Welcome to Grade 9 English with Ms. Valani and Ms. Fleming

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Teacher Contact Information:

Period 2
Email: nvalani@torontoprepschool.com
Office Hours: 9:00 - 9:55 am / 4:10 - 4:30pm Room #16

Period 3
Email: sfleming@torontoprepschool.com
Office Hours: 9:00 - 9:55 am / 4:10 - 4:30pm Room #2




Course Outline:

Ms. Valani Period 2 Turnitin ID: 16158056 pasword: english2
Ms. Fleming Period 3 Turnitin ID: 16162051 *ask teacher for password





CCT: Reading Schedule and Checks:

Julius Caesar:
Ms. Fleming's Class Exam Folder:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zacSJmoOJk90rz7EoFDZbdmZFRKQibKH?usp=sharing

Ms. Fleming's End of Course Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw0BVVZIhEXW5at9TALtIufMcxzIdkQCvo8UcpFi37Z8DcGQ/viewform?usp=sf_link


Monday January 15, 2018

The exam starts at 10 am, every student must stay for the complete 2 hours.

Ms. Fleming's class is in room 4
Ms. Valani's class is in room 5

Friday January 12, 2018

  • Todays students continued to work on their essay outlines
  • They also reviewed each unit with kahoots and quizlets

Thursday January 11, 2018
  • Today students spent the class working on the essay portion of the exam review
  • Students made a rough outline for each essay question, your outline must include your thesis statement, body paragraph points, and evidence

Wednesday January 10, 2018

  • We started class by reviewing 2 quotations from the exam review
  • Students were then divided into groups of 4 and studied 2 quotations each, they then presented their work to the class


Tuesday January 9, 2018

Some students were asking for the Hero's Journey for the Arthur Dent, you can reference the image below.HG - Hero's Journey.png

Monday January 8, 2018
  • Today students will start by reviewing the poetry unit for the final exam next week
  • We will review 2 poems together as a class ("The Raven" and "I Lost My Talk")
  • Then the class was divided into 4 groups, each group studied a different poem and presented their findings to the class
  • Homework: Complete the short answer exam review


Monday December 23 to Friday January 5 - Holidays!
Friday, December 22, 2017

  • Students started class by submitting their CCT on turnitin.com
  • Below are the Exam Review documents, you need to complete the first section (poetic device) for January 8th 2018

Thursday, December 21, 2017

  • Today students were given time to complete, edit and review their CCTs before submission tomorrow
  • Homework: Finish your CCT essay due tomorrow on turnitin.com

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

  • Today we started class by finishing Act 5 and the play Julius Caesar
  • Next they handed in their Character Cell Phone Assignment
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay due Friday

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

  • Today we started class by reading Act 4, Scene 3, Act 5, Scene 1, 2 of Julius Caesar
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay due Friday and your Character Cell Phone Assignment due tomorrow

Monday, December 18, 2017

  • Today we started class by reading Act 3, Scene 2,3 and Act 4, Scene 1, 2 of Julius Caesar
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay due Friday and your Character Cell Phone Assignment due Wednesday

Friday, December 15, 2017

  • Today your introduction paragraphs were due (Google Classroom) each student was called individually for a conference with their teacher to check on their start to their CCT
  • During the conference students worked their Character Cell Phone Assignment (see document below)
  • Ms Fleming's Class: Read Act 3 Scene 1 and woke on their Character Cell Phone Assignment (see document below)
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay rough draft

Thursday, December 14, 2017
  • We read Act 2, Scene 3,4 and Act 3, Scene 1
  • With leftover time we completed the questions in the study guide
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay rough draft

Wednesday, December 13, 2017
  • We started class by reading Act 1, Scene 3 and Act 2, Scene 1, 2
  • With leftover time we completed the questions in the study guide
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay rough draft

Tuesday, December 12, 2017
  • As a class we reviewed upcoming due dates/our calendar for the CCT and last unit
  • We then read Act 1, Scene 1 and 2
  • Next we completed the questions in the study guide
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay rough draft

