English 10

Both classes, please answer questions #1-3 on the short story we read today.  Please give detailed answers.

Here are your next complete set of vocabulary words to learn for Vocabulary Quiz #2:

1. plush (adj)—rich, luxurious fabric   
2. to beam (v)—to smile broadly   
3. spry (adj)—active; lively (esp. an older person)   
4. conspicuous (adj)—obvious; glaringly apparent   
5. audacity (noun): boldness; gall   
6. derision (noun): ridicule; scorn   
7. dissemble (verb): to lie   
8. dissimulation (noun): the act of lying; being deceitful   
9. pitch (noun/adjective): tar; black   
10. sagacity (noun): wisdom   
11. tattoo (noun): rhythmic rapping   
12. vex (verb): to irritate or annoy   
13. zeal (n): great energy and enthusiasm  
14. bewitched (v): cast a spell on and gained control over  
15. arsenal (n): a collection of weapons  
16. verbatim (adj and adv): word-for-word the same; exactly the same words used again   
17. hygienic (adj):  clean; sanitary; promoting health  
18. sacrilegious (adj): committing a profane, unholy or sinful act  
19. blasé (adj):  unimpressed or indifferent to something b/c one has seen it many times before  
20. modicum (n): a small quantity of a thing, especially something desirable  
21. amass (v): gathered or accumulated items over a period of time, especially desirable items  
22. epiphany (n):  a sudden realization of a life truth 

 The only word we have not discussed yet is epiphany, but we'll talk about as we complete the questions for "The Metaphor".

English Lit

Please read page 105 of your textbooks.  Here are some questions for when you finish:
1. What is a folk ballad?
2. Popular themes of folk ballads include disappointed love, jealousy, revenge, sudden disaster, and adventurous deeds.  How are these stories developed, and why can they be a little puzzling?

3. Define refrain and incremental repetition as they are used in folk ballads.

English Lit

The Chaucer test will be on Tuesday of next week.  Also next week will be the unit project (due Thursday) and the fishbowl for Into the Wild and Fifth Business on Friday.

Tonight, complete three overriding questions for "The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales" and finish the four questions on page 79.

English 10

Period 2
In class, we read pages 65-68 in the textbook.  Tonight, reread those pages and find 3-5 vocabulary words that are new to you and write down their definitions.  If you cannot find 3-5 new-to-you words, select 3-5 words that you think are good, academic terms that everyone should know.  Do not read any further in the story, please.

Period 3
No homework. Lucky you!

English Lit

Today, we worked on satire in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales".  Tonight students have been given aspects of the pilgrims to note down, namely clothes, food, colours, horses, physical appearances, and the four humours.

Here's a recap of the humours:


The introverted humours are melancholic and phlegmatic.
Melancholic: moody, anxious, rigid, sober, pessimistic, quiet, unsociable, and/or reserved
Phlegmatic:  passive, careful, thoughtful, peaceful, controlled, reliable, even-tempered, and/or calm

The extroverted humours are choleric and sanguine.
Choleric: touchy, restless, aggressive, excitable, changeable, and/or impulsive
Sanguine: sociable, outgoing, talkative, responsive, easygoing, charismatic, lively, carefree

English 10

Period 2
Please finish the 5-7 sentence paragraphs you began in class today.

Period 3
No homework.

English Lit

Today in class, we finished discussing the characters in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales" (including the host).  Students handed in their vocabulary sheets.  We also discussed Chaucer's poetry and style.  Then, we listened to a modernized version of "The Wife of Bath's Tale".

English 10

Today in class, we went over the questions on "The Telltale Heart" and completed a handout on Point of View.

Period 2:
Tonight, find a quote from anywhere in the story that could be used as an example that proves the narrator is either narcissistic, obsessive, or delusional.  Your table group selected one of these words.  If you cannot remember which word your table chose, pick one at random.  A quote from the book simply means a sentence or part of a sentence from the story; it does not mean a snippet of dialogue.
Period 2 was also assigned a sheet on comma rules.

Period 3:
Tonight, find a quote from anywhere in the story that could be used as an example that proves the narrator is either delusional, intelligent, obsessive, or confident.  Your table group selected one of these words.  If you cannot remember which word your table chose, pick one at random.  A quote from the book simply means a sentence or part of a sentence from the story; it does not mean a snippet of dialogue.

