Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We found your old journals and I explain how these will be used, as well as my expectations.

Journal Prompt #1:  Please describe a lie that was told so much that it became the truth.  This can be connected to you, a family member, or another person that you do not know.
CP/CPA 1/2 page.    H= 1 page

We looked at Arthur Miller and the structure of a three act play.

We read an essay about his FBI files that were released under the Freedom of Information Act in 1996.

We assigned parts and began the play.  We continued to look at his characterization and American themes.

Welcome!

It was very nice to meet you all today.  I am looking forward to our experience together this year.

Favorite Poem Project 2013

Crazy about Shakespeare!

Serious about Shakespeare

Thank You.

Brit Lit:

Last day to prep for the final.

HW:  Study and prep your one page of notes/examples on the final.

WOS:

Thank you for the nice card.  I will always remember you as a class.  It is what teaching is all about.  Thanks for reminding me. :-)

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We completed watching A Midsummer Nights Dream.  I am glad that we had this unexpected day.  I felt bad that we ran out of time.

We looked at the 4 essay prompts on the final.

HW:  Study for your final, and as always, end in greatness...

Brit Lit:

I passed back a bunch of old assignments.

We broke into groups and worked on generating solid examples for the final exam.

WOS:

We finished your Sonnet Projects.

We reviewed for the final.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

We finished up A Midsummer Nights Dream.

I passed back old assignments.

I gave you a review sheet for the final.

Please also consider the following essay prompts:

1.      Of the literature you’ve read in this class, which book, novel, poem or play had the strongest influence on you?  Explain why.  Be sure to include a brief synopsis of the piece, the names of characters, and specific scenes that interested you.

                       

-          Animal Farm by George Orwell

-          All My Sons by Arthur Miller

-          Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

-          Lord of the Flies by William Golding

-          A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

 

 

2.   Please examine the narration in 2-3 of the books that we read in class.  How did the narration effect your connection with the story?  Please use specific examples.

 

    

3.      It is said that if you ever wish to see a persons true character, you only need to give them a little power and see how the handle it.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Please look at three characters, from 3 different novels/plays that abused their power.  Please make sure that you provide solid examples for each.

 

4.       Please write a one page letter to future students taking this class.  What advice would you give them?  What projects were your favorites?

 

Brit Lit:

Today:

I shared information on the new 1984 movie that is being filmed.  Let's home it is not as horrible as it sounds.  A romantic 1984 love story?  Yikes.  I thought they ruined Gatsby last year....

We read the short story Shooting an Elephant by Orwell.  We looked at his experience in India and discussed how it shaped his writing.  We also looked at power and tried to understand why it is to be feared.

I passed out the review sheet for your final and gave you 25 minutes in small study groups to begin to but these together.  You may use one page of notes to help you remember the examples.  Please make sure you have specific examples, not broad statements.

One of you left an iphone charging in the back of my room.  It is safe locked in my desk.

WOS:

Today:

We had day 2 of your sonnet presentations.  These continued to be outstanding.  We will finish these on Tuesday.  Thank you for ending with greatness. :-)

HW: Begin to study for the final using the review sheet given to you Thursday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished Act II

I embarrassed myself performing Oberon as the voice of Barney.

I collected your poetry videos/projects.  If you did not pass this in, please be reminded that you lose 10 points each day.  If you email this to me before 5pm today, it will still be on time.

I gave you a quiz on Act I + II.

I posted a review sheet for the final below.

Comp. Lit. II:

Review sheet for Final Exam:

Questions from the 4 pieces of Literature we read:

1. George Orwell’s    Animal Farm
2. J.D. Salinger’s   The Catcher in the Rye
3. William Shakespeare’s   “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
4. William Golding’s  Lord of the Flies

POETRY/ Lit. Terms:
Allusion –

Metrical feet/ Metrical Lines –

Rhyming Couplets –

Metaphor –

Simile –

 

READING COMPREHENSION:
Protagonist

Antagonist

Theme

Plot

Setting

Climax

Characterization

Point of View – (1^st person, 3^rd person, Omniscient)

Symbolism

Allegory

Satire

 

Shakespeare:

Reversed Word

Reversed Thought

Metaphor

Simile

Personification

Alliteration

 

The World of Shakespeare: Final Exam Review Sheet 2013

 

We read/acted the following:  Othello, Hamlet, The Tempest, The Twelfth Night, 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 12^th 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 Shakespearian 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 12^th 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.

