World of Shakespeare:

Today class was disrupted so we could honor our senior friends at Class Day. We still are on track to film this Friday- so make sure you are here and ready to go.

So proud of all of those graduating!

Soph Lit:

Today we reviewed the end of the novel, worked on a Holden though timeline and prepared for the test this Friday.

HW: Finish the novel (23-26) and work on review sheet for the test.

Soph Lit:

I asked you to look at Holden and give your medical opinion on what is wrong with him. How would you make him happy? Can he be fixed?

After, I broke you into Dr. teams and asked you to debate your diagnosis. Each group presented these to the class.


HW: Please read CH 20-21.

Journals due.

World of Shakespeare:

We began our production of Taming of the Shrew. We will begin filming our first scene this Friday.

Think:

No matter how hard you pinch the skin on your elbow, it does not hurt....

Word O' the Week:

Mirabile Dictu: (mee-RAH-bi-lay-DIK-too)
Interjection. Meaning Strange to say; wonderful to relate.

Publish Your own Novel...

http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_reveals_new_service_authors_sell_their_books_directly_ibookstore

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We finished our final copies (due today)
We had a quiz on CH 17-18 in Catcher.

No weekend homework- enjoy our first taste of Summer :-)

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

A Block: We finished Taming of the Shrew. We will cast it on Tuesday.

B Block:
We assigned parts for our top secret project. I will give my other classes a hint. It combines Glee and Shakespeare....and it is going to rock. :-)

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We reviewed Ch 16-17.

We had a quiz on Ch 15-17

We looked at the mistaken lyrics which led to the title of the book.

HW: Please read CH 18-19

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We finished Taming of the Shrew.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we began The Taming of the Shrew. We will be assigning parts this Friday- so please try to know which part that you would prefer.

Soph Lit

Today in class:

We imagined that we worked at an ad agency that has been asked to design a cover for Catcher after Salinger's death this year. The cover needed to have 5 symbols- and the back needed quotes from other kids in class, or a brief description selling the book.

HW: Please read CH 16-17

Soph Lit:

Today:

We had a quiz on Ch 14-15.

HW: Please read Ch 16-17 tonight.

We went to the computer lab to finish your compare and contrast paper. Please make sure you see me if you are having a hard time. This is a basic form of writing that you need to have under your belt before you leave Soph Lit.

World of Shakespeare:

This morning we took our final exam. Please see me if you were absent asap.

Lunch Lady Blues

CSL Breakfast Set Up

Word O' the Week:

Senioritis: [scene-ur-i-tis] To be done, not having the ability to focus on school work; a form of procrastination.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:
C Block:
We defined symbolism and looked at symbols in the novel.

We went to the computer lab and worked on you compare and contrast essay. Final copy is due Friday.

HW: Explain what the duck could be a symbol of. Read CH 14-15. I smell a quiz Tuesday.

D Block:
We worked on symbolism in class. We broke into small groups and listed ten symbols from Catcher.

We worked on our outline for our C+C essay. These are due Wed. We will have time in the computer lab on Tuesday to complete them.

HW: Please read CH 14- 15.

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We reviewed for the final exam. Please see me if you are not able to complete the assignment during your exam time.

Junior class: We will vote on our final play. Please remember: we will be casting parts, so have a part in mind.

Soph Lit:

Today we:

Journal #29 Please list 5 people and list what they would say about you if they were 100% honest- like Holden.

Block C: Finding Salinger documentary. I passed back your quizzes from yesterday.
HW: Please read CH 13-14.

Block D: We reviewed the book.

World of Shakespeare:

The World of Shakespeare: Final Exam Review Sheet

Your final exam will ask you to answer 5 of 7 questions based on the plays and sonnets that we read in this course. To assist you in remembering, you may bring in one sheet of notes to remind you of specific plays and characters.

We read the following: Othello, Hamlet, The12th Night, Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet (selections) and selected sonnets.

The following prompts are possible questions to consider (hint, hint):

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.


Please read the first page of each play. How is the opening in each play important to the story? Does it bring you in and make you interested? How? Please have specific examples from at least 3 plays.

