Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished your group presentations.

We took a quiz on the presentations/reading from last night.

I assigned the following:

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: the Video Game

Assignment: You work for a small indie video game company, and have just purchased the publishing rights for a new video game based on the story. Please design a manual that will explain how the game is played. You will be graded on the following rubrics:


1.) A cover that has the title of your game and cover art for the game.

10 points

2.) Weapons page. Detailing at least 5 weapons that you have researched from the 14th century. Please include a picture and detailed 3 sent description for each.  These need to be in your own words.
20 Points

3.) Intro page, which summarizes the entire story.  250 words min.
20 Points

4.) 10 Levels. For each, please do the following:

Create a title for the level

Give a 5-10 sentence description of the objective of the level.

30 Points

5.) End boss

Include a detailed picture or description, including the one weakness that allows you to destroy the boss and win the game.
20 Points.

 

We went to the lab and researched 14th c weapons and shared.

 

HW:  Read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

 

Comp. Lit. II:

We reviewed your reading (ch7,8,9)

We took a quiz on your reading (A Block)  B Block played three strikes and you quiz and was able to win the game and not take this quiz.

We broke into small groups and found examples of the style/language terms.  We introduced stickies to record examples going forward.

We shared your findings to the class.

I gave those interested a very rare non-circulating story about the Caulfield's The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls (shhhhh.) illegal bootleg literature is fun....  Please share with anyone that loves Catcher.

HW:  Please read ch 10,11,12.  Please use the stickies and record 5 examples and state what it means.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected your journals.

I broke you into you pilgrim groups and we finished our look at characterization- indirect and direct.

1/2 the class was able to present their research.

We will finish the second 1/2 Wed.

Here is the link to the animated Canterbury Tales that the BBC did a few years ago.  See if you character description holds up to how they modeled the clay figures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3zUoNG_P_0

HW:  Please read pgs 91-121 (The Prologue)

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I collected journals #1-10

We discussed ch 4-6.  Specifically we looked at: Holden's inability to connect to people in any way, J.D.Salinger's use of comas and how Holden's red hunting hat is used to help Holden escape.  We talked about escapism and how social media is connected to this same idea.

We took a quiz on CH 4-6

We went over the Lit. Terms from the novel and explained how we would be using stickies to record them.  This will lead us to our first paper.

HW:  Please read ch 7,8,9

Comp. Lit. II:

Today
Journal Prompt #10:  Please describe what you did over vacation.  If you did nothing, please describe the "nothing" in detail.    1 page

We finished the documentary on Salinger.

HW:  Please read ch 4,5,6.

We will have a quiz on your reading Tuesday- so read!

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #10:  Please write the story of you vacation as a ballad from the notes that I gave you before vacation.  Please try and use as many of the characteristics as possible  20 lines min.

We went over the history of the Canterbury Tales.  For those at the Jr. assembly, please get these from me or someone in class.

We looked at the life of Chaucer.

We defined direct and indirect characterization.

I broke you into small groups and gave you two pilgrims to do a character sketch on a giant poster sheet.  We will be presenting these in class on Tuesday.

HW;  Please read pgs. 91-112.  Expect a quiz on reading and presentations. 

Bit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #8:  Is chivalry dead?  If not, please explain what parts still exist.  If it has died- why?  1/2 page

We had a quiz on your reading.

We took notes on Folk Ballads.

We looked at:  Sir Patrick Spens, Get Up and Bar the Door.

HW:  Please bring in the lyrics to a modern folk ballad.  Please try to make sure that it tells a story.  You can write them out- so no printer problems.  If you don't have it when you walk in, it is a zero.

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal #9:  What is the greatest lie that you have ever told?  1/2 page

We looked at the top banned novels.

We discussed ch 1 as well as any reactions from home to you reading this.

We watched the first 1/2 of the Salinger movie.  You had to write 20 things that you learned from the movie.  I collected this and counted it as a quiz.

I collected your symbolism worksheets.

HW:  Please read ch 2-3 in Catcher.  Quiz on Thursday/Friday.

My Favorite Salinger Photo

Brit Lit:

Today:

You had the first 30 minutes to finish your Hero's Journey paper.  Your final draft is due wed.

I introduced Morte d'Arthur

We defined:
Chivalry
Folk Ballads

HW:  Please finish the story (pgs 65-74)

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We took the All My Sons Test

I collected your scripts.
I passed out copies of our next novel.

A Block:  I collected your symbolism HW
C Block:  I assigned this for tonight.

HW:  Please ask an adult about their experience with the next novel, The Catcher in the Rye.  Did they like it?  Were they allowed to read it?  Did it have any impact on them?  Please come ready to share these stories on Wed.

