September 30, 2009 (Day 1)

Block A (1-1) English 9

You had the class to complete your Comparing People worksheet. Chapter 4 questions were assigned.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Have your independent novel read and bring it with you. Look over the list of literary elements (protagonist, antagonist, etc) and make notes on the element as it applies to your independent novel.

Block B (1-2) English 9

You had the class to complete your Comparing People worksheet. Chapter 4 questions were assigned.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Have your independent novel read and bring it with you. Look over the list of literary elements (protagonist, antagonist, etc) and make notes on the element as it applies to your independent novel.

Block C (1-3) English 11

Using a Persuasive Essay Organizer, you had the class to deconstruct the Urquhart essay (yellow sheet) for its main idea, supporting ideas and details.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Using the Persuasive Essay Organizer, create your poetic analysis essay outline. Think carefully on your Main Idea/Thesis. It needs to be a strong statement which you can defend well using textual evidence.

Block D (1-4) Socials 10

We completed the X-Canada presentations today. Good work everyone. Reports are due in on Friday.
You were given the different physiographic regions of Canada and a set of information headings. Please have the information gathered for next class.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Hand in Cross-Canada reports. Bring information gathered on Physiographic Regions of Canada.

Sept 29 (Day 2)

Block E (2-1) English 8

We reviewed the C.O.P.S. editing strategy.  You partnered up and edited each other's myths, finishing up with a Hamburger Statement.  Then you re-edited your own work.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Good copy of your myth WITH pictures, draft AND organizer.

Block F (2-2) English 8

We reviewed the C.O.P.S. editing strategy.  You partnered up and edited each other's myths, finishing up with a Hamburger Statement.  Then you re-edited your own work.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Good copy of your myth WITH pictures, draft AND organizer.

Block H (2-4) English 11

We introduced the Twelve Questions of Poetry Analysis and took a look at how an example of poetry analysis (yellow sheet) answers those questions.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Finish glossing the analytical essay on "The Hollow Men" on the yellow sheet.  Choose one of the poems you have done a TP-CASTT analysis of to focus on for your analytical essay. Try to answer the Twelve Questions in relation to your choice.

Our heroes only change faces...

Day 1 (Sept 28)

Block A (1-1) English 9

Today, you turned in your vocabulary lists from Chapters 1-3. We read Chapter 4 and you began your "Compare People" worksheet, using Virgil Tibbs as one character and choosing two others from the novel.

FOR NEXT CLASS: continue reading your Independent Novel. You should try to have it done (if you haven't already finished reading it) by the end of this week.

Block B (1-2) English 9

Today, you turned in your vocabulary lists from Chapters 1-3. We read Chapter 4 and you began your "Compare People" worksheet, using Virgil Tibbs as one character and choosing two others from the novel.

FOR NEXT CLASS: continue reading your Independent Novel. You should try to have it done (if you haven't already finished reading it) by the end of this week.

Block C (1-3) English 11

Today, you turned in your TP-CASTT analyses for the three Canadian war poems. We introduced the Twelve Questions of Poetry Analysis and took a look at how an example of poetry analysis (yellow sheet) answers those questions.

FOR NEXT CLASS: choose one of the poems you have done a TP-CASTT analysis of to focus on for your analytical essay. Try to answer the Twelve Questions in relation to your choice.

Block D (1-4) Social Studies 10

Presentations for groups 1, 3, and 4. Group 4 will finish up next class and Group 2 will have their go at it. Reports are due in to me Friday, beginning of class.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Bring your own book/material for Engaged Reading.

Day 2 (Sept 24)

Block E (2-1) English 8
You were on Grade Eight Retreat today.

FOR NEXT CLASS: You must have a complete first draft of your original myth ready for editing and three good copy illustrations for your story.

Block F (2-2) English 8
You were on Grade Eight Retreat today.

FOR NEXT CLASS: You must have a complete first draft of your original myth ready for editing and three good copy illustrations for your story.

