We have 9 essays to read in our text. They range in length from two pages to 12 pages. Today, we read the essays and took notes. I handed out a copy of the Woody Allen essay which is not in your text. We read it aloud. Ask for a copy if you were absent today.
Your job is to create a page for each essay similar to the pages we have done so far on the Visser essay and on the two Jack Knox essays. You may do so now or when each group presents.
If you have been away, check with your group and read the presentation outline sheet.
Tuesday, Jan. 6th, you will have an open book test on all 9 essays. You need to know the thesis, and at least two techniques per essay and how they help to prove the thesis. You may plan ahead and write a page per essay in your notebook or post-it note the thesis and techniques and label the post-it.
Independent Novel: You will need to have 100 pages read by Jan. 8th. I will be checking to see that you have post-it noted at least 5 appearance and reality passages.
Look for deceptions, liars, different perspectives, characters who lie to themselves, characters who are trying to find the truth, what motivates a character to believe something, how are they pressured into following someone else's truth?
Have a fun, safe holiday. Ms. Moray is in tomorrow. Please respect her as our guest.
Be sure that you can define and find an example of all our terms:
1. allusion
2. empathy / sympathy
3. flashback
4. imply / suggest / indirect presentation
5. diction
6. hyperbole
7. direct quote (interview)
8. irony
9. anecdote
10. higher authority
11. Detail / narrative (story) elements
12. parallelism
13. Tone
14. alliteration
15. pun
16. repetition
17. non sequiturs definition
18. understatement
19. frame tale definition
20. rhetorical questions
21. incongruity (noun) incongruous (adj) definition
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Writing 12: The Post Card Story
If you were absent today, choose one of the first lines and titles below, you may mix and match and write a post card story. Length 100 to 750 words, depending on the style. I read several stories to the class today and we made a list of post card story attributes. If you are new to this genre, google John Gould. Google post card stories. John will be reading to us on Friday, Jan. 9th.
You have two stories due Thursday, Jan. 8th.
Tomorrow we will be writing another post card story.
Yay.
Have a great holiday and fun at Xmas grad (if you are in grade 12).
I'll see you in 2015. Ms. Moray is teaching you tomorrow.
You have two stories due Thursday, Jan. 8th.
Tomorrow we will be writing another post card story.
Yay.
Have a great holiday and fun at Xmas grad (if you are in grade 12).
I'll see you in 2015. Ms. Moray is teaching you tomorrow.
English 10: YOU DID IT! YAY . . .
We wrote the essay on Animal Farm. I collected the quotation log on Animal Farm and I collected your poetry log. A few stragglers also submitted their BCTELA forms and/or The Claremont Review submissions. Last day for any overdue work on the poetry unit or the novel is tomorrow, unless you have asked for and been granted an extension.
Thanks.
Ms. Moray is in tomorrow. Please treat her with respect. She is a guest in our classroom. Follow her instructions. Bring your USSR book to class.
Class starts at 9:30 tomorrow, after the pancake breakfast. Merry Christmas.
I'll see you in 2015. We will be practising for the provincial exam, reading and studying Romeo and Juliet and reading lots of USSR books.
Thanks.
Ms. Moray is in tomorrow. Please treat her with respect. She is a guest in our classroom. Follow her instructions. Bring your USSR book to class.
Class starts at 9:30 tomorrow, after the pancake breakfast. Merry Christmas.
I'll see you in 2015. We will be practising for the provincial exam, reading and studying Romeo and Juliet and reading lots of USSR books.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Writing 12: Terence Young responses due tomorrow . . .
We start post card stories tomorrow. Don't miss this class.
Friday's class will be important, too. Pancakes at 9. Our class Friday begins at 10:15 to 10:50.
Thursday: We have a locker clean out 1/2 way through the class. Slightly varied time table tomorrow.
9 to 10:19
10:25 to 11:56
Period 4: 12:42 to 2:03
Period 5 2:09 to 3:28
Friday's class will be important, too. Pancakes at 9. Our class Friday begins at 10:15 to 10:50.
Thursday: We have a locker clean out 1/2 way through the class. Slightly varied time table tomorrow.
9 to 10:19
10:25 to 11:56
Period 4: 12:42 to 2:03
Period 5 2:09 to 3:28
English 10: In-class essay tomorrow . . .
Due: Poetry Log, Quote Log
If you were absent today, we colour-coded the quote log and created our thesis statements and introductions. We also read at least 15 pages of our USSR books and everyone has picked two books to take home to read over the holidays.
Tomorrow: We will all be handwriting the essay. You may use your quote log, your novel, and your notebooks to find the best quotations to use. You may arrive with your introduction completed.
I'm looking for insightful thesis statements.
Don't simply say: The demise of the utopian vision of Old Major is caused by Napoleon's insolent drive to power.
HMMM . . . .
There is more to it than that. How did he rise to power? What role did the animals play in letting him rise to power?
If you can create your thesis without reading the novel, it is NOT a thesis, right?
Good luck.
If you were absent today, we colour-coded the quote log and created our thesis statements and introductions. We also read at least 15 pages of our USSR books and everyone has picked two books to take home to read over the holidays.
Tomorrow: We will all be handwriting the essay. You may use your quote log, your novel, and your notebooks to find the best quotations to use. You may arrive with your introduction completed.
I'm looking for insightful thesis statements.
Don't simply say: The demise of the utopian vision of Old Major is caused by Napoleon's insolent drive to power.
HMMM . . . .
There is more to it than that. How did he rise to power? What role did the animals play in letting him rise to power?
If you can create your thesis without reading the novel, it is NOT a thesis, right?
Good luck.
English 11: Read your assigned essay tonight and . . .
Selena, your essay is on page 95.
Your job will be to present the essay in an effective, ebullient, and entertaining way. To design a strong writing exercise for the class to practice. READ THE HANDOUT FOR ALL THE CRITERIA.
Tonight, create a page in your notebook for your essay:
Thesis
Two key techniques
Effectiveness
Favourite Passage
Why
ARRIVE TOMORROW READY TO WORK HARD. Xmas holidays start Dec. 20th.
Don't start the holidays until Saturday. Your marks will reflect the loss.
Your job will be to present the essay in an effective, ebullient, and entertaining way. To design a strong writing exercise for the class to practice. READ THE HANDOUT FOR ALL THE CRITERIA.
Tonight, create a page in your notebook for your essay:
Thesis
Two key techniques
Effectiveness
Favourite Passage
Why
ARRIVE TOMORROW READY TO WORK HARD. Xmas holidays start Dec. 20th.
Don't start the holidays until Saturday. Your marks will reflect the loss.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
English 11: Personal Essay Unit . . .
I collected the 5 quotations and responses based on the HEAD assignments.
We did two vocabulary quizzes. Know words 1- 60 well.
We re-read Visser's essay and did the quiz. We reviewed all the techniques.
Make sure your notes are up to date.
For each essay, record the following:
Title:
Author:
Thesis: (If the thesis is stated directly, quote and cite it) (If the thesis is indirect, paraphrase (in your own words) what the essay proves)
Best piece of evidence to prove the thesis:
Two techniques:
Why are they effective?
Favourite Passage?
Why?
Today, we read Jack Knox's descriptive essay, "My Dog, Spot" from the Times-Colonist paper. If you were absent, ask for a copy. Read it. Complete the notes above.
We also read 15 pages of our independent novels today. These must be read by Jan. 15th.
We did two vocabulary quizzes. Know words 1- 60 well.
We re-read Visser's essay and did the quiz. We reviewed all the techniques.
Make sure your notes are up to date.
For each essay, record the following:
Title:
Author:
Thesis: (If the thesis is stated directly, quote and cite it) (If the thesis is indirect, paraphrase (in your own words) what the essay proves)
Best piece of evidence to prove the thesis:
Two techniques:
Why are they effective?
Favourite Passage?
Why?
