English 12

Your second vocabulary test will be on December 17th.  Next class, we will discuss the Venn Diagrams you finished today in class.  As well, we will go over the short story questions.

Socials 10

No homework.  Be ready to make a large concept map of the Lower Canada Rebellion in class on Thursday.

English 8

Your articles are due on Thursday.  Please also answer questions #1-8 on "The Golden Pants".

English 10, Block 2

Complete the sheet distributed in class today.  There will be a homework check on Wednesday for this.

English 10, Block 1

Complete the sheet on similarities and differences between the story of Odysseus and the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou.  There will be a homework check on this.

English 12, Block 4

For homework, complete the Venn Diagram (overlapping circles) about similarities and differences between the two stories we went over in class.

For the students new to class, so far this term we have reviewed expository paragraph and essay formatting and read the following short stories:
"Two In One" by Flann O'Brien (handout)
"Identities" by WD Valgardson (textbook)
"Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield (textbook)
"Just Lather, That's All" by Hernando Tellez (textbook)
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson (textbook)
"The Rocking Horse Winner" by DH Laurence (textbook)

Be sure to read these stories as well as the senior English handouts on purpose, plot, character, symbol, irony, point of view, setting/mood/tone, and theme, all of which you can find in the sidebar at the right hand side of the blog.

Also, all students should be studying their vocabulary words for the test we will have during the final week of classes.

1. morose - adj - gloomy, sullen  
2. penultimate- adj - second to last 
3. flummox - v - to perplex or to be perplexed by 
4. indubitably- adj - without a doubt; unquestionably 
5. zenith - n - the highest point 
6. nadir - n - the lowest point 
7. clandestine- adj - secretively 
8. adequate- adj - enough; average 
9. maudlin- adj - foolishly or tearfully affectionate 
10. censure - v - to blame or criticize something/someone
11. skullduggery - n underhanded or unscrupulous behaviour
12. temperate - adj moderate, self-restrained behaviour
13. tautology - n - needless repetition of an idea
14. absolutism - n- principles or practice of an arbitrary government 
15. aberration - n- something that differs from the norm
16. immiserate - n to make someone miserable
17. entrepreneurial - adj- taking financial risk in the hopes of profit
18. protocol - n - a system of rules about correct behaviour; an international agreement
19. vex - v- to cause annoyance or disturb
20. obfuscate - v- to render something unclear
21. eiderdown (noun) - small, soft feathers from the eider duck; a quilted bed cover, duvet, counterpane
22. disheveled (adj) - hanging in disorder; messy appearance
23. ambiguous (adj) - open to more than one interpretation
24. iota (noun) - a tiny amount
25. androgynous (adj) - displaying both male and female characteristics
26. gruntled (adj) - to be pleased with something/someone
27. loquacious (adj) - talkative
28. amicable (adj) - good-natured or friendly
29. fulminate (verb) - to loudly attack or denounce somebody; express vehement protest
30. transpire (verb) - occur; happen

English 10, Block 1

Remember that your independent novel assignment is due on Dec. 16th.

English 10, Block 2

For homework, complete the brainstorming sheet on similarities and differences between the story of Odysseus and the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou.
Remember that your independent novel assignment is due on Dec. 16th.

English 8

On Friday bring the rough copies of the newspaper article assignment that we worked on in class today.  The assignment is as follows:

You are a reporter near Pompeii and see Mount Vesuvius erupt.  As the journalist on the scene, write a news article about what has happened.  

In your opening two sentences, make sure that you include information about what has happened, where it happened, when it happened, and who has been affected. 

Once you have covered that information, spend the rest of your article providing details such as why the mountain erupted, how the people escaped, how many people died, how many people survived.  Your numbers don't have to be historically accurate, just believable.  

Include two quotes in your article (one from the story and one from your imagination) and make up the names of the interview subjects.  

Finally, include at least three different sense descriptions (what did people see, hear, taste, touch, or smell).

English 12, Block 7

Next class, remind me to distribute the list of the new vocabulary words.  Your independent novel assignments are due on Dec. 12.

English 12, Block 4

Read the two handouts "Circus in Town" and "Happyness (sic) for Sale" and complete the questions.  Your independent novel assignments are due on Dec. 12.

Socials 10

No homework. However, if you have not finished the paragraph on women in the 1800s, please do so by Friday.

English 10

When we finish watching the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, we will begin planning synthesis essays on this film and "The Wanderings of Odysseus".  Your independent novel assignments are due on December 15 or 16, depending on which day class falls.

English 12, Block 7

Study your new vocabulary words.  The next vocabulary test will be in the final week of classes before Christmas.  Also, answer questions #1-7 on "The Rocking Horse Winner".

