Week ending May 25

This was a shortened week since we had the holiday on Mon. We presented our imagery poems to the class, those who missed this will have to present when you return. We spent some time doing some nice relaxed quiet reading and looking at some poems read by their authors on video and some poems set to video which reinforce the imagery in the project we just completed.

If you have access to a computer, we looked at Dylan Thomas' poem, "Do not go Gentle into that Good Night."

I will be moving on to a mini- unit on Shakespeare over the next two weeks. I am also hoping to fit in a small debate unit and a final media unit.

Week Ending May 16, 2012

Hello wonderful English students. Here is an update from this week. We discussed the limmerick and students set to writing 2 limmericks and two Yankee Doodle poems. There were some very cleaver poems...I will post some up soon. We discussed the importance of imagery when an author writes. Imagery focuses on the sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells that are brought to life through words. Students had to find a poem that they felt was full of  great imagery. We are using this poem to create a visual representation of some of the images the poet is trying to convey in their writing. Students have two classes to finish the work..it will be due mid next week.

For students going away, please check this blog for work that you will be missing. I will try to keep you up to date day by day. Also, for any students needing help, I am always available during X Block. I will be letting students know this weekend if you are missing any work. The following is a list of work that should be in for term 4 so far.

1. Poetry terms quiz (25)
2. 8 line poem on a them (10)
3. Lesson of the Moth response (20)
4. Stopping by the Woods questions (10)
5. Road not Taken questions(10)
6. 2 limmerick and 2 yankee doodle poems (10)
7. Imagery artwork piece (10)

The Road not Taken by Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Questions: Please complete in full sentences.

1.       How many stanzas in the poem?

2.       What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

3.       What is happening in the poem? This is what is the literal interpretation of the poem is.

4.       How would you interpret this poem metaphorically?

5.       From your reading of the poem do you think the speaker was happy with his choice to take a different path? Explain why you think the way you do.

6.       What is your opinion of this poem like/don’t like why or why not?

Poem by Robert Frost

The following poem is a classic poem written by famous American poet Robert Frost. I would like you to read the poem and answer the following questions.

1. How many stanzas in this poem?

2. Write out the rhyme scheme of this poem.

3. What is this poem about literally? ( This is the in the lines stuff)

4. What do you think is the deeper meaning of the poem? ( Beyond the lines) By referring to the poem, find the lines that might support this deeper meaning.

5. What time of year do you think this poem is taking place? For those of you who are really smart, you should be able to determine the exact date.

6. What is the mood of this poem? Find  the lines that suggest mood.

Stopping by the Woods

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

The Lesson of the Moth by Don Marquis

Students have continued to read a favourite poem to the class. I am expecting to hear all students read a poem before we finish the unit. We had quite an interesting discussion about risk taking and living life to the fullest. We discussed the idea of good risk and bad risk. Why people choose risky activities...and even the idea that for some people speaking in class can be risky.

Students should complete a full page response (typed) to the poem, "Lesson of the Moth." Make sure you introduce the poem, make your point/opinion and then back it up with an example from the poem.  This assignment will be due next Mon. for class 84 and Tues. for class 85. For those who have been away please get your parents to edit for you. The rest of the class has benefitted from discussion of the poem and editing by me. Make sure you have your work edited by someone.

PLEASE NOTE: if you do not have a copy of the poem, print one out from the internet.