What Writing Is

As you are bleeding, sweating, and wrestling with your mind for the right words, just remember that many have fought this hard-won battle and emerged triumphant. Here is what they had to say about the writing process. Who do you think is the most correct? Who said it best?

Week 5: What to Expect

Mon. Oct. 1st:
* Words of the Week
* "Show Don't Tell" activity
* Check Out the excellent "Write to Done: article How to Show (Not Tell)
* Complete your Personal Narrative Outline
* Begin crafting your Personal Narrative Draft

Tues. Oct. 2nd:
* What is dialogue? How do I use it well? Check out How to Create Excellent Dialogue in Your Writing
* Write. Write. Write.
* Pen to Paper. Craft your Personal Narrative Draft

Wed. Oct. 3rd:
* Co-op Community Building. Ms. Binning and myself have some activities planned so we can have some fun and come together before you go out into your work experiences next week
* Complete Draft
* Peer conference and edit support

Thurs. Oct 4th:
* Revisions
* See the great article for your revisions (which is the most important stage!): How to Write Better: 7 Instant Fixes
* Computer Lab C126: Type up your good copy

Fri. Oct. 5th:
* Self-Evaluation of your hard work
* Hand in your (brilliant, I'm sure) Personal Narratives
* Week 3 & 4 Vocab Quiz
* Portfolio. What was a first? What has potential? What would you burn?

Week 4: What to Expect

Mon. Sept. 24th: Professional Development Day. School is not in session.

Tues. Sept. 25th:
* World Host Workshop* Arrive in English class for attendance and info, then workshop begins in library.
* Workshop will run from 8:45am-2 pm (approx.) Coffee break and lunch included in this time frame.

Wed. Sept. 26th:
* Terry Fox Run before lunch
* After lunch: Short Story literary terms quiz. Short Story Literary Reading and Response Test. In-Class write similar to the practice modeled in class ("A Bedtime Story").
* Study class notes and feedback on your idea development, P.E.E. and personal editing issues. Here's helpful links for preparation: Exam Prep Flash Cards print and audio playback, The Ultimate Practice Exam Site. Complete practice readings, examine writing samples and answer keys

Thur. Sept. 27th:
* Story in film analysis: Edward Scissor Hands
* Check out the trailer

* Complete week 3 vocabulary: Checked in class tomorrow

Fri. Sept. 28th:
* Examine past students' narratives. You'll be creating your own masterpieces next week.
* Collaboratively create criteria for "what makes a good narrative?"
* Class explore Narrative Essentials
* "Metaphors and Similes Through the Eyes of an English Teacher": an activity of the good, the bad, the funny from past students' experiments in figurative language
* Week 3 vocabulary checked

Corrections Community

This came across my path, and it reminded me of you all on the hunt. Seek. Find. Fix:

Your Action Plan

You know you, and through the help of the Self-Directed Search, you've examined your preferences, qualities, and career suggestions more closely. So lets be honest, what do you foresee to be a weakness in your first Work Experience and what is your action plan to remedy the issue?

1.) What is your potentially biggest struggle going to be? For example, transportation, taking initiative and stepping up without being asked, staying off your cell-phone/ipod, arriving every day 5 minutes before you start work, speaking confidently with colleagues, etc., etc. Be honest and state what your biggest hurdle will be.

2.) How are you going to remedy it? Be specific. Be clear. What support systems will you use. What timing or routine adjustments? Who will assist you and how? What are you going to do? Remember, in the working world standards of excellence are the bare minimum. You are expected to be mature, responsible and accountable for all of your behaviour and work habits.

Check out Career-Success-For-Newbies for some helpful tips and suggestions.

