Wed. Dec 15 & Thurs. Dec. 16, 2010

On these days, we discussed the best way to approach a multiple choice exam and then worked on our novel study (class) or independent one.

Important steps for successful exam writing:

Highlight in a different colour, lines the questions refer to and then read them again.
Read the story more than once (if there’s time).’
Paraphrase (finish paragraph- look away and decide what it said – write down a few words
Use process of elimination to arrive at the answer
Highlight key words

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Today, you wrote your exam for modern drama. If you were not here, you need to make arrangements to do this ASAP.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Today, you worked on finishing up your novel study (independent) project or on reading The Bean Trees for the final unit (there are questions which go with this that have already been handed out). Tomorrow, you will write your A Doll's House comprehension quiz. We decided not to write an essay for this unit.

Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9, 2010

We read all of "A Doll's House" . You will answer questions 1 thru 17 on page 232-33 in your text and start watching the film. The questions are due on Monday.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Today, we read Act 1 of "A Doll's House". We read up to page 192 and stopped reading when Krogstad exits. Make sure you read this for tomorrow so you won't be behind (I believe it can also be located online).

Monday, December 6, 2010

Today, I presented the following information to prepare you for this course from now until the end of the term:
Your independant novel study (on a book you have been reading at the start of class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - as well as at home) assignment, which was handed out in September, is due on January 3 (the first day back after the holidays).

Your modern drama text, On Stage 3 (get it from the library if you were absent today), contains a play that we will read: A Doll's House. We will do this for the next 7 classes.

We will then do our class novel study The Bean Trees, until the end of the term. I have handed out that novel in advance to ensure that you are able to get it read. I have also provided you with accompanying reading questions which will be due on January 10.

I then introduced the modern drama unit. If you were not here, do an Internet search on Bernard Shaw, Henrik Ibsen, and "A Doll's House".

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Today, you wrote your in-class essay for Hamlet. Tomorrow, you will write your multiple choice unit exam.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Today, you wrote your multiple choice exam. On Monday, we will start our modern drama exam.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Today, we watched the Shakespeare modernization video presentation. Remember that you have an in-class critical analytical essay on Hamlet tomorrow and your multiple choice exam on Friday.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Today, you watched teh rest of the film Hamlet. Remember that your video presentation is due tomorrow, followed by an in-class critical analytical essay on Thursday, and a Hamlet/Shakespeare comprehension exam on Friday.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Today, you watched the first part of the feature film Hamlet.

Wednesday November 24 & Thurs November 25

We read the rest of Hamlet. I am encouraging you to look at the list of critical responses that I gave you (there were 19) and think about how you would approach these questions if you had them for your in-class essay next Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Today, I allowed students the time to work on their major assignment. As a result, we may have to stretch this unit out by a day but will see how it goes.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Today we read up to Act 4, Scene 5, line 150 in Hamlet. There was no reading quiz for Act 3.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Today we marked teh Act II quiz for Hamlet. We then read Act 3Scene 1, up to page 171 (line 352).

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Today, we finished reading Act 2 of Hamlet. We then wrote the quiz. I also handed out a sheet on camera/filming terminology. In your major assignment, these need to be included as part of the shooting portion. The instructions can either imbedded in the script itself, or a separate sheet of camera instructions can be created.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Today, the students wrote an Act One Quiz on Hamlet. We then read all of Act Two, scene 1 and part of Act Two, Scene 2 (on page 103 in your text... we stopped after reading line 148).

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Today, we finished reading Act One of Hamlet. I gave you an assignment which was to modernize Polonius' advice to Laertes. each group was to hand in one copy. The groups were formed in preparation of your modernization assignment. Also, keep in mind that you will have an Act One quiz at the start of class tomorrow.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Today, I handed out your major assignment. I have posted it below. We then began to read Hamlet (we finished Act I, Scene 2).

English 30-1
Hamlet: Major Assignment

Aim: Your group will create a production of an act (scene) in Hamlet in which the language will be modernized, and the setting will be of your choice.

This will involve the use of
· Props
· Costumes
· Creation of a script
· Creation of a video (try for seven minutes).

