September 24

Welcome to the 2012/13 school year.  Although I haven't been writing this blog this year, I intend to start once everything settles down and works the way it is supposed to work in the new school.  I will tell you when to start checking here regularly.  For now, just post your answer to the question in the intro prezi in the comments section below.  Leave your first name only.  Feel free to provide a bit of explanation for your answer if you wish.  Have fun.

June 12

Finished the Romeo and Juliet movie today.  Your essays are due tomorrow.  All your text books must be turned in as well.

June 8

Today we did the Romeo and Juliet Unit Final exam.  The QR challenge winners were Sarah and Gagan.
Have a good weekend.

June 7

Today we had some time to work on essays and we did the QR challenge.  The deadline is the start of class tomorrow.  We will have unit final on Romeo and Juliet tomorrow.  

June 6

Today was a work block to get the Shakespeare essays done.  Your exam will be moved to Friday. Your final essay is due next Wednesday.   Monday is the last day to get any overdue term 4 work handed in.

June 5

Today we marked the Act 2-5 study guides and the implications sheet.  We went over the PEE model sheet.  Do that if you want to.  Your movie comparison essay is due Friday.  The Unit Final will be on Thursday.  The QR challenge will likely start tomorrow.   Your final RJ essay will be due next week.

June 4

Today we finished Acts 4 and 5 of Romeo and Juliet.  We will mark the study questions for acts 3-5 tomorrow as well as the implications sheet.  Try to work on your essay.  Another one is heading your way.  RJ unit final will be on Thursday, probably.

May 31

Today we had an Act 1 quiz on RJ.   We read parts of Act 2.  Read scenes 5 & 6 and do the Act 2 worksheet in your package.

May 30

Today we watched Act 1 sc 1 of Romeo and Juliet 2 times.  One time was the Baz Luhrman version and the other was the Franco Zefferelli version.  You have to write an essay assessing  certain aspects of both films and then say which was more effective and why.  This will be due next week.  We also started reading Act 2.  We have a quiz on Act 1 tomorrow so it would be a good idea to re-read the act tonight.

Bonus:
Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Easy Breezy Review
http://www.quia.com/rr/895854.html

May 29

Finished ACT 1 of Romeo and Juliet.  Read sc 4 on your own and do the act 1 worksheet for tomorrow.

May 28

Today we talked a lot about the background of Romeo and Juliet and we read the prologue and half of Act 1.  The class acted out this part of Act 1 only we did not get finished.  So we will start with that tomorrow.

May 24

Today we did the Poetry Unit Final.  Then there was some time to work on your "essays" from yesterday. Tomorrow we will be working on our final poetry essay.

May 23

Today we heard everyone's thesis statement and then you had to describe the relationships in the poems and find a quote and then compare them to the one in Anne Hathaway.  You will have time to work on this after the poetry unit exam tomorrow.

Bonus
Poetry Rags to Riches (the sequel)
http://www.quia.com/rr/285774.html

May 18

Today I read some of the mashed poems aloud to the class.  These were all really remarkable.  Then we did an in class essay on the poem The Watchers.  You had to do a TPCASTT analysis and then write about 3 paragraphs in essay form by the end of the period.  Challenging!  No other homework than if you have any NHI assignments.  Have a great long weekend.

May 17

Today we had a review quiz on terms and marked it.  Then I had the poetry mash up groups do a short TPCASTT analysis of their mashed poem and hand that in.  No other homework.

May 16

Today we read some pretty cool poems and looked at how poetic form can enhance the meaning of a poem.  Then I asked each group to write out their mashed poem onto a sheet of paper and pay close attention to the form.   There will be another poetic terms quiz tomorrow.  Also your 2 sonnet comparisons should be in by now.

May 11

Today we did a poetry mash up.  We will do a little more with these on Monday.  Please have your rough copy of the sonnet comparisons done for Monday.  Have a good weekend.

May 10

Today we did a poetry quiz and marked it.  Then I went over the paragraphs on Lament. I handed out the next assignment which is a comparison of 2 sonnets.   This will be due on Monday. 

May 9

 Today we went over the poem Death Be Not Proud and the steps to DIDLS.  Then I handed out a new  poem called Lament and you had to do an in-class analysis and paragraph.  I will try to get these back to you soon.  Remember quiz on poetry terms tomorrow.

