- Did a Test on Chapters 1-2 in "The Outsiders" and vocab
- Work on Questions ch. 1-4 outsiders worksheet and character chart.
- Read up to ch.4.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28th - English 8
- Word of the Week - idiosyncrasy - a personal habit which is usually physical.
I can't help tapping my pen; it's an idiosyncrasy that I can't control.
- read out our short stories paragraphs.
- started 'The Outsiders'
- Handed out a Character Chart for the Outsiders.
- Socials vs. Greasers work on
Homework
- Read Chapter 2
- Add to the character chart
I can't help tapping my pen; it's an idiosyncrasy that I can't control.
- read out our short stories paragraphs.
- started 'The Outsiders'
- Handed out a Character Chart for the Outsiders.
- Socials vs. Greasers work on
Homework
- Read Chapter 2
- Add to the character chart
English 12
Today half the class was filled up with the Post Secondary Visits.
Then we watched the short video A Chairy Tale. Afterward we discussed the attitude of the man in the video and how it changed several times. We focused on using effective words to describe his attitude : persistent, motivated frustrated arrogant considerate empathetic frantic confused.
Then we switched to last day's poem Elegy for the Afternoon by Rhea Tregebov.
Assignment:
In a paragraph or two, contrast the attitude of the speaker of the poem with one other character in the poem. Refer specifically to the poem.
The assignment from last day was to write a similar poem to "Having a Relationship With You" where an extended metaphor is used to describe a romantic relationship, is ongoing (i.e. We'll be working on that in future classes).
Then we watched the short video A Chairy Tale. Afterward we discussed the attitude of the man in the video and how it changed several times. We focused on using effective words to describe his attitude : persistent, motivated frustrated arrogant considerate empathetic frantic confused.
Then we switched to last day's poem Elegy for the Afternoon by Rhea Tregebov.
Assignment:
In a paragraph or two, contrast the attitude of the speaker of the poem with one other character in the poem. Refer specifically to the poem.
The assignment from last day was to write a similar poem to "Having a Relationship With You" where an extended metaphor is used to describe a romantic relationship, is ongoing (i.e. We'll be working on that in future classes).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
English 8 - Oct. 27th
Today in English we finished the back side of the blue vocabulary sheet (given out last Thursday).
Short Story test marks were given and part of the test returned.
Students formed a circle and read aloud, one at a time, their showing paragraph that was based on the sentence "I became scared as I walked home from the movie that night."
Next day we should be beginning a novel study on The Outsiders.
Oh, and Lachlan laughed at the word 'bumpy' a lot.
Short Story test marks were given and part of the test returned.
Students formed a circle and read aloud, one at a time, their showing paragraph that was based on the sentence "I became scared as I walked home from the movie that night."
Next day we should be beginning a novel study on The Outsiders.
Oh, and Lachlan laughed at the word 'bumpy' a lot.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October 20th - English 8
- look at the poem When I Was A Little Girl (pg. 204)
-We highlighted the lesson last day that authors sometimes make their points in an indirect or subtle way. In this poem what is the author doing subtlely? (She's showing the racism that existed when she was a child).
- Talked about Japanese Internment camps that relate to the poem
- Looked at Informal and Formal language
- Worked a little bit on Monkey Paws Ending (due Thursday!)
- I'll be away on Thursday, October 22nd. You'll be performing your Monkey's Paw skit for the substitute teacher. You'll also be reading a story or two from your Sightlines text.
-We highlighted the lesson last day that authors sometimes make their points in an indirect or subtle way. In this poem what is the author doing subtlely? (She's showing the racism that existed when she was a child).
- Talked about Japanese Internment camps that relate to the poem
- Looked at Informal and Formal language
- Worked a little bit on Monkey Paws Ending (due Thursday!)
- I'll be away on Thursday, October 22nd. You'll be performing your Monkey's Paw skit for the substitute teacher. You'll also be reading a story or two from your Sightlines text.
Monday, October 19, 2009
English 12- October19th
Today in English 12 we established Oct. 26th as our due date for the Ted talk work (see blogs below for assignment). Last library period is this Thursday when you'll have 1 hour 15 minutes.
