Wednesday, December 14th

English 12
So, only 2 more sleeps! Yahoo!
Please edited your "To Be or Not to Be" paragraph. Type it if possible.
Do a double sided journal for Scene 2.
Period 1 students, we do have a class on Friday! My mistake.
You will need to hand in your double sided journals on Thursday or Friday.

English 10
Projects for tomorrow.
I would like to be finished Act 3 by the end of the week. Hopefully the presentations will go faster tomorrow.
Remember that you must have something written to show me your thinking.

Tuesday December 13, 2011

English 12
Write a paragraph discussing Hamlet's soliloquy. Discuss his internal conflict. Use references from the play. You may read other interpretations of this soliloquy, but you need to write about it in your own words. I would like to be finished Act 3 by the time we go for holidays. There will be a quiz on Act 2 and 3 on the Wednesday after we return.
The Government exam is on January 26, 2012. Government Exam link
We will be doing poetry, finishing the play and reviewing for the exam. You can always check out the website on your own.

English 10
Finish the questions and the double sided journal for Act 2.
Projects to be presented tomorrow and Thursday. You must write a paragraph of at least 3/4 of a page to explain what you have done in your project and also discuss the significance the section that you have chosen to illustrate (I mean illustrate through any kind of medium....don't get confused!)

Monday, December 12

English 12
Final Lit terms test tomorrow
Cross Grade Make Up in my room on Wednesday if you were away on the original day.
Double sided journal about Hamlet's soliloquy (To be or not to be)

English 10
We are reading scene 3 in Act 2. Answer the questions for the section that we read in class today. Line 240 or so. Fill in your double sided journal for this section.
Projects for Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday, December 9th

English 12
There is a lit terms test on Tuesday. We will do review on Monday.
Double sided journal for Act 2 Scene 2.  Pay particular attention to Hamlet's soliloquy at the end of the act. You should be writing about a page or more to do with this scene.
Review the questions. There will be a quiz on Wednesday.

English 10
Review Scene 1 from Act 2. Double sided journal should be done. Read Scene 3 and try to answer the questions on the sheet. The Study Guide sheet, that is.

December 7th

Cross Grades are done!
Reminder about the Act 2 Scene 2 double sided journal entries for tomorrow.
Grade 12's who are absent tomorrow check here for the work that we did in class.

December 6th

Cross Grade tomorrow. Review your stories. Make a study sheet. Add quotations to your list if you like. Make sure that you have plenty to discuss when it comes to your novel. You may use an outside novel as one of your examples. Be sure to review how to write a thesis. Check over the list of pointers that I gave you. Come to class on time. You may start as soon as you get to class.

English 10 and 12
Finish reading Act 2 Scene 1 and make double sided journal entries for Thursday. If you are going to be away on Thursday, check back here to see what we did in class.

December 5th

English 12
Review the three point thesis statement Go to: three point thesis
Quiz on Act 1. Questions about setting and characters and some quotations that we have discussed in class.
Finish your Double Sided Journal for Scenes 4 and 5

English 10
Also review the thesis statement. Go over points for the exam on Wednesday,
Quiz on Act 1 tomorrow.
Finish your Double Sided Journal for Scene 3.

December 2, 2011

English 12
Double sided journal for scene 3. Make note of relationships between Polonius, Laertes and Ophelia
Fill in the character sheet with what you have learned about them as well
Test on lit terms in the final week of school. Tuesday of that last week.
Finish reading act one. There will be a quiz on Tuesday on the first act. You will need to know important events, characters and quotations. Literary devices might be asked as well.
Remember the Cross Grade on Wed. You can prepare for this test by reviewing themes that we have done in the past and by remembering that the topics relate to human nature and how people change and transform depending on the circumstance.
Look up how to write a 3 point thesis statement. This might help some of you to be more specific.

English 10
Journal for scene 3
Review for cross grade. Here is a topic: "To thine own self be true" Shakespeare, Hamlet. Read the advice above as well.

December 1st

Countdown to the holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
English 12
Double sided journal for Act 1 Scene 2 make reference to the following:
metaphor, simile, apostrophe, and imagery as part of the journal
Read ahead to the end of the Act (even if this is just referring to Sparksnotes)
Reading tomorrow

English 10
Characteristics of a leader (10 from class) which ones apply to Othello? Why?
Act 1 Scene 2 Double sided journal for tomorrow.
Remember that tomorrow is Friday....Reading Day :)

November 30th

English 12
Double sided journal entry for Act 1 Sc. 1
Read the next scene as well
Today's journal topic: Write about a time when you thought that life was going one way and it completely changed direction. What was that like for you? How did you change as a result?

