WELCOME
TO ENGLISH 12.
I HOPE THIS EXPERIENCE WILL
BE ENJOYABLE AND YOU WILL ENGAGE IN THE WONDERS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN
ALL OF ITS FACETS.
THIS PAGE IS MEANT AS
A SUMMARY OF THE EVENTS OF THE DAY AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF REMINDERS OF
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES. IT IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN
CLASS. THE HANDOUTS TAB INCLUDES THE PAPERWORK FOR THE DAY AND THE
HANDOUTS MAY BE DOWNLOADED AND PRINTED FROM HOME.
FINAL EXAM - Monday Jan. 19th at 9:00 am.
Friday Nov. 29th
Students did a practice LPI Pts. I - III today. We will do Pt. IV tomorrow. The remainder of the time was spent working on their argumentative assignment started on Tuesday.
REMEMBER: Tonight be midnight you need to have submitted your theme essay.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
THURSDAY DEC. 4TH - LPI EXAM. If you are NOT writing, you need to submit your letter of permission ASAP.
Students did a practice LPI Pts. I - III today. We will do Pt. IV tomorrow. The remainder of the time was spent working on their argumentative assignment started on Tuesday.
REMEMBER: Tonight be midnight you need to have submitted your theme essay.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
THURSDAY DEC. 4TH - LPI EXAM. If you are NOT writing, you need to submit your letter of permission ASAP.
Thursday Nov. 28th
Students worked in groups on an LPI exercise to prepare to tomorrow's practice quiz (For marks). Students are reminded that they need to bring in their note to be excused from the actual LPI. The argumentative assignment groups began on last Tuesday will be worked on tomorrow after the first part of the practice quiz. If you don't yet have a group, we will arrange for you to be in one tomorrow.
REMEMBER: Theme essays are due tomorrow at the latest. Email submissions are acceptable as long as they're in by midnight.
Students worked in groups on an LPI exercise to prepare to tomorrow's practice quiz (For marks). Students are reminded that they need to bring in their note to be excused from the actual LPI. The argumentative assignment groups began on last Tuesday will be worked on tomorrow after the first part of the practice quiz. If you don't yet have a group, we will arrange for you to be in one tomorrow.
REMEMBER: Theme essays are due tomorrow at the latest. Email submissions are acceptable as long as they're in by midnight.
Wednesday Nov. 26th
CULTURAL FOOD DAY!!!!!!!
Students went to the lab to finish their graphic text assignment from last week as well as do research for their group's argument chosen yesterday.
CULTURAL FOOD DAY!!!!!!!
Students went to the lab to finish their graphic text assignment from last week as well as do research for their group's argument chosen yesterday.
Tuesday Nov. 25th
We looked at PART IV of the LPI - writing essays. Be sure to get the handout which gives guidelines for the essay. We then looked at samples and provided guesses at what score each sample would get. Finally, we looked at 9 possible topics for the LPI in groups. Groups chose 3 and using the whiteboards, brainstormed responses to these 3. From there they narrowed down to ONE topic and exchanged their whiteboards with other groups to add ideas. Tomorrow we will be researching our chosen topic to prepare a presentation on our argument.
We looked at PART IV of the LPI - writing essays. Be sure to get the handout which gives guidelines for the essay. We then looked at samples and provided guesses at what score each sample would get. Finally, we looked at 9 possible topics for the LPI in groups. Groups chose 3 and using the whiteboards, brainstormed responses to these 3. From there they narrowed down to ONE topic and exchanged their whiteboards with other groups to add ideas. Tomorrow we will be researching our chosen topic to prepare a presentation on our argument.
Monday Nov. 24
We worked on Part III of the LPI on Reading Comprehension. Students read the paragraphs and spent a lot of time trying to summarize the paragraphs into 3 sentences. If you were missing, be sure to get the handout from me including the handout on HOW to write this section.
NOTE: There will be the practice test on the LPI on THIS FRIDAY AND NEXT MONDAY. It's counted in the LPI/Unit One bin of the evaluation from the course. ALL STUDENTS WILL WRITE THIS TEST REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE WRITING THE ACTUAL LPI.
