Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I gave you notes on the Russian Revolution.  Please study these for a future quiz.

We wrote down def. for the 10 vocab words.  Matching quiz on Friday.

A Block:
We watched the Orwell doc. and began to answer questions from the quiz that are tied to it.  We will finish the last 10 minutes on Friday.

C Block:
Journal prompt:  Create a made up animal and write a journal from their perspective.  How did they view Old Major's meeting?  What are your thoughts on the farm and Mr. Jones?
H= 1 page,   CPA/CP 1/2 page.

We broke into small groups and created your Utopia or perfect society.

HW:  Study vocab.  B block read CH 2-3.

Brit. Lit:

Today:

I collected the poems that were due today.

We discussed your reading (pgs 1-37) from last night.

We watched a doc on Orwell and took a quiz on the video.

We looked at some of the ways that we are being spied on and talked about the 4th amendment.

HW:  Please read to pg 63.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please write your own fable.  As a reminder from our discussion, these need to be/have:

Short (1/2 page)
Must use animals as characters.
Must state moral or lesson at the end.
Pictures if time.

We watched the final 10 minutes of Dead Poets Society

C Block:We watched a documentary on Orwell and took a quiz on that information
Read Ch 1 for HW

A Block:  HW read CH 2-3 and study vocab words.

Both classes will have a quiz on your reading Thursday.

All Classes:

Journal Prompt (all classes):
What did you do over vacation?  If you did "nothing" please describe the nothingness in fine detail.                                                                                                              1 page

Brit Lit:  We completed looking at your unconscious thoughts and took 15 words generated before vacation and used your conscious brain to but them in the right order and structure a poem around them.

I passed back your Macbeth Projects.

I passed out our next novel, 1984.  If you are at the prom assembly Tuesday, please have read pgs 1-37 for Wed.

I gave you all a copy of the morning paper and asked you to cut out 25 words, with a focus on three examples of alliteration and build a headline poem off these words.

HW: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/multimedia/blackout-poetry.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1

Please complete and print out.

Comp. Lit. II:
We finished DPS
We each received a free copy of the WSJ
We created headline poems using 25 of the words in an original poem.

All classes:

Today:

We reviewed foot and meter.

I collected any poetry video pieces for you project.  A reminder- these are due tonight by 8pm.  If you don't get an email confirmation, I did not get it.

We took a quiz on the poetry terms from your notes this week.

A + C Block watched the first part of the movie Dead Poets Society

B Block wrote from their unconscious mind and did some dream catching.  Please hold onto these sheets.  We will be basing poems off these on the Monday that we get back.

HW:  Have a restful vacation.  Please come back charged and ready to hit the last stretch with vigor.

all classes:

Today:

Journal Prompt #25:  Please explain in detail the connection to the poem that you selected for this project.  Please detail 3 lines that you connected to and WHY.  2/3 Page

We reviewed the project.

I broke you into small groups and had your film your 3 parts: 3-5 sent. as to who you are, 3-5 sent as to why you connected to your selected poem, a video of you reading your poem with feeling.

Please make sure that you label your folder and clips with your FULL name, and for the files, a brief identifier in the file title.

These can be sent together as a folder via dropbox
or
Submitted on Thursday on a flash drive/cd.

These are due Thurday by 8pm

Both Classes:

Today

We watched a short video explaining iambic pentameter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p226OX39OLs

We looked at previous examples of the poetry project:
https://vimeo.com/84856246

We went around the room and shared why you selected the poem that you brought in.

We defined the following terms:

Rhyme
End Rhyme
Internal Rhyme
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Assonance
Consonance
Metaphor
Personification
Hyperbole

We wrote a who are you section in 3-5 sentences for your poetry project.

I explained the file structure and how to use dropbox to submit your project as a folder.
https://www.dropbox.com/

HW:  Please begin to study these definitions as well as the terms covered Monday.

Brit. Lit. + Comp. Lit II:

Today all of my classes did the same basic lesson plan:

Journal Prompt:  Write a 25 line poem on the topic of Spring and the glorious 75 degree weather today.

We took notes on Poetry:

We defined the different forms of metrical feet
We defined meter
We defined foot
We looked at the def. for different metrical lines.

