Course Selection and Rubric Distribution

Ms. Hein visited our class today, to provide information about course selection for next year.  If you were away today, please visit the counselling office, to pick up the documents that were distributed today.

I handed out rubrics for the assessment of your Lit. Circle summative pieces.  Again, if you were away, please see me to pick up the rubrics which pertain to the projects you have chosen.  These projects are due on or before next Friday, the 8th.

You must submit your copy of the rubric with your project.  Please don't lose them.  Please.

I intend to read through "The Chimney Sweeper" with the class on Friday.  If you were at Carnaval on Monday, please access a copy of the poem and the comprehension questions from the link at the side.

"The Chimney Sweeper"

Because so many students were away today at Carnaval, we used the class time as an opportunity to ensure our Voice of the Mind entries were completed and to complete the theme assignment from a couple of weeks ago.

I distributed a poem, "The Chimney Sweeper" and asked students to work through the poem, answering some comprehension questions and analyzing poetic devices.  A copy of the poem can be accessed by the link at the side, and we will discuss the poem on Wednesday, after course selection.

Personal Response to Poetry

We paired up and read and role played "What the Defense-Plant Worker Said" yesterday.  One student was the reader, and was asked to read the poem, considering appropriate voice and tone, given the subject matter.  The other student was responsible for creating questions to ask "the defense-plant worker".  Once the reader finished reading the poem, the questioner began asking questions.  The reader then role played as the defense-plant worker, and we explored why someone might hold a morally reprehensible job.

Students were then asked to respond personally, in writing, to the poem.  I will take these home this weekend to read and give feedback.

We concluded with some work time for projects.  A reminder that Voice of the Mind entries are due on Thursday January 31st.

Jobs that are Morally Reprehensible (Bad)

We finished our analysis of "Relics" today - noting that careful annotation of a poem and thorough analysis of poetic devices takes time and commitment!  But with practice... you will get there!

Then, we made a list of jobs we consider morally reprehensible, and we began a class debate about why some are perhaps more reprehensible than others.  We will read a poem about a morally questionable job next day.

Finally, here are some important dates to remember:

Course selection: Wednesday January 30th
Computer Lab: Friday February 1st
Last day to submit Lit. Circle assignments: Friday February 8th

Happy New Year!

I am officially back in the blogging world.  I hope you had a fun and relaxing break, and that you are excited about the second half of our year together.  I know I am!

Today Ms. Larisch visited our class, to give us some background information on Advanced Placement English 12.  Hopefully, all your questions have been answered, and hopefully many of you will challenge yourself next year with this amazing course!

I then pointed out some important dates to remember:

• Computer Lab - Friday Jan. 18th (for a workshop on video editing programs)
• Lit. Circles summative assessments are due NO LATER THAN Friday Feb. 8th
• Course Selection - Wed. Jan 23rd

Students were then asked to choose one of two poems - "Relics" or "Civilization" - and to annotate the poem, with thoughts and/or information about poetic devices used.  I also asked students to offer up an opinion on the poem, and to share with me what your likes/dislikes are about poetry.  We will officially begin our poetry unit next class.  The information I have gathered from today's activity will help me form the lessons for our unit - I need to know what you already know, in order to know where to take you.  If that sounds super intellectual and wise, that's because it is.