This week is exam week at GCHS and my students are spending Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday rocking their English exams. Last week’s culminating projects were very well-received and the presentations in ENG3U – Grade 11 University English and ENG4U – Grade 12 University English were absolutely awesome.

Exams will be marked by the end of the week and then final marks and report card comments will be prepared by me and sent off to the office. Students should expect report cards, (which will be mailed home) in early July.

I’ve said it before but I’d like to say it again: Thank you to the Grade 11s and 12s who have been so amazing this semester. I wish you the best for next year and the years to come!

Have a wonderful Summer!

It is now the final week of regular classes at GCHS, which is hard to believe. We finished last week with our school commencement ceremony, where Gracie Mascotto delivered a really great valedictorian address encouraging graduates to go out and do good in the world. I’d like to echo Gracie’s message as we wrap things up.

Students in ENG3U – Grade 11 University English will spend the week presenting their Independent Study Unit information. I’ve already seen many of the ISU essays and they’ve been great. Props to those who took advantage of descriptive feedback opportunities. I’m looking forward to hearing new ideas and interpretations of The Canterbury Tales. We will end the week with an exam review. The exam for this class is on Tuesday, June 21.

Meanwhile in ENG4C – Grade 12 College English students are wrapping up report writing for their Independent Study Unit on a social justice issue. Some students are a bit behind and all work must be completed by Wednesday, June 15 for acceptance. It is important that students use all available time – both inside and outside of class – to ensure expectations are met. We will also finish off the week with an exam review. The exam for this class is on Wednesday, June 22.

Finally, in ENG4U – Grade 12 University English we will begin the week with Independent Study Unit presentations. Students each chose two novels and I’m looking forward to the critical thinking and sharing that will undoubtedly occur this week as students defend their theses and provide insight about their novels. We will review the exam on Thursday and then on Friday, students will write an in-class essay as a component of their final exam. The exam proper will be written on Thursday, June 23.

If there are students who are missing assignments, struggling, or feeling the stress that usually comes around at this time of the year, please see me and we will try and work something out. Unfortunately, due dates for the ISU have limited flexibility because I need to mark them, the final exams, and prepare report cards before the end of next week.

Have a wonderful week, best wishes to all of my amazing students, and thanks for a great semester!

Hello! We are down to the final countdown at GCHS.

Students have been working hard to get the last few assignments done. Right now, all students are working (or should be working!) on culminating assignments. These include:

ENG3U Grade 11 University English: We’ve been focusing on The Canterbury Tales and students have been making some good connections between the text, the world, and their own experiences. It’s refreshing to see a group finding meaning so easily. Props to their awesomeness! All of the ISU written work is due on June 13 and that week, we will have presentations, which I’m looking forward to reviewing.

In ENG4C Grade 12 College English, we have been focusing on the “Social Issues” report, which involves students researching, organizing, writing, and presenting a social issue of personal interest. It’s been great to see people put their learning to work. These are due on June 15.

Finally, in ENG4U Grade 12 University English, we are finishing our Hamlet student-led seminars. We’ve been in some excellent discussions about the play’s elements and I appreciate everyone’s participation. We will transition back to the ISU tomorrow and next week. All written work is due on June 13 with presentations occurring for the remainder of the week.

Exams begin on Tueaday, June 21. If students need help, are missing assignments, or want to talk about success strategies, I’m available in class or via email. Otherwise, keep up the good energy. Summer is right around the corner.