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As mentioned above, we will be following the Nelson Literacy 7 program this year. If you click on the "Nelson Literacy Unit 2" link in the header above, you can access any of the texts we will be reading in class in book 2. You simply need to ask me for password and access instructions. Our second unit is called "Tech Effects" and it encourages students to explore the changing world of technology. The strategies we will be studying in this unit are:
Reading: Asking Questions, Narrative Text Pattern
Writing: Organizing Ideas
Oral Language: How to Deliver Presentations
Media: Evaluating Media Texts
Reading: Asking Questions, Narrative Text Pattern
Writing: Organizing Ideas
Oral Language: How to Deliver Presentations
Media: Evaluating Media Texts
Short Film Festival
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Monday, February 3
Last year I was involved in the planning of Marymount's first Film Festival, Reel Girls (see image to the left for an article in the Northern Life about it). In my English class last year, all students completed a short film as part of the English program as this project meets curriculum expectations in the writing and media strands. The best movies were showcased at our film festival gala and many received awards. Though we were amazed at the quality of work that the students produced last year, we expect that this year's films will be even better now that we have examples to show to the students.
We will spend the next several weeks examining short films, commercials and clips from feature length movies to discuss how to use various techniques effectively. A short film should be between 2 and 20 minutes in length and a considerable part of the evaluation for this assignment will rely on the planning stages. Students need to complete a treatment or outline, then a storyboard and then a script. All of these stages should be reviewed and revised as well.
Most students are very excited about this project and I am doing my best to add some realism to their reams of becoming the next Steven Spielberg. I am encouraging simple plot lines with small groups of students. Plenty of class time will be given so students who are busy outside of school should be planning a movie that can be completed in the school. Finally, no expensive equipment is necessary. Most students have a hand-held device that can capture good quality video. We have MacBooks with iMovie for the editing process.
Below you will find some of the videos that we watched in class, though there are many more excellent examples at this web site. I have also included copies of the documents that students received to start the planning process.
Last year I was involved in the planning of Marymount's first Film Festival, Reel Girls (see image to the left for an article in the Northern Life about it). In my English class last year, all students completed a short film as part of the English program as this project meets curriculum expectations in the writing and media strands. The best movies were showcased at our film festival gala and many received awards. Though we were amazed at the quality of work that the students produced last year, we expect that this year's films will be even better now that we have examples to show to the students.
We will spend the next several weeks examining short films, commercials and clips from feature length movies to discuss how to use various techniques effectively. A short film should be between 2 and 20 minutes in length and a considerable part of the evaluation for this assignment will rely on the planning stages. Students need to complete a treatment or outline, then a storyboard and then a script. All of these stages should be reviewed and revised as well.
Most students are very excited about this project and I am doing my best to add some realism to their reams of becoming the next Steven Spielberg. I am encouraging simple plot lines with small groups of students. Plenty of class time will be given so students who are busy outside of school should be planning a movie that can be completed in the school. Finally, no expensive equipment is necessary. Most students have a hand-held device that can capture good quality video. We have MacBooks with iMovie for the editing process.
Below you will find some of the videos that we watched in class, though there are many more excellent examples at this web site. I have also included copies of the documents that students received to start the planning process.
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Text Language
Tuesday, January 28
Today we are reading the newspaper article, "Is Txt Mightier than the Word?" about how text language may eventually replace regular English, if their generation has any say in it!
Today we are reading the newspaper article, "Is Txt Mightier than the Word?" about how text language may eventually replace regular English, if their generation has any say in it!
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Literature Circles
Thursday, January 23
Students will be selecting novels and starting to read them as part of a literature book club. The following presentation was kindly lent to me by my colleague, Mrs. Jutila, to explain how the book club will work. Groups will meet weekly in class to discuss what they have read so far and they will each be given a role to play in the group. Meetings will take place every Thursday for five weeks. The dates will be: January 30, February 6, February 13, February 20 and February 27. There will be a culminating activity assigned later that every student will be responsible for completing individually.
Students will be selecting novels and starting to read them as part of a literature book club. The following presentation was kindly lent to me by my colleague, Mrs. Jutila, to explain how the book club will work. Groups will meet weekly in class to discuss what they have read so far and they will each be given a role to play in the group. Meetings will take place every Thursday for five weeks. The dates will be: January 30, February 6, February 13, February 20 and February 27. There will be a culminating activity assigned later that every student will be responsible for completing individually.
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Prepositions
Tuesday, January 21
Today we talked about prepositions and prepositional phrases. The students identified prepositions to determine what types they are (time, place or manner).
Today we talked about prepositions and prepositional phrases. The students identified prepositions to determine what types they are (time, place or manner).
