Merry Christmas, read a book!

Your only homework over the holidays is to eat, sleep, and read a great book.  See you next year!

Happy Reading wishes to you...

http://vimeo.com/33822223

Monday Dec 15th

I was home sick today so I trust things went well.

Here is what students should have done today.

1.  Write and hand in paragraph/outline
2.  When (and if) finished, either read or work on artifact book project

On Wednesday your Term 1 Novel project is due.  You'll be working in groups to present your novels to each other.

See you on Wednesday...

Tuesday Dec 9th

Today we talked about transitions in writing and why they are useful.  In your upcoming piece you'll need to use transitions to link ideas together. 

The due date for your Term 1 novel project has been adjusted to Wed Dec 17th to give us a bit more time to do a good job with your media paragraph.  Please note that you are more than able to hand your project in on Monday the 15th (in fact I'd recommend it if you're simply going to delay your project work 48 hours). 

We spent our last class in the library conducting research.  You should have two articles and be finished the 'work' piece.  Research + two articles will be handed in on Thursday.

On Thursday we'll go over how to integrate quotes and get your outlines done.  On Monday you'll write your paragraph in class.

Homework:  DUE Thursday the 11th - 2 articles + research
                     Due Wed Dec 17th (or before) Artifact Box Book Report

Friday Dec 5th

Today we were in the library again conducting research.  At this stage, students should have a topic sentence, and two articles that you can use to prove your point.

Next week we will learn how to integrate quotes, outline, and write paragraph.  (all in two classes)

Homework:  complete the article analysis sheet for ONE of your two articles, READ

****DO NOT WRITE YOUR PARARGRAPH...we will work on this together next week...

Arifact Box Book Project Due Dec 15th

Wed Dec 3rd

Last day students considered 5 different possible topics for their upcoming persuasive piece and today we drafted topic sentences.

We also spent today in the library learning about research and looking for articles that will support our topic sentences.

Homework:  READ, Term 1 Novel Project DUE DEC 15th  (artifact box project)

Wed Nov 26th

Today we finished our SMART Reading and handed it in.  Students also handed in their Media Logs.

So for the weekend please focus on your independent novel as I'll be sharing the details of your term one project when we see each other on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Reichert

Mon Nov 24th

Today we did our last media log entry...  TV Tango...and began another SMART Reading.

Media Log in its entirety is due WED NOV 26th...which is a tough job I realize...do the best you can.  You should only really need to good copy a few (so type them out), finish off #5, and put together a cover...you can do it!!!

If you have not been keeping up...then you've got your work cut out for you...


Homework:  Media Log due Wed Nov 26th  (all log entries #1-5 + cover)

Monday Nov 24th

Busy again today!  We debriefed "Still Killing Us Softly 4" in writing and in coversation with each other.  It was lovely to see you all sharing ideas with each other...a powerful way to make connections and learn from others.  We'll do more of these - activities where you not only do your own response, but where you also need to consider the thoughts of others...

Next day we're going to switch gears and focus on other media-related topic - violence in the media.

Homework:  READ, Media Log #4 - SKUS4 response due: Nov 24th

Have a good weekend!

Tuesday November 18th

Today we watched "Still Killing Us Softly 4" (find it on YouTube if you were absent- she does a 15 minutes TED Talks version)- a lecture by Jean Kilbourne about gender and media.  We'll have a lot to talk about next class...

Media Log #1 Ad Analysis - should be done
Media Log #2 Screen Time Diary- will be checked on Nov 26th...make sure you've set aside your 7 days...
Media Log #3 Teen Misrepresentation - was stamp checked today.

Once you have done five Media Logs, you'll put them all together, create a booklet and submit them for me to mark.  This will likely happen by the end of next week.

In the meantime -

Homework- READ READ READ, identify a big idea or concept from the lecture we watched today that you can share and discuss with others on Thursday...  see you then!

Friday November 14th

Today we talked about bias and stereotypes and how the media uses them to sell and entertain.  We read and responded to a short piece with a very specific bias...students used our conversation to get going with Media Log #3.

Coming up..."Still Killing Us Softly 4" a lecture by Jean Kilbourne that talks about gender stereotyping in the media

Homework:  finish your draft of Media Log #3 Teen Misrepresentation, get your definitions done (the ones that you and your group decided you were responsible for), and READ (independent novel project time is coming soon, I'll be announcing the specifics soon)

Friday Nov 7th

Today students began by writing a PMI about their experiences on Wed at work with parents...I look forward to reading through how most of you spent the day.

We then talked about advertising techniques and looked at a few Canadian ads, PSAs, and Superbowl Ads.

Media Log #1 Due: Wed Nov 12th
Media Log #2 Screen Diary Due: Nov 26th

On Wednesday Nov 12th we will attend a public library presentation...so make sure to bring your public library cards with you to class.

Have a great weekend!  Keep reading!

Homework:  ML #1, #2, READ

Sorry...

Yes, I know, I know...I've not been keeping up....I resolve to do a better job of posting more regularly.  I have excuses, but none of them are very good.  (thanks for keeping me honest DC)

Here's where we're at.  Yesterday most students weren't here due to Grade 9 To Work Day but those of us who were here watched a documentary called Miss Representation.  A documentary about how women are portrayed in the media.

Next up - advertising techniques, Media Log #1 due Nov 12th, gender stereotyping, and bias...

On Wednesday November 12th the Richmond Public Library will present booktalks and trailers during our class so bring your public library cards to school on Wednesday.

See you tomorrow!

