We watched an A & E biography clip from Youtube as an intro to F. Scott Fitzgerald (10 minutes). Have a look. Next, we read and annotated the first two pages of the novel looking for stylistic attributes and we created notes on the traits of the narrator and pointed out some of the motifs that will present themselves. The novel is an easy read so you'll be able to finish it quickly. The writing style is unique from a 1925 perspective. Check SDS for the date of the Camus test. If you missed any of our discussions, be sure to borrow the notes from a friend. Read the last chapters of both sections carefully.
Be sure to be able to explain why he wishes the crowd to watch his execution.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
English 9
If you were absent today, plan to spend Thursday, April 12 at lunch writing today's paragraph. It is great practice for your test. Check SDS. It's the second Friday after spring break.
USSR-Spring break is a wonderful opportunity to get books read. Just be sure to jot down the titles so you can fill in the sheets and the SMUS reads forms when you return.
A great place to store all the books you have read is on an electronic bookshelf. Checkout, Shelfari.com and open an account and store all your books there. You can show me the list at the end of the year!
Great work so far. Your literary paragraph writing is getting soooooooooooo good. Also, your ability to infer, cite, and synthesize. Fantastic.
Have a great break.
USSR-Spring break is a wonderful opportunity to get books read. Just be sure to jot down the titles so you can fill in the sheets and the SMUS reads forms when you return.
A great place to store all the books you have read is on an electronic bookshelf. Checkout, Shelfari.com and open an account and store all your books there. You can show me the list at the end of the year!
Great work so far. Your literary paragraph writing is getting soooooooooooo good. Also, your ability to infer, cite, and synthesize. Fantastic.
Have a great break.
English 10 A
Great readings today during our poetry cafe! Those who were absent today, be prepared to read your poems aloud on the first or second day back after the break.
Be sure to get as many books read this spring break as possible as reading is the best prep for your provinical ten exam and it never feels like work if you find a book you love.
After the break, we'll send your poems out to a BC contest.
If you would like to try two American magazines, you will need to send them before April 15.
You can do so from home as they are both electronic entries: google, Aerie International and follow their submission guidelines. Next, google Polyphony HS and submit.
I can book computer lab time when you return but if you get it done sooner, great.
Have a restful break.
Be sure to get as many books read this spring break as possible as reading is the best prep for your provinical ten exam and it never feels like work if you find a book you love.
After the break, we'll send your poems out to a BC contest.
If you would like to try two American magazines, you will need to send them before April 15.
You can do so from home as they are both electronic entries: google, Aerie International and follow their submission guidelines. Next, google Polyphony HS and submit.
I can book computer lab time when you return but if you get it done sooner, great.
Have a restful break.
Lit 12
We sent our poems to Polyphony HS, BCTELA and Aerie International. If you were absent today, please google Polyphony and Aerie submissions and submit. The deadline is April 15!!
You can give me your BCTELA entry when you return.
Take your novels home with you. Pick a theme (check Sparknotes for ideas). Post it note key passages which reflect that theme. Return with the novel all post-it noted. Thank you.
You can give me your BCTELA entry when you return.
Take your novels home with you. Pick a theme (check Sparknotes for ideas). Post it note key passages which reflect that theme. Return with the novel all post-it noted. Thank you.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Lit 12
Today: Unit 2 test, plus I collected the good copy and draft of the Lear essay and the quote log.
Thursday: Hand in your Lear notes. No need to type them but organize them with headings and sub-headings by act and scene. Marks awarded for insight and completeness.
Thursday: Bring the edited copies of the poems you wrote when the Writing 12 students were here.
Take your name off of the poems as the BCTELA contest is judged blindly. I'll have you fill in a cover sheet so bring your address, city, postal code, phone number and email address.
Also, have the two poems on your email as we'll be going to the computer lab during the second half of the class to send them off to magazines in the States. You will need an electronic copy of a picture of yourself for one of the magazines. You will also need a bio. 1 to 2 sentences about yourself.
Finally: If you wish to enter The Claremont Review contest, bring 2 hard copies of the poems (no name on the poems) and a cheque or cash ($20.00) made out to The Claremont Review. (I can also charge your account). The money supports student writing. You get a subscription for your fee and a chance to win 1,000 in prizes!! Many SMUS students have won in the past.
Or . . . . If you would like to submit to The Claremont Review (no contest $) visit www.theclaremontreview.ca and read their submission guidelines. You can hand me the poems, the letter, the SASE, Thursday (or when you get back if you are away Thursday) and I'll put it all into an envelope and mail it for you.
Lots to do on Thursday. Please be prompt and organized.
If you are away Thursday, you can do the BCTELA when you return and your Lear notes. You can do the two American magazines from home though.
Google Aerie International and hit submit.
Google Polyphony HS and hit submit.
Send in your poems.
Good luck.
You may also submit to The Claremont Review but you will have missed the contest deadline. Submitting means you could be published in the fall issue. It pays $10.00 per page and $50.00 for cover art.
Independent Novel:
Make sure that you take your novel home with you (especially if you want to get ahead). We'll be reading a chapter a night (sometimes more) when you return so if you can get ahead of the game, yay!
You'll be writing an essay on your novel. You may want to visit spark notes before you start to see what the key themes, motifs, and characters are. You can choose a topic and post-it key quotes as you read. You will be discussing your novel in class with your peers, creating a quotation log and then writing an in-class essay. You'll be able to bring in your introduction (and have me edit the intro) and you may bring in your key quotations, but that is all.