Socials 10

Make sure that page 1 of your sheet entitled "The Immigrant Experience" is complete for Wednesday.

English 8

For next class, write grammatically correct sentences using this week's vocabulary words.  You may use more than one vocabulary word per sentence. The words are...

1. coax
2. camphor
3. despair
4. merrymakers
5. tradesmen
6. merchants
7. naval
8. navel
9. stodgy
10. forum

Socials 10

Finish the worksheets entitled "The Immigrant Experience", but do not complete the final paragraph question.  I'll give you time in class to do this on Monday.

English 8

Work on your letter about your novel.  The plot diagram is also due on Monday.

English 12, Block 7

If you are ever having difficulty finding a particular post on this blog, be sure to go to the bottom of the page and click on "Older Posts".  There you will find the full history of this blog in all its glory.  

Here are your 30 new vocabulary words (courtesy of Block 4):

• juxtaposition - n - the act of placing two things together for the purpose of implicit comparison
• niggle - v - to cause slight but constant annoyance
• rustle - v - to make a noise; to steal livestock
• gorgonize - v - to have a paralyzing affect on; to petrify with fear
• aloof (adj) physically or emotionally reserved
• exiguous - adj - scanty or meager
• flagrant - adj - offensively bad or reprehensible
• caustic - adj - sarcastic and severe
• cloistered - v - to be confined
• circumspect - adj - watchful and discreet
•  
•  
• blandishments - n - flattery 
• hoi polloi - n - the common people (negative connotations)
• beleaguered - adj - to put in a difficult situation
• wraith - n - a ghost/apparition
• frisson - n - a passing sensation of excitement
• pro bono - n/adj - professional work undertaken voluntarily for no pay
• calumny - n - spoiling someone's reputation by spreading lies
• vex - v - to annoy 
• papaphobia - n - fear of the Pope
• mendacious - adj - being false; having a deceitful character 
•  
•  
• mobocracy - noun- lawless rule of public affairs by the mob or populace
• glibly - adv - insincerely/shallowly speaking on a subject
• elude - verb - to avoid or escape in a cunning way
• benevolent - adj - well meaning and kindly 
• haphazard - adj - careless; lacking in organization; unplanned 
• malevolent - adj - evil 
• zephyr - noun - a gentle wind 
• cataclysm - noun - a destructive, large scale--even apocalyptic--violent event 
• admonish - verb - to reprimand or scold 
• mundane - adj - bland, boring, monotonous, run of the mill, ordinary

Grade 8

Review what we have read of "The Dog of Pompeii" and write down three vocabulary words that are new to you and that you think would be good, academic words to know.

English 12

Fill in the "Short Story Review Sheets" for each story we have read to date.  The stories are "Two-in-One", "Identities", "Miss Brill", "Just Lather, That's All", and "The Lottery".

Next class, we will be reviewing for the test.  The format of the test is as follows:

Section A (30 marks)

• matching
• true/false
• fill in the blanks
• short answers

Section B (15 marks)

• quotations -- you must give three ways each quote is significant (how does it reflect character, symbol, irony, theme, or judicious use of point of view?)

Section C (10 marks)

• paragraph answer -- you choose to answer one prompt from a list of four

Total:  65 marks

To prepare for this, know your stories, review your senior English handouts and their bolded terms, and fill in the short story review sheets.

English 12, Blocks 4 and 7

Block 7 will be writing their in-class essay on Monday; Block 4 will write on Tuesday.
The topic is as follows:

Discuss how irony supports theme in Shirley Jackson's short story "The Lottery".

To prepare for this, look over the answers to the question sheet on the story, especially the answers to #7, 8 and 11.  
Students should come to class with the quotations they want to use, as this will save them time hunting for the right passage during the class.

Socials 10

Make sure that your question sheet entitled "Road to Rebellion Part 1" is complete.  It is already late.

English 10, Block 2

Make sure that the sheets on "David" are complete, including the boxes on the final page of the handout.

English 10, Block 1

Finish the questions on "David" and find two examples each of the listed poetic devices.

English 8

Your final day of Library presentations is Monday.  Make sure that you are prepared and have all your material ready to go!

English 12, Block 7

Review for your vocabulary test this week and the short story test that is scheduled for later this month.  Make sure that all the questions for "The Lottery" are complete for Thursday.  Begin filling in your review sheets for the different short stories we have read so far.  Make your notes as detailed as possible.

English 12, Block 4

Review for your vocabulary test this week and the short story test that is scheduled for later this month.  Make sure that all the questions for "The Lottery", including symbols, are complete for Wednesday.  Begin filling in your review sheets for the different short stories we have read so far.  Make your notes as detailed as possible.

English 10, Block 1

Answer the following question in proper paragraph form:

Why do you think that the Hero's Journey (also known as the monomyth) plotline has remained so popular in western culture?

