English 10

Start reviewing for the class vocabulary quiz on Friday.  Also, answer questions #1-3 for Act I, iv and #1-3 for Act I, v.

English 9

Start studying your class vocabulary words for the quiz on the 20 words on Friday.  Tonight, make sure that the questions for "The Highwayman" are complete as well as the questions for "Credo".  Also, song lyrics/poetic devices presentations are due.

English 10

Your vocabulary words are as follows:

abhor (verb) - to feel hatred or disgust toward something or someone
assuage (v) - to ease an unpleasant feeling
facetious (adj) - flippant, playfully jocular in a mischievous way
insatiable (adj) - incapable of being satisfied
cessation (n) - a stoppage or discontinuation of something
impassive (adj) - not feeling or showing emotion
elucidate (v) - to make clear by explanation
impel (v) - to force or urge to action
eccentricities (n) - out of the ordinary (usually harmless behaviour, words or dress), weirdly attractive
resuscitate (v) - to revive from unconscousness or apparent death
ubiquitous (adj) - something which is found or appears in many places (or everywhere)
halitosis (n) - bad breath

bacchanalian (adj) - involving wild, noisy behaviour and much alcohol consumption
nugatory (adj) - having no power, worth or meaning
askew (adj) - at an angle; not straight
gauche (adj) - awkward or clumsy in social situations
lacerate (v) - to tear or deeply cut (usually skin)
peril (n) - a source of danger
mitigate (v) - to reduce the severity of something
caveat (n) - a warning (caveat emptor means buyer beware)
mooncalf (n) - a foolish person
changeling (n) - a child believed to have been secretly switched at birth by fairies for the parents' real child
topor (n) - a state of physical or mental inactivity
benevolent (adj) - being well-meaning; doing good
leviathan (n) - an incredibly large water creature (real or imagined); anything huge
foist (v) - to impose an unwanted thing or person upon someone else
groak (v) - to silently watch someone while eating
lavatory (n) - toilet/bathroom
glib (adj) - insincere/shallow; superficial in the social sense
tyranny (n) - cruel or oppressive government or rule
obfuscate (v) - to confuse or perplex (governments might obfuscate important information)
induce (v) - to lead toward an action
tryst (n) - a secret meeting between lovers
malestrom (n) - a violent/turbulent situation; a destructive whirlpool that sucks in objects
machiavellian (adj) - ruled by self-interest; doing anything to get what you want regardless of who gets hurt

English 9

Remember to bring your lyrics to class--you should already have picked out five poetic devices in your song.
Also, your 15 vocabulary words are as follows:

1. euphoric (adj) - extreme happiness
2. vacuum (n) - the absence of 
3. eschew (v) - to avoid deliberately
4. laconically (adv) - with few words
5. torsion (n) - the state of being twisted
6. phosphenes (n) - the white stars and squiggles one sees when one presses one's eyes with his/her fingers
7. chortle (v) - to laugh gleefully; to chuckle and snort
8. bunk (n) - nonsense
9. maladroit (adj) - clumsy or socially awkward
10. lacerated (v) - to tear or deeply cut (usually skin)
11. boon (n) - a benefit; a good thing
12. sublimation (n) - to divert or channel feelings into a socially acceptable outlet
13. acrimony (n) - bitterness or ill feeling
14. boondoggle (n) - spending money on questionable projects; a pointless activity that has the appearance of being valuable
15. paramount (adj) - supreme; more important than anything else
16. retribution (n) - punishment that is considered morally right and deserved
17. desecrate (v) - to treat a sacred place with violent disrespect; to violate
18. intrepid (adj) - fearlessness; adventurousness
19. err (v) - make an error
20. disheveled (adj) - disorderly or untidy (in one's appearance)

English 9

Tomorrow is the test on our class novel.  Make sure you are familiar with the various suspects and the evidence associated with them.  Also, review the main dynamic characters and make note of how they change over the course of the novel (have examples of their behaviour in mind).  Finally, review the concepts of "red herring" and "character foil" from your class notes.

English 10

Tomorrow, you will write the in-class essay. You may bring your writing guide sheet with quotes.  Make sure that your quotations have page numbers.  Also, you may use the back of the guide to write some notes on your introduction. Do not write an entire essay to copy in class tomorrow.  One of the points of this exercise is for you to get used to writing essays in timed situations.

English 9

Continue to review all the notes and questions on the class novel in preparation for Friday's test.  Also, answer in point form the following questions about Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Bells":

1. How does the poem make you feel? Or what memories does it provoke in you?
2. What images does the poet use in the poem?
3. Describe the words the poet has used--are they long or short, formal or informal, what sounds are repeated (specific consonant or vowel sounds)?

English 10

Tonight, come up with five questions that you think might be on next Tuesday's test on the novel.  Also, be sure to supply the answers.
Your ten new vocabulary words for the week are as follows:

1. bacchanalian (adj) - involving wild, noisy behaviour and much alcohol consumption
2. nugatory (adj) - having no power, worth or meaning
3. askew (adj) - at an angle; not straight
4. gauche (adj) - awkward or clumsy in social situations
5. lacerate (v) - to tear or deeply cut (usually skin)
6. peril (n) - a source of danger
7. mitigate (v) - to reduce the severity of something
8. caveat (n) - a warning (caveat emptor means buyer beware)
9. mooncalf (n) - a foolish person
10. changeling (n) - a child believed to have been secretly switched at birth by fairies for the parents' real child

English 10

Today, we began watching the movie for the class novel.  Tomorrow, we will go over questions on Chapters 30 and 31.
At the end of the week, you will write an in-class essay on one of the following topics:

1. In what ways is this a novel about courage?
2. What values does Atticus teach his children?
3. What major lessons does Scout learn over the course of the novel?
4. How is the Boo Radley plot line connected to Tom Robinson's plot line?
5. How is this a novel about growing up?

