Feb 29

Humanities 8

Today after our check-in after the long weekend, we read for 15 minutes.  Students were given the remainder of the class to work on finishing off their webs which is due on Wednesday, March 2. 

English 10

Today we skipped silent reading and focused on prepping for our poetry test.  We looked at an example of the poetry multiple-choice section of the test and we discussed.  This led to another intense discussion about the education system. We did not accomplish everything we needed to do to prepare for the test.  So, the test has been moved to Monday March 7. 

February 24

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading we had a discussion about pink shirt day.  For the rest of the class, students worked on their rough draft of their Viking webs (due Wed March 2).

English 10 (C & D block)

Today after silent reading, we watched "To This Day" by Shane Koyzan and we discussed the theme of bullying. Finally, students were notified that they are going to have a  poetry test next Wednesday. Terms, examples of terms, sorting of terms, glossing and analysis will be on the test.  

February 23

English 10 (H block)

Today we discussed an info-graphic on reading.   Next we did some silent reading and wrote a reader response.  We also self-assessed our best poem using the rubric on the assignment sheet.  Students also read out a poem to the class and handed in their poetry package.  

Humanities 8

Today we viewed a Horrible Histories about the Vikings.  We also did some free writing, but the suggestion was to write about something to do with the Vikings.  Next we went over the rubric for the Viking web.  Finally,  students worked on finishing off their notes and starting the rough drafts of the webs.  The webs are due on: March 2 (note: new date!!). 

February 22

Humanities 8

Today we discussed an info-graphic on reading.   Next we did some silent reading.  Finally, we reviewed the exemplar for our Vikings project.  Students spent the remainder of the time writing notes on the Vikings.  The project will be due on March 1.

English 10

Today we discussed an info-graphic on reading.   Next we did some silent reading and wrote a reader response.  We also self-assessed our best poem using the rubric on the assignment sheet.  Students also read out a poem to the class and handed in their poetry package.  

February 19

English 10 (H block)

Today instead of silent reading we watched a couple of spoken word videos. The remainder of the class was spent working on the poetry package which is due next class (February 23).  

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we finished off our mind-map/web for the Franks.  Next students were introduced to their next assignment - producing a web about the Vikings.  An exemplar was shown and students were able to see some features that help with communicating information.  At the end of class, students read about the Vikings. 

February 18

English 10 (H block)

Today after silent reading, we watched the Vanier video for Shane Koyczan's poem "Instructions for a Bad Day."  We discussed and then students were reminded they need to hand in their picture that inspired one of their poems, prepare a poem to read out, use figurative language as much as possible and to be careful with line breaks.  The remainder of the class was a work period.  The package is due on Tuesday February 23.  

Humanities 8

Today we started off with sacred writing.  Next we went over the Rome test, Rome units and the crosswords.  Finally, we started to work on sorting information about the Franks into a mind-map/web.

February 17

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we did a quick review of the what we learned about the Franks yesterday.  Next we read about Charlemagne and we categorized the information using the PMI strategy (Plus, Minus and Interesting).  

English 10

Today we went over the importance of line breaks, taking out words and putting in figurative language in our poems.  Students were reminded to prepare to read one of their poems to the class as well.  The remainder of the class was focused on finishing off the poetry package which is due next class (February 22).

February 16

English 10 (H block)

Today after silent reading, students did their first true reader response.   Next we went over the importance of brainstorming and also of line breaks in poetry.  The remainder of the class was a work period for poem creation.  

Humanities 8

Today we started off with silent reading.  Next we worked on note taking using the Franks as our topic.  

February 15

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we ensured our folders were organized with a new daily reflection sheet stapled into the folder.   We brainstormed about what we already know about the Middle Ages and then we wrote a few basic notes about the time period.

English 10

Today after silent reading students were asked to write a true reader response.  The remainder of the class was designated for work on our poetry package which is due Feb 22. 

February 12

Humanities 8

Today we started off with writing our Ancient Rome test.  Next students were asked to organize their folders and complete a self-assessment for the unit.  They were also asked to make sure their crosswords/word searches were finished and a classmate had solved it.  Finally, if time allowed students were directed to silent read. 

