Tomorrow: Submit your Gatsby notes before you write the essay. You may use your vocabulary lists and a thesaurus during the essay but no other notes or texts. This essay will be based on your preparations and memorization of quotations.
Today: We picked out 19th century novels and reviewed the terms, genres and authors of the Renaissance/17th century, Romantic, Victorian and Modern eras.
Terms test: March 7th
Notes due: March 7th
Those students who have not taken Lit 12 yet may have an extension until after spring break.
We will be studying poetry for the next two weeks and you will be choosing three poems to analyze formally in a longer essay using MLA style citations and works cited page.
This weekend you will be doing a short essay on a poem (section 2 practice for the exam).
It is similar to the prose passage excerpt essay analyses you have been doing except now the genre has changed.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
English 9: Read and post-it note the novel . . .
Today, we added two new words, wrote in our journals, read our USSR books and read to the end of chapter 6 in block 3 and to the end of chapter 7 in block 4.
Tomorrow: Be prepared to discuss the first six chapters. We will compare and contrast John to Lorraine.
Start thinking about your Loneliness Project which we will start next week.
Friday: Verbal-Visual Paragraphs. Bring the pictures you have on your phones. These are due on Monday. If you know you will be away on Friday, be sure to pick up a copy of the template.
Monday: Hand in your February USSR response forms. If you finish The Pigman by Sunday, you may include it.
I returned the paragraphs to block 3 students today and we made corrections.
I will return the paragraphs to block 4 the next time I am in.
I returned the vocabulary quizzes.
If you are having trouble finding quotations to mark with a post-it note, discuss it with your homework buddies and other students in class. Share your quotations.
Tomorrow: Be prepared to discuss the first six chapters. We will compare and contrast John to Lorraine.
Start thinking about your Loneliness Project which we will start next week.
Friday: Verbal-Visual Paragraphs. Bring the pictures you have on your phones. These are due on Monday. If you know you will be away on Friday, be sure to pick up a copy of the template.
Monday: Hand in your February USSR response forms. If you finish The Pigman by Sunday, you may include it.
I returned the paragraphs to block 3 students today and we made corrections.
I will return the paragraphs to block 4 the next time I am in.
I returned the vocabulary quizzes.
If you are having trouble finding quotations to mark with a post-it note, discuss it with your homework buddies and other students in class. Share your quotations.
Monday, February 24, 2014
AP LIT: Preparing for your first free-response essay . . .
Bring the LIT text to class for the next two weeks. Thanks.
Section 3: Read the sample questions and student essays in the package I handed out today. How would you rate each essay out of 9? Why?
To prepare for Wednesday's essay (which we will write during class) since I will be absent, focus on a few key scenes. Memorize quotes. Decide why the scenes are key; i.e. how does setting reveal theme or character or affect tone. Settings are key methods an author uses to add depth and "character" to the novel. Setting can be cultural, physical or geographical.
Create a giant what / so what chart on key settings which reveal character (hint hint) This is to be handed in before you write the essay on Wednesday.
Tomorrow night, you will be busy with poetry, so complete this task tonight. Choose three passages, photocopy them, and annotate them and you will be really prepared for the essay.
The next two Wednesday-after-school classes will be completed at home as you have a lot of work to do for poetry: notes and an essay. I'll hand out the poetry outline tomorrow.
Tomorrow's class we will be making notes on the Renaissance, Romantic, Victorian and Modern ages. Bring your text. Bring notes from last year. You will need a quizlet account. If you don't have one, you can make one during class tomorrow.
Section 3: Read the sample questions and student essays in the package I handed out today. How would you rate each essay out of 9? Why?
To prepare for Wednesday's essay (which we will write during class) since I will be absent, focus on a few key scenes. Memorize quotes. Decide why the scenes are key; i.e. how does setting reveal theme or character or affect tone. Settings are key methods an author uses to add depth and "character" to the novel. Setting can be cultural, physical or geographical.
Create a giant what / so what chart on key settings which reveal character (hint hint) This is to be handed in before you write the essay on Wednesday.
Tomorrow night, you will be busy with poetry, so complete this task tonight. Choose three passages, photocopy them, and annotate them and you will be really prepared for the essay.
The next two Wednesday-after-school classes will be completed at home as you have a lot of work to do for poetry: notes and an essay. I'll hand out the poetry outline tomorrow.
Tomorrow's class we will be making notes on the Renaissance, Romantic, Victorian and Modern ages. Bring your text. Bring notes from last year. You will need a quizlet account. If you don't have one, you can make one during class tomorrow.
English 9: The Pigman Novel begins today . . .
Today: I collected the good copy, draft, and notes for "Penny in the Dust". We took pictures of several excellent VERBAL-VISUAL PARAGRAPHS that I had taped to the board. We signed out copies of The Pigman and returned our short story texts. If you were absent, please return the short story text and pick up a copy of The Pigman. Please do so at lunch before class starts and read pages 1-18. Call your homework buddy tonight.
Look closely at The Loneliness Project below. What will you do? What can you do? How will you do it? Who will join your team? When will you start?
TONIGHT: SEARCH THE INTERNET. FIND AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE. BRING THE ARTICLE, URL OR A SUMMARY TO CLASS TOMORROW TO SHARE.
BRING A PACKAGE OF POST-IT NOTES TO CLASS.
The Pigman
We will be working with the theme of loneliness and friendship as we read Paul Zindel's novel.
You will be reading the novel with a careful eye on the three main characters, John, Lorraine, and Mr. Pignati (The Pigman). You will write a literary essay discussing why each character is lonely, how they respond to these feelings, what causes the feelings and how they help each other to overcome loneliness.
You will also design a project to make a difference in your community.
THE LONELINESS PROJECT: WHO IS LONELY IN MY HOME, SCHOOL, NEIGHBOURHOOD OR CITY AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
You will also write a journal about your own experiences: Friendships, family, sports, hobbies, time alone, books, movies, vacations, dreams, volunteer efforts are all possible places to explore what you think about your day.
Post-it Note: Three things to look for as I read. Post-it note:
1. Examples of when John, Lorraine and Mr. Pignati are lonely (disconnected from others).
2. What causes the loneliness?
3. What helps to mollify their loneliness?
HOMEWORK: READ TO PAGE 18, THE END OF CHAPTER 3. BE SURE TO POST-IT NOTE, ACTIONS, THOUGHTS, DIALOGUE BASED ON THE ABOVE THREE POINTS.
MININMUM NUMBER OF POST-ITS IS 6 PER CHAPTER.
BRING MORE POST-IT NOTES FROM HOME.
Also, if you were absent today, email your homework buddy and ask them to send you pictures of our Verbal-visual paragraphs.
We will start these on Friday and they are due Monday.
Bring pencil crayons to class.
You may choose to do John, Lorraine, or Mr. Pignati.
Feel free to read ahead. If you finish the novel, you can add it to your USSR list for Feb.
All lists are due Monday, March 2.
Great work today.
Pigman excerpt
If you would like to check that you are comprehending the action. Try answering the questions below:
Look closely at The Loneliness Project below. What will you do? What can you do? How will you do it? Who will join your team? When will you start?
TONIGHT: SEARCH THE INTERNET. FIND AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE. BRING THE ARTICLE, URL OR A SUMMARY TO CLASS TOMORROW TO SHARE.
BRING A PACKAGE OF POST-IT NOTES TO CLASS.
The Pigman
We will be working with the theme of loneliness and friendship as we read Paul Zindel's novel.
You will be reading the novel with a careful eye on the three main characters, John, Lorraine, and Mr. Pignati (The Pigman). You will write a literary essay discussing why each character is lonely, how they respond to these feelings, what causes the feelings and how they help each other to overcome loneliness.
You will also design a project to make a difference in your community.