Monday, December 11, 2017

  • Today, we started Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar!
  • We began class by researching life in Elizabethan English, in partners students researched one topic and presented it to the class
  • We then read Act 1, scene 1 (Ms. Valani's class will start reading tomorrow)
  • Homework: Work on your CCT essay rough draft



Friday, December 8, 2017

  • Today, students started class writing a quiz on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
  • The rest of the time was used to work on Book, Movie, Society Comparison Paragraphs
  • Don't forget your assignment must be in MLA format (Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced... etc)
  • Homework: Complete Reading Check 3 (in Google Classroom) for Monday and work on your Hitchhiker's Guide Paragraph Assignment

Thursday, December 7, 2017


Wednesday, December 6, 2017

  • Today, students continued watching the film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
  • Then, students received their next written assignment: Book, Movie, Society Comparison Paragraphs on Google Classroom
  • Homework: Choose your topic for the Comparison Assignment Due upcoming Tuesday, and don't forget your final CCT Check (finish the novel / 3 quotations and first sentence of your introduction paragraph Due Monday).

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

  • Today, students began watching the film The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. As you are watching the film be sure to make notes on the differences that you notice between the novel and the film.
  • Upcoming Quiz on Friday: Character Matching, and Short Answers (which will encompass the entirety of the novel) - *remember think of the big moments, key details and events of the novel.

Monday, December 4, 2017
  • At the start of class students submitted their second reading check for their CCT in Google Classroom
  • Next the class read chapters 32-35 (the end of the novel) out loud as a class
  • Then students watched a TedEd Video on the Hero's Journey (https://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-makes-a-hero-matthew-winkler)
  • Students then answered 5 questions on the video on the first page and detailed Arthur's journey on the second page of the document below.


Friday, December 1, 2017


  • Today, students submitted their Satire Assignment Poster and presented their products to the class.
  • Next we read chapter 28 & 29 in class
  • Homework: Read chapter 30 and 31 at home and finish your CCT Reading Check 2 (in Google Classroom)

Thursday, November 30, 2017

  • Today, students were given time to fill in their quotations packet to our current chapter.
  • Next, we read Chapters 24, 25, 26 & 27
  • Finally, with the remaining time students worked on their Satire Assignment (poster and presentation), or their next CCT check.
  • Your quiz results were published on DigiExam for you to check out.
  • Homework: Continue reading for your CCT Reading Check 2 (up to page 154).

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

  • Students started the class with a quiz on DigiExam
  • Next we read chapters 20-23
  • Your brainstorm questions for the project will be submitted at the end of class
  • Homework: Continue reading for your CCT Reading Check 2 (up to page 154).

Tuesday, November 28, 2017


  • Students started the class with a kahoot on the plot of the novel
  • We then read chapters 17-19
  • The remainder class time was used for the Satire Assignment and the quiz review questions
  • If you want to use a website to help create your poster: https://www.postermywall.com/
  • Homework: Study for your quiz tomorrow


Monday, November 27, 2017

  • CCT CHECK # 1
  • Today we continued reading the novel: Chapters 14 - 16
  • Students also received a brief outline of the upcoming quiz: it will be on the plot of chapters 1-15 and it will be multiple choice questions
  • Finally, students were given time to work on their Satire Assignment
  • Homework: CCT Reading, and Quiz Review Questions
* the answers will be posted tomorrow*

Friday, November 24, 2017

Thursday, November 23, 2017



Wednesday, November 22, 2017

  • Today, students began class by taking a look at the CCT Reading Schedule and Reading Check (First check is next Monday!) These are to be submitted on Google Classroom.
  • Then, students read Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy and completed the quotations analysis packet up to Chapter 7 quotations.
  • Finally, with any extra time - students should choose their CCT Essay topic, and start brainstorming / jotting down notes that they recall from watching the play
  • Homework: Read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Tuesday, November 21, 2017


