Snow

School severely disrupted this week by the snow. I left STRS at 1:30 on Tuesday and it took me 2 hours to do my "normal" 25 minutes. Now we're back in! Next week's going to have to be a busy as a result.

Y11 English - We have an outside speaker on Monday 11th - so be aware that the S&L task may have to wait (again!)

The few remaining missing essays will have to be completed in homework club this week, you know who you are! Boxing materials are available on Student File Exchanges (as is everything else you need!)

I hope to start a Review topic next week.

Y11 Drama. Part Onesm that's all I'm saying, Part Ones. Thank you for the ones I've had in.

Y11 History Coursework has begun, if you were off you'll need to catch up!

Y10 English Last few Poetry essays need to come in asap.

History Stalin Background

You need to do this before January
Russia 1905-1914 - Background Notes - Produce short notes on these areas

Each bullet point is a separate topic. Can be word processed or hand written. A4 paper only marked clearly with your name and candidate number

• Timeline p.98
• Russia pre 1914 (Walsh p. 100-101)
• Opposition to The Tsar (From Walsh p.103)
• Why did the Tsar survive the 1905 Revolution (from Walsh p.105)

The Causes Of the 1917 revolution
(one page Chart showing Long/short term causes See below)
Long-term causes Short-Term causes

Failure in WW1 Mutiny in the army
p.108 see p.109 March revolution
Tsarina and Rasputin Strikes
p.107 and p107 The Aristocracy see p.109 March revolution
Discontent from Peasants Formation of soviets
p.108 see p.109 March revolution
Food Shortages Duma
p.108 see p.109 March revolution

• Why did the Bolsheviks succeed in the November 1917 revolution? (Walsh p.114-115)
• War Communism 1918-1921(Walsh p.123)
Aims (list)
Features (list)
• The New Economic Policy (Walsh p.124)
Aims (list)
NEP in practice (list)
• Lenin’s Death (Walsh p.125)
• Why did Stalin triumph over Trotsky?
Stalin (from factfile Walsh p.127)
Stalin triumphed over Trotsky because:(list)
(from Walsh p.127)
• Stalin’s Economic Policies: success or failure ? (1 page chart)
• How did Stalin control the USSR ? (1 page chart)

Drama Mock Exam

Mock Exam Details are on\Student Files Exchanges\Departments\English & Drama\Mr Lewis\Y11 Drama
• You need to look at this before next week!
• You will need to prepare Billy Liar and The Crucible
• You will need to bring a copy of both books

History Revision

Remember that you can get all that you need through remote access. All the PowerPoints from this year plus all the things that I would have taught you last year - if I'd been teaching you last year!

Remote Access

Remote access works really well but remember

When prompted for your username type: “strs\yourusername”

This will fix your login if you've had problems!

Macbeth Essay begin!

You should now be starting your Macbeth essay!

Dates

Life is getting very busy at present, think I need to make it clear what's going on in each group

Y11 English - Deadline for all coursework (for me to have marked it and sent it away ) is last day of this term 18th December. If it's not in by then you will fail.
I Come From or Description (750 words min) - should have been done ages ago.
Boxing - due in final Monday 9th November

Speaking and Listening War - this will have a narrative piece that will be done before mocks.

Therefore there is lots to do!

Y10 English
Wuthering Heights Final - in this week please.
Macbeth draft in Tues 17th November
Mcbeth Final due in 1st December

Y11 Drama
Part one (see below) compare your production of Billy Liar with TLOTLDR - NOW!

Drama presentations today

You asked for feedback and here it is.
Group 1 - move nearer front of stage. Group characters more centrally, you are too spread out. Louder, clearer and needs much more pace. It all ground to a stop. You've got to know your lines.

Group 2 - Blocking needs serious attention. Barbara and Rita need a bit more variety of intensity and movement. Billy and Liz very good. Maybe it's a bit too long. You could happily lose one scene. End on the bit I suggested or cut something out.

Group 3. Impressive and full of energy and pace (I know I didn't see the end!). Again, a bit long - consider reducing the bit with Arthur? Maybe just do the "comedy" bit and move on?

EVERYONE: The costumes are just too much of a distraction. One piece of costume to "suggest" each character is enough. You've all spent more time on costumes than learning your lines!

