Writing a List Poem based on "A Note"

Beginning with "Life is the only way," write your own list poem using "A Note" as a model. Your poem must use the same (with minor variations) number of words and structure as Szymborska's. Use what you learned this week to compose a stronger poem.

Try to find a rhythm to the words you choose (note the number of syllables as well as the number of words). Be careful to punctuate exactly the same way and be aware of how the poet has used punctuation to divide and compare ideas. Post a copy of your poem to the blog before coming to Wednesday's class.

Be prepared to do a recital of your poem (please practice ahead of time!) and speak for one to two minutes on the process you followed and any difficulties you experienced.  Marks will be assigned as follows: quality of poem—50%; recital—25%; remarks on process—25%. Marks will be entered as a Unit Test, so do your best!

NOTE: Check your formatting carefully after copy and pasting your poem. You'll need to add spacing. Try to have your poem look exactly the same as the original handout if you can!

Choosing a Favourite Poem

To help you find a poem, here are three online sources of quality poetry. You must find a poem from one of these three sources. Remember that we will work with the poem in group work that day, so be sure to choose well and remember your classmates as an audience. Remember to print a copy to bring to class that day.

Poems at Slate.com (each poem is read by the poet; a good way to decide if you like the way it sounds)

Canadian Poetry Online (from the University of Toronto library; a list of poets that links to poems from each one)

Poetry Daily Archive (alphabetical archive of poems by title; here you can look for an interesting title and see if you can find a poem you like)

Student Writing on Beauty: Just published today, Emma's work, "Finding Beauty" shows how to use Patrick Lane's speech to create a unique work of your own. Remember that your first drafts are due next Friday. It's well worth reading to help you understand how to proceed with your memoir.

Personal Reaction to Class Activity and William Zinsser's "Writing Good English"

What is your personal reaction to what you learned about writing from your peers and from William Zinsser? Did anything surprise or puzzle you? Do you strongly agree or disagree with any suggestion? Explain why. Answer in a paragraph. Write no fewer than 150 words and no more than 200. You may also mention any differences or similarities to you or your group's opinions on Wednesday.

Due in time for Wednesday, March 2 class. Bring a copy, word processed and double spaced, please.

Homework for the story, "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl"

Using the questions found on the reverse of today's worksheet or the “Guide to Literary Terms,” (click for more complete information, including theme and point of view; Word document) write a paragraph answer based on the page number given to you at class on Friday.

You may comment on more than one example (e.g. for setting you could refer to both the physical setting and the social environment) that occurs on those pages.

Remember to have one overall topic that is more general than your content, so we know how you plan to answer. Write about 150 to 200 words in a single paragraph. Quote at least twice and work to integrate your quotations into your own sentences. Try to show how your page relates to something that happens either before or after it in the story.

I will post a sample answer here this weekend.

Student Photo Links

Thanks everyone for your efforts today. We have a few to make up on Friday. If you are one of the students who still need to present, be on time and we'll start at 9 to finish. All photos linked below.

Alison

Amanjot

Carol

Christina

Eunice

Gurjeet

Harbhajan

Inderjit

Jennifer

Kylie

Lillian

Manpinder

Maple

Mariel

Merry

Namsu

Nancy

Nessrin

Noah

Roxana

Salia

Sandy

Selina

Shabnam

Sunny

Teresa

Uma

Yaning

Zahra


BTW, Noah, you've got a lot more baseball to watch! Go Jays!

Sample Photo for Wednesday's Image Presentation

Here's the photo I will present to you on Wednesday. To see a larger version, click on the photo.

Two benches, a coffee table and a tree in a blue pot (centre background). How can this possibly represent community?

First off, this is the front yard of a neighbour's house, not the back. People who live on my street are always welcome to sit (it's a sunny spot) and rest or contemplate. But, more importantly, the tree in the blue pot is in memory of a neighbour of mine, one who had a profound effect on all who live near me. She (I won't name her since I want to preserve my privacy as a teacher.) died last year, suddenly, from cancer.

Where I live, I know my neighbours. I've been living on this street for nearly 30 years. The woman who died, a wife and mother, always took the time to have a conversation whenever we met on daily errands. She employed my daughter as a babysitter and her husband and I go back 35 years to when we met while working at a community centre in Vancouver. They moved to my street intentionally, because of the community feeling we share.

