June 17

Well this is it, the last day! It is quite sad to say goodbye to all of you. Come back and tell me how the exam went. Today we marked a bit of the poetry exam and reviewed the provincial for tomorrow.

Remember EAT before you come to school, bring writing materials and water, leave the mp3's etc. at home and get here ON TIME!!!

Best of luck and have a safe and happy summer.

June 16

Today we did the poetry unit final exam. Today was also the day for all NHI work to come in. The essays on Death Be Not Proud are due tomorrow. Please bring in all your text books that you may still have. Tomorrow we will go over the Provincial Exam so it is not a good day to miss. Have a nice evening.

June 13

Lucky June 13!! We had quite a busy day today. Was anyone's brain tired afterward? First we did a TPCASTT analysis of your poetry mashup poems. Then you filled in the essay organizer as if you were going to write an essay on that poem. Finally, I handed out the poem that you will actually do the analysis of. Please make sure that you have at least done the rough copy for Monday. This essay will be a 5 paragraph essay but quite short because the poem is quite short. Think about 1-2 PEE chains per body paragraph. The poetry exam will not take all period so will likely have some time for peer editing. You were also supposed to turn in your 5 Poem ID's today. If you did not, please get these done for Monday. The poems are on my website on the poetry page. If you are looking for extra bonus work, please do the bonus poetry assignment on the poetry page.

Little Bonus: You can do this twice. You must get your 1 Million to win!!
Poetry Rags to Riches (the sequel)
http://www.quia.com/rr/285774.html

June 12

Hello. We did the quiz on list 7 & 8 today and marked part of it. Then we did the poem_ID practice sheet. You need to identify the type (genre) of each poem and find various figures of speech etc. This sheet is on the website on the poetry page under honours assignments. It was supposed to be finished by the end of the block or at lunch. As no one came in to do it, I am assuming that everyone has finished. I am still missing several of the lament assignements too. Please get these in as well. Upcoming. We have a poetry exam on Monday and a preparation day for the provincial on Tuesday. Do not plan to be away either of these days. The cut off for NHI assignments is Monday.

June 11

Another kind of a strange day. Many people did not have their compare and contrast organizer filled out so we had to do a very rushed overview of that before starting the paragraph. We began to write a paragraph that compares the 2 sonnets (Brownining and Shakespeare) and answers the questions "Why does Billy talk that way about his love?" Then the firebell rang and we didn't finish. I still need assignments from yesterday and remember about the quiz on lists 7 and 8 tomorrow.

Bonus for tonight: Easy
Poetry For Lists 7 & 8
http://www.quia.com/jg/1148830.html

June 10

Today we saw the last of the Taming of the Shrew movies. These were also very good. I reviewed the process of DIDLS and the poem Lament. This poem should have been handed in yesterday with the analysis and the fill-in-the-blank paragraph page, but I forgot to ask for them so they came in today. If you did not hand it in, make sure it comes in tomorrow. After this we went back to sonnets and you have to compare and contrast the browning with the Shakespeare sonnet. The homework is to complete the compare and contrast organizer. Reminder of the quiz on terms on Thursday (#8) (back side of #7). Also all text books are now due back. Please bring in Mockingbird, Shrew and anything else you still have. Thanks.

June 9

Today we saw some great versions of Taming of the Shrew. Cudos to all. They were very funny. One group did not finish and one group didn't get to show theirs due to a technical problem and one more group is in the wings so we will see these tomorrow and then move hurriedly on. I forgot to collect the Rue DIDLS assignment so if you didn't do it, you get one more day!!! If you did, thanks and hand it in tomorrow.

June 6

Today we watched 2 short power points on DIDLS: a method for determining the tone of a poem.
After this we looked a poem by A.E. Houseman and tried out the method. Finally, I handed out a poem called Lament. You must do a DIDLS analysis of this poem for Monday. Remember, also that your Shrew projects will be shown on Monday too. Have a great weekend.

June 5

Today we had quiz on terms 7A and talked briefly about sonnets. Tomorrow we will carry on with DIDLS. No homework tonight.

