Thursday, September 30, 2010

Today, we discussed the poem "Cyclops". I then handed out questions which you worked on as a small group. These are due today. I am also waiting for you to resubmit your Fit to Print article critique for pages 94 to 102. This must be completed for tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Today, we finished up the poetry notes and then I gave a handout explaining how I want poetry analyzed. I then handed back your first article critique for Fit to Print. This is homework that needs to be fixed for tomorrow. You also had the poem "Cyclops" to analyze. This is also due tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Today, I provided more notes on poetry, especially in metres and lines. If you were not here, these notes are in your portfolio.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Today, I presented notes using Powerpoint for the poetry unit. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Today, you wrote the unit re-test (different readings and questions).

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Today, we discussed your in-class essays and the multiple choice exam you completed. Due to a low average, I am giving you a rewrite (using different stories) on Thursday.

For tomorrow, you are to read pages 94 to 102 in fit to print and write a chapter critique.

The information you need is below, but is not formatted. You will need to do this using a 12 point, Times New Roman Font. You will also need to bold the titles and subtitles, a remove the information in italics.

Chapter/Section Critique for Fit to Print

Complete Citation

Buckley, J. (1991). Chapter 11: The sentence simplified. Fit to print (2nd Ed.), (pp. 94 – 102). Toronto, Canada: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Canada Inc.

Three sentence summary

Approximately 50 words to summarize the content and importance of the chapter or section


What?
In a series of point form observations, summarize the important points to remember from the article.


So What?
Use a brief paragraph or two to analyze the article and highlight the implications for personal practice.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Today, you wrote your multiple choice unit exam. Tomorrow, we start the poetry unit.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Today, you wrote your first in-class personal response (essay) as part of your essay unit. If you were not here, you will have to write this in your own time, either before or after school, next week. Keep in mind that your unit multiple choice exam is on Monday and that you need to focus on memorizing the terms you have received in this unit (handouts and lectures).

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Today, we broke into groups and argued through the answers students had to "Parents are People..." The purpose was to reach consensus through respectful discussion. We also discussed your in class essay that you will do tomorrow and the exam you will do on Monday (MC unit exam). I handed out an excerpt that will save you reading time tomorrow. If you weren't here, it will be attached to the essay question.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Today, you answered the multiple choice questions for Parents as People...". I also reminded you of your in class essay exam on Friday and your essay multiple choice exam for Monday. Be sure to study your terminology.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Today, we discussed the way to approach multiple choice questions that helps get to the right answers (process of elimination). I handed out the answers from yesterday and then a new sheet in which you, as part of a group, had to provide the reasons for eliminating certain answers. We then discussed them.

After this, I handed you a new essay to read "Parents as People (with children)". You were to read it actively for tomorrow.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Today we discussed the assignment they were to have handed in; however, there was some confusion about a couple of questions so I have extended the deadline until tomorrow. I then discussed the importance of paraphrasing and asking questions when reading as well as highlighting and looking up unfamiliar words. I then handed out the essay "The Girls Room", which they were to read actively. I then handed out the multiple choice questions that came with it. These will be in your portfolio if you were not here. Also, read pages 19 to 23 in your Fit to Print

Friday, September 10, 2010

Today, we discussed the questions from "Labour Day..." with an emphasis on my expectations when answering questions. I then handed out a sheet on literary devices. The students used teh rest of the class to answer their questions for "One Letter..." which are due on Monday.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Today, you took notes on attention getters. You then read the article "One Letter is All it Took to Make Amends". In reading it, you were to highlight any unfamiliar words and paraphrase the paragraphs right on the page. The best way to learn this skill is to read a paragraph, then lift your head and think about "what did I just read?" and then write down only a few key words on the side (in the margin). I then handed out the questions which they will do in pairs today and tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Today, you started reading your novels. I allowed extra time for this. You were then each given a copy of the independent novel study for this term, which we read through. I then handed back the answers to the "Labour Day..." essay questions. I then had you finish working on the questions for "Wake Up Canada, There's No Free Lunch". These were due today.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Today, I explained journal writing to you. If you did not have a journal, I called parents to ensure they knew what supplies you need.
We ten moved on to reading the essay, "Wake Up Canada, there's no free lunch" by the Canadian Taxpayers' Association.

I explained how to read this and how to answer the questions provided. Unfortunately, I can't publish this due to copywrite. It is in your portfolio. You will need to come in in the morning and get it so you can be caught up. We didn't finish it all so you will still have time to catch up.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Today, we discussed what is expected for content in a five paragraph essay. I have printed the notes out and put them in your portfolios.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Today, we marked the worksheet assignment from Fit to Print. This actually took the whole class to do. In addition to this, students were allowed to create a code name for themselves which they can use on their assignments for privacy when we do have group marking.
Finally, students wrote their first journal on what they could have done differently to improve their mark, which I will examine to determine common writing concerns for the class.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Today, you handed in your answers to the essay "Labour Day". I will use these to see what common writing problems you as a class have that need to be addressed.
I then gave an impromptu lesson on why the word "you" should be avoided when writing essays.
From here, I handed out an exercise to help you learn how to optimize your usage of the book Fit to Print. This book is a reference one that can be brought into in-class essays and exams, including the Part B in grade 12 English and Social Studies.
This was a paired activity that was due today. If you were not here, you are expected to complete it on your own. It is in your portfolio.