We spent most of the class going over the English 12 provincial exam. We discussed the dates on which we'll be writing and the exam structure.
Then, we began doing some exam work; we went over a poem from an old exam and did an assignment where we marked student paragraphs from that section.
Next day we'll continue by looking at the Synthesis Reading 2 section of the test.
We spent most of the class going over the English 12 provincial exam. We discussed the dates on which we'll be writing and the exam structure.
Then, we began doing some exam work; we went over a poem from an old exam and did an assignment where we marked student paragraphs from that section.
Next day we'll continue by looking at the Synthesis Reading 2 section of the test.
English 8 Oct. 19
P. 96 "The Child Who Walks Backwards"
The meaning of this poem is not, at first, obvious: it's subtle.
We learned that sometimes authors do not write in a obvious, straightforward manner because sometimes topics (such as the child abuse in the poem) are sensitive and are often spoken about quietly.
We worked on our Monkey's Paw skits. One copy of the script is due on Thursday. Skits will be performed on Thursday.
Also - the word of the week is
Epitome - a classic example; an ideal; a perfect representation.
The Lord of the Rings is the epitome of fantasy.
The meaning of this poem is not, at first, obvious: it's subtle.
We learned that sometimes authors do not write in a obvious, straightforward manner because sometimes topics (such as the child abuse in the poem) are sensitive and are often spoken about quietly.
We worked on our Monkey's Paw skits. One copy of the script is due on Thursday. Skits will be performed on Thursday.
Also - the word of the week is
Epitome - a classic example; an ideal; a perfect representation.
The Lord of the Rings is the epitome of fantasy.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Oct. 16/09 English 12 Ted Talk Information
Hey there. As you complete your mini unit on Ted.com, have a peek at this.
This is what's expected of you: complete a set of notes each, on three different Ted Talks.
You must also write an essay or composition on your Ted Talk.
See below for an example of the notes, and then an example of a composition.
Example of Notes:
Ted Talk
Title: Stroke of Insight
Speaker’s Name and position: Jill Bollte, brain researcher
Overall Topic: Discussion of her stroke. Dicussion of brain functioning.
Specific Thesis: Bollte suggests that we, as humans, are not just individual sentient creatures; rather, she suggests that by accessing the right side of our brains we can become less aware of our individuality and more in touch with our role in the ‘wholeness’ of everything around us.
Insightful, Inspiration, Remarkable, and/or Extraordinary Ideas:
- the left and right hemispheres of the brain are actually, physically separate
- although a brain researcher, Bollte did not immediately know she was having a stroke
- once she knew what was happening to her brain, she could understand, almost in a step by step way, why her brain could no longer control the different aspects of her body.
- “How Cool!” is how she describes the moment when she realizes that she is a brain researcher who gets to experience, firsthand, her own stroke from the inside out.
- she describes the two hemispheres as having different personalities
- right hemisphere – cares about information that is right here, right now
- left hemisphere – thinks linearly and methodically. Is all about the past and future. Takes the enormous collage of the moment and categorizes it.
- et cetera . . .
Example of Composition
When one plays the word association game and one says, “science.” You’ll undoubtedly hear responses that include words like lab coats, egg-heads, nerds, experiments, smart people, and the always popular, but somewhat disfigured, lab assistant Igor.
Those same white lab coats and experiments come with a further, more pragmatic connotation, though, and that is that science is based in observation, measurements, and fact. And, not surprisingly, none of those three have any place in organized religion or, on a more personal level, ones spirituality. In fact, in this day and age you would be hard-pressed to find a scientist of any worth who will even entertain the idea that there is such a thing as a cosmic life force helping to shape our lives. Why do so many scientist refute the notion of spirituality and religion? Well of course because such a thing could neither be observed nor measured and, therefore, is not a fact at all. One scientist, though, believes that science and spirituality, two almost separate belief systems, can exist together.
In a refreshing talk entitled “Stroke of Insight” brain scientist Jill Bollte describes a life changing moment when she, in fact, began to perceive the spiritual world. In 1996, Ms. Bollte began her morning like every other morning as she prepared to start her day at the University of Wisconsin. This day, though, was to be different and life-changing. A hemorrhage began in the left lobe of her brain and in less than 45 minutes she found herself, as a grown woman, to have all the capacities of a 1 year old baby. She could not talk, walk, listen, read nor do anything else that an adult could do and so begins her story of transformation.