  • Today students submitted their essays on turnitin.com
  • We then explained the English CCT and provided the guidelines (document below)
  • Students read chapters 3 and 4 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and complete questions 1-5 in our Google Classroom
  • Homework: Complete the questions in Google Classroom for next class

Monday, November 20, 2017


  • Today we did a check in students' essays, it was a work period to finish/edit/ask questions about their essays
  • Homework: Finish your Lord of the Flies Research Essay

Friday, November 17, 2017
  • Students were given a period to work on their Lord of the Flies research essay, which is due Tuesday November 21st
  • Remember to include your work cited page and in-text citations (MLA format)
  • Homework: Work on your Lord of the Flies Research Essay

Thursday, November 16, 2017

  • Today, students read chapter 2 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
  • Next they completed a handout (in Google Classroom) related to chapters 1 and 2
  • Ms. Valani's class: once you are finished the google classroom questions, show your answers to the substitute teacher and then you may work on your essay
  • Homework: Finish google classroom handout if you have not already finished it in class and work on your essay

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

  • Today, students learned about Conclusions and outlined the conclusion to their essay
  • Next they read the introduction and chapter 1 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Students also received a Quote Analysis Packet that should be completed as we read the book.
  • Ms. Valani's class: the substitute teacher will hand back the LOTF quizzes to those who wrote a paper copy, those who wrote on DigiExam, your results are published there. The quiz is out of 34 marks in total.
  • Homework: Finish reading the introduction and chapter 1 of the novel


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

  • Today, students learned about Body Paragraphs and outlined their 4 body paragraphs including citations from their research and quotes from the novel
  • Homework: Complete the 4 body paragraph outlines if you did not finish it in class


Monday, November 13, 2017

  • Today, students learned about Introduction Paragraphs and began writing the intros for their research essay.
  • Homework: Complete the introduction paragraph if you did not finish it in class

Thursday, November 9, 2017

  • Today, students presented their legal speeches for the case against Ralph (from the novel)
  • Then, we went over the instructions for the essay, students are to complete the outline below over the weekend
  • Homework: Complete the essay outline for Monday


Wednesday, November 8, 2017

  • Today students wrote a quiz on Chapters 5-12
  • Once completed, they received their Lord of the Flies Research Essay.
  • Homework: Read the assignment guidelines for the Research Essay

Tuesday, November 7, 2017


  • We start class with an law and order activity in groups, each group comes up with their arguments
  • We then read chapter 12 together
  • Students will then make fortune tellers to review for tomorrow's quiz, this fortune teller can be used to quiz one another
  • Homework: Review chapters 5-12 and the activities from our google classroom to study for the quiz tomorrow

Monday, November 6, 2017


  • Today we reviewed the events of Chapter 9/10 and completed the chronolog questions
  • We then read chapter 11 in class and discussed the events
  • Homework: Finish reading Ch. 11 and study for your quiz on Wednesday
  • Quiz Format (similar to previous quiz): Multiple Choice, Quotes, Short Answer, Thesis Statement

Thursday, November 2, 2017

  • Today, we reviewed the events in Chapter 8
  • Students then learned about The Stanford Prison Experiment and completed the google classroom activity where they compared the experiment to the novel
  • Homework: Finish the worksheet on google classroom, read Chapter 9 and 10.

Wednesday , November 1, 2017

  • Today, we began class discussing the similarities/differences between Kid Nation and Lord of the Flies
  • We then read chapter 8 in class and completed a chapter 8 analysis of the boys' savagery
  • Homework: complete the chapter 8 analysis handout

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  • Today, we began class taking up the homework (themes) google classroom document
  • Students then watched an episode of Kid Nation
  • We then completed 2 questions linking the TV show to Lord of the Flies in google classroom

Monday, October 30, 2017

  • Today, we began class with a Quizziz that students completed online to review
  • Students then completed the themes activity on google classroom
  • Homework: complete themes handout from google classroom

Friday, October 27, 2017

  • Today, we began class by looking at the collages made on Wednesday, and students completed the conflict activity on google classroom.
  • Homework: Read chapter 6 and 7 over the weekend