We will reconvene and fit in the final performance in the first week back. Be prepared to show your production on Monday. Also do not forget the essay - details below.

Tasks that need to be completed for you to enter coursework
A. Performance
I have learnt my lines
I have blocked the action
I have used the stage to show particular meanings
I have a costume
I vary the use of my voice
My accent is secure
I react and keep acting when others are speaking
I use PHYSICAL QUALITIES –MOVEMENT, POSTURE, GESTURE, FACIAL EXPRESSION
I use props that my group has sources
I use lighting and scenery

B. Written work (around 1000 words) – same standard as an English Essay
Compare your performance of Billy Liar with “The Loneliness of the Long distance Runner”
I have described in detail how “my performance” used...
- CHARACTERISATION
- VOICE – VOLUME, ACCENT, PACE, TIMING, EMOTIONAL RANGE
- PHYSICAL QUALITIES – MOVEMENT, POSTURE, GESTURE, FACIAL EXPRESSION
- VISUAL QUALITIES – COSTUME, MAKE-UP, PROPS
- DESIGN QUALITIES- SCALE, SHAPE COLOUR, TEXTURE
- USE OF SCENIC DEVICES, LIGHTING, SOUND
- HEALTH AND SAFETY FACTORS – yes honestly!
I have explored, in detail the relationship between the two texts
Look in detail at all the stuff involving SOCIAL CONTEXT AND GENRE
This would include
- Class
- Place of Women in society
- Teenage rebellion
- Morality – stealing lying etc
- Fathers
- ENDINGS...
- And all the other things we’ve ever talked about!
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE “DONE” YOUR PERFORMANCE- JUST IMAGINE THAT IT GOES REALLY WELL!- DUE IN MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER!

Y11 English - Boxing Draft

Your "mock" mock exam (paper1)was actually quite good - results when I see you next. Do not forget Boxing draft in by Wednesday 21st October!

Y10 Wuthering Heights Final copies

With so many of you away today (12 present out of 22!) it's clear that timings will have to adapt to work around the amount of illness going on. Get better soon, those of you off this week.

If you'd like to email me your completed final pieces do so through englishcoursework@strs.org.uk

Otherwise, we're going to have to reschedule for Monday 2nd November.

Drama

Billy Liar practical exam Wednesday 21st October.

Please be ready for these boys. Remember this isn’t a memory test. I’m not going to sit there with a book checking that every single work is correct. Far better to concentrate on creating a flowing piece of drama than a static read through.
Costumes too – including you “ladies” - is not that important, it’s about acting.

Someone remind me to video these, please.

Windows 7 and the school network

Not been able to post much lately due to huge workload involved in rebuilding the entire school network during term time. Why? Don't ask, it's a long story. When this is all finished (I think) we'll be the only school in the UK running Server 2009 and Windows 7 across a whole site. Whether this is a good idea remains to be seen. No, it will work. Keep repeating "it will work!" over and over.

Enjoying Macbeth

If you are (and who wouldn't) you can see the animated tales at MACBETH

Wuthering Heights Essay - begin

Wuv Heights is under way!

Dates are draft in by 9th October.

Then I'll mark it, add some comments on how to improve it then...

Final deadline for final piece - Tuesday 20th October.

Back to normal

House back to normal.

Cats will be taking their first steps outside tomorrow, the first time in sixth weeks. First 44 days in Pet Prison then days prowling round our new house as Mimi (our Bengal) tries to inspect and inhabit ever cardboard box, nook and cranny. Outside they will have to traverse the new dangers of three horses and next door's lurcher. The countryside is all very well but it's so dark at night. We keep our lights on because we are wimpy-townies so it will be good to have our two feiline beasts prowling around outside. It's also so quiet, well quiet apart from the screams. The first night I heard what can only be described as a wolf, then another noise (much louder) of a wolf being eaten by a bear; then (even louder) a bear being wrestled to the ground and strangled by a gorilla.

In short

Y11 Drama - keep thinking/learning Billy Liar Coursework
Y11 History - Walsh factfile needs learning
Y10 English Read Wuthering Heights
Y11 Englsih last drips and drabs of "I Come From" really needs to be in.

