English 11

Read over the September Poems handout and choose three.  For each of the three, write one interesting thing that you notice.
Also, write down three reasons why Macbeth is responsible for his own downfall, and then write down three reasons why Lady Macbeth and the witches are responsible for Macbeth's downfall.

English 10

Your narrative essays are due on Monday.  The prompt is as follows:  tell of time that you felt intense physical pain.  Remember that your essay should have at least a beginning paragraph, a middle paragraph, and an end paragraph.  You can have more paragraphs, but the basic beginning (where you set the scene), middle (where you describe how you hurt yourself), and ending (where you state what you learned from this experience or how this incident changed you in some way).
Also, be sure to include at least two poetic devices (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, or alliteration) and underline them.
Finally, be sure to include at least three different sensory images and underline them.

English 11

Complete the white sheet on sentence errors.  Then, answer the questions on the blue study guide on the scenes we read today in Act IV.

English 10

Answer the questions (#1-8) on the pink Romeo and Juliet study guide for Act I, scene i.

English 10

Today in class, we went over the prologue and much of Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet.  If you missed class, read to line 100 of Act I, scene i for tomorrow.

English 11

Today, we read Act III, scenes i-iii.  Answer the study guide questions for tomorrow on these scenes.

I also gave out the final vocabulary words.  Period 3, here are your words:

1. loathesome (adj):  causing feelings of hatred or disgust; repulsive

2. supplication (n):  the action of begging for something earnestly or humbly

3. refurbish (v):  renovate or redecorate (especially a building)

4. denote (v):  to indicate; to be a sign of something

5. subsequent (adj): coming after something in time; following

6. polymath (n): a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning

7. vainglorious (adj): excessively proud of oneself or one’s achievements

8. ubiquitous (ajd):  appearing or found everywhere

9. debauchery (n):  excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures

10. harbinger (n):  a person or thing that signals or announces the entrance of another

11. to become (v):  to look good on someone; to make him or her more attractive

12. corporeal (adj): relating to a person’s body, especially as opposed to a person’s spirit

13. vaulting (adj): jumping

14. husbandry (n): the care, cultivation and breeding of crops and animals

15. compunction (n): feelings of guilt; pangs of conscience

16. equivocator (n): a person who does not speak the whole truth or speaks ambiguously

17. surmise (v): to suppose something is true without any evidence

18. cleave (v): to split or sever especially along a natural grain; OR to join together****

19. palpable (adj): able to be touched or felt; a feeling so intense that it is almost intangible

20. largess (n): generosity in giving money or gifts to others

21. dauntless (adj):  fearless

22. rebuke (v):  scold; reprimand harshly

23. barren (adj):  childless; infertile

24. defile (v):  make dirty or corrupt morally

25. incensed (adj):  enraged; angry

26. sundry (adj):  various; several

27. jocund (adj):  jouful

28. drowse (v):  be dull and sleepy; be half asleep

29. mirth (n):  joy

30. infirmity (n):  a physical or mental weakness

Period 4, here are your words:

1. aptitude (n):  natural ability or skill
2. talisman (n): an object thought to bring good luck
3. harassment (n):  intimidation; aggressive pressure
4. guzzle (v):  to drink quickly or greedily
5. incondite (adj):  crude or poorly constructed (often pertaining to literature); lacking refinement
6. harbinger (n):  a person or thing that signals or announces the entrance of another
7. hilt (n):  the handle of a weapon or a tool
8. purportedly (adv):  claimed to be true
9. herculean (adj): having or requiring great strength (note the spelling)
10. tenuous (adj): not substantial; weak; slight; flimsy

11. to become (v):  to look good on someone; to make him or her more attractive

12. corporeal (adj): relating to a person’s body, especially as opposed to a person’s spirit

13. vaulting (adj): jumping

14. husbandry (n): the care, cultivation and breeding of crops and animals

15. compunction (n): feelings of guilt; pangs of conscience

16. equivocator (n): a person who does not speak the whole truth or speaks ambiguously

