Welcome to English 11
Tuesday, January 9
I had to leave at lunch today because my 8-year-old was sick and had to go home. Students were to work in the library for the first part of class finishing up Macbeth assignments and revising the argumentative essay.
I have extended the cut-off for handing in these assignments until Thursday. Afterwards, students returned to the classroom to complete the rest of the multiple choice questions on the practice exam.
Monday, January 8
Today I showed a short video with tips for answering multiple choice questions. Students then used the tips to complete the first section of the practice exam. We will go over the answers tomorrow. We spent the last part of the class in the computer lab revising assignments.
The cut-off for handing in revised assignments and Macbeth assignments is this Wednesday.
Friday, January 5
I've decided we do not have time for the debates, as we will need the time to prepare for the final exam. Today students continued to work on completing or revising assignments. Next week we will focus on reviewing for the exam.
Thursday, January 4
Today we worked on Macbeth assignments in the library and most students were very productive. The Cornell note assignment is due tomorrow and the cut-off for handing in the other Macbeth assignments is next Wednesday. The cut-off for handing in the argumentative essay is tomorrow. Tomorrow we will choose topics for the debates and break into groups to begin research. Debates will be held on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. We will also spend part of each class reviewing for the exam.
Wednesday, January 3
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great holiday. There are only eight classes left!
Today we began the in-class review for the exam with a Kahoot of literary terms and devices. Next, we went to the library to work on the Cornell note assignment for a scene in Macbeth. This assignment is due on Friday, January 5th. Note: The cut-off for handing in the argumentative essay is this Friday.
Tuesday, December 19
I handed back some marked assignments that students can revise and submit for further assessment after the holidays. I also gave a progress report/print-out of their marks and a note outlining the alternative assignments students can do for extra credit or to replace marks for the novel study tasks that were not handed in by the cut-off and received zeroes. Lastly, I provided a practice final exam that students can do over the holidays if they feel like studying! We spent the rest of the class in the library or computer lab working on the Cornell note assignment. We will finish this assignment after the holidays, but students are welcome to work on it over the holidays:)
Reminder: Some students have not yet handed in the argumentative essay. The cut-off for handing it in is Friday, January 5.
Monday, December 18
Today we viewed a short animated video of Macbeth (see video below) and then students went to the library to work on the Cornell note assignment.
Friday, December 15
Many students needed more time to complete the open-book quiz from yesterday. Afterwards, students read Acts IV and V of the graphic novel and began working on the Cornell note assignment. Working individually or with a partner, students chose one scene to condense into one page of concise notes.
Thursday, December 14
Students wrote an open-book quiz on Acts II and III, and I introduced the Cornell note assignment. Students can work with a partner and choose one scene to condense into one page of concise notes. I gave a handout with instructions for this assignment, a list of terms and devices found in Shakespearean tragedies, and two exemplars of the assignment.
Wednesday, December 13
I briefly explained how to read a graphic novel for those students not familiar with reading comics and other graphic texts. I read the first scene of Act II aloud and then students read the rest of Act II and Act III independently. You could hear a pin drop in class today. Everyone was focussed on reading. I was impressed! We discussed the Acts briefly to make sure everyone understood the key events and ideas, and then I showed two short videos (see below). Lastly, we viewed the 2015 movie version Acts II and III.
Tuesday, December 12
Students wrote an open-book quiz on Act I. We are using the original text, a graphic novel with modern text, and No Fear Shakespeare (original text beside modern/translated text). They could write the quiz with a partner.
Monday, December 11
We played a murder mystery game based on the murder of King Duncan in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Students took on character roles and used clues to ask questions of other characters and finally came up with an official accusation. Afterwards, we watched Act I of the 2015 movie version of Macbeth.
Friday, December 8
We spent the class in the computer lab typing the essay and making sure we are citing our sources correctly.
Wednesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 7
I was in Vancouver for medical appointments. Students worked on the argumentative essay. They should have the outline completed and started typing up the first draft.
Tuesday, December 5
Students worked in the library gathering research to support the thesis of their argumentative essay.
Monday, December 4
I gave a mini-lesson on in-text citations with an in-class practice piece on when to cite your source. I also gave out an in-text citation reference guide to be used for the argumentative essay. Students went to the library to do research on their chosen topic and were to record any useful info and resources.
Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1
I was back in class today. Students presented their commercial projects either to the whole class or gallery walk style (presented to a couple students at a time but may have presented more than once).
