Brit Lit:

Today we worked on Act 5 in Macbeth.

Macbeth Movie projects were due. Please make sure tho have your project if it was not ready today. This is the last MAJOR grade for term 1.

HW: Please begin to review the play. Test Monday, or Tuesday.

Soph Lit:

Today:
We finally finished presentations. Grades Friday.
We completed journal #5 of 10.
We broke into small fractions, named our group and developed 5 rules and consequences for your new tribe.

No HW- make sure that you are up to date on your reading.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We talked about Morality, and demonstrated in in short skits. Does Measure for Measure teach any morals?

Each student needed to make 4 multiple choice questions on the play. One question from each student will be the foundation for the test.

After lunch, we went down to the stage and performed selected scenes, with a monkey on your back. This alter ego stated what your character is really thinking in the scene.

World of Shakespeare:

We worked on Measure for Measure storyboards. Please finish all 16 slides for HW.

Soph Lit:

We took a class trip to the machine shop for two oral presentations.

We wrote in your Lord of the Flies journal and created two new rules.

HW: Please read ch 4-5. We will have a quiz Tuesday- so make sure that your read!

Brit Lit:

Today:

We caught up on the video

We did act 4, sc 3 in class.

Reminder: You have class Tuesday to work on the Macbeth video. These are due Wed.

Today I told my ghost story from my year living in Ireland. Happy Halloween! Please be safe this weekend.

Soph Lit:

Today:
Last night you read ch 3. We started class with a quick quiz. Too many of you failed this. You can't pass if you do not read!

Soph Lit:

Today in class:
We had three presentations today.
We began our Lord of the Flies survival journal in class on your aged paper. If you did not have paper, please make sure that you transfer what you wrote and have in for Thursday.

HW: Please read CH 2. Please expect a quiz. Also, please remember that Thursday is the last guaranteed day to attend the field trip- so if you want to come, please have your money and form. It should be a great one.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We finished Act 4.
I gave you the last 15 min to work on your Macbeth Movie Projects. A reminder: I am giving you the block Thursday to help those working together have common planning time. Please make sure that if you are filming Thursday, that you have all prompts, scripts, costumes and members present.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We enjoyed the gorgeous weather outside our beautiful campus.
We finished Act 3, sc2.
After lunch we broke into groups of 5, and worked on performing the main 10 events backwards, under 30 sec. Great job on those.

Soph Lit:

Today: We completed and evaluated 4 new oral presentations. Keep up the great work!

I passed out our next novel, and intro notes. Please have them for wed.

HW: Please read CH 1 in Lord of the Flies.
Please make and bring in 20 aged pieces of paper. Soaking them lightly in tea water works well, but good old fashion dirt also works well. We will be making these into journals- so please make sure that you have them with you everyday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We worked in groups on our scripts. I moved the due date to next Tuesday upon request.

I asked you to make your own Macbeth stew: 10 of the grossest yet appropriate for school ingredients to try and top 400 year old Shakespeare. Some of you came close....but finger of a birth strangled babe still holds the title....

Think:

A strawberry is not actually a berry, but a banana is.

Given to us by Tim

Word O' the Week:

Smack: A group of Jellyfish

World of Shakespeare:

Today we acted out Act 3, sc 1.

After lunch, we broke into groups of two and looked at 10 quotes from the play. For each, I asked you to explain what advice is being given and to star the one most meaningful.

Soph Lit:

Today we had three presentations. Video examples before...

I introduced our next novel: Lord of the Flies. I asked you to list 10 objects that you would pack in a back-pack if on a deserted island for one year. One of which, can be a luxury item.

Please finish for HW. Also, please make sure that you are ready to present on your day this week.

Brit Lit:

Macbeth Video Assessment:

Assignment:
Pick a scene in Acts 1-4 to perform in front of the class. You must do a full complete scene, which includes all of the key events. Before you begin, your group must make a master script which needs to be followed. Your script can be “modernized” to help you learn the lines. Your script must include: stage direction (every 30 sec), inflection, stress, and prop notes describing in detail things that you will need.

Part of your grade will be on costumes. These do not have to be elaborate, but do need to show some effort. In other words, please do not wear what you would normally for school.