June 4

Today it was record sheet day and then we went over the Taming of the Shrew Exams and found a couple of debatable answers and 2 errors in the key. You may come in after school if you want to go through it yourself. Then I read some examples of excellent essays and some not as great ones. Finally, we heard the paraphrased sonnets and I handed out another sonnet sheet. You must label the rhyme scheme and paraphrase the sonnet. These are not on the website so come in for a copy. Remember there is a quiz on terms tomorrow, List #7. The definitions can be found on my website on the redbook pages link and/or in the dictionary.

Bonus: You can play each game twice for a point.

Poetry Terms Jumbled Words for List #7
http://www.quia.com/jw/156545.html

Basic figurative devices List #7
http://www.quia.com/cm/140411.html

June 3

Today we had the Taming of the Shrew exam. We also voted to extend the Taming of the Shrew presentations until June 12 (Monday) but they must all be ready on that day. We started to paraphrase a sonnet #73 and this is due tomorrow. We will be continuing with poetry for the rest of this week. Thursday's quiz is on list #7. Have fun at Bard.

June 2

Today we covered all the poetic forms that will be on the exam and looked at how to recognize implied metaphors etc. We also read some interesting examples of sonnets, ballads, lyrics and free verse poems. The Shrew exam is tomorrow. The Shrew presentations are Wednesday. Please be ready to present on Wednesday because I can't guarantee you any other time due to the lack of days left in the Semester. Thursday's quiz will be on Terms list #7. I hope the rest of you had fun at the golf tournament.

May 30

Today we recorded definitions for List 7 and 8. Then we heard the mashed-up poems. Finally there was some time to work on projects. The project date has been moved to Wednesday next week due to everyone or nearly everyone being away on Monday. The Shrew exam will be on Tuesday. Have a nice weekend.

May 29

Today we did quiz 6B. Next Thursday will be quiz 7. After we marked it, people got together to put their poetry mashups together. They need to be glued to a page and then rewritten on to paper in stanzas etc. Remember that you Shrew project is due Monday. You will have some time to work on it tomorrow.

May 28

Today we did a quick worksheet on euphemism and connotation/denotation. Then we went to the library to work on the poetry mash up. Tomorrow is a quiz on list 6B. You will complete the mash-up and have the remaining time for your Shrew project.

Bonus
http://www.quia.com/jg/1148831.html

May 27

Today we went over the terms on list 6B. Those and the ones on 6A will be on the quiz on Thursday. I also handed out Lists 7 & 8. Please start getting the terms for these. Next we watched some 'condensed' versions of Shakespeare's comedies and Romeo and Juliet to give you some ideas for your own versions of Shrew. You can have a couple of minutes more than 5 if you need them. We will be presenting on Monday so if your group is going to the golf thing, we may have problems. The last part of the period was project work time.

PS I also collected signed interims. If yours did not come in today, please bring it tomorrow.

May 26

I handed out paper interims today. Please bring them back signed tomorrow. After this, we watched the last of Taming of the Shrew and I handed out the group project. It will be due a week Monday, June 2. Please work on getting your NHI assignments taken care of, especially tests and exams.

May 23

Today we had a fairly relaxing day of watching the Taming of the Shrew movie. Use the weekend to get caught up on any remaining NHI assignments. Have a good one.

May 22

Today we had the quiz on Terms List 6A and marked it. Then we finished reading Act 5 of Taming of the Shrew. We will begin watching the movie tomorrow. No other homework.

May 21

Today we read most of Act 4. We will finish the play tomorrow after the quiz. We also went over the terms list (6A) and practiced these a little. The quiz is on terms list 6A but anything we have covered in class is fair game.

Here is a bonus for today. It may be quite hard as some of the terms are not on tomorrow's list. Do your best.
http://www.quia.com/cb/202285.html

May 20

Welcome back after your long weekend. Today we started by reviewing pretty much all of the definitions on Terms Lists 6A and 6B. You are responsible for 6A for the quiz on Thursday. Then we watched a bit of Commedia del' Arte to see the origins of the characters in Taming of the Shrew. Some of this might appear in a quiz later on!!! We read Act IV sc i of Shrew and then watched 2 different versions of that scene. We will read the rest of Act IV tomorrow.

Commedia video



Shrew Act IV sc i (note Dr. House) Commedia influence



Shrew Act IV sc i Monty Python influence

May 16

Today we almost finished reading Act 3 of Taming of the Shrew. We will finish this on Tuesday. I also handed out terms list 6a. You must have the definitions for Tuesday. Interims were sent out on email today. Please get your NHI work done over the weekend.