I introduced America's favorite poem project.

I showed you examples from last term and from the project.

I gave you the assignment sheet:

Checklist:

Intro statement Recorded (3- 5 sentences.)

5 digital pictures sent, or 30 seconds of raw footage to have under your voice intro statement.  Please email them to me at cusicks@tantasqua.org by Thursday

 3-5 sent on why you picked the poem.  If this is on your own, I need the video by Thursday.

 

Video of you reading your poem.  Please list the title and poet before reading.

 These are all worth 20 points each.  The final assignment grade will be based on all parts combined and counted as a paper grade.  Effort is a major component of an assignment such as this.  Missing parts for Thursday will result in a deduction of your grade for the assignment.

 

We went outside b and C block and stomped around to Green Eggs and Ham looking at the sound of the metrical foot.

 

I broke you into small groups and asked you to make 4 lines of verse that follows the same trochaic foot.

 

HW:  Please bring in a poem or song lyric that you deeply connect to.  Please make sure you have a copy written or printed out.

 

 

 

 

John Martin’s Paradise Lost

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  What are your thoughts on the afterlife?  Do we go to another place after death, or as Steve Jobs believed, are we like a light switch that just is turned off?  What has led you to you thoughts on life after death?     1 page

We read Paradise Lost to the spooky music of: Carl Orff - O Fortuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxW2PLxjRwE

We looked paintings inspired by the poem  and made cartoon versions of the poem in small groups and shared these.

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=879&q=paradise+lost&oq=paradise+lost&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1131.7229.0.7540.17.14.2.1.1.0.67.887.14.14.0....0...1ac.1.40.img..0.17.903.uL1qM1TRiSI

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We partnered up with another student that wrote the same essay prompt and conducted a peer edit.  Specifically, I asked you to read over the essay and look for:

Thesis
Examples
Transition sentences
The topic of each paragraph

You each filled out a peer edit interview form and offered feedback.

We went to the computer lab and finished your final draft of the essay.  This is 50% of your test grade.

C Block had the pleasure of Ms. Biggs helping out on the peer edit section.  Thank you.

Yale lecture on Milton for Brit Lit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0AcfjEGw_k

What is it like to go to Yale and be taught Milton- find out here and get wicked smart. :-)

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

We went over the requirements of your essay.

We went to the computer lab and wrote the 1st draft of your essay.

On Friday we will be working on a peer edit and working in those suggestions into your final copy.  This will be due at the end of class on Friday.

HW:  No official HW.  Please make sure that you have textual evidence for your paper if you have not done so already.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Write a poem on the topic of LOVE.  20 lines min.

We looked at the poems that you read fro HW

We looked at the poetry of Robert Herrick.

We discussed George Herbert and landed on the basic idea of an Ode.  We read an Ode to Ben Jonson

I broke you up into groups of 2 and asked you to write an Ode to something or someone important to you.  It was interesting to see all of the things you wrote about- from the lunch lady to your Mom.

HW:  Please read the last two poem by Sir John Suckling- the poet with the worst last name of all time.

Brit. Lit:

Today:

We finished Dead Poets Society and looked at some of the poems from the movie.  We will finish that Thursday.

Journal prompt:  You have spent your entire lives in education.  What in your opinion makes a good teacher?  Who is the best teacher that you ever had and why?  If you could change modern education, what would you do different?   1/2 page

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We took Part I of the Lord of the Flies test.  We will be writing the essay Part II in class on Thursday and doing a peer edit on Friday.  Each part is worth 50% of your test grade.

I passed back assignments and had a conference with each of you to give you your term 3 grade.  For anyone that did not make up an assignment, I am after-school today and would be willing to make a last minute effort for anyone wishing to make up a missing assignment.

A Block:  We finished watching the modern version of Lord of the Flies.

A Block Journal Prompt:  Please write a 1/2 page movie review from the perspective of someone that has read the novel.  What were some of the differences?  Which did you like better and WHY?

C Block:  We watched 20 minutes of the original BW version of the film and compared the two film versions.

C Block Journal Prompt:  Now that you have seen two different films- cast your own.  Who would you cast for the 5 main roles in the movie and why?  Would you change the story, or keep it classic?  How would you change it?