 Bonus:

 Poetry Terms Review Quiz Review
http://www.quia.com/rr/226451.html

May 8

Today we went over the the sonnets from yesterday and 1 more.  Then I talked about DIDLS and we went through one poem together and then I asked you do Death Be Not Proud on your own.  We will go over these tomorrow and do another one as an in-class writing assignment.  Quiz on Thursday on poetry terms.

May 7

Today we had groups present their analyses for the Sonnet Wars.  All groups did an extremely good job.  I will tally the results and we will go over them tomorrow.

May 4

Today we did SONNET WARS!  not  Star Wars.  Most groups got done so we will be presenting them on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

May 3

Today we had a quiz on terms list 7 & 8 and marked it.  We also marked the sonnet questions.  Then we went over the sonnet 23 exercise.  No Homework.

May 2

Today you should have handed in all your Lady of Shallot stuff.  I read a few more Raven parodies and then gave an overview on poetry analysis with a focus on sonnets.   I handed out some sonnet notes and some questions and an assignment on sonnets.  The quiz tomorrow will be on lists 7 & 8.

Bonus:  Send me screen shots for a maximum of 2 points.  Log in first.
Basic figurative devices List 7
http://www.quia.com/cm/140411.html

Poetic Terms List #8 Review
http://www.quia.com/jg/1093454.html

May 1

Today I read the parodies of the Raven and they were very good.  Then we read The Lady of Shallot and I handed out some questions for that.  Please have those done for tomorrow.  Quiz on terms on Thursday.

April 30

Today we went over the definitions on terms lists 7 & 8.  Then there was time to finish the Raven parodies.  We will read these in class tomorrow.  Terms quiz on Thursday.

April 26

Today we did a little work on the difference between tone and mood.  We listened to some music and tried to identify tone and mood for it.  I handed out terms lists 5, 7 & 8.  You need to have these completed for Monday.   We also had a quiz on terms lists 6A & 6B and marked it.   Try to have your parody done for Monday.

April 24

Today we read the poem The Raven.  I handed out a worksheet.  Please have this done for tomorrow.

April 23

Today we finished our work on the poems Valentine for Earnest Mann and Love Song.  You must write a paragraph that uses 1 quotation from each poem that proves that the theme is "There are some things that you can't just ask for".   Secondly, write a free verse poem that is on the same theme.  Topic is your choice.  These are due tomorrow.  Good and rough copies required.

April 20

Today we officially started the poetry unit by talking about the terms on the terms list and by looking at diction in 2 poems.  We will continue with that on Monday.  Enjoy a homework free weekend.

April 19

Today we wrote the To Kill a Mockingbird Final Exam.  Tomorrow your essays are due.  We also collected the definitions for lists 6A and 6B for poetry and Shakespeare units.

April 18

Today we did some review for the TKM test tomorrow.  Then we did some poetry terms to see how much you remember from last year.  Finally, we watched a few interesting video clips.  Exam tomorrow and Essays Friday.

Bonus
Mockingbird Chapters 1-16 Review
http://www.quia.com/rr/332103.html

April 12

Today we wrote our inclass paragraphs on TKM.  We will start watching the movie tomorrow.  Your final essay on TKM is due on Friday April 20.

April 11

Today we discussed the themes of the novel from the worksheets yesterday.  I also handed out essay topics.  Tomorrow will be our in-class essay and we will watch the movie on Friday.

April 5

Today we just about finished discussing the novel.  All nhi work should be in by Tuesday.  Have a Happy Easter.

April 4

Today we continued our discussions of To Kill a Mockingbird.  We will likely finish them tomorrow and possibly start watching the film.

March 30

Today we worked in the library finishing the research for your Mockingbird essay.  This is due on Monday.  Have a great weekend.

March 29

Today we wrote the short story unit final exam.  We will be in the library tomorrow finishing the mockingbird research stuff.  Please make sure you bring your novels to class every day after this.

March 28

 As requested, an entry!     Today we spent time in the library working on the TKM research stuff.  Tomorrow is the unit final for short stories.  There will be terms, names of stories and characters and some writing.