You will be allowed to choose your own groups, however, If the numbers are off and there are extra people or if your group is too large (aim for around four), then I will add or subtract in order to make sure everyone is involved. Be sure to group with people you can actually get together with on weekends, evenings, lunch hours or spares. Also, make sure that someone in your group has access to a camcorder.

Once you have formed your groups, you will be provided with an act to perform. Each act contains a number of scenes. You only need to choose one scene (or one part of it if it is too long and you can successfully invoke the meaning in a part of the whole). Try to make it one that has the most action or is important to the understanding of the outcome or action of the play.

Each group member must take on a role or task. For example, if “Billy” doesn’t like to act or has limited time to get together after school hours, he could write the script (good copy) and create props. He could also be the camera guy.

In order to be successful, keep in mind that you must use clear body language (stance and gesture).

Due Date:/viewing Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ideas from earlier attempts

· Put it to music (music video)
· Change the setting drastically (on a ship, in space)
· Change the characters to fit the setting (Captain Hook, Luke Skywalker)
· Pick a diction to fit the era or place (Irish accents, Jamaican accents)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Today, you were given a reading to read out loud with another student. You were then to paraphrase it and answer the questions provided. If you weren't finished today, then this is homework.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Today, we watched the rest of the presentations on the Elizabethan era. I then gave you an overview of Hamlet (expository) as well as the political issues occuring at the time of this play. We also took the play out of the library.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Today, you presented your research assignments relating to Elizabethan Drama. We didn't quite finish today, so we will do so tomorrow.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Today, you were given the following assignment to complete by Tuesday:

Read pages 193 - 217 in Fit to Print and then create an article critique on it.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Today, you paired up with a person of the opposite gender. You were then given a research question to answer. These will be shared with the class (presentation) on Monday.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Today you wrote your comprehension exam for the poetry unit. The next unit is on Elizabethan drama (Shakespeare: Hamlet).

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Today, you wrote a personal response to texts assignment (essay or prose form) for the poetry unit. Tomorrow, you will write your comprehension exam for this unit.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Today, you got into groups to discuss your poetry analysis prior to handing it in. I then reminded you that you have an in-class personal response essay tomorrow for the poetry unit and that the multiple choice exam (including a section where you explain what is needed in an essay introduction and another, matching section for literary terms) is on Wednesday.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Today, you finished working on your major poetry assignment. You have until class on Monday to complete it.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Today, you worked on your major assignment. I will give you tomorrow to work on it as well.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Today, you handed in your article critique for Fit to Print, pages 88 to 92.
I then handed out your major poetry assignment which is in your portfolio of you were not here(the poem itself has already been given out; Sky, you are working with Zack).

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Today, students were put into groups to discuss their answers to the questions from the poem "cameras"
After you have finished and handed in your group answers to “Cameras”, do the following

Read page 166 in Fit to Print (just to help you with citation)

Read pages 188-192 in Fit to Print. Create an article critique on this section that will help you learn and study! Keep in mind that I might quiz you ASAP