English 10
Double sided journal entry for Act 1 Sc. 1
Make a list of characteristics of a good leader
Read the next scenes (2 and 3) Use the questions to guide you.

November 29th

English 12
Refer to the last post and review the events of Act 1.
We will read this in class tomorrow. Read Sparks Notes, No Fear Shakespeare...any will help you out. Make notes
You will be doing a double journal entry for each scene that you read.

English 10
Read the last post and review the events of Act 1.
We will read this in class tomorrow.

November 28th

English 12
Finish corrections to your practice Cross Grade
Review terms for your final lit terms quiz.
Bigger test to be scheduled later
Here is a link to help you with the play:
Hamlet Sparknotes

English 10
Finish corrections for Cross Grade as well
Here is a link to help you with the play
 Othello Sparknotes

November 24th

Okay everyone, it is Cross Grade practice writing time tomorrow.
Try not to get too crazy over the thesis statement question and remember that there is no one right way to write one.
Thesis statement tipshttp://www.wlu.ca/forms/1849/Thesis_Statement.pdf

http://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/thesisstmt.html

We will write in class and you will finish your essay on the weekend. Bring it back on Monday for feedback from your classmates.
Have a fine, fine weekend.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

English 12
Period 1--Outline for crossgrade/stories that match the theme/theme statement
Period 3--Highlight points regarding the thesis statement

English 10
No homework! :)

Monday, November 21st

English 12
Essay test tomorrow
3 pieces of lit that would go with your quotation for Wednesday
Presentations on Wednesday. Must be memorized.

English 10
Bring a picture of your favorite animal.
Write a thesis statement to match your theme statement. 3 pieces of literature that would go with it. Points you will make in your body paragraph.

November 18th

English 12
Your journals all must be handed in. There are a number of overdue assignments.
Cross grade writing sheet for Monday. Monday we are rehearsing and we are working on Cross grades
Tuesday is the essay test. Wednesday is the drama presentation. Remember that you must know your lines.

English 10
Reading journals are due on Monday.
Crossgrade sheet with outline for one essay for Monday.
Tuesday is the vocabulary test.

November 17th

English 12
Test tomorrow on Catcher. Journals are due tomorrow as well. Essay test will be on Tuesday. We will do our scenes on Wednesday. On Monday, we will practice scenes and do some review for Cross Grades.

English 10
Journals for book club are due on Monday.
On the sheet with the quotations:
Choose 3 quotations and rewrite them as a theme statement.
Bring your imagery pictures back to class.
Bring your Imprints books and your Poetry books to class as well.

November 15th

English 12
There is a quiz on lit terms to speaker. I believe the last word was repetition.
Worksheet on symbolism.
Those of you who have not handed in your Remembrance piece, it is now overdue.
Time after school if it is not in on Wednesday
Multiple choice on Friday
Essay test on Tuesday (date change)

English 10
Make notes on Imagery.
Do the questions on the bottom of the page.
Remembrance stuff is now due.
Book club on Thursday.
Quiz on vocabulary on Monday.

November 11th

Have a great long weekend. Take some good time for yourself, but remember to work on the following as well.
English 12
Finish your writing about one or two absent characters. Discuss the role they play in the novel and the influence that they have on Holden. Be sure to have supporting evidence in your writing. It is one extended paragraph. It should be about 3/4 of a page.
Remembrance Assignment is due on Tuesday
Quiz to the end of the novel on Tuesday
Lit terms quiz on Wednesday.
English 10
Lit circles again on Thursday. If you are finished the novel, write a reflection about what you have learned from reading the novel. How are you different? Your group needs to be discussing something like a movie for the next meeting
Draft of writing on Remembrance is due on Tuesday or final copy if you have already drafted. Good copy for Wednesday. Please type it.

November 9, 2011

So, we have a long weekend!
Remember to remember those who have given their lives for us. Take time to be thankful for the liberty we have in this incredible country of ours.
English 12
Finish the novel by the end of the weekend. There will be a test on Tuesday.
Lit terms will be later on in the week.
Finish the good copy of your writing of the Remembrance poem or prose for Tuesday.
Do the sheet on absent characters.
If you haven't told me if you need marks for early entrance or for scholarships, please do so before you leave on Thursday.