Tonight, try to think of three supporting reasons for each essay topic.  Each reason should have an accompanying quotation.

English 9

Tonight, write five review questions and their answers for the test.  That means, write down five questions that you think could be on the test of the class novel.

Your new class vocabulary words are as follows:

1. bunk (noun)
2. maladroit (adjective)
3. lacerated (verb)
4. boon (noun)
5. sublimation (noun)

Communications 12

Today, we read Chapter 4 of All Quiet on the Western Front.  Please have your chapter questions completed for Monday.

English 9

This weekend, complete the formal letter outlining three reasons why you prefer either the movie or the novel version of In the Heat of the Night.  It will be due on Monday.
Also on Monday, study your 15 spelling words and please have your five vocabulary words ready (remember to include the parts of speech--noun/verb/adjective/adverb).  The independent novel review due date has been moved from Dec. 2nd to Monday, Dec.9th.

English 10

Today, we finished reading the novel.  For homework, answer the questions for Chapters 29-31.  On Monday, please have your ten vocabulary words ready as well (remember to include the parts of speech--noun/verb/adjective/adverb).  The independent novel review due date has been moved from Dec. 2nd to Monday, Dec.9th.

Grade 9

Please note that all seven of the class vocabulary words have been updated to show their definitions. See the post for November 22.

Tonight, write a paragraph explaining how the speaker's experience in "I, Too, Sing America" and Virgil Tibbs' experience in In the Heat of the Night are similar.  We discussed three points of comparison: racism, how the two characters handle themselves, and how they feel they should be treated.

Your next spelling test will be on Monday, Dec. 9th. The words are as follows:

1. elimination
2. melee
3. nonchalance
4. occasionally
5. feasibility
6. authentic
7. picturesque
8. premonition
9. redundant
10. remembrance
11. sincerely
12. surgeon
13. versatile
14. vulnerable
15. recipient

English 10

Note that the class vocabulary words have been updated with definitions. See the post for November 22.

Tonight, read Chapter 25.  Make sure that your questions are done up to Chapter 24.

Your independent novel review assignment due date has been changed.  The review is due on Monday, Dec.9th.

English 10

Read Chapters 23 and 24 for homework.  Make sure that you have answered the questions up until and including Chapter 22.  I will collect your responses for Chapters 1 -17 on Monday.  Make sure that your responses are as complete as possible.

Your weekly vocabulary words are as follows:
abhor (verb) - to feel hatred or disgust toward something or someone
assuage (v) - to ease an unpleasant feeling
facetious (adj) - flippant, playfully jocular in a mischievous way
insatiable (adj) - incapable of being satisfied
cessation (n) - a stoppage or discontinuation of something
impassive (adj) - not feeling or showing emotion
elucidate (v) - to make clear by explanation
impel (v) - to force or urge to action
eccentricities (n) - out of the ordinary (usually harmless behaviour, words or dress), weirdly attractive
resuscitate (v) - to revive from unconscousness or apparent death
ubiquitous (adj) - something which is found or appears in many places (or everywhere)
halitosis (n) - bad breath

English 9

Finish reading In the Heat of the Night and do Chapter 13, question #4 and Chapter 14, question #1.  Do not answer the Chapter 14 question in essay form.  Just answer each element in point form.

Your five vocabulary words for the week are as follows:
euphoric (adj) - intense excitement or happiness
vacuum (noun) - a space entirely devoid of matter
eschew (verb) - to deliberately avoid
laconically (adv) - speaking with few words; concisely
torsion (noun) - the act of twisting or turning
chortle (verb) - a mixture of a chuckle and a snort; to chuckle exultantly
phosphene (noun) - the luminous stars and squiggles one sees when one closes his/her eyes and presses on them

Finally, your poster project is due next Thursday.

English 10

Tonight read Chapter 16.

Also, start collecting your ten useful vocabulary words today.  These words can be from the class novel, your independent novel, newspapers or magazines. Make sure you write the word, its part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb), and its definition.  Do not give slang words (I don't want to know that you can define "twerking") or very specialized scientific words (I do not want to know that you can define "Ileitis: noun. An inflammation of the ileum, due to infection, a tumor, etc. and involving partial or complete blockage of the small intestine").  The point of this exercise is to find useful words that will broaden your vocabulary and help you become better writers and readers.

English 9

Make sure that you have read Chapter 10.  Do questions #1,2,3,5, and 6 for homework.

Also, your two diamante poems about two characters from the novel are due on Wednesday.  Make sure that the presentation of the poems is neat, correct, and pleasing to the eye.  Appropriately sized images must be included (that means, do not supply images that are too small for my old eyes).

