Shakespeare:

I passed out a packet of possible assignments, and loads of information on the play.  Please look this over tonight.  I will be looking for feedback on assignments that you would find meaningful and fun.

We started off with a journal prompt.  This is on pg 13 of the packet that I passed out on the Tempest.

We completed an in-class assignment matching lines from the play with modern lines.

We ended with a look at act 1.2 lines 46-206.  Each group needed to do a different type of broadcast on the news.  Specifically,  how did Prospero end up on the island?  I will try and post one of the groups on the blog.

HW:  Please read act 2.  Expect a quiz.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We reviewed a Victorian novel.
We finished Jane Eyre, and moved into Wuthering Heights.

I collected your HW from last night.  For those that did not do your HW, I will accept these late Friday.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We started with the prompt listed for Brit Lit. 

We cast for the Tempest

We watched the 2010 version.

HW:  Please read act 1.  Expect a quiz (on the play, not the movie).

As we close the term, please end in greatness.

Brit Lit

Welcome back!

We completed journal prompt #29:

Please describe your vacation to a 40 year version of yourself, in the future.  Please include:  How your time was spent?  What was your favorite memory?  What did you wish had not happened?  What specific detail would an adult you find interesting about the last 10 days?  1-2 pages

We read the 1st chapter of the Victorian novel, Wuthering Heights(pgs 912-921). 

HW:  Please answer questions 1-6 on pg 921 in your anthology.  As we inch closer to the end of the term, as always, try to end in greatness.

Warm Wishes

Wishing you all peace and happiness. 

Please use this time to reflect on the importance of those in your life.  We all have much to be thankful for.  See you in the new year.

Shakespeare

Today:

We went to the computer lab to take a school wide survey.

We decorated the holiday shrub with your sonnets.

Brit Lit:

I apologize that I have been unable to update the blog this week.  Please see me if you have missed work.

Today:

Last night I asked you to read the 1st chapter of the Victorian novel, Jane Eyre on pg 922 and answer questions 1-6 at the end.

Today, we began class with the journal prompt:

At the end of Ch 1 in Jane Eyre, Jane is sent to the Red room for punishment.  Here our imagination, as always, is often greater the reality.  Use your imagination to describe the room that we never see.  Please write a 1st person "I" account of what is in the room and what happens when Jane is placed there.  1 page min.

We then looked at the entire story via an excellent film version.

Reminder:  Secret Santa/Bobo gifts for your classmates are due by this Friday.  Please see me with any questions.

Shakespeare:

We presented your sonnet media projects today.  If you were absent, we will finish them on Monday.

The last 10 minutes we played a game of Othello.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We exchanged names for our class secret Santa.
We looked at foot and meter.
We practiced this with da,dum,da,dum,da,dum...

We diagrammed the poetry of Donne and Keats.

Shakespeare:

I asked for an update on your stickie post it notes.  How did it go?

We looked at modern sonnets.

We did an activity that I call pass the poem.  We started two poems: one on love, one on hate, and passed them around and had each person contribute a line of verse following the rules of a Shakespearean Sonnet.  I will post these soon.  They were both well done.

We looked at the origin of the sonnet- Italian style.  We defined the differences and talked about lasting images in poems.

HW:  Please bring in your favorite printed lyrics.  These do not need to be your fav song- but rather lyrics that are meaningful to you.  We will be making these into a sonnet on wed.  I will also continue to look to getting you into a lab to work on your sonnet media project.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  We went to the computer lab to finish your paper.  Please see me if you did not get to finish. 

C Block:
We finished the movie.
We read the selected poems by Ben Johnson.

HW:  Please bring in a copy of your favorite lyrics.  Not your favorite song- but words to a song that hold meaning to you.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We selected a line (or two) of powerful verse.  I asked you to write the line down on a stickie note and stick it in a random spot.  I suggested: school, home, work, Patrick's football helmet...

We talked about the discovery of a line.

I went over dramatic language and imagery in the poem.

We define the structure of a Shakespeare sonnet. 
We defined an iambic pentameter. 
I made each of you a unstressed, or stressed syllable. 
We stomped around the room to illustrate the pattern.  I suggested that this is the heartbeat of the poet.  We talked about why this has an impact on us( mother's heartbeat, ocean waves, etc.)

I asked you to write you own sonnet.

