Weekly Feature (Pat):
Summer Solstice: June 21, 2006
Pat explains the solstice and links us to a number of
resources and quizzes.
June 25, 2006
Weekly Feature (L):
Reflections of Fatherhood on Father's Day
L ponders the difference between his and his father's
experiences of fatherhood.
June 20, 2006
Teacher Writing (Sample Provincial Exam Essay):
A Study in Contrast
Brad wrote the prose section of the June 2005
provincial as a practice with his students. Here is his essay
written under time pressure! June 13, 2006
Weekly Feature (Louise):
Travel
Louise brings us an exercise on writing about travel.
Includes an extensive list of travel vocabulary.
June 13, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
June 14 Assignment,
June 13 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. June
13, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
June 15 Assignment,
June 13 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
June 13, 2006
Sherri Hoeflicker Foundation:
Book Sale (PDF file)
Full details on the book sale to be held on Tuesday, June
13 at the PALC.
June 9, 2006
Weekly Feature (Jennifer):
Change
Jennifer, who leaves the PALC at the end of June, writes
on life changes.
June 4, 2006
Teacher Writing:
To Be a
Canadian
Brad's response to the arrests of terror suspects in
Toronto on Saturday. June 4, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
June 7 Assignment,
June 6 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. June
4, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
June 8 Assignment,
June 6 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
June 4, 2006
Weekly Feature (Helen):
Spirit Bears Make a Difference
Helen's feature brings us up to date on the Spirit
Bear exhibits in Vancouver.
May 28, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
May 31 Assignment,
May 30 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. May
28, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
June 1 Assignment,
May 30 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
May 28, 2006
English 11 and 12 Teacher Writing:
The Pain of Curley's Wife;
Myself as Amanda's Son
Sample in-class essays on the novel, Of Mice and Men,
and the play, The Glass Menagerie.
May 27, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
Summer Program Registration
Check our calendar for registration information! Note
that all students from Grade 7 to 10 will attend five days a week of
English classes only in summer.
May 23, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
May 24 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week. May
22, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
May 25 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.
May 22, 2006
Student Writing:
The Suggestive Mystery
Tatiana's essay, written for English 12, gives a thorough
examination of the Susan Glaspell story, "A Jury of Her Peers." May
21, 2005
Weekly Feature (Dina):
Summer Sun
Dina's feature give us some background on our amazing sun
and warns us to be careful, too!
May 21, 2006
Weekly Feature (Cheryl):
Victoria Day
Cheryl's feature outlines the origins of this weekend's
holiday. Includes links to local events.
May 16, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Looking for a Word in Word? Hit
Shift + F7!
Brad's tip gives instructions on using the thesaurus built into
Microsoft Word. May 16, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
May 17 Assignment,
May 16 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. May
16, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
May 18 Assignment,
May 16 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
May 16, 2006
Weekly Feature (Brad):
Nine Nights in Paris
Brad's feature, written at Paris's Charles de Gaulle
airport, reflects on his recent trip to Paris.
May 10, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
New Career Resources
New resource on what graduates
think of the college programs they've taken.
May 10, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
May 10 Assignment,
May 9 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. May
10, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
May 11 Assignment,
May 9 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
May 10, 2006
Weekly Feature (Barb):
None of us is as smart as all of us
Barb's feature outlines the benefits of group work for
better essay preparation.
April 29, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
May 3 Assignment,
May 2 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. April
28, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
May 4 Assignment,
May 2 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
April 28, 2006
Weekly Feature (Trudi):
Descriptive Paragraphs: Student Examples
Trudi's English 10 students demonstrate a
variety of descriptive techniques. All paragraphs are based on the
character, William, from the story, "All Summer in a Day."
April 23, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
April 26 Assignment,
April 25 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. April
23, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
April 27 Assignment,
April 25 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
April 23, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Variety: The Spice of the Writer's Life
Brad's tip offers a few practical hints to improve the variety of your
writing. April 23, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Making Your Writing Specific
Brad's tip includes two detailed student examples with his comments for
improvement. April 16, 2006
Weekly Feature (Tazim):
Canadian Blood Services
Tazim reminds us of a most important service
for all Canadians.
April 16, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
April 19 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week. April
15, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
April 20 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.
April 15, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Microsoft Word Grammar Check? Beware!
