Happy Snow Day!

Hope you are enjoying your day!  

What recent idiom does this remind you of?

Wow!  I just went through IXL and some of you have been working SO hard!  Congratulations!

Only a couple more weeks left until Christmas.  Here is what we are working on:
Period 2:  We will be looking at Christmas and Winter traditions and reading special stories.
IXL:
2- T.1, T.2, U.1, KK.1, M.1, M.2, M.3
3- M.1, M.2, R.R.1, K.K.1

Period 3 and 4 - We are busy!  Finish your independent novel and notes to be prepared for the Conference next week.
Finish your short story slide show.  To be presented this week.
IXL:
8- R.R.1, R.R.2, R.R.4, R.R.5

Plus you could go over this vocabulary for A Christmas Carol:
A Christmas Carol - quizlet

Short Story Unit

Periods 3 and 4: Are you ready to be blown away by some AMAZING short stories?

I have posted the Slide Template for your short story presentation in Hapara in your ESL folder.  

Here is a link to the template.  Slide Template for Short Story Presentation

Make sure you go over the list of literary terms so you can include some of them in your presentation.

Here is a list of links for some of the best short stories ever written!  These stories are often dense with meaning and are carefully crafted to fit a lot of emotion, symbolism, characterization, and other literary elements into just a few pages. 
We will begin presentations next week:  Good luck and have fun!   Remember to print off your stories so you can annotate! 

The Sniper

The Quinceanera Text

The Open Window

The Lottery
Charles by Shirley Jackson
All Summer in a Day

Thank You Ma'am
Lather and Nothing Else
Roses Sing on New Snow - Film - I will show you the textbook at school - Classics Canada for ESL Students - Book 1  - see the back bookshelf by the comfy chairs or try this: http://www.tuninst.net/CATE-Canada/CLAS5/Clas5.htm
Amigo Brothers

Also, Remember to Go Over your Literary Terms Sheet and keep working on your Independent Novel Study - I also posted the Conference plan in your file!  

The Sound of Thunder

Period 3 and 4 - Complete these questions:

Please find the Sound of Thunder online.  Read the short story.  You can also find an old movie version and comic book version.  Then answer the following questions:

1.  What is the name of the company that takes people back in time? What is the cost of time travel?

2.  Who are the members of the exhibition?  What year do they live in?

3.  Name some of the preventative measures they take in order to not disrupt future events.

4. Describe the character of Eckels.  Is he likeable? Why or why not?

5.  How is foreshadowing used in this story?

Find two examples of metaphor, simile and personification.  Why do you think Bradbury uses so many literary devices in this story?

6.  What do you think is the significance of the title of the story?

7.  Discuss the mood and tone of the story.  Mood is what the reader feels. Tone is the author's attitude about the subject as shown by his writing style.

You could also watch the old movie, or as Sergei pointed out, there is a new adaptation out there - based on the short story, but different.  It looks interesting!  Also, check out the old comic book version- I put the link in a post below.  Study your vocabulary and be prepared for the quiz on Tuesday.

Also, remember to complete your IXL homework (in post below)  I am giving a mark this weekend!
Have a great weekend!  

Here are a couple of photos from our Eric Walters visit:

Canadians Love Hockey!

This week we are also talking about winter sports in Canada.  The Period 2 group will be reading The Hockey Sweater.  

This famous song pretty well sums up Canadian's feelings about hockey.  It is often played at hockey games.   Listen to the words and fill in the worksheet. 

The Good Old Hockey Game 

Here is the video of the story that was made by the National Film Board of Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgydkfnUEi8

 

The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier 

This is one of my favourite short stories!  It not only tells us a lot about how hockey was such an important part of small town life but also a lot about Canada many years ago.  

 An extract from Roch Carrier’s “The Hockey Sweater” on the Canadian $5 bill.

 Maurice Richard was a well-loved hockey player in Canada.  Here are a couple little videos about him. 

Maurice Richard 

Who is your hero?  Why?

 

 

Eric Walters is coming on Thursday!

I hope you enjoyed your Snow Day today!   The Eric Walters presentation has been postponed until Thursday morning.  If you have ESL in the afternoon, but would still like to see him, come and see me for an invitation.