English 10
Book club meeting tomorrow.
Drafting of Remembrance piece.
Start thinking about project possilbities for the novel

November 8th

Sorry for the late post. Having a computer issue at home.
English 12
You need to be finished Catcher by the time we return on Tuesday. Yes, there will be a test on what remains. We will finish up the novel next week and will have a unit test and an essay test. Dates will be discussed.
Poem/prose with respect to Remembrance for tomorrow. We will be presenting in class tomorrow.

English 10
We will finish one presentation. We will be doing book club work tomorrow and we will also be working on our writing about Remembrance Day.

November 7th

English 12
Reminder of the Lit terms quiz to repetition for tomorrow. Remember that there will be more than one point of view.

All English students:
We will be reading poems from the selection that I handed out today. You and your group will practice reading the poem and will discuss its theme, imagery, important lines etc. with the class. Be prepared to begin writing something of your own on the topic of Remembrance.  http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/history/other/remember
A Day of Remembrance

November 4th

English 12
Quiz on chapters 19-21 on Monday
Lit terms quiz on Tuesday to repetition. There will be multiple definitions of point of view
Finish 3 of the themes on the worksheet.  You don't need to do them all/
Period 3--Brainstorm Remembrance--connections that you have made, why you care, why you don't care, why does it all matter at the end of the day?

English 10
Remember to get your Poetry is assignments in. If you have been away, make sure that you have connected with your group about the project.
As above, brainstorm your thoughts about Remembrance.
We are changing the Book club meeting to Thursday because many of you will be away on Wednesday.
We will do Silent Reading on Wednesday instead of Thursday.

November 3rd

English 12
Finish the paragraph regarding Holden's lying. Find a discrepancy between what Holden believes is true and what actually might be true. Refer to the sheet we did today. Consider the points in your response. Make sure that you support your statements with examples.
Lit terms quiz on Tuesday to repetition

English 10
Journal: write about an annoying habit.
Today we read the poem "Sweet Like a Crow" by Michael Ondatje
We will be writing our own similes tomorrow

November 2nd

English 12
Finish Narrative Distance in Time worksheet for tomorrow
Write a journal reflection about the class experience of lying. Who is the liar? What makes you think so? How can you tell if someone is lying?

English 10
We will be reading for two more weeks.
Next bookclub is next Wednesday
We will negociate a project by the beginning of next week.
Poetry is project is due on Monday. No excuses.
Here is a link for a study guide for Mockingbird. Type in the other titles as well to get information. Hiroshima students should be looking at what to read next.
To Kill a Mockingbird

November 1st

English 12
Chapters 16-18 read for tomorrow. Be prepared to write a question for our class quiz.
Journal topic: Who is your lifeline? Who would you call when you are in distress? Who can you count on and why.
Be ahead of the class by at least 2 chapters.

English 10
Tomorrow is book club day. Have your reflection written for your meeting. Have your work done.
Poem; Due on Friday or Monday if you need the weekend to get it done. It better be pretty amazing if we have to wait that long.
We will discuss the criteria for the poem in class.

October 31st

English 12
Happy Hallowe'en!
Lit terms quiz tomrrow to passive voice
Paragraph on conflict. Discuss the quotation that you and your partner chose

English10
Happy Hallowe'en to you too! Just in case you thought that I like the Grade 12's better! :)
Poetry is poem due on Friday
Book club meeting on Wednesday
Tuesday we will be working on our parts for the bookclub meeting

Friday, Oct. 28th

English 12
Quiz on Chpts. 13-15 on Monday. I know it is Hallowe'en, but you are in grade 12! :)
Conflict sheet (you only have 2 questions to do)
Finish your essay if you didn't do so on Friday.
Bring cans on Monday. It feels good to do good for others!
Lit terms quiz on Tuesday. Metre to passive voice. Yes, I know that it is Hallowe'en on Monday. I don't live in a box. :)

English 10
Poetry is (your 3 metaphors for Monday) We will be working on the poems in class and we will also be working on our novel study.
Book club meeting on Wednesday.
Your poetry is poem is due on Wednesday
Journals for each book club meeting.
Have a great weekend. Wear a costume on Monday!

