Fri. Oct. 30, 2015: Discussion about Heroism: Reading Activity

Today, we discussed what a modern hero is. I then gave you a reading entitled "Baby Box" to read actively for Monday's class. If you were not here, I put it in your folder. Come in early to read it (it is a quick read).

Thurs. Oct. 29, 2015: Comparisons between ideals

Today, you got into groups and answered questions relating to "Man in the Water" and "The Lowest Animal." The purpose of this assignment was to get students to share their views and open up communication. It is also an opportunity to practice group/focus skills.
The students drew lines where they finished answering the questions as a group and were then instructed to finish the rest of the assignment outside of class.

Wed. Oct. 28, 2015: Editorial/essay Discussion and Editorial Reading

Today, we discussed the editorial/essay "The Lowest Animal" by Mark Twain. We arrived at his thesis (man is the lowest animal because they do have morals yet still do wrong), and discussed if the situation is this hopeless.
I then gave them the editorial "The Man in the Water" by Roger Rosenblatt. They are to read it actively (I provided enough class time that all should have it completed). They are also to determine what the message is that the author wants us to get from this piece (it is pretty literal).
During our discussion today, we also defined the following terms:

Paradox: when something seems to be untrue, but when explained, makes sense.
Hyperbole: over-exaggeration
Euphemism: A nice way of saying something

Tues. Oct. 27, 2015: Reading Discussion and New Assignment

Today, we discussed the short story "What Men Live By." The focus was on the changes we can now see between the epic hero and the more modern one presented here (late 1800s). I then gave you an essay to read: "The Lowest Animal" by Mark Twain. There was enough time in class to actively read half of this document. It is to be actively read for tomorrow's class.

Mon. Oct. 26, 2015: Heroes: Continued

Today, we discussed how the ideals of hero changed depending on the group one was in in society (1300s). the peasant class supported heroes like Robin Hood. You were given some notes on this change and then we read "Robin Hood and the Three Squires" actively as a class. I then gave you the questions that go to the reading you were supposed to have read for today ("What Men Live By'). These are due tomorrow.

Thurs. Oct. 22 2015: Novel Study One Month Check-in

Today, you were given an assignment to complete that you needed to do with your novel. If you did not bring your novel, class consensus arrived at the decision that a writing assignment would be justified (those students wrote a letter of apology using a business/block letter format).
Tomorrow, we will discuss the exam you wrote on Wednesday and do a reflection.

Wed. Oct. 21, 2015: Unit Test

Today, you wrote a multiple choice comprehension exam. The results are already online.
You must remember to have our independent novel here tomorrow as you will be completing an activity using it.

Tues. Oct. 20, 2015: Test Prep/Writing Class

Today, I went over the reading comprehension exam that you will write tomorrow. The exam consists of three short readings and 24 multiple choice questions. I will expect you to read as actively as time allows (analyze title, highlight pertinent information, paraphrase paragraphs or ideas/sections in a couple of words only), and to answer questions using active strategies and process of elimination.


I then allowed the remaining time to work on your story critique (due at the end of the day) or to read your independent novel. I will be here at lunch for those who need the computer time to complete this assignment (I will have the computers: the computer room in the library is also open at 12:20 and you also have RTI).

Fri. Oct 16, 2015: Writing Class: Story Critique

Today, you are to work on your story critique for Sir Gawain and the Three Knights. You will have access to the computer cart. A hard copy must be submitted. Do not waste your time as this assignment is due by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 20.

Thurs. Oct. 15, 2015: Discussion of Beowulf

Today, we went through the questions that the groups answered in relation to Beowulf. All of the questions students were given were variations on the questions for this unit. The key words were ideals and traits.
I then presented a Powerpoint on the age of chivalry. If you were not here, it will be in our portfolio. I then instructed students to actively read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and create a story critique. These must be created in your folder with a hard copy submission. The deadline is the end of the day Tuesday (you will probably not have much class time as we are discussing the unit exam for reading comprehension).

Wed. Oct. 14, 2015: Beowulf Group discussion

Today, students were placed in to groups to discuss a question from the curriculum that can be supported using the poem Beowulf.
They worked on idea development and brainstorming and then created a thesis and defended it. If you were not here, you will not be able to do this activity. I have placed an alternative activity in your portfolio to be completed when you return.

Tues. Oct 13, 2015: Paragraph Writing Reflection

Today, I returned all the paragraphs to the students. I then had them do the following:

1. Actively read the paragraph with the comments covered. Look for omissions and errors and highlight them.
2. Read the side comments.
3. Red the final comments and rubric outcome.
4. Get out a sheet of paper, put submission information on it and answer the following question:

      Based on our previous rubrics discussion, your reading of your paragraph today, and your marks and comments for this assignment, is your mark fair? Explain. Also, explain how you can improve your mark on the next writing assignment.

These were then submitted. Students were allowed the rest of class to work on their critiques (should have all been submitted) or read their independent novels.

Thurs. Oct. 8, 2015: Beowulf Text Critique Continued

Today, you were to finish working in your text critique for Beowulf.  I also gave your the reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" to read when you finished. You will not need this reading until Wednesday or Thursday, but, since you have a break right now, it would be a good time to get it completed. The original poem of this reading can be found online (Project Gutenberg is a good spot); however, we are reading a translation that is presented as a short story (and only a part of the original text).

Wed. Oct. 7, 2015: Review of Critique Writing

Today, we reviewed text critique writing by examining an exemplar critique for "Life and Literature in Early Britain." I explained that I always start with the "what is relevant," then move on to "the summary," then do the "what about it," and finally, the citation.

You were then given the task of creating a text critique for Beowulf. This will be a hand-written assignment at the computers are not working. Keep in mind what I said about order. Spending all your time on the part of the assignment worth the least (the citation) is wasteful when doing the rough work. This is due for tomorrow's class.

Tues. Oct. 6, 2015: Beowulf Active Reading

Today, we read Beowulf actively as a class, discussing the finer points of effective active reading.
We addressed direct characterization, alliteration, and oxymoron.

Mon. Oct. 5, 2015: Beowulf Intro.

Today, we went over information your should know to understand the Epic poem Beowulf. Some words that were discussed were metaphor and euphemism,
If you were not here, search out an introduction to this poem using the Internet or see me.

Fri. Oct. 2, 2015: Catch Up/Novel Study

A number of students had trouble completing the Sask Career activity and others needed help with the commas questions. As a result, this was a work class. If the student was caught up, the time was used to read the novel chosen for the final independent novel activity.

Thurs. Oct. 1: Rubric Discussion

Today, we discussed the rubrics for writing assignments. This involved examining the rubric as well as the assignment itself. I will be handing back the paragraphs soon and want to ensure you all understand the rubrics. It is the same one that has been used in all English classes from Grade 10 up.