Welcome!
This is where you will come to view what we've done in class on a daily basis and to see what you have for homework!
Course Outline
ISU
ISU presentation rubric
Text Analysis
Thursday May 31st:
First 1/2: ISU work (use it wisely!)
2nd 1/2:
How to Read a Poem:
http://www.shmoop.com/poetry/how-to-read-poem/how-to-read.htmlThe Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:
Listen to Frost read the poem:
http://www.shmoop.com/road-not-taken/botw/resources?d=http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Answer the following questions:
- Do you think the road the speaker took was really the less traveled one? Why?
- What do you think the chances are that the speaker will get to come back and try the other path?
- Do you think the speaker regrets his choice, or is happy about it? Why?
- What type of choices do you think this fork in the road represents for the speaker?
- What personal choices does this poem remind you of?
Wed May 30th:
How to Read a Poem:
http://www.shmoop.com/poetry/how-to-read-poem/how-to-read.htmlThe Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:
Listen to Frost read the poem:
http://www.shmoop.com/road-not-taken/botw/resources?d=http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Answer the following questions:
- Do you think the road the speaker took was really the less traveled one? Why?
- What do you think the chances are that the speaker will get to come back and try the other path?
- Do you think the speaker regrets his choice, or is happy about it? Why?
- What type of choices do you think this fork in the road represents for the speaker?
- What personal choices does this poem remind you of?
Monday May 28th:
ISU work period (first 1/2)
Final sitcom script presentations
And the winners are?
Friday May 25th:
ISU reading, chapter summaries and project work period (a gift!)
Thursday May 24th:
ISU work period (first 1/2)
Sitcom script presentations
Wed. May 23rd:
Computer Lab:
-Complete scripts:
Do you have a minimum of three pages?
Do you have a plot and sub-plot?
Do you have a character list?
Is your storyboard revised and updated?
Due today!
Pitches and prizes are tomorrow.
Tuesday May 22nd:
Writing minutes:
-Touching base (how are you, what's new, your long weekend?)
-How far along in your ISU are you?
-ISU reading
-Script writing (last in class session, computer lab tomorrow and due!)
Friday May 18th:
-"Malcom in the Middle" script (read through)
-Add plot & a character list to your scripts so that we can do a read through
-Hope and Kathra present?
Thursday May 17th:
ISU reading & note taking
Script writing (due Monday)
Wed. May 16th:
-Storyboard vote
-Article (Ms. Burke will go through with you)
http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/the-4-rules-of-comedy-writing-for-screenwriters.html-Small group script writing
Tuesday May 15th:
-ISU reading and chapter summaries
-Storyboards for your Sitcoms are due tomorrow!
Monday May 14th:
Writing minutes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0BzZlwU4o1. Your reaction to the video
2. What is the main theme/message in the video?
3. Do you know anyone that would benefit from watching this? (explain)
Storyboard assignment (work hard! This is due Wed.)
ISU
Friday May 11th:
Final presentations
ISU
*Charlie Brown...$4 Monday please
Thursday May 10th:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373746,00.html1. Your typical weekly grocery list (think of what is in your fridge/cupboards after mom and dad visits the grocery store).
2. Your typical daily meal plan (weekday & weekend)
3. How does your weekly food intake compare to those from other countries (think about the things we discussed during the slideshow).
Nic & Nathan's Improv comedy presentation
Wed May 9th
Writing minutes-
Never Give up (video)
Sit-com storyboarding & script assignment
If time= ISU novel
Tuesday May 8th:
Writing minutes:
Don't give up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdEWriting your own sit-com:
Basic Narrative Structure
Nearly all stories follow a basic structure.
1. Establishing Shot – you meet the characters, find out the location and time
2. Some type of goal of the character/characters is established
3. There is some type of obstacle, some tension
4. The climax with some quick action.
5. The denouement, the final resolution
We are going to watch the animated short,“The Cat Came Back”.
This hilarious Oscar®-nominated animation is based on the century-old folk song of the same name. Old Mr. Johnson makes increasingly manic attempts to rid himself of a little yellow cat that just won’t stay away. (NFB.ca)
While watching the film, think about the basic narrative.
What is the tension?
When does the climax occur?
Who are the main characters and what are they like?
What is the final resolution?
When coming up with a story for your Hands project, you have to keep in mind the basic narrative structure.
What are Storyboards?
A visual planning tool for organizing ideas for an animated work, story, video, or comic book into a sequence of sketches, images, or “shots”. Each item (frame) in the sequence depicts scenes or figures and includes commentary that describes details of how the image should look and how it fits into the story. (The Ontario Curriculum 2010)
Click on the thumbnails below and you’ll see storyboards taken from a couple of famous films.
Why is having a storyboard useful? What are some of the benefits of the storyboard?
Below is a great video displaying numerous types of camera angles, make sure you use some in your storyboard and movie.
Credit goes to:
(http://asm201.wordpress.com/hands/)
Monday May 7th:
Writing Minutes:
1. What is your reactioon to Munch's painting, "The Scream"?
2. How do you feel about the 119.9 million dollar price tag?
3. As a society should we be placing this much monetary value on a piece of art?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/05/02/scream-munch-auction.html?cmp=rss(Student's answered the above questions after I read the CBC news story on the "Scream-Munch Auction")
Next we listened to Jian Gomeshi's May 4th show introduction and discussed his points:
http://www.cbc.ca/q/episodes/-Lucile Ball:
(Read)
http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=ilovelucyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSFTAjUTux8&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnbNcQlzV-4Sit-com assignment
Friday May 4th:
Comedy Genre presentations will begin Monday!
Yesterday, students watched a performance of, A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was awesome (very funny). I'm sure the students didn't quite catch all of it. This is a link to a great summary. If you could go through this with the students it will help to clarify their questions:
http://www.shmoop.com/midsummer-nights-dream/summary.html
1) Describe what "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was about.
2) What was your impression of the play?
3) Describe some of the comical scenes throughout the play. What made these scenes funny?
4) For many of you, this was your introduction to Shakespeare. What do you know about Shakespeare? Have you heard of any other Shakespearian plays?
Lucile Ball:
(Read)
http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=ilovelucy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSFTAjUTux8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnbNcQlzV-4
ISU reading:
Choose either, "Speak" or "Last Exit" or go to the library to sign-out a novel (if you didn't bring one today). Start reading and logging what you have read (your summaries).
* Leave "Speak" and "Last Exit" in the classroom. I will need to sign these out to you.
Thursday May 3rd:
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Wednesday May 2nd:
-Final computer lab work period before presentations
-Presentations begin on Friday (A Midsummer Night's Dream is on Thursday)
-Have you chosen your ISU novel?
Tuesday May 1st:
Character comedy presentation
Surreal Comedy presentation
Monday April 30th:
-Writing Minutes:
Reading history
ISU introduction
Friday April 27th:
$ 3 for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which will be performed on May 3rd
Russel Peters routine
Class discussion: Is Russel Peters a racist commedian?
Ms. Burke read through and discussed the following artice:
http://www.racialicious.com/2008/08/01/in-defense-of-russell-peters-are-racial-stereotypes-ever-funny/Writing Minutes:
- What did you think of Russel Peter's act?
2. In your opinion, is his comedy racist?
3. Would it be acceptable for a white person to make the jokes that Peters does?
4. Do Russel's jokes follow the recipe of comedy?
-The set-up, the punchline, the surprise and the deeper truth?
Introduction to ISU
(Choose a novel equivalent in length to "Skate")
Some options available from Ms. Burke are, "Speak" or, "The Last Exit to Normal"
"Liar Liar"
Thursday April 26th:
1)Writing minutes:
How to tell a great joke:
-The set-up
-The punchline
-The surprise
-The deeper truth
Dissect one of your favourite jokes, does it follow the above recipe?
2) Kayla's stand-up presentation
Kayla used the following website to design her presentation
http://prezi.com/Kayla's presentation contained the following:
-Definition
-How to
-Goal
-History
-A hand-out
-Pictures of famous stand-up comedians
Two stand-up routine examples (Ellen & Seinfeld)
Comedy Genre presentation rubric
Wednesday April 25th:
- Computer based lesson:
Your task today is to do the research for a comedy genre presentation. With a partner, you must choose a genre from the list below:
Dark
Improv
Surreal
Satire
Character
Slapstick
Physical
Parody
Dead Pan
Satire
Sitcom
(once you have chosen, have your topic approved with me so that we don't have any duplicate presentations).
You must:
a) Provide the class with a hand-out / note on your topic (it must include the definition)
b) Provide three visual examples of the genre (you have 20 minutes max for this aspect of the presentation)
c) Provide the class with either and activity or a performance based on your topic
Work hard! Presentations start tomorrow!!!
Tuesday April 24th:
What is Comedy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZE2ZBKhXGc
http://www.slideshare.net/pandahomz/comedyAbbot and Costello's, "Who's on First":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfmvkO5x6Nghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8MMonday April 23rd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su1YLAjty-U1) Think of a time when you received good news. (describe it)
2) Have you ever witnessed or heard of a special proposal?
3) Have you ever planned a surprise for anyone?
Introduction to Comedy unit
- Brainstorming forms of comedy, comedians, comedy shows and movies.
- Title pg for comedy unit (title pg is homework)
-"Who's on first" reading (two students from the class read)
Friday:
Writing Minutes:
Joseph Boyden reading
Take-up Skate
Grammar lesson:
Sentence Fragments
Run-on sentences
Thursday April 19th:
Writing minutes:
(Yesterday's topic or free choice if you completed this already)
Copy down the following note:
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophehttp://worksheetplace.com/mf/Apostrophe-Worksheet-5.pdfSkate Test
Wed. April 18th:
Computer lab session:
Answer the following questions:
- What did you think of the book?
- What was the most interesting part of the story?
- What was the most boring
- Which characters did you like?
- Which characters annoyed you?
- Do any characters remind you of your:
- friends
- family
- or teachers?
- Which character do you think is most like you?
- What was the most difficult part of the book to understand?
- What do you like about the author's style of writing?
- What do you hate about the author's style of writing?
- What ideas or lessons from the story seem relevant in your daily life?
- Does this story - or any of its characters - remind you of any other stories that you've read?
Teacher directed web lesson:
http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/
http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/StoriesAndVideos/index.asp?id=504
http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/StoriesAndVideos/index.asp?id=538
http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/StoriesAndVideos/index.asp?id=360
http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/StoriesAndVideos/index.asp?id=721
Once you are finished navigating through and exploring the above web pages and videos answer the following questions:
Writing Minutes:
1) Why is it important not to use homophobic words and phrases – such as “that’s so gay” – and to educate others when you hear them being used?
2) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. As a citizen of the Banting community, how do you feel about this?
3) Do you believe it is possible to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens?
Tuesday April 17th:
Being Thankful, Dreaming Big and Never Giving Up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE1) Your impression of Nick Vujicic
2) Do you focus on things that you wish were different or do you focus on the things you do have?
3) Nick says, "it's scary how many people are angry about their situations". How can we live our livesby his philosophy "no worries".
Chapter Project:
-Choose your favourite chapter (get it approved by your teacher)
-Design a chapter poster or some sort of visual representation of your chapter and the theme
-Find 2-3 quotes to support your theme (this will go on the back of your poster)
-Analyse the quotes (provide an indepth analysis that refers to your quote and provides details).
Chapter Summaries
Monday April 16th:
Writing minutes:
Body Image
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1BI3r3J8kGrammar:
There
Their
They're
Chapter Project:
-Choose your favourite chapter (get it approved by your teacher)
-Design a chapter poster or some sort of visual representation of your chapter and the theme
-Find 2-3 quotes to support your theme (this will go on the back of your poster)
-Analyse the quotes (provide an indepth analysis that refers to your quote and provides details).
Chapter Summaries
Complete the novel!
Friday April 13th:
Writing Minutes:
Imagination
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/04/filmmaker-invites-internet-to-kids-cardboard-arcade.htmlAre you a creative/imaginative person?
What is the most creative thing you've ever done?
Your thoughts on Caine's arcade?
Chapter Project
Chapter Summaries
Complete the novel!
Thursday April 12th:
Writing Minutes-
CARROT RING—A woman inSweden
got a big surprise when she
dug up a carrot in her garden.
Wrapped around the top of the
carrot was her gold wedding ring
that she last saw in 1995. When
she lost the ring 16 years ago she
and her husband searched all over
their house for it, but eventually
they gave up. Amazingly, the carrot
had grown up through the
ring. The couples now think the
ring must have been thrown out
with vegetable peelings. These
were then either used to
make compost or fed to
their sheep. One way another, the ring therefore
ended up in the garden.
1) Have you ever lost something very important to you? (explain)
* if no…do you know someone who has?
2) Did the item ever turn up?
3) How did you deal with your loss?
4) Take your experience (or something you’ve heard) and turn it into tale such as the one you just heard. (You can fictionalize if you want to)
Skate-
- Finish reading the novel
- Complete chapter summaries
Wed. April 11th:
Writing Minutes:
Perspective (reading/questions in class)
Chpt 19-22 Skate
Tuesday April 10th:
Writing minutes:
"Your weekend"
Chapter 17 & 18
Chapter summaries
Skate Test tomorrow (first 1/2 of the novel)
Thursday April 5th:
Writing minutes:
Easter traditions
Reading (chpt 15 & 16).
Test on the first 1/2 of the novel next Wed.
Wednesday April 4th:
Writing minutes:
Job interview skills
Read to the end of chapter 15
Markbook update (mid-terms are coming up)
Tuesday April 3rd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1oThe first concert I ever heard!
1. List all the bands you'd love to see
2. Describe a concert you've been to or would love to go to
3. How does music influence/impact your life?
Read chpt 12 & 13
Chapter summaries
Monday April 2nd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS2cfuQSdgoEarth Hour reflection
Read to the end of chapter 10
Do you have your character list and descriptions complete?
Chapter summaries?
Friday March 30th:
Writing Minutes:
Michael Jordan reading and questions (you'll have to get this from Ms. B)
Read to the end of chapter 8
Thursday March 29th:
Literacy test prep
catch-up
Wed. March 28th:
-Literacy test prep
-Write three paragraphs supporting the points you you made in your first paragraph yesterday
-Write a concluding paragraph
Tuesday March 27th:
Writing minutes:
Literacy test prep (opinion piece paragraph) completed and marked in class today.
Homework: Make corrections and come prepared to write the opinion piece tomorrow.
Skate: Complete chapter 7
Character list and description was due today.
Monday March 26th:
Writing minutes
Hypnosis is a relaxed, highly focused state of mind. It is a slowing-down in your brain wave activity, to a level where you are more receptive to positive suggestions. For anyone that fears the idea of hypnosis, think about the idea that you slip in and out of light hypnotic states a number of times each day; while engrossed in a book or an enjoyable television show, while driving, daydreaming, meditating, praying, and of course when you are falling asleep each night and awakening in the morning. The brain is no stranger to the reality of hypnosis. We all experience hypnosis several times a day and aren’t even aware of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9PA-yAf4c1. What did you think of the presentation? Do you believe that someone's mind could be controlled that way?
2. Have you ever seen a hypnotist or a mentalist such as David Copperfield or Chris Angel? What were your impressions?
3. "We all experience hypnosis several times a day and aren't aware of it" what does this mean?
Read chpt 7
Friday March 23rd:
1-10 Scale (An article about how not to over react).
Read to the end of chapter 6
Thursday March 22nd:
The True Cost of Smoking...who wants to be a Millionaire, literally!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2glFau9ORAYhttp://wheredoesallmymoneygo.com/smoking-a-pack-a-day-can-cost-you-millions/Skate: Read to the end of chapter 4
-Character description list
-Summary of novel thus far
-"The Story of Stuff" comics/mini essays are due tomorrow (last chance)
Wed March 21st:
Computer lab work period:
No writing minutes today.
1) Sign up for:
http://www.librarything.com/ (this should take 10 minutes)
* Make sure you choose a username and password that you will remember. Write this down in your morning minutes book (or binder).
Add a minimum of 5 books that you have read (you can include books from your childhood if this is a difficulty...think of books you've read in school, anything you've read for your own enjoyment).
Next:
We have done one activity like this before. Make sure to print your work.
Computer based lesson:
Go to:
Programs
English
Reading and Writing Achiev.
Click on:
Guest
Click on:
Informational paragraphs
Click on:
Writing task and complete the activity.
Once you are finished this task go back to the main menu and click on:
Proofreading
Do one proof reading activity, print and submit.
If time = please write a summary of what you have read in , "Skate" thus far. By now, all of you should be at the end of chapter 3. Don't forget to bring your novels tomorrow.
Tuesday March 20th:
Writing minutes:
-Response to the, "Story of Stuff"
-Comics/Posters/mini essays
-Chapter 2 Skate
Homework:
Read chapter 3
Monday March 19th:
The Good, the bad and the Ugly, March Break writing minutes
"The Story of Stuff"
While watching, "The Story of Stuff" draw your own comic/sketches depicting the story
The Story of Stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8Why is our system in crisis?
What does it mean that our planet is finite?
Is there a solution?
Chapter 1 Skate
Friday March 9th:
Short Stories due
Writing Minutes
Scattergories
Thursday March 8th:
Writing minutes:
While watching, "The Story of Stuff" draw your own comic/sketches depicting the story
The Story of Stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8Why is our system in crisis?
What does it mean that our planet is finite?
Is there a solution?
Introduction to Skate
If time = Short stories (due tomorrow)
Wed. March 7th:
-Computer lab work period for short stories (due this Friday).
-If you are absent this Friday be sure to hand these in on Thursday or email them to me.
-5% late per day.
Tuesday March 6th:
The first Question: Is it a `too good to be true story`, or as Alice Miles (The Times) describes it: “Slumdog Millionaire is poverty porn" that invites the viewer to enjoy the miseries it depicts”.
The second Question: Does Slumdog Millionaire project India as a third-world, dirty, underbelly developing nation that causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots”, as famous actor/singer Amitabh Bachchan puts it. He continues: “Let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations.
http://www.awesomestories.com/flicks/slumdog-millionaire/story-prefacehttp://famvin.org/en/files/2009/01/slumdogmillionaire.pdfMonday March 5th:
Complete Slumdog Millionaire
Friday March 2nd:
Slumdog Millionaire
Thursday March 1st:
Snowday!
Wednesday February:
Snowday!
Skate
Short Story work period
Tuesday February 28th:
Short Story work period
Monday February 27th:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9WDtQ4Ujn8
Short Story work period. Rough copies due Tuesday!
Friday February 24th:
Introduction to Short Story writing assignment:
Introduction to Harris Burdick
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/davidc/6c_files/documents/mysteries/divmysteries.htmhttp://www.hmhbooks.com/features/harrisburdick/tips_for_teachers.htmlThursday February 22nd:
Writing minutes-"Bucket List"
"The Interlopers"
Wed February 22nd:
In your opinion, should marjuana be legalized?