Thursday, October 26, 2017

  • Today, students will be writing a quiz based on chapters 1-4
  • When finished they are to start reading chapter 5
  • Homework: Finish reading chapter 5

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

  • Today, we began class by reviewing chapters 1 - 4 with a Kahoot
  • Then we practised for tomorrow's quiz with a SEE paragraph on the events in Chapter 4
  • Finally, students reflected on the significance of masks with a collage activity.
  • Homework: Study for your quiz tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  • We started class today by taking up the analysis of important quotations from Ch. 1-3 (Google Classroom).
  • We then discussed what a symbol is, and the symbols present so far in novel. We divided into groups of 2 and analyzed each symbol, each group presented their findings to the class.
  • We then started reading Chapter 4.
  • Homework: Finish reading Chapter 4.


Monday, October 23, 2017


Friday, October 20, 2017

  • Today, we read chapter 3 as a class. We then completed the fill in the blanks plot chronolog.
  • With the remainder of the class, we went over the short story assignment, rubric and completed a check in.
  • Homework: Finish your Short Story Assignment, due on Monday (turnitin.com)! If you are in Ms. Fleming's class print out your story and hand in a paper copy on Monday as well as submitting it to turnitin.com

Thursday, October 19, 2017

  • Today, students began class by reviewing the events in Chapter 2
  • Then, we learned about the SEE format of writing a paragraph.
  • After learning about nature VS. nurture, students applied this knowledge to the novel and wrote a SEE paragraph of their own on Google Classroom
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k50yMwEOWGU
  • Homework: Finish your S.E.E paragraph in Google Classroom. Work on your Short Story Assignment!

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

  • Today, students will compare the three characters, Ralph, Piggy and Jack by completing a character comparison chart in our google classroom. Finally you will decide which one would make the best leader.
  • Next we will be starting to fill in our blanks for the plot of each chapter.
  • We then began to read Chapter Two
  • Homework: Finish reading Chapter Two and be sure to submit your google classroom character comparison before midnight.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

  • Today, students began the Lord of the Flies Unit with a survival activity, and notes on the historical context of the novel
  • We then began to read Chapter One
  • Homework: Finish reading Chapter One

Monday, October 16, 2017

  • Today, students are working on their Short Story Assignment. They need to complete the Short Story Brainstorm, which will be handed in along with the story on Oct. 23rd
  • Reminder: this will be the only period to work on your Short Story Assignment and to ask questions in class
  • Homework: Bring your novel Lord of the Flies with you to class tomorrow.

Friday, October 13, 2017

  • Today, students are submitting their Humans of TPS assignment on Turnitin.com
  • We will then be learning about theme, mood, setting and points of view in relation to short stories
  • Next we will be reading the short story by Langston Hughes: Dear Ma
  • Afterwards students will be grouped together for a discussion seminar
  • Homework: Read through the Short Story Assignment and start thinking about what you would like to write about.


Thursday, October 12, 2017

  • Today, students will be learning about conflict within a short story
  • We will then read the short story by Evan Hunter: On The Sidewalk Bleeding
  • Homework: Complete the Graphic Organizer for the short story: On The Sidewalk Bleeding.



Wednesday, October 11, 2017

  • Today, all grade 9 students went to the theatre to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

  • Today, students will work on interviewing and photographing their partner for the Humans of Toronto Prep School Assignment.
  • Don't forget tomorrow we are going to the theatre!

Friday, October 6, 2017


Thursday, October 5, 2017

  • Today, students went over another element of a short story: Characters and Characterization.
  • They were then given an Exploring Character Activity that will be completed over the next few days in class.
  • Homework: Complete the Humans of New York Worksheet for class tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017


  • Today, students will be going over the elements to a short story, they will be taking notes.
  • Together, the class will then read The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe.
  • Student will then work on separating the elements to the short story and complete the Story Telling Arc worksheet.
  • Homework: If you have not completed the Story Telling Arc worksheet in class, you are to finish it at home.