Thursday, Oct. 27

English 12
Finish paragraph on Jane or Phoebe
Read chapts. 13-15 (quiz on Monday)
Lit terms from metre to passive voice (Tuesday....study before Hallowe'en)
Silent reading Friday
Smile!
English 10
Finish metaphors Poetry is... (2 more for tomorrow)
silent reading Friday

Wednesday, Oct. 26th

English 12
Keep reading: There will be a chpts. 13-15 quiz on Friday
Tonight write the opening paragraph of the essay:
Examine the roles that Jane and Phoebe play in Holden's life. Consider how they are alike and how they are different.
You must also outline the 2 body paragraphs.
1. Point
    a.
    b.
 2. Point
    a.
    b.
3. Point
   a.
   b.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

English 10
Write your novel reading response. Next book club is Wednesday, Nov. 2nd
Bring your Imprints book to class.

Tuesday, October 25th

English 12
Finish your point of view writing assignment.
Good copy and rough copy should be attached to one another
Finish the sheet on Jane and Phoebe. Do this well as there may be a writing assignment to do in class.
Here is a link that might be helpful to you:
http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/



English 10
Book clubs for tomorrow. Be sure to have all your work done for your group.

Homework for Monday Oct. 24th

English 12
Read to chapter 12 over the weekend
Quiz on Monday on Chapters 7-9
Hint for the quiz:review the characters
Monday we will be doing a character point of view writing activity
Finish your composition about the story that Holden writes for Stradlater

English 10
Short Story Fair is on Tuesday
There will be time to work on the project on Monday
Book club meeting on Wednesday. Be sure to have read up to the page that your group assigned.

Tuesday, Oct. 18th

English 12
Chapters 4-6 Response journal
Quiz tomorrow on chpts. 4-6 (know the events)
Paragraph diction and syntax from quotation that you chose today

English 10
Short Story Fair is on Tuesday next. Be ready to choose your presentation format for tomorrow.
We will be starting our independent book study as well.

Monday, Oct. 17

English 12
Journal response to Chapt. 3 if not already done. Please try to be ahead of the class study.
Chapters 4-6 quiz and journal on Wednesday
Finish sheet on diction and syntax for Tuesday

English 10
The Pose assignment is due on Tuesday.
Study for the Unit test.
Submit your choice for the Independent Short Story Fair.
Tuesday we will be choosing novels.

Friday, Oct. 14th

English 10
Write a paragraph using the following quote as a prompt:
If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade.  Tom Peters.
Format:
Theme statement/Topic sentence
Thesis statement
3 supporting statements related to the topic

Short Story Test is on Tuesday
Short Story Fair on Oct. 25th. Choose a story over the weekend. Get approval from Ms. P. on Monday for stories outside the textbook.

English 12
Finish Universal themes sheet (side one only)
Write a paragraph reflection on chapters 1-3
Lit terms quiz on Monday to idiom/questions on Chapters 1-3

Tuesday, Oct. 11th

English 12
Unit test on Wednesday. Essay section and a short answer section. Prepare your notes for the test. You may use them when writing an essay.

English 10
Read Sun Witness and Non Resident Identity in the Imprints book Be prepared to read and present for tomorrow. You will be in groups. How can you make your presentation more engaging and creative?  You should also be looking at the creative writing assignments and choosing one.
Unit test: We may have to renegociate the date.

Oct. 6th

English 12
Bring silent reading book for tomorrow
Get your assignment ready to hand in for tomorrow. Miss Brill is to be edited and perfected.
Make a list of possible conflicts from short stories studied. We will practice writing tomorrow.

English 10
Project due on Tuesday
Definitions for  The Pose for tomorrow
Read The Pose for tomorrow
Bring silent reading book.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

English 12
Finish A and P for tomorrow. Be prepared with your one answer to the question
Thurs: Final revisions to your character story done.
Friday: Hand in writing assignment. Good copy of Miss Brill. Use quotations and refer to pages in your writing. Support your statements with evidence from the text.
Bring Silent Reading Book. Quiz on Lit terms up to fable.
Tues: Review for Unit test
Wed: Unit test. Short answers and short essay
Thurs: Catcher in the Rye
Fri: Silent Reading and Lit terms test.

English 10
Prepare verbal visual. You will have time in class to work on it.
Prezi. You can have a look at this to make your verbal visual

Monday, Oct. 3rd

English 12
Okay all you writers! Get those character sketches done for tonight. Fill in the form that I gave out in class today.
Remember to look for a silent reading book that is at your grade level for reading. Bring it to class on Friday.
Lit terms quiz to fable on Friday. There will be a Unit test next week.
It is a long weekend.