For both classes--your vocabulary words for the next quiz are as follows:

1. plush (adj)—rich, luxurious fabric  
2. to beam (v)—to smile broadly  
3. spry (adj)—active; lively (esp. an older person)  
4. conspicuous (adj)—obvious; glaringly apparent  
5. audacity (noun): boldness; gall  
6. derision (noun): ridicule; scorn  
7. dissemble (verb): to lie  
8. dissimulation (noun): the act of lying; being deceitful  
9. pitch (noun/adjective): tar; black  
10. sagacity (noun): wisdom  
11. tattoo (noun): rhythmic rapping  
12. vex (verb): to irritate or annoy  

  

English Lit

Today we read the entries for the following characters: the Franklin, the Guildsmen (and their wives), the Cook, the Skipper, the Doctor, the Wife of Bath, the Parson, and the Plowman.

Tonight, select a telling quote and write your own identifying sentence for each, paying special attention to clothes, colours, food, horses, physical appearances, and the four humours.

Finally, have your Vocabulary in Context sheet complete and ready to hand in for Monday.  If you have it ready tomorrow, I'll take it.

English 10

Short Story Unit Project assignments were given out today.  They are due on March 15, 2019.  If you will not be at school (on this final day before break), you need to see me to let me know.  Your project will have to be submitted before the 15th.

Period 3 class, complete the paragraph on the short story tonight (Question #11 on my handout).

English 10

Be sure to study for the vocabulary quiz tomorrow.
Period 2: 
If you have not done so already, answer questions #7-10 for tomorrow.

Period 3:
Answer questions 3-7 for tomorrow.

English Lit

Today, we looked at some vocabulary words from The Canterbury Tales.  These are ones that could show up on the next test (not all will be on it):  stave (verb), burnished (adj), boorish (adj), sundry (adj), counterfeit (adj), engender (v), cloisters (n), screed (n), tormented (v/adj), palfrey (n), sovereign (n/adj), zest (n), accrue (v), wrought (as in wrought-iron -- adj).

After doing this, we continued reading and covered the Friar, the Merchant, the Oxford Cleric, and  the Sergeant at Law.  For each character, students were asked again to supply one telling quotation and a sentence or two of their own explaining the character (paying special attention to any mentions of clothes, horses, colours, food, physical appearances, or references to temperament/humours).

English Lit

Make sure to start your independent novels.  Also, look for words to add to your vocabulary list.  We read the entries for the first five pilgrims in Canterbury Tales, so make sure you take notes on them.  I have asked you to do the following for each character:

• Choose one quote from the poem that really expresses who this character is.
• Write your own sentence or two that encapsulates each particular character.  Remember that Chaucer often mentioned certain recurring details about the pilgrims, so be sure to note horses, colours, clothes, food, physical appearances, and the humours when they appear (not every detail is mentioned for every person).

English 10

Both classes should study their vocab words for the vocab quiz on Wednesday.

Period 2:  complete the questions on the short story we did on Thursday.
Period 3:  we will read the new short story on Tuesday.

English Lit

We'll start Chaucer's Canterbury Tales on Wednesday.  I've asked you to read pages 43 to 50 in the text book and take one or two notes per subsection. Please just finish the introduction to the Medieval Period and finish the reading up to page 53.  Continue to take brief notes.

A few people missed the test on Monday.  If you have a spare in 4th period, you can write it on Wednesday in my room.  If not, you can write it after school.

English 10

After yesterday's discussion of symbols, write down a sentence or two about what you think the story "The Inheritor" is saying about life or being human.  Also think about what it means to be an inheritor and how that could apply to the protagonist.

Here is the complete list of vocabulary words you will need to know for the vocab quiz on Feb. 20th:

