Tues. - Fri., Dec 19-22, 2017: Reading Classes

For these days, students will work on completing the novel reading of Bear. If they finish early, they will work on their independent novel study, which is dead-lined for January 12, 2018.
On Friday, students were to submit a question they wouldn't mind answering using this novel. I will tally them up and make my decision.

Mon. Dec. 18 to Fri. Dec. 22, 2017: Reading Class

You must have the have The Bear read for Friday's class. If you have it read, use this time to work on your independent novel study. You also handed in an essay question choice for an essay you will rite when you return from the holidays (in-class).

Thurs. Dec. 14 & Fri. Dec. 15, 2017: The Bear "Before" Questions

You have been instructed to go to the library and get the novel, The Bear, by Claire Cameron. You have also been given "before" questions to have answered by the end of class on Friday. It is essential these are done at this time as they are "before" reading activities.

I have linked the questions below for those who are absent.

Before Activity for The Bear

1.      Examine the book. What colours are present on the cover (front and back)?

2.      Symbolically, what do these colours most often represent (think positive and negative connotation and then expand)?

3.      Create a citation for this book using MLA formatting (“MLA Citation” booklet or Fit to Print).

4.      What is the image on the cover? What mood in the reader should this image reflect? Why (again, think positive and negative connotation and then expand).

5.      There is also an image on the binding (side). What does this image reflect about the personalities of both characters represented? Provide as much detail and connotation as you can.

6.      Paraphrase the information presented on the cover about what the book is about. Think of the five W’s to do this. From this, and from the visual clues, create a well-formatted three sentence summary. Don’t forget to include author, genre and title.

7.      Open the book up and read “Praise for The Bear.” After reading it all, determine the following:

·         How many reviews are presented?

·         How well-known are the “sources” of the reviews? How many have you heard of yourself? Write them down and then determine if what you know makes them positive or negative sources to rely on for an accurate review.

·         What stands out the most in the reviewers’ minds about the text?

·         Based on these reviews, what might “click” with you and allow you to have some interest in the text? Explain.

8.      There is a quote by Thornton Wilder prior to the “Contents” page. Read it and reflect. What do you think this means?  Explain.

9.      Examine the “Contents” page. How many sections are you going to have to read to complete this story? Write them down and then write down the number of pages per section.

10.  When the pages without writing and ends/beginnings of chapters are calculated, there are, in total, 229 pages of reading you will have to do. Through calculations, the average number of words on a page is 243. This means you will have to read 55647 words in total. The average reading time for this text is based on the grade nine objective of 215 – 260 wpm. To figure out the time, I divided the total word number by the reading time to get the time in minutes and then divided this number by 60 to get the hours. At 215 words per minute, it will take 4.5 hours. At 260 wpm, it will take 3.5 hours. Ask your instructor for your reading time (based on your Reading Plus assessment). How long will it take you to read the novel? 

11.  Based on your hours of reading as indicated by your scores, imagine I am giving you seven days (a week) to read this. How are you going to meet this objective? Explain.

Wed. Dec. 13, 2017: Reflection of Play Essay (returned already)

Today, students completed an assess and reflect activity using the returned essay, on The Girl Who Loved Her Horses. The purpose is to identify problems and then fix them in the revision stage on the next essay. Some of you have handed in your multi-source essay. While you are doing this activity, I reviewed what was handed in and returned it for further revision. I should have a CLEAN hard-copy submitted by the end of the day. BE SURE IT IS ALSO IN YOUR ELA A30 WORD FOLDER.

Tues. Dec. 12, 2017: Short Story M.C. Exam

Today, you wrote your short story M.C. exam. If you were not here, you will need to see me to request an alternative.

Mon. Dec. 11, 2017: Editing of Essay & Test Prep

Today, I gave the students a review for their test tomorrow and time to revise their essays. Many have need of revision.
The test will be on short stories. They will read two stories using active reading and then, using active reading and process of elimination, answer the questions. If they have time left over, they can work on their novel study.

Fri. Dec. 8, 2017: Attention-Getters

Today, we discussed the importance of attention-getters in essays (actually, anywhere!) and some common types and examples. What I want you to do is to try out three types and apply the BEST to the essay you were to hand in yesterday. I also plan on doing something else with this essay on Monday.
I am also putting some examples of attention-getters that previous students generated in your portfolios.
FYI: Your short story reading comprehension (MC) will be on Tuesday.

Thurs. Dec. 7, 2017: Writing Class

Students are working on their multi-source essay. I have dead-lined the essay for the end of the day. I NEEDS to be in your school folder and identified as a short story essay.

Wed. Dec. 6, 2017: Writing Class

Today, students worked on their multi-source essays. Initially, I wasn't going to allow more class time for it, but we are having computer issues. The paper will still be due tomorrow (at the end of the day) but you will get class time to complete the assignment tomorrow.

Tues. Dec. 5, 2017: Writing Class

Today, students continued to work on their essays. See yesterday's blog for more information.

Mon. Dec. 4, 2017: Essay Assignment

Today, you were given your essay assignment. I have linked it below. It is due for the end of the day on Thursday. I will give you today, tomorrow and Wednesday to work on it in class. The extra time is to be used for personal revision (out of  class).
On Thursday, I will introduce the novel.

Essay Assignment

Fri. Dec. 1, 2017: "The Painted Door" Discussion

Today, we discussed the short story "The Painted Door." I focused on the theme that lack of communication can negatively impact relationships.
We also watched the twenty-minute short of this on You Tube.