Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  What makes you jealous?  Please describe a time when jealousy consumed you.  1/2 pg

We took a pre- Othello survey and went over your opinions.

We came close to finishing act 1.

I gave you a cheat sheet on the connection between the characters.

HW:  Please finish act 1

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Think of a moment that you had to deal with grief.  Please explain your grief and how specifically you dealt with it.  What was the resolution and how did you get there?

We went over the 5 stages of grief and connected it with your journal today.

We looked at Larry's Mother in the play and tried to identify the different stages.

We defined the American tragedy.

We looked at Miller's unique take on the 4 act play.

We watched a 15 min segment from 60 min on the life and work of Arthur Miller.

I played a clip from South Par:  What would Arthur Miller do?

Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt:  What is the craziest thing that you have done in the name of love?    1/2 page

We watched your silent Hamlet movie.  Act 1 won donuts.

We acted out act 1 in Othello.  We gave each actor a Friday challenge.

Last 15 min we learned the rules the game Othello that was inspired by the play.

Arthur Miller's FBI File

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/fbi-secret-files-communist-marilyn-monroe-revealed-article-1.1228785

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please describe a big mistake that you tried hard to cover up.  You may talk about more than one.  Were you able to keep it hidden?  If so, how?                                          1 page

A gave you information on Arthur Miller

I passed out scripts for All My Sons.

We assigned parts and began the play.

Shakespeare:

Today:

You were given extra time to finish the Hamlet test. 

Journal:  What are your feeling towards inter-racial dating?  Please describe examples from your life.                                                                                                                         1pg.

We began Othello Act 1

I collected Hamlet scripts.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We took the Catcher in the Rye exam.

Shakespeare:

We took the Hamlet exam.

Enjoy!

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal:  Please write a one page letter to Holden.  Try to offer advice on his situation.  Please ref. 3 events in the novel in your letter.

Quiz on ch 18-21

You Make the Test:  In small groups, construct what you think would be a fair test.  Please have 10 mult. choice questions, 20 T/F and one essay.

HW:  Please read ch 24-26.  Have the book finished for Tuesday.
Test on Wed.

Shakespeare:

Today:

I played a few Hamlet related clips from previous classes.

We went down on the stage and warmed up with:

Pass the Yorick Skull to the left hand side
Pinky sword fighting- showing weight by pretending that your pinky is a 30 lbs sword.

We broke into 4 groups and you were tasked with putting together your act as a silent movie.  Video to follow...

Reminders:  Please finish the play at home over your 4 day weekend.  Your Hamlet paper is also due on Tuesday.  10 points off per late day- so get it done and have it ready.  If you run into any problems or have questions, feel free to use my email: cusicks@tantasqua.org

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal 15:  Please define yourself in 5 ways.  I gave you various mags and asked you to cut out 5 symbols that can be used to represent these things.  For each picture, I asked you on the back to explain how the symbol is used.

We watched a short video on symbolism.  This can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-F599mU6L4

We also defined theme.  I gave you notes on theses from Catcher.  We went over: Isolation, Sadness, and Innocence.

We played three strikes and you quiz.  We avoided a quiz today.

We reviewed ch 18-20.

We looked for 7 examples of Holden's depression and I asked you to chart these on a worksheet.  If you did not finish, this is for HW.

HW:  Please read CH 21,22,23.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We looked at some of the words and phrases that are credited to WS.  Imagine if you made up words and they were still used 400 years after.  Crazy.

Journal prompt #15:  Use 15 of the words or phrases that WS invented in a short story.  Underline each of these.  Also, please invent 3 of your own words and use them in the correct context.  Please circle these three words.                                                                                            1 page

We watched the 2nd part of the PBS documentary on Hamlet.  This can be viewed for free here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/

We came super close to finishing act IV.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:
Journal Prompt:  Where do you go when you need a break from life?  A place that disconnects you from the world and feel safe.  Please describe this in exceptional details: Use smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight.  Be as descriptive as you can be.  Think about every sense around you. 1/2 page

Titles in the Rye:  The novel does not have title names.  Why?  Please make a title for ch 1-17 and a 1-2 sent explain why you named it this.

