Novel themes!

As we are continuing our novels in English 9 : In the Heat of the Night, and To Kill a Mockingbird in English 10, I would like to stress the importance of examining the themes in our world today...

Do we still have issues of oppression? Where in the world? and which groups of people are affected?

We are having very interesting discussions in class about current events and the role of media, celebrities and pop culture, all factors in either helping to either fuel oppression and prejudice or to try and end it.

Continue watching and listening around you in the media for the various themes in these novels, such as oppression, racism, prejudice, civil rights, justice, politics and poverty. They are global issues that are actually around us in many ways, and I'd like to you make connections and link what we are reading to what you see and feel around you!

Please share your questions, findings and thoughts on these issues each day in class:) This is how some of the best learning takes place, through listening to each other, debating, and seeing other perspectives! I'm proud of all the contributions so far...keep up the great thinking and curiousity in the novel units!

Where I'm From Poetry.

I assigned one of my all time favorite pieces today...Students wrote a poem that had to be titled "Where I'm from". I stressed to them the importance of ensuring that it was not strictly literal, but figuratively speaking also. I'm excited to read all the compositions to get a glimpse into their lives and identity today. A powerful assignment in terms of sharing our personal stories and making connections with each other as learners. I shared my own example of "Where I'm From"...


Where I’m from

I am from hard work and jokes
On a happy night when my whole family is together, and my mom and grandma are cooking up a red and spicy storm

I am from summers on a blueberry farm in Cloverdale, picking berries from 9 am to 3 pm, every summer from the age of 8, feeling lucky at age 12 to sell them roadside instead
I am from a childhood of babysitting my younger sister, brother and cousins and learning how to cook for my family when mom was working evening shifts because my grandma stressed "how else would I learn to cook for my future in laws?"
I am from temples where we saw brides who got married to strangers that were chosen by aunts and uncles
I am from a generation that shifted, rebelled, and became ‘westernized’….
I am from listening, striving to be a good example, and not disappointing my parents and family
I am from finding my way and keeping everyone content at the same time.

I am from being compliant to centered, careful to tread softly

all the while

I am being cautious and mindful in modeling to my own little futures so one day, they can just be.

POETRY PROJECTS

We have been studying various types of poetry the last few weeks, and hopefully by now you have some favorites!

For the Poetry Project which will be due on Wed. Oct 15th (Thurs. Oct.16 for Period 2 grade 10s)

There will be class time this week, plus a Library block on Friday in which Ms. Monk will go over some anthologies to access, and websites to search for poetry.

Please click on your class link to get detailed info about each part of the project, and email me or tweet with any questions along the way! I'm very excited to see your completed projects next week!

Songs as Poetry presentations Monday!

I'm very excited for your Songs as Poetry presentations on Monday, in which you will explicate your favorite songs to demonstrate how they are poetic:) Please click on your class link to the right for more information and descriptive criteria.

Have a great weekend:)

Music Quiz #2

Here is the hint for the 2nd music quiz tomorrow ...but of course nothing will prepare you more than studying your devices to explicate.

also please think of a good sing to present which has many devices ...and a deeper figurative meaning.

I will provide the song presentation criteria to you in class tomorrow after our music quiz!

https://www.google.ca/search?q=juicy+fruit&hl=en-CA&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bgYuVPnWI-OJjALy9IGIAw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=360&bih=615&dpr=3#facrc=_&imgrc=pZuSS55qvWQV3M%253A%3BnH_sVpnBlMF8KM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fvaporgeekz.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F09%252Fjuicyfruit.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fvaporgeekz.com%252Fshop%252Fdesserts-candy%252Fjuicy-fruit%252F%3B600%3B421

Music quiz #1 hint

So for our first music quiz tomorrow please check out this pic and see if it gives you a clue:) see you all tomorrow!

http://www.epslogos.net/Eps_logo_M/M&M_Logo.html