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Introduction to Virtual Reality
Monday, January 20
We are reading the first story in the Tech Effects unit as we practise Asking Questions, our reading strategy for unit 2. They need to know the three different types of questions that good readers ask when they are engaging with a text. They are literal, inferential, and evaluative.
We are reading the first story in the Tech Effects unit as we practise Asking Questions, our reading strategy for unit 2. They need to know the three different types of questions that good readers ask when they are engaging with a text. They are literal, inferential, and evaluative.
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Introduction to Tech Effects Unit
Wednesday, January 15
We will soon begin our second unit in the Nelson Literacy program and you can see above to find out the strategies we will be learning. To start, we will brainstorm about technological advances and think about which inventions mean the most to us. I imagine that most students will put phones high on their lists. I will then introduce them to the reading strategy of asking questions by showing the video below, pausing it several times and asking the students to jot down questions throughout.
We will soon begin our second unit in the Nelson Literacy program and you can see above to find out the strategies we will be learning. To start, we will brainstorm about technological advances and think about which inventions mean the most to us. I imagine that most students will put phones high on their lists. I will then introduce them to the reading strategy of asking questions by showing the video below, pausing it several times and asking the students to jot down questions throughout.
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Final Project for Step Up Unit
Monday, January 13
Last week, we started work on our final project in this unit. It allows the students to show off all of the skills they have learned so far this year. 7A and 7B will present their project in small groups on Wednesday, January 15 and 7D will present on Thursday, January 16.
Last week, we started work on our final project in this unit. It allows the students to show off all of the skills they have learned so far this year. 7A and 7B will present their project in small groups on Wednesday, January 15 and 7D will present on Thursday, January 16.
Finishing Sequence Text Pattern
Wednesday, January 8
Today we read the last story in the Step Up unit, called The Birdman. It is a descriptive story about a garment maker in Calcutta, India who finds hope after a terrible personal tragedy through his relationship with birds. Students needed to think about the structure and sequence of the story and describe how this knowledge helps them to better understand the story. Because the story is so descriptive, we also looked at examples of personification in the text.
The students will be completing a unit test tomorrow and Friday, though very little studying is required. They need to read a story and apply the strategies we've learned in this unit when answering the questions. There are 4 multiple choice questions about the grammar points we have studied and I am confident that the classes will be well prepared for this task.
Today we read the last story in the Step Up unit, called The Birdman. It is a descriptive story about a garment maker in Calcutta, India who finds hope after a terrible personal tragedy through his relationship with birds. Students needed to think about the structure and sequence of the story and describe how this knowledge helps them to better understand the story. Because the story is so descriptive, we also looked at examples of personification in the text.
The students will be completing a unit test tomorrow and Friday, though very little studying is required. They need to read a story and apply the strategies we've learned in this unit when answering the questions. There are 4 multiple choice questions about the grammar points we have studied and I am confident that the classes will be well prepared for this task.
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Welcome Back!
Monday, January 6
I hope that all of the students had restful breaks and I know that I certainly did. We are going to be finishing our last strategy in this unit, Sequence Text Pattern, and moving on to the final project and reading assessment for the Step Up unit. We will start the week off with a journal and communication activity about the Christmas holidays, as students are often excited to see classmates again and to catch up.
I hope that all of the students had restful breaks and I know that I certainly did. We are going to be finishing our last strategy in this unit, Sequence Text Pattern, and moving on to the final project and reading assessment for the Step Up unit. We will start the week off with a journal and communication activity about the Christmas holidays, as students are often excited to see classmates again and to catch up.
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The Nativity Story Retold
Monday December 16
We will start our classes with a holiday message from Kid President and a journal question about which gifts the students are excited to give this year. We will then review what we learned in The Nativity Story and look at two wonderful, modern versions of the birth of Jesus. Students will then retell the story in their own ways, using whatever media they choose.
We will start our classes with a holiday message from Kid President and a journal question about which gifts the students are excited to give this year. We will then review what we learned in The Nativity Story and look at two wonderful, modern versions of the birth of Jesus. Students will then retell the story in their own ways, using whatever media they choose.
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The Nativity Story
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Thursday, December 12
I love to watch the movie of The Nativity Story at this time of year because it reminds me of the faith, strength and sacrifice of Mary and Joseph in their journey that ultimately led to Jesus' birth. It is such a wonderful movie to share with the students because there are so many aspects to discuss, including:
- connecting to Mary as she has to tell her family and fiancé that she is pregnant
- the contrast between the richness, selfishness and greed of King Herrod and the poverty and kindess found in Mary and Joseph (especially evident when the tax collectors came to take from the people of Nazareth)
- the calculations and faith of the three wise men as they journey in search of the star from the great prophecy
I strongly urge families to rent, buy or borrow this movie over the holidays because it really is well done and I know that I learn or realize something new about it every time I watch it.
