Feb 28

Block A started with course planning. Both blocks did a quiz on the Possibility of Evil and marked it. Then Block C did the sentence unit exam. Finally, students with time worked on flashcards or their persuasive/compare/contrast paragraph which is due Friday. There is a quiz on terms tomorrow (#4). Flash cards will be checked tomorrow. Block A will probably have their sentence exam tomorrow based on the available time after the first quiz.

Bonus:
Go to my website. Locate the Short story quiz/games. Try them and tell me what helps and what doesn't. Write out at least 2 questions that were challenging to you.

Feb 27

Today Block A spent some time marking the practice sentence test. Then the short essay comparing the protagonists from Blue Boots to Tell Tale Heart was assigned. This is due on Friday. Next, flashcards for short story terms were given out. You have to put the definitions on the back. These are due tomorrow. Finally, you need to read The Possibility of Evil for tomorrow. There will be a little quiz on the story. In addition, Block C will likely have their sentence test tomorrow. Block A will have to wait until Thursday or Friday due to course planning.
No Bonus today. Study for the sentence test!!!!!

Feb 26

Today we did lots! We started with the terms for terms list #4. Block A handed in their persuasive paragraphs and presented their danglers. Then we did the sentence practice test. We will mark or finish marking the practice tomorrow. The sentence test will be Wed for block C and possibly Block A depending on course planning. If it is not on Wed., then A will do it on Thursday after the terms quiz.

Bonus:
Click on the link below. Write out how the activity helped you learn the material or not.
http://www.quia.com/pop/120906.html

Feb 23

Today we went over the sentence review sheet. We read "The Tell Tale Heart". The assignment is to complete the character comparison web between the protagonist in TTH and "Blue Boots".
Danglers were given out to Block A and collected from Block C. The terms list #4 must be filled in for Monday. Good copies of the persuasive para are due for Block A. Both classes must study their sentence sheets. There will be a test next week and likely a practice test Monday or Tuesday.

Bonus: Go to the wiki site and read at least 2 different groups' response to Dickens. Write a 2-3 sentence summary of each and choose at least 1 thing about 1 of them that you thought was particularly effective and why.

Feb 22

Today we had Terms quiz #3 and marked it. Many people came in to redo the editing exercise. This was your only chance to do this. I hope you all took it! We did the last section of the sentence package in Block A. We also got the terms list for Terms quiz #4 and people started to fill it in. This is due on Monday. We got the sentence review sheet which could be completed with a partner. We will take this up tomorrow. Block C also did the dangling participles which are due tomorrow too.

Bonus:
Click on the link below. Complete the activity. Write a brief description of what it was and how you did. What was the hardest part?
http://www.quia.com/pop/44373.html

Feb 21

Today it was record sheet day for the early work. We finished editing the collaborative paragraphs and handed them in. I collected the Blue Boots homework. We peer edited the persuasive paragraphs. Choose the best one and hand in a good copy with the rough copy tomorrow. We also marked the editing exercise and handed them in. If you did not do well, you must come in tomorrow at lunch or after school and redo it. This is a one time thing. Study for the quiz on terms tomorrow (list #3).

Bonus: Check your mark. Write it down and show it to me tomorrow.
Double Bonus: Bring me your parents' email address if I don't already have it.

Feb 20

I collected the collaborative paragraphs from Block C. Block A will hand theirs in tomorrow. The Blue Boots assignment is due tomorrow as is the editing exercise. Also please have 2 rough copies of persuasive paragraphs for tomorrow. Thursday is the quiz on terms list #3. Please go to the wiki site and read some of the other groups' work.
No Bonus today.

Feb 19

Today we worked on the collaborative responses to Mr. Dickens. Block A worked in class and will publish tomorrow. Block C worked in the library. Block C must have their responses posted and ready for final editing tomorrow. Email me if you have lost the instruction sheet.
Please be prepared to discuss the wiki and how it could be used more effectively, efficiently etc.

The other assignments handed out were the common errors sheet with the paragraph on the back. Correct the errors on the sheet and rewrite the paragraph on a separate sheet. These will be marked on Wednesday.
The Blue boots assignment will likely be taken in on Wed. as well. The assignment is:

1. Summarize the story in 5-6 good sentences.
2. How does the author create suspense? Details? Descriptions?
3. Make a character description web.

You can try the online web tool at the link below or you can do your own on paper.

http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=38

Bonus: Click on the link below. Complete the activity. Write a brief description of what you did and what your score was.

http://www.quia.com/rr/124861.html

Feb 15

Today we did quiz on terms #2. Some people came in to get caught up on last week's quiz or to rewrite it. Next Thursday's quiz terms were handed out. There will be a quiz on these terms next Thursday. All the terms are on my website under HANDOUTS>terms. Look for #3.
Groups worked on finishing their analysis of Dickens' letter. We had our discussion about the techniques used etc. The next assignment is to write a response to Mr. Dickens and use at least 5 persuasive techniques in the body. If your group has 3 members then the response will have 3 paragraphs. If the group has 4 members, then the response will have 4 paragraphs. You will work together on Monday to author and format your response. Homework: have an outline, notes, rough paragraph, web etc. with your ideas ready to contribute to the group on Monday. You may respond supportively or opposingly as your group wishes. Rubrics and and outline for this response were also handed out on Thursday. These are posted on the website if you weren't the person who took it home. Yesterday's bonus is good until Monday. Have a nice long weekend.

