Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
ATTENTION: Grade 9
You need to scroll down to the bottom of the page in order to find the Giovanni poems or you can click on the link entitled: A Collection of Nikki Giovanni Poems on the left hand side of the webpage
Grade 10 BLUE: World History: More Bonus Questions
P.S. The dark brown shaded are on the map represents the Napoleonic Empire
1) How did Napoleon become a rising star in the French army? (from the beginning of his career until he became a general)
2) When did Napoleon choreograph (organize) a "coup d'etat" (a bloodless revolution and overthrow of the government)? Why? How did he achieve it? What were the results?
1) How did Napoleon become a rising star in the French army? (from the beginning of his career until he became a general)2) When did Napoleon choreograph (organize) a "coup d'etat" (a bloodless revolution and overthrow of the government)? Why? How did he achieve it? What were the results?
Grade 10 (Blue & Green) World History: Napoleon Bonaparte: Bonus Questions
A) What do you think the above caricature is trying to say about Napoleon Bonaparte?B) Bonaparte has been quite a controvercial (different people have various contrasting views of him) figure in history; some call him a genius, others consider him a fool, whereas the rest just see him as a greedy villain (evil character) who got what he deserved. What do you think of him (one of the above three points of view or a different one of your own)?
P.S. Make sure you support your opinion giving reasons and evidence.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Grade 9 Homewo rk for Thursday 12th March
I Will Never Get My Innocence Back
By: Sharon DeMayo
Have you ever thought that within a single afternoon you could lose your sense of security? Have you ever taken into consideration changing completely the way you look at the world around you? That happened to me, and I'm still paying for the consequences of somebody else's action. The feeling of security and serenity, that everyone should have, is often taken away with brutality for the price of a few dollars. Unfortunately, this happens over and over throughout the world, and it is hard for the victims of criminal actions to recover from their deep wounds.
It was just a day like any other, if possible, even better because it was a Saturday, the end of the working week, and one of the first nice and sunny days of Rome's spring. My best friend and I were in the shop that she owns. It was the middle of the afternoon; we were both pretty happy and making plans for the weekend, and the atmosphere was extremely relaxed, almost lazy. Suddenly a man entered in the shop. We knew, somehow, that he didn't look like one of our usual customers, but we welcomed him politely anyway. Without any hesitation he pulled something out of his coat that we did not recognize immediately, but when he ordered us to go into the back with him, there was no doubt that this "something" was a gun. We were so scared that we could barely understand what was going on. My heart was beating so franticly, that I thought everyone could hear it. Suddenly, while watching the entire scene in astonishment, a shiver ran down my spine. I had that kind of feeling like when you are not sure if you're dreaming or not. In the beginning, I thought it was a stupid joke by a similarly stupid friend of ours, but it took me half a second to realize that it was cruel reality. I still shudder at the thought of it. He seemed to me so calm and so used to this kind of action. "Don't you dare say a single word and come with me in the storage" he said. It was almost a whisper, a few simple words uttered nastily. He gave us precise orders and while doing this, he offended us and kept reminding us that he could shoot at any time. He looked for the money in the register, from our wallets, then he asked for our jewelry and we gave him all he wanted. He was imperturbable while bringing his "job" to conclusion. At that point, he was supposed to leave, instead, he seemed not to have any intention to do so. Suddenly I remember his face becoming soaked in sweat. My friend and I had no chance to talk to each other and exchange our thoughts, but I'm sure we had the same horrible feeling. Fortunately, after a few interminable minutes he left.
You can never know where you can feel safe; growing up you learn that gradually. When you are a child, you feel safe with your parents in your home or wherever you are not alone. Then you begin to understand the news and you learn that horrible things are happening "out there", but you still keep thinking that those events are just other people's worries, not yours. Terrible things happen only to the people you read about in the newspaper, but you will soon start to explore the world on your own and little, insignificant, nasty things begin to happen to you too. You see a car accident, you look at ambulances, someone is mean to you and, somehow, you know that this is as the world goes. Then your conscience starts to make you realize that you are a person like any other. So why couldn't bad things happen to you? You are afraid that something could happen and, depending on your optimistic or pessimistic mood, you can deal or not with this thought.
I think that from the precise moment the guy walked out of the shop, I completely changed my way of relating to the world. Someone could say that I am exaggerating, and maybe they are right, but this is how I feel. I always look around to see which kinds of people are possibly following me. Now I usually double-check everything: if I've locked myself in the car or in the house. I think about how to dress if I have to go out alone or in a particular part of the town; I am always careful not to wear any jewelry. Whenever an unknown guy is getting too close or is trying to get information from me, I tighten up. I know that it is wrong, that not everyone is looking to attack me again. After all, I consider myself lucky, since nothing really bad happened to me or to my friend, but what affects me is the thought of what could have happened. We could have died or he could have beaten or raped us! I know that I have to work on it because since that day I haven't felt safe anymore, What I don't know is where to start. Now I am sure only of one fact, that I blame this guy, not for having taken my jewelry, but for having deprived me of my innocence.