Tuesday, November 28 and Wednesday, November 29
I was at home still sick with the flu. Presentations are postponed until I return. Students needed more time to work on their commercial project so more time was given. They were reminded to write a script that explains the methods of persuasion that were used. They also began working on the argumentative/persuasive essay.
Monday, November 27
Congratulations, senior girls and boys volleyball teams! Today I was at home sick with a flu bug. Students were reminded to hand in the novel study assignments as today is the cut-off for handing these in. Also, they were reminded to hand in the compare and contrast graphic organizers for the novel and movie. Lastly, students were reminded to make sure they create a slogan for their commercial project. Today they looked at some of the most popular slogans and did a quiz as a class to see if they could match the slogan with the product or company. They spent the remainder of the class in the computer lab working on the commercial project. I would like the project completed and the students ready to present tomorrow.
Friday, November 24
Today we attended the play "The Syringa Tree". A few students did not show up for the bus, but were seen in the school earlier. Disappointing. We did not have a chance to discuss the play afterwards, but will do so next week.
Thursday, November 23
Oops! I made a mistake on the homework page regarding the cut-off date for handing in the novel study assignments. In class, I have been telling students it is Thursday of this week, but I have been posting the cut-off date online as next Thursday! As a compromise, I will make the cut-off date Monday, November 27.
The 3 graphic organizers comparing the novel to the movie are also due on Monday.
Today there was a sub because I was marking the grade 9 School Wide Writes. Students went to the computer lab to work on the commercial project. They should be halfway through creating the visual and writing a script for the presentation. This project should be completed by the end of Monday's class.
Reminder: tomorrow we are attending the play so come to class with your jacket and be ready to go. We need to leave the school by 12:25.
Wednesday, November 22
I introduced the propaganda/commercial project today. Students chose a topic, decided on the methods of persuasion to be used, and worked on the 10-frame storyboard. We will continue this work tomorrow.
Reminder to hand in your permission forms and fee for the play we are attending on Friday.
Reminder: The cut-off to hand in novel study assignments is Thursday, November 30.
Tuesday, November 21
Today we finished viewing the Science of Persuasion video and students completed their notes. Afterwards, I gave a practice sheet where students identified the different types of persuasion used in several commercials: pathos, logos, ethos. Next, we viewed the beginning of a Slideshare on persuasive techniques used in commercials. We identified the purpose, audience and methods of persuasion for the first few commercials (these were done as examples) and students went to the computer lab to complete the rest of the assignment individually. This assignment should be completed by the end of tomorrow's class. I am still missing many students' novel task assignments.
Reminder: The cut-off for handing in the symbolism assignment and novel tasks is Thursday, November 30. Any assignment not submitted by this date will receive a zero.
3 graphic organizers for comparing the novel to the movie are due on Monday, November 27.
Monday, November 20
We started the argument and persuasion unit today by discussing what each term meant. Next, we brainstormed some scenarios where we would have to convince someone of something. In groups, students were to choose one of the scenarios and, on chart paper, come up with points for the argumentative (factual, logical) and the persuasive (emotional) side. We went through a handout on propaganda techniques, students traded papers, and they added ideas/points. Lastly, students viewed a short video on the science of persuasion (see below) and they filled in a graphic organizer with the key ideas. We did not quite finish the video so we will continue tomorrow.
Reminder: The cut-off for handing in the symbolism assignment and novel tasks is Thursday, November 30. Any assignment not submitted by this date will receive a zero.
Please bring in your signed permission forms and the $10 fee to see the play "The Syringa Tree" this Friday afternoon. Students are expected to attend. The play chronicles the life of a girl growing up in South Africa during Apartheid and through the Truth and Reconciliation process.
Friday, November 17
Students continued viewing the movie version of their novel. Some groups finished their movie while others will need to borrow my copy of the movie or view it on YouTube outside of class time. The 3 graphic organizers are due next Monday.
Thursday, November 16
Today students viewed the movie version of their novel. They were given three graphic organizers to complete while viewing the movie and these should be completed and handed in for evaluation at the end of tomorrow's class. I am assessing students' ability to evaluate and analyze the film adaptations of the novels. I have to say, the students chose great novels which also happen to have really good movie versions (except for The Cellist of Sarajevo which has not been adapted to film). I am still missing many students' novel tasks. Get them in asap please.
The cut-off for handing in the symbolism assignment and novel tasks is Thursday, November 30. Any assignment not submitted by this date will receive a zero.