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched the movie that made me want to teach: Dead Poets Society.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Many people feel that the ending to the novel Lord of the Flies is a bit of a letdown and somewhat anticlimactic.  Please re-imagine an alternative ending.  Re-write the last page of the novel with your ending.  Please consider all that we talked about: Themes, symbols, id/ego/super ego, light vs. darkness.                                                              1 page

We went over the format of the test Wed and reviewed key concepts.

We played the review game: Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.  Both classes went far, but no top prize this time.  We will play it again.

HW:  Study: Novel, Notes on Golding, themes, symbols, light vs. darkness, id/ego/super ego, Maslow's Hierarchy, religious connections.

Brit Lit:

Today we started class writing a poem on the topic of death.

We defined Metaphysical poetry

We took notes on the differences between Donne and Jonson and looked at the style with multiple examples

We defined a paradox and played three examples or you write an essay.  

We watched some of the Macbeth projects.

I shared embarrassing poetry stories from my youth.

We looked at two poems about death and discussed the differences between Jonson and Donne.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched the modern version of Lord of the Flies and talked about the differences.  C Block finished this from friday and also wrote:

Journal Prompt #21:  Please write a one page movie review from the perspective of someone that has also read the book.  Were you disappointed?

A Block:  You finished your posters for the paper topics.  We displayed these in class.
C Block:  Yo designed small covers for a new edition of the novel.  On the back of the book jacket, you needed to interview three classmates on their opinion of the novel.

HW:  Please finish the novel.

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

I collected your Macbeth Projects.

I introduced poetry.

You each wrote a 25 line poem based on: Winter's End.

I set up a speaker and mic and we had a small poetry slam, sharing out lines of verse.  I wrote with you and shared as well.  We offered feedback to all that read their lines.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We reviewed Ch 10-11.

We looked at the death of Piggy and the symbolic images in the chapters.

For those on the field trip, we looked at the essay topics for next week and broke into small groups to design a poster based on the examples for your future writing.

Brit Lit:

Today:

The red pill or blue pill.

You were given the options to:
Rock out to the Army Band in the aud.
Use the time to work on your projects due Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I passed your journals back.  For those that are doing these daily and keeping up with the requirements given, these are tremendous ways to boost your grade in this class.  Foe those that are not doing them, or passing them in late, a reminder that each 10 counts as a major paper.

We rook a cartoon quiz on ch 8-9.  You had 8 blank frames to draw a cartoon of the events from last nights reading.  I played music from Charlie Brown to set the creative tone. 

We discussed 8-9 with specific attention on the death of Simon. 

We broke into small groups and designed posters based on the essay topics for next week.

HW  Please read ch 10.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Some of you took the test for Macbeth, while others had today as a work day for your alternative assessment project.

Thursday, I have us signed up to rock out with the US Army band.  This is optional.  If you need additional time to work on your project (due Friday) please feel free to stay behind and work on it.  I will also be after-school today for any group needing help.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

We finished work on your character sketches.

We looked at specific reference points for the following symbols in small groups.  Today. we examined: The Conch, Rocks, The Island, Darkness, the mountain, water.  In a small group, I gave you the pg number for the reference and asked you to explain how the symbol is used in the novel.

We looked at the song by U2 Shadows and Tall Trees.  We discussed the loss of innocence and how the imaery of the song ties into novel.  Have you ever seen a literary allusion in a song and then read the book to discover the importance?  You should try it.

We rocked out to early U2.

We took a quiz on ch 6-7.

HW:  Please read ch 8 +9 tonight.  Please look for the things that we have been discussing: Symbolism, Themes, conflict (external and internal) and light and darkness.

Please write three specific questions that you have for class discussion Thursday.

Brit Lit:

Monday:

We finished the movie of Macbeth and discussed your opinion of it.

We also tried to finish the PBS doc. on Macbeth.

Please bring your big book to class for the next two weeks.

Tuesday:

We finished Macbeth.