Finally, start collecting your five useful vocabulary words today.  These words can be from the class novel, your independent novel, newspapers or magazines. Make sure you write the word, its part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb), and its definition.  Do not give slang words (I don't want to know that you can define "twerking") or very specialized scientific words (I do not want to know that you can define "gamopetalous: adj. Botany. having the petals joined to form a tube-shaped corolla").  The point of this exercise is to find useful words that will broaden your vocabulary and help you become better writers and readers.

English 10

This weekend, read Chapters 14 and 15 of the class novel.  Do the questions for Chapter 14.

English 9

This weekend, read Chapters 9 and 10 of the class novel.

Communications 12

Begin reviewing your short story terms for the test on Friday.

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English 10

Tonight, complete the questions on Chapter 9 and read Chapter 10.

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English 9

Tonight, make sure your answers for Chapter 5 are completed and finish reading Chapter 6.

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English 9

Complete question #12 on Chapter 4, and read Chapter 5.  In addition, do questions #1-3 and 5-9 on Chapter 5 for Tuesday.  There will be a homework check.

English 10

Read Chapters 7 and 8 and do the questions for these chapters for Tuesday.

Communications 12

Students need to finish the "Story Review" sheet for the short story, "August Heat".  This review sheet is usually green in colour.  I'll do a homework check on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

English 10

This week, we began our novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.  We have read the first three chapters, and answered questions on each one.  For homework, students were assigned "The Facts" questions for Chapter 3.  The longer answer questions for that chapter will be due after Monday.

The students' short story projects are due on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

English 9

This week, we began reading In the Heat of the Night.  We have read the first three chapters.  We have completed questions #1-5 for Chapter 1.  Students worked on Chapter 2 questions, #2, 3, and 4 in class, and were assigned question #3 on Chapter 3 for homework.  The questions are at the back of the novel.

On Monday, your short story projects are due.

Students will have a spelling and vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, Nov. 5th. These are your words:

oppressive
optimistic
pessimistic
considerable
criticize
dilemma
excessive
firey
inevitable
miscellaneous
neutral
nostalgia
paralysis
parliament
businesses

The bolded words are your vocabulary words.

Have a good weekend.

English 10

Keep reviewing for the test on Thursday.

English 9

Tomorrow, there will be a five sentence quiz on using indefinite pronouns (like anyone and somebody etc.) and verbs.

Also, do questions 1-5 on "The Parsley Garden". Keep reviewing short story terms for the test on Thursday.

Communications 12

Be sure to hand in your visual design assignment on the variety show.  Also, Vocabulary #3 packages are due tomorrow.

English 10

Tomorrow, hand in your good copy of the paragraph you wrote in class today.  In the paragraph, you are to give three thoughtful, well expressed reasons why you prefer either the short story "Harrison Bergeron" or the movie version.
Make sure you have your green short story review sheets completed for the following stories:  "The Inheritor", "The Telltale Heart", "The Metaphor", "The Possibility of Evil", "The Doll's House", and "Harrison Bergeron".  We will review these tomorrow.
Also, for those of you who wish to write a make up quiz on run-on sentences, sentence fragments, or the vocabulary quiz, here are the dates for when these must be completed:  the vocabulary quiz will be held on Monday, October 28th, the other two can be taken any time up until Friday, November 1st.
If you are missing any work, you must hand it in by November 1st as well.  I will not accept any work assigned before October 17th after November 1st.

English 9

Tonight, brainstorm some traits for the two sons in the short stories "A Penny in the Dust" and "The Father".  Tomorrow, you will be writing a paragraph on one of the sons.  You will have to have evidence from the stories to support your traits.

Communications 12

Your cover letters are due tomorrow.  Also, your second visual design assignment is due on Friday.

English 10

Fill in the green review sheets (make your own if you do not have enough) for "The Inheritor", "The Telltale Heart", "The Metaphor", "The Possibility of Evil", "The Doll's House" and "Harrison Bergeron".  Keep studying your literary terms in preparation for the short story test.

English 9

Tonight, finish the sheets on point of view (1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for each passage).  Also, list 4-5 ways the two fathers in "A Penny in the Dust" and "The Father" are similar and 4-5 ways they are different.  We will use these notes to write paragraphs tomorrow.

English 9

An epiphany is a sudden realization about an important truth.  It hits one like a bolt from the blue.

With this in mind, explain the epiphanies that the narrator and his father experience in "A Penny in the Dust".
Answer as fully as possible.

English 9

Finish reading "A Penny in the Dust" and answer questions 3,4,and 5 in the new edition of the text. If you have the old edition, answer questions 1,4,and 6.

English 10

Tonight, fill in the green review sheet for "The Metaphor". Also, your paragraph on whether "The Doll's House" is an optimistic or pessimistic story.

English 10

Tonight, fill in the green short story review sheet for "The Telltale Heart".

English 9

Tomorrow, we will have a short story test.  Make sure to review your short story terms (green package) and the stories themselves:  "Barney", "The Sea Devil", "The Veldt", "Wish You Were Here", and "The Witch".

English 10

Tonight, work on your review sheet for "The Telltale Heart".  Your extended metaphors are due tomorrow.

Communications 12

Tomorrow, we will have the vocabulary test.  Also, you will have to hand in your business letter asking for information on Gap Year programs

English 9

There will be a small quiz on apostrophes on Friday, so review them.  Also, start reviewing the green story term sheets.

Communications 12

We will have computers available in the last 30 minutes of class for you to write up your business letters.  The letters are due on Friday.  Also due on Friday are the vocabulary packages.  There will be no more class time dedicated to finishing them, so you might have to finish them at home.