Have a great long weekend.

Have a gift bonus!! This is so easy.

http://www.quia.com/hm/354575.html

May 15

Today we had a quiz on Shakespeare and read some more of Act 1 and a bit of Act 2 in Taming of the Shrew. Please get your essay and any other assignments done asap. Please read to the end of the scene we started today for homework.

May 14

Today we started Taming of the Shrew. We will continue to read through it for the next week or so. Essays were due today. Please hand in your marking sheet with the essay. Tomorrow's quiz will be a general knowledge quiz on Shakespeareana. I strongly recommend that you finish the Shakespeare Scavenger hunt before the quiz tomorrow. Please bring in your Mockingbird novels and return them to the library. Make sure I have a copy of your timeline either on paper or on power point. I will be in my room tomorrow at lunch and Friday at lunch and for a while after school. I have an appointment tomorrow after school so I can't stay late. I will be here today, though. Interims will go home on Friday.




Here's an easy bonus. You must play on medium or hard level and win!!!!
http://www.quia.com/ba/108003.html

May 13

Today we looked at a powerpoint quiz/presentation on Shakespeare and some of his "details". Much of this will be on Thursday's quiz. After this we watched a short video and another powerpoint on the same topic. Work was returned. Then we watched some of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Please bring your book tomorrow. Your essays on To Kill a Mockingbird are due tomorrow.

May 12

I have fixed a couple of the spelling mistakes and added a couple of new links to the scavenger hunt. You should try to complete it over the next week or so. There may be bonus marks and it is likely that some of that information could turn up in the final test. Remember that you chapter questions were due today and your essay is due on Wednesday. Please read the introduction to Taming of the Shrew in your book for tomorrow. We will likely begin reading tomorrow, as well.

May 12

Here is the web address for your scavenger hunt. You have 1/2 the period.

Shakespeare Internet Search
http://www.quia.com/sh/47814.html

May 9

Today we watched the end of the movie of To Kill a Mockingbird, argued over the test answers and chose Taming of the Shrew as the Shakespeare we are going to do. Please get your TKM chapter questions done for Monday if they are not already in and your essay is due on Wednesday. Have a nice weekend.

Here is a bonus to make up for Wed. Start saving now!!!! (See how much you remember from last year)
http://www.quia.com/jg/1148834.html

May 8

Today we did the unit final exam on To Kill a Mockingbird. Your chapter questions are due on Monday and the essays are due on Wednesday. We may have some time tomorrow for time lines if you did not get a chance to present yours on Monday.

May 6

Today the essay topics were handed out. These are on the website if you did not get them. We then watched a parody of To Kill a Mockingbird and played a review game. We will watch the movie tomorrow and have the exam on Thursday. The essay will be due next week.

Here's something funny. No offense intended.

May 5

Today we finished the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird". I would like people to get finished the Scout and Atticus sheets and chapter questions as soon as possible. The unit final will be on Thursday. We will likely watch the rest of the movie tomorrow or Wednesday and there will be an essay topic given out in the next couple of days. This will be available on my website once they are given out. Those people who did not get an opportunity to present their time lines due to lack of class time, may have an opportunity at the end of the week. Please have your presentation either on paper or powerpoint and on a flash drive or mp3 player.

May 2

Today we began by marking yesterday's test. Then we had more presentations on the timelines and the participles. Please work on your chapter questions. They are due as we read the chapters. We will be finished the book next week and will be doing an exam and some essays. If you had your presentation ready today but did not get to present, you may get some time next week. Have a good weekend.

May 1

Today we had the Chapter 23-27 test which I thought was quite short and easy but may not have been so. We will mark the first part tomorrow. Keep working on the chapter questions. They are basically due as soon as we finish the chapter (or before). I am missing some Alexandra essays and several comparison paragraphs (movie to a character in the book). If you did not hand these (weeks ago now) please look for them and hand them in asap. Many thanks. Tomorrow will be the last day for presenting time lines and participle pictures. Please make sure yours is ready to go! (on paper or some other form) Note- If you are doing powerpoint, you can email it to yourself or to me or put it on your mp3 player or a flash drive.

