English 8 Periods 2 - 3 - 4 TERM 3 2017
All three English blocks will be relatively in the same place during our two terms together. Watch carefully if your block number is mentioned and follow those instructions only.
We did it! Grade 8's, you made this a memorable one, and truly inspired me to continue to be a teacher. You taught me a lot this year, about kindness, perseverance, and of course... classroom management. I will never forget you kids, and the laughs we shared this year. I'll cherish our class photos forever. If you would like a copy of the photos I took on the last day, shoot me an email.
Have a great summer!
Monday - June 19
- Worldview Paragraph back - and marks update without final exam mark
- Percy Jackson & Catch up time - Today was the LAST absolute LAST chance for you to hand in any little assignments to show me what you've learned this year in English 8
Thursday - June 15 - FINAL POETRY/SHORT STORY EXAM
- Missed class? Contact me ASAP
Tuesday - June 13
- Short Story practice day! - We found terms around the room and watched a short film. Check it out here and try to identify the plot line
- We read "August Heat" by W.F. Harvey as well and did a short practice quiz
Friday - June 9
- Poetry Review Class - very important to pick the BLUE paper with all the poetic devices, types of poems, and short story terms that you will have to know for our Final Exam next Thursday, June 15
- We spent the whole class writing down the devices with the definitions, and practicing looking at poems and identifying the devices used within them
Wednesday - June 7 - FINAL IN CLASS PARAGRAPH WRITE
- If you missed this class for any reason, please contact me to arrange a make up write. The question we wrote on was: What aspects of your life do you feel greatly influence your worldview? Explain the aspects you have chosen.
Monday - June 5
- Check out this video to help ask some important questions to determine your worldview
- We brainstormed and worked on our Worldview Paragraphs
- Very important that you finish your outline and come prepared to write next class!
Thursday - June 1
- Human Bingo! - continuing to appreciate the differences in our room
- Worldview & Authors: Check out this video on S.E. Hinton, be able to answer: What were some of S.E. Hinton's influences when she was writing The Outsiders.
- YOUR BOOK: If you were to write a book, what would it be about. Write a paragraph telling me about what your book is about, and your influences as well. We're going to continue to discuss our hypothetical books!
Tuesday - May 30
- IMPORTANT YEAR END DATES :
- WEDNESDAY June 7 - Final In class Paragraph Write
- THURSDAY June 15 - Final In class Poetry and Short Story Assessment
- WEDNESDAY June 7 - Final In class Paragraph Write
- Introduction to Worldview - Make sure to get these notes from the Missed Class binder
- Assignment: Worldview Concept Map. Tell me all the things that make you YOU: Family, friends, age, education, beliefs, gender, immigration, culture, hobbies, talents, economic factors, location, experiences, and ancestry!
- Check out some of the examples below. The only difference is, that your concept map will include FULL sentences!
Friday - May 26
- Mythic Friday! - Thank you so much to all of you who participated and came prepared to read a myth and hand in your paragraph response!
- (Also started a fun little film about gods and goddesses - It rhymes with Smercy Tackson)
Wednesday - May 24
- We spent the WHOLE class working on Mythic Friday MAY 26. PLEASE come prepared to read/present your myth to your group as well as hand in a paragraph response to your myth.
- Your paragraph should include things like:
- Where your myth is from
- A brief summary of your myth
- The message behind your myth and how this message/myth is linked to a culture or history
- Where your myth is from
- Your paragraph should include things like:
- Don't forget to hand in your MLA style bibliography just letting me know what myth you chose.