By: Sharon DeMayo
Have you ever thought that within a single afternoon you could lose your sense of security? Have you ever taken into consideration changing completely the way you look at the world around you? That happened to me, and I'm still paying for the consequences of somebody else's action. The feeling of security and serenity, that everyone should have, is often taken away with brutality for the price of a few dollars. Unfortunately, this happens over and over throughout the world, and it is hard for the victims of criminal actions to recover from their deep wounds.
It was just a day like any other, if possible, even better because it was a Saturday, the end of the working week, and one of the first nice and sunny days of Rome's spring. My best friend and I were in the shop that she owns. It was the middle of the afternoon; we were both pretty happy and making plans for the weekend, and the atmosphere was extremely relaxed, almost lazy. Suddenly a man entered in the shop. We knew, somehow, that he didn't look like one of our usual customers, but we welcomed him politely anyway. Without any hesitation he pulled something out of his coat that we did not recognize immediately, but when he ordered us to go into the back with him, there was no doubt that this "something" was a gun. We were so scared that we could barely understand what was going on. My heart was beating so franticly, that I thought everyone could hear it. Suddenly, while watching the entire scene in astonishment, a shiver ran down my spine. I had that kind of feeling like when you are not sure if you're dreaming or not. In the beginning, I thought it was a stupid joke by a similarly stupid friend of ours, but it took me half a second to realize that it was cruel reality. I still shudder at the thought of it. He seemed to me so calm and so used to this kind of action. "Don't you dare say a single word and come with me in the storage" he said. It was almost a whisper, a few simple words uttered nastily. He gave us precise orders and while doing this, he offended us and kept reminding us that he could shoot at any time. He looked for the money in the register, from our wallets, then he asked for our jewelry and we gave him all he wanted. He was imperturbable while bringing his "job" to conclusion. At that point, he was supposed to leave, instead, he seemed not to have any intention to do so. Suddenly I remember his face becoming soaked in sweat. My friend and I had no chance to talk to each other and exchange our thoughts, but I'm sure we had the same horrible feeling. Fortunately, after a few interminable minutes he left.
You can never know where you can feel safe; growing up you learn that gradually. When you are a child, you feel safe with your parents in your home or wherever you are not alone. Then you begin to understand the news and you learn that horrible things are happening "out there", but you still keep thinking that those events are just other people's worries, not yours. Terrible things happen only to the people you read about in the newspaper, but you will soon start to explore the world on your own and little, insignificant, nasty things begin to happen to you too. You see a car accident, you look at ambulances, someone is mean to you and, somehow, you know that this is as the world goes. Then your conscience starts to make you realize that you are a person like any other. So why couldn't bad things happen to you? You are afraid that something could happen and, depending on your optimistic or pessimistic mood, you can deal or not with this thought.
I think that from the precise moment the guy walked out of the shop, I completely changed my way of relating to the world. Someone could say that I am exaggerating, and maybe they are right, but this is how I feel. I always look around to see which kinds of people are possibly following me. Now I usually double-check everything: if I've locked myself in the car or in the house. I think about how to dress if I have to go out alone or in a particular part of the town; I am always careful not to wear any jewelry. Whenever an unknown guy is getting too close or is trying to get information from me, I tighten up. I know that it is wrong, that not everyone is looking to attack me again. After all, I consider myself lucky, since nothing really bad happened to me or to my friend, but what affects me is the thought of what could have happened. We could have died or he could have beaten or raped us! I know that I have to work on it because since that day I haven't felt safe anymore, What I don't know is where to start. Now I am sure only of one fact, that I blame this guy, not for having taken my jewelry, but for having deprived me of my innocence.
1- Which of these do you know from the title?
The writer met a man with a gun.
The author was a visitor in Rome.
It was a hot summer day in Rome.
The author gets hurt in this story.
A man in a shop made a big difference in the life of the author.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2- What is this story about?
A day of shopping in Rome
A joke that a stupid friend played on the writer.
A car accident and other bad things that happen to people.
Being sure one locks the door to the car and house.
A robbery and its effect on the writer’s life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3- Which of these is true?
The man in the shop was one of the usual customers.
The writer was in the shop alone.
Everyone knew immediately that the robber had a gun.
The author and her friends discussed the situation.
The thief took money and jewellery.
4- Which paragraph describes when the writer first realized that bad things don't just happen to *other* people?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5- Why does the author consider herself lucky?
She did not lose all her money.
She has never been robbed again.
She was only injured slightly.
She was able to fight off her attacker.
