Wednesday, December 23, 2009
See You in the 10's...
Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday/vacation break. See you in the new decade....
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Think:
O Me! O Life!
O ME O life!...of the questions of these recurring: Of the endless trains of the faithless-- of cities fill'd with the foolish;.... What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here-- that life exists, and identity; That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.
O ME O life!...of the questions of these recurring: Of the endless trains of the faithless-- of cities fill'd with the foolish;.... What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here-- that life exists, and identity; That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.
Think:
"THE DEAD POET'S SOCIETY"
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."
- Dead Poet's Society
**********
O Captain! My Captain!
1
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
2
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills; For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding; For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head; It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead.
3
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; >From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."
- Dead Poet's Society
**********
O Captain! My Captain!
1
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
2
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills; For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding; For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head; It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead.
3
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; >From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Brit Lit:
Today in class we worked on our 1st draft of your paper due tomorrow.
Reminder: Secret Santa gifts are due this Wed.
Reminder: Secret Santa gifts are due this Wed.
Think:
Every time you lick a stamp, you are consuming 1/10th of a calorie. At least they could make them cookie flavoured....
Friday, December 18, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class:
We broke into small groups and had polite intellectual discussion on your sonnet. I hope that this time allowed you to gain an outside opinion on what the piece is about.
After lunch, we went to the computer lab to research your sonnet.
Recommended reading: The Art of Shakespeare's Sonnet, by Helen Vendler. Most libraries should have a copy of this.
Sonnet Papers are due Tuesday.
We broke into small groups and had polite intellectual discussion on your sonnet. I hope that this time allowed you to gain an outside opinion on what the piece is about.
After lunch, we went to the computer lab to research your sonnet.
Recommended reading: The Art of Shakespeare's Sonnet, by Helen Vendler. Most libraries should have a copy of this.
Sonnet Papers are due Tuesday.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we listened to the Iron Maiden song, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
We took another look at alliteration, and I asked you to find 10 examples in the original poem. For each, I asked to to define how the use of alliteration added to the feeling or complexity of the line of verse.
Reminder, Please pick one of the 3 writing assignments on Pg. 770. These are due this Tuesday.
Have a great weekend!
We took another look at alliteration, and I asked you to find 10 examples in the original poem. For each, I asked to to define how the use of alliteration added to the feeling or complexity of the line of verse.
Reminder, Please pick one of the 3 writing assignments on Pg. 770. These are due this Tuesday.
Have a great weekend!
Rock on....
Hear the rime of the Ancient MarinerSee his eyes as he stops one of threeMesmerises one of the wedding guestsStay here and listen to the nightmaresof the sea.And the music plays on, as the bride passes byCaught by his spell andthe Mariner tells his tale.Driven south to the land of the snow and iceTo a place where nobody's beenThrough the snow fog flies on the albatrossHailed in God's name,hoping good luck it brings.And the ship sails on, back to the northThrough the fog and ice andthe albatross follows onThe mariner kills the bird of good omenHis shipmates cry against what he's doneBut when the fog clears, they justify himAnd make themselves part of the crime.Sailing on and on and North across the seaSailing on and on and North 'til all is calm.The albatross begins with its vengeanceA terrible curse a thirst has begunHis shipmates blame the bad luck on the MarinerAbout his neck, the dead bird is hung.And the curse goes on and on and on at sea,And the thirst goes on and on for them and me."Day after day, day after day,we stuck nor breath nor motionAs idle as a painted ship upon a painted oceanWater, water everywhere andall the boards did shrinkWater, water everywhere nor any drop to drink."There, calls the Mariner,there comes a ship over the lineBut how can she sail with no windin her sails and no tide.See...onward she comesOnward she nears, out of the sunSee...she has no crewShe has no life, wait but there's twoDeath and she life in Death,they throw their dice for the crewShe wins the Mariner and he belongs to her now.Then...crew one by oneThey drop down dead, two hundred menShe...She, Life in Death,She lets him live, her chosen one."One