17. surmise (v): to suppose something is true without any evidence

18. cleave (v): to split or sever especially along a natural grain; OR to join together****

19. palpable (adj): able to be touched or felt; a feeling so intense that it is almost intangible

20. largess (n): generosity in giving money or gifts to others

21. dauntless (adj):  fearless

22. rebuke (v):  scold; reprimand harshly

23. barren (adj):  childless; infertile

24. defile (v):  make dirty or corrupt morally

25. incensed (adj):  enraged; angry

26. sundry (adj):  various; several

27. jocund (adj):  jouful

28. drowse (v):  be dull and sleepy; be half asleep

29. mirth (n):  joy

30. infirmity (n):  a physical or mental weakness

English 10

Today, students handed in their extended metaphors and we collected eleven new vocabulary words.  Students were asked to read to page 212 for tomorrow.

The new vocabulary words are as follows:
1. sagacious (adj): showing great wisdom/intelligence
2. interlocutor (n):  a person who takes part in a conversation
3. brag (v):  to boast or show off
4. compel (v): to force someone to do something or make something happen
5. leverage (n/v): noun--the power to influence people, things or events/ the power to act effective verb--to support or to take action in order to be more financially secure; to use something to maximum advantage
6. retort (v):  to reply quickly in an angry or witty manner
7. poise (n):  balance/control of bodily movements; showing dignity and self-confidence
8. formidable (adj):  hard to handle or overcome; awe-inspiring in terms of size or excellence; causing fear or dread
9. indict (v): formally accuse or charge with a crime
10. meticulous (adj): showing extreme attention to detail
11. diligent (adj):  hard working; completing work with care and attention

English 11

Period 3:  Today in class, we did a self-test on who controls each student's fate.  Then, we watched different movie versions of I,i.

If students have not already done so, they should bring their five vocabulary words and definitions to school tomorrow.

Period 4:  Today, we discussed the Great Chain of Being, read I, ii, and came up with a list of our next 10 vocabulary words, which are as follows:
1. aptitude (n):  natural ability or skill
2. talisman (n): an object thought to bring good luck
3. harassment (n):  intimidation; aggressive pressure
4. guzzle (v):  to drink quickly or greedily
5. incondite (adj):  crude or poorly constructed (often pertaining to literature); lacking refinement
6. harbinger (n):  a person or thing that signals or announces the entrance of another
7. hilt (n):  the handle of a weapon or a tool
8. purportedly (adv):  claimed to be true
9. herculean (adj): having or requiring great strength (note the spelling)
10. tenuous (adj): not substantial; weak; slight; flimsy

English 11

Today, the students were given this writing assignment:

“When you’ve finished writing the test, write a letter to someone who has irritated you.  Feel free to insult that person as creatively as possible.  Try to fill up an entire page.  Explain how this person’s actions have annoyed you and what you would like to see happen. If you are seriously venting your spleen, don’t overtly identify your subject as I don’t want to read colleagues’ or students’ names.  I you and your friend are exchanging insults, make sure you are both aware of this fact.”

Bring your letters to class tomorrow.

Also, begin collecting good, academic vocabulary words again--your next 5 words and definitions are due on Monday, May 15th.

English 10

Your extended metaphors are due on Monday, May 15th.  Tonight, read up to page 140.  Also, have your investigations ready for the start of class tomorrow.
Begin collecting good, academic vocabulary words again--your next 5 words and definitions are due on Monday, May 15th.

