English 10

Today we reviewed the life and times of William Shakespeare.

We reviewed the play thus far. We also finished reading Act one. In addition, we read the first scene of Act 2.

We reviewed the term 'double entendre'.

Next day we'll discuss the characteristics of Shakespearean tragedy.

Students are encouraged to review our reading thus far of the play.

English 12

Today's lesson focused on the nuts and bolts of children's literature. We discussed the evolution of reading and its affect on literature; we discussed the elements and devices of children's literature; we discussed the criteria for your story books.

We took extensive notes (well some students chose not too -- not sure why they made that choice . . . )

Students know, from last day, that chapter 1-4 questions from part 2 are due on Monday.

English 12

Today we began class by quietly working on 10 questions that were handed out -- the questions are based on chapters 1-4 of Part 2 of our novel study 1984. These questions are due on Monday, May 31st at the beginning of class -- no exceptions.

We then visited Arrow Heights elementary and continued discussing the project. We looked at an example of the finished product.

Students were advised of the following important dates of the children's lit project.

Friday, May 27th -- lesson on children's literature (examples, tips, guidelines, requirements)

Wednesday, June 2nd pm - Visit #3 to Arrow Heights (gr. 12 students must have a paragraph worth of writing when they arrive to class that day --it must be a rough draft of their children's story).

Monday, June 14th -- Children's books are due at the end of the day.

Wednesday June 16th -- Grade 2/3's visit RSS. Pizza lunch. Books are read to them and then given to them. Grade 12's will be asked to pay $5 to help recover the costs of the pizza and beverage I provide. Thanks!

English 10

Only 5 students handed in their Plain Jane assignments.

We discussed a bit of background to William Shakespeare and then, as a class, we read the first scene of the play.

English 12

Today we dashed up to Arrow Heights school and we paired up with a grade 2/3 class. Our next visit is this Thursday. We'll depart at 9:30 and return at 10:30AM.

Students are encouraged to keep reading part 2 of 1984.

English 12

Last week we began reading Part 2 of Orwell's novel 1984. We also spent part of the class discussing our upcoming children's literature project.

Students should be reading Part 2 of their novels.

English 10

Today we finished up our work with the Plain Janes.

Plain Jane questions are due on Monday (do not do the essay).

We also spent a portion of the class discussing and informing ourselves about the English 10 provincial exam.

English 12

English 12 - May 18 - room 213 block 4

Last day we discussed the devices of propaganda used in Orwell's 1984 and we compared them to the Chinese government's use of propaganda in that nation's tobacco monopoly.

Today, I would like students to work on three things:

1. Continue to prepare for the final exam on Thursday morning by logging on to the practice e-exam and working through the multiple choice questions.

2. Continue reading the novel 1984. You must be finished to the end of part 1 by Friday's class (be prepared for a quiz).

3. Prepare yourself for an in-class essay tomorrow (Wed. May 19th). You will be asked to write and Original composition on one of the following topics (remember, for this essay you can draw inspiration from almost anything -- your life, your experiences, your education, your creativity, etc. . . -- above all show that you are a literate, intellectual, relatively mature person). This must be done on May 19th, in-class and will be given a time limit. Of course the topics below are the ones we discussed at length in class last week.

Certain events change our impression of life June 04

We learn the most from the closest to us June 03

People can create their own reality Jan02

*The pursuit of freedom involves change April2000

A good life does not have to be complex June01

Confidence comes from the support of others Aug.2006

Each stage of life brings new choices August01

Our jouney into the future begins in the past April03

*Each generation has something to offer August 07

Role models influence our lives Aug04

*Adapting to new situations in life is essential Nov.2000

Certain situations can mark the beginnings of maturity Jan03

Memories influence our lives August03

*Surprises can make life interesting Jan01

*Taking advantage of opportunities can be beneficial Nov01

*Our views of the past change as we mature Jan04

Forming meaningful connections may enrich our lives Aug.02

*The important things in life endure over time Nov.99

*Being sincere is important June2000

Taking charge of your own life is worthwhile Aug2000

People can be influenced by their environment June 02

*It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone (late90’s)

*Keeping an open mind allows for growth Jan2000

Beauty can be found in simple things. (June ‘94)

Problems for some can be opportunities for others (Nov. ‘93)

English 10

Yesterday, we completed the Speak final test and then began viewing the movie version of the novel.