When she died, my neighbours knew they needed to do something to honour her memory. That's how the tree was added to the benches that were already there. Last year, on her birthday, we met together, shared stories, sang and remembered her. It was a short ceremony but a very important moment. To me, community is walking down the street and being greeted by name, catching up on the latest news and, sometimes, sitting down and remembering those who have left us.

NOTE: The post for your "Temple Grandin" comment is below this one. Please post asap if you have not done so already. I will be back on Wednesday and very much look forward to your images and ideas in your second presentation of the term.

Learning to See: Responding to the Film, "Temple Grandin"

Write a personal response to the film. Include a comment on one scene you liked (for example, an interesting scene early in the film shows Temple’s mother trying to help her learn to read; other important scenes include Temple’s college graduation speech, buying a truck, the door at the market, visiting her professor etc.) Write 150 to 200 words in a paragraph, word process and bring to class. Be sure to mention specifically something we see (an image) and not only what happens.

If you missed class or wish to watch scenes again, here is a link to an online stream for the film, Temple Grandin. Be patient as the stream is slow. Pause the playback for a time to avoid buffering.

Here I Am

Write your version of "Here I Am" here as a comment to this post. Remember to follow the format of my examples exactly (use the same punctuation and word forms etc.).

I will provide my new version here as well.

NOTE: Be sure to post your "Here I Am" here as a comment and not to "post" to the blog.

Remember to bring a copy on paper to class for your performance. Good luck!

NOTE: Please check your formatting when pasting your poem. Poems should have a space between stanza one and stanza two; there is another space between stanza two and three. If you paste from word, you'll have to put them in manually. Otherwise, the poems are hard to read easily.

Something New; Something Memorable

Write two paragraphs, one for each topic, one for "something new" and one for "something memorable." You may mention multiple examples or expand on one example. Your paragraphs should be a minimum of 150 words and maximum of 200 words for each topic.

Be specific and detailed in your writing. Use your best sentences and proofread carefully. Work is due before class time on Wednesday, June 10. Post here and bring a copy, properly formatted, to class to hand in that day. Thank you everyone.

My comments will follow yours and will be posted before the end of next week.

Writing a List Poem: "A Note"

Beginning with "Life is the only way," write your own list poem using "A Note" as a model. Your poem must use the same (with minor variations) number of words and structure as Szymborska's. Use what you learned this week to compose a stronger poem.

Try to find a rhythm to the words you choose (note the number of syllables as well as the number of words). Be careful to punctuate exactly the same way and be aware of how the poet has used punctuation to divide and compare ideas. Post a copy of your poem to the blog before coming to Wednesday's class.

Be prepared to do a recital of your poem (please practice ahead of time!) and speak for one to two minutes on the process you followed and any difficulties you experienced.  Marks will be assigned as follows: quality of poem—50%; recital—25%; remarks on process—25%.

NOTE: Check your formatting carefully after copy and pasting poem. You'll need to add spacing. Try to have your poem look exactly the same as the original handout if you can!

"Biker Brad"; narrative essay on my ride to Halifax

Choosing a Poem

To help you find a poem, here are three online sources of quality poetry. You must find a poem from one of these three sources. Remember that you will need to defend the poem's quality in group work that day, so be sure to choose well. Remember to print a copy to bring to class that day.

Poems at Slate.com (each poem is read by the poet; a good way to decide if you like the way it sounds)

Canadian Poetry Online (from the University of Toronto library; a list of poets that links to poems from each one)

Poetry Daily Archive (alphabetical archive of poems by title; here you can look for an interesting title and see if you can find a poem you like)

NOTE: If you have a poem that you wish to share that is not on these sites, you must send it to me in advance for my approval. Let me know why you think the poem is worthy of discussion in an email by Wednesday, May 20.

My Experience with Poetry

Write a 50-word paragraph that refers to your personal experiences with poetry. The experiences do not have to be at school, although they may be if you wish. Be specific please.

Paragraph Answer for "A Spoiled Man"

Write an answer that is based on information found on the pages you have been assigned. Try, as best you can, to connect what happens on that page to events that occur either before or after in the story. Quote the story at least once, but no more than 20 words, maximum, for all quotes. Identify the page numbers and topic, please, as a heading before your paragraph. See my model answer for more ideas on what to do.

Write between 150 and 200 words. Bring your word processed work to class on Wednesday. 

Link to the story online for easier cut and paste quoting.

