Jan. 7 - 11: Finding Forrester

Provincial Exam: Tues. Jan. 29 (9:00-11:00 am)
Term 2 Assignment Deadline: Fri. Jan. 25 
Quiz ch. 1-7 Finding Forrester: Fri. Jan. 11 (25 marks)
Ch. 9, 10 and 12 Ques: DUE Mon. Jan. 21 (52 marks)
Tweets from space.

Fri. Jan. 11 Ch. 1-7 quiz today
- Write chapter 1 - 7 quiz.
- Finding Forrester is a novel that explores many themes including human attitudes, assumptions and biases. Many argue that the media plays a powerful role in shaping people's attitudes. We will watch the 13 minute video "Racial Bias and the Media."
- Is the media doing enough to fairly represent our population?
- Watch the video clip about a recent experiment conducted by a high school student. Do you think the media is responsible for these results?
- Vocabulary exercise: Review the Canadian Race Relations Foundation glossary of terms.
- Assignment due this class (10 marks): From the glossary:

• Select five terms that you think have the most relevance to Jamal's experience. Write a full sentence reason for each choice.

• Next, list five other glossary terms that you now understand better after reading this list. Write or paraphrase the definition of each term.

Thurs. Jan. 10, 2013 Homework for Thursday: Review for Friday's quiz
- Review characters and answers for chapters 4 to 7.
- Start reading chapter 8 and working on the questions.
- You will need to hand in answers for ch. 9, 10 and 12 questions.

Wed. Jan. 9, 2013 Homework for Thursday: Finish reading ch. 7 (study for Ch. 1-7 quiz on Friday)
- Ethical dilemma group exercise: The Dying Passenger
- Take an aerial tour of New York City (setting of Finding Forrester). Can you spot any famous landmarks?

Tues. Jan. 8, 2013
- Review characters and answers to chapter 1 - 3 questions of Finding Forrester.
- The author, James W. Ellison, has written the novelizations for several films.
- Continue reading chapters 4 and 5 of Finding Forrester. 

Mon. Jan. 7, 2013
- In our final weeks of English 10, we will be reading the novel Finding Forrester. This novel is based on the screenplay written by Mike Rich.
- Read chapters 1 - 3 of Finding Forrester.

• Jamal comes from the South Bronx, which is located in one of New York City's five boroughs.
• The setting of the novel Finding Forrester is an important component of the story and the two worlds inhabited by Jamal, the protagonist.
• The poverty of the South Bronx is evident. Watch this photo essay of the South Bronx to learn about this neighbourhood.

Dec. 17 - 21: Sci-Fi Reviews

Chrysalids Essay Make Up Day: Wed. Dec. 19 Connections K123 

Fri. Dec. 21
- Conclusion of The Truman Show.
- Complete your book / movie reviews. DUE Mon. Jan. 7.
***Enjoy your holiday***

Wed. Dec. 19 / Thurs. Dec. 20
Blk. D / B - 20 min. reading. Continue viewing The Truman Show.
Blk. B / D - Lab class on media freedom / Google advanced searches
***New Contest - Why Media Matters (Deadline May 15/13)

Review the Fundamental Freedoms (section 2) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Fundamental Freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

a) freedom of conscience and religion;

b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

d) freedom of association.

Freedom of the press is an important cornerstone of a democracy. In some societies, information access is much more restrictive than it is in Canada.

1. Find out where Canada currently ranks on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. Where did Canada rank in 2002?
2. Review 2012 Attacks on the Press
3. Review statistics on journalists killed

View the following videos:
Report on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index


Learn about the most dangerous country for journalists.


Internet censorship in China


Blogging and its impact on traditional news media


Tues. Dec. 18

- Complete the book review assignment for the novel The Chrysalids.
- Today, we'll watch the first 40 min. of The Truman Show.
- The Truman Show has been called one of the ten most prophetic science fiction movies ever made. What do you think this statement means?
We will watch The Truman Show this week. Consider the following questions:

• Do you think this movie should be classified as science fiction? Why or why not?
• What statement do you think this movie is making about the media?
• What ethical statement do you think this movie is making?

Mon. Dec. 17  -  The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

Blk. D
- Library class today. Use this class to complete the Sci-Fi author activity sheet, read and complete any missing term 2 assignments.