She could have been hurt or killed, but she wasn't.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6- What was the most serious result of the robbery?
The author doesn't trust others or feel safe.
The author was found guilty of a crime.
The store that her friend owned was closed after the robbery.
The author was beaten up.
The robber was taken to jail.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7- Which is true about the author?
She is pleased with her loss of innocence and trust.
She blames the robber for taking her innocence away.
It is years later, and she feels safe again now.
She no longer locks her car or house door.
She has not been able to travel out of the country after the robbery.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Put the following events in the correct order as they took place in the story:
The robber ordered the women into the storage.
He asked the women for their money and jewellery.
He pulled out a gun.
The robber left the store.
He threatened he could pull the trigger any minute
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the list below:
action around brutality completely everyone of security single still Unfortunately world wounds
Have you ever thought that within a ………… afternoon you could lose your sense of ………………? Have you ever taken into consideration changing …………… the way you look at the world …………you? That happened to me, and I'm paying for the consequences of somebody else's ………… . The feeling of security and serenity, that ………… should have, is often taken away with …………… for the price of a few dollars. , this happens over and over throughout the …………… , and it is hard for the victims …… criminal actions to recover from their deep ………… .
Choose the correct pairs of adjectives from the box to describe the writer’s feelings at the various stages of the story:
Carefree and expectant
Panicky and breathless
Insecure, unable to trust, and without the innocence she had before
Relieved but shaky
A little wary but polite
1) This is how the writer felt at the beginning of the day.
2) This is how the writer acted when she first met the customer.
3) This is how the writer felt when she realized the man had a gun.
4) Immediately after the robber left, the writer probably felt like this.
5) Years after the event, the writer still feels this way.
The writer met a man with a gun.
The author was a visitor in Rome.
It was a hot summer day in Rome.
The author gets hurt in this story.
A man in a shop made a big difference in the life of the author.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2- What is this story about?
A day of shopping in Rome
A joke that a stupid friend played on the writer.
A car accident and other bad things that happen to people.
Being sure one locks the door to the car and house.
A robbery and its effect on the writer’s life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3- Which of these is true?
The man in the shop was one of the usual customers.
The writer was in the shop alone.
Everyone knew immediately that the robber had a gun.
The author and her friends discussed the situation.
The thief took money and jewellery.
4- Which paragraph describes when the writer first realized that bad things don't just happen to *other* people?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5- Why does the author consider herself lucky?
She did not lose all her money.
She has never been robbed again.
She was only injured slightly.
She was able to fight off her attacker.
She could have been hurt or killed, but she wasn't.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6- What was the most serious result of the robbery?
The author doesn't trust others or feel safe.
The author was found guilty of a crime.
The store that her friend owned was closed after the robbery.
The author was beaten up.
The robber was taken to jail.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7- Which is true about the author?
She is pleased with her loss of innocence and trust.
She blames the robber for taking her innocence away.
It is years later, and she feels safe again now.
She no longer locks her car or house door.
She has not been able to travel out of the country after the robbery.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Put the following events in the correct order as they took place in the story:
The robber ordered the women into the storage.
He asked the women for their money and jewellery.
He pulled out a gun.
The robber left the store.
He threatened he could pull the trigger any minute
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the list below:
action around brutality completely everyone of security single still Unfortunately world wounds
Have you ever thought that within a ………… afternoon you could lose your sense of ………………? Have you ever taken into consideration changing …………… the way you look at the world …………you? That happened to me, and I'm paying for the consequences of somebody else's ………… . The feeling of security and serenity, that ………… should have, is often taken away with …………… for the price of a few dollars. , this happens over and over throughout the …………… , and it is hard for the victims …… criminal actions to recover from their deep ………… .
Choose the correct pairs of adjectives from the box to describe the writer’s feelings at the various stages of the story:
Carefree and expectant
Panicky and breathless
Insecure, unable to trust, and without the innocence she had before
Relieved but shaky
A little wary but polite
1) This is how the writer felt at the beginning of the day.
2) This is how the writer acted when she first met the customer.
3) This is how the writer felt when she realized the man had a gun.
4) Immediately after the robber left, the writer probably felt like this.
5) Years after the event, the writer still feels this way.
The Audition Poem for the Drama Club
You can’t be that
By: Brian Patten
I told them:
When I grow up
I’m not going to b a scientist
Or someone who reads the news on TV.
No, a million birds will fly through me.
I’m going to be a tree!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I told them:
When I grow up
I’m not going to be an airline pilot,
A dancer, a lawyer, or an MC.
No, huge whales will swim in me.
I’M GOING TO BE AN OCEAN!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I told them:
I’m not going to be a DJ,
A computer programmer, a musician, or a beautician.
