What was intended to be a ten-minute "fun" game into the concept of The Great Chain of Being turned into an epic, hour-long tribal council on the relative merits of pirates, actors, beggars and thieves. You argued passionately. You deduced mathematically. You called on the collective brainpower of thirty minds. A few leaders rose to the occasion while some retired to their seats, unable to take the all the stress and yelling. In short, it was an awesome display of the power of the group--people working together to come up with a solution that would benefit the whole...isn't teamwork a beautiful thing?
Have a great weekend everyone. Enjoy the break from the homework--you've earned it! :)
Quote of the Day:
"Highlighter...HIGHLIGHTER!"
- Kyle, on wanting to speak.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
When Playoffs and Literature Collide.
Much has been written about the Vancouver Canucks in the last little while. This, in itself, is not surprising given that we live in a hockey-crazed city. That this latest post, written by popular Canucks blogger Passittobulis, is written in verse form is slightly more unusual, but not completely unheard of. What is absolutely mindblowing, however, is that this poem is written in the form of a classical Petrarchan sonnet--a verse form dating back to the Early Modern English period, and a notoriously difficult type of poetry to write. Who says English class doesn't relate to real life?
We gather here, to mourn, and eulogize,
The Blackhawks, former champ'ions of this league,
Whose losses, Byfuglien, Burish, Ladd, Versteeg,
And others, have, it seems, spelled their demise.
The core remains intact! Hossa and Toews,
Brent Seabrook, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith,
But their enormous contracts, like a wreath,
Didst hang the team. We dance atop their graves!
It's difficult to veil such Schadenfreude,
To be the bigger person, to withdraw.
A frown on every Hawks fan, boy and girl!
This thing, which I have longed to have enjoyed,
I heartlessly and heartily guffaw --
The woe of every Illinoisan churl.
The Blackhawks, former champ'ions of this league,
Whose losses, Byfuglien, Burish, Ladd, Versteeg,
And others, have, it seems, spelled their demise.
The core remains intact! Hossa and Toews,
Brent Seabrook, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith,
But their enormous contracts, like a wreath,
Didst hang the team. We dance atop their graves!
It's difficult to veil such Schadenfreude,
To be the bigger person, to withdraw.
A frown on every Hawks fan, boy and girl!
This thing, which I have longed to have enjoyed,
I heartlessly and heartily guffaw --
The woe of every Illinoisan churl.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Tomorrow, we start one of my favourite works of literature: Macbeth--Shakespeare's classic tale of ambition, murder and vengeance.
This is a play that has gorgeous language, elements of the supernatural, meditations on good and evil and characters you love to hate. This is a play that has everything and yet nothing is what it seems to be.
There is NO BLOG for this week (you're welcome)--just come to tomorrow's class with an open mind, a positive attitude and a sense of excitement.
"It will have blood they say, blood will have blood."
This is a play that has gorgeous language, elements of the supernatural, meditations on good and evil and characters you love to hate. This is a play that has everything and yet nothing is what it seems to be.
There is NO BLOG for this week (you're welcome)--just come to tomorrow's class with an open mind, a positive attitude and a sense of excitement.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hello All,
For this week's blog post, I was inspired by the excellent monologues in class today and yesterday. Your assignment is simple: post the script of your monologue. Blog posts are due by 8 pm on Friday, April 22, and comments by 8 pm Monday, April 25. For your comments, feel free to incorporate things from the performance of the monologues.
Because you have already been marked on your monologues through your performance, you will only receive a mark for your comments for this week.
As promised, HERE is the link to the, in my opinion, quite shocking Obama-chimpanzee article.
Quotes of the week (a double-header by Wilfred):
"That car is white. That's racist."
"I have to feel the feminisim" - Getting in touch with his feminine side prior to his monologue.
For this week's blog post, I was inspired by the excellent monologues in class today and yesterday. Your assignment is simple: post the script of your monologue. Blog posts are due by 8 pm on Friday, April 22, and comments by 8 pm Monday, April 25. For your comments, feel free to incorporate things from the performance of the monologues.
Because you have already been marked on your monologues through your performance, you will only receive a mark for your comments for this week.
As promised, HERE is the link to the, in my opinion, quite shocking Obama-chimpanzee article.
Quotes of the week (a double-header by Wilfred):
"That car is white. That's racist."
"I have to feel the feminisim" - Getting in touch with his feminine side prior to his monologue.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hi Fellow Cheeseballs,
Highly amusing class today. Dramatic Pause. Grand Master Mah and I are very much looking forward to your presentations next week. Emphatic Hand Gesture. Just a reminder about what we discussed in class yesterday. This week's blog post will be due Sunday April 17 at 8 pm, and your comments on Monday April 18 at 8 pm.
