English 9

Today we finished our chart on literary devices in The Crazy Man's "Emaline" section. Then our peer tutor did a lesson on the poem "Pangaea" in Sightlines 9. After that, we read the section "Angus" in The Crazy Man as students completed an active listening sheet. We then watched a clip of a BBC documentary about mental health treatments in the 1960's.

Reminders:

• Seepeetza Test: Thursday, June 2, 2016
• One-Pager: still waiting for copies
• "Angus" worksheet: due Thursday, June 2, 2016

English 8

Today we looked at First People Principles of Learning and First People stories. I read "The Coyote and the Sky" and students started a 'One-Pager' activity. This is due Friday (today was the only class time given for it). 

Remember your presenting you Independent Novel Stories tomorrow!

Reminders:

• Independent Novel Study PowerPoint Presentations: tomorrow, June 1, 2016
• "Coyote and the Sky" One pager: Friday, June 3, 2016 (include a graphic representation, an explanation, and a personal response)

English 10

Don't forget about your quiz tomorrow!

We started off with quiet reading today. We then looked at state murder and torture as a theme in The Chrysalids, and I showed an example of torture with the CIA post 911. We has 2 students also present their case studies. We then discussed important events from Chapter 13.

Reminders:

• The Chrysalids Chapter 5-10 Quiz: Tomorrow, June 1, 2016
• The Chrysalids Chapter 13 questions: tomorrow, June 1, 2016

English 10

Today I gave students quiet reading time to read Chapter 12. We then presented the 'Case Study' worksheets and discussed Chapter 10 in The Chrysalids.

Reminders:

• Hand in your Case Study worksheets!
• Read Chapter 12 for Monday
• The Chrysalids Quiz: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

English 9

Today we worked on the last set of questions for My Name is Seepeetza and analyzed the poem "In the Walls of His Mind". We also did a comparison between the poem and Seepeetza. At the end of class, I gave students time to work on the 'One-Pager' assignment and their Independent Novel Study Portfolios.

Reminders:

• Finish 'One-Pager' for homework
• Seepeetza Questions: Monday
• My Name is Seepeetza Test: Tuesday, May 31, 2016

English 8

Today we had an open-book grammar quiz and finished watching Big Fish (minus the last minute of the movie). Finish the worksheet for Monday if you haven't turned it in.

Reminders:

• Independent Novel Study PowerPoints: due today!
• Big Fish worksheet: due Monday, May 30, 2016

English 9

Thanks for working hard in the second block today!
To start off today, we did a bit of grammar editing and I gave students quiet reading time to finish My Name is Seepeetza. After that, we discussed suicides resulting from Residential Schools and different forms of discipline.

We watched a couple videos on discipline - one about forms of punishment in the 1950's, and one clip on types of  negative teaching practises in Japan.

After the break, students worked on a hand-out and a journal response on 'Crime and Punishment' in My Name is Seepeetza.

Reminders:

• Questions and Journal response: due tomorrow!
• Finish reading My Name is Seepeetza
• My Name is Seepeetza Test: Tuesday, May 31, 2016

English 8

Thanks for the lesson in poetry Cassie!

To start the day off, we went to the library to work on the Independent Novel Study presentations. Students had to submit what they have to my dropbox. They can submit a final copy of their PowerPoint by Friday. After that, Cassie read, explained and analyzed the poem "The Child Who Walks Backwards" with the class; students had a little worksheet to complete about the poem. We then completed a small grammar activity.

After the break, students worked on questions for the legend "How the Opossum Stole Fire" (page 146 in Sightlines 8). We read this story last class last week. The questions are posted below. After that, we started watching the movie Big Fish as examples of 'tall tales'. There is a worksheet to complete for this.

"How the Opossum Stole Fire" questions
     1. Find two reasons why the Great Ones desired to have fire.
    2. How had they attempted to get the fire that passes overhead each day?
    3. What three things did Yaushu ask of his people, in return for bringing fire to them?
    4. How did Yaushu persuade the Lord of the Fire to let him stay overnight?
    5. Name two ways the opossum looks today as a result of his adventure.