We looked at a few samples of previous sonnet projects.  These will be assigned officially on Monday and due next Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  We finished the play. 
We took notes on acts 4.2-5.8 
We will have a test on Macbeth this Monday.
We went to the computer lab to select one of our last 5 creative writing prompts,  You were asked to select the one that you feel best showcases your writing.  I asked you to clean it up and make it sparkle.  We will finish these on Tuesday in the lab.

C Block:  We finished our notes.  We reviewed for the test Monday.  We went to the computer lab to type one of your last 5 creative prompts. 

Shakespeare:

We all had a chance to share the sonnet that you brought in and covered the following:

Read the poems slowly.  Savor all of the richness of the poem.  We race through life- consider smelling the flower from time to time.

Two lines can stick and stand on their own beauty.

We covered the themes found in the sonnets.

We looked at the life experience that might be needed to understand the complexity of feeling.

HW:  Please read the four sonnets that I gave you at least twice.  S   L   O  W  L  Y....  Find the two lines that you most connect to and be ready to explain why.

Brit Lit:

Today:  A Block shred their Macbeth videos and worked on finishing the play.

C Block:
We watched a few more Macbeth projects.
We finished the play
We reviewed for the test

After lunch, I broke you into small groups to write an outline for a sequel to the play.

Test this Monday.  Please make sure that you have your notes and review the play.

Shakespeare:

We took the test on The Twelfth Night.  If you were absent, please schedule a time with me to make it up.

We began our look at the sonnets.  I gave you my lecture notes.

HW:  Find a sonnet that connects to you and have it ready to share in class on Thursday.  If you can't find one, you are also able to write your own.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:

Each group was given a 15 minute block to edit their video project.

I broke you into your same groups and asked you to speculate how act 5 will resolve.  I asked you to brainstorm on 10 fictitious events that would resolve the main 10 problems in the play.  I hate to say it, but most of you came up with endings that are better than the real one.

Speaking of the true ending, we will be finishing the play this week. 

We will be world premiering your videos on Thursday.  I am greatly looking forward to seeing what you all came up with.

C Block:

We went down to the auditorium and watched your projects.
We worked on finishing act 5.
We took a quick quiz on 4-5.

WOS:

Today:

We watched the origional Obi-Wan (Sir Alec Guiness) in a horrible vesrion of the play.  I bet that you never expected to see Obi-Wan in yellow leggings....

We took a quiz on Act 5.

I reviewed for the mini test Wed.  You may use one page of notes if needed.  I also gave the three essay questions.  You may wish to prepare these at home tonight.

We broke into 2 groups and I asked you to show the love resolutions at the end of the play.  Unlike past plays, it was refreshing that everyone did not die...

Up Next...we look at the poetry of Shakespeare...and the keys to his heart..

Brit Lit:

Today:

We made a horrible stew.  15 gross ingredients that are worse than the stew in act 4.

We read act 4.

We took a quiz on act 3-4.

All Macbeth movies are due Thursday.  I will be after school on Tuesday Wed. and Thursday if any group needs additional time.

Word O' the Week:

Skulk:  verb inter.  To hide, evade, or move stealthily.

Shakespeare:

I gave you class today to write/type your She's the Man parody paper in the library.

The play is due Tuesday.  We will be taking a quiz on the ending of the play, so please make sure that you are ready.

Brit Lit:

Today, we completed journal #25:

If you had the ability to change and three events over thanksgiving, what would you choose.  What would change as a result?  Would your Thanksgiving be better or worse?

A Block:  I gave you this block to finish filming your Macbeth video projects.

C Block:  We worked on ACT III-IV

For this Friday, please select one of your 5 creative journal prompts and work it into a polished piece of writing.  We will be typing these in the computer lab this Friday.

We will be watching your Macbeth projects this Friday on the big screen.  If any group needs additional time, I will be after school this Tuesday and Wed.  Please make a point of arranging a time that you can meet to finish.

Brit Lit:

Today was the last in-class work day to film and edit your projects.  If you had people missing, or were unable to finish on time, you will need to arrange a time to finish after school next week.

Have a great Thanksgiving.  There is so much that we all should be grateful for.

Good read...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/education/colleges-turn-to-crowd-sourcing-courses.html?src=me&ref=general

Brit Lit:

Today:

Groups that were ready and able began filming their scenes.  We will continue working on these on Wed.  Any groups finished will have the opertunity to present these to the class.

If you were missing people and were unable to film, we will finish these after break.

