Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal#26:    What are your thought s on good vs. evil?  God vs. Satan, Karma?  Where do you think evil comes from?  Goodness?  Do you think there is a hell?  If so, what do you think that it looks like?                  1-2 pages

I introduced you to Milton- one of the biggies.

WE broke into 5 groups and were assigned were assigned a page from Paradise Lost.  Using the ipads, each group was asked to find a piece of music and 5 pictures that match the story.  We the read while projecting the images on the projector.

We will finish those that still need to be filmed in front of the green screen Wed.

HW:  Finish P. Lost answer questions 1-7 on pg. 479.

Brit Lit:

Today:  We finished Dead Poets

Journal #25:  Who is responsible for the death of Neil?  What are the dangers of us teaching you to think for yourselves?  What is the point of education?        1/2 page

We began filming the Tantasqua Fav. Poem Project.

In front of the green screen, we filmed you:

Introduce yourself
Name of poem and poet
Why you selected/why important- try and include a meaningful line.
Read the poem selected (s l o   wwww)

HW:  read pgs 456-462.  Answer questions 1-4 on pg 462.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We defined symbol.

I asked you to find 10 simple, common objects.

Using the ipads, you searched for the objects you found and detailed how each could be used as a symbol of an idea much larger.

We read act II

We went over 80's day.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #24:  Have you ever had a teacher that changed you?  Who was your favorite/least favorite teacher and why?   1page

We went over the Tantasqua Favorite Poem Project.

WE looked at 3 video examples from Robert Pinsky's project.

We looked at all of the poems used in the movie Dead Poets.

We started the movie that made me want to be a teacher....

HW:  Please make sure you have your poem.  We will be filming Friday-Tuesday

Comp. Lit. II:

Today: 

We watched the 1945 version of Act 1.  We talked about the differences and why they might have been made.

I assigned the following:

All My Sons: You Act the Scene

Directions:  For this assignment, I will be breaking you into four groups.  Please read the following assigned to your group.  Please discuss how your group could show the scene in a short skit in front of the class.  For the scene, write an abbreviated script to follow.  These should not be the exact lines- rather without using the script, think of the scene and make a script that shows the most important parts.

 

Group #1:  Keller, Jim, and Frank pgs 5-7.

 

Group #2:  Sue, Jim, Keller, Lydia, Bert.  Pgs. 9-11.

 

Group #3:  Keller, Chris, Mother.  Pgs. 13-16.

 

Group #4:  Mother, Chris, Ann, Jim, Keller.  Pgs. 19-23

 

We went outside to perform these.

 

I passed back your quizzes from yesterday- keep up the good work.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We started with

 journal #23/22:  Please write a sonnet following the rules we went over.  The poem needs to ask a question(s) and use the last two lines GG as the answer.  Remember, the last two lines in the sonnet are the power chord.

I assigned Tantasqua's Favorite Poem Project 2016.

I introduced Robert Pinsky.

I gave a brief bio of Ben Jonson and Robert Herrick.  We read the poems by each in the anthology.

I showed examples from last year.  These can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/123734012

HW:  Please find a poem that you have a strong connection with.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #21:  Write a meaningful poem on the topic of love.

We looked at the poetry of Donne.

We defined a sonnet

We wrote a 14 line sonnet that followed the rules.

We began  watching the Macbeth Movies.  We will finish Wed.

Alt. test assignment for Macbeth Thursday afterschool, or by appointment.

HW:  Please finish reading the poems on pgs 432-36.  Answer questions 1-7 on pg 437

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

I collected journals #11-20

I passed out and started All My Son's

I introduced Arthur Miller

We acted out act 1.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A block:  We introduced the poetry unit and looked at the poetry of Donne. 

Journal #21:  Please write a poem that is modeled after the poem Song.  Begin with a loss, and end with finding a positive.

C block:  Work day #3 on your Macbeth movies. 

Both classes completed secret group evaluations.

Those having issues:  There will be an alternative assignment.  This Thursday there will be a 4 essay test for Macbeth. 

Everyone else:  Your movies are due Tuesday.  Please pass in on DVD, via online, or on a memory card.  Please also have your scripts and outline to pass in as well.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

We finished the LotF film

We took a test on the novel.