 IXL Homework:

Period 2: 
1 - Q.1, Q.2, Q.3
2- M.1, M.2, L.1, L.2, W.1, W.2




Period 3 and 4: Figurative Language
5 - UU.1, UU.2, VV.1, VV.2
6 - DDD.1, DDD2

We will be reading another short story - The Sound of Thunder and writing a descriptive paragraph.  
Practice the vocabulary on this website:

https://quizlet.com/61635420/a-sound-of-thunder-ray-bradbury-flash-cards/

Here is the comic book version of the story: 

Comic version of A Sound of Thunder Click here...

The guys at EC Comics loved Sound of Thunder so much they adapted it for comics. But, they didn’t credit Bradbury at all. Legend has it that Ray saw the story and sent them a nice note about what a great adaptation it was – a diplomatic way to get credit, for sure!   His name is at the bottom of this one...

Welcome to Winter!!

Welcome to Ottawa Winter!  

Here is a little video about winter in Ottawa and what to look forward to!

Winter in Ottawa

Snow Days - Listen to the radio in the morning or check this link to see if buses are running:
Are School Buses Running?

If buses are not running, SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION will not come to your house to pick you up.  Unless roads are safe, do not have someone drive you in - that could be dangerous.

Here is an article about things to do in Canada during the winter
What to do in the winter!

This is what my family likes to do during the winter.  What are  you looking forward to?

Here is an article about the winter we could expect.  What is the Farmer's Almanac predicting?
Farmer's Almanac Winter Predictions

Period 2:  We will be learning new Winter Vocabulary and reading Winter short stories.
English Vocabulary for Winter!
Try these short quizzes about Winter!
easy - Winter Clothing quiz
Winter weather quiz
Winter sports - word jumble
Period 3 and 4:  We will be finishing the short story The Monkey's Paw, answering comprehension questions and writing an alternate ending.

IXL:

Period 2:  
2- J.2, BB. 1, BB. 2
3- I.2, J.3, M.1, M.2, M.3

Period 3 and 4:
7- Z. 1, Z.2, W.1, W.2, W.3, X.1, S.1

Remembrance Day Activities

This is Veteran's Week!  This week we will watch short video clips and complete a graphic organizer.

We will also read a poem - Prayer for the 21st Century and complete choral reading activities.
Prayer for the 21st Century by John Marsden

We will also be doing a creative project - writing our own poem, descriptive writing or competing an art project.  Be creative!

Assignment

If anyone is interested in putting in an entry for the art/poetry and writing contest, put on by the Royal Canadian Legion - I have the registration forms due by next Monday.    Many of you have already started brainstorming and coming up with amazing ideas.  I can't wait to see your work! 

link for stationary for your poem or writing:
pretty paper 

Special Presentation in the LC tomorrow!

Tomorrow we have a special visitor from the Air Force who is coming to talk to us about Peacekeeping and Remembrance. Wear RED tomorrow to support our troops for the presentation in the LC. Students who have completed ESL, if you are interested in hearing a soldier from the Air Force speak, ask your teacher if you can be excused for the presentation. Grade 9s, if you are not going to Take Your Kid to Work day, or have a grade 9 friend who is going to MT tomorrow, they may also attend the afternoon session. Just let me know in advance.
Thanks Nikole for the gorgeous flowers and display for November 2nd.

News article is due for Periods 3 and 4. Share with me on Google or print it out.

Awesome pumpkin carving and story writing from Period 2!!!

Hallowe'en is coming!

Spirit Week this week - check the atrium for what to wear!  Titan Wear, Athletes, Bad Fashions, Grade colours!   Get your costumes ready for Monday the 31st.

We will be beginning our short story unit, and reading some spooky stories for Hallowe'en.

IXL - our trail may have run out... but see if you can do the following exercises:

Period 2:  Keep reading RAZ on your ipad.  Great efforts!
ESL AO-  1- P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4, P.5
ESL BO-2 - T.1, T.2, T.3, T.4,   3 - T.1, T.2, T.3

Period 3 and 4:  Due this Friday - your news report about McFarlane
Check out this video that tell us how to write a news report:

Writing a News Report! 

Use the graphic organizer provided to help you plan your report.  Be creative!   


Reading a News Report!
Go to Newsela.com
Period 3 - enter this code:  8R57UR

Period 4 - enter this code:QXMGHX

Read the article assigned and try the quiz.   While reading the article, look for quotes and where the 5Ws and the H are located.  

OSSLT PREP!

Period 3 and 4:  Everyone has been working so hard to prepare for the Literacy test this week.   Your Opinion Essay is due on Wednesday.   

Wednesday night - you could watch these little videos to have some tips fresh in your head!  Also, get a good nights sleep and have a good breakfast on Thursday morning.