Blk. B
- In-class five paragraph novel essay today. You may use your prepared quotes sheet and your axiom outline sheet.
- You will receive the essay criteria sheet and the first paragraph for the essay.

Dec. 10 - 14: The Chrysalids

25 Mark Quiz #3 (ch. 13-17) Wed.  Dec. 12 - 10 marks comma splice / fused sentences; 15 multiple choice.
In class Chrysalids Essay (30) - Blk. D Thurs. Dec. 13 / Blk. B Mon. Dec. 17

Fri. Dec. 14
- 25 min. for silent reading (borrow or read your own book).
- Review the story "The Trickster."
- Respond to the story questions using complete sentences in your answers.

Thurs. Dec. 13  -  The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.
Blk. B
- Library class today. Use this class to complete the Sci-Fi Writer activity sheet, read and complete any missing term 2 assignments.
Blk. D
- In-class five paragraph novel essay today. You may use your prepared quotes sheet and your axiom outline sheet.
- You will receive the essay criteria sheet and the first paragraph for the essay.

Wed. Dec. 12 -  The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.
-Listen to The Chrysalids Radio Play (Part 3)
- Write the ch. 13 - 17 quiz (25 marks).
- Use remaining time for assignment completion or silent reading of your choice.
 
Tues. Dec. 11 -  The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.
- Review ch. 15 - 17 answers

- Watch The Chrysalids inspired Jefferson Airplane song "Crown of Creation." 

Song lyrics quoted from ch. 16 p. 182  
**Continue your essay outline preparation and novel reading:

- Consult the "List of Discoveries" to select three alternative axioms for inclusion in David Strorm's home. If you're unable to attend class, you can make selections from this list of quotes.
- In preparation for the upcoming in-class essay, list your three axiom selections on your axiom outline sheet. In the box beside each axiom, write a paragraph topic sentence using the axiom in quotation marks. Then, in point form, list three reasons for each axiom selected.
- See the introductory paragraph and outline for the in-class essay.

Mon. Dec. 10 -  The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.
- Review ch. 13 - 14 answers
- Consult the "List of Discoveries" to select three alternative axioms for inclusion in David Strorm's home. If you're unable to attend class, you can make selections from this list of quotes.
- In preparation for the upcoming in-class essay, list your three axiom selections on your axiom outline sheet. In the box beside each axiom, write a paragraph topic sentence using the axiom in quotation marks. Then, in point form, list three reasons for each axiom selected.
- See the introductory paragraph and outline for the in-class essay.

Dec. 4 - 7: The Chrysalids

The Chrysalids novel QUIZ ch.7-12 (25): Thurs., Dec. 6  
sentence combining sheet (12 marks) DUE Thurs. Dec. 6

Fri. Dec. 7  - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

- Comma splice and fused run-on sentence exercise. Complete and check your responses.
- Continue reading and ch. 13 - 17 questions. 
- Watch the video "Science Fiction-Science Fact" from the European Space Agency


Thurs. Dec. 6  - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

- Listen to The Chrysalids Radio Play (Part 2)
- Quiz 2 (ch. 7 - 12)
- Start the Ch. 13 - 17 questions.
- Finish the sentence combining sheet (12 marks) and hand it in this class.

Wed. Dec. 5 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

-  Review ch. 11 and 12 answers.
-  Start the sentence combining sheet (12 marks) DUE Thurs. Dec. 6
 - Continue reading and work on The Chrysalids quotes sheet.
- Finish the Ch. 7 - 12 questions.
- 2012 book review discussion of The Chrysalids

Tues. Dec. 4 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

-  Review ch. 8 and 9 answers.
 - Continue reading and work on The Chrysalids quotes sheet.
- Start the Ch. 7 - 12 questions.

