Comp. LIt. II:

Today:

Intro activities to Lord of the Flies:

We started on a plane trip as a class.
We crashed on an island in the pacific.
We salvaged 5 things from the list that you packed.
You selected your survival group.
You picked 5 of the 10 items from my list of supplies.
You discussed 5 rules and the consequences if broken.

These will be the basis for your journal writing.

HW:  Please read ch 1 2 3 in Lord of the Flies.

Shakespeare:

Today:

I gave 15 minutes to those needing more time to finish the test from Friday.  If you missed this, please make up asap.

We began our look at the comedies.  I showed you a pbs doc on them.  You can watch this here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/video/the-comedies-with-joely-richardson/

 

Hw:  Please bring in something funny.  Suggestions:  movie/youtube clips, music, pictures, jokes.  We will be trying to define comedy through these on Wed.  Make these good and appropriate for school.

Lit. Comp. 2:

Today:

We went to the library and finished your 5 paragraph essay.

If you did not finish and need more time, please use the weekend to get it done.

Up next....what happens if you have a group of pre-adolescent boys, without adult supervision, on a deserted island?  Get ready for Lord of the Flies....

Shakespeare:

We took the test for Othello today.

I collected your scripts.

We will start a new play Monday- no more tragedy.  Get ready to laugh a bit as we explore the comedies.

Changing Education Paradigms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Comp. Lit. II:

We looked at a few more pieces of research for your paper:

Effect on childhood development:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/science-and-tech/new-technology-causes-concern-about-effect-on-childhood-development

Connected, but Alone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Xr3AsBEK4

The Effect of Technology on Teens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYMAULd2vhg

Can Technology Change Education?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0s_M6xKxNc

We went to the computer lab to begin working on your paper.

Shakespeare:

Today in class we played a review game for the test.

You wisely chose to stop and walk away with 80's day.  We will do this next Friday.

We went over the questions on the test.  It is all essay and you have the questions.  As you may use any of your own notes, I would encourage you to use tonight to work on the questions and put together an outline.

Here are the questions to consider:
Directions : H: Please answer three of the following questions. CPA: Please answer two.

1. Essay #1 In a well written essay in the space provided, please discuss what weaknesses Othello has that make it easy for Iago to make him crazy with jealousy. What other circumstances contribute to the success of Iago’s plan? Please make sure that you use specific examples.

Essay #2 The movie “O” tried to modernize the story of Othello in a high school situation. Please look at the characters in the movie. Which ones were changed or amplified? How were they changed? Please discuss what was the cause of these changes.

Essay #3 Please consider one line that if taken out of the play, would change the play completely. What line would you remove? Please explain everything that it would alter.

Essay #4 Please describe in detail Act 5 of the play. Your focus should be on how all conflicts were resolved. What conflicts were left open? You should also examine the main 5 characters and detail what happens to each at the end of the play as part of your answer.

Essay #5 Iago is a complex and interesting character. Please examine his actions throughout the play and discuss how he successfully set up all of the main characters in the play.

Essay #6 If you had to remove 4 parts of the play that would not alter the main story, what parts would you remove and why?

Sherry Turkle on TED.com

Connected, but alone?
Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?

 

Comp. Lit. II research links

Here are links to some of the videos that you may wish to use as part of your research:

http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_jayne_blakemore_the_mysterious_workings_of_the_adolescent_brain

https://vimeo.com/55298815

http://www.ted.com/talks/tom_chatfield_7_ways_games_reward_the_brain

http://medcitynews.com/2013/09/technology-messing-body-mind/

http://www.pnas.org/content/106/37/15583.full

You may also use your own.  Reminder H need one medical journal as a source.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went over the structure of a 5 paragraph essay. 

We started with your thesis.

We then worked on a hook to pull your reader in.

We looked at a broad comment that could be added between these.

We wrote your introductory paragraph.

Shakespeare

Today:

We finished O.  We talked about how a modern version of Shakespeare can open him up to a new audience.  Specifically I asked you to think about how the basis of his stories are often used to craft new ones.

As a strong contrast, we then looked the final scene done with classical language.  We talked about the differences. 

We talked about the power of the final scene.  It is one of his best.  When Iago says that he will never speak again I still get a sick feeling in my stomach. 

I called you up and had a conference with each of you and showed you your grades for term 1.  Keep up the hard work.

HW:  Please make sure that you have finished the play.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched:
http://www.ted.com/talks/tom_chatfield_7_ways_games_reward_the_brain

I walked you through the intro powerpoint for your paper.

We went to the computer lab and researched 3 articles that you could use as support in your paper.
H students:  One of these must be a medical journal.

HW:  Please read all articles and star the best.  Be prepared to share Tuesday.

Shakespeare

Today:

We started off sharing your strawberry handkerchief children story.

We looked at the movie up to act 5.

We took notes on the mega long act 3, sc 3.  I mean that thing never ends....

HW:  Please share the permission note with your parents.  Have act V completed by Wed.

Ghost Story this Friday....

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished the film version of All My Sons.  How was the play different seeing it on stage done by professionals.

I passed out the packet for your 5 paragraph essay that will be due next Friday.  This includes: Research for paper, assignment, outline for 1st draft, transitional words, peer edit checklist.  Please do not loose this.

