Wed. May 31, 2017: Revision #2

Today, you had your essay for revision, You also handed in your "Assess and Reflect: The 16 Common Errors" activity.

Fri. May 26,- Tues. May 30, 2017 Self-directed Research/Learning

On these days, I gave you a self directed learning sheet. You were instructed to locate all papers and the draft and figure out the areas that you are having trouble and then do a web search for Powerpoints and exercises that help with figuring out how to improve. I have pasted the worksheet here. Keep in mind that you will also get Monday and possibly Tuesday to work on this.

A30 Reflection Activity

1.      During our latest discussion relating to the DRAFT final prototype, what areas do you need to work on?

2.      Based on all the comments I have presented you with this year so far, what areas (ALL) are you having trouble in (yes, based on MY perceptions!)?

  

3.      You were instructed to go on-line and Google Powerpoints for each specific area of concern (e.g.: Tense Powerpoint; How to create effective titles Powerpoint’). Which areas did you search out?

4.      Did you find any Powerpoints that were informative AND entertaining for you? Write these down, tell me what they meant to teach, tell me what you liked about each one, and judge how effective (out of ten) each one was. In other words, I want to know from you what might work for another student like you when it comes to learning.

 5.      You were instructed to go on-line and Google exercises for each specific area of concern (e.g.: Tense exercises; tense children’s exercises; tense ESL exercises, etc). Which areas did you search out?

 6.      Did you find any exercise Powerpoints that were informative AND entertaining for you? Write these down, tell me what they meant to teach, tell me what you liked about each one, and judge how effective (out of ten) each one was. In other words, I want to know from you what might work for another student like you when it comes to learning.

  

7.      Based on your experiences with this activity, what have you learned academically that you were unsure of before? List everything you can think of.

  

8.      Based on your experiences doing this exercise and other personal perceptions, what do you need in order to learn in a way you will be successful? Please take this question seriously. It helps BOTH of us (I ALSO learn from your perceptions and DO change my approaches!).

  

9.      APPLICATION: Please see your instructor and kindly ask for you latest essay BACK so you can apply what you now KNOW to your paper and make it better. Submit this first version (aka rough copy) with your improved version so your instructor can assess your learning.

 1.      During our latest discussion relating to the DRAFT final prototype, what areas do you need to work on?

2.      Based on all the comments I have presented you with this year so far, what areas (ALL) are you having trouble in (yes, based on MY perceptions!)?

  

3.      You were instructed to go on-line and Google Powerpoints for each specific area of concern (e.g.: Tense Powerpoint; How to create effective titles Powerpoint’). Which areas did you search out?

  

4.      Did you find any Powerpoints that were informative AND entertaining for you? Write these down, tell me what they meant to teach, tell me what you liked about each one, and judge how effective (out of ten) each one was. In other words, I want to know from you what might work for another student like you when it comes to learning.

  

5.      You were instructed to go on-line and Google exercises for each specific area of concern (e.g.: Tense exercises; tense children’s exercises; tense ESL exercises, etc). Which areas did you search out?

6.      Did you find any exercise Powerpoints that were informative AND entertaining for you? Write these down, tell me what they meant to teach, tell me what you liked about each one, and judge how effective (out of ten) each one was. In other words, I want to know from you what might work for another student like you when it comes to learning.

  

7.      Based on your experiences with this activity, what have you learned academically that you were unsure of before? List everything you can think of.

8.      Based on your experiences doing this exercise and other personal perceptions, what do you need in order to learn in a way you will be successful? Please take this question seriously. It helps BOTH of us (I ALSO learn from your perceptions and DO change my approaches!).

9.      APPLICATION: Please see your instructor and kindly ask for you latest essay BACK so you can apply what you now KNOW to your paper and make it better. Submit this first version (aka rough copy) with your improved version so your instructor can assess your learning.

Thurs. May 25, 2017: Draft Answers Continued

Today, we finished marking question 9 and 10 of the draft questions (title creation and punctuation). I also talked a bit more about self directed learning to solve problems.