Your projects will be graded on the following:


Script 5 10 15

Effort 10 20 30

Costuming 5 10 15

Lines 5 10 15

Interpretation 10 20 25
Of the Scene

Time table for assignment parts:

Script due: end of class October 25th.

Video/performance due: November 1st

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We reviewed Act 2. I broke you into groups of 6 and we assigned parts and read/acted out sc 3-4.

I asked each group to make a 5 question quiz on Act 2, and each group took another group quiz.

We finally finished all the sonnet movie projects.

I gave awards for the top three.
Honors go to:
Jessicca J, CL, and Melanie. Great job guys!

Soph Lit:

Today, we started our oral presentations. I have posted a few videos below. Please make sure that you know your presentation date and that you are ready to go! We are off to a great start!

I also passed back your Animal Farm Exams.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We watched the Macbeth movie up to the end of Act 2.

I answered questions on your reading yesterday.

We discussed the suspicions that Macbeth's staff are starting to have and why.

We ended with a prelude to next week: scary ghost stories. We wrote short stories and swapped them three times. The end result was some real funky tales!

I will be telling you are true ghost story from my time in Ireland on Friday....

Think:

A cucumber is 96% water.

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class we worked on understanding the "funny."

Specifically, we looked at comic timing, and non-verbal humor. We watched some classic examples, and talked about how they are both used in his plays.

Last call for your Sonnet Project this wed. Please see me after that to complete.

Soph Lit:

Oral Report Projects

For the next week, we are going to take a break from our study of novels. The study of English typically focuses on two main points: reading comprehension (what you understand when reading) and writing. Communicating through speech is also an important side of the subject. Everyone, no matter what your profession, will need to know how to communicate verbally. Even though some of you look at speaking in front of a group as painful as dental surgery, it is something that you all will eventually need to do.
Think of something that you know how to do well. This can be a hobby, a sport, or a skill. You job is to give a 5-10 minute oral report on your topic. You will be graded on the following points:

1. Introduction

2. Eye contact

3. Successful use of time

4. Thorough review / explanation of topic

5. Use of visual aids

6. Use of voice

7. Conclusion
You may wish to use note cards to organize your thoughts. Visual aids such as video, overheads, and charts are part of your grade. Remember, your final report needs to teach something. Your report needs to have set objectives. In other words, what do you want the class to know at the end? We will have a research day in the library. You will be able to obtain research from books, databases and the Internet.
Here is a timetable for the reports:

Tues, 10/19: Topics due. List 5 things that you may wish to give a report on.

Wed, 10/20: Research in the library.

Thurs, 10/21: Additional research if necessary. Outline for speech due. These may be on note cards.
Fri, 10/22- Tues 10/26: Oral reports. These should be 5-10 minutes.

Brit Lit:

Today we acted out Act 2 in Macbeth.

HW: Please review your reading. We will have a quiz first thing wed. Also, please bring a jacket or something warm, as we will be doing the banquo murder scene by the woods outside.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we:

Presented your Sonnet Movie Projects. I hope to have a few of the best samples posted over the weekend- so check back.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We took the exam for our unit on Animal Farm.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We watched act 1 of the Roman Polanski ver of Macbeth.

I broke you into groups and asked you to recast a modern version of Macbeth, explaining why each actor was selected.

Help Support TED

http://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=a872d8a88299aa75b286eee43&id=ed707117cb&e=080d8207a8

WOS: You are needed Nov 21st at 11 am. Sign up sheet on my board if interested.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we:

Finished Act 1.
Answered questions on your sonnet movie projects. Reminder: these are due Friday!
Quiz on Act 1

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We reviewed for the test, discussed the novel ending, and watched a film version of the story.

HW: Please study/review your notes for the test. Please outline and work on how you plan on answering the essay questions given to you.

Sample Propaganda Project

Brit Lit:

We finished Act 1 and took notes. We also took a quick quiz.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We presented your 10 lines from Macbeth. Please remember, that you loose 10 points each day that you are present, but not ready to go.

We also attempted to convert the lines to a more modern version.

Word O' the Week:

Gleed: [gleed] A live coal or beam of light.

Think:

Approximate number of facial expressions dogs can make: 100

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We did some group improve to get us ready for comedy. Specifically, we worked on timing, sound, and how a common word can be used to mean something else. These will all be important tools in understanding and appreciating the humor in his plays.