after one by the star dogged moon,too quick for groan or sigheach turned his face with a ghastly pang,and cursed me with his eyefour times fifty living men(and I heard nor sigh nor groan),with heavy thump, a lifeless lump,they dropped down one by one."The curse it lives on in their eyesThe Mariner he wished he'd dieAlong with the sea creatresBut they lived on, so did he.And by the light of the moonHe prays for their beauty not doomWith heart he blesses themGod's creatures all of them tooThen the spell starts to breakThe albatross falls from his neckSinks down like lead into the seaThen down in falls comes the rain.Hear the groans of the long dead seamenSee them stir and they start to riseBodies lifted by good spiritsNone of them speakand they're lifeless in their eyes.And revenge is still sought, penance starts againCast into a trance and the nightmare carries on.Now the curse is finally liftedAnd the Mariner sights his homeSpirits go from the long dead bodiesForm their own light andthe Mariner's left alone.And then a boat came sailing towards himIt was a joy he could not believeThe pilots boat, his son and the hermit.Penance of life will fall onto Him.And the ship sinks like lead into the seaAnd the hermit shrieves the Mariner of his sins.The Mariner's bound to tell of his storyTo tell his tale wherever he goesTo teach God's word by his own exampleThat we must love all things that God made.And the wedding guest's a sad and wiser manAnd the tale goes on and on and on
Thursday, December 17, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class we looked at your favorite sonnet. For Dec 22., please write a 3-5 page paper analysing form and meaning in your sonnet. We will be taking the next few classes to begin this together.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we discussed the Romantic Period. I gave notes on the time period, and reviewed your reading assignment last night. We had a quiz on pgs. 632-646.
Tonight, please read The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner in your Anthology textbooks.
I also assigned a small paper assignment due next Tusday December 22: Choosde one of the 3 assignments on pg 770 in your anthologies.
Tonight, please read The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner in your Anthology textbooks.
I also assigned a small paper assignment due next Tusday December 22: Choosde one of the 3 assignments on pg 770 in your anthologies.
Monday, December 14, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today we took notes on his sonnet construction.
HW: Please write an original sonnet that follows the rules defined in class today.
HW: Please write an original sonnet that follows the rules defined in class today.
Brit Lit:
Today in class I gave notes on a Shakespearean Sonnet. We read and discussed # 116, 53, 148, 115. I asked you each to diagram your favorite one of the bunch.
HW:
Please write an original sonnet that follows the same rules that we discussed in class today:
1. iambic pentameter
2. 10 syllables per line
3. 14 line poem
4. Follows the end rhyme pattern of: ab,ab,cd,cd,ef,ef,gg
5. Last two lines give it power. End in greatness- as always....
HW:
Please write an original sonnet that follows the same rules that we discussed in class today:
1. iambic pentameter
2. 10 syllables per line
3. 14 line poem
4. Follows the end rhyme pattern of: ab,ab,cd,cd,ef,ef,gg
5. Last two lines give it power. End in greatness- as always....
Thursday, December 10, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class I gave a brief lecture on sonnets. I asked you each to bring in a fav. sonnet and read it to the class. We will finish reading these on Friday- so if you were not ready, or I did not get to you- please be prepared to go.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we held our open mic poetry slam. I posted a few clips from the event bellow.
I also introduced and gave you notes on Shakespeare's Sonnets We also read and analyzed the 4 sonnets in your anthology.
Friday we will be doing the second part of the Dream Catcher assignment. Please make sure that you have the thoughts that you collected Tuesday. Also, just a reminder that the assignment is and was optional. Please see me if you do not wish to participate in the assignment.
I also introduced and gave you notes on Shakespeare's Sonnets We also read and analyzed the 4 sonnets in your anthology.
Friday we will be doing the second part of the Dream Catcher assignment. Please make sure that you have the thoughts that you collected Tuesday. Also, just a reminder that the assignment is and was optional. Please see me if you do not wish to participate in the assignment.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Here are the short essay/s for those that decided to finish it at home:
Please discuss Othello's main weakness. How does this make it easy for Iago to feed into his jealously?
Specifically, what other circumstances directly contribute to Iago's plan that help make it work?
Please discuss Othello's main weakness. How does this make it easy for Iago to feed into his jealously?
Specifically, what other circumstances directly contribute to Iago's plan that help make it work?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Open Mic Poetry Slam
This Wed. in class you will have the opportunity to share a poem in class. Please use tonight and tomorrow to have a poem that you are willing to read in front of the class.
