October 31st

Happy Halloween!!

Please read the poem on pg. 147 and complete the poetry check list/chart.  Remember, writing out your answers is good practice for the exam.  Do a good job on your homework!

October 26th

Hello grade 9's.  I didn't realize that the blog was not working when I posted the information.  Please bring your computers/cell phones to class so you can read this blog.  Sorry for the delay.


Here are your two presentations.  Make note of the due dates.  Coming soon, better get started!

Grade 9 Poetry Assignment

Create a poem that has the following:                                                                                         

Theme:  You must have a theme that is presented in the poem.  Remember the definition of theme.

Type:  You have to create a lyrical poem, at least 2 stanzas and not the 4 that William wanted, ha.  

Literary/Figurative Language: You must include 2 literary devices and 2 figurative devices

Sound Device (Alliteration and Assonance) must be included

Rhyming Scheme: You must have a rhyming scheme included

Note:

a). This poem must have a rough draft and a final draft.  The rough draft must be given to Mr. Boyd before the final draft is created.  The final draft will be hung up in the main hallway for display so do a good job!

b). The final draft must be presented in an “eye catching” way for an audience to read.  The font must be at least more than 16 font so it is easier to read from a distance. 

Due date: November 11^th

                                                                           ^AND

Grade 9 Poetry Assignment (Oral Presentation)

Choose a poem longer than 2 stanzas and present it to the class.  You will be marked on your presentation of the poem which will include the following:

Pronunciation

Clear presentation of the poem following how the punctuation is sued

Voice is loud enough to understand what is being said

Body is helping with the presentation (gestures)

Memorized

Due November 7th

October 18th

Read the following poem and fill out the chart given to you in class.  Due Thursday.  We will take it up on Thursday before your quiz on Friday.  In case you haven't completed previous homework, the chart, make sure that is completed too!!

Rite of Passages

Rite of Passage

Related Poem Content Details

BY SHARON OLDS

As the guests arrive at our son’s party   

they gather in the living room— 

short men, men in first grade 

with smooth jaws and chins. 

Hands in pockets, they stand around 

jostling, jockeying for place, small fights 

breaking out and calming. One says to another 

How old are you? —Six. —I’m seven. —So? 

They eye each other, seeing themselves   

tiny in the other’s pupils. They clear their   

throats a lot, a room of small bankers, 

they fold their arms and frown. I could beat you 

up, a seven says to a six, 

the midnight cake, round and heavy as a 

turret behind them on the table. My son, 

freckles like specks of nutmeg on his cheeks,   

chest narrow as the balsa keel of a   

model boat, long hands 

cool and thin as the day they guided him   

out of me, speaks up as a host 

for the sake of the group. 

We could easily kill a two-year-old, 

he says in his clear voice. The other   

men agree, they clear their throats 

like Generals, they relax and get down to   

playing war, celebrating my son’s life.

October 17th

Sorry for not giving you the needed chart for homework last week.  However, today you got it and it must be done for tomorrow.

Quiz on Friday - Poetry terminology, literary devices and sound devices.  I will be asking for definitions and examples.

October 14th

Due Monday

Read the following poems this weekend and fill out the chart given in class.  It is also important to know everything on the "How to Read a Poem" sheet also given in class.

The Hand by Mary Ruefle

The teacher asks a question.
You know the answer, you suspect
you are the only one in the classroom
who knows the answer, because the person
in question is yourself, and on that
you are the greatest living authority,
but you don’t raise your hand.
You raise the top of your desk
and take out an apple.
You look out the window.
You don’t raise your hand and there is
some essential beauty in your fingers,
which aren’t even drumming, but lie
flat and peaceful.
The teacher repeats the question.
Outside the window, on an overhanging branch,
a robin is ruffling its feathers
and spring is in the air.

Languages by Carl Sandurg

THERE are no handles upon a language
Whereby men take hold of it
And mark it with signs for its remembrance.
It is a river, this language,
Once in a thousand years
Breaking a new course
Changing its way to the ocean.
It is mountain effluvia
Moving to valleys
And from nation to nation
Crossing borders and mixing.
Languages die like rivers.
Words wrapped round your tongue today
And broken to shape of thought
Between your teeth and lips speaking
Now and today
Shall be faded hieroglyphics
Ten thousand years from now.
Sing--and singing--remember
Your song dies and changes
And is not here to-morrow
Any more than the wind
Blowing ten thousand years ago.



This homework should take you about .5 hrs to complete.
Have a good weekend

October 13th

Due Friday (tomorrow)

Take the "Observations about Poetry" sheet and in your own words, write the meaning of each quote.  Remember, this is a guess and is intended for you to try and take an educated guess.  This will help to work on your skills of comprehending difficult text.