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

Please define the following literary devices that Shakespeare uses:
Alliteration, simile, metaphor, reversed word, reversed sentence construction, classical allusion, personification, inflection, stress, aside, using language to show class and status in the play. Sonnet

Character can be defined by how one handles power. Look at 3 characters and make a list how each handles power.

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

Please review important information on Shakespeare. Please work to define what we know about him. If you had to write his obituary, what would you list about his life?

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.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We answered journal #28/27?: Holden Caufield does not try. Think of teenagers in your generation and explain to me in 1/2 a page why you/they do not care or try in school

We played a quick review skit called monkey on your back. I broke you into groups and gave you each a scene from the book and act it out in front of the class. The "monkey" needed to say what the character was really thinking in the situation. We continue to examine honesty. Can we be too honest? Does Salinger's honesty connect to the disconnect?

World of Shakespeare:

Today:
We took a quiz on Act 4, while Guns n' Roses played.

We looked at Act 5. We will finish the play Thursday.

Senior Thespians will be given a final review sheet on Friday.

World of Shakespeare:

http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2010/05/18/caught_in_the_act_juveniles_sentenced_to_shakespeare?mode=PF

A link to what we were talking about in class...

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We acted out Act 4, sc 2-3.

HW: Please finish Act 4. Expect a quiz Wed.

Soph Lit:

Today we:
Took a quiz on Ch 7-11.

Worked on your outline for paper. Please use this if you were absent:

Comparison/Contrast Essay Outline: As easy as 1, 2, 3…

Compare the Character of Holden to Ferris

I. Introduction (Include a hook and thesis statement including the points of
similarity 1,2, and 3) Please underline your thesis.













II. Topic Sentence: Point of Similar trait 1
A. Topic Holden sentence:

1. Support:


2. Support:


B. Topic Ferris sentence:


1. Support:


2. Support:














III. Topic Sentence: Point of Similar Trait 2
A. Topic Holden sentence:


1. Support:


2. Support:


B. Topic Ferris Sentence:


1. Support


2. Support


IV. Topic Sentence: Point of Contrast/differences 3
A. Topic Holden sentence:


1. Support:


2. Support:


B. Topic Ferris sentence:


3. Support:


4. Support:


V. Concluding Paragraph (with a summary of points, a restatement of
thesis, and a final comment)

Great Job!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Importance of Being Earnest! I wish that I could have been there- nothing beats the raw emotion associated with live theater!... And nothing comes close to the high of applause on the stage. I hope that you felt both.

MCAS:

Good luck with MCAS Monday and Tuesday. Always end in greatness....

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We finished the movie and began our 1st draft for our compare and contrast paper.

HW: Please read ch 10-11. Quiz Tuesday on CH 7-11.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:
We had short classes to accommodate MCAS testing this am. Today we looked at a document from 1615 describing how to choose a good wife from a bad one. Thankfully, we have progressed. I hope you continue to see what a true feminist WS was. Next we looked at the relationships between othello/desdemona; Iago/Emila is tried to identify 3 things that they have in their relationship that is listed in the sheet that I gave you.

War During Othello

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHB95FZndcc

Follow Holden

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

A Block: We performed Act 4, sc 1 with the Tivo effect. We passed around the TivO remote and used it to pause the action and ask questions. In my home it is referred to as "the force," but we will just stick with Tivo for now.

We will be using the Tivo all of next week, with a new controller of the force each day.

B Block: Due to the comment about ewokes, we spent some time analysing one of the most disturbingly real pieces of pop culture; The Star Wars Holiday Special. This train wreck of a gem was only aired once, and has been since destroyed. It redefined the term jumping the shark....

We are now both caught up. Be ready to rock act 4 next week!

So bad it was good, right?

The
Shortest Sentence in the English Language

The shortest English language sentence is not “I am.” Follow along now—it does get technical.

“I am,” first of all, is not a sentence. An English sentence must have a subject / predicate relationship, and the key element in that relationship is the type of verb that creates the predicate. Verbs either show action or they do not. Verbs without action, such as “am,” when used as a predicate, must have something to complete the meaning—a complement. So you “am” “something.” “I am happy” is a sentence since “happy” is fulfilling the complement role. Therefore, “I am” is not a sentence.