Deadline: May 30 or 31 (depending on when we have Lit).
Thursday: Hand in your Lear notes. No need to type them but organize them with headings and sub-headings by act and scene. Marks awarded for insight and completeness.
Thursday: Bring the edited copies of the poems you wrote when the Writing 12 students were here.
Take your name off of the poems as the BCTELA contest is judged blindly. I'll have you fill in a cover sheet so bring your address, city, postal code, phone number and email address.
Also, have the two poems on your email as we'll be going to the computer lab during the second half of the class to send them off to magazines in the States. You will need an electronic copy of a picture of yourself for one of the magazines. You will also need a bio. 1 to 2 sentences about yourself.
Finally: If you wish to enter The Claremont Review contest, bring 2 hard copies of the poems (no name on the poems) and a cheque or cash ($20.00) made out to The Claremont Review. (I can also charge your account). The money supports student writing. You get a subscription for your fee and a chance to win 1,000 in prizes!! Many SMUS students have won in the past.
Or . . . . If you would like to submit to The Claremont Review (no contest $) visit www.theclaremontreview.ca and read their submission guidelines. You can hand me the poems, the letter, the SASE, Thursday (or when you get back if you are away Thursday) and I'll put it all into an envelope and mail it for you.
Lots to do on Thursday. Please be prompt and organized.
If you are away Thursday, you can do the BCTELA when you return and your Lear notes. You can do the two American magazines from home though.
Google Aerie International and hit submit.
Google Polyphony HS and hit submit.
Send in your poems.
Good luck.
You may also submit to The Claremont Review but you will have missed the contest deadline. Submitting means you could be published in the fall issue. It pays $10.00 per page and $50.00 for cover art.
Independent Novel:
Make sure that you take your novel home with you (especially if you want to get ahead). We'll be reading a chapter a night (sometimes more) when you return so if you can get ahead of the game, yay!
You'll be writing an essay on your novel. You may want to visit spark notes before you start to see what the key themes, motifs, and characters are. You can choose a topic and post-it key quotes as you read. You will be discussing your novel in class with your peers, creating a quotation log and then writing an in-class essay. You'll be able to bring in your introduction (and have me edit the intro) and you may bring in your key quotations, but that is all.
Deadline: May 30 or 31 (depending on when we have Lit).
English 9
Excellent work today!!
For those of you who were absent today, please contact your homework buddy for more detailed explanations and/or see me at lunch Wednesday.
Also, anyone who wants extra help with paragraph writing, see me at lunch Wednesday. There may be treats!
Today: USSR, finished reading "The Veldt". Worked with a partner to create a what/so what chart on the following: Find the three best passages to describe the Hadley family. Students worked together with a partner to elaborate and to add insight. You need three passages and 9 insights all together.
Next, I passed out two sample student paragraphs. We read them and created a list of the qualities of good literary writing. We noticed attributes such as insight, diction, transitions, strong verbs and superb quote integration. Ask me for the handout. Use these paragraphs as models for future paragraph review.
Next, I returned the Penny in the Dust paragraphs which you submitted on Friday.
If you would like to improve your mark, re-write the paragraph. Attach the new copy to the previous copy. Talk to your editor if they missed several key errors.
Homework: Review the three stories we have studied. Choose one that you like the best.
Thursday: Timed paragraph writing. I will give you three questions. One on each story. Choose one question and write a paragraph. You will need to work from memory here. How well do you know the literary must-haves? How well can you write under a time constraint.
Marks awarded for style, content, and format. Make sure that you know what all three words mean.
Review your notes, your drafts, your comments and your goals for literary writing.
Good luck.
The short story test for this unit is in SDS. It will be the second Friday back after spring break, April 20. You will be reading a short short story and writing a paragraph during class.
For those of you who were absent today, please contact your homework buddy for more detailed explanations and/or see me at lunch Wednesday.
Also, anyone who wants extra help with paragraph writing, see me at lunch Wednesday. There may be treats!
Today: USSR, finished reading "The Veldt". Worked with a partner to create a what/so what chart on the following: Find the three best passages to describe the Hadley family. Students worked together with a partner to elaborate and to add insight. You need three passages and 9 insights all together.
Next, I passed out two sample student paragraphs. We read them and created a list of the qualities of good literary writing. We noticed attributes such as insight, diction, transitions, strong verbs and superb quote integration. Ask me for the handout. Use these paragraphs as models for future paragraph review.
Next, I returned the Penny in the Dust paragraphs which you submitted on Friday.
If you would like to improve your mark, re-write the paragraph. Attach the new copy to the previous copy. Talk to your editor if they missed several key errors.
Homework: Review the three stories we have studied. Choose one that you like the best.
Thursday: Timed paragraph writing. I will give you three questions. One on each story. Choose one question and write a paragraph. You will need to work from memory here. How well do you know the literary must-haves? How well can you write under a time constraint.
Marks awarded for style, content, and format. Make sure that you know what all three words mean.
Review your notes, your drafts, your comments and your goals for literary writing.
Good luck.
The short story test for this unit is in SDS. It will be the second Friday back after spring break, April 20. You will be reading a short short story and writing a paragraph during class.
English 10 A
Thursday: Remember to bring your goodies for our poetry cafe.
Choose 2 to 3 poems from your anthology to read to the class.
