Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt #4:  The play Hamlet opens with two words:  Who's There?  Write a one page skit, where each line is only two words.  1 page (two words per line)

We acted out the best.

We went over the cast list in Hamlet.

We took a quiz on CH 1-3 in Shakespeare Alive!

HW:  Please read CH 4.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt #4:  J. Campbell wrote about the importance of "facing your dragon."  Please describe a time when you, a friend, or family member, faced their dragon (fear.)  What was the outcome?  1 page.

We went over the 12 stages of the hero's quest.

HW:  Please work on the outline for the movie book or story that you plan on writing about.  You will have some time to work on these in class on Wed.

Must see TV:

PBS is running a weekly Shakespeare series for the next month.  Previous episodes and information on upcoming ones can be found here:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/

Check it out....

Are you ready to learn why this scene is important?

Think

A Ostrich's eye is much bigger than it's brain.

Word of the Week:

Vamoose (va-moos): Verb int.  To leave in a hurry.

Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt #3:  Shakespeare often uses ghosts, magic, fairies, spells and witches in his plays.  What is your view on the supernatural?  Have you ever seen a ghost?  Would life be better with a little magic?  1 page

We watched the Video:  Why Shakespeare (15 min)

We paired up and delivered a Shakespearean insult.

We looked at insult lines from many of his plays.

I passed out Hamlet.

HW:  Please read ch 3 in Shakespeare Alive!  Please expect a quiz on ch 1-3 for Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

We watched more of the movie, Finding Joe. 

I passed out the paper assignment: 4 pages due Monday, Feb 4.

An outline sheet to follow:  Due Wed., Jan 30.

An explanation with examples of the steps.  This will be helpful in writing your paper.

Journal Prompt:  Please share your thoughts on the movie.  What parts connected with you and YOUR life?  1/2 page

Shakespeare on Tumbler...

http://pbsshakespeare.tumblr.com/

WOS:

Today:

We began with journal prompt #2:

Select a character from CH in Shakespeare Alive! and detail in one page what a day in the life would be like for one of the people living during this time period.  Please include details that show that you read the HW.

We finished Shakespeare insults.

We went to the Aud. for some acting games.

Have a great weekend.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt #2:

Who is your hero and why?  What makes a modern hero?  Why do we need them?  1 page

We looked at the influence on the Angles and Saxons on early stories.  We further detailed the oral tradition, but also looked at how Christianity worked into the earliest stories songs and poems.

We identified Fear of Fate as a common theme in early tales, and looked at how this is used in The Seafarer.

We watched some of the documentary, Finding Joe.  This will lead us towards your first major writing assignment next week.  We also will be looking at the excerpt fro Beowulf early next week.

Have a great weekend...

Brit Lit:

Here is a link to the trailer to the documentary that we looked at today:

http://findingjoethemovie.com/

Shakespeare Insult Generator

Shakespeare:

Today in class...

Journal Prompt #1:  Please describe your experience with:  Reading Shakespeare, acting, and how well you do in school.  1 page.

You were each given a line of verse from a different play.  We tried showing how emotion can change the meaning.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to but the lines in the correct order.

I went over the insults and bad words that Shakespeare used.  We paired up and yelled insults at each other.

We viewed a 10 minute documentary explaining why Shakespeare remains important.

HW:  Please read CH 1-2 in Shakespeare Alive!  Please select a character from your reading that you will choose to be for Friday.  We will be exploring the stage and using the character you select in some short acting exercises.  Please also wear comfortable attire, as we will be romping and rolling....

Brit Lit:

Today in class....

Journal Prompt #1:  Write a creation story that explains the following:  Why the sun and moon exist.  Why do we have seasons?  Explain life and death.  I gave you 10-15 min to write these.  Please continue to bring your journals to class everyday.

We took notes on the oral tradition and looked at where story telling came from. 

We played a game passing around a story to illustrate how drastically these changed upon re-telling. 

HW:  Please read the Seafarer in your Anthologies.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We went over an outline of the class.
I passed out Shakespeare Alive! and assigned CH 1-2 for Friday.  Expect a quiz...