Tuesday, October 3, 2017


Monday, October 2, 2017


Friday, September 29, 2017

  • Today, students were given another period to work on their Poetry Assignments due at the beginning of class Tuesday, October 3, 2017
  • Homework: Poetry Assignment due Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

  • Today, students were given the period to work on their Poetry Assignments due Tuesday, October 3, 2017
  • Homework: Poetry Assignment due Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Wednesday, September 27, 2017


Tuesday, September 26, 2017



Monday, September 25, 2017

  • Today, we continued reviewing for tomorrow's test.
  • We also looked at the basic steps of analyzing a poem - to help prepare for the analysis of an unknown poem on the test
  • Homework: Please prepare for tomorrow's test/ AND sign-up for digiexam!


Friday, September 22, 2017

  • Today, students reviewed for their upcoming Poetry Test. Part One had to be completed by the end of class.
  • Homework: Over the weekend, all students are required to complete Part Two of the test review which is the questions for each poem. Also, practise the analysis of an unknown poem using the Eating Poetry worksheet posted below (the handout was given in class)!


Thursday, September 21, 2017


Wednesday, September 20, 2017

  • Today, we began class by taking up Anne Sexton's To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph
  • We then practised Theme Statements with a worksheet, and looked back on our previous poems to better understand their themes.
  • Finally, students were given back their poetry quizzes, and given an outline for the upcoming Poetry Test next week.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017


  • Today, we started class by finishing up our analysis of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.
  • Before beginning our next poem we fist learned about the myth of Icarus, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s2QPQnuaGk
  • We then read our next poem To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph by Anne Sexton, where students learned new poetic devices, which they added to their list.
  • Homework: Complete the handout given in class if you have not already finished it.


Monday, September 18, 2017

  • Today, we began class by taking up the homework from the weekend.
  • Then we moved on to our next poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, where students learned a few new words to add to their poetic devices notes.
  • Homework: Head to our google classroom (nvowcga), and write a theme statement for the poem.

Friday, September 15, 2017


Thursday, September 14, 2017

  • After taking up the homework, students learned about residential schools.
  • We connected this historical knowledge to Rita Joe's I Lost My Talk (handout)
  • Quiz Review!
  • Homework: Prepare for tomorrow's quiz!

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

  • Today, we continued reviewing Metaphors, Personification, and Similes
  • Then, the students added to their notes the definitions of Tone, Mood, and Symbols
  • We then analyzed Maya Angelou's Caged Bird as a class. Student's were then tasked to analyze Angelou's Still I Rise on their own and if they do not finish in class, it is for homework.
  • Homework: any questions that you did not finish answering during class. (Ms. Valani's class has the Metaphor, Personification, Simile practice worksheet due tomorrow).



Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  • Today, we began class by teaching each other about 5 key literary devices: Simile, Imagery, Personification, Rhyme Scheme, and Theme (tab on the left)
  • We also learned about metaphors, and applied all of these literary devices to yesterday's poem Harlem by Langston Hughes
  • Homework was then taken up as a class, and we broadened our understanding of Harlem through the viewing of a Nike ad. A journal response was then completed on google classroom.
  • Homework: Metaphor, Personification, and Simile practice worksheet due tomorrow. (Ms. Valani's class will be doing this tomorrow, you need to complete your Nike ad response for Ms. Valani's class)

Monday, September 11, 2017

  • Today, we began class by taking up the homework from last week.
  • We then took a look at our first poem, Harlem by Langston Hughes
  • Homework: Complete any questions that were not completed during class

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 - Friday, September 8, 2017
  • We're at Camp Wahanowin!

Tuesday, September 5, 2017
  • Today, students received a brief introduction to English 9
  • Homework: Complete the the poetry questions below for class on Monday, September 11, 2017. Answers should be in full sentences.
  • Poetry Questions:
    • What is poetry?
    • What is the purpose of a poem?
    • Who is a poet?
    • Why does a poet write?