- Details on MLA style click here
Thursday - May 18
- Pattern of a Hero in Myths! - BEOWULF
- Check out this video if you want to learn more about Beowulf. It's a great story and follows the usual pattern of a HERO myth
- Mythic Friday Groups - We did assign groups today and some groups decided what myths they are going to be presenting to their groups of 4. Check out the list below. This list is just important because everyone in your group has to have a different myth to tell
- HOMEWORK: Come ready to WORK on your Mythic Friday Presentation when I see you Wednesday (after May Long Weekend) - Have your myth ready and a hard copy of it to work on.
| mythic_friday_groups.docx |
Tuesday - May 16
- TRICKSTER MYTHS! Everyone had to read a different Trickster myth from our books Mythic Voices. We took notes on what a trickster is, and the messages that they send to us through the stories
- Argumentative paragraphs were also due today, along with the Trickster worksheet we did in class where you drew the trickster character from your story
- COMING UP - FRIDAY, May 26 Mythic Friday
- This will be a big assignment to encapsulate your learning from our myth unit. It has two parts - retelling any myth of your choice in under 5 minutes AND a written reflection telling me about your myth and answering a specific myth question
- This will be a big assignment to encapsulate your learning from our myth unit. It has two parts - retelling any myth of your choice in under 5 minutes AND a written reflection telling me about your myth and answering a specific myth question
Friday - May 12
- Silent Read & finished up our Creation Skits
- Argumentative Paragraph Final Draft TWO - If you missed class, please ensure to get your paragraph next class to spend time rewriting it
- Final Argumentative Paragraph DUE Tuesday May 16
Wednesday - May 10
- Silent Read Myths! - I like this new routine :)
- Reminded ourselves of the features of a myth and what a creation myth usually includes
- Wrote our OWN creation myths, trying to be as abstract and creative as we could. In groups of four you then performed your myth in front of the class! YAY for performance art! If your group didn't present today, you'll be presenting first thing Friday!
Thursday - May 4
- Myth Unit DAY 2 - Every class we will get a chance to silent read a book that has to do with Mythology. This will be a nice relaxing routine to the start of our English classes.
- True or False PPT & Notes - Important features of a Myth to note. Get these notes from a peer!
- Creation Story - 4 stories to choose from. What are some similarities we can see? The task was also then to retell the story to your group!
- Options: The Woman who fell from the sky
- Yhi Brings Earth to Life
- The Raven Steals the Light
- How the Rivers first came to Earth
- Yhi Brings Earth to Life
- Options: The Woman who fell from the sky
Tuesday - May 2
- Argumentative Paragraph Peer Edit - Important HANDOUT: Corrections Symbols KEY
- Started our new MYTHS Unit - Texts are socially, historically, and culturally created! Important handout: YELLOW TITLEPAGE
- What even is a myth? - A story with a message. Important HANDOUT: Tale detangle.
- 3 important handouts today! Make sure to pick them up in the classroom "MISSED CLASS" Binder.
Friday - April 28
- We had a quick DEBATE today on one of our topics: Smartphone games, grading teachers, or listening skills
- PARAGRAPH WRITE - We did spend 35 minutes in class writing our argumentative paragraphs. If you missed this class you should either be handing in a paragraph to me on Tuesday, or coming to see me on Day 1's to WRITE IT. I usually get here around 7:30am if you would like to come in the morning
- Outline sheet - Due with finished paragraph
Wednesday - April 26
- HANDOUTS: Paragraph Writing - important for our next writing assignment
- We discussed our argumentative topics. Be ready to write you paragraph in class on FRIDAY!
- Homework: Finish the draft sheet I handed out today
- We discussed our argumentative topics. Be ready to write you paragraph in class on FRIDAY!
Monday - April 24
- Sorry folks! but it's important to learn your PUNCTUATION! We focussed on commas and capitalization today.
- HANDOUTS: Comma practice, Capitalization Practice
- I also introduced the three topics you have to choose from for your upcoming Argumentative paragraph. Think about these topics over the next couple days:
- Should students grade their teachers?
- Do you play too many games on your smartphone?
- Are we losing the art of listening?
- Should students grade their teachers?
Thursday - April 20
- Punctuation Notes! - Make sure to pick one of these up! Important notes for future paragraph writing.
- They're Their There - Practice sheet - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
- They're - They are
- Their - possessive
- There - refers to place, I'm here, you're there!
- They're - They are
Tuesday - April 18
- Literary Device Presentations! If you missed today, Thursday is your last opportunity to present!
- We also played a round of KAHOOTZ at the end (if your block had time for it)
- NOTEBOOKS were DUE today! Along with the Definition or Example sheet was due today as well
Wednesday - April 12
- Grade 12 Planning Presentations
- We MAY have started some literary device presentations in your block, but the MAJORITY of presentations will be on TUESDAY - APRIL 18.
