MS CREMEN'S ENGLISH CLASS

Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Trenches World War 1

In the novel How Many Miles to Babylon Alec and Jerry end up in the trenches fighting on the front line in World War1.  The conditions were horrific, this short video gives us an insight into what the two young men would have experienced at the time.  It is footage from WW1, there are many other clips from WW1 available on YouTube, if you find some good ones let us know.



Wednesday, October 3, 2012

How Many Miles to Babylon Tweets!

These are the 5th year Tweets in relation to Alicia in the novel.  Can you find examples from the text to back up your comments?

Great Tweets Girls!   

Alicia is a very uncaring mother & likes to control Alec. Frederick doesn't get along with her either. Frederick is getting old.  

5th years are reading How Many Miles to Babylon as their single text for the LC. Join us & follow our tweets about the novel

For Alicia it is important which class people belong to.

Alicia is pretty cold hearted because she is not interested in other people or how they feel.
Alec prefers his dad to his mam.                      

Alicia is not a nice person. She is Alec's mother & gives him a horrible time, always giving out to him for nothing.                     

On the outside Mrs. Moore seems nice but she is not.

Mrs Moore is a cruel person who judges others and treats her son Alec like a slave or a dog.

Alicia is a very stuck up woman              
 
Alicia is not a nice person. She is very mean to Alec's friend Jerry. Alicia always thinks she is in charge of every1.       
 
Alicia doesn't get along with her husband Frederick or her son Alec.

Alicia is Alec's mother. She is not a very happy person she is very controlling and wants everything to be done for her     
 
Alicia is a mean person. She can't stand her husband and treats her son Alec like a stranger
 
Alicia is a heartless person & has a bad relationship with her family members. She is angry & unhappy beneath the 'nice' surface

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

There are many people in this world that can make us feel invisible.
 But there is always at least one person who makes us feel invincible.
Empty hallways. Well, they may as well be.
Not a glance is thrown either way.
Slowly moulding into the walls and pathways of a dull colourless world.
No sunshine. 
Only dark, unforgiving clouds that hang over the earth like a grudge.
I feel invisible.
No smiles, no happy gestures.
Ignorance. And sorrow. 
Furrowed eyebrows and lips twisted into permanent frowns. 
Same lifeless, soul-sucking grey.

A voice.  Mellifluous, soft.  Like a bird's song in spring.
A simple hug, a peck on the cheek.
Slate coloured eyes burst to deep cerulean, colour spreading like wildfire.
Greens, yellows, blues hitting the atmosphere like paint splatters on a blank canvas.
A smile, bright eyes make the world alive again as happiness floods the once dry rivers.
A hand is taken in anothers as a journey from a dark room is taken for the last time.  I feel invincible.

ED
Age 16 TY

Friday, September 28, 2012

A Day in the Life of a Dog

I listened carefully to my paws gently crushing the leaves that were strewn across the forest floor.  Moving swiftly along, not a care in the world. 

I'd be reaching the town soon.  I had slowed down to listen to the mellifluous sound of the birds singing their morning chorus.  I laughted to myself.  My long russet-coloured plume swaying along behind me, as if it was conducting the birds in their song.

Finally I had reached the road.  A gentle zephyr flew past me, ruffling my silken coat and gently moving the fallen leaves along the pavement.  It was a sombre day in November.  Giant puffs of cloud hovered above my head.  Rays of golden sunlight were struggling to break through.

I trotted along cheerfully.  My amber irises scanning my surroundings, I soon spotted something of great interrest: A Butcher's Shop.  I lurched forward.  My mighty paws beating off the cracked pavement as I galloped.

I waited until the butcher was distracted to make my move.  I leaped up snatching a crimson slab of meat before running off, the bewildered butcher shaking his fist and shouting loud words at me.

I didn't stop running until I reached the forest.  Adrenaline was pumping through my veins, but it was worth it.

I settled down in the debris of leaves, munching triumphantly on my steak once again listening to the gentle morning chorus of the sparrows.
 
Sophie Darling
Age 13 (2009)

The Power of the Introduction

This is a very good video on introductions in fiction, the same ideas can be used in essay writing...
Thanks to our colleagues in SCC English for pointing this one out!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Posters, Comic Strips, Newspapers

This is a great resource for creating posters, comic strips and newspaper.  Would be useful for many subjects!

Shakespeare

For everything you ever wanted to know about Shakespeare click here

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Keep your emoticons in check

Almost 30 years ago Professor Scott Fahlman suggested that the computer science department of Carnegie Mellon University adopt emoticons on its online bulletin board. On 19 September 1982 at 11.44am he changed the way we write, starting with: "I propose that [sic] the following character sequence for joke markers: :-)".  Thus the emoticon was born!  Find outmore from from this Guadian article

Monday, September 17, 2012

Literary Devices

Have a look at this video which uses music to explain some of the more popular literary devices. Have a look at YouTube and see if you can find any more good ones, if you do let us know!!


SCC ENGLISH: 'Macbeth' resources

Great resources from the SCC team for Macbeth...SCC ENGLISH: 'Macbeth' resources: Both Leaving Certificate years will shortly be starting Macbeth . Here is a summary of some resources for study and revision, which will be ...

Monday, September 10, 2012

Woman Work

I've got the children to tend
The clothes to mend
The floor to mop
The food to shop
Then the chicken to fry
The baby to dry
I got company to feed
The garden to weed
I've got shirts to press
The tots to dress
The can to be cut
I gotta clean up this hut
Then see about the sick
And the cotton to pick.

Shine on me, sunshine
Rain on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops
And cool my brow again.

Storm, blow me from here
With your fiercest wind
Let me float across the sky
'Til I can rest again.
Woman Work

Fall gently, snowflakes
Cover me with white
Cold icy kisses and
Let me rest tonight.

Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone
Star shine, moon glow
You're all that I can call my own.
Maya Angelou

Monday, September 3, 2012

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Wilderness



                                                            
SECOND YEAR NOVEL 2012/2013
Read a review of the novel here
Did you know Roddy Doyle went to St Fintan's High School, Sutton?  He also taught in Greendale Community School in Kilbarrack. Read more about him here        



A Fun Lesson

On Branding and Brand Names  -  can be adapted
Lesson Plan click here
Worksheets click here

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Back to School Wordsearch

Here's a handy wordsearch, suitable for first or second years. For use as a bit of fun during  the first or second class.  Click here to view.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

5th Year English

Ms O'Donnell and Ms Cremen are delighted to be taking 5th year English this year.  Information, course content and any interesting articles we find will be posted on this Blog. 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Pride and Prejudice


The novel for Leaving Cert is Pride and Prejudice.  It will be covered in 5th year.  Study Guides are available online some of the most popular ones available include:
Spark Notes  available here
Gradesaver available here