Thursday, 17 September 2009

one last poem for old time's sake

Righty then, one last trip on the merry go round before all my spare time shall be taken up with intense physical training.

this is just a quick LOL poem that i wrote about someone i disliked at work called Jason. he used to talk like he was from the 80's :S

anyway here it is.

Gay Jay,
The One Inch Wonder,
Tried To Shag A Horse From Down-Under,
He Tried It Once,
He Tried It Twice,
To Which He Then Turned His Attention To The Mice.

Monday, 18 May 2009

Exams already??

Can this be true?

Is it really only a matter of weeks before exams are upon you??

Wishing all my fabulous students the very best of British luck...may you soar through the papers and find questions that you can write about at length.

Let me know what your plans are for the future.

If anyone ever heads Down Under, be sure to look me up (we're returning to Sydney - I missed the Aussie summers and winters too much!)

fibrowning@hotmail.com

Good luck - slay those exams and enjoy the fun afterwards! Keep writing poetry and reading great literature....feed your soul with the language of life!

Mrs R

Monday, 9 March 2009

Roll over Shakespeare

Well - Paul & Beau: you guys are sure having some fun and using your wonderful creativity with your poetry compositions...great stuff!! I love reading your work - I hope you don't mind me still lu7rking in the background!

Did I tell you I had a little baby boy? His name is Marcus and he is just fabulous! He was born on 29 Dec so he is now 10 wks old and just the most adorable little chubba in the world :) ...not that I'm biased or anything...

So I hear you have a new teacher - how's it all going? I've been really concerned for you guys with so many teachers but know that you were in a really strong position when I left and know that if you carefully apply QTEC to writing in the synoptic unit that you'll be fine.

Feel free to ask me any questions, and say a big 'Hi' to the rest of the class (...and where is Craig??)

See you later,
Mrs R

Thursday, 22 January 2009

Bring it on!

I have prepared my response to the poetry novice displayed by Beau...

It's called May I begin ?

May I begin ?
To reel you in?With my rolling hills and the valley within?or perhaps by me being...Incredibly thin
Can I start to tear you apart? In search of your wallet In search of your heart.
Open it up What’s within?I really know how to reel you in
CAUGHT YOU NOW!
HOOKLINE And SINKER!
I certainly didn’t go for you ‘cos you were such a ‘great thinker’.
Caught in my web. My little trap of liesKicking and screaming, like little helpless flies! With your gaze fixed solid on my sensational eyesAnd in the morning when you arise And starting to recover from all the moans and the sighs.
After the reassurance “Size doesn’t matter” After my heart went...
Pitter-Patter... Pitter-Patter... Pitter-Patter...
And here you see contains the task
Saying “NO” to me, when all I ask is...
May I ?

Monday, 19 January 2009

WAR! part 2

this one is called 'Paradoxically English'. Now English is considered a difficult language for foreigners to learn, but it can be considered equally perplexing for those who have english as their mother tongue.

Paradoxically English

English is a very perculiar language that i'll grant
E.g. there's no ham in hamburger or egg in the eggplant
Many foreign visitors never quite manage to grapple
with the fact that there is no pine nor apple in pineapple
English muffins were not invented in England in fact
And french fries were not invented in France to be exact
But if foreigners can't understand us I don't give a fig
If a Guinea Pig is not from Guinea and it's not even a pig
So what if Quicksand takes you down slowly, who cares?
And does it matter if the boxing rings are really squares?



This following one isn't one of mine but i thought it was pretty good while browsing for inspiration. A Community Support Officer (CSO) is supposed to support the work of the police and have a deterrent effect, but has few real powers. If you are apprehended by a CSO, the best they do is hold your hand and kindly ask you stay still for 10 minutes, in the hope that a real policeman will arrive.

Go CSO

A Communtity Support Officer
Today seized a handgun replica
The headline in the local paper
Told the story of his endeavour
"An immitation hand gun or replica
was seized by an immitation officer."

Thursday, 8 January 2009

WAR!

Paul, you seem to have declared a war of poetry over the past couple of days and i can no longer sit back and let it happen. we were once English buddies, but now i must put that aside as you are no my enemy. you say my poetry is all lovey dovey, then i shall write some humorous stuff. this is War my friend and there will be no prisoners!

