English 9, Tues. May 31

I collected the USSR forms today and marked the homework (the first half of the wolf article).

Wolf articles are due tomorrow. 500 words, double spaced, typed. I can't wait to read them!

We started to read the play, Our Town, today. Return your Farley Mowat book to the library and sign out the new text. Return any other texts and renew library books you are using for USSR while you are there.

Lit 12, May 31, Tuesday

Unit 3 test today. You all did so well!! Congrats.

Homework: Make notes on Emily Bronte and read her poem, "Song". Explain how death is viewed in the poem. You will need to read it a number of times although the poem is short.

Enjoy!!! 

English 9, Monday, May 30

USSR forms for the month of May are due tomorrow. NO LATES ACCEPTED.

I collected the essay corrections and any late MOWAT journals.

Wolf articles using new journalism style: Due Wednesday. Typed. Double spaced.

We added two new words, groping and justify to our list. Be sure to write a good sentence for each word.

Homework: Complete at least half of your wolf article. Focus on the aspects of new journalism style:

• entertain
• add detail
• appeal to the five senses
• choose your facts well
• short, lively paragraphs (10 to 15)
• appeal to sound: onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhythm, rhyme, assonance, dissonance
• vary the sentence length
• use slang or colloquial expressions
• add pop culture references: Justin, Taylor, Britney
• add allusions to myths, legends, fairy tales, politics, athletics, Mowat novel
• use suspense, make us want to read on
• have a title that acts as an invitation to your thesis
• imitate the four articles in your package--use your favourite parts
• add punctuation creatively: brackets, ellipses, dashes, exclamation marks, question marks
• use strong verbs: struts, wavers, swaggers, defies, bows, haunts, clips, sifts etc
• create a narrative voice that isn't yours--be LARGER than life

Have fun! Due Wed.

Lit. 12, Monday, May 30

I collected the poetry projects. Thank you. VICTORIAN ERA NOTES DUE TOMORROW.

We reviewed several key passages from Unit 3 as preparation for tomorrow's unit exam.

Next, we took notes on Elizabeth Barrett Browning and read her sonnet, 43, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" from Sonnets of the Portuguese. Be sure to read and respond to the poem.

Next, we took notes on Elizabeth's husband, Robert Browning, and read and discussed his famous dramatic monologue, "My Last Duchess".

If you were away today, I will need a note explaining the absence in order to accept the poetry projects late.

English 9, Friday, May 27th

Today I collected the Mowat journals and the essay corrections from the block 2 class.

Block 4 started the essay corrections today. All corrections are due Monday.

Homework:

Divide your wolf facts into three categories such as:
Feeding and Hunting Habits
Family Life
Similarities to Humans

etc

Use a separate piece of paper for each category. Put 4 great facts under each heading. We'll continue working on these magazine articles on Monday. Good copy is due Wed. June 1.

Tues. May 31: USSR forms are due. No lates accepted.

Lit 12, Friday, May 27

We read Tennyson's "Ulysses" today and then we experimented with its themes. Turns out we are mostly not like Ulysses but like his son, Telemachus. WAH!

Poetry Projects due Monday.
Test is Tuesday on Unit 3.

Have fun this weekend.

English 9, Thurs. May 26

MOWAT JOURNALS DUE TOMORROW!! GOOD LUCK.

We had a lot of fun today in class. Block 2 received their essays back and started corrections. Block 4, I'll return your essays tomorrow and your corrections will be due on Monday.

We started a new form of creative writing today, a magazine article on wolves using the New Journalism style of writing. We took notes on this style and read samples. We'll be writing our own articles today and tomorrow in class. Good copies will be due Wednesday, June 1.

USSR forms for May are due Tues. May 31. Don't delay.

Lit 12, Thursday, May 26

We practiced the only section of the provincial exam that we have not done so far, the sight passage. If you were absent today, come to see me asap to pick up the practice section and then after you complete it, you may check the answer key. We also read and took notes on John Keats' sonnet, "When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Be". We started the notes on the Victorian era today: pages 599 to 612. These notes are due Tuesday but read the section tonight so that you will have the needed background for the Victorian literature that we start tomorrow.

