The pages that follow were posted from April 2005 through January 2006

 

Communications 12 (Louise): January 5 Assignment, January 3 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.  December 31, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): January 5 Assignment, January 3 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.  December 31, 2005

Weekly Feature (Paul): About Boxing Day
Ever wonder about the Canadian public holiday, Boxing Day? Paul fills us in and provides us with a crossword to check vocabulary and comprehension, too!  December 24, 2005

Student Writing: Wonderful Afternoon: Short Poem
Suzanne's poem is full of concrete image and detail.  December 21, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: English 12 Daytime Course
A new, classroom-based, English 12 (ELA 12) will be offered this January to daytime students of the ALC.  December 20, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: English 11 Daytime Course
A classroom-based, English 11 (ELA 11) will be offered this January to daytime students of the ALC.  December 20, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: Monthly Events Calendar for January to June 2006
Make plans for the second semester. Includes all events through June, 2006.  December 20, 2005

English 11 (Brad): Online Vocabulary and Idioms for Of Mice and Men
Students reading the novel, Of Mice and Men, will find this resource very helpful. Includes chapter by chapter definitions of important vocabulary and idioms.  December 20, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: Certificate Test Preparation: A Teacher's Advice
Brad's short essay gives advice on how to prepare for successful certificate test writing in January.  December 19, 2005

Weekly Feature (Patricia): Holiday Studies
Patricia reminds students to keep up with course work over the holidays. She includes a sample paragraph, "Snow in Queen's Park" to help your studies.  December 18, 2005

Writing Tip (Brad): Writing the Thesis for an Essay
Two excellent web pages that can help both beginning and experienced students to improve their thesis writing skills. Study over the holidays and get higher marks in the January tests! December 13, 2005

English 11 (Brad): "On Writing Poetry": Third Draft
Brad's third draft has major changes, with lines shifting around and completely revamped grammar. December 12, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): December 13 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.  December 12, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): December 13 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.  December 12, 2005

Weekly Feature (Pat): Holiday Activities
Pat points out web sites that will help you find holiday fun in Vancouver this holiday season. December 11, 2005

English 11 (Brad): "On Writing Poetry": Second Draft
Brad's second draft has some fairly major changes, including a title. December 11, 2005

English 11 (Brad): Untitled Poem: First Draft
Brad's first draft. It's exactly 20 lines! December 7, 2005

Writing Tip (Brad): Writing Good Essay Introductions and Conclusions
Some important tips to remember when writing your essay's introduction and conclusion. Includes links to samples at our web site. December 6, 2005

English 10 Vocabulary Quiz (Brad): Fill-in-the-Blank Student Sentences Quiz
Self-marking quiz using student sentences for the reading, "The Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar" to help you practice your vocabulary. Word list included so any student may try it.  December 6, 2005

Weekly Feature (Louise): Snow Similes
Louise gives us some sample similes and then challenges us to write ten more! December 4, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): December 8 Assignment; December 6 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  December 4, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): December 8 Assignment; December 6 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. December 4, 2005

English 11: "The Power of the Breath": Sample Poetry Analysis Paragraph
A paragraph analysis of a wonderful poem, "The Three Oddest Words," by Wislawa Szymborska. Includes examples of repetition, paradox and theme.  December 4, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: Day and Evening Christmas Parties: December 15
As we near the end of the year, students and teachers will gather to celebrate (and to eat!) at our Christmas parties. November 29, 2005

ALL STUDENTS: New Hallway Display
Take a moment from your busy schedule to read the cinquains published by Louise's Communications 12 students. See them in the display case between Classroom 1 and 2. November 29, 2005

Weekly Feature (L): The Writing Contract
L outlines the most important contract for aspiring writers: the one between the writer and his or her reader. November 27, 2005

English 11 (Brad): Improving Group Work: Student Ideas
Students participate often in group work. Read their ideas about roles and responsibilities for effective group work.  November 27, 2005

English 10 (Brad): November 25 Class Notes on Freedom
Notes for students attending Brad's class. November 27, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): December 1 Assignment; November 29 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  November 27, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): December 1 Assignment; November 29 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. November 27, 2005

Weekly Feature (Jennifer): Christmas Giving
Jennifer suggests alternatives to our usual holiday season consumerism. November 19, 2005

Writing Tip (Brad): More Comments and Suggestions for Writing about Literature
Still more examples of student writing from English Language Arts 11 with detailed commentary from the teacher on what works and what might be improved. Based on Shirley Jackson's story, "The Possibility of Evil." November 19, 2005

English 10 (Brad): Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar: Nov. 18 Class Notes
Notes for students attending Brad's class. November 19, 2005