Block H (2-4) English 11

You had today's class to complete a TP-CASTT analysis of the last of the three poems from Tuesday's packet.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Be ready to start the journey into the land of analytical essay-writing. WOOT!

Let's Dance!

Day 1 (Sept 23)

Block A (1-1) English 9

Congratulations to Jennifer She for winning the second jelly bean prize for identifying the speaker of the quote in my profile!

We read Chapter 3 of In the Heat of the Night
You had the rest of class to work on questions for chapters 1-3 and the reframed rewrite of Chapters 1 and 2

FOR NEXT CLASS: Have RELEVANT definitions written for the 25 vocabulary words so far (10 for Chapter 1, 5 for Chapter 2, and 10 for Chapter 3)

Block B (1-2) English 9
We read Chapter 3 of In the Heat of the Night
You had the rest of class to work on questions for chapters 1-3 and the reframed rewrite of Chapters 1 and 2

FOR NEXT CLASS: Have RELEVANT definitions written for the 25 vocabulary words so far (10 for Chapter 1, 5 for Chapter 2, and 10 for Chapter 3)

Block C (1-3) English 11
Yay for TP-CASTT!!! :)
You were given three Canadian war poems and asked to analyze them using the TP-CASTT method. You handed in any complete ones and will have the others done for next class.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Complete TP-CASTT analyses for the remaining Canadian war poems

Block D (1-4) Socials 10
You were given a reprieve for the presentations (postponed until Monday). You handed in the Take-Home Map projects. (Any forgotten at home will be accepted tomorrow at latest). You listened to "Canada is Really Big" by the Arrogant Worms and, with a partner, composed a creative expression of Canada's geography.

FOR NEXT CLASS:
1) PRESENTATIONS! (for real, this time)
2) Bring an example of a creative representation of Canadian landscape/geography. Poem, artwork, song lyrics, etc.

Day 2 (Sept 22)

Block E (2-1) English 8
You were on Grade Eight retreat, as was I.

Block F (2-2) English 8
You were on Grade Eight retreat, as was I.

Block H (2-4) English 11
You had the fantabulous Ms. McCarthy in while I was on Grade Eight retreat. You were given three Canadian war poems and asked to analyze two of them (your choice) using the TP-CASTT method. The analyses were due in at the end of class and there was NO HOMEWORK assigned.

Let's always remember that looks are ever deceiving:

Day 1 (Sept 21)

Block A (1-1) English 9
Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009. If you completed this before the end of class, you were to re-frame chapters 1 and 2 of In the Heat of the Night in the context of present-day Richmond.

FOR NEXT CLASS: You need to add a comment below, identifying yourself and your block.

Block B (1-2) English 9

CONGRATULATIONS TO RENEE SHU FOR WINNING MY FIRST JELLY BEAN PRIZE!

Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009. If you completed this before the end of class, you were to re-frame chapters 1 and 2 of In the Heat of the Night in the context of present-day Richmond.

FOR NEXT CLASS: You need to add a comment below, identifying yourself and your block.

Block C (1-3) English 11
Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009. IF you completed this before the end of class, you completed a TP-CASTT analysis of "In Flanders Fields"

FOR NEXT CLASS: You need to add a comment below, identifying yourself and your block.

Block D (1-4) Socials 10
You showed me your mad map "skillz" by identifying the 21 errors in a map of Canada. We reviewed the process of drawing a climate graph. You handed in three climate maps and answered the analysis questions.

FOR NEXT CLASS:
First Take-Home Assignment (Map of Canada) is due!
PRESENTATIONS! PRESENTATIONS! PRESENTATIONS!

Day 2 (Sept 18)

Block E (2-1) English 8

Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009.  If you completed this before the end of class, you worked on your original myths.

FOR NEXT CLASS (which is SEPTEMBER 29th!!!): 

You must have a complete first draft of your original myth ready for editing and three good copy illustrations for your story.

Block F (2-2) English 8

Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009.  If you completed this before the end of class, you worked on your original myths.

