Sunday, May 25, 2008

Grad Garage Sale

Saturday May 24th we had a garage sale to raise funds for the Grad Ceremony on June 21st. It was beautiful day and we sold lots of stuff. Thanks to everyone who supported us!

Ottawa Grad Trip 2008

Here are the photos from our amazing trip to Ottawa.


Some things to remember about our trip:
  • The purple "Barney" bus
  • "Miss, can we take a TAXI!?!"
  • Less than 5 minutes in a dorm room and it looks like disaster zone (boys...)
  • The Rideau Centre
  • Walking to the War Museum
  • Walking to the IMAX theatre
  • Some people running across the "scary" bridge
  • Crazy protestors
  • Boat ride down the Rideau Canal
  • Walking to the Museum of Civilization
  • "Look Alex, a bench"
  • The Tulip Festival (pretty flowers...)
  • Walking to Mexico - the boys said it couldn't be done
  • Waiting for the boys to get ready in the morning...
  • Tattoos for everyone!!!
  • Strawberry crepes, yummy!
  • "Miss, can we take a TAXI!?!"

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Free Rice

Help feed the developing world and learn new vocabulary at the same time. Play the game at http://freerice.com/ and for every word you guess right the United Nations World Food Program will donate 100 grams of rice to starving countries. it's fun and you help people. Try it!!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Grad Trip Details

  • Ottawa Trip : Final Details

    Departure: Wednesday 7:30 am Terminus Maheux (DON”T BE LATE)
    Return: Sunday 11 pm Terminus Maheux

    Students are allowed one suitcase to check on the bus. They may bring a backpack to keep with them while traveling. Please remember we will be gone for 5 days…not 5 weeks. Pack accordingly.

    In your backpack you must have:
    □ Health card
    □ Student ID (to qualify for reduced student fares)
    □ Money for lunch or a box lunch
    □ Cab fare to University residence (approx. $5-$8 each)

    In your suitcase you should have:
    □ PJs
    □ Toiletries
    □ Medication (Advil etc.)
    □ Warm clothes (bring layers as the weather can be unpredictable)
    □ Walking shoes (we will be walking a lot so comfortable is important)
    □ Rain jacket / umbrella
    □ Camera
    □ Cup, bowl, plate, cutlery
    □ Snacks for the residence kitchen


    Money
    Ø We will be taking taxis from the Voyageur Bus Terminal in Ottawa to the University Residence therefore students need funds for taxis. We will be traveling 3 to a taxi and all fares will be split equally. We will also be using buses sometimes so bring $30 for transportation.
    Ø Students should budget approximately $150 for food depending upon whether they choose to purchase food and prepare it in the Residence (sandwiches etc.) or more if they wish to eat out in restaurants for each meal.
    Ø We will be going to an English movie - $20
    Ø Spending money is up to each individual.

    Total: $200

End of Year Portfolio

Yearly Portfolio


Includes:
□ Notes on writing pieces from each term: Please re-read your writing from the year. In order of date (start with September) write notes about your writing. Was the story good/bad? Why? **Be specific, DO NOT SUMMARIZE (no plot, needs more details, characters weren’t developed, etc.)
___________________________________________________________
Notes Format:

#1
Date:
Title:
Form:
Comments:

____________________________________________________________


□ Best & Worst Writing: after you re-read all of your writing pieces pick your best piece of writing and your worst piece of writing from the year. You do not have to recopy these pieces, simply label them and place in folder. (make sure your name, title and date are on each)
□ Self-Evaluation Letter: write a 2 page (good copy) letter to Ms. Boone about your best and worst pieces of writing.

Self-Evaluation Letter:

Please discuss (use details and quotes):
□ How did the pieces come to be, what was your inspiration?
□ Best piece: Why are you proud of it? What do you want Ms. Boone to notice?
□ Both pieces: What don’t you like about your writing pieces? What could be improved?
What was your biggest challenge?
□ Describe the writing techniques you used.
□ How have you improved this year? Have you accomplished your goals from last year?
□ What can you do as a writer now that you couldn’t in September?
□ What goals do you have for next year?