- Finish viewing Watch the Skies!: Sci-Fi, the 1950s and Us. Complete documentary below:
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4  

Nov. 26 - 30: The Chrysalids

Superheroes Project DUE Mon. Nov. 26 (60 marks)
The Chrysalids novel QUIZ ch.1-6 (25): Thurs., Nov. 29 
The Chrysalids novel QUIZ ch.7-12 (25): Thurs., Dec. 6


Fri. Nov. 30 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.
- Review the characters in the novel. The next quiz on ch. 7 - 12 will have ten matching questions on the characters. 
- Read Ch. 7 - 8 and start ch. 7 - 8 questions of The Chrysalids
- Watch the Skies!: Sci-Fi, the 1950s and Us. Complete documentary below:
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 

Thurs. Nov. 29 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

-  Before the quiz, we will listen to The Chrysalids Radio Play (Part 1) Chapter 1-6
- Ch. 1-6 quiz (25 marks)
- Continue reading and work on The Chrysalids quotes sheet.
- Start the Ch. 7 - 12 questions.
- 2012 book review discussion of The Chrysalids

Wed. Nov. 28 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

- Review answers to chapters 3 to 6.
- Finish reading chapters 1 - 6 before tomorrow's quiz.
- Work on The Chrysalids quotes sheet.

Tues. Nov. 27 - The Chrysalids online novel. Chapter summaries.

- Review answers to chapters 3 and 4
- Read chapters 5 and 6
- Background on John Wyndham, author of The Chrysalids.
-Questions and answers on the biography of John Wyndham, author of The Chrysalids.





Mon. Nov. 26

- Distribute questions for ch. 1 -6 of the novel.
- Review answers for chapters 1 and 2.
- Finish reading chapter 4 of The Chrysalids novel for Tuesday.
- The Chrysalids Radio Play (Part 1) Chapter 1-6

 

Nov. 19 - 23: Romeo and Juliet / The Chrysalids

Romeo and Juliet Wedding Vows DUE Mon. Nov. 19 - minimum 8 lines including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification techniques underlined and identified (10 marks)
Romeo and Juliet graphic novel evaluation assignment. (20 marks) DUE Fri. Nov. 23

Superheroes Project DUE Mon. Nov. 26 (60 marks)

Fri. Nov. 23
- Finish Romeo and Juliet assignments.
- Finish reading chapters 1 and 2 of The Chrysalids novel for Monday.
- The Chrysalids Radio Play (Part 1)

Thurs. Nov. 22
- Using the graphic novel adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, complete the graphic novel evaluation assignment. (20 marks)


Mon. Nov. 19 - Wed. Nov. 21

- Lab 120 is booked for these classes.

- Sign in to your Google Documents account.

- Click on the project template. Select the "Use this template" button to import this project into your account.

- Read the instructions carefully and edit the project template to develop all required elements for your synopsis of a superheroes adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

 

Nov. 13 - 16: Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Wedding Vows DUE Mon. Nov. 19 - minimum 8 lines including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification techniques underlined and identified (10 marks)

Thurs. Nov. 15 - Fri. Nov. 16- Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet
- Review overhead notes on Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V
- 25 minutes for Romeo and Juliet graphic novel reading at the start of these classes.
- Watch Romeo and Juliet Acts II, III, IV, V (1968 Franco Zeffirelli version).

 
Wed. Nov. 14 - Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet
- Review overhead notes on Act II and Act III
- 25 minutes for Act II and III graphic novel reading.
- Watch Romeo and Juliet Act I Scenes 4-5, Act II, Act III (1968 Franco Zeffirelli version).

 

Tues. Nov. 13 - Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet

- Romeo and Juliet plot summary video
- Review overhead notes: Prologue (in iambic pentameter)
- Review overhead notes on Act I 
- 25 minutes for Act I graphic novel reading.
- Watch Romeo and Juliet Act I Scenes 1-3 (1968 Franco Zeffirelli version).
 

Nov. 5 - 9: Animal Farm / Romeo and Juliet

Assignment DEADLINE for TERM 1 is Wed. Nov. 7
Quiz: Fri. Nov. 9 Elizabethan Theatre Intro. (30) Review note sheets and multimedia covered in class this week.
Connections K123 TEST Make-up Wed. Nov. 7 Animal Farm (100 marks - 10 matching George Orwell; 10 matching historical connections; 10 vocab. matching; 64 multiple-choice; 6 mark paragraph question).
 
Fri. Nov. 9 - Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet
- After writing the Romeo and Juliet Theatre introduction quiz, go to the lab and help English 11 by completing their online surveys below. Thank you for your assistance with this project.