Friday, October 22, 2010

Today, I handed out the poem "Cameras" by A.M. Sullivan. Students had to analyze it and then answer the questions I subsequently gave them. If you were not here, come in in the morning and get these from your portfolio.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Today, students finished analyzing the Robert Frost poem "Mending Wall" and handed it in. We then watched a UTube video explaining the analysis of it indepth.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Today, I handed out the poem "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost, as well as an introduction to it.
Working in pairs that I approved of, you are to analyze the poem and answer the additional questions supplied about themes. I will be giving you time in class tomorrow to complete this.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Today, you were given more time to work on analyzing the poem "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce. I then gave you some background information and played the Muppets Utube version of this song. We then discussed the analysis process. Finally, you handed your analysis in for me to review.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Today, you did an activity with a partner to review the booklet you were to have read over the weekend. I then gave you another booklet on how to read poetry ("Jamie" poem analyzed).
After discussing this, I handed out the poem "Time in a Bottle" for you and a partner to analyze. You will get some of the class tomorrow to complete this. If you were not here, the papers from today will be in your portfolio.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Today, you wrote your short story unit exam. I will be handing out a booklet on poetry ("everything you always wanted to know about Poetry...) which you are to read this weekend. Most of it will be familiar.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Today, you wrote an in-class, critical analytical response essay for the short story unit. In order to complete this assignment, you must meet with me. At that time, it will be marked and discussed. The appointment sheet is on my desk. Sign up as soon as possible.
Tomorrow you are having your unit exam for short stories. This is a comprehension, multiple choice assessment.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Today, we discussed the themes of the short stories we have read in this unit. I also handed out a copy of your marks up to this point. We also discussed how to arrive at a theme by looking at the topics presented and the commonalities between the stories.
You will be writing an in-class critical analytical essay tomorrow. For this, you are to study the four short stories we studied and your terminology as you have a multiple choice comprehension exam on Friday.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Today, we marked the questions on the short stories we have been reading. These will be returned to you tomorrow so you can use them to study.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Today, you were to hand in your critiques on the short story "Miss Brill". You were then provided with questions to answer on the short story and given class time to complete them.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Today, you were given an introduction sheet to the the short story "Miss Brill". You were then given a copy of the story to actively read. You are to write a short story critique on this story for tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Today, you were to hand in your "The Rocking-Horse Winner" short story critique.
You were then given questions to answer on this short story. These are due for tomorrow.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Today, you handed in your questions and fishbone for the short story "Outside Edges". I then gave you an introduction sheet for the short story "The Rocking-Horse Winner". You then had to read the short story (in Viewpoints 12) and create a short story critique for it. This is due tomorrow.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Today, you handed in your old Fit to Print texts and picked up the new ones. If you were not here, you need to do this.
I then did a mini lesson on how to cite titles of major and minor work.
We also discussed which students wanted me to order The Key (cost is $16.00). I will send off this order today.
I then discussed "Outside Edges" with you, breaking down the story verbally and discussing possible themes.
Finally, I handed out questions about the story that need to be answered this weekend. I am pasting them below.

Short Story: Outside Edges
By Ivan Dorin (Value: 60 including the fishbone)


INSTRUCTIONS: Read the short story, then answer the following questions. Be sure to answer them fully (complete sentences). You can work in pairs to do this, but if someone is absent when you are to hand it in, then it will effect your mark as well (swim together – sink together).

1. What is David’s goal? (value: 1)
2. Why is it important to him? (value: 1)
3. What obstacles must he overcome to reach his goal? (value: 3)
4. In what ways to people help him along his way? (value: 6)
5. How does his personal goal eventually become a shared vision with others? Give examples of two people and back with facts/dialogue to prove it. (value: 5)
6. Would you describe David’s goal as “obsessive? Why or why not? Support your position with evidence. (value: 5)
7. Is David’s goal realistic? Why or why not? (Value: 3)
8. Does David Achieve his goal? If so, how? Explain fully. (Value: 3)
9. Create a fishbone for this story. Make sure that you develop using your handout on short stories. In order to do well on this, you will need to include the following:
· Characteristics (look at the sub-categories in handout) (v: 10)
· Plot (v:4)
· Setting (v: 3)
· Point of View (v: 3)
· Theme (v: 5)
· Miscellaneous terms as they apply (v: 8)
Use an 11 X 17 sheet of paper and colour if you choose. In addition to the above, I will mark you on spelling, grammar, and neatness.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Today, you will read the short story "Outside Edges" on pages 48 to 58 in your Viewpoints I2 text.
You will then write a short story critique on it for tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Today, we reviewed the sentences you identified literary terms in.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Today, you wrote a short story critique for the short story "The Painted Door". While you were doing this, I met with those of you who had handed in your topic responses (19 personal ones). The critiques are due tomorrow.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Today, we discussed the questions you had to answer for the short story "The Painted Door" by Sinclair Ross. We then discussed the Fit to Print section critique you did. If you were given it back with marks on it, I want it to be fixed.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Today, you read the short story "The Painted Door", by Sinclair Ross. You then had to answer the questions provided which are due on Monday.