Your final class exam will be in the exam week. Check the schedule. We'll have an English 12 mock probably Friday, June 10. If you are in the Wr/Lit 12 linear class, you must write this exam.

Also, the Shelley questions were due today. I need them by 3:30.

Monday: Poetry projects are due and NO lates are accepted. If you need an extension, the last day for requests is tomorrow.

Tuesday: Unit 3 test on the 18th century and the Romantics. Study. Study. Study. The test consists of 30 multiple choice and a sight passage, questions and paragraph.

English 9, Wed. May 25

In-class essay today. Many students did not finish; however, you must finish the essay in the time allotted.

Focus on what you need to do in order to improve your speed.

Tomorrow:

CREATIVE WRITING!!!

We're going to learn a new style called "New Journalism" which will use all the facts about wolves that you have recorded via post-it notes and in your Mowat journals and turn those facts into an entertaining magazine article. We will also turn the facts in to a poem and a story. In this way you'll get to see how each genre brings out the issue but in different ways.

Go Canucks Go!

Lit 12, Wed. May 25

We finished "Ode to the West Wind" and we read Shelley's "To A Skylark" and I checked the John Keats' notes and we read "Ode to a Nightingale. Make sure you read them in that order and read the introductory paragraphs before each poem as they set the stage and offer a clear way to view the poems. Make notes on the poems and the notes in the book.

I handed out a set of questions which are due tomorrow. See below.
We'll be finished this unit tomorrow and then we start the Victorian era so you can get a head start on the Victorian era notes.

Be sure to get the notes you missed today from a reliable friend.

Shelley Review Notes

Review of the first three parts:

1. Define alexandrine. Define terza rima. Define ode. Define sonnet and its components. Define apostrophe and personification. Define neo-classicism and allusion. Why are all of these components key to “Ode to the West Wind” and to our understanding of Shelley?
2. What is Shelley known for? How does he differ from other Romantic poets?
3. What is a periodic sentence? Why does it work in his sonnet, “Sonnet: England in 1819”? Despite his horror at the massacre and the ineptitude of Britain’s leaders, why could the poem be described as optimistic?
4. Read the commentary, page 549 and take notes on each section, including the discussion of Shelley’s use of terza rima.
5. The first three sections describe the wind’s impact on autumn, clouds and the sea. These sections emphasize the wind’s destructive qualities. Why?
6. What’s the key paradox with wind in section 1?
7. Why repeat “Hear, oh, hear” at the end of the first three sections?
8. Why does Shelley use elevated diction in “Ode to the West Wind”?

Section 4 and 5 Questions

1. What “heavy weight of hours” has “chained and bowed” Shelley from his connection to the wind? In other words, what caused him to lose his connection with nature?
2. Why is Shelley less free than the wind?
3. He repeats leaf, cloud, wave twice in section 4, why?
4. How does the wind provide comfort to Shelley? “I would ne’er have striven / as thus with thee in prayer in my sore need” (51-52).
5. Shelley wants to be the wind’s “comrade of thy wanderings over Heaven” and the wind’s “lyre,” why?
6. Section 5 extols the virtues of the wind and the virtues of poetry. How?

There are several allusions to the Bible in Section 5 which magnify the importance of Shelley’s lines and the impact that his poetry can have to sustain, comfort and ultimately transform society.

Lines 68-69 Shelley says: “Be through my lips to unawakened earth / The trumpet of a prophecy!” This line is an allusion to the Book of Revelation St. John the Divine: “To change the hearts and minds of men” and “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day and heard in me a great voice, as of a trumpet”.

Also: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy” and “Behold he cometh with clouds”

Ode: comes from a Greek word meaning song. Greek poet, Pindar developed and improved upon the form. There is an ode named after Pindar. It is called the Pindaric ode.