2 Bonus opportunities tonight.  Send the screenshots and make sure you log into you account.

Short Story Rags to Riches English 10H
http://www.quia.com/rr/221947.html

Short Story Final Review
http://www.quia.com/rr/384234.html

March 1

Today we did a quiz on terms and marked it.  Then we had a discussion about some of the issues with equality that arise from the story Harrison Bergeron.  If you did not read it last night, please have it done for tomorrow.

February 29

Today we saw the last of the Connections presentations.  All were very well done and interesting.  We will have a quiz on terms list #5 tomorrow and please finish reading Harrison Bergeron.

February 28

Today we heard the first Connections Presentations.  They were all well done.  The last 2 groups can go tomorrow.   Terms quiz on Thursday and an in-class essay on Friday.

February 27

Today we marked Thursday's quiz and got the next terms list for this Thursday's quiz.  We were going to mark the adverb clauses and see some prezi's but these were not ready so we will do that on Wednesday.   We went over the terms and had some work time.

February 24

Today we had our last day in the library for the connections project.  We will mark the quizzes from yesterday on Monday and have a bit more time to put the presentations together.  They must be ready to go on Tuesday.  Have a nice weekend.

February 23

Today we did a gothic short stories review quiz.  We will mark it tomorrow.  We will be in the library tomorrow so another day to work on the connections project.  Anyone who did not present their initial prezi should be ready to do so on Monday. 

February 22

Today we worked in the library on the connections project.  Unfortunately, we can't go to the movie tomorrow because they changed the time and it makes it too late for us to return.  Sigh.  Another time.  It gives us another day in the library.  We are having a review quiz tomorrow on gothic and regular terms.

February 21

Today we split our time watching some very interesting prezis and doing some grammar work on complex sentences and subordinate clauses.  Please have those worksheets done for tomorrow.

February 20

OK.  So here we are in the library.  Put your answer to the question on the comments below this post.  Get your trial prezi done.  You will be presenting them in class tomorrow.  Also bring your money and form for the field trip.

February 16

Today we did a quiz and marked it.  The we did a sheet on perfect tense verbs.   Next I showed a little video of James Burke about making connections in knowledge.  Finally, I asked you to get into groups to start working on the connections project.   It would be a really good idea to communicate with your group members over the weekend to get a head start on this.  Don't worry so much about how you will present the information until you understand what it is that you have to do. 


Remember forms and money on Monday for the movie field trip.
Have a good weekend.

February 15

Today we learned a bit about verb phrases and the past perfect version of verbs.  We also went over the terms for tomorrow's quiz.

Bonus Opportunity.  

Log in to your Quia account.  Win your million and send me an email.  Have fun.

Terms List #4
http://www.quia.com/rr/311605.html

February 14

 Happy Valentine's Day

Today we had a really interesting discussion on the story The Book.  We also looked up information on Tartarus, 9, 7, 4 and 13.  I asked you to get definitions for terms list #4.  Pages of the red book are on my website if you need them.

February 13

Today we finished watching the movie version of Number 13.  I handed out a comparison sheet for you to note details between the printed story and the movie.  I also handed out a character traits sheet for you collect information about a character in Number 13.  We will have some time in class to work on that tomorrow.  I also handed out the next story, The Book.  Please read that for tomorrow.

February 10

Today I collected the Blue Boots/Tell Tale Heart Essays.  Then we briefly discussed the story North End Faust.  We also started to watch the movie version of #13 which is our next story.  We did not get all the way though it so you will have to finish reading it over the weekend and then we will see the movie on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

February 9

Today we had a visitor, Mrs. Varnes, who talked about IB.  Then we did a quiz on gothic terms and marked it.  Then we did a story pyramid (summary) of Faust which should be handed in.  Homework is to finish your Blue Boots/Tell Tale Heart comparison essay and to read North End Faust.  Have a good time at the dance.

Bonus Opportunity.

Post a comment about life on today's blog.

February 8

Today we read through the plot summary of Faust.  Remember that there is a quiz on gothic terms tomorrow.  Your comparison essays will be due on Friday.


Bonus Opportunity:

Step 1.   Log into your Quiz account
Step 2.  Find the game listed below
Step 3.  Play the game and win your $1,000,000
Step 4.  Send me an email telling me that you did it and a show off your new found skill at screen shooting and send me the pic.