- WRITER'S NOTEBOOK - DUE TUESDAY APRIL 18
- What should be in my Poetry collection?
- Found Poem
- Extended Metaphor
- Alliteration Haiku
- Regular Haiku
- Poem with Personification
- Limerick
- Found Poem
Monday - April 10
- Rhyme Definition & Limerick - Limerick is the last poem we added to our list that is due on Tuesday April 18. Make sure you are keeping up with all our poem writing!
- Presentation work time - this was the last time that you will have to work on your Literary Device Presentations!
- HANDOUT: Limerick Practice
Thursday - April 6 (Parent Teacher Interviews - Thanks for coming!)
- Respectful Reminders - All classes today were reminded of some of the expectations that we have here in Room 424
- Listen to instructions, come prepared, respect yourself and others, clean up after yourselves! All important things to remember in all your blocks, please remember these when in my classroom
- Onomatopoeia! - YAY for Sound! Imitates the natural sound of something.
- You should CONTACT your partner for your presentation. This is important so that you will be prepared for our presentations coming up next Wednesday - April 12
Tuesday - April 4
- Literary Definition Partner Work - you chose your literary devices today and if you weren't here your partner got started on some work. Please remember there are TWO parts to this assignment. #1 The PowerPoint Presentation that you will be presenting #2 The Literary Device SHEET you are posting in the classroom
- Personification - definition added to our poetry term sheet
- IMPORTANT DATES:
- Literary Device Presentations WEDNESDAY APRIL 12
- Writer's Notebook we've been adding to: APRIL 18
- Literary Device Presentations WEDNESDAY APRIL 12
Friday - March 31
- Alliteration & Haiku
- We looked at some examples of each! Do some research, which is very widely available, and make sure to add this literary device and type of poem to your poetry terms sheet
- Make sure to be keeping up with your poems so that on APRIL 18 when your notebook is due, all poems will be included. So far you should have a Found poem, an Extended Metaphor, and now 2 Haiku's - one regular, one using alliteration
- HANDOUTS: Haiku practice, Literary Device Presentations Outline - DUE April 10. 2017
Wednesday - March 29
- TOC in for me! - I'm away at a conference in Coquitlam learning about how to implement the new curriculum and overall be a bomb teacher - hope it works!
- The Outsider Theme Reflection - Final Draft that I critiqued and handed back was to be finished in this block, stapled to your first draft, and handed in
- Extended Metaphor - this is the next assignment that should be in your Writer's Notebook. Get it this done to keep up with your studies!
Monday - March 27
- New seating plans! Actually a new one every day. Come prepared to check the board to see where you sit everyday
- Poetry notes: Denotation & Connotation HANDOUTS: Denotation & Connotation Practice
- Metaphor Walk about - Check out some of the extended metaphors HERE
- You will be working on your OWN Extended metaphor for your writer's notebook which is due on APRIL 18, 2017
SPRING BREAK March 10 - March 26
Thursday March 9
- Activity: Compare your parent/guardian, or friend to an animal. What qualities do they share? Write down their similarities. For example: My best friend is like a monkey etc.
- Notes: Definition for Metaphor and Simile added to our Poetry Definition Chart
- We then listened to some great songs and took notes in a "Metaphors and Similes in Songs" chart. Check out the video here. Write down the lyric, whether it is a Metaphor or a simile, and it's possible meaning
- For example: "This girl is on fire" by Alicia Keys - this is a metaphor, this could possibly mean, this girl is extremely successful
- Check out the youtube video here for examples of similes and metaphors.
Tuesday March 7
- Notes on Poetry - Please find a copy of the PPT notes in the Missed Class binder or Ask a friend (3 types of poems to define)
- Found Poetry - Check out some examples here
- Using the lyrics from your favourite song, create a found poem. Use only the words in the song to make a poem.
