World of Shakespeare:

Tuesday:

We performed our blocking scenes.
We played blocking tic-tac-toe on the 2nd floor patio
We tried a new game: Shakespeare leap frog.

Soph Lit

Tuesday:

We took notes on ways that people manipulate the truth. Please make sure that you have these notes, as it will be important as we read Animal Farm.

HW: Please read ch 4-5

Wos:

Today:

We spent the class talking about blocking. I broke you into groups and had you block in detail 2 pages of the script.

I then made copies and asked you to exchange with another group. Each group then practiced the blocking on another group.

We performed them the last 10 min.

HW: Please read act 2, sc1-sc2 (pg 99) Please expect a quiz.

Soph Lit:

Today in class we begain our look at Animal Farm. I gave notes on the Russian Revolution, and we looked at the life or George Orwell. I showed a documentary on the author, and gave you a quiz on the material.

HW: Please read CH 1-3 in Animal Farm.

Word O' the Week:

Pishachi: [pi-shah-chee] A female devil or ghost, esp. one that dislikes travelers and pregnant women.

Think:

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

World of Shakespeare:

Today: We continued our discussion on the ending of the play. In 18th C lit. it was popular to re-write endings of sad plays. I asked you to write a 1 page collective script on changing the ending, specifically resolving the 5 main conflicts. Roderigo lives! 5.2(323-4) Ten years after, he finally tells his story. How would he perceive the events? (1pg)

Soph Lit:

Today I broke you into 4 groups and gave you a section of The Wasteland. I asked you to look at what you discovered in your HW research and to present your findings to the class. Super job to the three groups that presented their findings. If you are curious as to what college English is going to be like, look back on class today. Outstanding job!

Brit Lit:

As my presence in your class will continued to be reduced, I will not be updating the blog for the next month. When I again begin acting as your primary teacher, I will once again blog for Brit Lit. Should you have any questions on class, please speak to Mr. Tynan directly. Thanks!

World of Shakespeare:

Today: We finished act 5 in Othello and discussed the powerful ending of the play. It seemed to move all of you. What story today would still have an impact 400 years from now? Not many. I asked you to take the top 25 events on a list. Then, your task as a class was to show the entire play backwards. Any notes taken today were collected at the end of the class and can be used on the test.

Soph Lit:

Today: We practice making cranes for the Japan project. I passed out and assigned groups parts for T.S. Elliot's The Wasteland. HW: Please read your part. Please take detailed notes on EACH line- paying extra attention to language that is unknown to you. Tomorrow, you will be getting together as a group and teaching your section to the class. The student voted with the least to contribute has to give the findings to the class. Hopefully, this will lead to a complex discussion on this epic poem.

Soph Lit:

Today: We started class discussing the power of sharing words. We watched a 15 minute clip on a national Poetry Slam competition. I asked each of you to share a poem on a mic in front of the class. Pictures to follow....

Brit Lit:

Today you worked on specific scenes in Macbeth. HW: Read to Act 2, sc 2

Word O' the Week:

Demur: (di-MUR) Verb inter. To delay, hesitate, or object.

Think:

Average lifespan of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.

Brit Lit:

Start of Macbeth!

Soph Lit:

Today: We continued with our writing prompt which is asking you to focus your writing on a specific them. Today I asked you to make a poem that is based on joy/happiness. I defined Alliteration and Theme in your notes. We watched 3 further examples of the America's Favorite Poem Project. We cut out 25 words to be used in your Headline poem assignment. I further outlined the timetable for your video poem projects and answered any questions. HW: Please write the intro (5 sent) section on who you are. We will record these Wed. in class.

Brit Lit:

Today: Mr. Tynan gave the 1984 exam. Please have your books for collection Wed. Macbeth is next.

World of Shakespeare:

Yesterday: We acted Act 3, sc 2/3. We continued to look at what might be the climax of the play/act 3. We disscussed the use of tone and inflection to change the meaning of Iago's lines. I asked you to find and share 3 examples. We started class writing from the percpective of chacter. Yesterday we wrote from the percpective of Desdemona. Today: We began with a writing prompt from Iago. We looked deeper into his mind and discussed what makes a great villian. We finished Act 3 and had a quick quiz. I clarified the Othello Projects and answered any specific questions.