We watched some examples of the Macbeth movie project.  One of the best from last semester can be watched here:
https://vimeo.com/79317856

Quotes from 17th c vs. 2014.  Write a modern line that matches the intensity and meaning of each of the lines on pg. 411

We looked at the poetry of Donne and Jonson

HW:  Please read pgs 395-410.  You may take notes and use them on the quiz wed.

Wed. will be a work day.  Please have everything needed to work on your Macbeth final project.

Comp. Lit. II:

Monday:

Journal Prompt:  Break into your mock survival group and share your list of supplies with another group.  Steal three things from their list and write a narrative in your journal describing how you obtained them and what you need the objects for.   1 pg.

alt prompt:  Please explain which character that you relate to in the novel with three pieces of evidence from the text to support why.     1pg.

Conflict:  we looked at Man vs. Man, Man vs. self, and Man vs. Nature. in CH 4

We played a web based flash game:
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/lof.html

We used it to take notes on the symbolic nature of the names, and the top 5 objects in the novel that are used as symbols.

We started our character bio sketches for the 5 main characters.

I collected journals 11-21.

HW read CH 5 and look for examples of the three conflicts that we discussed.

Tuesday:

1.     Breaking into small groups again finish working on the character pages that you were given yesterday. (15 min.)

2.       Introduce essay prompts, when they are due and when test will be. (15 min. to 20 min.)

3.       Break the class into 2 groups according to who has read and who hasn’t.  Students who have read will be able to discuss last night’s reading about conflicts, comprehension questions, and discuss what essay prompt they may choose.

4.       If there is time left at the end of class we can read the beginning of chapter six and then let the students get started on their reading for the night.

 

HW Please read ch 6-7

Brit Lit.

Today:

I collected journals 11-20. 

We watched a movie version of Macbeth for review.

I asked you to commit to one of the Macbeth final projects and came around to approve these.

HW:  Have a good weekend.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched the Simpson's parody of Lord of the Flies

We discussed the S. King essay on how this novel impacted him.

We reviewed ch 4.

We took a quiz on CH 4

We looked at the ID, the EGO, and the SUPER EGO,

I broke you into small groups and asked you to define 4 main characters by an factual example of how their actions fit Freud.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished the play.

I asked you to write a one page goodbye letter from Lady Macbeth.

We finished notes on the play.

I will be collecting your journals this Friday, so please make sure that these are up-to-date.

Comp. Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please describe a situation where one person in your LOTF survival scenario dies.   1 pg

We broke into our groups and shared these.  Each group decided on one piece of writing to follow.  The lost student will have an alternative prompts for Monday.

We read an essay by S. King on How Lord of the Flies inspired him to write.

We defined Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and connected this to the situation on the island.  We also considered this research and how it connects to you and your general happiness in life.

We broke into a circle and had our first book talk.  We looked at the emerging conflict between Ralph and Jack.  We looked and light darkness and the description of nature.

HW:  Please read ch 4.

Lord of the Flies Contest Info:

http://www.william-golding.co.uk/flies-anniversary.aspx

The deadline is April 30th.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Find three words in the play and consider how that play would be radically different if they were changed.  Explain what words that you would change and specifically explain what this would change within the plot of the play.                                                 1 page

I assigned the Macbeth Final Projects:

1.Macbeth Part II:  Shakespeare, like many good storyteller’s sometimes left a spot for a sequel.  Please write the sequel in script form to Macbeth.  Min. 3-4 pages.  Must include examples of:  Personification, simile, metaphor, reverse words/sent./thought.  You must deal with the loose ends as the basis for the sequel. 

 

2.Essay:  Think of some of the core themes in the play: power, loyalty, morality, tyranny, fate or any other theme of your own creation.  In a five paragraph essay, explain how one of these themes is demonstrated in the play and how it serves the writer’s purpose in including it.  You must support your writing by backing up your observations and statements with textual evidence. 

 

3. Movie:  Think of a different setting for the plot line of Macbeth: the Old West, Chicago/NY/Boston gangland, Appalachian backwoods, California surfers, Star Wars.  Take a scene from the play and rewrite it to fit the modern context, supplying character/directors notes as well as blocking.   This will then be filmed and edited into a short movie.  Your modern characters and their setting should reflect similar traits/themes that were found in Shakespeare’s Macbeth (lust for power, manipulative lords, fiefdoms, treachery, brutality ect.).  You may use comedy for this.

