Last day to hand in outstanding assignments or rewrites is Wednesday.
Final Exam is Thursday.
playlist.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Grade 10
You should be coming to class on Monday with your Essay Planning sheet complete, your introduction and 2 body paragraphs. This essay will be due on Thursday when you come in to write your final exam.
Final Exam is Thursday.
Final Exam is Thursday.
Grade 9
If I didn't get your essay introduction, I need it.
Portfolios are due after class on Wednesday.
Portfolios are due after class on Wednesday.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Grade 11
Your film assignment is due tomorrow (Friday), but you will have half the class to work on it. OR you can email it to me by Sunday night.
Grade 10
Your Personal Loss of Innocence writing will be due tomorrow (Friday), but you will have half the class to work on it. OR you can email it to me (as an attachment) by Sunday night. If these don't work for you then please make other arrangements with me.
Grade 6/7
Tomorrow (Friday) you will hand in your instructions assignment:
Proposal
Rough Copy
Good Copy
Proposal
Rough Copy
Good Copy
Friday, December 12, 2008
Grade 10
Read ch. 12-14 and answer the questions.
If you didn't get the third body idea written for our essay you will need that as well.
If you didn't get the third body idea written for our essay you will need that as well.
Grade 7
Ensure you have all your necessary items for someone to follow your instructions.
Put your instructions, drafts, proposal, etc. together FOR Monday--you will not have time for this in class.
Don't forget, if you want a picture or film taken of you to bring a consent note from a parent.
Put your instructions, drafts, proposal, etc. together FOR Monday--you will not have time for this in class.
Don't forget, if you want a picture or film taken of you to bring a consent note from a parent.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Grade 10
READ! For tomorrow 6 and 7.
For Thurs 8 and 9.
For Friday 10 and 11.
For Monday 12-14.
For Tuesday 15 and 16.
Don't forget to do the questions for each chapter.
For Thurs 8 and 9.
For Friday 10 and 11.
For Monday 12-14.
For Tuesday 15 and 16.
Don't forget to do the questions for each chapter.
Grade 9
Your poster for "Gore" is due on Friday, including the write-up. Take your time with this and do your best work.
We will be working on this assignment in class tomorrow.
We will be working on this assignment in class tomorrow.
Grade 6/7
Your instructions assignment will be due on Monday.
We will be working on this in class all week. Keep up with the work and be prepared for Monday.
For Friday, you need recipe/cue cards (1 for each of your instructions). If you do not have cue cards, make some out of paper by cutting out rectangles. I can help you if you need it.
We will be working on this in class all week. Keep up with the work and be prepared for Monday.
For Friday, you need recipe/cue cards (1 for each of your instructions). If you do not have cue cards, make some out of paper by cutting out rectangles. I can help you if you need it.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Grade 11
Mapping group presentation, character sketches, and chapter summaries are all due on Tuesday.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Grade 10
Due to the loss of class time for Quest Theatre, there are a couple changes to your schedule of due dates.
Your Test will be Wed Dec 3.
Your rough copy for your script is due Mon Dec 1.
Your good copy of your script is due Fri Dec 5.
You will be given Monday and half of Tuesday to work on your script.
Your Test will be Wed Dec 3.
Your rough copy for your script is due Mon Dec 1.
Your good copy of your script is due Fri Dec 5.
You will be given Monday and half of Tuesday to work on your script.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Grade 11
Grade the sample essay tonight and bring the mark and comments to class tomorrow.
Keep reading.
Be working on your assignments for the novel.
Keep reading.
Be working on your assignments for the novel.
Monday, November 24, 2008
My Version of The 12 Days of Christmas
For any of you who have mastered the blog and are looking for a new challenge, I've got one for you. It's called podcasting. I learned about this last year at Teacher Convention--that's right the couple days you get off in the Spring while teachers still have to work--and thought it was a neat idea. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to invest in figuring out all the ins and outs of the podcast. I've played around a bit with it and over the weekend had a great thought to try doing a podcast and uploading it to my blog.
What a podcast does is allow you to record your thoughts and ideas as audio recordings and store them online where others can download those files to their computer or ipod or other device and listen to them. It's actually like a blog, but audio instead of written.
You can find out more about podcasts and look at a site that allows you to podcast here. One thing that is really cool about this site is that it lets you record your episode over the phone and the wonderful people at gcast do the work of putting it online for you (in a matter of minutes). As I said, I don't know a whole lot about this technology, but feel free to check it out and learn on your own. Then you can come and teach me.
