary sentence. You should have three body paragraphs and three sentences.
4. _____ Your last sentence is a repeat of your thesis but it appeals more to the reader’s emotions: injustice, passion, righteousness, honor, outrage etc.
5. _____ You have varied your sentences so that they do not all start in the same manner. You have varied your verbs so that is, does, makes etc. are used rarely. Use emphasize, elucidates, exemplifies, depicts, reveals, symbolizes etc.

Body Paragraph Checklist

1. _____ Each body paragraph is equal in length and no paragraph is less than 350 words. All points prove your thesis and you make that link your priority. Repeat the thesis at least once in every body paragraph.
2. _____ All verbs are in the present tense and no contractions are used. You do not use the phrase THIS SHOWS OR THIS MOVES. Cut pronouns: this, it, he, she.
3. _____ All quotations are followed by a page or line number (19) or (3.1.35). And a period comes after the bracket but not before the bracket.
4. _____ All paragraphs have a strong concluding sentence.
5. _____ Body paragraphs 1 and 2 end with transition sentences.
6. _____ Somewhere in each body paragraph you mention your thesis and how these points are proving it.
7. _____ You vary your sentence beginnings and use good verbs like emphasizes, exemplifies, illustrates, portrays, depicts, shows etc. Is, has, makes, seems are used rarely. Your arguments are persuasive. It is easy to follow. Be convincing.
8. _____ You vary your sentence lengths so no one style takes over. Some sentences are really short and some are really long.
9. _____ You have edited and spellchecked your work so no typos get through.
10. _____ You solemnly believe that you have proven your thesis with clear evidence from the text and you are not simply retelling the story.

Conclusion Paragraph Checklist

1. _____ You have not added any new information here.
2. _____ You repeat your thesis right away and do not repeat the author or title names.
3. _____ Each body paragraph is represented by a summary category sentence.
4. _____ You end the conclusion by repeating your thesis emotionally.
5. _____ You use the present tense of the verbs and no contractions are used.

Lit 12, Monday, April 4

Starting today, each student must participate orally every class in order to gain the participation mark of 25 per week (5 marks per day). We all need to make an effort to ensure that class discussions are pertinent and stimulating. Today's class went really well but there were still 4 students who did not add to the discussion. Find a way to get your opinions out!

We reviewed Friday's class and added two board fulls of notes so be sure to borrow them from a friend. Please do not copy the notes mindlessly, instead, add your comments throughout, which is what we did today.

Next, we practiced how to read Shakespeare so that when you are reading orally, it makes linguistic sense. You cannot read monontonously or skip over passages that you do not understand. We practiced how to improve our oral reading. Please ask your peers for help if you missed today.

We read almost to the end of Act 1, Scene 2.

Finish reading the scene. Look for plot but also see if any new images or themes or tones emerge and write down the quote and your response.

Homework:

Read Hamlet's first soliloquy several times. It is in scene 2.
Make notes on the following:
key images
key punctuation marks (dashes and exclamations abound)
tone

For each example, explain what it might reveal about Hamlet's state of mind at the beginning of the play.

We took a lot of notes on this scene as we read it aloud so borrow the notes and read the scene carefully. Take notes on Gertrude and Claudius' characters and explain why Hamlet's first two speeches are one liners, the first is an aside and the second a pun.
Next, look carefully at Hamlet's "I know not seems" speech as it is a crucial one for understanding this character's true nature.

English 9, Friday, April 1

Today, we learned how to write a conclusion. I've copied the handout below so make sure you read it and follow the steps carefully.

Monday: An edited, typed, double space first draft of your essay is DUE. We will be peer editing. If you do not have an essay here on Monday, you will miss out on a crucial step needed for revision.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO PRINT THE ESSAY IN CLASS.
PRINT IT IN THE LIBRARY BEFORE 9 A.M.

If you have trouble with your computer, handwrite the essay but be sure to double space and make it neat.

Sunday night: Use the checklists below to ensure that you have included all the key criteria for the introduction, the three body paragraphs and the conclusion. Check off each item as you find it in your essay.

Also, use the following handouts to guide your revision:
1. How to cite
2. Literary must haves
3. How to integrate quotations
4. The three sample paragraphs on the Pigman

These forms are also on the English website: www.claremont-school.ca/english

There are no excuses. Spartans are responsible for their own learning. Arrive on Monday with good, hard questions about your essay.

You will have two nights, Monday and Tuesday, to make final revisions.

GOOD COPY stapled to the draft due WEDNESDAY, April 6.
QUOTE LOG: Good copy due Wednesday, April 6.  

Lit 12, Fri. April 1

Please ensure that you have returned your novels to the library. If you still need them, renew them, please. Sign out a copy of the Coles Hamlet in the library.
We took notes today on the background and characters in Hamlet and we read the first part of Act 1, Scene 1. We also reviewed how to cite drama.

No homework this weekend.