Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Tuesday, November 25th -- Day Six

Period One -- Social Studies 20
We discussed the configuration of our Saskatchewan maps from the years 1905 and 2008. How did the location of villages, towns and cities change? Why?
A handout was discussed concerning conflicting social systems. From this point, information on three different paradigms regarding our relationship with the world around us was given out and questions were to be answered. Homework: Complete questions relating to these paradigms.

Period Two -- ELA A10
The elements of plot were discussed as they appeared in the short story "Blue & White". A poem entitled "The Northwest Passage" was given out and students were to come up with ideas and thoughts as to what was happening within each of the stanzas.

Period Three -- ELA 20
We discussed the Figures of Speech created by the students which were aided by definitions and examples given in class yesterday. From this point, students were given a package to read which included a short story entitled "The Shinny Game Melted the Ice" and a poem entitled "I Lost My Talk". Homework: read these two pieces for tomorrow.

Period Four -- ELA 9
After ten minutes of reading, short stories were collected and "Outsiders" reviews were returned. The remainder of the period was given for students to complete the activites that go with the short story "Sunrise on the Veld". Homework: Sunrise on the Veld -- questions and vocabulary.

Period Five -- ELA A10
The poem "Northwest Passage" was discussed as a class. Following this a pre - reading activity was done for the poem "Five Ways to Kill a Man". The poem was then read and discussed and an attempt to discuss the theme in a sentence was undertaken. Essentially, the theme in a sentence includes possibilities like "life and society is a challenge in its own right" and "the challenge is breaking the cycle".
At this point, an assignment was introduced in which students were the group up and seek to create their own reality television programs. A more detailed outline and handout will be distributed tomorrow.

Period Six -- ELA 20
We started a debate with the following topic..."Is the government responsible in anyway to provide money (bailout) to companys in economic trouble?" We met in groups to create our stand or viewpoint on this reality. This will continue tomorrow with the debate set for Thursday of this week.

Period Seven -- Social 10
After a current events discussion, more was done in terms of looking at our expenditures. Big lesson learned was that we spend far too much on needs and wants, with the want portion of our budgets being, in a word, ridiculous. We then discussed some of the arguments for and against Canada and other industrialized societies being capable of offering high standards of living.
Homework: Assume you are individually responsible for producing all the goods and resources you use in the course of a day. List eight items you use daily and briefly discuss the manner or process which takes place in its production.

Have a great night. Reminder, Parent - Teacher Interviews are tomorrow night and the following night.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Monday, November 24th -- Day Five

Period One -- ELA 9
After some silent reading, the short story "Sunrise on the Veld" (Crossroads) was assigned for reading. Once completed, questions 1a, b, & c, 2 and 4 were to be completed along with some vocabulary words which were to be defined and used in a sentence.

Period Two -- ELA 10
"The Great Adventure" was collected. For those who didn't hand it in today, it must be on my desk by 9:00 am tomorrow morning or else it will not be marked.
Notes were taken on the Elements of Plot (Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Denouement). The short story "Blue and White" was given out to be read. Assignment given was to outline the elements of plot as they appear in the story. DUE TOMORROW.

Period Three -- ELA 10
This period was used to read "The Cage" which is your independent novel study for this semester.

Period Four -- Social 10
A discussion of Current Events took place -- big story of the day is the Calgary Stampeders Grey Cup victory.
We shared our monthly costs for the life we want to lead in the next ten years. Information was shared regarding average income, median income and minimum wage. Apparently some of you plan to lead pretty lavish lifestyles. Homework: NONE

Period Five -- Social 30
Current Events again brought up Calgary's victory. Assignments were returned on the standard of living criteria as well as future economic models.
We started a research assignment in which you are to choose a country from the top ten rated countries in terms of standards of living, along with one in the bottom ten. We are to look at why those at the top are where they are, why those at the bottom are where they are, and eventually create potential solutions to help increase the standard of living for a poorer country.

Period Six -- Social 20
Current Events...again Calgary wins the Grey Cup.
You were given maps in which you were to imagien the year was 1905 and set up villages, towns and cities geographically speaking around the province keeping realities in mind such as services provided and means of transportation. Following this, a second map was given in which the year was 2008 and changes to the original map are obviously necessary. These maps must be completed tomorrow and you should be prepared to explain your configurations.