The shortest English sentence is probably “Go.” “Go” is an action verb and can be used in imperative mood, which means that it can be used with good, old “You Understood.” So “Go” actually means “You go.” On the other hand, if that interpretation doesn’t strike your fancy, let’s say that understood meanings are disallowed, then “I go” is the shortest sentence. “Go” doesn’t require a complement since it is an action verb nor does it require a direct object. With a total of three letters—the same number as the illegal “I am” contender—“I go” should reign as the champion, unless someone out there knows of a single letter verb. (No fair pulling in Old English and foreign languages.)

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We broke into small groups and looked at the many lies that Holden tells. I asked you to formulate an opinion on whether Holden is honest/good, or dishonest/evil. Does he lie for fun? Is it a form of sarcasm? Does his lies hurt other people around him? Would you want to be friends with a kid like Holden?

Next, we worked on an activity called You Act the Scene. I asked you to re-create the following scenes:

1. Old Spencer Says Goodbye (pg. 6)
2. Holden and Ackley-Kid (pg. 20)
3. Holden vs. Stradlater (pg. 27)
4. Holden tries to woo Ernest's Mom (pg. 54)

We had our 2nd quiz on the book.

HW: Please read 10-11.

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:
We took a quiz on Act 3. Please see me ASAP if you missed it to schedule a make-up.

We completed you mini productions of Othello, ending in greatness with Act 4, sc 1

Soph Lit:

Today in class:
Journal #27: What is the largest lie that you have ever told?

Quiz on CH 4-7

End of Debate.

Start/finish Ferris Bueller and go over compare and contrast paper.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:
We performed Act III sc 3, 4 Act IV sc 1
We will have a quiz on Thursday
HW: Please review above in preparation for the quiz

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We reviewed CH 4-5. We had a quick quiz. We completed our class debate on censorship of books and media.

HW: Please read CH 6-7

Tomorrow we will be starting our compare and contrast essays. Specifically we will be looking at two of my favorite characters: Holden and Ferris Bueller.

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:
We reviewed up to Act 4. I broke you into groups and we worked on staging your scene. These will be performed tomorrow- so make sure you end in super greatness!

HW: Please review your lines. You need to be super familiar with them for this to flow.

World of Shakespeare:

A Block:
We looked at the film. I broke you into two groups- each responsible for an scene in act 3.

B Block:
We missed our senior friends. We did a few acting exercises showing: weight, smell, and sound without words. As always, so cool to see you all smile while learning.

We will get back to Othello Tueday.

Soph Lit:

Yesterday we started Catcher in the Rye. We discussed the history of the book. Specifically, we looked at the life of J D Salinger. I assigned Ch 1-3 for HW Thursday night.

Today we had a quiz on Ch 1-3. We broke into two groups and debated whether the book should be banned.

I passed out his obituary and we looked deeper into his life.

Sorry for the light posts this week- I am struggling with the additional class and am doing my best to keep up. I appreciate your understanding :-)

World of Shakespeare:

A Block: We finished our Shakespeare Remix scenes.

B Block: We are performing act 3. Each group has a scene, which I am hoping that we will perform on Monday.

Be safe this weekend- and have a great time at prom!

Soph Lit:

Today we wrote poetry all block with our unconscious mind in a lesson that I call Dream Catching. We will take these random thoughts and process them on Monday into a new poem. This was an optional assignment- so if you did not wish to participate, or were not able to collect any dreams, I will have an alternative assignment for you on Monday.

Have a nice weekend.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we:

Completed Act 2. We did a new lesson that I call "a Monkey on my back." Basically we did the rest of Act 2 with doubles: One person said the line from the script, and the Monkey on the back said what they really were thinking. Even though this seemed silly at times- you were unknowingly doing some real higher level thinking.

We ended the block looking at Act 2 in movie form. We discussed the very different interpretations of Iago in the movie and debated if it worked for you as the viewer.