National Parks of BC
Music survey
Food Survey
Nhl Lockout
Seasons
Disneyland
Pets Within The Household
Hockey
Sports
Gaming Survey
Music Preferences in General Survey
NFL
Politics
The Walking Dead
Sports Competitions

If you have time remaining, view the two resources below (use headphones):

See also:
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (A Kennedy Center video)


Thurs. Nov. 8 - Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet
 - Finish the movie Shakespeare In Love. Note: This film is not historically accurate.(It is a fictional comedy of how Shakespeare's life may have been while he was writing Romeo and Juliet). Observe the settings, costumes and theatre structure.
Wed. Nov. 7 - Romeo and Juliet Online Play  Simplified Romeo and Juliet
- Today, view the Globe Theatre video in class
-  25 min. for assignment completion or graphic novel Romeo and Juliet reading.
 - Start the movie Shakespeare In Love. Note: This film is not historically accurate.(It is a fictional comedy of how Shakespeare's life may have been while he was writing Romeo and Juliet). Observe the settings, costumes and theatre structure.

Tues. Nov. 6
Today, we'll take a virtual tour of the Globe Theatre (Source). View the Interactive Globe.
Make notes on the handout. Read Shakespeare: What's Your Sign?
After the tour, see:

See also:
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (A Kennedy Center video)

Mon. Nov. 5  - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)

- Animal Farm novel test today.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 2: Animal Farm

TEST: Mon. Nov. 5 Animal Farm (100 marks - 10 matching George Orwell; 10 matching historical connections; 10 vocab. matching; 64 multiple-choice; 6 mark paragraph question).

Thurs. Nov. 2 - Fri. Nov. 2  - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged) 
- Animal Farm movie

Wed. Oct. 31, 2012 - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
Who is Napoleon?
Napoleon, a Berkshire boar, is the main tyrant and villain of Animal Farm and is based upon Joseph Stalin. He begins to gradually build up his power, using puppies he took from mother dogs Jessie and Bluebell, which he raises to be vicious dogs as his secret police. After driving Snowball off the farm, Napoleon usurps full power, using false propaganda from Squealer and threats and intimidation from the dogs to keep the other animals in line. Among other things, he gradually changes the Commandments to allow himself privileges such as eating at a table and to justify his dictatorial rule. By the end of the book, Napoleon and his fellow pigs have learned to walk upright and started to behave similarly to the humans against whom they originally revolted. Napoleon's name adds to the novella's themes of totalitarian dictators rising from a vacuum of power and absolute power corrupting absolutely. The character's namesake, Napoleon Bonaparte, forcibly took control from a weak government in 1799, installed himself as First Consul and eventually crowned himself Emperor (Wikipedia).
To understand Stalin, the historical figure Napoleon the pig is based on, view Parts 1 to 5:
Joseph Stalin: The Real History (Part 1)
Joseph Stalin: The Real History (Part 2)
Joseph Stalin: The Real History (Part 3)
Joseph Stalin: The Real History (Part 4)
Joseph Stalin: The Real History (Part 5)  

Tues. Oct. 30- Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- Review chapter 9 vocabulary and questions.
Animal Farm Synopsis
Orwell didn't include two phases of revolution in his story. This is one example where there isn't a tidy parallel between the book and the real history of the revolution. Animal Farm seems to lump together the Russian Revolution (February 1917) and the rise of the Bolshevik party (October Revolution 1917).
Activity:
- Understand the definition of the word "propaganda" (see slideshow).
- View examples of propaganda

- Understand how propaganda is used in Animal Farm.

Propaganda and George Orwell's Animal Farm from prufrock6731

Mon. Oct. 29- Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- Lab 120 is booked.
- Complete the online quiz (10 marks) on Its / It's / Your / You're usage.
Sign into Socrative Student. Enter classroom code 52231. Enter your full name.
- Continue reading Animal Farm to the end.
- When finished, do the online review quiz.
- Then complete your notebook chapter questions for review in class tomorrow.

