Thursday, January 19, 2011

Today, you wrote your Part B Provincial Exam. Congrats on your completion of this course!

Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, January 16, 17, and 18, 2012

On these days, you reviewed a previous multiple choice exam, attempting to answer the questions (and read actively) as if it were the real thing. I also gave you the answer key (ling form) to help you see the logic of the answer chioce. On Wednesday, we read through the modern drama excerpt from this booklet and discussed active reading and process of elimination. Study your literary terms tonight in preparation of your final tomorrow. See you at about 8:40 am.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Today was a review day (self) as so many students were writing the Social Studies 30-1 exam.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Today, I handed out a copy of a previous provincial exam (Part A). We read and discussed it as well as how to approach it (time planning is an important one). I then had you pair up to discuss how you would approach both parts. Since you were all here, you don't need detailed notes. Keep in mind the following for tomorrow:
* be here at 8:40
* get a dictionary/thesaurus from my room if you want (they MUST be returned)
*have a Fit to Print or other authorized resource with you
*be in the hallway by 102 at 8:45
*keep in mind that you will not be able to leave the room for the first hour
* put your phones in the daycare if you want

Monday, January 9, 2012

Today, we reviewed the exam (Part A). We looked at the steps one should follow when preparing to write such an exam (look and highlight topic words; define topic words, create a chart with characters in the first column, topic words in second and third, and then outcomes column at end. Brainstorm through the topic terms in relation to characters, determine the outcome overall (positive/negative); create a thesis based on this ("sometimes....), remove teh "sometimes to develop a concise thesis). We discussed the personal response as well as marking criteria. I want to stress that while I asked you to study three texts you will most likely use, you should only use ONE to actually write teh essay. Having three choices just gives you options.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Today, we wrapped up our discussion about "On the Rainy River" and discussed the short story "Paul's Case". In this, we used the same question as yesterday and then, working individually, in pairs and as a class, we discussed how to approach it (same as yesterday6).

This weekend is the last one before your exam. You need to
Examine and pic three texts that we have studied this year to know WELL (and study)
Located and read over the previously used essay question sheet
Examine these questions and determine which of the texts you willuse could answer the question (to make sure you have a real understanding of both the questions and the texts)
select quotes for your three texts (go online for help on this one)
create attention getters for the more recently used responses

You could also study the terms booklet I reminded you of today.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Today, we discussed the following essay question:
"What is the central idea developed by Tim O’Brian about the conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform? Explain and back it up with evidence."
In doing this, we defined conflict (something that stands between you and reachiing your goal), discussed types of conflict present in "On the Rainy River" (man vs. himself; man vs. society), and then determined how O'Brian pursued his personal desire (attempt to escape Canada) and how he chose to conform (going to war). We then looked at the outcomes of his choice (negative, guilt, embarrassment, etc) and created a thesis (sometimes, the choice to conform may seem easy but is indeed the wrong option).
We then applied this question to other readings we have done in this class this semester to show how versatile it is (A Doll's House, Hamlet).
We then briefly discussed the answers to "On the Rainy River".

Wednesday, January 4, 2011

Today, you analyzed another student generated essay introduction. I then handed your essays back. We then discussed "On the Rainy River". We will carry on with this and "Paul's Cae" tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Today, we discussed the short story "On the Rainy River". I broke you into pairs to discuss your answers to the questions. These were then to be revised and handed in. (you can do so tomorrow). I then gave you introductory paragraphs from those written in class. You were to analyze these, apply a mark, and give suggestions for improvement.