We worked on Part III of the LPI on Reading Comprehension. Students read the paragraphs and spent a lot of time trying to summarize the paragraphs into 3 sentences. If you were missing, be sure to get the handout from me including the handout on HOW to write this section.
NOTE: There will be the practice test on the LPI on THIS FRIDAY AND NEXT MONDAY. It's counted in the LPI/Unit One bin of the evaluation from the course. ALL STUDENTS WILL WRITE THIS TEST REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE WRITING THE ACTUAL LPI.
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Friday Nov. 21
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Thursday Nov. 20th
Students began with the usual reminders concerning tomorrow's cut off for tasks and next Friday's cut off for the theme essay. We then reviewed the definitions which students from English 12 -2 had created using yesterday's Definition Essay exercise. We discussed the differences in each and what wording we could agree with. From there we reviewed the handout "Defining" If you were missing, you need to get this from me along with the essay sample. The sample - Justice- can be found on the Handouts tab also. Students reviewed the essay and filled in a graphic organizer which broke down the essay into the term ( justice), its etymology, its dictionary definition , 3 examples from the text which assist the definition and the 4 categories which the term justice was divided into.
TOMORROW: Students will be writing their own essays in class - either process analysis like yesterday's "The Knife" or definition type like our sample. Students may bring in notes, organizers, lists, etc but NO ROUGH DRAFTS. All material brought in needs to be attached to the essay when the time expires.
Students began with the usual reminders concerning tomorrow's cut off for tasks and next Friday's cut off for the theme essay. We then reviewed the definitions which students from English 12 -2 had created using yesterday's Definition Essay exercise. We discussed the differences in each and what wording we could agree with. From there we reviewed the handout "Defining" If you were missing, you need to get this from me along with the essay sample. The sample - Justice- can be found on the Handouts tab also. Students reviewed the essay and filled in a graphic organizer which broke down the essay into the term ( justice), its etymology, its dictionary definition , 3 examples from the text which assist the definition and the 4 categories which the term justice was divided into.
TOMORROW: Students will be writing their own essays in class - either process analysis like yesterday's "The Knife" or definition type like our sample. Students may bring in notes, organizers, lists, etc but NO ROUGH DRAFTS. All material brought in needs to be attached to the essay when the time expires.
Wednesday Nov. 19th
Students began with a reminder of the upcoming dates for novel tasks cutoff - Nov. 21st
We then had a demo on How to Take a Selfie - thanks Trever!
We read "The Knife" - a process analysis essay and discussed how the process analysis essay is different from the process texts. As well we discussed this essays tone, thesis and imagery. Students who missed this information need to read the essay and talk to me if you cannot recognize at least 3 differences.
Definition Essay exercise - we did a group exercise in which we discussed various scenarios and whether they did or did not apply to the concept heading. If you were missing, get this handout from me.
Students began with a reminder of the upcoming dates for novel tasks cutoff - Nov. 21st
We then had a demo on How to Take a Selfie - thanks Trever!
We read "The Knife" - a process analysis essay and discussed how the process analysis essay is different from the process texts. As well we discussed this essays tone, thesis and imagery. Students who missed this information need to read the essay and talk to me if you cannot recognize at least 3 differences.
Definition Essay exercise - we did a group exercise in which we discussed various scenarios and whether they did or did not apply to the concept heading. If you were missing, get this handout from me.
Students are reminded that there are upcoming deadlines for novel tasks as well as the theme essay.
We went down to Mr. Gilles lab to work on a graphic text assignment ( See Handouts tab).
We also had a demonstration on "How to Cut a Woman in Half". Magical!
We went down to Mr. Gilles lab to work on a graphic text assignment ( See Handouts tab).
We also had a demonstration on "How to Cut a Woman in Half". Magical!
Monday Nov. 17th
Students were reminded of the upcoming deadlines for novel tasks (Nov. 21st) and theme essay (Nov. 28th). Also, if you are not writing the LPI you will require a letter from your parent excusing you from the test. Please return these ASAP.