English 10 (Brad): Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar: Beginning to Write a Folktale;
Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar: Vocabulary 
Lessons for students in Brad's class. November 19, 2005

Student Writing: Canadians in My Eyes
Vera's paragraph provides some interesting comparisons between Canadians and Chinese.  November 19, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): November 22 Assignment; November 24 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  November 19, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): November 22 Assignment; November 24 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. November 19, 2005

Weekly Feature (Helen): Successful Job Interviews
Helen outlines three important steps to ensure a successful job interview. November 13, 2005

Writing Tip (Brad): Comments and Suggestions for Writing about Literature
A number of longer examples of student writing from English Language Arts 11 students with detailed commentary from the teacher on what works and what might be improved. November 12, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): November 15 Assignment; November 17 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  November 12, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): November 15 Assignment; November 17 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. November 12, 2005

Communications 12 (Louise): November 8 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  November 7, 2005

Science 10 (Louise): November 8 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. November 7, 2005

English 10 (Brad): Writing an Essay: Assignment
Lesson for students attending the Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. class. November 6, 2005

Teacher Writing (Brad; English 10): "Why a Dog?" Sample 250-Word Essay
This week, the class helped the teacher to write a 250-word demonstration essay.  November 5

Weekly Feature (Dina): Diabetes Awareness Month
Dina gives us the details about this common condition affecting two million Canadians. November 5

Civic Studies 11: Lessons 9 to 12
Assignments for Cheryl's classes this week and last week.  October 30

English 11 (Brad): Sample Answers for "Practicing the Art of the Short Story"
Examples of character development, point of view (and a change of pov) and suggestions for theme.  October 30

Weekly Feature (Cheryl): 2005: Year of the Veteran
Cheryl fill us in on this year's important themes and gives information on Remembrance Day. October 30

English 10 Vocabulary Quiz (Brad): Fill-in-the-Blank on What Assets Do We Value Most?
Self-marking quiz to practice your vocabulary. Word list included so any student may try it.  October 29

Teacher Writing (Brad; English 10): My Hammock (Using the Senses)
This week, the class tried writing the details of a favourite place using only the sense of touch and hearing. October 29

Writing Tip (Brad): Using Quotations in Answers (with examples)
English 11 students are learning to use quotations correctly in their answers. Find examples and advice in this week's tip. October 29

Communications 12 (Louise): November 3 Assignment; November 1 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  October 29

Science 10 (Louise): November 3 Assignment; November 1 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. October 29

Communications 12 (Louise): October 25 Assignment; October 27 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  October 24

Weekly Feature (Brad): Welcome Back Everyone!
Brad welcomes students and staff back to school tomorrow. October 23

Civic Studies 11: October 6 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes.  October 23

Civic Studies 11: October 4 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  October 4

Writing Tip (Brad): Some Thoughts on the Topic Sentence
From a class discussion with the English 10 class, comments on the expectations teachers have for the topic sentences you write. October 2

Teacher Writing (Brad; English 10): Vancouver's Weather: Great All Year!
This week, the class participated in the writing of a sample body paragraph that demonstrates how to support your topic sentences with details. October 2

Communications 12 (Louise): October 6 Assignment; October 4 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  October 2

Science 10 (Louise): October 6 Assignment; October 4 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. October 2

Weekly Feature (Trudi): Canadian Thanksgiving
Trudi fills us in on next weekend's holiday. October 1

Civic Studies 11: September 29 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  October 1

English 11 (Brad): Writing about "The Singing Silence"
Assignment to be completed on Wednesday, October 5.  October 1

Civic Studies 11: September 26 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  September 26

Literature and Composition 7, 8 and 9 (Helen): Two Vocabulary Matching Quizzes
Two self-marking practice vocabulary quizzes for Helen's late afternoon classes.  September 25

English 10 (Brad): Vocabulary Quiz for Time to Remember a Kindly September
Quiz for students attending the Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. class. September 25

Writing Tip (Brad): Avoiding the Fancy
Beginning with advice from the famous text, The Elements of Style, Brad advises students to keep away from elaborate words when simple ones tell the same story. September 25

Communications 12 (Louise): September 29 Assignment; September 27 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.  September 25

Communications 12 (Helen): September and October Assignments
Assignments for Helen's evening classes.  September 25

English 11 (Brad): Writing About Literature Evaluation Sheet
Students used this evaluation sheet to look at other student's paragraph assignment.  September 25

English 10 (Brad): Writing Assignment for Time to Remember a Kindly September
Lesson for students attending the Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. class. September 25

Literature and Composition 7, 8 and 9 (Helen): September and October Assignments
Assignments for Helen's late afternoon classes.  September 25

