Brit Lit:

Today:

A + C: 
We went outside and reenacted the murder of Banquo. 

I passed out and went over your final Macbeth project.  This is due next Friday.

We defined Paradox and Equivocation.  We looked at examples for both and broke into discussion groups.

B Block:
 We went outside and warmed up with pinky sword fight.

We acted out act II including the death of Duncan.

I assigned your final Macbeth project.  These are due next Friday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A+C:  Journal prompt:  Ben Franklin said that if you ever want to see a persons true character, all you needed to do was give them a little power and see what they do with it.  Please describe a situation in your life when a person changed (+ or -) due to the power given.      1 page.

We took a quiz on Act 1.

We imagined what Facebook would have been like 400 years ago.  I broke you into groups of 2 and tasked you with making a fictional Facebook page for any character in Macbeth.

Time was again given for you to recite the ten lines.  You continue to lose 10 points each late day....This is a test grade.

We continued Act II.

B Block:  We watched a 12 min video:  Why Shakespeare?

We took a quiz on the notes that I gave you yesterday.  Reminder, during our study of Shakespeare, you can use all notes/hand outs.

You were each given a random line from one of his plays.  Each row was given an emotion and asked to read the line with this feeling. 

We continued act I and met Macbeth.

Many of you smiled and laughed at Shakespeare....just sayin.....

HW: Study your ten lines for Friday.  Test Grade

Brit Lit:

Welcome B Block!  It was nice to formally meet you all this morning.  I look forward to our time together.

A + C Block:  We recited your Macbeth lines.  Those that did not, lose 10 points each day that this is late.

We took notes on act 1 in A block

Both classes watched the 1st act of Roman Polanski's ver. of the Scottish play.  What did you think?

B Block:

We started off with notes on Shakespeare.  We also took notes on the Globe.  Reminder:  You may use your notes on every quiz/test.

We tossed around Shakespeare insults.

We started act 1 in Macbeth.

I passed out the 10 lines that you must memorize for this Friday.  Reminder: This is a test grade.  Looking at some of your averages, you need this!

Brit Lit

Today:

A Block- We collected any remaining journals
C Block- You took a quiz on terms from last week.

A + C:  We  took advantage of the nice temps and moved class outside.  We finished act 1 and completed out notes.  We acted out Act 2, sc1-2. 

We learned how to show weight and power, with pinky fights.  Each group needed to show their pinky as a 40lbs sword.  Videos to follow.

We talked about how Shakespeare often does not give us the scenes that we want to see the most.
I referenced an essay by Stephen King.

HW:  Continue to learn the ten lines from Macbeth.

Brit Lit

Today:

A Block: 
We looked at words Shakespeare invented.

We define a Shakespearian tragedy and took notes.

We watched a PBS doc with Ethan Hawke discussing the challenges of playing the part of Macbeth.  It also examined the history the play was based on.  This can be viewed here:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/uncategorized/macbeth-with-ethan-hawke/

C Block:

We were unable to do the lesson plan planned- dumb April showers and the flowers.....

We looked at an episode of 30 Rock which based an episode on the Macbeth curse. This can be viewed here:
http://bardfilm.blogspot.com/2013/03/30-rock-does-macbeth.html

I broke you into group and had you modernize and present the 10 lines I gave you.  You were encouraged to do these as: A Western, country western song, gangsta, children story, etc....

HW- learn the 10 lines!  Test Grade due April 30th!!!

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.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:

 We started with stress and inflection. Each row was given different lines from different plays and then asked to use stress and inflection.

We defined all of the things Shakespeare uses for language tricks.

We took a quiz on the notes given yesterday. If you were abs., please make up asap.

We looked at a clip of Yoda showing reversed thoughts/words

We continued act 1.

C Block:

We broke into groups and worked on changing the word order of a sentence.  We discussed how this can change the meaning.  We also looked at how Shakespeare does this all over the place.  Look for it.

We talked about what battle would have been like during this time.  To showcase this, we watch a 5 min battle sequence from the movie Braveheart.

We acted act 1, sc2-3.