Please read Ch1

Brit Lit:

Today:

I passed back your first two quizzes.  Please see me to make these up this Wed. afterschool.

We shared our drafts and did a peer edit of their paper offering meaningful and directed feedback based on the peer edit form that I gave you.

I gave you a sheet of transitional words.  I three-holed-punched it hoping that some of you will keep this for college.  Transitional words can instantly improve and elevate your writing.  Please use this sheet throughout my course.

We went to the lab to finish your first draft of your Hero's Journey paper.

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal Prompt #8:
What if Larry was sill alive after act 3?  Please write a brief one page 4th act called Larry's Return.  The premise, Larry comes home in the middle of a neighborhood cookout.   1 page

We reviewed for the all essay exam Tuesday.  The questions for review were posted on the blog Friday if you need them.

We broke into small groups and looked at symbolism in the play.  I asked you to generate 10 examples of simple objects that represent a bigger idea.  Please finish these for HW.

I passed back the work that we have done thus far and gave you portfolio folders in which to store your meaningful assignments.  These stay in class, but you are always welcome to take them home overnight.  Please just do not forget them.  At the end of the term we will be reflecting on these in a formal assignment.

Comp. Lit. II Review questions

All My Sons –Study Questions        Questions:   1. Compromise is a theme in the play. Describe the compromise that three of the characters have had to make. What is your opinion of their compromise?    2. Do you think Chris and Ann will be happy together? Give reasons for your     answer based on the play.   3. Larry does not appear in the play but is mentioned. What is his role in the play?   4. What picture do we get of the American society?   5. Why is the play called “All My Sons”? How does the title reflect the human and moral issues of the play?   6. There are two different concepts in the play; on the one hand – idealism, and on the other – practicality. Classify each of the following characters – Chris, Ann, Joe, and Kate according to the above concepts. Do they undergo any change during the course of the play?   7. How do family loyalties conflict with other kinds of responsibilities (to one’s     principles, conscience, society) in this play? Give at least TWO examples.   8. Choose ONE of the following characters:            Joe Keller / Ann Deever / Chris Keller / Kate Keller / Jim Bayliss     a. Give a description of this character.     b. Choose a decision made by this character and state your opinion of it, giving reasons for your opinion.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took a quiz on the medieval period.

We went to the computer lab to type your first draft of your paper.

Your first draft is due this Monday.  On Monday, we will be doing a peer edit. 

Your final draft will be due on Tuesday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

A Block: 
We finished act 2

Pass the Play:  Each row picked a character to write from, and we passed it down your row 4 times.  We shared what you wrote.

We acted out act 3.  We discussed the ending of the play and looked at what life lessons can come from this play.

B Block:
We watched a film version of the play. 

We will be finishing this play this Monday, with a test on Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #7:  Please describe what happened on your snow day.  1 page.

We looked at the next three stages:

Apotheosis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSie9dWEsLs

The Ultimate Boon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwq9SZEQDBg

The Return
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYN5tyI90xo

I checked off and gave you credit for completing the first 10 stages of your outline for your paper.  We had 100% completion on this- thank you.

We went to the lab and researched your movie/story for the last 20 minutes.  Please try and have at least three different opinions.  You do not need to cite these unless your directly quote from them.  We will be working on citation on a future paper.  For this one, it is not needed.

HW Please read pgs 47-62 in your big book.  Please expect a quiz on your reading.  Also, please have everything needed to begin work on your paper.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today

Journal Prompt #7:  Please write a one page story about anything, using two of your five symbols.  Please underline your symbols and at the bottom of your story explain the meaning.  1 page.  Stuck for a story idea?  Write about your snow day.

We finished act 2

We did a round of You Pass the Play.  Each person in the row picked a character and added a line following what you think might happen next.

HW:  Please read 16-21 in the packet that I gave you on Arthur Miller.  Please pick three points that you wish to share.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #6:  Please explain how a song/movie/book has influenced the way that you think or feel.  1/2 page.

We looked at the Hero's Journey stages 6-12.

I gave you an outline for your paper.  Please finish this for HW.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #6:  Please cut out 5 objects from the magazines that you were given.  For each, please explain what it might be a symbol of and WHY.  Please paste these into your journal.  We will be using these for future assignments.

A Block only finished up: You Act the Scene

We defined symbolism and talked about why we connect to symbols and looked at there power and influence.  We looked at Freud and his theories on dreams.

Act II.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #5:  Please write an original hero's journey that follows the stages that we have discussed.      2-3 pages.

We looked at the stages in much greater detail.

We took a quiz on Beowulf.