No, streams will flow through me, I’ll be the home of eagles,
I’ll be full of nooks, crannies, valleys and fountains,
I’M OING TO BE A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I asked them:
Just what do you think I am?
Just a child, they said,
And children always become
At least one of the things
We want them to be.
They do not understand me.
I’ll be a stable if I want, smelling of fresh hay,
I’ll be a lost glade in which unicorns still play.
They do not realize I can fulfill any ambition.
They do not realize among them
Walks a magician.
By: Brian Patten
I told them:
When I grow up
I’m not going to b a scientist
Or someone who reads the news on TV.
No, a million birds will fly through me.
I’m going to be a tree!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I told them:
When I grow up
I’m not going to be an airline pilot,
A dancer, a lawyer, or an MC.
No, huge whales will swim in me.
I’M GOING TO BE AN OCEAN!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I told them:
I’m not going to be a DJ,
A computer programmer, a musician, or a beautician.
No, streams will flow through me, I’ll be the home of eagles,
I’ll be full of nooks, crannies, valleys and fountains,
I’M OING TO BE A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS!
They said, you can’t be that. No, you can’t be that.
I asked them:
Just what do you think I am?
Just a child, they said,
And children always become
At least one of the things
We want them to be.
They do not understand me.
I’ll be a stable if I want, smelling of fresh hay,
I’ll be a lost glade in which unicorns still play.
They do not realize I can fulfill any ambition.
They do not realize among them
Walks a magician.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Grade 9: Literature: A collection of Nikki Giovanni poems
I Wrote a Good Omelet
I wrote a good omelet . . . and ate a hot poem . . .
after loving you
Buttoned my car . . . and drove my coat home . . . in the
rain . . .
after loving you
I goed on red . . . and stopped on green . . . floating
somewhere in between . . .
being here and being there . . .
after loving you
I rolled my bed . . . turned down my hair . . . slightly
confused but . . . I don't care . . .
Laid out my teeth . . . and gargled my gown . . . then I stood
. . . and laid me down . . .
to sleep . . .
after loving you
----------------------------------------------------
A Happy Reason
a good book (not necessarily a mystery) . . .
I wrote a good omelet . . . and ate a hot poem . . .
after loving you
Buttoned my car . . . and drove my coat home . . . in the
rain . . .
after loving you
I goed on red . . . and stopped on green . . . floating
somewhere in between . . .
being here and being there . . .
after loving you
I rolled my bed . . . turned down my hair . . . slightly
confused but . . . I don't care . . .
Laid out my teeth . . . and gargled my gown . . . then I stood
. . . and laid me down . . .
to sleep . . .
after loving you
----------------------------------------------------
A Happy Reason
a good book (not necessarily a mystery) . . .
some popcorn with real butter . . .
a fire in the wood stove . . .
quilts on the couch . . .
thermal blankets on the bed . . .
a feather duster waiting to be used . . .
coffee pot with a timer . . .
the 49ers winning if we get lucky . . .
comic pages in color . . .
intelligent editorials . . .
snow or rainor any inclement weather . . .
or heavy doses of sun . . .
a reason to move or not move . . .
a reason to go or not go no reason to beanything . . .
except happy . . .with . . .you
---------------------------------------------------------------
I Do Have My Likes and Dislikes
I like cashmere scarves and cashmere sweaters and cotton blouses
with button down collars
I like mink muffs when my hands are cold and leather gloves up to
my elbow
I like manicures but I don't like nail polish
I like facials but not to squeeze the black heads out
I like caviar and pecan fried chicken and double decker sandwiches
white bread extra mayo
I really like anchovies on my pizza and quilts on my bed and
eucalyptus soap when I take a long bath
I prefer vacations in St.Vincent or Barbados or Jamaica but I'll take
any good beach I can find
I like ESPN Sports Roundup and homemade vanilla ice cream in a
big mug with chocolate chip cookies
I like bird houses and bird feeders and my coffee in the morning on
the deck where I hear birds singing
And mostly I like the peace of the breezes singing through the trees and
. . .oh by the way . . . I really like you
I like cashmere scarves and cashmere sweaters and cotton blouses
with button down collars
I like mink muffs when my hands are cold and leather gloves up to
my elbow
I like manicures but I don't like nail polish
I like facials but not to squeeze the black heads out
I like caviar and pecan fried chicken and double decker sandwiches
white bread extra mayo
I really like anchovies on my pizza and quilts on my bed and
eucalyptus soap when I take a long bath
I prefer vacations in St.Vincent or Barbados or Jamaica but I'll take
any good beach I can find
I like ESPN Sports Roundup and homemade vanilla ice cream in a
big mug with chocolate chip cookies
I like bird houses and bird feeders and my coffee in the morning on
the deck where I hear birds singing
And mostly I like the peace of the breezes singing through the trees and
. . .oh by the way . . . I really like you
------------------------------------------------
August
Apples fall peaches harvested
One kind of pear is prickled
Blackberries turn your finger blue
Some cucumbers get pickled
Biscuits bake or they are fried
Grits are cooked real slow
Green tomatoes in bacon fat
then it's time to go
From Grandmothers country home
Back up to the city
I'd rather stay in the barefoot Southwhere everything is pretty
Apples fall peaches harvested
One kind of pear is prickled
Blackberries turn your finger blue
Some cucumbers get pickled
Biscuits bake or they are fried
Grits are cooked real slow
Green tomatoes in bacon fat
then it's time to go
From Grandmothers country home
Back up to the city
I'd rather stay in the barefoot Southwhere everything is pretty
------------------------------------------------
How Do You Write a Poem?