We took notes and defined a Shakespeare Tragedy.  I taught you the secret sauce.

We ended class breaking into groups of 4 to find 4 examples of the language tricks that we covered in class yesterday.

Brit Lit:

Today: A Block:

 Today Journal Prompt: What has your experience with Shakespeare been? What have you liked/disliked? What specific things did you find difficult? What plays have you seen/read? 1/2 page

We looked at the words that are used to insult. You were pair with another student and asked to pair three insults.
You were given a handout on Shakespeare known facts.

We took notes on the Globe/Elizabethan times

C Block: Today
We started with stress and inflection. Each row was given different lines from different plays and then asked to use stress and inflection.

We defined all of the things Shakespeare uses for language tricks.

We took a quiz on the notes given yesterday. If you were abs., please make up asap.

We looked at a clip of Yoda showing reversed thoughts/words

We continued act 1.

Brit Lit.

Welcome back! I would like Mr. Caswell for the time that he spent teaching you the last few weeks.  Teaching is a challenging job- thank you for making his first attempt positive.

Today:

A Block:  You took the Peter Pan test.  Please know that all work done with Mr. Caswell counts towards your grade.  Please see him specifically with any missing work or commitments.

We began our intro to Shakespeare and I passed out "The Scottish Play."

C Block:
Intro to Shakespeare
Shakespeare insults- we learned about some of the less nice words and used them against another student in class.

We took notes on Elizabethan times and discussed his competition.

I passed out copies of the play.  Please have these at all times.

I gave you the lines you must learn by May 1st.  10 points per line.  This counts as a test grade.

Brit Lit.

The blog will resume in 2 weeks. During this time Mr.Caswell, my student teacher,will be taking over classroom responsibilities. I will still be around and will pop in to observe class periodically. I hope you have a great experience with him- I know you will. Be extra kind and attentive. Teaching is way harder than it looks!

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished sharing our original poems.

We also finished your headline poem assignment.

We looked at how rap can also follow the rules of poetry:
http://www.paulcarl.com/teaching-poetry-through-rap/

You can watch the TED talk following that link,

We reviewed the 10 basic poetry terms and looked to identify them in four popular rap songs.

Term end next week.  I am afterschool both Monday and Wed. next week.  Please make sure to have all missing work submitted.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished sharing our poems.

Headline poems and green screen sharing project.

We looked at the poetry and lives of:  Andrew Marvell, Ben Johnson, Robert Herrick

We began to wrap poetry.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We each shared our original poem.  Some seized the day....

We looked at the poetry of:  Sir Philip Sidney, Christopher Marlowe, Sir Walter Raleigh

C block covered Dr. Faustus.

A block, read for HW and answer questions 1-5

Brit Lit:

Today:

Last 30 sec of DPS

A Block only:  Journal prompt:  Who in your opinion is responsible for Neil's death?  Should we be teaching you to think for yourself?  At what age?  Why?   1/2 page

Finished looking at poems from DPS (handout)

We defined meter and foot.(handout)

You wrote a 20 line poem following a specific meter and foot

We looked at John Milton, George Byron

HW:  Write an original poem which must be shared standing on your chair to the class wed.  No sharing = no credit.

Brit Lit.

Today:

Journal Prompt:
Please write an original poem on one of the following ideas: Love, death, loss, Spring, or Winter.  You first lines need to ask questions, and you last lines need to try and provide answers.

C Block:  I passed back your Beowulf tests.  I collected journals #1-10

We finished watching Dead Poets Society.

Brit Lit:

Yesterday:

Journal Prompt:  Please tell me about your experience with poetry.  Do you write poems?  Have you ever connected with a poem?  

We read the poems on pgs.  170-179  by Sir Thomas Wyatt, Sir Philip Sidney.

We took notes on sonnets

You each needed to write a 14 line sonnet based on what you are feeling today.

HW:  Find and bring in a poem that you emotionally connect to.

Today:       
Journal Prompt:  Please write the poem that you selected in your journal and explain why you selected it.

I gave you a handout of poems used in the movie Dead Poet Society.

