Mrs. Charlton's Site

English 421:

• Today students had silent reading time — first independent novel assignment is due on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
• We discussed ideas about both physical and psychological borders, then read the story “Borders” from p.79 of Sightlines.  Students are to finish reading the story tonight.
• Character description assignment due Friday — see details on last night’s blog post.

English 531:

• Today we looked at another one of Maxine Tyne’s poems, “Racism”, and students responded to a few questions.
• We read chapter 7 from In the Heat of the Night, and students responded to questions in their booklets.
• Reminder: October portfolio items are due on Friday.

Writing 421:

• We talked briefly about the 4 major genres of writing, and students recorded notes on personal/narrative writing.
• Students participated in a circular writing activity where they each wrote one sentence of a story, then passed the story along so others could add to it.  This activity was really enjoyable, and many creative stories were produced.  We might share more of these tomorrow.
• Reminder: Reading response logs are due on Friday — this week is the last opportunity to get credit for any entries past due.

English 531:

• Today we read a personal essay, on a handout, entitled “I Am Maxine Tynes”.  Students responded to a few questions about the essay, then we read a poem by Maxine Tynes and discussed its meaning.  These items connected to our novel study because Tynes struggled with growing up as a black woman in Nova Scotia during the 50’s and 60’s.
• Reminder: October portfolio materials are due on Friday and all work from October must be submitted.

English 421:

• Students had silent reading time.  Their first independent novel study is due Tues, Nov. 3.
• Today we discussed questions for response from last night’s homework.  We mapped out some of the character traits for “Anna”, from yesterday’s handout.
• Students were assigned a character description paragraph.  They must choose a character from one of the Sightlines stories we have read, (“The Ninny”, “A Man Who Had No Eyes”, “Lysandra’s Poem”, “The Bicycle”, ”The Possibility of Evil” and “Borders”) and write a paragraph about the character.  This assignment is due on Friday.  Paragraphs should include the following information:

1. the character’s name
2. the character’s role/relationship to others, in the story
3. a physical description of the character
4. the character’s personality traits with proof from the story (which are developed through:actions, thoughts, feelings, how others react to him/her)

Writing 421:

• Today students watched a slideshow poem presentation and then wrote a journal response about the feelings/emotions, and their thoughts of the poem.  We brainstormed words to describe the poem, and students shared their best words.
• Students had a chance to finish up their 6 Trait evaluations of an excerpt from “The Kite Runner”.  If students did not complete this activity in class, they are asked to do so for homework and submit tomorrow.
• 6 Trait Pamphlets were due today.
• Reminder: Reading response logs will be submitted on Friday.  This is the last week for accepting back-dated entries.

English 421:

• Today students had some silent reading time (in celebration of the Million Minute Reading Challenge).
• We read a short story from a handout sheet, “Anna”.  We read this aloud in class, and students worked on questions for response. 
• Homework: Complete responses to questions 1-5 from the “Anna” handout.
• Reminder: First independent novel assignment is due next Tues, Nov. 3.

English 531:

• Today students completed a journal response on a time when they felt disprespected.
• We read chapter 6 of In the Heat of the Night and students worked on questions for response.
• Students wrote a diary entry from the perspective of Virgil Tibbs and his reactions to being in the town of Wells and dealing with the people/disrespect there.
• Reminder: October portfolio items are due on Friday.

Writing 421:

• Today students wrote a quick narrative paragraph response on something that happened to them over the weekend.  They were asked to make it better by improving 5 words and one sentence.
• We read a personal narrative sample, an excerpt from “The Kite Runner”, and students began to evaluate it for the 6 writing traits.  We will continue this activity tomorrow.
• Reminder: 6 Trait Pamphlets were due today, and students were using these to accomplish the evaluation of the story.  Please bring these tomorrow for use in class and then submission.
• Reading response logs will be submitted on Friday — this will be the last opportunity to catch up on late responses.

English 421:

• Today students handed in their writing extension activities from last night’s homework.
• We had a day with Edgar Allan Poe and the Simpsons.  We read aloud Poe’s story, The Tell-Tale Heart and mapped out the story elements, then we watched an episode of the Simpsons, “Lisa’s Riva” which parodys the story and student mapped out the story elements for the episode too.  Students were then asked to consider what was similar between the story and show, and why the Simpson’s producers would choose to use this story from literature.  If students did not complete the chart and questions, they are to complete it for homework and pass in on Monday.
• Reminder:  Students should be reading at home –their first independent novel study is due on Tues, Nov. 3.