Wait for applause,
Ms. Henrickson
***
Today's Reflection
There are many things in this life that I do not know. However, I am fairly certain that there are very few people in this world who have had the distinctly...unique...experience of being swarmed and surrounded by a cadre of teenagers marching in unison as they rehearse their English assignments at the same time. Like some horrifying organism that has taken on a life of its own, Ms. Tyre and I could only watch, helpless, as the initially small groups grew with increasing ferocity until they formed one living, breathing, monologue-spewing mass. Some say average adult's worst nightmare, I say just another Tuesday afternoon English Enriched class.
Ms. Mah
Highly amusing class today. Dramatic Pause. Grand Master Mah and I are very much looking forward to your presentations next week. Emphatic Hand Gesture. Just a reminder about what we discussed in class yesterday. This week's blog post will be due Sunday April 17 at 8 pm, and your comments on Monday April 18 at 8 pm.
Wait for applause,
Ms. Henrickson
***
Today's Reflection
There are many things in this life that I do not know. However, I am fairly certain that there are very few people in this world who have had the distinctly...unique...experience of being swarmed and surrounded by a cadre of teenagers marching in unison as they rehearse their English assignments at the same time. Like some horrifying organism that has taken on a life of its own, Ms. Tyre and I could only watch, helpless, as the initially small groups grew with increasing ferocity until they formed one living, breathing, monologue-spewing mass. Some say average adult's worst nightmare, I say just another Tuesday afternoon English Enriched class.
Ms. Mah
Monday, April 11, 2011
GO 'NUCKS GO!
In the spirit of impending playoff fever and three, count'em THREE, persuasive essays that predicted the Canucks to take the cup this year, I present a little something for your viewing pleasure. It's local, it's timely, and, in my (completely unbiased) opinion, way better than the original.
Hi Everyone,
Your blog post for this week will be to write a response to your pre-Spring Break essay, where you answered the question, "Is Okonkwo a hero" (you will get your essays back tomorrow). Has your opinion changed now that you've finished the novel? Why or why not? Feel free to include any thoughts concerning post-colonialism or cultural relativity.
Quote of the week:
"It's unhygenic"
- Rando, to explain the Igbo practice of abandoning twin babies
"Grand Master Mah"
- Wilfred, annointing Ms. Mah with her new nickname
(NB: Ms. Mah approves of this new nickname!)
Your blog post for this week will be to write a response to your pre-Spring Break essay, where you answered the question, "Is Okonkwo a hero" (you will get your essays back tomorrow). Has your opinion changed now that you've finished the novel? Why or why not? Feel free to include any thoughts concerning post-colonialism or cultural relativity.
Quote of the week:
"It's unhygenic"
- Rando, to explain the Igbo practice of abandoning twin babies
"Grand Master Mah"
- Wilfred, annointing Ms. Mah with her new nickname
(NB: Ms. Mah approves of this new nickname!)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Two Teachers for the Price of One
MS MAH says:
Hi everyone,
You have managed to find some very powerful examples of post-colonialism. To be honest, I was both shocked and disheartened by the numerous and varied manifestations of such a biased theory-finding examples of discrimination should never be that easy.
From celebrities (many of whom society considers role models), to political cartoons, advertising and even video games, post-colonialism is still very much alive today. I am incredulous not only that people can produce such offensive material, but also that we as a society continually allow it to happen. As with many things in life, vigilance and education are key to making sure that the destructive influence of post-colonialism is minimized.
MS HENRICKSON says:
Your blog post for this week concerns your independent novel study. Please identify and describe the central conflict, or conflicts, in your novel. Who, or what, is involved? How is it resolved (if you've gotten that far)? Does it remind you of a conflict from another work of literature, movie, television, or your own life?
This post will be due on Sunday April 10 at 8 pm. The comments will be due on Monday April 11 at 8 pm.
Quote from before Spring Break:
"Think of a tree, you know like a really tall fir tree..."
- Vanessa G., helping Ms. Henrickson remember Douglas' name
Post any questions in the comment section of this entry.
Hi everyone,
You have managed to find some very powerful examples of post-colonialism. To be honest, I was both shocked and disheartened by the numerous and varied manifestations of such a biased theory-finding examples of discrimination should never be that easy.