We watched the movie that made me want to be a teacher, Dead Poets Society.                                          

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished playing our review game, Who Wants to Win a Pizza Party.  Great effort by all.

We took the Anglo-Saxton Unit test.

If you did not take it, I am afterschool Monday and Wed.  Please make it your responsibility to make it up.

https://vimeo.com/121493389

Today: We reviewed for the unit test Wed.  I collected your video game manuals.

Review sheet for Unit 1 test:

Please review the following:

Creation Stories

Hero’s Journey

Oral Tradition

Epic poetry

Caesura

Kenning

Ballad

Folk Ballad

Life of Chaucer

Symbolism

Direct and indirect characterization

All the characters from the C. Tales

Morality Plays

Medieval Romance

 

Stories/poems/ballads:

The Seafarer, Beowulf, Sir Patrick Spens, Get up and Bar the Door, The Twa Corbies, Barbara Allan, Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Everyman

Brit Lit:

Today:

We took notes and defined Medieval Romance:

We defined Morality plays.

We read the play Everyman as an example.

I broke you into small groups to construct your own morality play.  I collected these.

HW:  Video game manuals are due Tuesday.

Test Wed on first unit.  We will review Tuesday,

Brit Lit:

Today:
Day 1 of 2 computer time.

Today we completed our research on 14-15th c weapons.  You also completed your weapon page for your video game manual.

You typed your one pg summery of the story.

A Block- I passed back your journals and other assignments.

Here is the assignment as a whole:

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.

 

 

 

 

Due Date:______________

Full Text

http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/English/GawainAndTheGreenKnight.htm

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:

We selected one of your 3 pilgrims and I asked you to write a one page story that they might have told on their pilgrimage.  I collected these.

We shared these and guessed at which pilgrim would have told the tale.

We watched two more of the C. Tales from the BBC

HW Read the Pardoner's Tale

C Block:

We took notes on Chaucer

We broke into small groups and each looked at the characterization of 3 pilgrims.
Each group presented these.
You all took notes.  These can be used on the Quiz.

HW Read the Pardoner's Tale.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  I collected your journals.

We watched:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=canterbury+tales&qpvt=canterbury+tales&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=23525B0DB78374E3280223525B0DB78374E32802

Brit Lit:

A Block:  Journals will be collected Friday.  Please make sure that they are all complete.

We broke into groups and finished your C. Tales character sketch

We presented these to the class.

We took notes on all of the characters,

HW:  Please read 101-112 in your anthology.  Quiz on notes Friday.



C Block:

We took the essay exam for Beowulf.

I passed back your first papers

I passed out portfolio folders to collect your major assignments.

Brit Lit:

A Block:

Journal Prompt:  Please describe a time when you went on a trip/journey where you learned a new thing about yourself from the experience.        1/2 page

We finished your symbolic representation assignment.

I broke you into groups and assigned you your pilgrims that you are responsible for presenting to the class.

C Block:
We finished the movie.  The last 10 minutes I let you break into groups and share your findings. Test Thursday. 

Brit Lit.

Today:

A Block:  We finished Beowulf.
We finished the journal prompt detailing ten ways the story follows the HQ.
We read the Ballad of Barbara Allan.

HW Please read pg 91-96 in your anthology.

C Block:  We watched the documentary: In search of Beowulf.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C0sFXU0SLo

We broke into small study groups and reviewed the translation.  You generated 1 page of notes that you will be allowed to use on the test.

Test Tuesday:  Compare and contrast the animated movie to the translation that we read,.  You may use notes.

Brit Lit:

A Block:  Journal Prompt:  Please use your notes on the hero's quest and describe in detail how the movie/full story of Beowulf follows it.  You may make a list, just be sure to describe each in detail.  Please aim for 10 of the 12.

We watched the animated version of Beowulf.

C Block:  Demonstrating what we have been talking about with the oral tradition, I told my ghost story from when I was teacher in Ireland. 

HW:  Please make sure you have finished Beowulf for Monday.

Brit Lit:

Yesterday (Wed.):  Journal Prompt:  Please convert the Ballad that you brought in into a story.  Use new language to tell the story- not the lyrics.                  1/2 Page

We started the Ballad of You assignment where to interviewed a member of class and then wrote a detailed ballad about their life and who they are.

