WOS:

Today:

We started class with each of you receiving a picture.  I asked you to write 1,00 words (2 pages) on what the picture is about.

I broke each row up into a different character from Twelfth Night.  You had to write a love poem to the person in the play that you have feelings for.  We then shared these with the row you wrote about, and I asked you to write a response.  We had fun sharing these.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We started class reading a forward that Stephen King wrote in a new publication of the novel Lord of the Flies.  We talked about inspiration and books that can reach out an grab us.
http://lordofthefliescover.com/about-book/stephen-king-foreword/

We played a Red Sox version of the game Three Strikes and You Quiz. You were able to avoid a quiz today by getting a runner home.

We looked at your examples of light and darkness in ch 1-3.  We talked about how both are used in the novel.

I passed back your All My Sons essay exams.  Class avg. was an 88.  Great job!

We looked at an online flash game based on Lord of the Flies.  You can play the rest here:
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/lof.html

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched act I of the Polanski version of the play.

Journal Prompt:  Please write a 1/2 page movie review of the movie.  Did it capture the play?  What was good, and what was poorly done?

HW:  Macbeth lines are due tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow....  It is a test grade. Make it count.  Watch the Sox dominate and take game 2.

WOS:

Today:

We went down to the stage to perform your blocked scenes and tested out you stage directions.


HW: None.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We finished our debate on good vs. evil.  In a close game of 8 rounds, the girl team emerged victorious and were complimented for their efforts by fresh Dunkin Donuts.  Picture below.

We broke into your pre-reading activity groups and answered specific questions on your life on an island.

HW:  Please read ch 3.  List 5 examples of use of light/dark/shadows.  Please have these ready to pass in and discuss.  Watch the Sox take game 2.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started class with a quiz on the terms that I gave you last Friday.

We continued act 2.

We converted the tomorrow X3 lines into modern English.

HW:  Please study your lines for this Friday.  Reminder- this is a test grade!

WOS:

Today:

We started class with a quiz on the comedy terms that we defined earlier in the week.

We had a discussion on the lack of stage directions left in the plays.  We speculated why this is.  We used A. Miller as a strong contrast to Shakespeare.  Miller used stage direction excessively, while Will used almost none.  We talked about how this would change the direction.

I let you pick groups between 4-5 students.  You were tasked with picking any 4 pages of script from act I and write stage direction for every 30 sec.  You also had to incorporate 3 examples of physical comedy.

We performed these on stage.

Each group based in their stage direction for a grade.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We started class with 15 minutes to prep your debate.

We had a fierce debate that went to the last round.  We ran out of time, but will finish this Thursday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started class outlining a Shakespearian Tragedy.  Specifically, we identified the final moment of suspense.

We went outside to the courtyard and enjoyed the last nice day for a long time before the weather turns.  We re-enacted the death of Dunkin.

We took notes on act 1.

HW:  We will have a quiz tomorrow on the language trick terms that we went over last Friday.  They are also posted on the blog for your reference.

Wos:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Today I asked you to daydream and write what you think about.  Open up your imagination and give at least 1/2 page of thoughts.

We watched a great PBS documentary on Shakespeare's Comedies, with specific attention to Twelfth Night.

HW:  Please study your comedy terms.  Quiz on Wed.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We did a journal prompt based on an intro activity to Lord of the Flies.  Please see me for the printed assignment.

We finished All My Sons.

We had a debate on whether people are inherently good or evil.

We reviewed Ch 1.

HW:  Please read ch 2-3 in Lord of the Flies.

Examples of Reversed sentence construction, via Yoda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p44pcTXpPOs

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please describe a moment when someone convinced you to do something against your will or convictions.  How did you feel after?  Did you have any regrets?   1 Pg.

We watched some reversed sentence construction done by Yoda.

We worked on act II.

I gave you notes.

HW:  Please study your terms.  Quiz on Wed.

WOS:

Today: 
Journal Prompt:  What is the strangest thing that you have ever done to get someone to notice you?
                                                                                                                                               1 Pg.
We performed your short skits that you worked on from Friday using 5 of the comedy terms.

