December 16

Merry Christmas

Today we did some fun stuff with balloons and drove the vice principals close to crazy.  If you have any NHI assignments, please get them done over the break.  Remember to read your To Kill a Mockingbird.  Have a happy and safe holiday.

December 15

Today was the door decorating challenge.  Despite good ideas and a lot of work, we did not win!  Oh, Well.  Always next year.   Please make sure you bring your Romeo and Juliet books back if you have not already done so.

December 14

Today we read With Rue My Heart is Laden and did some work learning DIDLS for tone in poetry.  No Homework.  Bring your door decorating stuff if you want to do it.

December 12

Today we started our poetry unit with Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven.  We will continue working on it tomorrow.  I collected Romeo and Juliet essays today and all study guides that were not handed in before need to come in asap.  No homework.

December 9

Today we went over the answers to the quotations and the calendar.  If yu were absent you will have to come in and mark your own.  We also did the Romeo and Juliet unit final exam.  Your essays are due on Monday.  Have a nice weekend.

December 8

Today we had a work period.  Tomorrow we will go over the quotations and the days of the week and have the scantron exam.  Your essays are due on Monday.

December 7

Today was largely a work period.  I showed a short version of  Romeo and Juliet and then we went over some PEE model examples.  The PEE model examples need to be in tomorrow.  The Quotes need to be done for Friday.  The exam is Friday and the essay is due on Monday.

December 6

Today we watched the last part of Romeo and Juliet.  We also started the great QR challenge today.  It will run until Friday.  I handed out the final essay topics and some quotes sheets.  You need to get your study guides in today so I can get them back to you before the exam.  The test will be on Friday.

December 5

Today I collected the study guides for Romeo and Juliet.  We elected to watch the new version of Romeo and Juliet and will finish it tomorrow.

November 30

Today we read as far as Act 4 sc 2 in Romeo and Juliet.  Please do the study guide up to this point.  There will be a quiz tomorrow on terms list #8 and Act 1 & 2 of Romeo and Juliet.

November 29

Today we went over the questions to Act 3 sc1 and the terms on list #8.  Then we went over Act 3 sc 2 and read Act 3 sc 3.  Please complete the study questions for these scenes.  The quiz on Thursday will be on list 8 and Acts 1 & 2 of Romeo and Juliet.

November 28

Today we went over the study guide for Act 2.  Then we read Act 3 sc 1.  Please have the study guide questions for this done for tomorrow.  I also asked that you have the definitions for list #8 done for tomorrow.

November 25

Today we had a quiz on terms list 7 and marked it.  Then we read some more of Romeo and Juliet.  Please finish reading all of Act 2 and do the study guide for Act 2.  If you still have to show your movie trailer, please have it ready on Monday.  Have a nice weekend.

November 24

Today we saw 2 more movie trailers.  We have 2 more to go.  Then we went over the paraphrase assignment from Act 2 sc 2.  We finished the scene and read sc. 3.  Complete the study guide up to that point.  We will have a quiz tomorrow on terms list #7 and some of Romeo and Juliet up to where we have read.

November 23

Today we went over the answers to the Act 1 study guide and I collected the figures of speech assigment.  Then we went over the terms on list #7 and some of #8.  Finally we read the first speech of Act 2 and I asked you to have the paraphrase assignment done for tomorrow.  We will have the last day of movie trailers tomorrow, so please make sure you bring your movie on a compatible format.  Bring your books too because it will not take all period.  The normal Thursday quiz will be on Friday.

November 22

Today we reviewed Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet and read a bit of scene 5.  Please complete the first page of the study guide for tomorrow.  I also handed out terms lists 7 & 8.  I would like you to have definitions for list 7 for tomorrow too.

November 18

Today we went over the definitions for terms list 6B and then had a quiz and marked it.  That's about it.  Have a nice weekend. Oh, yes, your movie trailers are due on Monday.

November 17

Today most of the class went to the Diwalli show and the rest of us didn't do much.  There will be a terms quiz tomorrow on list 6B.  Your movie trailers are due on Monday.

November 14

Today we went over the prologue to Romeo and Juliet.  Please write a short plot summary of the play using only the prologue for information for tomorrow.  After this we looked at the words that suggest love vs hate in the prologue.  Finally, we started reading the play.  We will continue reading off and on for the next few weeks.  Bring your book every day.  There will be a quiz on terms 6B on Thursday.

