Thursday, February 26, 2009

Today, we will carry on with our discussion about creating effective essays. You will be introduced to attention-getters: how to create a good one and then given an overview of one way to create a strong introductory paragraph for a critical/analytical essay (not personal response). Additionally, you are to complete the assignment below based on the notes also attached.
An attention-getter is a sentence or two designed to get the reader interested in what you have to say.

There are several kinds of attention-getters to choose from:

interesting incident or anecdote related to your subject
statement of opinion that you intend to challenge
definition
quotation
little-known or striking fact.

Whatever choice you make, you want to be sure it suits the direction and tone of your essay.
You wrote an essay some time ago in which you addressed the following and related it to the short story we were working with:

Discuss the idea(s) developed by the text’s creator about an individual’s attempt to secure satisfaction or self-fulfillment

The Assignment:
Come up with an attention-getter (sentence or two… ) that you could place on an essay written about the above.
You are to do one for each attention-getter category (5)

Define what type they are.
Due Monday

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Due to the number of students late in the morning lately, I will be handing out extra comprehension assignments if a student is late. The purpose of this is twofold: to ensure that being late isn't something that is ignored (it disrupts a class, especially during an exam), and also to help those students who didn't do well on the unit exam improve in their test skills.
Today, we will start with a journal and then move on to a discussion of essays. We will overview essay structure and purpose.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Today, you are writing your first unit exam (multiple choice, comprehension: Short Stories).

Monday, February 23, 2009

Today, we will go over some of the answers from “Shining Houses” and discuss the unit exam you will do tomorrow. Some of you are keen to get back to the essay I had you write a couple of weeks ago. We will start the essay unit on Wednesday with this rough copy being the one we tweak.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Today, you are going to finish working on your assignment. It must be in the hand-in box by the beginning of class on Monday.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Today, we reviewed how to complete an assignment successfully. You are going to be allowed an additional class to complete your "Shining Houses" questions; however, it will be entered as a major assignment, so use this time wisely.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Today, you are going to go through the assignments you handed in yesterday and the day before (themes and questions). I am going to review them as a class and then allow you to expand upon them and resubmit. This assignment, in its entirety, will be recorded as your first major assignment and will be marked objectively and fully (including such items as content, quality of evidence, unity, spelling and sentence structure.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

You are to have completed your theme assignment from yesterday. You are then to do the questions on “Shining Houses” for today (see assignment below). These can be done in partner (2 student) pairings but only if you are on task and working quietly. This assignment is due for tomorrow

Short Story: “Shining Houses”
By Alice Munro

INSTRUCTIONS: READ the short story: “Shining Houses”, then answer the following questions.

1. Describe Mrs. Fullerton (create a character sketch which contains history, current state, physical make-up, and words that describe her with evidence to support it)
2. Describe Mary (create a character sketch contains history, current state, physical make-up, and words that describe her with evidence to support it)
3. In ten sentences, summarize the short story
4. What is the main conflict in this story?
5. What other conflicts appear (name the types and the details)
6. Who is the protagonist?
7. Defend the position of the homeowners at the birthday party (their views)
8. Explain how the views of Mary differ (some implication is necessary here….brainstorm)
9. Brainstorm and come up with three possible outcomes for this situation (what will follow- how will the issue being addressed eventually resolve itself).
10. Why did the author pick this title?
11. What is the author’s theme? How does it tie in with the documentary we watched on human nature or reactions?
12. On an 11 by 17 sheet of paper, label and then create a plot line for this story. Be sure to be neat. Be sure to put all your names on the back of all the pages!!!.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Students will read the short story “Shining Houses” in their text Viewpoints 12 (pages 62 to 73). This story examines peer pressure and conformity on a society and on the individuals within it. Once this is read, students will work either independently or in pairs to defend the following themes present (see below).


Possible themes in "Shining Houses"

1. Creating and breaking stereotypes
2. Rights and responsibilities
3. Nature and the environment
4. Ethical and moral questions
5. Home and exile

Read the short story “Shining Houses” on pages 63 to 73 of Viewpoints 12. Then, with a partner, defend how each one of these could be seen as a theme. This may be completed in point form BUT you MUST present evidence and page/paragraph numbers.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Students will be writing an in-class essay on the short story we have studied in class. This will be a rough copy from which they will demonstrate what they know about format and also a tool that we will use to improve their skills.

Tuesday February 10, 2009

Today we finished answering the questions on "The Rocking horse Winner". You were then put into pairs and given the themes from previous departmentals to consider in relation with this short story (highlight the themse you could probably write on). I then had you and your partner get a sheet of paper and write down a thesis (based on the theme), a summary of the story, the main points you will argue to prove your thesis and the evidence you would use.
These were then handed in.
Tomorrow, you will write an in-class essay on this short story. It will be used as a rough draft copy from which we will develop better approaches to the task.

Monday, February 9, 2009

You were to have handed in your questions from “The Rocking Horse Winner” today for in-class marking and discussion. Today was also your first novel study day. Keep in mind that novel study is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Journals are Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Today you will do your first journal and then answer questions relating to “The Rocking Horse Winner”. The questions are posted below, as are the instructions. This should be completed today (or Monday if you are not here) as we will mark it on Monday.

Short Story: The Rocking-Horse Winner
By D.H. Lawrence

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer each of these questions FULLY (this means complete sentences with the question flipped into a statement). You may work on this with a partner BUT you must maintain a volume of about 3 out of 10 (in other words, a volume that doesn’t extend beyond you two and into other groups). If the volume level is too high, I will give you ONE reminder… and then your group will cease to exist.

1. Describe the mother in this story (character sketch, background information,
relationship to children) (3)

2. What is always known but never spoken when it comes to this family? (1)

3. What does Paul's mom associated with the accumulation of money? (1)

4. What is Paul's explicit goal? (1)

5. What is Paul’s ultimate goal? (1)

6. What is Paul really hoping to get by achieving these goals? Why did he feel the need
to achieve this? (2)

7. What problems does Paul face in this story? (3)

8. Who does Paul form a "relationship" with? (2) Why? (1)

9 What evidence is there that Paul's mother is irresponsible with money? (two things).
What does the uncle say that foreshadows this? (3)

10. One of the central themes in this story is "ethical and moral questions". Prove this is
so. (3)

11. What connotations are associated with money? (4)

12. What is the irony that is presented in this story? (2)

13. What two major issues that are present today are present in this story? Explain. (5)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Today we will mark the introduction to "Rocking Horse Winner." As part of this, we will look closer at the concepts of "mood" and "tone" in writing (and watch a short video on it). You will then read the story itself.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Today you guys will finish playing the Teams games tournament on introductory terminology. We will then move into the short story unit. The first story we will study is "The Rocking Horse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence.
You will take overhead notes on the author and story. You will then have to answer the following questions based ONLY on the first chapter of the story (these were handed in today - tomorrow if you are absent). The story is on page 18 of Viewpoints 12. You only have to read the first chapter though.

Questions for First paragraph of the story ("There was.....)

1. What mood and tone are established in this opening?
2. What do you learn about the mother?
3. What elements in this passase clearly foreshadow coming events?
4. What other literary devices are used?
5. What predictions can you make about the rest of the story?
4.

Monday, February 2, 2008

Today, you guys participated in a Teams Games Tournament using terminology given to you last week. In addition, I handed out your novel study book list and major assignment sheet. You will participate in a short teams games session tomorrow so study!