Saturday, February 5, 2011

En 12: Notes from Friday, 4 Feb

Sorry, I forgot to post on Friday.  We spent the class brainstorming six themes from Chapters 1-4: totalitarian power, physical love, pain, etc.  Then we did a class brainstorm on the first one.  For Monday, we all need to have finished reading Book One (that means to the end of Chapter Eight).  I will be giving you a reading quiz to ensure you've done that.  We may also be writing on the themes.  I know that it may seem like "extra" work to read and answer the study guide questions, but believe me, doing so will save you much grief in the end - many of you struggled to find useful quotations on Friday because you had inadequate notes on your study guides.

Enjoy your time off.

Friday, February 4, 2011

En 11-1 & 2: Notes from Friday, 04 Feb

Today, we did two short quizzes to practice identifying the parts of speech.  We also dove into the grammar text to review sentence fragments and run-on sentences.  We are now familiar with prepositional, gerund and infinitive phrases, as well as appositives and adjective clauses - wow, that sure sounds like exciting "stuff."

Have a great weekend.

Hist 12: Notes from Friday 04 Feb

Today we looked at the "Key Elements" from the curriculum.  We noted the six units and discovered that we are to "formulate and respond" to inquiry questions connected to the events we study.  To this aim, we created open-ended questions that cause us to wonder about the 1919 peace process and the League.

We also went to the Slideshare website and looked at a few "canned" PPT presentations by other people.  One point that came out was the idea that the League required unanimous agreement (very difficult to achieve) and nations we directed to NOT interfere with the domestic issues of one another.  Hmmm: is this a limitation?  We also remembered that there was no "police force" for the League so enforcing its resolutions was difficult. 

Please find 5 strengths and 5 weaknesses of the League and bring them to class Monday.  Also, read the pp. 34-35 and p. 39 sections of the text that relate to the League crises in Manchuria and Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia).

WE WILL HAVE A TEST ON TUESDAY, NOT ON MONDAY AS FIRST PLANNED.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hist 12: Notes from 3 Feb 2011

Today we reviewed the European map of 1922.  It is not only important to know the countries, but the reasons for the boundary changes/successor states/et cetra.  Next, we viewed the PPT that identified the "epithets" for the Big 4 at the Paris Peace Talks (you should be able to match "realist," "pragmatist," "idealist," and "indignant" to the correct man and rationalize the reason for the epithet).  We also had a short discussion on historical evidence.  It is good to know the terms discussed in Exercise 5a, and to use them.

For homework, please review the League and its structure - we'll discuss it tomorrow.

En 12: Notes from Thursday, 3 Feb

Today we did a writing workshop and looked at what makes for good paragraph writing.  Please have Book One of 1984 read for Monday. 

Please remember to post a comment with your example of a super closing sentence.

SS 11: Notes from Thursday, 3 Feb

Today we watched a NFB film on Dieppe - a study in wartime propaganda with some good footage - and we studied the Battle of Ortona through a PPT presentation.  The PPT for Dieppe and Ortona are on the SlideShare link.  Please write a 125 word paragraph on one of those events and turn it in on Monday.  Remember to write a strong topic sentence (big picture) and then cover "cause and effect" relationships and give the "so-whats."

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

En 12: Notes from Wed 2 Feb

Today we had a seven-question quiz for Chapters 1-4.  We also discussed the study guide questions for Chapters 1-2 (please keep up with your questions AS YOU READ and remember to include page references).  I also issued a handout to help you organize quotations that are linked to possible themes in the novel.  We used the last 15 minutes to continue our reading; please read to the end of Chapter 6 tonight (p. 72).

Hist 12: Notes from Tues 2 Feb

Today we did one of two handouts that looked at Wilson's 14 points and the use of historical sources.  Please have them both finished for Wednesday's class.  I've posted the PPTs to the SlideShare link - review at your leisure.  You could preview the Versailles leaders PPT if you wish.

En 11-1: Notes from Wed 2 Feb

Today we finished the cartoons that explain the parts of speech.  We also has a short quiz and then did some practices.  We are now able to identify all of the p.o.s. (at least in theory).

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

En 12: Notes from Tuesday, 1 Feb

Today we looked at the blogging rubric and practiced posting comments.  Usually, comments are about four to five sentences long, but there is no "set" length.

We also reviewed the diferent types of sentences: simple, compound and complex.  Remember to vary your sentence style AND sentence length.  Three students shared a sentence from their setting paragraphs and we discussed them - thanks Janine, Brianna and Robert.

Finally, we did some peer editing of the paragraphs that I will be collecting tomorrow.

Please remember to read 25 pages every night.  I encourage you to use the blog to post your comments as you might in a journal.  Also, remember to keep your study guide questions up to date.  It is especially important to put down the PAGE NUMBER where references are found - this will make your essay writing much easier.

EXPECT A READING QUIZ AT THE START OF TOMMORROW'S CLASS.

Monday, January 31, 2011

En 12: Notes from Monday 31 Jan - Day One of Our New Course

Today we were introduced to George Orwell's 1984.  We discussed Orwell's biography and read the novels' introductory passage: it outlines a very odd and challenging setting.  We are writing expository paragraphs on the setting (one page, due tomorrow) as a way to give Mr. Marshall a writing sample.

We also decided to read about 25 pages a day until the novel is read.  That will take us a little over two weeks.  Please stick to the schedule so you don't get behind.  Book One is a little slower than Book Two, but the author has to take time to get everything set up for you.

I hope you enjoy the story!