 

 

Brit Lit:

Today:

We looked at the concept of 2+2=5.  We looked at conditioning and how we are controlled by many false truths. 

We watched a short clip from the movie Cool Hand Luke.  In this scene, Paul Newman is forced to dig and re-dig a hole to break him and control his thoughts.

We reviewed your reading from last night.  We looked at the character of Julia and discussed her role in the novel.

We took a quiz on your reading.

Writing prompt:  Write Julia's confession.  We then swapped these and you became Big Brother.  Based on this confession, what would her punishment be?

HW:  Please finish the novel.

WOS:

Today:

I gave you 30 minutes to fine tune and finish your presentations.

We closed our look at the sonnets reading and discussing the structure and meaning of 3.

HW: Sonnet Project.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Introduction to Shakespeare.

We talked about why this is still important.

We cast and acted out act I

HW:  Poetry project.

Active vs. Passive voice:

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/active-voice-versus-passive-voice?page=all

Brit Lit:

Today:
The first 10 minutes were given to finish up on finding examples of the lit terms that I gave you yesterday.  This is a part of your final exam- so please make sure that you understand the terms, and can explain how each is used.

I asked you to describe what your room 101 would be like.  What are your greatest fears?

We reviewed your reading of the essay: Politics and the English Language.

We summarized:
Never use a common metaphor, simile, or figure of speech
Never use long words when short ones will do.
If it is possible to cut, cut.
Never use a passive voice when you can use the active.
Never use a scientific word or jargon f you can't think of a everyday equivalent

We reviewed your reading.

We took a quiz on your reading.

I passed back your poetry projects.  Great job on those.  I greatly enjoyed reading these..

WOS:

Day 2 of 2 work days on your Sonnet Movie Project.  These are due Thursday.

Here is how you should add music to your PowerPoint so that it plays on ANY computer:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/demo-add-music-to-a-presentation-HA010095060.aspx

Please make sure that you test this before you present it on Thursday.

I will be afterschool Wed. for anyone needing more time on their Othello exam.

HW:  Please finish projects.

Comp. Lit. II:

You voted to use your free class period that I owed you from our last review game.  Be ready to rock Wed.- we have a ton to do...

I passed back your Catcher in the Rye Test.

HW:  Please work on your Poetry project and study the notes that I gave you.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started looking at a letter that Orwell wrote exploring many of the themes and ideas that ended up the next year in 1984:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/08/12/george-orwell-s-letter-on-why-he-wrote-1984.html

I broke you into groups and asked you to make a newspeak version that twists the article that I gave you on jobs and the economy.  We shared these.

We broke into groups and completed the following:

Characterization

--Method used to reveal/describe characters and their traits

Foreshadowing

--Hints of future events

*Irony

--Verbal--narrator/character says one thing, means another

--Dramatic--reader/audience knows things characters do not

--Situational--great difference between purpose of an action and the result

*Satire

--Author’s tone used to ridicule human/societal vice and/or weakness with

intent of causing change

*Paradox

--Statement that seems contrary to common sense yet may be true

War is Peace; Ignorance is Strength; Freedom is Slavery

Symbolism

--Representation of a concept/idea by an object

Metaphor

--Comparison/relationship between two things without using "like"/"as"

Flashback

--Returning to earlier time in order to something in the present clearer

Themes (these must be defined within the terms of the text)

*Totalitarianism

*Freedom vs. Absence of Freedom

*Individualism vs. Conformity

Note: 1984 was written in 1948, three years after the conclusion of WWII.

 

Directions:  Please break into small study groups and give examples of the above terms from pgs 1-122.  you will have 2 days to complete if needed.  The above terms will also be part of you final test on the novel- so please keep this sheet to study from.

 

 

 

 

HW:  Please read the article that I gave you, and up to pg 239 in 1984.

WOS:

Today:

We lost 1/2 the class due to the assembly.  We moved the planned activity (Shakespeare remix) to Wed.  Those of you that were left went to the computer lab to work on you sonnet project.

HW:  Please continue work on your projects.  These continue to be due on Thursday.  We will have our last work day tomorrow- so please have everything needed to complete these and make good use of the time.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We looked at the use of the audio from The Dead Poets Society featured in the new Apple ad airing on TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiyIcz7wUH0
 Specifically, we looked at the following poem:

     

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,

Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,

Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

                                       Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity,

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

 

I gave you notes on the remaining poetry terms.  We agreed to not have a separate poetry exam due to the limited time that we have left.  This will now be included on the final exam/

 

I collected any remaining journals.