When we finished watching the movie, the students wrote brief summaries of the major events in the movie and they had to choose which kind of sequence text pattern they would use: chronological or in order of importance.
I love to watch the movie of The Nativity Story at this time of year because it reminds me of the faith, strength and sacrifice of Mary and Joseph in their journey that ultimately led to Jesus' birth. It is such a wonderful movie to share with the students because there are so many aspects to discuss, including:
- connecting to Mary as she has to tell her family and fiancé that she is pregnant
- the contrast between the richness, selfishness and greed of King Herrod and the poverty and kindess found in Mary and Joseph (especially evident when the tax collectors came to take from the people of Nazareth)
- the calculations and faith of the three wise men as they journey in search of the star from the great prophecy
I strongly urge families to rent, buy or borrow this movie over the holidays because it really is well done and I know that I learn or realize something new about it every time I watch it.
When we finished watching the movie, the students wrote brief summaries of the major events in the movie and they had to choose which kind of sequence text pattern they would use: chronological or in order of importance.
Kid President's 20 Things We Should Say More Often
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Monday, December 9, 2013
Nothing motivates the students like the adorable Kid President and his charming style of spreading good will. We had some interesting discussions today about kind words, manners and corn dogs. It was a great way to start a snowy Monday English class.
Nothing motivates the students like the adorable Kid President and his charming style of spreading good will. We had some interesting discussions today about kind words, manners and corn dogs. It was a great way to start a snowy Monday English class.
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Sequence Text Pattern and Nelson Mandela
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Monday, December 9, 2013
Because our unit, Step Up, is all about people who are standing up for what they believe in, I felt like I couldn't ignore the recent death of Nelson Mandela in class. We watched some videos about his impact on our world and talked about how he stood up for equality and peace. Finally, we read an article from the Globe and Mail that was written by the Kielburger brothers to introduce our newest strategy, Sequence Text Pattern. In Sequence Text Pattern, students must identify key words that indicate the passage of time and explain how they can tell if a text is organized in chronological order.
Because our unit, Step Up, is all about people who are standing up for what they believe in, I felt like I couldn't ignore the recent death of Nelson Mandela in class. We watched some videos about his impact on our world and talked about how he stood up for equality and peace. Finally, we read an article from the Globe and Mail that was written by the Kielburger brothers to introduce our newest strategy, Sequence Text Pattern. In Sequence Text Pattern, students must identify key words that indicate the passage of time and explain how they can tell if a text is organized in chronological order.
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Run on Sentences and Bitstrips for Schools
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Today we will be reviewing run on sentences and how to avoid them in our writing. Then, in anticipation of The Snow Queen play we are going to see on Thursday, students will log into our educational bitstrips account, at www.bitstripsforschools.com. I have an assignment posted in the web site in which students must research the plot of The Snow Queen, then retell part of the story introducing a new character (themselves, for example). Bitstrips is a safe program in that it is password protected and I moderate all comics. I will review all comics before they are posted online. Students will not be permitted to start on the bitstrips assignment until they have completed all work on Recognizing Purpose and Audience.
Today we will be reviewing run on sentences and how to avoid them in our writing. Then, in anticipation of The Snow Queen play we are going to see on Thursday, students will log into our educational bitstrips account, at www.bitstripsforschools.com. I have an assignment posted in the web site in which students must research the plot of The Snow Queen, then retell part of the story introducing a new character (themselves, for example). Bitstrips is a safe program in that it is password protected and I moderate all comics. I will review all comics before they are posted online. Students will not be permitted to start on the bitstrips assignment until they have completed all work on Recognizing Purpose and Audience.
Finishing Purpose and Audience
Monday, December 2, 2013
This strategy had few readings in the text book to reinforce the learning, but I felt like students needed more practice with it, so I developed the following activity. Students can work with a partner and must choose three print advertisements and explain who the target audience is and what the purpose is. In both cases, I am expecting specific proof from the ad using our APE strategy.
This strategy had few readings in the text book to reinforce the learning, but I felt like students needed more practice with it, so I developed the following activity. Students can work with a partner and must choose three print advertisements and explain who the target audience is and what the purpose is. In both cases, I am expecting specific proof from the ad using our APE strategy.
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Adverbial Clauses
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NOvember Journals are Due (almost)
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This is a reminder that the end of the month means that students need to pick their best journals from the month of November, edit them and submit a good copy by next Monday, December 2. Journals should be either written in a separate book or in a separate section of your binder. I don't want journals handed in with work from other lessons on the same page. Remember to be neat with your good copies and to show me your very best work!