1. placid (adj):  peaceful; calm 
2. punctually (adv):  on time; not late 
3. bewildered (adj): confused 
4. congeal (verb): to clot; to solidify; to coagulate 
5. console (verb): to comfort someone who is sad or upset 
6. trifle (noun): an item of little value or importance 
7. luxuriate (verb): to enjoy a self-indulgent delight 
8. well (verb): (of a liquid) rise to the surface and spill; (of an emotion) become more intense 
9. hysterically (adv): laughing or crying intensely for a prolonged period of time 
10. exasperated (adj): irritated intensely; infuriated 
11. desolation (noun) - devastation, ruin, barrenness, dreariness, depopulation  
12. refuge (n) - a place of safety  
13. vernacular (n) - plain, everyday ordinary language of a specific place  
14. rear (verb) - when an animal goes up on its hind legs  
15. obliquely (adverb) - indirectly, evasively, coming at an angle and not straight on  
16. divert (v) - to change direction or redirect attention  
17. perversion (n) - a change from what is natural and normal to what is unnatural and abnormal  
18. exquisite (adjective) - special beauty or charm, intense feeling such as pleasure or pain  
19. indomitable (adj) - unbeatable, cannot be conquered  
20. lacerated (v) - savagely cut or sliced, mangled/jagged/torn  
21. propinquity(n) - nearness (in place, relationship, or time)  
22. inimical (adj) - harmful, hostile, unfriendly  
23. ochre (noun/adjective) - yellow/orange earth or pigments, yellow/orange colour  
24. trussed (v) - tied tightly, bound up to prevent movement  
25. fleece (noun) - the soft, woolly hair of a sheep  
26. contemptuously (adv) - behaving as if others are inferior or useless
27. conspiratorial (adj) – describing two or more people joining together secretly to plan something harmful
28. indignant (adj) - being upset about an injustice
29. smart (verb) - to sting or produce a sharp pain
30. clamber (verb) - climbing with difficulty, using hands and feet

English Lit

Your Beowulf test is on Monday.  There has been a slight format change.  There will now be seven vocab words and 12 multiple choice questions on the test. Today in class, we made a timeline of the Anglo-Saxon era, I handed out a summary sheet, we discussed the three worst Anglo-Saxon swear words, and we made a list of vocabulary words to study:

1. hosts
2. moors
3. gabled
4. reparation
5. solace
6. ravaged
7. scabbard
8. bolted
9. taut
10. writhing
11. blunted
12. pilgrimage
13. affliction
14. reprisal

English 10

Period 2
Today in class, we went over most of the questions on "The Inheritor".

Period 3
Today in class, we went over most of the questions on "The Inheritor".  Students are also asked to poetically format their short, descriptive sentences on their photos.

Both classes are asked to study the vocabulary words as the vocab test will be on Feb. 20th.  The vocab words are as follows:

1. placid (adj):  peaceful; calm 
2. punctually (adv):  on time; not late 
3. bewildered (adj): confused 
4. congeal (verb): to clot; to solidify; to coagulate 
5. console (verb): to comfort someone who is sad or upset 
6. trifle (noun): an item of little value or importance 
7. luxuriate (verb): to enjoy a self-indulgent delight 
8. well (verb): (of a liquid) rise to the surface and spill; (of an emotion) become more intense 
9. hysterically (adv): laughing or crying intensely for a prolonged period of time 
10. exasperated (adj): irritated intensely; infuriated 
11. desolation (noun) - devastation, ruin, barrenness, dreariness, depopulation  
12. refuge (n) - a place of safety  
13. vernacular (n) - plain, everyday ordinary language of a specific place  
14. rear (verb) - when an animal goes up on its hind legs  
15. obliquely (adverb) - indirectly, evasively, coming at an angle and not straight on  
16. divert (v) - to change direction or redirect attention  
17. perversion (n) - a change from what is natural and normal to what is unnatural and abnormal  
18. exquisite (adjective) - special beauty or charm, intense feeling such as pleasure or pain  
19. indomitable (adj) - unbeatable, cannot be conquered  
20. lacerated (v) - savagely cut or sliced, mangled/jagged/torn  
21. propinquity(n) - nearness (in place, relationship, or time)  
22. inimical (adj) - harmful, hostile, unfriendly  
23. ochre (noun/adjective) - yellow/orange earth or pigments, yellow/orange colour  
24. trussed (v) - tied tightly, bound up to prevent movement  
25. fleece (noun) - the soft, woolly hair of a sheep  

English 10

Both classes should start learning the 15 vocabulary words from "The Inheritor".

Period 2:  Write your first impressions of the story and try to come up with 2-3 questions about it.  Don't look at my questions; write questions on things you find confusing in the story.

Period 3:  Answer questions #1-4 on the short story.

English Lit

Today, we went over the questions on page 30 in anticipation of Monday's test.  Do read over page 32 on the Venerable Bede and pages 41 and 42 about the development of the English Language.

English Lit

We finished reading the Beowulf section of the textbook.  Tonight, select two out of the eight questions on page 30 and have them ready for discussion tomorrow.  The test will be on Monday.  It will consist of 5 vocab questions, about 10  multiple choice questions, a short answer question on the poetic language of Anglo-Saxon literature, and three paragraph questions.  One of the paragraph questions will relate to a quotation.

Please hand in your vocabulary sheets on Friday--I'll take it Thursday if you have yours ready.