The ode was a favourite form of the Romantic poets because it allowed for intense and expansive personal expression.  Odes are poems of

• Address (they use apostrophe). The poet speaks directly in the first person to some other person, being or power, the “thou” or “thee” of the poem

John Keats (another fatherless poet just like Byron, Wordsworth, Coleridge)

His theory of poetry called “Negative Capability”

Keats wanted to subordinate his own personality in his poetry (absolute opposite to Byron) because he felt that poets should have NO identity. Without identity, the poet is better able to forget about him/herself and to concentrate on or identify with the subject of the poem. Also, negative capability occurs when a person is capable of being in uncertainty, mystery, and doubt without reaching after fact, explanation or reason.

Great poets must be able to accept that not everything can be resolved—not a solution for everything. He believed truths found in the imagination found holy authority.

He never created a formal theory about this concept but it has been discussed in many subsequent works and inspired many philosophers.

English 9, Tuesday, May 24th

One more week to go before your USSR forms are due for May. I hope you finished a book over the long weekend.

• Today we worked really well on our preparation for tomorrow's essay.

• Most students left class with a fabulous thesis statement.

• Remember: Your thesis statement must reflect all three paragraphs that you will be writing about.

Think about your first two paragraphs:
1. Truth about wolves   2. Myths about wolves   3. ???(What will you discuss here? What do the first two paragraphs add up to? Why does Mowat call the book, Never Cry Wolf? What changes as a result of Mowat's studies and the brilliant facts he discovers about wolves, their relationship to caribou and the environment, the way Ootek interacts with them, etc? Why are government policies so blatantly anti-wolf?)

Your third paragraph may be the effects of the truth versus myths. Whatever it is, make sure your thesis mentions it.

Homework: Complete the essay plan. You will need it during the in-class essay tomorrow. It will also be marked. You may write your introduction on the back of the essay plan or email it to yourself if you plan on using a computer for your in-class essay.

Friday: Mowat journals are due! I'm looking forward to these "works of art".

Tuesday, May 24

Today several students re-wrote the Mid-term or the Hamlet test while the rest of the class worked diligently on their poetry projects, which are due next Monday. If you have questions regarding the project, please come in to discuss them with me soon.

Homework: Make notes on John Keats. You need to show me these notes to get into class tomorrow.

We'll be finishing Shelley's Ode and reading his poem, "To A Skylark" in class tomorrow before we start Keats' Ode to a Nightingale. You'll be reading Keats' sonnet "When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be" at home tomorrow night.

Be sure you are clear on Keats' theory called "Negative Capability".

English 9, Friday, May 20

Today, we wrote down the Farley Mowat question for Wed. in-class essay. Contact your homework buddy for a copy. We also organized the beginnings of our essay plan.

Homework: Your choice

Complete your essay plan or complete your Mowat Journal. Plus, finish a USSR book as we're almost to the end of May.

Tuesday: Arrive with one of the two assignments completed.

Tuesday's class: a work period to prepare for Wednesday's essay or to complete your Mowat journal.

Lit 12, Friday, May 20th

Be sure to get all of the notes that we took on Shelley.
We read his sonnet and 3/4 of "Ode to the West Wind" which is on the core.

If you are re-writing the mid-term or the Hamlet test Tuesday, you may arrive early.

Tues: Time to work on your poetry projects in class, Tuesday, and get my help; also, time to study for the unit test as we've almost completed unit 3. If you were away today, I'll need a note in order to accept your Coleride questions Tuesday.

Have a great weekend.

English 9, Thurs, May 19

We read chapters 18, 19, 20 and 21 in class. Tonight, finish the book!
Keep on post-it noting key changes in Farley and more facts about wolves.

Friday: We start our literary essay outline.
Tuesd: Time to work on your Mowat journals. Due next Friday, May 27.
Wed: In-class Mowat essay

Lit 12, Thurs. May 19

We took notes on Lord Bryon today and read and discussed "Apostrophe to the Ocean" part IV of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Byron's travelogue.

Tomorrow: We start Shelley!! Mid Term Re-write study after school tomorrow.