I enjoyed meeting you all.  I am greatly looking forward to class- it should be a good one!

Brit Lit:

Welcome! 

Today I introduced myself and the objectives of the course. 

I assigned anthology books, and placed you in assigned seats and asked you each to share something about yourself. 

WOS:

Today:

We took the final exam.  Please see me asap if you were absent to arrange a make-up date.

I collected your journals today.  I will also accept these on Friday- so make sure to get them in.

Thanks for a great class.  I hope that your understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare both improved.  I had a ton of fun with you.  all the best....    Cusick

Brit Lit:

Today, A block took your final, and C Block reviewed.

A few end of the term reminders:

If you did not pass in your anthology, it is needed asap.  I will be submitting book bills on Tuesday.  You are responsible for the book (and number) given.

Short stories were due today.  Please make sure you pass in two copies:  One clean final draft, and one copy that is highlighted to show the terms needed.  I will accept these on Friday as well.  After this week, it will be a zero.

I collected your journals.  Please make sure this is passed in.

If you were absent for the final exam, please see me asap to arrange a make-up date.

Many of you need this class to graduate.  Make sure that you end in greatness and get all work in.  Failure to pass in any assignment after this week will result in a zero for the assignment.  Please see me with any questions.

Brit Lit Review Sheet

In the event that we do not have school, here is the review sheet for your final:
Brit Lit Final Exam Review 2013:




Please have solid definitions for the terms covered in this course. For each one, please have an example that you could use on the final.



For example, you should know what irony is, but also be able to state an example of irony from one of the works covered. As I am allowing your notes from this page, you should include as much details as possible to assist you on the final.
1. Epiphany:
Example


2. Reversed word
Example:


3. 1st Person Narration
Example:



4. Stream of Conscious
Example:



5. Irony
Example:


6. Flashback
Example:


7. Satire
Example:




8. Symbol
Example:



9. Tone
Example:

10. Foreshadowing
Example:



Character Review:

Please outline all major characters in the following:



Beowulf




The Canterbury Tales




Jane Eyre




Macbeth




Wuthering Heights



Short Stories/poems: The Seafarer, Sir Patrick Spens, Get Up and Bar the Door, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Araby, The Lagoon, The Lady in the Looking Glass, The Rocking Horse Winner, The Demon Lover, Shooting and Elephant, The Truth About George


Essays/short answer Questions:
Much time was spent on defining the Hero’s Journey. Please look over these notes, and be ready to answer questions on the stages.

Look at how at least three characters handled power. Please outline with 3-4 examples for each.

Define: Shakespearean Tragedy and explain in detail how the play Macbeth follows this formula

Shakespeare:

Today, we finished Taming of the Shrew and began reviewing for the final.  I also gave your a review sheet for the final.

We will spend the majority of Wed. reviewing for the final.  Reminder, you are welcome to bring in a single, double sided sheet to assist you in answering the essays. 

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started class going over the list of literary devices that need to be included in your short story.  Please make sure that when you are finished, that you have two copies:  One highlighting the specific devices needed, and a "clean" copy that can be used as part of a class collection.

I will be also selecting the best short story and submit it for a school-wide publication.

Wed. we will be going over a review sheet for the final exam. 

As always, end in greatness.

Shakespeare:

Today, we watched The Taming of the Shrew.  Please use the following cast list to help understand who is who:

Taming of the Shrew: Character list


Katherine - The “shrew” of the play’s title, Katherine, or Kate, is the daughter of Baptista Minola, with whom she lives in Padua. She is sharp-tongued, quick-tempered, and prone to violence, particularly against anyone who tries to marry her. Her hostility toward suitors particularly distresses her father. But her anger and rudeness disguise her deep-seated sense of insecurity and her jealousy toward her sister, Bianca. She does not resist her suitor Petruchio forever, though, and she eventually subjugates herself to him, despite her previous repudiation of marriage.

Petruchio - Petruchio is a gentleman from Verona. Loud, boisterous, eccentric, quick-witted, and frequently drunk, he has come to Padua “to wive and thrive.” He wishes for nothing more than a woman with an enormous dowry, and he finds Kate to be the perfect fit. Disregarding everyone who warns him of her shrewishness, he eventually succeeds not only in wooing Katherine, but in silencing her tongue and temper with his own.