From celebrities (many of whom society considers role models), to political cartoons, advertising and even video games, post-colonialism is still very much alive today. I am incredulous not only that people can produce such offensive material, but also that we as a society continually allow it to happen. As with many things in life, vigilance and education are key to making sure that the destructive influence of post-colonialism is minimized.
MS HENRICKSON says:
Your blog post for this week concerns your independent novel study. Please identify and describe the central conflict, or conflicts, in your novel. Who, or what, is involved? How is it resolved (if you've gotten that far)? Does it remind you of a conflict from another work of literature, movie, television, or your own life?
This post will be due on Sunday April 10 at 8 pm. The comments will be due on Monday April 11 at 8 pm.
Quote from before Spring Break:
"Think of a tree, you know like a really tall fir tree..."
- Vanessa G., helping Ms. Henrickson remember Douglas' name
Post any questions in the comment section of this entry.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I hope you're all enjoying reading about Okonkwo's exploits in Things Fall Apart--this novel has been hugely influential in examinations of how post-colonialism is represented in western literature.
Please post any questions to Ms. Henrickson in the comment section of this entry.
Lastly, I want to wish you all a restful and safe Spring Break. I will have a marks update for you upon your return to class--see you in two weeks! :)
Quote of the Day:
"I know who that is...I saw him on the news the other day."
~ A Grade 8 student, after looking at the poster of The Pardoner from The Canterbury Tales
I hope you're all enjoying reading about Okonkwo's exploits in Things Fall Apart--this novel has been hugely influential in examinations of how post-colonialism is represented in western literature.
Please post any questions to Ms. Henrickson in the comment section of this entry.
Lastly, I want to wish you all a restful and safe Spring Break. I will have a marks update for you upon your return to class--see you in two weeks! :)
Quote of the Day:
"I know who that is...I saw him on the news the other day."
~ A Grade 8 student, after looking at the poster of The Pardoner from The Canterbury Tales
Monday, March 14, 2011
BLOG POST FOR WEEK OF MARCH 14, 2011
See below for revised due dates.
Hello everyone - thanks in advance for a great class tomorrow!
My apologies for the lateness of this post. In consideration of this (and the fact that you won't be able to start on your post until later on in the week), your post and comments will be due the first Monday back after Spring Break (April 4).
For your post, please define post-colonialism and give specific examples from contemporary media (newspaper or magazine articles, news reports, etc.).
- Ms Henrickson
See below for revised due dates.
Hello everyone - thanks in advance for a great class tomorrow!
My apologies for the lateness of this post. In consideration of this (and the fact that you won't be able to start on your post until later on in the week), your post and comments will be due the first Monday back after Spring Break (April 4).
For your post, please define post-colonialism and give specific examples from contemporary media (newspaper or magazine articles, news reports, etc.).
- Ms Henrickson
Friday, March 11, 2011
Hi everyone,
Just a reminder to bring your HAND-WRITTEN, SINGLE-SIDED, 8.5 INCHES X 11 INCHES persuasive comp. outline for Monday's class.
Remember--your essay will be a lot more effective if you pick a topic that you are passionate about or knowledgeable in.
As a follow-up to our discussion on the health merits of fast-food, check out THIS ARTICLE Ms. Henrickson found.
Have a great weekend!
Quote of the Day:
"It requires a certain kind of mind to see beauty in a hamburger bun."
- Ray Kroc
Just a reminder to bring your HAND-WRITTEN, SINGLE-SIDED, 8.5 INCHES X 11 INCHES persuasive comp. outline for Monday's class.
Remember--your essay will be a lot more effective if you pick a topic that you are passionate about or knowledgeable in.
As a follow-up to our discussion on the health merits of fast-food, check out THIS ARTICLE Ms. Henrickson found.
Have a great weekend!
Quote of the Day:
"It requires a certain kind of mind to see beauty in a hamburger bun."
- Ray Kroc
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
AN APPEAL THAT MAKES LOGICAL SENSE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL WORK
BLOG POST FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8, 2011.
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Sunday by 8:00 p.m.
Post a paragraph on any (appropriate) topic that makes use of at least 7 logical fallacies.
To comment for this week:
Find three logical fallacies in the paragraphs of two different people in class. Set your comments up as follows:
"Buy me a burrito because nobody loves me" = Appeal to pity
NB: You should not label logical fallacies that have already been identified in previous comments.
Quote of the Day
Vanessa G. on the logical fallacy "buy me a burrito because nobody loves me": That sounds like something I'd say!
Vanessa G. on the logical fallacy "buy me a burrito or I'll kill you": That's also something I'd say!