English 10, Block 2

Finish the question sheet distributed in class.

English 8

Continue working on your library research assignment.  Presentations will take place on Thursday of next week and the following Monday.

Socials 10

This weekend, finish the questions on the textbook readings.  If you do not have the questions, email me AND read pages 16-22 and 33-35.

Socials 10

On Friday, you will have a small test out of 25 marks.  Study all the master sheets we have completed.  The test will consist of the following:

A. 10 map element identification questions - review your map of Canada.  You will be asked to identify provinces/territories, cities, and water bodies.

B. 15 Multiple choice questions - review the map of the regions, the geography and economics master sheets.

If you need to see me before the test, send me an email.

English 10

Fill in as much of the Hero's Journey sheet that you can. 

English 8

Finish your apostrophe sheet for Wednesday.

English 12 - Block 4

Week 3 Vocabulary

1.    juxtaposition - n - the act of placing two things together for the purpose of implicit comparison
2.    niggle - v - to cause slight but constant annoyance
3.    rustle - v - to make a noise; to steal livestock
4.    gorgonize - v - to have a paralyzing affect on; to petrify with fear
5.    aloof (adj) physically or emotionally reserved
6.    exiguous - adj - scanty or meager
7.    flagrant - adj - offensively bad or reprehensible
8.    caustic - adj - sarcastic and severe
9.    cloistered - v - to be confined
10.  circumspect - adj - watchful and discreet

Week 2 Vocabulary

1. blandishments - n - flattery
2. hoi polloi - n - the common people (negative connotations) 
3. beleaguered - adj - to put in a different situation
4. wraith - n - a ghost/apparition
5. frisson - n - a passing sensation of excitement
6. pro bono - n/adj - professional work undertaken voluntarily for no pay
7. calumny - n - spoiling someone's reputation by spreading lies
8. vex - v - to annoy 
9. papaphobia - n - fear of the Pope
10. mendacious - adj - being false; having a deceitful character 

Week 1 Vocabulary

1. mobocracy - noun- lawless rule of public affairs by the mob or populace 
2. glibly - adv - insincerely/shallowly speaking on a subject 
3. elude - verb - to avoid or escape in a cunning way
4. benevolent - adj - well meaning and kindly 
5. haphazard - adj - careless; lacking in organization; unplanned 
6. malevolent - adj - evil 
7. zephyr - noun - a gentle wind 
8. cataclysm - noun - a destructive, large scale--even apocalyptic--violent event 
9. admonish - verb - to reprimand or scold 
10. mundane - adj - bland, boring, monotonous, run of the mill, ordinary

English 12 - Block 7

Week 3 Vocabulary

1. morose - adj - gloomy, sullen  
2. penultimate- adj - second to last 
3. flummox - v - to perplex or to be perplexed by 
4. indubitably- adj - without a doubt; unquestionably 
5. zenith - n - the highest point 
6. nadir - n - the lowest point 
7. clandestine- adj - secretively 
8. adequate- adj - enough; average 
9. maudlin- adj - foolishly or tearfully affectionate 
10. censure - v - to blame or criticize something/someone

Week 2 Vocabulary

1. skullduggery - n underhanded or unscrupulous behaviour
2. temperate - adj moderate, self-restrained behaviour
3. tautology - n - needless repetition of an idea
4. absolutism - n- principles or practice of an arbitrary government 
5. aberration - n- something that differs from the norm
6. immiserate - n to make someone miserable
7. entrepreneurial - adj- taking financial risk in the hopes of profit
8. protocol - n - a system of rules about correct behaviour; an international agreement
9. vex - v- to cause annoyance or disturb
10. obfuscate - v- to render something unclear

Week 1 Vocabulary

1. eiderdown (noun) - small, soft feathers from the eider duck; a quilted bed cover, duvet, counterpane
2. disheveled (adj) - hanging in disorder; messy appearance
3. ambiguous (adj) - open to more than one interpretation
4. iota (noun) - a tiny amount
5. androgynous (adj) - displaying both male and female characteristics
6. gruntled (adj) - to be pleased with something/someone
7. loquacious (adj) - talkative
8. amicable (adj) - good-natured or friendly
9. fulminate (verb) - to loudly attack or denounce somebody; express vehement protest
10. transpire (verb) - occur; happen

English 12 Block 7

If you would like to complete a rewrite on the "Miss Brill" symbolism paragraph, you may write one on "Just Lather, That's All".  The instructions are as follows:  

Discuss the use of symbolism in "Just Lather, That's All".  Write a well-composed paragraph of about 200 words on the topic.  Include at least two well-integrated, cited quotations.  This paragraph must be handed in at the start of class on Monday.