- TWO FOUND POEMS - one using lyrics one using a magazine are the first things due in your writer's notebook for Term 3
- Handouts: Poetry PPT Notes OR get the notes from a friend, Poetry Definitions chart to add to
Friday March 3
- Today all students received their marks back for their Outsiders projects and were updated on the grades that they will be receiving on their report cards
- We then created title pages for our new POETRY unit! Big Idea: Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy.
- HW: Come ready to analyze the lyrics of your favourite SONG. Try to choose a song that is school appropriate and has lyrics that you feel are meaningful to you.
Wednesday March 1st - Finishing up The Outsiders TERM 3 BEGINS
- Took some notes on THEME: the central idea in a piece of writing
- We then moved around the room a little working on creating theme statements around 5 central ideas in the book:
- Responsibility, Belonging, Family, Stereotyping, Loyalty
- Each class was then given 30 minutes to write a FORMAL paragraph around the theme of your choice. In the paragraph, written in class, you must give at LEAST one example from the book and at LEAST one example from your life/a real life situation
- IMPORTANT: If you missed this class - you must make 30 minutes with Ms. Maxwell to write your Theme Reflection it in class (before school, at lunch, after school).
February 27th
- Finished the 1983 The Outsiders Movie!
- Quickly discussed THEME and warned of in class writing activity next day on an important theme that resonated with you in the book.
February 23rd - Projects handed in today! Visual - Drafts - Written
- Creative Outsiders Projects due today! Did a quick gallery walk to see all projects
- Plot Diagram - went over this in class and checked for marks MUST COMPLETE IF ABSENT /2 marks
- Watched approximately the first 40 minutes of The Outsiders 1983 Movie! - we just made it to the church
February 21
- We split up into 6 groups and focused on the main characters. We talked about their traits, important events with that character, and any significant changes (Darry, Johnny, Randy, Dally, Pony, and Soda)
- Handouts needed: The Outsiders Plot Diagram - will go over next day - for MARKS
- FEBRUARY 23 - CREATIVE PROJECT DUE /25 (NEXT CLASS)
February 17
- FINISHED The Outsiders! - Read both Ch. 11 and 12 today
- Project work time - Less than a week left to complete your Creative Project
February 15
- We switched it up today and listened to the audiobook of Ch. 10
- We then worked on peer editing our FIRST DRAFTS of our quote analysis for the creative project. If you did bring a draft you checked in with me and I checked your name off for completion.
- FEBRUARY 17 - 2nd draft for Teacher edits due - Nice copy, preferably typed
February 7 - 9
- This week you were lucky enough for Ms. Malone to come in and talk to you about Grade 9 Course Selection. You either had course programming on Tuesday or Thursday
- Outside of Course Programming we read Ch. 9 --> The Climax of the story - VERY IMPORTANT
- Quote Analysis Worksheet - This is an important tool to use to complete the written part of your upcoming project
- We only had a little bit of time this week to be working on our assignments - your first written DRAFT is due on Wednesday February 15
February 3
- Chapter 8 complete! --> Johnny is going down hill
- We spent some time going over the Creative Activity Assignment in class - please make sure to grab an outline next class. It is on a YELLOW sheet of paper. Please see some of the example projects below too!
| creative_activity_outline.docx |
Creative Activity Project - Visual Examples
February 1
- Ch. 7 Done --> Juvenile Delinquents Turned Heroes !
- Would you be a Hero? Worksheet - I also checked the completion of this worksheet for work habits mark.
This notebook collection should include 3 things: 2017 Goals, Ch. 2 -3 Questions, and the Point of View Piece. All of these assignment descriptions are posted below on their corresponding dates.
January 30
- Ch. 6 Done! --> The boys become Heroes!
- Symbolism Worksheet - Thinking about the different symbols we completed a worksheet finding evidence from the book of why the symbols in the book stand for certain things
- We finished the class acting out the symbols in the format of group tableau's. We didn't get to get through all of them but it sure was fun!
January 26
- Ch. 5 Done! --> Life at the church on Jay Mountain
- We talked about Robert Frost's Nothing Gold Can Stay which is quoted in Ch. 5 - This is an example of "Allusion". Make sure to pick up a copy of the poem and the symbols questions we worked through.
- Gold = good = A SYMBOL!
January 24
- Ch. 4 Done!
