Communications

Free write #3

Today's challenge is to write from the perspective of an object in your classroom. Pick an inanimate object. Write for 7 minutes describing what that object would say.

What would your desk say? The clock? 

Tomorrow, we will continue reading from Touching Spirit Bear. We will also complete free write # 4 which is this:

Where did all the time go? I was just eight years old. 

We will also start the movie Pay it Forward.

Communications

Today's free write is as follows:

Compose a letter to someone you know. Write at least half a page starting with the phrase, My darling....

Include at least two similes. For example, "your voice is like perfume."

Our goal is to write ten free writes. Do not edit while you write.

Have a great weekend!

Communications

Students will be starting a writing and poetry Unit. 

Your challenge is to write every day with the goal of completing a personal Spoken Word piece.

For today, watch Shane Koyzan's To This Day (link below). After viewing, write a free write with these guidelines:

Write using repetition and theme. Your theme is bullying or being bullied. Write your title last.

Remember...don't edit. Let you words flow. Put on a back beat and like Eminem...lose yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY

Communications

Hey gang,

 

Sorry I am away today. I will be at a medical appointment. Mrs. Randall will fill in for me today.

 

Start with attendance and 20 min. of reading from Touching Spirit Bear. Remember, no cell phones, especially when being read to.

 

After reading, the students will start the rough draft of a short essay. (Mrs, Randall, the computer carts are in the Library and need to be brought up to class. Hopefully a couple of generous students will help you with them. They can stay there for Tuesday morning. Be sure to leave them plugged in.)

 

 

Assignment:

 

Write a short essay describing how either Michael Oher, from the movie Blindside, or Cole Matthews, from the novel Touching Spirit Bear, show resilience.

Note: You have two days for this assignment. Posters will be continued on Wednesday.

 

Start by planning: Make an outline on a piece of paper. Don't just start writing. Sketch out your writing blueprint. Try different introductions.     (5 marks)

 

Intro: Must include a topic sentence (look it up or ask if you have forgotten). Three to four sentences would be great.     (3 marks)

 

Sub-topic 1: Resilience. Describe what it is and give an example.     (2 marks)

 

Sub-topic 2: Describe how your character shows resilience. Use direct examples from either the movie or the book.     (3 marks)

 

Conclusion: Two to three sentences describing what you wrote about.     (2 marks)

 

 

Total marks: 15

 

 

*outline is due Tuesday morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communications

Start this poster project by watching this first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqhh7c1SUHY

Continue this project by completing the handout titled "Advertising Adventures"

Scenario: You are a community recreation manager for an adventure tourism company in the Comox Valley, BC. 

Details:The City will be holding a meeting to discuss the lack of adventurers in the community. Your company has decided to make a series of posters that advertise adventure travel.

Task: Read the information below. Create an appealing poster to be distributed throughout your community. Your poster should encourage people to get out and do something. Include all the necessary details. 

• Three quotes from the movie 180 Degrees South

• A catchy slogan (i.e.) Just Do It

• A graphic/picture

Communications

Greetings,

Students in communications class are currently completing their novel studies as well as three reading and comprehension packages.

Last week, students were introduced to story telling and original compositions. Question asked include:

What makes a great story?

What is a flashback?

What is P.O.V. (Point of view)

How do we develop great characters?

We watched the TED talk "the clues to a great story" by Andrew Stanton. See link below.

https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_stanton_the_clues_to_a_great_story

We also discussed the fact that we all have stories. Tap into your prior experiences and develop your characters well.

Assignment:

Write a 250 word original composition with a beginning, middle and end. Include a flashback and write from the first-person point of view.

This is a rough copy only.

We will peer and self edit and revise before handing in a final copy.

Rough copy with peer edit        /6

Final copy                                 /12

Comm 11

Good morning,

Please be sure to hand in your completed written responses by this Friday.

Today we will begin watching the movie Freedom Writers. Students will be asked to select a character to follow and mark their changes throughout the film.

While watching, gather the following information about your character:

 

1. Name/nickname

2. Family situation

3. Three direct quotes

4. Moment(s) of change

Write a formal introduction, including a topic sentence. Here is an example:

 

Set in Longbeach California in the early 1990's, the movie Freedom Writers follows the story of a group of interracial teenagers and their naïve, yet hopeful and passionate, teacher Erin. Many of the students go through significant changes as they.....