Oct. 22 - 26: Animal Farm

Parent/Student/Teacher interviews: Thurs. Oct. 25 2-4 and 5:30-7:30

Fri. Oct. 26 - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- It's / Its and You're / Your review.
- Review the vocabulary and answers to the Ch. 7 chapter questions.
- Review the Animal Farm character comparison chart and watch the Russian - Revolution (Part 1) video.
Russian Revolution (Part 1)
What happened to Nicholas II and the Romanov family?
- National Geographic "Tsar's Family's Death."
- 2008 Russia Today news story.
- Read chapters 8 and 9.  
 
Thurs. Oct. 25 - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- Review the vocabulary and answers to the Ch. 6 chapter questions.
- Review the Animal Farm character comparison chart and watch the Russian - Revolution (Part 1) video.
Russian Revolution (Part 1)
What happened to Nicholas II and the Romanov family?
- National Geographic "Tsar's Family's Death."
- 2008 Russia Today news story.
- Read chapters 7 and 8.  
 
Wed. Oct. 24 - Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- Review the vocabulary and answers to the Ch. 4 - 5 chapter questions.
- Review the Animal Farm character comparison chart and watch the Russian - Revolution (Part 1) video.
Russian Revolution (Part 1)
What happened to Nicholas II and the Romanov family?
- National Geographic "Tsar's Family's Death."
- 2008 Russia Today news story.
- Read chapters 6 and 7.  
 
Mon. Oct. 22 - Tues. Oct. 23- Animal Farm online novel / Animal Farm Audio Book (abridged)
- Review ch. 1 - 3 Animal Farm questions. 
- View George Orwell biography.  Review questions and answers.
- Continue reading to the end of chapter 6.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a novella that can be described as a roman à clef (French for "novel with a key"), which is a work describing real-life behind a façade of fiction.
Although Animal Farm is short, it can be read and interpreted on several levels:

A "fairy tale" or "fairy story" can mean any far-fetched story that may feature folkloric characters such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, and talking animals, and usually enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events (Wikipedia).

A fable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, that features animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human qualities), and that illustrates a moral lesson (a "moral"). Fables can be described as a didactic mode of literature. They frequently have as their central characters animals with the ability to reason and speak (Wikipedia).

In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bring about improvement.Although satire is usually meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily humour in itself so much as an attack on something of which the author strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit (Wikipedia).

An allegory is a form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in the narrative are equated with meanings that lie outside the narrative itself (Microsoft Encarta).

To appreciate the deeper satirical and allegorical elements within Animal Farm, it is important to have an understanding of the author, George Orwell, and the historical and political dynamics of his time.

View parts 1 -5 of George Orwell's biography and complete the questions (see Assignments and Handouts link):
George Orwell - Part 1
George Orwell - Part 2
George Orwell - Part 3
George Orwell - Part 4
George Orwell - Part 5

Oct. 15 - 18: Poetry / Animal Farm

DUE Thurs. Oct. 18: Poetry Blogs
Thurs. Oct. 18: Open-book poetry test p. 117-251

Thurs. Oct. 18, 2012 - Animal Farm online novel
- Open-book poetry test (43 marks). You can use your textbook, The Poet's Craft.
- When you finish, read chapters 1, 2 and 3 of Animal Farm.
- Complete the vocabulary and answers to the chapter questions. 


Tues. Oct. 16 - Wed. Oct. 17
- The lab is booked.
- Use this time to complete and email your blog links. See blog post examples from last week.
- If finished, start typing out your two best good copy paragraphs from your peer-edited rough copies. DUE Mon. Oct. 22: 2 typed good copies (2 x 6 marks) and four rough drafts (4 x 2 marks) Total 20 marks.

Mon. Oct. 15

- Review poetry terminology: denotation, connotation, apostrophe, alliteration, and other terms on this online list.
- Review slam poetry examples.

A Poem about hands:



- AK47 Team Poetry: This is a brilliant example of personification/extended metaphor in a poem presented at an event in Ottawa in 2009.




