Canterbury Tales

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Think about the character of Hamlet thus far.  How would the character be different if he, were a she?  Please explain you three specific scenes would be different and how.    1 page

Ophelia Tongue lashing activity

Quiz on act 2

Find 5 terms in act 2 in small groups of 3-4

HW:  Continue work on your Hamlet paper.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  Please write a one page letter to yourself in 8th grade.  What advice would you give your younger self?  Please give yourself three warnings of the future.       1 page

Day 2 of 3 to work on your Video Game manual.  These are due Tues.

Intro notes to the Canterbury Tales.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Have you ever caught someone in a lie?  How did you know that they were not telling the truth?  How did this resolve?                        1/2 page CPA       1 page H

Find lines that support:

Shock denial
pain + guilt
Anger

We made small skits that Hamlet could use to show his uncle's guilt.  These needed to be done with no words- only actions.

We began act III

Reminder: Papers due October 6th.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  Please describe a time when you made a promise or gave your word.  Did you keep it?  What would have happened if you had not?  Is giving your word still important in this world?  1 pg.

We began working on the outline for you video game manual.  These are due at the end of class on Wed.

Here is the audio recording that I referenced in class if you are still having a difficult time remembering/understanding the story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc4BILHone8

Shakespeare:

Today:

We finished Shakespeare in Love

We acted out act 2

We reviewed the terms from yesterday and looked for them in what we read today.

HW:  Begin finding lines for your Hamlet paper.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished and shared the Ballad of U assignment.

We discussed your reading from last night.

Journal Prompt:  Please look at the lyrics of the ballad that you brought in.  Please look again at them from a story telling point of view.  Please write a 20 line ballad from anothers point of view in the story.  What would the bartender feel and see in Billy Joels Piano Man?  If you can't do this, please write a sequel ballad the next day.                                                  20 Lines

We watched:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74glI1lg1CQ

I passed out your next assignment:

 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: the Video Game

You were graded on the following rubrics:


1.) A cover that has the title of your game and cover art for the game. This section must show effort

 

_______________ 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.  All weapons needed to be from the time period

 

_______________ 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. These also needed to somehow connect to the story in some meaningful way.

 

________________ 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.

 

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Please let me know how you are doing in class.  How is the class in general going for you?                                                   1/2 page

I gave you the info for the app Remind.  Please see me if you need the code

We broke into small groups and made a skit showing the stages of grief.  We performed these.

We defined the following terms:

Alliteration
Metaphor
Simile
Reversed Word
Reversed sentence
Reversed Though
Classical Allusion

Quiz: You needed to find three examples in act 1.

HW:  Please read the essay on grief in Hamlet

Brit Lit:

We went to the lib and finished your paper.

We submitted it to www.turnitin.com

HW:  Please bring in lyrics that fit the def of a ballad
Please read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in your Anthology

Shakespeare:

We took a quiz on act 1 and notes.

We watched Shakespeare in Love

We finished up on the Hamlet lines- last call Tuesday.

HW:  Please look over act II

Brit Lit

Today:

A Block: 
Due to some issues with the ipads, we went to the lib to finish work on your Hero's Journey paper.

HW:  Read pgs 42-68  Please take notes- you may use notes on the quiz Tuesday.

B Block:

We made a blues riff and read Sir Patrick Spens.  I had you read Get up and Bar the door with a drum beat.  Both were to help you connect why music and rhythmic patterns emerged in early stories.  We watched three clips of modern versions of Barbara Allen, and then read the original.

We finished Beowulf

Journal Prompt 7:  Please write a movie review for Beowulf.  Include your opinion and also commentary if it followed the hero's Journey and how.  1 page

HW:  Read pgs 42-68  Please take notes- you may use notes on the quiz Tuesday.

Shakespeare:

Wed + Thursday:

We finished and reviewed act one. 

We looked at the framework of a S.tragedy

Most of you recited your to be, or not to be lines.  The remainder will be due Monday.  Be ready!

We watched MST3K and their mocking of a made for TV BW German version of Hamlet.  I loved hearing you all laugh :-)


We ended with this clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA7lv1SDzno

Quiz is printed for Monday.  Please review.

Brit Lit:

Wed + Thursday:

We watched the movie Beowulf and looked at how this follows most of the hero's Journey.

We wrote your outline for your paper.

We learned about: Thesis statement, transitional words and phrases and how to write a strong conclusion. 

We passed out ipads and used the online version of Word to type your 1st draft.  I am sorry for those of you that had technical problems with making an account.  Blame Microsoft :-)

Papers were moved to be due at the end of class Monday, but please feel free to log on and work on these from home.  They should automatically be saved to your Microsoft cloud.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  How do you think we should use the ipads in this class?  Please think about the subject and come up with three lesson ideas.                                                                 1page

We made Shakespeare Star Wars Sonnets:
www.shakespearestarwars.com

We worked with a partner and researched three interesting facts to share with the class about Hamlet.