We read Sir Partick Spens (set to a phat drum beat)
We read Get Up and Bar the Door (Blues version)

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Write from the point of view of an animal?  Your story can be about anything, just make sure that it is told from the perspective of an animal.   1/2 page

We finished the Ballad of You assignment.  Today we completed our interview, described the things they carry, and wrote a 25-30 line ballad.

We used the raven puppet and did the Twa Corbies. 

I played Bob Dylan, Johhny Cash and a random old guy performing Barbara Allan.

C Block Supplemental learning:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/poetry/seamus-heaney/

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  If you could pick 3 super hero type powers, what would you pick and why?  How would you use each of your powers?                       1 page

We finished the final draft of your paper and passed them in.

C Block:  We played three strikes and you quiz.  We avoided a quiz on your reading and won the night of for Beowulf.

HW:  Please take your ballad and convert it to a similar Anglo-Saxon style.  Please see pg 71 for a model.  For each line, please break two separate ideas using a caesura, or pause in the middle.  Try to limit each part to no more than 4 syllables.  You will need to take out and rewrite the story in your ballad to make this work.  Please include at least one new kenning.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please describe what you did over vacation.  1/2 page

We defined Kennings, alliteration.

C Block found 5 kenning examples from Beowulf, and two examples of alliteration.

We did a peer edit on your first draft. 

We went over transitional words and phrases and we worked these into your draft.

HW:  Find a Ballad- a song that tells a story.

C Block:  Read to pg 133.  Expect a quiz.

Brit Lit:

Today:

D Block:
 Journal Prompt:  Revenge can indeed be sweet.  Like Grendel's Mom, please describe a time when you got revenge.  Was is sweet?  If you could do it again, would you?  Why?      1 page

We reviewed pgs 50-100.  Per our deal, no vacation HW.

We finished and passed in your first draft.  Final is due Tuesday after vacation.

A+B Block:  We finished our 1st draft and passed it in.  Final is due Tuesday after break.


Have a great vacation!  Be safe and make good choices.  See you on the flip side.

Brit Lit:

Today we wrote the first draft of your paper.  A few general reminders:

1st draft is due Friday.  It does not need to be perfect.  We will be working on revising these the Monday that we get back.

The requirement is 4-5 pages.  Please make sure you cover 10 of the 12 stages that we went over.  For each, begin by defining the stage, followed by how your movie specifically connects.

Final copy due Tuesday after vacation.

D Block HW:  Please read to pg 100 for tonight.

Brit. Lit.:

Yesterday (Tuesday)
We used the time to work on the outline for your paper.

Today: 
We went over specifics on how to write this paper.  I answered any questions and offered help.  Most of the class was spent in the computer lab writing your first draft.  First draft is due Friday at the end of class.

Brit Lit.:

Today
Journal Prompt #3:
Please describe in detail your greatest fear. Have you ever tried to face it?  Why or why not?  If you have, please describe it.  If you have not, please explain why.        1/2 page

I assigned your paper:

The Hero’s Quest

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

 

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

 

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

 

We reviewed your reading HW.

 

We used the stages of the Hero's Quest and you made an original skit in small groups.  We performed these in class.

Brit LIt:

Today:

We started with
 Journal Prompt #2:  Please consider fear.  What makes you scared?  Please describe a moment when you were scared for fun.                                                                                             1/2 page

We finished the Finding Joe Doc.

D Block:  Hear Seamus reading Beowulf:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=beowulf%20reading%20seamus&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=beowulf%20reading%20seamus&sc=0-19&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=015A67F9975654BB205C015A67F9975654BB205C    

A+ B Block Finish Beowulf in your anthology.

We continued talking about The Hero's Quest.

D Block: Here is what I was referencing in class today.  Please check it out if you are a fan:
http://www.tolkienbeowulf.com/           

Brit Lit.