- Poetry has experienced a revival through the support of athletic events and teams.
 - NY Knicks Poetry Slam 09 Semi-Finalist:

Oct. 9 - 12: Poetry

Short Stories Quiz: If you missed it, you must report to AI in the library to write the quiz
DUE Fri. Oct. 12: Louis Riel Poetry questions.
DUE Thurs. Oct. 18: Poetry Blogs
Thurs. Oct. 18: Open-book poetry test p. 117-251 

Fri. Oct. 12, 2012 - Class 4 of 4 on Poetry Blogging
- Sign into your blog at Blogger.com
- Work on poetry assignment #2 - Class 4 activity.  See an assignment example below:
***Email completed blog with your full name and block in subject line.
***Paste the link to your blog in the body of the email.
- When finished, review pages 117 - 251 of The Poet's Craft textbook in preparation for the open-book poetry test next Thursday, Oct. 18.
- If you finish early, help the United Nations World Food Program feed the world by playing Free Rice.

Nature and Invention

Instructions for Drawing:
- Sign into Google Docs. Select Create New. Select Drawing.
- Click Insert. Select Text box (type or paste poem into text box)
- Add other artistic elements. When finished, click on File. Select Publish to the Web.
- Copy the Embed Code. Paste the code into your blog's Edit HTML view (at the bottom).
- Change the dimensions near the end of the code to w=450 h=400 so it will fit your blog.
- Click Publish Post on your blog. See the sample below:



Thurs. Oct. 11 - Class 3 of 4 on Poetry Blogging
- Sign into your blog at Blogger.com
- Work on poetry assignment #2 - Class 3 activity.  See an assignment example below:
- If you finish early, help the United Nations World Food Program feed the world by playing Free Rice.

People and Places

Before Two Portraits of My Mother

I love the beautiful young girl of this

portrait, my mother, painted years ago

when her forehead was white, and there was no

shadow in the dazzling Venetian glass

of her gaze. But this other likeness shows

the deep trenches across her forehead’s white

marble. The rose poem of her youth that

her marriage sang is far behind. Here is

my sadness: I compare these portraits, one

of a joy-radiant brow, the other care-

heavy: sunrise—and the thick coming on

of night. And yet how strange my ways appear,

for when I look at these faded lips my heart

smiles, but at the smiling girl my tears start.

By

Émile Nelligan (1879-1941)

Born in Montreal

Wed. Oct. 10 - Class 2 of 4 on Poetry Blogging
- Sign into your blog at Blogger.com
- Work on poetry assignment #2 - Class 2 activity. See an assignment example below:

                                         War and Hope                                             

I Hate That Drum's Discordant Sound

by John Scott

Outwitted

by Edward Markam

Although John Scott's poem "I Hate That Drum's Discordant Sound" certainly contains a relevant message about the turmoil and devastation that is brought about by war, Edward Markham's poem "Outwitted" has greater relevance to the lives of most people in the world today. "Outwitted" is a short poem with a simple message. The poem's theme of "love thy neighbour" has relevance to many kinds of relationships such as families, friendships and the workplace. Sometimes family members do not get along, and it can take months or years for them to resolve issues that have caused a "falling out." Similarly, friendships may be disrupted and later be repaired as a result of one or both parties' efforts to re-connect. Finally, workplace relationships can be restored through the efforts of a caring mediator. Even though "Outwitted" is a very brief poem, its universal theme has widespread relevance for many people around the world.

Tues. Oct. 9 - Class 1 of 4 on Poetry Blogging
- In the computer lab, set up your blog at Blogger.com (sign in with your Google Docs username and password. Do not make a new account). You can customize your blog's privacy and comment moderation settings through your Blogger Dashboard "settings" and "comments" tabs.
- Work on poetry assignment #2 - Class 1 activity. See an assignment example below:

Love and Loneliness

LOVE

LONELINESS

Love and Loneliness

(a poem with borrowed lines)

Love and loneliness are two sides of that coin called emotion

(Of course there are others such as jealousy and devotion)

Love is a sailboat on calm blue seas

With sunny skies and a warm soft breeze.

I love thee with a love I seem to lose. *

Could it really be the end of this cruise?

Now loneliness is a submarine that hardly surfaces for air

It is a child, homeless man or woman with an outcast stare.

My false friends leave me here to die alone **

Where is that coin? All I have is a stone.

In life we spin the coin:

Love - we win; 

Loneliness - we lose.