Bianca - The younger daughter of Baptista. The lovely Bianca proves herself the opposite of her sister, Kate, at the beginning of the play: she is soft-spoken, sweet, and unassuming. Thus, she operates as Kate’s principal female foil. Because of her large dowry and her mild behavior, several men vie for her hand. Baptista, however, will not let her marry until Kate is wed.

Baptista - Minola Baptista is one of the wealthiest men in Padua, and his daughters become the prey of many suitors due to the substantial dowries he can offer. He is good-natured, if a bit superficial. His absentmindedness increases when Kate shows her obstinate nature. Thus, at the opening of the play, he is already desperate to find her a suitor, having decided that she must marry before Bianca does.

Lucentio - A young student from Pisa, the good-natured and intrepid Lucentio comes to Padua to study at the city’s renowned university, but he is immediately sidetracked when he falls in love with Bianca at first sight. By disguising himself as a classics instructor named Cambio, he convinces Gremio to offer him to Baptista as a tutor for Bianca. He wins her love, but his impersonation gets him into trouble when his father, Vincentio, visits Padua.

Tranio - Lucentio’s servant. Tranio accompanies Lucentio from Pisa. Wry and comical, he plays an important part in his master’s charade—he assumes Lucentio’s identity and bargains with Baptista for Bianca’s hand.

Gremio and Hortensio - Two gentlemen of Padua. Gremio and Hortensio are Bianca’s suitors at the beginning of the play. Though they are rivals, these older men also become friends during their mutual frustration with and rejection by Bianca. Hortensio directs Petruchio to Kate and then dresses up as a music instructor to court Bianca. He and Gremio are both thwarted in their efforts by Lucentio. Hortensio ends up marrying a widow.

Grumio - Petruchio’s servant and the fool of the play—a source of much comic relief.

Biondello - Lucentio’s second servant, who assists his master and Tranio in carrying out their plot.

Christopher Sly - The principal character in the play’s brief Induction, Sly is a drunken tinker, tricked by a mischievous nobleman into thinking that he is really a lord.

Brit Lit:

Today:  We worked on the first draft of your story in the library.

HW:  Please read: The Demon Lover, and answer the 3 questions which immediately follow the story. 

Please use the following sheet to assist you in the revision process:


Short story: Revision.


“The first draft of anything is s%&^*(.” Ernest Hemingway

Getting a story out of your head and onto paper is often the easiest part. Going back in and revising your writing is often the most difficult. As you begin to work on your final draft, please make sure that you have included the following literary devices that we covered while doing our short story unit:

Foreshadowing:



Epiphany:



First, second, or third person narration:



Symbolism:



Stream of conscious writing:



Setting description:



Flashback:



Resolution of conflict/plot:



For each of the terms, please highlight the spot in your story where each happens. The last page of your story needs to have this sheet, with each of the above terms highlighted as a different color, with a detail explanation of how each was used in your story.

Shakespeare:

Today:  We finished The Tempest.

We discussed the ending of the play and discussed how this might have been Shakespeare's way of saying goodbye.

Neil Young once sang, "It is better to burn out than fade away."  Did Shakespeare burn out? Or fade away?

HW:  Please find and bring in a unique Shakespeare reference from pop culture.  I will be teaching a class on Shakespeare in video games.  I look forward to seeing and hearing what you find.  It should be a good class.

Brit Lt:

Today:

I collected your HW from last night.

We went over the requirments for the short story assignment.

We went down to the computer lab and wrote the 1st draft.  We will return on Monday to rework it into a final draft.

As we head into the last week of the term, please make a point of making up any missing assignments.  I will be after-school next Tuesday and Wed. Any grade is better than a zero.

Shakespeare

Today:

We took a quiz on Act 3.

We broke into 3 groups to make a facebook page on a different character.  I allowed you to choose. 

We then returned to groups and together generated a txt version of any part of the play, using txt abbreviations.  Each group needed a txt of 25 lines.

