Grade 10 Academic English -CDCI West

Monday November 16th & Tuesday November 17th

2009-11-17T11:22:00.001-08:00

Monday, and part of Tuesday was spent working a segment of our ongoing Media unit.

We spent the majority of Tuesday's class at the Youthspeaks presentation.

Make sure you are to the end of Chapter 15 in TKAM.
Tomorrow's period will be spent doing ISU research in the library.

Thursday November 12th & Friday November 13th

2009-11-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

Thursday was spent as a work period. Students had time to complete TKAM journals, ISU Reader's Notes (that were overdue), as well as complete any reading from TKAM they were behind on.

Everyone has had amble amount of time given to complete work in class. The majority of the last month has been spent on ISU Reader's Notes and TKAM journals. There is no reason why this would not be able to be completed on time.

Friday, we discussed TKAM. We specifically looked at the mad dog scene.

Wednesday November 11th

2009-11-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

More topic brainstorming and researching was completed today in the library.
Everyone should have a specific, clear topic for their ISU research report. If it has not been approved by me, it must be done tomorrow.

Tuesday November 10th

2009-11-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

Topic brainstorming with a partner was completed today. If you still do not have a topic, continue this brainstorming at home tonight. Everyone should have a specific topic for conferencing tomorrow.

The newspaper article, "School of hard, wet knocks" questions are due tomorrow.

Questions:

1. a) Who?
b) What?
c) When?
d) Where?
e) Why?

2. How long does it take for the boys to row to school?

3. What do they have to negotiate in the river

4. One day, what did villagers catch?

5. How long have students been riding the Kampar River?

6. Summarize the news article into exactly 7 sentences.

Monday November 9th

2009-11-09T08:37:00.001-08:00

The ISU Research Report process began today. After a lesson on researching, using the library's databases, most people got off to a good start on choosing a topic.

Remember, your topic needs to be specific, it will make writing your reasearch report a lot easier!

We will continue with topic brainstorming tomorrow. On Wednesday we will be in the library for the 2nd of our research workshops. I will be conferencing with everyone on Wednesday to confirm their topic for the report.

Continue to read TKAM and work on journals tonight.

Friday November 5th

2009-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Monday is the final deadline for any short story assignments that have not been handed in.

As well, all your Reader's Notes (#1-5) and your first 4 TKAM journals should already be handed in.

Reminder to have Chapters 12-14 read by Monday.

Thursday November 5th

2009-11-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

TKAM Part 1 Test was completed this period.

We began to watch the Academy Award winning version of TKAM.
We'll continue on with the discussion of Part 1, and onto Part 2 tomorrow.

Reader's Notes #5 (last set) are due tomorrow.

Tuesday November 3rd

2009-11-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

With the Grade 10 Literacy Assembly and an unexpected fire drill, the class was a bit distrupted.

Remember to continue to keep up with Reader's Notes and the TKAM Journals. Part 1 (Chapters 1-11) of TKAM should be read for tomorrow. Chapter 1-11 Quiz tomorrow!

Monday November 2nd

2009-11-02T10:44:00.001-08:00

TKAM continued today, with discussion of Chapters 3 thru 8.

Chapters 9-11 should be read for tomorrow. Rememeber, keep up with the journals for TKAM.

Upcoming Due Dates:
Tuesday: Reader's Notes #4
Friday: TKAM Journals (first half)
Reader's Notes #5

Friday October 30th

2009-10-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

Short Story Unit Tests, TKAM Chapters 1-4 Quizzes, and Reader's Notes #1-3 were handed back in class today. Short Story projects will be marked and handed back on Monday along with mark updates to go home.

Have a safe and happy Hallowe'en!!!

Wednesday October 28th & Thursday October 29th

2009-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, when I was sick, the class wrote a quiz on Chapters 1-4 of TKAM. I will have them returned tomorrow. This was to check to ensure students were keeping up with the reading and had a basic understanding of the book. The next reading quiz will be on Tuesday, on Chapters 5-11.