English 10 (C & D blocks)

Today we skipped silent reading due to the shortened blocks.  We started off watching "Instructions for a Bad Day" and discussing it.  We reviewed the criteria for poems and the poetry package.  Students spent the rest of the class flexing their creative muscles by writing poems.  The completed package is due Feb 22.  

February 11

English 10 (H block)

Today after silent reading, students were asked to write a summary of the book they are reading in the reader response booklet they created by putting a few pieces of paper together and stapling it.  Next we did a brief review of the poetry package assignment and students used the remainder of the time to write their poems.  

Reminder: Poems are due on Feb 23rd

Humanities 8

Today we started off with sacred writing.  This time students were asked to write a narrative with a Roman theme.  Next we did a second practice quiz and finally students exchanged their crosswords and word searches with someone else. 

Quiz on history terms and Rome is tomorrow! 

February 10

Humanities 8

Today we started off with silent reading.  We then did a practice test in preparation for our History term/Rome test, which is scheduled for Friday.  Finally, students worked on completing their crosswords and word searches.  This assignment is due tomorrow!

English 10 (C &D blocks)

Today after silent reading, students wrote their first reader response entry.  It was a simple summary piece of writing.  The remainder of the class students worked on their poetry package, which is due on February 22!

February 9

English 10 (H block)

Today we skipped silent reading in an effort to catch up to the other 2 blocks.  We started off with creating a mind map with our poetry terms.  Then we went over the Poetry package assignment and some examples were shared.  

Humanities 8

Today we started off with a review about writing an expository (explaining) paragraph.  Next for sacred writing, students were asked to write a paragraph on an aspect of Rome.  The focus was to 

1. indent the paragraph
2. make sure capital letters and periods were used correctly
3. use a topic sentence

The remainder of the time, students were directed to make a crossword or wordsearch like we did for the religion unit.  This time they were to do the option they did not do the 1st time.  

There will be a test on Rome on Friday.

February 5

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, we wrote notes and discussed the legacy and fall of Rome.

English 10 (D) block

Today we went over essay dos and don'ts after a heated discussion about the violence against woman assembly.  We also discussed the daily reflection/self-assessment change.  Finally, we went over an introduction to the poetry package.

English 10 (C) block

Today after silent reading, we finished going over the essay dos and don'ts.  We also looked at an example of an essay written about our comparison poems.  Finally, we went over the introduction to poetry package and I shared examples of my poems.  

February 4

English 10 (H block)

Today we  went over essay dos and don'ts.  We also finished off our poetry terms and the new daily reflection was introduced.  Furthermore, reader responses were introduced.  

Humanities 8

Today we finished off our top 10 lists about gladiatorial shows or worked on sacred writing.  Next we went over the scavenger hunt answers.  We also had a few interesting discussions about current events.

February 3

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading.  We discussed prioritizing in terms of a top 10 list.  Then students were asked come up 10 facts about gladiatorial shows from our reading yesterday.  Students were directed to write the 10 facts and then rate them from 1 through 10 with 1 being the most important them.

English 10 ( D block)

BC Lions assembly

English 10 ( C block)

After silent reading we went over the do's and don'ts of writing comparative poem essays. Finally, we reviewed what a reader response journal was.  

February 2

English 10 (H Block)

Today after silent reading, students were asked to organize their portfolios for assessment as well as complete a self-assessment form.  Next we went over some new poetry terms. 

Humanities 8 

Today we did sacred writing and shared a few pieces.  Next, we read a handout on gladitorial games. We practiced picking out the main idea and we discussed the contents of this handout.  

February 1st

Today Mr. Allen was in.

Humanities 8

Today after silent reading, students worked looked at a list of inventions and innovations.  They were asked to classify them into the two categories and to guess which were Roman inventions and which were not.  After that students used the netbooks to do a Rome scavenger hunt.  

English 10

Today after silent reading, students were asked to organize their portfolios for assessment (by date) and to complete a self-assessment form.  They also added the goal of: being able to recognize and write extended metaphors.  Then some examples of extended metaphors were shown and discussed. Finally, students worked on writing two extended metaphors.  This is going to be part of the next big assignment - a poetry package/anthology.