World of Shakespeare:

Today, we took the essay portion of the Hamlet exam. Those out sick can make this up in class Tuesday. I hope that you are all feeling better....

Soph Lit:

Animal Farm Exam today.

HW: Please read ch 1-3 in Lord of the Flies.

Brit Lit:

For some strange reason, most of the class was out today. I hope that you all feel better soon. :-)

Word O' the Week:

Choller: [chah-ler] A double chin.

Think:

Elephants can't jump. All other mammals can.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we took the non-essay portion of the Hamlet test. We will write the essay portion on Monday.

HW: Please work on your notes and outline for your essay.

Soph Lit:

Today: We played our review game: Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party. I reviewed for the test, and we watched about 10 minutes of the Animal Farm movie.

HW: Please study all terms and notes and review the novel.

Brit Lit:

Today we said farewell to Mr. Tynan. Thanks for giving him such a great first experience as a teacher!

Please be reminded: All work is due to Mr. Tynan by the end of the day or it will be counted as a zero. Those needing this class to graduate, please pay close attention to any missing work.

World of Shakespeare:

Today we reviewed for the Hamlet test.

HW: Please study and make an outline for your essay.

Soph Lit:

Today we reviewed for the test on Animal Farm. Please make sure that you study the notes that I gave on the Russian Revolution, Communism and most importantly, propaganda. All of these will be on the test Friday.

HW: Please study!

Brit Lit:

Today in class:

We did a writing assignment that explored writing with your unconscious mind. I hope that you enjoyed it as a welcome back assignment.

Speaking of...Mr. Tynan will be concluding his student teaching experience with you on Friday. Please see Steph with any donations.

HW: Please complete the poetry quiz and have it for Mr. Tynan Friday. Also, you are reminded to complete all missing work for him by Friday as well.

World of Shakespeare:

Today: We covered Act 3 sc1-sc2.

We participated in the walk for water.

HW: Please answer the questions assigned for Act 3. Be ready for a spark/cliff note proof quiz on act 3- so please review and read.

Soph Lit:

Today:

I checked your 1st draft and answered questions on your speech.

We wrote 7 commandments for a new society and looked at the rules that keep Tantasqua together.

HW: Please read Ch 6.

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.