 

I passed out copies of Midsummer Nights Dream.

 

I gave you three poems and asked you to identify the end rhyme, foot and meter.  We will go over this on Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Journal prompt:  As of pg. 185, many of the truths that we cling to in this world, are false.  What three things do you think are fake.  Please consider relationships, technologies and plot.  1 pg.

We reviewed your reading.

We finished Blade Runner and had a discussion as to why we enjoy dystopian worlds.

We finished our debate on censorship and government surveillance.  It was a tie- so dum-dums all around....

I gave you an essay from 1943 on Politics and the English Language.  We will be looking at this Monday- so please bring this to class.

Comp. Lit. II Alt. Assignment

Poetry Project 2013:

For this assignment, you will be making a poetry book with the following requirements:

Cover Page:  A cover that in a creative way invites the reader into you project.

Table of Contents:  List each section of poetry book

Section 1  Poet Bio:  Please research a poet that we read and give a one page bio about them. Please be aware of plagiarism, and make sure this is your own words.

Section 2  Poem Analysis:  Please write a detailed analysis on one of the poems that we read in class.  Please base this on the following:

Meter/foot

End Rhyme pattern

What is the poem about?

Section 3: Original Poem  Please write an original poem on any of the themes that we discussed during the poetry unit. Min 10 lines.  No max.

Section 4:  Favorite Song Lyric  Please Type out the lyrics of your favorite song.  These should be lyrics that you love- not the music.  Please include a paragraph at the end that explains your connection to the lyrics.

Section 5:Your Favorite Poem  Please type out the lines to your favorite poem.  This does not have to be British, but needs to have been published.  Please include a 3-5 sentence explanation as to why this is your favorite at the end.

Section 6  Evaluation of project  Please include a brief 3-5 sentence evaluation of the project.  What did you like/dislike?

Due Date:_________________

WOS:

Today:

I gave you day 1 of 2 workdays on your sonnet movie project.  These are now due next Thursday.

If you do not have PowerPoint on your computer at home, openoffice.org is a free download for all platforms and will let you open edit and save as a PowerPoint project.  Did I mention that it is free?  Free is always good...

We gave Mr. Metz his Yankee jacket and communist hat that he needs to wear for the day as part of his lost bet with us before the break.  Thanks you Mr. Metz for being a good sport!  I know wearing both was not easy for you....Movies and pictures to follow....

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
We started class looking at examples of the Favorite Poem Project from last year.

We also watched a few additional ones from the series.

I assigned the project and gave you a sheet detailing the requirements.  To those interested in the alternative assignment, it will be posted here tonight.

We ended class looking at the poems referenced in Dead Poets Society.

HW:  Begin to record and work on your video portion of the project.  These are due by next Friday, but I would love to get them earlier so that I can begin editing them together.

Lost Bet....

Sample of Project from last year...

Favorite Poem Project

http://www.favoritepoem.org/project.html

Brit Lit:

We discussed the article that I gave you to read for HW last night on doublespeak.  We looked at specific examples of how we are manipulated by people through language.

We went over the rules of Newspeak.  We translated terms into newspeak and shared them.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to re-write an article from yesterday on the us pullout of Iraq.  You were asked to re-write this like you were a proof reader in the world of 1984.

We shared your revisions.

We had the final round of your debate on censorship and surveillance. 

New Class rule

WOS:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Please write a sonnet based on the theme of death.

We shared these.  Many were quite powerful.  Remember, truth and honesty always force incredible writing.  This is true for poetry as well.

I tried to lighten the mood with a comic 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.

 

I showed examples of the sonnet movie project.  We will have Friday and Monday as work days for this project.  Please have anything needed to complete these.  These are due next Wed.

 

HW:  Make sure you have a sonnet selected that you connect to.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
Journal Prompt #34:  Headline poem.  Cut out 25 words from the magazine that you were given and build a poem around these words.  Min= 15 lines.  Please use three examples of alliteration.

I introduced you to the favorite poem project.  We watched three examples.

I gave you notes on meter and foot.  Please begin studying and understanding these terms.  They will be part of your poetry test.

