Poetry Selection Marking Criteria

Exceeding Expectations (88-98)
I’ve completed at least 5 of the poetry section assignments. My work is original, with effective use of poetic techniques (sound and babble, imagery, form, rhythm and movement devices). My work is fluid, creative, and polished and mine. I took some risks in putting myself or my poetry out there. My poems are typed or written neatly and legibly. They all have titles. I made an original title page. I am very proud of my poetry selection, and the sincere effort I put into it. Possible inclusions: imagery poems, personal poem selection w commentary, found poems, concrete poems, extended metaphor, one or more poems written outside of class this year.
o 88% o 93% o 98%

Meeting Expectations (75-85)
I’ve tried and completed 4 of the poetry section assignments as outlined. I made a sincere effort to do my best by taking into account poetic techniques, and by taking a risk in my writing. My poems are typed or written neatly, and are mine. I have a title page with my name on it. I have met more than the minimum expectations, and I am proud of my poetry selection. I’ve showed some growth this term in poetry over last year!
o 75% o 80% o 85%

Basically Meeting Expectations (60-70)
I have not have completed all 4 of the poetry section assignments, by choice. I could easily have made more of an effort, and I didn’t take any risks whatsoever in this assignment. In fact, not all of my poems may even be original. I may have a title page with my name on it, and my poems are typed or written in ink or pencil. I have a very basic bread and butter poetry selection done. That’s it.
o 60% o 65% o 70%

Friday, January 25th

We are almost at the end of the semester! We've been working on poetry, including:
a) found poetry (newspaper, poetry magnets, anthologies)
b) concrete and formulaic poems (haiku, tanka, cinquain)
c) imagery poems (colour poems, imagery poems, William Carlos Williams inspirations)
d) extended metaphor poems ( Full Moon Me, There is a Wilderness in Me)
...we've discussed triggers and inspirations for writing your own poetry. See my online poetry unit for ideas and inspirations. Class time will be given for your poetry selection. You must include a minimum of four poetic styles, as we discussed in class. Next class we'll be discussing odes and elegies, including songs such as "Afterglow" by INXS.
We also have been working on staging scenes from a Midsummer Night's Dream.
Upcoming Due Dates:
1. Monday, January 28th: in-class reading assessment
2. Wednesday, January 30th: Poetry Selections and MSND scene presentations

Wednesday, January 9th

This week we've begum "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a play by William Shakespeare. We've started off with a powerpoint on Shakespeare, and tried some Shakespearean insults!I've posted the learning outcomes and unit activities today. I outlined the story of the play, and we read a simplified version of it. We previewed different versions of perfoming the play on my MSND video blog. We read Act One, Scene One to get a flavour for language.

Learner to do list:
1. Review terms: soliloquy, monologue, aside, blank verse

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)