We did a round of freeze, POP! You had the power to freeze the scene and place a person or object in the scene.  Pictures and video above :-)

We looked at the terms that Shakespeare uses in constructing his plays.  You will have a quiz on these terms this Wed.

HW:  Please finish act I. Also, please find two comedy terms in act I.  Please write down your examples and be ready to pass them in at the start of class.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:
Journal Prompt:  Are people born inherently good or evil?  If there were no laws at all, how would people act?  Please imagine a world without any rules of consequences.  What would it be like. 
                                                                                                                            1 +1/2 pages

We finished watching All My Sons.
I passed out Lord of the Flies.
HW:  Please read CH 1-2

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started class watching a part of a recent PBS documentary following Ethan Hawke and his quest to understand the mind and part of Macbeth.

We defined terms:

1. Personification:

 

2. Metaphor:

3. Simile:

4. Reverse thought:

5. Reverse Sentence:

6. Reverse word:

 

We continued Act 1.

WOS

Today:

We started class reading a recent article suggesting that Shakespeare possible added his talent to other plays.  We debated the merit of this.

I passed back your grief papers.

We went over the comedy terms that are often used by Shakespeare.  I used A Midsummer Nights Dream examples.  Please begin to study the terms for a quiz next Wed.

I asked you to break into small groups and show 5 of the comic terms in action.

We performed these.

Comp. Lit. II:

We took the test on All My Sons.

I collected your books.

On Monday we will begin Lord of the Flies.  Have a good weekend!

Reminder:

Please remind your parent or guardian that parent teacher conferences are between 6-8 tonight.  Please encourage them to come out.  If they have any concerns and are unable to make it, please remind them that I am happy to speak with them at another time.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched the battle scene in Braveheart to illustrate what Macbeth has faced in battle as the play begins.

We acted out Act 1 sc 3.

We defined:
Aside
Suspension of disbelief.

After lunch I broke you into 5 groups and had you put together a short skit outlining some of the future themes of the play.

I passed back you papers.

WOS:

Today:
Journal prompt:  Please describe a moment when you presented a false image of yourself.  Why did you do this and what was the direct result?    1pg.

We reviewed act 1 sc 1-2. 
We acted out scene 3

HW:  Finish sc 3-4.  Expect a quiz on comedy notes and sc 1-4.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We finished the play.

I gave you the essay questions on the test.  You may use one page of notes to outline your thoughts.

We watched the film version as a review.

HW;  Study for the essay questions.  Test is on Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today:
We started class with the Shakespeare insults that you did yesterday.  Even if you do not understand the words, if you know the emotion, you can figure out the meaning.

I gave you notes on the Globe theater

We began Macbeth act 1.

WOS:

Today:
Journal #12:  I played a series of 5 sounds and asked you to use them in writing a first person account of a shipwreck.  5 sounds, length will vary.

We looked at the examples of things that you found/find funny.  We used them to connect to many of the comedy terms defined today:

Comedy Terms in Shakespeare:

 

Verbal Irony - Occurs when the actual meaning is different from the stated meaning.

 

 

Dramatic Irony - Occurs when the reader knows something about present or future circumstances that the character in the story does not know.

 

 

Situational Irony - Occurs when the outcome of the story turns out to be different from what the audience expected.

 

 

Oxymoron - Occurs when words, terms, or expressions appear to be self-contradicting.

 

 

 

Juxtaposition – placing two things side-by-side for the purpose of showing comparison and/or contrast

 

 

Comic Relief - A comical element/situation that relieves the emotional tension in a story.

 

 

Malapropism - The misuse of a word.

 

Slapstick Comedy – Type of comedy that stresses ridiculousness and horseplay.

 

 

 Pun –  a play on words that sound the same but that have different meanings.

HW:  Please read Act I, sc 1-2

 

 

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

Journal prompt #12:  If you could go back in time and change three things, what would you change?  What would be the direct and indirect result of this change?          1pg

We finished Great Expectations and talked about your impression of the story.

