ELA 20- December 16

Our current theme is growing up and anticipating the future. Yesterday we discussed/debated several aspects of love and marriage.

Today we read a short memoir (personal memory) by E. B. White entitled "Afternoon of an American Boy." The memoir recounts E. B. White's first date with a girl during the 1920s.

You then wrote in your journals, comparing and contrasting dating in 2010 to dating in the 1920s.

History 10- Political Ideology Research

Hello Again,

Tomorrow (December 16) is your last day to do research on your politician/political party (what they stand for/value) and the history of your chosen ideology (where did it come from and why?).

You should complete a one page report (minimum) covering both topics. You will also share your information (in an interesting way) with the class.

Following the presentations you will be debating controversial issues according to your ideology.

DUE: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6- presentations and debate will be that day!

ELA 10- December 15

Hey 10s,

We read Ch. 7&8 of "Z" today in class. You did the accompanying assignments in the notebook and then worked on your nuclear research.

Tomorrow will be a similar day. We may debate nuclear power...

Here is a video from the American political debate (2008 pre-Obama presidency) to get you thinking:



Here is another debate:



I'm definitely not into fear mongering, but this one is interesting!

ELA 30- December 15th

Only 2 more days of school until the break! I hope you can make it until then :)


Today we recited/played our Canadian Holiday songs. Kudos to the boys who did a live performance!

We also read the essay "Who, then, is a 'Canadian?'" by Suwanda Sugunasiri
and the poem "I am a Canadian" by Duke Redbird. Both poems addressed Canadian diversity and that all-consuming question- who is a Canadian!?

We discussed Canadian diversity and whether the Aboriginal languages should be included as one of our National languages... the discussion was interesting.

You then created a "recipe" for Canadian unity and harmony. THIS IS HOMEWORK FOR TOMORROW!

The holidays are growing nearer...

It's important to take time and reflect on the reason for this season. I think this artist, Matisyahu, reminds us what most religions and cultures want for the world during our times of remembrance and thanks.



I told most of my classes today that Americans alone are projected to spend around 450 billion dollars this holday season. Providing access to clean water (across the globe) for those without is estimated to cost 10 billion dollars- a fraction of what we spend at this time of year.

ELA 20- Tuesday, December 14

Today in class we read "Sexism in Rock and Roll Lyrics" by Cohen. Your reflections on masculinity were also due.


We then found and discussed sexism and female abuse in contemporary music.
(Nickelback, 50 cent, Savage, Shaggy, etc.)

I shared with you my analysis of the song "Don't Trust Me" by 3 0H 3. This song degrades both women and people with disabilities. The line "do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips" trivializes the contributions Helen Keller made to those lives of those who are deaf and/or blind. It is disrespectful, crude... I think you understood my point!

The common themes we saw imposed on females in the lyrics were: degradation, contol, and objectification.

December 13 ELA 30- Canadian Personalities and Values

Hey you dozen,

As you are hopefully aware we have been using literature and media to discover/uncover Canadian personalities and values...

We watched some comedy (Russell Peters, Danny Bhoy, This Hour has 22 Minutes) and are reading and sharing information found in Canadian essays. The presentations are due on the Tuesday following the break.

Tomorrow we will be viewing Roch Carrier's "The Sweater" a NFB film:



We will be reading his personal recollection (a Canadian classic!) entitled "The Hockey Sweater" in literary and storybook forms.

What Canadian values does this story reveal?

In the afternoon we will be reading an essay entitled "The Canadian Personality" by Bruce Hutchison.

E10- December 10

Hey Gang! (yes Dezmen, I said it)

If you missed class or need to know your homework:

We watched the slam poetry video of Sarah Kay- remember your inquiry can be artistic too!!

We read "Z" chapters 4-6 (if you didn't read 4 for homework)

We worked on the "Z" notebook:
Pg. 7- 4,5,6
Pg. 9- 2nd row
Ch 4-6 questions

E10s Unknown- Nuclear

Hey gang,

Here are some vids that are related to 'Z is for Zachariah"!

This is first one is called 'spoken word poetry' which is basically an intense recitation of a poem by the poet. This one is called Hiroshima by Sarah Kay. You can see more of her spoken word on YouTube.



Remember that you can explore a topic without having to create a technical report. For the inquiry project you could do something like this to present your information. It's outside of the box but has high impact on the audience. Exploring an issue through poetry can be very effective. This would be a great medium for intertwining feelings and emotions with facts!

Here is a part of the BBC documentary on Hiroshima that we watched the other day:

E20s Growing Up- Analysing Masculine Culture

Decolonizing American History

"I did not know then how much was ended. When I look back now from this high hill of my old age, I can still see the butchered women and children lying heaped and scattered all along the crooked gultch as plain as when I saw them with eyes still young. And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud and was burried in the blizzard. A people's dream died there, and it was a beautiful dream."
- Black Elk on the Wounded Knee Massacre.