Feb 14

We will have to see how long this particular blog will last. I have no idea why the firewall may have come down. Not my fault!!!!! I may have to change it over this weekend so if it disappears for a while, that is why!! Today we worked on analysing Charles Dickens' persuasive letter to the editor. Tomorrow, groups will discuss their findings.
Tomorrow is also the quiz Audience to Understate. If you want to redo your quiz from last week, you must do it at lunch time, as I have an appointment after school. Sorry.

Bonus: Will go til Monday!! (hopefully)

Forming characters! Whose? Our own or others? Both. And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our existence.

Elihu Burritt

Copy out this quote and explain in writing what it means to you. Double bonus if you can relate it to Test and Choices.

Feb 13

Today we looked at 2 powerpoint presentations. The first dealt with the terms for Thursday's quiz. The second was a review of subordinate/main clauses. Then we worked on the sheet from yesterday. I collected the comparisons between Test and Choices. Look at yesterday' blog for the questions if you did not get them. We worked on sheets 7 and 8 in blocks A and C respectively. Then we started on persuasive writing. A handout on rhetorical terms was given out. Tomorrow you will analyse Mr. Dickens for his use of rhetorical technique. Remember the quiz on Thursday.

Feb 12

Today I collected the writing assignments from the previous day on Test. Then we signed out books "Inside Stories II" green. If you were away today, please make sure you bring your student card tomorrow so you can get a book. We did 1 sentence sheet. We did #6 in block A and #7 in C. Then we read the story "Choices". Homework is to do the following:

1. Compare and contrast the 2 stories Test/Choices
2. Answer "Is Peggy to blame for what happened?" Why or why not?
3. Is this a test of character? Whose?
4. What are the themes?

Remember quiz on Thursday -- Audience to Understate. No bonus today.

Feb 9

Today we did the bonus poem recitation and reviewed yesterday's quiz. (Except block A; we will review the quiz on Monday) Remember the quiz can be rewritten next Thursday at lunch or after school. We did sheet #6 in the sentence review package. The sheet deals with writing sentences using apposition with or without the reflexive pronoun. We did a few puzzles. Finally we read the story "Test". The assignments for the weekend are:

1. Write a summary of the story in 5 good sentences or less.
2. Write a short paragraph in answer to the following questions:
   
1. What are the ethics of using that type of test?
   
2. Do you agree or disagree with using that type of test? Explain why.
   

Remember that terms quiz #2 will be given on Thursday Feb 15 and will be on the back side of the first sheet -Audience to Understate.

Have a nice weekend.

Bonus: The mountain remains unmoved at seeming defeat by the mist.
Rabindranath Tagore

Write out the quote on a slip of paper and explain in a few sentences (in writing) what it means to you. Bring it in on Monday.

Feb 8

Today we had the first quiz on the examinable terms and devices required by the ministry. If you did poorly or missed the quiz, it can be rewritten next Thursday at lunch or after school. Some people also added their bonus tickets to the quiz. Use them when you feel you need an extra point or 2 on your quizzes. We also zipped through pages 2-7 on the sentence review and ended with personal reflexive pronouns. The bonus for tomorrow is to memorize the little rhyme with the subordinate conjunctions. No other homework.

Feb 7

Today we did a crossword puzzle to review the terms for tomorrow's test. (Bias to Style) We handed in the good copies of the interviews after they were glued to the pictures of the subjects. We also started a sentence review package. Homework is to complete 4 and study for the quiz. Please remind your parents to do the survey if they have not already. Also the server was down on Monday so if they tried before and had problems, could they please do it again. Many thanks. The crossword answers are on the website under handouts.

Bonus for today: Who said, "Life is a promise; fulfill it."

Write out the quotation and your answer on a slip of paper and give it to me tomorrow.

Feb 6

Today there was a list of transitional words and phrases handed out, along with a noun sorter and a review on subject,verb, object. We started the sentence review (page 1) and had time to edit the interview paragraphs. These will be called "Brief Bio" on the marks program. The marking rubric is available on the website if you want to see it. I also took everyone's picture. The additional editing requirements were:

1. use the patterns from the worksheet at least 1 time each
2. get rid of boring words like nice, big, good
3. snazzy opening
4. connectives/transitions within the paragraph
5. get yourself out of the paragraph
   

Bad News!! The quiz has been moved up to this Thursday, Feb 8 (bias to style) . Good copy of the paragraphs are due tomorrow.

Bonus for today: Go to my website. Read the quotes. Copy out your favourite and write 1 sentence telling me why you like it. Bring it in to class tomorrow.

Feb 5

Welcome to Honours English 10 for Semester 2. Today was a fairly easy day. We went over the course outline, the parent letter and survey and the first terms list. Quiz is Feb 18 on Bias to Style. Please make sure you have a red book with you at all times. Red books can be purchased from me for $3 if you have lost yours. We did an interview and the rough copy is due in class tomorrow.

Answer the following question for 1 bonus point:
Who said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."?
Write your answer on a slip of paper and give it to me tomorrow (Feb 6)