Week 3: What to Expect

Mon. Sept. 17th:
* Skill Builder Opening
* Enjoy your group's Literature Circle: Discuss, debate, question, illustrate, and share class-wide
* Hand in Role Sheet

*Computer Lab C126 Period 2:
*Edit Resume and Cover Letter (if edits necessary) and print 4 copies. Mock Interviews Thursday!
* Respond to "Action Plan" on class site.
* Fill in Work Placement Request Forms

Tues. Sept. 18th:
* Words of the Week
* "Gentlemen Your Verdict" Class read/dissect
* Period 2: C126- Work Placement Research. Complete placement requests.

Wed. Sept. 19th:
* Steps Towards a New World Role Play Activity: Will You Survive?
* Independent read of "A Bedtime Story" and plan response. Class model/collaboration tomorrow
* Post to Hum Coop Blog: Work Experience Action Plan. 
**Meet the Teacher Night. Early Dismissal for students at 1:55pm**

Thursday. Sept. 20th:
* MOCK INTERVIEWS: Arrive in style, prepared and 5 minutes before scheduled interview. Bring resume and cover letter*
* "Corrections Community" outlined. Find the worst offenders in your Twitter, Facebook, blogs, your own writing? Complete and be ready to teach us next week (Friday). See the funny examples below. What you say, and how you say it most definitely matter

* Class modeled literary response
* Read "Silence" and discuss. What vision of humanity is presented?

Friday. Sept. 21st:
* Week 1 & 2 vocab quiz.
* Human Nature response
* Revise and Edit each others' response. What would they receive on the 6 point scale? Be the teacher

Week 2: What to Expect

Monday, Sept. 10th:
* Jesus' Son viewing. We will be comparing and contrasting the song's portrayal of the protagonist to the story's portrayal, to Hollywood's portrayal.
* Point of View Quiz. 4 questions, just like the practice. Show what you know, and spelling counts.
* SDS: Self-Directed Search. You will be diving into yourself. We're going to figure out what you value, what you want in your future, what activities interest you or that you hate, and we're going to pair you with potential career interests.

See the complete Jesus' Son trailer below, but we'll be viewing just our chapter, "Work":

Tuesday, Sept. 11th:
* SDS Response. Pick apart what it said about you. Is it accurate? Completely off the mark? What do you think?
* Vocabulary introduced. Skill-builder routine. Words of the Week
* Portfolio finishing: Images, labels, prep to tape/protect

Wednesday, Sept. 12th:
* Welcome Back Assembly
* Explore irony
* Read and relish "Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gortimer
* Complete the most challenging analysis questions you'll ever answer :)

Thursday, Sept. 13th:
*Computer Lab (C126) for log into Edmodo class site and Work Experience assignment explanation
* Create your resume and cover letter for mock interviews and work placements
* Complete "Once Upon a Time" analysis and hand in
* Complete portfolio and hand in 

Friday, Sept. 14th:
* Types of Character
* Explanation of Lit Circles, role sheets
* In reading groups read and discuss "The Most Dangerous Game." Lit Circles and class debate next week
* Week 1 Vocabulary due

Do schools kill creativity?

Now that we've heard and seen Sir Ken's argument about the education system we need to know, what do you think?

1.) What did you agree with? What did you disagree with? Why. Explain your thoughts on the ideas presented.

2.) Where do you see yourself in the education system in your future? Post-Secondary? Independent studies? travel? different type of learning?

Remember: Write in full thoughts, and respond to each other's ideas thoughtfully

Week 1

It was such a pleasure meeting you all today! I'm thoroughly excited to start our journey together. This is what you can expect this week:

Wed. Sept. 5th: 
* What do you love/hate about English? Paper ball toss
* Class created constitution
* "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" Critical exploration and response

Homework: Get your posterboard. Bring your images, quotes for tomorrow. Explore class website and helpful links

Thurs. Sept. 6th:
* Short Story Key Concepts
* Practice with terms
* Portfolio Creation

Friday. Sept. 7th:
* P.E.E. writing formula introduction & group music P.E.E. challenge
* Point of View review and practice (4 point quiz Monday be ready)
* "Heroin" song analysis (below with lyrics)
* "Work" guided read

Have a great weekend! Keep adding to your spectacular portfolios.