HW:  Please finish act 4.

Brit Lit

We started with a journal prompt:

What is power?  Why are we drawn to it?  If you had it, what would you do with it?  How can too much power be a bad thing?  1 Page

We read a story about power: Shooting an Elephant. 

We also looked at a poem by D.H.Lawrence, Snake.

HW:  Please read the Rocking Horse Winner on pg 996.  Please answer questions 1-8 on pg 1005

Shakespeare:

Thanks for a fun class.

Today, we reviewed the hw reading and discussed act 3.  We talked about the magical elements in the play.  We also discussed how this play may have been Shakespeare's way of saying goodbye and resolving conflicts that were created in his plays.  What do you think?

I broke you into 3 groups and asked each group to present their act to the class.

We listened to examples of the scenes that you scored musically.  You came up with some interesting musical scores. 

HW:  Read 1/2 of act 4.  Please expect a quiz on 3-what we read of act 4.

Brit Lit

Today:

We each started a mini short story, and passed it around the room 5 times.  With each swap, you were given another element to work into your story.

I collected HW from last night.

We read The Lagoon on Pg. 961.  Please answer questions 1-7 on pg 971.

We discussed the use of light and nature in writing.  What could the opening of the Lagoon represent to the reader?

WOS

Today:

We started with reading the WSJ.  I asked you to reflect on 3 articles in your journal 1 page min.

I passed out two sections of lines by Caliban.  I broke you into small groups and asked you convert one of the speeches into a modern piece, focusing on: Slang, colloquialisms, and regional jargon.

We discussed musical scores.  Specifically, how music can improve a scene.  I gave you 5 parts of the play and asked you to score them. 

HW:

Please read act III.

I also gave you the review sheet for the final next week:

The World of Shakespeare: Final Exam Review Sheet 2012-3
We read the following: Othello, Hamlet, The Tempest, The Taming of the Shrew, The Twelfth Night, sonnets.
The following prompts are possible questions to consider (hint, hint):



#1 Examine the relationship in terms of a timeline between Desdemona and Othello. Please make sure to examine the end of their relationship, and how specifically Othello believes she has not been faithful. Examine how 4 characters other than Othello are directly, or indirectly responsible for the tragic ending.



#2 Please explain the ending of the 12th Night. Did true love prevail? Were you satisfied with the ending? Why or Why not? Please use specific details in your response.



#3 Talk about what makes a Shakespearean tragedy. Please examine one tragedy in your study group and discuss how it fits the definition.



#4 Please define the following literary devices that Shakespeare uses:

Alliteration, simile, metaphor, reversed word, reversed sentence construction, classical allusion, personification, suspension of disbelief, aside, using language to show class and status in the play. You should have three examples of each term and be ready to explain how they are used.



#5 Character can be defined by how one handles power. Look at 3 characters and discuss how well they handled power.



#6 Discuss the use of comedy in his plays. What ideas and specific plays hold up well and still make us laugh. Please use 3 specific scenes in your discussions.



#7. Love, and the quest for love are important themes in many of Shakespeare’s plays. Please examine three relationships and explain in detail how they played out in specific detail using the 3 of the following plays: The 12th Night, The Tempest, Othello.



#8 Define a Shakespearean Sonnet. What did his sonnets reveal about him that his plays may not have? Pick a sonnet and be familiar enough with it that you could reference it in an answer. Be prepared to write an original sonnet about this class that follows the rules and rhyme pattern of a sonnet. You might wish to write this before the exam and have it on your page of notes.

Brit Lit:

This morning we:

Began with the journal prompt.  I had you look for 3 articles that you found interested in this mornings Wall Street Journal.  I asked you to write YOUR opinion for each.  1 page

I passed out the short story assignment:
Short Story Assignment




Description: As a culminating activity for our short story unit, you will be responsible for creating your own original work of fiction. After reading and analyzing several short stories you will use the known short story conventions and literary elements covered within the unit to create your own short story. You will be responsible for choosing a theme, creating events and conflicts, determining your story’s point of view, and presenting unique characters in your short story.