how do you write a poem
about someone so close
to you that when you say ahhhh
they say chuuu
what can they ask you to put
on paper that isn't already written
on your face
and does the paper make it
any more real
that without them
life would be not
impossible but certainly
more difficult
and why should someone need
a poem to say when i come
home if you're not there
i search the air
for your scent
would i search any less
if i told the world
i don't care at all
and love is so complete
that touch or not we blend
to each other the things
that matter aren't all about
baaaanging (i can be baaaanged all
day long) but finding a spot
where i can be free
of all the physical
and emotional bullshit
and simply sit with a cup
of coffee and say to you
"i'm tired" don't you know
those are my love words
and say to you "how was your
day" doesn't that show
i care or say to you "we lost
a friend" and not want to share
that loss with strangers
don't you already know
what i feel and if
you don't maybe
i should check my feelings
how do you write a poem
about someone so close
to you that when you say ahhhh
they say chuuu
what can they ask you to put
on paper that isn't already written
on your face
and does the paper make it
any more real
that without them
life would be not
impossible but certainly
more difficult
and why should someone need
a poem to say when i come
home if you're not there
i search the air
for your scent
would i search any less
if i told the world
i don't care at all
and love is so complete
that touch or not we blend
to each other the things
that matter aren't all about
baaaanging (i can be baaaanged all
day long) but finding a spot
where i can be free
of all the physical
and emotional bullshit
and simply sit with a cup
of coffee and say to you
"i'm tired" don't you know
those are my love words
and say to you "how was your
day" doesn't that show
i care or say to you "we lost
a friend" and not want to share
that loss with strangers
don't you already know
what i feel and if
you don't maybe
i should check my feelings
-----------------------------------------
I Take Master Card
(Charge Your Love to Me)
(Charge Your Love to Me)
I've heard all the stories 'bout how you don't deserve me
'cause I'm so strong and beautiful and wonderful
and you could never live up to what you know
I should have but I just want to let you know:
I take Master Card
You can love me as much as your heart can stand
then put the rest on account
and pay the interest each month
until we get this settled
You see we modern women do comprehend
that we deserve a whole lot more
than what is normally being offered but we are trying
to get aligned with the modern world
So baby, you can love me all you like
'cause you're pre-approved
and you don't have to sign onthe bottom line
Charge it up'til we just can't take no more
it's the modern way
I take Master Card to see your Visa
and I deal with a Discovery
but I don't want any American Express
'cause like the Pointer Sisters say: I need a slow hand
-----------------------------------
A Greater Love of God and Country
Concerning the Burning of Old and Alone Though Not Lonely
Black Churches
There is no reason to ask
"WHY" since to ask "WHY" is to enter some dark and crazy spot
where one presumes there is REASON and A REASON that will
make sense which is not to say there is a craziness: I don't belive
this is crazy but rather mean . . . hateful . . . ugly -- though not
ignorant because there is knowledge here and there is a purpose here
but there is NO
REASON
People who will burn a cross will burn a church
The buildings may be rebuilt but the creak
of a stair . . . the smell of polish in the pews
the old kitchen where Sunday dinners were reheated
the icebox where the iced tea was kept . . . the too narrow
steps leading to the damp and dusky basement . . . the leaky
window that could not always keep the cold at bay . . . the knowing
that this building was built by these hands to worship this God who
has Deliverd us . . . . . . . . . No. . . that cannot be rebuilt
The people who have burned crosses will burn a church
Something will be lost and the world just a bit sadder
for the loss ot the building . . . . But the people who sift through
ashes know that fire is a friend and that fire can be a foe
But the people who use fire are lowdown . . .