Quiz CH 16-17

What makes Holden depressed?  We charted these.
7 examples.

HW:  Read to up to including ch 20.

Skakespeare:

Journal:  What are the ten must do things on your life bucket list?  Please list them.

We played Shakespeare monkey on my back.  One of you was the monkey(reader of text) while the other person acted out the lines.  Picture to follow...

Hamlet on Social Media:  Pick one of the following: Facebook, instagram, twitter, my space and make a page for any character in the play.  Req= 10 posts.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

Journal Prompt:  What does you love/hate about HS or education in general?  Make a list of 10 for each.

We broke into groups and made a moral timeline for Holden's thoughts.  We shared the best.

We looked at the origin of the title.  I did a Catcher in the Rye Rap.  If you want to hear the original song, you can find a midi track here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comin%27_Thro%27_the_Rye

We defined symbolism and took notes on the popular symbols in the novel.

HW:  Please look for a symbol and read ch 16-17.  Expect a quiz.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Art often imitates life.  Please think about how art (music, plays, books, ,etc) can imitate the real world.  Can art give us real experiences?  Emotions?  Pain?                                    1 page

We covered act 4 sc 1-4.

I answered any questions on your upcoming paper.  Due to no school on Friday, this will now be due on Tuesday (next week)

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

Computer lab, day 2 of 2.

We reviewed ch 13-15.

We took a quiz on 13-15

HW:  Study for vocab #2.  Please get caught up on your reading if needed.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  What do you think will be the final moment of suspense in Hamlet?  Please write a one page script of how you imagine the play reaching this point.      1 page

We finished act III.  We took a quiz on Act III.

I passed back all of the Hamlet quizzes.

I broke you into groups and asked you to look for textual evidence of the stages of guilt.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Day 1 of 2 to write your Holden Papers.  These are due Friday.

Shakespeare:

Today:

No journal.

We looked at a revenge tragedies, esp lines 349-53.

The Conscience of a King:  We passed around the Claudius lines with whispers, fear, anger and questioning tones.

We picked the most important word in each line and went around rapid fire.  I posted a video.

We almost finished act 3.

Comp Lit. II:

Today: 

Journal #12:  Please describe a moment in your life when you felt the most alone.       1 pg.

We went over tone and style.

I assigned the paper for Catcher: Write Like Holden.  We will be writing this over the next two days.

We reviewed ch 10-11.

We took a quiz on 10-11.

HW:  Please read ch 12 + 13

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #12:  Please describe your experience using your Hamlet lines.  What was the reaction to this?                            1/2 pg

We watched more of Mel Gibson's Hamlet.

Comp Lit II:

Today:

Journal #11:  What is depression?  Please think about both both yourself and those around you.  How has depression affected you?

I gave you the 15 words for vocab #2  Please define.  Quiz on Friday.

Many people feel that you can be defined by your playlist.  If Holden had a 10 song playlist, what would be on it?  Please explain the connection to each song.  You might want to think about specific scenes and connect a song to this ie>)  when Holden is standing on the hill watching the football.  Alternative: 5 books, or 5 movies.

We defined tone and style.  We looked how these are cultural, regional, and generational.  We defined examples in the novel in small groups.

HW:  Define vocab, read ch 11.

Shakespeare

Today:

Journal #11:  Denmark is a prison.  How are the 5 towns like a prison to some?  Do you plan an escape, or do you like where you live?                                                              1pg

We watched Mel Gibson's take on Hamlet.  In mu opinion, the best Hamlet.

Follow Holden's footsteps in NYC

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html?_r=1&

Salinger writng novel during WWII

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We reviewed ch 9-10

The winners from the debate were rewarded with donuts.

We talked about the cover issues with Catcher.  For the last 30 years, the book did not have a cover per Salinger's demand.  I asked you to imagine a new cover, for your generation.  On the back of your cover jacket, I asked you to interview 3 people and quote their reaction to the novel on the back.

