English 10

Today in class we finished discussing the chapter questions on the class novel and began watching the movie.  We will finish the movie tomorrow.

The vocabulary test has been postponed to Thursday, Dec. 15th.

English 11

Today in class, we read up to the end of Act I, scene v.  Make sure you answer the questions on the Act I Study Guide. Also, make sure to find a quote from each scene that you think is significant, write down the quote and explain why you believe it is important to the play.  Your explanation should be as full as possible within the space provided.

Also, because we have not done any vocab review, I'm postponing the vocab quiz until next week.

English 11

For Monday's in-class essay you can bring in a sheet with up to six cited quotations and your opening one or two sentences.  This sheet will be stapled to your finished essay.  The prompt is as follows:

Discuss the role of family and community in the lives of Jordin Tootoo and Saul Indian Horse.

As a class, we came up with these opening sentences which students can choose to use or not...

1. Often, the support of family and community is vital to an individual's success in life.
2. Sometimes it can be hard for individuals to achieve their potential if they lack the support of family and community.

English 10

Study your vocabulary words for this week's test.  Make sure you read up to the end of Chapter 27 of the class novel.

English 10

Both classes should read Chapter 22 of the novel.  The writing assignment I gave today is as follows:

Write a one-page response (single spaced/two-page double spaced) where a character discusses his or her reaction to the trial.  How does your character understand what happened and how does he or she feel about it?

Your choices are...

• Tom writes a letter to his wife from his jail cell
• Dill writes a letter to Boo
• Mayella talks to her geraniums
• Braxton Underwood writes an editorial for his paper
• Scout explains the trial to Little Chuck Little
• Jem explains the trial to Miss Maudie

This assignment is due on Friday.  I'll mark you faithfulness to the character, creative engagement, and grammatical and written expression.

English 11

Tonight, fill in the Venn Diagram for Saul and Jordin Tootoo.  Then, write a possible opening sentence or two for your essay.

English 11

Period 2

Do the questions for Chapters 19 and 20 and read Chapter 21 for homework.  You should be reviewing the vocabulary words for the quiz on December 7th.

Period 4

Do the questions for Chapters 20 and 21.  You should be reviewing the vocabulary words for the quiz on December 7th.

English 11

Tonight, read the Jordin Tootoo article and do the multiple choice questions.  You should also be reviewing the vocabulary words for the test on Dec. 9th.

English 10

Period 2
Finish the questions for Chapters 17 and 18.

Period 4
Use 10 vocabulary words to write sentences about the novel.  If you can fit more than one vocabulary word into each sentence--great!  Also, complete the questions for Chapter 19.

English 11

Tonight, finish read the class novel.  Tomorrow, I'll collect your 5 vocabulary words/definitions.

English 11

Choose to respond to one of the works we've just discussed ("Take That", "I Lost My Talk" and "Black Is My Country").  Explain how it relates to Indian Horse.  Your response should be formal, so avoid I-statements, contractions and informal language.  Use quotations to support your ideas as well.  This response should be about a page in length and be comprised of one to three paragraphs.

If you would like the class' book summary, send me an email and I'll send you the as yet unfinished document.

English 10

Period 2

Do the questions for Chapter 16, read Chapters 17 and 18, and write sentences about To Kill A Mockingbird using 10 of the class vocabulary words.  Try to compose your sentences so that they include more than one vocabulary word if you can.

Period 4
Do the questions for Chapter 16, and read Chapters 17 and 18. Make sure you are reviewing your vocabulary words.

The next vocabulary test will be on Wednesday, December 7th.

English 11

Tonight, read Ch 44, 45, 46.  As of Friday, once we read a particular chapter, the person responsible for summarizing that chapter has two days to hand in his or her summary.

English 10

Period 2
Finish reading Chapter 15, and do questions for Chapters 14 --15.

Period 4
Complete the questions for Chapter 15, read Chapter 16 and write one good question about it--you do not have to know the answer to your question. 

English 11

Period 2
No homework.

Period 4
Do the questions for Chapter 14.

English 11

Tonight, make sure that you have two good questions for each of today's readings.  Also, write down a brief response to how each reading is related to Indian Horse.  Finally read up to the end of Chapter 43.

English 11

Your new vocabulary words are in Monday's posting.  You should still be collecting vocabulary words and definitions as I'll take in 5 next Monday.  Tonight, make sure you answer all the questions on Chapters 29-35 and read Chapters 37 and 38.

English 10

The new vocabulary words are in Monday's posting. Tonight, please read Chapter 14.  You should also be in the process of collecting vocabulary words.  I'll take in 5 next Monday.

English 11

Today in class, students signed up to write chapter summaries for our class novel. Your assignment is to send me a Word document that I can edit that summarizes your assigned chapter(s).  Also add a brief section that says why this chapter is important to the novel.

Also, collect 5 vocabulary words and definitions for next Monday.  Your next 10 vocabulary words are as follows:

1. chimera (n)—a monster formed from bits and pieces of other creatures; a thing that is hoped or wished for but is in fact illusory and impossible to achieve
2. voluble (adj)—speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently
3. raconteur (n)—a person who tells anecdotes and stories in a skillful manner
4. dexterity (n)—skill in performing tasks especially with one’s hands
5. arsenal (n)—a collection of weapons/military equipment or a place where weapons and military equipment are stored
6. stoic (adj)—a person who can endure pain or hardship without complaint
7. festooned(v)—adorned with garlands or other decorations
8. semblance (n)—the outward appearance or apparent form of something especially when the reality is different (she tried to force her thoughts back into some semblance of order)
9. deadfall (n)—a tangled mass of fallen trees and branches
10. scrutinize (v)—to study carefully; examine or inspect thoroughly

English 10

Make sure your answers are complete for the questions on Part One of the novel.  You will use them for tomorrow's quiz.  Period 4 is to read Chapter 13 tonight.