Recognizing Purpose and Audience
Monday, November 25, 2013
Today, we begin our media strategy, Recognizing Purpose and Audience. This strategy is always fun because the students grow in awareness of the many messages that bombard us every day. They often do not know how well planned and calculated the intentions behind the media are. We listened to some radio ads on the internet at babble on recording and talked about how the messages would change if the target audiences were different. Finally, we talked about the following commercials and looked at who the target audience might be. The students needed to support their answers with evidence from the commercials to support their opinions.
Today, we begin our media strategy, Recognizing Purpose and Audience. This strategy is always fun because the students grow in awareness of the many messages that bombard us every day. They often do not know how well planned and calculated the intentions behind the media are. We listened to some radio ads on the internet at babble on recording and talked about how the messages would change if the target audiences were different. Finally, we talked about the following commercials and looked at who the target audience might be. The students needed to support their answers with evidence from the commercials to support their opinions.
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Parent-Teacher Interviews
Friday, November 22, 2013
I want to thank all of the parents who came out last night to wait in the long line to meet with me about your daughter's progress so far this year. Reflecting on the interviews, I thought of some resources that I would like to share with you to help with some of the issues that we discussed last night. Please see the two slide shows below for details. The books on the left are suggestions for students and the books on the right are suggested reading for parents. One web site that I visit regularly to help me to decide if certain books or films are appropriate for my own children is common sense media. They do an excellent job of describing any parts that may be questionable and can help you to decide if the material is right for your daughter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your daughter, please use the contact button on the home page of this site or this link to email me.
I want to thank all of the parents who came out last night to wait in the long line to meet with me about your daughter's progress so far this year. Reflecting on the interviews, I thought of some resources that I would like to share with you to help with some of the issues that we discussed last night. Please see the two slide shows below for details. The books on the left are suggestions for students and the books on the right are suggested reading for parents. One web site that I visit regularly to help me to decide if certain books or films are appropriate for my own children is common sense media. They do an excellent job of describing any parts that may be questionable and can help you to decide if the material is right for your daughter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your daughter, please use the contact button on the home page of this site or this link to email me.
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Anti-Bullying Week
Wednesday, November 20
As we prepare for our press junket activity tomorrow, we have also been discussing bullying every day in class as it is Bullying Awareness Week. We will finish the week with the creation of children's books about bullying. This activity is an introduction to our next media strategy, Recognizing Purpose and Audience. I have chosen the purpose and audience for this assignment but we will be working on identifying them in future work.
As we prepare for our press junket activity tomorrow, we have also been discussing bullying every day in class as it is Bullying Awareness Week. We will finish the week with the creation of children's books about bullying. This activity is an introduction to our next media strategy, Recognizing Purpose and Audience. I have chosen the purpose and audience for this assignment but we will be working on identifying them in future work.
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Catching Fire Press Junket
Monday, November 18, 2013
With the second movie from the Hunger Games Trilogy coming to theatres this weekend, I thought I would capitalize on the students' enthusiasm to complete our focused practice of Listening Effectively. We watched parts of the first movie in class on Friday to give context, especially for those students who have not seen the film or read the books. This week we will look at some interviews from a press junket for Catching Fire so that they have an idea what's involved. Generally, actors involved in the movie would sit an respond to questions from many members of the press throughout a day when promoting a major movie. We will rotate through a role play activity in which all of the students will have many opportunities to practise listening effectively, both in the role of a journalist and then as an actor.
With the second movie from the Hunger Games Trilogy coming to theatres this weekend, I thought I would capitalize on the students' enthusiasm to complete our focused practice of Listening Effectively. We watched parts of the first movie in class on Friday to give context, especially for those students who have not seen the film or read the books. This week we will look at some interviews from a press junket for Catching Fire so that they have an idea what's involved. Generally, actors involved in the movie would sit an respond to questions from many members of the press throughout a day when promoting a major movie. We will rotate through a role play activity in which all of the students will have many opportunities to practise listening effectively, both in the role of a journalist and then as an actor.
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Now We're Listening
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The poem yesterday had a huge impact on the students and brought up many excellent and powerful connections to the text. I feel as though most students are ready to start their Key Assessment Task for this strategy. I modified the task completely and will allow students to write 350 words about any topic they choose, either fiction or non-fiction. The key is that it needs to be interesting enough to keep other students engaged. In other words, I want the girls to write about what interests them. They will read their writing to a small group of peers on Thursday and the listeners will complete a reflection sheet and self assessment.
