This week I will be available for multiple study sessions in preparation for the EN10 and EN12 provincial exam. I will be at school all day on Wednesday and Thursday - available for help, but I have scheduled a few meeting times for specific grades. When you come, make sure you bring an electronic device or laptop with you.

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On Wednesday, I will host a workshop for English 10 to discuss strategies and key knowledge for the provincial from 9am - 11am. Attendance is not mandatory, but it might be a good idea.

On Thursday, I will host a workshop for English 12 from 9am - indeterminate to discuss strategies and key knowledge for the provincial exam.
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English 9 SPECTRUM
Today we'll be doing a survey!

English 10
If you haven't done your survey, please do so today. We have an epic kahoot all lined up! We'll also finish our film and do more one on one interviews.

English 12AP
Do your survey if you haven't done so yet. Also be sure to return all novels to me by the end of today.

Provincial exams are imminent.

English 10: Thursday, June 23. 9:00am. 3 hours permitted. Be there at 8:30 to get mentally prepared.

English 12: Friday, June 24. 9:00am. 3 hours permitted. Be there at 8:30 to get mentally prepared.

For all classes: We will be filling in a survey for our classes. Please use the following link to fill in the survey. The survey is password protected, since we have many visitors from outside our classroom. I will give you the password in class for the survey.

Each class gets its own collection data. Click on the link that corresponds with your class. I'll give you the password during the class.

English 10

English 9 SPECTRUM

English 12AP

There will be a homeroom on Monday, June 20 to collect locks and to distribute 2016-2017 timetables.  There is an alternate bell schedule in effect.
TIME BLOCK
8:25 - 9:42 D Block
9:42-9:50 8-Minute Break
9:50 - 11:07 C Block
11:07-11:16 9-Minute Break
11:16 - 12:33 B Block
12:33-1:13 LUNCH
1:18 - 2:35 A Block
2:40 - 2:55 HOMEROOM (Lock Return & 2016-2017 Timetable Distribution)

Sharkfest is Tuesday, June 21. There is an alternate bell schedule in effect.
Time Block
8:25 – 9:15 AM A Block
9:15 – 9:25 10 minute Break
9:25 – 10:15 AM B Block
10:15 – 10:25 10 minute Break
10:25 – 11:15 AM C Block
11:15 – 11:25 10 minute Break
11:25 – 12:15 PM D Block
12:15 PM Homeroom & Yearbooks
1:00 PM SHARKFEST

English 12AP
Don't be a late Lucas, be an ON TIME TIMMY.

English 10
Today we'll take a final gander at your essays if you need more time.

English 9 SPECTRUM
Today we'll be writing your  synthesis paragraphs.

English 10
Today we're writing our final compare and contrast essay in the provincial that we examined yesterday. You may bring in a thesis statement only.

English 12AP
Today we'll continue our film from yesterday. Hand in your synthesis essay!

English 12AP

Money stuff:

Bring $29 for your Bard on the Beach ticket (your name is on the board if you haven't paid).

Bring $6 for each copy of Fragments of Imagination you requested.

Today we're watching a film!

English 9 SPECTRUM

Today we'll be making more connections between The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, and Life is Beautiful.

English 10

Today we'll be looking at another provincial in detail, and begin planning our final compare and contrast assignment.

It's TERRIFIC TUESDAY. HAVE A TERRIFIC TUESDAY.

English 10
Today I'll be modelling an introductory paragraph for compare and contrast essays, then everyone will have a chance to try their own C&C intros!

Topic for Mr. Rogers: Compare and contrast the choice PAPER VS PLASTIC in the context of a BBQ at the beach.

1. Which is a better use of free time: Playing video games vs. reading an interesting novel. 
2. Which is better done as a homework assignment: writing an essay vs. solving math problems. 

English 12AP
Today we'll be going over the characters we began to examine yesterday. Be prepared to share your analysis with the class, and the significance of these characterizations in the context of Chaucer's time (14th century).