You act the scene:  I broke you into small groups and asked you to act out a scene from the novel.  We performed these in front of class.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We watched The Lion King and compared it to the storyline of Hamlet.

I asked you to list the 5 main similarities.

I passed your journals back.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We reviewed your reading from last night.

We too a quiz on CH 4-6.

We took a questionnaire on teenage problems and compared your problems to 1951 problems.

I gave each of you a baseball mitt and green pencils and asked you to write the poem inside Allie's glove.

HW:  Please read ch 9-10.   No weekend HW- so end the week strong!

Shakespeare

Today:
We took notes on act 2

We took a quiz on act 2.

We dressed up and performed act 3 on stage.

Friday:  We will be watching scenes from the Lion King and comparing the story to Hamlet (spoiler, they are the same story...)  Bring popcorn :-)

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We made writing folders to save our best and most important work.  These will be part of the end of the term reflection piece that will be a requirement.  You are welcome to bring these home and share, but you are responsible for keeping these.

We took a quiz on CH 1-3.

We defined escapism and looked more closely at the power and limitation of writing in the first person.

HW:  Please read ch 7-8

Shakespeare:

We each selected two words that you would save if act 2 burned in a fire and why they are both needed.  I collected these and will count this as your quiz.

We shared some of the Hamlet line stories of you using these words.  We will be writing about this on Thursday.  Please do this for HW if you have not.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I shared Mark David Chapman's statement that he gave to police after he was arrested for killing John Lennon.  We also looked at his appeal statement made in 2000.

I shared leaked Salinger short stories.  Please see me if you want a copy.

We had a debate on censorship.  We broke into two teams:

Side One:  Books, movies, and music can be dangerous.  Some of these should be disallowed in school and outright banned in extreme cases.

Side 2: Freedom of expression is an important part of any democracy.  Books, music and movies are ideas.  We should never ban expressions of creativity.

We reviewed Ch 1-3.  Specifically, we looked at: Holden, 1st person narration, and the language.

HW:  Please read ch 4-6

Shakespeare

Today:

We watched the first 15 min of the recent PBS special on Hamlet.  Dr. Who fans rejoiced...

We finished act 2

We looked at lines 501-558.  Each person needed to examine the line and give it life and passion by using what we discussed:  Tone, pace, volume, movement, and rhythm. 

HW:  Use your Hamlet lines and be ready to write about it in your journal Wed.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I collected your journals 1-10.  These will be marked as late starting Friday.  Please see me if you did not pass it in.

We went to the computer lab to type your Animal Farm paper.  These are due Friday.

Shakespeare

Today:

Journal Prompt #10:

Sounds.  I played 10 sounds and asked you to use them creating a story, using any of the main character's that we have met in act 1.  We shared a few.

We went over the 5 stages of grief.  For each stage, please record lines from the play as we go.  This will be the research for our first major paper.

We briefly touched on the plot line of a Shakespearian tragedy.  More next week as we get further into the play.

We acted out almost all of sc 4+5.

Quiz on act 1 very, very soon.......

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

We took the exam for Animal Farm.

I collected your books.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #9:  Fear.  Please describe your greatest fear(s).  Why do you think that you have this fear?  Imagine and write about how you could overcome this fear.     1 page.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to find 4 of the 5 language tricks in Act 1.  Each group passed this in.

I passed back your recent quizzes.

We wrapped up the Hamlet lines.  If you did not go, please arrange a time to make this up.  It is a test grade.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

Journal prompt #10:  If you could have one super power, what would you choose?  How would you use your power?    1 page

I broke you up in 2's and had you write 10 multiple choice questions for the book.  I will use a few of these on the test.

We played who wants to Win a Pizza Party.

HW:  Study for the test on Wed.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We went over the rules of blocking and explained stage direction.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to block a page of the script.

We went down to the Aud and tried these out on the stage.

We ended with 2 closing acting games.  I will throw up some pictures.

I collected you S. Alive! books.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt #9:  Please pick 3 people that you would select to have a dinner conversation with.  They can be alive, dead, fictional, or from your life.  What would they talk about?  What questions would you ask?         1 page

We finished Animal Farm the movie.