Shakespeare

I assigned the She's the Man Paper.  We will be watching this in preparation for the assignment Tuesday and Wed.  These are due November 27th.

We acted out Act 2 sc 1-3.  We tried to brainstorm on the funny.

I showed The Beatles performing the horrid play within a play from A Midsummer.  We discussed dry Brit humor as well as what they did specifically to bring a seemingly dull scene to comedic life.

I broke you into 3 groups and asked each group to discuss 5 stage directions that could be given to the scenes to again make them funny.

HW:  Please finish act 2 for Tuesday.  Please expect a quiz.

Brit Lit

Today:

We wrote and typed the 2-3 page script for you Macbeth video project.  We will look to film these in class tomorrow.

Shakespeare:

Today:
I collected your journals.

We broke into groups and wrote the script for the Shakespeare Remix assignment.  We went down to the stage and performed these during the last 20 minutes of class.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:

Today, we concluded our creative themed journal prompts. 
Imagine that you have found an item that could possibly change your life forever.  Please describe in 1-2 pages what you found and how you would use it.  Reminder:  you will be taking your favorite prompt and work it into a formal piece of writing next week.

A Block:  We watched past samples of the Macbeth movie project.
We took a cartoon quiz on act 3.

B Block:  You wrote the modern script for your scene.  I collected these.  We then went over storyboards.  We will begin filming these on Monday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:
Begin with the line:
"He always had a fear of..........."
End with the line:
"At the end of the day, you should always avoid......"
1 page

Block A: We finished act 3.

Block C:  I assigned the Macbeth video project. 
We watched a few samples from previous classes.
We broke into groups and wrote a brief treatment describing your idea.
We will be writing the script in class this Friday.

Shakespeare:

We started with another comedy based journal prompt.  I asked you to listen to 10 random sound effects and incorporate them into an original story.

We reviewed your terminology of comedy worksheets.  I asked you to break into a small group and show 4 of the 10 comedic terms in a short skit based on anything that has happened in my class this year.

We continued reading/acting Act 1. 

Please finish reading act 1 in The Twelfth Night.

Brit Lit

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Sound effect stories.  We listened to 10 random sounds and worked them into a journal story.

We acted out Act III, sc2-4

Think:

Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, CA.

Word of the week:

Impassible (im-pas-uh-buhl)  Adj.  Insusceptible to pain of suffering.

Shakespeare

Journal Prompt:

I gave you a humorous picture and asked you to tell the story of the photo in 1,000 words.  If you were absent, either find a humorous picture on your own, or I can give you one in class on wed.  3-4 pages.

I passed back your Othello test. 

We began The 12th Night.  Please read act 1. sc 1-3 for HW if you were absent due to the play performance.

HW:  Please define the humor terms that I gave you in class.  I will be checking your definitions in class on wed.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:  A picture is said to be 1,000 words.  I gave everyone in class a picture and asked you to write a 1000 word story based on the photo.

We continued working on Act 3 in Macbeth.

Shakespeare:

Today we looked at two drastically different endings: The classical Othello, and the modern version, O.  We discussed what draws us to pain in stories. Why do we like endings like Othello?

We then went over some of your HW comments about humor.  I played two short clips to illustrate timing and slapstick.  As we move into our first comedy, we will be continually examining the funny in Shakespeare's plays.

I also gave out a character list for the next play to help with the whose, who.

Brit Lit

Today, I lost a bet with Mr. Metz and supported your learning by dressing up in an embarrassing costume for the day.

We finished the documentary, Shakespeare Behind Bars, and had a good talk about the film.

C Block:  We also did a short writing assignment that had me play 15 sound effects, while to Incorporated them into a story at the same time.Some utterly bizarre creativity on this one....

I also gave C Block back their corrected journals today.  Please continue to keep up with these.  They continue to be worth a paper grade and can tremendously help your grade average for my class.

Enjoy the three day weekend....

Shakespeare:

Today:  You took the exam for Othello.  This will be your fist grade for term 3.

I also collected your books and passed out our next play- The Twelfth Night.

HW:  Please list 10 things that you find funny.  These can be specific, or general.  What makes YOU laugh....

We will be examining humor tomorrow as we head into our first comedy.  Does comedy hold up as well 430 years after?

Brit Lit:

Today:

We caught up on our notes. 

We covered all the remaining events in Act 2. 