Hand in your portfolio after your reading. Include at least 4 good copies and all your drafts so I can
give you a mark for the finished product as well as for your creative process.
Cover page: Give it a title. No need to decorate it.
Example:
Singing in the Rain
Poems by Leona Gom
If you forgot to staple your "How has poetry affected me?" response to your test, please email it to me today.
See you all Thursday.
Choose 2 to 3 poems from your anthology to read to the class.
Hand in your portfolio after your reading. Include at least 4 good copies and all your drafts so I can
give you a mark for the finished product as well as for your creative process.
Cover page: Give it a title. No need to decorate it.
Example:
Singing in the Rain
Poems by Leona Gom
If you forgot to staple your "How has poetry affected me?" response to your test, please email it to me today.
See you all Thursday.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Writing 12
Tuesday: Writers' Workshop: Bring the stories that you edited to class. Be ready to say what you discovered. Be prepared to discuss what is working and why and what is not working and why. Be sure to have your fiction criteria sheet handy so that you are not suggesting something is great that doesn't match our criteria, such as science fiction or romance writing.
Wednesday: Terence Young responses
Final entries due for The Claremont Review contest
Check to make sure that you have entered your poems on the Aerie International site and on the Polyphony HS site.
I need all the evaluation forms from your readings to English 9-11 classes by Thursday.
I need responses from Liam, Gabe, Jackie,
PS: If you feel your story is "ready" (and compared to the kinds of stories we receive your stories even at this early stage are probably pretty good) you may enter your story on Wed March 14. Entering now won't interfere with June submissions or next year's contest.
All you need to do is print off
a good, double spaced copy, and fill in a new contest entry form and attach it with a paperclip and hand it to me.
Spring break: Finish reading the novel. Choose an author from the list below, sign out his/her books, and search on-line, read, read, read. Find a partner and we'll start presenting when you return. You may have to ask Mrs. Tweedie to order in the book you need (so do so this week) or check out the local library here or at home.
Raymond Carver
Terence Young
Patricia Young
Bill Gaston
John Gould
M.A.C. Farrant
Alice Munro
Margaret Atwood
Richard Ford
Tobias Wolff
Leon Rooke
Bill Stenson
James Marshall
Eudora Welty
Timothy Findley
W.P.Kinsella
W.D. Valgardson
Jane Urquhart
Guy Vanderhaeghe
Sinclair Ross
Zsuzsi Gartner
Steven Galloway
Lorna Jackson
Sandra Birdsell
Wednesday: Terence Young responses
Final entries due for The Claremont Review contest
Check to make sure that you have entered your poems on the Aerie International site and on the Polyphony HS site.
I need all the evaluation forms from your readings to English 9-11 classes by Thursday.
I need responses from Liam, Gabe, Jackie,
PS: If you feel your story is "ready" (and compared to the kinds of stories we receive your stories even at this early stage are probably pretty good) you may enter your story on Wed March 14. Entering now won't interfere with June submissions or next year's contest.
All you need to do is print off
a good, double spaced copy, and fill in a new contest entry form and attach it with a paperclip and hand it to me.
Spring break: Finish reading the novel. Choose an author from the list below, sign out his/her books, and search on-line, read, read, read. Find a partner and we'll start presenting when you return. You may have to ask Mrs. Tweedie to order in the book you need (so do so this week) or check out the local library here or at home.
Raymond Carver
Terence Young
Patricia Young
Bill Gaston
John Gould
M.A.C. Farrant
Alice Munro
Margaret Atwood
Richard Ford
Tobias Wolff
Leon Rooke
Bill Stenson
James Marshall
Eudora Welty
Timothy Findley
W.P.Kinsella
W.D. Valgardson
Jane Urquhart
Guy Vanderhaeghe
Sinclair Ross
Zsuzsi Gartner
Steven Galloway
Lorna Jackson
Sandra Birdsell
AP Lit
We discussed and made detailed notes on Chapters 4 and 5. There will be a test on Camus, Friday, April 13.
If you are not able to attend Wednesday's class, you must come by and pick up a copy of the novel, The Great Gatsby, a good, quick read for your holiday. It's an American classic. Wed. I'll introduce the author, the novel, the key themes and what to look for as you read.
I'll also talk about ways to keep your hard-earned writing skills fresh while away on spring break.
When you return from the break we have 12 classes before your final exam.
We'll do a mock exam as well as watch a comedic Shakespearean film and review elements of comedy.
We'll discuss Gatsby, have our Camus test, review the other two composition sections as well.
If you are not able to attend Wednesday's class, you must come by and pick up a copy of the novel, The Great Gatsby, a good, quick read for your holiday. It's an American classic. Wed. I'll introduce the author, the novel, the key themes and what to look for as you read.
I'll also talk about ways to keep your hard-earned writing skills fresh while away on spring break.
When you return from the break we have 12 classes before your final exam.
We'll do a mock exam as well as watch a comedic Shakespearean film and review elements of comedy.
We'll discuss Gatsby, have our Camus test, review the other two composition sections as well.
Friday, March 9, 2012
English 10A
Excellent peer editing today. We also read our USSR books for 15 minutes so if you were absent today, be sure to read and to find a buddy from the class so you can switch poems for peer editing.
Tuesday: Poetry Test. Don't forget to complete section 3 at home: HOW HAS POETRY AFFECTED ME? You must address at least three topics and for full marks, provide examples.