Wednesday, November 15
Sorry for the missing post. Yesterday students worked on the novel study tasks in the library. Many were behind and had not met the deadlines for the two assignments that were due last week. Today was the last class devoted to completing the novel study tasks and most students were motivated and worked diligently. The novel study tasks should have been completed and handed in today.
Thursday, November 9
Today students worked in the computer lab on the novel study tasks. I am still missing many symbolism assignments which were due yesterday. Today one of the novel study tasks should have been completed and handed in by the end of the class. Tomorrow there is no school so I suggest you spend some time working on the novel study tasks. Next Tuesday and Wednesday will be devoted to working on the novel study tasks and they are due November 15. On Thursday and Friday we will be viewing the movie versions and comparing them to the novels.
Wednesday, November 8
We held a lit. circle for The Martian and students worked on the symbolism assignment which was due at the end of the class. Due tomorrow: one of the novel study tasks you chose
Due Wednesday, November 15: the other two novel study tasks you chose
Tuesday, November 7
Today students spent a short period of time in the computer lab working on the symbolism assignment. I have extended the due date to Wednesday. I did a short lesson on run-on sentences (fused and comma splices) and ways to correct them (add a period, use a semi-colon, add a conjunction, use a subordinate conjunction and a comma). We went over the answers and we held a lit. circle for The Cellist of Sarajevo. The Lit. circle discussion for The Martian will be held tomorrow.
Reminder: Symbolism assignment is due tomorrow by the end of the class
one novel study task should be completed and handed in Thursday
the other two novel study tasks should be completed and handed in on Wednesday of next week
Monday, November 6
I apologize for the missing posts last week. Last Thursday and Friday students worked on the novel study tasks in the computer lab. Today students worked on the symbolism assignment and we held a lit. circle for The Lovely Bones and Alive. Tomorrow the symbolism assignment is due and students are expected to submit one novel task this Thursday. The other two novel tasks are due on Wednesday of next week.
Wednesday, November 1
Today was the last day we will spend in the library reading; however, we have a few more lit. circles to do. We held lit. circles for Animal Farm and The Martian today.
Here's the schedule for the last of the lit. circle discussions:
Thursday: The Cellist of Sarajevo and The Lovely Bones
Friday: Both groups reading Alive
Monday: The Martian, Alive
Tuesday: The Lovely Bones and The Cellist of Sarajevo
Tomorrow we will be in the computer lab beginning work on the novel study tasks.
Tuesday, October 31
Happy Hallowe'en! Sorry for the missing posts. Students have been reading their novels and participating in lit. circles the last few classes as well as working on the symbolism assignment. Students should be identifying symbols as they read their novel and adding them to their chart. We have been discussing the symbols in the novels during each lit. circle so this should not be too difficult task. The next step is to create a visual with at least four symbols. I am pleased with the discussions we are having during the lit. circles. Students seem to be happy with their novel choice and many are bringing interesting and insightful questions and comments to the discussions. Well done!
Thursday, October 26
Only one member of the group reading Animal Farm showed up today, so we had to postpone that lit. circle. I am not impressed:( Today's class was devoted to reading and preparing for upcoming lit. circles as well as revising any assignments from term one.
The cut-off for submitting revised assignments from term one is midnight tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 25
Today we reviewed how to integrate quotations paying particular attention to punctuation. We discussed how to use a colon in this instance, and I gave a hand-out with examples of four ways to integrate a quote. Students did a couple practice sentences integrating quotes and then they completed or revised the quote integration assignment from earlier in the course. We will practice this skill some more in the next unit after the novel study. Next, we held lit. circles for The Lovely Bones and The Martian. Tomorrow we will hold the lit. circle for Animal Farm (we ran out of time today) and Friday we will hold lit. circles for The Martian and Alive. Many students are away with volleyball the next two days, so the lit. circle for The Cellist of Sarajevo will be held on Monday. Students should be reading their novel in class and at home in order to have it fully read by Thursday of next week. Remember to look for symbolism in your novel and add any symbols to your chart.
Tuesday, October 24
I was away yesterday so the lit.circle discussions were postponed. Students were given specific instructions to help them prepare for the upcoming lit. circle discussions. They were expected to read their novels and prepare their discussion notes. Apparently not a lot of work was done by some students yesterday:(
Today we held a lit. circle discussion for Alive and tomorrow these groups will go: The Lovely Bones, The Cellist of Sarajevo, The Martian and Animal Farm. Students not involved in lit. circle discussions are expected to be reading their novel and preparing discussion notes/questions. Reminder: You should be halfway through your novel for the second lit. circle discussion.