 

4. Art:  Pick an “epic” moment from the play (the witches approaching Macbeth, the apparitions, Macbeth’s death, Banquo’s ghost) and create an artistic representation of the scene.  The artistic representation must show serious effort.  Some past ideas: interpretive dance, an oil painting, or a mural.

 

5.  Graphic Novel:  Create a graphic comic depicting an entire scene from the play.  This must be done in color and contain at least twelve frames.  Conversation bubbles must be used to contain quotes from the play and you must supply your own commentary in text boxes to explain what is going on in your comic strips.  This will be graded on how well your graphic novel follows the story, and your effort.

 

6.  Traditional essay test.  You may use all notes on this.

 

Please select what you plan on doing for Thursday.  You will have one work day.  These are due April 4th.

We finished notes on act IV

We read Act V, sc 1-3.

We took a quiz on the Shakespeare language terms.

I gave out permission forms for anyone that would like to see real live Shakespeare.  Please see me if you need a form.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:
3 of the rules that your groups has come up with have been broken.  Please describe the three events and what the consequence is.  1 pg.

We defined:
 Theme
Allegories
Allusions
Symbols

We looked at William Golding's daughter and her explanation as to why her father wrote this novel:
http://lordofthefliescover.com/about-book/judy-golding-interview/

We reviewed CH 2.

We played 3 Strikes and You Quiz.

HW:  Read CH 3+ write down one thing for class discussion.

Brit Lit:

Before we get to the payoff of act V, we reviewed the play up to this point.  I broke you into 3 groups and asked each group to identify the 6 main events in each act, and then for fun, we ran these scenes backwards. 

HW:  Look over the lit terms.  I smell a quiz Wed.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I gave you a list of 15 objects that have washed up on shore.  Your groups needed to pick 6 that you would keep and list the justification for each.

Journal Prompt :  I played three new sound effects and asked you to write a 1/2 page on each sound.  I asked you to consider your new objects and consequences that you came up with yesterday.

We looked at 10 quotes from the novel.

I answered any questions from your reading and we took a quiz on CH 1.

We looked at the examples of light and dark in CH 1.  I paired you with a partner and asked for 5 examples of each.  Light= goodness Dark= evil.  Please watch for these in your reading.

HW Please read ch 2.

Brit. Lit:

Today:

Each of you were given time to recite your Macbeth lines.  If you were absent or not ready to go, please make sure that you are ready for Tuesday.  -10 for each late day. 

We finished act 4.  We looked at:

Cool words and abbreviations that were coined by Shakespeare.  We looked at the term COZ and school'd. 

Battle of the wits.  Taking two characters and have them battle back and forth till one waves a white flag.

How Shakespeare makes different characters speak.  Royal like Malcolm, and dumb like a messenger.

How Shakespeare understood the stages of grief and human emotion before these were quantified and labeled by science and psychology.

We took notes on 4.1

HW:  Please read the handout on the supernatural by wed.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  We continued with our Lord of the Flies journal prompts.  Today, I played three sound effects and asked you to explain how they happen within your story. These sounds were: brushing teeth, swarm of bees. and a series of gunshots.
                                                                                        1/2 page for each sound 1 and 1/2 page total.

We held a debate in class:  Is man inherently evil?  I broke you into 2 groups and tasked each with one side of the debate.  Each team needed to generate 4 examples to support your thesis.

HW:  Please read ch 1 tonight.  Expect a quiz Tuesday.

Comp. Lit. II:

A Block:
We discussed good and evil.  I broke you into two teams and we debated the topic:  Is Man/woman inherently evil?

C Block: 
We missed class again today due to MCAS testing.  We will hit the ground running with Lord of the Flies on Monday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Anyone that was ready to go recited their 10 lines from Macbeth.

We talked about supernatural beliefs 430 years ago and how they play out in this play.
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?zid=1b6c44cabcb055ac35cef1c3cb91b86f&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ2115615211&userGroupName=clov94514&jsid=fdae3c971784cfc02e160505ecd054eb

I told you my ghost story from when I was teaching in Ireland.

