It's about time...

That I finally got around to inviting you to the blog.  I apologize if you didn't get an invite; it is because I DO NOT have eveyone's email addresses.  The idea behind the blog is we have an area where we can share our thoughts about what we are reading and about class.  I hope that someone will start by posting comments about their book they read for book club.  Please do not give away too much of the books just in case it ruins it for someone else.  Happy reading and I look forward to reading your posts!

On Our Way

We are on our way to yet another fun filled year of Grade 9!  I say yet another fun filled year as I am fortunate enough to be in Grade 9 every year, along with all the other fabulous colleagues I have the pleasure of working with on a daily basis.

I am glad we are in our second week because I almost have all of my students names down pat.  Notice I did say ALMOST and my apologies if I don't know your name yet.  When you think about it teachers need to learn over one hundred names and students need to learn their teacher's names and also the names of the students they don't know (which is still quite a few).

From my perspective I think the year has gotten off to a great start.  Students are getting back in the groove reading and writing on a daily basis; myself included!  Once I get all the student emails I am planning on adding my students as members. 

I wish each and everyone of my fellow Seabees the best...remember success comes to those who give it their best effort.  Remember Simonds Pride Continues!

Grade Nine English

Grade Nine English is a full year course where the emphasis will be placed on reading and writing strategies for various genres of texts, literary analysis, and preparation for the ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) which will be written in January 2012.  This is a requirement for graduation.

Semester One

Multi Genre Unit (a study of short fiction, poetry, nonfiction all relating to a specific theme)

Novel Study (Book Club)

Poetry Unit

Writing Workshop will be conducted throughout the year with two scheduled days of writing per week.  Throughout the year the students will be writing quick writes, journals, narrative essay, expository essay, persuasive essay, and literary essay.  Mechanics and Usage will be addressed as a part of this writing workshop model as well.

Semester Two

Speeches- (Research, expository essay, delivery of speech)

Drama- Shakespeare (The study of a full- length Shakespeare play)

Short Fiction & Nonfiction

Writing Workshop

 Marks (Semester One)

Multi Genre Unit Test                         10%

Narrative Essay                                   5%                  

Book Club (Reader Responses)          10%

Book Club Project                              15%

Poetry Test                                          10%

Poetic Analysis                                   5%

Assignments (Quick writes, etc)         30%

Exam                                                   15%

Welcome to Grade 9 English

Hi I am glad you are checking out this blog.  I am new to this so it will definitely be an adventure learning how to do this.  It is Wednesday night and I am looking forward to meeting my new students on Tuesday of next week. 

The reason I am attempting to use the Blog is so we can communicate with each other easier (and I think it is kind of cool).  I will put up information that will help you in class and I hope you will find it useful.  Really the Blog will go in the direction that we choose it to follow as a class.

Hope you enjoyed your summer because now the work will begin!  We will work hard but hopefully have fun at the same time!