Soph Lit:

Today: We looked at some of the poems in Dead Poets Society and talked about some of the issues raised in the film. I assigned the America's Favorite Poem Project. Over the next week and a 1/2 we will be working collectively as a class to each make a chapter in a video on our favorite poems. Please see me for the assignment sheet. HW: Read over the Headline Poem assignment. Please bring in a few old magazines that you can cut up.

Brit Lit:

Today: We reviewed for your 1984 exam Tuesday. We will play the last 2 questions before the test tomorrow- so get you game face on!

Feels Like Monday Cast 2010-11

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We watched the film for Othello up to Act 3.

I broke you into groups of three and assigned the task of using a comical modern skit to show your understanding of 4 of the 6 language tricks that I defined yesterday. Do they all hold up well 400 years after?

The two groups that were not ready- please make sure you are ready at the start of class Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Soph Lit:

Today we finished watching Dead Poets Society. I hope that it gave you a bit of down time after MCAS. Be ready to go Monday as we get back into the swing of things and march full speed into poetry. Have a good weekend.

Brit Lit

Sorry for the lack of updates. I will try and encourage Mr. Tynan to use the blog to report on what he is covering in class each day. Please, as always, feel free to speak with either of us should you need clarification on what was covered in class.

Wos:

Yesterday:

We disscussed Act 2. I gave you a quiz/writing prompt asking you to detail how act 2 fits the Shakesperian Tragedy mold that we have been covereing in class. If you were abcent, please complete this as soon as possible.

HW: Please find three solid examples of reverse sentence construction in act 1-2.

Today:

We looked at Shakesperian language tricks, and further discussed what specifically each can do in his plays.

Soph Lit:

Yesterday:

We began sharing poems in class. About 1/2 of you had a chance to share. We will finish it up Thursday.

I passed out the poems features in The Dead Poets Society.

Today: We watched the 1st part of the movie.

I hope that you all did your best on MCAS. I am confident that you all did well.

Sorry

Sorry for the lack of blogs over the last week. Sometimes life gets in the way.

Wos

Today:

We reviewed the HW reading on Wiving. We discussed the absurd ideas suggested.

We took quiz #1 on Othello

We looked at other less kind words for Othello in the play.

We had a discussion on love and jealousy.

I assigned your next project. This will be due in 2 weeks. Please see me for the assignment sheet if you were absent.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched various propaganda videos and disscussed the ways they can manipulate us.

We broke into simulation mode and worked on your project.

I passed back multiple assignments and answered specific questions on grades.

Please encourage your parent/guardian to come out tonight for parent/teacher conferences. I look forward to meeting them.

Think:

Reno, Nevada is West of Los Angeles, CA.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We reviewed for the exam by playing a review game.

I outlined what to expect on the test.

During the next 4-5 days we will be reviewing the MCAS and I will try and get you ready for it.

Hw: study for test/finish novel/review notes.

Brit Lit:

Today: Mr. Tynan reviewed the reading.

We discussed facebook, the though policy, and personal freedoms.

Mr. Tynan ran a PowerPoint lecture on us intelligence.

HW Please read all of CH 9.

World of Shakespeare:

I collected your papers today. Please see me asap if you did not pass one in.

I collected books, and passed out Hamlet.

We acted out Act 1, sc 1.

We talked about the race issues in our present world and also in Venice 400 years ago

Soph Lit

Today:

We defined symbolism. We generated a list of ten objects in the novel that might be symbols.

I gave you symbols to use on the test

We looked at what makes a good chapter title, and generated titles for 15 chapters based on quotes, songs, and suggesting/predicting events in that chapter.

HW: Please finish the book. We will review Tuesday and have a test on the novel Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Mr. Tynan asked you to break into simulation and design a propaganda poster.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We took the exam for The 12th Night. Please see me if you were absent.

HW: Please have your 2-3 page paper on parody and the play ready for Monday.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We continued to talk about the lack of cover at the request of Salinger. I asked you to design a new cover for 2012:

Front cover makes you want to pick it up and read.
Back cover: Novel summary, with 5 quotes from people in class on their opinion of the book.

You worked on a worksheet on the non-standard English in the book.

Reminder: I collected your papers yesterday. Please see me if you did not finish.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Mr. Tynan used a few movie clips to help you connect with some of the underlining themes in the novel 1984.

Mr Tynan sported some new eye ware. Good look.

He went over your reading.

He gave you a poem to read and questions to answer.