HW:  Look over the lines and be ready to recite them on Monday if you did not go today.  Also, look over the Shakespeare language tricks.  I smell a quiz early next week.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  If you were King/Queen/supreme ruler and had only 3 rules that you could enforce, what 3 rules would you pick?  How would you enforce these rules?  1/2 page

We shared the ingredients from your stew yesterday.  Winning ingredient: Star Wars episode 1,2,3.

We discussed how well Shakespeare's ingredients hold up.

We broke into small groups and identified each of the lit. terms covered in acts 2+3.

We did act IV and spent time looking at the new prophesies and moment of final suspense.

HW:  Please continue to learn your lines.  We will be starting these on Friday for those that wish to go early.  The rest are due Monday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I introduced the novel Lord of the Flies.

We took notes on William Golding:
Raised to be a scientist
drawn to Anglo-Saxon poetry
Joined the royal navy in 1940
British
Published novel in 1954.

Introduced concept of good and evil.  Discussed where does evil come from.  Are we born good or evil, or are we influenced by things in our lives?  We will be having a class debate on this topic on Friday.

A Block:  We read ch 1.

We looked at the importance of light and darkness in the novel and examined how each is used.  Please be aware of this as we read.

Piggy is an awful nickname.  We shared bad nicknames, including some of mine growing up.

C Block:  Journal Prompt:  If you could only pack 10 things in a suitcase, to be used for one year on a deserted island, what would you pack.  For each, please explain the significance.

We broke into small groups and you decided on your ten master objects that you as a group will use in future journal prompts.

We crashed a plane and wrote about it in our journals. :-)

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Macbeth is about to get three new prophecies from the witches.  What three parts of the future would you predict?  How would each specifically impact the play?  1 page

I shared a link that was reported last night:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10706403/Man-texts-Gumtree-fraud-entire-works-of-Shakespeare.html

We took a quiz on act III.

We looked at act 3, sc 5 and debated whether Shakespeare wrote this scene.  Many believe that this was added to support the character on Hecate.

We read/acted act 4, sc1 and stopped before the moment of final suspense.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to make your own 2014 stew.  Each group needed 20 ingredients.

I made Friday as the optional 1st day to recite your learned Macbeth lines.  You may also go on Monday.  I introduced the Shakespeare challenge extra credit.  Please see me if you would like one for Thursday.  You may trade them, but if I give you one you need to at least try it.

Comp. Lit II:

No class updates during MCAS testing.  I hope that the week that we spent reviewing helped. 


Best of luck on the test this week!

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Describe a moment when all hope was lost, but at the last possible moment, a solution presented itself.  CPA:  1/2 page  H: 1 page,

I asked you to find one question that you have from the play.  I tried to answer these.

We talked about facebook and social media and how Macbeth would have used these.  I tasked your with making a Facebook page for a character in the play (15 posts.)  For those that enjoy twitter more, you could give 20 tweets as an alternate assignment.

We took notes on act 3

We took a quiz on Act 3 + notes.

We looked again at the final moment of suspense.

I passed back your quiz from Monday and your video game manuals for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took a quiz on act II

We looked at the first 1/2 of the excellent PBS documentary from last year on Ethan Hawke and his journey preparing to play the part of Macbeth.

This can be viewed here:
http://video.pbs.org/program/shakespeare-uncovered/

For Nick, here is the Patrick Stewart version.  Not my fav, but some neat interpretations of the witches.  This can be watched free here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/macbeth/watch-the-full-program/1030/

We looked at the climax of the play- the start of act 3, where Macbeth is King.  It gets dark after this....

I assigned the Macbeth lines.  Please learn these for next Friday:

Macbeth:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #14:  Imagine that you can have a meal with any 3 people (alive or dead).  Please describe what you would talk about.  If you would like to make this a script, that might work well.  Try to pick people that are meaningful to you.  2 pages.

MCAS boot camp day 4:
Today we looked at the work that you have done and learned how your test will be scored.  You were each tasked with being a test scorer and giving a score based on the rubric that we went over.  This is how the MCAS is scored.

We did this three times, and shared the best writing from the class.  We looked closely at what were the characteristics of good writing.