The poem yesterday had a huge impact on the students and brought up many excellent and powerful connections to the text. I feel as though most students are ready to start their Key Assessment Task for this strategy. I modified the task completely and will allow students to write 350 words about any topic they choose, either fiction or non-fiction. The key is that it needs to be interesting enough to keep other students engaged. In other words, I want the girls to write about what interests them. They will read their writing to a small group of peers on Thursday and the listeners will complete a reflection sheet and self assessment.
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Not Listening Effectively
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
We should be nearly finished with this strategy and moving onto the final demonstration task, but I don't feel like students are using the strategies that we have been studying. They are also not answering questions using the APE format (answer-prove-explain/extend). Today, I will show them the powerful spoken word poetry of Shane Koyczan, "To This Day" and ask them to reflect on how they used each of the strategies outlined below.
We should be nearly finished with this strategy and moving onto the final demonstration task, but I don't feel like students are using the strategies that we have been studying. They are also not answering questions using the APE format (answer-prove-explain/extend). Today, I will show them the powerful spoken word poetry of Shane Koyczan, "To This Day" and ask them to reflect on how they used each of the strategies outlined below.
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Listening Effectively
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Today we will discuss the strategies for effective communication in more detail by first comparing online communication between social media friends with real friends in person. Some people say that this generation of young people lack social skills because they spend so much more time communicating online than they do in person. We will then watch the video of the twin babies and discuss how we can tell that the babies are communicating effectively, even though we don't know what they are saying. Because this strategy is focused on oral skills, we will have many discussions and watch several videos in addition to reading from the text book.
Today we will discuss the strategies for effective communication in more detail by first comparing online communication between social media friends with real friends in person. Some people say that this generation of young people lack social skills because they spend so much more time communicating online than they do in person. We will then watch the video of the twin babies and discuss how we can tell that the babies are communicating effectively, even though we don't know what they are saying. Because this strategy is focused on oral skills, we will have many discussions and watch several videos in addition to reading from the text book.
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Developing Ideas Work Coming Home to be Signed
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Now that we have finished the Developing Ideas writing strategy, students will be bringing home all three assessments to be signed by their parents. I have noticed that several students have missed more school in the past few weeks and have not necessarily caught up on work completed in class. Students need to keep up with all work done in class because each strategy does build throughout the year.
Now that we have finished the Developing Ideas writing strategy, students will be bringing home all three assessments to be signed by their parents. I have noticed that several students have missed more school in the past few weeks and have not necessarily caught up on work completed in class. Students need to keep up with all work done in class because each strategy does build throughout the year.
FINISHING SPOOKY STORIES and Listening Effectively
Monday, November 4, 2013
With all of the excitement surrounding Halloween and with the hard work the girls have put into presenting detailed, engaging spooky stores, we are still finishing up presentations this week. We did take some time to talk about practical jokes after viewing my favourite Halloween prank.
I also introduced the oral strategy for this unit, Listening Effectively. We watched a 7 minute speech by young female blogger Tavi Gevinson about the lack of realistic female characters and how complex young women can be. I deliberately chose a speech that was long enough and complex enough that students might find their minds drifting off. I wanted them to focus specifically on how they manage to continue paying attention, even when their minds might wander. We will study several specific and effective techniques over the course of this strategy.
With all of the excitement surrounding Halloween and with the hard work the girls have put into presenting detailed, engaging spooky stores, we are still finishing up presentations this week. We did take some time to talk about practical jokes after viewing my favourite Halloween prank.
I also introduced the oral strategy for this unit, Listening Effectively. We watched a 7 minute speech by young female blogger Tavi Gevinson about the lack of realistic female characters and how complex young women can be. I deliberately chose a speech that was long enough and complex enough that students might find their minds drifting off. I wanted them to focus specifically on how they manage to continue paying attention, even when their minds might wander. We will study several specific and effective techniques over the course of this strategy.
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Spooky Stories
Monday, October 28
In the spirit of Halloween we will be studying story structure by writing and presenting spooking stories, inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Our next literacy strategy will be Listening Effectively and the students will practise this skill while their peers are presenting their stories on Halloween.
In the spirit of Halloween we will be studying story structure by writing and presenting spooking stories, inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Our next literacy strategy will be Listening Effectively and the students will practise this skill while their peers are presenting their stories on Halloween.
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Remembrance Day Poetry Contest
Friday, October 25, 2013
Every year, our school participates in the Remembrance Day poetry contest organized by the Sudbury branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. This year we will be working on it again and poems are due in class next Tuesday, October 29. We have discussed war several times over the course of this unit and I expect that many of the students will have ideas to express on the topic of Remembrance Day.
Every year, our school participates in the Remembrance Day poetry contest organized by the Sudbury branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. This year we will be working on it again and poems are due in class next Tuesday, October 29. We have discussed war several times over the course of this unit and I expect that many of the students will have ideas to express on the topic of Remembrance Day.
