2016 in 16 words!

Writing a sentence (or two) that is exactly 16 words can take a few tries.
The added challenge of it being a statement about 2016 makes it a challenge! 
What would you write about this year?  You can offer predictions, poetry,  jokes or something profound!
Submit yours by tweeting to @mthsesl with the hashtag #2016in16words. or posting on our Facebook site.  You can include a picture or image. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

A popular childhood tradition in Canada is watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas!   I remember watching it almost every year - even as a teenager!  It is a classic written by the famous author Dr. Seuss,  and has been around since 1957. The Grinch has since become an icon of the winter holidays, despite the character's hatred of the season, and has appeared on various forms of memorabilia such as Christmas ornaments, stuffed animals, Halloween costumes, and various clothing items.


Listen to the song:  How many similes and metaphors can you pick out?  Can you find any examples of alliteration?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pQgSvN7hYo

After watching the movie, try this quiz.  Lots of questions!  Let me know how you do!

http://learningenglishwithmichelle.blogspot.ca/2012/12/learn-english-with-how-grinch-stole.html

Gift of the Magi

Today we read a very special Christmas story - The Gift of the Magi.

You can listen to the story by clicking on this link:

http://esl-bits.net/ESL.English.Listening.Short.Stories/Gift.of.the.Magi.Plus/Gift.of.The.Magi/default.html

Monday:  Period 2 and 3:  Illustrating Irony, Critical Thinking Questions

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjl-Iu4gsPJAhXkpIMKHRYSAYcQFggiMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgphs.sharpschool.net%2Fcommon%2Fpages%2FDisplayFile.aspx%3FitemId%3D22642487&usg=AFQjCNGiIKWLbqjC_F6C7mBQJUEn8NcF8Q&sig2=i6iLa2LQkTHAMpo8PcBcYg&cad=rja

Period 4:  Critical Thinking Questions

Thanks Janine - for the incredible picture of my family.   This is so special - it has such meaning to me, and like the story, shows how the best gifts are more precious than any material item.

Incredible day at the Lone Star Ranch!

Today I had the pleasure of accompanying newcomer students to the leadership day at the LoneStar Ranch. Here are just a few of our awesome photos from a great day - lots of first, lots of laughs, lots of fun!

A few more pics from Michael:

Add a comment below to tell about your favourite part of the day!

Writing a news report!

 Check out these links that show us how to write a news article for the OSSLT

Preparing for the OSSLT - writing a news article

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

News article #1 is due on Monday! 

Investigating the parts of a news article!

Book Club #3 Consolidating our Thinking - examining Resiliency!

In the past couple of weeks we have looked at various stories/videos/articles dealing with RESILIENCY.    Now let's link this all together!   Here are some ideas to consider for this week's book club:

1. What is resilience?  Is there a character in your novel who displays resilience?  Give examples from the novel.
2. What is the theme in your novel?  Why did you pick this theme - support evidence from the novel. 
3. Text to text/Text to media:   What other books/movies have you seen or read where the main character displayed resilience?
4. What text to self connections can you make with your main character?  When have you displayed resilience?
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.

Discussing the Challenges of being an English Language Learner and a teenager!

Resiliency - not giving up when completing a challenging task

Resiliency - We can't take our heads out of our books!

Building Resiliency - Orientation/Leadership Day in the Fall

Reading Strategy:  Questioning!   We have been learning about the importance of questioning.  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 AND their 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?

Remembrance Day - Descriptive Writing

This week we are studying Veterans Week - November 5-11th.  It is 100 years since the famous poem - In Flanders Fields - was written by John McCrae.  We will be looking at the poem and doing some descriptive writing.     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 Friday.    Many of you have already started brainstorming and coming up with amazing ideas.  I can't wait to see  your work!

This week we are studying descriptive writing.   Write a paragraph using imagery to describe a photo. Here are a couple of pictures you could use - or pick your own, or use your own artwork.   Remember that the theme is REMEMBRANCE.

Book Club Meeting #2

Excellent book club meeting yesterday!  I could tell who had worked hard on their discussion questions, and it was wonderful to hear the amazing conversations about your books.  You delved deeply into character, setting, making predictions and answering your critical thinking questions.  Keep up the amazing effort!  I am extremely proud of your hard work!

If you are looking for The Sound of Thunder link - scroll down to the Hallowe'en post - it is there!

Here are the questions for Meeting #2: Due next Friday!

Meeting #2:

1. What is most surprising in the novel so far? Why?
2. Words of the Wiser... When an older character shares his or her understanding, insight, or advice on an issue or topic, stop and think about it.  These insights/story or advice usually reveals something important about the theme.   Find an example of Words of the Wiser in your novel.    Ask yourself, "What's the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?"  The important lesson offered here is that....   Explain your answer. 
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?  Come with specific examples from 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.