Today, we read Jack Knox's descriptive essay, "My Dog, Spot" from the Times-Colonist paper. If you were absent, ask for a copy. Read it. Complete the notes above.
We also read 15 pages of our independent novels today. These must be read by Jan. 15th.
Writing 12: Short story is due tomorrow . . .
I will return the critiques on Thursday.
Tomorrow: Please arrive on time: 10:21 (respect for our guest author, Terence Young)
Terence was English department chair for many years at Claremont. He was one of the founding editors of The Claremont Review and he started the writing program at Claremont. He is an excellent reader and writer. His books have been nominated for the Governor-General's award. He is married to the poet, Patricia Young. He teaches in Victoria at SMUS.
Thursday: Terence Young responses are due. We start post card stories. Don't miss this class.
Friday: Ms. Moray will be here. Class is 40 minutes. Pancake breakfast at 9. Yum.
Tomorrow: Please arrive on time: 10:21 (respect for our guest author, Terence Young)
Terence was English department chair for many years at Claremont. He was one of the founding editors of The Claremont Review and he started the writing program at Claremont. He is an excellent reader and writer. His books have been nominated for the Governor-General's award. He is married to the poet, Patricia Young. He teaches in Victoria at SMUS.
Thursday: Terence Young responses are due. We start post card stories. Don't miss this class.
Friday: Ms. Moray will be here. Class is 40 minutes. Pancake breakfast at 9. Yum.
English 10: Poetry Submissions and Contest Submissions
1. Electronic Submission to the contest that Sean won last year:
Jessamy Stursberg National Poetry Contest for Youth
2. BCTELA contest (provincial contest) You need to attach two poems to a completed form. Ensure Mom or Dad has signed it.
School address: Claremont Secondary 4980 Wesley Rd. Victoria, BC V8y 1Y9 Make sure there are no names on your poems and both titles are on the sheet. Staple together and hand in. I will mail these to Vancouver.
3. The Claremont Review Spring Issue Submission You may submit up to 6 items. Any combination of poems and stories. You need your name on each submission and you need to address the envelope and put your return address on the envelope. You also need to add a bio to your cover sheet: 2-3 sentences about yourself.
The Claremont Review Submission Guidelines
Make sure that you have submitted the poems to me and emailed the poem to the Jessamy contest.
Homework: Finish your Animal Farm quote log. It is due on Thursday.
Finish your poetry log which is due Thursday.
Wed: Time to finish the poetry log, organize the quote log into sections and write the thesis, get it checked, work on the introductions!
Thursday: In-class essay on Animal Farm.
Ms. Moray will be here Friday. Class is shortened to 35 minutes. Pancake breakfast at 9. Teacher skits in the afternoon.
By Friday, we will feel we have deserved this Xmas break.
Never take a break from reading, however. You must sign out two books to read over the holidays. Pick books that relax and excite you!
Jessamy Stursberg National Poetry Contest for Youth
2. BCTELA contest (provincial contest) You need to attach two poems to a completed form. Ensure Mom or Dad has signed it.
School address: Claremont Secondary 4980 Wesley Rd. Victoria, BC V8y 1Y9 Make sure there are no names on your poems and both titles are on the sheet. Staple together and hand in. I will mail these to Vancouver.
3. The Claremont Review Spring Issue Submission You may submit up to 6 items. Any combination of poems and stories. You need your name on each submission and you need to address the envelope and put your return address on the envelope. You also need to add a bio to your cover sheet: 2-3 sentences about yourself.
The Claremont Review Submission Guidelines
Make sure that you have submitted the poems to me and emailed the poem to the Jessamy contest.
Homework: Finish your Animal Farm quote log. It is due on Thursday.
Finish your poetry log which is due Thursday.
Wed: Time to finish the poetry log, organize the quote log into sections and write the thesis, get it checked, work on the introductions!
Thursday: In-class essay on Animal Farm.
Ms. Moray will be here Friday. Class is shortened to 35 minutes. Pancake breakfast at 9. Teacher skits in the afternoon.
By Friday, we will feel we have deserved this Xmas break.
Never take a break from reading, however. You must sign out two books to read over the holidays. Pick books that relax and excite you!
Monday, December 15, 2014
English 11: Quote log due tomorrow . . .
Five quotes plus responses are due tomorrow.
I collected THE HEADS (OUR VERBAL-VISUAL ESSAYS).
Last day for these is tomorrow.
Today, we read the essay, "A Locker Room With A View" page 169 in your Patterns and Perspectives text.
I'll collect the five quotes and responses that correspond with your decorated "heads" tomorrow. Some students attached it to the head so you are fine.
For each essay, please complete the following info:
Title
Author
Thesis
Best piece of evidence (Is it a statistic, a scientific report, hearsay, anecdote, someone's opinion, ect)
Two literary techniques. Name them and give examples.
Post-it note a key passage that you really like. In your notebook, say why you like it.
Your notes will be collected and you may use your notes on the test (test will be in Jan.)
For tomorrow: Complete the above notes. Study for a quiz on the following terms:
1. allusion
2. empathy / sympathy
3. flashback
4. imply / suggest (indirectly show your point)
5. diction (choose words for effect "verbal brutalizing" or "insides of sandwiches" or the men "pad" around
6. hyperbole
7. direct quote (interview someone about your topic and quote them word for word)
8. irony
9. anecdote
10. Appeal to a higher authority (Use someone who knows a lot about your topic. Get them to agree with you or quote them from a source you find -- similar to preparing for a debate. You need to make your readers agree with you).
11. parallelism (Creates a chant-like effect and clarity in the writing : professional athletes and professional writers or piles of towels and cans of soda and later in the sentence, she says, "clusters of players and insides of sandwiches" Notice the way these phrases sound.
12. Use details. Details sell. What details do you remember from the essay? Why? They generally have an emotional or visual or auditory effect on you.
Why would an author not state her thesis directly when her audience disagrees with her point of view?
I collected THE HEADS (OUR VERBAL-VISUAL ESSAYS).
Last day for these is tomorrow.
Today, we read the essay, "A Locker Room With A View" page 169 in your Patterns and Perspectives text.
I'll collect the five quotes and responses that correspond with your decorated "heads" tomorrow. Some students attached it to the head so you are fine.
For each essay, please complete the following info:
Title
Author
Thesis
Best piece of evidence (Is it a statistic, a scientific report, hearsay, anecdote, someone's opinion, ect)
Two literary techniques. Name them and give examples.
Post-it note a key passage that you really like. In your notebook, say why you like it.
Your notes will be collected and you may use your notes on the test (test will be in Jan.)
For tomorrow: Complete the above notes. Study for a quiz on the following terms:
1. allusion
2. empathy / sympathy
3. flashback
4. imply / suggest (indirectly show your point)
5. diction (choose words for effect "verbal brutalizing" or "insides of sandwiches" or the men "pad" around
6. hyperbole
7. direct quote (interview someone about your topic and quote them word for word)
8. irony
9. anecdote
10. Appeal to a higher authority (Use someone who knows a lot about your topic. Get them to agree with you or quote them from a source you find -- similar to preparing for a debate. You need to make your readers agree with you).
11. parallelism (Creates a chant-like effect and clarity in the writing : professional athletes and professional writers or piles of towels and cans of soda and later in the sentence, she says, "clusters of players and insides of sandwiches" Notice the way these phrases sound.
12. Use details. Details sell. What details do you remember from the essay? Why? They generally have an emotional or visual or auditory effect on you.
Why would an author not state her thesis directly when her audience disagrees with her point of view?
Writing 12: Good copy of your story due Wed.
Tomorrow, Tabitha and Victor present and I'll introduce you to a story of Terence Young's. He will be here on Wed. Terence Young response due Thursday.
WHAT A WEEK! AND IT IS NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS. ALWAYS A HOLIDAY AROUND HERE.
WHAT A WEEK! AND IT IS NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS. ALWAYS A HOLIDAY AROUND HERE.