Week 2 Vocabulary

1. skullduggery - n underhanded or unscrupulous behaviour
2. temperate - adj moderate, self-restrained behaviour
3. tautology - n - needless repetition of an idea
4. absolutism - n- principles or practice of an arbitrary government 
5. aberration - n- something that differs from the norm
6. immiserate - n to make someone miserable
7. entrepreneurial - adj- taking financial risk in the hopes of profit
8. protocol - n - a system of rules about correct behaviour; an international agreement
9. vex - v- to cause annoyance or disturb
10. obfuscate - v- to render something unclear

Week 1 Vocabulary

1. eiderdown (noun) - small, soft feathers from the eider duck; a quilted bed cover, duvet, counterpane
2. disheveled (adj) - hanging in disorder; messy appearance
3. ambiguous (adj) - open to more than one interpretation
4. iota (noun) - a tiny amount
5. androgynous (adj) - displaying both male and female characteristics
6. gruntled (adj) - to be pleased with something/someone
7. loquacious (adj) - talkative
8. amicable (adj) - good-natured or friendly
9. fulminate (verb) - to loudly attack or denounce somebody; express vehement protest
10. transpire (verb) - occur; happen

English 12 Block 4

Week 2 Vocabulary

1. blandishments - n - flattery
2. hoi polloi - n - the common people (negative connotations) 
3. beleaguered - adj - to put in a different situation
4. wraith - n - a ghost/apparition
5. frisson - n - a passing sensation of excitement
6. pro bono - n/adj - professional work undertaken voluntarily for no pay
7. calumny - n - spoiling someone's reputation by spreading lies
8. vex - v - to annoy 
9. papaphobia - n - fear of the Pope
10. mendacious - adj - being false; having a deceitful character 

Week 1 Vocabulary

1. mobocracy - noun- lawless rule of public affairs by the mob or populace 
2. glibly - adv - insincerely/shallowly speaking on a subject 
3. elude - verb - to avoid or escape in a cunning way
4. benevolent - adj - well meaning and kindly 
5. haphazard - adj - careless; lacking in organization; unplanned 
6. malevolent - adj - evil 
7. zephyr - noun - a gentle wind 
8. cataclysm - noun - a destructive, large scale--even apocalyptic--violent event 
9. admonish - verb - to reprimand or scold 
10. mundane - adj - bland, boring, monotonous, run of the mill, ordinary

Socials 10

Complete your brochures for November 3rd.

English 8

Write a journal entry about your Hallowe'en night.  It does not have to be true, but you must include some sensory details.  Tell me what you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell as part of your descriptions.

Here is a description of a hot summer's day that uses sensory descriptions:

The smell of burning rubber, car smoke, and overused clutches bit the back of my nose as the sun beat down on us that summer's day in the city.  Sticky sweat ran in little rivulets down my neck and collected bits of the airborne grit that clouded around us. The heat was affecting others too, for the air rang with the honking of horns and shouts of frustrated drivers.  Suddenly, my sister grabbed my hand and yanked me into a shady side street.  There I saw the most beautiful sight one could imagine:  two children standing in front of a homemade lemonade stand!  Our coins clinked musically as we tossed them into the glass payment jar. Soon the cold, sweet-tart liquid was sliding down our parched throats.  Did it really matter that each glass had cost four dollars?  It was highway robbery, and those children were sharks--but we felt renewed!

English 10

Make sure the rough copies of your comparison and contrast paragraphs are ready for Friday.

English 12

Answer questions #1-6 on "Just Lather, That's All".

English 10

Write up the good copies of your poem paragraphs to have them ready to hand in next class.

English 8

Your Monkey's Paw fliers are due next Thursday, Oct. 30th.  This weekend, look up the synonyms and antonyms for the Monkey's Paw vocabulary.

Socials 10

Keep working on your brochures.  They're due on November 3rd.
On Wednesday, students worked on a question package.  For those of you finishing the questions this weekend, you can find the graphic about precipitation and temperature at the following address:
http://www.bestlibrary.org/files/01_chapter.pdf  .  This address is a scan of the first chapter of a textbook.  You can find the map on page 26, so you'll have to scroll down for it.

English 8

Next class, we will discuss what is involved in the flyers you will be creating for "The Monkey's Paw".  Make sure that your Journals 4 and 4.5 are completed for next class.

Socials 10

Keep working on your brochures.  They are due on November 3rd.

English 12, Block 7

After reading "Just Lather That's All", write your thoughts on what motivates Captain Torres to go to this barber for a shave.

