Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thursday, October 6th -- Day One

Period One: Creative Writing 20
The students continue to work on their short story trilogy's. These are due on Tuesday, October 11th.

Period Two: ELA 9
Students continued with the CAT - 4 test by starting the Reading section.

Period Three: History 30
A review of last class in terms of the importance of the Conquest, Treaty of Paris and Royal Proclamation. We then started to look at events taking place within the thirteen colonies (present day United States) which could have an impact on events with Quebec. Amongst these issues was a look at the Boston Tea Party and general dissention between the colonists and Britain.

Period Four: ELA B10
We read orally to the end of Part One in 'The Cage'. An exam on Part One of the novel, as well as other literature read to this point will be given next Friday, October. 14th.

Period Five: History 10
We reviewed last class, namely Machiavelli's idea as to why society struggled and the impact this had on the position of women and their role. We then moved on to discuss the way society reorganized, in particular Cardinal Richeliu and his restructuring and centralization of power within France. Thinking this was to eliminate any future problems, we looked at the tensions that took place between the Catholics and Protestants and the ensuin war between them. This was done as an example to show that the restructuring of society was ineffective as the ruling monarchy was unable to stop this from taking place.

Period Six: ELA B10
The studens were asked to write a sixth journal entry based on 'The Cage'. This one is to be done following the decision by Riva and her brothers to leave the ghetto and go to the labour camp on their own fruition. They were also assigned to read the short story "After You, My Dear Alphonse" by Shirley Jackson. While reading, they were to highlight, or identify passages which deal with racism, stereotyping, prejudice, etc.

Period Seven: ELA 9
Students were given this class to complete the reading section of the CAT - 4

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tuesday, October 4th -- Day Five

Period One: ELA 9
After the collection of some assignments that were due, we worked our way through the practice exam of the CAT - 4 exam. This is a standardized test the Grade Nine's will be working on over the next few days.

Period Two: Creative Writing 20
Students continue to work on their short story trilogy. It is due on Tuesday, October 11th.

Period Three: History 20
We started by discussing what we thought the overwheming feeling/emotions were amongst society in the hours leading up to war. We then discussed and demonstrated (to the best of our abilities) the battle plans of both Germany and France in the early days of World War I.

Period Four: History 30
We reviewed "The Conquest" which was the British defeat of the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. After talking about the differences between the terms assimilation and accomodation, we looked at Britain's policy in North America after they were granted control of present day Quebec in 1763. After pointing out some of the realities, students were asked to get into groups and discuss some of the key questions in relation to British/French relations during this time. These answers will be shared on Thursday.

Period Six: ELA B10
After students read to the end of Chapter 18 in "The Cage" they were assigned a small acitivity on the events of novel to this point. This assignment in due tomorrow.

Period Seven: ELA 9
Students completed the Computation and Estimation section of the CAT - 4.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wednesday, September 21 -- Day Two

Period One: ELA B10
Students were asked to think about the terms race and racism; they were also asked if they think they have ever been guilty of racist thoughts, ideas, beliefs, etc. After a brief discussion, the students were asked to read the essay "I'm not racist but...". They are to read this essay and answer five questions for tomorrow.

Period Two: History 30
We reviewed the material of this course from the beginning to the present. The idea was I wanted to review the reasons why Europeans started to visit, eventually stay for a time, and then stay permanently. This led to a discussion on the decision making and governing process that was first instituted in the colonies of North America in the 1600's.

Period Three/Four: ELA 9
We corrected Language Power lesson's #6, 7, & 8 from yesterday. Students were then asked to complete the first step of the Writing Process. Once this was done, they were to start drafting the rough copy of their paragraphs.

Period Five: Creative Writing 20
They were to be completed one of either the past or present stories for today. They are to complete the other for tomorrow.

Period Seven: Creative Writing/History 20
This was a split class. Students were to complete the second part of the Creative Writing Assignment from tomorrow. They were also given an outline for the History Quiz and also work on the history timeline of events leading up to World War I.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday, September 20th -- Day One

Period One: Creative Writing 20
Students handed in their assignments based on their lives 25 years from today. The focus of today's class was proper use of past and present tenses. As such, students were asked to write a story (approximately 1/2 - 3/4 of page) in present tense. They were then asked to rewrite the same story, only in past tense. Some time, not the whole class, will be given to work on this tomorrow.

Period Two: ELA 9
Students continued with Step One of the Writing Process for their paragraph writing assignment. For tomorrow they need to have chosen a topic from the five possibilities they came up with, and also have a general idea about the direction for each of their narrative, informative, persuasive and descriptive paragraphs on the topic they chose.

Period Three: History 30
A brief review of how the fur trade exploited the land and some people(s) was discussed. We then talked more about the fur trade in Canada. Students were asked to reflect in writing on who they believe benefitted most from the fur trade, who benefitted the least, as well as comment on any issues they see possibly arising. This is due tomorrow. Students were also asked to read a handout on the economic issues that came with the fur trade as well.

Period Four: ELA B10
The questions and extension based on Chapters 4, 5, & 6 of 'The Cage' were collected and discussed. Students were given the remaining class time to work on the first two journal entries of their major assignment.