English 11 notes on power in the novel

Power—Period 3

• The Combine, women and Mack all wield power.  When thinking about women, Harding says, “we are the victims of a matriarchy”.  Many patients are in hospital because of women.  Billy is too tied to his mother and has no confidence, Chief was really affected by how his mother beat down his father and took his power, Harding has a terrible marriage and his wife doesn’t help him get better, and the nurse deprives men of their masculinity.
• Mack’s power comes from his personality and his genuine laughter emboldens the men/heals the men.
• Mack has a great deal of power, but not enough to conquer the nurse’s power because the authorities have ultimate power.  The nurse is very controlling and uses her power to keep the men down.  She has the power of the institution and society behind her.  The orderlies get their power from her.  Even the doctors defer to her (nurse is powerful because she knows how to use fear to manipulate even those considered to be above her in status).  As for the patients, if they don’t follow the rules, they will be punished.  The Combine/machinery will punish individuals who step out of line.  When power shifts, she feels threatened.
• This ties in with the power of the Combine.  Whatever the authorities think is sane becomes right.  People like Murphy are agents of change in society.  They challenge society’s assumptions about what is accepted.
• Chief talks about power on p. 137.  He says that he can’t help the others because if he does, he’ll leave himself wide open to attack.  The men actually have power but don’t realize it.  Most of them could walk out of the institution under their own steam because they are voluntary patients.  The institution is society that will punish people who do not follow the rules.
• During the fishing trip, the men realize that they have power that they can use to their advantage…the power of mental illness.
• Mack had a great impact on the patients.  The nurse loses control to him and Mack loses his life to her, but he has a lasting effect on the men on the ward.  Mack was the first to stand up to the nurse and opened up the idea of rebellion, but the nurse always had to win.  She had a ‘don’t test me’ attitude.
• Kesey does a good job of representing the power of sexuality.  Harding fears his own sexuality, Billy fears his too—he has never been with a woman.  Being openly sexual is frowned upon, Kesey wants people to be more open. 
• Chief’s silence comes from his lack of power.  He begins speaking when he begins feeling more powerful.  On p. 8, he says “I’ve been silent so long” and he talks about his story being true even if it didn’t happen.   Often if people have experienced something bad, it’s hard for them to express themselves.  It’s easier to say nothing, but Chief has been silent for so long that he is going to tell his story.  Nurse worked hard to take away all the men’s voices.
• Society is like the nurse and never thinks it is doing anything harmful, but Kesey shows us what society is doing.   With power comes influence.
• Mack uses his power for good. He doesn’t think the patients are that ill.  He thinks they would be fine to be out in society, and this gives them the confidence to leave the hospital.
• Under democracy can be subverted to maintain an authoritarian status quo.
• Power is where people believe it to be.  Mack is in a worse spot than most of the other patients (he’s committed), but because the men believe in him, he has power.

Power—Period 4

• On p. 185, Harding says “this world belongs to the strong…we must face up to this”.  The weak are fearful and hide in their fog.
• Fear is used by those in power to control the weak and gain power.  Harding also talks of rabbits and wolves.  The rabbits are happy to give their power to the wolves.
• The nurse feels very responsible to do her duty…this turns her into a robotic woman.
• Chief at the start of the book hides from those in power.  When he is taken to the shaving room he says “I don’t yell, otherwise it’s just tougher on you”.
• Mack shows off his power on the ward in order to gain authority.
• Size is also used to show power.
• Those with power can manipulate others (Mack persuades Turkle to let in the women for the party).  Nurse gets her power from her connections (to the head of the hospital and Billy’s mum). 
• EST and lobotomies are the ways in which society wields power.

