English 8

Tonight, read Chapter 11 and do the questions for Chapters 10 and 11.  Begin planning your comic strip project, which is due on March 27th.  Also, find the definitions for the following vocabulary words:

Vocabulary from chapters 9-12

1.    underprivileged (adj)

2.    conformity (noun)

3.    rueful (adj)

4.    leery (adj)

5.    taut (adj)

6.    contract (verb and noun)

7.    stupor (noun)

8.    stricken (adj)

9.    delirious (adj)

10.    clad (adj)

11.    idolized (verb)

12.    hearing (noun) - an appearance in front of a judge before a trial

13.    guardian (noun)

14.    liable (adj)

15.    flinching (adj)

16.    acquittal (noun)

17.    vacuum (noun)

18.    veered (verb)

19.    welled (verb)

20.    vast (adj)

English 8

Read Chapter 10 of the novel, and answer the questions on the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay".

Socials 10

Make sure you complete the handouts that cover pages 130 - 158.  I'll give you a quiz based on these sheets on Wednesday.

English 12, Block 7

Hi class, here is your work from Ms. Lambert:

Read and do the chapter questions for Chapters 13-15 for The Catcher in the Rye. Also, continue to work on your sociogram.

English 10

Your final five visual journals will be due when the classes finish reading the novel.  You can improve your journal marks by making the changes I've given you and by looking carefully at the rubric for the assignment.  Here is a refresher for what is necessary:

1. For every three chapters, select a quotation.
2. Explain where in the novel this quotation appears.
3. Explain why you chose this quotation (This should include what appealed to you personally about it and why this quote is significant to the story.  Does it tell you more about the characters or the themes in the novel? A more detailed response is better )
4. Include an image (or images) in your response and explain why you have included it (them).  If you are not a good artist, use collage or photos from the internet.  Use symbolic images or cartoons based on the same topics; try to be creative in your thought processes.

English 12

If you are missing any assignments, hand them in as soon as possible.  The cut of date for term two looms!!! It would be in your favour to submit any late work as soon as possible.

See me at lunch or after school in Room C203 tomorrow or Thursday.

English 8

Answer the questions for Chapter 7 for homework.  Continue to review the vocabulary words for Chapters 5-8 because  your next vocabulary test will be on Monday.

Socials 10

On Thursday, you will be writing your response to your question on modern conflicts.  If you have any questions about this, you can see me at lunch or after school on Wednesday in Room C203.

I will be collecting a package of your paperwork before you write your response.  Make sure that you have these completed handouts:

1. A Detailed Action Plan
2. Note Sheet 1 (the four W's --who, what, when, and where--of your conflict)
3. Note Sheet 2 (the fifth W--what are the causes and complexities of the conflict)
4. Note Sheet 3 (an alternate perspective on the conflict)
5. OVPL Sheet (the sheet that assesses the value of three of your sources)

To write your response to your research question, you will be able to have the handout on necessary vocabulary on your conflict as well as a concept map made from that vocabulary.  

I will take in the vocabulary sheet, concept map, and response at the end of class.

English 12

Read up to Chapter 6.  People in Block 7 need to answer the questions for Chapters 3-5.  People in Block 4 need to answer questions for Chapters 5 and 6.

During the last class of the week, you will write an in-class narrative essay.  You will have a choice of three writing prompts:

1. A life lesson
2. An important choice
3. A time when you felt an extreme emotion or extreme pain.

You must try to include at least three figurative devices (metaphors, similies, hyperboles, personification and so on) and three different kinds of sense imagery (sight, sound, taste, touch or  smell).

You can bring the following materials to that class:

• handouts on narrative essays to class
• a half page of notes  You may not pre-write the essay.  
• a paper dictionary to class or use the ones provided.

Electronic dictionaries and pre-written rough copies will not be allowed.

English 10

If you are a juror, complete the news article for Tuesday.  You need to write a news article about what has been happening in Maycomb.  This is the first day of the trial, so you cannot write about what happens during the court proceedings.  Your article must be 3/4 of a page long, single spaced and include an image in the remaining 1/4 page.  Remember to include two quotations (that you actually create) from two characters in the novel.

English 8

Finish the sheet on adverbs, complete the reading on Chapter 5 of  The Outsiders, and begin work on your postcard project.

Socials 10

Next class, we will continue with research on modern conflicts.  Feel free to do research at home as well, and remember to keep track of your sources.

English 12, Block 7

Tonight, simply read Chapter 26 of Catcher in the Rye.