Writing a News Article

Writing a News Report!

Look at some of these samples:
Sample news reports

Now Try it- Question 19 - Session 1
Writing a News Article - Question 19 on the On-line practice!

Plan:
1. Read the headline and picture and decide on an event. Ask: “What happened?”
2. Jot down answers to the questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
3. List the names of the participants.

Write:
1. Write the first paragraph using the answers to your 5Ws.
2. Write the body: Explain using details what happened, using quotations from participants to support the facts in your news story. (Make them up. They do not have to be accurate!)
3. Quotations are important in the newspaper article.   Include a couple of quotations - from eye witnesses, participants, observers, experts - make them up! 
4. Write in the third person (he, she it, they) Avoid using the first person. (I)
5. Write in the past tense. (Last Monday, Bridget H. came fourth in the slalom race at OFSSA.)
6. Write a conclusion or ending to your news story.

Practice the on-line test!
Take some time to practice writing your answers on the on-line test. 

Preparing for the On-Line Literacy Test!

This is a busy week.  We are preparing for the on-line Literacy test.  This is a short week and time is flying! 

If you are in ESL CO/DO/EO, in grade 10, 11 or 12, please download the EQAO Online app from the App Store.    We will be using this during the week to practice.

Go to this site for another on-line practice test that does not require a code:
Online EQAO practice test

Period 2:  We are still learning about Nouns, and working on a Vision Board.  

IXL - 1- E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4, F.1, X.1, Y.s
2- E.1, E.2, E.3, F.1, F.2, II.1

Period 3 and 4:  Working on our Opinion Essay.  Keep working on your IXL and reading your independent novel.

Today we are working on writing a good hook.  We will also be learning about using Transition Words.  Follow the organizer given to you.  I am looking forward to hearing about your favourite holidays and traditions!  

IXL- 7- F.1, E.1, D.1, G.1, J.1
8- A.1, A.2, C.1, C.2, J.1

I realize this is a lot - do what you can!   You may see questions with these skills on the literacy test!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is coming up!   What are you thankful for?

Learn more about Pumpkin Pie and Thanksgiving traditions:

Pumpkin Pie!
Try the quiz and let me know how you did.
Here's a little video about the origin of American Thanksgiving:
The origins of Thanksgiving!

IXL:  
Period 2:  This week we are practicing NOUNS - 1 - D.1, D.2, D.3, D.4, D.5, D.6, E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4

Harder questions:  2 - F.1, F.2,      3- D.1, D.2, D.3, D.4, E.1, E.2, F.1, F.2

We are also finishing up our unit on Terry Fox.  What is your dream?  We will be talking about our dreams for the future and completing mini-presentations. 

Period 3 and 4:  This week we are practicing using context clues in a reading passage to help with understanding, as well as learning about different types of sentences, 
Try:   Synonyms:  7- II.1, II.2,  L.1, 0.1, O.2, O.3
                              8 - GG.1
                              9 - Want a challenge?  W.1, W.2, W.3

We will finish our summary and try another one on our own.  

Your opinion DOES matter!  We will also be talking about our favourite holiday and writing an opinion piece about it.

Practice writing your opinion:  Are professional athletes positive role models?

This short video summarizes and provides tips about how to write an opinion piece.

These slides give us further information about writing a series of paragraphs.
Opinion Writing - samples from the literacy test

Here are questions that have appeared in previous tests.  These are questions that are relevant to teenagers.  You might have a strong opinion about some of them...  So, what do you think?

• Should zoos exist?
• Are today’s famous people good role models for young people?
• Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?
• Are cellphones necessary in teenagers’ lives?
• Is participation in extracurricular activities an important part of secondary school life?
• Do teenagers place too much importance on what they wear?
• Should every student be required to take a Physical Education class every year of high school?
• Should Ontario high schools allow students to eat junk food and sell junk food in their cafeterias?
• Should the sale of junk foods be banned from Ontario secondary schools?
• Should Canada join the United States?
• Is it important for teenagers to pay attention to world news?

Week of September 26! Week 4!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Fall is here!!

Periods 3 and 4:This week we are completing our Two Truths and a Lie Assignment.  Students will present in groups and decide which stories are true and which are false.  This is always one of our most popular assignments of the year! 
Make sure the written work is PRINTED OUT and ready to be handed in by Tuesday!  