Coleridge questions are due tomorrow.

This weekend: Work on your poetry projects.

English 9, Wed. May 18

We spent today's class writing the chapter 1-16 test. See yesterday's blog entry for details.

Homework: Read and post-it note chapter 17.

Tomorrow: We will finish reading the novel.

Friday: We'll start our essay outline.

Long weekend: Finish the essay outline.

Tuesday: Time in class to complete the Mowat Journals. Due: Friday, May 24th

Wed: In-class essay (700-900 words) on the truth and myths about wolves.

Lit 12, Wed. May 18

Coleridge: Take notes on the Coleridge section page 490, plus get the notes from a friend as I added to the text summary.

We read his The Rime of the Ancient Mariner aloud under the trees. The poem is 612 lines long so make sure you allow 80 minutes to read, enjoy, digest.
Once you have read it several times, answer the questions below. They are due Friday.

Be sure to choose your poet for the project which is due Mon. May 30.

Intending to re-write the mid-term?
Study sessions are manadatory. Today and tomorrow at lunch. Friday after school.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Some of the questions below require one or two word answers; however, some questions will require more time to contemplate and then to formulate a short paragraph answer.

The answers are due Friday.

Part 1 (The story moves from present to past. Make sure you can follow it)

1. Describe the wedding guest’s reactions to the mariner. Provide quotes to support your response.
2. Why does the wedding guest stay to hear the story and chance missing the wedding?
3. Find examples of imagery that you think are reflective of Romanticism.
4. Find examples of onomatopoeia.
5. Explain why the mariner shoots the albatross?

Part 2

1. Why is it significant that the sailors must “burst / Into that silent sea” (Coleridge 105-106) alone?
2. How does the view of nature change once the sailors think the bird is getting his revenge?
3. What are the “death-fires: (128)
4. What Spirit is plaguing the sailors?
5. Why is it key that the sailors lose the ability to speak?
6. Why do they hang the dead albatross around the mariner’s neck?

Part 3

1. Find an example of metonymy.
2. What is the name of the woman on the ghost ship? What might she foreshadow?
3. Who is she married to?
4. What does Life-in –Death win as a prize for winning the dice game?
5. What happens to the Mariner’s shipmates?
6. Discuss the symbols in this section: sea thickening, dice game, slimy creatures, ghost ship, crossbow, the albatross, star-dogged moon, thirst, mute sailors, Life-in-death and Death.

Part 4

1. Why does the wedding guest fear the mariner?
2. Why can’t the Mariner pray?
3. What must happen in order for him to pray?
4. What happens to the Albatross?

Part 5

1. Find examples of pathetic fallacy in this section.
2. Describe what is happening here.
3. Who helped the mariner man the ship?
4. Why is the wedding guest afraid?
5. What penance is foreshadowed?

Part 6

1. How are the dead sailors dealt with?
2. Why is the mariner happy to see the hermit?

Part 7

1. Describe the hermit. Contrast the hermit and the pilot’s reactions to the ship and to the mariner. Why are they so different?
2. How does the Pilot’s boy react? Why?

Part 8

1. What is the mariner’s agony?
2. How does he gain relief from the agony? Why?
3. How does the mariner choose the people who need to hear his tale?
4. What happens to the mariner once the tale is told?
5. What effect does the tale have on the wedding guest?
6. What effect does the tale have on the reader?
7. Name the elements in this poem which typify Romanticism.
8. Discuss “He prayeth well, who loveth well / Both man and bird and beast” (611-612)

Overview

1. The mariner adventures from innocence to experience. Explain.  
2. Why does this tale herald the beginning of the Romantic era?
3. What are your favourite parts? Why?

Study Notes: Be sure that you can define and give an example of the following:

Motifs: isolation, redemption (divinity), supernatural elements, natural world, despair, penance for crime, guilt

Genre: Literary Ballad: a poem which deliberately imitates the old anonymous folk ballads (Why is this form crucial to Coleridge’s Romantic themes?)