Gothic Terms

February 7

Today we basically wrote an in class essay on which character is scarier?  The Blue Boots Lady or the Tell Tale Heart Man.  Use PEE model.  These are due on Friday.  We will also have a gothic terms quiz on  Thursday.

February 6

Today we finished reading The Blue Boots and we watched 2 versions of The Tell Tale Heart.  I handed out copies of the story.  Please read it for tomorrow. I also handed out gothic terms notes.  There will be a quiz on this on Thursday.

Many thanks to those of you who left comments on Friday's blog.

Answer the following question in the comments for today's blog for a bonus point.

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

February 3

Today we went to the library to do the library orientation and the web scavenger hunt.  Hopefully, you finished one or the other in class. Both are due next Wednesday.  Have a good weekend.

Bonus Opportunity

Leave a comment on this entry some time this weekend and earn 1 bonus point to use in class.

February 2

Today we marked the grammar package from yesterday and went over some of the features of gothic literature.  Then we started to read the Blue Boots.  No Homework.

February 1

Sorry about missing yesterday.  Today we handed in the revised essays on the Broken Globe and we did a review of sentence structure.  Please make sure you have got your essay done, if you were absent yesterday.  We marked a lot of the grammar in class but we did not finish so if you didn't get it all done, please complete all the B sides for tomorrow.

January 30

Welcome to a new Semester!
Today we jumped into the water (metaphorically) with both feet.  You had to read a very badly written piece of text and then try to use it gather enough evidence to make a thesis statement and write a paragraph proving it.  Very tough!

January 20

Well, who knew the last day of the semester would be a snow day?  I hope you are all keeping warm.  Remember that your English 10 Provincial Exam is at 8:30 am Wednesday Jan 25.  Be there early!!!!  If you have NHI assignments, please email them to me or bring them in to school on Monday or Tuesday.  Most of the worksheets etc. you will need are on my website on the Romeo and Juliet or Poetry page links under "Honours 10 Handouts".  You may have to look around a bit to find them. 

Have a great weekend.

January 19

Today we did an inclass essay to practice for the Provincial Exam.  We will be looking at the practice exams tomorrow.  Please return all your textbooks to the library.  Please get all NHI assignments in to me by tomorrow unless you have made other arrangements with me personally.

January 18

Today we looked at the Tyger again.  I handed out some notes on how to write a good essay and a better essay on the tyger.  We will be working on doing more poetry analysis tomorrow and we will look at a practice provinicial on Friday.

January 16

Today we returned to poetry.  We worked on Blakes's Tyger.  We will continue to look at this poem tomorrow.  We also wrote definitions for the last terms lists this year.

January 13

Today we did the To Kill a Mockingbird unit final and watched the rest of the movie.  If you have outstanding assignments, please get them in by next Wed. Jan 18.  or speak to me privately. CMM will be updated over the weekend.   Have a great weekend.

January 12

Today we watched more of the To Kill a Mockingbird Movie.  Tomorrow will the the test.  It is scantron so please remember to bring a pencil and an eraser.  If there is time, we will finish the movie.

January 11

Today we watched the first part of the To Kill a Mockingbird Movie.  We will finish this tomorrow and the unit exam will be on Friday.

January 10

Today we heard a few more paragraphs and then I gave an in-class essay topic on courage.  If you were absent today you will need to schedule time to come in after school to complete this.

January 9

Today we worked in groups to help improve the paragraphs from last day.  We read some of them out loud. Some were excellent and some needed more work.  We will hear a few more tomorrow.

January 6

Today we worked in groups to analyze the quotes you were given yesterday.  Most groups did a fairly  good job of this.  On Monday, we will be discussing the groups answers so please make sure you have your paragraphs done if they did not get finished in class.  Have a nice weekend.

January 5

Today we talked more about TKM and southern womanhood.  I handed out a bunch of quotations from the book and tomorrow, in groups, you will have to analyse them.  No homework.

January 4

Today we discussed some more of the symbolic meanings in the book To Kill a Mockingbird.  I gave out an assignment on some of the background to the novel. These are only short answers so should be done by tomorrow.

January 3

Today we started to discuss the novel To Kill A Mockingbird.  I collected the reading journals.  You have until Friday to get these done if they are not handed in now.