Science 10 (Louise): September 29 Assignment; September 27 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. September 25

Weekly Feature (Tazim): Practice Sentences with Skillswise
Tazim points out an excellent sentence and grammar practice site for students. September 25

Teacher Writing (Brad; English 10): Facing the Autumn
This week, students were assigned to write a paragraph on autumn. Following the example of writer Douglas Cornish, here is Brad's sample paragraph. September 24

Civic Studies 11: September 22 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  September 22

Weekly Feature (Rick): On Being a New Dad
Rick's wry and personal essay outlines the life-changing experience of fatherhood. September 21

English 11 (Brad): How to Answer Questions Well
Information sheet to be given to students this week. Links to Weekly Features on Plagiary and a detailed discussion of the information sheet.  September 20

Writing Tip (Brad): The "One Sentence" Rule for Revision
Peter Elbow, author of the book Writing with Power, gives us a good piece of revising advice. September 20

English 10 (Brad): By Way of Introduction: What We Do Well
Lesson for students attending the Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. class. Includes two paragraph samples for the assignment: a first draft and a revision.  September 20

Civic Studies 11: September 19 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  September 18

Science 10: September 22 Assignment; September 20 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week. September 18

Communications 12: September 22 Assignment; September 20 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.  September 18

Civic Studies 11: September 15 Assignment; September 12 Assignment
Assignment for Cheryl's classes held this week.  September 17

Civic Studies 11: Course Outline
Outline for the new, classroom based, Civic Studies 11 course.  September 17

Writing Tip (Brad): Characteristics of a Good Dictionary
Students at any level benefit from a good dictionary. What characteristics should a student look for to find a dictionary? Find out this week! Includes a link to an excellent student dictionary. September 11

Science 10: September 15 Assignment; September 13 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week. September 11

Communications 12: September 15 Assignment; September 13 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.  September 11

ALL STUDENTS: English 11 Daytime Course
A new, classroom-based, English 11 (ELA 11) will be offered this September to daytime students of the ALC.  September 6

Writing Tip (Brad): Learning to Use Microsoft Word
Using a word processor can really help you make assignments look better. This tip will help you with becoming faster and more proficient at using Word.  September 6

Student Writing: To School, Again
Atala's paragraph captures the mixed feelings of an adult returning to school. September 6

Weekly Feature (Patricia): A New School Site
Patricia fills us in on our new school site. September 3

Weekly Feature (Paul): Canada's Next Governor General
Paul's feature fills us in on our next Governor General, a truly interesting woman. August 26

Weekly Feature (Pat): Health Information on the Web
Pat's feature points out a fabulous Canadian resource to help make Internet health searches more accurate and reliable. August 21

Writing Tip (Brad): What is a "Controlling" Idea?
Want to write the best topic sentences? Learn about the "controlling" idea and you will be on the road to better sentences and ideas for your essays and paragraphs.  August 18

Student Writing: Raksha Bandhan
Harshika's paragraph gives us a detailed look at a custom celebrated in August by Hindus in India. August 18

Weekly Feature (Louise): Read this Summer: Improve Your Writing Too!
Louise's feature outlines a useful approach to improving your writing: reading more! Includes suggestions for finding a good book.  August 15

ALL STUDENTS: Fall Term Calendar of Events
Find out about school closures, term end dates and registration for the fall term.  August 7

Teacher Writing (Brad): Three Body Paragraphs: Indirect Characterization
Three essay body paragraphs written with the AU English 9-10 classes to demonstrate the use of indirect characterization to give details about a person. Includes information on paragraph hooks. August 7

Weekly Feature (L): Vancouver on the Cheap
L's feature helps us to get the best deals in Vancouver this summer.  August 7

Weekly Feature (Jennifer): The Essay: Part Three
The final installment of Jennifer's three-part series on the essay.  July 31

Weekly Feature (Helen): Road Safety: Be Calm, Be Aware, Be Courteous
Helen provides us with timely reminders about driving safely, particularly important in the busy summer driving season.  July 24

Student Writing: How to Appear Smarter Than You Are
Richard's tongue in cheek paragraph makes for an amusing summer read. A funny example of the process paragraph. July 23

Teacher Writing (Brad): Two Descriptive Paragraphs Demonstrating Characterization
Two paragraphs written with the AU English 9-10 classes to demonstrate the use of indirect characterization to give details about a person. July 23

New Quizzes: English 8 Quizzes
Still more quizzes for Helen's summer classes.  July 18

Weekly Feature (Dina): Food Safety
Dina outlines some simple rules to help keep food safe at summer barbecues and picnics.  July 16

