Thursday, September 27, 2012

Thursday Sept 27th

Today we started our media unit.  We will be examining how the media constructs reality and whether we are fairly represented.  We'll look at stereotyping, advertising techniques, different forms of media and how to become more critical consumers of mass media and popular culture.

Today students discovered the 6 main roles of the media and responded to each.  Next day we'll discuss the various roles and responsibilities of the media.  As well as how advertisers use human psychology.

Homework:  READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ READ

Overdue:  portfolio, I am ________, the reader/writer

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Tuesday Sept 25th

Today I was worked with the Grade 8s as part of their retreat.  Mr. Lin was wonderful enough to step in and let me know that things went well.  Excellent- nice to hear that you all worked well even though I was not in the room today.

Audience and Purpose - students isolated 5 different audiences and 5 different purposes...and then had to read/skim at least four articles to identify both.

I am _______, the reader/writer.  Today students edited and workshopped their writing with the rubric that I will be using to mark your good copy. Remember to consider voice, pictures and flow when you are working on this piece ....and your audience and purpose.

HOMEWORK: 

1.  READ
2.  Hand in good copy + rough copy + edit sheet on THURS Sept 27th


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Friday Sept 21st

Today students handed in portfolios (make sure you do something asap if this is not the case for you) today and we moved on to consider: voice, pictures, and flow in writing.  Voice is the unique words that writers choose that make their writing sound like 'them', pictures are the sensory images that make writing interesting and vivid, and flow is how a writer moves from idea to idea.

I read a piece about my journey as a reader and writer and asked students to write on the same topic with voice, pictures, and flow in mind.  I am _________, the reader/writer drafts are due on Tuesday Sept 25th - we will workshop these together and get drafts ready for good copy status.

Homework: READ, finish draft of I am ___________, the reader/writer.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wed Sept 19th

Today we did a bit of reading, went over 'good copy status' requirements and then worked on portfolio projects.

Homework:  Completed portfolios are due on Friday Sept 21.  Remember that this project includes all three components: quotes, collage, and explanation. 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Monday Sept 17th

Today we began our reading lists for the year and filled in September Reading Surveys.  It was fantastic to read your lists of the types of reading that you enjoy.

We also spent some time thinking about AUDIENCE and PURPOSE - two words that will be important when you get ready to write this year.  We considered which professionals have to write as part of their day at work, what they have to write, and who they have to write for.

We began working on our portfolio projects remember to collect 3 quotes and lots of images to display on the back of your portfolio.  You will have some time to work on this next day.  The portfolio (quotes/collage/writing) is all due on FRIDAY SEPT 21st.

Homework:  READ, bring in 3 quotes and any images that you'd like to use for your portfolio

OVERDUE:  Article response, and SMART reading we completed together in class.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

My wish for my students...

It's a beautiful Sunday morning...and a friend just sent me something that made me smile and think of my students.  This short video conveys my wish for my students and their personal reading this year.  Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/salonalpin/muchbetternow


I might just have to show this one to you in class....

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thursday Sept 13th

Today Engaged Reading began, and it was great to see you all with an independent novel of your own choosing.  Remember that you need to bring your novel to each and every English class...even on Wednesdays...and that you should be reading for minutes 30 every day outside of school.  Your job this year is to get better at reading and writing and that won't happen without practise.

Binders were checked.  Expectations quiz was written.  Parent slips should now be signed and handed in. 

Today we read an article about the September rush back to school and began to utilize the SMART reading method to discover a piece of  text.  Students are responsible to finish off any remaining SMART reading notes/connections etc. and write a response to the article.

Homework:  1.  finish off SMART Reading - due MON Sept 17th.
                     2.  Write your response (read assignment sheet for details) - work will only be accepted if it is double spaced, and either hand written in blue or black ink or word processed - due MON Sept 17th.
                     3.  Read 30 minutes (or more) each day.

See you Monday!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Tuesday Sept 11th

Reading goals and independent reading!  Today students set a goal, a rationale, and a plan for their reading this term.  Goals must be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time sensitive) in order to be effective.  All goals are in pencil and will be updated next day to ensure that they meet the SMART criteria.

Students went to the library in order to sign out novels that will support their reading goals.  Remember you must read at least 30 minutes a day in order to improve your reading and writing skills.  You ALWAYS have English homework...to find time and space to read.

For Thursday:  1.  independent novel must be brought to class on Thursday
                        2.  Classroom expectations quiz - ensure that you review course outline material, where important spots in the class are, and know my contact details
                        3.  Parent slips - go over course materials, have a parent sign...
                        4.  Binder set up - Thursday will be your day to receive 5 marks for your binder set up - ensure that you follow the directions provided
                         5.  READ!!! Get into your independent novel!

           

Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday Sept 7th

Today the Grade 9 assembly was held during the block...here's hoping the PA is hooked up to Portable 4 soon in order to avoid anymore fashionably late entrances. 

Today we met Mrs. Williams who will be working with us this year.  Students are encouraged to make use of her expertise, she'll be a big help! 

Homework:

1.  Binder set up assigned - must be done no later than Thursday the 13th, worth 5 marks.

2.  Parent Letter - please read over and have your parents sign.  Return the bottom portion only no later than the 13th.

3.  Course expectations quiz - Sept 13th - make sure you review contact details and where everything is so you're ready for the year ahead!

Have a great weekend - I'm looking forward to our year together.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Welcome to English 9!

Welcome back!  I hope you had a wonderful summer break and are looking forward to the possibilities of the school year ahead.  I plan to regularly post what is going on in class so that students and parents can keep on top of assignments/tests etc.  Plan to check this blog regularly for updates, helpful links, and resources as well as upcoming dates.

Sept 5th - Welcome to English 9

Today we had a chance to introduce ourselves to each other, learned the location of important places in the classroom and went over what to expect this year.

Get ready for Silent Reading/Independent Novels by choosing/finding a novel that you're interested in reading.  All students are expected to read for 30 minutes a day...keep in mind that this is in addition to any Silent Reading at school.  Remember that your job this year is to improve your reading and writing skills; daily practice is essential.

The first 5 students to to post a comment on this blog after 3pm today who identify their favourite novel will be awarded a bonus mark on the first quiz this term (date tba).  You must state your first and last name in order to enter...post a comment, indentify your favourite novel after 3pm today the first 5 do do so will receive a bonus mark!