Have a nice break. Please remember: 14 line sonnet to be recited Tuesday. Sonnet movie project due Friday. Both are test/paper/project grades (40%)

Soph Lit:

This morning I gave you the majority of the block to work with your partner on your propaganda projects, Please be reminded that these are due Tuesday.

Have a wonderful 4 day break!

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We defined: Stress and inflection and gave examples.

Each person found a line that they could demonstrate either in.

We tossed Baby Vader around the room and tried the lines.

We finished Act 1, took review notes, and a quiz on Act 1

HW: Please learn the following for Tuesday:

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.

WOS:

Today, I asked you to convert your sonnet into a new dialect. We shared 10 of them.

Next, we went around the room reading one line each, as I played the blues matching the sound of the line.

We moved the project to next Friday, and the learning of the line to Tuesday when we get back from the break. Remember, this is a test grade.

I passed back a bunch of old papers.

soph Lit:

soph Lit:

Today:

We reviewed ch 4-5. I gave you a quiz on your reading and notes.

We talked about the Propaganda project. I agreed to allow you to have some of the block Thursday to allow you to work in your group.

HW: Please read ch 7-8 and work on your project.

Brit Lit:

Brit Lit:

Today we finished Act 1, sc3.

I broke you into 5 groups and gave you small skits to introduce the themes in the play.

I passed back a bunch of stuff. Progress reports this week.

World of Shakespeare:

The Sonnet Movie Project


Introduction:
As we have been discussing in class, Shakespeare’s sonnets revealed a much deeper and complex picture of his heart. For your next project, you will need to visualize the feeling and emotion in the sonnet.

Procedure:
Pick a sonnet that you connect with, or just like. It will be easier if you pick one that holds a special connection to you specifically. If not, that is ok- just try and have one that you have feeling towards.

Next, you are to make a visual representation of the images and feelings in the sonnet. Here are some suggestions:

A short film:
This needs to be 3 minutes long. Please narrate your sonnet over the footage. The footage and images in the movie must tie in with the sonnet.

Powerpoint/slideshow:
For each of the 14 lines, please pick an image that expresses the feeling or imagery of the line. Please use background music to score these emotions as well.



Painting/Drawing:
Draw an emotional representation for each of the 14 lines. You will need to read your sonnet to the class, and hold up each image.






You will be graded on the following rubric:

You successfully understood the poem……………………30 points
You had a correct visual representation for each of the 14 lines
………30 points
You presented it live in front of the class…………………..40 points

ReMiX

Three april purfumes in three hot junes burnd My love shall in my verse ever live young If they were filled with your high deserts Oh, him she stares to show what wealth she had; You to your beautious blessing add a curse.
Past cure i am, now reason is past care- My tongue tied patience with too much disdain.
Then this rich praise- that you alone are you?
Chiding that tongue- that ever sweet.
And time, that gave, that doth now his gift confound; No longer moun for me when i am dead.

World of Shakespeare:

Good stuff:

http://www.playshakespeare.com/

World of Shakespeare:

Today I gave you my notes on sonnets. We looked at the structure of a sonnet.

We remixed your sonnet. I broke you into 2 groups and you needed to see how your line might fit structural.

Examples above.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We looked at your HW from last night: 7 laws that define your utopia.

Today we combined the laws into one new world. we then looked at a dystopia.
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystopia
We tried to destroy another world based on the weakness of the laws.

We reviewed CH 4-5.

HW please read CH 7-8. Expect a quiz.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We took a quiz on your Macbeth reading for HW last night.

We took notes on a Shakespearean Tragedy, talked about the Macbeth curse, and looked at the power of lady Macbeth.

We acted out the first part of the play.

World of Shakespeare:

We are first drawn to Shakespeare’s plays
We are drawn to him first as a dramatist
We like his plays
He is a master of words
Then we are drawn to the sonnets as
A painter uses color
A sculptor uses form and shape
As a poet uses words

Keep this book of sonnets for the course
Just about no one reads all sonnets at once 1-154
But rather people jump around
Read reread to enjoy and see potential of meaning
Find your favorites
Some are quite simple yet upon further analysis some are quite complex

I’ll give you a brief outline of the sonnets
Some background and interpretations/insights

Wos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p226OX39OLs

Soph Lit:

Sophomore English DUE DATE _____________

PROPAGANDA PROJECT

HYPE - an elaborate, exaggerated promotion or advertisement.