Also, your second group of vocabulary words are as follows:

1. skullduggery - n - underhanded or unscrupulous behaviour
2. temperate - adj - moderate, self-restrained behaviour
3. tautology - n - needless repetition of an idea
4. absolutism - n - principles or practice of an arbitrary government
5. aberration - n - something that differs from the norm
6. immiserate - n - to make someone miserable
7. entrepreneurial - adj - taking financial risk in the hopes of profit
8. protocol - n - a system of rules about correct behaviour; an international agreement
9. vex - v - to cause annoyance or disturb
10. obfuscate - v - to render something unclear

English 10

Read the poem distributed in class and answer the questions on the sheet.

Socials 10

Your developing cities brochure is due on Oct. 28th.  You should be amassing as much information on your city as possible.  Look at the Carson website for information on the library and how to use some of its research tools.


This is a website recommended by a librarian friend of mine from my former high school.  The page was originally designed for ESL students, but the sites are not written in low-level English.  Check out this page:

• sabresites.wikispaces.com/Country+Study+ESL

Also, here are some websites which may help you in your search for information:

• http://www.worldatlas.com/citypops.htm
• http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-city-maps/
• http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/cities-and-development

I will add more sites as I find them.  Because Wikipedia articles can be changed by anyone, they are not appropriate as original sources for your project. Do look at Wikipedia to get a general idea of your city, but then try to find other, more official sites.

English 8

For next Monday's class, be sure to do the following:

1. make sure your Journal #4 is complete (describe what you wish for if a genie granted you three wishes).
2. complete the six questions on foreshadowing in "The Monkey's Paw".
3. complete the eight questions on "The Monkey's Paw".

Be sure to answer the questions in complete sentences. 

English 12, Period 4

Remember to bring your vocabulary words for next class.  Also, fill in the planning sheet for the Miss Brill character analysis.  You will be able to bring it to class on Friday for the in-class essay.

English 12, Period 7

Remember to bring your vocabulary words for next class.  Also, fill in the planning sheet for the Miss Brill character analysis.  You will be able to bring it to class on Thursday for the in-class essay.

Socials 10

Choose a city in the developing world with which you are not very familiar.  Begin researching it for the brochure that you will be producing over the coming week.

English 8

Make sure that your Journal #4 is complete: If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish for.  Explain your answers. Also, make sure you bring a book to read for the first ten minutes of the next class.  Finally, remember to study the 11 plot terms for the quiz on Thursday.

English 12

Your paragraphs on "Miss Brill" are due next class. The instructions are as follows:
In a well-composed paragraph, using at least two well-integrated and cited quotations, explain how the fox fur is symbolic of Miss Brill.
In addition, be sure to read both sides of the handout entitled "Character and the Short Story".

English 10

Your archetype poems (15 line minimum) are due at the beginning of the next class.  The instructions are on the back page of the handout which includes the two snake poems.  Also, we will be preparing/performing hercules skits next week.  Period 1 students already know their skits.  Period 2 students still need to be put into groups.

English 12, Period 7

For Friday, finish the first side of the "Miss Brill" handout and the chart on the second side.  Also, your class vocabulary words are as follows:

eiderdown (noun) - small, soft feathers from the eider duck; a quilted bed cover, duvet, counterpane
disheveled (adj) - hanging in disorder; messy appearance
ambiguous (adj) - open to more than one interpretation
iota (noun) - a tiny amount
androgynous (adj) - displaying both male and female characteristics
gruntled (adj) - to be pleased with something/someone
loquacious (adj) - talkative
amicable (adj) - good-natured or friendly
fulminate (verb) - to loudly attack or denounce somebody; express vehement protest
transpire (verb) - occur; happen

Socials 10

On Friday, you will be working on a mind map of how the five themes of geography are evident in Vancouver or any other city in the developed world with which you are familiar.

English 8

Map out a plot outline for "The Old Man" for Friday's class.

English 12, Period 4

Finish the flip side of the worksheet on "Miss Brill" and continue collecting the next set of ten vocabulary words.

This week's vocabulary words are as follows:

1. mobocracy - noun- lawless rule of public affairs by the mob or populace 
2. glibly - adv - insincerely/shallowly speaking on a subject 
3. elude - verb - to avoid or escape in a cunning way
4. benevolent - adj - well meaning and kindly 
5. haphazard - adj - careless; lacking in organization; unplanned 
6. malevolent - adj - evil 
7. zephyr - noun - a gentle wind 
8. cataclysm - noun - a destructive, large scale--even apocalyptic--violent event 
9. admonish - verb - to reprimand or scold 
10. mundane - adj - bland, boring, monotonous, run of the mill, ordinary 

English 12, Period 7

Read "Miss Brill" and jot down your first impressions of the story, plus any questions that come to mind. Remember to bring your 10 vocabulary words.

Socials 10

If you have not already done so, finish the map of Canada's six economic regions.

