Master Class: Friday

3 09 2010

The lawyer’s acumen meant that the rowdy robber was acquitted by the jury.

Rewrite this sentence. This time you can only use “that”, “by” and “the”. The rest must be different words. Again, just in case you have forgotten, the aim is to make your sentence really sing.



Language and Technology: Friday

2 09 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Write an expository essay

Vocabulary words
The lawyer’s acumen meant that the rowdy robber was acquitted by the jury.

First activity
Today, you will write the first draft of an essay in response to one of these questions. As you write the draft, you can ask me or other people in the class for help.
When it comes to the final version next week, you will be under test conditions and on your own.

1. To what extent are gender roles in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?
2. To what extent are the people’s skills in 10 Canoes similar to those possessed by people in mainstream Australia today?
3. To what extent are the tools in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?
4. To what extent is the practice of justice in 10 Canoes similar to practices in mainstream Australia today?
5. To what extent are rituals surrounding death in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?



Master Class: Thursday

2 09 2010

The affluent anchorman admonished his brother ad nauseam.

Rewrite this sentence, replacing the words in bold. Feel free to rearrange the words, but be sure to keep the meaning. Try to make your sentence sing.



Language and Technolgy: Thursday

1 09 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Write a formal expository essay

Vocabulary words
The affluent anchorman admonished his brother ad nauseam.

First activity
Today you will write a full plan for one of the following essay topics.

1. To what extent are gender roles in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?
2. To what extent are the people’s skills in 10 Canoes similar to those possessed by people in mainstream Australia today?
3. To what extent are the tools in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?
4. To what extent is the practice of justice in 10 Canoes similar to practices in mainstream Australia today?
5. To what extent are rituals surrounding death in 10 Canoes similar to those in mainstream Australia today?



Year 11 English: Thursday

1 09 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Develop an understanding of family tensions and dynamics

Vocabulary words
The lawyer’s acumen meant that the rowdy robber was acquitted by the jury.

First activity
Continue reading Montana 1948
We will be stopped to discuss and consolidate our understanding of the family dynamics in this text and more generally.



Master Class: Wednesday

1 09 2010

After checking the figures one more time, the accountant realised that he was in a lot of trouble.

For today’s exercise, you will take out the modifier “a lot of” and replace it with another modifiers. The object this time is not to keep the original meaning, but to modify the meaning of the sentence by using a different adjective. Try to write three new sentences, each with a different adjective and meaning.



Up and Running: Wednesday

31 08 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Write cohesively
Read contemporary fiction

Vocabulary words
The lawyer’s acumen meant that the rowdy robber was acquitted by the jury.

15-minute writing topic
The Close Shave
This story will be written entirely in the present tense.
First activity
Continue reading Runner



Year 11 English: Wednesday

31 08 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Develop an understanding of family tensions and dynamics

Vocabulary words
The affluent anchorman admonished his brother ad nauseam.

First activity
Continue reading Montana 1948
We will be stopped to discuss and consolidate our understanding of the family dynamics in this text and more generally.



Spoiler Specials

31 08 2010

Sometimes we happen to stray into discussions about films in class. It happened today.

Given that some of you seem to have a keen interest in film, I thought you might be interested in the Slate Spoiler Specials. These podcast, typically between twenty and thirty minutes long, provide a lively and interesting discussion about recent films. The twist is that they spoil everything, so they are mostly intended for people who have already seen the film.

Having said all of that, some of you might enjoy these. I know I do.



Master Class: Tuesday

31 08 2010

The agile angel stood with arms akimbo and listened to the affidavit.

Rewrite this sentence replacing the words in bold. Feel free to rearrange the sentence. Your sentence should positively sing.



Language and Technology: Tuesday

30 08 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Ability to write an expository essay

Vocabulary words
The agile angel stood with arms akimbo and listened to the affidavit.

15-minute writing topic
Polyglot

First activity
What do we know about essay structure?

Second activity
Walking through my guide to the structure of an expository essay



Up and Running: Tuesday

30 08 2010

Goals
Read contemporary fiction
Expand vocabulary

Vocabulary words
The affluent anchorman admonished his brother ad nauseam.

First activity
Continue reading Runner



Master Class: Monday

30 08 2010

Answer me this: what is the difference between a fictionalised story and a fictional story?

Use examples in your answer. Try to keep this answer between twenty-five and fifty words.



Year 11 English: Monday

29 08 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Develop an understanding of family tensions and dynamics

Vocabulary words
The agile angel stood with arms akimbo and listened to the affidavit.

First activity
Continue reading Montana 1948
We will be stopped to discuss and consolidate our understanding of the family dynamics in this text and more generally.



Up and Running: Monday

29 08 2010

Goals
Expand vocabulary
Read contemporary fiction
Write cohesively

Vocabulary words
The agile angel stood with arms akimbo and listened to the affidavit.

15-minute writing topic
The True Friend

First activity
Continue reading Runner