Mon. Mar. 31, 2014 Lord of the Flies (3 & 4)

Today, you were supposed to have read Chapters Three and Four of Lord of the Flies as well as answered and handed in the questions for these chapters.
Today, you wrote a nine to twelve sentence summary for the novel up to this point (15 minute timed), and then we discussed the changes happening in the boys (becoming less civilized; Id gaining more control over Super Ego).
By the end of class tomorrow, you are to have read Chapter Five and have answered the Chapter Five questions.

Fri. Mar. 28., 2014: Reading Class

Today, students were instructed to read Chapters Three and Four of the novel Lord of the Flies. They are also to answer the corresponding questions. These are due at the start of class on Monday.

Tues. Mar. 25, 2015 Born to be Good? Doc.

Today, we watched the documentary "Born to Be Good?" which can be found at CBC.ca (on The Nature of Things). It aired July 13 (?) 2013 (It is easy to find). While viewing, you were to take notes (active viewing skills) for future discussion. We didn't quite finish it. If you were not here, watch it all anyway. You also were instructed to analyze the title to Chapter Two of the novel Lord of the Flies on your "Chapter Analysis" sheet.

Mon. Mar. 24, 2014: Lord of the Flies Chpt. 1 Discussion & Questions

Today, we discussed Chapter One of Lord of the Flies, which you read out loud on Friday.
I provided you with questions for the novel as well as a Chapter 1 and 2 vocabulary in context sheet to complete. This vocabulary sheet, as well as the answers for the Chapter 1 questions, are due at the start of class tomorrow.
If you were not here, the questions for this chapter are as follows:

1. Identify the following:
Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Jack, Sam&Eric, Maurice, Roger, "The littluns."
2. How did the boys come to the island?
3. What do the boys have that is the symbol of authority in the society they form?
4. What does the reader learn about Jack when he slashed the green candle buds?
5. Why does Jack hesitate when he lifts his knife to kill the piglet, and what does he promise will happen next time he meets a pig?
6. Who are the hunters and what is their job?

Fri. March 21, 2014 Reading of Chapter One Lord of the Flies

Today, I am not here. The class will be reading Chapter One of Lord of the Flies. If you were not in class, be sure to read Chapter One for Monday. I have provided questions, but I am not sure whether they will be handed out today or not (check with a classmate).

Thurs. Mar. 20, 2014 Lord of the Flies Intro

Today, I instructed students to create a page with "Title Analysis" as its title. They were to write down the title of the first chapter (properly attributed) and analyze it.
I then had students create a second page, labeling it "Citation."
They were then to use their citation booklet and correctly cite their novel (in pencil).
I then had them do a citation for the first chapter.
We then did the citation for the second chapter.
This was a long class in the sense that everyone had to do the task correctly. Citation is an important skill, so learning how to follow citation instructions, regardless of the type a teacher expects, is important.
Students are to hold on to these pages as we will continue to add to them.

Wed. Mar. 19, 2014 Lord of the Flies Intro.

Today, we carried on discussing information needed to fully understand the novel Lord of the Flies. Specifically, we discussed themes (human nature; need for civilization; innocence and loss of innocence; illusion and reality; power; fear of the unknown; the indifference of nature; blindness and vision; leaders and followers; survival), and terms (utopia, dystopia, allegory, archetype, microcosm, atavism, primal, innate).
If you were not here, you will need to do a web search to understand these connections to the novel (and define the terms).

Tues. mar. 18, 2014 Intro to Lord of the Flies

Today, I began my introduction to the novel Lord of the Flies.

We began by doing the "before" reading activities, focusing on the title (breaking down "lord" and "flies" to arrive at a possible meaning).
I then gave you the first part of an introductory Powerpoint in which you were presented with the following:

William Golding's history and tie-in to novel
Novel overview
Beliefs in the nature of man (good/evil; nature/nurture; romantic concept/original sin).

We also discussed note-taking as a skill when listening to a lecture or viewing a Powerpoint.