Tuesday: Poetry Test. Don't forget to complete section 3 at home: HOW HAS POETRY AFFECTED ME? You must address at least three topics and for full marks, provide examples.
Lit 12
Tuesday: Renaissance Test: 15 multiple choice. Review the material and the literary terms. You will write a literary paragraph on a sight poem and another paragraph on a Lear passage.
Please have the good copy of your essay stapled to your edited copy, ready to hand in at the beginning of the period. Submit your quote log as well. I'll collect your notebooks on Thursday.
Cover page
Give your essay a title based on its thesis: Blindness Imagery in Shakespeare's King Lear.
The True Definition of Madness in Shakespeare's King Lear. Centre the title on the page.
In the lower left hand corner, include the following items:
Name
Literature 12
Ms. Stenson
Date
For those writing the test on Monday, meet me in the English office at the scheduled time. Submit your work at that time. Bring a copy of your poems but without your name. I'll get you to fill in a cover sheet.
Thursday: Poetry submissions. Arrive with copies of your poems. One of each for the BCTELA contest. If you want to submit to The Claremont Review contest or to the magazine bring subsequent copies. See submission guidelines at www.theclaremontreview.ca
Also, have your poems available electronically as there are two magazines to which you can submit via the internet. One of them will need your picture so have a picture available electronically as well.
Please have the good copy of your essay stapled to your edited copy, ready to hand in at the beginning of the period. Submit your quote log as well. I'll collect your notebooks on Thursday.
Cover page
Give your essay a title based on its thesis: Blindness Imagery in Shakespeare's King Lear.
The True Definition of Madness in Shakespeare's King Lear. Centre the title on the page.
In the lower left hand corner, include the following items:
Name
Literature 12
Ms. Stenson
Date
For those writing the test on Monday, meet me in the English office at the scheduled time. Submit your work at that time. Bring a copy of your poems but without your name. I'll get you to fill in a cover sheet.
Thursday: Poetry submissions. Arrive with copies of your poems. One of each for the BCTELA contest. If you want to submit to The Claremont Review contest or to the magazine bring subsequent copies. See submission guidelines at www.theclaremontreview.ca
Also, have your poems available electronically as there are two magazines to which you can submit via the internet. One of them will need your picture so have a picture available electronically as well.
English 9
Today: I collected the "Penny in the Dust" paragraphs and the edited drafts and the Paragraph Corrections Response Sheet. Thanks everyone!!
We made notes and read aloud, Ray Bradbury's story, "The Veldt".
Several students filled in more SMUS reads forms and USSR forms. Outstanding job! There will be a draw on Monday at assembly so if you finish a book this weekend, please fill out a from and drop it into the library bucket. Thanks.
We made notes and read aloud, Ray Bradbury's story, "The Veldt".
Several students filled in more SMUS reads forms and USSR forms. Outstanding job! There will be a draw on Monday at assembly so if you finish a book this weekend, please fill out a from and drop it into the library bucket. Thanks.
AP Lit
Wonderful presentations and group work this morning. Please finish reading the novel for Monday. Come prepared to discuss page 117. If you read it at least 100 times, you should have something meaningful to say. Also, Mr. Young will be here Monday reading to the Writing 12 class during period 3. You are welcome to join us. I suspect you'll enjoy his reading, his humour and his insight into fiction.
Yay.
See you Monday.
Yay.
See you Monday.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Writing 12
If you were unable to meet today's deadline, please email your workshop group and humbly apologize!! You are imposing upon their time and they may not be able to read your story in time for Tuesday's workshop. Arrange to email the story to your group or hand it to them on Monday.
Monday: Terence Young--fiction writer and SMUS teacher If you'd like to read a bio about Terence, visit http://www.terenceyoung.ca/
Arrive with all the questions you have about your story, writing stories, stories worth reading etc.
Terence will read us a story or an excerpt from the novel he's working on or works already published and he'll expect you to have questions about fiction.
What did you notice about the stories in your workshop group? Where are we as a group needing to improve?
You will need to write a response to Terence's presentation (similar to the one you did on Carla Funk or Patrick Lane) and remember, if you miss the class, you will need to make it up by attending a reading outside of class at a local book store, art gallery or cafe.
Due: Wed. March 14. If you are planning to leave the school early, email it to me before you leave.
Thanks.
Monday: Terence Young--fiction writer and SMUS teacher If you'd like to read a bio about Terence, visit http://www.terenceyoung.ca/
Arrive with all the questions you have about your story, writing stories, stories worth reading etc.
Terence will read us a story or an excerpt from the novel he's working on or works already published and he'll expect you to have questions about fiction.
What did you notice about the stories in your workshop group? Where are we as a group needing to improve?
You will need to write a response to Terence's presentation (similar to the one you did on Carla Funk or Patrick Lane) and remember, if you miss the class, you will need to make it up by attending a reading outside of class at a local book store, art gallery or cafe.
Due: Wed. March 14. If you are planning to leave the school early, email it to me before you leave.
Thanks.
Lit 12
Today we edited our Lear essay drafts and we chose novels for our book club unit.
If you have not yet chosen a novel, view yesterday's blog as there are links to wikipedia synopses.
The Dickens novel is no longer available but there are six to choose from. Leanne is looking for a partner to read Wuthering Heights. No one has chosen Pride and Prejudice yet. Jeffrey needs someone to choose Tess of the d'Ubervilles.