THE LONELINESS PROJECT: WHO IS LONELY IN MY HOME, SCHOOL, NEIGHBOURHOOD OR CITY AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
You will also write a journal about your own experiences: Friendships, family, sports, hobbies, time alone, books, movies, vacations, dreams, volunteer efforts are all possible places to explore what you think about your day.
Post-it Note: Three things to look for as I read. Post-it note:
1. Examples of when John, Lorraine and Mr. Pignati are lonely (disconnected from others).
2. What causes the loneliness?
3. What helps to mollify their loneliness?
HOMEWORK: READ TO PAGE 18, THE END OF CHAPTER 3. BE SURE TO POST-IT NOTE, ACTIONS, THOUGHTS, DIALOGUE BASED ON THE ABOVE THREE POINTS.
MININMUM NUMBER OF POST-ITS IS 6 PER CHAPTER.
BRING MORE POST-IT NOTES FROM HOME.
Also, if you were absent today, email your homework buddy and ask them to send you pictures of our Verbal-visual paragraphs.
We will start these on Friday and they are due Monday.
Bring pencil crayons to class.
You may choose to do John, Lorraine, or Mr. Pignati.
Feel free to read ahead. If you finish the novel, you can add it to your USSR list for Feb.
All lists are due Monday, March 2.
Great work today.
Pigman excerpt
If you would like to check that you are comprehending the action. Try answering the questions below:
The
Pigman Study Guide
Name:
__________________________________ Per. _______
Directions
– Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper in complete
sentences.
Chapter
1
- Why did they get involved with the Pigman?
- Who is writing Chapter One on “The Cricket’s” typewriter in the library?
- What kind of things does the narrator do at school?
- What did John write on the table?
- Why are John and Lorraine writing a memorial epic?
- What denotes profanity (or obscene words) in the memorial epic?
- Describe Miss Reillen.
Chapter
2
- Who is typing chapter two?
- What does Lorraine say about John’s eyes? How does she feel about him smoking and drinking?
- How is Dr. Freud a hypocrite?
- What does John call the cafeteria’s Swiss steak?
- Discuss Lorraine’s relationship with her mother.
- Why did they get involved with the Pigman?
- What do John’s eyes remind Lorraine of?
- How did Lorraine and John end up finally being friends?
Chapter
3
- Who is typing chapter three?
- Why are they telling this memorial epic?
- Describe the gags that Norton and Dennis liked to play on people.
- What nickname does John give to his father?
- Why does Bore put a lock on the phone and how does John deal with the lock?
- What record did Denis hold?
- What confession is made at the end of the chapter and who is being blamed?
Chapter
4
- Describe Norton
- How does Lorraine cheat?
- Where is Mr. Pignati’s wife?
- What impression do we get of Mr. Pignati?
- Discuss John and the lies he tells. What lies does he tell? Why does he tell them?
- What does Mr. Pignati agree to do?
- Who complicates things?
Chapter
5
- Who does John blame for Mr. Pignati’s murder?
- What is ironic about John’s living room?
- Why did John say his mom put her finger in an electrical socket? Did she really?
- Who/ what does John blame every time he gets accused of doing something wrong?
- How does John still manage to use the phone even though the dial is locked?
- What does John “decided” and try to convince Lorraine to do?
- How DOES John convince Lorraine?
- What would John do if Mr. Pignati was not as nice as he seemed?
- What 10 objects does Mr. Pignati memorize? How did he do it?
- Where does Mr. Pignati ask the children to go with him:?
- What does Mr. Pignati show John and Lorraine?
Chapter
6
- Why does John go to Tony’s Market?
- Describe Lorraine’s mother and their relationship.
- Why do John and Lorraine skip school? How do they get away with it?
- Why doesn’t Lorraine like the Baron Park Zoo?
- What bad omens does Lorraine mention?
- Describe Mr. Pignati’s best friend.
- How does Lorraine feel about the alligators? Why? Do you agree with her opinion? Why?
Chapter
7
- How did Mr. Pignati show his affection for John and Lorraine?
- Where do all the kids go to drink?
- How does John feel about cemeteries, death, life, himself?
- Why does Bore tell John “try eating your imagination when you’re hungry sometime”?
- What does John call his mother? Why?
- How does John feel about going to visit Mr. Pignati?
- What service did Silver Lake provide? How much did it cost?
Chapter
8
- According to Lorraine, why doesn’t she have good conversations with her mother?
- How does John feel about waiting at the Staten Island ferryhouse?
- Why did Lorraine go with John and Mr. Pignati to Beekman’s Department Store?
- What omen(s) does Lorraine see?
- What food items are purchased?
- What does Lorraine get for her mother? Why?
- How does Lorraine feel in the Toy Department?
- What kind of logic aggravates John? How did John retaliate?
- In your opinion, are John and Lorraine taking advantage of Mr. Pignati? Explain.
- Why does Lorraine wear her new roller skates through the department store?
Chapter
9
- John and Lorraine have previously mention Norton. Describe this character. Mentioning Norton now is an example of foreshadowing. What might happen later in the book?
- What threat does Norton make?
- Why does John drink so much?
- How does John feel about his parents? How does he feel about the Pigman?
Chapter
10
- Why does Lorraine’s mom hate men?
- Why does Mr. Pignati look tired and depressed?
- What do John and Lorraine tell Mr. Pignati?
- What does Mr. Pignati tell John and Lorraine?
- What happens to change the mood?
- What does John do to entertain the other two?
- What is each person in the “murder story” symbolic of?
- What example of onomatopoeia occurs at the end of this chapter?
- What happens to Mr. Pignati as a result of being “It” during the tag game?
Chapter
11
- What lie does John tell to the police officers? Why?
- Why do John and Lorraine skip school?
- What does Mr. Pignati offer John and Lorraine? In your opinion, is it a good idea to accept his offer? Why?
- What request does Mr. Pignati make?
- How does John feel about hospitals?
- How are chapter 10 and 11 turning points in The Pigman?
- Why does John go upstairs?
- How does John and Lorraine’s relationship change?
Chapter
12
- Describe John in the beginning of this chapter.
- How does Lorraine talk to her mother
- How does Lorraine feel about John in this chapter?
- What does John’s dad threaten to do? Why?
- How does Lorraine feel about the pig room?
- What is John’s idea?
Chapter
13
- How did Lorraine feel about having a party at Mr. Pignati’s house?
- Who was not invited to the party? Why?
- What does John say about most of the people he invited (provide an example as proof)?
- Why did Lorraine and John keep inviting people? How many came in all?
- Why did the house start to “jump” after eight?
- CHART: The progression of the party. How does it start? How does it evolve? How does it end up? (This is a lengthy/ detailed answer).
- Who arrives at the part in a taxi?
Chapter
14
- Why does the policeman look sorry?
- Why does Lorraine feel that her mom will never understand her?
- Why does Lorraine think about a kitten playing?
- When John calls Mr. Pignati (with Jane) what does he offer?
- Describe Mr. Pignati.
- What happens at Bobo’s cage?
Chapter
15
- Where does Lorraine go? Why?
- Does John care about Mr. Pignati?
- Where is John (in reality and in his head)?
- How does Lorraine react?
Thursday, February 20, 2014
English 9: Create a good copy for Monday . . .
Monday: Please hand in the good copy of your "Penny in the Dust" paragraph stapled to the template (the draft) and the notes you copied off the board (the opinion/evidence chart). Thank you.
Silent reading tallies for Feb. will be collected, Monday, March 2.
Re-read your course outline and/or contact your homework buddy to plan for this important deadline. If you do not yet have a USSR response sheet, ask for one.
For those students on the field trip, your work is due Tuesday. If you were absent today for other reasons, your work is still due on Monday.
Re-read your course outline if you do not recall our assignment deadline rules and expectations.
Silent reading tallies for Feb. will be collected, Monday, March 2.
Re-read your course outline and/or contact your homework buddy to plan for this important deadline. If you do not yet have a USSR response sheet, ask for one.