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malala Yousafzai
Thursday, October 24, 2013
We were all very moved to hear about Malala Yousafzai's activism about education for girls around the world and we talked about the connections we could make to girls' education in Pakistan versus here at Marymount. We also analysed the structure of the following article, written by the Kielburger brothers, about Malala's nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/craig-and-marc-kielburger/malala-nobel-peace-prize_b_4065753.html
We were all very moved to hear about Malala Yousafzai's activism about education for girls around the world and we talked about the connections we could make to girls' education in Pakistan versus here at Marymount. We also analysed the structure of the following article, written by the Kielburger brothers, about Malala's nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/craig-and-marc-kielburger/malala-nobel-peace-prize_b_4065753.html
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DEveloping Ideas and Emotional Bank Account
Monday, October 21, 2013
Today in guidance we watched a dvd clip about a girl who was feeling "taken for granted" because her friend kept cancelling plans with her and not making time for her. We talked about the analogy of a bank account: that positive behaviour in a relationship is a deposit and negative behaviour is a withdrawal. Obviously, too many withdrawals would make a relationship weaker and make people unhappy. We then practised our Developing Ideas strategy by brainstorming different posittive and negative behaviours, then narrowing them down to 2: the single worst thing you can do in a relationship and the single best thing you can do in a relationship. Students then presented their ideas to the class.
Today in guidance we watched a dvd clip about a girl who was feeling "taken for granted" because her friend kept cancelling plans with her and not making time for her. We talked about the analogy of a bank account: that positive behaviour in a relationship is a deposit and negative behaviour is a withdrawal. Obviously, too many withdrawals would make a relationship weaker and make people unhappy. We then practised our Developing Ideas strategy by brainstorming different posittive and negative behaviours, then narrowing them down to 2: the single worst thing you can do in a relationship and the single best thing you can do in a relationship. Students then presented their ideas to the class.
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Marc and Craig Kielburger
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Principals and principles
Wednesday, October 16
We focused specifically on the third question on page 20 today and writing a question in the APE format. My Smartboard cord is not working so you can see that I have been going back to using the good old chalkboard.
We focused specifically on the third question on page 20 today and writing a question in the APE format. My Smartboard cord is not working so you can see that I have been going back to using the good old chalkboard.
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Developing Ideas
Tuesday, October 15
Today we will start on this unit's writing strategy, Developing Ideas. It is important that the students get used to narrowing topics in expository (informational) writing so that they can conduct effective research and have a clear focus for writing.
Today we will start on this unit's writing strategy, Developing Ideas. It is important that the students get used to narrowing topics in expository (informational) writing so that they can conduct effective research and have a clear focus for writing.
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Finished Making Connections
Monday, October 14
As we have officially finished the work on our first strategy, Making Connections, the students will be bringing home all four assessments we have done, with a cover letter from me attached. If your daughter has not completed all four assessments, I strongly urge her to access the text book above and complete what she may have missed. For two of the assignments, students had the option of working with a partner so your daughter may not be bringing home the work if her partner has it.
Please sign the package and have your daughter return it to school so that we can store it in her portfolio.
As we have officially finished the work on our first strategy, Making Connections, the students will be bringing home all four assessments we have done, with a cover letter from me attached. If your daughter has not completed all four assessments, I strongly urge her to access the text book above and complete what she may have missed. For two of the assignments, students had the option of working with a partner so your daughter may not be bringing home the work if her partner has it.
Please sign the package and have your daughter return it to school so that we can store it in her portfolio.
Happy Thanksgiving: Finding Awesome
Thursday, October 10, 2013
My delightful, funny and bright students are among the many things for which I am grateful this Thanksgiving season and I feel truly blessed to be able to teach such a wonderful group of young women. I am also grateful for my cat, Katy, who likes to purr and watch me read and the end of the day. That image inspired our journal today, in which I asked the students to write for 4 minutes and to list all of the things in their lives that make them feel grateful. I then read some of my favourite entries from the Book of Awesome and asked the girls to write a descriptive paragraph about what is awesome in their lives. I had submissions about everything from Justin Bieber to bacon to family (many students wrote about how wonderful their families are).
My delightful, funny and bright students are among the many things for which I am grateful this Thanksgiving season and I feel truly blessed to be able to teach such a wonderful group of young women. I am also grateful for my cat, Katy, who likes to purr and watch me read and the end of the day. That image inspired our journal today, in which I asked the students to write for 4 minutes and to list all of the things in their lives that make them feel grateful. I then read some of my favourite entries from the Book of Awesome and asked the girls to write a descriptive paragraph about what is awesome in their lives. I had submissions about everything from Justin Bieber to bacon to family (many students wrote about how wonderful their families are).