We then had a few more demos - from how to make a peanut butter and jam sandwich to card tricks to blind contour drawing to an excellent video on how to change a tire. Check out the 12 -2 section for a couple more interesting How To videos.
We finished the class by looking at the ESL types of errors in Part II of the LPI. If you were missing, you need to get this handout from Mrs. Mahoney as it is not in electronic format.
Students were reminded of the upcoming deadlines for novel tasks (Nov. 21st) and theme essay (Nov. 28th). Also, if you are not writing the LPI you will require a letter from your parent excusing you from the test. Please return these ASAP.
We then had a few more demos - from how to make a peanut butter and jam sandwich to card tricks to blind contour drawing to an excellent video on how to change a tire. Check out the 12 -2 section for a couple more interesting How To videos.
We finished the class by looking at the ESL types of errors in Part II of the LPI. If you were missing, you need to get this handout from Mrs. Mahoney as it is not in electronic format.
Friday Nov. 14th
REMEMBER THAT MRS. MAHONEY WILL BE MARKING THE NOVEL BLOGS ON SUNDAY.
CHECK THE DUE DATES FROM YESTERDAY'S ENTRY.
1. We started with 2 demos - a card trick by Nolen and how to dress your pet for the season with Morgan and her cat Mike.
2. We then did a grammar quiz. Some took longer than expected so the LPI Pt. II material will be covered on Monday after our demos.
REMEMBER THAT MRS. MAHONEY WILL BE MARKING THE NOVEL BLOGS ON SUNDAY.
CHECK THE DUE DATES FROM YESTERDAY'S ENTRY.
1. We started with 2 demos - a card trick by Nolen and how to dress your pet for the season with Morgan and her cat Mike.
2. We then did a grammar quiz. Some took longer than expected so the LPI Pt. II material will be covered on Monday after our demos.
THURSDAY NOV. 13
1. Reviewed the pertinent upcoming due dates:
Nov. 14 Blogs cut off
Nov. 21 Last day for tasks.
Nov. 28 last day for theme essay for novel.
TOMORROW: Grammar quiz
2. We did a handout on parallel structure then did all 4 of the practice exercises for Pt. I of the LPI. REMEMBER that students who are not writing this test STILL NEED TO KNOW THIS MATERIAL.
1. Reviewed the pertinent upcoming due dates:
Nov. 14 Blogs cut off
Nov. 21 Last day for tasks.
Nov. 28 last day for theme essay for novel.
TOMORROW: Grammar quiz
2. We did a handout on parallel structure then did all 4 of the practice exercises for Pt. I of the LPI. REMEMBER that students who are not writing this test STILL NEED TO KNOW THIS MATERIAL.
BONUS: List 3 elements of graphic text and how each aids the viewer in understanding the concept.
Wednesday Nov. 12
Students first did the exercise #2 for pronouns and antecedents. We then went through the upcoming How To assignment (See Handout tab for information). Students decided whether they were doing a small group instruction, a video or a live demonstration. These were booked for either Friday or Monday. If you were missing, you need to indicate to me tomorrow which type you intend to do and whether you need a special setting or equipment. If you are bringing a pet for part of your demo, please inform us so that anyone with allergies can be aware. We finished the class with a mini-lesson on Graphic Text. Students looked at a handout and we listed the various elements of graphic text on the board.
REMINDER: There will be a short quiz on the comma splice, sentence fragments, dangling modifiers, misplaced modifiers and pronoun references on THIS FRIDAY
Students first did the exercise #2 for pronouns and antecedents. We then went through the upcoming How To assignment (See Handout tab for information). Students decided whether they were doing a small group instruction, a video or a live demonstration. These were booked for either Friday or Monday. If you were missing, you need to indicate to me tomorrow which type you intend to do and whether you need a special setting or equipment. If you are bringing a pet for part of your demo, please inform us so that anyone with allergies can be aware. We finished the class with a mini-lesson on Graphic Text. Students looked at a handout and we listed the various elements of graphic text on the board.