Reminders:

• Independent Novel Study PowerPoint: Friday, May 27, 2016
• Open-book Gramamr Quiz (punctuation): Friday, May 27, 2016
• "Opossum" questions : Friday, May 27, 2016

   

English 10

Thanks Sierra for the great lesson in poetry!

For the first half of class, we worked on a case study assignment. All students were assigned to a historical/current topic that relates to themes in The Chrysalids. They have a worksheet to fill out and will present it to the class on Friday.

After the break, Sierra explained and analyzed two poems with the class: "The Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou and "Paradise" by Coldplay. After that, students were assigned a 10 line poem/song/rap to write themselves. Toward the end of class, we went over the events/questions for Chapters 7-9 in The Chrysalids and students had some time to work on homework.

Reminders:

• Case Study Presentation: Friday May 27, 2016
• Read Chapter 11: Friday, May 27, 2016
• 10-line poem: Friday, May 27, 2016

English 9

Today we read up to page 85 in My Name is Seepeetza. We then did a 'Sorting Life Events' activity. Students were given different excerpts from My Name is Seepetza -- they had to cut them out, and paste them into a T-Chart, classifying them as 'Life' events and 'Home' events. Students then wrote a response, explaining the environment that Seepeetza would have learned better. After that, students wrote a "I am" poem from the perspective of Seepeetza.

Reminders:

• Read up to page 85 in My Name is Seepeetza
• Found Poem: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
• "I am poem": Tuesday, May 24, 2016

English 8

We started a new unit today on folklore and oral stories. If you were absent, make sure to get notes on the different types of folklore. We particularly looked at fables today. We watched Disney's "The Grasshopper and the Ant" and "The Tortoise and the Hare". We also read both "The Moth and the Star"(fable) and "How the Opossum Stole Fire"(legend) in Sightlines 8. Students had a grammar worksheet and questions, but they were complete in class.

Reminders:

• Giver paragraphs were due today!

English 10

We've been continuing with reading The Chrysalids. We've talked about as xenophobia, fear-mongering and torture in David's society. We've also looked at the description of the world outside of Waknuk and the rumours surrounding it. Students worked on questions for Chapter 6 today and read up to Chapter 9.

Yesterday, students also had a creative writing assignment, which they completed in the library.

Reminders:

• Read Chapter 8
• Chapter 6 questions

English 9

There were a few students away today - make sure to get your notes on Poetic Devices; I will be giving a quiz on terminology next week.

We started off class silent reading pages 45-65 in My Name is Seepeetza. We then did a bit of grammar editing and discussed the first set of questions for the book. Students then worked on a worksheet for pages 27-45, which was completed in class. I also showed some video clips of people sharing experiences in Residential Schools.

Afterr the break, we watched a government propaganda video that attempted to promote Residential Schools. We then reviewed poetic devices and terminology and students took notes. After that, students worked on a 'Black-out' poetry assignment.

Reminders:

• CAPTION BOOKLETS: Due today!!!
• Read up to page 65 in Seepeetza

English 8

Don't forget to study for the test on Thursday! Review questions, vocabulary, and the practice test.

We started off class with silent reading and a lesson on comma splices. We then drafted out a plan for a literary paragraph on The Giver. Students have to write a persuasive paragraph explaining if the utopia in the novel is harmful or beneficial to the community. After that, students finished their 'conflict foldables' and we played a game of Jeopardy.

Reminders:

• Giver projects: due today!
• Giver Test: Thursday, May 19, 2016
• Annex Room: Thursday, May 19, 2016
• Conflict Foldable: Thursday, May 19, 2016

English 9

Caption booklets are due tomorrow!

I read aloud a bit more from the book My Name is Seepeetza to start off class. Students then worked on questions and worked ont the Independent Novel Study portfoilio. By now, students should have completed the first 3 sections.

Reminders:

• Seepeetza questions (p.11-27): due tomorrow
• Finish the first 3 parts of the Independent Novel study portfolio
• "AMSND" Caption booklets: due tomorrow!!!

English 10

Don't forget to read up to Chapter 6 for the quiz this Thursday!

We started off with quiet reading Chapter 5 in The Chrysalids. I then went over Chapter 4; we discussed David's telepathy, his perception of the world, and his concept of ethics. I then showed a video explaining real-life occurrences of telepathy amongst identical twins. After that, students worked on questions for Chapter 4.