We read/acted out act III.  We will be finishing the play Thursday and taking a test on it this Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today
Journal #11:
Please describe your experience with reading/acting Shakespeare.  What did you enjoy?  What did you hate?  1/2 page.

I introduced you to Shakespeare.

We ended looking at the most popular insults in his plays.  I paired each of you up and we read an insult to the other person.

HW:  No formal HW during our time with Macbeth.  We will be doing to play entirely in class.

Wos:

Today:
I collected your Grief papers.

I collected your Hamlet text.

I passed out our next play- The Twelfth Night. 
HW:  Please list 5 things in life that make you laugh.  Please feel free to bring in visuals.

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

Journal Prompt #11:  Please describe a moment when you covered up a mistake.  Did it make it better, or worse?  1 Page.

We finished Great Expectations and talked about the play on Thursday.

We started act III

We will be finishing the play this week and will be having a test on All My Sons this Friday.

WOS

Today:
We took the Hamlet test.

Have a great weekend.

Comp Lit. II

Today:

I passed your journals back. 
1/2 the class went to the field trip.  Those that remain were treated to part 2 of the excellent PBS version of Great Expectations.

HW:  Do something outside and enjoy the nice foliage.  :-)  Have a great 4 day weekend!

New R+J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_mdm6SafPM

Brit Lit:

Today.

We took the unit test.  Please see me if you were absent to make this up asap.

WOS:

Today:

We had an exciting conclusion to our review game from yesterday.  A noble effort. 
You won the last lock in: A three day extension on a major paper/project.  This can be used any time this semester.

I went over the format of the test.

We watched some more of Mel Gibson's version of Hamlet.

HW:  Please study for the test on Thursday.  You may bring in a page to help you on the essay questions.

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

We started class looking at Arthur Miller's FBI record. 
We watched two clips:  How to spot a Commie, And a 10 minute documentary on The Red Scare and Hollywood.

We had a discussion about how time has the tendency to sometimes make the picture more clear.  We talked about Miller went from plotting communist, to being honored by President Clinton before he died.

We finished Act II.  I suggested that all of Miller's play end with a bang at the end of act 2.  We looked at how All My Sons does this as well.

HW:  Please complete the 10 examples of symbolism worksheet from Act I-II.  For each object, please clearly define what it is a symbol of.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We played a review game for the test.

After lunch we broke into study groups.  You may use one page, single side, of notes during the last 2 minutes of the test.

I gave you the essay question.

HW:  Please study for the test.

WOS:

Today:
We reviewed the end of the play.  We talked about your opinion of the final scene.

I gave you a fake Hamlet facebook page.  I asked you to make a page for one of the characters in the play, and write 10 posts on their wall.  I collected these.

I read to you the essay questions on the test.  You may bring in one page (front and back) to assist you in answering the essays.

We played Who wants to Win a Pizza Party.  As we ran out of time, we will finish playing the review game on Wed. and move the test to Thursday.

HW:  Please work on your paper.  This is due the Tuesday that we get back.

Lit. Comp. II:

Today:

We went over your reading assignments that I gave you for HW.

We defined symbolism.

We looked at The Sick Rose by William Blake.
I asked you to identify the symbols in the poem.
I asked each of you to define the 5-6 identified words that could be used to represent a bigger idea.  I collected these

We worked on Act II in class.

No HW this evening.  Enjoy the night off

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected your assignment for the Sir Gawain Video game manual.  These are on time if received by 3pm today.  10 points for each day late.

We began our review for the unit exam.

I broke you into groups of 2 and asked you to write 20 multiple choice review questions.  As a review, here is what we have covered:

The Oral tradition
The seafarer
The Hero's Quest
Beowulf
Ballads:  Sir Patrick Spens, Get Up and Bar the Door, Twa Corbies, Barbara Allen.
Canterbury Tales
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Everyman
Morality Plays
Characterization.