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Signs of the Times
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Today we'll be studying slogans and making connections to the message found in each. By the end of the class, the students will be imagining themselves with their first cars and designing bumper stickers to go on those cars. I'm not sure why, but this reading selection is not in the online version of the text book found above. It is simple enough that students won't need to be looking it up at home. Most work will be done in class discussions.
Today we'll be studying slogans and making connections to the message found in each. By the end of the class, the students will be imagining themselves with their first cars and designing bumper stickers to go on those cars. I'm not sure why, but this reading selection is not in the online version of the text book found above. It is simple enough that students won't need to be looking it up at home. Most work will be done in class discussions.
Resisting Hitler
Thursday, October 2
This week we have been reading the compelling story, "Resisting Hitler" and making various connections about standing up for what's right and our understanding of World War 2 and the Holocaust. The students have been answering questions about making connections, using the APE model for complete answers (see entry for Monday, September 13). Students will extend their knowledge by creating a dialogue with the 2 surviving people in the story. We also watched the following brief biography about Adolf Hitler because the students had many questions about who he was.
This week we have been reading the compelling story, "Resisting Hitler" and making various connections about standing up for what's right and our understanding of World War 2 and the Holocaust. The students have been answering questions about making connections, using the APE model for complete answers (see entry for Monday, September 13). Students will extend their knowledge by creating a dialogue with the 2 surviving people in the story. We also watched the following brief biography about Adolf Hitler because the students had many questions about who he was.
Relative Pronouns
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Specifically in this unit, the students will need to recognize relative pronouns in a sentence. Most students had little difficulty isolating relative pronouns in sentences, determining their antecedents and identifying the adjective clause.
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Pronouns
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
One of the major grammar points studied in this unit is the correct use of pronouns.
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Making Connections to the Documentary "Babies"
Friday, September 27, 2013
To end off spirit week on an upbeat and relaxing note, we watched the adorable documentary, "Babies," which documents the first year in the lives of 4 very different babies. Some students are still struggling with making connections, so they were asked to make as many connections as possible throughout the film.
To end off spirit week on an upbeat and relaxing note, we watched the adorable documentary, "Babies," which documents the first year in the lives of 4 very different babies. Some students are still struggling with making connections, so they were asked to make as many connections as possible throughout the film.
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Universal Soldier/ First They Came
Thursday, September 26, 2013
We are further exploring the theme of stepping up in the face of injustice with a comparison between Buffy Sainte Marie's powerful song, "Universal Soldier" and the poem "First they Came" by Martin Niemoller. Student have made connections to global warming and bullying in our discussions about the responsibilities of bystanders.
We are further exploring the theme of stepping up in the face of injustice with a comparison between Buffy Sainte Marie's powerful song, "Universal Soldier" and the poem "First they Came" by Martin Niemoller. Student have made connections to global warming and bullying in our discussions about the responsibilities of bystanders.
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"APE" Model for Answering Questions
Monday, September 13, 2013
After reading some of the students' work about "The Nest" I realized that we needed to step back and talk about how to form a well-supported answer. The "APE" model below (answer, prove, extend" is a widely used technique that helps students to focus on answering a question in detail. We worked in groups to answer the following question about the book "Ish."
After reading some of the students' work about "The Nest" I realized that we needed to step back and talk about how to form a well-supported answer. The "APE" model below (answer, prove, extend" is a widely used technique that helps students to focus on answering a question in detail. We worked in groups to answer the following question about the book "Ish."
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Applying our connections
Thursday, September 19
After reading "The Nest," the students will now write the short story in the voice of another character. I had orginally limited the criteria to include the point of view of only the mother or Paul, but I have since expanded to include any character they can imagine could have been involved. We have also studied the correct use of common contractions and the students are expected to use them in their story. Rough drafts will be due early next week, then we will peer edit them and students will need to submit good copies at the end of the week.
After reading "The Nest," the students will now write the short story in the voice of another character. I had orginally limited the criteria to include the point of view of only the mother or Paul, but I have since expanded to include any character they can imagine could have been involved. We have also studied the correct use of common contractions and the students are expected to use them in their story. Rough drafts will be due early next week, then we will peer edit them and students will need to submit good copies at the end of the week.
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Beginning to make connections
Tuesday, September 17
Most interviews are handed in and marked and students are encouraged to pick up their corrected work from the multicoloured drawers at the back of the classroom. In the assessment of the interviews, I identified common errors grammatical errors that we will be working on. Our first lesson today was about capitalization.