REMINDER: There will be a short quiz on the comma splice, sentence fragments, dangling modifiers, misplaced modifiers and pronoun references on THIS FRIDAY
Monday Nov. 10
Reminders that the novel blogs and the theme essay are due this Friday Nov. 14th. The cut off for tasks is Nov. 21st.
We did an exercise on pronouns and antecedents. See Handouts tab for this handout. Students did the exercise on the second page # 1 - 10.
Reminders that the novel blogs and the theme essay are due this Friday Nov. 14th. The cut off for tasks is Nov. 21st.
We did an exercise on pronouns and antecedents. See Handouts tab for this handout. Students did the exercise on the second page # 1 - 10.
Bonus: How do you fix the error in this sentence?
Friday Nov. 7th
We finished off yesterday's handout on Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers. Students got into pairs and re-wrote the final paragraph of the handout eliminating the mistakes and handing it in. We then held lit. circles for Slaughterhouse 5 as well as Indian Horse.
We finished off yesterday's handout on Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers. Students got into pairs and re-wrote the final paragraph of the handout eliminating the mistakes and handing it in. We then held lit. circles for Slaughterhouse 5 as well as Indian Horse.
BONUS: Is this a misplaced modifier or a dangling modifier? Write the correct version of this sentence.
Thursday Nov. 6th
Today we spent the first 1/2 of our class blogging in the computer lab. This was the last chance to blog in class. I will be closing the blogs on Nov. 14th. We then did a quick review of the necessary criteria for an effective how to video or demonstration. HEADS UP: Next week you will be doing one of these, so think ahead what to show us.
we tied up the day with a lesson on dangling and misplaced modifiers. We did the first exercise "Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers" together and then did the "Correcting Misplaced Modifiers Exercise" BY UNDERLING THE MISPLACED WORD OR PHRASE THEN DRAWING AN ARROW TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. This is homework to be corrected tomorrow.
Today we spent the first 1/2 of our class blogging in the computer lab. This was the last chance to blog in class. I will be closing the blogs on Nov. 14th. We then did a quick review of the necessary criteria for an effective how to video or demonstration. HEADS UP: Next week you will be doing one of these, so think ahead what to show us.
we tied up the day with a lesson on dangling and misplaced modifiers. We did the first exercise "Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers" together and then did the "Correcting Misplaced Modifiers Exercise" BY UNDERLING THE MISPLACED WORD OR PHRASE THEN DRAWING AN ARROW TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. This is homework to be corrected tomorrow.
Wednesday Nov. 5th
Today was the fundraiser for Derrick - some went to this fundraiser and others worked on the novel studies which are due on Friday.
Today was the fundraiser for Derrick - some went to this fundraiser and others worked on the novel studies which are due on Friday.
Tuesday Nov. 4th
Reminder: All 4 tasks are due on Friday Nov. 7th.
Students started with an unscramble a paragraph exercise which they did in groups. Then they had to eliminate all of the run on sentences and comma splices.
PROCESS videos: a. Form groups of at least 3. b. Watch each video and brainstorm the positives and negatives of each. c. Come up with 5 criteria which make up an effective How-To video or live demonstration. Hand these in. You will be marked for your group contributions and process.
Reminder: All 4 tasks are due on Friday Nov. 7th.
Students started with an unscramble a paragraph exercise which they did in groups. Then they had to eliminate all of the run on sentences and comma splices.
PROCESS videos: a. Form groups of at least 3. b. Watch each video and brainstorm the positives and negatives of each. c. Come up with 5 criteria which make up an effective How-To video or live demonstration. Hand these in. You will be marked for your group contributions and process.
 BONUS: using the skills you learned today for run on sentences, write our a corrected version of the judge's words, including the correct version of his words written in bold in the second panel.