HW:  Reminder- become very familiar with one or more novels in preparation for Tuesday.  Review character names, plot and literary devices covered.  If anyone wants a book from last year to borrow, please see me.  You are going to do well.  Relax and get a good amount of mental rest as you get ready to hit a home run next week. 

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

We finished the last 5 minutes of Shakespeare High

Journal Prompt:  Can Shakespeare, as the documentary suggests, change a destiny- esp. in HS? 
                                                                                                                         1/2 page

We defined a Shakespeare Tragedy.

We acted out Act 2, sc1-3.  We took notes, but ran out of time to take the quiz.  This will be first thing on Friday.  Please look over your terms tonight.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

MCAS boot camp, Day 3
Today we:
Looked at using transitional words to improve your writing.  I gave you a practice sheet and collected these.
We looked at the section that often plagues students at Tantasqua- Poetry.
We looked at the type of questions that they might ask.
We did a practice prompt for Poetry.

We looked at how the MCAS is scored.  You each answered the prompt given on poetry.  Your prompt was passed around and graded by 3 graders in class.  We will do more of this on Friday.

We talked about strategies: Read the piece of literature.  Read the question, underline the points that are being asked.  Re-read the section with attention to the underlined parts.  Cross out the two most obvious incorrect answer.  Answer the BEST selection.

We agreed on a thesis statement for the prompt give, and all used the same one.  You answered the prompt on poetry, using an outline and examples to back up your statements.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched:
Shakespeare High

Please review your terms and act I.  We will have a quiz on Thursday.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

A Block: Ms. Nijssen ran mcas boot camp.

B Block:  MCAS Boot camp day 2

Please read and answer the following:
Ah-Choo!
The Spartan Creed
The Trial

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Please take a close examination of Lady Macbeth's letter.  Please write a "modern" version of what this might sound like in 2014.   15 lines min.

We looked at the terms from yesterday and broke back into our groups.  I asked you to finish finding examples from act 1.

We looked at how these are used by Yoda in the Empire Strikes Back.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p44pcTXpPOs

I passed back your quiz from Act 1.

We finished notes on act 1.

We started act 2.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Pick your final Catcher prompt from the list and write a final one page prompt.

I collected your books.

I asked you to combine your sticky notes and submit them for credit.

We began our MCAS boot camp. 
Today we:
Talked about what to do to prep for the test.  1.  Get a solid night sleep.  2. Eat a carb filled dinner, and good breakfast.  3. Avoid empty sugar and energy drinks.  4. Pick one novel that you read and outline the main characters and plot.  5. Consider re-reading it to freshen your memory.  6. Consider what we have read the 1st month.  Have something strong in your mind.

We looked at specific MCAS tips to improve your writing.

I gave you each a copy of last years exam.  We went over any new rule changes.

We looked at the 2 possible writing prompts for 2013.  For each, I asked you to write a clear thesis sentence, remembering to underline the title of the book.  We shared these and came to an agreement on which ones were strong, and more importantly, why?

Brit Lit.:

Today:
Journal #13:  If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?  Now think 10 years out- what would the wishes specifically change in your life?  1 page.

We finished act 1.

We defined the following terms:
Personification
Simile
Metaphor
Classical allusion
reversed word
reversed sentence
reversed thought

We looked for examples in act 1.  We will finish this on Tuesday.

I introduced the Macbeth curse.  If you are interested in learning more, there is a 3min documentary that explains in detail the history:
http://www.sciencechannel.com/video-topics/sci-fi-supernatural/curses-curse-of-macbeth.htm

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Last work day for Catcher Portfolio.  These were due at the end of class.

I will be collecting your books and stick notes Tuesday.  We will also be starting a MCAS boot camp getting you ready to kick butt on the test next wee.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please select a prompt from the list of Catcher prompts that you were given.  Please write the prompt that you are responding to.  CPA/CP= 1/2 page.  H= 1 page

We reviewed the ending of the book.

We took a quiz on ch 22-26.

We will finish your Catcher portfolio project on Monday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #12:  Please describe a time when you won something or felt incredibly lucky.  Was your luck by chance, or controlled by destiny?  Do believe in fate?  CPA: 1/2 page, H: one page.