And the people who know that some people are lowdown will watch
the fires . . . will forgive the trespasses. . .and will go right on
thanking their God for His powerful . . . magnificentDeliverance
Concerning the Burning of Old and Alone Though Not Lonely
Black Churches
There is no reason to ask
"WHY" since to ask "WHY" is to enter some dark and crazy spot
where one presumes there is REASON and A REASON that will
make sense which is not to say there is a craziness: I don't belive
this is crazy but rather mean . . . hateful . . . ugly -- though not
ignorant because there is knowledge here and there is a purpose here
but there is NO
REASON
People who will burn a cross will burn a church
The buildings may be rebuilt but the creak
of a stair . . . the smell of polish in the pews
the old kitchen where Sunday dinners were reheated
the icebox where the iced tea was kept . . . the too narrow
steps leading to the damp and dusky basement . . . the leaky
window that could not always keep the cold at bay . . . the knowing
that this building was built by these hands to worship this God who
has Deliverd us . . . . . . . . . No. . . that cannot be rebuilt
The people who have burned crosses will burn a church
Something will be lost and the world just a bit sadder
for the loss ot the building . . . . But the people who sift through
ashes know that fire is a friend and that fire can be a foe
But the people who use fire are lowdown . . .
And the people who know that some people are lowdown will watch
the fires . . . will forgive the trespasses. . .and will go right on
thanking their God for His powerful . . . magnificentDeliverance
-------------------------------------------
You Were Gone
You were gone
like a fly lighting
on that wall
with a spider in the corner
You were gone
like last week's paycheck
for this week's bills
You were gone
like the years between
twenty-five and thirty
as if somehow
You never existed
and if it wouldn't be
for the gray hairs
I'd never know that
You had come.
You were gone
like a fly lighting
on that wall
with a spider in the corner
You were gone
like last week's paycheck
for this week's bills
You were gone
like the years between
twenty-five and thirty
as if somehow
You never existed
and if it wouldn't be
for the gray hairs
I'd never know that
You had come.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Well Done!
Finally, I feel that my smart grade niners have grasped what a descriptive essay is all about. Yasmina has created one of the most well written descriptive compositions about the famous Alexandrian beggar, Rose. I am sure you will remember seeing her before once you read Yasmina's description. You will find Yasmina's writing assignment posted as a comment on the entry entitled Hallelujah Part II: The Writing.
Thank you, Yasmina. I can't wait to see the rest of the class' assignments.
Thank you, Yasmina. I can't wait to see the rest of the class' assignments.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Hallelujah Part II: The writing
Choose one of the following topics to write an essay of not less than 200 words on .
P.S. * If you write on both topics, you get bonus grades.
* If you write on one topic, your deadline is on Thursday. If you are writing on both topics: one of them is due on Thursday and the other on Sunday.
1st topic: Narrative essay: The worst accident I have ever had.
2nd topic: Descriptive essay: The most extra ordinary looking beggar/lunatic (crazy weirdo).
P.S. * If you write on both topics, you get bonus grades.
* If you write on one topic, your deadline is on Thursday. If you are writing on both topics: one of them is due on Thursday and the other on Sunday.
1st topic: Narrative essay: The worst accident I have ever had.
2nd topic: Descriptive essay: The most extra ordinary looking beggar/lunatic (crazy weirdo).
The Long Awaited Grade 9 Homework. Hallelujah! Read the text and answer the questions
Urban Legends
1- The Death Car
It was a cold night in September. The rain was drumming on the car roof as George and Marie Winston drove through the empty country roads towards the house of their friends, the Harrisons, where they were going to attend a party to celebrate the engagement of the Harrisons' daughter, Lisa. As they drove, they listened to the local radio station, which was playing classical music.
They were about five miles from their destination when the music on the radio was interrupted by a news announcement:
"The Cheshire police have issued a serious warning after a man escaped from Colford Mental Hospital earlier this evening. The man, John Downey, is a murderer who killed six people before he was captured two years ago. He is described as large, very strong and extremely dangerous. People in the Cheshire area are warned to keep their doors and windows locked, and to call the police immediately if they see anyone acting strangely."
Marie shivered. "A crazy killer. And he's out there somewhere. That's scary."
"Don't worry about it," said her husband. "We're nearly there now. Anyway, we have more important things to worry about. This car is losing power for some reason -- it must be that old problem with the carburetor. If it gets any worse, we'll have to stay at the Harrisons' tonight and get it fixed before we travel back tomorrow."
As he spoke, the car began to slow down. George pressed the accelerator, but the engine only coughed. Finally they rolled to a halt, as the engine died completely. Just as they stopped, George pulled the car off the road, and it came to rest under a large tree.
"Blast!" said George angrily. "Now we'll have to walk in the rain."
"But that'll take us an hour at least," said Marie. "And I have my high-heeled shoes and my nice clothes on. They'll be ruined!"
"Well, you'll have to wait while I run to the nearest house and call the Harrisons. Someone can come out and pick us up," said George.
"But George! Have you forgotten what the radio said? There's a homicidal maniac out there! You can't leave me alone here!"