Your short story must include the following:

• A creative title in quotes.

• A main character who takes part in the action (character)

• Details that describe a particular time and place (setting)

• A conflict or problem, to be introduced, developed, and resolved.

• A central theme or generalization that applies to life outside of the story.

• Inclusion of: Three “objects” from the class list: Dialogue within your story, stream of conscious writing, a specific and identifiable tone, an epiphany, characterization, and symbolism, theme.

• Stories must be a minimum of three pages typed.





The final draft of your story is due (revised, proofread, and typed) January 14th. On this date you must bring the following:

• Two Copies of your typed Final Draft (one to be written on/graded, one to be compiled in a short story collection)

• All brainstorming, rough drafts, and revisions (as completed in class).




We read: A Dill Pickle pg 951.  Please answer questions 1-4 on pg 957.
Please complete for HW if you needed more time.  I will be collecting these.

Shakespeare:

I passed out a packet of possible assignments, and loads of information on the play.  Please look this over tonight.  I will be looking for feedback on assignments that you would find meaningful and fun.

We started off with a journal prompt.  This is on pg 13 of the packet that I passed out on the Tempest.

We completed an in-class assignment matching lines from the play with modern lines.

We ended with a look at act 1.2 lines 46-206.  Each group needed to do a different type of broadcast on the news.  Specifically,  how did Prospero end up on the island?  I will try and post one of the groups on the blog.

HW:  Please read act 2.  Expect a quiz.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We reviewed a Victorian novel.
We finished Jane Eyre, and moved into Wuthering Heights.

I collected your HW from last night.  For those that did not do your HW, I will accept these late Friday.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We started with the prompt listed for Brit Lit. 

We cast for the Tempest

We watched the 2010 version.

HW:  Please read act 1.  Expect a quiz (on the play, not the movie).

As we close the term, please end in greatness.

Brit Lit

Welcome back!

We completed journal prompt #29:

Please describe your vacation to a 40 year version of yourself, in the future.  Please include:  How your time was spent?  What was your favorite memory?  What did you wish had not happened?  What specific detail would an adult you find interesting about the last 10 days?  1-2 pages

We read the 1st chapter of the Victorian novel, Wuthering Heights(pgs 912-921). 

HW:  Please answer questions 1-6 on pg 921 in your anthology.  As we inch closer to the end of the term, as always, try to end in greatness.

Warm Wishes

Wishing you all peace and happiness. 

Please use this time to reflect on the importance of those in your life.  We all have much to be thankful for.  See you in the new year.

Shakespeare

Today:

We went to the computer lab to take a school wide survey.

We decorated the holiday shrub with your sonnets.

Brit Lit:

I apologize that I have been unable to update the blog this week.  Please see me if you have missed work.

Today:

Last night I asked you to read the 1st chapter of the Victorian novel, Jane Eyre on pg 922 and answer questions 1-6 at the end.

Today, we began class with the journal prompt:

At the end of Ch 1 in Jane Eyre, Jane is sent to the Red room for punishment.  Here our imagination, as always, is often greater the reality.  Use your imagination to describe the room that we never see.  Please write a 1st person "I" account of what is in the room and what happens when Jane is placed there.  1 page min.

We then looked at the entire story via an excellent film version.

Reminder:  Secret Santa/Bobo gifts for your classmates are due by this Friday.  Please see me with any questions.

Shakespeare:

We presented your sonnet media projects today.  If you were absent, we will finish them on Monday.

The last 10 minutes we played a game of Othello.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We exchanged names for our class secret Santa.
We looked at foot and meter.
We practiced this with da,dum,da,dum,da,dum...

We diagrammed the poetry of Donne and Keats.

Shakespeare:

I asked for an update on your stickie post it notes.  How did it go?

We looked at modern sonnets.

We did an activity that I call pass the poem.  We started two poems: one on love, one on hate, and passed them around and had each person contribute a line of verse following the rules of a Shakespearean Sonnet.  I will post these soon.  They were both well done.

We looked at the origin of the sonnet- Italian style.  We defined the differences and talked about lasting images in poems.