Write one or two paragraphs using the style discussed in class. 

This assignment will be worth 12 marks.

Comm 12

Novel Study Assignment

Here is a list of assignments for you to choose from. The Novel Study is worth 30 marks. You are to choose two of the ten-point assignments and two of the five-point assignments.

Your work should be handed in as one package. You will be given class time to create a title page. Two computer lab days will be booked for your use.

• Be sure to include your name on the title page
• Indent all paragraphs
• Peer edit all work

Five-point assignments:

1.       Glossary – find a minimum of ten words that you did not know prior to reading this book. Include a definition and a sentence for each word.

2.       Conflicts – list three conflicts from the story and state how they were solved. Make up a new solution for the conflict and state how it would change the outcome of the novel.

3.       Character Trait Chart – make a chart with three columns. Each column is headed with the name of one of the book’s characters. In each column, write a minimum of five character traits.

4.       New Character – draw a new character that you think should be added to the novel. Write a paragraph or two explaining why you would add the character and how the novel would change with the addition.

Ten-Point Assignments:

1.       Letter to the author – write a letter to the author that explains your reaction to the novel. Your letter must be written in proper letter format. Include examples from the novel to support your reactions or opinions.

2.       Thumbs up, Thumbs down – In the style of a movie review, write a review of the novel you just read. Conclude the review with your response: was it worthy of a thumbs up, or did it bomb and deserve a thumbs down? Justify your response.

3.       Journal – in the perspective of one of the main characters, write a journal that describes their daily life for seven days (these days do not have to be consecutive).

4.       Interview a character – compose eight questions to ask the main character from your novel. Include responses from the character to demonstrate that show your understanding of the character’s traits and voice/tone.

5.       Comic Strip – create a comic strip for the novel or part of the novel. The commix must have comic-style illustration and dialogue bubbles.

6.       Travel Brochure – design a travel brochure that describes the setting in the novel. Include illustrations and written descriptions that portray the setting and everything that surrounds it. 

Comm 11

Final Vocabulary List:

 

1. Magenta

2. Septuagenarian

3. Episode

4. Stewards

5. Solemnity

6. Dirge

7. Reaping

8. Vistas

9. Exotic

10. Assertion

11. Tendrils

12. Rustic

13. Progressive

14. Privileged

15. Cavort

16. Abruptly

17. Kinship

18. Turmoil

19. Pinnacle

20. Galvanized

 

comm 11

Today we will continue reading from One Native Life. 

Here are today's vocab words. Add to your list and be sure to have a definition written for each word:

Cavort

Abruptly

Kinship

Turmoil

Pinnacle

Richard states that "we heal each other with kindness, gentleness, and respect. Animals teach us that" (63).

What else can animals teach us? Write 2/3 paragraphs on this topic and hand it in before the bell.

 

The 10 day writing project has started. We will free-write for 5-10 minutes each day. There is no editing and no reading your previous work. Be brave and let go. At the end of ten days we will revisit our work.

Natalie Goldberg, in her book Wild Mind states that "the mind is raw, full of energy, alive and hungry...it does not think like we were brought up to think—well-mannered, congenial."

 

Brain break of the day:

 

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en

 

Comm 11

Today we will continue reading from One Native Life. 

Here are today's vocab words. Add to your list and be sure to have a definition written for each word:

Cavort

Abruptly

Kinship

Turmoil

Pinnacle

Richard states that "we heal each other with kindness, gentleness, and respect. Animals teach us that" (63).

What else can animals teach us? Write 2/3 paragraphs on this topic and hand it in before the bell.

 

The 10 day writing project has started. We will free-write for 5-10 minutes each day. There is no editing and no reading your previous work. Be brave and let go. At the end of ten days we will revisit our work.

Natalie Goldberg, in her book Wild Mind states that "the mind is raw, full of energy, alive and hungry...it does not think like we were brought up to think—well-mannered, congenial."

 

Brain break of the day:

 

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en

 

 

Comm 12

Good morning,

 

Yesterday we talked of dreams. In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie dream about their farm and of course, the rabbits. Yesterday, we wrote a journal entry on this topic. Today we will get more specific. Answer the following questions and them write 2-3 paragraphs on the topic. Be sure to organize and brainstorm before you write.