English 11 Fishbowl notes on fear in the novel

Fear—Period 3

• Fear of nurse’s authority is what keeps the men in hospital.  Authority keeps them sick.  A doctor even said this about the nurse “All my veins are running ammonia” showing that everyone fears her. 
• At one point Billy says, “Sure, if I had the guts I could go outside today”.  He doesn’t have the guts because the nurse uses fear to keep him down.  Every time progress seems to happen, the nurse brings up something to make him feel insecure.   As part of her therapy, Nurse keeps telling the men that they cannot fit into society.  As soon as they seem to recover, she brings up something terrible about them to push them back down.
• The nurse’s notebook is a symbol of fear—fear of what is in the book…what could be in the book.  The book forces people to turn on each other.  The nurse has the power of the Combine behind her and she has power over people by manipulating their fears and desires. Powerful people can use fear to control others.  Fear reduces personal power and makes people do things they would not normally do. 
• Laughter is also a symbol.  Some fear it.  When Mack enters the hospital, he opens up a new way of looking at the world to the patients.  They begin to realize that laughter makes a person strong, independent.   The patients have forgotten that they can fit in/be accepted.  Laughter is the antidote to fear.
• Mack shows the patients a way of getting over their fears and pulls them out of the fog.
• The fog is also closely linked to fear.  Chief slips into it and away from reality in order to find comfort.  They become reliant on the fog.  Leaving the fog means leaving one’s comfort zone, but when it clears, Chief finds he can leave the hospital.
• The nurse is also fearful.  She fears losing control over the patients.  Her therapy doesn’t make anything better.  Is this because she thinks the patients are hopeless? She even tries to hide her sexuality/femininity while on the ward. 
• The 1960s saw the beginnings of social change.  Mack is an instrument of social change.
• The Disturbed ward, lobotomies and EST are used as fear tactics to control the patients.  They fear pain and losing themselves completely by becoming vegetables.  The lobotomy cuts to the men’s deepest fears.  When Mack was turned into a vegetable, none of the men in the movie seemed scared that Chief murdered him.  They knew that being a vegetable was worse than being killed.
• Men fear the medicines that are supposed to make them better.
• Mack fears staying on the ward forever and going back to the work farm.  What was his childhood like?  He empowers the men and takes away their fear, but this tires him.
• Harding fears being outed as gay.  “The finger of society” is pointing at me. 
• Billy fears his mum’s judgement. P. 315
• There is a big connection between fear and power.  What’s the best way to gain power?
• Mack is not perfect.
• How does laughter connect to power?

  Fear—Period 4

• Nurse is a symbol of fear for all the men…but each man fears something different.  The patients are scared to change anything, but Mack encourages them and this gives them strength. 
• The goals and conflicts between nurse and Mack show power.
• Mack fears being stuck inside the hospital. Mack was scared and put on a show for the men on the ward.  He becomes fearful when he keeps having to go up against the system.  Chief notes how pale and tired he looks.
• Fear is used to control and manipulate.  An example of this is how Nurse breaks Billy by threatening to tell his mum about Candy.  P. 315
• EST and lobotomy are used as fearful tools of control and not therapies.
• The patients have been milled by the Combine and they see Mack’s freedom and are empowered by it.  Mack become a martyr because he can’t break the system…it breaks him.  His flame is extinguished, but he inspires others to want to leave the hospital and be free. 
• All this ties into the idea of rabbits and wolves.  The men feel that they are and always have been rabbits.  They have given up their power to be “protected” by the wolves (admin). They rely on the wolves to protect them from the harshness of the world.  By the end of the novel they are no longer rabbits, they are now men.
• There is no therapy in this place.  The nurse uses implication and undermines trust between the men in order to rule by fear.  She rules by dividing them as much as possible.
• The fog is a place to go when the Chief feels fearful.  Drugs also cause the fog.
• The concept of big vs. small also fits into the topic of fear as those who are “small” feel  fearful and weak.  Those who are big feel strong mentally.
• The control panel fits into this topic because when Chief finds courage, he realizes he can break it and use it to escape the hospital.
• People with authority act like they have authority and people listen to them.  At the start of the book, the men were afraid of those in power, at the end they were less so.
• How does fear connect to our world and our lives?
• The music is like nurse on the ward.  Her presence can be felt everywhere.