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Out of the Classroom

Hi everyone,
I'll be out of the school for the next two weeks spending time at our school board down in Aylmer. If you have any questions about assignments please email me at aboone@wqsb.qc.ca I'll be checking in regularly. All assignments are posted on this site so refer to it when you need to.
Behave and I'll be back soon,
Ms. Boone :)

Public Speaking

Choose to present one of the following:
  1. A soliloquy from a Shakespeare play (Sec III/IV Taming of the Shrew , Sec V Othello)minimum of 15 lines.
  2. A speech (topic of your choice) 5 minutes - 1 cue card!

Good Luck!

Due Tuesday April 29

China Assignment

History V
Ms. Boone
April 2008

Q: Has China’s human rights record improved as a result of being awarded the 2008 Olympic Summer Games ?

Task:

Research the issue of China and human rights.
Examine the history of China’s relationship with Tibet and the genocide in Darfur.
Refer to current events (i.e. the Olympic torch relay)
Conclude with your own opinion.

Details:

500 words minimum
Good copy
Title page
Works cited (see English Manual for MLA guidelines)
Can include maps/photos but they must be integrated into the text with their relevance explained.
4 classes to research

DUE: Tuesday April 29th

Friday, March 14, 2008

Kosovo Assignment

History V
Ms. Boone
March 2008


Q: Should Kosovo be allowed to separate from Serbia and become an independent country?

Task:

Research the issue of Kosovo independence.
Examine the history of Serbia and Yugoslavia since Tito’s death.
Look closely at Slobodan Milosevic’s role in independence.
Conclude with your own opinion on what should be done to create a stable country.

Details:

500 words minimum
Good copy
Title page
Works cited (see English Manual for MLA guidelines)
Can include maps/photos but they must be integrated into the text with their relevance explained.
3 classes to research

DUE: Tuesday March 25th

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Portfolio Self-Reflection

Writing Portfolio Self Evaluation
Secondary Cycle One
Ms. Boone



After you have completed your piece of writing for your Portfolio, take time to reflect on your process and final product. Write a self-evaluation of your work (use complete sentences please) which includes answers to the following:


□ What part of your process or product do you want your teacher to notice? What is your greatest success?
□ What was your biggest challenge? What part did you have to think about carefully?
□ Describe the characteristics of your chosen form and the writing techniques that you have used.
□ How does this piece show your growth as a writer this term?
□ How did you use the rubric to assist you?


Your self-evaluation must be stapled to the front of your good copy. It should have your name and date written on it. It must be written in blue/or black ink like your good copy but it will not be marked for spelling or grammar, just your ideas.

Minimum 150 words.

Cycle Two/Year One Reading Journals

  • English Language Arts
    Secondary Cycle 2
    Ms. Boone


    Reading Journals:
    Reads and Responds to Written Texts Competency



    Starting this term, students will be expected to maintain a Reading Journal that will reflect their interaction with texts they read independently. It is expected that all students will read each week outside of class English books of their own choosing. They may borrow books from school or the public library.

    In the journal, students should try to make connections between what they read and their own lives. It is important as well that students not simply summarize the texts but comment on likes/dislikes, writer’s techniques, etc.

    The Reading Journal will not be evaluated for writing skills: grammar and spelling don’t count BUT errors cannot get in the way of understanding. Neatness will count.

    Each journal entry must have: the date, number of pages read, the title of the text and the author’s name. Journals will be handed in each Day 8 of the cycle. Each student must have a notebook for their journal entries; it is very important that they be able to see their entries in order spread over time at the end of the year.

    ***Each journal entry must be 150 words minimum.***


    Students must demonstrate their developing expertise as a reader by:

  • Identifying and explaining significant ideas in the text
  • Making connections to other texts
  • Making connections to own experiences
  • Making connections to world or media
  • Examining writer’s techniques (i.e. point of view, characterization, plot, setting, symbolism, foreshadowing, humor, horror, etc.)
  • Discussing own strategies for reading and making sense of a text

Cycle One Reading Journals

Reading Journals:
Reads and Responds to Written Texts Competency

This year students will be expected to maintain a Reading Journal that will reflect their interaction with texts they read independently. It is expected that all students will read each week outside of class English books of their own choosing. They may borrow books from school or the public library.