FOR NEXT CLASS (which is SEPTEMBER 29th!!!): 

You must have a complete first draft of your original myth ready for editing and three good copy illustrations for your story.

Block H (2-4) English 11

Today, you all took part in YouthWrites 2009.  If you completed this before the end of class, you worked on a TP-CASTT analysis of "In Flanders Fields".  Well, in theory, you did.

FOR NEXT CLASS: come prepared to do some in-depth TP-CASTT analysis... :D

FOR CLASS ON SEPT 24: complete a TP-CASTT analysis of "In Flanders Fields", paraphrase section 5 of "The Hollow Men"

Ever feel like you needed a change?

Day 1 (Sept 17)

Block A (1-1) English 9
We read Chapter 2 of In the Heat of the Night and you worked on #2 & 3 from the Chapter 1 questions.

FOR NEXT CLASS: design a cover for your independent novel. It needs to include the title, the author's name, a relevant illustration, and an intriguing quote. The cover can be as small as 8.5" x 5.5" or as larger as 8.5" x 11"

Block B (1-2) English 9
We read Chapter 2 of In the Heat of the Night and you worked on #2 & 3 from the Chapter 1 questions and #3 & 4 from the Chapter 2 questions.
You drew an overhead map of the railroad station.

FOR NEXT CLASS: design a cover for your independent novel. It needs to include the title, the author's name, a relevant illustration, and an intriguing quote. The cover can be as small as 8.5" x 5.5" or as larger as 8.5" x 11"

Block C (1-3) English 11
We glossed the first two lines of "The Hollow Men". We paraphrased Section I as a class and you paraphrased Section II and handed it in.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Paraphrase Sections III and IV. Bring print-outs of your war poems.

Block D (1-4) Socials 10
I handed out your Take Home Map Assignment criteria sheet and map. I also handed out the criteria sheet for the Cross-Canada Group Project.
We spent the block in the computer lab working on Cross-Canada Group Project.

FOR NEXT CLASS: Be prepared to present your Cross-Canada Group Project.

Day 2 (Sept 16)

Block E (2-1) English 8
We discussed the nine parts of a myth - Title, Type, Problem, Exposition, Trigger ("Little Incident") Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.
KNOW THESE (AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM) FOR THE UNIT QUIZ

We read the Australian myth, "How the Flowers Ran Away", and identified the nine parts as a class. You practiced identifying the nine parts with the myth you brought from home (or "Jack and the Beanstalk"). You were given the Graphic Organizer for Writing Myths. This is to help you organize your own original myth. You may use traditional characters from mythology or create wholly new and/or contemporary deities or heroes.

FOR NEXT DAY:
1) Comment and identify yourself and your block on this post
2) Have your nine parts' identification complete
3) Complete your organizer

MAJOR ASSIGNMENT:
Your final draft of your original myth is due Monday, September 28, 2009
Remember: there are no Block E (2-1) classes next week because of Grade Eight Retreat

Block F (2-2) English 8

We discussed the nine parts of a myth - Title, Type, Problem, Exposition, Trigger ("Little Incident") Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.
KNOW THESE (AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM) FOR THE UNIT QUIZ

We read the Australian myth, "How the Flowers Ran Away", and identified the nine parts as a class. You practiced identifying the nine parts with a myth you know (or Jack and the Beanstalk). You were given the Graphic Organizer for Writing Myths. This is to help you organize your own original myth. You may use traditional characters from mythology or create wholly new and/or contemporary deities or heroes.

FOR NEXT DAY:
1) Have your nine parts' identification complete
2) Complete your organizer

MAJOR ASSIGNMENT:
Your final draft of your original myth is due Monday, September 28, 2009
Remember: there are no Block E (2-1) classes next week because of Grade Eight Retreat

Block H (2-4) English 11

We began the enormously satisfying task of paraphrasing T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men". I collected your first attempts with Section I, we went through my paraphrase process with Section I, and then y'all did a bang up job with Section II

FOR NEXT DAY, finish paraphrasing sections III and IV.