November 10

Today we did a quiz on terms list 6A and marked it.  Then we had a nice discussion about the issues on the survey sheets.  Finish the questions for Monday.   Keep working on your video.  You have another week for that!  Please do any work that still says NHI.  Monday is the last day to hand this in.  Have a nice long weekend.

November 9

Due to so many activities etc. going on today, there were not many people in class.  We went over the definitions of the terms on list 6A.  Then I handed out some pre-reading questions and a couple of surveys. These should be done for tomorrow.  There will be a quiz on terms list 6A ONLY (no Shakespeare this time) tomorrow.

November 8

Today we played the Shakespeare pursuit game using the questions you made yesterday.  Then I handed out terms lists 6A & 6B.  The quiz on Thursday will be on list 6A and perhaps some Shakespeare questions from your lists.  No homework except to work on your videos.

November 7

Today we signed out Romeo and Juliet and returned Inside Stories II to the library.  We then watched a biography of William Shakespeare and I asked you to write at least 6 good questions and answers from the material.  We will play a version of trivial pursuit with these tomorrow.

November 4

Today was the last day to do filming in class time.  Hopefully you are all close to done.  Have a great weekend.

November 3

Today everyone spent the period filming their videos.  Remember to bring your cameras again tomorrow.  Last day of class time for this project.

November 2

Today people finished up their storyboards in preparation for tomorrow's shooting.  Remember your video camera and charge your batteries.

Novermber 1

Today people worked on getting their synopsis, shooting script and screenplays done.  Your storyboard should be done by the end of tomorrow.  You will have Thursday and Friday in class to film your video's.  Make sure someone has a camera etc. to do that.  Remember that it will take you longer than you think to complete this project.

October 31

  Today we saw the last few instructional videos on your dystopian trailer projects. I handed out the project sheet and everyone got into groups to get their synopsis together.  Remember you must understand your Dystopian world and all the controls etc. before you write your  movie story.  Tomorrow you will be working on your story and script.

Happy Halloween.

October 28

Today we looked at several video tutorials about how to plan and shoot a video.  You got into groups to start the dystopian movie trailer project.  Please have some story ideas ready for Monday.

October 27

Today we had people read bits of their Brazil paragraphs to the class and got some constructive criticism on them.  All writing should attempt to be clear and go from "point a to point b" in a straight line, so to speak.  It must pass the confusing or boring test too.  Please have rewritten good copies for tomorrow.

October 26

Today we discussed the last of the Brazil questions and start on a long paragraph.  You must pick 1 interpretation (question 9) and support it with evidence from the story.   No quiz tomorrow.

October 25

Today we watched the last part of the movie Brazil and discussed it a little.  Then people got into groups and answered some more questions and moved on to completing the study guide.  We discussed about 1/2 of the questions in class and will finish tomorrow.  Please make sure you have the study guide done but do not do the paragraph.

October 24

Today we continued watching Brazil.  We will finish it tomorrow, discuss it and begin a short writing assignment on the movie.

October 19

Today we watched a variety of film clips from Metropolis and Brazil and made notes about dystopian characteristics.  No other homework and no quiz tomorrow.!!

October 18

Today we marked part of the Short Story Unit Final Exam and then watched the 1984 Mac ad and analysed for dystopian characteristics.  Please finish that sheet for tomorrow.

October 17

Today we did our Short Story Unit Final Exam in class.   No other homework.

October 11

We had 1 Prezi presentation and 3 Connections project presentations today.  All were very different and interesting.  We will hear the rest tomorrow.  If you did not get the questions from Friday, here they are:

In what ways do the inventors of Mulitvac strive to make their society perfect?  Are they successful?  Why or why not?  about 150 words.   These questions refer to the story All the Troubles of the World.

October 6

Well, after a couple of days away, I am back!  Today we saw almost all of the Prezis from the class.  We will finish those tomorrow along with having a quiz (Thursday's delayed) and we will start the connections presentations as well.  Please finish reading All the Troubles of the World.

Here is a review for the quiz.  Send me a screen shot.

http://www.quia.com/cb/350501.html

October 3

Today we had an extra period in the library to work on connections or the prezi.  You will  present your prezi tomorrow and connection will start on Wednesday (if all goes well).  This week's quiz will be a review of short story terms.