In the journal, students should try to make connections between what they read and their own lives. It is important as well that students not simply summarize the texts but comment on likes/dislikes, writer’s techniques, etc.

The Reading Journal will not be evaluated for writing skills: grammar and spelling don’t count BUT errors cannot get in the way of understanding. Neatness will count.

Each journal entry must have: the date, number of pages read, the title of the text and the author’s name. Journals will be handed in each Day 1 of the cycle and must be signed by a parent/guardian.

***Each journal entry must be 150 words minimum.***

The following is a list of beginning sentences that are useful in helping students start a reading journal:

I like/dislike this idea because...
This character reminds me of someone I know because...
This character reminds me of myself because...
This character is like [name of character] in [title of work] because...
I think this setting is important because...
This scene reminds me of a similar scene in...
I like/dislike this writing because...
This section is particularly effective because...
The ideas here remind me of the ideas in [title of work] because...
This incident reminds me of a similar situation in my own life. It happened when...

Othello Soundtrack

Soundtrack for Othello
Sec V English
Ms. Boone
Term III 2008


Tasks:
Ø Record on CD a soundtrack for Othello to illustrate the various themes or topics
Ø Design the CD case
Ø Write a paper explaining your choices (refer to policy on submitting assignments)
Ø Please submit CD and paper in a pocket folder

Presentation:
You will be asked to select your favorite song and present it to the class with a brief explanation as to how it fits into the play.

Assessment:
See rubrics for details. Please read over carefully to be certain that all criteria are met.

Due Date:
Monday April 7th CD and paper must be handed in. Presentations will start Tuesday April 8th.

Weighting:
30% of Term III

The computer lab has a CD burner which I will make available to students who do not have access to one at home. Students may come to recuperation on Day 3 & Day 8 to use the computer lab, please see me ahead of time to schedule.

CD/MP3 players will be permitted in class while working on the assignment however this is a privilege that will be taken away if time is being wasted.

Helpful Hint:
Do not glue a label to your CD; you must use the proper CD label you buy or your CD will not play. Trust me…

Taming of the Shrew Soundtrack

Soundtrack for Taming of the Shrew
Sec III/IV English
Ms. Boone
Term III 2008

Tasks:
Ø Record on CD a soundtrack for Taming of the Shrew to illustrate the various themes or topics
Ø Design the CD case
Ø Write a paper explaining your choices (refer to policy on submitting assignments)
Ø
Please submit CD and paper in a pocket folder

Presentation:
You will be asked to select your favorite song and present it to the class with a brief explanation as to how it fits into the play.

Assessment:
See rubrics for details. Please read over carefully to be certain that all criteria are met.

Due Date:
Thursday April 3rd CD and paper must be handed in. Presentations will start Wednesday April 9th.

Weighting:
30% of Term III

The computer lab has a CD burner which I will make available to students who do not have access to one at home. Students may come to recuperation on Day 3 & Day 8 to use the computer lab, please see me ahead of time to schedule.

CD/MP3 players will be permitted in class while working on the assignment however this is a privilege that will be taken away if time is being wasted.

Helpful Hint:
Do not glue a label to your CD; you must use the proper CD label you buy or your CD will not play. Trust me…

Music Video Project

Secondary Cycle One
Term 3 Multi-Media Project
English
Ms. Boone

Create your own music video
TASK:
Create a video with Windows Movie Maker to go with a song you choose (to be approved by me). Your video must reflect the meaning of the song’s lyrics but should be as creative as possible. It can include still photos and original video clips. This project can be done alone or with a partner.


Project Details:

□ Song lyrics and brief written description (3 sentences) of meaning must be handed in before starting for approval
□ Video must show editing
□ Video must use effects
□ Video must include Titles and credits
□ A written self-reflection must be handed in at conclusion of project explaining the image choices and how they reflect what is happening in the song. (250 words)

DUE: Friday April 4th

Friday, March 7, 2008