Over the weekend I came up with the idea to rewrite the lyrics to The 12 Days of Christmas, and to use the theme of hunting, in honour of a lot of you here at Ridgevalley School. A bit of research later--into the song, the syllables of the lines, a tune-only version, and some lyric specific items--and I had my very own version of the song, audio and all, published to the internet using gcast.com.
Give the song a listen below.
***Caution: This is a song, and is sung by me, and I don't sing, and when my wife heard me singing she asked why and I said "no reason" and she said uh-oh, because I don't sing, but I am singing here, so . . . Caution!***
Subscribe Free Add to my Page
Hunting is very popular here in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area. I first discovered this when a student had been missing from my class for a week and when he came back I asked where he had been and he said hunting. Wow! You miss a whole week of school to go hunting? I had never heard of that. But apparently that's what you do when you're in Peace Country. When I told another teacher about this he simply said he wished he could take a week off and go hunting. Since then I have heard speeches about hunting, read stories about hunting, and viewed student blogs dedicated to hunting. It is big business out here, and a lot of you either own a gun or are looking forward to when they are old enough to own a gun. Even the girls. I was asked by a student what the biggest gun I ever fired was. I said I had fired a 9mm Glock at the shooting range in West Edmonton Mall . . . once. He laughed and said "that's it?"
This song evolved into a list of weapons the gun store would sell me to help me kill the buck in my sights; though, being the city-guy I am, none of the weapons actually would enable me to do it, which is why they keep compounding and culminate in a death-ray.
By the way, laugh all you like at the song, my singing, or whatever else you want, but until you write your own song, sing it to the music from this site, and have the guts to post it on your own blog for me to listen to, I will be proud of my efforts.
Merry Christmas!
What a podcast does is allow you to record your thoughts and ideas as audio recordings and store them online where others can download those files to their computer or ipod or other device and listen to them. It's actually like a blog, but audio instead of written.
You can find out more about podcasts and look at a site that allows you to podcast here. One thing that is really cool about this site is that it lets you record your episode over the phone and the wonderful people at gcast do the work of putting it online for you (in a matter of minutes). As I said, I don't know a whole lot about this technology, but feel free to check it out and learn on your own. Then you can come and teach me.
Over the weekend I came up with the idea to rewrite the lyrics to The 12 Days of Christmas, and to use the theme of hunting, in honour of a lot of you here at Ridgevalley School. A bit of research later--into the song, the syllables of the lines, a tune-only version, and some lyric specific items--and I had my very own version of the song, audio and all, published to the internet using gcast.com.
Give the song a listen below.
***Caution: This is a song, and is sung by me, and I don't sing, and when my wife heard me singing she asked why and I said "no reason" and she said uh-oh, because I don't sing, but I am singing here, so . . . Caution!***
Subscribe Free Add to my Page
Hunting is very popular here in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area. I first discovered this when a student had been missing from my class for a week and when he came back I asked where he had been and he said hunting. Wow! You miss a whole week of school to go hunting? I had never heard of that. But apparently that's what you do when you're in Peace Country. When I told another teacher about this he simply said he wished he could take a week off and go hunting. Since then I have heard speeches about hunting, read stories about hunting, and viewed student blogs dedicated to hunting. It is big business out here, and a lot of you either own a gun or are looking forward to when they are old enough to own a gun. Even the girls. I was asked by a student what the biggest gun I ever fired was. I said I had fired a 9mm Glock at the shooting range in West Edmonton Mall . . . once. He laughed and said "that's it?"
This song evolved into a list of weapons the gun store would sell me to help me kill the buck in my sights; though, being the city-guy I am, none of the weapons actually would enable me to do it, which is why they keep compounding and culminate in a death-ray.
By the way, laugh all you like at the song, my singing, or whatever else you want, but until you write your own song, sing it to the music from this site, and have the guts to post it on your own blog for me to listen to, I will be proud of my efforts.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Grade 11
Keep reading your novel. You will have the test on the novel Monday Dec. 1.
As you are reading, you should be at least thinking about the chapter summaries and character sketch you are responsible for, if not working on it.
Also, don't forget the mapping assignment--you will need details about the setting of your novel.
The due date for these assignments has changed due to a few factors and we will discuss a new due date in class.
