Fri. Oct. 30, 2015: Test Prep

Today, students were given a list of words they may not be familiar with but will be on their exam on Monday. They were to define these. In the time remaining, students studied their figurative language terms sheet and reviewed the notes for active reading and process of elimination for exams.

Be here Monday to write the exam. If you are not, an alternative exam will be offered.

Thurs. Oct. 29, 2015: Analyzing Answers Critically

Today, students formed groups and then read and examined the answers they came up with for the two short stories they were given as practice. The goal was to arrive at group consensus using process of elimination skills.
Tomorrow, students will be given a list of words to know for the the exam.

Wed. Oct. 28, 2015: Approaching Multiple Choice Exams

Today, I handed back your readings from the practice reading comprehension exam you wrote yesterday. I then did a Powerpoint for you on how to approach these exams. If you were not here, the notes are in your portfolio. I then gave back your answers sheet and instructed you to go over it tonight, actively approaching the questions. You need to bring this in for tomorrow's class.

Tues. Oct. 27, 2015: Active Reading for M.C. Exams

The exams that take place in this class are often tied to reading comprehension. Today, you were given two readings: from "Eat, Sleep. Jump High for Smarties," and "History Lesson." you were instructed to actively read both of these and then answer the corresponding multiple choice questions. You should be able to do this in the class time given. If you were not here, the assignment is in your portfolio.

The students will write their first comprehension exam on Monday, November 2.

Mon. Oct. 26, 2015: Figurative Language

Today, I gave you all a sheet containing all the figurative language that you should be able to use and identify by the end of the term. We went over most of these in class. You were to read over the rest for homework.
If you were not here, a copy of this is in your portfolio.

Thurs. Oct. 22, 2015: Letter Writing Assignment

Yesterday, you were given your first letter writing assignment. It will be due at the end of the day on Friday, October 30. If you are not a fast writer, keep in mind that I am here at lunch on Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and that the library opens at lunch at 12:20. You can also access computers during RTI.
This assignment will need to be saved in your computer student folder and submitted in hard copy form.

Wed. Oct 21, 2015: Writing Assignment/Discussion on Tone

Today, we reviewed the letter writing assignment that I handed out to you yesterday. You have two choices when it comes to the topic and perspective of the letter. We went over these as a class. I also gave you a handout on the business letter format, which we also discussed.
I also gave a mini-lecture on tone and showed a letter that demonstrated tone (what to avoid).
The letter assignment is due at the end of the day on Friday. It must be submitted in hard copy and saved on the student server in your folder.

Tues. Oct. 20, 2015: "Possibility of Evil" and Major Assignment Handout

Today, we discussed the answers to the questions for the short story "The Possibility of Evil." I then gave students two handouts: One on how to write a letter and the other one on letter choices (the major assignment). We did not have time to discuss these today. Instead, students were instructed to read them before class so we can have a discussion and set due dates tomorrow.

Fri. Oct. 16,2015: "The Possibility of Evil" Questions

Today, you were to have actively read the short story "The Possibility of Evil." You are now to answer the questions that have been put in your portfolio. These are to be completed for Tuesday.

Here are the questions for those who were absent Friday:

“The Possibility of Evil”: Questions

For each of these questions, you must flip the question into the answer and then answer it. This will help you organize your thoughts when we get down to essay writing. Failure to do this will effect the mark.

1.       How many paragraphs are in this short story (be sure to number them in pencil for future reference)? Which two appear to start differently in formatting than the rest? How are they different?

2. What is Miss Strangeworth’s first name? How old is she?

3. What is the most time that Miss Strangeworth has ever spent outside of her town?

4. What evidence, from the grocery store, does the author give to prove that Miss Strangeworth is well known in her town?

5. What didn’t Miss Strangeworth like what about Miss. Chandler?

6. Describe the paper that Miss Strangeworth used to write her letters on. How does it contrast with Miss Strangeworth’s usual stationary? Why does she have to have two types?

7. Summarize Miss Strangeworth’s suggestion (letter) to Mrs. Foster (in your own words!!!!).

8. Read the story over. This time, highlight all the examples of foreshadowing that you can find. Write down two examples of foreshadowing that the author used to hint that Miss Strangeworth’s character might not be all that “normal.”

9.      What is the setting of this short story (include general location as well as specific)?

10. List and explain all of the conflicts present in this story as they relate to the following characters (do this in list form). Tell me what their goal is and who their conflict is with:

·         Miss Strangeworth

·         Mr. Lewis

·         Linda Stewart

·         Mrs.Harper (she has two)

·         Mrs. Foster (she has two)

·         Mr. Crane

11. What is the point of view of this story?

12. What is the theme of this story (what are we supposed to learn from reading it?)       

Thurs. Oct. 15, 2015: "The Possibility of Evil"

Today, students were given the short story "The Possibility of Evil" to actively read for tomorrow's class. If you were not here, this story can be googled on-line, or you can come and get it from your portfolio in the morning and read it over lunch.

Wed. Oct 13, 2015: Short Story and Group Usage Discussion

Today, students were given a ten minute journal activity:

Discuss group work. What are the advantages and disadvantages of participating in group work? Provide examples to back up your advantages and disadvantages. What do you think of it?

We then discussed the merits of such activities.

From here, we discussed the answers from yesterday and discussed how they tied to the questions at the start of this unit.
We also discussed what is meant by degrees of responsibility.

Tues. Oct. 13, 2015: Short Story Comparatives Group Work

Today, students put themselves into gender neutral groups, assigned roles (leader, reader, note-taker), and then answered questions that have some debate to them. If you were not here, I have pasted the questions below. They are due tomorrow.

Thurs. Oct. 8, 2015: War Discussion

Today, we discussed the questions from yesterday about the short story "War." I also explained nostalgia and subplot.

Wed. Oct. 7, 2015: "War" Questions

Today, you were to have actively read "War." Many had; however, many also had not. I gave you questions to answer about the short story. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio. Be sure to be caught up for tomorrow.

Tues. Oct. 6, 2015: Short Story Reading War

Today, students continued with their active reading of the short story "War."

Mon. Oct. 5, 2015: War Short Story

Today, we reviewed the assignment addressed on Friday (personality) and then I introduced and handed out the short story "War" by Timothy Findley. Students are to actively read this story for tomorrow's class.

Fri. Oct. 2, 2015:

Today, we examined the second part of the questions for "The Little Businessman." If you were not here, we did not do anything new (it was review of personality traits). I did define the following terms:
empathetic
apathetic
introvert
extrovert

Thurs. Oct. 1, 2015: Marking Questions

Today, we marked the first half of the questions for "The Little Business Man." We will finish marking it tomorrow. If you did not submit this assignment, you will have to see me for an alternative.