*   Line borrowed from "Sonnet 43: How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

** Line borrowed from "Wabanaki Song" translated by Charles G. Leland

 

Oct. 1 - 5: Short Stories

NOTICE: SKSS Student webmail has been discontinued. If you used your SKSS email to set up a Google account and want to change your primary email for your Google account, you can change it here.
Homework: Complete the following online student information form (6 marks)  
QUIZ (33 marks) Fri. Oct. 5: Short story unit - plot diagram; terms; 3 paragraphs

Fri. Oct. 5 - Short Story Unit Quiz
- Short Story Unit Quiz (33 marks) *** hand-written notes must be given to Mrs. H. before your class starts if you want to use them for the paragraph section.
- Start work on the Louis Riel historical poetry assignment. Answers must be in complete sentences.

• On February 17th, 2009 the Canadian Press reported that Louis Riel's final poems had been made public for the first time. Read the story and watch the video to learn more. Complete the questions (under the Assignments and Handouts heading in the right margin).

Thurs. Oct. 4 - Quiz Review
 - Review the Interactive Short Story Unit to prepare for the quiz tomorrow. Be sure to cover the elements/components of the short story and all terminology.
- Use the same web site to listen to and read "Never" by H. E. Bates on p. 120 of Inside Stories II.

- Complete terminology notes using the long sheet handout.

**Hand in story notes TODAY for test paragraph writing.

Block D - Peer Editing
- Today, we'll review the purpose of peer editing and practice editing first draft paragraphs from other classes.
 
Wed. Oct. 3 - The Tell-Tale Heart 
- We will be watching Edgar Allan Poe's biography. 
- Today we're reading the classic gothic horror, The Tell-Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe.
 
Tues. Oct. 2 - Forgiveness in Families
- "Forgiveness in Families" was written by Canadian author Alice Munro. Munro is considered one of the world's best short story writers.
- Munro won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2009. It is the biggest international award for short story writing.
- Read the story on p. 93 and complete notes on the terms from the  handout. 

Mon. Oct. 1 - North End Faust 
Today, we're reading "North End Faust" by Ed Kleiman
The title of the short story "North End Faust" contains a double allusion. These two allusions relate to the main character's place of residence in Winnipeg and to his faustian behavior as a university psychology professor. See the definition of faustian.
- Read the story and complete the terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.
Block B - Peer Editing
- Today, we'll review the purpose of peer editing and practice editing first draft paragraphs from other classes.

Sept. 25 - 28: Short Stories

NOTICE: SKSS Student webmail has been discontinued. If you used your SKSS email to set up a Google account and want to change your primary email for your Google account, you can change it here.
Homework: Complete the following online student information form (6 marks)  

Fri.. Sept. 28 - God Is Not A Fish Inspector
- You'll be reading "God is Not a Fish Inspector" (Inside Stories II p. 42)
- Read the story and complete the terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions. 
 
Thurs. Sept. 27 - The Metaphor
"The Metaphor" is a short story written by Nova Scotian writer Budge Wilson. Wilson has been in the news recently for writing the prequel to Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Before Green Gables  was published in February 2008. In a YouTube video, Wilson explains how it felt to take on such a formidable writing task.
Read this story and complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.


Wed. Sept. 26 - Ashes For the Wind
- Use the first 25 min. to complete terminology notes for "Harrison Bergeron."
- Read "Ashes for the Wind" and complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.
"Ashes for the Wind" was written by Colombian journalist and author Hernando Téllez. Although Téllez wrote this story around 1945, the problems of Colombia's internally displaced persons (IDPs) persist today.

This Refugees International YouTube clip, produced in 2008, outlines the scope of the IDP problem in Colombia.

An April 2008 news agency report provides another view on Colombia's IDP crisis.
In 2009, LinkTV produced a documentary, Stories That Kill, about the state of journalism and freedom of expression in Colombia. 


Tues. Sept. 25 - Harrison Bergeron
- Read Harrison Bergeron (see stories link). Complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.
Harrison Bergeron was written by American author Kurt Vonnegut. In this YouTube clip, Vonnegut offers advice for short story writers. After reading "Harrison Bergeron," do you think that Vonnegut has followed his own advice?
- Vonnegut offers eight rules of short story writing.

1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
4. Every sentence must do one of two things — reveal character or advance the action.
5. Start as close to the end as possible.
6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them — in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.