Thursday, October 19
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Wednesday, October 18
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Tuesday, October 17
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Monday, October 16
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Friday, October 13
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Thursday, October 12
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Wednesday, October 11
Today we went to the computer lab to finish writing the personal essay. The goal was to complete a first draft by the end of the class but we were called down for school photos during the latter part of the class, so we can spend part of tomorrow's class finishing this assignment.
Tuesday, October 10
Welcome back! I hope you had a restful weekend with family and friends. We read the personal essay "Raised by Wolves" and students hi-lighted the thesis and topic sentences of each paragraph, noting the supporting examples and details. We also discussed the author's style, noting the diction (word choice), sentence structure and voice. We agreed that both the hook and conclusion were effective. Students then chose one of the topics from last week and brainstormed ideas creating a web or list. Next, they used a laptop to begin writing their personal essay. The first draft of the essay is due by Friday, the latest. A few students who were absent last week chose their novel picks for the lit.circle unit, so I expect to have rounded up enough copies for Thursday's class.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!
Thursday, October 5
Today students chose their top three novel picks for the novel study/lit. circle unit. We also read the narrative essay "Showering with Spiders" and discussed the similarities and differences between a narrative essay and a short story. We identified the thesis of the essay and then we read a personal essay. Next week students will be writing a personal essay so we brainstormed some possible topics. Lastly, four students presented their short story projects.
Wednesday, October 4
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Tuesday, October 3
I handed back the irony paragraph and I encouraged students to make revisions and hand it in again to achieve a higher mark. The assessment rubric as well as my comments/editing symbols should guide them in their revisions. Through this reading and writing assignment, students demonstrated the ability to identify three examples of irony in the story "The Interlopers" as well as use quotes from the story for support. One thing many students need to work on is the skill of embedding the quotes. Students spent the rest of the class in the library or computer lab putting their presentation together and practicing for tomorrow's presentations. They were extremely productive. It is amazing the effect a looming deadline has on students' efficiency.
Be ready to present tomorrow. Don't let me down!
Monday, October 2
Students worked in the computer lab putting the visual together for the short story gallery walk project. Tomorrow is the last day to complete this assignment. Students need to be ready to present on Wednesday.
Friday, September 29
We played a quick Kahoot to review fiction terms in preparation for the quiz next Tuesday. We spent the rest of the class in the library working on the short story gallery walk assignment. Students are expected to have the notes ready for Monday's class and be ready to start putting the visual together. Some of you have a lot of work to do over the weekend. Don't get behind. Projects will be presented on Wednesday.
Thursday, September 28
Today I introduced the short story gallery walk project. Students were given a booklet with the purpose of the project, expectations with step-by-step instructions, checklist, and background notes on some of the more difficult fiction terms. We went over this information and then students who had completed the literary analysis paragraph on irony chose their short story for the project. Students spent the rest of the class in the library or computer lab finishing the irony paragraph which was due at the end of the class. Some students began working on the new project.
Wednesday, September 27
Working in pairs, students were responsible for answering an assigned question from the fiction terms review questions that were due Monday. They put their answers on strips of chart paper and these were posted on the board. We discussed the answers and then students went to the library or computer lab to write the literary analysis paragraph on irony. The paragraph is due by the end of tomorrow's class.
Tuesday, September 26
Most students did not hand in "The Interlopers" assignment yesterday, nor did they have it ready for today. I am not impressed. Today I introduced the literary analysis assignment. Students are to find examples of irony in the story "The Interlopers" and write a paragraph that includes a hook, thesis, and three examples of irony with a supporting quotation for each. Students were given an outline and this was to be completed for tomorrow's class.
Monday, September 25
I was absent today. Students were to hand in their answers to "The Interlopers" questions as these were due today. Next, they went to the library to independently read an article and an essay about circuses and then completed a comparison chart with regard to: purpose, audience, thesis, theme, bias and lexis. This assignment should have been completed by the end of the class.
Friday, September 22
Today students were to finish the questions to the short story "The Interlopers". These are due by Monday. We watched a short video of the short story. Some students worked on the poem autopsy that is past due. Many students were absent due to the volleyball tournament.
Thursday, September 21
Poem Autopsy #3 was due by the end of the class so students had the class to finish this assignment. Some students worked on the questions to "The Interlopers". Many students were absent due to volleyball or a biology field trip.