English 531:

• Today we watched episode 7 of One Tree Hill from Season 5, called “In Da Club” and responded to discussion questions.
• We will continue with our novel study on Monday.
• Reminder:  All October portfolio materials are due on Friday, Oct. 30.  Check the board in the classroom for the complete list.

Writing 421:

• Today students worked on an in-class activity — creating a study pamphlet for the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing. 

Expectations for the Pamphlet:

• Presentation — proper pamphlet format with a cover, class information, well-organized pages, colour and images
• Content — each trait must be included (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions + presentation), with a definition, example, why it’s important, and tips on how to achieve it in your writing
• Conventions — make sure pamphlet has proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence fluency, and effective word choices

Reminder:  Reading response logs were due today.

Homework:  Complete the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing pamphlet for tomorrow.

English 531:

• Today we read chapter 5 of In the Heat of the Night.  Students responded to questions in their novel study booklets.
• Reminder:  October portfolio materials are due next Friday, Oct 30.  Make sure to check the board in the classroom and keep up to date on materials.

English 421:

• Today students had some silent reading time.
• Students worked in groups to discuss last night’s homework questions, then shared in class discussion.
• Homework: Writing extension to “The Possibility of Evil” p.249:

Choose one of the following options and complete for tomorrow:

1. Paragraph response — Consider people you know.  Is there someone in your life similar to Miss Adela Strangeworth?  If so, describe the person in a narrative paragraph.  If not, imagine what your neighbourhood would be like if there were and record your feelings in a narrative paragraph.
2. Updated version of the story — Imagine this story was set in modern times in a high school setting, and one of the students was sending nasty emails out to other students about their behaviours.  Write 3 sample emails or text messges that might appear in the story.
3. Movie poster — Imagine this story has been made into a movie and you have been asked to create an advertising poster for the film.  What images would appear on the poster, and what would be the tag line for the movie?  Sketch the poster and include the tag line.

Writing 421:

• Today students edited a paragraph with directions from our conventions discussion from yesterday.
• We discussed the importance presentation can make, and looked at some different forms it can take and things to consider when preparing a project.
• We discussed tomorrow’s in-class activity — creating a 6 + 1 Traits review pamphlet.  Students are to bring their notes with them and any other materials they might need to complete the project.
• Students had a chance to respond in their reading response logs on the topic “Me as a Writer”. 
• Reading response logs are due for submission tomorrow.

English 421:

• Students had silent reading time.
• We discussed responses to question from the story, “The Possibility of Evil”, and had further discussion on the story.
• Reminder: Bring a novel to class — first independent novel assignment is due Tue, Nov. 3.
• Homework: Respond to the following questions about the story.

1. Record the actions Miss Strangeworth took that harmed the people in her community.  Explore the possible reasons why Miss Strangeworth would send anonymous notes to community members.
2. What were the consequences of Miss Strangeworth’s notes?  What did she think when she read the note telling that her roses were destroyed?
3. Do you think Miss Strangeworth will continue to send anonymous notes?  Explain why or why not.

English 531:

• We finished read chapter 4 and responding to questions.
• Some students read ahead in the novel — we will continue this tomorrow.
• We discussed the use of idioms in the English language, and students completed a worksheet.

Writing 421:

• Today students wrote their quiz on parts of speech, sentence combining and sentence errors.
• We looked at the final write trait — conventions — through a slideshow presentation, students learned the importance of using proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. 
• Challenge:  Try to find examples of conventional errors from public signage.  Submissions will be accepted via email, photograph or print-out.  For each entry, you will win a chocolate bar.  Happy hunting!
• Reminder:  Reading response logs are due on Thursday this week in lieu of Parent Teacher interviews.

Welcome back students after a long weekend.  Here’s the scoop on what we covered today and some upcoming work:

English 531:

• Today students began a character map for our novel, In the Heat of the Night.  We looked at some of the main characters: Sam Wood, Chief Gillespie and Virgil Tibbs, and also some of the minor characters: Delores Purdy, Ralph, Maestro Enrico Mantoli, Harvey Oburst, and the Endicotts.  Students were asked to state the characters’ physical appearance, personality traits, thoughts, action and speeches, and the reactions of other characters to him/her.
• We read chapter 4 and students responded to questions in their booklets.  Tomorrow, on with chapter 5.

