English-Short Stories

Good morning, 

For Tuesday, read "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. 

Discussion question: What might the lottery symbolize? 

Journal Question # 2

Discuss some of the common sacrifices that individuals make for the sake of others in society; for example, consider home life, the family, schooling, work, wartime. What are some of the compromises and sacrifices that people make? How does the individual typically justify or rationalize these social expectations?


Task

Create a flash card for the literary device, theme. Use the definition from the handout provided to you on Friday.


*Complete Indian Horse and have it checked in at the library. Return it to me when you are finished.

English-Short Stories

Today we will begin looking at short stories. To begin with, I will pick a selection of readings from the novel The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien. Students will be asked to keep a writing journal as we progress through the unit. We will also refresh our memories with the elements of the short story---setting, characters, plot, conflict, point of view, and theme. Along with finishing our flashcards, students will be expected to complete a self-directed project for this unit.

For today's assignment, I will ask students to write about a list of things they carry as I read to them. I'm not referring to physical items in a backpack, rather, I want students to think about the emotional baggage we carry as we each make our way through our own journeys through life. This might include memories or feelings we have as a result of certain experiences, long-lasting moments, images we have seen that will be with us forever, or moments in time that have been ingrained into our beings.

Each writing assignment should be thoughtful, on topic, and at least 2-3 paragraphs. I will ask students to pick their five best pieces of writing to be included in a portfolio that will be handed in for marks. Each reflection will be worth 6 marks for a total of 36.

English-Flashcards continued

Pun:

Word play involving: the use of a word with two different meanings, the similarity of meanings in the two words spelled differently but pronounced the same; two words spelled somewhat the same but containing different meanings.

Verse:

Can refer to one line of poetry or all poetry written in rhythmic patterns

Prose:

Writing which follows regular grammatical conventions (uses full sentences and paragraphs) and is straightforward in its explanation or description.

Archetype:

A universal theme, pattern, or character which is repeated throughout literature in various cultures and time periods.

English

Have a read and listen to Jordan Tootoo who has just released a new book that looks at racism in sport.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/racism-in-the-national-hockey-league-it-s-ok-to-talk-about-it-says-jordin-tootoo-1.2849833

English

Good morning,

In an effort to get organized for our final project, students will be asked to complete the following:

1. Which theme/project have you decided on?

2. Describe in two to three sentences what your idea is.

3. Are you working with a partner? If so, have you decided how to divide the work load?

4. Describe how you will represent your work (powerpoint, essay, movie, etc.).

5. Spend 15 minutes brainstorming. Create either a mind map, freewrite or a list as a prewriting activity. This must be handed in by the end of the block. Place your name on the top right hand corner and hand it in. This is worth five marks.


On Monday, students will be going to the computer lab to begin their project. They will have three days for research, planning, and producing. Students will be given a daily effort mark worth five marks for their work in the library. Thursday will be spent in the classroom for editing, presenting their progress, and asking questions. Friday will be their final work day for this assignment and all work MUST be handed in at this time.  Good luck. I look forward to previewing their final products.

English-Indian Horse

Indian Horse -- Final Project

As a final project for this novel, you are asked to choose one of the following themes to research, explore and represent. For all projects, direct references to the text are essential. Specific examples MUST be used. Direct quotes from the novel will be required:

·         The hockey rink as a place of worship

·         Hockey or skating as a form of poetry

·         Explore the idea that hockey or skating can be freeing or seen as a way of escaping one’s present circumstances

·         Explore the idea of resilience and how it relates to the protagonist

·         Explore both racism and stereotypes. Identify the difference between the two and provide examples

·         Present First Nations hockey players in Canada

·         Other?????? Let’s talk

You may work with a partner if you choose. All students will be marked on their effort and time commitment. As can be seen by the examples below, there are many ways to present information. Here is a list of potential ideas:

·         Write a play

·         Write an essay

·         Make a movie

·         Make a commercial

·         Create a poster-board presentation

·         Do an oral presentation

·         Create a Powerpoint or Prezi

·         Create a comic book

·         Write a children’s story

·         Write or perform a series of poems or spoken-word pieces

·         Paint a picture and write a synopsis of the interpretation

·         Other??  See me

Grading

Projects will be graded on neatness, quality of written expression, meeting completion date, effort, and creativity. If you choose a project that requires written work, the written work must be typed. All work will require a reference page. Because of the variety of projects, grading can be difficult. Therefore, a generic rubric will be used to evaluate student projects.

Quality of written expression includes grammatical structure, spelling, writing conventions, etc.

Neatness includes typed work, overall aesthetics, and final presentation

Completion mark is obtained by finishing within a determined time frame

Effort mark will be established daily. Marks will be based on the students’ daily efforts and their use of classroom time

Creativity is a subjective mark. I will be looking for the students’ ability to think outside of the box

This project is worth a total of 50 marks.

English-Flash Cards

Terms for today:

Dramatic Irony: The words or acts of a character in a play may carry meaning unperceived by himself but understood by the audience. Usually a character's own interests are involved in a way that he/she cannot understand. The irony lies in contrast between meaning intended by the speaker and the added significance seen by others.

Verbal Irony: Occurs when the attitude of the writer or speaker is the opposite to that which is literally stated (often similar to sarcasm).

Situational Irony: Occurs when a set of circumstances turns out to be the reverse of those anticipated or considered appropriate.