Elements: caesura, colloquial and elevated diction, archaic language, internal rhyme and end rhyme, alliteration, assonance, quatrains and some variations in stanza length, dialogue, narrative elements, musical, inversion, personification, metonymy

English 9, Tues. May 17

We added the next two words to our list: sternness and blustering.
We read our USSR books for 15 minutes. You should be starting your second book now as we are past the half way mark.

Next, we did a practice quiz on words 41 to 54, petty to blustering.

Finally, we read three exciting chapters in class today--14, 15, and 16! We post-it noted key changes in Farley's attitude toward the wolves and the new facts that he's learning about the wolves.

WED: TEST ON CHAPTERS 1-16. FOCUS ON THE MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT WOLVES.

I WOULD CREATE A CHART OF QUOTES FROM THE ONES I'VE POST-IT NOTES THROUGHOUT THE CHAPTERS SO I'M WELL PREPARED FOR THE TEST. YOU MAY USE YOUR NOVELS AND YOUR JOURNALS AND YOUR NOTEBOOKS DURING THE TEST BUT YOU ALSO MUST WATCH YOUR TIME. YOU WON'T HAVE TIME TO SEARCH FOR FACTS. HAVE THEM READY TO GO.

Also, make sure you have read and understood the chapters and that your Mowat Journal is up to date. With an updated journal, you can quickly recall the events of the novel. I'll be asking your to discuss what happens. Make sure you are aware of the key events, people, animals, problems taking place in the story.

Lit 12, Tues. May 17

Trip to U.Vic today. Romanticism chapter notes are due tomorrow.
We will be reading Coleridge in class. You may wish to bring a blanket as we'll be heading outdoors.

Tutoring sessions are Wed. Thurs. at lunch and Fri. afterschool. You must attend three sessions in order to re-write the mid-term or the Hamlet test. Bring questions, ideas, enthusiasm to our session. Also, bring your lunch. Arrive by noon.

English 9, Monday, May 16

Today, we read chapters 11-13 in class. Be sure to post it note facts about wolves and how Farley's attitude toward the wolves are changing.

We'll have a comprehension test on Wed. Be sure to bring your novels to class.
Keep reading ahead and working on your masterpieces: The Mowat Journals. I've seen some outstanding examples so far. Don't leave it until the last minute. They will be due next week.

Lit 12, Monday, May 16

Sorry about the late update. I was busy tutoring after school yesterday and forgot to do the blog.

We took more notes on Romantism, watched two videos on Wordsworth and did the two Wordsworth poems from the core list.

Next, we started notes on the Romantics pages 456-470. These notes are due Wed. No lates accepted.

Due to the UVic trip, today's lunch tutoring will be changed to Wed/Thurs lunch and Fri. p.m.

English 9, Friday, May 13

The blog was down yesterday, sorry for the inconvenience.

Today: You performed your lovely poems. Well done. The snacks were wonderful, too. Thanks to all.

Farley Mowat: Be sure that you have read to the end of chapter 10 and that you continue to post-it note key facts about wolves and note how Farley's attitude toward wolves is beginning to change.

You should have your front and back covers completed and at least one unique feature (map, comic strip, drawings, recipes, science experiements, diagrams etc) inside the journal. We've written entries on chapters 1-4, 5 and 6, and 8-10.

The last entry must focus on how Farley Mowat is affected by his time observing the wolves. Be sure to include in your discussion several of the topics below:

• where he has moved
• what he has observed
• why he has to change his attitude toward the wolves
• what he learns from Mike and/or Ootek
• what he learns from the wolves
• how he adapts
• what a typical day is like
• what he misses from the city

You may read ahead. We'll be finishing the novel next week. Work on your journal as needed. Re-read the journal criteria so that you are positive you are meeting all of them.

Have a great weekend.

USSR: We're almost half way through May so you shouuld be finished at least one book by now and half way through book number two. Never Cry Wolf may count as one book.

Lit 12, Friday, May 13

The system was down yesterday so there were no blog entries.

