2010...time flies when you're having fun...see you next year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.  I wish you a wonderful holiday and look forward to starting 2011 with you.  Up next for English 11s is Macbeth...a study in ambition gone wrong and cinematic interpretations.  English 10s will be diving into short stories and poetry in the new year.  See you in 2011!
Best, Ms. Reichert

Thursday Dec 2nd

11s - get ready for your 451 presentation Monday.  Make sure you have a thorough understanding of your question and what you can share with the class.

10s - Masks and explanation due Monday Dec 6th...read to the end of Act 2.

See you Monday!

New Fahrenheit 451 link.

Ms. Ward, the school librarian, sent me this link.  I've had a quick look and the text is easier to read and follow than the previous link.  This link gives you access to the entire text, as well as other Bradbury books. 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33326455/Ray-Bradbury

See you tomorrow.

Thurs Nov 25th

11s - complete the first four rings of the Mandala worksheet.   Use your notes and online text for help with finding quotations.

10s - Mask Project - choose the lines from Romeo and Juliet that you want to base your mask on...think about how you'd like to make/assemble your mask and what supplies you will need to get.  Class time to work on mask Thursday next week, final project due Mon Dec 6th.  We'll be going through the balconey scene (II.ii) on Tuesday, so make sure you have  read through before Tuesday.

Enjoy the snow!

Tues November 23rd

11s- Crossgrade exam today,  fingers crossed everyone was in a writing mood today so that your writing is clear and easy to understand.

Remember to have your 451 Study Guide ready and your independent novel list ready for Thursday.

10s-  Please make more notes on the Queen Mab speech Act 1 Sc 4, and complete the question on the green sheet that asks who dreams what...  question 2b I think.

READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ 

Fri Nov 19th

11s-  Finish all 451 study guide work for pages 3-24 EXCEPT the characterization sections.  All vocab and questions checked on Thursday Nov 25th.

Crossgrade exam Tuesday Nov 23rd.

10s -  You are responsible to look over/read Act 1 Scene 4 and 5.  Pay particular attention to the Queen Mab speech in Scene 4.

Everybody - your last Term 1 reading check-in will be on Thursday, so please update your independent novel reading lists as I will be stamping them on Thursday.  Remember to indicate if you finished/abandoned books and what ranking you'd give them out of 10.  I will be asking you to highlight the title that you completed your Term 1 Project on...

Wed Nov 17th

11s- Dystopia/Bradbury/Sci-Fi quiz on Friday, please complete study guide questions for pages 3-14.  Bullet points are okay at this stage...

10s- Read/become familiar with R & J Act 1 Scene 2, 3, 4 so that you're ready for Friday.

Fahrenheit 451 and Romeo and Juliet links

Here are two links that might help English 11 students as we study Fahrenheit 451. 

Fahrenheit 451 Text  - this is a link to the text of the entire book.

I Tunes 451 Graphic Novel - you can load Fahrenheit 451 onto your I Phone...costs some money, but might be worth checking out.

Something English 10 students may wish to check out:

http://www.squidoo.com/shakespeareforchildren - there are a few helpful links here...check out No Fear Shakespeare...

Here's hoping these help.

Ms. Reichert

Mon Nov 8th

English 11 1. Banned Book presentations today, a good effort by all students
                  2.  Reader's Workshop next day, bring the independent novel you plan to use for your Term 1 project with you on Wednesday
                  3.   Independent Novel Project Term 1 Due November 17th
                  4.  Ms. Reichert's desk closes for Term 1 marks on Friday Nov 19th, if you owe any work for Term 1 your window of opportunity is closing soon

English 10 1.  Shakespeare Quiz today
                  2.  Prolouge Activity, looking at the words, rhythm, and sounds of the first 14 lines of Romeo and Juliet
                  3.  HOMEWORK: translate the Prolouge into 2010 language- due on Wednesday Nov 10, bring $3 for the play that we will be going to next Wed during class
                  4.  See # 2, 3, 4 English 11 as it applies to English 10 too

                   

     

Thurs Nov 4th

Today was a short schedule due to Parent-Teacher Interviews...great to meet some of the people who support my students! 