English 10: We finished the novel today and . . .
I collected your beautiful poetry manuscripts. Well done.
Homework: Animal Farm Quote Log:
Alone or with a partner, find and respond to the BEST 10 passages from the novel which demonstrate the major causes that corrupted Old Major's original dream and result in the fall of Animal Farm and the return to the Manor Farm.
Ensure that in each response to the quote, you state (interpret) how this quotation explains the fall of Animal Farm.
You will have time to work on it during class tomorrow.
Tonight: CHOOSE TWO POEMS FOR THE BCTELA CONTEST. PRINT THEM OUT. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME DOES NOT APPEAR ON EACH POEM. INSTEAD, ATTACH THE TWO POEMS TO THE COVER SHEET. THE SHEET MUST BE SIGNED BY MOM OR DAD.
The Claremont Review Submission: Choose from 1 to 4 poems to send to this magazine. Polish your poems so there are no errors. Complete the cover sheet that I handed out in class today. Put your name on each poem. Attach the cover sheet to the poems. Tomorrow, we will address the envelopes and send the poems off to The Claremont Review.
Optional: The Claremont Review Contest. You could win up to $2000.00 and get published. Visit their website for more details. Deadline is March 1 / 2015.
Tomorrow: Make sure you have electronic access to TWO of your poems. We will be sending them off to the Jessamy Strusberg contest that Sean won last year. Cash prizes and publication on the League of Canadian Poets website.
Homework: Animal Farm Quote Log:
Alone or with a partner, find and respond to the BEST 10 passages from the novel which demonstrate the major causes that corrupted Old Major's original dream and result in the fall of Animal Farm and the return to the Manor Farm.
Ensure that in each response to the quote, you state (interpret) how this quotation explains the fall of Animal Farm.
You will have time to work on it during class tomorrow.
Tonight: CHOOSE TWO POEMS FOR THE BCTELA CONTEST. PRINT THEM OUT. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME DOES NOT APPEAR ON EACH POEM. INSTEAD, ATTACH THE TWO POEMS TO THE COVER SHEET. THE SHEET MUST BE SIGNED BY MOM OR DAD.
The Claremont Review Submission: Choose from 1 to 4 poems to send to this magazine. Polish your poems so there are no errors. Complete the cover sheet that I handed out in class today. Put your name on each poem. Attach the cover sheet to the poems. Tomorrow, we will address the envelopes and send the poems off to The Claremont Review.
Optional: The Claremont Review Contest. You could win up to $2000.00 and get published. Visit their website for more details. Deadline is March 1 / 2015.
Tomorrow: Make sure you have electronic access to TWO of your poems. We will be sending them off to the Jessamy Strusberg contest that Sean won last year. Cash prizes and publication on the League of Canadian Poets website.
Friday, December 12, 2014
English 11: If you were away, sign out books . . .
Sign out two books: the essay text and one of the novels or biographies below:
Pick a novel from the list below and read at least 20 pages for Tuesday.
I need to see at least 3 post-its for Tuesday.
Today we signed out a new text and returned our Othello texts. Please return all Othello texts on Monday. The text is Essays, Patterns and Perspectives. It is filled with humorous and heart-breaking opinion pieces. You will learn how to read and write this style.
Also, during USSR next week and the first two weeks of Jan, you have an assigned novel to read. You may choose from the list below:
The Sudden Weight of Snow
The Handmaid's Tale
A Thousand Splendid Suns (these are out, you'll need your own copy)
Pigs in Heaven
Jane Eyre
A Painted House (ask me as they are upstairs in the book room)
Mao's Last Dancer
In Search of April Raintree
All of these books work with the appearance vs reality theme so would be good choices to compare with the stories, Othello and Lord of the Flies that we have read.
During the third week of Jan. to practice for your exam, you will write an essay comparing two of the books.
You will need to have this novel read by Monday, Jan. 20th. As you read post-it note key passages that deal with the theme appearance vs reality. This theme may be subtle or it may be clear. Look for two different ways to interpret the same situation or look for the rules of a society and how the citizens break the rules or cope with the rules. Look for the duality of man!
Pick a novel from the list below and read at least 20 pages for Tuesday.
I need to see at least 3 post-its for Tuesday.
Today we signed out a new text and returned our Othello texts. Please return all Othello texts on Monday. The text is Essays, Patterns and Perspectives. It is filled with humorous and heart-breaking opinion pieces. You will learn how to read and write this style.
Also, during USSR next week and the first two weeks of Jan, you have an assigned novel to read. You may choose from the list below:
The Sudden Weight of Snow
The Handmaid's Tale
A Thousand Splendid Suns (these are out, you'll need your own copy)
Pigs in Heaven
Jane Eyre
A Painted House (ask me as they are upstairs in the book room)
Mao's Last Dancer
In Search of April Raintree
All of these books work with the appearance vs reality theme so would be good choices to compare with the stories, Othello and Lord of the Flies that we have read.
During the third week of Jan. to practice for your exam, you will write an essay comparing two of the books.
You will need to have this novel read by Monday, Jan. 20th. As you read post-it note key passages that deal with the theme appearance vs reality. This theme may be subtle or it may be clear. Look for two different ways to interpret the same situation or look for the rules of a society and how the citizens break the rules or cope with the rules. Look for the duality of man!
Homework: Your appearance vs reality HEAD (verbal-visual essay) is due Monday. Check yesterday's blog for the criteria list. I have samples you can look at (if you have been away and need an extension). I look forward to artistic heads!
Writing 12: three critiques due Monday . . .
Your workshop group will appreciate your thorough read of their story as it can be really hard to see where your story is not working. During workshop on Monday, if there is a particular tough scene that is not working, you may ask the author to explain what she/he is visualizing. Sometimes, talking about the scene achieves a breakthrough, that ah-ha that moves the stuck language or action.
Monday: Submit to me, a 300 word critique of your own story, and a 300 word critique for any two of the stories in your group.
The critique needs to be specific in what is working (why) and what is not working (why). For example, in the gas station, the dweeb's dialogue doesn't seem realistic. Try using non sequiturs (I still love George Bush) or less dialogue and more description or try using sentence fragments or have the protagonist continue to interrupt him or have the dweeb only say one thing over and over, I'm sorry, you'll have to speak to the manager who works the day shift.
And please please please cut their adjectives and adverbs and correct the punctuation of the dialogue.
Watch the endings of these stories. First draft endings are often over the top (emo porn) as Bill Gaston would say. Sometimes the ending is bathed in authorial fear that the reader missed the point of the story so the author repeats the theme in a direct way and spoils the reader's imaginative suppositions regarding what happens to these characters. ARRRG. We don't want that in our final drafts so cut them.
Monday: Workshop: The horror. The horror. The horror. We will dress our ugly babies. Be sure to bring copies of the critiques to give to your authors.
Tuesday: Victor and Tabitha present the writing of Rachel Ward and then I'll do an introduction to Terence Young's work and how to write a Terence Young scene.
Wednesday: Your short story is due and we have an author visiting: Terence Young, Visit: Terence Young, author, teacher, publisher, essayist
Thursday: Hand in the Terence Young responses, please. Friday, the 19th will be the last day to get these in. We start a post card story unit. Yay. These are fun.
Friday: Writing a post card story. Two stories due Thursday, Jan 8 / 2015. Wowzers
Next week will be busy busy busy. I like to make the last week worth your while so that when the holidays come you really feel as if you deserved it.
Monday: Submit to me, a 300 word critique of your own story, and a 300 word critique for any two of the stories in your group.
The critique needs to be specific in what is working (why) and what is not working (why). For example, in the gas station, the dweeb's dialogue doesn't seem realistic. Try using non sequiturs (I still love George Bush) or less dialogue and more description or try using sentence fragments or have the protagonist continue to interrupt him or have the dweeb only say one thing over and over, I'm sorry, you'll have to speak to the manager who works the day shift.