For those students on the field trip, your work is due Tuesday. If you were absent today for other reasons, your work is still due on Monday.
Re-read your course outline if you do not recall our assignment deadline rules and expectations.
AP Lit: Prepping the prose section essay
You may have already visited these sites to prepare for the Walker essay, but have a look at this site:
Sample high essay response to Walker's "The Flowers"
If you are not yet feeling confident on this section, create a study group.
There are several practice sections on line which also include student samples of low, medium, and high essays.
The best advice: pay close attention to the text. Use a lot of short quotations and say something compelling about each one. You can do this section in your sleep if you prepare well.
la la la
See yesterday's blog to prepare for next week's test and Gatsby essay.
Sample high essay response to Walker's "The Flowers"
If you are not yet feeling confident on this section, create a study group.
There are several practice sections on line which also include student samples of low, medium, and high essays.
The best advice: pay close attention to the text. Use a lot of short quotations and say something compelling about each one. You can do this section in your sleep if you prepare well.
la la la
See yesterday's blog to prepare for next week's test and Gatsby essay.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
AP LIT: Annotate the Marquez story . . .
Monday: Fiction Unit Test:
I will be giving you a passage from one of the stories studied during the unit. Your job is to annotate it and create a strong essay which answers the question. It is an open book test so you may use your notes and vocabulary lists.
Tomorrow: After the presentation, we will be reviewing today's essay. I have a student sample to share with you that has an introduction worth imitating. I think it will help you to shift your style with ease.
Tuesday: We begin our poetry unit. YAY.
Next Wed after school: Essay on Gatsby. Be sure to finish reading the novel. You need to have post-it notes all the way through in order to write the test.
I will be giving you a passage from one of the stories studied during the unit. Your job is to annotate it and create a strong essay which answers the question. It is an open book test so you may use your notes and vocabulary lists.
Tomorrow: After the presentation, we will be reviewing today's essay. I have a student sample to share with you that has an introduction worth imitating. I think it will help you to shift your style with ease.
Tuesday: We begin our poetry unit. YAY.
Next Wed after school: Essay on Gatsby. Be sure to finish reading the novel. You need to have post-it notes all the way through in order to write the test.
English 9: Great results on the vocab. quiz . . .
Tonight: Complete as much as the template as possible so that you COULD start your good copy during class tomorrow.
Good copy of the "Penny in the Dust" paragraph plus the template plus the notes from the board (your opinion/inference chart) are due Monday.
Be sure to study and apply the Literary Must-haves sheet and re-read your father paragraph to ensure that you are not making the same mistakes. How about integrating a quotation in a new way? How about using an semi-colon or a dash this time? Focus on vocabulary and a formal tone.
For those on the trip, you may hand in your work on Tuesday.
Great work during class today. You are learning to be SPARTANS!
Tomorrow: MARKS ARE COMING HOME TO PARENT EMAILS. BE SURE TO CHECK.
Good copy of the "Penny in the Dust" paragraph plus the template plus the notes from the board (your opinion/inference chart) are due Monday.
Be sure to study and apply the Literary Must-haves sheet and re-read your father paragraph to ensure that you are not making the same mistakes. How about integrating a quotation in a new way? How about using an semi-colon or a dash this time? Focus on vocabulary and a formal tone.
For those on the trip, you may hand in your work on Tuesday.
Great work during class today. You are learning to be SPARTANS!
Tomorrow: MARKS ARE COMING HOME TO PARENT EMAILS. BE SURE TO CHECK.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
English 9: Writing a strong thesis!!
Thanks to all the students who participated brilliantly during our discussion of the story, "Penny in the Dust". Tonight, revise your thesis so that you will be prepared to write a first draft during class tomorrow.
We will also be having our vocabulary test tomorrow. To pass: 90%. 100% = a chocolate bar. Study. Quizlet.com is a great resource. You can create a new set of words and practice on-line.
Weak thesis: The symbol of the dusty penny reveals that Pete loves his father.
Stronger thesis: In the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, the dusty penny clearly depicts the relationship between Pete and his father because, like the dirty coin, their love is hidden by an awkward and fragile silence.
Tomorrow, after the test, we will write a draft of the paragraph.
You will need to focus on the literary must-haves sheet and be prepared to make new mistakes. IF YOU MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AS LAST TIME, THE PARAGRAPH WILL EQUAL 0. STUDY HOW TO USE AN APOSTROPHE, A COMMA, AND A SEMI-COLON. Know how to use present tense. Know how to replace THIS SHOWS or I THINK THAT . . .
You will do well. Have a great night.
Whenever you are ahead, read at least 15 to 30 pages more.
USSR: 245 pages so far.
We will also be having our vocabulary test tomorrow. To pass: 90%. 100% = a chocolate bar. Study. Quizlet.com is a great resource. You can create a new set of words and practice on-line.
Weak thesis: The symbol of the dusty penny reveals that Pete loves his father.
Stronger thesis: In the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler, the dusty penny clearly depicts the relationship between Pete and his father because, like the dirty coin, their love is hidden by an awkward and fragile silence.
Tomorrow, after the test, we will write a draft of the paragraph.
You will need to focus on the literary must-haves sheet and be prepared to make new mistakes. IF YOU MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AS LAST TIME, THE PARAGRAPH WILL EQUAL 0. STUDY HOW TO USE AN APOSTROPHE, A COMMA, AND A SEMI-COLON. Know how to use present tense. Know how to replace THIS SHOWS or I THINK THAT . . .
You will do well. Have a great night.
Whenever you are ahead, read at least 15 to 30 pages more.
USSR: 245 pages so far.
AP Lit: Annotate two stories tonight
Great presentations so far! Tonight, annotate, "A Worn Path" and "The Lottery".
Monday, February 17, 2014
English 9: Great job today!!
Tonight: Finish your paragraph corrections. Study for your vocabulary test, Wed. Set a reminder to come in for extra help at lunch tomorrow. Read at least 15 pages of your USSR book.
IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED A BOOK, YOU MUST COMPLETE A RESPONSE. ASK ME FOR THE FORM.
We started reading the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler. If you were absent today, you need to borrow the notes from a friend and copy them out during USSR or email your homework buddy tonight and have a good chat.
IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED A BOOK, YOU MUST COMPLETE A RESPONSE. ASK ME FOR THE FORM.
We started reading the story, "Penny in the Dust" by Ernest Buckler. If you were absent today, you need to borrow the notes from a friend and copy them out during USSR or email your homework buddy tonight and have a good chat.
Please annotate the next two stories . .. .
You will get good marks for the presentation if you pay attention to the writing style and explain the effect of irony or setting or sentence fragments or stream of consciousness etc I like the focus on theme as well. Good job.
Whenever you have time at night, study your vocabulary lists. It seems that most of the questions students got wrong on the test were due to vocabulary omissions. Next multiple choice test, please use a dictionary so that I can test your actual comprehension. Thanks.
Tonight: Annotate the Laurence story and the Steinbeck story.
Read Friday's blog for the short story test synopsis.
Blue Bridge Theatre at the Roxy is currently playing, The Glass Menagerie. Tickets are expensive but it's worth it to go and then you can read the play and perhaps use its characters and themes on your AP exam. I am going to see it on Friday night. Yay.
Whenever you have time at night, study your vocabulary lists. It seems that most of the questions students got wrong on the test were due to vocabulary omissions. Next multiple choice test, please use a dictionary so that I can test your actual comprehension. Thanks.
Tonight: Annotate the Laurence story and the Steinbeck story.
Read Friday's blog for the short story test synopsis.
Blue Bridge Theatre at the Roxy is currently playing, The Glass Menagerie. Tickets are expensive but it's worth it to go and then you can read the play and perhaps use its characters and themes on your AP exam. I am going to see it on Friday night. Yay.
