http://vimeo.com/79317856

http://vimeo.com/81215616

Brit Lit:

Today:
Journal Prompt #4:  Please consider the monster's point of view.  Write a one page account of what you read last night from the point of view of Grendel.  1/2 page

We talked about your first paper.  Here is what I will be assigning next week:

The Hero’s Quest

Over the last week, we have looked at the classical definition of a hero.  Specifically, we discussed the research and findings of Joseph Campbell.  He believed that mythology was our one single truth as humans, and these stories connected us all in a very deep and spiritual way.

 

In a 4-5 page typed paper, please take a popular movie, play, or novel, and examine how it fits Campbell’s classical definition.  Please use the sheet that I gave you on this.  You may pick any hero that you feel fits this mold, however, here are some suggestions that would work well:  Pinocchio, The Wizard of Oz, Fight Club, Batman Begins, Dumbo, Star Wars (1^st 3), the Matrix, The Lion King, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, The Twilight Series, The Lord of the Rings Series, The Narnia Movies, Alice in Wonderland.

 

Your paper needs to have a clear thesis (a statement that clearly states what you will prove) and you must use solid examples in your body to back up your thesis.

We watched the documentary on this: Finding Joe.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today
Journal Prompt #4:  If you only had 24 hours to live and more was of no consequence, what would you do with your last hours?  Who would you see?  What would your last meal be?  1 Pg.

I broke you into 4 groups and had you act the scene using one mystery prop.

Next week we will be finishing the play and looking closely at symbolism.

Epic Poem Skits

Brit. Lit.

Today: 
Journal Prompt #3: If you could have 3 super powers, what would you choose and how specifically would you use them?       1Pg.

We did your Scops/epic Poem (hero's journey) skit.  We looked at the limitations of this type of storytelling.  We defined both terms

I introduced you to the Hero's Journey.  We watched a few clips to see how this model is used in many popular films and stories.
These can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGV1BvnyvGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg


I gave you a hand out of these stages.

HW:  Please read the sheets that I gave you on the Hero's Journey
Please read Beowulf: Pgs 23-36.  Please expect a quiz on your reading and notes.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #3:  Please write a one page to yourself in 20 years.  Please offer advice as to what your hopes are today for your future as an adult.  Feel free to comment on the future of the world. 
1 pg.

We finished casting for your modern version of All My Sons.  We shared these.

We shared and collected your HW from last night discussing the state of the American Dream.  It was nice to see that most of you still have the optimism that makes our country so strong and hopeful.

We acted out more of the play.

Brit Lit:

Today:
Journal Prompt #2:
What is your definition of a hero?  Who is your hero and why?    1 page

We took a quiz on your reading.

We looked at the Anglo-Saxons and talked about what we know of them.

We defined the pecking order of this society.

We defined Epic Poetry

We defined Scops

I broke you into rows and asked you to but together a hero's quest, told (not sung) by Scops and acted by the group.  I gave you 10 min. to organize these.  We will be performing these tomorrow.

Bonus:  Watch this for the next bonus question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCv7-x91G9k

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
Journal Prompt #2:
Write a one page letter to yourself in the past giving some advice on how to improve a situation.

We worked on finishing act 1

I broke you into small groups and asked you to cast the 5 main characters in the play with modern actors.

HW:  Please describe the American Dream.  Does it still exist in your opinion?  3-5 sentences.

Brit Lit:

Today
We collected your former journals from storage and went over the expectations in my class for these.

Journal Prompt #1:  Please write an original creation story that explains the following:  Life/death, the seasons, night vs. day, good vs. evil
CP/CPA = 1/2 page, H= 1 page.

We defined the characteristics of creation stories:
Often tied to religion
characters are animals/deities/spirits that can transform.
Set in a dim distant past
Answers questions connected to that culture
Filled with symbolism
Not everything is explained- often just happens

I passed around a story, and we re-told it to another student until it worked all the way around the class.  We looked at the final version and talked about the difficulty in the oral tradition.  Most notably, that stories change each time they are re-told.

We talked about the importance of documenting things to preserve the truth.

We read The Seafarer and looked at the surviving lit. of 449.  We looked at the influence that monks had on stories, specifically ho religious overtones found there way into tales.

HW Please read the historical account of this time on pgs 6-15.  Expect a quiz on this and your notes today.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We found your old journals and I explain how these will be used, as well as my expectations.

Journal Prompt #1:  Please describe a lie that was told so much that it became the truth.  This can be connected to you, a family member, or another person that you do not know.
CP/CPA 1/2 page.    H= 1 page

We looked at Arthur Miller and the structure of a three act play.

We read an essay about his FBI files that were released under the Freedom of Information Act in 1996.

We assigned parts and began the play.  We continued to look at his characterization and American themes.

Welcome!

It was very nice to meet you all today.  I am looking forward to our experience together this year.