At first what makes Ms. Bollte’s talk unconventional and intriguing is that, being a brain researcher, she is able to track her own stroke as it happens, step by step, understanding fully and completely what is happening to her brain and body and why. Near the end of the talk, though, she begins to reveal the real thesis of her discussion and that is that there is an external life-force, spirituality, if you will, that surrounds us all. And as the left side of her brain, the rational side, began to shut down and the right side of her hemisphere takes control, she loses all sense of her body and begins to perceive herself not just as an individual, but as a collection of “sixty trillion molecules” that she cannot separate from her surroundings: in that moment she transforms from an individual into part of a collective whole.
The insight that Bollte makes, that there is a greater force that connects us all into a common, collective whole, is a common theme in literature and can be found in everything from Paul Simon’s “I am a Rock” to Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones. In Sebold’s work that same collective spirituality is felt by a number of characters as they perceive that Susie is trying to connect with them from heaven. In the climax of the story that connection goes a step further with Susie actually exchanging bodies with Ruth as she makes loves to Ray Singh.
Bollte’s resonated with her audience as they sat rapt by her talk, but it also resonates. . . et cetera.
This is what's expected of you: complete a set of notes each, on three different Ted Talks.
You must also write an essay or composition on your Ted Talk.
See below for an example of the notes, and then an example of a composition.
Example of Notes:
Ted Talk
Title: Stroke of Insight
Speaker’s Name and position: Jill Bollte, brain researcher
Overall Topic: Discussion of her stroke. Dicussion of brain functioning.
Specific Thesis: Bollte suggests that we, as humans, are not just individual sentient creatures; rather, she suggests that by accessing the right side of our brains we can become less aware of our individuality and more in touch with our role in the ‘wholeness’ of everything around us.
Insightful, Inspiration, Remarkable, and/or Extraordinary Ideas:
- the left and right hemispheres of the brain are actually, physically separate
- although a brain researcher, Bollte did not immediately know she was having a stroke
- once she knew what was happening to her brain, she could understand, almost in a step by step way, why her brain could no longer control the different aspects of her body.
- “How Cool!” is how she describes the moment when she realizes that she is a brain researcher who gets to experience, firsthand, her own stroke from the inside out.
- she describes the two hemispheres as having different personalities
- right hemisphere – cares about information that is right here, right now
- left hemisphere – thinks linearly and methodically. Is all about the past and future. Takes the enormous collage of the moment and categorizes it.
- et cetera . . .
Example of Composition
When one plays the word association game and one says, “science.” You’ll undoubtedly hear responses that include words like lab coats, egg-heads, nerds, experiments, smart people, and the always popular, but somewhat disfigured, lab assistant Igor.
Those same white lab coats and experiments come with a further, more pragmatic connotation, though, and that is that science is based in observation, measurements, and fact. And, not surprisingly, none of those three have any place in organized religion or, on a more personal level, ones spirituality. In fact, in this day and age you would be hard-pressed to find a scientist of any worth who will even entertain the idea that there is such a thing as a cosmic life force helping to shape our lives. Why do so many scientist refute the notion of spirituality and religion? Well of course because such a thing could neither be observed nor measured and, therefore, is not a fact at all. One scientist, though, believes that science and spirituality, two almost separate belief systems, can exist together.
In a refreshing talk entitled “Stroke of Insight” brain scientist Jill Bollte describes a life changing moment when she, in fact, began to perceive the spiritual world. In 1996, Ms. Bollte began her morning like every other morning as she prepared to start her day at the University of Wisconsin. This day, though, was to be different and life-changing. A hemorrhage began in the left lobe of her brain and in less than 45 minutes she found herself, as a grown woman, to have all the capacities of a 1 year old baby. She could not talk, walk, listen, read nor do anything else that an adult could do and so begins her story of transformation.
