Friday, February 26, 2010

Today, the students wrote an in-class essay as part of their essay unit exam. They will write the multiple choice (comprehension) portion tomorrow. Tonight, they should study their terminology.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Today, you will be in your groups and compete in a teams games tournament. We will then discuss the exam that you will be writing tomorrow. I gave you an essay outline to help you with this (you can bring it in if it isn't marked up) and a copy of the essay you will be referring to in the test. You can read this tonight and bring it in tomorrow so you are more prepared (again, please don't mark it up).

Wednesday, Fevbruary 24, 2010

Today, you guys got into groups and studied your terminology in preparation for your unit exam(s). Tomorrow, you will participate in a competition against members of other groups. With this in mind, you should be studying tonight.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Today, we discussed the answers you came up with for the essay "Happiness". This involved creating ever larger discussion groups until we ended up with the class in two large ones. We then debated them through.
Also, I reminded you that you have an in class essay unit exam o Friday and a multiple choice unit exam on Monday.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Today, we started with reading (independent novel) and then we filled in the summary sheet. After this, we discussed the essay "Happiness" from Friday. We then discussed how to answer multiple choice based questions effectively, and I handed out a sheet of tips (pink). Finally, you broke off into groups and I gave you questions to answer in relation to this essay. We will discuss the answers tomorrow.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Today, students had time to read their independent novel. I then handed out reading summary sheets which they will fill in each Tuesday and Thursday after their reading and hand in.
We then discussed how to read actively. The steps I expect when reading essays are listed below. I then handed out the essay "Happiness", by Malcolm Muggeridge for them to read. This is to be completed today. If you were not here, be sure to come into my class in the morning and get it from your portfolio so you can do the next part with everyone else.

Active Reading
1. Paraphrase the paragraphs in your own words and briefly, on the side of the reading as you read.
2. Highlight the thesis (if it is explicit)
3. Highlight the main points
4. Highlight words you don't understand
LOOK THEM UP and write the definition in your own words on the page near the
word and draw a line connecting it to the word
5. Highlight changes in tone
6. Put question marks beside changes that confuse (for further reading)
7. Summarize the work at the end, which should be off the top of your head (what does it mean?)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Today, we did a journal activity and then we marked the answers to "Why We Crave Horror Movies". There was no additional homework.