English 421:

• Narrative paragraphs were due today.  Late entries will be accepted until Wednesday.
• Students had some independent reading time in preparation for their independent novel studies.  The first novel study is due Nov. 3 and the next one is due Jan. 12.  One is a response form and the other is an oral presentation (to be completed in any order), and all information regarding these assignments can be found on the English 421 page.
• Today we read, “The Possibility of Evil” p.249 of Sightlines 10.  Students plotted out the major story elements (exposition, rising action, climax and resolution).  The following questions are to be completed for homework:

1. We do not learn that Miss Strangeworth is writing letters until we are well into the story.  Re-read the opening and note the clues the author provides to alert the reader to Miss Strangeworth’s true nature.
2. Write a personal response to the story.  Consider:  What emotions did you feel as you read the story?  What did you think about the characters and their actions?
3. Do you think the title is appropriate?  Explain why or why not?
4. What lesson(s) does the story teach about human nature?

Writing 421:

• The “Bring Me To Life” writing assignment was due today.  Students participated in peer evaluation of this assignment — they read stories of 3 other students, graded the stories on a rubric, then offered feedback. 
• We completed a review for tomorrow’s quiz:  parts of speech, sentence combining and sentence errors.  Make sure to check out the review sheet now posted on the Writing 421 page.
• Reading response logs are due on Thursday of this week.

English 421:

• Today we reviewed proper paragraph structure and worked on sample narrative paragraphs.  Student groups developed narrative paragraphs for a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip.
• Narrative paragraph assignment due Monday.
• Reminder: Bring independent novels to class next week for independent reading time.  Independent novel assignment #1 due Tue, Nov. 2.

English 531:

• Today we read chapter 3 of In the Heat of the Night and students responded to questions.

Writing 421:

• Today students completed a response in their response logs on an evaluation of the class thus far.  They responded to what they like, what they dislike about the class, and some suggestions for improvements.
• We reviewed the revision process and students had another opportunity to peer revise and edit their stories. 
• Good copies of Bring Me To Life stories are due on Monday.  Make sure to include all brainstorming, rough drafts and your assignment sheet with your good copy.
• Reading response logs will be taken in next Thursday.  4 entries will be marked at that point.

Today we had shortened classes so we could fit in time for the Wall of Fame and Recognition Assesembly.  This is the kick-off to spirit week.

English 531:

• Today we read chapter 2 of In the Heat of the Night and students responded to questions in their booklets.

English 421:

• We discussed students responses from “The Bicycle” short story from Friday’s class.  Students handed in their written responses.
• Students were assigned their narrative paragraph assignment, which can be found on the English 421 page.  Make sure to employ good paragraph structure (topic sentence, supporting details, concluding sentence).  These paragraphs are due Mon, Oct. 19.

Writing 421:

• Today we discussed what is involved in the revision process.  Students read an example inanimate object story and provided criticism for it, then exchanged stories with a peer and revised each other’s stories.
• An updated rough draft (using suggestions from today’s peer help) of you story is due tomorrow.  We will continue perfecting our papers by looking at the editing process.
• Reminder: Students must complete 2 reading log entries each week, including this one.  However, logs will not be handed in until the end of next week.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Enjoy a relaxing weekend home with family and friends, and make sure to take time to reflect on what you are thankful for.

English 421:

• Today we read a short story from Sightlines 10, “The Bicycle” on p.32.  We did some introductory discussion and predicting, then students worked on questions for response.  Students must finish the questions for homework and hand in on Tuesday.
• Questions for response:

1.  Why does Hannah move to live with Tante Rose?

2. What were the two things Tante Rose had forbidden Hannah to do?

3. Why did Tante Rose not want Hannah to ride a bicycle?

4. How does Tante Rose learn that Hannah has been riding a bicylce?

5. What does the bicycle symbolize in this story?

6. What would you say is the theme/main idea of this story? What message was the author trying to portray?

7. Do you think you could have the kind of commitment that was asked of Hannah? Explain why or why not.

8. Think about the choice Hannah made at the end of the story. Do you think it was the right choice? Explain why or why not.

9. How is each of the following events foreshadowed in the story:

a. Tante Rose’s great fear of bicycles

b. the photograph appearing in the newspaper

c. the decision Hannah makes

English 531:

• We had our One Tree Hill Friday viewing.  We watched episode 5 from season 5.  Students developed their own questions based on the events in the episode, then responded to them.
• We will continue with In the Heat of the Night on Tuesday.

Writing 421:

• Today we discussed the expectations for the “Bring Me to Life” assignment and looked at an example online.
• We watched a clip from Shrek that highlighted the gingerbread man and discussed some of his characteristics.  Students then had the remainder of class to work on their own story brainstorming and development.
• The rough draft of these stories is due Tuesday when we will complete some self and peer revision.