Friday: Test review
Tuesday: Have your essay, your edited copy (stapled together). Have your quotation log separate. Make sure that the essay is doublespaced and includes a title page. See the bottom of the body paragraph editing sheet for details on the cover sheet set up. PLEASE HAVE ALL OF THE ITEMS READY TO SUBMIT AS YOU WILL NEED THE ENTIRE PERIOD FOR YOUR TEST.
Those students leaving early--Bring all of the work on Monday when you write the test.
POETRY CONTESTS: Thurs. March 15, we will be entering poetry contests and submitting to magazines sooooooooooooooo if you are leaving early, bring me a copy of your two poems (edited).
Don't put your names on them. I'll get you to complete a cover sheet Monday. You will need your name/address/postal code/phone number and email.
If you have not yet chosen a novel, view yesterday's blog as there are links to wikipedia synopses.
The Dickens novel is no longer available but there are six to choose from. Leanne is looking for a partner to read Wuthering Heights. No one has chosen Pride and Prejudice yet. Jeffrey needs someone to choose Tess of the d'Ubervilles.
Friday: Test review
Tuesday: Have your essay, your edited copy (stapled together). Have your quotation log separate. Make sure that the essay is doublespaced and includes a title page. See the bottom of the body paragraph editing sheet for details on the cover sheet set up. PLEASE HAVE ALL OF THE ITEMS READY TO SUBMIT AS YOU WILL NEED THE ENTIRE PERIOD FOR YOUR TEST.
Those students leaving early--Bring all of the work on Monday when you write the test.
POETRY CONTESTS: Thurs. March 15, we will be entering poetry contests and submitting to magazines sooooooooooooooo if you are leaving early, bring me a copy of your two poems (edited).
Don't put your names on them. I'll get you to complete a cover sheet Monday. You will need your name/address/postal code/phone number and email.
AP Lit
We finished our notes on Part 2, chapter 1, and read chapter 2 in class. Please finish reading Part 2, chapter 3 for homework. Be prepared to present tomorrow. I'll put you into groups.
Keep looking for Meursault's transformation into the absurd hero.
Which passages are key? Why?
Keep looking for Meursault's transformation into the absurd hero.
Which passages are key? Why?
English 9
Friday, March 7: Good copy and edited draft of your "Penny in the Dust" paragraph. Please also staple your Paragraph Response Correction Sheet (based on your "The Father" paragraph) to the package. If you have not completed one, copy and paste the one below into a word document and print it out.
I'm looking forward to reading your new paragraphs! Please do not arrive to class without your work. If you need an extension (based on real circumstances) I will consider your request.
Friday: We'll finish reading the story, "The Veldt".
I'm looking forward to reading your new paragraphs! Please do not arrive to class without your work. If you need an extension (based on real circumstances) I will consider your request.
Friday: We'll finish reading the story, "The Veldt".
Paragraph Correction Response Sheet
Title of Assignment: ___________________________ Date: ________________________________
Mark I was expecting: __________________________
Mark I received: __________________________
The definition of insanity is expecting change to result from making the same mistakes.
CHOOSE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES
In order to improve for next time, I want to learn how to:
1. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The literary must-haves that I forgot to include were
1. _____ verb tense, no contractions,
2. _____ sentence variety (using short/long/medium sentences, varying the type and varying how the sentence begins)
3. _____ using synonyms for words that repeat a lot in the paragraph
4. _____ using pronouns such as this is or this means or it shows etc.
5. _____ forgetting the page number or not citing correctly
6. _____ forgetting that quotes can’t float so needing to integrate quotations
7. _____ forgetting to check for wordiness or slang
8. _____ forgetting the 13 steps (especially elaboration and transitions)
9. _____ sufficient evidence to prove my thesis
10. _____ insightful responses to the evidence I had gathered (or too-obvious observations)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
English 10 A
I read you a number of poems today that really focus on using the imagination. Create new images. New things / situations / people to look at. Make us see what you see through your use of details which apply to the five senses. Add meaning through sound and structure (enjambement, juxtaposition, title, shape, caesuras, etc).
Bring your four poems to class tomorrow (typed) for peer editing. Ensure that all four poems match the criteria for this poetry portfolio. The criteria are clearly laid out on today's handout. Good luck.
PARTY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS--EMAIL YOUR POEMS OR PASS YOUR POEMS TO YOUR PEER EDITING PARTNER. Take the edited poems home and revise and re-shape and re-craft. If you would like me to edit more poems, hand them to me Monday so I can return them to you by Tuesday.
Tuesday: poetry test (see the handout) Complete the 3rd section at home: A journal entry addressing at least three of the criteria to answer the question, How has poetry affected me?
Thursday March 15: Your poems are due. Include at least one edited draft per poem so that I can mark your understanding of the writing process--creating, drafting, revising, editing, polishing, presenting, publishing. Give your collection a title. NO need to decorate the cover.
Bring your four poems to class tomorrow (typed) for peer editing. Ensure that all four poems match the criteria for this poetry portfolio. The criteria are clearly laid out on today's handout. Good luck.
PARTY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS--EMAIL YOUR POEMS OR PASS YOUR POEMS TO YOUR PEER EDITING PARTNER. Take the edited poems home and revise and re-shape and re-craft. If you would like me to edit more poems, hand them to me Monday so I can return them to you by Tuesday.