Wed. May 24, 2017: Draft Discussion Continued

Today, we discussed questions eight and nine of the Draft questions. They examined the following:
Tone
punctuation

We finished tone but were just working through question nine on punctuation.

Tues, May 23, 2017: Draft Work in Prep. for Final

Today, we went over questions 4, 5, 6, and 7, of your Draft prototype reading. This means we discussed the following:

Sentences to Reinforce the Main Idea
Apostrophes (#15 in your "16 Common Errors" Booklet)
Time Shifts (Verb Tenses: #12 in your 16 Common Errors Booklet)
Unity

I also provided you with a sheet on transition words (blue: in your portfolio) to help you with questions we discussed in Friday's class.

As we have discussed, the final will address the conventions you should have mastery of as a student finishing grade twelve. It is important that you read the explanations on what the terms mean and, if needed, see me for extra help or exercises or go online and find real time exercises (as I have shown you in class: these are great tools, so take advantage of the computer age and use them).

We will finish up with the draft answers tomorrow.

Fri. May 19, 2017: Draft Discussion

Today, I returned your last set of essays, We also discussed the "Draft" questions I provided you with earlier. I went over questions 1, 2, and 3 (finding a main point, transitions, sentence fragments). If you were not here, do a powerpoint search on each of these and find questions to aid you (real time) as they will appear on the final.

Mon, May 15 - Thurs. May 18, 2017: Writing Classes and Essay Submission

For these days, you are working on your essay, which is due by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Fri. May 12, 2017: Test prep/Essay assignment

Today, we went through the rest of the terms presented in the reading questions that could appear on your exam. The test is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday. I am pasting the terms here for you to study:

I then handed out your essay question. I am pasting it below (the date is also posted on it).

You need to know the following terms:

Point of view

Assertions

pathetic fallacy

similes.

Anthropomorphism

personification.

onomatopoeia

Egocentric.

irony

initial incident

analogies

inferred

animosity

anecdote

Colloquial

dialect

jargon

hierarchy of needs

Freud’s Theory of Personality: Id, Ego, Superego

Introvert/extrovert

Stream of consciousness writing

Empathy

conflict

The Bear: Essay

Spring, 2017

The novel, Bear, provides a strong example in which to address a number of questions from the objectives of this course. Below are such questions. Choose one and then, using the novel as your source, answer the question in essay form.

Keep in mind that the question itself is rather ambiguous in form. You will have to determine the topic word and then create an answer to the question. I generally do this by charting.

1.      How does Canada’s physical landscape influence the relationships and interactions with the main character and others?

2.      How are the landscapes of mind and heart of the main character as important as the physical landscape she is in?

3.      What is revealed about the psychological landscapes (the way she perceives where she is) of the main character in the text read?

4.      How has the representation or understanding of the physical landscape changed throughout the text studied?

Things to consider:

·         You need to follow the seven sentence introductory paragraph layout to ensure you are starting off on the right foot for your organization mark.

·         You need to use your editing checklist to ensure that your convention mark, as well as content and organization mark are as high as possible.

·         You need to remember that repetition of words brings down your vocabulary mark and repetition of ideas lowers your content mark.

·         You need to have your paper properly presented. It needs to be saved in your “ELA A30” folder under “Bear Essay.”

·         It needs to be in 12 point, Times New Roman font, with zero spacing before and after paragraph lines (see me if you need help).

·         It must follow MLA format (first page layout, header and page number, work cited page).

The paper will be due on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Thurs. May 11, 2017: Test Prep for The Bear

Today, we went through The Bear questions to determine what might be focused on in an exam. We discussed the following terms:

Point of view

Assertions

pathetic fallacy

similes.

Anthropomorphism

personification.

onomatopoeia

Egocentric.

irony

initial incident

analogies 

We will complete this list and then I will set the test/essay date.

Wed.May 10, 2017: Final "Draft" Exercise

Today, you were presented with a prototype reading and multiple choice questions similar to what you will face on the final. If you were not here, I recommend you get here early tomorrow to do it so you can benefit from the class discussion.