After reading all your pitches, I must say, "Bravo"! It will be a fantastic experience to read about all these amazing people. Like Andrew Stanton says at the end of his lecture, " Use what you know. Draw from it. It doesn't always mean plot or fact. It means capturing a truth from your experiencing it, expressing values you personally feel deep down in your core." It seems to me you have done so!

Making a Pitch for Your Narrative Essay

Write a short (100 to 150 word) pitch for your narrative essay idea. Why would we be interested in the person you chose? What makes this person interesting? What influence have they had on you that is interesting to others?

Please bring a copy of your pitch to class on Friday, word processed and printed.

A Memorable Scene: "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans"

Post your comment here by next Wednesday. Answers should be approximately 200 words, plus or minus 10%.

Here's a link to the film at YouTube: "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans"

Homework for the Story, "Katania"

Using the questions you received with your first short story (on the reverse of the sheet) or the “Guide to Literary Terms,” write an answer based on the page range given to you at class on Friday. You may comment on more than one example (e.g. for setting you could refer to both the physical setting and the social environment) that occurs on those pages. Remember to have one overall topic that is more general than your content, so we know how you plan to answer. Write about 200 words in a single paragraph. Quote at least twice and work to integrate your quotations into your own sentences. Try to show how your page range relates to something that happens either before or after it in the story.

A Persuasive RSAnimate

View two or three examples of RSAnimates and then choose the one you find most persuasive.

In a paragraph, explain why you find it persuasive (in a way, persuade us that we should also watch it!). Post your paragraph here (150 to 200 words) before coming to class.

Be sure to bring your work to class, word processed, next Wednesday.

Responding to "Poison Apples"

Write about something that surprised you, angered you, delighted you, or evoked any strong reaction when reading the editorial, “Poison Apples.” Answer in a paragraph of between 150 and 200 words. Bring a copy, word processed and double spaced, to class on Wednesday, March 25.

Personal Reaction to Class Activity and William Zinsser's "Writing Good English"

What is your personal reaction to what you learned about writing from your peers and from William Zinsser? Did anything surprise or puzzle you? Do you strongly agree or disagree with any suggestion? Explain why. Answer in a paragraph. Write no fewer than 150 words and no more than 200. You may also mention any differences or similarities to you or your group's opinions on Friday.

Due in time for Wednesday's class. Bring a copy, word processed and double spaced, please.

Here I Am

Write your version of "Here I Am" here as a comment to this post. Remember to follow the format of my examples exactly (use the same punctuation and word forms etc.).

I will post my original, written in September of 2009. It was written for a class introduction exercise on this blog for English 12 students.

NOTE: Be sure to post your "Here I Am" here as a comment and not to "post" to the blog.

Remember to bring a copy on paper to class for your performance. Good luck!

Welcome Everyone! A Word About Names

Nice to see many of you have joined the blog successfully! Would you please go in to your blogger home page (the one you see when you log in) and add your real name (if your name in class is different) and/or add a name for those who appear as "unknown" at the moment. Ask Renuka in class this week if you aren't sure how to proceed.

Thanks and see you on the 25th of February. I will put up a "Here I Am" post here on Friday evening next week.

Something New; Something Memorable

Write two paragraphs, one for each topic, one for "something new" and one for "something memorable." You may mention multiple examples or expand on one example. Your paragraphs should be a minimum of 150 words and maximum of 200 words for each topic.

Be specific and detailed in your writing. Use your best sentences and proofread carefully. Work is due before class time on Wednesday, January 21. Post here and bring a copy, properly formatted, to class to hand in that day. Thank you everyone.

My comments will follow yours and will be posted before the end of next week.

Writing a List Poem Based on "A Note"

Beginning with "Life is the only way," write your own list poem using "A Note" as a model. Your poem must use the same (with minor variations) number of words and structure as Szymborska's. Use what you learned this week to compose a stronger poem.

Try to find a rhythm to the words you choose (note the number of syllables as well as the number of words). Be careful to punctuate exactly the same way and be aware of how the poet has used punctuation to divide and compare ideas. Post a copy of your poem to the blog before coming to Wednesday's class.

Be prepared to do a recital of your poem (please practice ahead of time!) and speak for one to two minutes on the process you followed and any difficulties you experienced.  Marks will be assigned as follows: quality of poem—50%; recital—25%; remarks on process—25%.

NOTE: Check your formatting carefully after copy and pasting poem. You'll need to add spacing. Try to have your poem look exactly the same as the original handout if you can!