You ended in simulation mode and continued work on your project.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We defined comedy. Spcifically, we looked at what makes each of you laugh and defined it. I gave notes on 6 comedic terms.

We broke into two groups and found examples in act 3/4.

HW: Please finish the play and complete the take home quiz on Act 5.

Bonus: Bring in an example from film for any of the 6 terms defined. Please have the specific scene and time.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

I passed back all of your assignments to date and gave out your progress report grades.

We reviewed Ch 12-14.

We took a quiz on that reading.

We finished our peer review on your tone/style paper. We read some of the best in class and made comments on things that could be improved.

Final paper is due Thursday. Also, please work towards having the book finished.

HW: Read ch 15, 16,17.

Brit Lit:

Today: Mr. Tynan reviewed your reading.

You worked on newspeak in a Lord Byron poem.

You broke into simulation mode.

HW: Please read the next 2 chapters in 1984.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We started off talking about the lack of a cover due to Salinger's request to remove anything he could about the book.

We speculated on what a new cover might look like.

We read a statement from John Lennon's killer about the connection to the novel. We continued to look at the negative traits that Holden has and speculate if books can make people crazy.

We went to the lab and printed out your first drafts and returned to class to peer edit based on the criteria on the board.

HW: Please read 13, 14, 15. Long range: Please finish the book for Thursday. Your final copy of your Tone and Style paper is due Wed. I will schedule some time on Tuesday in a lab for those needing it.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Mr. Tynan reviewed your reading.

Showed you 2 clips from the movie A Bug's Life

Gave you a quiz on your reading from last week.

Broke you into your simulation groups.

HW: Please read CH 1-2 in Section 2 of 1984.

Word O' the Week:

Imberb: [im-burb]
A rare adj. meaning beardless.

Think:

Elephants can't jump, although every other mamal can.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We worked on your first paper: A parody comparison between She's the Man and the play The Twelfth Night. These will be due next wed.

Soph Lit

Today:

We finished the activity for You Act the Scene and presented your scene to the class.

We reviewed CH 10-11 in Catcher.

We took a quiz on your reading.

We worked on time lines charting Holden's Positive vs. Negative thoughts and presented your findings.

HW: Please read 12-13.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Mr. Tynan lectured on launguage- specifically the implications of taking passion out.

He reviewed your reading.

He broke you into your groups where you worked on rules.

HW: Please read the next 2 chapters.

World of Shakespeare:

Today in class:

We took a quiz on act 3.

We watched Sir Alec Guinness (Obi-One) in the 12th Night.

HW: Please finish act 4.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

Journal #10: "They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." Carl W. Buechner


I collected your 1st 10 entries. Please get them to me as soon as possible if you did not pass yours in.
We discussed your HW reading.

We took a quiz on your reading.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to script a specific scene.

HW: Please read Ch 10, 11, 12.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:
Mr. Tynan introduced and assigned roles in your 1984/Big Brother live role playing assignment in class.

You reviewed your reading.

HW: Please read the next 2 chapters in 1984.

Brit Lit:

1984 early draft. Cool to see an artist at work.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We started with Illyria Survivor. We had three rounds to vote off the weakest characters based on class activities.

We finished acting out act 2.

HW: Please read act 3 and expect a short quiz.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We began class with journal prompt #9:

I am afraid of....

Reminder, I will collect these after we do #10 Wed, so please have them ready to pass in.

I assigned your 1st major paper. Please see me for the assignment sheet.

We went to the computer lab for the last part of class an began writing your 1st draft.

We reviewed you hw and took a short quiz.

HW: Please read ch 7,8,9.

Brit Lit:

Today:
Mr. Tynan ran a great powerpoint lecture on some of the terms needed to understand 1984.

You broke into groups and read an article from The Economist.

You took a short quiz on your reading and discussed the book thus far.

HW: Please think about the idea of turning on your parents if the government demanded it. Would you?

Read to pg 84.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We took a closer look at all of the character parts in the play. As each of you have a part, I asked you to write a short poem based on what we know (or I told you) about your part.

I introduced the idea of doing a survival type class activity where we vote off different people from the island - just like the TV show. More to follow.

Last call on sonnets before mid term grades close this week. Please see me ASAP if you did not do yours, as this is a test grade.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

Journal Prompt: Holden says that he is the most terrific liar that you ever saw in your life. It is clearly wrong to lie, but please describe a time when you used a lie for comedy and not to deceive in a bad way. Can a lie ever be meant for comedy? What are the dangers of sarcasm?