Bad day, new house shower explodes everywhere - house flooded! Annoyed.

Y11 English

Descriptive Writing.

Thursday double will be writing up your description of your picture.

Prepare by filing in your diagram, in your book, with as much detail as possible.

Remember SWIS PSP

Year 11 Drama

Billy Liar.

1. You need to read the play - obvious really.
2. You need, in your groups, to decide on your approach

We need this settled this week.

Phew!

The start of term has been so busy, my feet haven't touched the ground, (except for walking etc)so time to update my blog.

We(in ICT) have a lot of interesting things afoot. Most year groups have moved over to a new profile system and you should be enjoying much faster logins. I took a Year 7 class in G5 yesterday and they all logged on in less than half a minute - it was remarkable. There will also be remote access for the whole school soon; staff have it already but we're just ironing out a few problems, namely that it seems to spook Norton Antivirus.

The Lewis family will, at last, no longer be homeless after Thursday. Let me give a bit of advice, when you are old and all grown up and you have a spouse and three kids, two dogs and two cats, do not (under any circumstance) sell the family home before you've found another one to move into. Honestly don't do it!

Y11 English

I come froms now due Monday 14th September.

We're back

We're back!

Scallopy Rhomboid

You had to be in the lesson to get this!

Presentations were really good, easily good enough to get a place on the plinth - well done!

Fourth Plinth Project

Lots on the fourth plinth

Fourth Plinth presentations today on the day Gormley's new wonder begins, it's almost like I planned it!

Y11 English Friday 3rd July

English Grammar Test 1 - sentences
Easy
1. Shopping is no longer enjoyable it has become too expensive.
2. Running for the train John fell his ankle was twisted quite badly.
3. Did you arrive safely all of us were worried all morning please try to be punctual and considerate in the future pay attention to my advice.
4. There is a delightful inn in this village we are staying at it for a week if you can you should stay there as well.
5. What are you doing keep quiet or else he will see us this is very dangerous do you understand
More difficult
1. Although their was a lot of boys in the street near the accident.
2. There going to meet the old people a lot of the pensioners are unable to walk.
3. Its to bad that there cars engine blew up before theyre trip began.
4. Even though their is to many dogs in the pen.
5. Last night I finally seen Forrest Gump, it was an amazing movie.
6. Everyone should take a lunch to the zoo the restaurant is to expensiv.
7. My class seen Jim when he took the money its to bad he was not catched.
8. A lot of the men in the factory. They have been layed off.
9. I seen him and she when they was here. Yesterday, or last night.
10. Some of the groups is found at Quedgeley some are only in the larger citys.
In your exercise books copy out the incorrect sentence, underneath this write out the correct sentence.
I will be collecting in your books on Tuesday of next week – I will mark this then.
Don’t forget the deadline for I come for drafts in next Friday!

Y11 English - I come from

This assignment has now been set and you should be working on it. The deadline for drafts is Friday 11th July, then the finished product should be completed over the summer .

Y11 English - Fourth Plinth Project

Fourth Plinth speaking and listening task has begun, the link is 4th Plinth.

Already, it has become clear, my idea is the best: human statues created entirely of British regional cheeses.

Car Okay

Car is okay.

My lovely car

As you know, I make no secret about how much I love my Mitsubishi. Today - in what can only be described as a tragedy of epic proportions- Mrs Lewis has filled my lovely diesel car (exactly the same as the one above - except even nicer!) full of petrol by mistake, it is at the menders and I am too upset to write further...

y11English I come from

Assignment has now begun, I look forward to reading them. Drafts in on or before July 3rd.
All the resources are on on , er, resources. Remember what I said about attention to detail and the need to write accurate, engaging English - just like wot I does!

Y11 English

Genius is almost finished and so we will move on to a writing assignment. we're going to be doing work based on the writings of Bill Bryson.

Y11 Drama Sitcoms

Part One COURSEWORK

This is a written essay. IT IS DUE IN ON Monday 22nd June 2009

It should be at least 750 words – there is no upper limit.
You should do one of these for every piece of Coursework submitted
You MUST do a Part one for this piece and the next otherwise you will not have enough to choose from

The title is …

COMPARE YOUR SITCOM WITH A “REAL” SITCOM OF YOUR CHOICE


But what do I write about?