English 10, Periods 1 and 2

Reread D.H.Lawrence's "The Snake" and then in 3-5 sentences, explain how the speaker feels about the snake.  Also, underline all references to hell, the Underworld, and Satan.

English 8

Read the rest of "The Old Man" for Wednesday.

Posted via Blogaway

Socials 10

Finish the map on Canada's six economic regions for Monday. You will find the information in your textbooks on pages 313-319. Fill in each region with one colour and label each neatly with a  black  fine  liner. Make sure each region has its own colour and stands out from its neighbour. Each region is shown and described separately in the book, so you need to synthesize the different small maps into one national one. 

English 8

You will have 5-10 minutes on Monday to put the finishing touches on your posters. If you need more time, make sure to take your posters home this weekend.

English 12

Read over the handout distributed in class today.  Continue to collect your vocabulary words.

English 10

Finish the vocabulary at the back of the Greek Gods handout.  Remember to bring headphones to the next class as we will be using the computers in the library.

English 8

If you have not already done so, show me your binder dividers on Thursday.

Socials 10

Please read pages 93-98 in your texts.

English 12

Read the assigned story and note, in a few sentences, your first impressions. Begin collecting your ten vocabulary words and definitions for Tuesday, October 5th.

English 10

Next Wednesday, make sure to bring in an example of a product or company logo with a mythic connection. You can print out the logo or picture of the product, or draw it by hand. 

For those of you in Period 2, be sure to read the handout on the Greek gods.

I'll check your binders for the 5 dividers on Wednesday.

English 8

For those of you still having trouble accessing the blog, the vocabulary word and definition are as follows:
Genial (adjective):  friendly and cheerful

Please email this to me. Don't forget make sure that you have identified yourself clearly in your email.

Next Thursday, October 2, please have five dividers in your binder.  Label them Short Story, Novel, Poetry, Writing and Myth.  You may make the tabs with masking tape.

Social Studies 10

Complete the map of Canada assignment.  It is due next class.

English 12 Periods 4 and 7

Complete the questions on the short story, "Two in One" for next class.

English 10, Periods 1 and 2

 Look at the myth chart we completed in class and highlight the lines where the stories were all similar.  Then, write a reflective paragraph upon the similarities found in the four myths.  That means, I'd like you to reflect upon why four distinct groups--living at four different times in history in four completely separate areas--shared some of the same ideas about the unknown?  What does this tell us about humanity?

Please don't supply a laundry list of all the similarities.  Think about why those similarities exist. Your paragraph is due on Monday, September 29th.

Don't forget about the dividers (due next Wednesday).  Have a great weekend. 

Social Studies 10 Carson Graham

For Friday, please complete the provincial shapes/crossword handout and bring in three facts about Canada.  One must be political, one geographical, and one historical.  Make sure to write down your facts.

English 8 Carson Graham

Hello Grade 8's, your vocabulary word and definition are as follows:
Genial (adjective):  friendly and cheerful

Please fill in the Getting to Know You questionnaire.  It is due on Friday.

Next Thursday, October 2, please have five dividers in your binder.  Label them Short Story, Novel, Poetry, Writing and Myth.  You may make the tabs with masking tape.

Enlish 12 Carson Graham

Please have your Student Information Sheet ready to hand in for the next class.

English 10 Carson Graham

Hello 10's.  Sorry for the late post. I experienced some technical difficulties.  Here is your vocabulary word and definition courtesy of Michael R.:  Irony --a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects; the difference between what one expects and what is actually true.  Please email this word and definition to me.

Please make sure that you have completed the Student Information Sheet. 

I'll check your binders for dividers on Wednesday, October 1.  The divisions should be named as follows:  Myth, Novel, Poetry/Shakespeare, Writing, Short Stories.   It is fine to have handmade tabs.

English 8

Today, we had a comma quiz and looked at some more capitalization rules.  We also talked a little bit about the myth of El Dorado. Then, we read "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert Service and answered some questions.  Students who were at the Children's Festival can collect all these handouts and do the quiz on Monday.

English 12

Complete the questions on Act III of Othello.  If you would like to try your hand at some sample provincial exams, check out the government website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/search/
To access the exams, you will have to agree to the copyright terms.  Once in the system, you can look at the e-exams, too.

English 10

This weekend, complete the questions on Act III of Romeo and Juliet.  Also, if you have not already done so, complete the insulting letter assignment.  It is now late.  Finally, the Acts I-III comic strip can be completed this weekend and submitted on Monday.

English 8

Today, we did superhero skits and students will turn their hero and villain characters into 1-2 page stories for next Friday.  Also, because I overlooked putting last night's question concerning Beowulf on this site, here it is:

"Beowulf is the source of information about early manners, customs, and traditions.  
       a)  Find two examples of each (manners, customs, and traditions) in the story
       b)  What different manners, customs, or traditions do we have today?

