HOW TO Write a Summary (SMALL)

OK. So if you're keeping track, in addition to essay writing and slide show creation, writing a summary is one of the more important skills for Grade 12 English. You need them for good research, you need to do one for your skills passport, and you need to do one as part of your Timed Writing assignment (part of the culminating) - so it's a good idea to figure them out.

So here is a short 'lesson' on how to do one - for the assignment part I'd like you to find at least two articles on a topic of your choice. These can be from your favourite newspaper

And if you're doing one for marks - you might as well take a look at the summary rubric here.

Wikipedia is Wonderful! ...isn't it? (MEDIUM)

OK. So in this assignment we're going to discuss a controversial research tool that we've ALL likely used. Wikipedia is world-renowned for it's ability to answer questions quickly and (relatively) painlessly. However, does that mean it's a good tool for research?

This assignment will walk you through one of the most used knowledge databases in the world - wikipedia. More specifically, we'll discuss how you can use wikipedia effectively, and what to avoid and why.

You will work on three specific skills with this assignment - Research, Summaries and Slide Shows.

You can find the assignment itself here.
Also, you might want to take a look at the slide show rubric before you create one for me.

Vocabulary Can Be Fun...Honest (SMALL)

OK, so right up front I have to admit something. This assignment has nothing to do with Astronauts, Sloths, or memes. I sneakily used a funny image to get your attention. And now that I have your attention I want to tell you about this assignment.

In this assignment I want you to do two things: 1, read some magazine articles on subjects you like (you'll have to use one of our iPads or download the free app Zite to your own tech); and 2, play a computer game.

HERE'S THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET

Part 1 

Let's start with part 2 - the computer game.

Yes. The computer game is called Vocabulary.com. Yes. It is BARELY fair to call it a game - but I swear it is. I want you to visit the site here - http://www.vocabulary.com/  Try it out. Play it for a while, this isn't hard stuff, you can do it. So do it. The results will come with regular, consistent practice. As for scoring:

Get through Level 4 with 5 or fewer errors = Level 4 (A)
Get through Level 3 with 5 or fewer errors = Level 3 (B)
Get through Level 2 with 3 or fewer errors = Level 2 (C)
Get through Level 2 with 4 or more essays = Level 1 (D, a pass)

Keep working until get at least that far, you can do it.

To prove you have earned it, take a screen shot and send it to me. Questions?                                                                                                                                                 10 marks)

Part 2

Next, and this will take you a little longer, I want you to read some articles, and don't worry - you can feel free to read articles of interest to you. Two (2) articles in fact. You can use Zite on our iPads (or on your mobile device - it's a free app), you can use a paper magazine/newspaper, or any web based publication.

Both of your articles should be a minimum of 3/4 page in length, and I want you to do the following:

1) Read it.
2) Read it again.
3) Complete the Article Summary Sheet (twice).
                                                                                                                                  (10 marks ea)

That's it. You're done. Good work.

                                                                                                                                  (30 marks tot)

Ghost in the Shell (MEDIUM)

Wow. A new assignment - it's been a while I know. But I wanted this one to be good (if you believe that excuse I have some swamp land in Florida you may be interested in).

Anyway, here we are. Ghost in the Shell has been a favourite film of mine since I was a teenager - it's cool, it's different, and when it came out at least it looked great. It's about cyborgs, and the internet (the Matrix creators claim it as a MAJOR influence) and espionage and lots of fun stuff. It is dense, and it may take you a few viewings to understand completely (or talk to me, I love to talk about this film).

You SHOULD know that the film does have some nudity and some violence. The nudity is innocent (no sexy time) and the violence is cartoon-style - but it's there, so make your own decision.

Without further ado, here is the assignment.
And here is the rubric for the essay.

Oh yeah, you can find this film on our iPads - #11 and #12.

What's Happening?! (SMALL)

This assignment asks you to read some magazine articles and answer some questions about them. But you'll do more than that. You'll think about the way media is changing. You'll try some new ways people are using media and determine if it's useful or not. Ultimately, you're going to do what you always do in English class - you're going to read, you're going to think, and you're going to write/report. 

To complete the assignment you'll need either an iPad (#1-10) or a computer connected to the internet. 

LINK to the What's Happening Assignment

Now THAT'S Interesting (SMALL)

This assignment is designed to give you practice an ESSENTIAL college skill, taking notes. It may sound boring, but it's really not that bad. You will use a collection of very interesting (and possibly short) video lectures to practice some note-taking strategies I have outlined for you. In the end you will need to explain to me the 6 steps of taking good notes, and practice taking notes for 3 different talks.

Here's a link to a site with some short forms/abbreviation tips for note taking. If you find more, let me know and I'll add them here.

LINK to the Now THAT's Interesting Assignment

Pop Music! (SMALL)

This assignment looks at the music industry, and in particular, at POP Music! You will talk about your favourite grenre, read and summarize an article from Rolling Stone and create a Top 5 Songs/Albums ppt that you think EVERYONE should know/listen to/own.

LINK to the POP Music! Assignment

You'll also need the following article to complete the assignment.

Finally, if you want to see an example of the Top 5 ppt, or if you just want to learn about some GREAT music, take a look at this ppt.

A Mighty Heart (MEDIUM)

For this assignment you'll need a copy of Michael Winterbottom's 2007 film A Mighty Heart, and the following document:
LINK to the A Mighty Heart Assignment