 

List three dreams you would like to accomplish before you are 30.

Before you die.

Which is most important?

How will you fulfil your dreams?

What are you currently doing to ensure your dreams will be possible?

 

Using the previous information, write two-three paragraphs about your dreams.  Use a topic sentence.

Communications

Ocean Inside

View this before writing a descriptive representation of what you see. Use imagery and fitting word choice to enhance your writing.

Comm 12

Welcome to Communications 12. I am happy to be your teacher for this term. Here is a little tidbit on school rules for you to enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddvTFgzkS5M

Comm 11

Today we got to explore other people's interests, summer activities and where we live. It was awesome. Kevin B said that, "life was an adventure."

"Saturday Climbing"

"Saturday Climbing" by W.D. Valgardson

1. Give one example of conflict in the story. What type of conflict is it? Write two to three sentences and provide at least one quote to support your idea.

2. Notice the character development in this story. The top of page 54 reveals a great example of this. Read from, "she had frizzy dark hair, …"

Write a descriptive passage of your own character. It can be a real or fictitious person. Use the passage to help with your own writing.

3. On page 55, Valgardseon writes, "Gradually, as a dozen Saturdays passed, what had seemed impossible was reduced to the merely difficult."

Think back to your own life experiences and make a connection to this statement by writing 2-3 paragraphs.

4. In this story, Moira and her father share some success, conflict and the tension between her moving on and her father not wanting to let go. Describe a recent experience you have had with your parents or guardians (2-3 paragraphs).

Test prep

Unit test

28 multiple choice questions

"The Brass Teapot"

"The Kayak"

"Saturday Climbing"

"Hills Like White elephants"

"The Man Who Planted Trees"

Plot graph

Terms

Point of view

Character types

Three types of irony

Written Section

Introduction

Story title

Author's name

In the short story "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway…

Rephrase the question

Engage the reader

Thesis (controlling Idea)

Body…

Quote

Opinion

Support your answer with examples.

Restate what you have said

Explore English

Terms and Definitions

Connotation: suggestions and associations which attach to a word

Denotation: bare, literal meaning of a word

Example

Gold: a precious yellow metal, highly malleable, and ductile, and free from liability to rust (denotation)

Gold: happiness, colour, power, richness, unhappiness, evil, etc. (connotation)

• good writers search for words which suggest more than they say, which stimulates reader’s imagination
• don’t use too many as the writing can get wordy and muddled

Fundamental Components of Fiction

Theme (literature)

A theme is a main idea, moral, or message, of an essay, paragraph, movie, television program, book or video game. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Along with the plot, character, setting and style, theme is considered one of the fundamental components of fiction.

Watch this Pixar short and write a theme statement (1-3 sentences).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjoDEQqyTig

Plot (narrative)

Plot is a literary term for the events a story comprises, particularly as they relate to one another in a pattern, a sequence, through cause and effect, or by coincidence. One is generally interested in how well this pattern of events accomplishes some artistic or emotional effect.

Character

A character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art such as a novel, play, or film.

In literature, characters guide readers through their stories, helping them to understand plots and ponder themes.

The study of characters requires an analysis of its relations with all of the other characters in the work.

Setting

In fiction, setting includes time, location, and everything in which a story takes place, and initiates the main backdrop and mood for a story.

Literary Devices

Symbolism

Symbolism refers to any object or person which represents something else.

"Finally, doves fly over the fields of war" (doves symbolize peace)

Tone

Tone refers to the attitude that a story creates towards it's subject matter. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, somber, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes. Tone is sometimes referred to as the mood that the author establishes within the story.

Imagery

Imagery is used in fiction to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience. Imagery may be in many forms, such as metaphors and similes.

"First day of school smells like new books."

Metaphors

Comparing something to something else.

"The ocean is a bowl of dreams."

Simile

A comparison using like or as.

"He smells like a gym shoe."

Personification

Making an object act like a person or animal

"The ducks complained all day."

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statement  or claim not meant to be taken literally.

"I've been there and back a million times."

Alliteration

Repeated consonant sounds.

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Assonance

Repeated vowel sounds.

"The June moon loomed."

Onomatopoeia

Words sound like it is describing

The ceiling fan said, "clicketa clacketa clicketa."