We finally got to complete the "Man in the Mirror" lesson this week and we are continuing to focus on making connections. The story we are currently reading is called "The Nest" and it can be found in the Nelson Literacy text book that is available above in pdf format. Students relate well to it because it deals with an adolescent boy who has an argument with his mother and starts to understand that parents aren't always right. We will continue working on the key assessment questions that will be evaluated according to the criteria on the rubric below.
Most interviews are handed in and marked and students are encouraged to pick up their corrected work from the multicoloured drawers at the back of the classroom. In the assessment of the interviews, I identified common errors grammatical errors that we will be working on. Our first lesson today was about capitalization.
We finally got to complete the "Man in the Mirror" lesson this week and we are continuing to focus on making connections. The story we are currently reading is called "The Nest" and it can be found in the Nelson Literacy text book that is available above in pdf format. Students relate well to it because it deals with an adolescent boy who has an argument with his mother and starts to understand that parents aren't always right. We will continue working on the key assessment questions that will be evaluated according to the criteria on the rubric below.
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Work Habits and Organization
Friday, September 13, 2013
We had disruptions to our schedule yesterday with grade level meetings in the gym and tours of the school library (which is now open and girls who have paid their student activity fees may take out books). Consequently, most classes have still not finished their interviews and we worked on them instead of starting Step Up. Most students will need even more time today, but a review of organization and work habits seemed necessary. I will be staying in the classroom through lunch next week to ensure that all students can get their work completed. Students were not required to use laptops to produce their good copies but many chose to do so and we have run into some technical glitches along the way. Also, the photos below indicate why a review of proper use of technology also seemed appropriate at this time.
We had disruptions to our schedule yesterday with grade level meetings in the gym and tours of the school library (which is now open and girls who have paid their student activity fees may take out books). Consequently, most classes have still not finished their interviews and we worked on them instead of starting Step Up. Most students will need even more time today, but a review of organization and work habits seemed necessary. I will be staying in the classroom through lunch next week to ensure that all students can get their work completed. Students were not required to use laptops to produce their good copies but many chose to do so and we have run into some technical glitches along the way. Also, the photos below indicate why a review of proper use of technology also seemed appropriate at this time.
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Step Up
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Today we will start our first unit in the Nelson Literacy series, Step Up. We will have a discussion about what it means to stand up for what you believe in. We will watch the following video, "Man in the Mirror," by Michael Jackson and begin the first strategy, Making Connections.
Today we will start our first unit in the Nelson Literacy series, Step Up. We will have a discussion about what it means to stand up for what you believe in. We will watch the following video, "Man in the Mirror," by Michael Jackson and begin the first strategy, Making Connections.
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Assessment of interviews
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Students will have a great deal of class time to work on the good copies of their interviews this week and they are therefore due on Friday, September 13.
Please see below for a copy of the rubric that I created for this task with input from the students.
Students will have a great deal of class time to work on the good copies of their interviews this week and they are therefore due on Friday, September 13.
Please see below for a copy of the rubric that I created for this task with input from the students.
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interviewrubric.pdf | |
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Good Copies of interviews
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
After a grammar discussion during our journal time, we launched right into discussion about what makes an effective written interview. The students were thrilled that the Smartboard was cooperative today and that they could have the opportunity to write on it today. The assessment for the interview task is based on the submission of the written interview. We read an interview with Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence and decided upon some of the following success criteria for this task.
After a grammar discussion during our journal time, we launched right into discussion about what makes an effective written interview. The students were thrilled that the Smartboard was cooperative today and that they could have the opportunity to write on it today. The assessment for the interview task is based on the submission of the written interview. We read an interview with Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence and decided upon some of the following success criteria for this task.
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Interview time
Monday, September 9, 2013
The girls have started to interview their classmates today and the classroom was buzzing with focused and purposeful dialogues.
The girls have started to interview their classmates today and the classroom was buzzing with focused and purposeful dialogues.
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Continuing effective interviews
Friday, September 6, 2013
We are continuing to discuss effective interviews. We summarized the points from yesterday's discussions and we moved on to select partners via the "Post-It game" and have formulated sample interview questions.
We are continuing to discuss effective interviews. We summarized the points from yesterday's discussions and we moved on to select partners via the "Post-It game" and have formulated sample interview questions.
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Learning about interviews
Thursday, September 5, 2013
For our first week of classes, as a way for students to get to know each other better, the girls will interview each other. First we needed to determine what makes interviewers and their subjects effective by watching two interviews: one with CBC's George Stromboulopoulos and Pattie Malette and the other with Access Hollywood and Honey Boo Boo.
For our first week of classes, as a way for students to get to know each other better, the girls will interview each other. First we needed to determine what makes interviewers and their subjects effective by watching two interviews: one with CBC's George Stromboulopoulos and Pattie Malette and the other with Access Hollywood and Honey Boo Boo.
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