English 10H
Write a journal entry about a decision that you had to make. It can be a decision that went as you predicted or one that went terribly wrong. Be ready to choose a short story for an independent small group assignment.

Oct. 1st

English 12: Finish the character sheet on Miss Brill. Write a character sketch. By this I mean, describe  Miss Brill and use references to the text to support your opinion.

English 10 H.
Read Choices by Susan Kerlake in Inside Stories book

Sept. 7th

English 12
Rough draft of Miracle poem for tomorrow. Good copy with picture is due on Monday.
Period 1 class/we had a crossword for lit terms
Quiz will be on Monday, not Friday this week (period 3 did not get the sheet)

English 10H
Rough draft of "I am from" poem. Good copy will be due on Monday.

Last weekend before freedom!

These are the things you will need to do this weekend:
1. Review lit terms to the end of the list
2. Finish your novel/book
3. Write a final dialectical journal
4. Write a reflective essay about your book. A reflective essay can use "I" and it should contain some personal insights and connections you have made during your reading. Use quotations and be sure to cite them correctly.
Have fun and enjoy the sun as well.
Act 3/4 test will either be on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how much we get through on Monday.

Thursday, August 4th

Almost the end of week 5!
Tomorrow is exam day in the computer lab
Please write:
Narrative essay/collect all 4 essays/star one that you think is the best
Found poem good copy is due
Journals to be handed in tomorrow if you did not do so today.
Enjoy your evening.
Reflective essay on your independent novel is due on Monday.

Tuesday, August 2nd

We have finished Act 2 of  The Crucible. Write a reflection as a character from the play. Do the vocabulary words for Act 3 and finish the conflict sheet.
Persuasive essay draft for tomorrow/topic: Sometimes children misbehave because they want to be corrected. (No more than 40 minutes)
Book club meeting tomorrow.
You will need to have your book finished for Monday next.
Have a good evening.

It's Friday, Friday!

Okay, all you weekend warriors, here is your homework!
Quiz on lit terms to repetition
Reflective Essay based on the prompt: Life is full of surprises
Begin the conflict sheet (doesn't need to be finished yet)
Quiz on Act 2 on Wednesday
Your next book club meeting is on Wednesday

Thursday, July 28th

Less than 2 weeks to go!
Tonight:
Be ready for book club meeting/fill in your reading sheet. I will collect everyone's if you don't have all of your work done
Quiz on Act 1
Definitions sentences for words in Act 2
Have a good evening!

Wednesday

Lit terms quiz to pastoral
TPCASTT sheet on Swimmer's Moment poem (look it up online)
Book club reading fill in reflection sheet for Friday
Crucible
Character Sheet should be complete
Write a journal reflection about act one from the point of view of one of the characters.
Quiz on Act 1 on Friday. Know the characters......

Tuesday July 26

If you missed today:
You missed a quiz on lit terms
Continue reading act one of the crucible
Read for book club
Write draft of essay: try to use metaphors and unusual language in your writing
Topic: Beauty is found in simple things.
Spend no more than 35 minutes on the topic.
Have a great evening!

Homework for the weekend: sentences and definitions for act 1 of The Crucible. Make up a question from your presentation. Skim read Act 1. Lit terms quiz to metre on  Tuesday. Have a great weekend!

July 21st

Study for the test on Catcher. Make notes and mark off pages that you think might be important.
You will only have up until the break to complete the essay.
During the second half, we will be doing our presentations for the Crucible.
We will begin independent reading on Monday. We will be reading the play in class and we will be working on poetry as well.
Half way there!