Our class anthology is $6. Bring the money!
4 of you still need to pay for your Bard on the Beach tickets. $29

English 12AP
FEES: $29 if you signed up for Bard on the Beach

Incoming due date: Thursday, June 16 for your final synthesis essays.

We're going to take a gander at the Canterbury Tales - from a post-secondary perspective. That is, we'll be examining several characters and determine how the society at the time would perceive this character.

The original text was written in early middle English - which is more difficult to comprehend than Shakespeare's middle English. We'll use a somewhat modernized translation of the text for interpretation purposes. A complete analysis takes much more time than we have, but we should be able to briefly learn about these characters.

The Canterbury Tales

Characters to examine:

1. The Wife of Bath (challenge)
2. The Prioress
3. The Miller (challenge)
4. The Pardoner
5. The Friar
6. The Lawyer
7. (Your choice)

Questions:

1. Summarize the story
2. Characterize with quotes.
3. Based on what we understand about society at the time this was written, what conclusions can we make about the character?
4. What is Chaucer attempting to accomplish through this character? (consider the prologue and the story)

English 10
Today is a lit circle day! If we have time, I'll be modelling an intro for compare and contrast in order to clarify what we're looking for on the provincial exam.

English 9 SPECTRUM
Well- it took the entire weekend, but your essays are marked, and you'll be getting them back today.

English 12AP
Speaking of Synthesis, we'll take a look at a few TED talks that may supplement some of your ideas:

PTSD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHDQeIRTgs
PTSD Part 2 (not covered in class):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bhk65bY_I0

Today we'll discuss the elements of a film analysis, and another look at the provincial.

English 10
Silent reading, and expanding C&C points into arguments. Specifically, we'll look at forming a killer introduction for C&C and Narratives.

English 10
It's another day on thesis statements! Today we'll wrap up thesis statements on the open-ended questions, then we'll spend some time developing thesis statements for compare and contrast writing. We've been over the rules before, but here's something to keep in mind:

1. Be sure to mention both items in your thesis statement.
2. Don't simply state that there are more similarities or differences.
3. Take a position based on the subject of the comparison.

Example:

Compare and contrast the economic benefits of SUVs and Coups.

The italicized and underlined section is the subject of the C&C.

In your groups, create a thesis statement and brainstorm 3 components of your argument.

Here's a list of C&C topics to try in your groups. Decide on a subject for your C&C. Don't simply compare the two items in an open-ended context:

1. Apple and Microsoft
2. Pencils and Pens
3. Biology and Chemistry
4. Jazz and Classical Music
5. Cash and Credit Card
6. Nuclear Power and Solar Power
7. Porcelain and Glass
8. Books and Movies
9. Vampires and Werewolves
10. Rap and Pop

English 12AP
PICK YOUR FILM

Remember all those literary terms? Time for a collaborative activity!

GOOGLE DOC LINK

In other news, fees:

1. If you want a copy of our class anthology, bring me $15. Once the exact cost is determined we'll work out the difference.
2. For Bard on the Beach, you need to decide if you would like to come if you didn't check doodle. If you checked doodle, you're coming: $29 please!

English 9 SPECTRUM

Today we'll finish Life is Beautiful.

Another lovely morning!

English 10
Note: Any students in the 35% - 55% range will be recommended for remedial summer school. If you are currently passing, but you're in a lower range, you'll need to get a sufficient grade on the provincial exam in order to pass. Keep in mind that this test is worth 20% of your final grade.

Today we completed our first lit circle and handed in the package. Nicely done.

Essay marking is coming along. Another class set of essays is nearly completed. Poems for Block C are completed.

English 12AP
Shakespeare in Love - what a great film.

Time for more essays. How many you might ask? The current count is 182.