Monday Nov. 3rd
Students were reminded of the upcoming deadlines: Nov. 7th- 4 tasks due Nov. 14h - blogs finished and theme essay due We then discussed the non-mandatory nature of the LPI BUT students are required to be evaluated on all prep. work as these lessons reflect the language PLOs. PARENTS: If you do not require your student to write the LPI, you will be receiving a letter which you need to sign and return. It is your responsibility to determine if the LPI is necessary for your student's future educational pursuits. We reviewed the concepts of run on sentences (fused sentences and comma splices) as well as sentence fragments. Students did both the practice exercises for these concepts and handed in their sentences from these. See Handouts tab for the handout "Avoiding Run on Sentences ..." but please write the sentences on loose leaf to save paper. 
Friday Oct 31st
Students had their last opportunity to work on the novel study. Next week we are moving on to some new material and time to work on novel studies will be limited. We had an interesting discussion on how we view racism as well as the movements of early people and how some feel it may tie back to Africa and some feel that the Chinese were in North America by 1423. A tangent but very interesting. Thursday Oct. 30th
Students went to the lab to add to their blogs. Remember that tomorrow is the last class time dedicated to full time novel work. Get your novel finished by Monday. The tasks except for the theme essay are due on Nov. 7th. 
Wednesday Oct. 29th
Students had a quick lesson on writing a theme essay and we discussed various themes which could surface in the various novels. We then held lit. circles for Nineteen Minutes, Indian Horse and I am the Messenger. Those not part of the novel circles were working on reading and tasks.  I'M BACK!!!
BONUS: WHAT FAMOUS MOVIE DOES THIS CAPTION ALLUDE TO? WHAT IS MRS. MAHONEY SUGGESTING BY USING THIS ALLUSION?
Tuesday Oct. 28th
Students had a mini-assembly today with the administration to discuss how they can be role models as well as discuss the expectations about garbage left around the school and the banning of masks for Halloween during school this coming Friday. When we returned to the classroom, the students made some suggestions about the garbage issue and were concerned about the masks. I forwarded their concerns on to Mr. Soujah. The remainder of the class was taken up working on the novel study. Remember that this week is the last week to be working exclusively on the novel study. Students should be finished their reading by Nov. 3rd and the deadline for the tasks (other than the theme essay ) is Nov. 7th. Students going to Dawson for volleyball need to be aware of these deadlines. 
Wednesday Oct 22
Sorry that the posts have been missing for the last 2 days. I was away yesterday. If you refer to Friday's post you will know what went on. There were a couple of people who had trouble with the novel blogs because they didn't remember their passwords. We sorted this out today. Today we had a lit. circle for I am the Messenger as well as Slaughterhouse Five. Tomorrow we will work on lit. circles for Indian Horse and Nineteen Minutes and Three Day Road. If you missed a lit. circle today, we will have a lit. circle make-up session for those missing one of the sessions. You need to have finished at least 2/3 of your novel for Monday. Those going to Dawson City for the volleyball tournament need to be aware that they should have finished their novels by the Monday they are back (Nov. 3rd). Next week is the last week to work on novels exclusively.  BONUS: Find the origin of the word 'mulligan' and explain how it relates to today's class.
Friday Oct. 17th
Students who wished to re-write sections of last week's unit test did this today. Others worked on reading their novels as they should be about 1/3 through by Monday. I have set out next week's plan - I will be away next Tuesday and Friday. PARENTS: When your child tells you there is a sub and we're 'just reading' DON'T believe it. I always meaningful activities and the students have a whack of novel work to be complete before the end of October. Below is next week's plan for your perusal. Monday: Lit. circles for Three Day Road and Nineteen Minutes. Students reading Slaughterhouse Five or Indian Horse will begin working on their novel tasks or reading to keep up. Tuesday: I am away at a dept. meeting, but students will be in the computer lab adding to the novel blogs. They will be completing the discussion question for week one and adding and responding to peer questions from that week. They can also add a question or response to week 2. Wednesday: Lit. Circles for Slaughterhouse Five and Indian Horse. Students not in lit. circles will be reading or working on the novel tasks they have chosen. Thursday : Lit. circles for Three Day Road and Nineteen Minutes. Today I will also introduce the theme essay which all of the students will be writing about their novel. This lesson will be very important. Friday: Computer lab for novel blogs and tasks. BY THIS POINT STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE FINISHED AT LEAST 2/3 of their novels. 