July 20th

Quick note:
comma sheet
good copy of paragraph about absent characters
quiz on the last 4 chapters of catcher
essay test on Friday

Monday, July 18th

Just a quick reminder:
my email: pederson_c@sd36.bc.ca
Send in your assignments!
Tonight:
Finish good copy of Holden poem/Criteria for marking:
Connection to Holden
Extended Metaphor
Creativity
Study for quiz chapter 19-21 (review those theme sheets!)
Lit terms test on Wednesday
Finish reading the novel

Friday, July 15th

The end of week 2!
Remember to make up any missed work as soon as possible.
Please try to finish the novel this weekend.  This will leave you more time for preparing for the Unit test on Friday. You will have a choice of essay topics to choose from.
Monday: Lit terms quiz elegy to fable
Finish worksheets chapters 16-18/19-21
Tuesday: quiz on Chapts 19-21
Draft of poem about Holden based on "My Mind"
Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, July 13th

Well, we made it to the middle of the second week!
Good skits today!
Here's what you need to do for tomorrow:
Review lit terms denouement to editorial
Multiparagraph essay:
Compare and contrast Phoebe and Jane's relationship with Holden and their influence on him. Rough draft for tomorrow.
You need to read up to the end of Chapter 15.
There will be a Unit test next week. Be prepared to finish the novel over the weekend so that you are not struggling to catch up.

Monday, July 11th

Week 2
Here are your tasks for tonight:
Character sketch of Holden---use supporting evidence from the text.
Finish the transition words sheet
Write your own reflection sheet for chapters 7-10
Study for lit terms quiz 3
Wednesday there will be a quiz on chapters 7-9 and 10-12 in Catcher.
Keep reading!
Have a good evening.

Friday of week one

Okay, Summer School Students!
We made it to week one and we are still alive.
For this weekend:
Try to finish to the end of Chapter 10 in Catcher (try to be ahead of the class)
There will be a quiz on chapters 1-3 and 4-6
Fill in the reading notes for Chapters 4-6
Diction and Syntax sheet
Remember that there will be a quiz on Lit terms to denotation on Tuesday.
Try to keep up with your reading and read ahead if at all possible. You will be glad that you did.
Have some fun on the weekend.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

We made it to Thursday of week 1!
One more day to go! Hooray for you for sticking with it!
Tonight's work is as follows:
1. Study for the quiz on lit terms to characterization
2. Read Chapters 1-3 and fill in the sheet for Catcher in the Rye
3. Finish your writing assignment on irony in "The Kugelmass Episode"
3. There will be a quiz on Chapters 1-6 on Monday.
4. The next 15 words will be on Tuesday
This is a trailer for the recent Woody Allen movie called "Midnight in Paris"

July 7th

Day 3!
We made it to the middle of the week!
Here's what to do tonight:
1. Correct your draft and have it ready for tomorrow
2. Run on sentences worksheet
3. Read Kugelmass Episode/ Draw Mr. Kugelmass
4. Bring your cheque if you haven't done so already
5. Read to chapter 3 in Catcher in the Rye/for Friday and fill in the Reading Sheet/it will help you remember what happens
6. there will be a quiz on Friday on Lit terms to characterization

Tuesday, July 5th

Day 2 of Summer School
Here's what to remember for tomorrow:
Quiz on lit terms to atmosphere
Rough draft of your Identities story/good copy is due on Thursday
Worksheet on Universal themes.
Remember to bring your cheque by the end of the week.

Summer School

Well, we made it through day 1 of summer school and you are still here!
Remember to bring your cheque for $100.00 made out to the Surrey School District.
Homework for tonight:
Identities by Valgardson
Write about the role of the setting. Discuss irony in the story. Cite example.
Quiz on lit terms to atmosphere is on Wednesday.
Have a great evening!

Thank you all

Thank you for making this past five months so memorable. I am so glad that I had the chance to share your writing this past semester. Each and every one of you is a treasure. You all have so many wonderful poems and stories to share. There just never seemed to be enough minutes in the class. I have loved every minute I spent with you. There may be other writing classes in my future, but there will never be another first writing class.
I wish all of you the best of luck always. Please keep writing; writing can set you free, it can mend a broken heart and it can keep you in touch with people who are far away. It would be great if you kept blogging; that way we will all stay a little connected to one another.  Go out in the world and follow your dreams, but remember that you all have a special place in my heart.

Okay all

Okay all,
This is one final post for the year. Write about this blogging experience here on your blog. Make a promise to keep writing so that I don't lose touch with you and your lovely words.
It has been such a pleasure to share this year with you all. I admire each and every one of you more than I can say. I will treasure this time. I know that you all will do wonderful and amazing things with your lives and I am happy that I have had the chance to witness your growth and change during your time at Elgin.

Transitions

Many of you are getting close to the end of your time at Elgin. Take some time to reflect here about this period of transition. How do you feel about endings and beginnings? Where are you headed and what will you take with you from your time here at Elgin?