HW:  Please bring in your favorite printed lyrics.  These do not need to be your fav song- but rather lyrics that are meaningful to you.  We will be making these into a sonnet on wed.  I will also continue to look to getting you into a lab to work on your sonnet media project.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  We went to the computer lab to finish your paper.  Please see me if you did not get to finish. 

C Block:
We finished the movie.
We read the selected poems by Ben Johnson.

HW:  Please bring in a copy of your favorite lyrics.  Not your favorite song- but words to a song that hold meaning to you.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We selected a line (or two) of powerful verse.  I asked you to write the line down on a stickie note and stick it in a random spot.  I suggested: school, home, work, Patrick's football helmet...

We talked about the discovery of a line.

I went over dramatic language and imagery in the poem.

We define the structure of a Shakespeare sonnet. 
We defined an iambic pentameter. 
I made each of you a unstressed, or stressed syllable. 
We stomped around the room to illustrate the pattern.  I suggested that this is the heartbeat of the poet.  We talked about why this has an impact on us( mother's heartbeat, ocean waves, etc.)

I asked you to write you own sonnet.

We looked at a few samples of previous sonnet projects.  These will be assigned officially on Monday and due next Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  We finished the play. 
We took notes on acts 4.2-5.8 
We will have a test on Macbeth this Monday.
We went to the computer lab to select one of our last 5 creative writing prompts,  You were asked to select the one that you feel best showcases your writing.  I asked you to clean it up and make it sparkle.  We will finish these on Tuesday in the lab.

C Block:  We finished our notes.  We reviewed for the test Monday.  We went to the computer lab to type one of your last 5 creative prompts. 

Shakespeare:

We all had a chance to share the sonnet that you brought in and covered the following:

Read the poems slowly.  Savor all of the richness of the poem.  We race through life- consider smelling the flower from time to time.

Two lines can stick and stand on their own beauty.

We covered the themes found in the sonnets.

We looked at the life experience that might be needed to understand the complexity of feeling.

HW:  Please read the four sonnets that I gave you at least twice.  S   L   O  W  L  Y....  Find the two lines that you most connect to and be ready to explain why.

Brit Lit:

Today:  A Block shred their Macbeth videos and worked on finishing the play.

C Block:
We watched a few more Macbeth projects.
We finished the play
We reviewed for the test

After lunch, I broke you into small groups to write an outline for a sequel to the play.

Test this Monday.  Please make sure that you have your notes and review the play.

Shakespeare:

We took the test on The Twelfth Night.  If you were absent, please schedule a time with me to make it up.

We began our look at the sonnets.  I gave you my lecture notes.

HW:  Find a sonnet that connects to you and have it ready to share in class on Thursday.  If you can't find one, you are also able to write your own.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:

Each group was given a 15 minute block to edit their video project.

I broke you into your same groups and asked you to speculate how act 5 will resolve.  I asked you to brainstorm on 10 fictitious events that would resolve the main 10 problems in the play.  I hate to say it, but most of you came up with endings that are better than the real one.

Speaking of the true ending, we will be finishing the play this week. 

We will be world premiering your videos on Thursday.  I am greatly looking forward to seeing what you all came up with.

C Block:

We went down to the auditorium and watched your projects.
We worked on finishing act 5.
We took a quick quiz on 4-5.

WOS:

Today:

We watched the origional Obi-Wan (Sir Alec Guiness) in a horrible vesrion of the play.  I bet that you never expected to see Obi-Wan in yellow leggings....

We took a quiz on Act 5.

I reviewed for the mini test Wed.  You may use one page of notes if needed.  I also gave the three essay questions.  You may wish to prepare these at home tonight.

We broke into 2 groups and I asked you to show the love resolutions at the end of the play.  Unlike past plays, it was refreshing that everyone did not die...

Up Next...we look at the poetry of Shakespeare...and the keys to his heart..

Brit Lit:

Today:

We made a horrible stew.  15 gross ingredients that are worse than the stew in act 4.

We read act 4.

We took a quiz on act 3-4.

All Macbeth movies are due Thursday.  I will be after school on Tuesday Wed. and Thursday if any group needs additional time.