Tuesday: poetry test (see the handout) Complete the 3rd section at home: A journal entry addressing at least three of the criteria to answer the question, How has poetry affected me?
Thursday March 15: Your poems are due. Include at least one edited draft per poem so that I can mark your understanding of the writing process--creating, drafting, revising, editing, polishing, presenting, publishing. Give your collection a title. NO need to decorate the cover.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
AP Lit
We've read and made notes on Part 1 (1-60). We have read the novel on a symbolic level--looking for examples of imposing meaning on a meaningless universe, watching Meursault attempt to stay uninvolved and we have witnessed the murder of the Arab.
Read and re-read page 30. Notice the light imagery and that every time the sun is described there is a blade or spear or knife image attached. The sea is described as being on fire (more light images).
Look for sun and crying motifs in part 1.
Homework: Start reading Section 2. Have the first chapter read for tomorrow (7 pages).
Read and re-read page 30. Notice the light imagery and that every time the sun is described there is a blade or spear or knife image attached. The sea is described as being on fire (more light images).
Look for sun and crying motifs in part 1.
Homework: Start reading Section 2. Have the first chapter read for tomorrow (7 pages).
Writing 12
Get your stories edited as well as you can. Remember, these are first drafts but edit them well.
Be sure to follow the criteria on your sheet and double space it. Give it a title.
You have until June to revise. This process will give you the feedback you need to make a good story great!! You'll also get encouraged by reading stories by your peers.
Thurs: We'll hand out the stories and I'll give you some time to edit them. I then want to read a Carver story that looks absolutely simple on the surface but when you look at its construction, you'll see its brilliance.
Mr. Young will be here on Monday so please arrive on time. You will need to take notes and then afterwards write up your author response and hand that to me Wed. March 14th.
Thanks.
Be sure to follow the criteria on your sheet and double space it. Give it a title.
You have until June to revise. This process will give you the feedback you need to make a good story great!! You'll also get encouraged by reading stories by your peers.
Thurs: We'll hand out the stories and I'll give you some time to edit them. I then want to read a Carver story that looks absolutely simple on the surface but when you look at its construction, you'll see its brilliance.
Mr. Young will be here on Monday so please arrive on time. You will need to take notes and then afterwards write up your author response and hand that to me Wed. March 14th.
Thanks.
Monday, March 5, 2012
English 10 A
Thanks for your hard work today. I loved seeing you create poems out of the air!!
You need four revised poems for your portfolio. Wednesday, we'll create more poems.
Friday--Bring it your best revised four poems for peer editing.
Make sure you are following the criteria:
lots of imagery
surprise
a sense of structure, sound, sense
a resonant title
a glimpse of the human condition
You need four revised poems for your portfolio. Wednesday, we'll create more poems.
Friday--Bring it your best revised four poems for peer editing.
Make sure you are following the criteria:
lots of imagery
surprise
a sense of structure, sound, sense
a resonant title
a glimpse of the human condition
Lit 12
You should have a strong first draft now. Next steps:
1. Make sure that you have indeed proven your thesis.
2. Make sure that everything you discuss in the body of the essay is revealed in the introduction. Revise the introduction to match the body paragraphs.
3. Check that all body paragraphs have strong conclusions.
4. Check that all body paragraphs refer at some point to the overall thesis. Make connections to your thesis throughout the essay. Don't make the reader guess at these connections. Spell them out.
5. Finally, check for diction. Revise sentences--vary sentence length, type and beginnings.
6. Use strong verbs: emphasize, illuminate, depict, portray, exemplify, elucidate, Cut THere is, This is etc by re-writing the sentences.
Deadlines:
Bring a typed, double spaced, edited copy of your essay to class THURSDAY for peer editing. Don't arrive and ask to print it. Arrive with it printed. Marks awarded for arriving with the essay. Marks awarded for peer editing as well.
Wed. class: Review of the Renaissance unit for next Tuesday's unit test. Unit test consists of 15 multiple choice questions on the core list, plus a sight poem para. and a Lear passage paragraph analysis.
Thurs: March 8: Peer Editing
Friday: March 9 Renaissance Review
Tuesday: March 13 Arrive with your typed essay and your quote log.
Thursday; March 15 Lear notebooks are due. We will be choosing novels to read for our bookclub so DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS. IF YOU ARE LEAVING EARLY, SEE ME TO CHOOSE A NOVEL. I suggest you read the novel during spring break (if possible) so that you will not be so pressed for time when you return.
Novel choices:
Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte (1847) Jane Eyre synopsis
Tess of the d'Ubervilles Thomas Hardy (1891) Tess synopsis
Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte (1847) Wuthering Synopsis
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen (1813) Pride and Prejudice synopsis
Great Expectations Charles Dickens (1860) Great Expectations synopsis
1984 George Orwell (1948) 1984 synopsis
The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood (1985) The Handmaid's Tale synopsis
1. Make sure that you have indeed proven your thesis.
2. Make sure that everything you discuss in the body of the essay is revealed in the introduction. Revise the introduction to match the body paragraphs.
3. Check that all body paragraphs have strong conclusions.
4. Check that all body paragraphs refer at some point to the overall thesis. Make connections to your thesis throughout the essay. Don't make the reader guess at these connections. Spell them out.
5. Finally, check for diction. Revise sentences--vary sentence length, type and beginnings.
6. Use strong verbs: emphasize, illuminate, depict, portray, exemplify, elucidate, Cut THere is, This is etc by re-writing the sentences.