Period 4 should also be collecting vocabulary words and definitions for next Monday.

Periods 2 and 4, your ten vocabulary words for this week are as follows:

1. abate (v):  to reduce in amount or intensity; to "let up"
2. algid (adj):  cold or frozen
3. phalanx (n): any closely grouped mass of people (usually used in military terms for groups of soldiers)
4. bigot (n):  a narrow-minded, prejudiced person
5. dissident (n):  person who opposes official policy
6. immorality (n): wickedness--the opposite of scruples
7. cantankerous (adj):  bad tempered and uncooperative (older people are often called this whereas younger people are often called obstreperous)
8. coerce (v):  to force someone to action using physical force or threats
9. vindictive (adj):  an unreasonable desire for revenge (the opposite of magnanimous)
10. demure (adj):  quiet, modest, and reserved
11. ramshackle (adj):  messy, run-down appearance (especially of a building)

English 11

Tonight, finish the sheet on poetic terms used in the class novel.  

We also added 10 new words to the class vocabulary list.  They are as follows:

1. erratic (adj): unpredictable; not even or regular in pattern or action
2. erroneous (adj): wrong; incorrect
3. maverick (n):  an independent-minded person
4. ubiquitous (adj): appearing everywhere at once; also, found everywhere
5. albeit (conjunction): although; even though
6. coalition (n): an alliance (usually temporary) for a combined action (political or military action)
7. facetious (adj): not to be taken seriously; treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant
8. cognizant (adj): having knowledge of something or being aware of something
9. paroxysm (n): any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of anger or grief; a sudden burst of activity
10. obstreperous (adj): noisy and difficult to control; stubborn, cranky, and irritable

Next Monday, you'll have to bring in five new vocabulary words and definitions, so begin taking note of good words now.

English 10

Period 2 must finish reading Chapter 10.  Otherwise, students in both classes need to work on their first visual/narrative response, which is due on Friday.

We also added ten new vocabulary words to the class list.  
Period 2, here are your next ten words:

1. erratic (adj): unpredictable; not even or regular in pattern or action
2. erroneous (adj): wrong; incorrect
3. admonish (v): to scold; to warn or reprimand firmly; to warn earnestly
4. provocation (n): speech or action intended to cause anger
5. wanderlust (n): the desire to travel
6. magnanimous (adj): very generous or forgiving, especially to a rival or someone weaker than oneself
7. abet (v): to encourage or help someone to commit a crime
8. scrupulous (adj): having moral principles; extreme attention to detail
9. dismantle (v): to take something apart into it component pieces
10. ephemeral (adj): lasting only a very short duration of time

Next Monday, you'll have to bring in five new vocabulary words and definitions, so begin taking note of good words now.

Period 4, here are your next ten words:

1. ubiquitous (adj): appearing everywhere at once; also, found everywhere
2. albeit (conjunction): although; even though
3. coalition (n): an alliance (usually temporary) for a combined action (political or military action)
4. facetious (adj): not to be taken seriously; treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant
5. cognizant (adj): having knowledge of something or being aware of something
6. paroxysm (n): any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of anger or grief; a sudden burst of activity
7. obstreperous (adj): noisy and difficult to control; stubborn, cranky, and irritable
8. scrupulous (adj): having moral principles; extreme attention to detail
9. dismantle (v): to take something apart into it component pieces
10. ephemeral (adj): lasting only a very short duration of time

Next Monday, you'll have to bring in five new vocabulary words and definitions, so begin taking note of good words now.

English 10

You do not have to read any chapters this weekend.  Just use this weekend to work on your Visual/Narrative Response.  Over the course of the novel, you will complete two of these two-page responses (the handout says three, but that was a typo).  The first response is due on Friday, November 18th. The second will be due once we finish reading the book.

If you missed school on Thursday, please email me for the assignment.

English 11

From Chapters 16 - 19, ask two good questions.  Do the same for Chapters 20 - 24 (You don't have to answer these questions, yet.).  Also, look at all those chapters and find a quote that you like. Write a response on why you like the quote or why you think it is significant to the story.

Finally, answer any two of the Ch. 11-15 questions that we looked at today in class.  We'll discuss all of them on Tuesday.  I will be taking in your responses.

English 10

Period 2

Read Chapter 10.

Period 4

Read part of Chapter 9
Specifically, read up until the part where Scout, Jem, Atticus, and Uncle Jack go to Finches Landing to celebrate Christmas with Aunt Alexandra and her family.

English 11

Tonight, read Chapters 16-19 of the class novel.

English 10, Period 2

Tonight, read Chapter 8 and answer the questions for Chapters 7 and 8.

Also, your first 10 class vocabulary words for Vocabulary Test #2 are as follows:

1. apothecary (noun): a person who prepares and sells medicine; old word for a pharmacist
2. ubiquitous (adj): appearing everywhere at once; also, found everywhere
3. albeit (conjunction): although; even though
4. coalition (n): an alliance (usually temporary) for a combined action (political or military action)
5. facetious (adj): not to be taken seriously; treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant
6. cognizant (adj): having knowledge of something or being aware of something
7. paroxysm (n): any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of anger or grief; a sudden burst of activity
8. morphodite (n): another word for a hermaphrodite; having both male and female sex characteristics
9. obstreperous (adj): noisy and difficult to control; stubborn, cranky, and irritable
10. longevity (n): duration of life; long life; long service; long existence

English 10, Period 4

Tonight, read Chapter 8 and answer the questions for Chapters 6 and 7.