Word O' the Week:

Skulk:  verb inter.  To hide, evade, or move stealthily.

Shakespeare:

I gave you class today to write/type your She's the Man parody paper in the library.

The play is due Tuesday.  We will be taking a quiz on the ending of the play, so please make sure that you are ready.

Brit Lit:

Today, we completed journal #25:

If you had the ability to change and three events over thanksgiving, what would you choose.  What would change as a result?  Would your Thanksgiving be better or worse?

A Block:  I gave you this block to finish filming your Macbeth video projects.

C Block:  We worked on ACT III-IV

For this Friday, please select one of your 5 creative journal prompts and work it into a polished piece of writing.  We will be typing these in the computer lab this Friday.

We will be watching your Macbeth projects this Friday on the big screen.  If any group needs additional time, I will be after school this Tuesday and Wed.  Please make a point of arranging a time that you can meet to finish.

Brit Lit:

Today was the last in-class work day to film and edit your projects.  If you had people missing, or were unable to finish on time, you will need to arrange a time to finish after school next week.

Have a great Thanksgiving.  There is so much that we all should be grateful for.

Good read...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/education/colleges-turn-to-crowd-sourcing-courses.html?src=me&ref=general

Brit Lit:

Today:

Groups that were ready and able began filming their scenes.  We will continue working on these on Wed.  Any groups finished will have the opertunity to present these to the class.

If you were missing people and were unable to film, we will finish these after break.

Shakespeare

I assigned the She's the Man Paper.  We will be watching this in preparation for the assignment Tuesday and Wed.  These are due November 27th.

We acted out Act 2 sc 1-3.  We tried to brainstorm on the funny.

I showed The Beatles performing the horrid play within a play from A Midsummer.  We discussed dry Brit humor as well as what they did specifically to bring a seemingly dull scene to comedic life.

I broke you into 3 groups and asked each group to discuss 5 stage directions that could be given to the scenes to again make them funny.

HW:  Please finish act 2 for Tuesday.  Please expect a quiz.

Brit Lit

Today:

We wrote and typed the 2-3 page script for you Macbeth video project.  We will look to film these in class tomorrow.

Shakespeare:

Today:
I collected your journals.

We broke into groups and wrote the script for the Shakespeare Remix assignment.  We went down to the stage and performed these during the last 20 minutes of class.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:

Today, we concluded our creative themed journal prompts. 
Imagine that you have found an item that could possibly change your life forever.  Please describe in 1-2 pages what you found and how you would use it.  Reminder:  you will be taking your favorite prompt and work it into a formal piece of writing next week.

A Block:  We watched past samples of the Macbeth movie project.
We took a cartoon quiz on act 3.

B Block:  You wrote the modern script for your scene.  I collected these.  We then went over storyboards.  We will begin filming these on Monday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:
Begin with the line:
"He always had a fear of..........."
End with the line:
"At the end of the day, you should always avoid......"
1 page

Block A: We finished act 3.

Block C:  I assigned the Macbeth video project. 
We watched a few samples from previous classes.
We broke into groups and wrote a brief treatment describing your idea.
We will be writing the script in class this Friday.

Shakespeare:

We started with another comedy based journal prompt.  I asked you to listen to 10 random sound effects and incorporate them into an original story.

We reviewed your terminology of comedy worksheets.  I asked you to break into a small group and show 4 of the 10 comedic terms in a short skit based on anything that has happened in my class this year.

We continued reading/acting Act 1. 

Please finish reading act 1 in The Twelfth Night.

Brit Lit

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Sound effect stories.  We listened to 10 random sounds and worked them into a journal story.

We acted out Act III, sc2-4

Think:

Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, CA.

Word of the week:

Impassible (im-pas-uh-buhl)  Adj.  Insusceptible to pain of suffering.

Shakespeare

Journal Prompt:

I gave you a humorous picture and asked you to tell the story of the photo in 1,000 words.  If you were absent, either find a humorous picture on your own, or I can give you one in class on wed.  3-4 pages.

I passed back your Othello test. 