Deadlines:
Bring a typed, double spaced, edited copy of your essay to class THURSDAY for peer editing. Don't arrive and ask to print it. Arrive with it printed. Marks awarded for arriving with the essay. Marks awarded for peer editing as well.
Wed. class: Review of the Renaissance unit for next Tuesday's unit test. Unit test consists of 15 multiple choice questions on the core list, plus a sight poem para. and a Lear passage paragraph analysis.
Thurs: March 8: Peer Editing
Friday: March 9 Renaissance Review
Tuesday: March 13 Arrive with your typed essay and your quote log.
Thursday; March 15 Lear notebooks are due. We will be choosing novels to read for our bookclub so DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS. IF YOU ARE LEAVING EARLY, SEE ME TO CHOOSE A NOVEL. I suggest you read the novel during spring break (if possible) so that you will not be so pressed for time when you return.
Novel choices:
Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte (1847) Jane Eyre synopsis
Tess of the d'Ubervilles Thomas Hardy (1891) Tess synopsis
Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte (1847) Wuthering Synopsis
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen (1813) Pride and Prejudice synopsis
Great Expectations Charles Dickens (1860) Great Expectations synopsis
1984 George Orwell (1948) 1984 synopsis
The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood (1985) The Handmaid's Tale synopsis
English 9
Today, your "Father" para. correction sheets were due. Instead of collecting them, however, I want you to use them as a guide for the paragraph you are now writing on the story, "Penny in the Dust".
Today, we discussed how to pick out the key parts of a question before you start to re-read the story to find evidence. The question is Write a 250 to 350 word (13 steps) literary paragraph. discuss the relationship between the father and son and what the son's discovery of the penny in his father's suit pocket reveals about the love they have for one another.
Create a chart
What? So What?
(This column is for evidence from the story. This column is for your inferences.
Evidence may be a quotation, an event, a symbol.) Explain what the evidence reveals
about your topic.
" ' ... it's the only time I've seen Father upset' " (197). -- just the thought of something
happening to his son upsets him
-- shows his love through actions not
words
-- demonstrates how caring he is
-- kind father, rarely upset
-- family/love are important
-- family more important than chores
-- love is not spoken about though
Aim to have three of the best pieces of evidence you can find on your "What?" side.
Aim to have at least 3 bullets on the So What? side--brainstorm, push yourself to make connections, a strong inferences on the so what side will guarantee your paragraph will be filled with insight.
Remember: a literary paragraph never re-tells the story. A Literary para--offers your insight in an organized and well-supported manner.
Step 1: Read the question. Circle the parts of the question that you MUST answer
Step 2: Create a dynamic what/so what chart that offers insight and cites evidence correctly
Step 3: Write a thesis statement which answers the question and offers insight. Once you feel your thesis is strong, provocative, insightful, begin writing the paragraph
Step 4: Follow our 13 steps; Thesis, Opinion, Evidence, Elaboration, trans Repeat trans Repeat Conclude
Edit and revise: check for diction and sentence variety and clarity. Double space, arrive Wed. with your copy for peer editing.
Bring your correction sheet so that you can make NEW mistakes. No sense continuing to make the same old mistakes.
Today, we discussed how to pick out the key parts of a question before you start to re-read the story to find evidence. The question is Write a 250 to 350 word (13 steps) literary paragraph. discuss the relationship between the father and son and what the son's discovery of the penny in his father's suit pocket reveals about the love they have for one another.
Create a chart
What? So What?
(This column is for evidence from the story. This column is for your inferences.
Evidence may be a quotation, an event, a symbol.) Explain what the evidence reveals
about your topic.
" ' ... it's the only time I've seen Father upset' " (197). -- just the thought of something
happening to his son upsets him
-- shows his love through actions not
words
-- demonstrates how caring he is
-- kind father, rarely upset
-- family/love are important
-- family more important than chores
-- love is not spoken about though
Aim to have three of the best pieces of evidence you can find on your "What?" side.
Aim to have at least 3 bullets on the So What? side--brainstorm, push yourself to make connections, a strong inferences on the so what side will guarantee your paragraph will be filled with insight.
Remember: a literary paragraph never re-tells the story. A Literary para--offers your insight in an organized and well-supported manner.
Step 1: Read the question. Circle the parts of the question that you MUST answer
Step 2: Create a dynamic what/so what chart that offers insight and cites evidence correctly
Step 3: Write a thesis statement which answers the question and offers insight. Once you feel your thesis is strong, provocative, insightful, begin writing the paragraph
Step 4: Follow our 13 steps; Thesis, Opinion, Evidence, Elaboration, trans Repeat trans Repeat Conclude
Edit and revise: check for diction and sentence variety and clarity. Double space, arrive Wed. with your copy for peer editing.
Bring your correction sheet so that you can make NEW mistakes. No sense continuing to make the same old mistakes.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Writing 12
Great work in the lab today. We'll meet here again next day.
Copies of your story are due March 8th. If you are not sure who is in your workshopping group. Ask.
Be sure to read and re-read the criteria so that your story matches them all!
Yay.
Copies of your story are due March 8th. If you are not sure who is in your workshopping group. Ask.
Be sure to read and re-read the criteria so that your story matches them all!
Yay.
English 9
I collected all of the Feb. USSR response forms. Thank you.