Day 1 (Sept 15)

Block A (1-1) English 9
You completed character maps of your independent novel's protagonist and a secondary character (in most cases, the antagonist) and handed the maps and your character stats in.
We read Chapter 1 of In the Heat of the Night and you began a character sketch of Sam Wood. Ten vocabulary words were listed.

FOR NEXT DAY, write a description of your independent novel's setting. It should provide a specific WHEN and WHERE as well as describing the setting in physical detail.

Block B (1-2) English 9
We finished reading Chapter 1 of In the Heat of the Night and you began a character sketch of Sam Wood. You drew and handed in a picture of the crime scene. Ten vocabulary words were listed.
You completed character maps of your independent novel's protagonist and a secondary character (in most cases, the antagonist) and handed the maps and your character stats in.

FOR NEXT DAY, write a description of your independent novel's setting. It should provide a specific WHEN and WHERE as well as describing the setting in physical detail.

Block C (1-3) English 11
We went over the steps of TP-CASTT poetry analysis. We were in the computer lab for most of the class where you needed to find THREE war poems, their poets, the war referenced and the poets' involvement with the war.

FOR NEXT DAY, bring print-outs of your three poems and ONE completed TP-CASTT analysis.

Block D (1-4) Socials 10
Computer lab work period on Cross-Canada group projects. Next block will be a work period, POSSIBLY in a computer lab. Please bring all materials to class. Meet in Portable 5 for ER and attendance.

Presentations will be on Monday, September 21, and Wednesday, September 23
Reports are due on Monday, September 28

Mind your manners, eh?

Day 2 (Sept 14)

Block E (2-1) English 8
We discussed the four types of myths - Cosmic, Theistic, Hero, Place & Object
KNOW THESE FOR UNIT QUIZ
We completed the class introduction presentations

Block F (2-2) English 8
We read "Prometheus and his Gift to Man" together
We discussed the four types of myths - Cosmic, Theistic, Hero, Place & Object
KNOW THESE FOR UNIT QUIZ

ASSIGNMENT: COMMENT AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES BELOW

Block H (2-4) English 11
Glossing "This Poem Want to be a Revolutionary"
Lyrics for "We Didn't Start the Fire"
TP-CASTT using "The Hollow Men"

ASSIGNMENT: PARAPHRASE SECTION I of "The Hollow Men"




Mondays are cat days.

Welcome and How To

Good work in taking the time to find this class and homework blog! The first step is the hardest. The second is remembering to take that first step regularly.

The purpose of this blog is pretty simple. If you miss a class, or simply forget what we covered (and I know it does happen to the best of us at the worst of times), drop by here for a quick run-down on what was presented, discussed and what might be looming in the near future. I'll update briefly daily and in more depth when warranted.

Currently, here's where we're at:

Block A (1-1): English 9
Independent Novels: character stats for protagonist, primary antagonist, and additional character
Class Novel: Introduction to In the Heat of the Night

Block B (1-2): English 9
Independent Novels: character stats for protagonist, primary antagonist, and additional character
Class Novel: Started Chapter 1 of In the Heat of the Night

Block C (1-3): English 11
"This Poem Wants to be a Revolutionary": glossed major events
'We Didn't Start the Fire" lyrics

Block D (1-4): Socials 10
First draft of Canada Map
Groups formed for Cross-Country journey

Block E (2-1): English 8
Signed Guidelines due Monday, Sept 14
Myth worksheets handed out

Block F (2-2): English 8
Signed Guidelines due Monday, Sept 14
Myth worksheets handed out

Block H (2-4): English 11
"This Poem Want to be a Revolutionary": 5 glossed events due Monday, Sept 14

Cheers! I'm looking forward to an exciting, entertaining and interesting school year and hope you will all find it to be as well.

And just to show that everything can be edited
(WARNING: there is "language")