We reviewed ch 1-3.

We defined the terms: Phony, crazy and explored the limits of 1st person narration.

HW: Please read ch 4-6. We will have a quiz Tuesday.

Word of the Week:

Hofles: [hofe-liss]
An obsolete word meaning excessive, unreasonable.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Mr. Tynan covered some Irish history: Druids, Oliver Cromwell and the Irish literary Resistance.

He broke you into groups to censor some news stories to prep you for your next novel, 1984.

HW: Please read pgs 1-29.

Brit Lit:

Today Mr. Tynan ran class. Thank you for your expected attention and respect. He covered The Ballad, and looked at examples in the anthology.

He played a few examples of modern folk singers that are using a similar structure.

HW: Please bring in a ballad per Mr. Tynan's assignment. He will work with you on them Friday.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We took the exam for All My Sons.

I collected the plays.

I passed out and introduced The Catcher in the Rye.

HW: Please read ch 1-3 in Catcher.

Brit Lit:

Today in class:
We reviewed Canterbury Tales from your reading last night.

We took a quiz on your notes/reading.

I went over your project.

I offered the ability to attend Hamlet for A and B Block, March 3rd. Thanks Ms. Saint Meanie.

HW: Please look over the ballads. Please complete all three sections of your propaganda projects and have them ready to pass in Thursday.

Brit Lit:

Shakespeare posts on Facebook???

World of Shakespeare:

Today we:

Acted out parts in the play.

Began journal prompts. Reminder, we will complete 10 of these before I collect them, and they will count as a paper grade.

Prompt #1: Make a Facebook page by William Shakespeare. You of course need to suspend disbelief and imagine that he would have:
1. Used/had facebook
2. Would have had the desire tho post information about himself via a digital wall.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We finished the movie for All My Sons.

We reviewed for the test, which was moved to wed.

Please study and look at the review sheet provided.

Brit Lit:

Today:
Make Your Own Pilgrimage…..

Over the next week, we will be reading a collection of “tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer.

In class we will be looking at his style, and be looking at what a pilgrimage is, and why you would go on one. Duplicating a writer’s style is one of the hardest tasks that I will ask you to do. It will require close examination of the language and the way Chaucer tells the tale.

Part 1: The Prologue Poem In this section, you will write a poem to begin your piece. In your poem you must: Give yourself a title as a pilgrim
Write 4-6 Lines.
Emulate Chaucer

Part II: The Symbolic Representation Provide a hand drawn picture, a collage, or a brief descriptive piece which clearly gives a symbolic representation of who you are. Remember, symbols are common images, which are used to represent much larger things.

Part III: The Tale You will write about a pilgrimage that you have been on.
In your Tale, you must: Write 3 well written paragraphs
Write a tale that includes, Characters, a plot, a setting, a climax, and a conclusion
There is a clear lesson that you learn by the end of the tale.

Word O' the Week:

Bevy: [BEV-ee]
Noun. 1. A group of birds or animals.
2. A large collection.

Think:

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

Soph Lit:

Today in class:

We began our review of the play for our test Tuesday. Please use the notes bellow to study:
Questions:

1. Compromise is a theme in the play. Describe the compromise that three of the characters have had to make. What is your opinion of their compromise?

2. Do you think Chris and Ann will be happy together? Give reasons for your
answer based on the play.

3. Larry does not appear in the play but is mentioned. What is his role in the play?

4. What picture do we get of the American society?

5. Why is the play called “All My Sons”? How does the title reflect the human and moral issues of the play?

6. There are two different concepts in the play; on the one hand – idealism, and on the other – practicality. Classify each of the following characters – Chris, Ann, Joe, and Kate according to the above concepts. Do they undergo any change during the course of the play?

7. How do family loyalties conflict with other kinds of responsibilities (to one’s
principles, conscience, society) in this play? Give at least TWO examples.

8. Choose ONE of the following characters:
Joe Keller / Ann Deever / Chris Keller / Kate Keller / Jim Bayliss
a. Give a description of this character. b. Choose a decision made by this character and state your opinion of it, giving reasons for your opinion.

Brit Lit:

Today:
We watched the last 5 minutes of Beowul.
I broke you into small groups and asked you to list how the full story of Beowulf follows the Hero's Quest.
We began to talk about what is next....