Reminders:

• Chapter 1-5 Quiz: Thursday, May19, 2016
• Chapter 4 questions: Thursday, May 19, 2016

English 9

We spent the first 20 minutes of class working on Independent Novel Study porfolios. After that, we got copies of the novel My Name is Seepeetza. This is a journal-style novel, written from the perspective of a girl in a Residential School. I went through a lesson on the history of First People government policies and Residential Schools in Canada. We then read the first 27 pages of the book.

Reminders:

• "AMSND" Caption booklets: due Wednesday, May 18, 2016

English 8

We started off with silent reading independent novels,  and worked on vocabulary from The Giver. After that, students worked on a practice test for The Giver, which is due at the beginning of next class. After that, we started a 'conflict foldable' activity; we will continue this tomorrow.

Reminders:

• The Giver Practice Test: tomorrow, May 17, 2016
• The Giver Project: tomorrow, May 17, 2016
• The Giver Test: Thursday, May 19, 2016

English 10

Today students silent read Chapter 4 in The Chrysalids. We then discussed important events and themes in Chapters 2-3, and worked on corresponding questions.

Reminders:

• Finish Chapter 4: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
• Questions (CHpt2-3): Tuesday, May 17, 2016

English 10

Students silent read Chapter 2-3 in The Chrysalids for the first portion of class today. I then went through important details from Chapter 1, and we watched a documentary explaining certain prophecies and the idea of Tribulation. David's community follows an ideology based on the 'true image' of God and the coming of 'tribulation', so we looked at other worldly examples of these beliefs. After that, students worked on questions.

Reminders:

• The Chrysalids Questions (Chapter 1): Monday, May 16, 2016

English 8

Today students worked on their projects on The Giver in the library for the first half of class; this was the last class time given to complete it. We then finished watching the movie and worked on the last set of questions for the novel.

Reminders:

• The Giver projects: due Tuesday, May 17, 2016
• Questions Chapters 21-23: Monday, May 16, 2106

English 9

Thanks for working hard on your caption booklets today! It was the last class to work on them.

Reminders:

• "AMSND" Caption booklets: due Wednesday, May 18, 2016

English 8

Today students worked on questions for Chapters 19-20 in The Giver and started a drawing of the Annex Room. We then finished reading the novel and started watching the movie.

Reminders:

• Finish Chpt. 19-20 questions

English 10

Today students wrote a final test on "Romeo and Juliet". We then got copies of The Chrysalids, finished our discussion about dystopian literature, and read Chapter 1 in the novel.

English 10

Today we went over the "R&J" Act 2/3 quizzes that were handed back, and finished watching the Baz Lurhman version of the movie. After that, we did an introduction to our next unit, The Chrysalids. We looked at characteristics and examples of Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, and Dystopian types of media and literature. We will finish this Thursday. Don't forget to study for the upcoming test!

Reminders:

• Character Snapshots: due today!!!
• "R&J" Test: Thursday, May 12, 2016

English 9

Today we discussed elements of Shakespearean Comedy. If you were not here, get notes off of a friend  - this will be a question on the test tomorrow!

We then finished the movie "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and discussed differences between the movie and the play. To finish off, students worked on their Independent Novel Study Portfolios.

Reminders:

• "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Test: tomorrow, May 11, 2016

English 8

Great discussions about 'Release' today!

We started off with some notes on punctuation, and then discussed character traits in The Giver. We then read Chapter 19 an some of Chapter 20 and discussed some of the important concepts. Read up to Chapter 22 for homework.

Reminders:

• Chpt 15-18 questions: due Thursday, May12, 2016
• Read up to Chapter 22: Thursday, May 12, 2016

English 10

As a final review of our "Romeo and Juliet" unit, we watched the Baz Lurhmann adaptation of the play. We will finish this tomorrow.

Reminders:

• Today is the last day to turn in all "R&J" questions
• Character Snapshot Assignment: due tomorrow, May 10, 2016
• "Romeo and Juliet" Test: Thursday, May 12, 2016

English 8

We're almost near the end of The Giver!!