And please please please cut their adjectives and adverbs and correct the punctuation of the dialogue.
Watch the endings of these stories. First draft endings are often over the top (emo porn) as Bill Gaston would say. Sometimes the ending is bathed in authorial fear that the reader missed the point of the story so the author repeats the theme in a direct way and spoils the reader's imaginative suppositions regarding what happens to these characters. ARRRG. We don't want that in our final drafts so cut them.
Monday: Workshop: The horror. The horror. The horror. We will dress our ugly babies. Be sure to bring copies of the critiques to give to your authors.
Tuesday: Victor and Tabitha present the writing of Rachel Ward and then I'll do an introduction to Terence Young's work and how to write a Terence Young scene.
Wednesday: Your short story is due and we have an author visiting: Terence Young, Visit: Terence Young, author, teacher, publisher, essayist
Thursday: Hand in the Terence Young responses, please. Friday, the 19th will be the last day to get these in. We start a post card story unit. Yay. These are fun.
Friday: Writing a post card story. Two stories due Thursday, Jan 8 / 2015. Wowzers
Next week will be busy busy busy. I like to make the last week worth your while so that when the holidays come you really feel as if you deserved it.
English 10: A few items to complete for Monday . .
1: Poetry manuscript, plus cover page, plus rough drafts
2. Please read and post-it note chapter 8
3. The top ten headlines for chapter 1-7 or your top ten event list (if you didn't finish during class)
Go see the play at Claremont! Bring me your ticket for bonus marks.
Next week?
Thursday is our Poetry Cafe.
Wednesday, we will be entering poetry contest.
Monday, we finish reading the novel and making notes on the demise of the utopian vision that was supposed to be Animal Farm. How do the animals stray so far from Old Major's vision?
Tuesday: Writing about the novel
2. Please read and post-it note chapter 8
3. The top ten headlines for chapter 1-7 or your top ten event list (if you didn't finish during class)
Go see the play at Claremont! Bring me your ticket for bonus marks.
Next week?
Thursday is our Poetry Cafe.
Wednesday, we will be entering poetry contest.
Monday, we finish reading the novel and making notes on the demise of the utopian vision that was supposed to be Animal Farm. How do the animals stray so far from Old Major's vision?
Tuesday: Writing about the novel
Thursday, December 11, 2014
English 11: Appearance VS Reality Project
Project: To create a verbal-visual essay about your character or theme. Choose a character (Othello, Roderigo, Iago, Desdemona, or Emilia) or a theme (love, jealousy, fear, passion) and create its HEAD. (See samples in the classroom).
Create a what / so what chart before you begin so that you can go beyond the obvious in your thesis about the character.
Write the thesis on the sheet. Prove your thesis by putting the quotes on the page in a creative manner and also prove your thesis visually by having parts of the brain (lift up to show the other side) or draw another head upside down to reveal what is hidden.
You are to show the two sides of each character. Even Desdemona has a second side
as she is so naive to man's duality that she loses her life to goodness.
OOOO almost a thesis there, eh?
Due date: Monday, Dec. 15.
Marks awarded for a strong, clear, insightful thesis, five key quotes, the what / so what chart with insightful opinions, your visual display, your use of texture, colour, and symbol to verbally reveal your topic.
Create a what / so what chart before you begin so that you can go beyond the obvious in your thesis about the character.
Write the thesis on the sheet. Prove your thesis by putting the quotes on the page in a creative manner and also prove your thesis visually by having parts of the brain (lift up to show the other side) or draw another head upside down to reveal what is hidden.
You are to show the two sides of each character. Even Desdemona has a second side
as she is so naive to man's duality that she loses her life to goodness.
OOOO almost a thesis there, eh?
Due date: Monday, Dec. 15.
Marks awarded for a strong, clear, insightful thesis, five key quotes, the what / so what chart with insightful opinions, your visual display, your use of texture, colour, and symbol to verbally reveal your topic.
Writing 12: Two Stories due tomorrow
Please print them out before you arrive to class.
Class time tomorrow: Edit the stories. Write your critiques.
Monday: Workshop time. Hand in 3, 300 word critiques to me. Hand a copy of the critiques to the authors.
Tuesday: Student Presentation and an introduction to Terence Young
Wed: Terence Young (please hand in your stories quietly at the beginning of class. If you need to print, do so at lunch. You can print to the English printer from this room).
Thursday: The wild world of the post card story. First Thursday back from Xmas break, two post card stories due.TERENCE YOUNG RESPONSE DUE.
Friday: More wild post card stories.
Class time tomorrow: Edit the stories. Write your critiques.
Monday: Workshop time. Hand in 3, 300 word critiques to me. Hand a copy of the critiques to the authors.
Tuesday: Student Presentation and an introduction to Terence Young
Wed: Terence Young (please hand in your stories quietly at the beginning of class. If you need to print, do so at lunch. You can print to the English printer from this room).
Thursday: The wild world of the post card story. First Thursday back from Xmas break, two post card stories due.TERENCE YOUNG RESPONSE DUE.
Friday: More wild post card stories.
English 10: I am loving your poems!!
Clearly you can do ANYTHING! Lucky world to have you all here.
Today: We did the vocab. test 1-60 and we read chapter 5 in Animal Farm and post-it noted. This chapter is pivotal. Be sure to read it slowly.
We went over the poetry manuscript criteria, your four best poems.
Please include:
A cover page with a title for you manuscript and poems by .... and your name.
Include at least one edited draft per good copy.
Left justify each poem.
Left justify the title.
Do not use bold or underline the title.
If you are using an epigraph, italicize it, no quotation marks, put the author's name underneath the epigraph like this, dash and name: -- Lorna Crozier
Homework: Make sure that you have handed in four poems for me to edit.
Revise these poems so that they meet the criteria listed on the sheet.
Next week we will be sending off your poems to the BCTELA and to The Claremont Review and to the Jessamy Strusberg national contest.
If you wish to also enter The Claremont Review contest, you will need a cheque for 20.00 made out to The Claremont Review. $20:00 gives you a chance to win 1,000, plus a one-year subscription to the magazine. For 25.00, you may also submit your short story.
Today: We did the vocab. test 1-60 and we read chapter 5 in Animal Farm and post-it noted. This chapter is pivotal. Be sure to read it slowly.
We went over the poetry manuscript criteria, your four best poems.
Please include:
A cover page with a title for you manuscript and poems by .... and your name.
Include at least one edited draft per good copy.
Left justify each poem.
Left justify the title.
Do not use bold or underline the title.
If you are using an epigraph, italicize it, no quotation marks, put the author's name underneath the epigraph like this, dash and name: -- Lorna Crozier
Homework: Make sure that you have handed in four poems for me to edit.
Revise these poems so that they meet the criteria listed on the sheet.
Next week we will be sending off your poems to the BCTELA and to The Claremont Review and to the Jessamy Strusberg national contest.
If you wish to also enter The Claremont Review contest, you will need a cheque for 20.00 made out to The Claremont Review. $20:00 gives you a chance to win 1,000, plus a one-year subscription to the magazine. For 25.00, you may also submit your short story.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
English 11: We wrote the Othello Test Today . . .
Tonight: Read at least five pages of your USSR book, please. Search the house for art and craft supplies to create your inside/outside character head. You'll want some markers, scissors, glue or tape, magazines, cool letters, something embossed maybe?, fabric, cotton balls.
Tomorrow: Have all your notes prepared. We are going to start a small, creative response to the play, which will be due on Monday.
Friday: Writing a personal essay. Using our knowledge of the play, we'll put it in opinion-piece style, using personal and researched detail. You may write a personal piece on jealousy, appearance vs reality, relationships, liars or lying, telling the truth, listening, experience vs naivety, travelling to an unknown place, trying something new (how being from Victoria influences how you perceive the world). Lots of choice for this assignment. We'll read a number of pieces by Jack Knox who writes for The Times-Colonist and other local writers or radio personalities.