Wednesday, September 20
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Tuesday, September 19
Students should be finished the rough notes/graphic organizers for poem autopsy #3 and now be starting to put together the visual for this assignment. It is due this Thursday.
Monday, September 18
Students began poem autopsy #3. They could work individually or with a partner and were to use a poem or song lyrics of their choice (as long as it was school appropriate and had enough content to analyze). I gave out the rubric and we discussed how they will be assessed.
Friday, September 15
The poetry term re-test was written today in the library and then students worked on the rough notes for the final poetry autopsy assignment. Graphic organizers were given for this purpose. Next week class time will be given in the computer lab to put the visual together. This project is due Thursday.
Thursday, September 14
I was away today. Students went to the library to complete the poetry autopsy assignment. It was due at the end of the class. Students were also expected to chose a poem or song lyrics for the final poetry autopsy assignment.
Wednesday, September 13
Today students worked in their groups in the library on the poetry autopsy assignment. They were expected to finish their rough notes and then organize and write their ideas on sheets of chart paper. A portion of class time will be given tomorrow to complete this assignment and it will be due by the end of the class.
Tuesday, September 12
The poetry quiz from last Friday was returned and we went over the answers. This Friday is the re-test. Students handed in a self-evaluation of yesterday's group task using the rubric provided. Next, I gave a hand-out with an explanation of the poem autopsy assignments. I also gave an assessment rubric for the second assignment and we discussed it. Students then worked in the same groups as yesterday to do a poem autopsy on a poem chosen from my collection. Tomorrow these should be completed in class.
Monday, September 11
Today students were given notes on the Poem Autopsy. I explained the different parts and then, in groups of three, students took one section to examine using the poem "For the Death of a Hundred Whales". Each group wrote their information on a slip of paper which we posted on the board and they presented to the class. Tomorrow we will begin the second poem autopsy assignment. The Chalk Outline paragraphs were due today.
Friday, September 8
Students wrote the quiz on poetry terms and then we viewed some sample paragraphs for "The Chalk Outline" writing assignment. Students hi-lighted the hook, author, title, thesis, quotes, and conclusion in each sample paragraph and then gave each a mark on the 4-point scale using the rubric. Next, we split into two groups to finish writing the paragraphs; some students went to the computer lab and others worked in the classroom on laptops. The first draft of this assignment is due on Monday. Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, September 7
Wednesday, September 6
The groups with suspects Charles Berlin and Carolyn presented their cases to the class. These were well done. Students worked on the poem assignment that is due tomorrow and they also worked on the outline for the paragraph answer to the question, "Who or what is the antagonist in the Chalk Outline?"
Due tomorrow: Poem assignment "Circus Animals"
Quiz on poetry terms this Friday.
Due tomorrow: Poem assignment "Circus Animals"
Quiz on poetry terms this Friday.
Tuesday, September 5
Today students spent some time preparing and rehearsing for their presentations. The group whose suspect was Stanley Murdoch presented a courtroom scene to the class. Well done! The other two groups are expected to present tomorrow. Reminder: The "Circus Animals" poem assignment is due this Thursday.
Friday, September 1
We started with a bit of literary terms practice. Students were given the poem "Circus Animals" and were to hi-light and label at least thirty literary devices/figurative language. They used their literary terms booklet as a reference and were encouraged to look up any unfamiliar words. This assignment is due next Thursday. Next, we split into our groups from yesterday and continued working on "The Chalk Outline' presentation. On Tuesday, I will give you some class time to rehearse, but I would like to begin presentations.
Thursday, August 31
Today students were put into groups and each group was given a suspect from the story "The Chalk Outline". I went over the assessment rubrics for the group work peer and self-evaluations as well as the rubric for the presentation. Students spent the rest of the class finding textual evidence from the story to prove their suspect innocent or guilty. We will continue working on this assignment tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 30
I gave out the Grade Eleven Terms Booklet. Please do not lose this! We went over the Poetry Terms section and added extra examples to the notes. Afterwards, we played a game of Kahoot to review the poetry terms. Next, we discussed the challenges of working in groups in yesterday's murder mystery activity. We generated some criteria for assessing group work and I explained my expectations. Lastly, I began reading aloud the story "The Chalk Outline" and students are expected to have finished reading it for tomorrow's class.
Tuesday, August 29
Today we discussed classroom expectations and I went over the course outline as well I gave an overview of the new English curriculum. Students then wrote a letter of introduction and these are due by the end of this week. Lastly, students worked in groups to solve a bank robbery mystery using clues and inferencing.
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