Week 13: What to Expect

Mon. Nov. 26th:
* Your wonderful "Valentine" share
* Class draw and dissect Shakespeare's infamous sonnet: "My Mistress' Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun" Is he insulting his lady love?

* Partner Practice Poem Synthesis: Your own in-class synthesis next Monday
* Begin Your Technology Record Log (add to each day, due Wed. Dec. 5th)

Tues. Nov. 27th:
* Practicing with the most challenging poetic devices: metonymy and synecdoche. Are you up for it?
* War Poetry: Why would people who have experienced war want to write poetry?
* "Dulce Et Decorum Est" class analysis. An infamous war poem written after experiencing WWI
* Complete Venn Diagram of war poem of choice: Contrast "Dulce Et Decorum Est" to "Flanders Fields," "What They Were Like?" (Vietnam War) or current Canadian soldier's comment on War in Afghanistan

Wed. Nov. 28th:
* A 'lil death poetry in the morning!
* Class Dissect Wyslawa Szymborska's unique vision of death: "On Death, Without Exaggeration"
* Groups choose alternative vision of death to analyse: You are teaching the poem to the class tomorrow

Thurs. Nov. 29th:
* Poetic Terms Test on Monday: Study! 
*Poetry practice quiz
* Groups present their death poem and teach the class

Fri. Nov. 30th:
* Poetry Practice Quiz: Terms Test Monday
* Select two poems of your choice for your final assessment: Poetry Synthesis. 
* Complete outline for your in-class write on Monday

Week 12: What to Expect

Mon. Nov. 19th:
* Group Poetic Device Scramble: What do you know? What do you need to know?
* Class dissection of "Swimmer's Moment." Audio and commentary in link.
* Poem Dissection of choice: Due tomorrow
* Guy versus Girl Simile Challenge!

Tues. Nov. 20th:
* Paint Our World: Creating Colour and Devices

Wed. Nov. 21st:
* Bukowski! The poet of the gutter, of the underbelly, we explore his vision of love.
* "How is Your Heart?" class and independent analysis

Thurs. Nov. 22nd:
* "Valentine" deconstruction: Pass the onion, smell the love.
* Create your own powerful metaphor poem, your own "Valentine"

Fri. Nov. 23rd:
* What are the worst pick-up lines that you've heard?
* Class deconstruct "To His Coy Mistress," 17th century metaphysical "pick-up" poetry. Translate the poetic to prose. Why is this poem relevant to the 21st century?

Week 11: What to Expect

Mon. Nov. 12th: Remembrance Day Holiday
School Not in Session

Tues. Nov. 13th & Wed. Nov. 14th:
* Of Mice and Men Film and Novel Comparative

Thurs. Nov. 15th:
* In-class Of Mice and Men Essay

Fri. Nov. 16th:
* Intro to POETRY! 
* Shane Koyczan's "Stop Signs"

* Poetic Device Group Scramble: What do you know? What do you need to know?

Week 10: What to Expect

Mon. Nov. 5th:
* In Library before lunch Debate research and prep
* In C127 after lunch Debate research and prep

Tues. Nov. 6th:
* In Library completing arguments for tomorrow's in class debates: May the Best Argument Win!

Wed. Nov. 7th:
* In-class Debates following outlined debate format and timing
* Groups hand in bibliography
* Individuals submit independent research notes package

Thurs. Nov. 8th:
* Final group debate
* Words of the Week and Vocabulary
* In-class Of Mice and Men response topics distributed and time for planning. In-class essay next Thursday Nov. 15th
See the following sites for support:
-Of Mice and Men Sparknotes
- Of Mice and Men Novel Guide

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Friday: Nov. 9th
Professional Development Day. Students not in school

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Week 9: What to Expect

Mon. Oct. 29th:
* Exploration of our almost next Great Depression, as we consider our characters struggling in the first
* Class explore Too Big to Fail

Homework: Read Chapter 4 Of Mice and Men and complete questions (class voted homework so no whining and no slacking)


Tues. Oct. 30th:
* Body Biography: Remember creating life-size characters, tracing out yourself or your freinds, well we're bringing it back! Collectively and creatively manufacture life-size characters: George, Lennie, Crooks, Curly, Curly's Wife, take your pick
Homework: Read Chapter 5 Of Mice and Men and complete questions (class voted homework so no whining and no slacking)

Wed. Oct 31st:
* Happy Halloween!
* Complete creative, insightful (and massive) Body Biography. Due for Presentation tomorrow

Thurs. Nov. 1st:
* Present Body Biography
* Class Finish Of Mice and Men
* Debate Challenge introduced: What side of the debates will you fall on?

Fri. Nov. 2nd:
* Class in Library researching for your debates. May the best arguments win!

Have a Great Weekend!

Week 8: What to Expect

Mon. Oct. 22nd:
* Write your own satire. What will you scathingly mock?
* Portfolio work and reflection

Tues. Oct. 23rd:
* "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" song analysis

* Group pre-reading activity
* Class begin Of Mice and Men. Independently complete Chapter One.

Wed. Oct. 24th:
* Words of the Week
* Steinbeck stylistics: Can you distinguish the naturalistic and lyrical styles? What's the difference? What do both add to the telling?
* Class read Chapter 2

Thurs. Oct. 25th:
Early Dismissal Day. Parent-Teacher Conferences 2:15-5pm. See you there!
* Literature Circles introduced, organized and students select roles of their choice.
* Independent read of Chapter 3 and complete of chosen role sheet.
* Tomorrow Lit. Circles! Have your thoughtful questions ready for all.

Fri. Oct. 26th:
* Week 5 Vocab Completion Check
* Literature Circles hosted. Debate, discuss, and then class-wide share.
* Class read "To a Mouse" by Robbie Burns. Our novel's title is an allusion to this famous poem. How does it connect to Steinbeck's Depression era epic? What predictions can you make for the tale of George, Lenny, Candy and Crooks?

Week 7: What to Expect

Mon. Oct. 15th:
* Exploring voice: Passive vs. Active
* Complete Personal Narrative Draft
* Peer Conference and revise to make your Narrative the best it can be (Due Thursday)

Tues. Oct. 16th:
* Exploring Satire: What is it? What are its Pieces?

Wed. Oct. 17th:
* Words of the Week: Vocab Quiz Thursday
* Explore Johnathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," a biting satire intended to invoke social criticism and change.

Thurs. Oct 18th: 
* Week 3 & 4 Vocab Quiz
* Class Dissect of "A Modest Proposal."
* Student Sample of modern Satire: Plan your own
***In-Class Satire creation Monday. Be Ready!***