Brad warns students to be wary of the built in grammar checker offered
with the popular software. April 11, 2006
Weekly Feature (Rick):
"A Great Day": Four Sample Paragraphs
Rick's feature gives us four types:
comparison, description, process and narrative.
April 10, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
April 12 Assignment;
April 11 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. April
8, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
April 13 Assignment;
April 11 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
April 8, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
The Dash: A Handy Mark
Brad explains the dash and gives a number of examples of its correct
uses. April 4, 2006
ELA 12 Essay Sample (Brad):
"Three Memorable
Stories"
Brad's first draft of an essay on the three stories, "The Doll's
House," "The Lottery" and "The Heyday of the Blood." April
4, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
April 5 Assignment;
April 4 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week. April
2, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
April 6 Assignment;
April 4 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
April 2, 2006
Weekly Feature (Paul):
April Fool's Day
Paul's feature explains April Fool's Day. No
fooling!
April 1, 2006
ELA 11 Essay Sample (Brad):
"The Pleasures of Three
Short Stories"
Brad's first draft of an essay on the three stories, "All Summer in a
Day," "The Fall of a City" and "Always a Motive." April 1, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Using the Semicolon Well
Brad explains the semicolon and reminds us to avoid "semicolonitis." March 28, 2006
Weekly Feature (Patricia):
Florida Oranges
Patricia brings us a feature from Florida,
including a sample paragraph and photos from her vacation!
March 26, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
March 29 Assignment;
March 28 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
March 26, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
March 30 Assignment;
March 28 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
March 26, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Advice on Being Specific: Susan Goldsmith
Woolridge
From another book from Brad's bookshelf for writers comes a specific
activity to help you find the specific in your writing. March 21, 2006
Weekly Feature (Pat):
National Nutrition Month
Pat gives us a wealth of links and
explanations for the most important topic of all!
March 19, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
March 22 Assignment;
March 21 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
March 19, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
March 23 Assignment;
March 21 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's classes held this week.
March 19, 2006
English 12 Teacher Writing:
Imagining "The Lottery" in the
Minds of Other Characters
Sample in-class essay on Shirley Jackson's famous short story, "The
Lottery." March 15, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
Counselling Services
Free counselling and advising is available to all
students studying at the PALC.
March 15, 2006
Weekly Feature (Louise):
Alliteration
Louise's feature looks at this powerful poetic technique.
March 15, 2006
English 12 Writing:
Graduating High
School Students
Bob writes a short article that follows Crawford Kilian's five
guidelines for writing on the web. In his article, Bob presents a
positive outlook on today's students and expresses his confidence in
their future success. March 7, 2006
Weekly Feature (L):
Reading at the Right Level
L's feature helps you to select the best reading material
to suit your own reading level.
March 6, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
March 8 Assignment;
March 7 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's class held this week.
March 6, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
March 9 Assignment;
March 7 Assignment
Assignments for Louise's class held this week.
March 6, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Writers Care: Reading Anne Lamott
From one of Brad's favourite books on writing, read this week's tip for
an interesting quote from writing teacher Anne Lamott. March 4, 2006
Weekly Feature (Jennifer):
Black History Month
Jennifer's feature explains how black slaves escaped to
Canada on the famous "Underground Railroad."
February 26, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
March 1 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.
February 26, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
March 2 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's class held this week.
February 26, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Sleep On It!
Advice to a weary student: when the writing job is complex, go to bed
and have a good sleep!
February 21, 2006
Web Article
(Brad):
Answers to a Problem of Literacy
Students in English 12 are working on writing an
article for the Web. Here is Brad's sample at the PALC English Students
blog for students to use as a guide.
February 21, 2006
New Quizzes:
Literature and Composition 7/8/9: Langston Hughes,
Literature and Composition
Vocabulary Quiz, Spirit
Bear Vocabulary Quiz
New vocabulary quizzes from Helen. February 19, 2006
Weekly Feature (Helen):
B.C.'s Spirit Bear
Helen fills us in on this rare animal, now an important
provincial symbol for British Columbia.
February 19, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
February 23 Assignment,
February 21 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 18, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
February 23 Assignment,
February 21 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 18, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Top Ten Ways to Fix Writing Problems
Another great resource, this one found by an English 12 student in
the course of researching her weekly assignment on student writing
problems.
