Use it or lose it.
Happy Easter.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
English 11: Get that first novel read . . .
You have four days off. What an opportunity to finish reading the first novel of April! Aim high. What would it take to read three novels this month? How will that much reading affect your English skills? Improved vocabulary, relaxation time, exercise for the imagination, exercise for the brain, exposure to new ideas, testing your philosophy against the author's views, learning sentence structure, dialogue, how to write etc . . .
Use it or lose it.
Happy Easter.
Use it or lose it.
Happy Easter.
Lit 12: Finish your novels by Tuesday . . . .
Could be a surprise test prior to your bookclub meeting.
Today: John Milton's sonnet "On His Blindness" and an introduction to the impact of the King James Bible and read Genesis passage in the text.
Happy Easter!
Today: John Milton's sonnet "On His Blindness" and an introduction to the impact of the King James Bible and read Genesis passage in the text.
Happy Easter!
AP Lit: Finish reading your novel by Tuesday . . .
Wed. after school write: Essay on novel 2. Choose another question from your list. I will give you some time on Tuesday to prepare the question. I will also return this week's essay on Tuesday.
Today: We read scenes 3, 4, and 5 and finished Act 1. Be sure to read the scenes carefully, noting changes in diction and character foils. Borrow notes from someone who takes careful notes. If you have questions about the act, do let me know.
Soliloquy 2 Presentation: Tuesday. April 2.
Soliloquy 3 Presentation: probably Thursday or Friday Be prepared.
Soliloquy 4 Presentation: Friday, possibly Monday Be prepared.
Soliloquy 5 Presentation: Monday or Tuesday (April 8, 9)
Soliloquy 6 Presentation: Tuesday (April 9)
Soliloquy 7 Presentation: Wed. or Thursday
Today: We read scenes 3, 4, and 5 and finished Act 1. Be sure to read the scenes carefully, noting changes in diction and character foils. Borrow notes from someone who takes careful notes. If you have questions about the act, do let me know.
Soliloquy 2 Presentation: Tuesday. April 2.
Soliloquy 3 Presentation: probably Thursday or Friday Be prepared.
Soliloquy 4 Presentation: Friday, possibly Monday Be prepared.
Soliloquy 5 Presentation: Monday or Tuesday (April 8, 9)
Soliloquy 6 Presentation: Tuesday (April 9)
Soliloquy 7 Presentation: Wed. or Thursday
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
AP Lit: Finish reading Act 1, Scene 2
If you were absent today, be sure to do a close reading of Scene 2, and pay particular attention to Hamlet's first soliloquy. We filled the boards several times with notes today so borrow the notes from a friend and copy them.
We had the Wed. after school session today to write the essay on your Feb. novel. Make arrangements for a time to write the essay.
Homework: Finish reading the end of scene two. Pay particular attention to how Hamlet is received by his friend, Horatio, and by the guards, who represent the common people. Take notes on several new observations regarding Hamlet's character. What facts does Horatio corroborate? Why is corroboration key to our understanding of the state of Hamlet's grief and embarrassment?
We had the Wed. after school session today to write the essay on your Feb. novel. Make arrangements for a time to write the essay.
Homework: Finish reading the end of scene two. Pay particular attention to how Hamlet is received by his friend, Horatio, and by the guards, who represent the common people. Take notes on several new observations regarding Hamlet's character. What facts does Horatio corroborate? Why is corroboration key to our understanding of the state of Hamlet's grief and embarrassment?
Lit 12: Donne and Herrick and Milton
We finished Death, be not proud today and I introduced carpe diem tradition in poetry and we took notes on the poet, Robert Herrick, and read, "To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time". A long discussion ensued about commitment, love, marriage and / or bachelorhood. We started to introduce John Milton but we ran out of time. Tomorrow, Stephanie will present the Restoration, and we'll do a sonnet by Milton.
Tuesday: Arrive with your novels read and have three passages chosen ready to discuss with your book club group.
Tuesday: Arrive with your novels read and have three passages chosen ready to discuss with your book club group.
