Friday, October 16, 2009
Wos:
Today in class I passed back your exams. The class average was an 86.
Whether you realize it or not, I have been conditioning you for what we start next week. I tried hard to hold your hand in Hamlet, explain fundamental concepts, and most importantly: break down that inherent fear the students' have around studying Shakespeare. Next week, I take off the safety switch and go full speed.....
Whether you realize it or not, I have been conditioning you for what we start next week. I tried hard to hold your hand in Hamlet, explain fundamental concepts, and most importantly: break down that inherent fear the students' have around studying Shakespeare. Next week, I take off the safety switch and go full speed.....
Brit Lit:
Today in class: Block A: We finished taking notes on Act I in Macbeth, reviewed, and had a quick quiz on Act I. A few of you came in late and missed parts of this- please be diligent about missing class and YOUR responsibility to make up anything missed.
The last 5 minutes I asked you to storyboard Act I, trying to include EVERYTHING in 8 frames. I am sorry that we were rushed on time. I will give you the first 15 minutes Monday to finish the assignment. Make sure you bring them on Monday.
Block A/B: We watched act I in the Roman Polanski version of Macbeth. Most consider this version to be far and above, the best film adaptation. Please be thinking of whether you agree with the screenplay and character interpretations. Do you agree with the depiction of Lady Macbeth?
Next week we be getting deep into the meat of the play. Look forward to some blood and death in class! Have a wonderful rainy weekend, and try and re-charge for next week.
The last 5 minutes I asked you to storyboard Act I, trying to include EVERYTHING in 8 frames. I am sorry that we were rushed on time. I will give you the first 15 minutes Monday to finish the assignment. Make sure you bring them on Monday.
Block A/B: We watched act I in the Roman Polanski version of Macbeth. Most consider this version to be far and above, the best film adaptation. Please be thinking of whether you agree with the screenplay and character interpretations. Do you agree with the depiction of Lady Macbeth?
Next week we be getting deep into the meat of the play. Look forward to some blood and death in class! Have a wonderful rainy weekend, and try and re-charge for next week.
Parent/teacher Night
It was very nice to meet so many of you last night during parent/teacher conferences. If you were unable to attend and would like to speak with me, please feel free to call or email me. I would be happy to meet with you at your convenience. My email at school is cusicks@tantasqua.org
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
WOS:
Today, we looked at comedy. For HW, I asked each of you to bring in 5 "safe for school" knock knock jokes. We looked at how timing can influence comedy. Specifically, we examined pause, tone, stress and inflection. All of these terms are crucial in understanding the "funny" in Shakespeare's comedies.
Comedy is a difficult topic. Unlike hard drama, it does not always hold up well over large periods of time. Jokes that are topical and funny today, often seem dated and out of place in as little as 5 years time. So, you can imagine what 400 years can do to a joke. But the universal comedies hold true. Please be thinking about what type of jokes are lasting.
Knock Knock.
Who's There?
Qsick.
Qsick who?
Qsick of Shakespeare yet?
I am looking forward to laughing together.
Remember: the average child laughs 30 times a day. The average adult: 3 times per week.
Laughter, and being able to find humor in things, keeps us young.....
Comedy is a difficult topic. Unlike hard drama, it does not always hold up well over large periods of time. Jokes that are topical and funny today, often seem dated and out of place in as little as 5 years time. So, you can imagine what 400 years can do to a joke. But the universal comedies hold true. Please be thinking about what type of jokes are lasting.
Knock Knock.
Who's There?
Qsick.
Qsick who?
Qsick of Shakespeare yet?
I am looking forward to laughing together.
Remember: the average child laughs 30 times a day. The average adult: 3 times per week.
Laughter, and being able to find humor in things, keeps us young.....
Brit Lit:
Today we finished working on our Compare and Contrast Essays. Please see me if you did not have a chance to finish. Block A: We will have a quiz on Act I on Thursday. HW: Review Act I and bring in any questions that you have. I will answer these during our review.
Block B: You took your quiz today. Mr. C will work with any of you still needing time on your essays on Friday. I am also after today if anyone wants help on the paper or Macbeth.
Block B: You took your quiz today. Mr. C will work with any of you still needing time on your essays on Friday. I am also after today if anyone wants help on the paper or Macbeth.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Word O' the Week:
Ullage: Noun [Ul-ij] The amount of liquid by which a container falls short of being full.
Wos:
Today I gave a test on Hamlet. I will try hard to get those back to you by this Thursday. We will be switching gears, and downshifting into a comedy next....
I am also looking for feedback of what worked, or did not work, for you with Hamlet. It is my hope at this point in the course that you have a good understanding of the general concepts needed to enjoy his plays.
I am also looking for feedback of what worked, or did not work, for you with Hamlet. It is my hope at this point in the course that you have a good understanding of the general concepts needed to enjoy his plays.
Brit Lit:
Today in class we defined: Stress and inflection. To help you understand both, we broke into groups and I gave you a scenario to recite the same lines. Hopefully, this helped to understand how both can be used to dramatically alter the lines in a play. I am posting some of that for you guys to see...
Which led us to finish Act I in costumes. We discussed the powerful character of Lady Macbeth. I suggested that using stress and inflection can dramatically alter her scene at the end of the act where she learns about Macbeth's encounter with the weird sisters. Please plan on finishing our notes on Act I tomorrow, and expect a small quiz to follow. Please remember that you can use your notes on every quiz- so it is important to have that with you everyday.
HW- Please make sure that you have a first draft of your compare and contrast essay. We will be going to the computer lab Wed and I should have time to help anyone having a difficult time with this paper then.
Which led us to finish Act I in costumes. We discussed the powerful character of Lady Macbeth. I suggested that using stress and inflection can dramatically alter her scene at the end of the act where she learns about Macbeth's encounter with the weird sisters. Please plan on finishing our notes on Act I tomorrow, and expect a small quiz to follow. Please remember that you can use your notes on every quiz- so it is important to have that with you everyday.
HW- Please make sure that you have a first draft of your compare and contrast essay. We will be going to the computer lab Wed and I should have time to help anyone having a difficult time with this paper then.
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