April 30

Today we covered quite a lot of ground. We went through chapters 23-27. The test tomorrow will cover these chapters and a bit of grammar. I strongly recommend that you do the verbs bonus from yesterday if you haven't already done so. Friday will be our last presentation date for time lines and/or participle drawings. I hope to be finished the novel next week and moving on to Shakespeare the week after. Make sure your web poster is finished as there were some missing last time I looked.

Bonus: This should be pretty easy. You need to get a million $ to win!
http://www.quia.com/rr/332084.html

April 29 part 2

UPDATE

Today we had a few more timeline and drawing presentations. Friday will be the last day for this. We also did a sheet on apposition and then a short timed write on the topic of courage. If you were absent today, you can do this timed write on Thursday at noon. We will read through chapters 23-27 tomorrow, or as much as possible. The test will be on chapters 23-27 and grammar.

This will tune you up on verbs of all kinds!. You must get 6300 to win!!
http://www.quia.com/cb/298781.html

April 29

Sorry about being so late but I got tied up last night. Anyway, today we heard presentation of the timeline connections project and the participle drawings. We finished off by working for a few minutes on the "Scout and Atticus" sheet. Please finish these projects if you have not presented. We will present Tuesday and Wed and that's it. Test on Thursday on Chapters 23-27 and grammar.

April 25

Today we started off reviewing past and present participles. Participles are verb forms that function as adjectives. We looked at where they go in sentences and what they modify. Then
each person was given a sentence with an error (misplaced modifier or dangling participle) and they have to identify the error. Next they have to draw whatever the sentences says, exaggerating the error as much as possible. Colour and decorate the picture. Finally, write the corrected version of the sentence on the back of the paper. Please have your picture done for Monday. Also your time lines from the webworksheets are due on Monday. This assignment was handed out 2 weeks ago, so no complaints about no time!!!!!!! I also handed out chapter questions for Mockingbird. Keep working on these as we go through the book. Hand them in as you get them done. Have a great weekend.

April 24

Today we had a test on Chapters 17-22 on To Kill a Mockingbird. I also handed out sheets #7A and 7B (participles) We went over these a bit. You were also given a participle task. Don't worry about the participle task yet. Please do worry intently about the time-line which is due Monday. See me tomorrow if you need clarification. P.S. I am missing quite a few Aunt Alexandra PEE model paragraphs and some movie comparisons.

Try this bonus! Ha, ha, ha, ........... You must get over 6000 to win!!!!
http://www.quia.com/cb/298801.html

April 23

Today we read through chapters 19-22 of To Kill A Mockingbird. There will be a test tomorrow on chapters 17-22. We also started the Atticus and Scout sheet but it is not due tomorrow. If you still have not handed in your Aunt Alexandra assignment, please get it in ASAP. Your timelines will be due on Monday. Be prepared to show your poster or powerpoint to the class.

This is interesting but not hugely helpful. Check back later. If I have time, I will make a better review for the chapters.
http://www.quia.com/jg/1352363.html

Try this and see if it works. You must get at least 34/36. Send me the score!!
To Kill a Mockingbird Quiz #3 (Ch. 14-21)
http://www.quia.com/quiz/1050764.html

April 22

Today we read through chapters 17-18 and a bit of 19. Tomorrow we will finish 19 and do 20-22. The test on Thursday will be chapters 17-22.

April 21

Today people worked on a short writing assignment using the PEE model. You have to use the sheet you completed the other day about Aunt Alexandra and the rules of Southern Society and write at least 3 chains about how Alexandra shows us that she lives by those rules. Make sure you have used good transitional/linking words and phrases to connect all your chains together. Check the original worksheet (example) for more information or to review what is needed. Please have this in by tomorrow if you didn't get it done in class. We also went over marks and found a few missing items. Those people who must email me stuff, please do it ASAP. Many thanks.

April 17

Today we had a test on Chapter 8-16 and marked part of it. After this, I handed out some sheets on Southern Woman Hood, Knowing you place in Southern society and to the ones who have gone commando, the Atticus and Scout sheet. Have a nice long weekend.