Today:

We watched the first part of the documentary on J. Campbell- Finding Joe.
This can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YjpNMYCEN8

A/B Block- Please read pgs 23-27 in your Anthology.
C Block- Please read the introduction pages to Beowulf.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started with
journal prompt #1:  What in your opinion makes a person a hero?  Who are yours?  Who do you consider modern hero and why?  Please end with describing a time that you were heroic?                                                                             1 page

We took a quiz on your reading.

We began our look at the Hero's Quest.

HW:  Please watch a movie that you feel might follow these steps (most action movies do.)  Suggestions:

Rocky, Finding Nemo, Dumbo, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Happy Gilmore, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Jaws.

Brit Lit

Today:

We looked at the origin of stories.

We defined and discussed the oral tradition.

Telephone: I passed around a fictional story about Mr. Lucas and we retold it across the class.  We agreed that stories lose detail and change if not written down.

I gave you 20 minutes to write a creation story.  Must be 1 page and include:
Explain the seasons, day/night, life/death, right/wrong, how the world came to be.

We read The Seafarer and looked at how pagan and Christian beliefs merged.  We also defined it as a Lyric poem.

HW:  Please read pgs 2-14.  We will have a 5 question quiz on Friday- Start strong!

Brit Lit:

Welcome to my blog! 

Please enter your email at the top if you wish to receive auto updates.  You might also wish to bookmark it.  It is a great resource if you miss school or need clarification on assignments.

I look forward to working with you all this year!  Have fun in the blizzard!

The End

Best of luck to you all.  I greatly enjoyed our time together.

Final Assignment:

Portfolio Assessment

For your final assignment, I will ask you to reflect back on the work that we did together.  A portfolio allows you the opportunity to think about what you have done, what you have learned, and how you may have changed through the process.  A completed portfolio consists of the following four parts:

 

Part I:  Journal Prompts  Please select 3 out of the 30 journal prompts that you are most proud of.  For each one, please type out and write a 3-5 sentence reflection piece as to why the prompts that you selected were meaningful.

Part II:  Selected Assignment  Please select one assignment that you are the most proud of from  your writing folder and include it in your portfolio.  Please include a 3-5 sentence reflective piece commenting on:

1.        What did you learn from this assignment?

2.       What did you find most challenging in this assignment?

3.       If you could do this again, what specifically could you improve on?

Part III:  Letter to Students  Please write a one page letter to future students taking this class.  Please give advice on what to expect from me as a teacher, as well as your comments on the activities and assignments that we did in class.  Please make reference to specific assignments and novels in your discussion.

Part IV:  Letter to Yourself  Please write a letter to yourself.  In this letter, please comment on specific areas that you have improved upon while taking this course.  Think about thoughts and feeling that you have had while reading and writing in this class.  Please try and give specific evidence to back up your statements.  You should aim to cover at least three areas of improvement, with three specific examples.  Please also feel free to comment on how you have changed as a person through assignments and class discussions.

 

Please include all parts along with this assignment sheet in a manila folder, with your name, date and class clearly marked on the front.  If you do not have one easily available, please see me.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I gave your writing folders and journals back.

We went over the req. for your portfolio assessment.

We watched the rest of the Oprah special on Elie W. and Night.

We talked about the use of the word night in the novel.

HW: Study for vocab quiz.  Finish book.  Work on final prep.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Write a back story for Madame Overdone.  Exactly 32 words.  Force yourself to edit and choose your words carefully.

We took a cartoon quiz on act 4.

HW:  Finish act 4.  Play for Tuesday.

Friday- writing from you unconscious mind....

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We read pgs 3-22. 

We took a quiz on these pages.

I gave you your vocab #1 for Night.

HW:  Please define your vocab words.  Read pgs. 23-40

Shakespeare:

Today:

Please break into groups of 5-6.  Take time in your group to review Act I+II.  Please pick 10 main plot points.  In your group, please decide how to put these to gather as a 3 min. skit.  Please elect one person to play 3 songs that can be used to add to any parts of your skit.

HW:  Please read act 3 sc 1-2.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We started the novel Night

I passed out 5 opening questions.  We shared your responses and had a class discussion.

I passed out the novel.

We went over the character list.

We began reading the book.