Tomorrow: Have all your notes prepared. We are going to start a small, creative response to the play, which will be due on Monday.
Friday: Writing a personal essay. Using our knowledge of the play, we'll put it in opinion-piece style, using personal and researched detail. You may write a personal piece on jealousy, appearance vs reality, relationships, liars or lying, telling the truth, listening, experience vs naivety, travelling to an unknown place, trying something new (how being from Victoria influences how you perceive the world). Lots of choice for this assignment. We'll read a number of pieces by Jack Knox who writes for The Times-Colonist and other local writers or radio personalities.
Writing 12: Today we are in the lab . .
Make sure that you are pleased with your story. You will have some time during tomorrow's class to work on it as well. Keep reading great short stories for ideas.
Bring two copies, double spaced, edited as well as you can. Please check dialogue punctuation and paragraph indentation so that your workshop group does not have to throttle you.
Thursday: Write a critique of your own story. See if you can predict what your workshop group will suggest. Remember to also say what you really like about your story.
Friday: We read the stories and write our critiques.
Bring two copies, double spaced, edited as well as you can. Please check dialogue punctuation and paragraph indentation so that your workshop group does not have to throttle you.
Thursday: Write a critique of your own story. See if you can predict what your workshop group will suggest. Remember to also say what you really like about your story.
Friday: We read the stories and write our critiques.
English 10: Write a new poem tonight using the ideas from today's exercises or on a completely new topic
New poem due tomorrow. Typed. Be sure to continue using our criteria: use surprise, sound devices, enjambement, a title with an image in it, cut cliches, use language in fresh and startling ways. Sound like the poems you are reading in the magazines and books you took out from the library. Add context (who, what, where, why) where needed so that we know what is going on and why this point of view is key.
DUE MONDAY: Your best four poems, typed. Please include the edited drafts so that I can evaluate your process as well as your product. I will hand out a criteria sheet for this project tomorrow.
Some poets like to write about things or places. Below are two examples to inspire you.
Here is a poem about a scarecrow by the poet, Roo Boorson:
from the book A Sad Device
Scarecrow
Three hours I walked in the fields.
Dandelions that only last week exploded
like the yellow eyes of a million madmen had turned
to full hazy moons in the grass, waning.
Fish shivered the surface of the pond like soft whips.
Redwing blackbirds flashed like daggers,
concealing themselves in leaves.
Gray barn in the distance;
that is the true shape of a man; his own body
belongs to the animals. Or maybe his real form
is a mismatched suit
stuffed with straw, a halpfles thing
overseeing a field of dying stubble,
in a shape that thinks
it can scare away birds.
Light in the Pine Grove, Roo Boorson
An inland gull with dirty snowy wings
criss-crosses the days. At night
great brids, the houses, nest in fog,
everywehere fog pointing the way, meaning
there is no way. All of us
are so strange with one another
that you and I can barely speak.
All I can do is give little hints
that you won't be able to trust.
That is why the wind at night
strangles the slim daffodils,
bangs on the weakening shingles
and shakes us around.
I saw a little light pulsing in a pine grove.
I saw that I had been growing up
for twenty-five years.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
English 10: Read your USSR book tonight . . .
Today we read and post-it noted chapter 3 of Animal Farm during USSR but you can read your own book at home. Next, we had two guests from Writing 12, Annie MacIntosh and Sage Broomfield. They read poems and had us write one and read it to the class.
I collected the new poem, the draft and the peer editing sheet today.
Tomorrow, we'll read chapter 4 and discuss chapters 1 - 4. What is causing the demise of Animal Farm, in your view?
Then, we will practice reading the poems in our package.
I collected the new poem, the draft and the peer editing sheet today.
Tomorrow, we'll read chapter 4 and discuss chapters 1 - 4. What is causing the demise of Animal Farm, in your view?
Then, we will practice reading the poems in our package.
Writing 12: See yesterday's blog . . .
Today we wrote a new scene based on Lynn Coady's opening to her novel, Mean Boy. How can you keep tension in a scene? Try having one character want something from the other or one character knowing more than the other. Changing the character's status implies tension. Put a Canadian in Africa or put a teen with an adult and see the different version of events, etc.
Friday: Two copies of your story are due for workshop.
The actual workshop will occur on Monday. Friday will be reading and critiquing the stories. See yesterday's blog for the criteria list.
Good copy of the story is due Wed. Dec. 17th.
Terence Young is reading to us Dec. 17th as well so please have your story prepared ahead of time or print it off at lunch next Wed.
Today we spoke about how to maintain the same creative impulse and openness toward your story while you edit. Feel free to alter scenes, move them around, cut or revise the setting the character. Cut back on the dialogue. Take a risk.
What if your characters suddenly drop everything and look at a sunset, for example, like Gaston does in the story, "Cake's Chicken".
Tonight: Work on your story. We are in the computer lab tomorrow. I'll meet you there.
Friday: Two copies of your story are due for workshop.
The actual workshop will occur on Monday. Friday will be reading and critiquing the stories. See yesterday's blog for the criteria list.
Good copy of the story is due Wed. Dec. 17th.
Terence Young is reading to us Dec. 17th as well so please have your story prepared ahead of time or print it off at lunch next Wed.
Today we spoke about how to maintain the same creative impulse and openness toward your story while you edit. Feel free to alter scenes, move them around, cut or revise the setting the character. Cut back on the dialogue. Take a risk.
What if your characters suddenly drop everything and look at a sunset, for example, like Gaston does in the story, "Cake's Chicken".
Tonight: Work on your story. We are in the computer lab tomorrow. I'll meet you there.
English 11: Othello test tomorrow . . .
You will have an hour to write a paragraph on one of the soliloquies we studied during class. Look closely at the question so you know what to focus on. Create a what / so what chart so that your thesis will have the insight needed at the grade 11 level and then look through your notes for other parts of the play that you can connect to.
Marks awarded for writing style, excellent use of insight, ability to analyze the passage, create a strong thesis and use your notes to make connections.
Thursday: Hand in your Othello notes, only those notes based on class discussions and board work.
Thursday, we will create a final project on the play which will be due on Monday.
Next unit: Writing opinion pieces with humour and heart! January? Poetry and exam prep. Review of the compare / contrast essay.
Marks awarded for writing style, excellent use of insight, ability to analyze the passage, create a strong thesis and use your notes to make connections.
Thursday: Hand in your Othello notes, only those notes based on class discussions and board work.
Thursday, we will create a final project on the play which will be due on Monday.
Next unit: Writing opinion pieces with humour and heart! January? Poetry and exam prep. Review of the compare / contrast essay.
Monday, December 8, 2014
English 11: We had a quiz on Act 4, Read Act 5, sc. 1
We also added two more vocabulary words to our list.
Be sure to get the notes from today's class. We took notes on attitudes toward love and we took a few notes on Act 5, Sc. 1, starts on page 251.
We will finish reading Act 5, Sc 2 tomorrow and that ends the play. You will have a test on Wed. I'll go over the details tomorrow. Your notes (organized and thorough) are due Thursday.
We will also start an Othello project tomorrow which will be due Monday, Dec. 15th.
Try to finish a USSR book this week and pick up a new form. Dec. forms are due Jan. 7th. You can read over the Xmas break so take home all the forms you will need.
Be sure to get the notes from today's class. We took notes on attitudes toward love and we took a few notes on Act 5, Sc. 1, starts on page 251.
We will finish reading Act 5, Sc 2 tomorrow and that ends the play. You will have a test on Wed. I'll go over the details tomorrow. Your notes (organized and thorough) are due Thursday.
We will also start an Othello project tomorrow which will be due Monday, Dec. 15th.
Try to finish a USSR book this week and pick up a new form. Dec. forms are due Jan. 7th. You can read over the Xmas break so take home all the forms you will need.
Writing 12: Editing your story . . . . Bill Gaston response due
Choose two people to be in your workshop group.
