WOS:

Today we looked at parody. Specifically, we watched part of the relatively new film She's the Man. Monday we will have an in class debate on whether parody of a classic is good or bad. Please be thinking about the obvious similarities. Does the story work better in a modern translation? What does it say about the play that it can still work as a timely story?

Brit Lit:

A Block: We watched the Polanski version of Macbeth covering Act 2, and I made the entire 3rd floor smell like a movie theater. I assigned your Macbeth video project and showed you 3 examples from previous years. I will post a rubric online Monday after I give the assignment to my other class.

Reminder: Your Tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow speeches are due Monday- so make sure that you are ready to go first thing Monday morning. Have a wonderful weekend.

B Block: Those of you not attending the performance of Animal Farm, recited your Macbeth lines. Video to follow....stay tuned!
If you were not ready, you lose 10 points for each day, so make sure that you look over and learn the lines for this Monday. I will also explain your next project Monday...

Don't look now, but I see many of you laughing and getting perfect grades on Shakespeare. It is a difficult play, and I am very proud of how well you are ALL doing. Keep it up!

Quiz on the Stage

WOS:

Today we moved class to the auditorium. I gave a brief quiz on Act 2, and we rehearsed our scenes that we blocked. We performed them on stage and had a chance to give feedback on the comedy in the blocking. We discussed physical humor, and how the play probably had lots of this to help the funny.

HW: Please read act 3.

Brit Lit:

Today in class we examined blocking: notes to the actor of movement on stage. We talked about using abbreviations for movement, and I gave you a cheat sheet of often used shortcuts.

I broke you into small groups and had you block a scene of Macbeth. I asked you to include movement every 3-5 seconds to avoid the "cement shoe syndrome."

HW: 10 Macbeth lines this Friday. Please continue to learn the lines and be ready to recite. For anyone looking for a bit of extra credit- ask me about the Shakespeare challenge in class...

Late Night

Please be reminded that my late night is Wed., or any other day with appointment. If you need to make up assignments, or a bit of extra help, please drop in.

WOS:

Today we had a discussion on Act 1; specifically, we examined the comic elements of the play.

Part 2 of class, we talked about stage movement, otherwise known as blocking. I broke you into small groups and assigned you a part to block in a comedic way. Videos to follow....

HW: Please read act 2 and per usual, come in prepared with at least 5 discussion questions. Please once again focus on the comedy. Please continue to think: Is this play still funny? How would you make it funny if you were going to direct.

Part 3 we made believe that we were casting the play with modern celebrities. Specifically, I asked you to find characters that would add to the level of comedy.

Brit Lit:

Today in class...
We talked about a Shakespearean Tragedy and looked for the exciting force the propels act 2. I asked you to do a one pg "free write" speculating on what is in store in Act 2. If the death/murder of the king is the explosive force at the start of act 2, and the action continues to rise towards act 3, what else could happen. Macbeth is a blood bath, so be ready for a good ol' Scottish bash.

HW- Please continue to work on your Macbeth lines. I posted them last night for your convenience on the blog, but it is also obviously in your books.

A Geek Gift from Mr. Nameika

Dungeons & Dragons Soda: Sugar Free Potion of Healing.

A Block Story Boards

Think:

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

Word O' the Week:

Boondoggle [Boon-dog-uhl]: Noun. A braided cord worn by Boy Scouts. Also; a wasteful activity, especially one funded by the government as a political reward.

Wos:

Today in class we finished working on our "grouping" of lines into 4 categories. I hope that it was clear the Shakespeare had a formula in how he describes love. This holds true in all on his plays, and many of his sonnets.

HW: Read act 2 and please come into class with 5 questions for discussion on Tuesday. Specifically, did any of act 2 make you laugh? Please remember, this is a comedy :-)

Learn:

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more.
It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Brit Lit:

Today in class, A block finished their Act 1 comic/storyboards. After, I asked you to cast Macbeth with modern actors, and discuss why each was selected.

I assigned 10 lines from Macbeth that you will need to memorize for this Friday. 10 points per line, and it is being counted as a test grade- so it should help you averages a bit :-)

Tuesday, we will be acting out Duncan's death scene outside- so please bring a sweatshirt. They are predicting a "return to Summer" but you know that the weather people do not always get it right.

Question: Why do you think that Shakespeare does not "show" Duncan's death? The same with the marriage of R & J....why does he leave out the seemingly most important scene in the play?