Lit 12: I handed out the poetry assignment (due May 30) which I'll paste at the bottom of today's blog.
I collected the modest proposals. NO LATES ACCEPTED.

 We discussed the PROVINCIAL essay criteria and read the sample.

We finished Blake's "The Tiger" (be sure to read it and get the notes). We took notes on Thomas Gray and started reading his elegy. You'll need a copy of the mind map for this poem. Finish reading Gray's elegy. It's long so don't leave it until Monday. The mind map is due on Monday. Due meaning--I'll take a cursory glance and give you a participation mark so ensure that the sheet is filled with responses.

I reminded the class to spend at least 15 minutes per night from now until exam time memorizing quotes from each selection from our core list.

Re-writes for the Hamlet and mid-term tests will occur Tues. May 24 if you attend 3 out of the 4 study sessions. These begin Monday:

Mon-p.m.
Tues. lunch
Wed. lunch
Fri. p.m.

We start Wordsworth on Monday. Yay!

Criteria for the Poetry Project

Due Date: MONDAY, MAY 30

200 MARKS

Author Interview: 5 questions and five 200 word responses per question

Ensure that your questions and answers elucidate not only biographical information but also your response to the poems you have read. For example, ask questions such as I understand that your poetry was never recognized when you were alive. How did you manage to stay focused on your work? Or a question such as Negative capability is a theory you have about art. How is it addressed in the poem “Ode to a Grecian Urn?”

Analyze One Poem in Detail: One 300-500 hundred word paragraph.

Decide what is the key feature of the poem, i.e. in Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est,” his use of sound devices is key to his anti-war theme because they imitate the gory sounds of war which creates empathy for the poor, misguided children ardent for some desperate glory. Once you decide on the key feature, create a thesis statement to prove it. For example: Owen’s use of sound devices in the anit-war poem, “Dulce et Decorum Est” is key to his theme because imitating the gory sounds of war creates empathy for these child soldiers aching for false glory. The paragraph needs to be a perceptive, insightful, well written piece for a 6. Please include the poem with the paragraph so I can determine whether your analysis is accurate. If you have visited websites or read books to help you understand these poems, you must include a formal MLA style reference list (See Claremont’s website for a sample) and you must footnote any paraphrases or quotes which you use in the paragraph. If you do not, your writing will be considered plagiarized and you will receive a 0 for the entire project, plus a note in your file and a letter home. Plagiarism is a serious offense and you must know that even using someone’s idea is grounds for a 0 if you do not cite the source. YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE A POEM STUDIED IN CLASS. Literary paragraph criteria apply.

Compare/contrast this poet’s work to one other poet studied:

Write a compare/contrast composition of 400 words. The easiest way to do so is to choose two poems to compare. You may use poems studied in class. Your ability to analyze and articulate your findings is key here. Discuss the main similarity and difference in each poem and support your thesis with sufficient evidence from the poems. Ensure that you go beyond the obvious. Literary paragraph criteria apply.

Creative Response: Create something new based on the poet’s theme/s

Creative ideas generally come easily to students who understand and appreciate their author’s works. How has this author inspired you? How would you like to express your appreciation? How would you like to remember your author? It could be as simple as packing a picnic lunch, going out to sit under a tree and listening to birds, eating the lunch, writing a response, taking a picture, writing up the recipes. Done. It may be writing poems, creating a dance, a play, a piece of artwork, a wonderful display of some kind, a website, or PowerPoint presentation. This part is fun! You must go beyond the obvious. I don’t want a summary of the poem, i.e. a Lego version of the Tabard Inn. Your creation will make us view the poet’s work in a new way. It must answer the question—so what? How does your creation elucidate the work?

English 9, Wed. May 11

Another fabulous day in Stenson's English 9 classes, right???

We worked on our Mowat journals, after USSR, and responded to all the facts about wolves that we had post-it noted in our novels. If you've been away, check my mark book to ensure that you are up to date.
Next, we practiced reciting our poems which will be presented Friday.