On Friday, hand these two people a copy of your EDITED story. DOUBLE SPACED.
In other words, the story you hand to them is the BEST you can do with it. You have checked and re-checked and revised and cut and added material so that the story meets our criteria.
Check our criteria list.
Monday, you will have THREE assignments due.
1. A 300 word critique of your own story. Use the criteria sheet and our fiction report guidelines for items to discuss.
2. A 300 word critique of the two stories you were given on Friday.
You will have all of Friday's class to complete this assignment.
In the critique, you write an honest reflection of what is working and what is not working.
Start with what you like: description of the ______ setting or character, the use of 2nd person point of view, the implications of the title, the dialogue on page 5, the way the story ends. Be specific in your comments. What you like and why.
Next, discuss the parts of the story that you feel need more attention. Rhythm, pace, dull parts, too much telling and not enough indirect presentation, no insight into the character or into our own humanity, no sense of a dynamic character, a conflict and a reasonable change, nothing surprising, too much cliched language, way too many adverbs and adjectives, hard to follow, not believable, etc
Have TWO copies of these critiques. You will hand one to the author and one to me.
We will workshop the stories on Monday, Dec. 15. Please BE here as our groups are small.
On Friday, hand these two people a copy of your EDITED story. DOUBLE SPACED.
In other words, the story you hand to them is the BEST you can do with it. You have checked and re-checked and revised and cut and added material so that the story meets our criteria.
Check our criteria list.
Monday, you will have THREE assignments due.
1. A 300 word critique of your own story. Use the criteria sheet and our fiction report guidelines for items to discuss.
2. A 300 word critique of the two stories you were given on Friday.
You will have all of Friday's class to complete this assignment.
In the critique, you write an honest reflection of what is working and what is not working.
Start with what you like: description of the ______ setting or character, the use of 2nd person point of view, the implications of the title, the dialogue on page 5, the way the story ends. Be specific in your comments. What you like and why.
Next, discuss the parts of the story that you feel need more attention. Rhythm, pace, dull parts, too much telling and not enough indirect presentation, no insight into the character or into our own humanity, no sense of a dynamic character, a conflict and a reasonable change, nothing surprising, too much cliched language, way too many adverbs and adjectives, hard to follow, not believable, etc
Have TWO copies of these critiques. You will hand one to the author and one to me.
We will workshop the stories on Monday, Dec. 15. Please BE here as our groups are small.
Changes to USSR for the next two weeks . . .
We will read a chapter of Animal Farm each day during USSR. The chapters are relatively short but you are reading them slowly, reading between the lines, looking for several hints regarding (spoiler alert) the rise and fall of Animal Farm. You will be writing an essay on the farm's demise or more specifically, the fall of the Old Major's dream that the evil influence of humans would be eradicated and that a life of support and leisure be the norm for the farm animals.
Be sure to look for satirical elements such as hyperbole, understatement, wit, irony, and sarcasm. Also, look for all the RULES and look for ways the rules get broken. Finally, look for examples that show how the pigs accumulate power.
Today, we also did vocabulary, poetry log and peer edited our poems using a peer editing sheet.
Take the poem home tonight and hand in a revised copy.
HAND IN THE PEER EDITING SHEET, YOUR EDITED DRAFT (MAKE CHANGES ON IT AND/OR ON THE COMPUTER). MOVE THINGS AROUND. CUT BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS THAT SAY TOO MUCH. FOLLOW THE EDITING SHEET. LOOK AT THE TWO POEMS THAT I HAVE EDITED. ARE YOU STILL MAKING THE SAME ERROR? TRY SOMETHING NEW. MAKE NEW MISTAKES.
AND STAPLE THESE TWO SHEETS TO YOUR GOOD COPY. DUE TOMORROW.
We had to do a survey in the computer lab for 20 minutes today.
Be sure to look for satirical elements such as hyperbole, understatement, wit, irony, and sarcasm. Also, look for all the RULES and look for ways the rules get broken. Finally, look for examples that show how the pigs accumulate power.
Today, we also did vocabulary, poetry log and peer edited our poems using a peer editing sheet.
Take the poem home tonight and hand in a revised copy.
HAND IN THE PEER EDITING SHEET, YOUR EDITED DRAFT (MAKE CHANGES ON IT AND/OR ON THE COMPUTER). MOVE THINGS AROUND. CUT BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS THAT SAY TOO MUCH. FOLLOW THE EDITING SHEET. LOOK AT THE TWO POEMS THAT I HAVE EDITED. ARE YOU STILL MAKING THE SAME ERROR? TRY SOMETHING NEW. MAKE NEW MISTAKES.
AND STAPLE THESE TWO SHEETS TO YOUR GOOD COPY. DUE TOMORROW.
We had to do a survey in the computer lab for 20 minutes today.
Friday, December 5, 2014
English 11: finish reading Act 3, Scen 4 to the end of Act 4
We watched the rest of the film and took notes on the symbolic interpretations of the play. Test on Monday to show that you read the scenes. Write down notes as you can use them on your test. You may not use Spark notes on the test. Only your own interpretations.
Iago serves evil: Sees humans as ugly, jealous, dirty monsters, knows and detests his own weaknesses, has no love of honour or dignity
Othello is corrupted by Iago's perceptions of the world. He does not doubt the handkerchief in Cassio's hand. He believes it is proof of Desdemona's dishonest behaviour and adultery.
Othello believes it is his duty to kill Desdemona and Cassio--to eradicate evil.
He allows his perception of Iago as honest to overcome his view of his wife. Yet, even as he is about to kill her, her sweet kisses almost stop him. When she cries for her life and cries for Cassio's death in this plot, her tears enrage Othello as he imagines she is weeping for her lost love. Appearance and reality is a strong motif throughout the play. Our perceptions shape our world. So her honest tears shed as she realizes that she and Cassio have been betrayed are misinterpreted by Othello and his rage speeds up her death.
Homework: As you read through Act 3, scene 3, look closely at the handkerchief story. Othello and Desdemona view it differently.
Find evidence for the way each character views love from Acts 1, 2, 3, or 4:
Desdemona:
Othello:
Iago:
Emilia:
Spend time reading the text. It is not as hard as you might think. Alter your perception.
Concepts to consider as we read Act 5:
Clearly the world is not black and white. We are not all evil nor all good, right?
Perhaps Desdemona and Othello die because they are TOO good.
Let's think about that as we finalize our study of the play.
Innocence according to the great writer, William Blake, must accompany experience. Innocence without experience is simply ignornace. One has nothing to compare life to.
Othello worked for the good Italians and killed the Turks. Are the Turks evil? No.
But they were the enemy.
In this play, who is the enemy?
Othello hits Desdemona. Emilia says she wishes Desdemona had never seen her and Desdemona defends her husband. Why?
Emilia says that she believes there are unfaithful women in the world but it is their husband's mistreatment that leads women to seek love elsewhere.
Desdemona believes so much in honour that she can't even imagine the deed.
Emilia says she would sleep with someone to make her husband a monarch and yet
at the end of the play she does not obey her husband in order to stand for the injustice of Desdemona's murder.
We have a lot to think about and to discuss.
Read Act 3, scene 4 and all of Act 4 carefully. Look for clues. What happens in the play once Othello makes Iago his lieutenant during the climax of the play, Act 3, Scene 3.
Iago serves evil: Sees humans as ugly, jealous, dirty monsters, knows and detests his own weaknesses, has no love of honour or dignity
Othello is corrupted by Iago's perceptions of the world. He does not doubt the handkerchief in Cassio's hand. He believes it is proof of Desdemona's dishonest behaviour and adultery.
Othello believes it is his duty to kill Desdemona and Cassio--to eradicate evil.
He allows his perception of Iago as honest to overcome his view of his wife. Yet, even as he is about to kill her, her sweet kisses almost stop him. When she cries for her life and cries for Cassio's death in this plot, her tears enrage Othello as he imagines she is weeping for her lost love. Appearance and reality is a strong motif throughout the play. Our perceptions shape our world. So her honest tears shed as she realizes that she and Cassio have been betrayed are misinterpreted by Othello and his rage speeds up her death.
