To all those impacted by the storm: my heart and thoughts go out to you and your families. It was very sobering this morning to hear from you today about your accounts of the storm. Please do not hesitate to ask for any help or if you just need to talk about things. Please also continue to offer support to those at our school that were impacted.

We help so many others at Tantasqua- now it is time to help each other....

Soph Lit:

For this Monday: Please memorize

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

Brit Lit:

Today we reviewed the first 6 chapters in Jane Eyre. I broke you into groups and had you make storyboard for the novel thus far. Sample pictures to follow....

HW: Read CH 7-8. Please be ready for a quick quiz Thursday

Have a great weekend!

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend devoid of school. Make sure you thank a veteran for the many freedoms that we enjoy.

World of Shakespeare:

Our small class became even smaller. We acted Act 1, sc 1 outside.

Soph Lit:

We played the Review game: Who wants to win a Pizza Party. Congrats to C and L for taking us to the 2nd from highest prize, and consequently making school fun the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.

HW: Please look over the novel and notes. Test Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Today we reviewed your reading from Jane Eyre. We wrote on a series ( 3 of 5)of writing prompts.

HW: Make sure you are up to date on your reading. Have a great holiday weekend.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected the remaining anthologies. We started Jane Eyre.

HW: Please read CH 1-3 and be ready for a brief quiz Thursday before going to All Arts Day.

World of Shakespeare:

Today: Final Exam.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We took an open book quiz for ch 8,9,10. The winning team of the debate was excused from the assignment.

We reviewed the ending of the book.

We watched LOTF the movie.

HW: Thursday we will have a review game in class and prepare for the test Friday. Please make sure the novel is finished and that you review your notes on: symbolism, foreshadowing, Freud (ID, EGO, super Ego), etc...

World of Shakespeare:

We said goodbyes to our Sr friends...parting is such sweet sorrow...

We took notes and began Measure for Measure.

Soph Lit

Today:

We examined the use of light and darkness in Lord of the Flies and defined foreshadowing. We broke into small think tanks and looked at 5 examples of each and what they foreshadow.

We finised our debate on whether people are born good or evil. Great job. Remind me to do another debate.

Quiz on CH 8,9,10

HW: Please finish the book for wed (ch 12) We will review Thursday and test on Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today we took your final exam and I collected your books. Please see me ASAP if you did not have your book, or your recorded number is not the same. In both cases, I need to submit a book bill- so please remain diligent in returning all materials.

Soph Lit:

Today:

Lord of the Flies: The Debate

During this class, I will be breaking you into two groups to debate the following:

Side One: People are inherently Evil. We are born with the tendency for evil and need to constantly suppress the urge to be bad. The only thing keeping us “good” are the laws and consequences that are in place within society. Without them, we would act selfishly and think only of ourselves.

Side 2: People are born good, but their experiences force them into being a good or bad person. Evil, or being bad is a direct consequence of ones experience in life.


Directions: Please break into two groups and assign the following parts:

Captain: You will read your opening statement expressing your main point to prove. This will be very similar to the thesis of a paper. You will pick the order of your team to make your top 4 points.

Thinkers (4): You will direct the 4 examples that your team uses.

Scribe: You will write the main thesis of your group and record the four examples to prove your point.

Debate team: You will carefully listen to the argument from the other side and attempt to counter their argument.


Main Statement:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Example 1:______________________________________________________________________

Example 2:______________________________________________________________________

Example 3:______________________________________________________________________

Example 4:______________________________________________________________________

We will begin with each side giving their opening. Then we will go back in forth. Each team will present their example, and the other side will have the opportunity to counter their argument with their own examples.

Each round will be awarded a winner.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished our review for the final exam. Specifically, we looked at the short answer and essay. End in greatness....

The last 30 minutes I gave you an envelope to mail letter to yourself in 5 years. If you did not finish, please give it to me when you complete it and I will add it to the stack to mail in 2016. These are optional, but very cool to get in the future.

World of Shakespeare:

The World of Shakespeare: Final Exam Review Sheet

Your final exam will ask you to answer (5 of 7 CP) 7 of 7 H) 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, The 12th Night, The Taming of the Shrew,) and the 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 Shakespearian 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 Shakespearian 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.

Last Feels Like Monday up...enjoy!

Brit Lit:

Today, we reviewed for the final exam:

Brit Lit Final Exam Review:


1. Alliteration


2. Reversed word


3. Classical Allusion


4. Euphemism


5. Irony


6. Flashback


7. Satire


8. Symbol


9. Theme


10. Foreshadowing

Review:

1984 and room 101 What would you own room 101 look like.

Shakespearean Tragedy

All novels, plays, short stories.

Essay: Look at how characters handled unforeseen power.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We completed journal #21:

Write in your Lord of the Flies journal about the following:
1. Who has emerged as the leader?
2. What rules are broken?
3. How are you going to punish those that break the rules?
4. What consequence/punishmnet will be used.

We looked at the opening sequence in the newer film version. I asked you to think about the things that were changed- and why.

HW: Please read ch 8-9

Soph Lit:

Brit Lit:

Today:

We looked again at the short story, Araby. We had a good book talk on the poem: The Arab's Farewell to his Horse.

We read The Demon Lover, and defined gothic lit and what makes a good scary story.

Reminder: missiing work needs to be submitted asap.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We defined the id, ego, super ego.

We did a short in class assignment on giving examples for each in popular culture.

We again defined symbol and looked at symbols in the novel.

HW: Light reading due to MCAS: Ch 6.

Think:

A sneeze comes out of your nose at 200 mph.

Word O' the Week:

Emacity: [e-may-si-tee] A fondness for buying things.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We collected images from our dream catching a Friday ago. We listed 10 words or phrases from that, and worked it into an original poem, using your conscious brain.

As a transition, I defined epiphany, and we began reading Araby on pg 1009. Due to the prom assembly, we ran short on time. We will finish this Tuesday.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:
We finished Taming of the Shrew.

We will begin selecting projects and working on them Friday. Please have your scripts.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We read the D.H.Lawrence poem Snake.

After, I asked you to write about a simular event with the focus on the emotion and thought that you felt. One page.

Following our Kill and Animal for no reason theme, we will be looking at the Orwell short story tomorrow, To Kill an Elephant. I promose that I have not connecting stories about this one...

Wos:

Today:

I gave senior students' their final review sheet and project.

We watched Elizabeth Taylor in The Taming of the Shrew.

I collected and passed out books.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We finally finished Animal Farm: the movie.

We looked at 10 important quotes from the novel.

I passed back a gazillion assignments and gave out progress report grades. Please see me with any questions.

I broke you into groups and we debated what 6 of the 15 objects you would take to survive on an island. Sorry that we ran short on time- we will present these in class on Thursday.

HW: Please read ch 4-5.

Brit Lit:

Today, we read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

We defined: Alliteration, Consonance, Assonance, and internal rhyme.

I asked you to find examples of each from the poem.

We rocked out to the Iron Maiden version and briefly discussed how music is influenced by poetry.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:
We wrote the essay portion for the Hamlet exam
I gave senior final review sheets to begin studying
I gave out the assignment sheet for The Taming of the Shrew.

Soph Lit:

Today:

We reviewed and took a quiz for ch 1
We began a Lord of the Flies journal prompt assignment.

HW- Please read Ch 3.

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