Homework: Read chapters 7 and 8 and post-it note more facts about wolves. Add an interesting feature to the inside of your journals tonight. It could be a map, a science experiment, a drawing, bits of plants and pretend wolf scat, descriptions of Mike and his cabin, information about wolves and their habitats. Whatever you can find.

Remember: THE JOURNAL IS TO BE A WORK OF ART SO MAKE IT UNIQUE.

Poetry Cafe: If you haven't yet signed up to bring refreshments for Friday's cafe, please do so. The list is on the cupboard door behind my desk.

Lit 12, Wed. May 11

No one loved the Jack Knox article as much as I did--too bad!! Reading Jack Knox helps to get you in the mood for writing your modest proposals which are due Friday. Can't wait to read them. You'll get a chance to read them to the class!!

We took notes today on the qualities of Romantic (capital R) poetry, Robert Burns, and read and discussed the core poem, "To A Mouse". Next, I introduced William Blake but then the darn annoucements came on (Sorry, Claire) and I had to stop talking. We talked about imagination, knowledge, fate and our pathetic futures so all in all, it was a great day. "The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry!"

English 9, Tues. May 10

We watched a spoken word artist video Sarah Kay. View the video http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter.html Create a chart that outlines three ideas from Sarah's talk that are important to you. Explain why you think they are important.

We practiced for Friday's poetry cafe today. We also signed up to bring goodies to share for Friday's class.

Homework: Make sure you have read and understood Mowat's chapters five and six and that you've post-it noted key items about wolves.

Make sure you have chosen your two poems and that you have memorized one of them.

Lit 12, Tues. May 10

We wrote our mid-term exams today. Modest proposal creative pieces are due Friday, May 13. Check earlier blogs for details. No lates accepted. If you are going to be absent, have a friend drop it off.

Thanks.

English 9, Friday, May 6

Read chapters 5 and 6 of Never Cry Wolf. Post it note key facts that you discover about wolves.

This weekend you need to decorate your front and back covers. Call your homework buddy for the criteria.

Also, POETRY CAFE FRIDAY MAY 13TH. YOU WILL READ TWO POEMS FROM YOUR MANUSCRIPT. BE SURE TO MEMORIZE ONE OF THE TWO BY TUESDAY SO WE CAN PRACTICE ADDING GESTURES, PAUSES, RHYTHM TO YOUR READING.

Google slam poetry for more examples. Or try Shane Koyzan or Jeremy Loveday. Google Hullabaloo the BC slam poetry high school championships.

Lit 12, Friday, May 6

Finish reading "A Modest Proposal". Continue making notes on the two items from yesterday's class.

Tuesday: Mid-term exam. You may start at 8:30 if you desire more time.

Creative Writing Assignment Due Friday, May 13. See criteria below:

A Modest Proposal Creative Writing Assignment

Due Date: ___________________________________

Length: 500 to 750 words

Purpose: to practice the elements of satire

• understatement
• hyperbole
• wit
• sarcasm
• irony

     

Purpose: to demonstrate your knowledge of the purpose of satire (to ridicule a situation

               in order to catalyze change)

Purpose: to propose a solution to a personal, educational, familial, political or                                environmental problem, a solution which intrigues, shocks, or delights.

Purpose: to demonstrate your facility with language (how well you write)

Criteria:

• Writing style uses sentence variety in length and structure
• Concrete, unique details are used so elements of descriptive writing are evident
• Diction is appropriate to tone and style
• Your proposal is believable
• Logical development is evident
• Content is researched; footnotes or reference list added where appropriate

English 9, Thurs. May 5

Due to the play, no homework today except for those students who are behind. Be sure to read the first four chapters of Never Cry Wolf. You have missed two quizzes.

Start your Mowat journals this weekend.

Lit 12, Thurs. May 5

We took notes on Jonathan Swift and watched a dvd called When Hockey Comes to Belfast. We started reading his essay A Modest Proposal. Read the first two pages of the essay.
Take notes on the object of Swift's satire, which means whenever you see irony, understatement, sarcasm, hyperbole, wit, or humour, take note and decide what he's making fun of.

