June 13 - 17: October Sky

DUE Mon. June 13 - character archetypes activity sheet. (25 marks)  
DUE Fri. June 17 - completion of ch. 1-8 questions. (93 marks)
FINAL Marking Deadline for all May / June work is Fri. June 17

Fri. June 17, 2016

-Finish viewing the movie October Sky followed by lab time to complete final assignments.
- If you've finished everything, check out the writing and media competition opportunities at the very bottom of this website.
- If you wish you could be an October Sky rocket boy/girl, try interactive rocketry:
(Use Google Chrome browser for best access)

• NASA Rocket Science 101
• NASA Launch It
• NASA Bottle Rocket Simulator
• Rocket Simulator
• NASA Interactive Media

Thurs. June 16, 2016

- Complete May and June assignments. Final cut off marking deadline is tomorrow.
- Continue viewing the movie October Sky.

Wed. June 15, 2016

- Complete May and June assignments.
- Start watching the movie October Sky.

Mon. June 13 - Tues. June 14, 2016
-  Group work on the character archetypes activity sheet. (25 marks) .
- Finish your reading and incomplete assignments.
- Watch the Homer Hickam interview (parts 2 and 3)
  

June 6 - 10: October Sky

FINAL Marking Deadline for all May / June work is Fri. June 17

Tues. June 7 - Fri. June 10, 2016

- Documentary film is an effective storytelling medium that is increasingly focused on social, political, and environmental issues / activism.
- We will be viewing The Last Mountain, which tells the story of controversial mountaintop removal mining practices used in West Virginia (the setting of the novel October Sky). This film, the novel, and the text links below allow us to draw intertextual connections between stories that connect the past and present day mining activities with the peoples of British Columbia and West Virginia.
- A similar battle has been successfully fought in British Columbia in the Flathead Valley. As well, The Wilderness Committee has recently raised concerns about the impact of mining on BC's rivers.
- Start work on the documentary reflection chart and paragraph responses (20). Consult the discussion guide if you've missed this documentary.
- This CDC graphic shows the prevalence of cancer in proximity to MTR coal mines. Learn more about the human costs of mountain top removal coal mining. Physicians for Social Responsibility have produced the Coal's Assault on Human Health document.

 

Wed. June 8, 2016

- Lab 1 is booked this class to provide computer access to complete research for writing the ch. 4 paragraph responses.
- When these paragraphs have been completed, continue reading the novel October Sky and working on the remaining ch. 1 -8 questions. 

Mon. June 6, 2016

- In the news, author Homer Hickam is suing Universal for $20 million for breach of contract and fraud for blocking his musical production of The Rocket Boys.
- Continue reading and completion of ch. 1-8 questions.

- To better understand the historical and political setting of the novel, view "Cold War Politics in the Space Race."

May 30 - June 3: October Sky

Fri. June 3, 2016
- A stage version of October Sky has been created. Rocket Boys, the musical, has been in development with showings over the last few years in West Virginia, Atlanta, and Chicago in preparation for a possible opening on Broadway. The performance was reviewed recently in the Chicago Sun-Times.
- continue reading October Sky and responding to the chapter questions. Read ch. 1-4 by Monday.

Wed. June 1 - Thurs. June 2, 2016
- Group discussion questions

- Continue reading October Sky and responding to the chapter questions. Read ch. 1-3 by Monday.
- From Rocket Boys to October Sky is a new book about the journey from book to movie.
 
  - Watch Part 1 of the Homer Hickam interview:
Mon. May 30 - Tues. May 31, 2016

- We'll start reading the novel October Sky. This memoir, written by Homer Hickam, is the first of Hickam's Coalwood series, which also includes The Coalwood Way , Sky of Stone and We Are Not Afraid.- October Sky, originally published as Rocket Boys, is set in Coalwood, West Virginia. Watch the video below to learn about this town.
- Start reading the book and work on the chapter questions (these will be handed in for marking).

May 24 - 27, 2016: Film Studies

DUE Tues. May 24: Top Ten Personal Legend Book Tour
DUE Thurs. May 26 - documentary poem

Fri. May 27, 2016

- We'll finish our film study with a documentary.
Wed. May 25 - Thurs. May 26, 2016 

-  We'll be viewing the movie The Mosquito Coast, which is based on the novel by Paul Theroux.
- while viewing this character-driven adventure story, consider the theme of loyalty and observe the layers of relationships in this drama.
- Is loyalty a positive human trait? Which characters are loyal? When does loyalty become a character flaw?



Tues. May 24, 2016

- In preparation for today's connecting with outdoor nature documentary poem, review the documentary note sheet.
- View Mountains In Motion. You can also try using nature sounds as a writing prompt for your connecting with outdoor nature documentary poem.
- Complete this poem and other overdue assignments.