And The Beatles Are Still Feeling Fine

Little Eva is singing about "The Locomotion"
On Radio two with John Dunn
While Elvis is wearing his two blue suede shoes
And "The Beatles" still follow the sun

The Stones still have no satisfaction
And Garry's still leading the gang
George is up his ladder cleaning his windows
And "The Beatles" silver hammer goes bang

Roger Miller was always king of the road
Frank's darlin' is still out and about
Cilla comes out then steps inside love
While "The Beatles" still twist and shout

Elton's still following the yellow brick road
Lizzie's drinking whisky from the jar
Ernie's still the fastest milkman in the west
While "The Beatles" are back in the U.S.S.R

Bonnie Tyler has found she's still lost in France
And Ray Charles says hit the road jack
Chris Farlow as always is still out of time
And "The Beatles" sing "Loretta get back"

Lonnie's somewhere near the Cumberland Gap
While Queen only want to break free
Tommy is still chasing his little white bull
While "The Beatles" still let it be

The Monkey's always were daydream believers
Leo's promised to put on the show
Dusty says you don't have to say you love her
And "The Beatles" say your mother should know

Rolf's still singing about his two little boys
While Mr Vaughn's behind his green door
The Osmond's say it will be the twelfth or never
When "The Beatles" are all sixty-four

Glen Campbell is still a rhinestone cowboy
And John Denver still sings Annie's song
Little Richard has great balls of fire
While "The Beatles" winding road is still long

Gary Barlow reckons he's found his angel
Elvis says not to be cruel
Des O'Conner says let's just pretend
As "The Beatles" are on the Hill with the fool

Don Gibson's still eating his American pie
While Shirley's big spender goes HEY!!!
Lulu from Glasgow is still going shout
While "The Beatles" sing "Yesterday"

Frank Sinatra has gone to New York-NewYork
While Dino's still drinking the wine
Olivia is singing "If not for you"
And "The Beatles" are still feeling fine.


okay so it may not be gut-wrenchingly funny but i thought its pretty good. now Paul, can you match that?

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Poetry

Here's some ww1 poetry i don't know if you've all got it but...

Five Souls:

First SoulI was a peasant of the Polish plain; I left my plough because the message ran: - Russia, in danger, needed every man To save her from the Teuton; and was slain. I gave my life for freedom - This I know For those who bade me fight had told me so. Second SoulI was a Tyrolese, a mountaineer; I gladly left my mountain home to fight Against the brutal treacherous Muscovite; And died in Poland on a Cossack spear. I gave my life for freedom - This I know For those who bade me fight had told me so. Third SoulI worked in Lyons at my weaver's loom, When suddenly the Prussian despot hurled His felon blow at France and at the world; Then I went forth to Belgium and my doom. I gave my life for freedom - This I know For those who bade me fight had told me so. Fourth SoulI owned a vineyard by the wooded Main, Until the Fatherland, begirt by foes Lusting her downfall, called me, and I rose Swift to the call - and died in far Lorraine. I gave my life for freedom - This I know For those who bade me fight had told me so. Fifth Soul I worked in a great shipyard by the Clyde; There came a sudden word of wars declared, Of Belgium, peaceful, helpless, unprepared, Asking our aid: I joined the ranks, and died. I gave my life for freedom - This I know For those who bade me fight had told me so.

I'm not sure who this is by.

Suicide In The Trenches:

I KNEW a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
. . . .
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.

Sigfried Sassoon

Monday, 15 December 2008

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to wish you all a super Christmas and well-deserved break. I'm sure you've all been working really hard and are well into the synoptic unit.

Did I hear correctly that my replacement teacher has gone??? If so, I will try and answer any questions you might have...remember I care very much about how you all progress :)

If you haven't already, make sure you read Sebastian Faulks 'Birdsong' as this will provide you with a really throrough understanding of WW1 and act as a good framework from which to form opinions of the other writers you encounter.

The following is quite a good site:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/ - make sure you check out the primary documents. You should have been provided with a booklet I put together for my Yr 13s last year...if you haven't been given it ask Mrs Beverton (as I provided her with a copy, as well as my replacement teacher) for a copy....worst case scenario, ask in the library as they have a scanned copy of it (it has a picture of Lord Kitchener on the front cover....it contains many different resources and some learning activities for you).

Craig and Paul....work on these guys and get them using this blog as a resource and forum!!

Take care guys...I'll check on you all in a few days time and hope that someone has seen this :) 10 days until baby Robb arrives!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs R

Sunday, 14 December 2008

More work from Moi

seeing as i haven't posted anything on here for a while i thought I'd leave some more of my poetry that I've been doing recently. i hope you all like and enjoy this one, it kinda means a lot to me. again, this one has no title so suggestions would be appriciated.