HW:  Please get your journals up to date.  I will be collecting and grading prompts 21-34 Friday and Monday

Brit Lit:

Today:  We debated censorship and surveillance:

1984:  The Debate

 

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

 

Side One:  Government censorship and surveillance are both needed to protect our freedom and safety. 

Side 2: Censorship and spying on American Citizens’ are both wrong and counter our basic fundamental rights as Americans.

 

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.

 

WOS:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please use the rules that we discussed and write a Shakespearian sonnet on the theme of love.

We watched the last 10 minutes of Shakespeare High

I gave you intro notes on the sonnets.

I assigned the Sonnet Movie Project:

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

 

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #32:  What do you think about poetry?  Have you ever used poetry in your life outside of school?  If you dislike poetry or are frustrated by it, why?  1/2 page.

Reminder I will collect these again on Friday after journal prompt #35.

We finished Dead Poets (or close to it).

HW:  Please make sure that you have song lyrics that are meaningful to you.  No excuses!

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

We exchanged secret santa gifts.

We watched parts of the movie Blade Runner to tie in with our look at Dystopian fiction and film.

I collected your Poetry Projects.  If you did not pass one in, your loose 10 points and they are expected on Jan. 2.

No HW over break.  Thanks for your hard work this week.  Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year....be safe.

WOS:

We exchanged secret santa gifts and put a fake log on the you tube fire.

We one a close game against Mr. Metz.  I am looking forward to seeing him wear a Yankee hat in Communist garb....

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We shared your secret santa gifts.  Thank you for participating.

We each shared the poem that you brought in and explained why you chose it.  Please hold onto these, as we will be working with them when we get back.

No HW- get some rest and spend time with your friends and family.

Brit Lit:

Today:
We discussed dystopian fiction/film

We reviewed pgs 75-104
We played three strikes and you get a quiz
We began Blade Runner

HW:  Please finish your poetry project.

WOS:

Finish Othello test (essay only)
Collect plays

The Sonnets:
Intro notes
share your selected sonnet
Assign Sonnet Project

Tomorrow: Metz vs. Q6 in the history holiday show-down.  Make me proud....

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Finish Catcher test (essay only)

Collect books
Share the poem that you brought in and explain why you picked it.

Begin Dead Poets Society

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  What things are different in the world of 1984?  Please describe 5 examples that effect the tone of the novel.     1/2 page.

We reviewed your reading and began to look at this world.

We took a quiz on pgs 1-43.

HW:  Please read 43-75 for tonight.  Expect daily quizzes- so please read.

WOS:

We finished the movie O.

We began our review of the play in prep for the test.

We fill finish the review game on Wed. and take the test as time permits.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  You are Holden's doctor at the end of the novel.  Please write your professional advice for him based on him just telling you this story.  What would you recommend him working on to get healthy?  H= 1 pg, CPA/CP=1/2 page.

We played the first round of the review game.

We will continue the review game tomorrow and take the test is time allows.

HW:  Enjoy the snow.

Brit Lit.:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Does recent NSA revelations make you feel safer?  If this does keep us safe, is it worth giving up your personal privacy?  Is there anything off limits?  1 pg.

We looked at the 1984 Apple commercial.  I had two worksheets that we used to do an analysis.

I gave you an article on the term Orwellian.

HW:  Please read to pg 43.

WOS:

We watched the movie O.
HW:  Please look over the play.  Review.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:
Journal Prompt: Imagine that you write for a ultra-conservative newspaper.  Please write a one pg. letter as to why Catcher in the Rye should not be taught in school.  Please make sure to include specific reasons.  1 pg.

Secret Santa for this Friday.

Toys for tots.

We looked at Symbolism in the novel.

I broke you into small groups and had each group make 20 multiple choice questions in review of the novel.

HW:  Finish book tonight.

Project Purple Video

Proud of you guys!

WHDH-TV 7News Boston

1984 1st page edit....

Brit Lit:

Journal Prompt:  Imagine a world 40 year's in the future.  Please describe what the world will be like with a focus on: Gov., wealth, health, tech., religion, politics, and social issues.  2 pages.

We defined Dystopian Fiction.
We defined it as:
Opposite of Utopian fiction
Set in future
totalitarian government
Pollution
Social collapse
Dark tones

I passed on 1984.

HW:  Please read pgs 1-15.

Wos:

We watched the movie for Othello and had a solid class discussion on what you thought of the interpretation.

