English 9, Friday, June 17

If you were absent today, call your homework buddy and ask about the essay planning we did today.

English 9 Exam 9 until 12 on Monday, June 20th in the big gym. See the gym door to find out which rows you are in.

You will need two pens, post-its, water, a sweater. Wear socks to keep your feet warm.

Study. Study. Study. I cannot say it enough. You will not do well unless you are prepared.

The essay on the final is a four paragraph essay so make the following adjustments:

Intro:
Sentence 1-hook
Sentence 2 -thesis (choose one that you feel you can prove from a list of 5 provided for you on the exam)
Sentence 3 ist body summary plus author and title Ex. In the novel, The Pigman, the defiant teens do not have good role models and as a result, John and Lorraine must learn to rely on themselves, with the help of Mr. Pignati's unconditional love.
Sentence 4 -- 2nd body para. summary plus author and title
Sentence 5 (optional--you do not need a third body para.)
Sentence 6 -- Repeat the thesis in an emotional manner

Body 1 Use the same topic sentece as sentence 3 above. Use synonyms so it sounds differently. (Marks awarded for your use of vocabulary, sentence structure, creative use of punctuation, transitions, etc)
You need 3 strong points from the story here and explain how they prove your thesis. Use transitions between points and conclude the paragraph. Write a transition sentence to introduce body 2.

Body 2--same as above but use sentence 4 from the intro.

Conclusion--4 sentences long

1-repeat thesis
2-repeat the main point of body 1
3-repeat the main point of body 2
4-conclude (repeat the thesis in an emotional manner)

The essay on the exam is worth 10% of English 9. It is your chance to shine! Show me what you have learned. Be sure to follow all of the literary must haves, cite properly and integrate your quotes well.

Section A: Read the story provided and answer the question in a literary paragraph. Follow the literary must-haves list that you have memorized and cite properly.

Section B: Read the poem provided and answer the question in a literary paragraph.

You will be provided with charts so you can plan what you want to say.

Failing to plan means planning to FAIL, right?

Thanks for the wonderful year.
Be good in grade 10. Make me proud.
I'll see you in grade 11.
XX
Ms. Stenson

Lit 12, Friday, June 17

Here's your last blog.

Great work today! I knew you would be ready. If you have any questions, I'm free Monday morning so pop into our room and I can help.

BOOK RETURN: 8:45 Tues. Room 321. You must have your name checked off in order to receive an exam. No book. No exam until you go and fetch it.  Don't forget. Thanks.

English 9, Thurs. June 16

I returned the folders, the vocab. tests, the essays. We completed the chart in block 2.

Colour code the books and stories according to theme.
We will be creating an essay outline in class tomorrow.

Be ready. Re-read all your paragraphs, essays and notes before tomorrow's class.

USSR forms for June are due tomorrow. Don't forget. No lates accepted.

Great presentations Block 4!!

Lit 12, Thurs. June 16

If you were away today, you missed 6 handouts. See me asap. Several are due tomorrow.

We finished the Hamlet presentations today. Be sure to get the notes.

Remember to return the Lit text tomorrow or to me by 8:45 at the latest, Tues. June 21 before you begin the exam. If you do not, you will be sent home.

Don't risk it.
Thanks.

English 9, Tues, June 14

Today we read our USSR books. Forms are due on Friday.

Next, we had our vocab for ice cream competition and then we played vocab Bingo for gummy worms!!
No excuse not to get 100% on tomorrow's test. If you do, expect ice cream on Thursday!

We'll review the essay section of the exam Thurs. and the poetry and fiction on Friday.

Lit 12, Tues, June 14

We reviewed Hamlet today. We'll continue with the presentations Thursday.

Tomorrow is the unit exam. Please be on time as class ends ten minutes early.

10 marks per day continues.

English 9, Monday, June 13

Just think, by next Monday, June 20--you'll will have successfully completed English 9! Congrats.

Today, we added 7 new vocab. words so that we are now finished all 75 words!!

We reviewed all 75 words with a partner. I handed out two review sheets for the exam and we discussed the English 9 exam.

Exam: Monday, June 20 from 9 until noon in the big gym.

Block 2: Rows J and L
Block 4: Rows N and P
Arrive by 8:50. Make sure that all USSR books, and English texts have been returned.
Bring two pens and post-it notes.
Wear layers in case the gym is cold. Socks are a good idea. Warm feet = happy brain.
You have worked hard. Study and use the exam as a time to show off your skills!

Tonight: Study for the vocab. test which is Wed. Organize your notes and bring all the year's notes to class TUesday for review.

Lit 12, Monday, June 13

Attendance, puncutality, homework complete, and participation are worth 10 marks per day this week. Hang in there.

UNIT 4 exam is Wed. Our bocks on Wed. are 10 minutes shorter. You will need to use your time well.
30 multiple choice plus one essay on the course content. You will have three topics. Choose one.