On Tuesday we will be playing a review game called, Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.  I will also be giving you the essay questions to allow you to prep/study for them.

Wed. Test.

WOS:

Today:
We looked at the formula for act V in a Shakespeare tragedy.
We finished working on our grief assignment outline.

I assigned the following paper:

Hamlet: Grief Session

Directions:  You are a psychiatrist and have begun counseling a new patient recently.  In a 250 word, one page typed paper, please file a report on your findings.  Please use specific examples from Acts 1-4 to support you end recommendations.  You are required to look at all of his soliloquies and dialogue, which should be used as direct conversations given in his therapy sessions.

 

Please follow the following rubric:
 

1.)  Start with an opening paragraph which needs to state your overall opinion of Hamlet’s mental state.                                                                           20 points

 

2.)  In your body, please detail 4 examples which support your thesis.   

40 points

 

3.)  Please end with a final paragraph restating your diagnosis.  Please end your report with your recommendations.                                                                        20 points

 

4.)  Paper is typed, with proper grammar and punctuation                 20 points     


We read act V. 

HW:  Please finish the play for HW.  Expect a quiz.
   

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

We started class watching a 3 minute video/cartoon outlining the American Dream.
We had a class discussion on whether the American Dream is still obtainable.

We did a short writing assignment:  Please describe how you family fits into the American Dream.    1 pg.

We looked at a character sketches for a real production of All My Sons. 

I broke you into 4 groups and assigned you the task of performing a part of act 1 in front of the class.
We performed these and I collected your script.

I passed out an outside reading packet.  Please read the following for HW:
New York Times article on All My Sons, Feb. 23, 1947
American Industry during WWII
Curtailing War Profits
Aircrafts produced during WWII
The Truman Committee
Miller's Inspiration for All My Sons.

Morality Play Rap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHzIE-GV_as

Sir Gawain, orig. printing

Brit Lit:

Today:

I broke you into 5 groups and tasked you with writing a modern morality/miracle play.  They had to include the following:

10 Characters that have no real description, but are identified by just their name.  These could be connected to a virtue, a sin, or something associated with the basic idea of good vs. evil.

The point of the story to save ones soul.

2 pages (on sheet/ front and back)

Must connect to the modern world.

Extra credit to perform these after lunch.

Wos

Today:

We reviewed act III and I answered your questions.
We took a quiz on act III.

We looked at the lines between Gertrude and Hamlet and had a discussion on wether the lines suggest the interpretation by some that she is suggesting a physical relationship with her son (gross, I know...)

We read act IV.  We looked at the two missing words in Claudius dialogue.  I asked you to submit two words that not only fir the scene, but would dramatically change the scene.

HW:  Please finish act IV.  On Friday, we will be playing a small review game called Three strikes and you get a quiz.  The aim is to avoid a quiz by having everyone read.  So read!  You don't want to be the kid that strikes out and forces a quiz on the class.

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

I passed back your Animal Farm tests.  Great job everyone!  Average class grade on these = 87.

We finished act I in All My Sons.

We had a good discussion on hiding the truth to protect people.  Should we always be honest, or are there things in life that are so dark, they are best to cover up?  How does this connect to the American Dream?

Sir Gawain

Brit Lit.

Today:

We went to the computer lab for the first 30 min to research 14th c weaponry.  This will be a part of your video game project.  This is due Monday.

After lunch, we finished reading Everyman.

We defined morality plays.

HW:  Please work on your Video game manual for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

WOS:

Today:
We started off class looking at the art of a break-up letter.  I asked you each to write a one page break up letter from Hamlet to Ophelia, or from Ophelia to Hamlet.  I asked you to use words and phrases that we discussed on the Shakespeare insult list.

We then had one person sit on the stool, while 3 people circle them reading each of the sentences of their letter.

We acted out the Mouse Trap play in act 3, focusing in on how the King and Queen would have looked on stage reacting to the play.

We looked at the ample stage direction, which is unusual.

We discussed if this scene proves or disproves Hamlets madness.