Tues. May 9, 2017: Novel Questions Completion or Novel Study

Today, students handed in the questions that are due at the end of the day that relate to the novel Bear. I am moving the deadline for these questions and reading completion to tomorrow.

Wed. May 3 - Fri. May 5, 2017: Novel Reading and Questioning

For the rest of the week, students will be reading the novel Bear, and answering the questions for Part One and Part Two of the text (they will not have to answer questions on the rest of the novel).
The novel is to be read for Tuesday's class.

Tues. May 2, 2017: Novel Reading & Questioning

·         Students are reading the novel The Bear and answering questions (Part One).

·         I have placed Part Two questions in their portfolios. If they have finished the Part One questions, they are to hand them in.

·         This novel must be read for Tuesday, May 9.

I have pasted the Part Two questions below:

The Bear

Part Two: Pages 79 – 202 Reading Questions

INSTRUCTIONS: These are reading questions. They are meant to help you understand the material and to be able to participate in the discussion. Your exams are based on your understanding of the text, which ties into these questions. I will provide a completion mark for each section. Be as detailed as you feel you need to in order to retain information for essays/exams. Do these on a separate sheet.

Chapter 10 (pages 79-88)

1.      What is the significance of Jessica in relation to the narrator?

2.      From the expository in this chapter, describe the narrator’s mom in literal terms.

3.      What is Stick’s most important need while on the boat?

4.      Why is it important for STICK that the narrator uses a “momma voice” at times?

5.      Why is Gwen so important to the narrator?

6.      According to Freud, our personalities are made up of three parts: The Id, The Ego, and the Superego. In this chapter, what does the narrator do that she normally wouldn’t as the Superego is no longer in charge? (wipe her snot on her sleave)

7.         What are Stick’s needs when he’s off the boat? How do you know this? (security: holdingnna’s hands)

8.      Why is the beaver “mad” at the kids?

9.      What act of empathy does Anna show towards her brother in relation to the beaver?

10.  What realization does Anna come to at the end of this chapter?

11.  In novels, a conflict arises and then rising action occurs (think of smaller moments of either coming closer to reaching or further from reaching a goal). In this chapter, what is the rising action that could have led to a failure to attain a positive outcome?

Chapter 11(pages 89 – 102)

1.      Anna shows empathy for her doll, but at this point, she does not show much to her brother. Why is this?

2.      What time of the day is it? How do you know this?

3.       Is Anna an introvert or extrovert? How do you know this?

4.      Stream of consciousness writing is when a person writes what they are thinking regardless of the thought. Anna engages in this. Describe one scene in which she gets away from what is actually going on and instead engages in stream of consciousness thought.

5.      In this chapter, the children seem happy. Why is this? How does it tie to the idea of the Superego?

6.      What is it about Barbie that concerns some parents?

7.      Read the following sentence: “I am bored I don’t know what we should do.”

What is wrong with this sentence? What are three different things you could do to fix it?

8.      Read the following sentence: “I need a leash and a piece of grass is long enough but it is hard to tie around the dog’s neck and my fingers won’t.” What is wrong with this sentence? How can it be fixed?

Chapter 12 (pages 103 – 108)

1.      How is the sun sneakier than Jessica?

2.      What rising action in this chapter threatens to make the children less secure?

Chapter 13 (pages 109 – 121)

1.      How are the children adapting to their environment and trying to meet their needs?

2.      Why is it that Anna cannot let Stick be right on factual issues?

Chapter 14 (pages 122 – 129)

1.      In this chapter, Anna locates some berries and leaves that remind her of mint. Based on the description, what could they be?

2.      When it comes to the Id, ones desires can be so strong that a person will not think of the impact of actions on others. How is Anna fighting her own Id in order to help her brother?

3.      In this chapter, there is a comment about how some of Stick’s actions might be “The sort of thing that might make daddy go away.” Some earlier comments like this also appear. If this is foreshadowing, what might it mean in Anna’s mind?

Chapter 15 (pages 130 – 135)

1.      How much time has passed since the kids were put in the Coleman?

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Mon. May 1, 2017: Novel Reading Class

Today, students read their novels and answered Part One questions (The Bear).