At first what makes Ms. Bollte’s talk unconventional and intriguing is that, being a brain researcher, she is able to track her own stroke as it happens, step by step, understanding fully and completely what is happening to her brain and body and why. Near the end of the talk, though, she begins to reveal the real thesis of her discussion and that is that there is an external life-force, spirituality, if you will, that surrounds us all. And as the left side of her brain, the rational side, began to shut down and the right side of her hemisphere takes control, she loses all sense of her body and begins to perceive herself not just as an individual, but as a collection of “sixty trillion molecules” that she cannot separate from her surroundings: in that moment she transforms from an individual into part of a collective whole.
The insight that Bollte makes, that there is a greater force that connects us all into a common, collective whole, is a common theme in literature and can be found in everything from Paul Simon’s “I am a Rock” to Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones. In Sebold’s work that same collective spirituality is felt by a number of characters as they perceive that Susie is trying to connect with them from heaven. In the climax of the story that connection goes a step further with Susie actually exchanging bodies with Ruth as she makes loves to Ray Singh.
Bollte’s resonated with her audience as they sat rapt by her talk, but it also resonates. . . et cetera.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14th - English 8
- What's Going to Be on the Test (on Friday, October 16th) = Short Story/Sightline Test
-> About 25 multiple choice questions on:
the content of the stories
the story notes you have (terminology)
-> Read a story you've never seen before and answer questions.
-> Paragraph section
- Finished Study Chart
- The Monkey's Paw worksheet was handed out.
- Vocabulary sheet. Cliques/Proverb
Cliques and proverbs are often overused. If you choose to use either of these literary devices in your writing, be sure not to overuse them.
Ex. Clique - not my cup of tea = I'm not into it
Ex. Proverb - Honesty is the Best policy = be honest.
- Homework! Work on the Monkey's Paw dialogue, story ending.
-> About 25 multiple choice questions on:
the content of the stories
the story notes you have (terminology)
-> Read a story you've never seen before and answer questions.
-> Paragraph section
- Finished Study Chart
- The Monkey's Paw worksheet was handed out.
- Vocabulary sheet. Cliques/Proverb
Cliques and proverbs are often overused. If you choose to use either of these literary devices in your writing, be sure not to overuse them.
Ex. Clique - not my cup of tea = I'm not into it
Ex. Proverb - Honesty is the Best policy = be honest.
- Homework! Work on the Monkey's Paw dialogue, story ending.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October 13th - English 8
- Read the story Ambush and answer questions with full sentences:
1) What question was the author asked by his daughter?
2) How did he handle it?
3) Retell, in your own words, the experience that haunts him.
4) What does the narrator struggle with?
5) What do his friends and colleagues try to do, to help?
- Read the ending of 'Hold Your Tongue'
- Handed out Story Part Notes sheet.
- Wrote down the Word of the Week.
-> Essential - necessary, basic, important, fundamental.
The one essential quality that separates man from beast is, undoubtedly, empathy.
1) What question was the author asked by his daughter?
2) How did he handle it?
3) Retell, in your own words, the experience that haunts him.
4) What does the narrator struggle with?
5) What do his friends and colleagues try to do, to help?
- Read the ending of 'Hold Your Tongue'
- Handed out Story Part Notes sheet.
- Wrote down the Word of the Week.
-> Essential - necessary, basic, important, fundamental.
The one essential quality that separates man from beast is, undoubtedly, empathy.
Friday, October 9, 2009
October 9th - English 8
- Handed Interm Reports
- Worked on Vocabulary Sheet; alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idiom.
-> Alliteration: is the repetition of the same consonant sound.
ex. She went boating with her box and Bob. See Sally sit by the seashore selling seashells
-> Onomatopoeia: is a literary device that refer to words in which the sound suggests the meaning.
ex. Buzz, Crack, Slap
-> Idiom: is a phrase or expression that is used to describe something. It is usually slang. If you are a from another country, and someone came up to you saying 'hey it's raining cats and dogs' and they don't understand - then it is an idiom.
ex. 'Shake a leg' get going, move faster. 'How do you do?' a greeting.
- Mr. Wilson came in to talk about 'w00t' and 'J3ff' being a type of internet idiom. (On the net, it is called 'l33t' or leet'
- Worked on Vocabulary Sheet; alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idiom.