HW:  Please finish act III.  Please expect a quiz.

Lit. Comp. II

Today:

We defined the American Dream and had a class discussion if this dream still exists.
We acted out Act 1 in All My Sons.
I collected journals #1-10
I broke you into 5 groups and asked you to draw a character sketch for: Keller, Mother, Chris, Jim and Sue.

Tomorrow I will be showing you some sketches from an actual production of the play.

Welcome!

It was very nice to meet all of you today. I am looking forward to a great year! B Block: Please read Ch 1 in Shakespeare Alive! A and C Block- No HW See you Thursday!

Taming of the Shrew 2013

WOS

Have a warm, restful Summer Tantasqua!

WOS:

Taming of the Shrew....it is a wrap!  We finalized our class production of our final project.  I will post your movie on the blog once the editing is finalized.  I can't wait to see the final product!

Great job guys!

We broke into small groups to review/study for the final.  Reminder, you may bring in one page of notes to assist you in answering the final exam essay questions.

You will take your final this Monday.

Good luck, and thanks for being such a fun class.  I had a blast teaching you!

Brit Lit:

Today your Ghost story assignment was due.  I passed out the rubrics for the grade, and we identified the 5 allusions within your paper.  On the last page I also asked you to list each allusion and explain the specific reference, and how this directly contributed to your story.

A completed assignment consists of the following:
Assignment Rubric
4 page ghost story
Allusion menu, with 10 original allusions.
Original Storyboard

I answered any final questions that you may have had on the final Exam.  A Block takes their exam Friday, D Block on Monday.

I gave out term grades, and your final average before the final exam grade.  Reminder:  You final exam grade count towards 10% of your final year end grade.

As always in life, try and end each stage with greatness....

WOS:

We worked on filming/editing the modern parody of The Taming of the Shrew today.

Brit Lit:

We continued reviewing for the Final.

We read a NYT article on allusions.

We watched 4 examples of Shakespeare allusions in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

We moved the due date of your ghost stories/allusion assignment to this Thursday. 

 I will be afterschool today if anyone would like to review for the final or make up any last minute missing assignments.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We defined allusion and looked at some Shakespeare examples that were used in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I asked you to list 10 of your own.  5 of these must be used in your ghost story.

We worked on the first draft of your story.  Final draft due Wed.

I passed out a review packet for your final exam.  Please start to look this over and study.

WOS:

Today, we continued filming your parody of the play, The Taming of the Shrew.  Reminder, this is due Friday- so keep it up!

We completed peer reviews on your classmates.

We began to review for the final next Monday.  Please use the following review sheet:

The World of Shakespeare: Final Exam Review Sheet 2013




We read the following: Othello, Hamlet, The Tempest, The Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, sonnets.



The following prompts are possible questions to consider (hint, hint):



#1 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. Examine how 4 characters other than Othello are directly, or indirectly responsible for the tragic ending.



#2 Please explain the ending of the 12th Night. Did true love prevail? Were you satisfied with the ending? Why or Why not? Please use specific details in your response.



#3 Talk about what makes a Shakespearean tragedy. Please examine one tragedy in your study group and discuss how it fits the definition.



#4 Please define the following literary devices that Shakespeare uses:

Alliteration, simile, metaphor, reversed word, reversed sentence construction, classical allusion, personification, suspension of disbelief, aside, using language to show class and status in the play. You should have three examples of each term and be ready to explain how they are used.



#5 Character can be defined by how one handles power. Look at 3 characters and discuss how well they handled power.



#6 Discuss the use of comedy in his plays. What ideas and specific plays hold up well and still make us laugh. Please use 3 specific scenes in your discussions.



7. Love, and the quest for love are important themes in many of Shakespeare’s plays. Please examine three relationships and explain in detail how they played out in specific detail using the 3 of the following plays: The 12th Night, Hamlet, Othello.



#8 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. Be prepared to write an original sonnet about this class that follows the rules and rhyme pattern of a sonnet. You might wish to write this before the exam and have it on your page of notes.