Also, your first 10 class vocabulary words for Vocabulary Test #2 are as follows:

1. misanthrope (n): a person who dislikes people in general and avoids their company
2. maverick (n): an unorthodox or independent-minded person
3. erratic (adj): unpredictable; not even or regular in pattern or action
4. erroneous (adj): wrong; incorrect
5. admonish (v): to scold; to warn or reprimand firmly; to warn earnestly
6. provocation (n): speech or action intended to cause anger
7. wanderlust (n): the desire to travel
8. magnanimous (adj): very generous or forgiving, especially to a rival or someone weaker than oneself
9. abet (v): to encourage or help someone to commit a crime
10. corpulent (adj): overweight, fat

English 11

Tonight, read Chapters 11, 12, and 13.  Keep track of any questions or comments you may have while reading this.

Also, your first 10 class vocabulary words for Vocabulary Test #2 are as follows:

1. candor (n): honesty, frankness
2. brusque (adj): abruptness of speech or manner; dismissive, rude
3. dwell (v): to think deeply about something; to live in a specified place
4. scrupulous (adj): having moral principles; extreme attention to detail
5. dismantle (v): to take something apart into it component pieces
6. dwindle (v): to decrease gradually in size, amount, or strength
7. ephemeral (adj): lasting only a very short duration of time
8. matriarch (n): female leader of a family or tribe
9. hobble (v): to walk in an awkward way because of pain or injury
10. shimmer (v): to shine or with a soft, wavering light               

                        (n): a soft, wavering light

English 11

Read up to the end of Chapter 10.  Write three questions about the material contained within Chapters 5-10, then try to answer them.

Also, select a quotation from these first 10 chapters that appeals to you in some way (you find it curious, you disagree with it, you have always felt the same way, you have never thought about the subject matter in this way, or you find the quote intriguing or beautiful in some way).

Finally, your five vocabulary words/definitions will be due on Monday.

English 10

Period 2:

Read Chapter 5 and do the questions for it.  Also, write a six word story about any character that you have read about in the novel so far.  Finally, your five vocabulary words/definitions will be due on Monday.

Period 4
Read Chapter 5 and do the questions for Chapters 4 and 5.  Also, your five vocabulary words/definitions will be due on Monday.

English 11

Read chapters 3 and 4 of the novel and write down two questions for each chapter.  You don't have to worry about answering the questions, yet.

Look for five good vocabulary words/definitions for Monday.

English 10

Period 2:
Answer the questions for Chapter 2 and 3 of the novel.

Period 4:
Answer the questions for Chapter 2.  Also, give three traits each for Scout and Jem.  Provide evidence for each trait.

Both classes:
Look for five good vocabulary words/definitions for Monday.  The novel is a terrific source for vocab words.

English 10, Period 2

Tonight, write down three adjectives each for Scout, Dill, and Jem.  Give a supporting fact for each adjective.  For example, your first entry for Scout can be this...

Scout:
1.  Intelligent--Scout is only six, yet she can read (and for those of you in Period 2) and write cursive letters.
2.
3.
Dill:
1.
2.
3.
Jem:
1.
2.
3

English 11

Your sight story test is tomorrow.  Your short story presentations are due on Wednesday.

English 10

You will have your sight story test tomorrow, and your short story test on what we read during this unit will be on Wednesday.  You should be reviewing your green story sheets and the sheets on literary terms.

English 11

The English 11 short story test that you will write on Monday will be structured as follows:
15 marks--matching questions and fill in the terms
15 marks--short answers on terms
20 marks--two paragraph answers on the stories we have read.  I'll give you a choice of questions.

English 10

Hallowe'en stories are due on Monday, October 24th.

The English 10 short story test's format will be as follows:

10 fill in the blank questions on the stories and/or literary terms.
5 short answers on literary terms
10 short answers on the stories we have read
1 paragraph answer.  I will give you a choice of questions and you choose to answer one.

The test will be marked out of 60.

English 11

You will have a little more time for your short story presentations.  They have been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 27.  Your test on the class short stories and terminology will be on Monday, Oct. 24 and the test on the sight story will be on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

English 10

Tomorrow, you will have 30 minutes to work on your Halloween stories, so bring your draft to class (stories due on Monday, Oct. 24).  Also, we will begin reviewing for the short story test which will be on Tuesday, Oct. 25 (sight story) and Wednesday, Oct. 26 (test on the class stories and terminology).

English 11

Students should be working on their short story presentations.  They should know the main literary elements of their chosen stories, and have some ideas about how they are going to present their stories to the class (conveying plot and teaching a lesson).  All presentations will be due on Monday, October 24th.  I have booked the computers in the library on Wednesday of this week for groups to work together.

Next Thursday, we'll have a test on the short stories we've been reading. In class, students filled out review sheets on "Gentlemen, Your Verdict", "A Handful of Dates", "The Story of an Hour", "A Serious Talk", and "Hills Like White Elephants".  On the test, you'll be expected to know aspects of plot, character, conflict, symbol, irony, point of view, and theme on these stories.  Additionally, students will be asked questions on literary elements outlined in the yellow handouts I have distributed to the class.  You may find these handouts on this website (right hand sidebar) or in my classroom.