BRING YOUR ESSAY TO CLASS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
As you are reading, you should be at least thinking about the chapter summaries and character sketch you are responsible for, if not working on it.
Also, don't forget the mapping assignment--you will need details about the setting of your novel.
The due date for these assignments has changed due to a few factors and we will discuss a new due date in class.
BRING YOUR ESSAY TO CLASS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
Grade 10
Ensure you have your second viewing sheet for The Truman Show ready for Monday.
Test date is Friday November 28.
Due date for Film Assignment is Monday Dec. 1
Test date is Friday November 28.
Due date for Film Assignment is Monday Dec. 1
Grade 9
Reread "A Worn Path" and highlight all the details that are bright and happy--anything that contrasts the depressing mood created by the setting.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Grade 11
Your quiz has been postponed until Tuesday Nov. 18 due to popular demand (and because I owed you one). Come prepared for a quiz on ch. 1-5 of your novel.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Grade 6/7
You have a short story to read and questions to answer. Be sure to underline the answers IN THE TEXT as well! This goes back to the idea of confirming your answer from the text. You should be able to show why you wrote down the answer you did.
This is due tomorrow.
Tomorrow you will receive a second short story to read and some more questions. Those will be due on Monday.
This is due tomorrow.
Tomorrow you will receive a second short story to read and some more questions. Those will be due on Monday.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Grade 10
Short Essay Due on Monday.
See 2-week outline for dates for your unit test and Unit Assignment due dates. I will update these shortly.
See 2-week outline for dates for your unit test and Unit Assignment due dates. I will update these shortly.
Friday, November 7, 2008
All Grades
You need to make a post of your quote book entry for Friday November 7. Put the lyrics and a Youtube video up as well as your response to the quote book questions.
A Favourite Song
One of my favourite songs is Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. This song is about a man who is away from the girl he loves and he misses her very much. He wishes he could be back with her and hopes she will wait faithfully for him while he is away.
A few of my favourite lines from this song are highlighted in the lyrics below:
I like the personification and metaphor in the first set of lines. The lines speak about the loneliness of the river without the vastness of the sea. The river is on its way "home," but always there is still a lonely part of the river heading home and hoping the sea hasn't changed when it gets there. I love the connotation that the man's sweetheart will be waiting for him just as the sea always waits for the river.
I also like the second line, "I've hungered for your touch," because of the strong imagery and metaphor in the line. These lines link the images of starvation without food to the man's loneliness without his girl. The idea comes up that you can die of hunger and you can die of loneliness.
This song always makes me feel a little sad, but it also contains a sliver of hope. Check out the song below and keep reading.
I like that sliver of loneliness that comes up in the idea that the sea waits for the river. I can relate to this song in that I have and continue to feel lonely and sad from time to time, and this song reminds me that even though I feel this way now there is a great hope that things will get better.
I like this feeling of hope and I appreciate how this song can quiet my being and focus my attention. I would often listen to this song before going out to play baseball as it would provide the focus I needed and the hopefulness of the song would remind me to stay focused during the game even if I messed up on the field.
A few of my favourite lines from this song are highlighted in the lyrics below:
Oh, my love
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Godspeed your love to me
Lonely rivers flow to the sea,
to the sea
to the open arms of the sea
lonely rivers sigh 'wait for me, wait for me'
I'll be coming home wait for me
Oh, my love
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Godspeed your love to me
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Godspeed your love to me
Lonely rivers flow to the sea,
to the sea
to the open arms of the sea
lonely rivers sigh 'wait for me, wait for me'
I'll be coming home wait for me
Oh, my love
my darling
I've hungered for your touch
a long lonely time
and time goes by so slowly
and time can do so much
are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Godspeed your love to me
I like the personification and metaphor in the first set of lines. The lines speak about the loneliness of the river without the vastness of the sea. The river is on its way "home," but always there is still a lonely part of the river heading home and hoping the sea hasn't changed when it gets there. I love the connotation that the man's sweetheart will be waiting for him just as the sea always waits for the river.
I also like the second line, "I've hungered for your touch," because of the strong imagery and metaphor in the line. These lines link the images of starvation without food to the man's loneliness without his girl. The idea comes up that you can die of hunger and you can die of loneliness.
This song always makes me feel a little sad, but it also contains a sliver of hope. Check out the song below and keep reading.