Thursday Oct. 16th
Thank you for all of you who sweated it out and go in all of the missing work. (PS This is NOT sarcasm!) Today the students went to the computer lab and registered for their Edmodo account. You can find out how to do this at the Handouts tab. All you have to do is click on the blue student sign up button and it should take you to a screen where you will choose a password and a username as well as register you actual name. Your email is not needed. Once you do this, you will be notified that a request to access PCSS ENGLISH 12 has been sent. I will 'accept' you and add you to the proper novel discussion group. Students also reviewed the various requirements of the novel blog and some began responding to the blog's week one question. Students also indicated whether they planned to write sections of the Unit One test again. This will be tomorrow. Finally, we had a novel circle for Indian Horse. The other novels which did not have a lit. circle this week will do so either tomorrow or Monday, depending upon how many are re-writing and how long this takes. NOTE CHANGE IN DEADLINE FOR END OF UNIT ONE MATERIALS HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM OCT. 8TH TO OCT. 15TH. ALL FIRST UNIT ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE THIS DATE.
Wednesday Oct. 15th!!!!
TODAY'S THE DAY TO HAND IN ALL OF THE UNIT ONE MATERIAL YOU WERE MISSING. YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. We went over the lit. circle evaluations/requirements (see Handouts tab) and had intended to do lit. circles after 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the photo session interrupted us. Those not having photos continued to read. Students should be ready to comment on their novels tomorrow at the beginning of class. 
BONUS: HOW DOES THIS QUOTE APPLY TO YOUR NOVEL? PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 EXAMPLES TO SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER.
TUESDAY OCT. 14TH
WARNING! WARNING! TOMORROW IS THE CUT OFF DAY UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT. GET IN ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS! We got our novels and criteria for the novel study today. Students should have about 1/10th of the novel read for tomorrow. There will be a lit. circle for each group. Students read and worked on last minute things. They also received back some marked work including the unit test. They will have a chance to re-write on Friday if they so choose. 
Thursday Oct. 9th
Students viewed Devon's satire project and decided he has set the bar high for this assignment. Students worked on finishing their own projects which are to be ready for Tuesday. Students are reminded that the 15th is the cut off date for missing work. If you wish you may come to the classroom before the end of the day to take home your novel for use in next week's class. 
Bonus: What device is present in this cartoon? Explain.
Wednesday Oct. 8th
Students who were missing during yesterday's unit exam went to the library to write the exam. Others who still needed some time to finish worked on the paragraph at the end of the exam. Those who had finished yesterday worked on their satire projects or any missing assignments. 
Tuesday Oct. 7th
Students wrote the unit one exam today. If you missed this exam, you will be expected to write it when you return. Those who still have the paragraph portion to write will have the option of doing so in class tomorrow or in a spare or at lunch. Those who choose to write it in class are reminded that their Satire project should be finished for the end of Thursday's class. 
MONDAY OCT. 6TH
Students were reminded that the cut off is the 15 for all work due up to the end of last week ( including the synthesis essay). We reviewed and students were given "Windows" as the test piece they are to read for tomorrow's exam. Be ready. We spent the rest of the class starting our Satire and Parody projects from last week. Students should have them ready for Thursday. If you are doing a project which is quite involved, you may ask to get an extension PROVIDED YOU HAVE BEEN USING YOUR CLASS TIME WELL. Due to technical problems yesterday, I could not post the work. Yesterday students had a brief lesson on parody by viewing the Word Crimes video on the English 12 - 1 tab then reading William Carlos Williams' "This is Just to Say" and a parody of it. We read "The Passionate Shepherd" and "The Nymph's Reply" to figure out what a pastoral poem is and review an older parody. We then looked at the Country Girls video and discussed how it's a cross over between satire and parody especially since some of lines from a variety of songs are borrowed and not from one original piece. We finished by reading a satirical report of the death of Bill Nye. Today we watched part of "The Search for the Holy Grail" and discussed what was satire and what was just silly.