We completed act 1, sc 1

Reminder- 14 lines are due this Wed....tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow....

Brit Lit

Today:

Journal:  If you could have three super powers, what would they be?  For each power, please describe three things that you would do with each.  1 Page

We finished Spot the Kenning.

I collected the sheet I gave you to record each one.

I passed out the ipads and went over the rules.

I assigned each of you an ipad.  This will be yours to use during this class.  Please always use the same number.

I passed out outlines for your paper: 3-5 sentences for each stage.

We went online and researched three different sources.

Outline is due today.

Paper is due this Thursday via Turn it in.

If you tried real hard, imagine how easy school would be.

C Block:  This is what I was referencing in class.
https://vimeo.com/51448053

See if you can follow the scenes in Hamlet.

Shakespeare:

We watched the PBS special:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/uncategorized/hamlet-with-david-tennant/

Reminder:  14 lines from Hamlet will be due Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished watching the doc Finding Joe.  After watching, what are your dragons? 

We defined what a Kenning is.

I asked you to find three examples of Kennings in the story of Beowulf.  This counts as your quiz today.

Spot the Kenning: We broke into small groups and presented a scene that used three kennings.  For each, I gave you a worksheet to record them.

Shakespeare:

Yesterday:

We paired with a partner and conducted a pre-interview on some of the themes/topics in the play and shared your responses.

We looked at some of the 1500+ words that Shakespeare is credited for inventing.

Journal Prompt:  Please explain how your year is going so far using 10 of the words we covered.

We started Act 1, sc 1 in Hamlet

We took a quiz on Ch 1-3 in Shakespeare Alive!

Today:

We started by learning about all of the things that we know for sure about Shakespeare.  Please familiarize yourself with the key points.

We broke into small groups by rows and converted the 14 lines that you have to memorize into a modern version.

I gave out challenges for the To Be or Not to be speeches.  Reminder- this is a test grade- due next Wed.

Brit Lit:

Yesterday:
Journal Prompt:  Please list 10 of the 12 ways your selected movie/book/story fits the hero's journey

We created an account in Turn it in

We transferred your hero story into turn it in

We further defined the Hero's Journey by watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AG4rlGkCRU
https://vimeo.com/108682934
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8XUVqjX_IA

Today:

Journal:
Joseph Campbell said "Follow your bliss."  What is your bliss?  Is this good advice?  1/2 page

We watched the 1st 1/2 of the doc, Finding Joe.  See me to borrow DVD as it is not online in any form.

We reviewed Beowulf

We took a quiz on your reading.

HW:  Please have the movie/story ready for your outline work Friday.

Shakespeare

Journal #1:  Please describe in detail your experience with Shakespeare- good and bad.  What have you read/seen?  What specifically did you find difficult.  CP= 1/2 page CPA/H 1 page

We watched the 20 min. Documentary, Why Shakespeare?

We ended with Shakespearian insults- each person needed to get up and use three insults.

Brit Lit:

Today:

 Journal #1:  Please write a 1 page creation story that tries to explain the following: Seasons, The sun/stars, death/afterlife.

We discussed why stories change that are told orally.

We passed the story in the hall to show how stories can change and shorten.

We read The Seafarer on Pg 17.  Please look over for HW.

Brit Lit:

This last week:

Monday and Tuesday:  Work on your portfolio, parts 1-4.

Wed: A +B block portfolio's are due.  During exam, write in class essay.

Thursday: C block portfolio due.  In class essay prompt.  Must be written in class during the time of the exam,.

Friday:  The Dark Lord of the Sith waves goodbye....  then SUMMER!!!!!!!!

Brit Lit:

Today:

A + B:  We read
D.H. Lawrence's The Snake
George Orwell Shooting an Elephant

Journal prompt:  Please think about something that you may have killed.  From their perspective, please describe the event in extreme detail.    1 pg

C Block:  We looked closely at the three paintings composed by Jane Eyre in the story.  You needed to paint the scene with water colors, paying close attention to each line of description.  Shout out to the awesome Mr. Metcalf for letting us use his water color supplies.

HW:  Please finish the book for Monday.  Paper due Tuesday

Brit Lit:

Today:

We continued to share our Gothic inspired stories.  Please highlight the 5 examples of Gothic lit in your story and pass in asap.  These are now past due.

Brit Lit:

A Block:  We read your Gothic lit inspired stories in the dark.  We acted out the best on stage.

B Block:  We watched The Haunting

C Block:  We also watched the Haunting.  I collected your papers.  HW:  Please read to pg 193 in Jane Eyre.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  We went to the computer lab to type your gothic lit inspired stories.

B+C:  Awards ceremony

A big shout out and thank you to the Ted Foundation!

  This year they awarded my future classes a grant to purchase a set of ipads.  Thank you to the support of our communities and the entire Ted foundation.  Ted continues to be an amazing resource and has had a tremendous impact on my teaching.   THANK YOU!