English 10

Computer time has been confirmed for tomorrow.  You will have 20 minutes to type up and print your extended metaphors in the library computer lab.  If you do not need to use the school computers, you may read your independent novel during computer time.

Tonight for homework, fill in the review sheet for "The Inheritor".

English 9

Complete questions 1, 2, and 5 on "The Witch" tonight.  Also, begin to review the green sheets on story terms.  You will have a test on the first four short stories on Monday.

English 10

Your extended metaphors will be due on Friday.  In addition, finish reading "The Possibility of Evil" and do question #2 tonight.

Communications 12

Your business letter (requesting information about a Gap Year program) will be due on Friday.  Also, your vocabulary sheets will be due.  You will also have a vocabulary quiz on Friday.

English 9

Tomorrow, you will have a quiz on the 8 vocabulary words. Also, finish the sheet on apostrophes.

Communications 12

The business letter concerning travel and volunteer activities is due on Friday.

English 9

Finish reading "Wish You Were Here".  Answer questions #1, 3, 4, and 5 at the end of the story.  Also, answer the following two questions:
1. What is the significance of Dorothy's bad dream?
2. Which postcard do you think she destroyed.  To answer this question, look at page 19 where the story reads, "It was an older officer who came this time.  She told him her story and showed him the postcards, except for the one she burned..."

If you do not have a copy of the story, you can find it on the web by googling "wish you were here story gnome".  The story will be the fourth search result from top entitled [DOCFrank Jones - normela7. My apologies for not being able to 
link it directly to this blog.


You will also have a spelling quiz on Monday.  Look at the words on Wednesday, Sept. 25's post.  You will have the vocabulary quiz on Tuesday (there are eight words this week).

English 10

Have your good copy of the character analysis writing assignment ready to be handed in on Monday.

Communications 12

Have your Visual Design posters ready to hand in on Monday.  I will mark them according to the rubric I gave you in class.

English 10

Take the information you collected last night (or the information on the chart we filled in today in class) and use it to write three paragraphs.For example, for Charlotte's mother, you will write one paragraph on how s he is condescending (using an example, a quote and an explanation), another paragraph on how she is efficient, and a final paragraph on how she is cold-hearted. These three paragraphs will be the body paragraphs of your five-paragraph character analysis.

English 9

Tonight, write a paragraph that answers this question:

Do you think that 10-year old Peter and Wendy truly know what they have done to their parents?  Explain your answer.

Try to give at least three reasons to support your opinion.
Also, choose two quotes from the story that support your opinion.  These quotations might be things characters do or things characters say about each other.

Your spelling words for next week are as follows:

1. Altercation

2. Blasphemous
3. Bravado
4. Chastise
5. Concurrent

6. Deprivation

7. Distinction

8. Derelict

9. Drudgery

10. Escapade

11. Flourescent

12. Gruesome
13. Handkerchief
14. Retrieve
15. Reek

The bolded words are your vocabulary words.

English 10

Tonight, complete the writing assignment begun in class.  You need to discuss the character of either Miss Hancock or Charlotte's mother by following this plan:

Point 1:         Charlotte's mother is condescending
Example:       provide an example with a quote from the story supporting Point 1
Explanation:  tell how your example shows that the man is compassionate

Point 2:         efficient
Example:      provide and example with a quote from the story supporting Point 2
Explanation: tell how your example shows the man's intelligence

Point 3:        cold
Example:      provide and example with a quote from the story supporting Point 3
Explanation:  tell how your example shows the man's overconfidence

English 9

Today, we read "The Veldt" on page 115 or 100 (new edition or old edition).  Please answer questions 3, 4, and 5 from the new edition of the text.  The questions are as follows:
3. Reread the story locating three details that suggest a futuristic setting.  How does this setting influence the characters' lives?
4.  Describe the goals and motivations of Peter and Wendy.  What will they likely do with David McClean?  Why?
5.  What foreshadowing is there of George and Lydia's fate?  Give examples of ways in which they raise their children badly.

Tomorrow, you will have a small quiz on using apostrophes and recognizing nouns.  Also, you will have the small quiz on vocabulary that we did not have on Monday.  Here are the words:
finesse, fictitious, ambiguous, animosity, hideous, elicit, chagrin.

Communications 12

Tomorrow is the final day to hand in your business letter, extended metaphor, and the seven questions on the article on water shortages.

Communications 12

Today, students wrote the good copies of their business letters (from the story "Charles") and the good copies of their extended metaphors.  These must be handed in no later than Wednesday.

There will be a vocabulary quiz on Friday.  The words are as follows:

1. deficits
2. scarcity
3. derive
4. staples
5. dire
6. constraints
7. erratic
8. suplus
9. yields
10. livelihoods

English 10

Today in class, we read "The Metaphor" on p.65.  Tonight, answer the following questions:

1. Who is the protagonist?  Who or what is the antagonist?  Explain your reasoning. 
2. What are the conflicts in the story?  Are they internal or external?
3. What story is the plot and what story is the subplot? 
4.  What is the purpose of the subplot?
5. Are Miss Hancock and Charlotte's mother stereotyped characters or are they realistic ones?  Explain your answer.
6. Did Miss Hancock have to die for the story to work?  How would the story have changed if something less drastic had happened to this teacher?