After, the students had a work period to work on their TKAM and ISU reading, as well as ISU Reader's Notes and TKAM Journals. This was to give them the chance to catch up and be up to date with the class work.

Reminder that the first part of the Journals will be due next Friday Novemvber 6th. Your ISU novels should be completed by Monday November 2nd.

Today, we finished watching Glory Road and will have a discussion and assignment on it tomorrow. We also cleared up any confusion over the ISU Reader's Notes and TKAM journals. EVERYONE should now have the understanding of the requirements of both! : )

Tuesday October 27th

2009-10-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Today we discussed the importance of keeping up with work and taking responsibility for your work. After giving very specific instructions on what to study on Friday for the Short Story test, many students failed to do so. A calendar was handed out for the next five weeks. On it is all the work for both the ISU and TKAM. It is very important for students to keep on top of the work in the upcoming weeks, as it is going to be very busy.

The main focus for the ISU right now is finishing the novel (should be done for Nov. 2nd) and completing the five sets of Reader's Notes.

For TKAM, students must keep up with the reading schedule on the calendar and be maintaining their TKAM journals. This is the main mark component of the novel study. Epitomes were handed out today. Journals (summary, character development, themes, and vocabulary) should take up 1-1/2 pages. The epitomes are the final addition to each journal and should be the point where you make connections and draw in the themes. Each eptiome should be 3/4 to a full page long. The epitome handout is included below:

TKAM
Journal Epitomes

Epitomes (given below) are for you to show all you can ascertain about each epitome including themes like:
prejudice, the “class system”, acceptance and inclusion, stereotyping, justice, persuading, courage and self-identity, or items like character development, dialogue, structure, point of view/narration or vocabulary.

Your journal (summary, character development, themes, and vocabulary) will be approximately 1-1 ½ pages. Each epitome should be an additional 3/4 - a full page.

Ch 1-2: (p. 21) Miss Caroline’s reprimand of Scout

Ch 3-4: (p. 30) “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Ch 5-6: (p. 55) “Had Jem’s pants been safely on him, we would not have slept much anyway.”

Ch 7-8: (p. 72) Atticus’ revelation to the children that Boo Radley put the blanket around Scout during the fire

Ch 9-11: (p. 111) The revelation about Mrs. Dubose

Ch 12-15: (pp. 153-154) Scout’s discussion with Mr. Cunningham

Ch 16-21: You choose the epitome for these chapters

Ch 22-25: (pp. 234-237) “After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.”

Ch 26-31: (p. 278) “‘Mr Arthur, bend your arm down here, like that. That’s right, sir.’”

Monday October 26th

2009-10-26T10:30:00.002-07:00

The Short Story Unit Test was written today.

*Reminder again...Short Story projects and Reader's Notes #1 are OVERDUE!*

Mark updates will be going home on Wednesday for parents to sign.

2009-10-26T10:30:00.001-07:00

Friday October 23rd

2009-10-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Short Story Test Review

Part A: Comparing Non-Fiction and Fiction
-study the chart on the handout
-characteristics of non-fiction genre and fiction genre

Part B: Figurative Language
-similies, metaphors, personification, idioms, and irony (dramatic, verbal, and situational)
-know definitions and be able to give examples of all

Part C: Short Story characteristics
-plot graph (problem, rising action, climax, declining action, solution)
-protagonist, antagonist
-flashback, foreshadowing, tone

Part D: Short Story
-read a new short story and answer corresponding questions

*Short Story Unit Test on Monday October 26th*
*Short Story Assignment, Reader's Notes #1 are OVERDUE*

Have a good weekend!

Thursday October 22nd

2009-10-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

Most of today's class was spent discussing the first two chapters of TKAM.

We went over the Journal component, which will be one of the main evaluations of the novel. We completed the first journal for Chapters 1-2 as a class to use as an example for the rest.