September 29

Today we did a quiz on gothic terms and marked it.  Then we heard/saw the first few prezi's.  These were very entertaining.  We are in the library tomorrow so we will see the rest of the prezi's on Monday.  That means that the connections project will be pushed back to Tuesday or Wednesday.

September 28

Today we had our second day in the library.  You should have completed the library orientation and be just about finished with your first prezi.  Remember that you will present it tomorrow and it should only take about 30 sec to a minute.  There will be a terms quiz on Thursday (gothic terms).  You should also know who is in your group for the connections project.


Try this bonus for the gothic terms. I have not tried it out yet, so let me know if it works!  You need to complete at least 1 activity and take a screenshot of it.  Send it or print it and bring it in tomorrow.
http://www.quia.com/jg/2317862.html

September 27

Today we spent the period in the library.  You were to start on the library orientation project and the prezi orientation project.  Both of these are due at the end of the period tomorrow.  Remember, each of you must complete a library orientation and make your own little prezi.  The prezi should be only about 30 sec to 1 min. long and if you use your research topic, you will get a bonus mark.  If you have time, you may also start on the connections project.  The quiz on Thursday will be on gothic terms.

September 26

Today we watched a film version of Number 13 and a brief clip of James Burke.  We will begin our connections project tomorrow.  The quiz on Thursday will be on gothic terms.

September 22

Today we did a quiz on terms and marked it.  Then we talked about the story The Book.  Finally, I handed out a copy of Number 13.  Read and annotate the story.  Also Google number 13 and find out what you can.  Have a nice weekend.

September 22

Today we did a review of short story terms via crossword puzzle.  Then we discussed the comparison of North End Faust to Faust.  Finally I handed out a copy of "The Book" and asked you to read it and write a short paragraph that answers the question "Should some knowledge be forbidden?"  Study for the quiz tomorrow and have the good copy of your essay done if it was not done today.

September 21

Today we had a little time for peer editing the essay's on the Blue Boots vs. TTH.  After this we read a plot summary of Faust and the story North End Faust.  I handed out a venn diagram and asked you to finish reading the story and to complete the Venn.  Good copies of the essay are due tomorrow.

September 20

Today we took some notes on the characteristics of gothic literature.  Then we discussed a bit about The Tell Tale Heart.  I asked you to add your character analysis paragraphs to an essay describing which character is scarier, the Tell Tale Heart guy or the Blue Boots lady and why.  The rough copy of this essay needs to be done for tomorrow. 

September 16

Today we wrote a short character analysis of the protagonist of the Blue Boots in rough.  Then we watched 2 different versions of The Tell Tale Heart.  The homework is to complete a rough copy of a character analysis of the protagonist from The Tell Tale Heart (as well as to read the story).  Have a good weekend.

September 15

Today we did a quiz on short story terms (List #4) and marked it in class.  I also handed out course outlines a page of notes on character traits, and a list of examinable terms and devices that could appear on the Provincial Exam.  Then we made some notes on character sketches vs. character analysis and looked at some examples.  Please make sure you have your books with you tomorrow and make sure that your character traits sheet has both examples and explanations on it.

September 14

Welcome to a new year.  It has taken me a few days to get caught up and back up to speed with writing the blog but here we go.  Today we read the story Blue Boots.  I handed out a character traits sheet with 4 spaces to choose 4 traits and find 4 examples from the story to prove the traits.  Please have this finished for tomorrow.  The quiz tomorrow will be on List #4.


Bonus:  If you want to do the bonus, click on the link below.  Complete the activity successfully and then take a screenshot of it and email it to pantherenglish@gmail.com.   If you don't know how to take a screenshot, you can either go to my website and read how  http://abbynet.sd34.bc.ca/lkemp/  or print out the last page of the activity on paper and bring it in.  One point for each bonus activity.

The Bonus Activity is Here!

http://www.quia.com/rr/311605.html

June 17

Today we did record sheets and tried part of the provincial exam.  You will need to study the terms lists and come in mentally prepared to do well.  Please remember the following:  Bring 2 pencils, 2 pens, a highlighter, an eraser, and a bottle of water; eat breakfast; arrive 15 minutes early; don't bring electronic things.  You can do well if you try.  I wish you all the luck in the world.