Brit Lit:

This week we have been looking at Gothic Lit.  As a recap:

It has an innocent virgin type
A dark mysterious man
Mystery and suspense
A dark old house/castle
Unexplained events

C Block has also been examining the elements of Romance and how the Bronte sister's shifted to include elements of Gothic Lit..  Specifically, we have been looking at Jane Eyre.  This wed. we are up to ch 18.  The goal is to finish the novel next week.

All classes have been tasked with using the elements of Gothic Lit. to create an original 2-3 page Gothic story.  Many of you chose to write ghost stories, but other molds exist.

Due at the end of class Wed.:
2-3 page handwritten 1st draft.

We will be working to finish the final draft Friday and sharing these in the dark.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A+B+C Watched Wuthering Heights.

C Block had paper assignment:

1.Compare and contrast the the theme of love in Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre

Throughout the novels 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte countless comparisons can be made. The two novels explore love, how this powerful emotion is able to overcome countless obstacles.

 

In a well written 5 paragraph essay, please compare and contrast the theme of love in the two novels. 

 

2.  Sequel

 

Imagine 10 years after either novel. Please write a 3 page sequel that is written in 1^st person, and follows the outline that we discussed for a Victorian Novel.

 

3.  Class Issues

 

 Think about the role that social class plays in Jane Eyre. What social classes are represented in the novel? To what extent is each class depicted?

 

Are all the classes given equal representation? How do the classes shown in the novels relate to the classes that realistically existed in the time and place where the novel(s) take place? Please consider two important questions: how does the author feel about the different social classes, and how can you tell the author's opinion? Write a paper that explores the way that social class and class issues affect the characters and plot of your novel.

 

4.  Positive/Negative Characters

 

In the novels Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, some of the characters are given positive, sympathetic portrayals. Others have negative, perhaps even villainous portrayals. Still others may begin with negative qualities and gradually become more and more positive. Rarely does an author rely on the reader's personal sense of morality to determine which characters are positive and which are negative.

Instead, there are details, actions, and characteristics that help define who is

"good" and who is "bad." It's easy to know the difference in old westerns—goodguys wear white hats; bad guys wear black hats. But even then, there are other details that help you know what it going on, details that even help you construct hierarchies (e.g., slightly bad to fully evil). Think about your novel. How does the author indicate which characters are positive and which are negative? In your essay, explain how you can tell the difference.

C Block:  Please read to pg. 109 in JE

 

 

Brit Lit:

Today:
A Block: We read pgs 922-929 of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. CH 1 ends with Jane being place in the Red room.

Assignment:  Write a 1st person account of what was so bad about being placed in the red room.

B:  We finished the movie Jane Eyre.

C:  We read ch 1.CH 1 ends with Jane being place in the Red room.

Assignment:  Write a 1st person account of what was so bad about being placed in the red room.

HW:  Please read to pg 45.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A and B watched Jane Eyre.

C Block- Epic 4th annual Shakespeare Olympics!  Pictures soon...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k7VXDPdg4k

Brit Lit:

Today:

A + C:  Sr's went to the computer lab to begin work on their final portfolio.  End in greatness.

Jr's:  A Block:  You watched Jane Eyre

C Block:

You broke into small groups and researched:

Research Topic #1:  Define feminism.  Please examine how Jane Eyre fits this definition.  Please also have 3-4 from the same relative time period that also fit this mode.  Please find two other authors’ that claim to have been inspired or influenced by the novel.

 

Research Topic #2:  Bio of Charlotte Bronte.  Please present a well thought out and detailed description of her life.  Your presentation should also include her famous sister Emily.  Please make sure to include important dates.  How did her real life influence the writing of Jane Eyre?

 

Research Topic #3:  Define the Coming of Age novel.  What are the characteristics?  Please examine at least 4 ways the novel fits the definition.  Please discuss 3-4 other novels that can be defined in a similar way in terms of the structure of the story.

 

Research Topic #4:  Define Gothic Literature.  What are the characteristics? Please include 3-4 other novels in your group discussion.    Thus far, how has Jane Eyre fit this definition?  Please also examine how this form of writing has impacted movie making, giving examples where possible.

 

 

B Block:  You took the test for Macbeth.

 

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected your projects.

A + C took notes on act 4-5

They also took a quiz on 5

B:  We finished the play.  Test tomorrow for those that did not complete the final assignment.  You may use all of your notes.

Seniors- I will be collecting all books Thursday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  As you look back of HS, who was your best teacher?  Why?  What was your favorite memory?  If you could change one part of HS, what would you change and why?  1 page

A + C:  Came close or finished the play (act V)

B:  Finished act 4
We took notes on act IV
We ended with a quiz on act IV

Reminder:  Your final Macbeth projects are due Wed.  End in greatness.

http://www.wcvb.com/news/wake-up-call-tantasqua-regional-high-school/33077420


We made the Boston News!

Battleship Cove 2015 Pictures:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/seancusick/ds46dS