Today: We finished our discussion of "Pretty". Thanks for the astute comments.

We introduced Margaret Atwood and read her poem, "Disembarking at Quebec". Be sure to read the poem and borrow the notes.

Next, we reviewed all of the literary terms and I handed out a quiz on literary terms which is due tomorrow.

English 9, Friday, June 10

Excellent work today as always! Grade 9s rule!

We wrote our literary essays in class today. If you did not finish, be sure to bring the essay to class on Monday. No lates accepted so don't forget it at home.

Remember: I'm looking for style, creativity, topic sentences which work appropriately for the paragraph, staying on topic, excellent transitions, good transition sentences and concluding sentences. Be sure to re-read your Mowat corrections so that you learn from your mistakes.

Study your vocabulary this weekend and finish a USSR book. You need at least one book read and responded to before Friday, June 17th.

Check the exam schedule so you know where to be and when for all of your exams. There is a copy taped to the board in our room and it is also on the web.

Lit 12, Friday, June 10

We discussed the poem, "Pretty," by Stevie Smith. Be sure to get the notes. We didn't finish so we'll complete it on Monday. One more core poem to go.

Tues: We'll review Hamlet.

Mock English 12 exam is today after school, room 323.

We did a quotation quiz today. Be sure to bring a note to explain your absence if you wish to receive marks for this test.

This weekend, complete the quiz below:

Lit 12 Quiz:  First, Middle and Last Lines

First Lines

1.     As virtuous men pass mildly away / And whisper to their souls, to go

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

2.     Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

3.     When I consider how my light is spent

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

4.     The linnet in the rocky dells, / The moor lark in the air

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

     5.     My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains

             My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

6.     There is a pleasure in the pathless woods

There is rapture on the lonely shore

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

    

Middle Lines

1.     In all my dreams, before my helpless sight

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

2.     She smiled to see the doughty hero slain,

But, at her smile, the beau revived again.

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

3.     At once a voice rose among / The bleak trees overhead

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

4.     Perhaps the selfsame song that found a path

Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

5.     The Sea of Faith / was once, too, at the full

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

6.     This sea that bares her bosom to the moon;

The winds that will be howling at all hours.

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

Final Lines

1.     And forward, thou I canna see / I guess an’ fear!

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

2.     Noli me Tangere, for Caesar’s I am

And wild for to hold, though I seem tame

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

3.     Thus these two murderers received their due,

So did the treacherous young poisoner too

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

4.     For thy sweet love remembered such wealth bring

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

5.     The trumpet of a prophecy! O wind,

If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

6.     I first surmised the horses’ head / Were towards eternity.

Title:     __________________________________________

Author: __________________________________________

Lit 12, Thurs. June 9

We had a test on 20 quotations and we will be having another quiz tomorrow. Study your notes.

Next, take notes on Dylan Thomas and read his poem, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night". Be able to discuss all of the paradoxes in the poem. Borrow notes from a friend as we took turns presenting each stanza to the class and notes on the situation in which the poem was written which is not in your text. I also added biographical notes on Thomas which are not in your text.

Don't miss class for the next 6 days!!

Pizza cram date and time will be decided soon.

Unit 4 test on the Victorian and Modern writers is Wed. June 15!

English 9, Thurs. June 9

Excellent work today! We filled in our essay outline charts in great detail. If you were absent, be sure to borrow a copy from your homework buddy and make a copy asap as it is the only document you may use while you write your essay in class tomorrow.

We also did four new vocabulary words--see the next four on your list!
BIG VOCABULARY TEST ON ALL 75 WORDS NEXT WED. JUNE 15
STUDY EVERY NIGHT.

Bring your Our Town book to class tomorrow to return it. Take out any post-it notes. Thanks.

Tuesday, June 7

I collected the Dulce et Decorum Est poem responses.

We took notes on T.S. Eliot and worked in partners on his poem, "The Hollow Men".

Be sure to read the poem and make notes on sections 1 to 4. We will be completing the poem in class tomorrow.

We will start Yeats tomorrow.

English 9, Tuesday, June 7

I checked the ACT 3 homework--the five quotations and corresponding inferences. We discussed the end of the play.

Next, I introduced the film, Steel Magnolias. We discussed the symbolism of the title and I introduced the characters and the setting--a small town in the 1980s in Louisiana.

This film is similar to Our Town but it is more modern.

Our Town's three acts follow birth, marriage death.

Steel Magnolia's follows marriage, birth, death.

If you have been absent, rent the film and watch it. Copy down key quotes, character names, key actions and make notes on the film's ending. What do these characters learn about themselves and one another?

We will be writing an essay plan on Thursday and an essay on Friday.