Foil

In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character —usually the protagonist— in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In some cases, a subplot can be used as a foil to the main plot.

Foil (literature) - Wikipedia

Dilemma

*When a character has two choices which both have potentially bad results.

Dilemma is a Greek word, which means double proposition, or perplexing situation, which presents two different possibilities, and both of them seem practically acceptable.

Character types

• Dynamic - A dynamic character is a person who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis. Most dynamic characters tend to be central rather than peripheral characters, because resolving the conflict is the major role of central characters.

• Static - A static character is someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve.

• Flat - A flat character is the opposite of a round character. This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic.

• Round - A rounded character is anyone who has a complex personality; he or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person.

• Stock - Stock characters are those types of characters who have become conventional or stereotypical through repeated use in particular types of stories. Stock characters are instantly recognizable to readers or audience members (e.g. the femme fatale, the cynical but moral private eye, the mad scientist, the geeky boy with glasses, and the faithful sidekick). Stock characters are normally one-dimensional flat characters, but sometimes stock personalities are deeply conflicted, rounded characters (e.g. the "Hamlet" type).

• Anti-Hero - A major character, usually the protagonist, who lacks conventional nobility of mind, and who struggles for values not deemed universally admirable. Duddy, in Mordecai Richler's The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, is a classic anti-hero. He's vulgar, manipulative and self-centered. Nevertheless, Duddy is the center of the story, and we are drawn to the challenges he must overcome and the goals he seeks to achieve.

Explore English-Short Stories

Questions for the story "The Brass Teapot"

1. List the following details for this story:

• Protagonist
• Antagonist
• Conflict
• Climax
• Point of View

2. The final line of the story, "we could buy our way into paradise" is an example of dramatic irony. Explain why.
3. Can you think of anything in our society that would drive someone to act like John and Alice do in this story? What might the teapot symbolize in that situation?

Terms

Literary Devices

Symbolism

Symbolism refers to any object or person which represents something else.

"Finally, doves fly over the fields of war" (doves symbolize peace)

Tone

Tone refers to the attitude that a story creates towards it's subject matter. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, somber, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes. Tone is sometimes referred to as the mood that the author establishes within the story.

Imagery

Imagery is used in fiction to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience. Imagery may be in many forms, such as metaphors and similes.

"First day of school smells like new books."

Metaphors

Comparing something to something else.

"The ocean is a bowl of dreams."

Simile

A comparison using like or as.

"He smells like a gym shoe."

Personification

Making an object act like a person or animal

"The ducks complained all day."

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statement  or claim not meant to be taken literally.

"I've been there and back a million times."

Alliteration

Repeated consonant sounds.

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Assonance

Repeated vowel sounds.

"The June moon loomed."

Onomatopoeia

Words sound like it is describing

The ceiling fan said, "clicketa clacketa clicketa."

Explore English...Short Stories

Read the story "the kayak" by Debbie Spring and answer the following questions:

Questions for the story "the kayak"

1. What is it that Teresa most desires? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
2. Why did Teresa start to head for shore?
3. What does the author's use of italics indicate?
4. Which literary device is used in "you don't know what it's like being so helpless."
5. What does Jamie's remark "Bring the marshmellows" suggest about the way he thinks of Teresa?

Each answer is worth 2 marks for a total of 10. Write your answers as a form of o question.

Explore English

Hello Explore land,

As we watch Into the Wild be sure to answer these questions:

1. What is Christopher McCandless searching for or running from?
2. How will you make a radical change in your life?
3. Find a quote from the movie that is meaningful to you. Explain what it means or why it is significant. Why did you choose it or why did it make an impact in your thinking? 

Answer your questions in complete sentences and hand in for a total of 10 marks. In other words, give me a reason to give you three marks per question.

But the Math is wrong Mr. Miller

Extra mark:

What might be your ultimate challenge in life? Everest, skydiving, wrestling an alligator, etc...

Explore English

Writing Classifications

Exposition

Narration

Persuasion (or argument)

Description

Not all writing is exclusionary. Most essays are a combination of at least two.

For example, an expository essay on Zen Buddhism may include a description of a monastery, a narrative of the writer's visit to the monastery, and an argument may include the relevance of Zen to us.