"You'll have to hide in the back of the car. Lock all the doors and lie on the floor in the back, under this blanket. No-one will see you. When I come back, I'll knock three times on the door. Then you can get up and open it. Don't open it unless you hear three knocks." George opened the door and slipped out into the rain. He quickly disappeared into the blackness.
Marie quickly locked the doors and settled down under the blanket in the back for a long wait. She was frightened and worried, but she was a strong-minded woman. She had not been waiting long, however, when she heard a strange scratching noise. It seemed to be coming from the roof of the car.
Marie was terrified. She listened, holding her breath. Then she heard three slow knocks, one after the other, also on the roof of the car. Was it her husband? Should she open the door? Then she heard another knock, and another. This was not her husband. It was somebody -- or something -- else. She was shaking with fear, but she forced herself to lie still. The knocking continued -- bump, bump, bump, bump.
Many hours later, as the sun rose, she was still lying there. She had not slept for a moment. The knocking had never stopped, all night long. She did not know what to do. Where was George? Why had he not come for her?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of three or four vehicles, racing quickly down the road. All of them pulled up around her, their tires screeching on the road. At last! Someone had come! Marie sat up quickly and looked out of the window.
The three vehicles were all police cars, and two still had their lights flashing. Several policemen leapt out. One of them rushed towards the car as Marie opened the door. He took her by the hand.
"Get out of the car and walk with me to the police vehicle. miss. You're safe now. Look straight ahead. Keep looking at the police car. Don't look back. Just don't look back."
Something in the way he spoke filled Marie with cold horror. She could not help herself. About ten yards from the police car, she stopped, turned and looked back at the empty vehicle.
George was hanging from the tree above the car, a rope tied around his neck. As the wind blew his body back and forth, his feet were bumping gently on the roof of the car -- bump, bump, bump, bump.
1- Where were the Winstons going when this incident happened? Why?
2- What was the warning announcement on the radio about?
3- What was wrong with the car?
4- What are the two suggestions that Mr. Winston made to solve the problem? Why didn’t Mrs. Winston like either of them?
5- How did Mr. Winston finally convince her of the second solution?
6- Why hadn’t Marie slept all night? Where was she? Why was she lying there?
7- Why didn’t the policeman want Mrs. Winston to look back?
8- What was the bumping sound referred to at the end of the story?
9- What exactly had happened to George?
10- Find an expression in the text that means “to and fro”.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Tick the correct answer:
1. Why did he pull the car off the road?
a) to have a rest
b) to go for a walk
c) to walk to the nearest house
d) it broke down
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Why did Marie stay in the car when George left?
a) She was afraid to go out in the dark.
b) So no-one would steal the car.
c) Her clothes weren't suitable for the rain.
d) She wanted to get some sleep.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Where did George set off to walk to?
a) the Mental Hospital
b) the nearest house
c) the Harrisons' house
d) the police station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Marie says, "There's a homicidal maniac out there!"
What does "homicidal maniac" mean?
a) terrible storm
b) busy road
c) crazy killer
d) policeman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. In "Several policemen leapt out," "leapt" means
a) threw
b) jumped
c) shouted
d) drove
* Make these two sentences into one using conjunctions from the list below
[because – since – consequently - although – however – as a result – eventhough - so that – as]
1- The Harrisons were having a party. Their daughter was getting engaged.
2. The police issued a warning on the radio. A dangerous man had escaped from hospital.
3. Marie was worried about the killer. Her husband was only worried about the car.
4. George went to find help. The car broke down.
5. Marie could not walk in the rain. Her clothes were not suitable.
6. No-one could see her. Marie hid under a blanket.
7. Marie heard a strange sound on the roof. She became very frightened.
8. The knocking continued all night. Marie could not sleep.
9. Several policemen leapt out. One of them rushed towards the car.
10. The policeman told Marie not to look back. She could not help it.
*At what point in the story did Marie feel?
a- worried
b- relieved
c- horrified
1- The Death Car
It was a cold night in September. The rain was drumming on the car roof as George and Marie Winston drove through the empty country roads towards the house of their friends, the Harrisons, where they were going to attend a party to celebrate the engagement of the Harrisons' daughter, Lisa. As they drove, they listened to the local radio station, which was playing classical music.
They were about five miles from their destination when the music on the radio was interrupted by a news announcement:
"The Cheshire police have issued a serious warning after a man escaped from Colford Mental Hospital earlier this evening. The man, John Downey, is a murderer who killed six people before he was captured two years ago. He is described as large, very strong and extremely dangerous. People in the Cheshire area are warned to keep their doors and windows locked, and to call the police immediately if they see anyone acting strangely."
Marie shivered. "A crazy killer. And he's out there somewhere. That's scary."