I like that sliver of loneliness that comes up in the idea that the sea waits for the river. I can relate to this song in that I have and continue to feel lonely and sad from time to time, and this song reminds me that even though I feel this way now there is a great hope that things will get better.
I like this feeling of hope and I appreciate how this song can quiet my being and focus my attention. I would often listen to this song before going out to play baseball as it would provide the focus I needed and the hopefulness of the song would remind me to stay focused during the game even if I messed up on the field.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Grade 11
Your rough copy of the narrative for Visual Text is due this Thursday.
Your assignment is due Next Wednesday, after the long weekend.
Your assignment is due Next Wednesday, after the long weekend.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Grade 9
A reminder that your assignments are due on Wednesday. Tuesday will be a work day to get your assignments finished up.
Your portfolios are due on Friday, but you will still have Wednesday's class to work on these. Don't forget the reflection.
Tomorrow you will receive Part B of your test. It will be due on Friday. This portion of the test is take home, and requires a couple drafts that are evaluated and consulted. Parents, please feel free to offer your student feedback and suggestions for changes. This is a necessary part of the creation process.
Thursday you will write Part A of your unit test.
Your portfolios are due on Friday, but you will still have Wednesday's class to work on these. Don't forget the reflection.
Tomorrow you will receive Part B of your test. It will be due on Friday. This portion of the test is take home, and requires a couple drafts that are evaluated and consulted. Parents, please feel free to offer your student feedback and suggestions for changes. This is a necessary part of the creation process.
Thursday you will write Part A of your unit test.
Grade 11
A reminder that essays are due on Friday.
Anyone wanting to rewrite their test can do so on Friday Oct. 30. This will be the only chance you have to rewrite and you must speak with me prior to coming to class on Friday.
Anyone wanting to rewrite their test can do so on Friday Oct. 30. This will be the only chance you have to rewrite and you must speak with me prior to coming to class on Friday.
Grade 6/7
Your portfolio is due on Friday. Today was your last in-class work period for this assignment.
You need to add breathing breaks, pauses and emphasis to you polished copy by Friday Oct. 31. On Friday you will do a practice run through of your speech and get some feedback.
You will present your speeches for the class (and assessment) on Monday and Tuesday. All students must be prepared to present on Monday.
Thursday of next week you will have a unit test.
You need to add breathing breaks, pauses and emphasis to you polished copy by Friday Oct. 31. On Friday you will do a practice run through of your speech and get some feedback.
You will present your speeches for the class (and assessment) on Monday and Tuesday. All students must be prepared to present on Monday.
Thursday of next week you will have a unit test.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Grade 10
You have Category B due to be presented on Wednesday.
You have Category A due on Friday.
Monday we will be in the computer lab for research for Category A. Tuesday we will have a work period in the classroom for either Category.
You have Category A due on Friday.
Monday we will be in the computer lab for research for Category A. Tuesday we will have a work period in the classroom for either Category.
Grade 9
For Monday you need a nicely done up draft that has made the changes to your writing for the trait of Sentence Fluency.
By now you should have:
A first draft that has been evaluated/consulted for ideas and content
A second draft with the ideas and content changes and evaluated for organization
A third draft . . . and evaluated for organization
A fourth draft . . . and evaluated for voice
A fifth draft . . . . and evaluated for word choice
A sixth draft . . . and evaluated for sentence fluency
A seventh draft that will be evaluated for conventions
Please study for your test this Thursday.
By now you should have:
A first draft that has been evaluated/consulted for ideas and content
A second draft with the ideas and content changes and evaluated for organization
A third draft . . . and evaluated for organization
A fourth draft . . . and evaluated for voice
A fifth draft . . . . and evaluated for word choice
A sixth draft . . . and evaluated for sentence fluency
A seventh draft that will be evaluated for conventions
Please study for your test this Thursday.
Grade 11
You should have a rough draft of your essay ready for Monday--minus the conclusion if you need some breathing space between the body paragraphs and the conclusion.
We are going to be sharing these aloud on Monday so you can get tips for improving you essay and an idea as to how others are addressing the topic and using essay format.
We are going to be sharing these aloud on Monday so you can get tips for improving you essay and an idea as to how others are addressing the topic and using essay format.
Grade 6/7
For Monday, do up a good copy of your speech, double spaced. Be sure to make all improvements based on your evaluation and peer consultation. Feel free to consult others as well (parents, siblings, etc.).