I passed out permission forms for the movie O.  We will be watching this on Monday.  Please discuss this with your parent/guardian this weekend.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please imagine that you can be any person for one day.  From their point of view, explain your day.     1pg.

I read the 4 best Write like Holden papers.

We reviewed ch 22-24.

You wrote 10 questions for a quiz based on your reading last night.  One question needed to be a higher level thinking question not based on factual comprehension.

You gave your quiz to another person in class.

You collected and corrected your quiz, and passed it back.  Isn't being a teacher great fun....

Brit Lit.

Day 3 of 3 to work on your poetry booklets.

Tomorrow, 1984.

Wos:

We watched your silent films from yesterday.

We finished the play: Act V, sc 2

HW:  Please look over the play and get ready for the test early next week.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  You are a friend of Holden's and are getting tired of him always complaining.  Please write a one page letter to Holden that addresses his complaining and negative attitude towards everything.    1 pg.

We reviewed ch 21-22

We discussed the origin of the title and looked at the lyrics to the original song.  I may have rapped it.

We broke into 5 groups and looked at: Religion, education, money, death, phonies.  You listed 5 examples of each and how each are used in the novel.

HW:  Please read ch 23-24.

Shakespeare Silent Movies

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took your new-fallen snow poems and made unique snowflakes.  We made an offering to the snow Gods.  If you all did it, we should have a snow day within 2 weeks.

We looked at the poetry of Wordsworth.

We decided instead of a poetry test, we would use you poetry project as a final assessment for the unit.

HW:  Work on your poetry project.  You will have one final day in the lab on Thursday to work on this.

WOS:

Today:
I introduced you to silent films.  We looked at an example from 1916- right at the dawning of cinema.  We looked at it as an art form and identified characteristics.

I broke you into groups based on your rows and had you show act 5 sc 1 as a silent film.  You were asked to identify the ten things that happened that were important and show them.  I filmed them in BW on my phone and will share on the blog tonight after I add music and effects.

We read act 5 sc2 up to the death of Desdemona.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Please create a 10 song playlist for Holden Caufield and write a one page letter to him explaining the song selection and why you picked those songs for him.

We played Three Strikes and We Quiz!  You were able to get a person home and avoid the quiz.  For those of you not reading- READ!

We discussed texting and the idea that less is more in writing.  I broke you into groups of two and asked you to condense Holden's thought into a txt, or tweet.

HW:  Please read ch 21-22.

Brit Lit:

Today: 
Journal Prompt:  Please write a 10-15 line poem on: The first snowfall of the year.  I encouraged you to look at the window this morning for inspiration.

We went to the computer lab for day 2 of your poetry project.

HW:  Begin work on your poetry projects.

WOS:

Today:
Journal Prompt:  Please describe a time when jealousy destroyed a relationship.  1 pg.

Othello, the Talk Show.  I let you pick your own groups and create ten questions for the premise of a talk show.

We acted these out.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:
Journal Prompt:  Please cast the top ten characters from Catcher with modern actors.  This can be a list, but please explain why you selected each person for the role.

We reviewed your reading from last night.

We took a quiz on ch 14-17

We broke into small groups and did Catcher in the Rye Theater Part 2.  Each group selected a scene from the novel and acted it out in front of the class.

HW:  Please read ch 18-20

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please write a 15-20 line original poem that asks questions. Please answer these within your last 2 lines.

I assigned your poetry Project:

Poetry Project 2013:

For this assignment, you will be making a poetry book with the following requirements:

Cover Page:  A cover that in a creative way invites the reader into you project.

Table of Contents:  List each section of poetry book

Section 1  Poet Bio:  Please research a poet that we read and give a one page bio about them. Please be aware of plagiarism, and make sure this is your own words.

Section 2  Poem Analysis:  Please write a detailed analysis on one of the poems that we read in class.  Please base this on the following:

Meter/foot

End Rhyme pattern

What is the poem about?

Section 3: Original Poem  Please write an original poem on any of the themes that we discussed during the poetry unit. Min 10 lines.  No max.

Section 4:  Favorite Song Lyric  Please Type out the lyrics of your favorite song.  These should be lyrics that you love- not the music.  Please include a paragraph at the end that explains your connection to the lyrics.

Section 5:Your Favorite Poem  Please type out the lines to your favorite poem.  This does not have to be British, but needs to have been published.  Please include a 3-5 sentence explanation as to why this is your favorite at the end.