"Don't worry about it," said her husband. "We're nearly there now. Anyway, we have more important things to worry about. This car is losing power for some reason -- it must be that old problem with the carburetor. If it gets any worse, we'll have to stay at the Harrisons' tonight and get it fixed before we travel back tomorrow."
As he spoke, the car began to slow down. George pressed the accelerator, but the engine only coughed. Finally they rolled to a halt, as the engine died completely. Just as they stopped, George pulled the car off the road, and it came to rest under a large tree.
"Blast!" said George angrily. "Now we'll have to walk in the rain."
"But that'll take us an hour at least," said Marie. "And I have my high-heeled shoes and my nice clothes on. They'll be ruined!"
"Well, you'll have to wait while I run to the nearest house and call the Harrisons. Someone can come out and pick us up," said George.
"But George! Have you forgotten what the radio said? There's a homicidal maniac out there! You can't leave me alone here!"
"You'll have to hide in the back of the car. Lock all the doors and lie on the floor in the back, under this blanket. No-one will see you. When I come back, I'll knock three times on the door. Then you can get up and open it. Don't open it unless you hear three knocks." George opened the door and slipped out into the rain. He quickly disappeared into the blackness.
Marie quickly locked the doors and settled down under the blanket in the back for a long wait. She was frightened and worried, but she was a strong-minded woman. She had not been waiting long, however, when she heard a strange scratching noise. It seemed to be coming from the roof of the car.
Marie was terrified. She listened, holding her breath. Then she heard three slow knocks, one after the other, also on the roof of the car. Was it her husband? Should she open the door? Then she heard another knock, and another. This was not her husband. It was somebody -- or something -- else. She was shaking with fear, but she forced herself to lie still. The knocking continued -- bump, bump, bump, bump.
Many hours later, as the sun rose, she was still lying there. She had not slept for a moment. The knocking had never stopped, all night long. She did not know what to do. Where was George? Why had he not come for her?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of three or four vehicles, racing quickly down the road. All of them pulled up around her, their tires screeching on the road. At last! Someone had come! Marie sat up quickly and looked out of the window.
The three vehicles were all police cars, and two still had their lights flashing. Several policemen leapt out. One of them rushed towards the car as Marie opened the door. He took her by the hand.
"Get out of the car and walk with me to the police vehicle. miss. You're safe now. Look straight ahead. Keep looking at the police car. Don't look back. Just don't look back."
Something in the way he spoke filled Marie with cold horror. She could not help herself. About ten yards from the police car, she stopped, turned and looked back at the empty vehicle.
George was hanging from the tree above the car, a rope tied around his neck. As the wind blew his body back and forth, his feet were bumping gently on the roof of the car -- bump, bump, bump, bump.
1- Where were the Winstons going when this incident happened? Why?
2- What was the warning announcement on the radio about?
3- What was wrong with the car?
4- What are the two suggestions that Mr. Winston made to solve the problem? Why didn’t Mrs. Winston like either of them?
5- How did Mr. Winston finally convince her of the second solution?
6- Why hadn’t Marie slept all night? Where was she? Why was she lying there?
7- Why didn’t the policeman want Mrs. Winston to look back?
8- What was the bumping sound referred to at the end of the story?
9- What exactly had happened to George?
10- Find an expression in the text that means “to and fro”.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Tick the correct answer:
1. Why did he pull the car off the road?
a) to have a rest
b) to go for a walk
c) to walk to the nearest house
d) it broke down
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Why did Marie stay in the car when George left?
a) She was afraid to go out in the dark.
b) So no-one would steal the car.
c) Her clothes weren't suitable for the rain.
d) She wanted to get some sleep.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Where did George set off to walk to?
a) the Mental Hospital
b) the nearest house
c) the Harrisons' house
d) the police station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Marie says, "There's a homicidal maniac out there!"
What does "homicidal maniac" mean?
a) terrible storm
b) busy road
c) crazy killer
d) policeman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. In "Several policemen leapt out," "leapt" means
a) threw
b) jumped
c) shouted
d) drove
* Make these two sentences into one using conjunctions from the list below
[because – since – consequently - although – however – as a result – eventhough - so that – as]
1- The Harrisons were having a party. Their daughter was getting engaged.
2. The police issued a warning on the radio. A dangerous man had escaped from hospital.
3. Marie was worried about the killer. Her husband was only worried about the car.
4. George went to find help. The car broke down.
5. Marie could not walk in the rain. Her clothes were not suitable.
6. No-one could see her. Marie hid under a blanket.
7. Marie heard a strange sound on the roof. She became very frightened.
8. The knocking continued all night. Marie could not sleep.
9. Several policemen leapt out. One of them rushed towards the car.
10. The policeman told Marie not to look back. She could not help it.
*At what point in the story did Marie feel?
a- worried
b- relieved
c- horrified
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