I don't think you will
ever fully understand
how you've touched my life
and made me who i am.

I don't think you could ever know
just how truly special you are
that even on the darkest nights
you are my brightest star.

I don't think you will ever comprehend
how you've made my dreams come true
or how you've opened my heart
to love and the wonders it can do.

You've allowed me to experience
something very hard to find
unconditional love that exists
in my body, soul and mind.

I don't think you could ever feel
all the love i have to give
and I'm sure you'll never realise
you've been my will to live.

You are an amazing person
and without you i don't know where I'd be.
Having you in my life
completes and fulfills every part of me.

Saturday, 1 November 2008

Pauls Poetry Palace lol

Hello Gang.

This is another bit o poetry I've cooked up. Sorry for any offence this poem may cause :)

Baa Humbug
Over the years I’ve had many requests,
Had many a party,
many a guest
Many a buxom blonde have asked for my hand
While we dance slowly to the smooth jazz band
"No!",
every time is what I’ve said: "why don’t you marry that guy instead?"
Because when they ask me the thought comes instead, not of their...
Perfect breasts,
But arguing!
From the top of the bed
And our two kids wishing that they were dead
In fact,
I think I’ll go shag a sheep instead.

Baa Humbug.

Thursday, 9 October 2008

Oooohhh! You guys....!

Thank you so much for your lovely card and yummy chocolates. I'll really miss this class and your lively discussion...who knows...if I have a son I may even call him...well I'm sure you can guess.

I may moonlight on here from time to time to see how you're all going, so you may not have seen the end of me just yet!

Ollie - here is your coursework topic. I hope this matches with what we discussed in class this week :)

Compare the presentation of hope in George Orwell's novel 1984 and Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road.

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Week 6 - Final coursework topics

Following feedback from the English KS5 Advisor, please see your approved coursework topic below:

Yr 13 A2 Coursework Topics

Student
Coursework topic:
Bates, Lauren
Compare the presentation of the treatment of the individual by their society in the novels One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey and J.D. Salinger The Catcher in the Rye.

Kyle, Belcher
Compare the presentation of the idea of the totalitarian state as presented in Adolus Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orwell’s novel 1984 .

Clement, Damon
Compare the presentation of the exploration of the future by novelists Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and George Orwell’s 1984.

Davies, Sophie
Compare the presentation of how the idea of religion has been explored in the science fiction novels Dracula by Bram Stoker and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Dewick, Jessie
Compare the presentation of the representation of women in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea.

Fields, Craig
Compare the presentation of social class and historical context in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day and Ian McEwan’s Atonement.

Harding, Alice
Compare the presentation of the use of diction in _______ A Clockwork Orange and Irvin Welsh’s Trainspotting.

Holden, Oliver
You need to see me this week to finalise your topic; otherwise discuss this with Mrs Latif or Miss Thrussell!

Newbegin, Paul
Compare the presentation of the narrative style and use allusion in Angela Carter’s novel Wise Children and John Connolly’s The Book of Lost Things.


Stone, Beau
Compare the presentation of tension by the novelists Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley Dracula and Frankenstein.

Vardy, Grace
Compare the presentation of political satire in George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Joseph Heller’s Catch 22.

Wallduck, Lucy
Compare the presentation of the representation of identity in different cultures in the novels A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and The Reluctant Fundamentalist by ______.

Our last lesson together is tomorrow (Wednesday)...

Monday, 6 October 2008

A quick note from your new teacher.

Hi everybody!!
I just thought I would say hello and let you know that I am online and here to help.
Miss Thrussell.

Friday, 3 October 2008

Monday, 29 September 2008

Week 5 - Essay due Wednesday

Thanks so much to everyone for presenting really intelligent, interesting and well-researched seminars on your assigned poems. I really have been impressed with your efforts, and am continually struck by how much effort some of you are putting into your studies. This augers well for the remainder of the year, and I will be eager to hear of your progress even when I'm on maternity leave...so please maitain your efforts so we can all celebrate together next August when thos results come through :)

Essay:

How does 'Tintern Abbey' demonstrate Wordsworth's belief in nature's importance in the development of the individual's mind?

Discuss with reference to Romanticism and at least one other poem you have studied.

Date due: Wednesday 1/10/08

(I suggest you consolidate your understanding of the poem by reading the additional notes on the poem in the booklet)

Good luck!