Grammar focus:  Homophones
complete IXL _ 7- A.1, A.2, A.3, FF.1, GG.1
                           8 - HH.1
                           6 - QQ.1
Quiz on Friday!

We will also work on summary writing this week!
Check out these videos to help you prepare for the OSSLT summary writing section.

OSSLT- Writing a summary!

How to write a summary

Also, remember to read every night for at least 20 minutes!

Period 2:  
We will try using IXL to practice our new grammar skills!

What to say when you don't understand:
Excuse me! I don't understand!

Homework - Try:
1 - L.1, L.2, L.3, L.4, M.1, M.2, M.3, V.1, V.2

Read every night for 20 minutes! 
Good luck! 

First week down!

I hope everyone had a great week!  Remember to organize your binder.
Try these little grammar quizzes and let Mrs. B. know how you do.

Beginning-Grammar-Quiz

Intermediate

Advanced-Level-Grammar-Review-Quiz

Period 3 and 4 - Finish your writing assignment using ROPES - phone and writing due on Monday!

Homework:  Read in English 20 minutes a day.
Titans Around the World Shirts are on sale for $10 if you want one.

Welcome Back!

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a great day!

Remember to get your 4 dividers for your binder (labelled) and have your parents sign the form for class expectations.

What a wonderful group - I can't wait to get to know you better!  To our returning students - it was so good to see you again - I would love to hear more about your summer!

Any problems with your technology or transportation - come and see me and we will get it sorted out.

TED-ED - a new way to learn English!

We have watched various TED talks.  TED-ED offers videos for students.   On your own time, watch these and try the questions.  I will add more as we go!

http://ed.ted.com/on/aMyB5lJX

http://ed.ted.com/on/gxXKia8i 

Chicken or the Egg?

If I had a Million Dollars....

This was one of the most popular songs when I was a teen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXdFTh1yX2c

The conditional tense is one of my most favourite tenses to use in writing!   It is full of possibility!   “A conditional sentence expresses a condition that leads to, or does not lead to, a specific result.” (Gallagher, 2009, p.116).  The way I like to think of the conditional sentence is this; If _____, then _____ will (or will not) happen.

The conditional sentence follows the basic structure of subordinator + subject+ verb (+rest of clause).  It is good to remember that “different types of conditional sentences express differences in time (present, future, past) and differences in degree of reality or truth” (Gallagher, 2009, p.116).

I am finding in writing,  some students are having some difficulty using the conditional tense.   Please review these little exercises and try the quiz.   We will have our own little quiz at the end of this week (hint!  hint!)
Remember:

If you study, you will do well!
Don't be the one to say:

If I had studied,  I would have gotten a perfect mark!  

Give these exercises a try:

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/first-conditional-exercise-1.html

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/second-conditional.html

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/second-conditional-exercise-1.html

What would YOU do with a million dollars??

Book Club Meeting #3

Periods 3 and 4 - Here are the questions for the next meeting.   

Meeting #3:

1. Choose a character in the novel to compare and contrast with a character from another text that you have read, who is similar or deals with similar circumstances. Explain how they are similar and dissimilar.
2. Is it possible to create real change in a person?  Which characters change throughout the novel?  What is the overall goal of the author in creating this change of character?
3. What is the significance of the title? Create a title of your own.
4. What are the themes of the book? Write them as theme statements.
5. Find 2 quotes from the book that support your choice of theme.   Why are these quotes important to the theme development?  
6. Using the Q-Chart as your guide to higher level thinking questions, create 2 questions for your group. Prepare your answers, but share them only after each member has had a chance to answer the question.

Opinion Writing

Hope you had a super day!
Period 2:   Read 20 minutes a night on Raz Kids or Newsela. Study your spring words.
http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz_intermediate.php?id=4659

Everyone- Try this little listening quiz about Easter!  You can show me your mark next week!  

Period 3 and 4:you could work on your opinion essay, and I have put another fast quiz up on Socrative for those doing the literacy test. It DOESN'T count on your report card - it is just for practice - but it would be a good idea to do it. Code: ESL210

We will do book club next week after the literacy test. Have a wonderful Easter Weekend!!!

 If you haven't already - Watch these little videos about writing an opinion piece and make notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaT1T9ObyLY

Watch this video and fill in the graphic organizer:

https://sites.google.com/a/ocsb.ca/grade9english/text-forms/opinion-writing

Here are some tips for writing your opinion essay.

https://docs.google.com/a/ocsb.ca/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=b2NzYi5jYXxncmFkZTllbmdsaXNofGd4OjE1ZTUzZTlhOTU5MW

Now- you are ready to write!!