English 9

On Wednesday, you will have a little vocabulary quiz on the following words:

1. ambiguous
2. animosity
3. chagrin
4. elicit
5. fictitious
6. finesse
7. hideous

Tonight, I will post the spelling words for next Monday's spelling quiz.

Communications 12

Polish your rough business letters so that they are ready to hand in on Monday.  Type your letter if you have access to a computer.  The marking rubric I will use is the one I handed you when I introduced the project.

Also, be sure to have the rough copies of your extended metaphors ready to be typed on Monday.

English 10

Read a few chapters into the novel you selected for your Independent Novel Study to see whether or not you want to stick with it.  You have a week to decide what novel you will read.

English 9

Study for your spelling quiz on Monday.  We will do the vocabulary part of the quiz on Tuesday.
Read a few chapters into the novel you selected for your Independent Novel Study to see whether or not you want to stick with it.  You have a week to decide what novel you will read.

Communications 12

Today, we wrote extended metaphors.  Be sure to bring the rough copies of your metaphors to class on Monday, when you will have computer time to type them up and put an image on them.  Make sure that the metaphor you bring has at least three points of comparison between your animal and your emotion.

English 10

Your vocabulary words for the next short story are as follows:

1. flamboyant
2. zeal
3. fluke
4. bewitched
5. arsenal
6. verbatim
7. hygienic
8. fetid
9. sacrilegious
10. blase
11. unequivocal
12. acrid
13. blatant
14. hysterical
15. modicum
16. amass

Find the definitions for your assigned words.

Communications 12

If you have not already done so, please make sure that the rough copy of your business letter is ready to be handed in tomorrow.

English 9

Tonight, complete the writing assignment begun in class.  You need to discuss the character of the protagonist in "The Sea Devil" by following this plan:

Point 1:         The protagonist in "The Sea Devil" is compassionate.
Example:       provide an example with a quote from the story supporting Point 1
Explanation:  tell how your example shows that the man is compassionate

Point 2:         intelligent
Example:      provide and example with a quote from the story supporting Point 2
Explanation: tell how your example shows the man's intelligence

Point 3:        overconfident (you could also use a risk taker or oblivious)
Example:      provide and example with a quote from the story supporting Point 3
Explanation:  tell how your example shows the man's overconfidence

Also, your new spelling words for the week are as follows:

1. accompany
2. accomplice
3. ambiguous
4. animosity
5. celestial
6. cerebral
7. chagrin
8. disastrous
9. elicit
10. etiquette
11. fictitious
12. finesse
13. hideous
14. independence
15. nauseated

The words in bold will be the vocabulary words for this week.  The spelling/vocab quiz will be next Monday, Sept. 23.

English 9

For Monday, answer questions 1, 2, 4, and 6 on the short story hand out.  Also, put the first five vocabulary words in sentences that communicate their meaning.  The five words are weltering, equilibrium, mullet, pliant, and atavistic.

Also, make sure that you study your spelling words.  Know the meanings of the words that are bolded because you will have to insert five of these words into some sentences as part of your spelling test.

Approximately

Auxiliary

Benevolent

Chaotic

Chasm

Chronic

Clique

Conscience

Conscientious

dominant

dependence

exaggeration

embarrass

fulfill

promise

English 10

Finish the back of the worksheet on sentences and sentence fragments.  Also, complete questions #1, 2, and 4 for the short story, "The Telltale Heart".

Communications 12

Have the rough copies of your business letters ready to hand in on Monday.  Also, give some thought as to why Captain Torres would ask his enemy to give him a shave?

English 9

Tomorrow, you will have your grammar quiz.  Tonight, think about the man's predicament.  How do you think he tries to escape from the sea devil?

Communications 12

The rough copy of your business letter will be due on Monday.
The assignment was stated as follows:

Using the correct format, write a business letter of request.  You are the mother or  father of Laurie (from the short story "Charles".  Make a request for information about your son's behaviour and also request an interview.  You may send this letter to Laurie's teacher or principal.


Tomorrow, you will have your grammar quiz.

English 10

Tonight, complete question #3 of "The Inheritor" and read the entry on "allusion" at the back of the text (p.312).

To answer question #3, remember that to discuss the purpose, central idea or theme of a piece of writing, you must first complete the following sentence in a word or two:

This book/story/poem is about _________________________.

In class, we said that the story could be about compassion, morals, priorities, and survival.  We could have come up with even more words; however, from this list of four, choose one word and answer the following prompt in a sentence or two:

This story is saying what  about ______(compassion or morals or priorities or survival)?

English 9

Tonight, using the sheet we filled out in class today, compose a brief description of the narrator in the short story, "Barney".  We did the first one in class.  Remember to write your descriptions according to the PEE method--make your POINT, then give an EXAMPLE that supports your point, finally EXPLAIN how your example supports the point.

My example looked like this:

ACTION:  The narrator plans to kill Barney when the experiment is over. (EXAMPLE)

TRAIT:  This shows that he is cruel. (POINT)

QUOTE:  "I am afraid that when my experiments are completed I shall have to do away 
with Barney." (p.4) (AGAIN, PART OF THE EXAMPLE)

Once you have put the above items together, you just have to EXPLAIN (in a sentence or two) how your example supports your point. Your final product should  look something like this:

The narrator is a cruel man.  He says that when his experiments are over he will have to "do away with Barney" (p.4). He thinks it is perfectly acceptable to use an animal for his own purposes, and then casually kill it.  He could easily put Barney into "retirement" and give him a good life, but instead, he shows no compassion for this animal that is allowing him to do the work that is so important to him. 