11-  Banned Books Assignment - each group has the title of a novel needs to find specific information to share with the class on Monday.  Be here.  Be ready.  If you can, get a copy of  Fahrenheit 451 as there is only one class set.  Highly recommend that you get/borrow your own copy.

10- Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  This week we've spent time getting the know a bit about Shakespeare and what to expect.  We took a look at the text today and went through the way the play is set up and what help is available in your text.

Shakespeare Life and Times Quiz on Monday.  Go over the information we got from each other on Monday as well as the Biography sheet you completed for today's class.

See you Monday,

Ms. Reichert

Friday Oct 29th

Today we finished up the essay unit.  Test /35 Essay /24

Next up:  11s - Fahrenheit 451
              10s - Romeo and Juliet - remember to bring in your Shakespeare factoid and show and tell object for Tuesday.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Monday Oct 25th

Reader's Workshop #2  (#3 on November 10th) -  The focus today was on genre and what some different genres are.  Begin to isolate what genres you enjoy and typically read and which you'd like to try out in future.

Wednesday - in class essay for the 11s.  You will be able to use ONLY your sentence outline as you will write this essay in class.
                    - 10s sentence outline and moving into writing your essay

Friday - Essay Unit Test /35, make sure you go over all your notes from this unit and review any information suggested by Ms. Reichert

Up Next....Romeo and Juliet - grade 10, Fahrenheit 451- grade 11

Wed Oct 20th

Today we finished outlines: blue template and sentence outlines.  (15 marks worth)  You will write your essay in class using only your sentence outline next Wed Oct 27th.  Here is what is on for next week.

Monday October 25th - Reader's WS #2 - genre.  You need to have your independent novel with you.

Wednesday Oct 27th - Writing an effective title.  Write your essay in class

Friday Oct 29th - Unit test/finish and peer edit essay.  Good copies of your essay will be due on Tuesday Nov 2nd.

Homework:  READ, collect any statistics/data etc. you'd like to use for your essay.

Monday Oct 18, 2010

Today we reviewed the components of an essay and what needs to be included.  We went through the format of and organization of a five paragraph essay (no, not ALL essays are five paragraphs).  Each student needed to isolate their thesis and get going on an outline (blue sheet).  Topics/thesis statements should be chosen and written at this stage.

We also reviewed the four types of essays and how to order ideas within an essay.

Reader's Workshop #2 is Monday the 25th...make sure you have a book.

Writing Unit test is coming.

Interims are Monday...attendance and missing assignments will be noted.  Not sure if you're missing something?  See Ms. R asap!  Missing something?  Do something about it (hand it in) or suffer the consequences.

Homework:  Read

Thursday Oct, 14th

Today classes read another essay, "A Nice Place to Visit" and looked at how the writer used a story to support his main idea/thesis.  We also talked about the four types of essays and how to organize and order your main points.  In groups students had to put a story that was cut up in order using logical connections.  We also took a second look at our Term 1 Reading Goals. 

Homework: Read

Upcoming:  outlining and writing your first essay. 

LAST CALL: privacy paragraph, portfolio...interims are coming...better get them in asap.

Tues Oct 5th

Reader's Workshop #1 -  (next one Mon Oct 25th)  We started with a few handouts about what Reader's Workshop is and what to expect...and then spent the rest of class reading.

Homework:
1.  Read

Overdue:  (no work submitted = zero)
1.  Portfolio Assignment - quotes/collage/writing
2.  Privacy Paragraph

Friday Oct 1st

Today we compared a science experiment to a piece of writing.  A hypothesis is like a topic sentence/thesis statement, a lab report is like the body of your paragraph/essay, and both need to result in a conclusion.

We had time today to work on our portfolio assignments...that's all the time we have so...

Homework:
1.  Complete portfolio assignment.  You must have 3 quotes, collage, and piece of writing (yes, word processed in good copy format) done at the beginning of class on Tuesday.
2.  Read - reminder that Reader's Workshop #1 is on Tuesday.  Make sure you have an independent novel, and a new one ready to go if you're close to the end of your book.