We defined the exciting force that sets the rise in action (death of Duncan) and looked at the climax of the play in act 3 (Macbeth becomes king.)  Being a tragedy, now we meet the first fall.  This is also when all of Shakespeare gets especially good in my opinion...

Block A: You also caught up on the act 2 quiz today.

Shakespeare

Today:
We reviewed act 5.  Specifically, we discussed what works in the ending, and what does not.

We played the review game, Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.  This was to review for the test Wed.

HW:  Please look over your notes and review the play.

Brit Lit:

A Block:  We participated in a mock presidental debate with Mr. Metz's history class.  In a close debate, we lost 2-1.  Thanks to Mr. Metz for inviting us to participate in this worthwhile educational activity.

C Block:
 We broke into two large groups and I tasked you to show the play so far, backwards.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt #18:

If you could change a character, prop, line, or event in the play Othello that would drastically change the outcome of act 5, what could you change?  CPA: 1/2 page H: full page.

We then took the best and showed these in a small skit.

HW:  Please finish the play.  Review on Tuesday, test this Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block spent the shortened block finishing our prep for the presidential debate with Mr. Metz's class Tuesday.

B Block:  We continued reading act 3.

Shakespeare:

We reviewed act 4, sc1. 

We acted out act 4, sc 2 with the aid of a tivo remote.  I had you each pause the action and suggest a new motivation for the lines in the scene.

Please have the play read by Tuesday.  We will have a test on the play next wed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block went to the lib. to research information to prepare for our debate with Mr. Metz's class on Tuesday.  Please continue to research your position over the weekend.

We reviewed act 2 and began act 3.  Block C also took a quiz on act 2.

Shakespeare:

Yesterday:  I shared my Irish ghost story.

Today:  We had a guest teacher from Sweden share with our class a collection of videos that her students made.

We had the opportunity to ask her questions about the differences between our two countries. 

We agreed to work on a few collaborative projects with the classes from Sweden.

Please be ready for the quiz on act 4, sc 1.

Brit Lit:

Tuesday-Wed.

Welcome back.  I am sorry for the lack of updates.  I have been without power.

Yesterday:

I told my ghost story from my time teaching there.  Happy Halloween!

Today:

We finished Act 2.
I informed people that are still missing assignments.  The term closes Friday, but I will accept them through this Monday.

We took notes on act 2.

Last call for those that still needed to recite their Macbeth lines.

Shakespeare:

Today:

I passed back a handful of assignments.

We watched a modern parody of the play Othello, O.

Have a great weekend.

DVD's soon!

Brit Lit:

Today:



We recited our ten lines of Shakespeare. To those that went, I was exceptionally proud of you.

We then caught up on the film version of the play.

I passed back a bunch of assignments- some with no names. If you did not get everything back, please see me to make up or claim your work with no name.


Have a great weekend!

Further reading from today....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart_effect

Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt: "A good idea will keep you awake during the morning, but a great idea will keep you awake during the night." Marilyn Vos Savant 1-2 pages


I passed out permission forms for the movie O.  Please return these if your parent or guardian has an objection to you watching this Friday in class.  A meaningful alternative assignment will be given if you are unable to view it :-)

We talked about being interviewed for the Town Common Story.  I can't wait to read it.  Thanks Jen!

We paired up and looked at finding emotion in the lines of act III.  I gave you a group worksheet and we completed these.

I went over relationships in the play thus far.  I gave you a handout to assist in this.

HW:  I gave you an early version of the same story that pre-dates Shakespeare.  Please read this for HW.

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:  "A good idea will keep you awake during the morning, but a great idea will keep you awake during the night."                                                                                                    Marilyn Vos Savant                             1-2 pages

We tried the Mozart effect to help you learn you 10 lines due Friday.

W looked at Act 2

HW:  Lines due.

Shakespeare:

Thank you for you willingness to answer questions from the reporter visiting our class today.  I remain very proud of the project that we did together. Thanks for all of your kind words.  That stuff means everything to me as a teacher.   I will let you all know when the article runs and try to get a few extra copies.

Today, we reviewed Act 3.  Act 3 is a tough act.  If you found it difficult, stay with it.  It gets easier.

We took a quiz on act 3.

We did not complete a journal today.

I will be collecting your assessments Thursday.  Please make sure that you have them.

Brit Lit:

Today:  We had a student select the quote for our daily journal.  If you were absent, please ask for the quote in class.