We began reviewing for the test (Wed.)

HW:  Study notes on propaganda, Orwell, and review the book.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We spent 1/2 the class finishing the Hamlet lines.  If you were not ready, I will give you the opportunity to do these Tuesday.

I went over some of the difficulties in reading words that are over 400 years old:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlpphT7n9s&app=desktop

W finished act 1, sc 2 and played freeze pop.  The class shared the ability to freeze the play and either make a cameo or add a prop to the scene.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We took vocab quiz #1

We reviewed the end of the book.  What did you think?

I assigned your first paper- due Fri Sept 19th.

We watched the first part of the Animal Farm Movie.

Shakespeare

Today:

We recited your Hamlet lines.  We looked at three different ways that they can be read:

Kenneth Branagh  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7TgTb_0wsg

Olivier's Hamlet (classic)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ks-NbCHUns

Mel Gibson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdp6dpiK8Ko

And for an added blog bonus, Patrick Stewart on Sesame ST :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA7lv1SDzno

We will finish the 2nd 1/2 on Monday

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I checked your vocab HW
I gave you my def for each word.  You will have a matching quiz on these words with my def. Friday.

Journal #8:  Please use all of your vocab words in a creative journal prompt.  You can tell a story, write a poem, or draw.  Anything that uses the words.  Imagination is more important than knowledge.

We shared your anthems and answered questions on the ones that we had a chance to share.

HW:  Please finish the book, study vocab

Shakespeare:

Today:
We defined how Shakespeare would often use language tricks as his cgi, or special effects.

 We defined and went over examples of:
Personification
Metaphor
Simile
Classical
 Allusions
Reversed Word
Reversed Thought
Reversed Sentence construction

Journal Prompt #8: Use and underline each of the language tricks in a creative journal prompt. You can tell a story, draw a picture, make a song or rap, or just share how you are feeling. Daydream and open your imagination......


I played a clip of Yoda using the language tricks. You can watch this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p44pcTXpPOs We acted out Act 1.

HW: Hamlet lines are due Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal #7:  What is the greatest lie that you have ever told?  What was the result of the lie?  Would you lie again if given the same situation?   1 page.

I broke you into groups and asked you to look specifically at the propaganda that Squealer uses in CH 7-8.  You needed to list three examples and explain the truth behind the lies.

We reviewed your reading (CH 8)

We took a quiz on CH 8.

We finished the last speeches.

HW:  Please read CH 9.  Define vocab words and study for your quiz on Friday.

Long term:  We will be working to finish the novel for Friday.

Shakespeare:

Today:
Journal #7:  Please describe a time when your actions and thoughts were driven by pure hate.  What was the result?  Do you have any regrets?

We talked about how acting from hate can have power, but can be filled with regrets.

We took a closer look at the Hamlet lines.  I broke you into 5 groups and asked you to convert the lines to a different scenario.

HW:  Learn your lines!  3 a day keeps the evil doctor away!

Comp. Lit 2:

Today:

Journal #6:  Please re-read the last pg that you have read in Animal Farm.  In your journal, please write the next page of the book, according to you.    1 page

1/2 of you were selected to give your speech today, 1/2 will go Wed.

We defined Anthems.

I gave you your vocab words.  Def. will be checked Thursday, matching quiz on Friday.

HW:  Please read ch 8 and bring in an anthem to share with class.  Study vocab for Friday.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt #6:  Please describe a moment when revenge was sweet.  This can be about someone besides yourself.     1 page

I broke you into 4 groups and we used the costumes to act out 4 skits based on future events in Hamlet.  We performed these for the class.

We did Hamlet act 1

HW:  Please continue to work on your lines.  These are due Friday and count as a test grade.

Comp. Lit II:

today:

Journal #5:  "If you tell a big enough lie, and tell it frequently enough, it be believed."  Hitler  Please think about the quote a write about a lie that was told so much, that it was believed.  Why does this happen?  What is the truth?