Most students still need to work on their Speak final project which is NOW due on Monday.

English 12

Yesterday we continued our study of Orwell's 1984. We wrote a quiz (and marked it) on the first three chapters. Students were assigned to read to end of part 1 by Thursday of next week.

Specifically, we looked at the criminal case of child pornographer John Robin Sharpe and examined how he used (or abused) the novel to help him get acquitted of charges of possession of child pornography. Our discussion centred around the broader idea of the right to possess ones ideas, no matter how heretical.

Next Thursday, English 12 e exam in library. Today, we will be examining some things to do to prepare for the exam.

English 12

Today we continued our work on the idea of 'the future'.

Students selected a quote about the future, from a list, and wrote a response to it and handed it in.

We also signed out copies of 1984 from the library and began reading the fist chapter together.

Finish chapter 1 for homework.

English 10

Today we reviewed the symbol of the tree in the novel Speak.

Also, today many students 'caught up' on work that was missing. Lastly, today was a day to read quietly and then work on our Speak final projects (which will be due Friday).

English 12

In any written or graphic form describe the important threshold that you will be crossing on June 30th this year. You may wish to focus on what lies beyond that day more than the day itself.

Today's work on the future fits nicely in to our introduction of our next novel study: Orwell's 1984.

English 10

Today we reviewed the metaphor the author used in the phrase "I closed the door".

Then we spoke about the recurring image of the tree. We discussed what the tree can represent and determined that it can symbolize growth and knowledge. It was also important to note that trees change in the seasons much the same way as a person can change and develop.

Finally we discussed the tree in Melinda's yard (near the end of the novel) and how that tree represents Melinda herself .

I collected the David Petrakis journal assignment -- a few students STILL did not hand it in.

Then I handed out our final project.

The final novel test will be next Thursday, our long block.

English 12

Today we completed our final Hamlet test.

Then students watched the Mel Gibson video or chose to work on their Hamlet final project -- final project will be due on Friday.

Up next George Orwell's influential dystopian novel 1984 and, eventually, a unit on children's literature.

English 10

We re-read p.120-123 and discussed significance of the last sentence: "I closed the door."

After much discussion students learned that the author uses this phrase not only to describe how she shut Mr. Freeman's car door, but also to describe how Melinda 'closes the door' to Mr. Freeman's offer to listen to her problems.

Then students wrote their own "I close the door" poem. Students used this phrase as a refrain (a repeated line) to describe how they or Melinda or anyone 'shuts the door' to people who try and offer help. In some cases, poems ended positively with the speaker in the poem learning to 'open their door' and receive help.

The poems were read aloud.

After break we worked on pp. 95-116 questions and the David Petrakis journal assignment -- THIS IS DUE ON FRIDAY , May 7th.

Final Speak novel test will likely be Tuesday, May 11th.

English 10

Today we continued with our work on Speak. We handed in the questions pp69-94.

We looked at the references to Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlett Letter. We listened to a short summer of the novel. We discussed how Hester Pryn's silence and the silence of Reverend Dimsdale is similar to the silence that surrounds Melinda.

We also read the chapter where Hairwoman discusses the symbolism in The Scarlett Letter. In that chapter we see Rachel/Rachelle punished for speaking out which helps to further emphasize why Melinda is, at this point anyway, refusing to Speak.

There was no homework assigned.

English 12

Today we read up to the last section of the last scene of Hamlet. Hamlet and Laertes are just about to engage in their exhibition duel, which, as many of you can imagine, will be anything but exhibition.

Our Hamlet final test will now be re-scheduled for Wednesday's class. Remember -- study the yellow quotations sheet. In addition, study the notes we took -- we took quite a few notes in our intro (have a look back at our lesson on the life and times of Shakespeare -- remember, we did those presentations?) and during the reading of the three acts. Especially know thing like allusions to Hyperion and Satyr, along with key quotations like "of the chameleon's dish. I eat the air promise-crammed you cannot feed capons so".