Thursday Oct 23rd

Today I handed back portfolios to students - some beautiful projects.  I appreciated reading and looking through your work.  Thank you.   This piece of writing was a benchmark, a good place to start.  From here we will get more technical and specific about what and how we want our writing to sound.

We discussed genres, and looked through a lengthy list of what categories there are.  Students should now begin to use this vocabulary when describing their reading.

We moved into finishing off our 'I am the reader/writer' piece.  Students were given a marking rubric, and time to finish their writing.  This time the focus is on voice, pictures, and flow...ensure that your writing appeals to the senses and is easy to understand.  Have someone else read your writing out loud to you so that you can hear (your voice) and see (their face) problems in your writing.

Good copy + rough copy + rubric is due next class - TUESDAY OCT 28th.

Have a nice long weekend!!

Homework:  READ, revise and type 'I am the reader/writer' - due Oct 28th

Tuesday Oct 21st

A short, but very busy block.

Today we were in the library for our first SMART reading session.  We made preliminary connections, predictions and asked a few questions before moving into the text.

The article was split into 3 chunks and students listened and read for particular information each chunk. Students then had an opportunity to share with each other before sharing ideas with the whole group.  At the end of the article students had to do a quickwrite - a text to self connection about the article as a whole.

Today was a good practise session...as we will revisit SMART reading again.

Homework:  READ!!!

Friday Oct 17th

Today students were introduced to voice, pictures, and flow and began a new piece of writing.  We are writing a creative piece about our journey as readers and writers (the good and not-so-good).  Included in this piece is the goal of appealing to the senses through writing.

We're in the library on Tuesday learning about SMART reading, Thursday we'll finish and polish  'I am the reader/writer'.  The week following we'll get started with our Media Unit.

Have a great weekend!

Homework:  READ!!!!  You'll be checking in with your Term 1 goal soon...

Wed Oct 15th

Today classes worked with Ms. Kugelman...here's what you covered and what's coming next...

Portfolios are now IN - please hand these to me directly if for some reason you didn't hand it in today.  I've had a quick look through and they look pretty good.

Today the focus was on sensory writing and what writers can include to appeal to their readers' senses. You read and went through "The Exam Room" and made notes about what senses are appealed to.

Today's quickwrite was - "the pen is mightier than the sword"...

Next day we'll talk about voice/pictures/flow in writing and begin a new piece of writing...

HOMEWORK:  READ!!!

OVERDUE:  Portfolio project

Wednesday Oct 8th

Today we did a bit of reading and then moved into portfolio work.

I read students an exerpt from a book that includes sensory writing...this is something that students will have to try on their own soon.  Students shared their reading and goals  

We will not have anymore time in class to work on collecting quotes or images for the collage.  On Friday we will work on Audience and Purpose and then begin to draft the writing for the portfolio project.

Homework:  READ!!!  Students should be well into their first independent novels

Portfolio project is due on October 15th.

Monday Oct 6th

Another busy busy day in English class.

We started with a new seating plan - students were really efficient about finding their seats, getting work out and ready and beginning to read their independent novels.

Reading goals for Term 1 are in the edit stage.  Remember your goal must be SMART and have a solid plan for your reading this term.  Today we added the novel list sheet to binders - a place to record all the reading that you do from now until Christmas.

Audience and Purpose Part 1 - who writes at work and for what purpose?  We considered different jobs, what they have to write, and what the purpose of that writing is.

Portfolio Project - DUE OCT 15th.  We got started today by going over specifics and getting a few visuals.  You will get some more time next day to work on this.

HOMEWORK:  READ!!!  You should have an independent novel.  Spend at least 30 minutes (in addition to ER) reading each and everyday!

Thursday Oct 2nd

Today we talked about goal setting and how to set a goal that will actually work.  Goals that get results are SMART - specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic, and time sensitive.  Each student wrote a reading goal for Term One (now until Christmas Break) - reasons why, and a plan to achieve goal.  I have read through all your goals and will return them to you next class for revision.

Classes then headed to the library to hear about some fantastic reads and choose a book to get started.

Next up - Portfolio project (please bring glue sticks, images, and quotes)

Overdue - any and all forms, "You Can Grow Your Intelligence" connections/response

Homework:  READ - remember, your independent novel now comes to class with you each and every day.

Tuesday Sept 30th

Today we had our first quiz, completed a September Reading Survey, and finished off "You Can Grow Your Intelligence" connections and response.

On Thursday we will set a reading goal for Term 1 and spend some time in the library in order to get going with our independent reading for the term.

Overdue:  Getting to Know You Form, parent slip

HOMEWORK: Binder setup (worth 5 marks, have it ready for me to check), all article work (connections and responses) needs to be handed in on Thursday too.

See you Thursday!

Thursday Sept 25th

Blog bonus marks, making connections, and the brain...we were busy today.

Please make sure that you are ready for:  Classroom Expectations Quiz on Mon Sept 30th and Binder Check on Wed Oct 2nd.  If you've still got any parent contact forms or Getting to Know You Sheets please hand them in asap.

Today we talked about how and why good readers make connections with what they are reading.  There are 3 types of connections: Text to Text, Text to Self, and Text to World.  We read "You Can Grow Your Intelligence" and practised making connections - this is something that we will do when we read throughout the year.  We will finish off Chunk 3 (1-1) and a written response (both blocks) together next week. 

Have a great weekend - see you Tuesday!

At last...the 2014-15 school year begins!

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 20th - 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.

All students who 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.  You must state your first and last name and block (1-1 or 1-2) in order to be granted an extra mark on your first quiz (next week)...post a comment,  that indentifies your favourite novel after 3pm TODAY and receive a free mark!