Several students handed in a re-write of the "Father" para. as well. Good for you.
We read Ernest Buckler's story, "Penny in the Dust" and talked about how this image might represent a father/son relationship. We speak more about it on Monday. Finally, we did a literary must-haves quiz and the entire class scored 100%. It was a miracle! And we witnessed it, together.
Homework:
Finish reading the story and post-it note all the examples you can find of how this father and dad really do love each other.
Finish correcting "The Father" para. Make all of the corrections on the handout. A copy of the handout is pasted below. Submit the paragraph and the correction sheet, Monday. You do not need to re-write the paragraph unless you want a higher mark. The important aspect of this exercise is to make sure that you understand where you need to improve and to be able to point out the strengths in your writing.
Several students handed in a re-write of the "Father" para. as well. Good for you.
We read Ernest Buckler's story, "Penny in the Dust" and talked about how this image might represent a father/son relationship. We speak more about it on Monday. Finally, we did a literary must-haves quiz and the entire class scored 100%. It was a miracle! And we witnessed it, together.
Homework:
Finish reading the story and post-it note all the examples you can find of how this father and dad really do love each other.
Finish correcting "The Father" para. Make all of the corrections on the handout. A copy of the handout is pasted below. Submit the paragraph and the correction sheet, Monday. You do not need to re-write the paragraph unless you want a higher mark. The important aspect of this exercise is to make sure that you understand where you need to improve and to be able to point out the strengths in your writing.
Paragraph Correction Response Sheet
Title of Assignment: ___________________________ Date: ________________________________
Mark I was expecting: __________________________
Mark I received: __________________________
The definition of insanity is expecting change to result from making the same mistakes.
CHOOSE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES
In order to improve for next time, I want to learn how to:
1. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The literary must-haves that I forgot to include were
1. _____ present tense for all verbs, I used contractions,
2. _____ sentence variety (using short/long/medium sentences, varying the type and varying how the sentence begins)
3. _____ using synonyms for words that repeat a lot in the paragraph
4. _____ using pronouns such as this is or this means or it shows etc.
5. _____ forgetting the page number or not citing correctly
6. _____ forgetting that quotes can’t float so needing to integrate quotations
7. _____ forgetting to check for wordiness or slang
8. _____ forgetting the 13 steps (especially elaboration and transitions)
9. _____ sufficient evidence to prove my thesis
10. _____ insightful responses to the evidence I had gathered (or too-obvious observations)
AP Lit
We took notes on the absurdist hero, the sun motif, and chapters 1 and 2. If you were away, be sure to read Chapters 1 and 2 carefully as these two chapters set the inital conflicts, characters, and setting. Borrow the notes from a classmate. Next, we read the next 4 chapters.
Chapter 3, you will meet key characters.
Chapter 4, read it slowly as it's a key chapter. (It's a short chapter). How do our beliefs colour our experiences? Why doesn't Meursault love Marie? Is he "using" her?
Chapter 5 is mostly plot so you can read it quickly.Why do people fear change?
Chapter 6 is key to PART II of the book. You will find it bewildering. (spoiler alert--why does Meursault shoot the Arab? Arrive next class with your answer. Once you have your answer, try this one, Why does Meursault shoot the Arab four more times--four shots into a lifeless body?
HMMM?
ps
Bonus question: Will Jen quit school to become a busker who works at McDonalds or will she be incarcerated for stealing a flute?
Chapter 3, you will meet key characters.
Chapter 4, read it slowly as it's a key chapter. (It's a short chapter). How do our beliefs colour our experiences? Why doesn't Meursault love Marie? Is he "using" her?
Chapter 5 is mostly plot so you can read it quickly.Why do people fear change?
Chapter 6 is key to PART II of the book. You will find it bewildering. (spoiler alert--why does Meursault shoot the Arab? Arrive next class with your answer. Once you have your answer, try this one, Why does Meursault shoot the Arab four more times--four shots into a lifeless body?
HMMM?
ps
Bonus question: Will Jen quit school to become a busker who works at McDonalds or will she be incarcerated for stealing a flute?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
English 10A
If you wish to re-write the literary para. on the Crozier or Owen poem, please do so this weekend. Staple it to the original version and hand in on Monday.
This weekend, imitating the style of poet, Stephen Dobyns, where each image is described in two to three subsequent lines, write a poem using the following words: cabin, scissors, egg, gumboots and canvas. After you use each word, elaborate so that the reader is more invovled in the action.
Monday: We will write poetry all class.
This weekend, imitating the style of poet, Stephen Dobyns, where each image is described in two to three subsequent lines, write a poem using the following words: cabin, scissors, egg, gumboots and canvas. After you use each word, elaborate so that the reader is more invovled in the action.
Monday: We will write poetry all class.
Lit 12
Meet in the South Computer Lab Monday. Arrive with the introduction and first two body paragraphs completed. Read the handouts I gave you so that you are aware of the criteria.
Monday: complete body para. 3 and the conclusion
Wed: Bring the best first draft copy you can muster to class for peer editing (Double space)
Monday: complete body para. 3 and the conclusion
Wed: Bring the best first draft copy you can muster to class for peer editing (Double space)
AP Lit
Read the first two chapters of Camus. Use post-it notes or write down examples of actions which are based on societal scripts and actions based on nothing but impulse (responding to the moment).
We'll discuss the character of Meursault on Friday.
We'll discuss the character of Meursault on Friday.
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