Period Five: History 10
We reviewed what we discussed yesterday about Aboriginal societies and the Iroquois Confederacy. We concluded our look at this system of decision making and w the students were asked to create a list of the pro's and con's of running a society in this manner. They were also asked to answer three questions in regards to how a society should be run in a time of crisis.

Period Six: ELA B10
Chapter's 7 & 8 of 'The Cage' were read orally. Students were asked ot read Chapter Nine for tomorrow.

Period Seven: ELA 9
Lesson's #6, 7, & 8 of Language Power were assigned. If they were done prior to the end of class, they were to complete the steps necessary for the Paragraph writing assignment which need to be done for tomorrow.

Reminder to History 20 students of the quiz tomorrow on all material taken to this point.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday, September 19th -- Day Six

Period One: Creative Writing 20
The assignments from Friday (Advertising) were collected. From there the students were asked to imagine their dream life twenty five years from today. They are to writie a story which describes their life in 2036 as well as discuss how they got to live the life they are at that time.

Period Two: History 10
We reviewed the basic ideas of a patriarchal society, a traditional Aboriginal society and a liberal democratic society. We determined that Canada would fall under the classification of being a liberal democratic society, and discussed the factors that made this reality. We then took a closer look at decision making and political decision making within traditional Aborignal societies with an emphasis on the Iroquain Confederacy.

Period Three: ELA B10
Students were asked to read to the end of Chapter Six in 'The Cage'. Once done they were given an assignment on the said chapters which is due tomorrow.

Period Four: Creative Writing 20
Students were given the period to work on the assignment given earlier today.

Period Six and Seven: ELA B10
Students were given time to complete the questions and extensio given earlier this morning. We also introduced a major assignment for 'The Cage'. Over the course of the novel, they are to take the position of Riva and write a series of journal entries that discuss her feelings/hopes/dreams/fears, etc. They were given two points in the novel from which they were to create an entry: one at the conclusion of Chapter Three when Mrs. Gruber allows all of their stuff to be taken, the tree cut down and basically turns her back on them. Secondly, they are to write one at the conclusion of Chapter Six when the Nazi's take Mama away while leavin Riva and her three younger brothers to fend for herself.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday, September 16th -- Day Five

Period One: ELA 9
Writing Quiz written yesterday was returned. Students were asked to complete Step #1 of the Writing Process (Pre - Writing) for tomorrow. They are to come up with no less than five potential topics for a paragraph writing assignment.

Period Two: Creative Writing 20
Character and conflict assignments from yesterday were collected. 'FUN FRIDAY' saw us practice our advertising skills as we attempted to make the best of what you might call a 'tough sell'. These are due tomorrow.

Period Three: History 20
We reviewed the material from yesterday, namely the end of British isolation and the formation of the Triple Entente. We then started to look at the causes of war; a handout was covered dealing with five of the causes. A handout was given on the situation in the Balkans leading up to the outbreak of war. There are six questions to be answered on this handout for Monday.

Period Four: History 30
We reviewed the main ideas of the film that we watched yesterday. We then looked at the fur trade in terms of the exploitation it had on the land and its people.

Period Six: ELA 10
The extension on true friendship as seen through Mrs. Gruber in 'The Cage' was discussed. We then read Chapter Four as a group. Chapter Five is to be read for Monday.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wednesday, September 14th -- Day Five

Period Two: History 10
We looked at the difference between 'freedom' and 'order' in terms of both their definition and their involvment in day to day activities. We looked at a series of day to day realities, and discussed whether freedom or order should prevail.
We then started to look at decision making, and outlined the worldviews of two different societies in terms of their approach to decision making. Students are to consider these opposing views, and for tomorrow write a paragraph as to what society they would like to live in and why.

Period Three: Creative Writing 20
Dialogue assignments were collected. Students had this period to work on their point of view assignment which was given yesterday. The assignment is due tomorrow.

Period Four: History 20
We started by reviewing the dangers of a two - front war, and Germany's approach to avoiding such a battle. We then saw how things started to change once Otto von Bismarck was fired and William II started making the decisions. This led to a discussion of the Dual Entente which came about as a result of William II's actions. Students were then asked to concoct a plan that they would utilize to help Germany avoid having to fight a two - front war. They not only need to outline their plan, but also include an explanation as to why their plan will work. This is due tomorrow.

Period Five: ELA 9
We corrected the Language Power from yesterday (Lessons #4 and 5). We then had a review of the material that they will need to know for tomorrow's Writing Quiz. With the time left in class, students were allowed to study and prepare for the quiz.

Period Six: ELA B10
Having read Chapter`s One and Two of `The Cage` students were given an assignment on the material they have read. It is due tomorrow.

Period Seven: History 30
After a review of yesterday`s material, we briefly discussed some of the factors while led Europeans to begin to stay permanently in North America. We then began watching Episode #2 of Canada: A People's History which talks about the first settlers and colonies in Canada and why they arrived here in the first place and the establishment of the Fur Trade.