We began The 12th Night.  Please read act 1. sc 1-3 for HW if you were absent due to the play performance.

HW:  Please define the humor terms that I gave you in class.  I will be checking your definitions in class on wed.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:  A picture is said to be 1,000 words.  I gave everyone in class a picture and asked you to write a 1000 word story based on the photo.

We continued working on Act 3 in Macbeth.

Shakespeare:

Today we looked at two drastically different endings: The classical Othello, and the modern version, O.  We discussed what draws us to pain in stories. Why do we like endings like Othello?

We then went over some of your HW comments about humor.  I played two short clips to illustrate timing and slapstick.  As we move into our first comedy, we will be continually examining the funny in Shakespeare's plays.

I also gave out a character list for the next play to help with the whose, who.

Brit Lit

Today, I lost a bet with Mr. Metz and supported your learning by dressing up in an embarrassing costume for the day.

We finished the documentary, Shakespeare Behind Bars, and had a good talk about the film.

C Block:  We also did a short writing assignment that had me play 15 sound effects, while to Incorporated them into a story at the same time.Some utterly bizarre creativity on this one....

I also gave C Block back their corrected journals today.  Please continue to keep up with these.  They continue to be worth a paper grade and can tremendously help your grade average for my class.

Enjoy the three day weekend....

Shakespeare:

Today:  You took the exam for Othello.  This will be your fist grade for term 3.

I also collected your books and passed out our next play- The Twelfth Night.

HW:  Please list 10 things that you find funny.  These can be specific, or general.  What makes YOU laugh....

We will be examining humor tomorrow as we head into our first comedy.  Does comedy hold up as well 430 years after?

Brit Lit:

Today:

We caught up on our notes. 

We covered all the remaining events in Act 2. 

We defined the exciting force that sets the rise in action (death of Duncan) and looked at the climax of the play in act 3 (Macbeth becomes king.)  Being a tragedy, now we meet the first fall.  This is also when all of Shakespeare gets especially good in my opinion...

Block A: You also caught up on the act 2 quiz today.

Shakespeare

Today:
We reviewed act 5.  Specifically, we discussed what works in the ending, and what does not.

We played the review game, Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.  This was to review for the test Wed.

HW:  Please look over your notes and review the play.

Brit Lit:

A Block:  We participated in a mock presidental debate with Mr. Metz's history class.  In a close debate, we lost 2-1.  Thanks to Mr. Metz for inviting us to participate in this worthwhile educational activity.

C Block:
 We broke into two large groups and I tasked you to show the play so far, backwards.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt #18:

If you could change a character, prop, line, or event in the play Othello that would drastically change the outcome of act 5, what could you change?  CPA: 1/2 page H: full page.

We then took the best and showed these in a small skit.

HW:  Please finish the play.  Review on Tuesday, test this Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block spent the shortened block finishing our prep for the presidential debate with Mr. Metz's class Tuesday.

B Block:  We continued reading act 3.

Shakespeare:

We reviewed act 4, sc1. 

We acted out act 4, sc 2 with the aid of a tivo remote.  I had you each pause the action and suggest a new motivation for the lines in the scene.

Please have the play read by Tuesday.  We will have a test on the play next wed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block went to the lib. to research information to prepare for our debate with Mr. Metz's class on Tuesday.  Please continue to research your position over the weekend.

We reviewed act 2 and began act 3.  Block C also took a quiz on act 2.

Shakespeare:

Yesterday:  I shared my Irish ghost story.

Today:  We had a guest teacher from Sweden share with our class a collection of videos that her students made.

We had the opportunity to ask her questions about the differences between our two countries. 

We agreed to work on a few collaborative projects with the classes from Sweden.

Please be ready for the quiz on act 4, sc 1.

Brit Lit:

Tuesday-Wed.

Welcome back.  I am sorry for the lack of updates.  I have been without power.

Yesterday:

I told my ghost story from my time teaching there.  Happy Halloween!

Today:

We finished Act 2.
I informed people that are still missing assignments.  The term closes Friday, but I will accept them through this Monday.

We took notes on act 2.

Last call for those that still needed to recite their Macbeth lines.