April 16

Today we watched a video of Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit. Then we looked at the picture of Reuben Stacey hanging, lynched, from a tree which was the subject of that song. We talked about how that is what the town would like to do to Tom Robinson in Mockingbird. Then we read through an interview with 3 ladies who grew up in rural Alabama about what it was like etc. Next we watched an interview with another old lady who grew up in rural Alabama. Finally we read through chapter 15 and part of 16. The test tomorrow is on chapters 8-16. I would STRONGLY recommend that you do the bonus from yesterday, if you haven't already to prepare for this test.

April 15

Today we read through Chapters 12-14. We will do Chapters 15-16 tomorrow. There will be a test on chapters 8-16 on Thursday. Keep working on your box sheet, at least to the end of Chapter 12.
Please remember your time lines and to choose your top 3 of the dystopian stories.

Bonus: This is a difficult game! But you may need it for the test!! You must get $1,000,000 to win!

http://www.quia.com/rr/332103.html

April 14

Today we spent another day on the computers. The task was to finish the web posters (barring technical problems) read and "favourite" your top 3 dystopian stories from the wiki and then work on the timeline project using the various web posters. Tomorrow we will return to the book and read a bit more. My intention is to kind of zoom through the trial as it is fairly well covered in the movie. Please keep working on your box sheet. Feel free to get ahead if you want to.

April 11

Today we wandered around the school looking for computers to use and finally ended up in Mr. Whitman's room. People worked on their web posters and got signed up for the wiki. Please make sure your web assignments are done by the end of the weekend. Have a good weekend.

April 10

As expected, everyone sailed through the test today. Then we read chapter 11 and completed a concept circle judging empathy from various perspectives. There was a second short reading on Morphine: The Southern Ladies' Drug. Most people also had a little time to work on the "box" sheets and fill in the squares for Chapter 10. Now you can do Chapter 11 too. Remember that tomorrow the web posters are due so please have as much of your research as possible done before that. It is a 5 period day so periods will be even shorter. Tomorrow is the last day for all NHI including Things Fall Apart. See you tomorrow.

April 9

Today we went over Chapter 10 in class and discussed the various symbols in it. The mad dog represents racism or the disease of racism and how it can make normal people go "insane". Atticus shows courage to destroy the dog. Then I handed out the worksheets on the PEE model. This is what will be expected from now on for all expository writing. We did a short example on the overhead of "What is the mad dog sybolic of?" and a second "What is the fire at Miss Maudie's symbolic of?" to practice the PEE method. These sheets are on my website on the handouts link under writing. There is a test tomorrow on Chapters 1-7 characters and setting only. Very easy.
Please remember that Thursdays are "redo" days for quizzes and this is the last one before the end of the term. The cut off date for all NHI work including Things Fall Apart is Friday.

Here's a little bonus. It should be quite easy. You can play 2 times for 2 points, 48 hours.
Mockingbird Characters Ch 1-7
http://www.quia.com/jg/1347884.html

April 8

Today we read Chapter 9 of TKM and started the "Linking Experiences" sheet. Most people got finished this by the end of the period. Please read Ch 10 and 11 for tomorrow. There will be a quiz on ch 1-7 on Thursday.

April 7

Today we reviewed chapter 6 and read chapter 7, and 8. Please read on to Chapter 9 and 10 for tomorrow. There will be a quiz on chapters 1-7 on Thursday, characters only. You need to get your Things Fall Apart stuff in as soon as possible or before Friday. That goes for any other NHI work as well. This Thursday will be the last day to redo tests and quizzes before the term end. Web worksheets will be done on Friday and hopefully be finished at that time. Please be doing a little research on your topic before that. The last couple of people need to post their stories to the Wiki asap!!!!


More vocab for you word hounds.
http://www.quia.com/jg/1148846.html

April 4

Thankyou for another extremely entertaining day of Dystopian stories. Now that all groups have presented, you need to get the stories published on the wiki. After this, we will read and rate, (you will choose your personal 3 favourites) then we will vote on our favourites.

Turn your attention now to the web worksheets. We will be going into the library again next Friday to work on and hopefully complete the worksheets. It will help if you have at least some of your research done before that.

Please continue to read the book. Do chapter questions to the end of chapter 6. Also the Yam assignments are due on Monday. Please get them in on paper or email by then. Have a great weekend.

