Tues. Feb. 28, Independent Novel Reading: First Ongoing Reading Activity

Today, you were given your first reading check in. I have attached it below for those who were absent. Be sure to fill this in ASAP and as accurately as if you were in class.

First Reading Check In (ongoing)

Mon. Feb. 27, 2017: Independent Novel Reading Time

Today, I gave you class time to read your independent novel. Be sure to bring your novel with you tomorrow and to check your marks.

Fri. Feb 17, 2017: Writing/Submission of Research Paper

Today, you are to submit your research paper. If you were not here, you have until the end of the weekend to submit. If you have left your paper on the computer at school and let me know before the end of the day (my email is below) I can send it to you. In other words, you should be able to meet this objective.
My email address is: dawn.benoit@nwsd.ca

For Monday, February 27, be sure to have your novel here as I am giving you reading time.

Thurs. Feb. 16, 2017: Writing Class

Today, students worked on their research paper. Some were confused on layout, so I tried to simplify it more. The notes on simplified layout are as follows:

Paragraph one: Introduce the topic and the question, being sure to explain there are more than one side when it comes to the answers.

Paragraph Two: Explain one side of the continuum (far left or far right), explaining the values that people who support this side might have (positives only: aim for two).

Paragraph Three: Explain the other side of the continuum (far left or far right), explaining the values that people who support this side might have (positives only: aim for two).

Paragraph Four: State your thesis explicitly. You will most likely NOT be on either side, but somewhere in the middle. In this paragraph, provide a case study that either supports your side or shows problems with one of the sides.

Paragraph Five:  In this paragraph, provide a case study that either supports your side or shows problems with one of the sides.

Paragraph Six: In this paragraph, provide a case study that comes closest to your beliefs.

Paragraph Seven: restate your thesis and explain your views with reference to the case studies (you have already probably done this in the bodies). Be sure to have a clincher at the conclusion.

I also provided you with a values sheet. The economic and political charts could tie in with this assignment (the other one might not). I have linked it below.

Keep in mind this paper is due tomorrow.

Values Sheet

Wed. Feb. 15, 2017: Writing/Research Class

Today, you continued working on your research paper. It is due at the end of class on Friday.

Tues. Feb. 14, 2017: Writing/Research Class

Today, I booked the computers and you were able to do research for your paper, which is due on Friday.  I am encouraging all of you to do your research through Follet, which we already had an orientation on (last week). These sources are reviewed: the ones through Google are hit and miss. If you plan on going to post-secondary, you will have to do research using a similar system, so it doesn't hurt to do so now.
Keep in mind that you will also need to cite your sources. Follet can help you create a works cited page and, though it is not perfectly accurate and will need to be tweaked, these references in the computer will make it easier.

Mon. Feb. 13, 2017: Seven Paragraph Research Paper Assignment

Today, we went over the seven paragraph research paper assignment. I have linked it below. This assignment is dead-lined for Friday, Feb. 17.


Seven Paragraph Research Paper Assignment

Fri. Feb. 10, 2017: Readings in Preparation for Research Assignment

Today, you were presented with fourteen readings. Many of these are news articles. I suggested you start reading with the ones that interest you first just to get into it and then move on. I also suggest active reading (using your highlighter at a minimum) in order to keep your focus.
These should be read for Monday as that is when you will get the major assignment. I have linked some of these below (The first five are not linked: The rest are). They will all be in your portfolio as well.

"Refugees: The Human Aspect"
"The Quebec Experience: Slavery 1628-1834"
"Iroquois"
"Canada's 'Genocide': Thousands Taken from Their Homes Need Help"
"Being Canadian"

"Canadian Social Issues"

"UN report slams Canada's human rights record"

"Muslim convert attacked while wearing niqab in Toronto"

"Banning the niqab harms an open society. So does wearing it"

"Eugenics"

"Transgender Canadians should 'feel free and safe' to be themselves under new Liberal bill. Harassment, discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ community is 'unacceptable' PM says"

"Saskatchewan's Indian People - Five Generations"

"Why Black Canadians are facing U.S. style problems"

"19th century Toronto Irish immigrants a lesson in upward mobility"