English 10

Please complete questions 1-7 on "The Telltale Heart".  Also, begin collecting 5 new academic words and their definitions for Thursday.

English 11

On Monday, make sure you have a theme statement written down for "The Story of an Hour".  Also, on Tuesday, you will have to hand in a coherent, cohesive story or paragraph using a minimum of ten of the class vocabulary words.

English 10, Period 4

Make sure to study the 30 class vocabulary words.  There will be a test on these in a week's time.  On Tuesday, you must hand in a coherent story or paragraph using a minimum of 10 of the class vocabulary words.

English 10 Period 2

Make sure that you study your 30 vocabulary words.  There will be a test on them in a week's time.  Also, complete the questions on "Lamb to the Slaughter".

English 10

After reading the short story "The Doll's House" today, I asked students to write down three questions they had about the story.

The apostrophe retest will be tomorrow as well.

English 10

If you have not already done so, please finish your vocabulary cartoon and bring it to class tomorrow.

I also assigned a writing task on the short story "The Possibility of Evil" to be completed for class on Monday. Choose one of the following writing assignments:

Paragraph: Explain how the roses symbolize Miss Strangeworth. Write a coherent, well organized formal paragraph with a quote.


Poem: Write a poem about the story or a poem that summarizes the story. Be creative, use poetic devices and good detail.


Scene: Write a one page scene from Miss Strangeworth's youth—around the time she and Tommy Lewis left high school. Imagine the day they both became awkwardly formal with each other. Try to shed some light on why and how their relationship changed Write well, be believable and creative.

English 11

Today, we wrote the in-class essay on "A Handful of Dates".  Tomorrow, we'll have a short quiz on apostrophes.

English 10

Answer questions 1, 2, 3, and 5 on the short story "The Possibility of Evil" for tomorrow.  In addition, explain the symbolism of the roses in this story.

English 11

Tomorrow, you will be writing an in-class essay.  It is open book, and you should bring your planning sheet with the cited quotations that you will be using.

English 10, Period 2

Tomorrow, there will be a short quiz on apostrophes.  Also, today in class, we read part of the short story "The Possibility of Evil".  Please do not read any further than p.214, where Miss Strangeworth speaks to the town librarian.  Write down your first impressions of Miss Strangeworth; try to come up with five - six things readers learn about her.

English 10, Period 4

Tomorrow, there will be a short quiz on apostrophes.  Today in class, we read the short story "The Possibility of Evil".  If you missed class, please read no further than page 216.

English 11

The in-class composition is on Wednesday.  Make sure you have filled in your planning sheet; we'll discuss the essay tomorrow in class.

A short quiz on apostrophes is scheduled for Thursday.

English 11

Please fill in the planning chart for the "A Handful of Dates" character analysis assignment; it is due Monday.  In addition, complete the sheet on apostrophes and begin to learn these vocabulary words:

1. prescient (adj):  foresight; having or showing knowledge of the future
2. flinch (v):  make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise or fear
3. perpetuate (v):  to make something continue indefinitely
4. trudge (v): to walk slowly with heavy steps because of exhaustion or difficult conditions/terrain
5. plunge (v): to immerse in water
6. condescending (adj): having or showing feelings of patronizing superiority; haughty
7. hullabaloo (n): a commotion/fuss; a noisy, chaotic situation
8. compel (v): to force or pressure someone to do something; to make something happen by means of force or pressure
9. abstain (v): to restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something; to formally withdraw from the voting process
10. render** (v):  to give or deliver (the jury rendered its verdict); to cause to become/to make (his selfishness rendered us speachless); to represent in art (the image of the sailboat was well rendered); to melt down fat; to cover a wall with plaster

**For our purposes, we will use the first two definitions of render (give or make).

English 10--Period 4

For homework, look at the class vocabulary list we created yesterday, choose four words, and for each word do the following:  find a different form of the word, write either the original or the new form of the word in a sentence, and find at least one related word (look for a word that has a similar root).  Please look at the Period 2 blog entry to see an example of this.

Here is the Period 4 class vocabulary list: (noun=n; adjective=adj; adverb=adv; verb=v)

1. luminescent (adj)
2. elusive (adj)
3. corrosive (adj)
4. cleave (v)
5. gregarious (adj)
6. whirligig (n)
7. azure (adj)
8. invalid (n/adj/v): noun--a person made weak or disabled through injury or illness; adj--something which is untrue/something which is not valid;v--to disable/remove from service
9. opulent (adj)
10. disgruntled (adj)

(For the word invalid, learn the fist definition.)

In addition to this, please write down two truths and a lie about yourself that we can play in class at some point over the course of the semester.

English 10--Period 2

For homework, look at the class vocabulary list we created yesterday, choose four words, and for each word do the following:  find a different form of the word, write either the original or the new form of the word in a sentence, and find at least one related word (look for a word that has a similar root).  Here is the example that I gave the class:

Original word:
Misanthrope (noun):  a hater of mankind; one who avoids human society

Different form of the word:
Misanthropic (adjective)

Used in a sentence:
The misanthropic old man detested all his neighbours.

Related word(s):
Misogyny: hatred or contempt of the female sex
Misandry: hatred or contempt of the male sex

Here is the class vocabulary list: (noun=n; adjective=adj; adverb=adv; verb=v)

1. misanthrope (n)
2. melancholy (n)
3. prepossessing (adj)
4. patriotism (n)
5. taut (adj)
6. fervor (n)
7. rheumy (adj)
8. amenable (adj)
9. archaic (adj)
10. acquiescence (n)

In addition to this, please write down two truths and a lie about yourself that we can play in class at some point over the course of the semester.