HW:  Please complete the outline for your Hero's quest paper for Wed..  1st draft is due Friday.  Final, next Monday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #5:  Please describe all of the things that you love/hate about your high school experience.  Please give specific examples.    1 page.

We looked at act I and took a quiz.

We finished You Act the Scene.

We defined Symbolism and looked at examples in life, literature and this play.

http://vimeo.com/79317856

http://vimeo.com/81215616

Brit Lit:

Today:
Journal Prompt #4:  Please consider the monster's point of view.  Write a one page account of what you read last night from the point of view of Grendel.  1/2 page

We talked about your first paper.  Here is what I will be assigning next week:

The Hero’s Quest

Over the last week, we have looked at the classical definition of a hero.  Specifically, we discussed the research and findings of Joseph Campbell.  He believed that mythology was our one single truth as humans, and these stories connected us all in a very deep and spiritual way.

 

In a 4-5 page typed paper, please take a popular movie, play, or novel, and examine how it fits Campbell’s classical definition.  Please use the sheet that I gave you on this.  You may pick any hero that you feel fits this mold, however, here are some suggestions that would work well:  Pinocchio, The Wizard of Oz, Fight Club, Batman Begins, Dumbo, Star Wars (1^st 3), the Matrix, The Lion King, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, The Twilight Series, The Lord of the Rings Series, The Narnia Movies, Alice in Wonderland.

 

Your paper needs to have a clear thesis (a statement that clearly states what you will prove) and you must use solid examples in your body to back up your thesis.

We watched the documentary on this: Finding Joe.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today
Journal Prompt #4:  If you only had 24 hours to live and more was of no consequence, what would you do with your last hours?  Who would you see?  What would your last meal be?  1 Pg.

I broke you into 4 groups and had you act the scene using one mystery prop.

Next week we will be finishing the play and looking closely at symbolism.

Epic Poem Skits

Brit. Lit.

Today: 
Journal Prompt #3: If you could have 3 super powers, what would you choose and how specifically would you use them?       1Pg.

We did your Scops/epic Poem (hero's journey) skit.  We looked at the limitations of this type of storytelling.  We defined both terms

I introduced you to the Hero's Journey.  We watched a few clips to see how this model is used in many popular films and stories.
These can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGV1BvnyvGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg


I gave you a hand out of these stages.

HW:  Please read the sheets that I gave you on the Hero's Journey
Please read Beowulf: Pgs 23-36.  Please expect a quiz on your reading and notes.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #3:  Please write a one page to yourself in 20 years.  Please offer advice as to what your hopes are today for your future as an adult.  Feel free to comment on the future of the world. 
1 pg.

We finished casting for your modern version of All My Sons.  We shared these.

We shared and collected your HW from last night discussing the state of the American Dream.  It was nice to see that most of you still have the optimism that makes our country so strong and hopeful.

We acted out more of the play.

Brit Lit:

Today:
Journal Prompt #2:
What is your definition of a hero?  Who is your hero and why?    1 page

We took a quiz on your reading.

We looked at the Anglo-Saxons and talked about what we know of them.

We defined the pecking order of this society.

We defined Epic Poetry

We defined Scops

I broke you into rows and asked you to but together a hero's quest, told (not sung) by Scops and acted by the group.  I gave you 10 min. to organize these.  We will be performing these tomorrow.

Bonus:  Watch this for the next bonus question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCv7-x91G9k

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
Journal Prompt #2:
Write a one page letter to yourself in the past giving some advice on how to improve a situation.

We worked on finishing act 1

I broke you into small groups and asked you to cast the 5 main characters in the play with modern actors.

HW:  Please describe the American Dream.  Does it still exist in your opinion?  3-5 sentences.

Brit Lit:

Today
We collected your former journals from storage and went over the expectations in my class for these.

Journal Prompt #1:  Please write an original creation story that explains the following:  Life/death, the seasons, night vs. day, good vs. evil
CP/CPA = 1/2 page, H= 1 page.

We defined the characteristics of creation stories:
Often tied to religion
characters are animals/deities/spirits that can transform.
Set in a dim distant past
Answers questions connected to that culture
Filled with symbolism
Not everything is explained- often just happens

I passed around a story, and we re-told it to another student until it worked all the way around the class.  We looked at the final version and talked about the difficulty in the oral tradition.  Most notably, that stories change each time they are re-told.

We talked about the importance of documenting things to preserve the truth.

We read The Seafarer and looked at the surviving lit. of 449.  We looked at the influence that monks had on stories, specifically ho religious overtones found there way into tales.

HW Please read the historical account of this time on pgs 6-15.  Expect a quiz on this and your notes today.

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!