We watched the 20 min. documentary: Why Shakespeare?

We acted out and completed act 1 sc 1-3.

We took notes on them.  Reminder:  You may use all notes on all quizzes.

HW:  Please finish your Sir Gawian and the Green Knight video game manual.  These are due Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We looked at the title of the novel and how Holden misunderstands them.  We also looked at the psychology behind wanting to protect children from the adult world.

I reviewed your reading from last night.

We took a quiz on CH 19-21.

We went to the computer lab and had work day #2 of 3 to complete your Catcher in the Rye portfolio assignment.  This is due at the end of class on Monday.

HW:  Please finish the novel.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We began class with an epic round of Shakespearian insults.

We continued Act 1, sc1

I shared a sheet of terms and expressions that we use everyday that were coined by Shakespeare.

We looked at a 5 minute clip from Braveheart to illustrate the intensity of hand to hand battle 400 years ago.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We reviewed your reading from last night.

We went to the computer lab and had work day #1 of 3 for your Catcher in the Rye Portfolio project.

HW:  Please read ch 22,23,24.  Identify 5 parts that you found interesting via your sticky notes.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt #11: Please describe your experience with Shakespeare.  What did you like?  What did you feel was difficult?  What plays have you read or seen?  How were you taught it?  1 page

We took notes on the known facts about Shakespeare.

We looked at the Globe and discussed the competition between the plays and religion.

I passed out Macbeth and we started act 1 together.

Comp. Lit II

Today:

A Block:  We gave you a list of journal prompts and asked you to pick on that you connected to for Catcher.

Most of you went to an assembly on course selection.

HW:  Read 19,20,21

C Block:

Journal Prompt: Please describe the time in your life that you felt most alone.  1 page

I passed back journals #1-10

I asked you to design a playlist for Holden.  For each please explain why it was selected.  finally, we wrote a letter to Holden offering advice and introducing the music that you picked.

HW:  Please read ch 19,20,21

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished the last 5 minutes of A Knights Tale.  I asked you to write a one page movie review that referenced 4 of the 6 characteristics of Medieval Romance.

We defined Morality Plays.

We looked at how morality plays were used to entertain and save your soul.  We discussed how this was in direct competition to plays.

We acted out the play Everyman and used it to demonstrate the characteristics of the genre that we looked at.

HW:  No HW.  Tomorrow we meet the greatest writer that ever lived.  Till then, a clip that was suggested by Mr. Anderson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-Y1ch4b5c

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went over the requirements and I passed out the assignment sheet for your Catcher in the Rye portfolio assignment.  This will be used instead of a final test on the book.  Each class will have three computer work days to complete.  This is due Monday Match 10th.

We looked at an interview with the director of the Salinger documentary.  20 min.

Title in the Rye:  I broke you into groups and asked you to gave a title for each of the 15 chapters that we have read so far.  3 titles needed to be an allusion.

HW:  Please read ch 16,17,18.

Brit. Lit.:

Today
We defined the characteristics of Medieval romance:

-chivalry
-Set in a far off place
-Has supernatural events
-Hero Structure
-Love as major plot element
-Spontaneous fights

I asked you to discuss 4 of the 6 in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  This was your quiz.

I passed back your quiz fro wed.

We watched a modern re-telling of one of the Canterbury Tales: A Knights Tale. 

Comp. Lit. II:

Today
We played 3 Strikes and You Quiz.  A Block took a quiz by getting three strikes.  This was on CH 10,11,12.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to give modern 2014 teenage examples of the following terms:

Slang
Metaphor
Simile
Hyperbole
Idiom

Txting in the Rye.  If Holden was writing this in 2014, what would his txt look like?  I asked you to write ten txt msgs that capture Holden's tone and style, considering what we have been looking at in terms of language.

I showed you a interview with the director of the Salinger Documentary.
This can be viewed here:
http://www.examiner.com/article/catcher-the-rye-sales-soar-after-salinger-documentary-on-pbs

HW:  Please read CH 13,14,15.  Please continue with your stickies looking for at least 5 things that you found interesting.

Follow Holden's Footsteps in NYC

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html

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.