Mon. Mar. 17, 2014

Today, I went over the progress reports with every student who was here. Your unit essays are due at the end of class today. You also need to get a copy of Lord of the Flies from the library for our next unit.

Fri. Mar. 14, 2014 Unit One Exam

Today, you wrote your unit one exam. Keep in mind that your essay is due on Monday at the end of the day. If you missed today's exam, you will have to come in and write it Monday at lunch as it cannot be reviewed until they have been written.

Thurs. Mar. 13, 2014

Today, students worked on their essay (which is due at the end of the day on Monday). This is the last class where they will be given computer time to work on it (I will be in the library for lunch today if they need it).
I also went over the expectations regarding tomorrow's exam:
* cell phones on the counter
* put all items (with the exception of pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, sharpener) on floor at front of room
* sit only where there is a test (and possibly a Post-It note with your name on it if I have time)
* do not turn over tests until instructed
* there will be a readings booklet and a questions booklet
*actively read in the readings booklet
* use process of elimination skills in the questions booklet
* When finished, bring the test to the instructor
* You were instructed to bring your independent novel to read if there is time
*retrieve it from the front of the room and read without disrupting others.

Wed. Mar. 12, 2014: Assess & Reflect, test tips, essay work

Today, you were given an "Assess And Reflect" sheet to fill in. You are to examine the introductory paragraph you wrote, now marked and on your computer, and follow the instructions on the sheet to identify writing concerns. I then want you to hand these in (they will be returned ASAP). The goal is to find two areas you can work on and eliminate from your essay that is due on Monday.
I also gave you a test prep sheet explaining Friday's exam and words/concepts you should ensure you are familiar with. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Tues. Mar. 11, 2014 Essay Lab

Today, you worked on your essays. I put a copy of the seven steps to a good introductory paragraph in your portfolio.

Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 Unit One Essay and Test Info.

Today, you were given the instructions for your unit essay. This essay is due on Monday. March 24. If you were not here, the instructions and a reminder of revision sheet are in your portfolio.
I also marked your three active reading assignments and your text critique, which were due today.
Your unit final, which consists of two readings and M.C. questions, will take place on Friday.

Friday, Mar. 7, 2014 Readings and Critique

Today, you worked on your readings (see titles in yesterday's blog) and your text critique (see yesterday's blog). The active reading and the text critique are all due on Monday (again, see yesterday's blog for more details).

Thursday, March 6, 2014 Reading Package and Article Critique Assignment

Today, I provided you with three texts to read acitvely:
"And of Clay We are Created" by  Isabel Allende
"What Men live By' by Leo Tolstoy (can be found online through Google search)
"Man in the Water" by Roger Rosenblatt (can be found online thorugh Google search)

Your goal is to read all three of these actively. If you were absent, copies are in your portfolio. If you cannot get in to get them, do the search and finish what is available to you. i will do a homework check on these on Monday to ensure you are engaging in active reading.

I then gave you a blue sheet with a template of a text critique on it. These are used in order to gather information on a reading, whether from a text or online. We discussed the expectations in each category (if you weren't here, check your portfolio).

You are to have completed a critique on ONE of the above texts (your choice as to which one) for Monday. Do not use the critique page. Either write it out and fill the critique in or you can type it.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 INS Work

Due to the fact that the water has been turned off, regular classes are not going to be presented today; however, all of you have a novel study assignment to work on. This would be a good opportunity to work on it.

Mon. Mar. 1, 2014 Beowulf Discussion and Questions

Today, I reinforced how an essay can be created using the steps previously talked about. I then handed out a sheet of literary devices that you are supposed to know (these are based on past curriculums), explaining that the devices will all appear over the course of the year but that some will appear as early as the first exam. I also gave you the definitions for the three different types of irony: situational, verbal, and dramatic. If you were not here, you can look these up on the Internet or talk to a classmate for the notes.
 I then gave out the questions for this excerpt of "Beowulf" explaining that you didn't have to do question one, and that all of the questions, with the exception of question 3, are to be written in long form (and in pen, of course). These are due for tomorrow.