Angela T. to Vanessa G.: See? That's why nobody loves you.
Bonus Quote of the Day
"You're all Straw-Manning me!" - Wilfred
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Sunday by 8:00 p.m.
Post a paragraph on any (appropriate) topic that makes use of at least 7 logical fallacies.
To comment for this week:
Find three logical fallacies in the paragraphs of two different people in class. Set your comments up as follows:
"Buy me a burrito because nobody loves me" = Appeal to pity
NB: You should not label logical fallacies that have already been identified in previous comments.
Quote of the Day
Vanessa G. on the logical fallacy "buy me a burrito because nobody loves me": That sounds like something I'd say!
Vanessa G. on the logical fallacy "buy me a burrito or I'll kill you": That's also something I'd say!
Angela T. to Vanessa G.: See? That's why nobody loves you.
Bonus Quote of the Day
"You're all Straw-Manning me!" - Wilfred
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Perfect Timing
I saw this today and immediately thought of you guys--this fits in perfectly with our analyses of Hamlet's "To Be" soliloquy and our discussions of language and media :)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
TOP WORDS OF 2010
Hey all you Hepchicks and Hepcats,
Awesome discussion today on whether the changes in language we see (e.x. slang, text) represent a degradation of English or an inevitable evolution. Persuasive points were brought up for both sides of the argument, as well as some keen observations about what our language reveals about a culture. More to come on Monday.
A couple reminders:
- Blogs have been extended to Sunday evening; comments are now due Monday
- Your History of English/Poetry quiz will be on Wednesday. If you've got questions, post in a comment on this blog.
If you are interested, check out the top words of 2010, according to the Global Language Monitor, a think-thank whose mandate it is to track changes in culture by looking at trends in words in phrases. Any thoughts on this? What do you think these words say about us?
Quote of the day:
"What would Shakespeare think? He'd be so insulted!"
- Angela T.
Abyssinia,
Ms Mah
Awesome discussion today on whether the changes in language we see (e.x. slang, text) represent a degradation of English or an inevitable evolution. Persuasive points were brought up for both sides of the argument, as well as some keen observations about what our language reveals about a culture. More to come on Monday.
A couple reminders:
- Blogs have been extended to Sunday evening; comments are now due Monday
- Your History of English/Poetry quiz will be on Wednesday. If you've got questions, post in a comment on this blog.
If you are interested, check out the top words of 2010, according to the Global Language Monitor, a think-thank whose mandate it is to track changes in culture by looking at trends in words in phrases. Any thoughts on this? What do you think these words say about us?
1. Spillcam — The BP Spillcam instantly beamed the immensity of the Gulf Spill around the world to the dismay of environmentalists, BP’s PR staff and the President.
2. Vuvuzela — Brightly colored plastic horns that first came to prominence at the South African World Cup.
3. Guido and Guidette — Hey! A fistpump to all things Jersey.
4. The Narrative – Though used at least since The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass in 1845, ‘The Narrative’ has recently been gaining traction in the political arena, virtually replacing the need for a party’s platform. (Cf. to ‘truthily’.)
5. Refudiate — Conflation of “refute” and “repudiate” (un)officially coined by Sarah Palin.
Quote of the day:
"What would Shakespeare think? He'd be so insulted!"
- Angela T.
Abyssinia,
Ms Mah
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Words to Live By
Reading Douglas' blog this morning brings to mind one of my favourite quotes. This quote really resonates with me and I try to live my life by these words:
What about you? Do you have a favourite quote?
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong -- because someday you will have been all of these.
What about you? Do you have a favourite quote?
Monday, February 21, 2011
SUCH A CHARACTER
BLOG POST FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 21, 2011.
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Sunday by 8:00 p.m. (refer to handout for criteria)
Post an entry in which you describe the protagonist of your novel. Features to consider:
- Who are they? What do they look like? What do we know about them?
- What motivates them?
- What conflicts are they embroiled in?
- Do they remind you of characters from other works of literature/movies/television shows?
Also, Comment on whether or not they are a relatable/plausible character and provide reasons.
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Sunday by 8:00 p.m. (refer to handout for criteria)
Post an entry in which you describe the protagonist of your novel. Features to consider:
- Who are they? What do they look like? What do we know about them?
- What motivates them?
- What conflicts are they embroiled in?
- Do they remind you of characters from other works of literature/movies/television shows?
Also, Comment on whether or not they are a relatable/plausible character and provide reasons.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
IT'S ON!
Exciting news, everyone!