English 8

For homework tonight, complete the adverb homework--the first exercise on page 3 of the package.  Also, complete the worksheet on character and conflict in The Outsiders. Finally, study your vocabulary words as there will be a quiz on all twenty words on Thursday.  The vocabulary words are as follows:

Vocabulary from Chapters 1 - 4

1. resignedly (adv)

2. acquired (verb)

3. clammy (adj)

4. defiance (noun)

5. contemptuous (adj)

6. glaring (adj)

7. reckless (adj)

8. sheepish (adj)

9. premonition (noun)

10. ember (noun)

11. apprehensive (adj)

12. gingerly (adv)

13. incredulous (adj)

14. nonchalantly (adv)

15. rarities (noun)

16. roguishly (adv)

17. sagely (adv)

18. stocky (adj)

19. unfathomable (adj)

20. gallantly (adv)

Socials 10

You should have a preliminary research question formulated for the class project on modern conflicts.  Also, you should have completed detailed notes on the 4 Ws of a specific conflict (Who is involved? Where is the conflict? When did the conflict happen or if it is ongoing, when did it begin?  What exactly was/is the conflict?).  Do not worry about answering a why question yet.

We will continue with the iPads in class on Thursday.

English 12, Block 4

For homework, make sure that your responses to Chapters 1 and 2 are complete.  Also, read Chapter 26 and come up with three ways the Holden in Chapter 26 is similar to the Holden in Chapter 1, and three ways he has changed.

English 10

For homework, finish the questions on Chapter 15 and make sure that your response to this quick write prompt is complete:

Quick write #5:  February 2 --  If you had one final day left on Earth, what would you want for your last supper?  Explain in detail.  You should respond to this prompt in about half a page minimum.

By the way, the other four quick-write responses from weeks past were the following:

Quick write #4:  Jan. 15 -- Respond to the article "Why I joined the KKK" with any questions, comments or connections you see between this article and the world today.
Quick write #3:  Jan. 7 -- Tell about a time when you judged someone unfairly or were judged unfairly by someone else.

Quick write #2:  Jan. 5 -- Think back to your elementary school days.  Describe a favourite early memory and your worst early memory.

Quick write #1:  Dec. 16 -- Tell what you considered to be an act of bravery when you were a child, and then describe what you consider to be an act of bravery today.

Also, remember that the first five visual journals are due this Friday.

English 12, Block 4

Answer the questions for Chapters 1 and 2 for Catcher in the Rye.  Start working on your personal timelines.

English 10

This weekend, read Chapter 15 and answer the questions for Chapter 14.  On Monday, you will have a quiz on Chapters 1-13.  It will not be open book, but you can refer to your question answers which we have completed in class.  The topics on the quiz will concern important lessons and characters' values.  In addition, the quiz will also touch on the judgments people make in the novel.

I will collect the first five visual journals on Friday of next week, so make sure they are complete.

Grade 8

Finish reading Chapter 3 and do the questions for Chapter 2, plus Chapter 3 questions #1-4.

English 12

Make sure that your group is ready to present.  Start reading Catcher in the Rye, as we will begin discussing the book some time this week.

English 10

This weekend, finish reading Chapter 12, and complete the questions for Chapter 11.  You should have four visual journals completed.  I will collect your first five the week of February 2.

Socials 10

On the pink sheet of paper, create a cartoon or brief notes to summarize the information given in class on the reasons for Confederation.  Search "world conflicts" to begin researching the global conflict you want to investigate.

English 8

Answer question numbers 3-6 on Chapter One of The Outsiders.  Also, provide the definitions for the next ten words on your vocabulary list.

English 12, Block 7

Your synthesis essays are due on January 21st.  Begin working on your personal timelines--I will be collecting them in about a week and a half.  You should begin reading Catcher in the Rye.  Aim for about ten pages a day.

Today's journal topic was as follows:

It is three days before Christmas break, and you have just been expelled from your boarding school (again).  Your parents haven't been notified yet, so they are not expecting you home.  You arrive in Vancouver with a credit card and three days to kill before you have to face your family.  Essentially, you are free to do as you wish.  How do you spend your time?

English 8

Make sure you finish the first page of the adverb package.  Also, have definitions for the following vocabulary words for next class:

1. resignedly (adv)
2. acquired (verb)
3. clammy (adj)
4. defiance (noun)
5. contemptuous (adj)
6. glaring (adj)
7. reckless (adj)
8. sheepish (adj)
9. premonition (noun)
10. ember (noun)

English 12

Your synthesis essays are due January 21st.  Group presentations will begin the next class--Thursday or Friday depending upon which day your class falls.

