February 25 to February 29

Canadian Literature:
Andser Questions after reading the story "The Amulet”:

1. The opening paragraph of the story describes an idyllic setting. What is the value of this place setting to the story?
2. The opening of the story mentions metempsychosis, and explains it as the transmigration of souls. What is the value or purpose of this in the introduction?
3..The description of the old native woman on page 157 is very graphic. What was the intent of the Reverend to use these descriptions?
4. Paul said that the old woman’s name was Molly (page 160). Why did he give her that name, when in fact it was not her name?
5. Why do you think most of the Indian community went to the funeral, but were obviously afraid of the old woman?
6. Did you the read, believe the Reverend’s story, that the woman was in fact over 300 years old?
7. What kind of conflict is found in this story? (conflict is either internal, or external: man versus man, man versus nature, and/or man versus society).
8. Why is the story called ‘The Amulet”? Is it effective?

February 18-22/2008

12 Canadian Literature:
Question on the story "Speculations of Jefferson Thorpe"
1. In the opening of the story, the reader learns that “till he (Thorpe) made money, no one took any stock in his ideas at all.” This is an example of what literary device. /2
2. Discuss the style of the narrator’s story telling. What was the tone of the narrator’s voice? Who do you think the narrator might be to know so much about the citizens of Maraposa? /4
3. Discuss the setting of the story. /6
4. How did the town’s people of Maraposa change after Jefferson Thorpe made his money in the stock market?
5. How did people in Maraposa react to Thorpe’s daughter Mira in this story?
6. What was the purpose of bringing Carnegie and Rockefeller into the story?
7. Irony implies that the opposite of what is said or expected is stated, but the reader understands the intended meaning. As an example, if it is a severe storm outside, one might say, “This is a nice day,” but the meanng that it is a bad day would be understood. Find an example of irony in the story.
8. Leacock is a humourist. Why does this story fit the literary category of humour? What make it humourous?
9. What is the theme of this story?
10. Could this kind of event (speculation of the stock market) happen today on Grand Manan? Explain your answer. (Hint: what are the basic human characteristics that make this story universal?)

11 English: 

Speeches: Finish 4 minute speeches. Prepare for debates. Two students will debate opposites sides of a topic. Examples:
1. abortion: pro life, pro choice
2. euthenasia: acceptable, not acceptable
3. creation: evolution over time, created in 7 days of 24 hours
4. Bilingualism or unilingual Canada
5. Canadian soldiers should (should not) be in Afghanistan
6. Students should (should not) wear uniforms in school.

7. Canada should (should not) encourage immigrants to come to Canada.

8.  The drinking age should be lowered (raised).

9.  Students should (should not) have a computer in their bedroom.

10.  Anyone should (should not) be allowed to have a tattoo and piercings.

11.  Students should (should not) have homework in each course every night.

12. School should (should not) begin later in the day, and go longer, such as 12:30 to 6:00

13.  There should (should not) be three terms each school year, with 3 weeks vacation between each term.

14.  Animals should (should not) be used for experimentation.

15.  Cats or dogs make a better pet.

16.  Homework lunch is (is not) a good way to improve student learning.

17.  To be competitive in a world market, New Brunswick should (should not) make the school  curriculum more difficult.

18.  Students should (should not) be allowed to wear what ever they wish to school.

9-English:  

Students are finishing speeches, with the debate being the final speech.

Students are being tested Tuesday for reading levels.

Students will use the demo of the program Fast ForWord.

February 11-15

Grade 12 English/Canadian Literature

We are continuing to examine some early Canadian authors. "Snow" by Frederick Philip Grove and "Sam Slick the Clockmaker" by Thomas Chandler Haliburton.
Questions on "Sam Slick" page 17 in A Book of Canadian Stories, due Friday 15th.
1. The first two parapgraphs of the short story "Sam Slick' are developing which element of short story: plot, character, setting or theme?
2. Describe in detail the setting of this story: remembering that setting comprises time, place and atmosphere.
3. How is the plot developed? Outline key parts of the plot, under the headings: Introduction, Development, Climax and Conclusion.
4. How does the dialogue of each character help to develop the personalties in the story?
5. While the narrator is not the main character in the story--Sam Slick is the main character, what does the narrator contribute to the story (plot, character, setting theme)?
6. What is the theme of the story "Sam Slick"?

11 English
This week we are hearing the 2nd and 3rd speeches. Remember, listening skills are being measured as well as speaking and writing skills. The 4th speech will be a persuasive speech, so think about a topic you want to persuade your classmates to believe.

9 English
This week we are hearing the 2nd speeche. Remember, listening skills are being measured as well as speaking and writing skills. The 3rd speech will be a persuasive speech, so think about a topic you want to persuade your classmates to believe.

February 4-8, 2008

11 English:
Students will write a three minute speech to be presented Monday, Feb 11, 2008, both in written text and presented orally.
Speech topics:
1. Teachers should be teaching students who and what they are. No child is like any other. Each child is a marvel. (Pablo Casals)
2. There is no keener revelation of a society's sould than the way in which it treats its children.
3. The top level of human existance is self-actualization--the need to know, to explore and to understand. (Maslow)
4. Most schools are not meeting the needs of students to be successful in society. (Griffin)

Speech 3: A four minute speech. Due Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Topics: Discuss a world issue that you think is unjust. Examples: Poverty, Free Education for all, Child Labour Abuse to produce cheap goods, Racism, Drug Issues, Equal Rights for Women, War, corupt governments


9 English:
Students should be studying their grammar words.
Speeches: Speech 1--intro speech Monday and Tuesday.
Speech 2--What should a grade nine student begin doing to prepare for life after high school? Due Wednesday. Will be hearing Monday, February 11, 2008.
Speech 3: A four minute speech. Due Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Topics: Discuss a world issue that you think is unjust. Examples: Poverty, Free Education for all, Child Labour Abuse to produce cheap goods, Racism, Drug Issues, Equal Rights for Women, War, corupt governments




12 Canadian Literature:
Essay on "Predicting Themes in Canadian Literature." Purpose of this essay is to establish writing skills.
Read Short Story "Snow", pg. 99 of Pacey's A Book of Canadian Short Stories.
Answer the following questions on "Snow":
1. What is the significance of the title, "Snow".
2. What is the purpose of the first three paragraphs?
3. What does the dialogue tell about the main charaters?
4. Why did nthe men eat breakfast before delivering the bad news?
5. What was the purpose of describing Radcliff's children's sleeping arangements?
6. Compare Radcliff's house to Abe's house.
7. Find three sentences hat make the reader think isolation might be important.
8. What are two themes in "Snow"?
Chose Canadian Literature novel from Library.
Friday 8th: Read Short Story: "Sam Slick the Clockmaker."
Vocabulary words: exhilarate, spavin, coxcomb, inquisitive, ascertain, superflous, attire, countenance, imperinent, palpable, inclination, effrontery, inclination, foible, eulogium.
Questions to follow next week.