Second, despite the objective narrator, called the "projector", Swift becomes subjective when exposing his loathing of the Irish people. Find examples of these changes in tone. Explain what he is ridiculing about the Irish.

Tomorrow, we'll finish the essay and begin a creative writing assignment which will be due next Friday. You are to write your own satirical proposal which provides a solution to a pet peeve you have. Look for the criteria sheet on the blog tomorrow if you will be absent.

English 9, Wed. May 4

Wonderful wonderful wonderful behaviour block 2 students. I am so impressed by you and so proud to be your teacher! Read and make notes on chapters 3 and 4. You'll be glad you did when you attempt the quiz tomorrow.

block 4-We did the quiz today. If you were away, you may do it on Friday. Remind me.

Run from block 2 class tomorrow and meet in front of the school. The bus leaves at 11:55! You have only 3 minutes to get from block 2 to the front of the school. Bring your lunch.

Lit 12, Wed. May 3

Thanks for your wonderful presence at Hanah's Suitcase today. It was fun!

Onward ho tomorrow!

English 9, Tues. May 2

We had a quiz on the first two chapters of Never Cry Wolf today. We will have another quiz tomorrow but it will be a paragraph on chapters 1-4. Be sure to read all four chapters closely. You may make notes on the chapters and use the notes during the quiz but you may not use your novels for the quiz.

We'll have time in class Friday to work on our Mowat journals.

Literacy Project deadline has been extended to next week. Make sure you finish the project this week and create your poster or powerpoint presentation so you and your group members will present to the class.

Lit 12, Tues. May 3

I collected the Restoration/18th century notes. Today was the only day to submit this work.
We finished reading The Rape of the Lock and took notes on the last two pages.

Due to the play, we will postpone the mid-term until next Tues. May 10.
Monday is a pro-d day so make sure you take home all the materials to study.

METRO THEATRE: BUS LEAVES TOMORROW MORNING AT 8:50. DO NOT BE LATE.

FOR THOSE STUDENTS UNABLE TO JOIN US, THERE WILL BE A WORKSHEET ON A DESK OUTSIDE THE DOOR. PLEASE COMPLETE IT AND BRING IT TO CLASS THURS.
FRIDAY FOR THE MUSIC STUDENTS.

English 9, Monday, May 2

If you were absent today, stop by the library, hand Mrs. Peacock your Departures book and ask for a copy of the novel, Never Cry Wolf, by Farley Mowat.

I collected the April USSR response forms today and your poetry manuscripts.

We read chapters 1 and 2. Be sure to read the chapters before class tomorrow. You may make notes and use the notes on tomorrow's quiz.

Special Presentation in the theatre tomorrow after our quiz.
TONGUES OF FIRE-- a presentation by local spoken word poets. Google Tongues of Fire for samples and videos of their performances. We are celebrating National Poetry Month (a bit late)

I'm looking forward to reading your poems. I'll return the tests Friday for block 4 and Thursday for block 2. Updated marks will appear next week.

Wed: Trip to Metro Theatre for block 2. Meet out front at 8:50. The bus leaves at 8:55. Do not miss the bus. Bring your lunch and wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature inside of the theatre. No cell phones in the theatre.

Thurs: Block 4 trip to Metro Theatre Bus leaves right after block 2. Head to the front of the school We leave at 11:55. Bring your lunch to eat on the bus.

Lit 12, Monday, May 2

We read "To The Ladies" and took notes on Lady Chudleigh's bio. Be sure to read the poem, her bio and take notes.
We took several notes on Pope's bio and on the mock epic.
We read almost all of the poem and took notes. We'll finish the rest in class tomorrow.
Mid-term is Thurs.

Metro Theatre. Bus departs at 8:55. If you miss the bus, meet us at the Metro Theatre. The play, Hana's Suitcase starts at 9:30.
We've paid for your ticket so no refunds are available.