Period Seven -- ELA 20
We collected the Sestina's which were due today. Following that, we looked at some figures of speech and defined them as well as sought to create two originals of each. They were similie, metaphor, personification, pun, onomatopeia, hyperbole, oxymoron, euphemism & alliteration.

Have a great night.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Friday, November 7th -- Day Two

Period One & Six -- ELA 20
Just wrote the "To Kill a Mockingbird Exam".
I promise they will be marked and returned on Wednesday.

Period Four & Five -- ELA 9
We completed watching "The Outsiders". We also pushed the exam date back to Thursday. An outline will be given on Wednesday. You must complete your book reviews for Thursday, November, 13th.

Period Seven -- Social Studies 20
We had to use this period to finish the English exam. Apparently, I made it too long. Sorry gang.

NOTE: The Social Studies 10 Unit One Exam will NOT be on Wednesday as originally scheduled; a new date will be set on Wednesday.

Thanks to all who helped out with the Remembrance Day Service this morning. It went very well. Thanks to Mrs. Vogel from Fort Livingstone in Pelly for providing us with a copy of "The Last Post" -- greatly appreciated.

Have a super long weekend and see you on Wednesday....

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Wednesday, November 5th -- Day Six

Period One -- Social Studies 20
Current Events discussion -- big news story of the day...Barack Obama elected President of the United States.
Corrected and discussed questions related to Social Change in the nations of India and Russia
Further information was given on social change in the areas of racism, women, children and Indigenous peoples. Information on one of these topics should be reviewed carefully as it will be a test question.
Dates to Remember: Tuesday, November 18th -- Unit One Exam

Period Two -- English 10
This was the final period to use the library to research for your assignment.
Key Dates to Remember: Time Capsule Assignment is due Wednesday, November 12th
Chrysalids Exam is Friday, November 14th
Research Assignment is due Tuesday, November 18th
Period Three -- English 20
JEOPARDY! We reviewed "To Kill a Mockingbird" using the game JEOPARDY!
Congratulations to the team of Alyssa, Devin G, Josh and Tanya who came out victorious.

Period Four -- English 9
We started watching "The Outsiders" A little disappointed in the number of students who were unable to hand in Remembrance Day Writing on time.

Period Five -- English 10
After some silent reading, time was given to work on assignments that are coming due shortly.

Period Six -- English 20
Tables were turned and students quizzed me on "To Kill a Mockinbird". Embarrased to say they humbled me.

Period Seven -- Social Studies 10
Current Events discussion. -- Obama's victory the big story.
An assignment was given using the following criteria:
1) Think of an example of a conflict -- options include same sex marriage, abortion, capital punishment, school uniforms, etc
2) Create a chare which points out the arguments that may be made by people on both sides of the argument
3) Identify the sources of power each side of the argument has. How might they use this power to their advantage?
4) Who will win this argument in the end? Why do you think this way?
5) Will the outcome be done in a way that all parties have their rights taken care of? Explain.

Have a great night!! See you in the AM

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tuesday, November 4th -- Day Five

My apologies for the last week...been busy.

A run down of today...

Period One -- ELA 9
We were given time to finish up the last of our Remembrance Day writing. Also an assignment was given in which you are to review the novel "The Outsiders". You need to talk briefly about th events of the novel, what you liked about the book, what you disliked about the book and whether or not you would recommend it to other students your age. Any Remembrance Day Writing not handed in today will not be accepted.

Period Two and Three -- ELA 10
We were given the fourth assignment of our Time Capsule assignment based on "The Chrysalids". You are to visually represent some of the things that you remember most fondly about your time on earth if the world were to end this evening. Also you can be working on your research assignment and continuing towards completion of the novel as the exam is next week.

Period Four -- Social Studies 10
We had a Current Events discussion -- big stories of the day...US Presidential Election as well as the horrifying circumstances of what police are calling a copycat murder in Edmonton.
We simulated Nigerian Parliament.....good job to those who made the effort to participate.

Afternoon was quiet as Grade Eleven and Twelve were off to Regina for a Career Fair. Grade 11's be ready for Jeopardy tomorrow as your knowledge of "To Kill a Mockingbird" will be put to the test.

Have a great night and see you tomorrow....Mr. Morin