THURSDAY SEPT. 25TH
Students are reminded that tomorrow is Terry Fox Run. Dress appropriately. Students read "My Last Duchess" and did the attached questions. If you missed, you might want to watch the video below for help. Students are reminded to be sure to have submitted the following: Ballad "The Masque of Red Death" final copy along with rough and rubric Figurative Device poster "Elegy for Jane" questions Ode exercise Epitaph and Epigraph Ode or Elegy is due TOMORROW. Synthesis rough draft is due on Monday. 
WEDNESDAY SEPT. 24
Today we started by looking at the differences between English and Italian sonnets. Students who attended Challenge Day need to get this handout. You DO NOT need to do the questions but you do need to review the parts and rhyme scheme of each. We then worked on our elegies and synthesis work. 
TUESDAY SEPT. 23
We reviewed their odes or elegies in the following manner: Circle 5 sophisticated words used - if you don't have 5 choose some which need changing. Underline all examples of imagery - if you don't have this, add similes, metaphors, adjectives, etc. For odes * all points where the poem gives praise For elegies * all points which show characteristics of the 'deceased' Final draft for Friday please. We then reviewed what is meant by the term Synthesis and chose one of the following topics to work on: Topic One: How would the author of "The Psychology of Guns" explain the actions of the narrator in "The Gun"? Topic Two: How would the author of "Psychology and Trauma" explain Lois's present mental state? Students read the article which applies to their topic and then were to construct a chart or organizer which provided at least 3 connections and a quote from both the article and the story as support. 
MONDAY SEPT. 22
We started with a clarification on the differences between ode and elegy - students are reminded that their odes or elegies are due in rough draft form tomorrow. We then worked through the handout Epigraphs vs. Epitaphs. Some students were working on the re-test from Friday at this time. They will need to do the Epigraphs vs. Epitaphs handout also. This handout with the attached paragraph needs to be handed in on Wednesday. The relevant URLs for the Epigraph and Epitaph handout are at http://flavorwire.com/246590/the-25-greatest-epigraphs-in-literature/ and http://people.howstuffworks.com/11-memorable-epitaphs.htm#page=20 . Be sure to check these sites for more information. BONUS: Choose a celebrity or historic figure then select both a epigraph/epigram to put at the end of his/her biography and a epitaph for his/her tombstone. Feel free to use your sense of humour. 
Friday Sept. 19th
We finished "The Gun". Students broke into groups and were assigned ONE element of style to explain to the class. As each group reported back, we made a chart on the board and students copied the chart. If you were missing, you need to borrow someone's chart to copy. The last 10 minutes were spent on working on writing either an ode or an elegy which needs to be at least 10 lines long, use imagery, and fulfill the criteria of its type. The rough draft is due on Tuesday. 
Thursday Sept 18th
Students looked over the Vocabulary for "The Gun" and did the multiple choice to decipher the correct definitions. They then chose 10 of the words and wrote a sentence for each. The sentence should clearly show your understanding of each word's meaning. We then reviewed elements of style - Diction, Sentence Structure, Voice and Use of allusion. We started to read the story and read to the middle of pg. 145. WEDNESDAY SEPT. 17TH
We started with a quick review of what elegies are and then discussed if we were to be remembered as animals, what would they like to be? As a bird? We then read "Elegy for Jane" and in pairs or groups of 3 did the attached questions and handed them in. We finished off by constructing a chart of the differences between elegy and ode. Students will be writing either an elegy or an ode - criteria to be given tomorrow. 
TUESDAY SEPT. 16TH
This morning we started by discussing the issue of what's racist or offensive when a writer writes about a different culture. This was in connection to the language and descriptions of the send off ceremony in "Death by Landscape". We then finished the story and went into groups to discuss: a. the symbols of the story and what they represent b. Where's Lucy? Why? 
BONUS: Is the portrayal of the Irish in any way offensive ? Does it matter whether someone Irish designed or approved this image? Does it denigrate Irish culture?