February 14, 2006
English Student Blog:
Invitation to Self-Paced Students
All students who attend the PALC in self-paced English courses are invited to
become members of our student blog. By becoming a member, a student may
ask questions and participate.
View the blog here. Send
an email to bhyde@sd40.bc.ca if
you'd like to join. Please give your full name and student number in
your message!
February 14, 2006
Weekly Feature (Dina):
Heart Month
Dina reminds us all to remember our hearts when eating our
Valentine's chocolates!
February 12, 2006
Student Writing:
The Longest Night of My Life
Octavia's personal narrative essay is a gripping account
of her family's terrifying ordeal that happened more than 20 years ago. February
11, 2005
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
February 16 Assignment,
February 14 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 11, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
February 16 Assignment,
February 14 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 11, 2006
English Language Arts 11 (Brad):
Course Information
Detailed information for students attending the classroom course
this term.
February 7, 2006
English Language Arts 12 (Brad):
Course Information
Detailed information for students attending the classroom course
this term.
February 7, 2006
English 11 and 12 (Brad):
Blog Resources for
First Class
Information for English 11 and 12 students for the first class.
Includes a link to Writing for Websites.
February 6, 2006
Weekly Feature (Cheryl):
Valentine's Day
Cheryl gives us both a historic and personal account of the
celebration of love.
February 5, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
50 Writing Tools
An index of 50 writing tools that will help you to improve your writing.
A fabulous online resource for any writer, make it a weekly stop
and see your writing improve!
February 5, 2006
Social Studies 10 (Louise):
February 9 Assignment,
February 7 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 5, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
February 9 Assignment,
February 7 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
February 5, 2006
ALL STUDENTS: Monthly Events Calendar for
February
to June 2006
Make plans for the second semester. Includes all
events through June, 2006. February 4, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
New Career Resources
New resource on careers in
criminology.
January 30, 2006
Weekly Feature (Brad):
Teaching the Personal Narrative Essay
Brad gives his account of a narrative essay unit
used in English 11 this term. Includes links to useful resources.
January 29, 2006
English 11:
A Northern Summer: Personal
Narrative Essay (Brad)
The third draft of an approximately 1000-word narrative
essay. January 23, 2006
Weekly Feature (Barb):
You
Barb gives a heartfelt tribute to her students at
the PALC.
January 22, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
Registration Week: January 30 to February 3
Returning students re-register on Monday and
Tuesday. New students register on Wednesday and Thursday.
January 22, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University:
Useful Handouts
An incredible resource, OWL has been assisting students and teachers
with their writing needs for many years on the Web.
January 22, 2006
English 11 (Brad):
New
Blog: Pearson ALC English Students
The new student blog acts as a meeting and discussion
space for senior English students from the PALC. Anyone is free to read
the postings.
January 17, 2006
Communications 12 (Louise):
January 19 Assignment,
January 17 Assignment;
January 12 Assignment,
January 10 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
January 15, 2006
Science 10 (Louise):
January 19 Assignment,
January 17 Assignment
Assignment for Louise's classes held this week.
January 15, 2006
Weekly Feature (Trudi):
Family Literacy Day: January 27
Trudi fills us in with many interesting facts on family
literacy.
January 15, 2006
Writing Tip (Brad):
More on the Essay Thesis
An additional resource students writing an essay should check for ideas
and advice on improving that most important sentence—the thesis.
January 10, 2006
ALL STUDENTS:
Provincial Exam Information
Find all the links you need.
January 10, 2006
English 10 (Brad):
Practice
Essay Friday: Student Resources
Remember that students will write a full practice essay on Friday,
January 13. Links to lots of good information on the
essay hosted right here at the PALC. ELA 11 students may also find the
links useful. January
9, 2006
Weekly Feature (Tazim):
Volunteering in Your Community
Tazim encourages students to get involved in community
through volunteering.
January 7, 2006
English 10 (Brad):
January 4
Notes on Writing an Essay
Notes for students attending Brad's class. January
4, 2006
Weekly Feature (Rick):
Canada Needs a Tropical Island
Rick argues for an 11th province, with tropical
heat and good ocean swimming! January 1, 2006
More What's New (all our pages
back to 1998)
Busy people may wish to receive our Weekly Newsletter, featuring recent
additions to our site. (published Wednesdays when the PALC is in
session)
Sign up for the PALC Web News
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
Visit our 