April 3

Back finally! Today I collected study questions, and movie assignments. The Things Fall Apart questions and essay will be due next week for those who are going to do it. You should be finished at least chapter 6 by tomorrow (preferably further). Those people who did not get to present their dystopian stories will do so tomorrow and the stories need to be posted to the wiki no later than Saturday, please. Many thanks.

Here's an easy bonus! You can do this two times for 2 points. 48 hours max.!!
http://www.quia.com/jg/1068271.html

March 14

Thank you for an interesting and entertaining period of presentations. It will be difficult to choose between them. If you did not get to present today, please be ready on Monday March 31. Please also get your story posted on the wiki by the end of Spring Break. Read Things Fall Apart and do the project. Remember that the link is on my website. Read some of Mockingbird and read something else for fun. Have a great break. I know I will.

March 13

Sorry, I got side tracked last night and did not get the blog done. Anyway, we marked part of the unit exam and then heard our first Dystopian presentations. I have made a few changes to the wiki that you might want to check out. I you haven't done the exam, you must do so today (Friday). We will hear the rest of the dystopian presentations on Friday. Make sure you have a Things Fall Apart and Mockingbird book before you go away for spring break. The Things Fall apart link is now running on the website. Thanks Preet!!

March12

Well, today was a fairly chaotic day. We marked part of the exam from yesterday and then went to the new computer lab. Everyone was asked to choose a topic for research and then find their way to the online worksheet. Your goal will be to produce a web poster about your topic. Don't lose those little slips of paper, because you need the class code to log in to make your poster. If you did not write it down, the URL is http://poster.4teachers.org/ We also signed out books, "Things Fall Apart" and "To Kill a Mockingbird". You must read Things and do the assignment over Spring Break. Try to read as much Mockingbird as possible. I also got several people to register for the wiki and have accepted them as members. Have a look at the first story that is on the wiki, not quite done maybe?? but interesting none the less.

March 11

Today we did the Short Story Unit Final. There was a little time left over for projects. I also gave out some copies of "Things Fall Apart". These will be signed out tomorrow. Please bring your short story books in so they can be returned. The first projects need to be ready for Thursday. Those people who were away today should be prepared to write the exam in class time tomorrow or on Thursday after school.

PS. I seem to be missing a lot of utopia/dystopian protagonist sheets. etc.

March 10

Today we did a sheet on "dependent clauses" and another "identifying run-ons and fragments". After this, there was time to work on the Dystopian stories. The first presentation will have to be on Thursday, as not all of them will fit on one day. The Short Story Unit Final Exam will be tomorrow. It will require you to know terms and the names and characters in many of the short stories we read this term.
Also you may need to know the following:

• A story of Plot is a story where you just want to find out the end; it has plenty of twists and turns and suspense, etc.; detective and adventure stories are usually stories of plot
• A story of Character is a story which focuses on some trait or peculiarity in one of the main characters and the plot is largely about how this affects the character or changes them etc.; it usually has some internal struggle but can also include external struggle as well.
• A story of Setting is one where the setting plays a major part in the story, ie., as the antagonist; it is often full of "local colour"; more time is spent on the setting than on the characters or plot.
• There is no such thing as a story of theme.
  

Bonus: The first one may be challenging as you might not know some of the stories; do your best. Do this for 1 point. Send me the winning screen shot.
http://www.quia.com/rr/221947.html

You can do the second bonus 2 times for 2 points if you wish.
http://www.quia.com/jg/1061816.html

March 7

Today we did quite a lot of grammar/sentence review looking at subordinating & coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs. We did a worksheet on independent clauses and marked it and there was a minimum of time to work on the Dystopian stories. It was also record sheet day. The Short Story Unit Final Exam will be on Tuesday, March 11. Have a great weekend.

Bonus: Send me your winning screen shot!! Good for 48 hours!
Differentiating Sentences, Run-ons, and Fragments
http://www.quia.com/rr/243116.html

March 6

Today we did a DOGO quiz (do one, get one free) on terms list 3 and short stories. Then we reviewed what a sentence is and how to fix run-ons fragments. A worksheet was given out. My website is currently inaccessable to me so i won't be posting any new sheets on it for a while. Seem me if you need this sheet. I also handed out the outline for the dystopian story project. It has to be done by next Friday. The Unit exam scheduled for Friday will now be on Monday. Happy dancing.

