Today:
We completed your group evaluations.

I gave you to time to finish filming and editing.  I asked you to focus on: music, sound effects, transitions and your end credits.  If you have time, a blooper reel is fun, but not required.

All videos are due at the end of class this Wed.

FLM #4

There is a new episode of the Tantasqua made web series, Feels Like Monday. You can view it at: http://feelslikemonday.com

Brit Lit:

I gave each group time to look at their footage on the mac and more time to film anything was needed.

We concluded Macbeth and completed our notes on the play.

A reminder: you can use all notes on the test. We will be taking the test after break.

See you after vacation....

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We talked about: Pick-up shots, establishing shots, and the due date. The projects are due Wed. following vacation.

Some groups began to edit, while some went out and filmed more of their movie.

I am so excited to watch what you came up with.

After vacation: Othello.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Block C: We finished act 5 in class.
The last 45 minutes were given to you to complete the filming portion of the project. These are due at the end of class Friday.

Block D: We finished the Polanski version of Macbeth. I gave you the remaining time to complete work on your project.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We completed day 2 of our filming. We will attempt to wrap this up on Friday. All projects are now due at the begining of class the Wed. after break.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We used class time today to film your scenes.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

All scripts, storyboards and blocking was due.

We used class today to film your Much Ado About Nothing Projects.

These will be due the Tuesday after break.

Shakespeare Olympics on TWN

Thanks to those at TWN for this!

http://tantasquavideo.weebly.com/shakespeares-world-2-videos.html

Brit Lit

Today:

C Block: We started class with a quick quiz on Act 4-start of 5. I also passed back your journal prompts #1-10.

We broke into your movie project groups and did a dry read-thru.

Groups that were ready began to film their scenes.

These are still due this Friday.

D Block: We started with journal #11: Think of a situation when you were backed into a corner and had nothing to lose. Describe the situation and explain what you did. 1 page.

We talked about this is exactly where Macbeth is in Act 5, sc3.

We completed a worksheet on equivocation and paradox examples in the play. You had 9 examples to define. Please see me if you were absent.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We started class with an explanation on how to block a script.

I broke you into groups and had you do a dry read-thru and block the play.

I gave you time to rehearse these.

We will begin filming on Wed. Please make sure that you have all props, costumes and scripts complete.

I passed back journal prompts #1-10 and gave out term 3 grades.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We worked on a mini writing assignment: Imagine that there was a part of the play that was removed or lost. Please write a one page suicide letter from Lady Macbeth to the world.

We worked on Act 5. We discussed the areas of the play that need to be resolved as well as the power of the new predictions given to Macbeth.

We broke into your groups and made a 12 scene storyboard for your Macbeth Movie Project. These are due this Friday.

Word O' the Week:

Doldrums: Noun. 1. A state or period of stagnation or slump. 2. The week before April vacation.

Think:

It takes only one tree to make one million matches, but it only takes one match to destroy one million trees.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

Your script (Act1-5) was due.

We looked at the art of storyboarding and how they can be used to outline and define your vision.
We talked about: Location, Camera angles, and props.

I gave you time to begin to rehearse your scenes.

Term 3

Term 3 closes today. If you have any missing work, please see me ASAP. I will need to submit grades by Wed.

In the news....

My thoughts go out to those former students fighting this fire today....

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/brush-fire-destroys-20-acres-in-brimfield/

Brit Lit:

Today:

We broke into groups of 4 and acted out Act 4, sc 3.

I asked one person per group to list Macbeth's evil as described by those in the scene. We discussed how Macduff handles the news of his family, and how this sets up for the most powerful theme in all of storytelling:

REVENGE.

I asked you to mime each of the evil descriptions that Macduff lists.

C Block ONLY: We completed journal prompt #10: Please describe how you think Macbeth will fall, given all of the safety that the 2nd prophecy has. If you know how the play ends, please describe an alternative ending. Be creative- as always....

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

Today was the final day set aside for script construction. Please elect one member of your group to type a copy and pass in.

We will be begin rehearsals for these next week.

Good article on leadership:

http://hbr.org/2012/04/the-real-leadership-lessons-of-steve-jobs/ar/pr

Term 3

The term closes this Thursday. I will be after school tonight for anyone that has not made up ANY missing assignments. Please be reminded, that missing work counts as a zero unless made up.

Please see me in class with any questions....

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched the Polanski ver. of Macbeth through act 4.

We broke into groups and completed your modern adaptation of your scene. We will be filming these next week.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We took a quiz on Acts 1-3

Day 2 of script construction: You broke into your 3 groups to work towards finishing your conversion of the script. These are due at the end of class Thursday. Please see me if you need additional time.

Nice job Joel.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We had a quiz on Act 3/start of 4.

We defined: Stage Direction, Narration, and went over what a prop list should look like.

You were given time to convert your script.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We had a quick quiz on your reading. Please read act 3 tonight.

We broke into your groups and continued work on your master script. These are due Thursday.

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 prompt notes describing in detail things that you will need.

Part of your grade will be based 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 Aril 5

Video/performance due: April 13

Think:

A sneeze comes out of your nose at 200 mph.