Happy Hallowe'en! Short Story Unit

We had a great Hallowe'en week, and continue reading spooky and exciting short stories, and examining elements of a story.  Look in your google drive ESL file for Literary Definitions - this will help you for the upcoming short story unit test.  

Great Costumes and display of Hallowe'en Spirit!    For many of you this was your first Hallowe'en in Canada and you certainly seemed to enjoy it!  

Here is the link for the short story The Sound of Thunder that we read in class today.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XFtrc-PgR8XPbKtU5j-HnzYNydHbub-Q9EEnomNO8CI/edit

Monday - October 26th!

Book club questions and meeting due on Friday.  Make sure you are ready in order to meet with your group.

Eric Walters webquest - due Wednesday.

Book Club - Meeting this Friday! Keep up the amazing reading!

I am so amazed at your incredible reading - you can't keep your head out of the books - and we are so pleased with your progress.  We will be meeting this week for your first Book Club!   Here is what is expected:

Reading up a storm! 

Keep up the amazing reading!!!

Task:

As a group students will choose a novel to read and analyze. Three class meetings will be held to discuss their readings.

Prior to each meeting:

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

•  Avoid literal/factual knowledge based questions that involve remembering without understanding, analysis, or evaluation.

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.
3. Which character is the most interesting? Why?
4. How much does the setting impact the novel?  If you were to live during this time period and place, what is one thing you would like to do or experience?
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 of questioning.  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 AND their 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?

Tell Tale Heart Culminating Activity!

Homework:  Make sure your culminating activity is finished - either the Tell Tale Heart Police Report or the Prequel/Sequel.  Can't wait to see them - be creative!   Have a great weekend- enjoy these fall colours!

It's Back to the Future Day!

Click on the link to watch a clip from the old movie.  If you have time this weekend - check out the movie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tf8mPsvcOs

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/feature/a674237/back-to-the-future-day-october-21-2015-a-definitive-guide-to-hoverboards-chicago-cubs-and-jaws-19.html#~prKwPeoHRFvpKt

What will your future look like?  What will your country look like in 25 years?

Homework:

Work on the creative assignment for the Tell-Tale Heart.  Due on Friday.  

The Tell-Tale Heart!

We are starting to read some "spooky" stories before Hallowe'en - focussing on mood, theme, foreshadowing and conflict.

Our first story is the classic - The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe.

Watch this little video to learn more about Edgar Allan Poe:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/assets/scope/poe-video.html

We read a readers theatre version of the story, and will read Poe's works next week.
You can listen to the audio version here:
http://www.manythings.org/listen/The_Tell-Tale_Heart_-_By_Edgar_Allan_Poe.html

Study your vocabulary words, and complete the questions about the play for homework. (Period 2)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we talked about Thanksgiving and read about the history of Thanksgiving.

Homework:

Period 2:  we will continue working on the Thanksgiving sheets, try these little quizzes
Period 3 and 4:  finish up your opinion essay - Is Technology killing our friendships?  This is due next week.    Period 4 - we will do a "mini-project" on a special holiday/tradition in your country.  Work on this over the weekend!  A few people are missing Newsela marks - please do a few over the weekend if you don't have a mark for the last quiz!

http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-holidays-pumpkin-pie.html

Learn about the history of pumpkin pie at this link and try the quiz!

Or, watch this little video about American Thanksgiving and try the quiz!
http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz_intermediate.php?id=6657

Good luck!  Let me know how you did!

Monday, October 5th

Homework:  Finish your letter to a friend about Terry Fox.

Done?  Read a Newsela article and try a quiz.

Tomorrow in Period 3 and 4, we will continue the essay - body paragraphs.  Make sure that your introduction is polished up.

Terry Fox!

We had a great week!   Sadly, Period 2 has been split in half.  I will miss the students who have moved - you were such a co-operative, spirited group -  but know that you will probably see me again Semester 2!  It was such a pleasure working with you all.  This change will be beneficial for all students, and you will be able to get the attention you deserve with the smaller groups.

Around Ottawa last weekend and this week, you may have heard or seen the Terry Fox Run.   It was 35 years ago that he captured the hearts of all Canadians.   We watched a short video about Terry Fox and are looking at character traits.

Here is a link for the Terry Fox movie.  It is older, but gives you more details about his character and why he is such an important hero for Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPcXMg3E9KQ

Who are the important heroes in your country?

Homework:

Period 2:  We are finishing presentations, finish Terry Fox character trait sheet

Period 3 and 4:  We will be working on the essay :  Is technology killing our friendships?
This is due on Thursday.  We will be working on the body paragraphs and conclusion in class.  Make sure your introduction and thesis are polished up.   Also, finish the Terry Fox character trait sheet.