Homework: As you read through Act 3, scene 3, look closely at the handkerchief story. Othello and Desdemona view it differently.
Find evidence for the way each character views love from Acts 1, 2, 3, or 4:
Desdemona:
Othello:
Iago:
Emilia:
Spend time reading the text. It is not as hard as you might think. Alter your perception.
Concepts to consider as we read Act 5:
Clearly the world is not black and white. We are not all evil nor all good, right?
Perhaps Desdemona and Othello die because they are TOO good.
Let's think about that as we finalize our study of the play.
Innocence according to the great writer, William Blake, must accompany experience. Innocence without experience is simply ignornace. One has nothing to compare life to.
Othello worked for the good Italians and killed the Turks. Are the Turks evil? No.
But they were the enemy.
In this play, who is the enemy?
Othello hits Desdemona. Emilia says she wishes Desdemona had never seen her and Desdemona defends her husband. Why?
Emilia says that she believes there are unfaithful women in the world but it is their husband's mistreatment that leads women to seek love elsewhere.
Desdemona believes so much in honour that she can't even imagine the deed.
Emilia says she would sleep with someone to make her husband a monarch and yet
at the end of the play she does not obey her husband in order to stand for the injustice of Desdemona's murder.
We have a lot to think about and to discuss.
Read Act 3, scene 4 and all of Act 4 carefully. Look for clues. What happens in the play once Othello makes Iago his lieutenant during the climax of the play, Act 3, Scene 3.
Writing12: Story is due Monday . . .
Also, Tues. is the last day to contribute a gift card. Please consider getting involved. Thanks to all the students who have already donated. That is the Spartan spirit.
Bill Gaston responses can be due on Tuesday since you need to focus on your story this weekend. If you are not enjoying your story, follow Bill's advice. Write the story you want to read. Notice how simple yet complex his story, "Cake's Chicken" was. Think about its pace, its scenes, its wisdom, its teasing as Victor says.
Wonderful questions. Thanks everyone!
Bill Gaston responses can be due on Tuesday since you need to focus on your story this weekend. If you are not enjoying your story, follow Bill's advice. Write the story you want to read. Notice how simple yet complex his story, "Cake's Chicken" was. Think about its pace, its scenes, its wisdom, its teasing as Victor says.
Wonderful questions. Thanks everyone!
English 10: Animal Farm and a poem due Monday . . .
See yesterday's blog for an explanation of the poem assignment. A new typed poem is due Monday. Check that you have handed in two poems already and that I have edited them and returned them.
If you were absent, please pick up a copy of Animal Farm, a novel, from the library.
We took notes on allegory, satire, hyperbole, irony, understatement, sarcasm and wit. Get the notes from a partner.
While you read the novel, post-it note examples of all four items below:
1. Examples of satire
2. Rules for the animals on the farm
3. Exceptions to these rules and who / why they are breaking the rules
4. How is power acquired.
You will be writing an in-class essay on the topic below:
Discuss the reasons Animal Farm fails.
If you were absent, please pick up a copy of Animal Farm, a novel, from the library.
We took notes on allegory, satire, hyperbole, irony, understatement, sarcasm and wit. Get the notes from a partner.
While you read the novel, post-it note examples of all four items below:
1. Examples of satire
2. Rules for the animals on the farm
3. Exceptions to these rules and who / why they are breaking the rules
4. How is power acquired.
You will be writing an in-class essay on the topic below:
Discuss the reasons Animal Farm fails.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
English 11: Read Act 3 scene 3 if you were absent . . .
Be sure to have excellent notes on all scenes discussed during class.
I'm looking for not only what is put on the board but also what you hear.
You will need these notes for the final test which will be next week, probably Wed. or Thurs. Your notebook will be due at the end of the block.
I'm looking for not only what is put on the board but also what you hear.
You will need these notes for the final test which will be next week, probably Wed. or Thurs. Your notebook will be due at the end of the block.
Writing 12: Bill Gaston tomorrow, story due Mon. Reserve Jan. 16th
Well, our three readers to represent us will be Amy Dechka, Gabriel Swift and Sage Broomfield. There are other spots for readers at the open mic, too, so arrive early to sign up if you would like to read one of your fabulous poems!! All students are expected to be there and then I will give you the next day, Monday, Jan. 19th off (in lieu of the time spent there). You will be responsible for writing a response to the evening, which will be due Tues. Jan. 20th. I'll remind you! Last day of classes is Jan. 30th.
Tonight: work on your story. Your job now is not to judge, just write. Over the weekend, proofread it so that there are no commas or capitals in the dialogue out of place. Next week we will work on revising the story. Friday, next week is workshop day. YOU MUST HAVE A STORY HERE ON MONDAY.
Tomorrow: Please arrive on time. Bill Gaston is our guest reader. Yay. Have questions prepared ahead of time.
Tonight: work on your story. Your job now is not to judge, just write. Over the weekend, proofread it so that there are no commas or capitals in the dialogue out of place. Next week we will work on revising the story. Friday, next week is workshop day. YOU MUST HAVE A STORY HERE ON MONDAY.
Tomorrow: Please arrive on time. Bill Gaston is our guest reader. Yay. Have questions prepared ahead of time.
English 10: Poem due on Monday . . .
I collected the Lorna Crozier paragraphs today. See yesterday's blog for details.
Due Monday, a new, typed poem. Keep following the criteria we have been practicing and include all of the following details in your poem. You choose the details:
1. A proper noun such as Boo Radley, Mr. Happy, Walmart etc
2. a noun: taxi, egg, canvas, scissors
3. a verb from the kitchen: bake, boil, baste, wipe, fry, saute
4. a phrase, out of Africa, into the lake,
5. describe the light (from the moon, the sun, a lightbulb, a lamp, the stars etc light low in the trees, pale, left over . . .
6. point of view (tell the poem from a unique point of view)
7. make the poem about something important to you this time rather than a big idea such as war, homelessness Try something that is on your mind, a person you have trouble understanding, what is it like to be you? etc
8. include an epigraph from one of your poetry books
How to cite poetry using MLA style:
How to cite . . .
Due Monday, a new, typed poem. Keep following the criteria we have been practicing and include all of the following details in your poem. You choose the details:
1. A proper noun such as Boo Radley, Mr. Happy, Walmart etc
2. a noun: taxi, egg, canvas, scissors
3. a verb from the kitchen: bake, boil, baste, wipe, fry, saute
4. a phrase, out of Africa, into the lake,
5. describe the light (from the moon, the sun, a lightbulb, a lamp, the stars etc light low in the trees, pale, left over . . .
6. point of view (tell the poem from a unique point of view)
7. make the poem about something important to you this time rather than a big idea such as war, homelessness Try something that is on your mind, a person you have trouble understanding, what is it like to be you? etc
8. include an epigraph from one of your poetry books
How to cite poetry using MLA style:
How to cite . . .
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
English 11: Study for the vocabulary test . . .
Today, we read for 15 minutes, wrote our responses to Othello's soliloquy (see yesterday's blog for details) and played Vocab. bingo to prepare for tomorrow's quiz.
Study tonight.
We will finish off Act 3 tomorrow and start Act 4. Othello test coming soon (probably Tuesday). Make sure you have notes on all of the scenes we have read together.
Open notebook test.
We will be starting an independent novel unit next. You get to pick a novel.
In Jan. we will do poetry and essays and exam prep!
Study tonight.
We will finish off Act 3 tomorrow and start Act 4. Othello test coming soon (probably Tuesday). Make sure you have notes on all of the scenes we have read together.
Open notebook test.
We will be starting an independent novel unit next. You get to pick a novel.
In Jan. we will do poetry and essays and exam prep!
Writing 12: Story due Monday . . .