Next week? Reviewing paragraph and essay writing. Having some fun with the meaning of life and writing about it.

Study your vocabulary words.

Lit 12, Mon. June 6

We started taking notes on the 20th century pages 760 to 772. These notes are due Wed.

Next, we corrected Friday's test. Be sure to get the corrections from a friend if you were absent today.
If you were absent Friday, ask for a copy.

Finally, we took notes on WW1 Poet Wilfred Owen and read his poem, "Dulce et Decorum Est". We took pages of notes on the literary techniques that he uses in the poem and their effectiveness.

Homework: (If you cannot complete the para. tonight, email me and request an extension).

In a literary para. of 300 words, discuss three literary techniques which Owen uses effectively to promote his anti-war theme that suggests calling war sweet and nice is a lie.
Due Tues.

English 9, Monday, June 6

We completed the Vocab. test on 1-64 today. If you were absent, ask to do the quiz tomorrow at lunch.

We read part of Act 3 today. For homework, finish reading the play. Choose 5 of the most pertinent quotations you can find and copy them into a chart in your notebooks.

Beside each quote, offer an inference (preferably an epiphany) but say something significant. Don't simply re-word the quotation. Make connections to other parts of the play, how the quote affects the audience, the theme, etc.

Next week we will have our Vocab. test on all 75 words. Study.

Last day for June USSR forms will be Friday, June 17. Make sure you have read at least one book.

English 9, Friday, June 3

WE added two more words from our list today: pilfering and inscrutable.
TEST MONDAY. STUDY WORDS 1-64!

We read most of Act 2 and took a lot of notes on more examples of how the characters are wasting their lives. Be sure to finish reading Act 2 for Monday and post-it note key quotations that refer to this theme.
Look for irony and sarcasm whenever the Stage Manager speaks.

Note: How are Emily and George different from the rest of the characters? Keep your eye on these two as we proceed to Act 3.

Lit 12, Friday, June 3

We did a review test today on the Romantic and Victorian writers. You need to complete the test, including the two paragraphs for Monday.

We'll be starting the 20th century on Monday. These notes will be due Wed.

English 9, Thurs. June 2

I returned all the work that you handed in this week. Great job on the USSR forms and the wolf articles.
I should have new marks soon.

We discussed ACT 1 and created a what/sowhat chart on key features/quotes from the act and why they are significant. Next, we started to read Act 2 aloud. Read until page 60 tonight. Be sure to post-it note key quotes that reflect the themes and conflicts we've been noting in Act 1: How the residents of Grover's Corners are concentrating on petty matters and letting their lives slip by.

Lit 12, Thurs. June 2

Thanks to Claire for her wonderful Shakespeare cake covered in fondant, a covering Ms. Stenson had never heard of before.

We took notes on Thomas Hardy and on Emily Dickinson. Emily is not in the textbook so google her bio.
Also, her poem, "Because I Could Not Stop for Death--" is not in the text. Ask me for a copy.

We read and discussed both poems.

Next, we reviewed quotes from Milton to Arnold and most people were starting to be able to recognize/distinguish all of the Romantics. Each night, read and ponder a poem or two until you can identify its themes/techniques/quotations. You'll be glad you did. The final exam schedule is posted on the website now so be sure to check it.

If you are planning to write the English 12 mock exam, Fri. June 10 from 2:30 to 5:30, you need to let me know as the deadline to sign up is tomorrow.

Thanks.

We'll be starting our 20th century notes soon. You may begin! We've finished the Romantic section.

We do "Ducle et Decorum Est" tomorrow. An amazing WW1 poem. 

English 9, Wed. June 1

I collected your hilarious new journalism pieces on wolves.

We started new USSR books today. Yay.

Next, we did the next two words in the vocabulary list: despair and jubilant.

We read half of Act 1 of Our Town aloud, stopping to take notes. We noticed a number of symbols in the Act so far. We also did a quiz on the Thornton notes from yesterday.

If you've been away, go to the library, return the Mowat book and sign out the new book.

Keep studying your vocabulary.

Lit 12, Wed. June 1

We went over the unit 3 exams and I emphasized how key it is to answer the question in the thesis statement of any paragraph on a test. Please, practice this crucial step. The thesis is your first impression and you want to impress/startle/wake up the marker!!

Next, we reveiwed key quotes from units 3 and 4. Make sure that you are reviewing terms, authors and titles and key quotes on a nightly basis now.

We took notes on two new poets today--Emily Bronte and Matthew Arnold and read two poems on the core list by these wonderful poets.
Review the following terms:
dramatic monologue
pathetic fallacy
extended metaphor

Be sure to get the notes and re-read the poems several times. What connections can you make to the themes and imagery here compared to the earlier Romantic poets?

How does Arnold's poem seem modern?

Tonight: REVIEW. Be ready to study Hardy in the morning.