Saturday September 30th: Today was the first class of English Senior. After introductions, we discussed the main point of this class. We learned that English is all about the analysis of litterature, that is, anything that can tell a story or convey a feeling. This could include books, movies, songs, and even games. The first critical analysis we did was the film Cat and Moth by India Barnardo. We examined this short film using a multi-modal analysis. Splitting up the different modes, visual, audio, and texual to have more focus in our analysis. After which, we wrote a short personal response of 100 words. We remembered to keep our writing simple, and focus on the point we're trying to make. After a short break, we started functional writing, we watched a short exerpt from Steve Pinker's sense of style. We learned that we need to be confident when we write, we should never apologize, and we should avoid using hedging words. After which, we practiced using a short informational paragraph. No homework today, but we will have homework next class.
Saturday October 14th: Today we started with functional writing. We learned to focus on the main event, and add in lots of details. Next, we analysed the film Happiness by Steve Cutts. Finish your personal response at home.
Saturday October 21th: Today we started with setting up Readworks. Your class code is LGFVDS and your password is 1234. Please go to www.readworks.org/student to sign in. You have one assignment that is due next class. After that, we practiced functional writing, writing a news article about Alex Decateau park in Edmonton.
Saturday October 28th: Today we started with descriptive writing by writing about our own SCPs, we looked at examples to give ourselves a model of what to write. After that, we analysed Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Alan Poe. Please finish your personal responses, oh, and don't forget to do your Readworks homework.
Saturday November 4th: Today we started with storyboard writing. The goal is to plan before we write. Afterwards, we read the first volume of our novel study, I sold my life for 10,000 yen per year, please finish this book at home as it will be the subject of our critical essay.
Saturday November 18th: Today we discussed our novel study, I sold my life for 10,000 yen per year which discussed topics about the nature of happiness and what it means to live a good life. For the novel, we started a personal response about our feelings and opinions on this topic. Please finish the personal response at home.
Saturday November 25th: Today we started with a short film, Alternative Math. We then did a personal response discussing the themes and ideas. After, we watched a story, the Sultan. We will continue to discuss this next class.
Saturday December 2nd: Today we started with a short film, The Obsolete Man which discusses the nature of what makes us human. We wrote our own personal responses about this topic. Afterwards, we wrote moralistic stories which teach the reader a lesson, please finish the story at home if you haven't at home.
Saturday December 9th: Today, we read the story, the Veldt by Ray Bradbury which discusses the effects of technology on society. Afterwards, we answered comprehension questions that seek to extract more meaning from the text. Please complete the comprehension questions at home.
Saturday December 16th: Today, we watched the Key of Awesome version of a Christmas Carol which follows a traditional format, and discusses how a character can face their past, present, and future. After that, we wrote our own versions of A Christmas Carol which analyze how characters can change with the passage of time. Please finish the story at home, and have a Merry Christmas.
Saturday January 6th: Today, we wrote stories using story starters. We did the first story together, focusing on developing your personal voice and creating plots that make sense. Afterwords, we practiced vocabulary using Anomia which requires recall of common knowledge. Please continue to read throughout the week.
Saturday January 13th: Today, we wrote personal essays, focusing on having a unifying idea. Please finish your essays at home as homework. Afterwards, we used card games to learn vocabulary.
Saturday January 20th: Today, we responded to a current event about the paper bag ban. Afterwards, we played Word a round.
Saturday January 27th: Today, we did creative writing using Reddit Writing Promps, next, we played Wordical.
Saturday February 3rd: Today, we started with reading comprehension, then we discussed a video about motivation. We then did a multi modal analysis for Musician by Porter Robinson. Finally, we played a bit of DeathbyAI.
Saturday February 10th: Today, we started with the film, my Job is to Open and Close doors. Then we watched a CBC documentary on cash for keys. At the end, we played Taboo.
Saturday February 24th: Today, we started with Koe no Katachi, then we examined an article on pharmacare.
Saturday March 2: Today, we read the Yellow Wallpaper, then we played alien invasion.
Saturday March 9: Today, we read There Will Come Soft Rains.
March 16: Today, we read Oyasumi Punpun
April 13: Today, we did a reflection on spring break. Then we worked on poetry.