The eptiome for the first journal was to be done on their own and should be finished for class tomorrow.

*REMINDER*
Short Story final assignment is due at the BEGINNING of class tomorrow!

Wednesday October 21st

2009-10-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

We started our new novel today, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. After a quick overview about the time period and setting of the novel, students began to start reading.

Remember, the language of TKAM can be difficult due to the slang of the day. The more you read, the more it will become easier and more fluid to read.

Chapters 1 & 2 are to be read by tomorrow.

Monday October 19th & Tuesday October 20th

2009-10-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Monday was spent in the computer lab finishing up the short story rough copies to peer edit today.

Students switch short stories with two different people to be edited and given feedback. Students that did not have their rough copies ready today must find 2 different people to edit the work on their own time.

The character sketch, layout questions, copy of edited rough draft, and 2 peer editing sheets were due at the end of class. They will be handed back tomorrow, so students can complete work on their Final Copy. ALL components are due Friday October 23rd, NO EXCEPTIONS!

We also looked at the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the "A Dare to Remember" campaign that the West, as well as across Canada, are participating in. Students are encourage to brainstorm and submit dares that will be completed if certain amounts of money are raised. Definitely a great cause!

More information, check out www.adaretoremember.com

Friday October 16th

2009-10-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

We spent some more time on OSSLT preparation, completing another practice booklet for reading. This one focused on Real-Life Narrative and Dialogue.

The Short Story rough draft has been moved to being due on Tuesday. We will spent the class on Monday working on the rough draft in the computer lab again.

Students are to finish the first Reader's Note for their ISU novel. It should focus on the first half of the novel, and be 1-1/2 pages long.

Have a good weekend!

Thursday October 15th

2009-10-15T06:17:00.001-07:00

Work period for the Short Story project. The class was spent working on rough drafts.

Rough Drafts due MONDAY for Peer Editing!!!

Wednesday October 14th

2009-10-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Today was a work period on the short story assignment. Students are creating and writing their own short story. Today's class was spent going over the Journal requirements and then the reminder of the time was spent working on short story character sketches and layouts.

Reminder: Tomorrow you need to bring your character sketch & layout finished and ready to be checked. The class will be spent in the computer lab working on the first draft of the short stories.

Tuesday October 13th

2009-10-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend!

There was a slight change made to the ISU process today. Instead of Book Club, you will be completing Reader's Notes. The 1st half of the book will be your first Reader's Note, and should be 1 1/2 pages minimum. After that, divide the remaining half of your book into 4 parts. Each Reader's Note for those 4 parts should be a minimum of 3/4 of a page long. Remember...Reader's Notes are in point form! See the handout from class today for ideas of what you should include.

Students were also given their final assignment for the Short Story Unit. Over the next week and a half, students will be developing and writing their own short story.

Brainstorm ideas tonight!

Friday October 9th

2009-10-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Today we looked again at the Literacy Test booklet from yesterday. Students were to complete the Information Paragraph (Section B) and hand in.

We read the short story "Emily's Quest" and started our first journal entry.

Students should have Journal #1 "Write a letter to yourself in 10 years time" completed for Tuesday.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

*First three people to comment on this post to show me they have checked the blog win a prize!*

Thursday October 8th

2009-10-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

Today we continued with the wonderful world of grammar, focusing on adjectives and adverbs.

We have began to prepare for the Literacy Test this week. Remember to complete the Section A "The Family Dog" in the Reading booklet handed out in class today.

Welcome!

2009-09-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Grade 10 Academic English!

This course will have students studying various literary forms including short stories, poetry, novels, and plays. There will also be preparation for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test to be written second semester.

This website will be used as a resource for both students and parents to keep up to date with what is going on in our English class.

Please feel free to contact me through e-mail at kelsey_desbarbieux@kprdsb.ca.

I am looking forward to having a great semester!