Apr. 5 - 8: Animal Farm

DUE Fri. Apr. 8 - Poetry Blog
FINAL MARKING DEADLINE: Mar. 15 - Apr. 8 work is Fri. Apr. 15. 

Fri. Apr. 8, 2016 - Animal Farm online novel ; Animal Farm audio book

- Continue reading ch. 5 to 7 of Animal Farm and work on questions and answers. 
- Complete overdue Mar. 15 - Apr. 8 assignments for the Final Marking DEADLINE of Fri. Apr. 15.

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) 

Thurs. Apr. 7, 2016 - Animal Farm online novel ; Animal Farm audio book

- Read ch. 5 and 6 of Animal Farm and work on questions and answers. 
- Complete overdue Mar. 15 - Apr. 8 assignments for the Final Marking DEADLINE of Fri. Apr. 15.

Tues. Apr. 5 - Wed. Apr. 6 - Animal Farm online novel ; Animal Farm audio book

- Read and review ch. 1 - 4 of Animal Farm and work on questions and answers. 
- View George Orwell biography (see below).  Review questions and answers.
- Continue reading to the end of chapter 2 by Tues. Apr. 5.
- Continue reading to the end of chapter 4 by Wed.  Apr. 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 

Mar. 14 - 18: Poetry

Thurs. Mar. 17: Open Book Poetry Quiz (review p. 117 - 251 of The Poet's Craft textbook)
DUE Tues. Mar. 15: Louis Riel poetry questions
DUE Fri. Mar. 18:  Individual Assignment #1
DUE Fri. Apr. 8: Poetry Blog  
FINAL CUT OFF Marking Deadline for overdue Mar. 1 -11th work is Thurs. Mar. 17.

Fri. Mar. 18, 2016
- Continue viewing Dead Poet's Society movie.
-  finish work on Individual Assignment #1 to be handed in today.

Thurs. Mar. 17, 2016
- Open book poetry quiz (43 marks).
- After handing in your completed poetry quiz, finish work on Individual Assignment #1 to be handed in tomorrow.

Wed. Mar. 16, 2016

• 30 min. for studying for the open book poetry test tomorrow (Thursday). Students should review pages 117 - 251 of The Poet's Craft textbook in preparation for the open-book poetry test. Review the following in the glossary section at the back:  denotation, connotation, three types of irony (verbal, situational, dramatic). apostrophe, symbol, metaphor, simile, allusion, personification, onomatopoeia, alliteration.
• after 30 min. of study time, students should use their Poet’s Craft textbooks to complete Poetry Assignment #1 at the top of  the same handout sheet as their blog assignment. Instructions:

Individual Assignment #1- Classroom:

Part I -1 Life and Death - Exploring Meaning: Theme and Topic

• Review poems on life and death.
• Select one poem from Part A (life) OR one poem from Part B (death).
• Answer all questions in complete sentences for your selected poem (pp. 18 – 21).
• Write a paragraph explaining why you chose this particular poem.
• Paragraph and questions due Fri. Mar. 18

Mon. Mar. 14 - Tues. Mar. 15, 2016 - Class 4/5 of 4/5 on Poetry Blogging Project
- The lab is booked.
- 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 this week.
- 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:

Mar. 7 - 11: Short Stories / Poetry

QUIZ (33) Tues. Mar. 8: Short Stories (terms; plot chart; 3 paragraphs)
DUE Thurs. Mar. 10: Paragraphs (2 typed and 4 rough copies) (20)

Fri. Mar. 11, 2016 - Poetry

- Lab 1 is booked to continue working on poetry blogging assignments.
- 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

Thurs. Mar. 10 - Poetry
The lab is booked to continue work on blogging assignments.
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.

Wed. Mar. 9, 2016 - Poetry
- Lab 1 is booked for the rest of the week. You'll be working on a poetry project.
- Start the poetry blog project.

- 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

 


Tues. Mar. 8, 2016 - Short Story Unit Quiz

- Short Story Unit Quiz (33 marks) *** hand-written notes must be given to Mrs. H. before the quiz 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 to learn more. Complete the questions.

Mon. Mar. 7, 2016 - Hand in your short story terminology notes today.

- Spend the first 30 min. in the lab reviewing the glossary and plot elements on the Interactive Short Story Unit in preparation for tomorrow's quiz.
- Collect your peer-edited paragraphs and review your editors' comments.
- Decide which two paragraphs you will revise and type for marking.
- In the lab, type your two best paragraphs and staple both typed paragraphs to the front of all your rough copies. ***Include your full name and block***
- Hand in all typed and rough copy paragraphs for marking. These are due by Thurs. Mar. 10th.

Short Story Elements Fjc from Schoodic

Feb. 29 - Mar. 4, 2016: Short Stories

FINAL MARKING DEADLINE for all February work is Tues. Mar. 1  
DUE Tues. Mar. 1: Freedom to Read activity sheet
QUIZ on Short Stories on Tues. Mar. 8 (33) 

Fri. Mar. 4, 2016 - Peer Editing

- Peer editing - the class will have an orientation session on peer editing and will then peer edit the paragraphs of three students from other English classes.
- Continue work on terminology notes from the stories read this week.