Have a great summer!!

June 15

Today we finished Romeo and Juliet.  I handed out a 2 page worksheet yesterday.  This is due tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the cut off for all marks and all NHI assignments.  We will have quiz mostly on the Shakespeare terms but could include just about any of the terms on the examinable terms list.  Please get your definitions done.  Friday we will be going over the practice exam.

June 14

Today we read part of Act 4 of Romeo and Juliet.  I handed out the booklet that you should have got yesterday and asked that you be finished to the end of Act 4 for tomorrow.  We have a quiz on Thursday.  It will be on lists 6 A&B and 9.  Please bring all your terms sheets to class tomorrow.  Return all library books.  Also remember that Thursday is the last day to bring in any NHI work. 

June 10

Today we marked the poetry exam and went through Acts 2 and part of Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet.  Sorry, no homework.  Have a nice weekend.



PS  Term cut off is June 16.  No exceptions!

June 7

Today we watched a couple of video clips to introduce the Shakespeare unit.  Then we started reading Romeo and Juliet.  We a got a little way into Act 1.  We will continue tomorrow.  Please bring all your novels and other books back as they are now over due in the library.  The Poetry unit final will be on Thursday.

June 6

Today we did an in-class essay to determine the theme of a poem.  This is the last evaluation for poetry other than the unit final which will be on Thursday.  If you were absent today, you must make arrangements to come in after school to write this essay before June 16.

June 3

Today we answered the questions on the sonnet and then analysed sonnet 23.  After this I handed out a sheet with a Browning sonnet and a Shakespearean sonnet and asked that you find the theme of both and then tell me if they are the same or different.  Have a nice weekend.

June 2

Today we did a poetry review quiz and marked it.  Then we returned work and sorted out problems on the interim reports.  Have your Shakespeare sonnet questions done for tomorrow.

June 1

Today we learned the TPCASTT method for analysing tone and did an analysis of the poem The road less travelled.  We will have a quiz tomorrow on poetry terms again and mark the sonnet questions from yesterday's reading.  Please have these done.

May 31

Today we did a an in-class DIDLS on the poem Lament.  You should also have taken the notes on the Shakespearean sonnet.  Please complete the questions for homework.  We will be taking those up in class.  The quiz on Thursday will be a poetry review not list 9.

May 26

Today we did a quiz on terms list #8 and marked it.  After this I gave out the 2nd part of the essay on how to write a good essay.  Meanwhile people came and showed me their paragraphs on the Raven so I could offer comments.  Please have your Raven paragraphs done for tomorrow.

May 25

Today we read an essay about how to write a good literary essay.  Then we read Blake's poem Tyger.  Then we read 2 essays about this poem and determined which was better and why.  Finally, I asked you to work on your Raven paragraphs.  Each must be written in PEE model and have a thesis statement.  Quiz tomorrow on list #8 terms.

May 24

I hope you had a relaxing long weekend. Today we went over the terms on list #8.  Then we continued with the Raven.  I also handed out a pair of assignments.  Choose 1 from section a and one from section b. We will be working on these in class tomorrow.  I also collected personal symbol projects today.  The quiz on Thursday will be on list #8.

May 20

Today we started work on the Raven.  We read the orginal (very dramatically !) and watched the Simpson's version as well as read 3 other parodies.  I asked you to work in pairs to locate (highlight) figures of speech in the poem and mood words.  We will continue this on Monday.  I also collected Personal Symbol projects and the Lady of Shalott story board -#4 and the box thing.  If you did not get these done, you must do those as well as the drawing task all for Tuesday.  Please have a great long weekend.

May 19

We did a quiz on terms list #7.  Then we did some more work on the Lady of Shalott.  Please complete activity 1, the box thing and the storyboard except for task #4.  All this is due tomorrow except the picture.

May 18

Today we worked on The Lady of Shalott.  Please finish your personal symbol project for tomorrow and remember that there is a quiz on list 7.

May 13

Today I handed out terms lists 7 & 8.  Please find definitions for Tuesday.  I also handed out the personal symbol project sheets.  This is due on Wednesday.  The poem from yesterday's class done for Monday. Have a nice weekend.

May 11

Today we went over connotation and denotation and looked at the difference between mood and tone.  We went back to the poems Love Song and Valentine for Ernest Mann and started a comparison.  We will finish this in class tomorrow.  No Homework.