Friday, February 14, 2014
AP Lit: Multiple choice corrections due and Read and annotate . ..
MULTIPLE CHOICE CORRECTIONS ARE DUE MONDAY: CHOOSE TWO SECTIONS. SEE YESTERDAY'S BLOG FOR DETAILS. THANKS.
We will be discussing "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "Araby" on Monday.
Tuesday: "The Horse-Dealer's Daughter" and "The Chrysanthemums".
Wed: (I will give you these stories on Mon.) "A Worn Path" and "The Lottery"
Thurs: "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings"
Wed after school: Practice prose analysis essay from the exam.
This will be GREAT.
Friday: Fiction Test. You will receive a passage from one of the stories and be asked to analyse it and respond to a question in essay format.
La la la
Then we start poetry!!
Plan to be finished The Great Gatsby by Monday, Feb 24th. You will write an essay on it after school Wed. Topic: The setting but you won't know what I'm asking you about the setting until you see the question. Know the novel's themes. You must memorize quotations.
We will be discussing "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "Araby" on Monday.
Tuesday: "The Horse-Dealer's Daughter" and "The Chrysanthemums".
Wed: (I will give you these stories on Mon.) "A Worn Path" and "The Lottery"
Thurs: "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings"
Wed after school: Practice prose analysis essay from the exam.
This will be GREAT.
Friday: Fiction Test. You will receive a passage from one of the stories and be asked to analyse it and respond to a question in essay format.
La la la
Then we start poetry!!
Plan to be finished The Great Gatsby by Monday, Feb 24th. You will write an essay on it after school Wed. Topic: The setting but you won't know what I'm asking you about the setting until you see the question. Know the novel's themes. You must memorize quotations.
English 9: Response to your paragraph writing . . .
I can really see you using the skills we have been building and practicing all week in the paragraph.
Style: I see sentence variety, dashes, semi-colons, colons, words from our vocabulary list, and strong verbs. I see each sentence begin in a unique way, variety in the sentence length and superb quote integration!!! Most students cited well.
Insight: While some thesis statements lack the WOW factor we touched on during class, all the paragraphs have a thesis which includes the author and the title.To do better on the insight mark, spend more time searching the story for clues to the father's character. Try to find quotes that no one else will use!! Be conspiritorial!
Monday: I will return the paragraphs and we will make corrections.
The most common errors were
Style: I see sentence variety, dashes, semi-colons, colons, words from our vocabulary list, and strong verbs. I see each sentence begin in a unique way, variety in the sentence length and superb quote integration!!! Most students cited well.
Insight: While some thesis statements lack the WOW factor we touched on during class, all the paragraphs have a thesis which includes the author and the title.To do better on the insight mark, spend more time searching the story for clues to the father's character. Try to find quotes that no one else will use!! Be conspiritorial!
Monday: I will return the paragraphs and we will make corrections.
The most common errors were
- Using "this shows" or "it means"
- Struggles with quote integration
- Lack of insight in the thesis
- Apostrophe errors or omissions
- Spelling errors
Thursday, February 13, 2014
English 9: Silent Reading Tonight, Please
At least half the class has finished a book already! Wow! Well done. Set a goal. Minimum is 15 pages per day. I had one student read 42 books in one year and the list included 10 classics!!! Remember, for an A, you must read widely: fantasy, science fiction, biography, romance, memoir, auto-biography, How-to books, graphic novels, plays, poetry, novels in verse, horror, Gothic, Canadian, books in translation, history, politics, ancient civilizations, anthropology, and the list goes on. . .
And you must read at least 3 books on your course outline (THE GREEN SHEET). MOST OF THESE BOOKS ARE IN THE BOOK CLUB SECTION IN THE LEARNING COMMONS. YOU MAY READ THE SAME BOOK AS A FRIEND OR AS A BOOK CLUB. START A BOOK CLUB!!
Remember: Bring in your library card. 10 easy marks.
Great work today. I will mark these paragraphs and return them by Monday.
Tomorrow: No need to bring your books unless you wish to make notes during the presentation in the learning commons.
Note: YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST BEHAVIOUR IS EXPECTED DURING THE PRESENTATION. THERE WILL BE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STORIES, THE WRITING AND EDITING PROCESS, ABOUT WRITING 12, ETC
BONUS: Can you define all of the vocabulary words without looking at the definitions yet?
And you must read at least 3 books on your course outline (THE GREEN SHEET). MOST OF THESE BOOKS ARE IN THE BOOK CLUB SECTION IN THE LEARNING COMMONS. YOU MAY READ THE SAME BOOK AS A FRIEND OR AS A BOOK CLUB. START A BOOK CLUB!!
Remember: Bring in your library card. 10 easy marks.
Great work today. I will mark these paragraphs and return them by Monday.
Tomorrow: No need to bring your books unless you wish to make notes during the presentation in the learning commons.
Note: YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST BEHAVIOUR IS EXPECTED DURING THE PRESENTATION. THERE WILL BE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STORIES, THE WRITING AND EDITING PROCESS, ABOUT WRITING 12, ETC
BONUS: Can you define all of the vocabulary words without looking at the definitions yet?
AP Lit: Prepare your story presentation . . . plus
1. If you have not yet handed in a revised intro, do so by Friday.
2. Be sure to look carefully at the presentation criteria so that you will do well. If I have to stand up and talk about the story after you have finished, your presentation was incomplete and that lack of detail would be reflected in your mark.
3. Multiple choice section: Go over the choices you made and compare each one to the correct answer. Write down the number of the question, the answer you gave and why you picked it and the correct answer and why it is correct. You don't have to do ALL of the sections. Choose two sections. THE KEY HERE IS NOT TO COMPLETE THIS TASK, IS IT? THE KEY IS TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE ON THE NEXT ONE. LA LA LA
Next Wed: Prose passage analysis and essay!! This one is good and very subtle. You will be challenged to read between the lines. Mwah!
For a Valentine's treat: if you have a spare period 3 or 4, please come to the learning commons to cheer on Emi, Connor and Luke who will be reading absolutely hilarious stories about first dates!! There will be candy, too!!
East and West symbols in the Bible
2. Be sure to look carefully at the presentation criteria so that you will do well. If I have to stand up and talk about the story after you have finished, your presentation was incomplete and that lack of detail would be reflected in your mark.
3. Multiple choice section: Go over the choices you made and compare each one to the correct answer. Write down the number of the question, the answer you gave and why you picked it and the correct answer and why it is correct. You don't have to do ALL of the sections. Choose two sections. THE KEY HERE IS NOT TO COMPLETE THIS TASK, IS IT? THE KEY IS TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE ON THE NEXT ONE. LA LA LA
Next Wed: Prose passage analysis and essay!! This one is good and very subtle. You will be challenged to read between the lines. Mwah!
For a Valentine's treat: if you have a spare period 3 or 4, please come to the learning commons to cheer on Emi, Connor and Luke who will be reading absolutely hilarious stories about first dates!! There will be candy, too!!
East and West symbols in the Bible
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
English 9: Finish the paragraph sheet . . .
Those students who did not finish the sheet during class today, you must finish it at home this evening in order to do well writing your good copy during tomorrow's class.
Be prepared for tomorrow's class:
At the end of the class submit the following:
Your character chart (the one with the circle in the centre)
Your paragraph outline sheet.
Your good copy.
PS
Don't forget to bring in your library cards!
If you want to have a look at sample thesis statements, scroll to previous blog posts.
Be prepared for tomorrow's class:
At the end of the class submit the following:
Your character chart (the one with the circle in the centre)
Your paragraph outline sheet.
Your good copy.
PS
Don't forget to bring in your library cards!
If you want to have a look at sample thesis statements, scroll to previous blog posts.
AP Lit: Annotated Story due Thurs... intro Friday, Gatsby links
Due Friday: Rewrite of Desai introduction. Please read the suggestions for writing introductions in the package I gave you.
