Monday, December 17th

Today we outlined three major essay theme questions, based on your input:

1. "There are many symbols and motifs in 'The Pigman.' Comment on three of these, and their significance in the development of the characters."

2. "Compare and contrast John and Lorraine before they met the Pigman, and after."

3. "John and Lorraine have several epiphanies by the end of the novel. Discuss three of your choice."

We discussed strategies for how to create an effective introduction (hook and thesis), as well as how to tie the conclusion into the introduction. We reviewed the SEXy formula, and here's a link for how to tie in quotes effectively. We looked at an effective essay sample outline, too. Here's a graphic version as well. Finally, I gave out your essay toolbox, along with the T-Square Essay outline to set you up for success. (See the Essay Writing Unit in my English 9 website for these handouts).

>Learner to do List for Tuesday:
1. complete outline for your essay (with hook and thesis)
2. be prepared to write your in-class essay tomorrow!

Friday, December 14th

Yes, it was Friday, but our class worked hard on completing their notes on "The Pigman." We read the final chapter, and reviewed our wall-chart notes on symbols and themes in the novel. We talked about the essay criteria, and decided as a group how to weight the criteria for marking. Our class broke into groups for themes they'd like to write about in their final essays, and discussed their notes. We discussed three "outlining" strategies for essays:
1. Use a web-cluster on paper or an online interactive tool. (Scott's favourite!)
2. Use note-cards to break down ideas and essay parts (Connor and Kia's favourite!)
3. Use the t-square criteria outline as a planning tool
Some students, like Jasmine would like to come in with the bare minimum: sticky notes in novel. Monday, we'll be learning thesis strategies, and finishing our outlining notes for Tuesday's in-class essays write.

>Learner to do List for Monday, Dec. 17th:
a. Finish reading "The Pigman" and any notes.
b. Finish outlining my notes for my essay theme.
...post a response under "comment" telling me what your preferred outlining method is, and sign your name for a special surprise.

Wednesday, December 12th

Today we discussed strategies for introductions or hooks in our writing:
a) begin with an example
b) start with a "quote"
c) provide an interesting, related anecdote
d) kick off with a question
...introductions should be "attention grabbers" that get your reader interested in what you'll be saying in your piece!

>Learner to do List for Friday, Dec. 14th
1. Finish reading "The Pigman"
2. You should have a minimum of 6 pieces of evidence (quotes)
3. We'll be working on thesis statements and strategies for outlining an essay.

Thursday, December 6th

About half of the class has now submitted their character sketches with criteria. We talked about note-taking techniques (collecting evidence). As a class, we came up with 3 ways to take notes:
1. use stickies and place next to big idea, important event, or quote.
a) you can write on your sticky and keep reading
b) you can put you sticky in place, then come back to it, and record your evidence on paper.
2. read, stop, and write your evidence down as you come to it.
3. Use the online hiliting note-taking method with "The Pigman" text. Print out your notes.
...We played the "assassin game" and then a word association game--> symbols!!
As a class, you really impressed me! You came up with thematic categories based on the symbols, and we developed a thesis for an upcoming essay on "The Pigman." Well done!

Learner "To Do" List for next class (Monday, Dec. 9th)
>I will read and take notes on Chaps 9-11 plus next class.
>I will have a minimum of 3 pieces of evidence in my notes.
>I will finish my posting assignment for Wiki (1 quote, interpretation, and response)

Monday, December 3rd

Finish reading up to and including Chapter 8 in "The Pigman." Today we began our character sketches of John or Lorraine. We are using our character evidence notes to assist us in our writing. I went over the "sexy" formula for writing:
-Statement (a claim about the character)
-Evidence (quote, with page # to back up the claim)
-eXplanation (your explanation of the evidence)
-Your opinion (personal thoughts)
...We'll be editing our drafts on Tuesday.
>Submit overdue fairy tales and novel reviews with criteria assessments.
>Finish reading up to & including Chapter 11 in "The Pigman."