Today, you needed to submit your cheat sheet and dictionaries/thesaurus if you wanted to use your own.
I also had you complete you final class assessment. If you were not here, you will need to do this ASAP (it does impact your mark).
You exam is tomorrow morning.
Be here by 8:45 and expect to write until 4 pm.

Wed.,Thurs. & Fri. Jan. 18, 19, & 20 2017: Test Prep.

Today, we continued preparing for the final. Most students in class worked on test sheets. I also posted the answers and reasons for the poem "For Friends Only" on the board.

You have also received another reading package to do (three readings) as practice. Keep in mind that your cheat sheet is due on Monday.

Tues. Jan. 17, 2016: Test Prep.

Today, you continued to work on the readings/activities I supplied for you yesterday. If you were not here, they are in your portfolio. I also need you guys to get that cheat sheet into me.

Fri. Jan. 13, 2017: Test Prep. Readings

Today, you were given readings and questions that are from a prototype final exam ( I follow to create my own, so they are parallel).

The readings and questions are as follows:

    "The Whites Only Beach"
    "For Friends Only"

You got these at the end of class to do as you wish. It is practice. I will post the answers on Tuesday (you can submit the answers for ease if you choose).
If you were not here, the readings and questions are in your portfolio.

Mon. Jan. 16, 2017: Finding the Main Idea

Today, I handed out a number of worksheets to aid you in preparing for the final:

"Transition Word Practice"
"Find the Main Idea"
"Find the Main Idea of Paragraphs"
"Inference Practice: Ancient Animals"

While some may seem simplistic, the reality is that many students make errors. Active engagement is often the key. You were allowed to work on these on your own or in pairs.

Tues - Fri. Jan. 11-13, 2017: Test Prep: Draft

Today, we discussed the first four questions of draft: transitions, tone, and main idea. If you were not here, you will be able to refer to the notes on the board or ask a classmate for a copy of their notes.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we continued with examining this draft.

Tues. Jan. 10, 2017: Test Prep: Draft

Today, I reminded you that you need to underline/italicize the titles of major works in your essays and use quotation marks (aka., bunny ears) on the titles of minor works.
We then examined the questions of the first reading you will face on the final: The draft. This reading tests your comprehension and, more importantly, your understanding of the 15 common errors. As a practice, you read the Draft prototype released by Saskatchewan Education and then, using your "15 Common Errors" booklet and your process of elimination skills, attempted to arrive at the correct answers. We will review these in class tomorrow.

Mon. Jan. 9, 2017: Test Prep

Today, we began working on prepping for the final. This is not a time to miss as I will not be posting detailed notes. You will have to talk to classmates.

Fri. Jan. 6, 2017: Independent Novel Study Completion

Today, was the deadline to get your independent novel study in. Keep in mind that this assignment was given to you in September. You have had more than four months to read the novel, do the rough copy, and revise. Even at a month per task, you should have had an extra month after to be sure it was in. We will start with test prep. next week.

Thurs. Jan. 5, 2017: Independent Novel Study

I am giving you until the end of class tomorrow to get your independent novel assignment in. Be sure to check off all the things you have done on your instruction sheet. Most of the time, students lose marks because they didn't double check the expectations. Also, keep in mind that this assignment is DEADLINED for tomorrow. I will not accept it late. You have had the assignment since September and have been invited to submit early.