Friday, December 4, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class we caught up on Othello in film form. Please look over acts 1-4, as there will be a quick quiz this Monday.
Brit Lit:
Happy Friday!
Today in class we diagrammed the foot and meter of the song lyrics that you brought in for HW.
Next, we looked at some examples from Robert Pinsky's America's Favorite Poem Project. We also looked at some of the DVD examples which were originally aired on PBS. If anyone would like to borrow the book and or DVD, please see me. It is real good stuff...
Today in class we diagrammed the foot and meter of the song lyrics that you brought in for HW.
Next, we looked at some examples from Robert Pinsky's America's Favorite Poem Project. We also looked at some of the DVD examples which were originally aired on PBS. If anyone would like to borrow the book and or DVD, please see me. It is real good stuff...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today we broke into groups of 5 and read Act 4, sc 2 in Othello. After lunch we took a quick quiz on Act 4, sc 1 and 2.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we shared your HW from last night. I explained the power of words- specifically, how a mere 3 words can create feeling. Sometimes less is more. There is a power in sharing emotion and connecting your voice inside to an audience.
After, we took notes on poetic devices: foot and meter. In attempting to make you hear the pattern, I read you a classic from Dr. Seuss- Green Eggs and Ham.
After, we marked another classic- the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Some of you did not finish, and asked to complete it for HW.
Speaking of...tonight please bring in a song that follows a beat. Specifically, an song that has a foot and meter that repeats. You will be diagramming it, so please make sure that you have a copy that you can mark up.
After, we took notes on poetic devices: foot and meter. In attempting to make you hear the pattern, I read you a classic from Dr. Seuss- Green Eggs and Ham.
After, we marked another classic- the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Some of you did not finish, and asked to complete it for HW.
Speaking of...tonight please bring in a song that follows a beat. Specifically, an song that has a foot and meter that repeats. You will be diagramming it, so please make sure that you have a copy that you can mark up.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today we reviewed act 3, acted Act 4, sc 1.
After lunch we broke into your journal groups and wrote your entries for Act 3. Iago has much in his head- so if you need more time to finish, please see me.
HW:
Themes in the play. Please identify at least 5 themes in Othello. Remember a theme is a universal idea that connects the audience to the play/book/story. Please choose one of the following assignments:
1. Collage
2. Musical Representation
3. Poetry
4. Connect each theme to a modern film.
These are due in class wed.
After lunch we broke into your journal groups and wrote your entries for Act 3. Iago has much in his head- so if you need more time to finish, please see me.
HW:
Themes in the play. Please identify at least 5 themes in Othello. Remember a theme is a universal idea that connects the audience to the play/book/story. Please choose one of the following assignments:
1. Collage
2. Musical Representation
3. Poetry
4. Connect each theme to a modern film.
These are due in class wed.
Brit Lit:
Today in class:
We shared our favorite poem. Each student explained why the poem was important and then read it to the class. We agreed that the best included the following:
About Real things
End in power/greatness/deep line
Beat
Connects to you
Sound
Honesty
We the read 4-5 poems from the Anthology.
HW: Please read the excerpt in your text from Paradise Lost
We shared our favorite poem. Each student explained why the poem was important and then read it to the class. We agreed that the best included the following:
About Real things
End in power/greatness/deep line
Beat
Connects to you
Sound
Honesty
We the read 4-5 poems from the Anthology.
HW: Please read the excerpt in your text from Paradise Lost
Monday, November 30, 2009
Brit Lit:
Today we began with an introduction to poetry. Over the next 12 class days we will be looking at Poetry from the anthology books. Please make sure that you have you "big books" with you in class each day.
HW:
Please bring in a poem that you connect with. Please be ready to share what you liked.
HW:
Please bring in a poem that you connect with. Please be ready to share what you liked.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class: On pg 101, I asked you to remix and reverse the Othello and Desdemona lines and see how it would change the scene. Video to follow if anything is blog worthy...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
World of Shakespeare:
Today in class I asked you to create 20 questions from acts 1-3 in Othello. We used these playing a review game, and took a quiz after lunch. Please remember that just because I am not assigning you HW each night, does not mean that you have nothing to do. Please look over the play and have any questions ready for class.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we played a review game "Who wants to win a Pizza Party" to prep for you Macbeth Test this Friday. After the review, I went over the essay of the test and we talked about how to answer it. You are allowed to use all of your OWN notes during the test- so please make sure that you have everything.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Brit Lit:
A Block: Today in class, we discussed grades, updated our notes, read the first 2 scenes in Act 5, and ventured outside for the last 10 minutes to recreate the Birnham wood scene. Please see below video on how "the Forrest moves."