Book Club #2, Discussion Questions

Here are the questions for Meeting #2.   Your answers for last meeting were excellent - these are a little more challenging.  Start using sticky notes or make notes as you read to find evidence from the text.  Good luck!

Meeting #2:

1. What is most surprising in the novel so far? Why?
2. What are the power dynamics between the characters? How are they established? Do you think this will change?
3. Choose a quote that stands out to you as important to the novel. Explain why you think it is important.
4. How does the author use language in the novel?  What is the overall effect?  How does the language shape the novel?
5. Using the Q-Chart as your guide to higher level thinking questions, create 2 questions for your group. Prepare your answers, but share them only after each member has had a chance to answer the question.

Writing a News Article on the OSSLT!

After reading so many Newsela articles, you are all now very familiar with newspaper articles and their format.   For those writing the OSSLT, please watch these videos over the break AND MAKE NOTES TO SHOW ME.  The internet has been up and down at school, and these will really help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_NmVtnEEA8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpGZtpyc7k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNJCSnntvDE

Now try your own article with one of these photos!

Getting ready for our first Book Club meeting!

I am so impressed with your incredible reading!  You all seem very interested in your books.  We will set reading goals at our first meeting.  Here is how you can come prepared.

Prior to each meeting:

• Students are expected to prepare point form notes to answer the assigned questions based on their reading.  Use the bookmark provided by Mrs. B
• Each student is to create her own 2 questions for discussion, with his/her answers. (Share with me on Google Drive) 

•  Avoid literal/factual knowledge based questions that involve remembering without understanding, analysis, or evaluation.  (see the Q chart below)

Meeting #1 - ___:

1. What scene is the most impactful? Why?
2. Find a quote online (or from a text) that relates to the novel.   What connections can you make between the quote and the novel. (text to text, text to self, text to world, text to media)
3. Which character is the most interesting? Why?
4. Making predictions - what do you think will happen next?  Why?
5. Using the Q-Chart as your guide to higher level thinking questions, create 2 questions for your group. Prepare your answers, but share them only after each member has had a chance to answer the question.

Reading Strategy:  Questioning!   We have been learning about the importance ofquestioning.  Effective readers ask questions all the time when they are reading.  Asking questions helps you to understand what is happening in the text.
In class, we have been using a “Q Chart”.   This is a grid containing various question starters.   By using these question starters, we have identified which types of questions would be hand-type questions (a question that you can find the answer to right on a page in the text) or a higher level thinking question, or a brain-type of question.  These types of questions require a reader to use information that they find in the text ANDtheir own ideas to develop an effective answer.
Below is a copy of the Q chart.    When you are reading, what are some questions that you can develop about your book?

Socrative

Period 3 and 4 - Sorry for the internet issues today.  The Socrative quiz is now up and running - ESL210.   This goes with the Newsela article - Teens find support in dealing with anti-Muslim bullying.  Good Luck!
Watch this video:  Strategies for completing multiple choice questions on the OSSLT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSV5nKxZ01k

Period 2 - try a Newsela article and a quiz.  Pick any one that looks interesting! 

Global Oneness Project

In what ways do you celebrate diversity? 
What is diversity to you? Does diversity matter?
What happens when you have it? What happens when you don't?

With a partner, view the following photo essay.

https://www.globalonenessproject.org/library/photo-essays/belief

Questions for homework:

· Does diversity matter? What would happen without diversity? 

· What are some ways diversity can be respected? 

· If you were asked to rename this photo essay, what title would you give it? 

· If you were a judge for a photo contest that celebrates diversity, which of these images do you think would be the winning photograph? Why? 

Now pick two of your responses above and give a detailed answer using the  ROPES

strategy. (On a separate piece of paper)

Remember:  Students who were absent are responsible for work missed. 

February is Black History Month

Learn about the Underground Railway:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/index.htm

Begin the Journey and follow the route.  You can press Listen if you want to hear the information at each stop.

Read about the Underground Railway:
http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/underground_railroad.php

Then take this quiz:
http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/underground_railroad_questions.php

Learn more about Harriet Tubman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGRYf2ComY

Watch this Heritage Minute about the Underground Railroad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RLEE0ENHoI

Learn more about William Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44bDMiZiyTk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaLgZV9VnKM


Learn more about Viola Desmond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GZn1QdhafM

Learn about the origins of Black History Month in the United States:

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month