English 11

Today, students worked together to answer a number of questions on the short story "A Handful of Dates".  In addition, they handed in their paragraphs on "Gentlemen, Your Verdict".

Tomorrow, students need to bring in five good, academic vocabulary words and their definitions that they have found this week.  Tomorrow, we will make a class vocab list from these words.  Appropriate words are ones that can be found in a standard dictionary, not words with definitions coming from Urban Dictionary.  The aim of this exercise is to expand your academic vocabulary.

English 10

Today, we went over the different elements in the short story "The Inheritor" and did some vocabulary review.

Tomorrow, students need to bring in five good, academic vocabulary words and their definitions that they have found this week.  Tomorrow, we will make a class vocab list from these words.  Appropriate words are ones that can be found in a standard dictionary, not words with definitions coming from Urban Dictionary.  The aim of this exercise is to expand your academic vocabulary.

English 10

After reading "The Inheritor", I assigned questions 1 and 2 from the textbook and questions 1, 4, 5, and 6 from the handout.  I'll do a homework check tomorrow.

Also, you should be keeping an eye open for new good, academic words.  You need to bring five new words and their definitions to class on Friday.

English 11

On Thursday, your paragraph on "Gentlemen, Your Verdict" is due.  Make sure you use at least one or two quotations in your composition.

Also, you should be keeping an eye open for new good, academic words.  You need to bring five new words and their definitions to class on Friday.

English 10

Today in class, students wrote their responses to the quotations.  Homework is just to write definitions for the vocabulary on the flip side of the plot diagram sheet.  Do not worry about the material on the plot side of the handout as we will discuss that in class on Monday.  For anyone who was not present in class today, the vocabulary words are as follows:

1. desolation (noun)
2. refuge (noun)
3. rear (verb)
4. divert (verb)
5. perversion (noun)
6. indomitable (adjective)
7. inimical (adjective)
8. lacerated (verb)
9. ochre (adjective)
10. fleece (noun)
11. vernacular (noun)
12. obliquely (adverb)
13. exquisite (adjective)
14. trussed (verb)
15. propinquity (noun)

Have a good weekend.

English 11

Today in class, students wrote their responses to a quotation.  During the assembly, some students remained in class where they worked on the vocabulary for the short story that we will begin on Monday.  

I did not assign these words to those who were at the assembly because their classmates will teach them these words next day.  If you have not received the list but are itching to know the words, they are as follows:

1.    proverbial (adjective):  

2.    ghastly (adjective): 

3.    clatter (noun):

4.    fathoms (noun):

5.    shuddered (verb):

6.    bow (noun): 

7.    initial (adjective):

8.    impetus (noun):

9.    stern (noun):

10.  bewilderment (noun): 

11.  tender (noun):  a smaller support vessel that might follow a larger ship or submarine for ferrying crew/supplies

Have a happy weekend.

English 12

Now that you have finished the novel, write an expository paragraph on how Holden has changed over the course of the novel (from Chapters 2-25 to the final chapter).

English 10

Please finish the review sheet on capitalization.

English 10

Make sure you have finished the novel.  The four questions I assigned on Wednesday are due on Tuesday.  If you still need to complete the response to "I Lost My Talk", here is the poem:

Now that you have read Chapters 11-15, respond to the poem below about your feelings regarding Saul and his introduction to Saint Jerome’s Indian School. Use any background knowledge you have from class discussion to add detail and depth to your response.  You may respond with a paragraph, a poem, or a hand-drawn image of your own creation.

“I Lost My Talk” by Rita Joe

I lost my talk.

The talk that you took away.

When I was a little girl

At Shubenacadie school.

You snatched it away:

I speak like you

I think like you

I create like you

The scrambled ballad, about my word.

Two ways I talk

Both ways I say,

Your way is more powerful.

So gently I offer my hand and ask,

Let me find my talk

So I can teach you about me.

English 12

Read Chapter 25 and do the questions for  Tuesday.  Use this weekend to rewrite the "Little Shirley Beans" academic paragraph.

The prompt for the response is as follows:

Based upon your understanding of Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye,  why is this piece of fan fiction a particularly effective imagining of the song "Little Shirley Beans" that so captured Holden's attention?  Be sure to comment on the music and lyrics.

English 12

Read Chapter 24 and make sure the questions for the preceding chapters are complete as there will be a homework check.

English 10--all blocks

Students need to finish reading the book by Friday.  The questions I assigned yesterday will be due on Tuesday.  They are as follows:

Answer the following questions with good evidence and quotes.  

1. Explain what hockey means to young Saul in Chapters 20 – 34.
2. In Chapter 21, what does Saul mean that “the biggest crime [to take place at the residential school was]…making [the children] complicit?
3.  In Chapter 32, how would fighting have made Saul “give up his vision of the game”, and why was it so important for him not to give in to those pressuring him to fight?
4. How do the abuse, hockey, and drinking all fit together in Saul’s life?

