Fri. Sept. 27 Poetry Analysis cont.

Today, you received your assignment "Did I Miss Anything?" back. We discussed the mark (how to read poetry as expected) and I reminded you that the notes are on this homework check (you just have to look back).
As a class, we then analyzed the poem "Grandmother" which was due today. We followed the steps in order to ensure you were all analyzing it in a manner that would lead to the most concise outcome. I then gave you your assignment for next Tuesda.
You assignment for necxt Tuesday is to read two poems actively :
 "Ernest Moss" by Mel Glenn (1982), and
"Jamie"  by Elizabeth Brewster
You were also instructed to answer the following question when you finished the analysis:

What topic/purpose similarities exist between the two peoms?

These are all due for next class.

Wed Sept 25 Poetry

Today, you handed in your active reading completion for the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" As a class, we then went over the answers you completed in response to this analysis. I then gave you the poem "Gramdmother" to actively read for Friday's class. Keep in mind that you will be assessed in your understanding of the steps of active reading within the next couple of weeks (TBA).

I also defined:
Satire
understatement

Mon Sept 23 Lit devices discussion

Today, you got back into your groups from last week and quickly discussed the last part of the assignment you were working on (Grammar Assignment #2). We then discussed some of these sentences and their findings as a class.

I then instructed you to refer to the poem you also received last week ("Did I Miss Anything?"). You were then given questions to answer for this poem (in addition to the active reading strategies). These are to be completed for Wednesday.

Thurs. Sept. 19. analysis

Today, I gave you a sheet containing a number of sentence which demonstrated various literary devices in use. In groups (or independently), you were instructed to highlight and identify the devices. Many of the sentences contain more than one example of a device, which is why working with others is preferable (more discussion). I then gave you the poem "Did I Miss Anything?" to actively read for our next class (Monday, September 23).

Tues. Sept. 17 Poetry Analysis cont

Today, we continued discussing the steps students need to undertake when analyzing poetry. I have pasted the final notes below (the rest appear in the blogger from Wed. September 11). In addition, students needed to address the following jurnal topic in their journals and then put the journal in their portfolio:

September 17, 2013

Have you ever engaged in gossip? Why? What was the outcome? What did you learn?

Poetry steps (final information.

5.  Examine the poem once more. Identify any figures of speech you see (write the type down)  and explain what they mean in literal terms. Also, look for connotations (positive or negative).

6.Ask questions about what you don’t know. Write them on the page if possible.

7.    Summarize and determine topic, theme/purpose.

Friday, Sept 13 ICT Outcomes

Today, you typed in your personal responses from last week into the school system for editing. The ICT outcomes are specific and need to be followed as directed (you have a copy of them).

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Today, we discussed the poem "Two Prisoners", addressing the questions you were given to answer for today.  I then gave you information on how to read a poem. I have pasted these below; however, you will need to talk to another student to "see" what a "read" poem will look like (these are also not all of the steps. I have given you four out of seven). We will finish these up next Tuesday).

In addition, I explained to the class that their assigment on Friday will be to enter their essay in the computer at school at meet basic ICT expectations. I gave them the information and their essays back but they will have class time on Friday. If you were not here, your essay and the information is in your portfolio.

Lesson on How to Analyze Poetry

 

In today’s class, you will need your pens/highlighters out so I can teach you AMAZING things about the reading of poetry!!!!

Reading poetry is a lot like reading prose (which is everything but poetry)… you need to do it actively. Today, I will give you a poem and then we will analyze it together. I will give you the steps to analysis (which you can write on the back of the poem I am giving you) and then put this in an easily accessible place for reference (along with your MOSES sheet).

 

How to Read a Poem

 

1.      Look at the title of the poem. What might it mean? Write down what you think in one or two words beside it. (this is no different than looking at the title of a book or short story… it is just part of the “seeing” before judging…flip the page over and look at the title now. Put down a couple of words to explain the title in your own words.

2.      Look at the layout of the poem. Note the number of stanzas, lines, rhyme scheme and any layout that deviates from a flush left, parallel set-up. Write these down.

 

3.      Read the poem through, highlighting and paying attention to periods, commas and other punctuation marks (read it properly). During this read, also highlight words that are not familiar.

 

4.      Look up definitions of the highlighted words and put them on the page near the word they are defining.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Today, we discussed what is meant by natural and constructed worlds. I have pasted the notes below. I then handed out the poem "Two Prisoners" and asked you to answer some questions (also pasted below). Finally, I gave you a list of literary terms you need to learn in this unit. If you were not here, they are in your portfolio.

The Natural and Constructed World

 

What is meant by natural?

·                     Things that occur without man-made influence.

o   Honey

o   Cows (animals that are not genetically modified)

o   Streams

o   Air

o   Sun

o   Trees/forest/plants (that are not genetically modified)

o   Baby crying/need for affection/emotions/ basic needs

 

What is meant by constructed?

·                     Man-made or man manipulated.

o   Genetically modified food

o    Books

o   Buildings

o   Schools

o   Furniture

o   Clothes

o   Dams

o   Vehicles

o   Art

o   Laws

o   Rules

o   Societal norms

o   Prejudices

o   Fashion

o    Hierarchy (age, position, gender, ethnicity, location)

 

Why should I care?

Much of our world is constructed. Sometimes, it is constructed to favour some of us. At other times, it is constructed in a way that is detrimental. Knowing the world is constructed means we have the ability to evoke change. In fact, all we have to do is look back a decade or so to see that this indeed occurs.

 

Questions to address in relation to the poem "Two Prisoners"

1.  How is this world in “Two Prisoners” constructed?

2.  What are the problems with it?

3.  Summarize the poem in your own words.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Today, you worked on your personal response (three paragraph assignment). This is due at the end of class tomorrow as we need them for assessment purposes.