Mon. Nov. 30, 2015: Writing Class

Today, you worked on the rough copy of your essay.

Fri. Nov. 27, 2015: Essay Assignment

Today, you were given your essay assignment for this unit as well as an editing sheet. The essay will be due on December 4. Keep in mind that the first writing should only take you two full classes and the the rest should be revision.

Thurs. Nov. 26, 2015: Introduction to Essay Writing: The Introductory Paragraph

Today, I introduced paragraph writing, focusing on the introduction and the importance of having a thesis, main points, and evidence. I also gave you a blue sheet entitled "How to Write the Seven Sentence Critical/Analytical Introductory Paragraph."

Wed. Nov. 25, 2015: Of Mice and Men Exam

Today, students wrote their unit exam. If they missed, the student will have to make arrangements to write the alternative. Tomorrow, we will start preparing for the unit essay. It is important that you attend so you understand the expectations.

Tues. Nov. 24, 2015: Apostrophes continued

Students needed more work on understanding apostrophe usage, so we worked as a class to address their problems (on the board). Keep in mind that you have a comprehension multiple choice exam tomorrow. You do not want to miss it as the alternative is not necessarily multiple choice. Study your notes and vocabulary from Of Mice and Men.

Mon. Nov. 23, 2015: Apostrophes and test/assignment discussion

Today, we discussed the assignments that are due. Everything related to the novel Of Mice and Men was dead-lined for today. I am extending it to tomorrow. Anything not handed in at that point will not be accepted as the mark is cumulative.

We also decided that the comprehension exam for this novel (M.C) will be on Wednesday, November 25. If you miss it, you will have to write an alternative.

I have informed the students that we will be working on an essay from the end of the week until Friday, December 4.

Today, we worked on understanding Apostrophes (contractions and possessions). You were shown Powerpoints on both of these. They can found in your "15 Common Errors" booklet under #13. I also gave you an additional handout of explanations (entitled "Chapter 14") and exercised for both contractions and apostrophe possessives. If you were not here, you need to do both of these.

Thurs. Nov.19 & Fri. Nov. 20: Film: Of Mice and Men

For these two days, students watched the film Of Mice and Men and made comparisons in their notes (and differences) between the film and the novel. If you did not see it, you will have to make arrangements to do so (lunch).

Wed. Nov. 18, 2015: Of Mice and Men: Final Chapter

Today, students were to read the final chapter in the novel Of Mice and Men. They were given "Chapter Six Questions" to answer as well as a vocabulary sheet on Chapters Five and Six to Complete. These are due by next Monday. The reason for this length of time is that many of the questions involve having to search for specific evidence and thesis creation.

Tues. Nov. 15, 2015: Chapter Five Of Mice and Men

Today, students were to read Chapter Five of the novel Of Mice and Men and ensure all answers to questions (chapters 3, 4 and 5) are handed in by tomorrow's class. I have not handed these back yet, so there is still time to catch-up. If you were not here, the questions are in your portfolio. Come in in the morning and get them (you only need to answer questions 1 thru 5 of the Chapter 5 questions).

Tues. Nov. 10 AND Mon. Nov. 16, 2015: Of Mice and Men

For Monday's class, you are to have read up to the end of Chapter Four (Page 83). You are also to complete the questions for Chapters 1 thru 3 and also do the Chapter 3 vocabulary assignment.

On Monday, you will be given questions to answer on Chapter four. If you are caught up on the readings, you should be able to complete these in class.

Mon. Nov. 9, 2015: Reading Class Of Mice and Men

Today, you wrote a summary of Chapter One and Two from Of Mice and Men. I then gave you a terminology matching exercise to complete, a sheet of terms you might not be familiar with but will come across in Section Three, and questions for Chapter/Section Three. You are to have this section filled in and the readings completed for tomorrow's class.

Fri. Nov. 6, 2015: Reading Class: Of Mice and Men 16-37

Today, you are to read the second chapter in the novel Of Mice and Men and answer the questions for this section (they are already with you as they are attached to the chapter one questions). The pages for this section are 16-37.

Thurs. Nov. 5, 2015: Reading Class

Today, you were to begin reading your novel Of Mice and Men. You were also provided reading questions to answer for this section. You should have this section and these questions read for tomorrow's class. The section is 1 - 16.

Wed. Nov. 4, 2015: Of Mice and Men Introduction Cont.

Today, we reviewed the Great Depression. I read some short anecdotes about the conditions in Canada as far as trying to survive went. I then handed out the article "Canada Hardest Hit" which students actively read in-class. If you were not here, it is in your portfolio. I then handed out a synopsis of the story and a biography about John Steinbeck (we read it as a class) and a sheet on the idioms you will read in Chapter One (some are the same as they are today: for example, in hot water). You are to have this read for tomorrow. You are also to bring the book to tomorrow's class.

Tues. Nov. 3, 2015: Introduction to Of Mice and Men

Today, I introduced the novel Of Mice and Men. This meant the students did a journal that ties to the idea of homelessness and then engaged in a discussion about boom and bust cycles. We then watched part of a video about the 1920s (what led to the "bust") and then, specifically, focused on the prairies and soil erosion.
The students fund it difficult to grasp not having a job, being able to get a job, or being able to sell items (no one to buy them in a true "bust", or no one to buy them at the price expected).
We will continue this introduction tomorrow.

Parent-teacher interviews are tonight and tomorrow night from 7 to 9 pm. Please let parents know. Further, I will only be there until 8 tomorrow (Wed.). Please schedule with this in mind.

Mon. Nov. 2, 2015: Comprehension Exam

Students wrote a multiple choice comprehension exam today. They were then instructed to go to the library and take out the novel Of Mice and Men. If you were not here, you will have to see me to write an alternative and get the book out.