Your Gatsby notes look good. Keep adding quotations to your list and please focus on the language in each quote. No need to focus on general themes.
Today: We read for 15 minutes and had an assembly
Thursday: Time to read and to work on your presentations. See yesterday's blog for guidelines. Your presentations will be marked. We start presenting on Monday. All groups must be ready. We tend to do two stories per day.
You need to read the story before we discuss it. I will let you know the order of stories.
Today after school: Multiple Choice Test
West and East in Gatsby site
Symbols in Gatsby
Good essay on setting in Gatsby
Your Gatsby notes look good. Keep adding quotations to your list and please focus on the language in each quote. No need to focus on general themes.
Today: We read for 15 minutes and had an assembly
Thursday: Time to read and to work on your presentations. See yesterday's blog for guidelines. Your presentations will be marked. We start presenting on Monday. All groups must be ready. We tend to do two stories per day.
You need to read the story before we discuss it. I will let you know the order of stories.
Today after school: Multiple Choice Test
West and East in Gatsby site
Symbols in Gatsby
Good essay on setting in Gatsby
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
English 9: Writing a literary paragraph: four sentences are due . . .
If you were absent today, come in at lunch to pick up the TWO handouts but DO CONTACT YOUR HOMEWORK BUDDY AS THERE IS WORK TO DO TONIGHT.
Today: We read for 15 minutes, and added the next two words: sanctity and loquacious. I checked the homework: Have you read at least 130 pages? Did you complete the character chart for the father?
Tomorrow: I will need to see your library cards. I will need to see the first four sentences of your paragraph:
Thesis
First Opinion
First example, cited properly and connected to an opinion
First explanation. Explain the quote. State how it proves your thesis
Use words from your vocabulary list. Use your literary must-haves list.
Follow the descriptions on the 6 point scale for a really good mark.
Bonus: List three attributes of a paragraph at a 6 point level.
Today: We read for 15 minutes, and added the next two words: sanctity and loquacious. I checked the homework: Have you read at least 130 pages? Did you complete the character chart for the father?
Tomorrow: I will need to see your library cards. I will need to see the first four sentences of your paragraph:
Thesis
First Opinion
First example, cited properly and connected to an opinion
First explanation. Explain the quote. State how it proves your thesis
Use words from your vocabulary list. Use your literary must-haves list.
Follow the descriptions on the 6 point scale for a really good mark.
Bonus: List three attributes of a paragraph at a 6 point level.
English 9: Creating a thesis, and writing a paragraph
Writing a strong thesis:
1. A thesis is an assertion (your opinion) not a fact. Ex: Fact: People use many chemicals on their lawns. Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.
2. A thesis TAKES A STAND rather than announcing a subject.
Announcement: The thesis of this paragraph is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems.
Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe.
3. A thesis is NARROW, rather than broad. If the thesis is sufficiently narrow, it can easily be proven in a paragraph.
Broad: The American steel industry has many problems.
Narrow: The primary porlbem of the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment.
4. A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general.
Vague: Hemminway's war stories are good.
Specific: Hemminway's stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-Saxon words.
5. A thesis must include the author and the title of the work. Cite the title according to MLA style rules. Stories are in quotation marks.
Sample thesis statements for the story, "The Father". The question asks you to discuss his character so you need (based on your research) to form an opinion about the father that you have DISCOVERED. It shouldn't be too obvious.
Weak thesis: In Hugh Garner's story, "The Father," the father is an alcoholic who does not care for his son.
Strong thesis: Garner's sympathetic portrayal of Mr. Purcell reveals that being a father requires not just sacrifice but the will to become
a better man in the story, "The Father".
1. A thesis is an assertion (your opinion) not a fact. Ex: Fact: People use many chemicals on their lawns. Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.
2. A thesis TAKES A STAND rather than announcing a subject.
Announcement: The thesis of this paragraph is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems.
Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe.
3. A thesis is NARROW, rather than broad. If the thesis is sufficiently narrow, it can easily be proven in a paragraph.
Broad: The American steel industry has many problems.
Narrow: The primary porlbem of the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment.
4. A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general.
Vague: Hemminway's war stories are good.
Specific: Hemminway's stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong Anglo-Saxon words.
5. A thesis must include the author and the title of the work. Cite the title according to MLA style rules. Stories are in quotation marks.
Sample thesis statements for the story, "The Father". The question asks you to discuss his character so you need (based on your research) to form an opinion about the father that you have DISCOVERED. It shouldn't be too obvious.
Weak thesis: In Hugh Garner's story, "The Father," the father is an alcoholic who does not care for his son.
Strong thesis: Garner's sympathetic portrayal of Mr. Purcell reveals that being a father requires not just sacrifice but the will to become
a better man in the story, "The Father".
AP Lit: Gatsby's Setting, Short Story Modes, Prep for presentations
Today: We spent 20 minutes in small groups preparing notes on significance of the setting in Gatsby. Notes due Wed. We do have an assembly tomorrow but you come to class first, submit the notes, I'll do attendance and then we will go down. You will be marked on your INSIGHT. What stylistic devices do you notice. Syntax? Rhythm? Changes/shifts in tone? Diction? Sentence length?
Next: We corrected the multiple choice test.
Modes of Fiction: Get the handout and the notes.
Short Story Presentations: Read and annotate the story you chose. Quinton, your story is "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. You can find it on-line.
Be prepared to present the story's themes and attributes to the class on Monday. Create a power point or prezi as a way to guide us through the story or have handouts and use the board.ARRIVE THURSDAY WITH YOUR STORY ANNOTATED AND NOTES ON YOUR AUTHOR. YOU WILL HAVE TIME TO COLLABORATE WITH GROUP MEMBERS AND DESIGN YOUR PRESENTATION.
Prepare to comment on the following: Author's bio
Theme (most complicated stories will require a TICK chart)
Point of View
Mode of Fiction
Key Stylistic Elements: syntax, rhythm, diction
Symbols or motif
WED. AFTER SCHOOL: MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST. TO PREPARE, GO OVER THE SAMPLE TEST. YOU WILL PROBABLY FIND A PATTERN TO YOUR ERRORS. IS IT VOCABULARY? STUDY THE WORDS IN YOUR BOOKLET AND IN THE VOCAB. LIST. ARE THE DISTRACTORS DUPING YOU? DO YOU NEED TO REVIEW YOUR POETRY VOCABULARY?
Next: We corrected the multiple choice test.
Modes of Fiction: Get the handout and the notes.
Short Story Presentations: Read and annotate the story you chose. Quinton, your story is "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. You can find it on-line.
Be prepared to present the story's themes and attributes to the class on Monday. Create a power point or prezi as a way to guide us through the story or have handouts and use the board.ARRIVE THURSDAY WITH YOUR STORY ANNOTATED AND NOTES ON YOUR AUTHOR. YOU WILL HAVE TIME TO COLLABORATE WITH GROUP MEMBERS AND DESIGN YOUR PRESENTATION.
Prepare to comment on the following: Author's bio
Theme (most complicated stories will require a TICK chart)
Point of View
Mode of Fiction
Key Stylistic Elements: syntax, rhythm, diction
Symbols or motif
WED. AFTER SCHOOL: MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST. TO PREPARE, GO OVER THE SAMPLE TEST. YOU WILL PROBABLY FIND A PATTERN TO YOUR ERRORS. IS IT VOCABULARY? STUDY THE WORDS IN YOUR BOOKLET AND IN THE VOCAB. LIST. ARE THE DISTRACTORS DUPING YOU? DO YOU NEED TO REVIEW YOUR POETRY VOCABULARY?
Friday, February 7, 2014
English 9: Preparing to write a paragraph response 250-500 words
HOMEWORK:
FINISH THE CHART ON THE FATHER. WE WILL WRITE THE PARAGRAPH DURING CLASS ON TUESDAY.