 Here are your 10 vocabulary words for Week Two:

ossify (v):  turn into bone/boney tissue; harden

namby pamby (adj or n): lacking strength, energy or courage; a person lacking these traits

juxtapose  (v):  place two very different items close together for a contrasting effect

pragmatic (adj): dealing with issues/events in a sensible, realistic and practical way

condone   (v):  to approve something (usually with reluctance); to allow behaviour to

continue (usually the behaviour or actions are offensive)

wraith  (n):  ghost 

vain (adj): excessively proud; conceited

brevity (n): shortness of time/duration; the quality of expressing much in a few words

dapper  (adj): neat and trim in appearance (esp. for a man)

schadenfreude (n): satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune

English 10, Periods 5 and 6

Read to Chapter 33 of the class novel.  Your chapter presentations will happen on Wednesday.

English 10, Period 8

Read to Chapter 27 of the class novel.

English 12

For homework, read Chapters 16 and 17 of the class novel.

English 12

Read Chapters 12 and 13 of Catcher in the Rye.  Make sure your motif assignment is complete up to the end of Chapter 9.  Finally, your personal timelines are due next Monday, April 25th.  The final product should be detailed and legible.

English 10, Period 8

Please read to the beginning of Chapter 15 in Indian Horse.  Your response to the poem, "I Lost My Talk" is due next Thursday.  You can respond with a paragraph, a poem, or a hand-drawn image of your own creation.  You will be marked on the Producing Text rubric, so make sure your response is thoughtful and demonstrates effort.  Finally, you should also be collecting five vocabulary words and definitions; this list is also due on Thursday.  See the previous post if you are missing a copy of the poem.

English 10, Periods 5 and 6

Please read to the beginning of Chapter 20 in Indian Horse.  Your response to the poem, "I Lost My Talk" is due next Thursday.  You can respond with a paragraph, a poem, or a hand-drawn image.  You will be marked on the Producing Text rubric, so make sure your response is thoughtful and demonstrates effort.  Finally, you should also be collecting five vocabulary words and definitions; this list is also due on Thursday.

For those of you who may have been absent on Friday, here is the response assignment:

Now that you have read Chapters 11-15, respond to the poem below about your feelings regarding Saul and his introduction to Saint Jerome’s Indian School. Use any background knowledge you have from class discussion to add detail and depth to your response.  You may respond with a paragraph, a poem, or a hand-drawn image of your own creation.

“I Lost My Talk” by Rita Joe

I lost my talk.

The talk that you took away.

When I was a little girl

At Shubenacadie school.

You snatched it away:

I speak like you

I think like you

I create like you

The scrambled ballad, about my word.

Two ways I talk

Both ways I say,

Your way is more powerful.

So gently I offer my hand and ask,

Let me find my talk

So I can teach you about me.

English 12

Read chapters 10 and 11 and do the chapter questions for 9-11.  Start collecting five new vocabulary words and definitions for next Thursday.  Finally, your Personal Timelines are due Monday, April 25th.

English 10, Period 8

Finish your "First Day" journals and start collecting five new vocabulary words and definitions for next Thursday.

Your vocabulary words for week one are as follows:

Block 8 
1.       sanguine (adj):  optimistic; positive, especially in trying circumstances
2.       ubiquitous (adj):  appearing everywhere at once
3.       harrowing (adj):  acutely distressing
4.       juggernaut (noun):  something which is extremely large, powerful, and unstoppable
5.       superfluous (adj):  unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
6.       foreboding (n):  a feeling that something bad will happen; a premonition of something bad
7.       plight  (n):  a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation
8.       conflagration (n):  an extensive, destructive fire; a large, violent/dangerous situation
9.       (on) tenterhooks (n):  in a state of anxious suspense
10.   ersatz (adj):  an inferior substitute 

English 10, Periods 5 and 6

Read to the end of Chapter 14 of Indian Horse.  Next Thursday, five new vocabulary words and definitions are due, so start collecting them now.

Your vocabulary words for week one are as follows:

Block 5
1.       merit   (v): to deserve
2.       manifest  (v): to demonstrate; to make clear
3.       adroit (adj):  skillful; adept in thought or action
4.       uncanny (adj):  seemingly supernatural; eerily unsettling
5.       supercilious (adj):  behaving or looking as if one is superior to others
6.       sanguine (adj):  optimistic; positive, especially in trying circumstances
7.       ubiquitous (adj):  appearing everywhere at once
8.       harrowing (adj):  acutely distressing
9.       juggernaut  (noun):  something which is extremely large, powerful, and unstoppable
10.   superfluous (adj):  unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Block 6

1    1.        sanguine (adj):  optimistic; positive, especially in trying circumstances
2.       ubiquitous (adj):  appearing everywhere at once
3.       harrowing  (adj):  acutely distressing
4.       juggernaut (noun):  something which is extremely large, powerful, and unstoppable
5.       superfluous (adj):  unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
6.       kaput (adj):  broken; no longer working or effective                     
7.       pique (n):  a sudden burst of anger
8.       fervent (adj): characterized by intense emotion
9.       capricious (adj):  given to sudden, random changes of mood or behaviour; unpredictable
10.     sardonic (adj): grimly mocking; cynical; derisive humour

English 10 Block 8

Please finish the discussion questions on Chapters 1-10 of Indian Horse.

English 10 Blocks 5 and 6

Please read Chapters 11 and 12.  If you have not finished the journal on your first day at school, please do so.

English 12

Please read Chapter 9 of The Catcher in the Rye.  Also, answer the following questions on the reading "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan: Section #1 do questions 1-3 and for Section #2, do questions 1, 2, 4 and 5.