A Block dressed in costumes for the first time and was scared to use fake blood. We talked about drinking songs, and worked in audience feedback in the scene. We also looked at the difficulty in acting intoxicated.

--

Soph Lit:

Updates to your post it note assignment.

I gave you the option to share your original poem.

We looked at 2 new poems: Jane Kenyon's Finding a Long Gray Hair, and Kenneth Koch's The Boiling Water

We stomped around the room demonstrating the sound pattern in Green Eggs and Ham.

World of Shakespeare:

A Block:
We took a quiz on Act 1.
I answered questions on your Macbeth Project. I reduced the quotes to 2 and answered questions. These are due Friday.
We reviewed Act 1.

B Block:
Some of you shared your Heralds. You made made me laugh out loud...
We performed our remix scenes- great stuff guys...
We reviewed act 2.
We acted Act 2, sc 3.
Have I mentioned that I love your class?

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We started with journal #26: "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood."
T.S.Elliot

We finished/completed our open mic night readings. I gave you notes on poetry. We read a few good poems and discussed them- specifically asking: what makes a good poem?

HW: Write a "good" original poem. These will be shared openly Thursday.

World of Shakespeare:

A Block:
We performed your modern Act 1 scenes in Othello. I hope to post some short video tonight...stay tuned....

HW: Please finish act 1.

B Block:
We completed Act 2, scene 3 in class. We learned about a Herald, fake blood, and drinking songs. We also explored the idea of audience participation. Specifically, we interacted with Iago and tried to warn Othello of his true nature.

The last 20 min. we completed your remix scenes. We will perform these Thursday (chica-chica)

HW: Please make a modern Herald. 1/2 page.

Award Show....

Soph Lit:

C Block:
We had our first open mic night in room 3115. Each of you stood in front of the class and recited your favorite poem with a brief explanation as to why. Incredible stuff. Thank you for those that trusted us with personal feelings. You helped to illustrate the point: poems connect us with our humanity. They make us feel and connect to other people. The poems shared today exemplified this. Great job C Block!

D: Block:
We finished Dead Poets Society and looked at 5 poems mentioned/suggested in the film.

HW: Please bring in your favorite poem and be prepared to read it in front of the class. Please also be ready with a brief introduction to why you liked it.

World of Shakespeare:

A Block: It was nice to meet you all today. We will finish your work on Act 1 in Othello.

B Block:
Today I hosted the first annual Willie Award Show. Congratulations to all winning movies.

We broke into our groups and spent time finishing your remix scenes. I am looking for you to perform these Wed. From walking around the room, I am excited to see these!

WOS:

Directions: Throughout the course, you have met some very powerful, yet diverse characters. Most would agree that the development of these complex parts is one of the most lasting elements of his play construction. As we discussed in class, Hamlet can be performed at least 5 different ways.

1.) I would like you to step back and identify 5 of your favorite characters. In a 3-4 page script, I would like to have you work them into an original scene. The focus should be on showing each part.

2.) Start with listing all 5 parts, with a brief description of each to someone not familiar with any of the plays

3.) Next, identify a setting and scene. Please begin your play with a brief description of where the play takes place.

4.) Decide as a group the main conflict that they are facing and how it will be resolved. You are required to make these a tragedy, following the notes that I gave you on how this was crafted by Shakespeare. Your final moment of suspense needs to be clear and well defined.

5.) Last, we will make copies and perform these in class on Tuesday. You will have all of this block, and 15 minutes Tuesday to construct and rehearse.


Please select from the following plays: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Hamlet, The 12th Night, and Othello.

Soph Lit:

Today we:
Finished/started Dead Poets Society
Looked at the poems from the movie

HW: Please bring in your favorite poem and be prepared to read it to the class and briefly explain why you like it.

WOS:

A warm welcome to A block! I will be taking over your class while Mr. Earls is out on sick leave. Looking forward to meeting you...

B Block: Today we:
Finished our movies.
Started the remix of Will. I asked you to take 4 plays, and at least 5 characters and rework them into an original scene. The emphasis should be on character development; meaning they should act like their character. 3-4 pages min.

We will have our awards show for the movies and perform these Tuesday.

This just blew me away...WOW!