March 5

Today we went over Terms list #3 in preparation for the quiz tomorrow. After this, I gave out the new Wiki instructions. Remember to get your Google accounts so we can get started. Then we played a couple of review games on those terms and the short story terms. Finally, I gave out a disordered paragraph about story structure that has to be rearranged into the proper order. Also, interims were given out. Please get these signed and returned.

Bonus: This offer is good for 48 hours only!!! Send me the screenshot or print out the winning page. P.S. play on medium or hard!!!

Poetry Battleships
http://www.quia.com/ba/103618.html

March 4

What do you know? We did some English today. We watched a segment from "The Matrix" and filled in the dystopian protagonist sheets. We also discussed direct vs indirect presentation in characterization. We watched the introduction to the Macintosh computer and the first Mac ad, a parody of "1984". There was an accompanying worksheet that asks you to select examples of dystopian characterization etc. from the ad and then explain the negative characteristics that it is referring to. Please have all these sheets done for tomorrow and fill in terms list #3 for tomorrow too. There will be a quiz on terms list #3 on Thursday. The unit final exam is scheduled for Friday but may be postponed due to the various interruptions we have had this week. Stay tuned!

Image »Chris« (1994) taken from the series »Dystopia«

March 3

Hmmmm. Course Planning now. Well, we'll try again tomorrow to do some English.

February 29

Happy Leap Year!!

Today we had a shortened period due to the music concert. We started off by reviewing some of the concepts of a dystopian world and the characteristics of a dystopian protagonist. I handed out a new sheet on this but we didn't really get to it. We watched a bit more of "The Matrix" and discussed things like the visual metaphors and other clues to the author's ideas about society. We also talked about what the film makers might be criticizing in our society through their presentation of "The Matrix".

No Homework. Have a nice weekend.

February 28

Today started off well with a short quiz on terms (Audience to Understate). Then we looked at the definition of dystopia and watched a short clip from "Logan's Run" to identify characteristics of a dystopian society. Next we moved on to a clip of "The Matrix". We will be watching a few clips tomorrow and looking at characteristics of a dystopian protagonist. We will also do a short grammar/comprehension sheet too. More on that tomorrow. Finally, you will be getting into groups to create your dystopian story and presentation.

February 27

Today we again discussed equality etc. and then read "Harrison Bergeron". We also discussed the 3 types of irony (situational, dramatic, and verbal) and commented on particular examples of these in the story. I also handed out some notes on dystopia vs. utopia. Finally, we did a very short game review of the terms for tomorrow's quiz, (Audience to Understate).

Bonus: Should be easy. send me a screen shot.

Terms List #1 Review #2
http://www.quia.com/ba/162529.html

February 26

Today we had an interesting discussion on the topic of equality. We read the story "Test" and answered the questions "What is being tested?" and "What is the underlying principle?" After this, I gave out an organizer that asked you to determine what you think a Utopia is. Have this finished for tomorrow. Many thanks. PS. I forgot to ask for the Portable Phonograph plot summaries, so if you did not hand it in today, please get it in tomorrow. There is a quiz on terms on Thursday. Audience to Understate, I think.

February 25

Today we went over The Portable Phonograph and had a little quiz on that. We discussed, briefly, the poem identity and what it was about. I collected the extended metaphors that were assigned on Friday. The Thursday quiz will be on the words Audience to Understate (the other side of the word list from last week. No other homework.

February 20

Hey, we're back!! Sorry about yesterday, but this post was unavoidably detained. Anyway, yesterday we looked at the terms for the quiz on Thursday and read a poem called The Writer as well as discussed the story "The Metaphor".

Today we played a review game for the quiz tomorrow (terms list #4) and started work on a poem called Identity. Each group did as much as they could to answer the questions on the poem sheet but any that did not get done are homework. Please also study for the quiz.

Bonus: You must get $500,000 for the point. Send me the screenshot.
http://www.quia.com/rr/311605.html

February 18

Today we had a short quiz on "The Metaphor". After this we went to an assembly. Finally, we marked the quiz. See you tomorrow.

February 14

Happy Valentine's Day
Today we had a quiz on the first set of terms. We then did a second close reading exercise that looked at how we infer details about characters from the descriptions given by the author. The one we did had a selection from Of Mice and Men and Birdman. These were mostly completed in class but should be done by Monday. Please also read "The Metaphor" for Monday. Be prepared for a little quiz on the story.