We will discuss Beowulf on Monday.  Have a good weekend.

English 10

Today, we went over the questions for Act II and watched that part of the film.  Please work on your insulting letter this weekend.  It is due on Wednesday.

English 12

Today, we reviewed the questions to the end of Act I and read Act II, i and ii.  Please answer the questions on Act II #1-9.  Also, please answer the questions on "Those Winter Sundays".

English 12

Grade 12 Personal Timeline

This assignment is to help you prepare for the final essay on the provincial exam.

Create a timeline of your life:

Be sure to mention...

• a minimum of seven important events in your life
• a minimum of seven important people in your life (different ages, different relationships--friends, boy/girlfriends, parents, siblings, extended family, frenemies, mentors, enemies)

Think about vignettes from your life that deal with independence or dependence,

responsibility or irresponsibility, values,important lessons, compassion,

cooperation/service to others, overcoming adversity, role models, dreams vs. reality

English 12

The final literature circle has been postponed until Tuesday.  Begin working on your poetry project.

English 10

Read Chapters 22 and 23 this weekend.  Also, make sure that your questions are complete up to Chapter 21.  You do not have to do the questions for Chapter 16.

English 8

This weekend, answer the questions for Chapters 9 and 10.  The answers for Chapters 11 and 12 will be due on Tuesday.  Also, complete the worksheet on making inferences that I handed out on Friday.  The worksheet will also be due on Monday.

English 10

Tonight, read Chapter 16 of the novel.  Your reflections on Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes is now considered late.
I've posted the Chapter 16 MP3 file and skipped Chapter 15 as I read that one in class today.

English 8

Students handed in their Facebook projects today.  Study for the spelling test on Friday and read Chapter 8 of The Outsiders tonight for homework.

English 12

Our next lit circle is on Thursday, April 17th.  Make sure you know what your role is, and keep me informed if you are having any difficulty with this at all.

Finish the questions on "To an Athlete Dying Young" and also give a detailed answer as to whether or not you agree with the message of the poem.

Your one-page paragraph responses to one of the prompts from yesterday will be due on Monday.  They all pertain to Chapters 1-5 of the class novel and are as follows:

1. Discuss the three most salient reasons for the men's bitterness
2. Explain how trench warfare has affected the young men's attitudes towards their own lives.
3. Personal dignity and humanity are difficult to maintain while fighting at the front.  Explain how the men try to maintain these two things.

English 10

Study your vocabulary words for the coming test (April 16th), finish reading up to the start of Chapter 10, and write a response to the video we saw today in class.  The paragraph response should include 3 to 5 pieces of information that you found memorable, shocking, or significant.  You can watch the 50 minute video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQAmdZvKf6M#aid=P8NtIoMA9NQ
The response is due on Monday.  Also, cut off for marks is next Thursday, so make sure that you do not have any outstanding assignments for me.

English 8

Your short story projects are due on Monday.  Please also read Chapters 2 and 3 of the novel, and answer the questions for Chapter 2.

English 10

Tonight, read Chapter 6 and answer the questions for Chapters 5 and 6.  Begin reviewing for your vocabulary quiz, which will be on Tuesday, April 15th.  Your words are as follows:

1. newfangled (adj)
2. verve (adj)
3. profusion (n)
4. zeal (n)
5. arsenal (n)
6. hackneyed (adj)
7. acrid (adj)
8. apprehension (n)
9. festooned (adj, v)
10. blase (adj)
11. vigilance (n)
12. gesture (n)
13. vague (adj)
14. wince (v)
15. impediment (n)
16. luminous (adj)
17. calibrate (v)
18. hindrance (n)
19. tremendous (adj)
20. consternation (n)
21. uproot (v)
22. cower (v)
23. caper (v)
24. gambol (v)
25. rivet (n, v)
26. congeal (v)
27. traipsing (v)
28. beam (v)
29. shun (v)
30. flag (v)

English 12

The first lit circle is tomorrow.  Make sure that you come prepared.

English 8

Tonight, answer the questions on Chapter 1 of the class novel.

English 10

Tonight, make sure that you have read up to the beginning of
Chapter 5.  Answer question #6 for Chapter 3 and questions #1-5 on
Chapter 4.

When you are downloading the MP3 files, do not use Internet Explorer.  Use Chrome or Firefox instead. Alternatively, you can save them to your Dropbox account if you have one.

Grade 10

Your short story unit test is on Friday.  Make sure you are reviewing your terms and the short story review sheets.

The MP3 files of the class novel are on the sidebar under "PAGES".  You will have to download them to play them.