- Reminder of First Person Point of View - The story is told from the perspective of one person's thoughts and emotions
- Point of View Piece - You were given 25-30 minutes to complete the writing prompt in your writer's journal. This will be included in your writers journal when you hand it in on FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 3RD!!
- This assignment is considering Chapters 3-4 and should be 1 -2 pages DOUBLE SPACED in your writer's notebook.
January 18
We finished Ch. 3 today!
We had the rest of the block to work on our Ch. 2 - 3 questions that will be handed in with your Writer's Notebook. It is important for you to be keeping up with our Writer's Notebooks assignments so when that due date does come, all your assignments will be done. So far you should have your 2017 SMART goals, and after today your Ch. 2-3 Questions.
These chapter questions are posted below and are DUE in your writer's notebook on FRIDAY FEB. 3
You were also given 20 more minutes to be working on your Tough Tuff Collage --> DUE TUESDAY Jan. 24
We had the rest of the block to work on our Ch. 2 - 3 questions that will be handed in with your Writer's Notebook. It is important for you to be keeping up with our Writer's Notebooks assignments so when that due date does come, all your assignments will be done. So far you should have your 2017 SMART goals, and after today your Ch. 2-3 Questions.
These chapter questions are posted below and are DUE in your writer's notebook on FRIDAY FEB. 3
You were also given 20 more minutes to be working on your Tough Tuff Collage --> DUE TUESDAY Jan. 24
| ch.2-3questions.docx |
January 16
We finished off Ch. 2 today and gave it another interesting title. "Cherry meets the boys" or "A night at the Drive in" were some good ones! You were then assigned your FIRST Outsiders Assignment. You will be creating a poster identifying what you think is "Tuff" and "Tough" (outlined at the bottom of pg. 12). You will have a little bit of time to work on this assignment next class as well.
Handouts: Tough and Tuff Assignment DUE Tuesday January 24
Handouts: Tough and Tuff Assignment DUE Tuesday January 24
January 12
- Finished Ch. 1 - and entitled it! Your Choice: Meeting the Gang, Pony Gets Jumped, etc.
- We took some notes on Characterization and types of Characters - This is review - you should have these in your notes from last term
- Character Chart - You worked with the person next to you to fill out some of the characters physical and personality traits. Don't lose this Character CHART! We will add to it as we continue to learn more about the specific characters.
- We started Ch. 2 - and finished off around pg. 22
January 10th
Today we looked at some 1960's imagery to get us in the setting of our new novel study The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. We signed out novels today, so if you were absent please make sure to sign a book out from me ASAP! I read the first 9-10 pages in the book and look forward to finishing Ch. 1 with you next class!
January 6th
Today we made sure to sit in our SAME seats as December. New seating arrangement TBA. We went over our Classroom Expectations and our revamped 424 Classroom Code of Conduct. We then completed our first writing prompt of 2017:
What do you want to achieve in 2017?
We used the SMART framework which is shown below. You then had 25-30 minutes to brainstorm and write your paragraph including a topic sentence, 5-7 supporting sentences, and a conclusion. This WRITER'S NOTEBOOK entry should be finished for Tuesday's class.
Handouts: English 8: Terms 2 & 3 Classroom Expectations and Guidelines (Found in the MISSED CLASS?! Binder in the room)
HW: 2017 Writer's Prompt DUE Friday, Feb. 3 in Writer's Notebook
January 4th - TERM 2 CONTINUES
Welcome!
This was our first day together! Thank you for a fun day of ice breakers and discussions. Today we discussed the roles of students and teachers. We played my favourite Ice Breaker, Question Ball as well as "Where do you Stand". We also got chance to play two truths and a lie at the end of class.
Handouts: Ms. Maxwell's Introduction Questionnaire DUE: Friday, Jan 6
This was our first day together! Thank you for a fun day of ice breakers and discussions. Today we discussed the roles of students and teachers. We played my favourite Ice Breaker, Question Ball as well as "Where do you Stand". We also got chance to play two truths and a lie at the end of class.
Handouts: Ms. Maxwell's Introduction Questionnaire DUE: Friday, Jan 6