Remember to try to weave the quote from the book into your example.  That is, try not to give the entire quote from the book--just use the underlined parts.

The quotes for the other two points we discussed in class were:

"We are alone" (p.4) and "...obtaining the keys will not be an insurmountable obstacle" (p.4)

IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY DOING THIS, DO NOT WORRY -- REALLY TRYING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SUCCEEDING.

Also, on Friday, you a grammar quiz on what we have been doing in class, so review your handouts. 

Communications 12

On Friday, you a grammar quiz on what we have been doing in class, so review your handouts.  Also tomorrow, students will have class time to compose their business letters.

English 9

Tonight, record three actions performed by the narrator in "Barney" that show his personality.  Then, give each action an adjective that describes the man's character.  Finally, write down one short (maximum one sentence long) quotation as evidence of this action.

For example (do not use this example yourself):

Action:
The narrator says that he will kill Barney as soon as he finishes running his experiments on the rat.
Adjective describing the narrator:
Cruel
Quotation that is evidence of this action:
"I am afraid that when my experiments are completed, I shall have to do away with Barney." (p. 4 or p.212)

Communications 12

Tomorrow, we will continue working on the rough draft of the business letter related to "Charles".  Remember, you will write from one of Laurie's parent's point of view requesting information about his behaviour and requesting an interview with his teacher or principal.

English 10

Tonight, answer questions #1,2, and 4 on the short story, "The Inheritor".

English 10

Review your notes on genre, escapist and interpretive literature.  Answer questions #1,2, and 4 on page 41 (short story:  "The Inheritor").

Communications 12

If you did not complete the work on "The Lie" in class, please do so tonight.

English 9

Tonight, begin studying for the spelling test next Monday.  Make sure you know the meanings of the bolded words.

1. Approximately
2. Auxiliary
3. Benevolent
4. Chaotic
5. Chasm
6. Chronic
7. Clique
8. Conscience
9. Conscientious
10. dominant
11. dependence
12. exaggeration
13. embarrass
14. fulfill
15. promise

Communications 12

Answer questions #1,2, and 3 on the short story "Charles" on page 200

Also, I will give you a mark for having four dividers in your binder labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", and "Poetry".

English 10

These are your vocabulary words: desolation (noun), refuge (n), vernacular (n), rear (verb), obliquely (adverb), divert (v), perversion (n), exquisite (adjective), indomitable (adj), lacerated (v), propinquity(n), inimical, ochre (noun/adjective - some dictionaries might have "ocher"), trussed (v), and fleece (noun).

Make sure you have your five definitions and be prepared to share them on Monday with your group.

Also, the two volunteers need to be ready to tell the class about "Jason and the Golden Fleece" (Chantal) and what exactly is "A Lone Pine" (Alec).

Also, I will give you a mark for having five dividers in your binder labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", "Shakespeare" and "Poetry".

English 9

This weekend, read "Barney" in your texts (either pg.3 or pg.211 depending on the addition you have).  If you have a newer text, do questions #3, 4, and 5 on pg.6; and if you have an older book, do questions #2,4 and 6 on pg.214.  Make sure that you write your answers in complete sentences.

Also, I will give you a mark for having five dividers in your binder labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", "Shakespeare" and "Poetry".

Communications 12

Hello and welcome to class.  Please make sure that you have four dividers in your binder by Monday, September 9.  They should be labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", and "Poetry".  You will receive a mark for doing this.  In addition, the "Two Truths and a Lie" sentences will be due on Monday, too.

English 10

Hello and welcome to class.  Please make sure that you have five dividers in your binder by Monday, September 9.  They should be labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", "Shakespeare" and "Poetry".  You will receive a mark for doing this.  In addition, the "Two Truths and a Lie" sentences will be due on Monday, too.

English 9

Hello and welcome to class.  Please make sure that you have five dividers in your binder by Monday, September 9.  They should be labelled "Short Stories", "Novel", "Writing and Grammar", "Shakespeare" and "Poetry".  You will receive a mark for doing this.

Graduation Transitions

Hooray!! Everyone has submitted complete portfolios.  Best of luck to all of you in your adult lives!

English 11

First, let me take this opportunity to let you know what a lovely class you were.  Thank you for being so fun and engaging.  I wish all of you well on your English 11 exam (and, of course, all your other ones too).  Your test is from 9-11am on Monday in the small gym.  Bring pencils and pens.  Review your yellow sheets, the comma/semicolon sheets, and any other grammar handouts I may have given you.

The answers to the short story "Right of Passage" by Doug Beardsley are as follows:
19.  B
20.  C
21.  D
22.  D
23.  A
24.  B
25.  A
26.  D
27.  A

If you have any questions about these answers, you can email me this weekend.

Otherwise,  have a wonderful summer and see you in September!

English 11

Tonight, work on finding the poetic devices in "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and "Northwest Passage".  Also, answer the questions on "High Flight" and "Crab".
You will have a poetry "quest" on Thursday consisting of multiple choice questions on poetic devices and three poems.
 As your final English 11 exam will be on Monday, June 17th in the small gym, I hope that you have been reviewing your yellow short story sheets (on purpose, plot, characterization, symbol & irony, point of view, and theme).