May 9

Today we started our poetry unit.  We talked about the differences between poetry and prose and I handed out a list of Poetry terms that you will need to learn for this unit.  Then we read a short story and a poem and discussed things like the use of imagery and tone.  Finally, I asked people to try to express the themes.   After this we listened to a song and read the lyrics and did the same thing with the lyrics.  Finally, we looked at some art work and tried to interpret it using the same methodology.  Even though the projector died every few minutes, everyone did a good job.  No homework.

May 6

Today we wrote and in-class essay on To Kill a Mockingbird and the other essays were supposed to be handed in.  No Homework.  Have a great weekend.

May 4

We spent today's period working on the Mockingbird Final Essays.  Remember that you must have a concept map type organizer with your essay.  Good and rough copies are due on Friday.  Tomorrow is the Unit exam.  Study the characters and the plot mostly.  There are some narrative fiction terms and some about the historical period.

Sign into your account and then send me the screenshot of your winning page.  You must get at least 85% correct to get your point.

Bonus 1
To Kill A Mockingbird Quotations Challenge
http://www.quia.com/cb/294646.html

Bonus 2
To Kill A Mockingbird Novel Review
http://www.quia.com/cb/200442.html

May 3

Today we watched the end of the To Kill a Mockingbird movie and completed the comparison sheet.  Please have your concept map organizers done (for your essay) and in class tomorrow.  We will be working on the final essay. The unit exam is Thursday and the Essays are due on Thursday.

May 2

Wow! We have made it to May already!   Today we watched the first part of the TKM movie.  We will finish this tomorrow.  You need to have your concept map outline for your final essay done for Wednesday's class.  We will do the Unit Final Exam on Friday and the prepared Essays are due on Friday.  There is also another treat for you for Friday, so please don't get behind.

April 26

Today we continued watching Ghosts of Mississippi.  We will be in the library tomorrow to work on the concept map project.

April 21

Today we saw the last 3 web poster presentations and then watched the start of "Ghosts of Mississippi".  Please use the long weekend to get caught up on any outstanding term 3 assignments.  Have a good Easter.

April 20

I hope you all enjoyed the skills competition at Tradex today.  We will not have a quiz tomorrow.  We will see more presentations and try to discuss to the end of the book.  The quiz/exam will likely be next week.

April 19

We had a couple more presentations today on Eleanor Rooseveldt and FDR and the New Deal.  After this we discussed elements from the trial in Mockingbird.  The field trip is tomorrow.  We will probably have a quiz on Thursday which will cover the end of the book.  I may decide to post pone this until after Easter.  Stay tuned.

April 18

Today we talked about the various assignments that were given during my absence.  I also asked for the permission forms for Wednesday's field trip.  NO Form?  No GO!  Then we had reports on men's fashion, Scotsboro and Jim Crow.  Tomorrow I would like to hear about lynching, the KKK and  women's fashion. I also handed out another terms list (with definitions on it) .  Several people also have to get their concept maps to me.

April 12

Hi there.  Hopefully, you have finished the motif worksheet and handed it in along with the concept maps.  The quiz on Thursday is the hardest one on Mockingbird.  Don't ask me why!  But it seems to be.  It will be on Chapters 12-23 and cover the trial.  Make sure you have read it and read the character descriptions CLOSELY.

April 8

Today we worked in the library on the concept maps.  These are due on Monday.  We also marked the Mockingbird quizzes from yesterday.

April 7

Today we wrote the To Kill a Mockingbird Test and started our concept maps.  We will mark the test tomorrow and finish the concept maps.  It would be good if you could try out or sign up for one of the sites that you want to use.  These are Webspirations classroom; Text2Map; and Simplemapping.

April 6

 Today we got through the end of chapter 9.  The quiz will be on chapters 1-11 tomorrow.

Bonus:
Log into your Quia account.  Find this quiz:

To Kill a Mockingbird Quiz #1 (Ch. 1-7)

Get at least 80% for a bonus point.  This quiz covers only 1/2 of what will be on our quiz.

April 5

Today we had three good reports from the webposters on John Dewey and the Emancipation Proclamation and Poverty in Alabama.  Then we continued looking at the first part of the novel.  I want to get to the end of part 1 by tomorrow.  The quiz on Thursday will be on ch 1-11 so you must have read it.  Tomorrow we will hear from  Booker T and Frederick so please have your posters done.

