December 11, 2015

To you, my students:
Merci

Gracias

Shukran

Gelek sipas

Mamnunam, Mersi

You are a wonderful class, and I appreciate all of your contributions to making this semester such an exciting one.

Hold onto the "Anne" growth mindset! 

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And you know, I am not Irish... but I like the words!

Keep in touch.

December 8, 2015

Good morning!






Please challenge yourself on the following website:

http://www.readtheory.org/

If you accomplish the task successfully, you will move onto the next level.
Work as quickly as you can. 
Raise your hand when you have reached Grade 8 level, and I will come to your desk.

December 1, 2015

Relative Clauses

Someone asked for clarification on the use of relative pronouns. I suggest you spend some time at the site:

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/clauses-1.html

I hope you find it useful!

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Good morning!


please work through the information on the following websites:

www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity/students/index.html 
Click on Plagiarism
Watch Plagiarism I ( 4 min.) and Plagiarism II (3 min.) videos

1.watch academic integrity video (5 min.)
2. take academic integrity QUIZ
3. take plagiarism QUIZ
4.take paraphrasing QUIZ

THEN...
find the "You quote it you note it" interactive tutorial. (10 min.)
http://library.acadiau.ca/sites/default/files/library/tutorials/plagiarism/

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Analyzing Statistics, Reading Graphs

Today I would like you to read the information on the site below, and write a paragraph to summarize the main points of the entry. Format carefully, and print.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-630-x/11-630-x2015004-eng.htm

Remember the steps in the writing process; don't skip any!

After carefully proofreading, use the following checklist:

1. Is there a title?
2. Does the topic sentence and controlling idea adequately summarize the internet entry?
3. Do the supporting sentences refer to the charts in the entry?
4. Does the conclusion reflect the TS?
5. Have you used transition words?
6. Have you used reporting verbs?
7. Have you included any noun clauses?
8. Did you check grammar, spelling, and punctuation?

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Do you know why? Is this day important for and relevant to newcomers?

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Thursday, November 5, 2015




For further clarification on business writing, check out this website:

http://www.englishgrammar.org/business-letters/

This may be a helpful reference for you in future.
Details regarding format are considered important, and make an impression on your reader.

More on Thesis Statements and Writing

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAAahUKEwiq0tO6wPTIAhULJB4KHeVyBtE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mohawkcollege.ca%2FAssets%2FCommunications%2BCentre%2FOnLine%2BWorkshops%2FThesis%2BStatement%2BMain%2BIdea.ppt&usg=AFQjCNG4qkdH06D0vsqNlvLu2upeaxmJ5Q&bvm=bv.106379543,d.dmo

This long (sorry) link will take you to a powerpoint presentation which will clarify some essential points.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Good morning.
Read carefully and plan your time well.

Q Skills, Unit 2: work online with vocabulary 2.

Writing:
1. Write an email to a supervisor to clarify a disagreement with a colleague. Explain how the conflict has been resolved.
Check the rubric before you begin.
Send this email to my address.

2. Thesis statements:
Write thesis statements for the topics that were on the board yesterday.

THESIS STATEMENTS and Q SKILLS

Good morning. Your homework was to review the blog posts on thesis statements. Now go to the link below and work through the page, including the exercises.

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/thesis-sent.html

Then write thesis statements for the following.
Create a Word Document and submit a hard copy.

Q SKILLS
go online and practise activities from Unit 2.
Check the board for details.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Good morning. This is the day after a federal election. The results affect all of us.
How many ridings are there?
How many were won by each party?
Find the answers online.

Ultimate Speed Reading: spend 30 minutes on this task. Remember to record your results.
What are you doing on a daily basis to improve your reading speed?

Make sure that you have completed all online activities for Q Skills Unit 1, except the extended definition.
Test Thursday.

Writing: create a Word document and write a short essay about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens. A strong thesis statement is essential. You may refer to the handouts I gave you.
Submit a hard copy before break.

Language Learning Tips

https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/10-tips-from-an-expert

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Good morning.
Please read p. 26.
Work on p.27.
Create a Word document for A. Include text name, unit number, date, name, class.
Answer the questions in complete sentences.

Continue with part B.
You do not need to create a chart for your responses, but do include them in your document.

Print upon completion and submit.
Continue with p. 29 (Grammar) if you have time.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Good morning. I hope you all enjoyed the gorgeous weather this past long weekend. We have a lot to be thankful for! The autumn colours are stunning, wouldn't you agree?

1. Please work on improving your reading speed and accuracy for 30 minutes.
2. Continue to complete activities for Q Skills 5, Unit 1.
3. http://chompchomp.com/exercises.htm#Pronoun_Case 
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-1/session-1
5. Read the previous blog entry on your own time.

Anne of Green Gables

Literature Circles October 2015

Role Descriptions

1. discussion leader:

• write some questions to start the discussion
• ask some questions to keep the discussion going
• make sure each group member participates in the discussion

2. vocabulary leader:

• look carefully through the reading and find the words and phrases that you do not know
• choose 4-5 words that you think are important and necessary to understand the reading
• create a chart to share the vocabulary information

3. connector:

• help group members make connections between the reading and the world outside

4. passage finder:

• find and discuss with the group important, interesting or difficult parts of the reading
• read the passage aloud to the group or ask another student to read it.
• explain why you chose the passage.

5. summarizer:

• provide a summary of the plot.

6. character leader:

• how are main characters revealed to the reader?
• make observations about the characters
• share adjectives that describe the personality of characters

HOMEWORK

Literature Circle
 
Please read about PEI on the following page:
http://www.eslincanada.com/english/charlottetown.php

Read the back cover of the novel; what factual information do you have now?
What do you think is going to happen?
Find a map of PEI. Locate Charlottetown, Summerside, and Cavendish.
Think about travel in the 19th century. How was it different than today?

READING

Good morning. Try this test and report the result to me please.

http://www.macmillanreaders.com/tests/level-test 

Make sure you are recording your reading speed and accuracy every week.
Watch this video before you begin USR. It applies to EXTENSIVE reading, which is different from INTENSIVE reading. Which do you think you will need in an academic setting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBvmC2pALwI




Remember to work on your AVL #2 list. Add to the Google Doc Kim has provided.

September 29, 2015

Good morning! Please use the first 30 minutes to work on Speed Reading.

What did you do yesterday to practise your English skills?

Do you have an anecdote to share with the class?

Remember that your AVL #1 quiz is on Wednesday.

Do you have a library book? You will be asked to write a book report.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

1. Opinion essay: review the format and process.
Brainstorm, outline, first draft, edit, proofread.

Does gym class help students to perform better in all their classes?

Develop a thesis statement (see previous blog post for info.)

Submit a hard copy.

2. News article: write questions based on the article you were assigned for homework. Begin with questions that are answered in the article, and then pose questions that serve as a springboard for further discussion.

3. Work on AVL list #1 (see Kim's blog).

4. Think about language; how important is your language to you? How would you feel if that language disappeared? What role does language play in life?

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Good morning. I hope you are enjoying the gorgeous summer weather. Today I would like you to do some writing in the lab. 
Write about an interesting experience you have recently had. Make it come alive for your audience. What kinds of words help you achieve this goal?

Adjectives--appeal to the five senses 
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/adjectives.shtml
Verbs--use powerful verbs
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/verbs.shtml

In narrative writing, chronological order is commonly used, but is not mandatory. Think about the writing process as we discussed it in class. Spend time brainstorming. Include vocabulary brainstorming.
Set up a Word document with DS, including a header with your name, class and the date.
You will need to print your draft. Ask the lab assistant how to do this if you do not know.