English 11: Peer Editing
Today, we added works 35 and 36 to our list, had a test on words 22 to 36 and practiced our parts of speech. We also did reading speed tests so make sure that you can read at least 1 page per minute and that you are achieving your reading goals: 15 pages per day C+
30 pages per day B
45 pages per day A
Tonight: You must study! The test is hard. It is your first grade 11 English test. Use your vocabulary words throughout the test. Use what you have learned, plus all of the experience you gained in English 9 and 10.
30 pages per day B
45 pages per day A
Tonight: You must study! The test is hard. It is your first grade 11 English test. Use your vocabulary words throughout the test. Use what you have learned, plus all of the experience you gained in English 9 and 10.
Lit 12: John Donne
If you were absent yesterday, be sure to take notes on John Donne. Read the two poems on the core list written by Donne and get the notes from a partner.
AP Lit: Bring in the money for the exam!
Thursday is the last day for your AP exam money. Please return the form as well. If you need financial assistance, speak to Mr. Redlin.
Finish reading Act 1, Scene 2 tonight. Notice how Hamlet acts in front of Horatio and the guards.
We'll start scene 3 tomorrow.
Today after school: Essay on your novel.
Finish reading Act 1, Scene 2 tonight. Notice how Hamlet acts in front of Horatio and the guards.
We'll start scene 3 tomorrow.
Today after school: Essay on your novel.
English 11: Peer editing, bring a draft
Bring an edited copy of your short story to class today for peer editing.
Study for your test. We've done two section 1 reviews now. You are easily prepared for sections 3 and 4. Today, we'll review for section 2: the types of writing: descriptive, narrative, expository and dialogue.
Keep reading that USSR book. If you have read 50 pages and you are not enjoying it, please return it to the library or to my shelf and find one you love.
Study for your test. We've done two section 1 reviews now. You are easily prepared for sections 3 and 4. Today, we'll review for section 2: the types of writing: descriptive, narrative, expository and dialogue.
Keep reading that USSR book. If you have read 50 pages and you are not enjoying it, please return it to the library or to my shelf and find one you love.
Monday, March 25, 2013
English 11: Draft short stories due, review for test
Short Story Test: Thursday (See Friday's post for the outline)
Short Story Due Tuesday, April 2 (Attach the good copy to the draft)
Peer editing Wednesday, March 27.
Today:
I collected the first draft of your stories for editing.
We all chose a new book to read.
Start a new USSR book of your choice--one you have not yet read but one that you are really looking forward to reading.
You need to read 15 pages per day during class so choose a book at your reading level.
1 book per month= C+ 15 pages 5 X a week
2 books per month = B 30 pages 5 X a week
3 books per month = A 45 pages 5 X a week
Marks awarded for bringing and reading the book quietly during class. Completing a USSR form with specific details from the book. Increasing your reading speed. We'll practice during class. Aim for 1 page per minute. It may be slower at the beginning of the book.
Choose a variety: novels, biographies, memoirs, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, drama, history, commentary etc
We went over the short story test outline. See last blog post.
We practiced for the test. Get the notes from a friend.
Homework: Study for the test. Read at least 15 pages of your USSR book.
Finish your story and submit tomorrow if you were absent today.
Short Story Due Tuesday, April 2 (Attach the good copy to the draft)
Peer editing Wednesday, March 27.
Today:
I collected the first draft of your stories for editing.
We all chose a new book to read.
Start a new USSR book of your choice--one you have not yet read but one that you are really looking forward to reading.
You need to read 15 pages per day during class so choose a book at your reading level.
1 book per month= C+ 15 pages 5 X a week
2 books per month = B 30 pages 5 X a week
3 books per month = A 45 pages 5 X a week
Marks awarded for bringing and reading the book quietly during class. Completing a USSR form with specific details from the book. Increasing your reading speed. We'll practice during class. Aim for 1 page per minute. It may be slower at the beginning of the book.
Choose a variety: novels, biographies, memoirs, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, drama, history, commentary etc
We went over the short story test outline. See last blog post.
We practiced for the test. Get the notes from a friend.
Homework: Study for the test. Read at least 15 pages of your USSR book.
Finish your story and submit tomorrow if you were absent today.