-> Alliteration: is the repetition of the same consonant sound.
ex. She went boating with her box and Bob. See Sally sit by the seashore selling seashells
-> Onomatopoeia: is a literary device that refer to words in which the sound suggests the meaning.
ex. Buzz, Crack, Slap
-> Idiom: is a phrase or expression that is used to describe something. It is usually slang. If you are a from another country, and someone came up to you saying 'hey it's raining cats and dogs' and they don't understand - then it is an idiom.
ex. 'Shake a leg' get going, move faster. 'How do you do?' a greeting.
- Mr. Wilson came in to talk about 'w00t' and 'J3ff' being a type of internet idiom. (On the net, it is called 'l33t' or leet'
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8th - English 12
-today we wrote our exam on the novel The Lovely Bones. The test had 25 multiple choice questions. There was also an article that needed to be read and then students responded to the article.
- we then visited www.woot.com a fave website of mine that combines my love of online bargain shopping with my other great love, creative writing.
- we visited another valuable website www.ted.com. There we watched Jill Bolte's Stroke video. As a neurological scientist she found herself in the throes of a stroke, and because of her education, was able to understand its progression while it was actually happening to her. We also spoke about right brained and left brained attributes and how they manifest themselves in some people.
- we learned about psychologist Stanley Milgram who in 1961 conducted one of the most famous psychological experiments ever. He tested subjects obedience to authority and learned, surprisingly, that a strikingly large majority of people would, when prompted by an authority figure, deliver a fatal electrical shock to another person.
- we'll continue with the Milgram Youtube video when we return tomorrow
- we then visited www.woot.com a fave website of mine that combines my love of online bargain shopping with my other great love, creative writing.
- we visited another valuable website www.ted.com. There we watched Jill Bolte's Stroke video. As a neurological scientist she found herself in the throes of a stroke, and because of her education, was able to understand its progression while it was actually happening to her. We also spoke about right brained and left brained attributes and how they manifest themselves in some people.
- we learned about psychologist Stanley Milgram who in 1961 conducted one of the most famous psychological experiments ever. He tested subjects obedience to authority and learned, surprisingly, that a strikingly large majority of people would, when prompted by an authority figure, deliver a fatal electrical shock to another person.
- we'll continue with the Milgram Youtube video when we return tomorrow
October 8th - English 8
English 8
- Handed 'The Lump' paragraph
- Finished and reviewed metaphors
- Learned about personification
- Listened/read 'The Hockey Sweater' (pg 44 in your textbook)
- Looked over examples of 'The Lump' paragraph, also compared them
- Checked out some websites (www.woot.com and www.ted.com)
- http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October7th
Ok, so maybe I'm not in love, per se, with Gretchen but you've gotta admit, she is as alluring as a collage-person can be.
Please use this page to help review your work in my English class and check on assignments, due dates, and interesting posts from your teacher!
English 8
-quickly reviewed similes and antonyms from last day
-learned about metaphors
-reviewed the theme of the video "The Lump"
-examined a piece of writing and discussed the way to improve it (informal versus formal writing)
-students began working on their paragraph assignment which is due on Oct. 8th: Discuss the theme of the video "The Lump"
- word of the week is: Complacent - to be pleased with yourself, often at the expense of remaining aware.
ex. The Oilers' goalie was so complacent in the game that his error cost his team the victory.
English 12
-reviewed The P-List -- the checklist of writing tips to use when crankin' out your literary writing
-reviewed what would be on the test on Oct. 8th.
-worked on the two paragraphs that are due on Oct. 8th
Please use this page to help review your work in my English class and check on assignments, due dates, and interesting posts from your teacher!
English 8
-quickly reviewed similes and antonyms from last day
-learned about metaphors
-reviewed the theme of the video "The Lump"
-examined a piece of writing and discussed the way to improve it (informal versus formal writing)
-students began working on their paragraph assignment which is due on Oct. 8th: Discuss the theme of the video "The Lump"
- word of the week is: Complacent - to be pleased with yourself, often at the expense of remaining aware.
ex. The Oilers' goalie was so complacent in the game that his error cost his team the victory.
English 12
-reviewed The P-List -- the checklist of writing tips to use when crankin' out your literary writing
-reviewed what would be on the test on Oct. 8th.
-worked on the two paragraphs that are due on Oct. 8th
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)