The questions are as follows:
For each of the following, answer "Yes" or no to whether they are present or not within this sotry. If they are present, provide one example verbatim and the page number after in brackets (ie: "Moodily she went to the window...(p. 225)"

Direct Characterization

Description

Action

Speech

Thoughts

Environment

Other's comments about the character

Name that is revealing (and, if so, how)

CHARACTER TYPES: For each of the following, answer "yes" or no to whether they are present or not. If they are present, provide the name of the character.

Static character

Developing character

round character

Flat character

Stock character

PLOT: Answer these questions in point form:

What is the setting of this story?

What is teh initial incisent in this story?

What is the climax of this story?

What is the conflict in this story? Provide the type (ie., person agains person) and a summary of the conflict.

What is the point of view presented in this story? How do you know that this is the point of view? Explain.

What is the topic of this short story?

What is the theme of this short story?

Are there any symbols present in this short story? Explain.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Today, I returned your multiple choice marks to you. We then discussed how to do an article/chapter critique again. I gave you an exemplar to use when redoing the one you already handed in (if you had less than a 100 %).
I also handed out a booklet for the short story unit which you are to have read by tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Today, you wrote your multiple choice unit exam. Tomorrow, we will start the short story unit.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Today, you wrote an in-class essay as part of your essay unit final. This was a personal essay used previously by Alberta Learning (June, 2010). Remember that you have your multiple choice final tomorrow (study your terminology and bring a pencil!)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Today, in preparation for writing personal responses, we did the following:
Read it all to understand.
List of previous Personal Response themes

Example question:

What do these texts suggest to you about the ways in which the desire for independence and the need for security shape an individual’s identity? Support your idea(s) with reference to one or more of the texts presented and to your previous knowledge and/or experience

survival and endurance against difficulties
the struggle to maintain identity through commitment to a belief, cause, or goal.
the effect of external or internal factors that impose limitations on lives
the influence (power) of imagination in people’s lives
factors that contribute to and result from an individual’s desire to escape
human isolation and its effect on individual lives
the influence of dreams, goals, or ideals
the impact of significant experiences on an individual’s life
the nature and effect of individual responses to opposing forces or views
the consequence of the individual response to risk-taking
the significance of ideals and its pursuit in the shaping of an individual’s life.
The significance of an individual’s response to challenge
how an individual’s ability to persevere influences his or her life
characters’ responses to circumstances that compel them
characters’ responses to unfamiliar situations in their lives
characters’ responses to difficult situations
the significance of characters’ responses to the varied behaviours and/or beliefs of others
the desire for independence and the need for security
Interplay between fear and foresight when individuals make life-altering choices

If you look at the bolded words in the example question, you will notice that you could rewrite it, plunking in any of the themes below to create a new focus. This is what Alberta Learning does! I want you to write out each one as a complete question (use the computers if possible) and then come up with a thesis and personal example to back that position up (look for the topic words as well before you start).

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Today, we reviewed the provincial exam resources available from Alberta Education (I have put the address in your portfolio). We then discussed the chapter summaries for Fit to Print. The citation information is dated, so I handed out a supplemental sheet on how to cite sources (APA style) and we worked through this in class. Finally, I provided you with time tonight to fix your chapter summaries.
Keep in mind that you have an in class essay on Monday and an in class MC exam on Tuesday (unit exam).