ALL STUDENTS: New Career Resources
New resources on finding a job in transportation or working as a doctor.  July 16

ALL STUDENTS: New Course Mazes
Mazes show how to create a path to your own personal adult graduation.  July 12

ALL STUDENTS: September Registration Dates
Registration information for all students, returning and new.  July 12

Weekly Feature (Cheryl): Summer 2005
Cheryl remembers past (and warmer) summers fondly. Let's hope the sun comes out soon!  July 9

New Quizzes: English 8 Quizzes
More quizzes for Helen's summer classes.  June 25

Student Writing: A Special Relationship
Eva's charming story of her dog and a new baby is sure to warm your heart.  June 24

Weekly Feature (Brad): Working at the ALC
Brad's feature pays tribute to a great bunch of ALC teachers.  June 24

Calculus 12: New Course Outline; Units Available Online
Access a full course outline and units of study for our self-paced Calculus 12 course.  June 23

New Quizzes: English 8 Vocabulary Quizzes
Two vocabulary matching quizzes for Helen's summer classes.  June 23

Weekly Feature (Teresa): Summer Sun Safety
Teresa's feature contains lots of timely reminders about the summer sun.  June 19

Teacher Writing (Brad): "Thoughts on Paper Reaching Out to Delight" (Poem)
A villanelle written ten years ago. Perhaps you know the famous villanelle, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." June 6

Weekly Feature (Rick): Teen Slang
Rick's interesting feature will help parents to understand their teenage children.  June 6

Communications 12: New Course Outline; Units Available Online
Access a full course outline and units of study for our self-paced Communications 12 course.  June 5

Weekly Feature (Paul): Asian Heritage Month
Paul fills us in on Asian Heritage Month, the many countries represented, and Canada's special links to Asia. May 30

Communications 12 (Louise; Wednesday): Class Assignment
Lesson for students attending the Wednesday 9:15 or 12:30 class.  May 23

Social Studies 10 (Louise; Tuesday): Class Assignment
Lesson for students attending the Monday, 6:30 class. May 23

Teacher Writing (Brad): What Makes Me Angry?: "Neighbourhood Litterbugs"
Written for the Writing Practice on "what makes us angry," Brad writes about a neighbourhood problem. May 22

Writing Tip (Brad): Eight Steps to a Successful Test Essay
An eight step plan for writing a test essay. The tip includes a full sample essay, "The Benefits of Daydreaming" based on a standard essay topic.  May 22

Weekly Feature (Patricia): Fun Runs
Patricia demonstrates the standard paragraph and fills us in on a great way to have fun while helping the community. May 22

ALL STUDENTS: Summer Registration Dates
Information for all students, new and returning for the PALC Summer Program (held this year at Glenbrook Middle School; see The Big Move page for more information). May 22

ALL STUDENTS: The Big Move: PALC Summer Program 2005 (Updated)
Information on the PALC's big move to Glenbrook Middle School for our exciting new summer program. Includes a direction map to help you find your way. Room numbers added. May 19

Weekly Feature (Pat): History of Victoria Day Weekend
Pat fills us in on the history of the upcoming long weekend and provides a comprehensive list of activities all may enjoy. May 15

ALL STUDENTS: Certificate Test Schedule
Find the dates for all your tests. May 10

ALL STUDENTS: Frequently Asked Questions about Certificate Tests
Paul's feature answers many of the most commonly asked questions students have about the upcoming Certificate Tests. May 10

Weekly Feature (Louise): Cinquains
Louise provides us with two easy recipes to learn how to write a cinquain. Includes six example poems. May 8

Advanced Composition (Brad): Using Adverbs to Compare: More and Most
Lesson for students attending the Thursday, 6:30 p.m. class. Includes a teacher writing sample, "Expecting Changes," and a handy chart of adverbs.   May 1

Weekly Feature (L): Career Choices - Tough Choices?
L makes some good suggestions for "out of the box" thinking on careers. May 1

English 10 (Brad): The Timelines of Immigrant Lives
Lesson for students attending the Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. class.   April 25

Career Resources (Elaine; Counsellor): New BC University
Another new university, Thompson Rivers University, for BC students. April 25

Advanced Composition (Brad): Vigorous Verbs: Increase your Writing Power
Lesson for students attending the Thursday, 6:30 p.m. class.   April 24
 

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Where Did That Page Go? PALC.net Indexes and Archives
 
Often, students need to find an older, indexed page. At PALC.net, all our content is saved for your future use. Here are a few of our more important indexes of older pages: Weekly Features from 2002-2004,  Tips for Writers Index,  Older Page Master Index for 2003,  Advanced Composition Worksheets Index