Word O' the Week:

Sipid: (SIP-id) Adj. Savory; having a pleasing taste.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We finished watching Much Ado About Nothing (15 min)

We broke into your groups and began writing your script for Act 1.

HW: Please read act 3.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started class constructing a Macbeth Facebook Page.

I gave you a quick quiz on the terms for yesterday.

We continued with Act III.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We watched a good film version of Much Ado About Nothing.

I passed back your sonnet project evaluations. Great job on those!

We will be continuing to work on you Movie project next week. Use the weekend to try and brainstorm idea for your group.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We acted act III.

I gave you the following terms:
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Classical Allusion
Reversed Word
Reversed Thought
Reversed Sentence

We defined each.

I put on a short clip from the Movie The Empire Strikes Back which shows many of the reverse terms in action through the character of Yoda:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtfejKs_mI4

I broke you into groups of 2 and asked you to find examples for each term in the play.

World of Shakespeare:

Much Ado About a Shakespeare Movie Project:

Over the next three exciting weeks, you will be working within 3 groups to produce a modern/classical version of your selected play. Most will choose to make into a movie, but you can also elect to perform these live on stage. We will be breaking this assignment into three parts. At the end of each week, I will be asking each group to evaluate their performance, and I will also be giving you a weekly grade based on observations. Translation: If you do nothing your grade will reflect this.

Each group should have the following parts assigned:

Director: Overseas all elements of production.
Actors: Must learn lines, and have acting ability, write script You will need to play multiple parts.
Camera/filming/sound person, writes script.
Editors (knowledgeable in imovie, Final Cut, or other video editing program)


Week One: March 29-April 5: Script Construction:
Over the next week, you will have one day to convert each scene and make your master cue-card script. Each group will be given a large over-sized note board to write your lines. You will need to keep on task to complete this in the week given. Please read one act per night for HW and be prepared to work converting as a group.

March 29: Agree to parts. Decide whether you are doing a modern or classical version, or something in between. Practice story board construction for Act 1. You may wish to utilize a storyboard for each scene. It is more work upfront, but it pays off at the end. Your storyboard will count as a quiz.

March 30: Act 1 script construction. Each group will be given an oversized sticky note board. You must have a script that is followed 100%. You can change your script, so make sure that you create a strong one. If you are making these modern, you will most likely need to convert the lines. If you choose to do these with the original language, you will need to decide what to keep and what to cut. Do not cut anything that fundamentally changes the play.

April 2: Act 2 Script construction. Act 1 + 2 due at the end of class.

April 3: Act 3 Script

April 4: Act 4 script

April 5: Act 5 script All script writing is due at the end of the block.

Sonnet Example #2

Brit Lit:

Today:

I introduced storyboards and explained the Macbeth Movie Project that we will be starting on Friday.

I asked you to make a storyboard for act 1(8 slides) and act 2(8 slides.) I explained that these are used to show the first draft of a movie. You will be doing these in much greater detail for your scenes for the project.

We read the start of act 3.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We had day 2 of your sonnet presentations.

I passed out your next play.

We went over the character list

I introduced your next project: Much Ado About a Film Project.

HW: Please read Act 1

Much Ado About Nothing Cartoon

A neat animation about the play that we are about to read. This may help you in understanding the plot.

http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/education/activities/muchado/06_animation/index.html

Brit Lit:

Today we finished Act 2.

We looked at how the play is following a tragedy.

Block D took a quiz on Act 2

We caught up on our notes.

I gave a 2nd chance to those that have not recited their 10 Macbeth lines. Please be reminded that this counts as a test grade. You will continue to loose 10 points for each day late.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

You presented your Sonnet Projects.

If you are not attending the play Macbeth, you are responsible for completing the comparison writing assignment. Anyone not attending, please report to the Caf and sign in with the sub on Tues.

Word O' the Week:

Avid: Adj. 1. Enthusiastic 2. Greedy.

Think:

The original flavor of the Twinkie was banana until there was a banana shortage during WWII.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We recited the lines from Macbeth that were due today. Please remember that you loose 10 points for each day present in school, but not ready.

We watched the Polanski ver. of Macbeth and talked about how well the film holds up to the play. Did you notice anything taken out?

HW: Learn lines if you were not ready to go today.

Wos:

Today:

You had 2 options in class today:

1. Use this time to use the school technology to complete your Sonnet projects.
2. Work on a mad lib assignment for Sonnet 130.

We shared these at the end of class.

Awards for our Shakespeare Olympic Games are as follows:

1st Place, winning the sonnet and pinky competitions: JG

Honorable mention: MH

Great job yesterday. I hope it is one of the memories that you hold from high school :-)

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took a quiz on the end of act 1. Reminder: you may continue to use the notes and summaries that I give on every quiz. There is little excuse not to receive an A on EVERY Macbeth quiz.

I collected your journals 1-10. Reminder: these count as a paper grade.

We acted out The Death of Duncan with fake blood and light sabers.

Why does Shakespeare not show us the most powerful scenes in his plays?

I will try and post pictures.

World of Shakespeare:

Today....