Have a great weekend!

Wed Sept 29th

Today we talked about audience (who am I writing for?) and purpose (why am I writing?) and how that impacts the way that writers put together material.  All classes spent time working on their portfolio assignments.  Remember you need at least 3 quotes, and a collage of images that represent yourself.  If you didn't find what you need in class today bring in what you need for Friday.

Homework: 
1.  Read - reminder Reader's Workshop #1 on Tuesday Oct 5...must have independent novel to read.  If you're almost done your novel, time to get another one ready to go.
2.  Quotes/image collection - bring in all necessary quotes/images for class on Friday.  Portfolio to be finished in class on Friday.
OVERDUE:  Privacy paragraph - rough draft and pink edit sheet attached.

Mon Sept 27th

Today we went over our privacy paragraphs.  Students checked over their own paragraphs for topic sentence, RENNS, and concluding sentence and had two other students verify their findings.

Homework: 
1.  Read
2.  Good copy privacy paragraph due:  Wed Sept 29th  (typed, double spaced, name/date/block top left corner)
3.  Clip out and bring in an article

Wed Sept 22nd

Today was all about the paragraph.  We looked through an example of an essay that had: Reasons, Examples, Names, Numbers, and Sensory details.  (RENNS)  Paragraphs are like mini-essays because they need a topic sentence, a unifying idea, and a concluding sentence. 

Homework:

1.  Read
2.  Finish your 'privacy' paragraph...draft due Monday...no good copies yet
3.  Bring in an article from a magazine/newspaper

Mon Sept 20th

Today all students set a personal reading goal for Term 1.  Goals had to be SMART: specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time sensitive.  All classes spent time in the library and signed out an independent novel. 

Homework:  1.  Read 30 minutes each day

Overdue:  -good copy "I am _______, the writer.  Make sure that you attach your first draft.
                -any and all start up sheet/forms

Thursday Sept. 16th

Today we spent time looking at various sentence types and practicing how to combine sentences.  Key point today is that good writers vary their sentences. 

Homework: 

DUE MON SEP 20th -  1.  Good copy of "I am _______, the writer." 
                                             -  word processed
                                             -  double spaced
                                             - 12 pt font, Times New Roman
                                             -  rough copy attached

                                         2.  Complete sentence variety sheet
                                             -  all sentences, and short paragraph at bottom

LAST CALL - all remaining slips/contact forms, Getting to Know You etc.
                      
ALWAYS -  read at least 30 minutes/day


 

Tues Sept 14, 2010

Today we worked through three key writing terms:  Voice, Pictures, and Flow. 

Everybody submitted a writing sample about themselves as a writer.  Looking forward to reading them over...some great ideas out there today.  I think some people surprised how well they actually were able to write today.  A great start!


Homework:  - parent slips
                     - 'Getting to Know You' forms are due next class
                     - binders were checked today, if you weren't ready it is now your responsibility to come and
                     see me

Friday Sept 9th

English 10/11

Today we spent time considering the brain and how we can set ourselves up for success this year.  We learned that in order to get better at something (like reading/writing) you need to practice and that the brain is like a muscle.  All classes wrote a paragraph about how to apply what we learned today to life as a student.  The video clip and article we read has lots of good news for students...everyone is capable of improvement!

Homework:

• parent forms handed in asap
• Silent Reading book...get one, Tuesday we read together for 15 minutes at the beginning of last period
• set up your binders...an easy 5 marks.  Follow the steps on the sheet you received
• finish your 'Brain' paragraph, it should be the first piece of paper in your writing section

***Block B English 11 only- finish your 'Getting to Know You' sheet

Have a great weekend, see you Tuesday.

Wed Sept 8, 2010

English 10/11
Welcome!  Course Overview and expectations. 

Homework:  return parent slip, Silent Reading starts next week find a novel to read.

Welcome!

Welcome to what I hope will be a helpful tool for students in my English classes. I'm a bit of a technophobe...so we'll see how well this works. I'm looking forward to reading, writing, discussing, interpreting, and analyzing with you this fall. Have a wonderful summer! See you in September!