Also a reminder that Wednesday is sports day; we will present out slam poetry on Thursday instead of Wedanesday.
Please send me any overdue narratives. I would like to update your marks for the course.
My e-mail: pederson_c@sd36.bc.ca
Have a wonderful weekend.

Spring

A few years ago, I was in Paris during Spring Break. The holiday fell just before Easter and the stores were filled with exquisite decorations. The French seem to have a flair for window design that can be breathtaking. This silly little Eiffel tower caught my eye. It seemed so out of place in such a sophisticated city.
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It always feels so full of hope and promise. I always want to gulp the air; it is so fresh and fragrant.
Write about your favorite season or write about something that was out of place for you. Perhaps it was a person, or a song, or an object that you thought just didn't fit the scene. Maybe it was even you!
Enjoy the magic that only spring can bring. Thank you for being you. Each and every one of you brings so much talent to our class. I am so lucky to have the pleasure to spend the time with you.

Colours

Today we talked about colour. We looked at our personalities, we talked about how we feel about colour, and we wrote in our journals about what colour we are. Try to think about the shades of colour you choose when you are writing.  How can you add another dimension to your writing without beating the reader over the head?
As you look at this selection of pens, what shade are you drawn to first? I know which one I am picking. How about you?

Bard on the Beach
We are going in June to As You Like It! We have 25 tickets for June the 8th.
Let's start making plans!

Two summers ago I had the opportunity to travel to New York. It was one of the best adventures I have ever had. I felt like I had slipped into a dreamworld that was meant just for me. 

If you care to, write about a trip that you loved. Remember to bring us along with you on the trip.

Also, If you are looking for a book on writing, I recommend Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont. It is inspirational.

As a child, I was lucky enough to have a father who loved to read bedtime stories to us.  Every everning we would clamber up onto Daddy's knee to hear the latest adventures of Toad or Rattie. Dad would give every one of Kenneth Grahame's characters a voice of his or her own. Those were days when I believed in magic; when every fairytale seemed possible.
This weekend, go through your bookshelf and find some of those special childhood memories and bring them to class. Your favorite books can be from any age or stage of childhood.

How to Eat a Guava

Today we read Santiago's description, "How to Eat a Guava."  Her images were so strong that we could almost taste every bite, feel the tang of the fruit as she bit into the flesh of the fruit, and savour her memories of childhood bliss. Santiago took us back to the past and then brought us lurching back to the present. As you write your personal descriptions, make sure that we can have that same sensory experience. Take us there with you and let us share the moment with you. Remember to bring your fruit or vegetable to class for Tuesday. Please post your writing for comments this weekend. We will be going to the library on Monday to work on editing our blogs for part of the class.

Have fun with your writing! I look forward to sharing with you.

Jodi Picoult

Many of you like to read Jodi Picoult's novels. Now you have a chance to hear her read from her new novel. Go to the Writers Festival link for more information about tickets. She will be reading in Vancouver on Sunday, March 13th at 7:30 pm at St. Andrews Wesley Church on Burrard Street. We could meet there!

Have a listen

It is the first anniversary of the 2010 Olympics. Remember the excitement of listening to Shane deliver this poem at the opening ceremonies? It was a magical moment! Have a listen to Shane's poem. What is your reaction to what he has to say? What does it mean to you to be a Canadian? Are we different this year as a result of the Olympic Games? Have you changed?

A thought

I was listening to the news as I was driving to work on Friday and the news came on that Mubareck had stepped down as the leader of Egypt. I could hear the roar of the crowd in the background as the reporter recounted the sequence of events that lead up to this moment in time. The elation of the people was palpable. For a brief moment I felt like an Egyptian citizen who could taste the hope that freedom from oppression can bring. I have been witness to many moments of history throughout my lifetime; some I have appreciated more than others. Over time I have come to appreciate that historical events change all of us whether they affect us directly or not. Our world has been altered forever by the events of September 11, 2001. As Canadians, we have been changed by the Olympics of 2010. Each day, each minute, each second is filled with so much history and most of the time we don't even realize it.
I want you to think about a moment in time that has changed the way that you look at your world. It might be a historical moment such as this one, or it might be something smaller; something less definable. Write about it.

Let's begin

Welcome to our writing blog!
You can keep up to date with our assignments and the weekly blog assignments. Post once a week and comment on at least 2 blogposts as well. I hope that you enjoy this experience and you have fun sharing with each of the members of our class.