We began to look at some of the research for your paper.  I am posting these online as we go, as the statistics and points often moved fast.  Today we watched the following:

Intro to how our brains are changing due to social media and always being connected:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/social-media-brain-video_n_5784626.html

Research on how the teenage brain is different that the adult brain:
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_jayne_blakemore_the_mysterious_workings_of_the_adolescent_brain#t-729021

What social media is doing to your brain:
http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2014/03/here-s-what-facebook-is-doing-to-your-brain-it-s-kind-of-shocking.html

Shakespeare:

Today:
Please take a closer look at the story that Othello gives around the origin of the strawberry handkerchief.  Please convert this to a myth/children story/ f. tale.

Make a small booklet
Show as a small play

We reviewed act IV

We took a quiz on act IV.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

You took the exam for All My Sons.

We finished the film.

Reminder:  All missing work is due by Friday.  I  am after-school today if you need to make up anything.  You were all given a printout of all of your grades, with things that are missing.  Anything not made up by this Friday is a zero, and will bring down the average that you were given.  The average on the sheet does not count missing work as a true zero in my attempt to give you the entire term to make up.

Shakespeare

Today:

In an Othello State of Mind:  We broke into groups of two and looked for textual evidence of the following:
Othello is rational
Othello begins to doubt
Othello is a jealous monster
Iago's rhetorical devices used to manipulate Othello
Othello's psychological weakness

We had a good open discussion on jealousy and how and can consume us.  Many of you shared stories of jealousy.  We looked at the power it can have.

We looked at the significance of the handkerchief

We started act IV

HW:  Please read act 4 for Thursday.  Expect a quiz.  I am after-school today for those needed extra help or make-up work.  Reminder- grades close this Friday.

Feels Like Monday Season 4 Launches this Friday!

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished the play.

I gave you a review sheet for the test tomorrow.

We broke into small 2 person study groups and you worked on your one page of notes that can be used to write your essays Wed.

HW: Please review the play and get ready for the test.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We took a quiz on act 3 sc 1-3

We took notes and defined Soliloquy.

We broke into small groups of 2 an analyzed a soliloquy in Othello.

HW:  Please finish act 3 tonight.  Please pay extra attention to Iago and his thoughts.

Soon....Feels Like Monday Season 4!

Shakespeare:

Today:

We went down to the aud. and warmed up with a quick theater game.

I broke you into 5 groups and asked you to find a song or musical score for 5 points in the play.  I asked you to discuss the core emotion and look at how music could bring this out.

We performed these.  TWN filmed them- so watch for future episodes to see yourself on TV.

HW:  Please read act 3 to pg 113.  Work towards finishing the play this week.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Larry Strikes Back!:  In small groups I asked you to imagine that Larry returns from the war.  How would this impact the play?  We performed this as an improve (3-5 min.)

B Block:  You selected to write these, rather than act.  We performed the two best for extra credit.

We finished the play and discussed the power of the ending.

HW:  Please begin to review for the test Wed.  Please use the following review sheet:

All My Sons –Study Questions for the test    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.

Comp. Lit. II:

We watched act 1-2 of a film version of All My Sons.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We watched a film version of Othello.

We gave time to a group that did not have time to perform their scene on Thursday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

You cast the play.  I asked you to look at all ten parts and cast them with a dream cast.  Specifically I asked you to examine character descriptions and actions and pick an actor that could play that role.

We then shared these in groups of three.  Each of you explained your selections.  As a group you constructed a new list of your best picks.  We shared these with the class and voted on the best.

We finished act 2

This Friday, we will look at a film version of All My Sons.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We reviewed all of act 2 and took notes.  A reminder- these can be used on the quizzes.

We played 3 Strikes and you quiz.  You had a few good hits and avoided the quiz for act 2.  Thank those that played hard for you.

I broke you into small groups and asked you to base a talk show on the characters and plot of act 1-2.  We performed these.

We ended class again breaking into groups and selecting a memorable scene and making a still image/photograph.  We guessed at these.  I also posted them below.

HW:  Enjoy a night off.

We will be watching a movie version of Othello Friday.  Popcorn is encouraged.

Class Selfie

Comp. Lit. II:

I collected your journals.

We looked at glossary terms from the 40's to help understand references in the play that are no longer used.

I asked you to make a glossary for 2014 terms and expressions.

We did most of act 2.

We again looked at the power of symbols.  We broke into groups and identified 10 objects in the play that could be symbols.

Shakespeare:

Today:

We went around and shared the Tantasqua Heralds that you wrote for HW.
Those that shared will have 2 points added to their lowest quiz.

We looked at Sonnet 40, 57, 61, 87.  We looked for lines that suggest passion or jealousy.  We looked at how both can cloud your thoughts.

We reviewed act 2.

HW:  Please finish act 2.

Comp. Lit. II:

I will be collecting your journals on Wed.  Please make sure that they are up to date and ready.

B Block too a quiz on act 1

We broke into groups and did: You act the scene.  Each group was given a mystery prop that they needed to include.

We began act 2

Shakespeare:

Journal Prompt:  Write a one page letter to Desdemona's father, from Othello.  Please try to explain your love.                                                                                                                   1 page

We reviewed and took notes on act 1.

We took a quiz on act 1

We looked at a fun collection of phrases that were invented and first used by Shakespeare.  Many are used today.  Which have you used.  Sound wicked smaaart when you hear these and let the person know that Shakespeare invented them.

HW:  Act 2, s1-2.  Look at pg 67 and write a Tantasqua based Herald to announce to the class Wed.  These can be funny.

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal:  On this National Day of Writing, please write a page about anything.  We shared these and offered feedback.

We went down to the main lobby and left sticky note comments on pieces that you liked.

We finished act 1.

Quiz on Act 1, possibly Tuesday if we run short on time.

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.