Bonus: This is just for fun. See if you can get more than 8 on your first try.
http://www.quia.com/hm/388121.html

February 13

Today we did a quiz on The Possibility of Evil. If you missed this quiz or did poorly, you need to come in tomorrow (Thursday) at noon or after school to redo it. There will be another quiz on Terms list #1 (Bias to Style) tomorrow too. We also discussed The Possibility of Evil and played a review game.



Bonus: You must play this game at least twice (lots of questions) for a point. Send me the screenshots.

http://www.quia.com/jg/1148827.html

February 11

Today we handed in the comparisons between the 2 versions of the Tell Tale Heart we watched in class the other day. If you missed them, here they are again:













After this, we "reverse engineered" paragraphs comparing The Tell Tale Heart and Blue Boots using the organizer handed out in class. You had to determine which criteria or by which categories you were actually comparing the two stories. Remember, your thesis is to determine which narrator is scarier. After this, there was some time for revising this paragraph. The good copy and the rough copy with the organizer is due tomorrow. Reminder of the quiz on Thursday on the list of terms starting with "bias to style". I also handed out the Provincial schedule of examinable terms and devices so you can see the full list that we will be working on over the semester. We discussed the nature of evil and started reading the story "The Possibility of Evil". You must finish the story and answer the question, "Who or what is evil in this story?"

February 11

Today we watched a short video about how to write a good compare and contrast essay. After this there was time to work on the assignment from Friday which was to compare the animated version of Tell Tale Heart to the more straightforward presentation. A copy of the text of the story was also handed out. This is available on the short story page of my website if you need it. Finally, I gave out the next assignment which is to write a 2-3 paragraph composition comparing Tell Tale Heart to Blue Boots. You must decide which narrator is scarier.
Tomorrow you must have an edited rough copy of the comparison between the video versions and a rough copy of your comparison between TTH and Blue Boots. Make sure you email me your scavenger hunt if you haven't already done so.

February 8

Today we watched 2 different versions of the Tell Tale Heart. Your task is to compare the text (more normal one) and the animated versions. Make sure you say clearly which one was better and why. This is due Tuesday. The scavenger hunt is due by Monday. By done I mean that the scavenger hunt page has had the questions entered and you have taken screenshots and sent them to me. Also, you have played the games etc. and taken screenshots of those and also sent them to me. Please send all the files together in 1 email if possible and label everything. Finally, make sure your name is on it, espcially if your email address is something unrecognizable. Have a great weekend.

Here's the weekend bonus: You must get at least 9 to qualify
http://www.quia.com/jg/1148840.html

February 7

Today the TicTacToe assignments were turned in. Then we went to the Library. The class was split into 2 halves. 1 half worked on the internet scavenger hunt for one half the period and then switched with the other 1/2 of the class who read "Blue Boots and did questions 2,3,4 and chose either 6 or 8. Both of these assignments are due on Monday. Also a list of terms was handed out today. The first terms quiz will be on Thursday next week.

Bonus

Here is your first bonus opportunity for those who are checking the blog already. You must send me a screen shot today or tomorrow and you must earn at least 125,000$ to qualify.
Good Luck!!

GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS
http://www.quia.com/rr/215860.html

February 6

Today we reviewed the parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb, adjective, conjunction, preposition, interjection and pronouns) and the types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative) and constructions (simple, compound, complex). A sheet of notes with the sentence information was handed out. Then we did a reading clues sheet that practiced using the parts of speech as an aid for reading comprehension. After this was time for working on the TicTacToe assignment which is due tomorrow. Next we watched a short presentation on removing ambiguity from your writing and finally a puzzle. "An empty yacht is found in the middle of the ocean. There are several corpses floating nearby." Why?

February 5

Today we did a close reading activity about describing people. The rest of the period was spent working on the TicTacToe assignment. This will be due on Thursday.

February 4

Welcome to Semester #2

Keep checking here for updates on what we did in class, what is due and bonus point opportunities.

Today we watched a video on descriptive writing and I handed out an assignment called Tic Tac Toe writing. You must choose your 3 assignments by tomorrow. We will spend some time working on these in class and doing some other writing assignments. This will be due this week, likely before Friday.