English 11

Here are links to the videos we saw in class today:

Benjamin Zander TedTalk video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot (this is not the exact video, but it's good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw

Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOW1gVW2S5w

Northwest Passage by Stan's son, Nathan Rogers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnjyaWcti3U

Graduation Transitions

Exit Interview Schedule - see me to schedule a time.  Slots after 4:10 are available most days.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR COMPLETED PORTFOLIO TO THE INTERVIEW.

See the latest blog entry (June 14th to see if you have work to complete).

Interviews after school will take place in D204 (right beside Mr.Hallam's room).  Interviews during school hours will take place in the Counselling Department.

English 11

Tonight, answer the questions on "I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud" by Wordsworth.  Begin thinking about your narrative essay on Friday.  You can write on ONE of the following topics:

a.  Experience is the best teacher.
b.  An exciting OR embarrassing OR frightening OR painful experience.

• You need to use as many of the narrative techniques as you can.
• You must definitely include at least three figurative devices.
• You must definitely appeal to at least three different senses.
• You must include at least one instance of dialogue, but do not overdo it.

YOU MAY WRITE IN FIRST PERSON AND IN PAST TENSE.  YOU MAY ALSO USE CONTRACTIONS.

English 11

Answer the questions on "Anne Hathaway" tonight.  On Friday, you will write a narrative essay on the following topic:  Experience is the best teacher.  Begin thinking about the narrative techniques you will use (hook, dialogue, imagery, figurative devices, echo, etc.).  Also, begin reviewing the yellow short story sheets on plot, character, symbol, irony, point of view, and theme in preparation for the final.

English 11

I'm looking forward to seeing your Macbeth projects on Monday.  Also read the short story "Fish Cheeks" and make note of five qualities which make this an engaging narrative.  As your final exam is on the horizon, you should begin reviewing your short story terms.

Graduation Transitions

Exit Interview Schedule - see me to schedule a time.  Slots after 4:10 are available most days.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR COMPLETED PORTFOLIO TO THE INTERVIEW.

Interviews after school will take place in D204 (right beside Mr.Hallam's room).  Interviews during school hours will take place in the Counselling Department.

Thursday, June 6th

3:10 - Michael N
3:25 - Dana
3:40 - Taylor
3:55 - Ryan M

Friday, June 7th

3:10 - Mia                       10:00 (am) - empty
3:25 - Domi                    10:15 (am) - empty
3:40 - Melissa
3:55 - Razan

Monday, June 10th

3:10 - Shannon
3:25 - Torah
3:40 - Tatiana
3:55 - empty

Tuesday, June 11th

3:10 - Sahand                  10:00 (am) - empty
3:25 - Travis                    10:15 (am) - Leanne
3:40 - empty
3:55 - empty

Wednesday, June 12th

3:10 - Westin                    9:00 (am) - empty
3:25 - Cole                       9:15 (am) - empty
3:40 - Luciano                  9:30 (am) - Woody
3:55 - empty                  10:00 (am) - Lawrence

Thursday, June 13th

3:10 - Cameron
3:25 - Sam
3:40 - Kerri
3:55 - Daryl

Friday, June 14th

3:10 - Jordan
3:25 - Min Sung
3:40 - empty
3:55 - empty

GRADUATION TRANSITIONS FINAL PORTFOLIO CHECKLIST

FINAL PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

All entries must be properly filed to attain a passing grade.  Only material on the checklist should be in your portfolio.  New material is underlined.

Binder:

Clean, professional

Labelled along the spine

Four tabs and title pages

Wordle

Attributes of the Ideal Graduate

Personal Health:

DPA’s that are up to date

Two reflective paragraphs on your physical activities
Three Day Food Log

Reflection on nutritional habits

Canada Food Guide
My Food Guide
Salt Calculator

Career and Life:

Myers-Briggs

Resume

Cover letter

Reference letter

Thank you letter (if you have it)

Employability Skills 2000 and the three paragraph reflection (typed)

Budget and reflection (typed)

Four career spotlights (handwritten is fine)

Career research assignment (typed)

Transition Plan worksheets (handwritten/point form) and the three-paragraph reflection (typed)

Community Connections:

Volunteer/work experience form(s) with the two paragraphs of reflection (typed)

Appendix:

Photos of activities that you think would be appropriate such as (travel/competitions/volunteer or work activities around the school and community), copies of award or merit certificates, photos or trophies, photos or examples of your sporting artistic pursuits, et cetera.   

English 11

The Coach's Corner assignment has been moved to Monday, June 3rd.  On Friday, May 31, you will write an in-class, mulit-paragraph assignment that incorporates quotations and answers this question:

Explain why audiences should or should not feel sorry for Macbeth by the end of the play.

An alternate question is this:


Explain why audiences should or should not feel sorry for Lady Macbeth by the end of the play.

Remember, Macbeth is a tragic hero.  He is a noble with a tragic flaw who is affected by outside influences and circumstances beyond his control which lead him into temptation.

You will be able to bring your textbook to class, but I suggest that you write out your quotations on a separate piece of paper and bring it to class on Friday (to save time).

