Nov. 28th is your short story terms test. It involves the following terms:
Protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, static, dynamic, stereotypical, foil
Point of view, omniscient, limited, objective, third person, first person
Plot, theme, rising action, climax, resoluation
External and internal conflict, dialogue, direct and indirect presentation, flashback, foreshadowing, mood, setting, suspense, symbol.
The server is back up!!!! It's been down a month and so, my website has also been down.
All is good now... I hope.
All short stories should now be submitted and novel responses are due next class. Missing any of these is a major problem, so be sure to stay onto of things. The two criteria sheets are attached:
short_story_criteria_2014.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
english_9_novel_response_sheetname.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Oct. 21st:
Today's random question, which came after silent reading, was about which reality TV show would you excel at and why? Loved the fun answers! We finished the short story Who I'm Not and, in groups, we made two lists: "He stays" and "He escapes". Groups had to come up with reasons from the text (inferences) about whether he stayed or not. After that, we practiced writing using details and descriptions (the skill we've been working on so far) and added the skill of writing with inference (not directly stating what is happening so the readers can reach a conclusion). Soon we will be putting these skills into short stories.
Oct. 16th
The random question was about uninvented ice cream flavours. (I'm still loving the sugar cookie flavour; I can't stop thinking about it!) We silent read (of course) and then we continued reading Who I'm Not. We shared inferences from the story and I was impressed at how astute they were. Unfortunately, neither class finished the story yet!!!!!
Oct. 14th
After today's silent reading, our random question was about our top moment from the three days off. This idea comes from the study that shows that you can train your brain to be happier by writing down your top three moments of the day. It comes from the Ted Talk that I've included below, just in case you're interested. (This guy is funny!) We also talked about how to make a good inference (looking for hints + thinking about what you already know = inference.) We practiced making inferences with the images below the Ted Talk video. Finally, we ended by practising some inferences from Who I'm Not. Remember, if your homework (the poster) wasn't ready to be handed in, be sure to hand it in at some point tomorrow! That's the only way to escape penalty.
inference.pptx | |
File Size: | 3013 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Oct. 10th
I loved how everyone settled right into silent reading today. Our random question discussion (What would you replace the traditional turkey with if you had to?) left me very hungry! We worked on our final copies of the Encyclopedia/I Am From assignment. Criteria is posted below. Please remember they are DUE TUESDAY.
english_9all_about_me_in_detail_postername.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Oct. 9th
After silent reading, we had our random question: What is one of the most amazing things you have ever seen? After that, we continued our discussion about the I Am From poems. We looked at how to write them, using my example. "I am from Trail" is a boring sentence with no detail. I changed it to "I am from black, jagged granite rocks touching the deep azure sky." "I am from a family with two brothers" was changed to "I am from laughing until I cry at a table full of gentle teasing, inviting food, and loving warmth." The class was challenged to write about ten lines, but most ran out of time.
Please remember for tomorrow to bring any pictures or art supplies as we will be doing a good copy of the I Am From assignment and our three best Encyclopedia assignment entries onto a small poster.
Oct. 7th
Today we began silent reading. Terrific job, everyone. After the random question about travel we read "I Am From" poems. We spent the rest of the class looking for the following lines:
A. Most like me
B. Least like me
C. Most unusual
D. Most common
E. Wish it was me
F. Line that made me smile
G. Most descriptive
H. Funniest
I. Most touching
J. Interesting word use
K. Least favourite
L. Most favourite.
Sept. 30th and Oct. 2nd
The internet was down this week and it looks like the Tuesday post didn't make it. Apologies! (Especially to you, Josh!) On Tuesday, we worked on our Encyclopedias, trying to write at least 3 entries (pick the letters you want to use). Each entry should be 2-4 sentences long. We are looking for entries that
-have detail and description (like we've been practising)
- are interesting to read; something you care about
- are examples of writing that nobody else could have written.
For an example, open the PowerPoint from Sept. 25th and find my Gerry example.
On Thursday we went book "shopping" in the library. Everyone should now have a book and is expected to bring this book to EVERY class. By the end of the term, at least 100 pages will have been read. The criteria is attached below.
one_pagers_are_so_last_year.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Sept. 25th
Today we worked on details! We practiced details in conversations, and then did a timed write, trying to improve from last class. Next, we did a writing activity to practice specific language and details. I provided simple sentences and the students rewrote them to see if they could improve them to provided a clearer picture. I was very impressed with the work the class did and was also very impressed with the willingness to share their writing. Great job, everyone. The PowerPoint we used is copied below.
eng_9_detail_2.ppt | |
File Size: | 8266 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Sept. 23rd.
It was great meeting all of you! We spent most of the day getting to know each other through Two Truths and a Lie. Some of you are great liars, by the way! Very devious.
We did also cover course outline (see the attachment below) and did a timed write to warm up a bit. Keep those sheets because we'll use them later.
Next class, we will continue to dabble with writing and focus on adding detail.
Sept. 22nd
I'm so pleased to be able to finally welcome everyone back! I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone. In the meantime, please find a copy of my course outline below.
outline_9.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |