Unit 3 for English 2D- Voices

This unit we will be looking at the:

of  issues.

We will be defining the issues, discussing their importance in today’s society,  analyzing their use in songs, poetry, film, and documentaries. Clearly we will be exploring all sides of an issue, and tackling some difficult topics and controversies. Tolerance is needed for this unit; we will be having many class discussions so everyone must have an open mind and listen to those with opposing view points. Check the blog regularly for worksheets, videos, cartoons, and due dates. Leave a comment if you like.

We will also be examining values, morals, and ethics and trying to figure out what the difference is between them!

Which one are you, or do you not care?

Considering our conversation today about being Canadian, and trying to come up with some “Canadian” jokes, follow this link to read about “What it Means to be Canadian”. I think this list was made from someone from my generation. Do you agree with the list? Any you would like to add? Please leave a comment. Reminder: Ask me about Casey and Finnegan.

yacan.htm

Issue to ponder today: TV, films, and videogames influence children more than parents.

April 3: Value Systems and Morals.

If you were absent today, please get a copy of the note done in class. Also, we did a “Values Survey” – be sure to get one when you return.

Homework: Read “Just Lather, That’s All” on pg 48 of your textbook, and answer the following questions. I will do a homework check tomorrow.

Values – Just Lather, That’s All

April 10- Issues

Today we learned about the different TYPES of issues. If you were absent, make sure you ask a classmate for the note. Students then looked through newspapers to find examples of the different issues – social, political, global, economic, etc.

April 11: Trayvon Martin

Today we had an interesting class discussion about racism, and the Trayvon Martin case. We watched news coverage, read a timeline of events, learned about the “Stand Your Ground” law, and really looked at both sides of this awful event. During class, a news story came in that George Zimmerman will be charged in the case, but what charge? You all had some interesting comments about the possible charges.

Homework: Find out what George Zimmerman is charged with, and write a one-page response about the issue. You may write about any aspect of the case, the law, the media coverage, racism, the delay of the charges, etc. Please use lots of detail and examples in your writing. I am sure we will have a lot to say about this case tomorrow.

As tomorrow we will be looking at issues in song, this is relevant for today’s issue:

Question for today: If Trayvon Martin were white, would he be dead?

Updates for the Zimmerman issue on April 21:

photo-shows-george-zimmerman-head-bloodied-trayvon-martin-death-article-1.1064765

george-zimmerman-bail-hearing_n_1440175.html

1165883–trayvon-martin-shooting-lawyers-fear-for-george-zimmerman-s-safety

Issues in Song

Today we looked at Pink’s “Stupid Girls” and analyzed its effectiveness at getting a message across. She uses many rhetorical and poetic devices to get our attention and persuade. Now you will do the same for two songs. Below is the “Issues in Song” assignment.

DUE DATE: Monday, April 16th.

Issues in Song

Discussion Topic: Should you be famous for being a reality star? What do they contribute to society?

April 30th:

Discussion Topics:

1. The only war worth fighting is the war on poverty.

2. Social networking technologies will bring about great changes in educational methods.

3. There are no bad children, just bad parents.

May 1

Today we looked at issues in poetry. We read and discussed poems about abortion; one was clearly against abortion, and the other was ambiguous. We then created a t-chart on the whiteboard outlining all of the pros and cons of abortion; to fully understand an issue, all sides need to be examined. Then, I gave you the next assignment:

Write your Own Issues Poem

Due date: Thursday, May 3

UNIT TEST for “Issues”: Thursday, May 3!!

Preparing for the OSSLT

Okay, Grade 10′s. The big day is almost here. You have trained and prepared for this your whole lives! I could give a big pep talk and tell you not to worry, you’ll be great, no problem, the cat’s in the bag, try your best, etc but I won’t. I have shown you how to write a proper opinion piece, news report, and answer short questions. You know how to read.

The only piece of advice I am going to give you is: don’t look like this on Thursday morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Get lots of sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. I know you can do it! Here’s the eqao “Getting Ready Guide” just in case:

OSSLT_GettingReadyGuide_2012.pdf

I Finally Read Them!

After many recommendations, and lots of coaxing from my students, I finally read The Hunger Games trilogy. What else is an English teacher going to do over the March Break?

After hearing so much about the books, and the film adaptation, I caved. I wasn’t disappointed, either! I really enjoyed reading Collins’ trilogy. An “easy read”, I found myself totally absorbed by the first book – I like Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Prim, etc and how the horror of the games and the world they live in is implied, not overly objectified. It seems to me that Suzanne Collins borrowed heavily from past writers – namely Richard Bachman (Stephen King) who wrote a short story called “The Long Walk” that “The Running Man” film was based on, and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”.  Dystopia fiction, especially for YA’s is hot right now; rightly or wrongly they certainly initiate conversatin and debate about “bigger” issues. Yes, the books are violent – kids killing kids in a contest is brutal. I know the author has been heavily criticized for this, but i think it’s a good opportunity to discuss the future; environmental degradation, racism, and different levels of government. When my children are old enough to read these books, I will definitely be ready for the inevitable questions to follow.

I liked the first book the best – the narrative seemed to flow the smoothest and there didn’t seem to be any unnecessary new characters that seemed to pop up in Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The final book seemed to drag on – I also had a hard time figuring out who was who sometimes because there were so many past Games champions, Capitol fighters, etc. On the whole though, I really enjoyed these books. I found Katniss refreshing after all the hype about Bella in the Twilight series; Katniss at least makes rational decisions and is always concerned about those she cares about. I look forward to seeing the film (I think Jennifer Lawrence is a perfect pick), and of course the inevitable sequels with the Gale/Peeta saga. These books were created for the screen!

Here’s the trailer:

Parent/Teacher Interviews

What: Parent/Teacher interviews

When: Thursday, March 22 @ 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Where: Midland Secondary School

Why: to check on your son/daughter’s progress in English 3U or 2D

Who: Ms. Beckley and Ms. Wallace

Please come to the interviews on Thursday night. Ms. Wallace (my practice teacher from Nipissing University) and I will be there to discuss your student’s progress. We will have updated reports and comments.

If you cannot make it, your son/daughter will be bringing home a progress report on Friday, March 23. These must be signed and returned to me asap. The major concerns in the classroom right now is work completion; many students are not handing in the assigned work. For the Grade 10′s, Ms. Wallace met with students who have outstanding work to be handed in and filled out “completion contracts”. A deadline was given for the late work; if the deadline is not met, your student will be enrolled in the ZAP program at lunch. The “Zeros are not Permitted” program allows students a chance to complete these tasks in a supervised setting.

The Grade 11 University students are aware that they must submit all late work in as soon as possible. They will receive a mark deduction, but is is essential that they hand the work in to show they have met the expectations.

Students and parents/guardians please continue to check this blog for due dates and assignments.

Wuthering Heights – ch’s 18-34

So, Catherine has died. What will poor Heathcliff do? In the last half of Wuthering Heights, the plot becomes even more convoluted. Pay attention to the contrast between the older generation and the new; Cathy and Hareton could end up being mirror images of their parents if they allow it. Below is a videoclip of Heathcliff responding to Cathy’s death. This adaptation stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.

If you were absent on Friday, March 9th, Assignment #3 for WH is below. Please be sure to keep up with the reading and all of the activities.

WH assignment #3

wh – comp questions

checklist for WH #3

Due date: Tuesday, March 27th

The final Wuthering Heights test will be written on Tuesday, March 27th.

The Road: the Movie

Okay 10′s: the moment you’ve been waiting for. Today you learned about symbol and theme in The Road and discussed the perplexities of the ending. If you missed Ms. Wallace’s amazing “prezi”, make sure you get the handout and answers when you return. You will definitely need to know the major symbols and themes for the final test.

Hopefully you have finished the novel by now; you have certainly had enough time. We told you it was a great book; do you believe us now??Watch the movie trailer to get a sneak peek:

 

Assignment #3 is due: Thursday, March 8th

Snow Day, Part Two

I can’t wait to hear all about the reading you did during the snow days! I will be expecting you all to hand in Assignment #1 for WH, and Assignment #2 for The Road when you return. I hope you enjoyed sleeping in!

Wuthering Heights: Chapters 10-17

February 27: Today we took a closer look at the setting of Wuthering Heights. From the first page, Bronte is making a distinction between the two homes; Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange are as different as Heathcliff and Edgar.  As you read, please notice the contrast between the homes appearance, location, and how its residents and their actions are a reflection of the home and its natural (or unnatural) surroundings.

Note: Pay attention to the animal references as you read.    ***

The MOORS: We saw images of the moors in Yorkshire. Bronte was clearly influenced by these moors and her natural surroundings, and the moors take on a persona in WH; they are a character.

Below is a link to a great resource. There are images, summaries, critiques, and information about the characters. Please use this website sparingly; all of your written work (especially the quotation analyses) must be your own.

A Reader’s Guide to Wuthering Heights

March 1/12: Well, you luckies! You got to sleep in and read for two whole days. That is what you did, right? You read Wuthering Heights by a roaring fire and a cup of tea??

Just in case you were concerned about what you missed, don’t be. Assignment #1 will be collected on Friday, and as you had a couple extra days to work on them, they better be good! I was going to give you an Internet activity this week to learn more about Victorian England, but I’ve had to scrap that. I am including the assignment below just in case someone wants to earn some bonus marks.

Internet – Victorian England

Here it is: Assignment #2.  This booklet covers chapter 10-17. I was peeking at your reading today, and clearly many of you are very behind. Get reading! Assignment #2 is due next Friday, March 9th.

wuth assignment 2

Assignment 2 – comprehension questions

For those of you having trouble comprehending the text, here is a video:

Downton Abbey!

Every once in awhile a new tv series comes along that I immerse myself in. I can’t wait to watch each new episode and season, and then I am devastated when the series ends. Little House on the Prarie, Roseanne, Seinfeld, and Six Feet Under (my all-time favourite show) are just a few that come to mind.  Also, I loved the British “The Office” but it only lasted two seasons..  Now, I have another tv obsession: Downton Abbey.

The Storyline:

Lord Crawley sees his family heritage, especially the grand country home Downton Abbey, as his mission in life. The death of his heir aboard the Titanic means distant cousin Matthew Crawley, a Manchester lawyer, suddenly is next in line and accepts moving onto the vast estate with his even more modernist, socially engaged mother, who clashes with his lordship’s domineering, conservative ma the dowager. Marrying off the daughters is another concern. Meanwile the butler presides over a staff which serves the family but also lead most of their entire lives in the servants quarters, intriguing amongst themselves. (source- imbd.com)

This show, which is getting set to film its third season (with Shirley Maclaine!), has everything a 40 year-old English teacher loves (okay, maybe not all of us, but many of us). Castles, WWI backdrop, fortunes to be lost or gained, beautiful costumes, servants who cannot be trusted, love, a gay kiss in the first epiode (yeah, PBS), and Maggie Smith. I was hooked in the first episode, so much so that I immediately ordered Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD. With a full-time job and two young children, it may take me awhile to get through them, but oh the anticipation. It’s delicious!