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 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

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.

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 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.

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 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!