Our seats for Machomer have been confirmed. Permission Forms and Payments are due THIS FRIDAY.
PS: Did you catch the name of Miller's Production Company?
Our seats for Machomer have been confirmed. Permission Forms and Payments are due THIS FRIDAY.
Rick Miller performs his internationally acclaimed blend of classical and pop art for four performances only! This one man tour-de-force melds Shakespeare's Macbeth and TV's The Simpsons into a vocal spectacular featuring 50 Simpsons characters. Miller's MacHomer brings out the tragedy of Homer Simpson and the comedy of the ambitious Thane of Glamis.
Retaining 85% of Macbeth while incorporating Simpson-esque asides ("Is this a dagger I see before me? Or a pizza?"), you'll never see Macbeth again in the same light.
Created and Performed by Rick Miller | A WYRD Production.
PS: Did you catch the name of Miller's Production Company?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
What do Winnie the Pooh and Beowulf have in common?
Hi Everyone,
Today we spent some time looking at "Beowulf", the oldest existing poem to come not only from English, but from any European language. Did you know that "Beowulf" is actually a kenning? The name literally translates to "bee-wolf," meaning an animal that attacks bees in a wolfish way: a bear.
Pretty neat, eh?
Quote of the day: "Chuck Norris is the most capable human being on the planet!" - Rando
Today we spent some time looking at "Beowulf", the oldest existing poem to come not only from English, but from any European language. Did you know that "Beowulf" is actually a kenning? The name literally translates to "bee-wolf," meaning an animal that attacks bees in a wolfish way: a bear.
Pretty neat, eh?
Quote of the day: "Chuck Norris is the most capable human being on the planet!" - Rando
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Hi everyone,
Awesome class today...the Enigmatas were very well done (who says Anglo-Saxon poetry can't be fun?) and the discussion we had about "Wulf and Eadwacer" was thought-provoking, just as every good analysis of literature should be. We will pick up where we left off tomorrow.
A little reminder to keep up with your INS reading--next week's blog topic will relate to the novel you've chosen.
Quote of the day: "It's a vegetable." - Jeff
Awesome class today...the Enigmatas were very well done (who says Anglo-Saxon poetry can't be fun?) and the discussion we had about "Wulf and Eadwacer" was thought-provoking, just as every good analysis of literature should be. We will pick up where we left off tomorrow.
A little reminder to keep up with your INS reading--next week's blog topic will relate to the novel you've chosen.
Quote of the day: "It's a vegetable." - Jeff
Monday, February 14, 2011
VALENTINE'S DAY
BLOG POST FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14, 2011.
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Comments are welcome, but not required this week :)
It's St. Valentines Day! Did you know that in the Middle Ages, boys and girls would pick their valentines by drawing names out of a bowl? The name that was picked was then worn on the person's sleeve for a week. This is where we get our modern day saying "to wear your heart on your sleeve." Today, this idiom means that it is easy for other people to know how a person is feeling. In the spirit of the occasion, here is this week's blog post:
If you could send a valentine to any person, living or passed, who would it be and why? Post the valentine message you would send.
I'm looking for: thoughtfulness, humour or creativity (extra props if you write it in the form of a poem!)
Post Due: Friday by 3:00 p.m.
Comments Due: Comments are welcome, but not required this week :)
It's St. Valentines Day! Did you know that in the Middle Ages, boys and girls would pick their valentines by drawing names out of a bowl? The name that was picked was then worn on the person's sleeve for a week. This is where we get our modern day saying "to wear your heart on your sleeve." Today, this idiom means that it is easy for other people to know how a person is feeling. In the spirit of the occasion, here is this week's blog post:
If you could send a valentine to any person, living or passed, who would it be and why? Post the valentine message you would send.
I'm looking for: thoughtfulness, humour or creativity (extra props if you write it in the form of a poem!)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
BOOKS WE HAVE LOVED...
Alternate Post for February 9, 2011
Hand in the draft copy (with corrections) of your narrative essay into me and post a response to the following question on your blog once you have set it up:
What is one book that you loved as a child and one book that you love now? Explain why these books were so meaningful to you and what you think they show about you, as a person.
Posted your essay but still want to join the conversation? Comment below--I'd love to hear what your favourite books were!
Hand in the draft copy (with corrections) of your narrative essay into me and post a response to the following question on your blog once you have set it up:
What is one book that you loved as a child and one book that you love now? Explain why these books were so meaningful to you and what you think they show about you, as a person.
Posted your essay but still want to join the conversation? Comment below--I'd love to hear what your favourite books were!
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