Grade 11 - Entry #5 - Descriptive Paragraph

Hello grade 11's

Your homework for tomorrow is to write a descriptive paragraph about someone you know using Holden's "storytelling method" on page 68.

You’d really like him/her...

This will be Entry #5 in your portfolio, and a reminder to make sure your portfolio is up-to-date

Good luck!

Mr. Mollica

Grade 8 - The Giver - Chapters 1-3

Hello Grade 8's

Good discussion and note-taking in class today. It was great to see you sharing your ideas and listening to your peers.

Please come to class prepared to continue our discussion and notes on the chapters 1-3 of "The Giver". That means all your supplies --> Paper, pencil, eraser, book, binder

See you tomorrow!
Mr. Mollica

Grade 8 - "The Giver" and reminder for Portfolio Entry #3

Hello Grade 8's

A reminder for your weekend homework:

1. Finish your worksheet on "The Day of the Butterfly" by Alice Munroe

2. Read chapters 1-3 of "The Giver" and prepare for quiz on Monday

2. Make sure you're up to date in your writing portfolio. So far we've written three entries (see below):

Grade 8 Writing Portfolio:

Entry 1: A challenge that you have overcome (or are trying to overcome). 4-5 sentences

Entry 2: Use the word "persecute" in a sentence

Entry 3: Answer the following questions after watching Ashton Kutcher's award acceptance speech (link is below questions)

1. Why do you think Ashton Kutcher changed his name from “Chris” to “Ashton”? (2 sentences)

2. What is ONE message you took from Ashton’s talk? (2 sentences)

3. Do you think his message is important? (2 sentences)

Here's the link if you'd like to watch the clip again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXwKGZHmDc

Have a great weekend!
Mr. Mollica

English 11 - Catcher in the Rye --> Impact on American/Western culture

Hi all, good discussion on 1960's culture today. Some terms and themes to think about:

Counter-culture, Alienation, Rebellion, Isolation, Vietnam, The American Dream, Explosion of Rock n Roll

A video to spur your memory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H-6Uwurgfw

Think: what are some songs or bands that embodied these ideas through the 1960's and 1970's (and still today)? Holden is one of the strongest representations of an anti-establishment, anti-authority figure (you'll see more reasons why as you progress through the novel). When this novel was written (1951) this was not a commonly-accepted attitude. America's economy was booming, the suburbs were growing, and the nation had recently become the world's great superpower. Americans were optimistic, and Holden through a wrench in all of this...

Why do you think J.D. Salinger felt compelled to create the character "Holden"?

For homework read Chapters 7-12 and respond to the question above on the blog. As discussed in class, if you're not comfortable posting on the blog, you can add your response to your Writing Portfolio as an "Additional Entry"

Thanks, have a great weekend!

English 10 - Short Stories

Hi all,

Great brainstorm and dramatic reading session today. I was nearly moved to tears by Newt's confession to Catharine. Honestly. Breathtaking stuff.

Over the weekend please:

1. Finish your assignment on Characterization - "A Long Walk to Forever"

2. Read "Borders" and be prepared for a reading quiz next day

Have a great weekend!

Grade 11 - Catcher in the Rye, and other details

Hello all,

Thanks for your ideas during discussion today. It was a fun class

For HW finish chapters 4-6 of Catcher.

And for those catching up in your writing portfolio, so far we have done:

Entry 1: A challenge you have had and overcome (or are trying to overcome)

Entry 2 and 3: "Blast and Narrow" Writing Exercise (must make appointment to do in class)

Entry 4: Respond to Steve Jobs commencement speech: What is ONE message you took from this speech (5-6 sentences) - See link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

English 8 - Writing Portfolio Entry 1 + 2

Hi Grade 8s

For those who missed the first few days after Spring Break, the first two entries in our writing portfolio are:

Entry #1. Write about a challege you have faced and overcome (or are still trying to overcome) (4-5 sentences)

Entry #2. Use the word "persecute" in a sentence

The portfolios will be kept in class, so make sure you keep it up to date.

Thanks
Mr. Mollica

English 10 - Wednesday Work

Hi all, thanks for challenging yourselves during the writing exercises today. I know it's not easy to write on-the-fly, but think of writing like a muscle: the more you work it out, the stronger it'll get. Sorry for the cheezy analogy :)

Homework for next day is:

1. Read Kurt Vonnegut's short story "A Long Walk to Forever"
2. Think about the strategies Vonnegut uses create compellng characters in this story

We'll be talking more about character development on Friday

English 8

Hey class, thanks for your work today. And thanks to those who volunteered to read the story aloud

Homework for next day is:

1. Finish your questions for the "The Sweater"

2. Study for your vocabulary quiz. In case you missed them, the five words are:

Persecute, Opinion, Catalogue, Tranquil, Enthusiasm

English 11

Hi all, good work on our "Aliens" Blast and Narrow writing exercise today. It's a great tool to use when planning your essays and generating ideas for written responses. Plus, we all learned some critical info about Dr. Who and other related topics :)

Be sure to keep all the Writing Portfolio notes organized and together.

We wrote Entry #3 in class today - Be sure you keep up to date!

HW for today was:

1. Read Chapter 1-3 - Catcher in the Rye

2. Find a quote or passage you find interesting and be prepared to share

First Day!

Welcome back from March break everyone!

It was great meeting you all yesterday, and thanks for your thoughtful Bio-poems.

And to repeat, of you have any thoughts, concerns, questions, or want to talk about anything, come talk to me anytime or email me at cmollica@sd19.bc.ca

I look forward to the rest of the year!

Mr. Mollica