Section 6  Evaluation of project  Please include a brief 3-5 sentence evaluation of the project.  What did you like/dislike?

WOS:

Today:

We started off class watching a 10 minute video on deception in the play.  This can be viewed here:
http://www.folger.edu/Content/Teach-and-Learn/Teaching-Resources/Audio--Video/Insiders-Guide/Othello-Insiders-Guide.cfm

I broke you into group and had you select and modernize any scene from Othello.

HW: Please review act IV for HW and finish if you did not already do so,

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please write the next page in the novel.  Please also write down the pg. # so that I know where this should be.                                                 1 page.

I broke you into small groups and had you write names for each chapter, with a brief 2-3 sentence explanation as to why you selected the name.

HW:  Please read ch 15-17.  Quiz Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We looked at the poetry of Yeats and Keats.  I shared some of my favorites with you.

Journal Prompt:  Please describe a book/movie/play that has changed your life in some way.  1 pg.

We looked at John Keats, and specifically a few sonnets that he wrote that were influenced by other things that he read.

We discussed how art can influence life.

WOS:

Today:

I collected your take home quiz on act III.  I went over the questions that some of you struggled on.

Journal Prompt:  Please write a one page movie review on the version of Othello that you watched yesterday with the sub.  How well did it follow the play?  What did you like/dislike?  1 page.

We acted out act 4 sc1-3.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We looked at the similarities between Holden and Ferris B.
Journal Prompt:  Please compare/contrast Catcher in the Rye to Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Please discuss 8 of the 10 points that I gave you.

HW:  Please read ch 15.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We looked at poetry by William Blake, the poet that saw God at age 4.
We defined symbolism and looked at how it is used in poetry.

We looked for examples of the terms that we defined yesterday in the poetry that we have read.

WOS:

Today:

We started off sharing the poems that you wrote yesterday.

We decorated the holiday shrub.

We exchanged names for Secret Shakespeare.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to give examples for the different stages of Othello's mind.

We looked at a brief video examining deception in the play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1HoEfPN-i0

We reviewed act III.

We took a quiz on Act III.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
We typed our final draft of your Write Like Holden paper.

We reviewed your reading from last night.

I introduced the assignment for Wed:

Holden vs. Ferris Bueller

             We are going to watch the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in class- one of my personal favorites.   The movie deals with characters that all have a bit of Holden in them; in particular the characters of Ferris and Cameron.  You assignment at the end of the film is to compare Holden to these two characters.  Please consider the following during the movie.  This will help you compare the two when you write your essays.

 
1.)  Escapism:  Skipping school vs. getting kicked out of school.  How are these similar?

 2.)  Hidden character traits.  Are Holden and Ferris/Cameron the same deep down?

 3.)  Suicidal Tendencies:  Holden and Cameron both have them....

 4.)  Holden’s relationship with his sister vs. Ferris’ relationship with his girlfriend.  How do they hold the characters to reality?

 5.)  Humor:  How do Holden and Ferris share the same sense of humor?

 6.)  Making believe that they are someone else:  How do both Holden and Ferris use different identities to their benefit?

 7.)  Loneliness:  Holden and Cameron both feel like they are looking at the world from the outside.  Please explain how.

 8.)  Parental Relationships:  While Ferris has a healthy relationship with his parents, Cameron seems to suffer a cold Father who only cares about cars.  How is this similar to Holden’s situation?

 9.)  Generosity:  How are Holden and Ferris both generous, but in unusual ways?

 10.)  First person narration:  How are both stories similar in the way that they are told?

Brit Lit:

Yesterday (Monday):
We defined the following terms:

Alliteration
Consonance
Assonance
Internal Rhyme

We read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
We looked at pop culture that has been influenced by the poem.

I gave you a hand-out of pop culture references.

WOS:

Yesterday (Monday) we:

Took notes on the definition of a Shakespearian sonnet.

We made small pocket sonnets to decorate or holiday shrub.

HW:  Please finish Act III in Othello.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We started with journal prompt #22:  Please describe your thanksgiving from Holden's point of view, in 1st person.

We worked on your first draft/final draft.  You will have Tuesday to finish these.

We talked about the big news over the break in the lit. world- the leaked copies of three previously unpublished stories from Salinger.  You can read about it here:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/showbiz/salinger-unpublished-stories/index.html

HW:  Please read CH 12-14.