Lit 12: Review of the sonnets, writing a found poem
Bookclub: Make sure you have read the novel; during Thursday's class, you will be creating a joint quotation log and thesis statement for your in-class essay.
Today: We re-read Wyatt's sonnet (page 150) and the three Shakespearean sonnets on the core list: 29, 116 and 30. We spent a half an hour creating individual found poems. A found poem uses the lines from the poems to create a new poem. Create a Petrarchan or Elizabethan sonnet using lines from the four sonnets to reveal attitudes toward love during the Renaissance. Mix and match. Make sure you follow the appropriate rhyme scheme and ensure the volta is in the correct place.
Today: We re-read Wyatt's sonnet (page 150) and the three Shakespearean sonnets on the core list: 29, 116 and 30. We spent a half an hour creating individual found poems. A found poem uses the lines from the poems to create a new poem. Create a Petrarchan or Elizabethan sonnet using lines from the four sonnets to reveal attitudes toward love during the Renaissance. Mix and match. Make sure you follow the appropriate rhyme scheme and ensure the volta is in the correct place.
AP Lit: YAY HAMLET!
Review: purpose of Act 1, motif of identity, Google Jean Paul Sartre: Being and Nothingness or Albert Camus views on absurdism. Start to prepare your soliloquy presentation and to memorize at least 10 lines for your recitation. Visit the samples of student recitations you can find on line.
Tonight: Create a thesis statement based on the passage analysis you have done so far on your novel. Use parts of the question in your thesis to ensure that you are answering the question.
Bring your question and your thesis to class tomorrow as I want to have a look before you write your essay after school Wednesday. Memorize the quotations you plan to use.
Tonight: Create a thesis statement based on the passage analysis you have done so far on your novel. Use parts of the question in your thesis to ensure that you are answering the question.
Bring your question and your thesis to class tomorrow as I want to have a look before you write your essay after school Wednesday. Memorize the quotations you plan to use.
Friday, March 8, 2013
English 11: Short Story Freedom . . . .
The first Monday back submit a typed or neatly-written copy (double spaced) of your story so that I can edit it.YOU MUST FOLLOW THE STORY TEMPLATE. IF YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY AT PROVINCIALS, CHECK BACK TO PREVIOUS BLOGS TO FIND IT. I'll get them back to you the next day and you can revise and submit the final copy Friday.
We will be starting poetry when you return and we'll also be reviewing the short story unit. The short story test will be Thursday, March 28th. If you think you will need more time to write it, plan to stay after school that day. Organize a ride home.
Test Outline:
A: Inferencing. Read a short introduction to a short story and discuss the ways in which the author uses imagery, action, point of view and sentence structure to set up the conflict between a father and his daughter. 15 marks
B: Define the four types of writing and explain when you would use each in writing a story: descriptive, expository, dialogue and narrative. 8 marks
C: Explain the role of each sentence in an introduction to a literary essay. 6 marks
D. Write a literary paragraph. I will give you two thesis statements regarding identity. You choose one and you choose which story (from the ones we read in your text book) you wish to discuss. Prepare by reading the notes or re-reading the stories. The question will be regarding what the story reveals about identity. 30 marks (15 for style and 15 for content) Memorize our literary must-haves list and study your essays to discover where you are not following the template. Memorize the template for the components of a literary paragraph.
We will be starting poetry when you return and we'll also be reviewing the short story unit. The short story test will be Thursday, March 28th. If you think you will need more time to write it, plan to stay after school that day. Organize a ride home.
Test Outline:
A: Inferencing. Read a short introduction to a short story and discuss the ways in which the author uses imagery, action, point of view and sentence structure to set up the conflict between a father and his daughter. 15 marks
B: Define the four types of writing and explain when you would use each in writing a story: descriptive, expository, dialogue and narrative. 8 marks
C: Explain the role of each sentence in an introduction to a literary essay. 6 marks
D. Write a literary paragraph. I will give you two thesis statements regarding identity. You choose one and you choose which story (from the ones we read in your text book) you wish to discuss. Prepare by reading the notes or re-reading the stories. The question will be regarding what the story reveals about identity. 30 marks (15 for style and 15 for content) Memorize our literary must-haves list and study your essays to discover where you are not following the template. Memorize the template for the components of a literary paragraph.
