Block 1 English 9 25/26

 We started today's class with a short read of personal novels. Students shared family superstitions to set the scene for "The Sea Devil." We finished reading the story, and students began work on the following question in groups: What point of view is the story written from? - How do you know? (maybe note a quote for proof?) What kind of character is the protagonist? ( flat, round, static, dynamic..) Note 2-3 symbols in the story, and write brief notes about what they represent, and what their purpose is in the story Find a quote to show the climax of the story – write it down   with the page number – explain how you know it is the climax.  We will continue to add to these in our next block, which is not until Tuesday! Reminder from counselling:  Your Take our Kids to Work Day assignment is overdue if it has not yet been completed. The assignment can be found in the students' Grad 2029 Team and will only take 10 minutes total to complete. It is used as you...

 Students did a quick terms quiz - most had no trouble at all (it really was just the basics). We worked through "Sea Devil" Vocabulary together - then juuuuuuust started working through the story. Students paid attention to possible foreshadowing in the setting of the story, symbols, and multiple examples of personification. NO HOMEWORK!

 We began today's class by sorting out various draft versions, doing a self-evaluation, and handing in complete packages.   NOTE: Some students had not completed their paragraphs, and did not come to tutorials. Those students have tomorrow morning only to complete their work. We read a story called "Penny in the Dust." We talked about the point of view, symbolism, and core ideas of the story. QUEST NEXT CLASS - Students have a simple quiz on short story terms next class. Students have a package with all of these terms in it.  They should know types of conflict, and whether they are internal or external .  They should know the difference between a protagonist and an antagonist.  They should be able to name at least two points of view from which a story might be told. Students have looked at the structure of short stories multiple times (plot diagram) - they should be able to label all of the parts, including inciting and complicating incidents. That's it! Stud...

 I was away last block, but students finished their good copies.  Anyone who did not complete good copy work must do so in tutorial this week. 

 Students who completed the majority of their rough drafts prior to today's class were able to get feedback from multiple peers (some have lost that opportunity). Wherever folks are in the work, Tuesday is the day for final drafts. Have a restful weekend!

 Today's class was spent on rough drafts. Anyone who has not finished their rough draft must either do so in tutorial on Thursday morning, or during Writing Lab Thursday at lunch.  Next block we will do peer edit work , after which students will begin their final copies.

 Despite being largely on task, today's shortened block meant that everyone needed more time to do the work. Those who have yet to begin (or have just barely begun) writing should come to tutorial on Wednesday, and perhaps plan time in Wednesday's Writing Lab. We will continue with the rough draft into the next block.

 We marked that old comma quiz, and students spent the rest of the block planning their "Veldt" paragraphs. If students want more planning time, they will need to pop into tutorial prior to their next block. Have a fabulous weekend!

 Students had a brief read of their personal novels today - we then did a quick seat change.  Students spent the block working on their paragraph outlines - many were not able to get a clear topic sentence on the page ( and did not follow up with a trip to the Writing Lab at lunch) - If this is the case, students should be popping into tutorial. Next block will be all about planning their paragraphs, and they will do their rough-draft writing in the subsequent block.

 Today students watched a scary "Veldt" video, by Deadmau5. We talked about what makes an effective hook - and looked at their "Seven Snappy Starters" homework. We discussed theme in "The Veldt" - and students set about planning their upcoming paragraph work. All writing will take place in class, or in the Writing Lab - NO WRITING WILL HAPPEN AT HOME.