PROPAGANDA - a biased, one-sided communication meant to influence the thoughts and actions of an audience. STRONG PERSUASION where a propagandist may conceal contradictory information, distort facts, LIE, and rely on simple and repetitive messages/slogans. He/she uses powerful symbols and loaded language and words in order to manipulate and control the audience.

Remember, the propagandist works to gain the audience's trust.


Directions: Each TEAM is to develop an advertisement for a particular PRODUCT or PROMOTE A PARTICULAR EVENT.

Please choose from the following:

Commercial (TV or Radio)


Poster


Radio ad


Jingle/song


Please use at least 4 terms successfully from my lecture on how to take over the world.

Brit Lit:

Today we looked at Shakespearean insults.

HW: Please read the section on Shakespeare's Macbeth. Expect a quick quiz on your reading...

Word O' the Week:

Nittiness: [nit-ee-nis] The condition of being filled with small air bubbles.

Think:

It takes 3,000 cows to supply the NFL with enough leather for a year supply of footballs.

Soph Lit:

Today:
I passed back your test. Class average: 84.

We reviewed the notes from yesterday, with spellings of the different groups.

We looked at some examples of begging the question ( Ms. America, S. Pallin) and a short emotional speech by Hitler.

I defined anthems, and asked you to write a 10 line anthem for Tantasqua- some great stuff.

I introduced the propaganda project. I will rework the assignment for you for tomorrows class. These will be due next Friday.

HW: Please read CH 4. Please find a song that fits our def. of an anthem and have it in class tomorrow.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I gave you notes on the Globe. We watched part of Shakespeare in Love.

I am trying to track down enough copies of the small script to avoid the textbook. I will let you know Friday.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

Day 2 prep for the trial of the Century( or a few ago)

Trial= Friday! Video to follow....

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

I gave you my notes on the Russian Revolution. I mistakenly gave a quiz which had question from ch 4-5. We make mistakes too.

Reward= no HW.

Tomorrow we write our propaganda speeches.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Last call on your game manual. We went to the lab again for those needing a bit more time.

Soph Lit:

Today we watched a short documentary on George Orwell. I began my lecture on how to take over the world with propaganda.

HW: Please read ch 1-3 in Animal Farm. You will have a quiz on your reading AND terms Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

I passed back your Hero Quest papers. Overall, I was pleased with them. Some of you did not answer the question completely. Please read my comments and feel free to schedule a time with me to meet if you wish to re-write the paper.

We went to the lab today and finished your Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Video Game Manual. If you had a group member absent, or did not finish, please see me ASAP. I am looking forward to reading what you came up with.

We begin Macbeth Wed.

World of Shakespeare:

We finished Othello and talked about the power of the ending.

We voted and decided to search for a Boston based trip in December.

I broke you into 10 groups and had you search for how a word can be used differently.

We decided to have a trial in class as your final assessment for the play. Good choice.

Think:

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The GREAT teacher inspires. William Ward

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

we defined propaganda.

I showed cartoon examples of both Capitalist and communist propaganda that was aimed at children. How was the truth exaggerated on both sides? Do you think that was justified manipulation of language?

We also defined and wrote a fable. We shared 5 of these and tried to guess your moral.

We begin a type of modern fable Tuesday; Animal Farm.

Absolute power corrupts ABSOLUTELY.

Brit Lit:

Today we broke into small independent game studios assigned with the task of developing a new video game for the wii- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

We went to the lab and worked most of the block on the following parts of this assignment:


Assignment: You work for a small indie video game company, and have just purchased the publishing right for a new video game based on the story. Please design a manual that will explain how the game is played. You will be graded on the following rubrics:

1.) A cover that has the title and cover art. 10 points
2.) Weapons page. Detailing at least 5 weapons that you have researched from the 14th century. Please include a picture and detailed 3 sent description for each.20 Points
3.) Intro page, which summarizes the story.20 Points
4.) 10 Levels. For each, please title and give a 5-10 sentence description of the objective. 30 Points
5.) End boss picture or description, including the one weakness.20 Points.