Please help us reach our goal. Bring 10.00 or a gift card for that amount by Monday.
Writers are a generous lot. Please give.
We spent over an hour writing our stories today. You will also have tomorrow's class to write. Friday is Bill Gaston.
Remember, book Friday, Jan. 16th to support the youth poetry event at Hillside Coffee and Tea. Event starts at 7:30. Come early to sign up for the open mic.
Writers are a generous lot. Please give.
We spent over an hour writing our stories today. You will also have tomorrow's class to write. Friday is Bill Gaston.
Remember, book Friday, Jan. 16th to support the youth poetry event at Hillside Coffee and Tea. Event starts at 7:30. Come early to sign up for the open mic.
English 10: Lorna Crozier paragraph due Wed.
I returned your edited poems. Using those suggestions, we edited today's poem, which I then collected. I'll return it to you as soon as they are marked. Be sure to keep all your drafts. We also added the next two words, 53 and 54, and we read for 15 minutes. What a great class!
We are writing a paragraph on the poem, "The Child Who Walks Backwards" by Lorna Crozier during class today.
Here is a sample thesis:
Spend time thinking about the poem and what you want to write about before preparing your thesis statement. If you are excited about the topic, your reader will be too. Be sure to explain how each technique adds to the theme.
We are writing a paragraph on the poem, "The Child Who Walks Backwards" by Lorna Crozier during class today.
The question is:
In a formal, literary paragraph of 300 to 500 words, examine the way
Crozier's literary techniques add to the theme of the poem.
Here is a sample thesis:
Through
the use of imagery, assonance and enjambement, Lorna Crozier, in the
poem, "The Child Who Walks Backwards" reveals that children are victims
of violence and in a world that "lies / sleeping," nothing will change.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
English 11: Act 3: The Seduction Scene
If you were away, be sure to get the notes as we filled three boards today.
Read Othello's first soliloquy of the play on page 157. Take notes on the following:
How is Othello affected by Iago's poisonous conversation?
Notice the way that he is speaking. How have the images changed?
What do these images reveal about his mood?
Does he defend Desdemona at all? Why not? What is it about the possibility of her unfaithfulness that disturbs him so deeply?
Make notes on the soliloquy. Read the notes on page 156 as well.
Be prepared to write a short paragraph during class tomorrow on the question below: What is revealed about Othello's state of mind in his first soliloquy on page 157? Create a strong thesis statement that you feel is an insightful interpretation of Othello's character.
Vocabulary Test Thursday on the words: 1 to 20 and 26 to 56.
Read Othello's first soliloquy of the play on page 157. Take notes on the following:
How is Othello affected by Iago's poisonous conversation?
Notice the way that he is speaking. How have the images changed?
What do these images reveal about his mood?
Does he defend Desdemona at all? Why not? What is it about the possibility of her unfaithfulness that disturbs him so deeply?
Make notes on the soliloquy. Read the notes on page 156 as well.
Be prepared to write a short paragraph during class tomorrow on the question below: What is revealed about Othello's state of mind in his first soliloquy on page 157? Create a strong thesis statement that you feel is an insightful interpretation of Othello's character.
Vocabulary Test Thursday on the words: 1 to 20 and 26 to 56.
Writing 12: Lots of deadlines to remember . . .
SAVE FRIDAY, JAN. 16TH NOW. TAKE THE NIGHT OFF OF DANCE, WORK, DINNER WITH GRANNY, ETC. as you will need to attend this literary event of youth writers.
THREE OF you will be chosen to represent our class. Tomorrow, we'll write down the names of all the students interested in auditioning. This is an honour to represent us. I'm looking for strong readers and poems that would appeal to a diverse audience.
Dec 8th: You need to have finished writing the first draft of your story. BRING A COPY TO CLASS FOR MARKS.
Dec. 12th Bring two copies of this edited draft for workshop. You pick the group. Max. 3 members per group.
Dec. 12th we workshop.
Final draft for marking is due Tues. Dec. 16th! (You will still have a chance to do further revisions before this story makes it into your manuscript which is due Jan. 28th.
Talk to the teacher today whose class you have signed up to read to. Read and re-read the criteria several times so that you do a phenomenal presentation! Be prepared to discuss your work, your writing and editing process, why you write, where you hope to publish, why you took the course, etc. Be sure to introduce each poem well so that your audience knows what to listen for.
PLEASE BRING GIFT CARDS TOMORROW OR $10.00 FOR OUR TEEN DRIVE FOR XMAS.
THREE OF you will be chosen to represent our class. Tomorrow, we'll write down the names of all the students interested in auditioning. This is an honour to represent us. I'm looking for strong readers and poems that would appeal to a diverse audience.
Dec 8th: You need to have finished writing the first draft of your story. BRING A COPY TO CLASS FOR MARKS.
Dec. 12th Bring two copies of this edited draft for workshop. You pick the group. Max. 3 members per group.
Dec. 12th we workshop.
Final draft for marking is due Tues. Dec. 16th! (You will still have a chance to do further revisions before this story makes it into your manuscript which is due Jan. 28th.
Talk to the teacher today whose class you have signed up to read to. Read and re-read the criteria several times so that you do a phenomenal presentation! Be prepared to discuss your work, your writing and editing process, why you write, where you hope to publish, why you took the course, etc. Be sure to introduce each poem well so that your audience knows what to listen for.
PLEASE BRING GIFT CARDS TOMORROW OR $10.00 FOR OUR TEEN DRIVE FOR XMAS.
English 10: Edit Thursday's poem . . . hand in tomorrow
Today, I handed back the USSR logs, the vocabulary tests and your Mockingbird essays. We read two of our peers' essays and wrote two strengths and one weakness for each essay and then did the same for our own essay.
We read a poem to our partner and added a new poem to our poetry log.
I collected a new poem from each of you. (This poem is similar to Thursday's poem, however, you get to pick a new "big idea" and your own key images).
Today, we edited Thursday's poem using the following criteria:
Sound: Add sound through as many of the following devices as you can: onomatopoiea, assonance, dissonance, alliteration, internal rhyme, rhythm, repetition
Line breaks and enjambement: How do you break your lines. Make each line count.
Cross out all the adjectives.
Cross out all the cliches.
Look for surprise. If your reader can predict the next line, cut that line, or move it to the end of the poem. Surprise reflects thoughtful description. Think of Crozier's lines "plummets like a wounded bird" or "sparks burn stars into his skin".
So what? No matter how nicely a poem may sound, it needs to also make us think and feel. The theme must be implied through action, point of view, description etc, right?
Check that you explain what you mean. For example if you think something is indulgent, how would you show that? What does indulgence sound like, feel like, smell like, taste like? Appeal to all five senses when describing things.
Hand in a new, edited draft of Thursday's poem tomorrow.
We added the words scandalous and indulgent to our list today.
We read a poem to our partner and added a new poem to our poetry log.
I collected a new poem from each of you. (This poem is similar to Thursday's poem, however, you get to pick a new "big idea" and your own key images).
Today, we edited Thursday's poem using the following criteria:
Sound: Add sound through as many of the following devices as you can: onomatopoiea, assonance, dissonance, alliteration, internal rhyme, rhythm, repetition
Line breaks and enjambement: How do you break your lines. Make each line count.
Cross out all the adjectives.
Cross out all the cliches.
Look for surprise. If your reader can predict the next line, cut that line, or move it to the end of the poem. Surprise reflects thoughtful description. Think of Crozier's lines "plummets like a wounded bird" or "sparks burn stars into his skin".
So what? No matter how nicely a poem may sound, it needs to also make us think and feel. The theme must be implied through action, point of view, description etc, right?
Check that you explain what you mean. For example if you think something is indulgent, how would you show that? What does indulgence sound like, feel like, smell like, taste like? Appeal to all five senses when describing things.
Hand in a new, edited draft of Thursday's poem tomorrow.
We added the words scandalous and indulgent to our list today.
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