Also forget about webspiration at this time.  I will let you know what's up tomorrow.

April 4

Today we saw the rest of the dystopian trailers.  They were all very well done.  Then I handed out a reading on the depression.  We will continue with Mockingbird tomorrow so please have your book with you.  Today is the Term 3 cut off so tomorrow officially starts Term 4.

March 31

Today we had a quiz on chapters 1-5 of TKM and then we watched one of the dystopian trailers again and evaluated it.  Finally, I started showing a presentation on the depression and To Kill a Mockingbird.  You should have handed your reading journals in as well.  Monday is the cut off for term 3 so please be working on those NHI assignments.

March 30

Today we saw 2 very good dystopian trailers.  The rest will wait until Monday.  We discussed the concept map project that is up coming.  We will look at some of the web posters tomorrow after the quiz.  The quiz is on chapters 1-4 of the novel.  Remember that your reading journal is also due tomorrow.  Term cut off is Monday.  Make sure you have any NHI work done by then if you want it to count for the term 3 report card.

Bonus:  Log into your Quia account and find the activity below.  Complete it and send me screen shot of the winning page.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 1-4

March 29

Today we worked in the library on the webposters.  Some people also put the finishing touches on their dystopian trailers.  Remember that both are due tomorrow.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have come up with.

March 28

Well I hope everyone had a better spring break than I did!  I was sick for most of it but am better now.  We are right back at it and this is what we did today.  We went to the library and began researching topics about the 1930's in Alabama in preparation for To Kill a Mockingbird.  You must have your poster done by Wed.  We will also be seeing the dystopian trailers on Wednesday.

March 11

Today we did the Short Story Unit Final Exam and I handed out the To Kill a Mockingbird Reading Journals.  Please make sure you do at least the minimum reading and work on the journals that is required.  Other than maybe doing some catch up work, have a safe, fun and productive spring break.  See you in 2!

March 10

Today we wrote the in class essays that we prepared yesterday.  Tomorrow we will be doing the short story unit final exam.  Make sure you go over the review sheets that you completed in class.  Bring both your short story books and your To Kill a Mockingbird book to class.

March 9

Today we signed out To Kill a Mockingbird and then prepared for tomorrow's inclass essay.  The topics are on my web page.  If you were absent today, I would advise you to get the topics and do some preparation before tomorrrow.  Your short story books will be due in the library by Friday so please remember to bring them from home.  The unit exam will be on Friday.

March 8

Today we spent the period filling out the short story review chart.  We will be going over that in class tomorrow, so please have it finished.

March 7

Today we had an extra filming day.  Hopefully you are just about done now.  The finished project is due the day we return from Spring Break.  We will be doing a short story review tomorrow and then the unit exam and finally starting on the novel.

March 3

Today was filming day #1.  Hopefully you got some shots that you need. Same again tomorrow.

March 2

Today we spent the period in the library finishing the screenplays and working on the storyboards.  Tomorrow is the first of 2 days allowed for filming during class time.  Make sure you have a camera if you want to film.

March 1

We spent the period in the library working on the dystopian movie trailers.  You should have picked your theme and written most of your screen play. Tomorrow you will be doing a story board.  Thursday and Friday are filming days.  After that, there is no more class time available.  So make good use of the time you have!

February 28

Today we had the last connections project presentation.  After this I showed some video "how to" clips and we looked at some examples of the video trailers from last semester.   I went over the requirements of the project and you had a few minutes to begin to discuss with your groups what you would like to do.  We will be spending most of the week on this project.

February 25

Today we wrote the first review quiz for the short story unit.  I also handed out the Harrison Bergeron assigment which is to design a new handicap for the handicapper general and draw it.  This is due on Monday.  Have a nice weekend.

February 23

Today we read the story Harrison Bergeron and began a discussion on the questions.  We will finish this on Friday.  The Thursday quiz will also be on Friday since so many of you will be writing the math contest test.  Please make sure you bring your books!

Log in to your account and play the review game.  Send me an email of your winning page.  (Send to the school!)