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Grade 9
Here is a list of some of the upcoming due dates and tests:
Friday Oct 24--Draft for Word Choice is due
Wednesday Oct 28--Hand in RAFTS Assignment (topic of moving)
Thursday Oct 29--Unit Test
Friday October 31--Portfolio is Due
--Part B (take home portion) of Test is due
Friday Oct 24--Draft for Word Choice is due
Wednesday Oct 28--Hand in RAFTS Assignment (topic of moving)
Thursday Oct 29--Unit Test
Friday October 31--Portfolio is Due
--Part B (take home portion) of Test is due
Friday, October 17, 2008
Grade 6/7
A rough draft of your speech introduction and first idea are due Monday.
You will have time on Monday to work on your second idea and conclusion--This will be due Tuesday.
You will have time on Monday to work on your second idea and conclusion--This will be due Tuesday.
Grade 11
If you haven't handed in Act 5 summaries they are due Monday.
You need to have chosen an essay topic and found any and all quotes from Troilus and Cressida that relate to that topic--Due Monday.
For Tuesday you need to have completed your essay planning sheet.
You need to have chosen an essay topic and found any and all quotes from Troilus and Cressida that relate to that topic--Due Monday.
For Tuesday you need to have completed your essay planning sheet.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Grade 6/7 and 9
Cats (Canadian Achievement Tests) are finished and we are getting back to our regular units. The results of these tests will not be made public nor will they be used for report cards. Students were writing these test as part of an AISI (Alberta Initiative for School Improvement) assessment project. The group of teachers I gather with from around the district wanted a baseline assessment of where students were at the beginning of the year so we could see where our teaching should focus and so we could measure growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, when students will write the same exam again.
Grade 10
Present Category B Choice Assignment on Wednesday October 29th.
Friday Oct 31.--Hand in Category A Choice Assignment.
Please refer to your outline of the next couple weeks to know how to prepare for each class and to plan how much work you need to be doing at home.
Friday Oct 31.--Hand in Category A Choice Assignment.
Please refer to your outline of the next couple weeks to know how to prepare for each class and to plan how much work you need to be doing at home.
Grade 9
3 Little Pigs retelling based on audience--due Tomorrow (Friday Oct. 17).
If you have fallen behind on your assignment (should be done third draft with the first two revised and consulted) then you need to get caught up over the weekend. The first report card marks are almost due and the pace is going to pick up a bit. Keep doing your work! Please talk to me if you have questions.
If you have fallen behind on your assignment (should be done third draft with the first two revised and consulted) then you need to get caught up over the weekend. The first report card marks are almost due and the pace is going to pick up a bit. Keep doing your work! Please talk to me if you have questions.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Grade 6/7 and 9
We began CATs (Canadian Achievement Tests) today and will continue those tomorrow and Thursday if necessary.
Remember you have writing portfolios that will be due at the end of the month. You will still have 2-3 class periods for this, but if that is not enough time then take it home and do some writing.
Remember you have writing portfolios that will be due at the end of the month. You will still have 2-3 class periods for this, but if that is not enough time then take it home and do some writing.
Grade 10
We are finishing up Romeo and Juliet in class tomorrow. Here are some due dates for you:
Act 5 Question Sheet: Due tomorrow (Wednesday Oct. 15)
Act 3 and 4 Character Journals: Thursday Oct. 16
Act 5 Character Journals: Monday Oct. 20
Test: Wednesday Oct. 22
Your two choice assignments will be due by the end of the month. You will be receiving some class time for these and some additional information to help with the Category A assignment. 2 classes will also be scheduled in the computer lab for research.
Act 5 Question Sheet: Due tomorrow (Wednesday Oct. 15)
Act 3 and 4 Character Journals: Thursday Oct. 16
Act 5 Character Journals: Monday Oct. 20
Test: Wednesday Oct. 22
Your two choice assignments will be due by the end of the month. You will be receiving some class time for these and some additional information to help with the Category A assignment. 2 classes will also be scheduled in the computer lab for research.
Grade 11
Act 5 summary for Troilus and Cressida will be due on Thursday October 16--We will work on these some tomorrow in class.
You will be having a test soon--more details to follow shortly.
You will be having a test soon--more details to follow shortly.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Grade 6/7
Due Tuesday October 14: You need a rough draft of your introduction. Only a rough draft; we will discuss improving this draft in class. Be sure to consider your beginning--is it interesting and attention grabbing? Ensure you tell the listener what you are going to tell them.