We started off the day with a bit of vocabulary from The Giver. We then discussed Chapters 13-16 (as there was reading for homework), and read Chapters 17 and 18. Students then worked on a 'character trait' worksheet, which is to be completed as homework.

Reminders:

• Character worksheet: due tomorrow, May 10, 2016

English 9

Welcome back to the band students from their trip to Cuba!

Today, we read the final scene of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and worked on the last set of questions. Make sure to check for questions that have not yet been handed in!

Reminders:

• Act 5 Questions: due tomorrow
• "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Final Test: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

English 8

While I was away on Wednesday, students started watching the movie Pleasantville, which we continued today. After the movie, we completed a Venn diagram comparing the uptopia in Pleasanteville and the utopia in The Giver. Students worked in groups and we discussed some ideas as a class. After that, students worked on questions for Chapters 15-16 and silently started reading Chapters 15-16.

Have a great weekend!

Reminders:

• Chapter 13-14 questions: due Monday, May 9, 2016
• Read Chapters 15-16 for Monday, May 9, 2016

English 9

Have a great weekend!

Today students wrote a quiz on Acts I, II, and III of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and continued working on their caption booklets they started yesterday.

Reminders:

• Make sure to hand in any questions that haven't been marked!

English 10

Have fun in the sun this weekend!

Today we started off with some VERY IMPORTANT notes on Shakespearean tragedy and completed a practice test for "Romeo and Juliet" as a class. This will be very helpful for the test next week - (wink, wink). If you were not here, get the notes you missed.

After that, students continued working on the 'Character Snapshot' Assignment they started on Wednesday.

Reminders:

• Hand in all "Romeo and Juliet" questions no later than Monday, May 9, 2016
• 'Character Snapshot Assignment': due Tuesday, May 10, 2016
• "Romeo and Juliet" Test: Thursday, May 12, 2016

English 9

Thanks for working so well today Grade 9's!

Today we started off with silent reading and students worked on the second journal response for their Independent Novel Study. After that, we read all of Act Four in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", watched the movie, and worked on questions. Then, we started a Caption Booklet Assignment as our final project for the play. We'll continue this next class.

Reminders:

• Quiz on Acts I, II, and III: tomorrow, May 6, 2016
• Act Four questions: due tomorrow, May 6, 2016

English 9

Thanks to all of my readers for the "A Midsummer Nights Dream" unit!

Today we finished reading Act Three, Scene 2 in "AMSND", watched the movie scenes, and worked on questions. The questions will be for homework.

Reminders:

• "AMSND" Act Three, Scene 2 questions: due Thursday, May 5, 2016

English 8

The Giver projects are looking great!

Students started off class by taking a quiz on The Giver and silent reading Chapter 14. We then went to the library and worked on projects for The Giver for the remainder of class. I will allot another 30 minutes of class time for this project to be completed.

Reminders:

• Read Chapter 14 in The Giver

English 10

Yay! We finished "R&J" today!

After reading the final scene of the play, students watched the remainder of the movie version, and worked on a final set of questions.

Reminders:

• "R&J" projects: due today!!!
• Act Five questions: due tomorrow, May 4, 2016

English 8

I know students were very happy that I had to postpone the quiz today! However, we will be writing it tomorrow.

We started off class today with some notes on run-on sentences and punctuation. We then read Chapters 11 and 12 in The Giver as a class. Students then worked on questions and read Chapter 13 independently.

Reminders:

• The Giver Quiz: tomorrow, May 3, 2016
• Read Chapter 13: tomorrow, May 3, 2016
• Chapter 11-12 questions: tomorrow, May 3, 2016

English 9

We started off with silent reading and read the first half of Act Three, Scene 2 in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". We then spent the rest of the class working on the Independent Novel Study.

Reminders:

• No homework!

English 10

We're almost done the play!!!

We started off the day with a quiz on Acts Two and Three of "Romeo and Juliet". We then listened to Act Four, scene 5 and completed questions as a class. We then read Act Five, scenes 1 and 2, and worked on questions for the remainder of class.

Reminder:

• Finish Act Five, scenes 1 and 2 questions: due next class
• "Romeo and Juliet" projects: due tomorrow, May 3, 2016