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.