(These things are exactly the same things that you need to cover in the exam EXCEPT that you do not need to COMPARE two things in the exam!)

You must tackle …

· Compare and contrast Social, Cultural, Political Context of the time the texts were written about
· Explain how you have INTERPRETED YOUR IDEA
· Explain in detail your own characters characterisation – how you portrayed the character.
· Talk in detail about the STYLE of the texts think about the “REAL SITCOMS” use of music etc plus how you’ve used the stage.
· Look at different relationships – do both TEXT share similar character types – idiots, pompous etc etc
· How does each sitcoms “situation” affect the characters and the comedy
· What types of comedy do both texts use – verbal- physical – satirical
· Do the sitcoms follow a particular structural pattern – problem, crisis , resolution etc or do they have similar gags per minute

Welcome Back

For those thousands of you who were happily reading my blog only to find that yesterday it disappeared, I'm sorry. This one is much better although, in my haste to change locations, I have lost all my old posts and will have to start again!

About Me

This year 2009-2010 I'm teaching...

Y7 ICT
Y10 GCSE English Literature
Y11 GCSE English
Y11 GCSE Drama
Y11 GCSE History

Oh! I'm also Head of ICT.

FAQ's updated

F.A.Q. ‘s

What is your favourite colour?
#0000FF – this is a joke for fellow geeks

Did you really work for the BBC?
Yes I actually did. I worked in news; I was on the radio and everything.

Were you really in the SAS?
Cannot say, still classified I’m afraid.

You always seem tired/irritable/poor, why is that?
I have three children aged 10, 8 and 4, that’s why.

Favourite film
Blazing Saddles is a comedy masterpiece. Also like Sunshine by Danny Boyle

Is Blu-ray much better than DVD?
Yes, it most certainly is.

Music?
Yes please. As a younger person I was really into music then I got fed up with it until Elbow rekindled my interest; I’m now scarily obsessed with them.

Is Mrs Lewis, the teacher, your wife?
Amazing though it may seem, yes she is. I hope she doesn’t come to her senses any time soon.

What’s the best thing about GCSE English Lit?
Seamus Heaney.

Are Macs better than PCs?
Of course they are. They work all the time and do everything you ask of them- but where’s the fun in that? Give me PC any day!

What’s the best KS3 novel?
The Machine Gunners.

What books do you read?
When I have time, which isn’t very often, I’ll read pretty much anything. I don’t like overly ”worthy” books, in fact I do like a bit of entertainment. I really like an author called G.W. Dahlquist who writes “steam punk” novels.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
When I was 17, I met Michael Stipe from REM. I once saw, Verve front man, Richard Ashcroft in our doctor’s surgery.

Where were you born?
In God’s own city of Bristol.

Favourite TV show?
There was a show on when I was a kid about a Spanish boy who kept a laser in a box; his friend was a talking goose. That just set the bench too high for other shows to compete with. Do like Ashes to Ashes, Spooks, Hustle and love Wallender. I have never seen an episode of Heroes, The Apprentice, 24, and it’s too late to start now.

Comedy?
I like comedy. Historical faves include Alexi Sayle, Jeremy Hardy, Eddy Izzard but I also like lots of more “current” stuff. Again, got very obsessed with “The Mighty Boosh”, seems to have worn off now, something will, no doubt, take its place soon.

Are you vegetarian?
From time to time, I make the startling claim to be vegetarian. Sometimes I am, sometimes I’m not. Depends what’s on offer, if it’s snake for tea I’ll take the Quorn pies thanks very much.

Dr Who or Primeval?
Primeval. Dr Who is just too pleased with itself.

Why don’t you like football?

Because it’s really boring. Why would I want to watch overpaid, inarticulate, fashion models run about on a field? I just don’t get it. Having said that, I do tend to get caught up in the mindless fervour of the World Cup.

Greatest person in History?
Whoever said, “You see those two computers over there, why don’t we join them together and create a sort of network?” first! Opinions are divided, but at a pinch, Tim Berners –Lee. Guy Garvey may well be second.

What’s good about Britain?
Radio 4, Howies, driving on the left, countryside, jam, Elbow, Adam and Joe on BBC 6 Music.