B Block: Today in class we went to the computer lab and worked on your Macbeth Parody paper. I passed out a writing rubric, and answered questions on parody.
Both A & B: We will be finishing the play in both classes by this Wed. I plan on having a review game Wed. or Thurs. and the Macbeth exam this Friday. You are reminded that you may use all of your notes on the test- so please make sure you are up-to-date by then.
Those that have been out sick: If any of you that have missed school due to illness and need additional time to catch up with class, please know that you have it. I can also stay after any day if you need specific help.
B Block: Today in class we went to the computer lab and worked on your Macbeth Parody paper. I passed out a writing rubric, and answered questions on parody.
Both A & B: We will be finishing the play in both classes by this Wed. I plan on having a review game Wed. or Thurs. and the Macbeth exam this Friday. You are reminded that you may use all of your notes on the test- so please make sure you are up-to-date by then.
Those that have been out sick: If any of you that have missed school due to illness and need additional time to catch up with class, please know that you have it. I can also stay after any day if you need specific help.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Word O' the Week:
Bevy: (BEV-ee) Noun 1. A group of birds or animals. 2. A Collection. From middle English: bevey
Brit Lit:
Yesterday and some of today we looked at a modern parody of Macbeth.
Block A: we also worked on discussing the weakness in Macbeth's plans/castle. Pictures to follow....
Block B: We worked on the outline for your next paper on the parody of Macbeth. I will flesh out a typed assignments with rubrics over the weekend for you.
Block A: we also worked on discussing the weakness in Macbeth's plans/castle. Pictures to follow....
Block B: We worked on the outline for your next paper on the parody of Macbeth. I will flesh out a typed assignments with rubrics over the weekend for you.
World of Shakespeare:
Yesterday and today we looked at Act 2. Specifically, we looked at stage fighting in super slow mo, jealousy, and began our diary for Iago. Please do not loose the 2 pages that we did in class, as we will be doing this again and interjecting it at the end of the play.
Today we looked again at the film, and I had you present a short skit in front of the class. Each group was given an item that caused your breakup. A ton of great stuff today!
We assigned parts for Act 3- so if you have a speaking part, please look over and familiarize yourself with the lines for Monday. Have a great weekend....
Today we looked again at the film, and I had you present a short skit in front of the class. Each group was given an item that caused your breakup. A ton of great stuff today!
We assigned parts for Act 3- so if you have a speaking part, please look over and familiarize yourself with the lines for Monday. Have a great weekend....
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Brit Lit:
Today in class you broke into small groups and read Act 4m sc 3 on your own. We then watched a clip from the Godfather, and launched into giving this scene "the Godfather Treatment." Each group identified the key parts to the story and made a mob version of the scene while I played the Godfather Theme in an endless loop. Nah, Nah, nah, nah, nah, na, nah.....
The last 10 minutes of class each group performed their scene. This was counted as a quiz grade, so if you were absent please see me for the alternative make up assignment when you return to class.
We also viewed some late Macbeth movies. I posted another great example below....
The last 10 minutes of class each group performed their scene. This was counted as a quiz grade, so if you were absent please see me for the alternative make up assignment when you return to class.
We also viewed some late Macbeth movies. I posted another great example below....
Monday, November 9, 2009
Brit Lit:
Today in class:
We had our Macbeth Film festival. If your film was still in production, you are reminded that you loose 10 points for each late day. I am after tonight if any group requires technical help for free.
We had our Macbeth Film festival. If your film was still in production, you are reminded that you loose 10 points for each late day. I am after tonight if any group requires technical help for free.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Macbeth Movie Monday
Brit Lit: You are reminded that you film projects are due this Monday. Today I collected your scripts. If you did not have your script, or see yourself not having this done for Monday, please see me ASAP.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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