Grade 9
Due Tuesday Oct 14: A third draft needs to be done up with the improvements added from you evaluation and consultation on draft 2 (focus on organization).
Grade 10
Due Thursday, Oct 16: Character Journal for Act 3 and Act 4. There will be no more class time for this. See me if you need some help.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Grade 9
If you still have not finished the homework that was due Wednesday you are falling behind; get it done for Monday or it will be tough to catch up.
Grade 11
Summarize 3.1 and 3.2 by Monday. You will be given time for 3.3 Monday but all three scenes are due at the end of Monday's class (You will not have enough time to get all this done Monday--so do the first two scenes NOW!).
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bart Vs. Australia
A great episode of the Simpsons: Season 6 Episode 16.
My grade 11 class viewed this episode to get a better understanding of some important issues from our Shakespeare play.
My grade 11 class viewed this episode to get a better understanding of some important issues from our Shakespeare play.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Grade 6/7
3 Bierce-style definitions for Monday. Ensure they are humorous, cynical, or clever. A good way to check for cynicism is to see if you are complaining about something we usually accept as good. Make sure you are not simply giving a "real" or common definition.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Grade 10
Character Journal for Romeo and Juliet--Act 1 and Act 2 due Monday Sept. 29.
Please ensure you follow the guidelines for handing in work from the course outline.
Please ensure you follow the guidelines for handing in work from the course outline.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
You want me to drink what?!?
The quote for today was from Calvin and Hobbes and went like this:
"Who was the first guy that took a look at a cow and said, 'I think I'll drink whatever comes out of these things when I squeeze them?'"
Students have been asked to make a post using this quote and the researching and commenting on a weird but cool invention. So I thought I would post on the same subject.
You can view this invention and other neat ones at http://www.fwdemails.com/2007/11/24/cool-inventions/
The comment on this invention, by the author of the site, asked how you prevent having the cookies fall out when you drink. I think it is fairly obvious that you simply drink from the side where the cookies aren't. This way the cookies face up instead of down.
If you like cookies and coffee (which I personally really don't) then this is the coffee cup for you.
"Who was the first guy that took a look at a cow and said, 'I think I'll drink whatever comes out of these things when I squeeze them?'"
It was discussed that sometimes trying new things, even things that others might think are odd, can lead to something good. Without first trying milk we would not have things like yogurt, milk shakes, cheese, ice cream, and, well, milk.
Students have been asked to make a post using this quote and the researching and commenting on a weird but cool invention. So I thought I would post on the same subject.
Cup and Cookies
You can view this invention and other neat ones at http://www.fwdemails.com/2007/11/24/cool-inventions/The comment on this invention, by the author of the site, asked how you prevent having the cookies fall out when you drink. I think it is fairly obvious that you simply drink from the side where the cookies aren't. This way the cookies face up instead of down.
If you like cookies and coffee (which I personally really don't) then this is the coffee cup for you.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Grade 11
After some discussion in class, we have decided to postpone the presentations until Monday. This will allow you to put your best effort into your work. Note, however, that you will not have any more class time for this project.
"House"
Today we watched an episode of House in L.A. 9. House is an excellent example of the process we use to create something. First, we find a way to make the creation interesting--something we want to do. Second, we do some research about what we are creating. Third, we create the thing. Fourth we evaluate our creation to see how to improve it. Fifth, we consult others to improve it. Sixth, we recreate the thing using our ideas for improvement. While the order may vary some and we may do more than one draft, this is the creation process we all use to produce something of quality--a building design, a new recipe, a cure for a disease (House), or a piece of writing (L.A. class). The list goes on and on for anything we want to create and do a good job with.
Parents, please leave a comment explaining what you have created using these steps and help our kids realize the importance of this process.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Grade 11
Hey folks, remember that your presentations on the Trojan War are due on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008. Make sure you are ready to present on this day.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Shakespeare
The grade 10's began their Shakespeare unit today. To begin the unit I simply said one word, "Shakespeare," and listened to the groans. It's my hope that after their 80 minute lesson today that some of them are at least curious (eager is likely too optimistic) to begin Romeo and Juliet. One huge problem most students have with Shakespeare is the language. This is largely because students have decided, even before reading any Shakespeare, that they can't understand his words. Once given the text, they focus on the difficult language and forget that what they are reading is a story--and usually a very interesting story. They lose sight of the context. I used the short film below to help students maintain focus on the story to prove that if they remember the context they can piece together the language acceptably well.