We finished taking notes on Act 1.

We took a quiz on Act 1.

I suggested that often Shakespeare leaves a most desired scene out.  Why does he not show us the death of Duncan?

I asked you to try and recreate the missing scene.

Shakespeare:

We continued with quote week for our journal prompts:
"A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when the despise him." Leo Tzu 1/2 page.

We acted out act 3, sc 3.  Yesterday we focused on using a musical score to enhance the meaning of the lines.  Today, we worked on sound effects and costumes.

HW:  Please finish act 3.

Brit Lit:

We continued with quote week for our journal prompts:

"A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists.  Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.  Worse when the despise him."        Leo Tzu   1/2 page.

I broke you into small groups and tasked you with:

A dry reading
A reading with blocking
A reading with sound effects

We combined these and performed them for the class.

HW:  Continue to learn your 10 Macbeth lines.

Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt:



"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything one has learned in school." Einstein

Explain what this quote means to you in 1/2 a page.

We went over the Hamlet evaluations.

We discussed music in Shakespeare's plays.

I broke you into small groups to identify 10-15 lines that would be enhanced by a musical score (see video below)



HW:

Evaluations due this Wed.

Write a lost letter or diary entry for Iago.  The letter should identify his plans to destroy Othello.

Brit Lit

Journal Prompt:

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything one has learned in school."  Einstein

Explain what this quote means to you in 1/2 a page.

We reviewed the Macbeth lines- 10 lines memorized by this Friday.

We caught up on our notes.

W began Act 2

Good viewing

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html

http://boston.cbslocal.com/video/7851900-one-last-thing-shakespeare-gangnam-style/

Worth a listen:

http://www.muziboo.com/kevinbracken/

In the news....

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:


College Prompt Week Continues...this time from Notre Dame University, 1993:

Please select a technical innovation from the last century and explain what life would be without this item. 1 page

We took notes on Act 1.  A Block wrote a letter from Macbeth to Lady Macbeth.

We looked at the Roman Polanski version of the play.

World of Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt:

College Prompt Week Continues...this time from Notre Dame University, 1993:

Please select a technical innovation from the last century and explain what life would be without this item.     1 page

We looked act 1 of Hamlet in film form.  Specifically, we looked at the the additions in the opening 15 minutes.  Were they needed?

We announced your Heralds from HW.  I appreciated your wit.

HW:  Please review act 1-2(again).  Quiz Wed.

WBZ News

Tonight, at 5:57, WBZ CH 4 news in Boston will be doing a story on the Hamlet video that my Shakespeare class produced.

I hope you all get on TV!  It is well deserved!  Record it!

Journal Prompt: Imagine that you have written a 300 page autobiography. Please write pg 217.


1 page.

Over the next three days, we will be looking at three different college essay prompts. We will also use each one to demonstrate how specific types of prompts can be handled.

A Block:  We went on stage and covered blocking and the importance of stage movement.  We defined an aside.

C Block:  We wrote a letter from Macbeth to Lady Macbeth.  I counted this as a quiz.

World of Shakespeare

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Imagine that you have written a 300 page autobiography.  Please write pg 217.

1 page.

Over the next three days, we will be looking at three different college essay prompts.  We will also use each one to demonstrate how specific types of prompts can be handled.

We took a quiz on the Shakespeare terms.

I passed back many assignments.  We will be collecting some of your best work in folders this year.  I asked you to place your 5 stages of grief assignment and your Hamlet project in your folder.  You are always welcome to bring these home, but please make sure that they return to class.

Our video has over 400 views in 20 hours!

http://www.ncte.org/dayonwriting

Watch this

http://hamletgangnamstyle.com

wos

Today:

We watched the final version of Hamlet, Gangnam Style.  Thank you to all of you for reminding me why teaching is still so much fun!

As soon as it gets the official green light to share, it will be posted on our class owned web site:
https://www.hamletgangnamstyle.com/

We acted Act 2, sc 1-2.  Please finish sc 2 for HW, and study the terms that I gave you.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #13:

Please write a one page letter to yourself in the past.

We worked on 5 improv scenes that will tie in with the events in Macbeth.  Hopefully, the skits will help with your understanding some of the themes in the play.

We watched the battle sequence from the movie Braveheart to show what is was like to be returning from a battle that would be described as "two swimmers that cling to each other."

We acted Act 1, sc 2-3