Lit 12: Get that novel read!
If you forgot your novel at school, go get one from the public library or download an e-copy. They are also for sale at Russell's Books on Fort St. Finish reading your novel over the break. Since we have a short week when we return due to Good Friday, we will have our book club discussions on Thursday, March 28.
Today: I collected the paragraphs on setting.
We read for 15 minutes.
Notetaking: Read pages 18-139 "Elizabethan Tastes and Attitudes". As you read, make sure to note: humanism, The Great Chain of Being, and attitudes toward all things artificial.
Question: How can you apply these concepts to the topics and intricacies of the sonnet?
Today: We read the next two Shakespearean sonnets on the core list. Be sure to read them and make notes. Look for tone, imagery, any volta or shift in tone, determine who is speaking to whom, and what the attitude the speaker has toward the topic.
Today: I collected the paragraphs on setting.
We read for 15 minutes.
Notetaking: Read pages 18-139 "Elizabethan Tastes and Attitudes". As you read, make sure to note: humanism, The Great Chain of Being, and attitudes toward all things artificial.
Question: How can you apply these concepts to the topics and intricacies of the sonnet?
Today: We read the next two Shakespearean sonnets on the core list. Be sure to read them and make notes. Look for tone, imagery, any volta or shift in tone, determine who is speaking to whom, and what the attitude the speaker has toward the topic.
AP Lit: Free Response Essay Notes and Exam Prep
For general information click on the link below:
Tips
Mr. Redlin visited us today to remind us about paying our exam fees which are due Thursday, March 28th. The first Thursday after spring break.
Exam day: Thursday, May 9. 8 a.m. You must be at the school by 7:40. I will have bacon and tofurkey, he he he. And strong strong coffee! Also, I'll make sure we have snacks to serve as you have a break between the multiple choice section of the exam and the essays. I suggested you bring in a cute character to sit on your desk. (I'd better check with AP protocol to ensure it's possible! If not, we'll make a display on the wall the day before so you have something to look at and make you laugh and relax as you work your way through the passages). It's all about keeping the brain calm.
If you were absent today, please ask me for the AP exam form as you need to order an exam in order to write it. The cost is $89.00 for one exam. There are discounts for those students taking more than one AP exam.
Today, we spent the class preparing for our in-class essay on our Feb. novel. I'll dig up some student essays and either post them here or print them for you.
Tips
Mr. Redlin visited us today to remind us about paying our exam fees which are due Thursday, March 28th. The first Thursday after spring break.
Exam day: Thursday, May 9. 8 a.m. You must be at the school by 7:40. I will have bacon and tofurkey, he he he. And strong strong coffee! Also, I'll make sure we have snacks to serve as you have a break between the multiple choice section of the exam and the essays. I suggested you bring in a cute character to sit on your desk. (I'd better check with AP protocol to ensure it's possible! If not, we'll make a display on the wall the day before so you have something to look at and make you laugh and relax as you work your way through the passages). It's all about keeping the brain calm.
If you were absent today, please ask me for the AP exam form as you need to order an exam in order to write it. The cost is $89.00 for one exam. There are discounts for those students taking more than one AP exam.
Today, we spent the class preparing for our in-class essay on our Feb. novel. I'll dig up some student essays and either post them here or print them for you.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
AP Lit: Bring your novels to class tomorrow . ..
We are going to prepare for the essay you will write the first Wed. back after the holidays.
Spend time reading your March novel tonight.
Spend time reading your March novel tonight.
Lit 12: Today we did the retest and . . .
We read our book club novels and we took a lot of notes on both types of sonnets so if you were absent get the notes from a friend or in your text book.
We read Shakespeare's sonnet 130. Read it. Take notes. Borrow notes from a peer. We will do sonnets 29 and 116 tomorrow. Over the holidays, get your novel read.
We read Shakespeare's sonnet 130. Read it. Take notes. Borrow notes from a peer. We will do sonnets 29 and 116 tomorrow. Over the holidays, get your novel read.
English 11: 300 words due . . .
