Month: March 2013

Thursday, March 28/13

Correct this paragraph:

Stephen King is famous for writing lot’s of book’s and storys that involve horror, many of the main characters in his story’s are writers. For example in the story secret window mort rainey is a righter who cant come up with any new idea’s. He drinks to much and sleeps too much. Then mort meats a crazy guy in a black hat but i cant remember his name basically the guy in the hat is morts id and hes starting to go crazy.

Did you catch all the errors?

Stephen King is famous for writing lots of books and stories that involve horror. Many of the main characters in his stories are writers. For example in the story, “Secret Window,” Mort Rainey is a writer who can’t come up with any new ideas. He drinks too much and sleeps too much. Then Mort meets a crazy guy in a black hat, but I can’t remember his name. Basically, the guy in the hat is Mort’s id and he’s starting to go crazy.

If you highlight the space above, you’ll see the corrected version of this paragraph. It’s like internet magic! (Only much less impressive)

I’ve got a Common Errors worksheet to go through with you and then we’ll go back to literature circles.

One of the things you will be expected to do in your literature circles is generate effective discussion questions so we’ll do a short lesson on that using a QChart.

Finally, you will have a chance to look through the literature circle novels and tell me which ones you’re most interested in reading. Book Look

Wednesday March 27/13

A couple reminders about due dates:

1) Your analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was due yesterday, but I was sick and forgot to remind you about it so I will still take your assignment until tomorrow but not after the long weekend.

2) Your test on horror fiction will be Wednesday April 3. You may use your concept maps but they must be approved by me first so that means you’ll have to hand it in to me Tuesday. If you want to take it home to work on and study from that’s fine.

3) We’re about to start our literature circle unit but before we do we need to discuss effective group work.

First I want you to think about a negative group work experience you had.  What made it negative? How did it make you feel?

Then I want you to think about a positive group work experience. What made it positive? How did it make you feel?

The Basic Elements of Co-operative Learning

  • Positive Interdependence: all members of a group feel connected to each other in the accomplishment of a common goal
  • Individual Accountability: Every member is responsible for demonstrating their learning
  • Face to Face Interaction: Group members need to be close in proximity to each other and talk to each other in ways that promote progress
  • Social Skills: Treating each other in such a way that enables groups to function effectively (taking turns, encouraging, listening, clarifying, etc.)
  • Processing: Taking time to assess collaborative efforts.

Anything you want to add?

Now let’s put this into practice:

I’ll be putting your into groups and as a group you will be given a scenario and list of items.

Here’s the scenario: You and your business companions have just survived the crash of a small plane. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. It is mid-January and you are in Northern Canada. The daily temperature is 25 below zero. There is snow on the ground, and the country-side is wodded with several creeks criss-crossing the area. The nearest town is 50 km away. Your group of survivors managed to salvage the following items:

  • ball of steel wool
  • a small axe
  • a lodaded .45 caliber pistol
  • can of shortening
  • newspapers (1 per person)
  • lighter (without fluid)
  • extra shirt and pants for each survivor
  • 20x20ft piece of canvas
  • a sectional map made of plastic
  • a mickey of whisky
  • a compass
  • a family sized chocolate bar (one per person)

Your task is to list the 12 items in order of importance to survival. You must come to an agreement as a group.

Monday March 25/13

Today we will finish watching Secret Window and then you’re going to work on creating a concept map to summarize what you’ve learned about horror fiction before the unit test.

We will decide on a date for the unit test together as a class.

Thursday March 21/13

Last day in the lab to work on our analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This assignment is due on Tuesday March 26th.

Tomorrow we are going to begin our final part of the horror fiction unit and discuss the unit test.

Tuesday March 19/13

Today we’re going to be looking at horror on television with an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You will have an assignment to complete as you are watching it.

I’ve uploaded a digital copy of the assignment here:

Buffy

And the presentation is here:

 

Monday March 18/13

Today you will be going to the lab (208) to do the following:

*First make sure you completed the questions for “I Am the Doorway” (see post from Thursday March 7).

Then you can work on this:

Journal Response:

This story challenges us to think about how beings from other worlds might see human beings. It also plays on our deep seated fears of losing control of our own bodies.

In your journal, explain how King uses these two ideas to create the horror of this story. Explain what you feel makes this story fascinating and repulsive at the same time. Tell what you liked or did not like about the story and explain your feelings with specific references to the story. In your view, is the narrator, Artie, really possessed by an alien being or just mentally ill? Gather evidence from the story to support either position or the idea that the reader cannot know for sure. What stream(s) of horror is this story based on and how do you know? Make reference to the other two stories we have read and explain how they are different and similar to this story. End your journal with your personal response as to the merits of each of the stories and which one you liked the best. Give clear, specific and well supported reasons for your ideas.

(This journal should be at least one page typed double-spaced)

Please either print this off at the end of the period (finished or not) or hand it in to my hand-in folder (finished or not).