Today: Silent reading: Several students have already finished their first book. Well done. You need to have read at least 130 pages by Tuesday.
We added the next two words on our list: amiable (adj) burlesque (noun)
We had our How to Cite quiz. IF YOU WERE ABSENT TODAY, REMIND ME TUESDAY THAT YOU NEED TO WRITE THE QUIZ DURING USSR.
We prepared our notes to be ready to write a paragraph during class on Tuesday.
TUESDAY: Question: In a paragraph of 250 to 500 words, discuss the character of the father.
Discuss means: Based on your research, provide an insightful opinion. (THESIS)
Use: at least three quotations from the story
Follow: Your LITERARY PARAGRAPH MUST-HAVES LIST
Edit: Correct and spelling and grammatical errors.
You are marked on your insight, logical development and your style.
Weak thesis: In Hugh Garner's story, "The Father," the father is an alcoholic who does not care for his son.
Strong thesis: By the end of the story, the father in Hugh Garner's story, "The Father," realizes that he has hurt his son; however, he feels powerless to repair the bond. Garner's sympathetic portrayal of Mr. Purcell reveals that being a father requires honesty and involvement.
BONUS: DEFINE SYMBOL. PROVIDE A GOOD SYMBOL FOR THE FATHER FROM GARNER'S STORY.
AP Lit: At least two items to do this weekend . . .
1. Overdue: Desai essay intro revisions
2. Spend one hour preparing your novel. You will be writing an essay on the setting. You won't know the exact question until test day. Near the end of Feb. Be prepared to discuss the work in small groups on Tuesday. REMEMBER, IT IS BEST TO READ A FEW NOVELS AND PLAYS CLOSELY AND FIND MULTIPLE ITEMS TO WRITE ABOUT: Setting, style, theme, characterization, symbols, character foils, how its themes reflect the time in which it was written. Pull out the essays and notes you read in Lit and review, review, review. If you did not take Lit, go to Jan. 31st blog post and click on the core list and the terms and study. Use your Lit text.
3. Complete the multiple choice practice test. Real m-c test is Wed. after school.
2. Spend one hour preparing your novel. You will be writing an essay on the setting. You won't know the exact question until test day. Near the end of Feb. Be prepared to discuss the work in small groups on Tuesday. REMEMBER, IT IS BEST TO READ A FEW NOVELS AND PLAYS CLOSELY AND FIND MULTIPLE ITEMS TO WRITE ABOUT: Setting, style, theme, characterization, symbols, character foils, how its themes reflect the time in which it was written. Pull out the essays and notes you read in Lit and review, review, review. If you did not take Lit, go to Jan. 31st blog post and click on the core list and the terms and study. Use your Lit text.
3. Complete the multiple choice practice test. Real m-c test is Wed. after school.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
English 9: Fantastic Work Today!!
We read at least 15 pages of our USSR books. Several people have already finished their first book and written their creative response. If you need a response sheet, please let me know.
We added the next two words to our list: mollify and contempt.
We did a practice quiz on the first 6 words of our list.
Today's lesson was extremely crucial to paragraph writing.
HOW TO CITE!!
If you were absent, be sure to call your homework buddy to discuss the work and pick up the handouts from me tomorrow.
Test Tomorrow: How to cite description and speech, how to omit sections, how to cite long passages, how to integrate an opinion and a quote,
I will give you a quotation, an author and a page number. You will add the opinion to the quotation and cite it correctly.
Example:
hid under the bush Garner 55
Response: When Johnny runs from his father and "[hides] under the bush" (Garner 55), he clearly demonstrates his revulsion toward his father.
or
Johnny's fear of his father is revealed when he "hid under the bush" (Garner 52).
Speech: I'm not going to Scouts anymore Garner 52
When Johnny exclaims that he is " ' ...not going to Scouts anymore' " (Garner 52), his contempt is evident.
Study the sheet I gave you entitled how to cite.
I really appreciate how willingly you worked today. There was a lot to learn and we worked quickly but by participating and discussing the examples with your partner, you make learning fun.
Bonus Question: How do you cite a passage that is more than three of your own lines?
or
What is formal diction?
or
Why do we use present tense of the verb in literary paragraphs?
Good luck on tomorrow's test.
After the test, we will prepare our notes for the paragraph.
We added the next two words to our list: mollify and contempt.
We did a practice quiz on the first 6 words of our list.
Today's lesson was extremely crucial to paragraph writing.
HOW TO CITE!!
If you were absent, be sure to call your homework buddy to discuss the work and pick up the handouts from me tomorrow.
Test Tomorrow: How to cite description and speech, how to omit sections, how to cite long passages, how to integrate an opinion and a quote,
I will give you a quotation, an author and a page number. You will add the opinion to the quotation and cite it correctly.
Example:
hid under the bush Garner 55
Response: When Johnny runs from his father and "[hides] under the bush" (Garner 55), he clearly demonstrates his revulsion toward his father.
or
Johnny's fear of his father is revealed when he "hid under the bush" (Garner 52).
Speech: I'm not going to Scouts anymore Garner 52
When Johnny exclaims that he is " ' ...not going to Scouts anymore' " (Garner 52), his contempt is evident.
Study the sheet I gave you entitled how to cite.
I really appreciate how willingly you worked today. There was a lot to learn and we worked quickly but by participating and discussing the examples with your partner, you make learning fun.
Bonus Question: How do you cite a passage that is more than three of your own lines?
or
What is formal diction?
or
Why do we use present tense of the verb in literary paragraphs?
Good luck on tomorrow's test.
After the test, we will prepare our notes for the paragraph.
AP Lit: Writing a strong introduction for the prose analysis section . . .
Have a look at yesterday's blog if you are interested in sending your stories or poems to the library or to Stelly's. Think of more questions for Paisley Mann, the PHd student from UBC who will be visiting our class next Wed.
Tonight: Re-write your introduction so you ensure you have an insightful answer to the question: How does Desai characterize Arun's experience?
I am going to suggest leaving out the three devices in the intro unless you can say something profound about them. This choice is so that your intro does not sound rote or flat and perhaps influence the marker's attitude to your work.
Keep your audience in mind: well-read English teachers and university profs!!
Tonight: Re-write your introduction so you ensure you have an insightful answer to the question: How does Desai characterize Arun's experience?
I am going to suggest leaving out the three devices in the intro unless you can say something profound about them. This choice is so that your intro does not sound rote or flat and perhaps influence the marker's attitude to your work.
Keep your audience in mind: well-read English teachers and university profs!!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
English 9: Library Presentation: BOOK SMACK
After USSR today, we will be going to the learning commons for a thirty minute presentation on great books to read. You will be taking notes and choosing at least three books presented that you promise to read this semester.
The representatives from the Greater Victoria Library will also be talking about enrichment activities that you can get involved in.
1. Send your writing to a contest:
Teen Writing Contest
2. Volunteer Opportunities at the public library.
Today's bonus: Come to class knowing at least one volunteer opportunity:
__________________________________
You should be at least at page 45 in your USSR books now. If not, take some extra time tonight to catch up. Use time this weekend to get ahead, especially if you have dance, club, family, church, or sports' commitments during the week.
You have read and made notes and post-it noted the story, "The Father" by Hugh Garner.
You have read and re-read your notes to keep the new material alive.
You have studied your new 4 vocabulary words and you can use them in a sentence. You know the part of speech, and synonyms and the definition.
empathy (noun)
sympathy (noun)
revulsion (noun)
vehemently (adverb)
Here is the list of books the guests will discuss. If you miss today's presentation, you may google the titles to see if they might interest you. Some of the books have links. Click on the link to discover the book's themes.
The representatives from the Greater Victoria Library will also be talking about enrichment activities that you can get involved in.