English 12AP

There was a question about the expectations of a synthesis essay in English 12. We'll be discussing this in more detail in class, but here are some quick items:

1. Synthesis means that we're using two texts to create new ideas and form an argument that incorporates both of them. This should be reflected in your thesis statement.
2. Do not compare and contrast the texts for this assignment. 
3. Our synthesis essay has a primary text. Namely, Othello. You have a choice of two other texts with which you will synthesize your essay. 
4. Because there is a primary text, you can use either article to "re-read" Othello and form an argument based on how Othello comments on the topics addressed in the article. Conversely, you could even use Othello to address the arguments in the article.

English 10

Here are some example topics we'll be examining while we refine our thesis statements:

Everyone is basically good.

People should be able to criticize the government.

Beauty is a matter of personal preference.

Personality is more important than beauty.

Love can last forever.

Blondes aren’t as smart as brunettes.

Violence is necessary sometimes.

All students should be required to speak English.

Teachers are always right.

Money is more important than love.

Possession of drugs should require jail time.

1. Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. 
2. Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument. 
3. Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”? 
4. Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue. 
5. Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary. 
6. Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning. 

Source: UNC Writing Center

English 9 SPECTRUM

Today we handed in the good copies of our stories. We discussed more BITSP and began viewing a film with similar tones: Life is Beautiful (1997).

English 10
Today we're starting off with some silent reading to ensure everyone has a good start on their novels, then we'll finish up our essays. If you're done already, read!

We'll go over the role sheets today. Remember, your lit circles are meeting June 8, June 13, and June 17!

English 12AP
The concert on Friday was fantastic - and the promposal was hilarious! Today, we'll be writing another narrative - this one we'll hand in at the end of the class.

Due dates to discuss:
***This can be done in a group***Creative Assignment for Paradise Lost: June 10
Othello Synthesis Essay Assignment: June 16

English 12AP
We had 9 confirmed responses on the Doodle tonight, so I have bought tickets for each of you. The youth price is $29, but these are prime seats that anyone over 22 would have to pay $57 for.

If more would like to come, I can reserve more tickets, but we might have to sit in a few scattered spots around the theater!

The reservation is for September 10, 2016 at 7:30pm. Each ticket is $29. If you signed up on Doodle, bring the money ASAP!

English 10
Today we shared our poems which are in fact - surprise: Sonnets! Yes, you have worked out one of the more tricky poetic forms in the English language!

We also formed our lit circle groups and determined meeting times and dates.

English 12AP
Today we'll be taking about your next two assignments. There's your creative assignment where we take the tone and approach of Milton and there's the Synthesis assignment we started yesterday. We'll establish the due dates for these today!

English 9 SPECTRUM
Today, we discussed the significance of Bruno's narration of such a terrible global event. We closely examined the chapter "The Fury" where Bruno met Hitler and we wrote a journal response on that encounter.

Next week we'll check out the film - as well as another film for our final assignment.

English 10
Today we wrote our 2nd narrative essay, this time, with planning as part of the picture. We'll be starting (somewhat shortened) lit circles in Friday, with a total of 3 meetings.

English 12AP
After our last skit, today will be synthesis day. Use the links below to inform your work.

Othello Synthesis Topic
PTSD Article
Interracial Marriage Article

Do not consult any additional outside sources - read the topic first, then pick which of the two synthesis questions you will respond to.

Please vote on the day that we'll go see Othello this summer!
DOODLE LINK

Vote by midnight Friday.

English 9 SPECTRUM
Here is how you need to organize the header for your creative writing:

1. Title centered.
2. Name on the right.
3. Date on the right.
4. Size 12 Times New Roman (1.5x spacing)
5. Double sided preferred, not required.

Due: Tuesday, June 7 2016

English 10
Today we made a few planned changes to our 3 quatrains. The new steps are:

d. In a meter other than the one in your poem, write a rhyming couplet that encompasses a central theme of your symbol.
e. Combine your stanzas into one big stanza. Indent the rhyming couplet at the end. The poem should be a single stanza, and 14 lines long.

Print this, and make it pretty to hand in tomorrow, June 2.

English 12AP
Today we showed most of our skits. They were excellent - except of course for the cringe-worthy moments you all remember! These are the best Othello skits I have seen. Tomorrow - essays!