English 12

Read Chapters 7 and 8 of the class novel and answer the questions on Chapters 5-8.
Your first ten vocabulary words for Test #4 are as follows:

1. ubiquitous (adj):  appearing everywhere
2. uncanny (adj):  unsettlingly odd or mysterious; seemingly supernatural
3. uncouth (adj): rough; uncultured; without manners
4. cogent (adj):  clever; logical
5. sham (noun):  falseness; pretense; something counterfeit
6. ardent (adj):  passionate
7. winnow (verb):  to separate into components; to shave down; to separate the "wheat from the chaff" (the good from the bad)
8. vagaries (noun):  random changes
9. ersatz (adj): an inferior substitute
10. demure (adj):  shy; reserved

English 10

Periods 5 and 6:
Answer the discussion questions (#2-5) on the first ten chapters of the class novel.  Be sure to use quotations in all answers except (#4).

English 12

Your vocabulary words are due on Thursday. Also, read Chapters 5 & 6 of the class novel. Use the handout entitled "Discussion Questions" to answer the question assigned to you in class on Tuesday:
Number 1s:  answer question 1
Number 2s: question 4
Number 3s: question 6
Number 4s: question 16
Number 5s: question 20
Number 6s: question 36

Also, we discussed stream of consciousness writing in class.  Some points to remember about this are that this kind of writing is...

1. an intense form of 1st person point of view--readers react intensely to Holden because of this.
2. characterized by the free association of ideas...what is weighing on Holden's mind comes to the fore.
3. full of personal symbolism--the hat, the ducks, the museum, the carousel, a catcher in the rye all mean something to him, so pay attention to what he says when he mentions these things
4. full of discrepancy between his thoughts and his actions (Holden says negative things about people, but then will be nice to them).
5. full of repeated sentence patterns and expressions to let readers know what Holden is really thinking about...

• "sort of", "and all"  Holden uses this kind of hedging, imprecise language because his thoughts are imprecise...he's sorting things out.  This may also show his youth and insecurity
• "That just about killed me"...very intense, odd expression used over and over.  Could this be weighing on his mind?
• slang--he's young
• "goddamn", "chrissakes"--Holden is profane, negative, crass
• "ironical", "phony"--Holden is very concerned with these concepts; angered that things aren't the way he expected them to be and disgusted/confused by the falseness of the adult world.
• switches from "me" to "you" when discussing painful subjects in order to distance himself from them

English 10

Five vocabulary words and definitions are due on Thursday.

Also, if you did not hand in your journal on Tuesday, please do so on Thursday.  In this journal, you were asked to tell be about a time when you experienced significant pain (from an injury, perhaps) or exhilaration (like when you first rode a roller coaster).  Be sure to include descriptions that appeal to at least three of the five senses, and underline these.

If you were absent from class, make sure that you have read up to the end of...
Chapter 5 for Blocks 5 and 6.
Chapter 3 for Block 8.

English 10

Complete the package we began in class on Richard Wagamese.  If you have not completed the paragraph on your name, please do so.  See the previous Grade 10 entry on this site for more information.  Also, you should be in the process of collecting 5 new vocabulary words and definitions for Thursday.

English 12

Please read chapters 2-4 of Catcher in the Rye and answer the questions.  Your vocabulary words (5) are due on Thursday.  Finally, your journal entry on your attitudes on and experiences with profanity are due on Tuesday (about 3/4 of a page of thoughtful content).

English 10

Please write me a well-composed, informal paragraph about how you received your full name.  Does it have a special meaning or connection to another family member?  How did your parents decide on it?  Provide any other details you feel are relevant.  You may use the first person and contractions.

Also, before the break, the class watched two documentaries and did a brief writing assignment on them.  This assignment relates to the novel we are starting; so if you have not completed the task, here it is again:

On Thursday in class, we watched two documentaries which will relate to the novel we will start reading in the next few weeks.  Please watch this one and then write a short response where you outline the three most memorable aspects of it.  Please write in full sentences.  This doesn't have to be an expository paragraph, just write it as a letter to yourself. 

Here is the documentary:

1. "The Angry Eye"-- find it here.

English 12

Collect 5 vocabulary words and their definitions by next Thursday.

English 12

Tomorrow's poetry test will consist of three poems.  For the first poem, you will be asked a question related to theme.  The poem will be one of the following:
"Chicago", "Mending Wall", "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", "The Flea", "Fast Run in the Junkyard" or "The Man Who Finds His Son is a Thief". The second section will consist of two poems that you have not seen before and their related questions.  The third section will be a paragraph response.

English 10, Period 8

Period 8, your words are as follows:

1. lethargic: lacking in energy; sluggish; apathetic
2. panacea: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
3. lunatic: a person with a mental illness (this term is not a term doctors/nurses would use)
4. aphrodisiac: a food, drink, or drug which stimulates physical desire
5. fidelity: loyalty; faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief
6. panorama: a picture or photograph containing a wide view; a complete survey or presentation of a sequence of events
7. mnemonic: a device that helps one to remember (a short poem, and image, a jingle)
8. geriatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of the elderly
9. mortician: one who prepares a corpse for burial or cremation and helps with funeral plans
10. lethal: deadly; the ability to cause death
11. flora: the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
12. fauna: the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
13. cupidity: greed for money and possessions
14. insomnia: an inability to sleep
15. thronged: densely gathered group of people; clustered; massed
16. parentage: the identity or origin of one’s parents
17. illicit: forbidden; taboo
18. narcissist: one who is vain, selfish, overly self-involved
19. venture: a risky undertaking or risky journey
20. dalliance: casual involvement with something (esp. a romantic or sexual relationship)
21. phlegmatic: an unemotional, calm disposition
22. peripatetic: travelling from place to place, esp. working or based in different places
23. inveigle: to persuade someone to do something especially by means of flattery or deception
24. choleric:   bad tempered
25. brood (v): to think deeply on something that causes one unhappiness
26. insouciant: showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
27. callous: having an insensitive or cruel disregard of others
28. admonish: to warn or reprimand firmly; to advise or urge earnestly
29. wistful: having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing; nostalgic
30. to scuttle:  to run hurriedly or furtively with quick steps; to sink one’s own ship
31. thrall:  the state of being in someone’s power or of having great power over others
32. fecund:  producing/capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile
33. festooned:  adorned with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations
34. blasphemy:  profane talk; the act of speaking irreverently about God or other sacred things
35. chasm:  deep fissure in the earth or other surface; a profound difference between people
36. to keen:  to wail in grief for a dead person
37. heathen:  a non believer; what people who belong to a widely held religion call others who do not belong to a world-wide, organized religion
38. forsaken:  abandoned; deserted
39. ministration:  the provision of assistance or care; the services of a minister or religious institution 

English 10 Period 6

Period 6, your words are as follows:

1. panacea: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
2. geriatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of the elderly
3. cupidity: greed for money or possessions
4. fidelity: loyalty; faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief
5. lethargic: lacking in energy; sluggish; apathetic
6. insomnia: an inability to sleep
7. Pangaea: a purported prehistoric super-continent that included all the world's continents before they broke apart
8. martial: of or appropriate to war; warlike
9. flora: the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
10. aphrodisiac: a food, drink, or drug which stimulates physical desire
11. mnemonic: a device that helps one to remember (a short poem, and image, a jingle)
12. fauna: the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
13. thronged: densely gathered group of people; clustered; massed
14. parentage: the identity or origin of one’s parents
15. illicit: forbidden; taboo
16. narcissist: one who is vain, selfish, overly self-involved
17. venture: a risky undertaking or risky journey
18. citadel: a high fortress
19. wither: to become dry and shrivelled
20. dalliance: casual involvement with something (esp. a romantic or sexual relationship)
21. phlegmatic: an unemotional, calm disposition
22. peripatetic: travelling from place to place, esp. working or based in different places
23. inveigle: to persuade someone to do something especially by means of flattery or deception
24. choleric:   bad tempered
25. brood (v): to think deeply on something that causes one unhappiness
26. insouciant: showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
27. callous: having an insensitive or cruel disregard of others
28. admonish: to warn or reprimand firmly; to advise or urge earnestly
29. wistful: having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing; nostalgic
30. to scuttle:  to run hurriedly or furtively with quick steps; to sink one’s own ship
31. thrall:  the state of being in someone’s power or of having great power over others
32. fecund:  producing/capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile
33. festooned:  adorned with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations
34. blasphemy:  profane talk; the act of speaking irreverently about God or other sacred things
35. chasm:  deep fissure in the earth or other surface; a profound difference between people
36. to keen:  to wail in grief for a dead person
37. heathen:  a non believer; what people who belong to a widely held religion call others who do not belong to a world-wide, organized religion
38. forsaken:  abandoned; deserted
39. ministration:  the provision of assistance or care; the services of a minister or religious institution

English 10 Period 5

Period 5, your words are as follows:

1. lethargic: lacking in energy; sluggish; apathetic
2. flora: the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
3. fidelity: loyalty; faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief
4. cupidity: greed for money or possessions
5. aphrodisiac: a food, drink, or drug which stimulates physical desire
6. phobia: an extreme or irrational fear which interferes with a person's life
7. maniac: a person with extreme behaviour, esp. violent or dangerous; an obsessive enthusiast
8. mnemonic: a device that helps one to remember (a short poem, and image, a jingle)
9. mortuary: a funeral home or morgue
10. panacea: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
11. geriatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of the elderly
12. fauna: the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
13. insomnia: an inability to sleep
14. thronged: densely gathered group of people; clustered; massed
15. parentage: the identity or origin of one’s parents
16. illicit: forbidden; taboo
17. narcissist: one who is vain, selfish, overly self-involved
18. venture: a risky undertaking or risky journey
19. citadel: a high fortress
20. wither: to become dry and shrivelled
21. dalliance: casual involvement with something (esp. a romantic or sexual relationship)
22. phlegmatic: an unemotional, calm disposition
23. peripatetic: travelling from place to place, esp. working or based in different places
24. inveigle: to persuade someone to do something especially by means of flattery or deception
25. choleric:  bad tempered
26. brood (v): to think deeply on something that causes one unhappiness
27. insouciant: showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
28. callous: having an insensitive or cruel disregard of others
29. admonish: to warn or reprimand firmly; to advise or urge earnestly
30. wistful: having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing; nostalgic
31. to scuttle:  to run hurriedly or furtively with quick steps; to sink one’s own ship
32. thrall:  the state of being in someone’s power or of having great power over others
33. fecund:  producing/capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile
34. festooned:  adorned with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations
35. blasphemy:  profane talk; the act of speaking irreverently about God or other sacred things
36. chasm:  deep fissure in the earth or other surface; a profound difference between people
37. to keen:  to wail in grief for a dead person
38. heathen:  a non believer; what people who belong to a widely held religion call others who do not belong to a world-wide, organized religion
39. forsaken:  abandoned; deserted
40. ministration:  the provision of assistance or care; the services of a minister or religious institution