April 28 - May 4 (ENG, SS)

English 10: Your assignments on connotation have been returned, and we continue on our unit on biased language by looking at four other techniques. I learned how to do voice-overs, so you have the option of reading through the powerpoint on your own, or viewing the video clip where I walk through the PPT (~7 minutes). Then, there's a fake news article for you to see if you can identify some types of bias. This is a little challenging, but should also be fun!

English 8: I've sent an email to you all with a heads-up, but our lesson for this week is split into two parts: the first on perspectives (and you read a poem and answer a couple questions), and the second is on odes (where you write your own poem). I'd recommend you divide your English 8 work period into two sections, whether that be over two days or taking a break between sections.

Socials 8: Now we begin the Renaissance! There's one PowerPoint, and some research for you to do on your own. Just 4 questions this week. I've got an additional optional PPT and handout to help you out, as well. You have the option of reading through the powerpoint on your own, or viewing the video clip where I walk through them.




As a reminder, you are invited to anonymously indicate how our online learning is going, and where you'd like to see it grow from here. If you have the time and the interest, please take the 2-3m survey!

• 8's, your survey is here.
• 10's, yours is here.

Thank you!

Have Your Say

Good morning! I've posted on the discussion boards in our "classroom," but I am inviting you all to participate in a survey to anonymously indicate how our online learning is going, and where you'd like to see it grow from here. If you have the time and the interest, I invite you to please take the 2-3m survey!

8's, your survey is here.

10's, yours is here.

Thank you!

Balance and Productivity

By now, you should have had your first assignments submitted and, if you completed it on time, your feedback returned. If you're having difficulty with something, please send me an email and we'll sort things out - that way I know you're still making the attempt. It's important to check in once a week (by completing assignments, responding to a discussion post, sending me an email...).

As well, if you're wanting support in time management, please reach out and we can work through some general strategies. I've made some templates using Canva down below, but you can also check my PLT Resources tab for a few more materials.

For example, here's mine for the gratitude log.

Apr. 20 - Apr 24 Schedule

Happy Monday to you all. By now, here's what should have taken place:

- you've logged onto the Portal and completed your discussion question/ check in (Gr 8s, ENG10). I've responded to your comments.
- you've logged onto MyBluePrint and are making your way through lesson 1 (CLE). If you've submitted your work, I gave you an email confirmation (for this first assignment), letting you know I'l have it marked for you by tomorrow.
- English 10 students (who submitted their essays before the break) should have received a scanned PDF of their marks back
- Socials 8 students who submitted their Fall, Fights, and Faith notes should have received their feedback electronically




Here is what is coming up this week:

English 10: Your Portal check-in is due by 8PM today. On Tuesday (tomorrow), we will begin our first lesson on media bias: specifically, how language shapes our perspective through connotation. There will be a powerpoint and one assignment to download and work through, due the following Monday (8PM).

CLE: Your article summary is due at the end of Tuesday. On Wednesday, I will upload our next lesson, where we look more specifically at what is being said during an interview.

English 8 & Socials 8: We start our poetry unit tomorrow, as well as a review lesson on everyone's content on the Fall, Fights, Faith notes section -- initially we were going to teach each other, but given that presentations are a little challenging, we'll do pair discussions instead. Your work for English and Socials will be due by 8PM the following Monday, so please make some time for English on one day, and maybe Socials on another day this week.




I know that it may seem overwhelming to have all these online courses, but remember that time is yours. If you want to abide by the 8:20AM start time schedule, you could. If you want to use the Day 1/ Day 2 system, you can. This is a time to learn time management while also balancing self-care initiatives. If you need support with balancing your courses, we can always talk about time blocking strategies.

Apr. 15, 2020 - Classes Underway!

Everyone should have received an invitation to our class and our first week of activities.

ENG8 - please log in to the Portal to complete your weekly check-in.

Socials 8 - please submit your notes (via email is ok for this week), and log in to the Portal to complete your weekly check-in.

ENG10 - please log in to the Portal to complete your weekly check-in.

CLE - please log in to MyBluePrint and tackle the first week's lesson. There's a powerpoint, an article/video you get to choose, and a short writeup to end your week.

Keep Calm and Keep Creating

Sometimes one of the most cathartic things we can do for ourselves is to create/ express. This is often included on the self-care lists you find on Instagram, presented as "write in your journal." This is a great way to express your thoughts and organize them into a personal narrative.

But creation and self-expression doesn't end there.


You can draw and paint.

You can make digital art (Canva and Powtoon have free options).

You can recreate a Tasty recipe (maybe check with the parents before you get flour all over the kitchen counter?)

You can write lyrics.

You can learn a new song on the radio.

You can play around with video editing on your phone.

Up for a challenge? Determine what day number it is (out of 365). If you're reading this on April 8th, it is Day 99 in 2020 (because this year was a leap year). When you have your number, find it on the list of writing prompts. That's your creation/ expression challenge for the day!



I'm excited to start our online learning, which will begin as soon as we can. Til then, keep creating. And Grade 8's - remember your linear notes for the "Fall, Fights, Faith" formerly-presentation-now-notes-based project are due on April 15th - that's a week from today!

Please Check Your Emails!

Hey guys,

You all should have received an email from me yesterday. Please respond as soon as possible, as I need to confirm whose emails are not going through, and figure out another way to reach those people.  IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THE EMAIL, please email me directly. My contact information should be remembered by now, but it is on your course syllabus as well. This is really important!

Stay safe, stay hydrated, take care.