We did a peer-edit of the speeches that are due Tuesday.  You offered feedback, and had a chance to read your speech.

We discussed ways to improve your public speaking.

We watched a doc on Orwell and answered questions.

I passed back your Animal Farm quizzes.

HW:  Please read ch 7.  Please have final draft.  Please find an anthem and bring it in for wed.  If you don't have a real copy of it, print out the lyrics of the song, or write them down.

Shakespeare:

Today:
Journal #5:  Please describe a moment when you knew the truth, but pretended that you did not.  1 pg.

We took a pre-reading survey on topics in Hamlet.

We talked about these.

I assigned 14 lines from Hamlet.  These are to ne memorized by this Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We reviewed your reading from last night

We took a quiz on CH 6.

We went over a what each animal represents in history

I checked off that you did the 1st draft of your speech.

We looked at different forms of propaganda.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We started class with 3 strikes or you quiz.  You lost and took Quiz #2 on Queen Elizabeth

We went down to the aud an did:

Fractured Fairy Tales
Murder!
The Machine!

I posted a video of your machine.

No weekend HW- have a great one!

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal #4:  Write a letter to yourself in the past giving yourself advice on 3 problems that you had then.  1 page.

We played 3 strikes and you Quiz.  B block won an avoided the quiz, C block lost and took quiz #2 on your reading/notes.

I passed back your quizzes.

We went over the following propaganda terms:

Euphemism, oversimplification, bandwagon, internal contradiction, faulty cause and effect reasoning, begging the question.

I explained how these can be used to take over a small country, or at least get out of taking the garbage out :-)

HW:  1st draft of your school take over speech.  Final draft/speech due 9/9.  Read CH 6 in Animal Farm.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #4:  Do you believe in ghosts?  Do you have any good ghost stories?  What are your thoughts on the afterlife?  Where do you think we go when we die?  Do we go anywhere?  Can you come back after death?   1 page

We finished our notes on WS

We started Hamlet, Act 1, sc 1

HW:  Please read up to pg 84 in Shakespeare Alive!

Bonus question for the Quiz Wed....

What walks on 4 feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the twilight?

Lit. Comp. II:

Today:

Journal #3:  Please write a fable based on the characteristics that we discussed: Animals as characters, short, moral at the end.    Cpa/CP= 1/2 pg   H= 1 page

We reviewed your reading

We took a quiz on reading ch 1-3 and notes on Orwell

We went over the Russian Revolution. 

HW:  Please read Ch 4 +5 in Animal Farm.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #3: What has been your experience with Shakespeare thus far? What plays have your read? What do you find difficult?    1/2 page

I passed out Hamlet.

We took a quiz on your reading from Shakespeare Alive!

We took notes on the very little factual information that we know about WS

We went to the aud and we did a series of acting games.  I shattered your expectations with lowering your arms into the floor.

HW: Night off- enjoy!

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal Prompt #2:  What are the top 3 reasons that people have revolutions?  What would happen in the US if there was a wide scale revolution?  CP/CPA 1/2 pg H= 1 page

I broke you into groups and asked you to come up with a name for your new society.  I asked for 10 rules.

We finished our notes on Orwell.

HW:  Please read ch 1-3.  Quiz on reading/notes Wed.

Shakespeare:

Today: Journal Prompt #2: Please pick one character from your reading and write a one pg, first person account of a day in their life. Please underline at least 5 details included from your reading in Shakespeare Alive!!

We each were given a line from a play and I introduced inflection, stress and power.

We went over the most popular Shakespeare insults. Each of you were paired with a person and insulted each other. Good times.

We learned how to clap. HW: Please read to pg 67.

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal Prompt #1: "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go." What is the danger of having too much power? Describe a moment when you were given power and how you handled it. 1 page I passed out Animal Farm.

Shakespeare

Today: Journal Prompt #1: "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go." What is the danger of having too much power? Describe a moment when you were given power and how you handled it. 1 page HW: Please read to pg 47. in Shakespeare Alive!

Welcome

Welcome to my class! Get ready to work hard and have fun while doing it. I look forward to teaching you this semester.