Graduation Transitions

Today, we watched a newscast about sodium intake and the Canadian diet.  Then, students filled out and printed out a questionnaire on their own salt intake that can be found at this address:
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2013/03/great-salt-shakedown.html

Then, students printed out Canadian Food Guide at this address:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/print_eatwell_bienmang-eng.pdf

Next, they went to the Canada Food Guide website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php.  Then, they went to "My Food Guide" under "Additional Resources" on the sidebar or the page mentioned above.  They completed "My Food Guide" and printed it out.  This personalized guide gives people suggestions of the recommended servings of what they usually eat in a day. All these print outs must be placed in the "Personal Health" section of the Grad Portfolios.

Once students have done all this, they must type up a reflective paragraph that addresses this topic:

Look at your printout of "My Food Guide", your three day food log and think about the videos we have watched : The Great Salt Shakedown and Forks Over Knives.  Then, reflect on your own eating habits.  Are you happy with your eating habits or do you see room for improvement?  What would those improvements be?  What are the long-term effects of the choices you are making right now?  Are there any challenges you face in maintaining a healthier diet?

English 11

Remember that your Shakespearean Insult letters are due on Tuesday.  You need to hand in your rough, modern English letter as well as your good copy.

Graduation Transitions

For those of you interested in First Nations culture, anthropology, or archaeology here is a link to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.  This centre runs many interesting programs throughout the year for members of the public.  http://slcc.ca/

Graduation Transitions

Here are some trades related websites mentioned by Ms. Giraud:
Trades Careers: http://www.itabc.ca/
Careers for students at BC Hydro: https://www.bchydro.com/careers/students_grads.html
Skills Canada Competition: http://skillscompetencescanada.com/en/

If you are interested in a field trip to the Skills Canada Competition in the first week of June, please see Ms.Giraud as soon as possible.

English 11

Tonight, continue working on your Shakespearean insult letter.  Also, fill in--to the best of your ability--the handout on Act 4, scene 1 that I distributed in class.

English 11

Thanks to one chemistry student's powers of persuasion, your quotation quiz on Acts 2 and 3 has been postponed until Friday.  If anyone is desperate to write it on Thursday, he or she may do so after school on May 16th.  Simply make arrangements with me tomorrow in order to write it early.

Homework tonight is the poetry matching sheet and the four quotations on Act 3.

Graduation Transitions

This week the career spotlight is on marketing and the music industry. Brian Watson, a Sutherland parent, has had an impressive career so far. This should be interesting for all  students.

Next Wednesday  Joseph Parro, a Sutherland parent, will speak on his 20 year career in the fashion industry, most recently with Sappho Organic Cosmetics.

If you are interested in a critical response to the science given in the documentary we watched in class, you may go to http://rawfoodsos.com/2011/09/22/forks-over-knives-is-the-science-legit-a-review-and-critique/

English 11

Write an insulting letter (without profanity) to someone who irks you.  Do not make any overt references to students or teachers at Sutherland.  This letter should be 150-200 words (approximately).  It will be due on Monday.

English 11

Tonight, finish the questions on Act 2. Begin thinking about to whom you might write an insulting letter. More details on this to follow.

English 11

Today we finished watching Act I of Macbeth. Then, we answered most of the question sheet that I handed out on Wednesday.  We will complete that on Monday.  Students also made their Lord of the Flies presentations.

For homework this weekend, look up these vocabulary words:

1. husbandry
2. largess
3. cleave - two meanings
4. palpable
5. knell
6. quench
7. surfeited
8. infirm
9. gild
10. mutitudinous

Next week, you will have a quotations quiz on Act I.  I will give you more information about that on Monday.

Graduation Transitions

I handed out a Three Day Food Log for you to complete on three consecutive days.  This log will be a required element in your next portfolio submission.

Once you have completed your graduation speech, please hand in your blue instruction sheet to me.

Some notes on the Career Research Assignment:

1.  For section # 5, you will have to Google "Careers related to X" where X is your chosen career.  The link on the worksheet does not seem to work anymore.


2.  Here is the direct link mentioned in section #6:

http://www23.hrsdc.gc.ca/.4cc.5p.1t.3onalforcastsummarys.2arch@-eng.jsp

Graduation Transitions

Here is the copy of the next Portfolio Submission marking sheet.  Everything mentioned on the sheet must be put in order in your binder.  I have given you marks for some of these things already.  New assignments are underlined.  You will also be marked for continuing to have all your previous information filed completely.

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION #2

Binder:

Clean, professional

Labelled along the spine

Four tabs and title pages

Wordle

Attributes of the Ideal Graduate

Personal Health:

DPA’s that are up to date
Three Day Food Log (to be completed on three consecutive days - see me for the form)

Career and Life:

Myers-Briggs

Resume

Cover letter

Reference letter

Thank you letter (if you have it)

Employability Skills 2000 and the three paragraph reflection (typed)

Budget and reflection (typed)

Four career spotlights (handwritten is fine - you might not have all four yet, but you should have one at least)

Career research assignment (typed)

Community Connections:

Volunteer/work experience form(s) with the two paragraphs of reflection (typed)

**I will also give you a mark for completing the grad write up

Appendix: (I will not be giving you a mark on this section yet, but begin to think about and collect items for here)

Begin collecting photos of activities that you think would be appropriate such as (travel/competitions/volunteer or work activities around the school and community), copies of award or merit certificates, photos or trophies, photos or examples of your sporting artistic pursuits, et cetera.