1st Annual Shakespeare Olympic Games
To be held on the first unexpectedly warm school day…


Events:

Superior Spring Sonnet. Find a quiet spot outside to sit and write a sonnet that draws inspiration from the fabulous weather that we are having.

Must include the following that we have discussed:
Iambic Pentameter with marked stressed and unstressed syllables
14 Lines
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG with end lines marked
Last two lines answer a question, or is used as a “power chord”



Pinky Sword Fight. Imagine that your pinky finger is a four foot, 45 lbs. sword. But together a group sword fight that shows both the weight and size of your sword in an epic battle from Hamlet, or another play of your choosing.



3. Epic Line battle. FIGHT! Race to your line, read it with power and emotion and pass it to the next student. Repeat. First group to the finish line reading all lines wins the round.



Winners will be announced for each round. Student(s) with the most awards, wins a prize.

Brit Lit:

Today: Journal prompt #9: Describe a moment when someone close to you convinced you to do something that you knew in your heart was wrong. 1 page.

Connection: We looked at how Lady Macbeth convinces her mighty warrior husband to kill.

We finished act 1 and completed our notes on the act.

Remember: this acts as the exposition in a tragedy.

HW: Macbeth ten lines- due Friday. This will count as a test grade.

Wos:

Today:

We started class reading two comical poems: One by a fictitious Anne Hathaway, and the other by comic Billy Collins.

We each contribute a verse going around the room with 5 original sonnets.

We continued sharing the sonnet that each of you selected.

HW: Please continue to enjoy the spectacular weather and work on your Sonnet Projects. These are due this Monday.

A Comedy Sonnet

Sonnet - Billy Collins

All we need is fourteen lines, well, thirteen now,
and after this one just a dozen
to launch a little ship on love's storm-tossed seas,
then only ten more left like rows of beans.
How easily it goes unless you get Elizabethan
and insist the iambic bongos must be played
and rhymes positioned at the ends of lines,
one for every station of the cross.
But hang on here wile we make the turn
into the final six where all will be resolved,
where longing and heartache will find an end,
where Laura will tell Petrarch to put down his pen,
take off those crazy medieval tights,
blow out the lights, and come at last to bed.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

I broke you into small groups and asked you to discuss what each of your sonnet is about.

I tasked you with making a performance out of one of the poems.

We performed these in class.

HW: Please continue to work on your Sonnet Movie Project. The due date has been extended to Monday.

Brit Lit:

No class today due to MCAS.

HW: Please learn your 10 lines. Due Friday!

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took a quiz on Macbeth Act 1+notes.

We finished acting act 1

HW: I gave you you 10 lines to memorize. These are due Friday.

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 tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We took notes on the Sonnets.

We finished sharing your selected sonnet on the mic in front of class.

We viewed a few more examples of the Sonnet movie project. Please see me with any questions.

HW: Please work on your projects. They count as a paper grade and remain due this Friday.

Word O' the Week:

Welkin: (Wel-kin) Noun. The vault of heaven, firmament; the sky.

Sonnet Project example

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt: Lost love- share your feeling on love lost. 1 page.

We watched the final scene from Hamlet. Is Mel Gibson the best Hamlet?

We shared a sonnet in front of the class and explained why specifically you selected it.

We took notes on what makes a Shakespearean Sonnet: Iambic Pentameter, 14 lines, ABABCDCDEFEFGG

We did tried doing some exercises that illustrate the iambic beat. Hopefully you heard the heartbeat within your selected poem.


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

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We supported our fellow classmates, and attended the dress rehearsal for Lost in Yonkers.

HW reminder: Please print out/or copy a Shakespearean sonnet. Please make sure that you pick one that you have a personal connection to.

Brit Lit:

Today C Block:

We worked on Shakespearean insults. I had you combine three insults and then hurl them at another student. I told you that Shakespeare can indeed be fun...

We acted Act1, sc2 complete with fake blood. A- sorry for the stain :-)

We took a quiz on my intro notes from yesterday.

D Block:
We took a quiz on my intro notes.

We watched a bit of Shakespeare in Love to help you visualize some of the notes.

Pie in Hamlet:

http://gizmodo.com/5893192/if-you-read-pi-long-enough-youll-find-hamlet

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We took the Hamlet exam
I collected your scripts. Please pass in asap.

HW: Please find a Shakespeare Sonnet that you like and have it for class Friday. Please be ready to share what you liked about the poem.

Brit Lit:

Journal prompt #8:
Look at the picture found on pg 152 in your anthology. Please write a one pg story based on the clues from the painting. Be creative.

We finished our notes on Shakespeare, and I passed out Macbeth.

World of Shakespeare:

Today:

We discovered a question from the review game that was not correct. Because of this, we extended the review game and finished the Gibson version in class. The test was rescheduled to Wed. Please make sure that you are ready for it.

I will also be collecting your plays, so please have them with you.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took notes on the English Renaissance 1485-1625.

We read pgs 180-201.

Shakespeare:

Today:

I broke you into groups and had you work on review questions for the test.

We played the review game: Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.

HW: Please be ready for the test on Tuesday.