Check out The Shakespearean Baseball Game if you think Shakespeare is too hard to understand.
P.S. It has recently come to my attention that YouTube does regular maintenance on their site and occasionally their videos won't work for a short time. If this has happened, check back soon!
Check out The Shakespearean Baseball Game if you think Shakespeare is too hard to understand.
P.S. It has recently come to my attention that YouTube does regular maintenance on their site and occasionally their videos won't work for a short time. If this has happened, check back soon!
Monday, September 8, 2008
All Grades
Anyone who has not handed gotten any of their handouts signed needs to get that done ASAP.
Make sure you are getting your blogs done--two posts a week.
Make sure you are getting your blogs done--two posts a week.
L.A. 6/7
Don't forget to get your blogging handout signed.
Also, you will have the classroom principles handout to get signed.
Also, you will have the classroom principles handout to get signed.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Cake Song
We came across this YouTube video when looking at some blogs. It's pretty funny. Make sure your volume is on and up before you press play.
L.A. 9
Be sure to get the three items signed by your parents for Monday: Course Outline, Classroom Principles, Blog Handout.
Have a great weekend
Have a great weekend
Thursday, September 4, 2008
English 10/20
A reminder to get your handouts signed: Classroom Principles, Blogging, and if you haven't already, the Course Outline.
Bring these back by Monday.
Bring these back by Monday.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Homework: Engl. 10/20
Thank you for a wonderful first day. Just a reminder to get your course outlines signed by your parents.
If you were not able to get your one page, single-spaced response to Kipling's poem done, then do that for homework. You need to take Kipling's poem "IF" and relate his criteria for living an honourable life to your actions this summer (if need be go beyond summer and into your past experiences).
Here is "IF"
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: --Rudyard Kipling
If you were not able to get your one page, single-spaced response to Kipling's poem done, then do that for homework. You need to take Kipling's poem "IF" and relate his criteria for living an honourable life to your actions this summer (if need be go beyond summer and into your past experiences).
Here is "IF"
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to Mr. Groff's Blog. I have created this blog with the hopes of improving communication with students and parents. Please bookmark this page and check it regularly for updates.
It is my intention to post upcoming homework assignments, reminders, and other details that may relate to students and parents. From time to time there may be more general posts that some may find interesting to browse. I am currently teaching ELA (English Language Arts) to grade 6/7, 9, 10, 20, 30 (both -1 and -2) so there will be posts that relate to these grades and subjects.
One great feature of a blog is that comments can be left by viewers of the blog and responded to by other viewers or by me. Please feel free to make use of this feature by clicking the "comments" link at the bottom of a post to leave your comments, or questions. If your comment or question is unrelated to the actual post, you may still leave your comment or you may email me at jonathangroff@pwsd76.ab.ca.
When leaving a post, please be sure to identify yourself clearly where you are asked for your identity. Letting me, and others, know who you are will help you get the answers you need. Failing to do so may prevent your comment from being posted.
I am currently using the feature that requires me to screen comments before they are posted, so do not worry if it takes a while for your comment to show up on the page; an email will have been sent to my address to let me know that you have responded.
I am looking forward to a fantastic year!
Mr. Groff
It is my intention to post upcoming homework assignments, reminders, and other details that may relate to students and parents. From time to time there may be more general posts that some may find interesting to browse. I am currently teaching ELA (English Language Arts) to grade 6/7, 9, 10, 20, 30 (both -1 and -2) so there will be posts that relate to these grades and subjects.
One great feature of a blog is that comments can be left by viewers of the blog and responded to by other viewers or by me. Please feel free to make use of this feature by clicking the "comments" link at the bottom of a post to leave your comments, or questions. If your comment or question is unrelated to the actual post, you may still leave your comment or you may email me at jonathangroff@pwsd76.ab.ca.
When leaving a post, please be sure to identify yourself clearly where you are asked for your identity. Letting me, and others, know who you are will help you get the answers you need. Failing to do so may prevent your comment from being posted.
I am currently using the feature that requires me to screen comments before they are posted, so do not worry if it takes a while for your comment to show up on the page; an email will have been sent to my address to let me know that you have responded.
I am looking forward to a fantastic year!
Mr. Groff
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