Lesson 117

 We opened today's class with some partner work on the question: "Is violence a viable solution to some problems?" Students took notes  with a partner, in whatever form they wished, and then we talked as a larger group (tomorrow, we will transfer these ideas to the coursework package for Chapters 2/3).

After the discussion, we read up to the top of page 58 in the text - WE DID NOT FINISH THE CHAPTER.

Students received a new, creative assignment - "Breaking News..." - They moved into small groups, and will be working on this assignment over the next several classes.

 

Lesson 116

 We started the block with a check in. 

We followed up the check in with a quick discussion of statement #4 in the first package: "Beating someone up is okay if it is for a good reason."

Students handed in their first chapter package for a quick check - It will be marked in its entirety when handed in with a few more chapters as a bundle.  

Students read "Chapter 3" and took note of key quotations on  a post-it.  They then set about working on the next package of questions -either "Words of Wisdom" or one of the conflicts for this section.

No new homework, but a number of folks do need to polish the first package (think full sentences, thorough answers, checking for capitalization and punctuation etc.) 

 

Lesson 115

 Students came in and got right to work!

We finished reading Chapter 2.

Students had the remainder of the block to work on their packages - Page 3 doesn't need to be finished, but all of the other pages should be complete before our next class together. 

Student reflections from yesterday's lesson were collected at the end of the block. 

 

Lesson 114

 In today's class, Ms. Lloyd was gracious enough to walk us through 'The Personhood Project." This is a lesson, designed (and previously taught in Ms. Lloyd's classes) by former Handsworth students. It is centred around ideas of consent and boundaries, and deconstructs some of the deplorable behaviours presented early on in The Outsiders.

Students had the opportunity to actively contribute to the lesson  - they did an excellent job of maintaining the classroom environment  needed for this level of conversation.

At the end of the block, students began work on a reflection. While some may  have finished the work, others will need to complete the writing at home for handing in tomorrow. 

A reminder that Learner Profiles were sent home on the same day as the learning updates were published - take a look at points for improvement, but also take the time to celebrate the many areas in which success is apparent.

  

Lesson 113

 We opened the block with a review of Learner Profiles before jumping into the relationships in the text.

Students had some time to catch up on character notes, and then we talked about the complex nature of the relationship between Ponyboy and Darry.

We read in the text up to the break on page 31, when Pony and Cherry are off to get popcorn (Block A should read to that point).

Tomorrow, we will have a separate lesson on core themes and issues in the text, and we will complete Chapter 2 on Friday.

 

Lesson 112

 

 We started the class with a conversation about judging people by their appearances - and how stereotypes and fear are related.

We set the scene for the novel, thinking about the challenges that teens faced in 1960's Oklahoma, as well as the challenges teens face today. 

We looked at a variety of visuals to help us delve into the above ideas.

Toward the end of the block, students were given Learner Profiles. The idea of these profiles is that they offer deeper insight into areas of success, and areas for improvement. There are so many different ways that proficient or developing can play out - in fact, someone could receive "developing" on every part of every assignment, while another might be proficient in most things, yet "developing" is what appears on the report. 

Hopefully everyone is coming to see where their efforts need to be focused, and they are taking full advantage of all the tools available to them to meet their academic goals.

Lesson 111

 We started class with a reminder that many community members are directly impacted by global events - that we need to be patient, kind listeners...that we all have much more in common than we have differences between us. 

Those who intend to go to the Writing Lab for a re-work of their plot diagrams (for marks)  must do so either Tuesday or Wednesday. The Writing Lab is closed on Thursday this week. As always, students are welcome to tutorial and the Writing Lab to review at any time. 

Students responded to the prompt: "Friends should always stick up for each other." We followed a quick write with a brief sharing of perspectives.

We began reading The Outsiders today - and finished the first chapter. Students were to listen and read along, while also taking notes on a number of characters on page 4 of their package. If they didn't get those notes done, students should pop into tutorial and finish up.

Tomorrow, we will continue with Chapter 2, and students should be able to sign out a text (a set is at the library for coding as I type).  

 

Lesson 110

 Students came in, sat down, and got to writing their quizz(es)! ANYONE WHO MISSED THE QUIZ SHOULD BE HERE AND READY TO WRITE ON MONDAY AT 8:30.

After writing, students read their personal novels -- they were directed to take their books home, or back to the library - whatever makes sense for the break.

We marked the quiz, so students already know where they stand.

Ms. Lloyd (of Handsworth Writing Lab fame) has a student teacher right now, and was looking for ways to support skill development, so she zipped through assessing the recent plot diagrams. Students who did not receive a Proficient are encouraged to take a look at what was missed, and attend the writing lab on Tuesday for a review/re-work.

Anyone who missed the assignment entirely should be in MONDAY'S TUTORIAL to pick up materials and prepare for Tuesday's lab work. 

No homework this weekend! Well done. 

 

Lesson 109

 

 We finished the film.

Students had about 20 minutes of study time.

Students received their Sketchnote assignments. 

QUIZ ON TERMS AND FILM TOMORROW! 

Lesson 108

This block was more film, and a quick reminder about Friday's quiz!

 

Lesson 107

 

 We finished our shield presentations!

Students were reminded of the 2-part quiz coming later this week - one section matching short story terms to their definitions, and a second, multiple-choice section requiring the application of story terms to today's film. 

We watched the first 45 minutes or so of How to Train Your Dragon, and will continue viewing tomorrow. 

Those who missed today's class should either watch the first part at home, or come in to tutorial tomorrow morning for a quiet, 8:30 am viewing party :)

Lesson 106

Students began the class with the MDI survey from UBC in the library.

Upon their return, students either read, or studied their short story terms (quiz in 3 or so classes). Humanities A also did their midterm goal setting at this time. 

We then shifted gears to looking at last week's beautiful Viking shields.

Next block, we begin film viewing - looking at story structure and some fun Viking material.