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.

Sept. 17 -21: Media Literacy

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)
Paragraph Topics 

Fri. Sept. 21 DUE Today Scams Crossword and 4 paragraphs

• We're in the new K-Library computer lab today.
• The assignment is a creative writing/video captioning assignment.
• You will caption your uploaded video with narrative content that "puts you at the scene." Here's one writing idea: Winning a trip to _____________ was an amazing / unforgettable / disappointing experience.
• STEP 1: select a video (35 seconds or longer) from :
• Wikimedia Commons (Video Collection)
• Copy or save the video file (with extension such as .ogg) to your desktop. Upload the video to DotSub.com and caption the video with a paragraph (6 - 10 sentences long). ***Use your writing code as the title to identify your video.
• (completion mark  /6)

Thurs. Sept. 20
- 20 min. for silent reading, paragraph and crossword completion.
- Read the Social Smarts booklet (graphic novel style).
- In a group of 4 to 5 students, write a list of 10 evaluative or comprehension style questions to accompany the booklet.
- After the questions have been listed on one paper, create a list of ten possible responses to your questions.
10 Questions and Answers DUE THIS CLASS

Wed. Sept. 19 DUE Today A Tale of Two Media project
- 25 min. for silent reading and / or paragraph and crossword puzzle completion.
- View Avoiding Plagiarism DVD

Something for nothing from Red Magma

- Learn about Creative Commons 
- Wikimedia Commons is an example of a site where photo and video media are available for sharing.
- Remember that even if you are using Creative Commons licensed works in your assignments, these should be cited to avoid plagiarism.  Learn more about plagiarism:

 

Tues. Sept. 18

Blk. B: View second half of copyright documentary.
- Review terms: copyright, copyleft, public domain.
- View 45 min. of the NFB Documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto
- Also available on YouTube.
Blk. D:
- This is your final computer lab class to complete A Tale of Two Media project 


Mon. Sept. 17

Blk. B: View first half of copyright documentary.
- Review terms: copyright, copyleft, public domain.
- View 45 min. of the NFB Documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto
- Also available on YouTube.

Blk. D: View second half of copyright documentary.
- Review terms: copyright, copyleft, public domain.
- View 45 min. of the NFB Documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto
- Also available on YouTube.

Sept. 10 -14: Media Literacy

Homework: Complete the following online student information form (6 marks)
Paragraph Topics 

Fri. Sept. 14
Blk. D: 
- Review terms: copyright, copyleft, public domain.
- View 45 min. of the NFB Documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto
- Also available on YouTube.
Blk. B:
- This is your final computer lab class to complete A Tale of Two Media project
 
Thurs.  Sept. 13 - Media Scams
- Video: Media literacy
- Start work on the Scams to Avoid crossword puzzle. Use the Scams to Avoid booklet to find the answers.

Wed. Sept. 12 - Advertising Media
- 20 minutes of silent reading
- Killing Us Software 3 (video in class) looks at the portrayal of women in advertising.
- Discussion of film. Write your third paragraph today. See the following paragraph suggestion or select another topic from the list above.
- Paragraph question: Do you agree or disagree with Jean Kilbourne’s analysis of the portrayal of women in advertising?


Mon. Sept. 10 - Tues. Sept. 11, 2012 - Project Lab Classes
- Continue work in the lab on A Tale of Two Media project
- View some example slides
- The project template can be selected into your Google Docs account.
- You can use your school web mail account to set up a Google Docs account. Your school email is: first initial last name@skss.sd73.bc.ca
- Question: Is a corn field new media? Check out the world's biggest QR code.