Harrison Bergeron Review
http://www.quia.com/rr/787868.html

February 22

Today we finished reading The Portable Phonograph.  I put the class into groups to discuss the theme and to try to come up with an appropriate theme statement.  I gave out an assignment which is due tomorrow.  Please make sure you have chosen your 5 items, given an explanation and provided a picture.  Make sure you look into one of the 'works' preserved by the Dr. and explained why you think it represents the 'soul of man'.  This work sheet is in the handouts folder of my short story page (Honours).   This week's quiz will be on Friday due to the math contest.

February 21

Today we saw 2 more connections projects and there is still one more to go.  We discussed the story The Possibility of Evil and then started talking about The Portable Phonograph.  We also watched a video on video techniuques and made some notes.  More of this tomorrow.

February 17

Today we wrote the quiz for terms list #5 and marked it.  Then we did a bit of self evaluation on the Connections project in the form or an in-class essay.  Please read the story The Possibility of Evil for Monday.  I also collected the Blue Boots essays and did not get very many of them.  Please get them in by Monday.  Have a nice weekend.

February 16

Today we had our connections presentations.  They were  all different and they were all very good.  We will have the last couple tomorrow after the quiz on terms (list 5).  Remember that your essay on Blue Boots is due tomorrow as well.

Bonus:   Log into your Quia account and find the game shown below.  Play the game and send me a screenshot of your winning page.    I will give you a bonus point to put on your quiz.

Terms Review #5

February 15

Today we were supposed to start presentations on the connections but only 1 group was ready so we spent a little time getting the definitions to terms list #5 and then carried on with our dystopian/utoptian protagonists.  We watched clips from Brazil, Logan's Run and the Matrix and you had to fill in the clips sheet on the back of your notes.  I also asked you to read the story All the Troubles of the World and answer the question:  How is this a dystopian story?
Tomorrow we will have the presentations.  Thursday will be the quiz on terms list #5 and your essays on Blue Boots vs. Tell Tale Heart are due (good and rough copies)

February 14

Happy Valentine's Day

We spent the period in the library preparing for the connections project presentations which start tomorrow  Please have your definitions for terms list #5 done for tomorrow as well.  Remember that your essays, Blue Boots vs. Tell Tale Heart, good and rough copies are due on Thursday.  Quiz this Thursday is on list #5.

February 11

Today we started part 2 of the short story unit in the Science Fiction genre.  We will be looking at some stories that present dystopian views of life.  We watched the Apple 1984 ad and filled in some sheets about dystopian protagonists and I gave out notes on dystopia/utopia.  Your connections projects are due on Tuesday.  We have the library booked for Monday but it is a 5 period day so the periods are shorter.  You must do some work on this over the weekend.  Please also remember that your Blue Boots vs Tell Tale Heart essay is due on Thursday next week, good and rough copies.  There is a quiz on Thursday on terms list #3 and 5.  Get the definitions done by Tuesday.
Have a nice weekend.

February 10

Today we did a quiz on terms (list #4) and marked it and I handed out the terms list for next week's quiz.  You need to get the definitions down by Monday.  The rest of the period was spent working on the connnections project.  Do not expect any more class time.  We will move on to the next genre of the short story unit (Science Fiction) tomorrow.  Be prepared to do quite a lot of this on your own.


Honours Bonus Challenge:

Identify the man in the picture.   Hint he invented an English word which he derived from Greek.  An anagram of this word is  OAT I UP.  Leave your answer as a comment for 1 bonus point.  This must be done before Friday at 3:00 pm.

February 9

Well done on the comments so far!  Keep it up!  Today we had some very entertaining Prezi presentations despite some fairly typical lack of cooperation from the computer.  The last few can be done tomorrow.  You got into your groups for your connections project and have hopefully come up with an idea or at least figured out what it is you are supposed to do!  Watch the video again if you are unsure.  I have uploaded it here.  Reminder that there is a quiz on terms (list 4) tomorrow.  You can have some class time to work on the projects.  We will begin to see presentations on Tuesday.  By the way, I think I would like to have the essays on TTH and BB done by next Thursday, Feb 17.

February 8

Today we continued work in the library.  You need to hand in the library orientation project tomorrow and be ready to present your Prezi in class tomorrow.  I would like the scavenger hunts by the end of the week, please, and remember to do the quiz.  You need to log into your Quia account to do it for credit.  We will have time to work on the connections project tomorrow.  Quiz on Thursday on the terms list from last week.  Also I do not have many rough copies of the Blue Boots vs. Tell Tale Heart essays yet.  Get them in tomorrow too, please.