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Today, I handed out a chapter/section critique rubric for students to follow when they are reading assigned sections in Fit to Print. We then discussed the part A first assignment: Personal Response to texts and examined a piece of writing from a previous response. The students had to highlight it according to opinion and fact in order to ascertain if the student is on the right track (and then use this to help them in their own writing). I then assigned pages 3 to 11 for reading and doing a critique on. This is due tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Today, we examined fact vs. opinion (I handed out a sheet - if you were not here, it is in your portfolio). I then gave you the essay "parents as People (with kids)" which you were to read and highlight all factual sentences in one colour and all opinion sentences in another. Then you were to answer all of the multiple choice questions presented fully. I then handed out a sheet of terms to be filled in without a dictionary (if you read actively, you would already have them highlighted and defined on your page). There are also questions related to thesis and topic which need to be answered.
For homework, you are to examine the answers you got back from the Fit to Print book. There were a number of you who didn't look in the pages but simply at the index. Fix this so you get an idea of how the book is useful.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Today, we went over the multiple choice (practice PDE) you finished on Friday. I then discussed the personal essay you wrote with you. Some of you are not writing anything personal, which is where you are losing marks. As this is one of the pieces of writing you will have to do for the end of the year, we will work on it more. There is no homework for tonight with the exception of studying your terminology.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Today, you finished working on the practice PDA you started yesterday. If you finished early, you used the time left for your novel study. There is no homework this weekend with the exception of studying your terminology, which should be ongoing.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Today, you wrote a journal and then worked on a copy of a released provincial exam. This is to be treated as an exam, but the purpose is to determine what kind of mark you would realistically get at this point and areas of weakness that we can improve upon. I have stressed to the class that this mark will be entered as a completion mark so the actual mark will only be for reflective purposes. If you were not here, you need to arrange to do this in your own time (though it is a two day activity so you could get some done tomorrow if you are here).

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Today, we worked in groups to defend the answers arrived at for the essay "The Pleasures of Love". You then took notes on some of the writing problems I found in your essays as a whole. There is no homework.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Today, we worked on the most effective way to address and answer multiple choice questions. You were to answer multiple choice questions based on the excerpt of the essay "The Pleasures of Love", which you read last week. This begins as an individual activity but then branches into a group one. You should have finished answering the individual questions. If not, they are due for tomorrow. If you were not here, you will need to check your portfolio in the morning so you can get caught up.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Today, you wrote your first in-class essay. This was a personal essay. If you were not here, we have already made arrangements to have you in after school on Tuesday.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Today, the students filled in a worksheet to help them understand how to use the text Fit to Print. This text can be used in the part B final for both English and Social Studies so knowledge of it is vital to success.
I then handed out an excerpt from the essay, "The Pleasures of Love". This is to be read actively.
Your first essay will be tomorrow. The subject will be fulfillment. You will have the knowledge of two essays to help you develop your ideas but will not have the essays themselves in the room with you. Further, you will have the choice of bringing Fit to Print in with you as well. This will be a personal essay.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Today, we discussed "The Dimensions of a Complete Life" by Martin Luther King Jr. You were to answer questions for today which I checked. You then had to complete the following assignment:

Create a visual on a 11 X 17 sheet of paper provided, using a triangle in the middle. Put the thesis at the top, the three dimensions where they belong, and then the evidence King uses to support the three dimensions in the appropriate places.

This is due for tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Today, we discussed how to write a critical/analytical five paragraph essay. I provided a handout of it (in your portfolio and on goldenrod paper for easy retrieval). I then provided you with questions on the essay "Dimensions of a Complete Life” which are listed below and due for tomorrow. Please do these right on the page:

1. Read the essay provided.
On the pages, identify:
the thesis,
main points,
evidence used to support the main points,
one analogy,
one allusion,
one command sentence

2. Who is his audience (write that somewhere on the pages)
3. What is his tone? (write that somewhere on the pages)
4. On the back, answer the following question: Do you agree with
King’s idea? Explain how you agree/disagree.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Welcome to English 30.
First of all, in case you don't know me, my name is Dawn Benoit. I have been a teacher since 2002. For most of that time, I have worked at this school and, for the most part, my experience has been in English instruction. Prior to that time, I was a journalist and an editor.

If you check this site daily, you will discover that I do update it after every class. In other words, if you are absent, you can look here and find out what we've done. What most students do is add this site to their "favourites" on their computer at home.

My school email address is: dawn.benoit@nlsd.ab.ca

My home phone number is: 780 826-8931.

If you are absent, you have no real excuse for not doing your work... this site and these numbers will make that task a lot less painful.

I have given you all a handout for this course. If you were not here, it is in your portfolio on the desk at the back of the room beside mine. Check there.

For tomorrow, you need to go over the terminology sheet I have given you (check your portfolio) and read the transcribed speech "The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life" by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which you can find at: http://www.drmartinlutherkingjr.com/thethreedimensionsofacompletelife.htm