Thurs. Feb. 9, 2017: Introduction to a Research/Position Paper

Today, I explained that the first assignment will be a research/position paper. The first thing I explained is that, with most decisions, the answer is not cut and dried. While there are yes and no positions for most things, the reality in life is that most of us are not always in favour or against an idea.
I explained the continuum as it ties with history and politics. On the one side (left) is the idea of putting the people first and keeping the government involved in meeting needs. It is a collective stance; on the other side (right) is the belief that government should stay out of people's lives as we are individuals who can look after ourselves. I explained that Canada, which has social programs such as welfare and universal health care and education but also believes in limited government intervention, actually sits somewhere in the middle of the continuum.
From here, I introduced the students to a "to what extent" question and we, as a class, examined a response that was created in a test situation.
I then handed out a sheet on how to approach these types of essays. We did not read it all today. As a result, you are all expected to read it for tomorrow's class.
I am pasting it in a link below.

How to Write a Research/Position Paper

Wed. Feb. 8, 2017: INS Introduction Activity

Today, you did an introduction activity on your independent novel. I am linking it below for those who were absent. It must be done when you return to class. One of the questions can only be answered if you have your reading speed. You can find this in the comments of your first assessment in your progress report.

INS Initial Activity

Tues. Feb. 7, 2017: Understanding Canada: Finding Questions for the First Activity

Today, you were to have actively read We are Canada, by Rikia Saddy. I then had you form groups to reexamine the table-mats we created last week and add information discovered from this reading to them. I then instructed you to get out your course outline. In your groups, you were to create a list of possible questions that you would now be able to answer and explore (in this case, you were looking at one table-mat per group). In the end, each group should have a number of questions. From these, I will be able to ascertain which questions could be answered on any of the table-mat activities, allowing me to create a solid group of student-supported questions for the first assignment.
If the above information is confusing, it means you have missed classes. Refer to earlier Blogs to get the information you need to stay caught up.
I also handed out the sheet "How to Analyze any Text" which I have linked below.

Be sure to have your novel here for tomorrow's class!

How to Analyze any Text

Mon. Feb. 6, 2017: Follet Library Search Lesson

Today, we were in the library computer lab to learn how to use Follet (library search and research tools).
If you were not here, you will need to investigate this through the library.

Be sure to have We are Canada actively read for tomorrow.

Fri. Feb. 3, 2017: Reading Plus

Today, we went to the computer lab to do an assessment activity. Reading Plus helps us to understand your reading speed and level of vocabulary and comprehension. Most of you did this assessment in September. We are now seeing if there has been improvement. I use these to determine average reading times for a class and then try to allow time to meet reading expectations. In other words, it's an important activity. If you were not here, you will need to get this completed. See me about this and I will try to arrange it in your schedule.

You were also given a reading to complete for Monday: We are Canada by Rikia Saddy. I cannot post it below due to copyright.

See yesterday's blog for more detailed outcomes involving active reading.

Thurs. Feb. 2, 2017: Intro. to the Canadian Context

Today, students were placed in groups of three and each table was given a placemat with a topic relating to Canada on it:
Good things we are known for
How we view other provinces
Geography of Canada
People in Canada
Lousy history of Canada
Things we need to be concerned about moving forward
Stereotypes about Canada

Students then moved regularly to add their ideas to each mat.

We then posted these for further discussion

I then handed out the reading We Are Canada by Rikia Saddy.
This is to be actively read for Tuesday's class. By active reading, I mean highlighting information that could help you with the above activity if we repeated it!

Reminder: Bring your earbuds/headphones to class tomorrow.

Look for a novel for Wednesday. Let me know when you have one so I can approve it.

Wed. Feb. 1, 2017: Novel Study Discussion & Fit to Print

Today, you went to the library and signed out the text Fit to Print. This text provides you  with information on how to write an essay, how to do proper MLA citation, and exercises/explanations on common writing errors. It is a text that you can bring in to the final and your go-to when a problem is pointed out in your writing.
I then asked you to write down the following information and submit it:
     What mark are you attempting to get in this class?
      What are your post high school educational goals?

I then handed out your Independent Novel Study Assignment Options handout (linked below) and your Novel Study Choices handout (linked below).
The deadline for the novel study assignment is Wednesday, June 7, 2017. The deadline to have your novel choice in class is Wednesday, February 8.

I then instructed you to bring your headphones to class on Friday as you will be doing a timed reading activity (to set the novel reading goal/time needed).

Novel Study Assignment Options

Novel Study Choices