Explore English

Good afternoon, 

Today we will be viewing The Man Who Planted Trees.

It is a short story published in 1953 by French author Jean Giono. An allegorical tale, it tells the story of one shepherd's long and successful single-handed effort to re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps in Provence throughout the first half of the 20th century. It was written in French, but first published in English.

It was adapted as an animated short by Frédéric Back and released in 1987. It earned a number of awards including an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Watch the animated short, and thoughtfully answer the following questions in complete sentences. You will be marked on the quality of your written expression. Each question will be worth two marks.

1. Who was Elzéard Bouffier?

2. What was his character like?

3. What did he do in his life?

4. What obstacles did he have to overcome?

5. What were the results of Bouffier’s work? 

6. Are “trees” used metaphorically in the story?

7. Does the story have a message about life? 

8. How did the story make you feel?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvYh8ar3tc

Explore English

Good morning campers, 

Today's TED talk is also on my top 10 list. I love the attitude and demeanor of Benjamin Zander. His talk on the transformative power of classical music is both funny and refreshing. I hope you enjoy it. 

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

Reminder…the due date for your written responses is next Monday, April 20th. 

And finally, here are some definitions to add to your list:

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."

Explore English

Good morning,

What a beautiful day today. I hope you all get outside at some point to enjoy the weather.

As promised, here is another one of my favourite TED Talks.  Andrew Stanton talks about the clues to a great story. It seems appropriate after reading and marking all your amazing plot graphs. Again, the students of Explore deliver the goods!

Warning: the beginning starts with an edgy joke that contains an expletive. 

A note on your written responses:

At the end of this week, you should have at least six written responses. Three from this week, and more from our time together in class (Pre-Global-Pandemic-Armageddon). I will ask you to submit 2 two-paragraph responses. In other words, hand in two of your best. Edit, revise, polish, buff, clean-up, and present to me your finished work.

Was that too wordy? I'll try again. Submit two edited responses. Each should be at least two paragraphs long.

What am I looking for? A demonstration of your ability to make meaningful and insightful commentary, connections to you and others in the world, thoughtful and provocative writing. Show me quality in your written expression. 

How will I mark them? Each response will be marked on a 6-point grading scale for a total of 12 marks.

Enjoy Andrew Stanton

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

Explore English

Good morning, 

I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you all. Here are some notes for the week of April 14th.

To start, keep up on your daily grammar. Write the examples in your binder and keep a record, just like we did in class. 

For this week, I would like you to write three written responses. I will post three TED talks for you to watch. Respond to each of them by making a connection to yourself. Write down anything that comes to mind. Each response should be two full paragraphs. Feel free to write more, but be sure to make connections to yourself. 

The first is by Amy Purdy: Living Beyond Limits. In this TED talk, Amy asks us an important question:

If life were a book, and you were the author, how would you want your story to go? Grab a box of tissues, and take notes. Remember, write whatever comes to mind, but be sure to make some connections. 

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

Daily Dose # 21

What is an adjective?

An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun by describing, limiting or making it more exact; it may indicate quality or quantity. There are three general types: descriptive, limiting, proper

Daily Dose # 22

Give an example.

descriptive (yellow, wide house), limiting (third, several boys), proper (Canadian policy).

Daily Dose # 23

What is an adverb?

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective or other adverb by describing or limiting to make meaning more precise; often have an –ly ending. Generally tell how, when, why, where, how often and how much.

Daily Dose # 24

Give an example.

quickly ran, moved sideways, he treated us kindly
Daily Dose # 25

What is a conjunction?

 A conjunction is a linking word used to connect words or groups of words in a sentence. Write two examples from each category.

Coordinating: and, but, for, or, nor, yet, neither, either,
Subordinating: since, because, as, while, so that, although, unless
Correlative: both/and, either/or, neither/nor, so/as, not only/but also

Daily Dose # 26

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a linking word used before a noun or pronoun to show its relationship to some other word in the sentence; usually indicate a location.

Examples: above, in, at, down, onto, over, upon, toward, within, for, except


Daily Dose # 27

What is a pronoun?

 A pronoun acts in the place of a noun.

I, you, he, she, the, they, him, her, we, etc.

Explore English

Hello Explore Students, 

I hope this message finds you well as we are all adjusting to this new reality of schooling. I thought we would start with a fun assignment. Some of you may remember the plot graphs I showed you before Spring Break.  If not, no worries. Here is a brief overview of the project.

1.    Research the elements of plot. Be sure to understand the following: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling action, Resolution/Denouement 

2.    Plot graphs take many different forms. Research some examples and pick one that works for you. You have the freedom to think outside the plot graph on this. 

3.    Add the elements of  plot to a poster depicting your favourite book or movie. Be sure to include images and symbolism to add flavour to your assignment.

Criteria


Exposition: Include setting, time, place, and main characters
Inciting Incident: Describe the initial conflict
Rising Action: You must show a minimum of three main conflicts
Climax: Highlight the main event...the BIG moment
Falling Action and Resolution: What happened after the main event and where are things left?
Denouement: Fancy French word meaning end. How does it end?


Remember to include images, symbols, and pizzazz.

You will have one week from today to complete this project, take a picture, and send it to me via email (Subject line-Plot Graph).
This will be marked out of 10.

Slomo

Watch the video Slomo.


Free write for ten minutes after watching.

What thoughts did you have?
Were you inspired by anything?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn87-mcnoVc 

Explore 2020

Welcome to Explore,

This is the 20th year of the program and we are all very excited to experience a great year together. From time to time, I will post English work on this blog. Most of our work is done in class, but I will post English work before we head out for trips.

For information about the program, visit gpvanier.ca and click on programs. From there you will be able to find the Explore tab. Trip dates, gear lists, and a variety of other information can be found there.

Again, let's work together and have a fantastic year,

Mr. Miller