English 11 Fishbowl Notes on society in the novel

Society--Period 3

• Modern society is like the mental institution
• Everyone has a role in the power struggle…nurse has power and is the rule maker
• She’s an example of callous leaders in the real world—some figures who resemble her would be dictators
• Mack and the others are people in society who are looked down upon
• Nurse doesn’t look down on others--she is a tool used by the asylum….the patients aren’t really crazy, they could still be functioning members of society, but they aren’t typical.  The asylum pulls people back from being individuals and tries to fix what isn’t broken
• This is very different from Mack who wants to let people be themselves.
• The patients aren’t really very sick, they are just scared of the world and want to hide in the hospital.
• For example, Harding was just gay.  He didn’t feel safe in society, so he went to the hospital where he felt safe.
• The hospital is a microcosm of society and anyone who doesn’t fit must be changed to fit society’s standards
• Those without power must obey those who do; that’s why the men obey the nurse.
• The hospital is a symbol of society, filled with people who do not fit. 
• The Combine represents evil forces in society that mill people down, make them uniform and the same.  The Combine is also all the rules and expectations set out for people in society.  Nurse Rachet is a representative of the Combine and “the ward is a factory for the combine” page 40.  The nurse wants everyone to be the same and Mack wants people to be individuals.
• Mack allows the men to see themselves for who they are because they have lost touch with that.
• Nurse wields her power sneakily.  She never directly attacks them, she implies stuff.  This is similar in society where people are judged in the same way
• A hint is made about someone and whoever says it sits back and lets the others attack the target.
• Nurse likes people to be uniform and compliant…a repressive society demands uniformity and compliance.  She refuses to change schedules even. 
• Electroshock therapy and lobotomies are also tools of repression and punishment given to those who do not follow society’s rules.
• Consequences for those who don’t act the same way
• Society demands that people conform to its rules.
• Harding notes that the “finger of society” was pointing at him because he was different.  Society beats down those like Mack (the individuals).  Society would rather just lock away people who are different, electrocute it away.  Society would prefer to have an emotionless vegetable than deal with someone with problems (p.250ish quote).
• Nurse’s adherence to a schedule is like how society pushes people into living structured lives…you must go to college to get a job to afford a family  etc.
• Mack was the self-sacrificing individual who helped people find their place/voice in society and he is also a symbol of the way society oppresses individuals.
• Mack’s laughter is his strength and shows he didn’t fit into society’s plan for him.

Society--Period 4

• Society decides who has power and who doesn’t/what is acceptable and what is not.
• The Combine is a symbol of how society affects people—it mills them down like pieces of wheat. The nurse is an official for the Combine (p. 192)
• On p. 64, Harding says “The world belongs to the strong”
• When Mack wears his whale shorts, this shows that he is not wearing the “uniform” society (the hospital) wants to dress him in.  This shows he is an individual who rebels against the rules.
• When the patient in Disturbed killed himself in the toilet, Chief wonders why he did it and said “all he had to do was wait” because the institution would eventually kill him.  The Combine cuts down people and keeps going until you are “fixed” and are the same like everyone else (p.221)
• The machines area what runs the Combine, the machines are the ways in which society controls individuals and supresses their impulses.
• When Chief has a nightmare that someone on the ward dies, the victim is full of rust not blood.  This shows that the hospital has stripped this patient (and others) of their humanity.
• The fog is where the patients go to escape the Combine and nurse’s rules.  Mack reaches into it and brings them out.
• All the people in the hospital are there because society sees them as problems.  They’ve been pushed out of society and into the hospital…and the hospital is no escape.
• Harding has been made to feel shame just for who he is.
• When Mack smashes the glass window, he is showing that society’s rules can be broken/that they are fragile.
• Authority figures are feared by the patients and the powerful use this fear to manipulate them.
• Change can happen when people band together…like the patients who rally around Mack.

English 10

Late investigation sheets are due on Tuesday.  Make sure you have read up to page 61 of the novel.  Answer the pp. 22-28 questions #1, 2, 3 AND pp. 28-32 questions #1, 3, 4 for tomorrow.  Remember, too, that the next vocabulary quiz will be on Friday.

English 10

The investigation sheet is due on Monday.  Make sure you read until page 61 this weekend. Your vocabulary quiz will be next Friday.

English 11

Your next vocab quiz will be on May 8.  Make sure you prepare with notes, quotes, symbols and thesis statements for the fishbowl discussion next Tuesday.