MONDAY SEPT. 15th
Students who were missing last Friday got back their rough drafts of paragraphs as well as their quizzes. Students may choose to re-do the quiz this coming Friday. We had a quick introductory lesson to Elegies by reading the handout Elegy for Jane copy 2 (Handouts tab) and underlining the 2 types of elegies. We then looked at the elegy on the same page and discussed which type it fit. HINT: It has elements of both. Next we read part of "Death By Landscape" ( see pdf at Handouts tab and read to the end of the second column of page three). We began by discussing how we can identify symbols in writing and how we know if the writer intended them to be symbols. Strategies discussed: Look at the title, watch for repetition of a particular idea, look for objects closely associated with the main character or characters, and look for detailed descriptions of important objects. These are clues to symbolism. Our reading the discussion centered on Lois's 'quirks' or 'issues' and how they relate to her paintings and other objects. We will finish this story tomorrow. 
FRIDAY SEPT. 12TH
I returned some of the rough drafts of "The Masque of Red Death" with feedback rubrics. Those who did not submit a rough draft will need to do so with their final draft on Monday Sept. 15th. Ballads are due on Monday in rough draft form. We looked at the handout Paradox and Oxymoron and did the exercise to see if we 'get it'. Figurative Device posters due today. Next we did the Ode Exercise. Lastly students got their quizzes from last week back. Some will be doing a do-over next Friday. NOTE: For those who were away we DID NOT get to "Ode to the Large Tuna in the Market". 
THURSDAY SEPT. 11TH
SORRY BUT YESTERDAY WAS A SICK DAY FOR ME. Students yesterday finished their group summaries of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" then had time to work on their figurative device visuals due this coming Friday. They were assigned writing a rough draft of a ballad due tomorrow. TODAY - first we reviewed the expectations for the ballad - at least 4 stanzas following all ballad criteria EXCEPT dialect and archaic words. I have changed the due date for Monday. We read "Ode to a Car Drowned in a Bowl of Goldfishes" and students looked for imagery. We also labelled this piece a satirical ode since it is not praising but warning gold diggers. Lastly we read "A Pair of Silk Stockings" and on white boards students wrote down the three symbols they discovered and what they thought each represented. I am still looking for a number of "The Masque of Red Death" drafts. 
BONUS: What symbol of temptation appeared in today's story and how is it linked to a biblical allusion?
Tuesday Sept. 9th
REMINDERS: Figurative device Visual due Friday. If you missed the quiz, arrange to write it today or tomorrow at the latest. We did a peer/self review of our paragraphs of "The Masque of Red Death" today. We used the following scheme: Hook? Check mark Author? Title(s) - " " for story and underline The Tempest and key words of your topic? Check mark beside each. Underline your thesis. Number your three points - #1, 2, and 3 Letter your three quotes - a, b, c Put a * next to each of your explanations. () for your conclusion HAND IN THIS DRAFT. Students did the handout on Paradox and Parallelism (See handouts tab) and we reviewed. We recognized that most of the poem "The Paradox of our Time" is not in fact full of paradoxes. Next: Groups to look at the poem "The Twa Corbies". We used the white boards to write what aspects of ballad were present and whether we did or did not think it was truly a ballad. Our final task was to remain in our groups and look at the first 4 stanzas of Iron Maidens Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Monday Sept. 8th
REMINDER: If you missed the quiz on Friday, you need to arrange a time to write in the next day or two, so I can return the other students' quizzes. Friday your visual for your selected poetry term is due. We read "The Story of An Hour" (at <http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/>)and split into groups to discuss the ironies and write them as BUT or YET or ALTHOUGH statements. We then regrouped and shared our observations of irony. If you were missing, you need to find another member of the class who copied out the master list of ironies and copy them. We then discussed the various symbols in the story. We did this lesson because on the Friday quiz students were not yet proficient at expressing these ideas. We finished by looking at the elements of ballad from the BALLAD handout ( see tab) and comparing the elements to the poem "Lord Randal" . |