A brief overview:

Expository

• Seeks only to explain or to expose what's what
• From the Latin exponere, "to put forth"
• One might write, "how to grow an avacado"

Narration

• Telling a story
• Not just fictional (biography, autobiography)
• Concerned with action with a swift pace

Persuasion

• To win over or convince
• To convince, we must persuade by presenting evidence and reasonable arguments
• Present a thesis, but support with details

Description

• Represents in words our sensory impressions caught in a moment of time
• Visual imagery dominates
• Patient observation of details
• Finding exactly the right words
• Chaos to organization (right to left, top to bottom, from general to particular or from near to far)

Notice this structure, from near to far, as Walt Whitman uses it in his poem, "A Farm Picture."

Through the ample open door of the peaceful country barn,

A sunlit pasture field with the cattle and horses feeding,

And haze and vista, and the far horizon fading away.

Your turn:

In one paragraph, describe what you see from your window. Choose a particular time of day and describe what you see (or might see) or otherwise sense within a moment or two. Move from either far to near or near to far. Think first. Use your mind's eye to see the view.

Great. Share your work with the person beside you.

Now…journaling. Journals deal with the fascination with the

• Self
• Emotions
• The situation

"the senses, being the explorers of the world,

open the way to knowledge"

-Maria Montessori

Thought…

If the forest has the appearance of disorder, why do we feel so peaceful there? There is no order, no rows and is not created by humans.

Your turn:

Sit down in the middle of your Wild Mind. Let your thoughts flow through you. The best way to write is to lose control. Remember your rules of writing. Reread them.

Go to the computer lab in the library and write your first journal entry. Reflect about your first couple of weeks. Here are some guiding questions to help direct your writing:

What have you felt so far?

How do you feel about your situation?

Describe a situation that you have experienced. Where were you?

What did you feel?

 If you have trouble starting, start with this:

Thinking back to my first day, I feel…

Explore English

This week we continue with writing and composition. After a session on brainstorming and organizing, students will look at the basic structure of an essay. We have written 5-sentence paragraphs, and will move to a 5-paragraph essay.


Students will also be introduced to writing classifications: expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive (argument).


Last week, students wrote an injury story. Please complete these and hand in by this Thursday.


Currently, students are using an essay outline to prepare writing a one-page, five paragraph essay on a topic of their choice. They must highlight their thesis/topic sentence and "hook" the reader using one of the examples provided.

Explore English

Before we begin our first public speaking assignment, take 20 minutes and view Amy Cuddy.

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en

Explore English Project

Project Title: The Nature of Me

Curricular Competencies:

·         Think critically, creatively and reflectively to explore ideas within, between and beyond text.

·         Construct meaningful personal connections between yourself and the world.

·         Use writing and design purposes to plan, develop and create engaging informational text.

Instructions:

1.       You are to reflect personally and thoughtfully in three areas:

Where did your love for the environment and the outdoors begin? What experiences and connections helped to instill your love for the outdoors? Where did your environmental stewardship begin? How old were you? Why was it so memorable? Think about people, places, books, movies, travel, etc.

Who are you now? Consider your love and passion for the outdoors. Where are you in terms of beliefs and excitement? What do you love to do in the outdoors? Who do you love to do it with?

Where are you going? What do you see as your future experiences and beliefs when it comes to nature, travel and the earth?

2.       Create a project or product that represents your work. Connect your three areas of reflection in the form of a poster, such as the tree example shown in class. The roots of the tree represent your beginning; the trunk is your now; the branches represent future growth. This extended metaphor does not need to be a tree. Any form of nature is acceptable. Use your imagination to make your connections.

3.       Write a brief explanation of your project. Consider the five Ws. Two to three paragraphs are plenty.

4.       Present your assignment to the class in less than five minutes. This is not a formal presentation, rather it is a brief overview hitting on your main ideas and chosen representation.

Your project will be assessed by using the provided rubric.

I look forward to learning more about you through this documented voyage of your environmental past, present and future. 

Communications 11/12 Ocean Inside

Ocean Inside

View this before writing a descriptive representation of what you see. Use imagery and fitting word choice to enhance your writing.

Comm 11

Hand in all missing work before this Thursday. Also, remember that Friday is an I day for students.

Comm 12

Be sure to continue your exam preparation by completing practice exams, reviewing terms, and asking questions.