English 10

Tonight, read to page 34 of the book and answer questions 2, 3, 4, and 6 from the third section (pp.12-21).

English 10

1.       We red until Chapter 19 in the class novel, and I assigned the following work for tomorrow:

a.       Fill out the character sheet (point form) for Christopher, Wellington, Mrs. Shears,         and Siobhan (fill out the information for Siobhan on the back of the sheet).

b.      Pp. 1-4, question #s 1, 2, 5

c.       Pp. 4-12, question #s 1, 2, 4

Also, don't forget to continue reviewing your vocabulary words. There will be a test next week on them.

English 11

Tonight, complete the answers to the questions for Chapters 16 and 17.  Also, read to page 181.  Your next vocabulary test will be in approximately two weeks.

English 10

Today, students were given the class vocabulary list of 30 words taken from the last three readings.  The next vocabulary test will be in two weeks.

English 11

Tonight, answer questions 1, 2, 3, & 4 for Chapter 15.  Also, read Chapter 16.

English 11

This weekend, read to page 125 (the end of Chapter 11).  I'll give you time in class on Monday to answer the questions.  Period 4 will have a reading quiz on Chapters 8-11--so make sure you are up to date!

English 10

For Monday, complete the worksheets on fragments and run-on sentences.  Also, write down your first reactions to "The Metaphor".  What did you like about it?  What did you dislike?  Did it remind you of anything?  Did you find anything confusing about the story?

English 11

Tonight, read to the end of Chapter 8 (p. 101).  I'll give you time in class to answer the chapter questions.

English 11

Read to the bottom of page 55.  Period 4, prepare an answer for Chapter 4 #4.

English 10

You have the CHOICE of doing one of the following two writing options:

Choose one of the following options:

1. Writing as the old man with the vulture eye, compose a letter to a friend when you talk about your new roommate.  Describe your impressions of him and the interactions you have had with him.  Be creative!  Your letter should be a page to a page and a half in length.

OR

2. Writing as the murderer, compose a newspaper announcement where you are seeking a new roommate.  Describe the kind of person you would like as a “roomie”, and the kind of person you are.  Definitely include engaging details. This announcement should also be about a page in length.

This assignment is due on Monday.  Make sure that your subjects and verbs agree in all your sentences.

English 11

Period 3
Make sure your presentations are ready for Monday.  Also, read to the end of page 41 in the class novel and answer questions 1, 2, and 4 for Chapter 4.

Period 4
For those of you who still have to present, you will do so on Monday. Also, do the same reading and questions as assigned for Period 3.

English 11

Period 4
As you had your in-class essay today, your only homework is to answer questions 2, 4, 5, and 6 on "A Lady's Beaded Bag".

Period 3
Make sure that your planning sheet is complete for Tuesday's in-class essay.

English 10

Come up with one good question about the short story we read in class on Friday.

English 11--Period 3

Finish the questions on the short story for homework tonight.

English 11

Period 3

Finish the chart on the grandfather, grandson, and Masoud.   The chart should indicate 5 things that you learn about each person.

Period 4

State the conflict and theme of the short story "A Handful of Dates".  Also, choose one of the three major characters, write three adjectives about him with a quote from the story that supports that adjective.  Bring this to school tomorrow.

English 10

Start to study the class vocabulary words and keep looking for new words.  You need to bring 5 new, good words and their definitions to class on Friday.

Semester Two--English 11

Period 3:

Please complete the plot diagram of the video clip we watched today.  Click on the green text here to access the video clip.

Period 4:

Please write down 3-5 sentences about your first impressions of the story "Two in One".   If anything confused you, include a question or two as part of your response.

I do homework checks regularly and the marks can add up quickly, so be sure to do your homework.

Semester Two--English 10

Students should be collecting good, academic words that are new to them.  You can find these words anywhere--from your English readings to your material in other classes to newspapers and magazines that you read in your spare time.  Bring 3-5 new words plus their dictionary definitions to class on Friday.

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.