Be sure to type up the opening scene/s of your story so that you meet the deadline. You want to have a good draft complete before the holidays begin so you can relax. A crappy first draft is what we want!! Just get it down on paper and then you can add all the interesting details. Follow the template and you'll do well. Imitate the structure of a story that you enjoyed reading and that will help you to get from A to B.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Literature 12: Study for the re-test
Today we will be studying/reviewing for a multiple choice re-test which will take place tomorrow during class. All students write the re-test. I'll take your best score.
We will also have time to write the draft of the paragraph on the setting of your book club novel. This paragraph is due Thursday.
Today (Wed.) is the last day to submit your sonnet.
We will also have time to write the draft of the paragraph on the setting of your book club novel. This paragraph is due Thursday.
Today (Wed.) is the last day to submit your sonnet.
AP Lit: Peer Editing
If you were absent today, you must get your essay peer edited and you must edit someone's essay in order to get the peer editing marks. Essays due Friday.
Submit the good copy, the edited draft, the works cited page, the charts, the poems and the annotations.
Today: NO AFTER SCHOOL SESSION TODAY.
We did a multiple choice test during class today and I handed out a sheet of some of the difficult terms which are usually used as distractors: litotes, chiasmus, asyndeton, polysyndeton etc. Gulp. They are not difficult to learn.
Tomorrow: We will be working in groups to find the best answers to the last multiple choice test. Prizes to the group which gets the highest mark. This exercise is a terrific way to test your reading skills. Most of the answers are right under your nose but several factors interfere with finding the answers: time, anxiety, and assumptions.
OOOOH! Breathe.
Submit the good copy, the edited draft, the works cited page, the charts, the poems and the annotations.
Today: NO AFTER SCHOOL SESSION TODAY.
We did a multiple choice test during class today and I handed out a sheet of some of the difficult terms which are usually used as distractors: litotes, chiasmus, asyndeton, polysyndeton etc. Gulp. They are not difficult to learn.
Tomorrow: We will be working in groups to find the best answers to the last multiple choice test. Prizes to the group which gets the highest mark. This exercise is a terrific way to test your reading skills. Most of the answers are right under your nose but several factors interfere with finding the answers: time, anxiety, and assumptions.
OOOOH! Breathe.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lit 12: Paragraph due on your novel-Thursday
Today, we finished the film, Shakespeare in Love, clapped for our athletes during our Star Parade, worked in our book club groups for twenty minutes, got started on a paragraph AND I returned the tests. Phew. We did a lot today. Tuesdays are long days. If you were absent, find out what you missed and get it completed.
Tomorrow: we'll have time to work on the paragraph and we are going to study for our re-test. We'll do a multiple choice re-test during Thursday's class in order to strengthen our multiple-choice test-taking skills and the ways that we study.
Question on your novel: In a formal, literary essay of 300 to 500 words, choose a key setting in the novel and discuss how its descriptions represent your protagonist and the novel's emerging themes.
Find three really clear and juicy passages to analyse before you begin as you will need to discuss the author's use of diction, tone, sentence structure, and other key descriptive techniques.
Overdue sonnets: Tomorrow is the final day to submit these to Connor and Emi.
Tomorrow: we'll have time to work on the paragraph and we are going to study for our re-test. We'll do a multiple choice re-test during Thursday's class in order to strengthen our multiple-choice test-taking skills and the ways that we study.
Question on your novel: In a formal, literary essay of 300 to 500 words, choose a key setting in the novel and discuss how its descriptions represent your protagonist and the novel's emerging themes.
Find three really clear and juicy passages to analyse before you begin as you will need to discuss the author's use of diction, tone, sentence structure, and other key descriptive techniques.
Overdue sonnets: Tomorrow is the final day to submit these to Connor and Emi.
AP Lit: Peer Editing tomorrow . . .
Bring in a draft of your poetry essay. Please double space. Essay is due on Friday and must include your edited draft.
English 11: Short Story Time!
Creative writing requires attention to detail. Look around your room tonight at all the unique things you have collected over the years. Each object tells a story. Bring in that background to your creative writing. Get your parents to tell you a story about their childhood tonight at dinner. Use people in your life for unique details. Focus on pop culture references, the snacks we eat, the shows we watch, the music we listen to, the headlines, the tweets, the likes on Facebook, etc to "show" i.e. to bring your character to life rather than to "tell" facts about a cardboard character that no one will believe. Think of the stories we have studied. The novel you read. The stories written by students and published in The Claremont Review that you read. What techniques do they use that you can use too?