1. Send your writing to a contest:
Teen Writing Contest
2. Volunteer Opportunities at the public library.
Today's bonus: Come to class knowing at least one volunteer opportunity:
__________________________________
You should be at least at page 45 in your USSR books now. If not, take some extra time tonight to catch up. Use time this weekend to get ahead, especially if you have dance, club, family, church, or sports' commitments during the week.
You have read and made notes and post-it noted the story, "The Father" by Hugh Garner.
You have read and re-read your notes to keep the new material alive.
You have studied your new 4 vocabulary words and you can use them in a sentence. You know the part of speech, and synonyms and the definition.
empathy (noun)
sympathy (noun)
revulsion (noun)
vehemently (adverb)
Here is the list of books the guests will discuss. If you miss today's presentation, you may google the titles to see if they might interest you. Some of the books have links. Click on the link to discover the book's themes.
Greater
Victoria Public Library presents:
Booksmack!
Claremont
Secondary School
Wednesday,
February 5, 2014
Olivia’s
List
Ocean
at the end of the Lane Neil Gaimon
Rosie
project Graeme Simsion
Blood
red road Moira Young
Song
of the Lioness Tamora Pierce
Liveship Traders
Robin Hobb
Tithe:
a modern faiery tale Holly Black
My
name is Mina David Almond
Word
Nerd Susan Nielsen
Having
Faith in the Polar Girls Prison Cathleen With
The
Hunt Andrew Fukuda
Memoirs
of an Imaginary Friend Matthew Dicks
The
Woefiled Poultry Collective Susan Juby
The
Shining Stephen King
Kirsten’s List
Alexie, Sherman The
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Anthony, Jessica
Chopsticks
Bernstein, Sara Tuvel
The
Seamstress: a memoir of survival
Beyer, Ramsey Little
Fish
Bragg, Georgia &
Kevin O’Malley.
How They Croaked
Byrne, David How
Music Works
Christopher, Lucy The
Killing Woods
Glidden, Sarah How
to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less
Knisley, Lucy French
Milk
Levithan, David Every
Day
Rough
Guides Make
the Most of Your Time on Earth
Rough Guides World
Party
Rowell, Rainbow Eleanor
& Park
Smith, Andrew Winger
Stiefvater, Maggie The
Raven Boys
Stork, Francisco X.
Marcelo
in the Real World
Zusak, Markus. I
am the messenger
Vruti’s List
Indian horse/Wagamese,
Richard
Namesake / MacLeod, Sue
If you find me /
Murdoch, Emily
This dark endeavor &
Such wicked intent –Oppel , Kenneth
Grumpy Cat / Grumpy Cat
The Tale of Desperaux
(audiobook) / DiCamillo, Kate
House in the sky /
Lindhout, Amanda.
How I lost you /
Gurtler, Janet.
Weird things customers
say in a bookstore / Campbell, Jen
In me own words: the
autobiography of Bigfoot / Roumieu, Graham.
Three little words /
Harvey, Sarah.
Alone on a wide wide
sea / Morpurgo, Michael
Dear American Airlines
/ Miles, Jonathan
AP Lit: Wed. afterschool test today . . . Writing contests and Stelly's Mag.
Today: We wrote our A&P essays. Please read the rubric and the sample essay so you will know how they will be marked. TODAY'S FOCUS IS STYLE: SYNTAX, RHYTHM, ALLITERATION, ASSONANCE, ACCURACTE DICTION, ENGAGEMENT. I AM ASSUMING YOUR INSIGHT WILL BE EXCELLENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN WRITING 12 AND/OR ENGLISH LIT AND ENGLISH 11 OR ENGLISH 11E SO YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT LITERARY ANALYSIS.
So . . . . this is the year to learn to write analsyes well. Yummy, eh?
Wed After school: Prose section of the exam practice
If you cannot make the Wed. after-school session, you need to come during a prep or stay on Tues. the day before please.
For those of you coming early today, please arrive 5 minutes before class starts so that you don't interrupt my period 3 or 4 classes. Thanks.
Writing 12 students: There are a couple of opportunities for your writing.
GVPL Teen Writing Contest
and two teens from Stelly's are starting a literary magazine and they would like you to submit your work. Sounds like fun.
Email: publishingcr@gmail.com
Hello,
We are two grade 12 students from Stelly's Secondary and we are looking for aspiring writers to be published in our upcoming magazine. We obtained your contact information through our Vice Principal, Tina Pierik. We are looking for people who have a creative writing style that can captivate an audience and are interested in furthering intellectual thought in adults and youth alike. Our publication is still in the works and can not get on its feet until we have a vast well of writers to draw upon. We hope you will be able to pass this on to English teachers at your school and that they may contacts us with talented students looking for a jumping board to further their writing.
Our kindest regards, hoping to hear from you soon,
Connor Williamson and Samantha Radons
So . . . . this is the year to learn to write analsyes well. Yummy, eh?
Wed After school: Prose section of the exam practice
If you cannot make the Wed. after-school session, you need to come during a prep or stay on Tues. the day before please.
For those of you coming early today, please arrive 5 minutes before class starts so that you don't interrupt my period 3 or 4 classes. Thanks.
Writing 12 students: There are a couple of opportunities for your writing.
GVPL Teen Writing Contest
and two teens from Stelly's are starting a literary magazine and they would like you to submit your work. Sounds like fun.
Email: publishingcr@gmail.com
Hello,
We are two grade 12 students from Stelly's Secondary and we are looking for aspiring writers to be published in our upcoming magazine. We obtained your contact information through our Vice Principal, Tina Pierik. We are looking for people who have a creative writing style that can captivate an audience and are interested in furthering intellectual thought in adults and youth alike. Our publication is still in the works and can not get on its feet until we have a vast well of writers to draw upon. We hope you will be able to pass this on to English teachers at your school and that they may contacts us with talented students looking for a jumping board to further their writing.
Our kindest regards, hoping to hear from you soon,
Connor Williamson and Samantha Radons
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
English 9: How to read between the lines . . .
Today: We added words 3 and 4 to our vocabulary notebooks. Review numbers 1 and 2. We read at least 15 pages of our USSR book. You must remember to have your book here daily. If you wish, leave one at home to read and read a different book at school so you have two books going at once. I returned the lollipop moment paragraph. I was impressed by the detail, the editing, and the strength of your vocabulary and sentence structure. You can thank your grade 8 teachers and all the work you have done to increase your skills.
Congrats to the students who answered yesterday's blog question correctly. Your score is added to the bonus chart.
Creating a strong Opinion and Evidence chart.
When you make a comment about a character, it must be based on a phrase from the book. If you cannot pick out the example, you are grabbing an opinion from the sky, which is creative but does not demonstrate your ability to read, does it?
Opinion (Try to go beyond the obvious. Think) Evidence (a line or paraphrase)
Tonight: Finish reading Hugh Garner's story, "The Father". On each page, post-it note the line that you feel most reveals characteristics of the father. How is his personality revealed?
1. Through dialogue
2. Actions / reactions
3. symbols
4. What others say
5. thoughts
Bonus: Find out one fact about Hugh Garner, the Canadian author.
Tomorrow: We will be attending an event in the library after silent reading. If it takes the entire period, we will continue reading and discussing the story on Thursday. Tomorrow's event is called BookSmack. You can read about it on the bulletin board inside the learning commons.
Congrats to the students who answered yesterday's blog question correctly. Your score is added to the bonus chart.
Creating a strong Opinion and Evidence chart.
When you make a comment about a character, it must be based on a phrase from the book. If you cannot pick out the example, you are grabbing an opinion from the sky, which is creative but does not demonstrate your ability to read, does it?
Opinion (Try to go beyond the obvious. Think) Evidence (a line or paraphrase)
Tonight: Finish reading Hugh Garner's story, "The Father". On each page, post-it note the line that you feel most reveals characteristics of the father. How is his personality revealed?
