Block 1 English 9 25/26

 We were all tired today - the end of the break always finds us this way - good thing it is a short week! We did a quick check in, talked about several questions, and then set about novel work. Students reviewed "Wab's Coming-To Story," after which we read "Story: Part 2." Students took notes on the chapter, and made sure their notes for the previous chapter were also up-to-date.  In the last five minutes of the block, we looked briefly a t this win for former detainees of a "home for girls" that existed in our area until 1973. No new homework!  

 Today, we talked about the book banning going on in Alberta  - Our school libarians were gracious enough to compile a helpful list for students to see the texts being banned, and which of those we have for their reading enjoyment (I will pop this PDF into our team). We talked about the corn Rose and her uncles grow, and connected it to the three sisters, the history of Indigenous agricultural techniques/plant distribution via forest gardens ,  and these seeds . We discussed the Trail of Tears bean seeds - and the Highway of Tears    in B.C., to which so many MMIWG are connected. We talked about a B.C. serial killer, and how institutionalized racism allowed him, and others, to harm Indigenous women and girls (but did not get into detail). We also touched on the political party in Manitoba that ran a campaign on not searching a landfill f or lost loved ones.  We looked at some art/poetry along the Spirit Trail in North Van that mirrors our play, and a...

 We talked through a few questions before discussing the Michif legend of the Rougarou.  We talked about the syncretic nature of Metis culture, and where the word comes from. We also heard from Dimaline about who told her the stories.  We finished reading "The Four Winds" and students worked on their notes.      

We opened the block with some student questions. We looked at the historical building that was once the KKK headquarters in Vancouve r , and then at its current, philanthropic reality as Canuck Place. Students then read to the bottom of page 64 (part way through "The Four Winds) and took notes - some came to chat about their class marks during the same block.  Anyone who missed checking in about current standing in the course is welcome to tutorial next week.  No homework!  

   We talked about the following quote: "...the world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don’t know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.”   - Marjane Satrapi - We reviewed "Haunted in the Woods" We read "A Plague of Madness" Students took notes for the last portion of the class.    

  Today students did an in-class writing assignment -  Any student who missed today's class is expected to attend tutorial as soon as they are next in the building. Next class   we will continue with our reading!