Today, we corrected our essays and handed in a chart regarding strengths and skills to master. We read a number of essays by other students in order to see the strengths and weaknesses of the entire group. Any items that a lot of students have in common, I can turn into mini-lessons. For example, how to turn a plural noun into a possessive noun, etc.
Tonight: Create a character, a setting, a conflict, and three complications. Write them down! Also, write down which aspect of identity you plan on revealing in your story.
Today, we corrected our essays and handed in a chart regarding strengths and skills to master. We read a number of essays by other students in order to see the strengths and weaknesses of the entire group. Any items that a lot of students have in common, I can turn into mini-lessons. For example, how to turn a plural noun into a possessive noun, etc.
Tonight: Create a character, a setting, a conflict, and three complications. Write them down! Also, write down which aspect of identity you plan on revealing in your story.
Monday, March 4, 2013
English 11: Writing the Short Story
I collected the essays, cover pages, edited drafts, edited introductions and the checklists today as well as the quotation logs. Well done.
Today, I handed out the short story assignment. Maximum 1500 words if possible. The BCTELA contest has a word limit of 1500. If you need to write a longer story, you may do so.
The topic is identity.
Homework: Arrive on Wed. knowing what you wish to reveal about identity, know your character's name, the setting, the conflict and have two to three key incidents written down. An incident is simply something that happens which makes the character get closer to understanding his/her identity.
Today in class we read a number of short story selections from the anthology, Naming the Baby, the best of The Claremont Review issues 1 - 30.
If you were absent, please read the following stories/poems on pages 111 and 147.
Read any two of the following stories:
p. 29, 39, 176, 232 or 113.
As you read look for the ways the authors keep your interest. How they show but do not state directly what their ideas of identity are.
Be prepared to write a lot during class tomorrow.
Today, I handed out the short story assignment. Maximum 1500 words if possible. The BCTELA contest has a word limit of 1500. If you need to write a longer story, you may do so.
The topic is identity.
Homework: Arrive on Wed. knowing what you wish to reveal about identity, know your character's name, the setting, the conflict and have two to three key incidents written down. An incident is simply something that happens which makes the character get closer to understanding his/her identity.
Today in class we read a number of short story selections from the anthology, Naming the Baby, the best of The Claremont Review issues 1 - 30.
If you were absent, please read the following stories/poems on pages 111 and 147.
Read any two of the following stories:
p. 29, 39, 176, 232 or 113.
As you read look for the ways the authors keep your interest. How they show but do not state directly what their ideas of identity are.
Be prepared to write a lot during class tomorrow.
Lit 12: Shakespeare in Love
We'll finish watching the film tomorrow and then move right into book club discussion groups. Please be prepared to discuss by bringing questions, key passages to point out or to explain and start to zoom in on an essay topic.
I'll be returning the Unit tests tomorrow. If you wish to re-write, study.
Re-writes are Wed. after school or during a spare.
I'll be returning the Unit tests tomorrow. If you wish to re-write, study.
Re-writes are Wed. after school or during a spare.
English 11: Essay and Quote Log due today
If you need to print, please do so before period 4. You can print in the learning commons or pop by my room at lunch.
Due:
Essay cover page
Good copy
Edited draft
Editing checklist sheet with all the items checked off
/100
50 marks for style and 50 marks for content
Quotation Log / 100
Marks awarded for citing properly, best choice of quotations on your topic, interesting opinions and inferences (Demonstrate what you have learned about reading so far this year i.e. what? So what?).
We start creative writing today! Yay.
Due:
Essay cover page
Good copy
Edited draft
Editing checklist sheet with all the items checked off
/100
50 marks for style and 50 marks for content
Quotation Log / 100
Marks awarded for citing properly, best choice of quotations on your topic, interesting opinions and inferences (Demonstrate what you have learned about reading so far this year i.e. what? So what?).
We start creative writing today! Yay.
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