February 7

How did your day in the library go?  You will need to finish the scavenger hunt, the library orientation and the prezi project tomorrow.  You can begin your connections project tomorrow if you have time.

February 4

Today we spent time discussing #13 and The Book ( a bit).  I assigned you to reread all the material we have read so far and to read the gothic notes and the story North End Faust.  We watched 1/2 of a show called connections.  If you are interested, the link to the end is below.  We will be starting our first project on Monday.  Remember, keep thinking about what science and history could possibly have to do with gothic literature.

Have a nice weekend.
P.S. Leave a comment about James Burke's ideas and receive a nice bonus point to spend later in the term.

February 3

Today I handed out some notes on Faust, a story by M. R. James called #13 and a story by H.P.Lovecraft called The Book.  Please read all this stuff before tomorrow.  You also need to be working on your writing comparing the The Blue Boots lady to the Tell Tale Heart Guy.  It would be good if you had a rough copy done for tomorrow.

January 20

Today we did record sheets and the inclass essay on the poem Invictus.  Tomorrow we will do the provincial exam review.  Please make sure to bring in any books that you may have at home to return to the library.  Remember that today was the cut off for all term work unless you made a special arrangement with me.  See you tomorrow.

January 19

Today we looked at two parody versions of The Raven.  I handed out yet more notes on writing essays and then I assigned the inclass essay for tomorrow.  You are going to do Invictus.  You have to prep in class today or tomorrow and write it tomorrow.  Friday we will look at the practice provincial exam.  Please bring in all your text books tomorrow.  Also  tomorrow is the last day to hand in any work for this semester.

January 18

Today we finished up with introductions and then moved on to The Lady of Shalott and The Raven.  We just read those poems.  Finally, I gave out some notes on how to write an essay comparing poems.

January 17

Today we did a quiz on poetry terms list #8 and marked it in class.  Then we looked at an example of an introduction to an essay that needed a little help.  We did not quite get through this, so we will finish tomorrow.

January 13

I hope you all enjoyed your snow day yesterday.  Today we went over the last part of the essay writing notes.  We also went over the terms on list 8.  The quiz for this will be on Monday.  Finally, I we looked at the poem Lament and discussed the process DIDLS.  Then I asked you to add the following steps:  title, shifts, title, theme.  Consider the title first, paraphrase the poem, finish the rest of the DIDLS, look for a shift in tone or subject, reconsider the title and then decide what the theme is.  Do all this and then write only the INTRODUCTION for an essay on the theme of this poem but not the poem itself.  Use your notes on thesis statements and introductions to produce a strong introduction paragraph.   I also returned a lot of work.  Have a nice long weekend.

January 11

Today we went over some examples of good introductions in essays and then read the poem "With Rue my Heart is Laden" and started a DIDLS analysis.  Then the IB teachers came and did a presentation.  No homework except to make sure that you have the definitions for terms list 8 (back of last week's list) done for tomorrow.

January 10

Today we worked on the rough copies of the comparison between the two sonnets that you were given on Friday.  We discussed what a good thesis statement might look like and then did a bit of practice forming PEE chains with a focus on the explanation part.  Your good copies of this paragraph(s) is due tomorrow.

January 7

Today we did a quiz on list #7 and marked it.  Then we went over some notes on how to write essays and I asked you to try to compare the two sonnets on the back of the sonnet 23 sheet.  Answer the question:  "What are these poems saying about love?"  Have  rough copy ready for Monday.  Also you should have handed in your sonnet 23 answers today as well.  Have a nice weekend.

January 6

Today we went over the last of the euphemisms sheet and then went on to sonnet 23.  Please make sure that you have competed that sheet for tomorrow.  The quiz that should have been today will be on tomorrow and will be the first side of the list (7).  We will be working on comparing the 2 sonnets tomorrow as well, so please make sure you bring those sheets.

January 4

Today I handed out a reading and questions on sonnets.  Please have the questions done for tomorrow.  I collected essays.  I handed out the list for the next 2 terms quizzes.  Please have the definitions done for the front side for tomorrow. Also I handed out a sheet on connotation, denotation and euphemism.  We will do that in class tomorrow.   Welcome Back!