English Lit

Tonight, please write down one question, one quote, and three literary devices from the section entitled "The Battle with Grendel". 
Also, the first five vocabulary words you should put on your Vocab Sheet are...
1.  hosts (p.12; l. 13)
2.  gabled (p. 12; l. 20)
3.  moors (p. 13; l. 39)
4.  reparation (p. 15; l. 95)
5.  solace (p. 16; l. 122)

Finally, the Beowulf test will be next Monday.  Details to follow.

English 10

Tonight for homework, make sure that you have found one example each of...
1.  a point in "Lamb to the Slaughter" when you, the reader, were surprised.
2. a point in the story where you, the reader, knew more than one (or some) of the characters.
3. a point in the story when a character says one thing, but what is said has a second, darker meaning.

Point #3 might be tricky, but try your best!

English Lit

What does Grendel look like?  Draw your version for class tomorrow.

English 10

Keep reviewing your vocabulary words.  As soon as we get to 30, there will be a test.

English Lit

For Monday, go through the sections "The Coming of Beowulf" and "Unferth's Taunt" to find examples of Beowulf being typically heroic.  We discussed in class how a hero is often selfless/self sacrificing, loyal, brave, and noble. 

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English 10

For Monday, make sure that your questions for the short story are completed; there will be a homework check.

English Lit

You get a break tonight.

English 10

Don't read ahead in the story!!!
Other than that, Period 2, remember to have your journals ready to hand in tomorrow.
Period 3, here were your journal topics today:
     a) People can sometimes surprise us.
     b) The perfect crime
     c) Revenge is a dish best served cold.

English 10

Today, we did a punctuation exercise, a reading exercise (Period 2) and then discussed short story terms. 

Period 2 students:
Here are the two journal options you were given today:
1.  Tell me about something you think is great, but others would totally disagree with you about this.
2.  Write a (minimum 3/4 page) story incorporating these four random words:  California, firefighter, bench, and pepper.  Be sure to underline the four words so that I can spot them easily.
This journal is due on Friday at the start of class.

Period 3 students:
Complete a plot diagram for the video we watched today.  The information you give can be given in point form.  Don't feel you have to give too detailed a detailed explanation of the Rising Action--3-4 points will suffice.  You can find a link to the video HERE.

English Lit

Tonight for homework, think about what you'll say tomorrow when we discuss the qualities of a hero.  Also, complete a question, a quote, and just one poetic device from the first section of "Beowulf".

English Lit 12

Today, we talked about the early history of the English language.  Then, students took notes on pages 2 - 9 of the textbook.  Tomorrow, we'll begin reading "Beowulf".

English 11

English 11 Final Exam: Tuesday, January 22, 11-12:30--Period 1 in D200/Period 2 in D203

Section A:  Editing skills

• Multiple choice questions

Section B:  Poem the students have never seen before

• Multiple choice questions on comprehension, word use, and poetic devices

Section C:  Short story the students have never seen before

• Multiple choice questions on comprehension, word use, poetic devices, and short story terms

Section D:  Composition

• Students will write a literary (expository) essay on one of the pieces included in the test.

To review, students should review the editing skills handouts.  They should also be familiar with short story and poetic terms.

For homework tonight, finish sheet #3 on editing skills and complete the poem package "Crab".

English 8

English 8 Final Exam: Monday, January 21, 11-12:30 Room D200 (unless you have been personally told otherwise)

Section A:  Grammar and Usage (parts of speech and punctuation)

Section B:  Poem the students have never seen before

• Multiple choice questions on comprehension, word use, and poetic devices

Section C:  Short story the students have never seen before

• Multiple choice questions on comprehension, word use, poetic devices, and short story terms

Section D:  Composition

• Students will be given three writing prompt options and will choose one of these.
• They will write a one to three paragraph response (one paragraph is appropriate for an expository--argumentative--prompt and two to three paragraphs is appropriate for a story prompt).

To review, students should be familiar with the parts of speech and basic punctuation.  They should also be familiar with short story and poetic terms.

English 11

Your Macbeth presentations are due on Monday.  That is also the day you will wear your t-shirts to school. 
Pizza lunch for the Macbeth winners (you know who you are) tomorrow at lunch in my room.  You'll have to bring your own drinks.

Tonight, read over the five poems in the package you received today.  Then, choose your favourite three poems.  For each of those three do the following things:
1. Ask one good open-ended questions that could generate some discussion.
2. Find one example of a poetic device, write it down and state the device.  Also give an explanation of how this device is effective in the poem.
3. Select a pertinent quote from the poem and note down why you think it is significant.