1. Through dialogue
2. Actions / reactions
3. symbols
4. What others say
5. thoughts
Bonus: Find out one fact about Hugh Garner, the Canadian author.
Tomorrow: We will be attending an event in the library after silent reading. If it takes the entire period, we will continue reading and discussing the story on Thursday. Tomorrow's event is called BookSmack. You can read about it on the bulletin board inside the learning commons.
AP Lit: Prepare the A&P story for an in-class essay tomorrow
Focus on the question and the three literary techniques you feel are most effective in preparing reader for Sammy's impulsive resignation.
If you were absent today, please get the four handouts from today's class
1. UVIC writers' guide
2. Synonyms for said
3. Sample A&P student essay
4. AP essay rubric
Tonight: Focus on gathering all of the evidence and writing a fabulous introduction that uses diction, assonance, dissonance, etc to startle and marvel the reader with your accurate, imaginative insight.
Tomorrow: Focus on "creating" the essay rather than on "writing" the essay. An essay is a piece of art. Write it artfully. Use the double dash, sentence variety, alliteration, simile, etc
Today's terms and vocab:
1. collude / collusion
2. pathetic fallacy, pathos, fallacious
3. metonymy
4. fable
5. use of apostrophe and present tense to shorten the distance between the narrator and the reader
6. use of extraordinary detail,"Lengel's kink in his forehead" or sliding through her voice into her living room etc. light motif,
You may use a computer to write your essay, a thesaurus, your vocabulary list and any useful handouts.
All essays are formal. All literary must-haves from grade 11 apply. Review your notes from last year.
If you were absent today, please get the four handouts from today's class
1. UVIC writers' guide
2. Synonyms for said
3. Sample A&P student essay
4. AP essay rubric
Tonight: Focus on gathering all of the evidence and writing a fabulous introduction that uses diction, assonance, dissonance, etc to startle and marvel the reader with your accurate, imaginative insight.
Tomorrow: Focus on "creating" the essay rather than on "writing" the essay. An essay is a piece of art. Write it artfully. Use the double dash, sentence variety, alliteration, simile, etc
Today's terms and vocab:
1. collude / collusion
2. pathetic fallacy, pathos, fallacious
3. metonymy
4. fable
5. use of apostrophe and present tense to shorten the distance between the narrator and the reader
6. use of extraordinary detail,"Lengel's kink in his forehead" or sliding through her voice into her living room etc. light motif,
You may use a computer to write your essay, a thesaurus, your vocabulary list and any useful handouts.
All essays are formal. All literary must-haves from grade 11 apply. Review your notes from last year.
Monday, February 3, 2014
English 9: How do authors reveal character?
If you were absent today, be sure to sign out a short story book and a silent reading book before tomorrow's class.
Reminder: Please remove Ipods and turn off and put away cell phones and other electronic devices before you come into the English room. Thanks.
We start on time. Be here at least a minute before the bell so you can begin reading your book on time.
Tonight: Read the first fifteen or more pages of the book you chose to read.
Today: Get the notes on Revealing Character. I collected the lollipop descriptions and I checked the yellow sheets.
Be sure to submit work on time.
We started our vocabulary list and I handed each of you a vocabulary notebook. Bring all supplies to class daily.
Tomorrow: We will continue reading the story, making inferences and supporting our opinions with facts. Great to meet you all. This course will be fun. Be prepared to learn.
BONUS: DEFINE INCREDULOUS (BLOCK 4) DEFINE SHAME (BLOCK 3)
Reminder: Please remove Ipods and turn off and put away cell phones and other electronic devices before you come into the English room. Thanks.
We start on time. Be here at least a minute before the bell so you can begin reading your book on time.
Tonight: Read the first fifteen or more pages of the book you chose to read.
Today: Get the notes on Revealing Character. I collected the lollipop descriptions and I checked the yellow sheets.
Be sure to submit work on time.
We started our vocabulary list and I handed each of you a vocabulary notebook. Bring all supplies to class daily.
Tomorrow: We will continue reading the story, making inferences and supporting our opinions with facts. Great to meet you all. This course will be fun. Be prepared to learn.
BONUS: DEFINE INCREDULOUS (BLOCK 4) DEFINE SHAME (BLOCK 3)
English 9: How to prepare to be a student!
Before the beginning of each lesson, you need to know the focus of the lesson.
It will be written on the board and on the blog. Ask yourself what do I already know about this topic? What do I need to know? Focus. Get ready. If you were getting ready for a race, you'd have a routine to go through before it started.
LEARNING NEEDS FOCUS.
YOU NEED A ROUTINE.
1. Always check the blog the night before to ensure all homework is completed and that you will arrive with the books and papers and pens you will need.
2. Call your homework buddy if you do not understand something on the blog.
3. Review the notes from the day's class.
Each class begins with 15 minutes of silent reading. You need to read a minimum of 15 pages per day. 45 pages for an A. Choose a book you are interested in. Carry it with you all the time as you will discover lots of time during your day to read. The more you read, the more exposure you get to vocabulary, sentence structure, character and ideas about your world. Choose a wide variety to expose yourself to all kinds of ideas.
It will be written on the board and on the blog. Ask yourself what do I already know about this topic? What do I need to know? Focus. Get ready. If you were getting ready for a race, you'd have a routine to go through before it started.
LEARNING NEEDS FOCUS.
YOU NEED A ROUTINE.
1. Always check the blog the night before to ensure all homework is completed and that you will arrive with the books and papers and pens you will need.
2. Call your homework buddy if you do not understand something on the blog.
3. Review the notes from the day's class.
Each class begins with 15 minutes of silent reading. You need to read a minimum of 15 pages per day. 45 pages for an A. Choose a book you are interested in. Carry it with you all the time as you will discover lots of time during your day to read. The more you read, the more exposure you get to vocabulary, sentence structure, character and ideas about your world. Choose a wide variety to expose yourself to all kinds of ideas.
AP Lit: Read A &P by John Updike
Google, John Updike and make notes. What do you notice about him? Get the notes from a friend.
If you were absent today, you should be able to find a copy of the story on-line. Print it out. Read it carefully and annotate ideas for the following question:
In the short story, "A&P", by John Updike, explain how Updike prepares the reader for the narrator's impulsive resignation. Refer to such devices as unique detail, motif, diction, point of view, and syntax.
We introduced the concept of WORKING THE PROMPT. Ask your friends for help. You want your ah-ha before you start reading.
Today, we read 15 pages of Gatsby and made notes on the setting. Get these from a partner. Read and prepare notes on the setting.
We reviewed a number of terms. Be sure to get notes.
Syntax, point of view (and all the terms), connotation, denotation, tone, mood, five types of sentences, dissonance, assonance, inversion, apostrophe, diction, tone, mood
I handed out the story and two other handouts so be sure to ask for them when you arrive.
Tonight: Annotate the story. Be prepared to present a portion of the story to the class. Highlight everything you notice and focus on the question.
If you were absent today, you should be able to find a copy of the story on-line. Print it out. Read it carefully and annotate ideas for the following question:
In the short story, "A&P", by John Updike, explain how Updike prepares the reader for the narrator's impulsive resignation. Refer to such devices as unique detail, motif, diction, point of view, and syntax.
We introduced the concept of WORKING THE PROMPT. Ask your friends for help. You want your ah-ha before you start reading.
Today, we read 15 pages of Gatsby and made notes on the setting. Get these from a partner. Read and prepare notes on the setting.
We reviewed a number of terms. Be sure to get notes.
Syntax, point of view (and all the terms), connotation, denotation, tone, mood, five types of sentences, dissonance, assonance, inversion, apostrophe, diction, tone, mood
I handed out the story and two other handouts so be sure to ask for them when you arrive.
Tonight: Annotate the story. Be prepared to present a portion of the story to the class. Highlight everything you notice and focus on the question.
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