Make sure that you have read chapters 2, 3, and 4 for Monday.  Also, answer the questions on the greed study guide for those chapters by Monday.

English 12

Your projects are due on Monday, April 7th.

Grade 8

Your short story test is on Friday.  Make sure you are studying your terms and the yellow story review sheets.  Next Tuesday, we will have another spelling test.  Your short story projects will be due on Monday, April 14th.

English 12

The short story test is tomorrow.  Review your stories and terms.

English 10

Today, we had a presentation on the dangers of bullying.  Tomorrow, we will start a new story.  Students should be reviewing their short story terms.

English 8

Today, we had a presentation on the dangers of bullying.  Tomorrow, we will peer edit the newspaper article on "The Dog of Pompeii" and begin a new story.  Make sure you have your rough drafts of your articles in class tomorrow.

English 12

Your in-class essay topics tomorrow are as follows:

1. Explain how growing up in a violent, combative environment seems to have changed the basic moral and ethical codes of the boys in the Wormsley Common Gang.
2. Explain how wartime destruction can be said to be both intensely personal and totally impersonal at the same time.
3. Explain how Graham Greene uses irony to express his theme in “The Destructors”.
4. A psychopath is a person who manifests amoral and antisocial behaviour.  These behaviours are also marked by egocentricity, irresponsibility, and the inability to establish meaningful relationships.  That said, when they wish to be, psychopaths can be charming.  With this definition in mind, explain how T. fits the definition of a psychopath.

This will be a five-paragraph expository essay. You may bring your text book, and rough notes, but you may not bring in a completed essay. The purpose of this exercise is to have you write in a timed setting.

English 10

Tonight, do questions #1-3 for "The Doll's House".

English 8

Your spelling words for the week are as follows:

1. exhibit
2. evident
3. envelop
4. emergency
5. economy
6. echoes
7. disease
8. discipline
9. dessert
10. despair

Your next spelling quiz will be on Tuesday, March 11.

Tonight, do the third sheet of the verb package.

English 12

Tonight, make sure that you complete the two questions on setting in "The Destructors" on the last page of the short story package.

English 10

Tomorrow, you will have course planning in the library.  Come to class first.  Also, make sure that you complete the worksheet on nouns for Wednesday.
On Wednesday, you will write your in-class essays on "The Metaphor".

English 8

Tonight, study your spelling words and finish reading "G. Trueheart, Man's Best Friend" on page 91.  When you have finished reading, write down at least one example of irony from the story.

On Wednesday, you will have a quiz on the vocabulary words from "Golden Pants".

English 10

Fill in the pink sheets on "Miss Brill" and "The Lottery", finish reading "The Destructors", and complete the irony sheet (find seven examples).  Remember to bring your vocabulary words to class on Monday.

English 10

This weekend, complete the graphic organizers on Miss Hancock and Charlotte's mother.  We will look at them on Monday.  You will write your essay in class on Tuesday.  In addition, study your vocabulary words for the test on Monday. They are as follows:

Vocabulary words

1. refuge (n) - a place of safety

2. obliquely (adverb) - indirectly, evasively, coming at an angle and not straight on

3. divert (v) - to change direction or redirect attention

4. perversion (n) - a change from what is natural and normal to what is unnatural and abnormal

5. indomitable (adj) - unbeatable, cannot be conquered

6. lacerated (v) - savagely cut or sliced, mangled/jagged/torn

7. inimical (adj) - harmful, hostile, unfriendly

8. ochre (noun/adjective) - yellow/orange earth or pigments, yellow/orange colour

9. trussed (v) - tied tightly, bound up to prevent movement

10. foresight (n) - thoughtful regard for the future

11. dissimulation (n) - to disguise under a false appearance

12. vexed (v) - troubled; frustrated

13. acuteness (n) - keenness; sharpness (of intelligence or senses)

14. waned (v) - lessened

15. audacity (n) - forwardness; boldness

16. bade (v) - compelled

17. derision (n) - contempt; ridicule

18. matriarch (noun) - a woman who is the head of a family or tribe; an older woman who is powerful in a family, community or organization

19. appropriation (noun) - a sum of money set aside

20. degraded (verb) - put down; loss of value over time

21. grim (adjective) - looking harsh or stern

22. infatuated (adj) - a foolish attraction

23. indulgently (adverb) - kindly (as in a loving grandparent to a grandchild)

24. mock (verb)  - to imitate or make fun of

25. negotiable (adj) - open for discussion

26. proverbial (adj) - well known (as in a well known proverb, or saying from the Bible)

27. rapt (adj) - completely absorbed

28. reprehensible (adj) - deserving to be criticized

29. self-conscious (adj) - overly aware of self

30. translucent (adj) - lets light through, but is not clear (think frosted glass)