Thurs. Mar. 3, 201  - 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. 

Short Story Elements Fjc from Schoodic

Wed. Mar. 2, 2016 - The Tell-Tale Heart

- Use the first 25 min. for group discussions.
- Today we're reading the classic gothic horror, The Tell-Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe. Complete terminology notes for this story according to the long sheet instructions.
- View The Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe biography DVD.


- Stephen King discusses short story writing.

 
Tues. Mar. 1, 2016 - North End Faust 

- Take the first 20 to 25 minutes to complete your terminology notes from "The Metaphor" or finish the paragraph response to the question: Do you agree with Jean Kilbourne's analysis of the portrayal of women in advertising?
- 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.

Mon. Feb. 29, 2016 - The Metaphor

"The Metaphor" is a short story written by Nova Scotian writer Budge Wilson. Wilson has been in the news 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.

Feb. 22 - 26, 2016: Short Stories

DUE Tues. Feb. 23 - Scams to Avoid crossword puzzle
FINAL MARKING DEADLINE for all February work is Tues. Mar. 1
Feb. 21 - 27 is Freedom To Read Week

Fri. Feb. 26, 2016 - 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. In 2013, Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize in Literature (only the 13th female winner).
- Read the story on p. 93 and complete notes on the terms from the  handout.


Thurs. Feb. 25, 2016  -  Freedom to Read Week: Censorship and Journalism

- Part of this class will be spent with the librarian discussing information freedom issues.
- The lab is also booked in the library.
- In the lab: Complete the Freedom to Read activity sheet. This is out of 25 marks and will be collected at the end of class. Use the website below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_books_banned_by_governments&oldid=555295119 
When finished:
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.

1. Find out where Canada currently ranks on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. Where did Canada rank in 2015?
2. Review yearly  Attacks on the Press
3. Review statistics on journalists killed

Wed. Feb. 24, 2016

- Blk. F -  Killing Us Softly 4 (video in class) looks at the portrayal of women in advertising.
- Discussion of film. Start your next paragraph today. See the paragraph topic question:
- Do you agree or disagree with Jean Kilbourne’s analysis of the portrayal of women in advertising?  
- Blk G - This class will be attending the rally in the gym in the afternoon.

Tues. Feb. 23, 2016 - Ashes For the Wind

- 25 min. for terminology notes and crossword puzzle completion.
- 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.


Mon. Feb. 22, 2016 - Harrison Bergeron

- 25 min. for paragraph completion OR silent self-directed reading.
- Start short story unit:
  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.

Feb. 15 - 18: Media Literacy

Thurs. Feb. 18, 2016

- Fieldtrip  to TRU Junior Achievement Economics for Success activity day.

Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 - Complete student information form (3 marks)

- 15 min. reading or crossword puzzle work using the reference booklet.
- Blk F - Gender Bender advertising activity
- Blk. G -  Killing Us Softly 4 (video in class) looks at the portrayal of women in advertising.
- Discussion of film. Start your next paragraph today. See the paragraph topic question:
- Do you agree or disagree with Jean Kilbourne’s analysis of the portrayal of women in advertising?


Tues. Feb. 16, 2016 

Blk. G - Trades and Transitions session in library 8:40-9:10
            -  Return to class to complete the crossword, rough draft paragraph or ad techniques sheet from yesterday.
Blk. F -  25 min. for silent reading; time to complete the crossword, rough draft paragraph or ad techniques sheet from yesterday. View DVD Media Literacy.

Mon. Feb. 15, 2016 

- 25 min. for silent reading, crossword or paragraph completion.
- Review the advertising strategies information sheet and view the 15 min. DVD, Cracking the Advertising Code.
- Complete the 12 mark assignment on the back of the information sheet (Due Thurs. Sept. 19).

Feb. 9 - 12, 2016: Media Literacy

DUE Wed. Feb. 10 - Reading Log
DUE Thurs. Feb. 11 - A Tale of Two Media project

Fri. Feb. 12, 2016- Complete student information form (3 marks)

- 25 min. for paragraph completion or silent reading.
Topic 3 : Is remixing content a legitimate form of creativity OR is it intellectual property theft?
- Start work on the Scams to Avoid crossword puzzle  using the reference booklet.

Thurs. Feb. 11, 2016 

- 25 min. of silent reading, or finish your overdue assignments.
- DVD Writing Effective Paragraphs
- discuss the features of copyright, copyleft and public domain licensing for remixing or using content.

Image attribution: Copyright © 2009 – 2015 Marcin Floryan licensed under

- Write third paragraph for peer editing. Topic - Is remixing content a legitimate form of creativity, or is it intellectual property theft?


Tues. Feb. 9 - Wed. Feb. 10, 2016

- 20 min. of silent reading, or finish your paragraphs.
- Complete A Tale of Two Media project
- View some example slides
- To begin this project, import the project template into your Google Docs account.
- Decide which two popular culture characters (human or cartoon) will be the stars of your side-by-side story of old and new media. Do a Google Images search to make sure you can find enough images of your characters.
- Come up with slide content ideas and sketch / write them on your planning sheet. (10 marks)
** If you don't have access to Google Docs, set up a GMail account .