Socials 10

Make sure you read the handout entitled "Victorian Times and the Aboriginal People" and answer the 15 questions on the last page.  You may answer them in point form.

English 8

Here are the questions for "The Sentry".
1.  What do you think the protagonist looks like, based upon the information given in the story.
2.  Fill in the following blanks     
     a.  protagonist:   _____________________________     
     b.  antagonist:    _____________________________     
     c.  conflict:          _____________________________
3.  Who is telling the story? (Do not give the author's name.)
4.  What is the irony in the story?
5.  Why does the author surprise use.  That is, what does this say about humanity?

Grade 10

This weekend, finish reading Chapter 9 and answer the questions for it.  Also, as we have reached this point in the book, you should have finished your first three visual journals for Wednesday.  Remember, each entry should do the following:
1.  contain a quotation from one of the three chapters in the book for that entry
2.  contain a visual for that quote
3.  explain the circumstances around the quote (who is the speaker, what is the subject, why is he/she saying this)
4.  explain why this quote in particular appealed to you
5.  explain why you included the specific image you did

Also, over the past few weeks, we have been doing 10 minute quick response writing exercises in class on various prompts.  Here are the four we have done to date:


1.  Dec. 16 -- Tell what you considered to be an act of bravery when you were a child, and then describe what you consider to be an act of bravery today.
2.  Jan. 5 -- Think back to your elementary school days.  Describe a favourite early memory and your worst early memory.
3.  Jan 7 -- Tell about a time when you judged someone unfairly or were judged unfairly by someone else.
4.  Jan 15 -- Respond to the article "Why I joined the KKK" with any questions, comments or connections you see between this article and the world today.

Please make sure you are up to date with the quick response writing prompts, too.

English 12

Your synthesis essays are due next week (Jan. 21).  Groups will begin their presentations on Thursday or Friday, depending upon which day their class falls.

English 8

Make sure your sheet on adjectives is complete.  Also, create two mind maps for "Leiningen Versus the Ants".  One is entitled "Leiningen is a lucky and reckless man", and the other is entitled "Leiningen is a brave and resourceful man".  Give five good reasons for each map.

Then, once you have completed the maps, give your own assessment of Leiningen in a few sentences. Provide at least three good reasons to explain your opinion of him.

Socials 10

Be ready to write the "quest" on the Upper Canada Rebellion.  Also, make sure that you have read pages 42-45 in your text and answered question 5.  You do not have to write a paragraph, just record the three points that indicate why Britons would not be pleased with Lord Durham's report.

Socials 10

Complete a large concept map for the Upper Canada Rebellions, and be read to write the fist quiz (with your own concept map) on Monday.

Grade 8

For homework, write a text conversation between two ants in different places within the swarm.  Make sure each ant has texted at least three times.  Do not worry if you are unfamiliar with texting slang; you may write in standard English.  If you choose to use texting slang, avoid profanity.

English 12

Make sure that you have chosen a short story to present to the class. You will have library time to work in your groups this week.  Block 7 should finish questions 7 and 8 on the sheet on "The Destructors".

English 10

Read Chapters 4 and 5 of To Kill A Mockingbird and answer the questions on Chapter 4.  Be sure to have your first visual journal entry ready for submission tomorrow.

English 12

Make sure you finish the questions on "The Destructors". Also, begin working on your take-home synthesis essay, which is due on Wednesday, January 21.  Finally, begin scanning your short story text book for a new piece that your group can teach to the class.  Details for that assignment will be distributed on Wednesday.

English 10

Today, we reviewed Chapter One of To Kill A Mockingbird, answered some chapter questions, wrote a journal entry, read Chapter Two, and reviewed the IB project for the novel unit (a visual journal of the book). 

The two quick write journal topics we have done so far are as follows:

Dec. 16 -- Tell what you considered to be an act of bravery when you were a child, and then describe what you consider to be an act of bravery today.

Jan. 5 -- Think back to your elementary school days.  Describe a favourite early memory and your worst early memory.

Your journal entries should be at minimum half a page in length, double spaced.

For homework, make sure your quick write journals are complete and answer the questions on Chapter Two.  If you would like to hear an audio version of the novel, look at the right sidebar of this blog.  Click on "Grade 10 Novel".  Here, you will find MP3 recordings for most of the chapters.  Also, note that your first IB visual response journal entry is due next Tuesday, January 13th.

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.