Holiday Homework Round-Up

All classes from third year up have homework over the summer holidays. Don't forget! Everything is due on the first day back in August: 

20/8/13

Third Year

Your homework is to complete your perfect murder story. Remember the structure (a couple of posts down) and also remember the length - no less than three jotter pages and no more than four. You can type the story instead if you like; in that case aim for 600-800 words.

Fourth Year

Your main focus should be on completing your Added Value Unit. You will by now have read your books, or will be well into them at the least. For August, you need to complete the yellow booklet and hand that in with your 700-800 word essay on your two books.

Higher

You guys have a lot to do over the summer, so don't leave it all to the last minute!

1) Complete your planning sheet and first draft of your short story for your folio. Word limits are 650 words minimum, 1300 words maximum.

2) Read Macbeth. Didn't get a copy? Look at the Higher tab above for a link to the edition I recommend. If you're really stuck though, read it online.

3) Complete the non-fiction reading record booklet. You need to show me that you have read one newspaper article per weekday during the holidays, so that's a minimum of 35 pages of the booklet completed. There are extra sheets in the booklet. Lost your booklet? No problem! Download another copy here.

Intermediate 2

You need to complete the first draft of your reflective essay for your folio. Word limits are 500 words minimum and 1000 words maximum. See a couple of posts down for the planning sheet, which you should hand in with the essay in August.

Need help?

I will be unavailable for the first three weeks of the school holidays, but will be replying to emails from Monday July 22nd onward. You can reach me at missfyvie@live.co.uk

Have a great holiday everyone, and come back in August ready to work hard! :-)

Reflective Writing

The Intermediate 2 class is currently writing a first draft of a reflective essay for their folio of writing.

Click here to download a copy of the planning sheet.

Short Story Structure

Over the last few days, the S3s and the Higher class have been looking at short story structure. Writing a short story is like climbing a mountain: you start at the bottom by introducing the characters, then climb through the complications of the story to the climax. Then you resolve the loose ends on the way back down, ready for the twist ending.

Here is an example structure of a murder story called Ice.

Lamb to the Slaughter

This week the S3 class has been reading 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. This is a story about what seems to be a perfect murder.

Next week, we'll be writing our own perfect murder stories. Try to think of some ideas for how a 'perfect' murder could be committed. We have talked about some famous literary murder mysteries in class. We've also talked about some of the scientific ways that police investigate crimes. I can't wait to see what all of you come up with!

If you'd like, you can watch a TV adaptation of Roald Dahl's short story on Youtube.

S4 Loneliness Project

After reading John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, I asked the class to do a project on the theme of loneliness. The question was 'What is loneliness?'

The class came up with a huge variety of responses including paintings, stories, poems, reports, photo essays, collages, a song (see below) and even a game (also see below.) The results are now displayed in the English corridor, in the large display board next to Mr Dolan's classroom. Come and take a look!

Click to embiggen

Listen to Fraser playing his composition.

Download Angus's game.
Instructions: When you click on the above link you will be taken to a folder that contains all the game files. To download, click on 'File' and then 'Download'. This will download a zip file which contains all the files you need. Extract these files into a folder and then double click on 'loneliness.exe' to launch the game.

Please note: this file has been tested and scanned for viruses, but should be downloaded at your own risk.

Saving Private Ryan

New Higher class - Saving Private Ryan is on Film4 tomorrow night (June 7th) at 9pm. Set your Sky+ boxes!

Quote of the Month, June 2013

To the right you'll see my Quote of the Month for June 2013. This was suggested by Seoras from S2. Roald Dahl is an endlessly quotable author, and this particular quote appeals to me because I think everyone needs a little silliness in their life. Absurdity is one of my favourite things.