I passed back all of your remaining term 3 assignments.

I gave you your term grade.

HW:  Enjoy the nice weather and your time off.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I passed back a ton of assignments from term 3 and gave you your final grade.

Day 2 of 2 workday for you Macbeth video project.  Reminder- this is a test grade- make them great!

These are due on the Tuesday we return.

HW:  Have a great break and enjoy the well earned time off to be a kid.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We started with a quiz on your reading: ch 7-8

I gave you 20 min. to finish the draft of your liner notes for the Lord of the Flies Soundtrack assignment.

We went down to the lib for 20 min to type these out.

HW:  Please finish novel for tonight
We will have a review Thursday, and the test Friday.  Reminder: You may use any notes that you took.  These need to be your own- not just summaries printed out.

Brit Lit:

Today:
We finished act V and the play- I am proud of your effort.  I told you it could be fun....

I gave you time to prep for Thursday.  Be ready to film- have your script, costumes, props, locations all set.

 

Comp. Lit.II:

Today:

We started with a quiz on ch 5.

We looked at the lyrics for the U2 song Shadows and Tall Trees.  This song was written and inspired by the band after they read the chapter of the same name.

I assigned the Lord of the Flies Soundtrack project:
Lord of the Flies soundtrack assignment

 As a conclusion to our Lord of the Flies unit, your tribe will be creating a partial soundtrack for the book. As with any soundtrack, you should choose music to represent the mood and the feel of the text. You will also create a CD cover and creative liner notes to be enjoyed while listening to the CD.

 

With your group members you should:

v Choose your songs. As a group, you should decide on songs that represent each of the chapters of the novel (pick 2 chapters and so 2 songs total for each person in your group – each chapter can only be covered once in a group).  You can consider the lyrics of the song or simply the style and mood of the song. Be sure to choose music that is appropriate for the class. If you wish, you may write and perform a song for your CD.

v Create liner notes. Design liner notes that list the songs you have chosen with the information for the song and an explanation for why you chose each song. Your explanations should clearly demonstrate an understanding of the text and explain your rationale for choosing each song. You should have parenthetical citations referencing a specific moment in the text that you are trying to capture the feel of. It is not enough to simply say, ”this is the chapter where there is the fire…” Therefore, an “A” explanation would refer to specific points in the chapter and clearly describe the connection to the song. Your liner notes should also include the lyrics for each song.

v Design a CD cover. Design an original CD cover for your soundtrack. You can create images by hand or you can use a computer.

v Present your CD to the class. We will play selections of CDs during class.


HW:  Please read ch 8-9

Brit Lit:

We started class with Act V, sc1.  We looked at the deterioration of Lady Macbeth.

I assigned the Macbeth Video project.  This is due the Tuesday after break.  Thursday and Friday are both work days.

I showed you some samples from past classes.

I gave you time to form groups and generated roles and ideas for the project.  I introduced the equipment and went over the basics of storyboarding.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:
We started with our Lord of the Flies journal prompt.
Today we established:
What life is like with missing student
What is your innovatory list from all members?
You went to war with another tribe and some groups lost or gained 3 things from the raid.

We reviewed reading

We watched a parody of the novel made by the Simpsons.

HW:  6-7  Start thinking about songs for your soundtrack.

Brit Lit:

Today:
We finished act IV

Lady Macbeth suicide note:  Imagine that she left a note detailing her unhappiness.  Please include 5 of the 6 Shakespeare language tricks.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We reviewed ch 1-2

We completed LotF Journal #22.  Today you had to:  Explain your shelter situation, what food have you had for the last 3 days, and one unexplained event.

We used the ipads and went to storyboardthat.com.  You were tasked with making a 3 slide cartoon using the program that explains the main events in ch 1-2

HW Read CH 3 +4

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block:  First 1/3 of class we went to the art/science fair and supported the great work and research on display.  Great job!

B Block:  Beta tested storyboardit on the ipads. 

A Block: Completed assignment as a skit.

Both classes: Imagine the 3 new prophesies.  What 3 things could eliminate all of his problems?

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I passed out our next novel, Lord of the Flies.

Intro lecture to Lord of the Flies via powerpoint.  You took notes.

We heard the author describe why he wrote the novel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYnfSV27vLY

We looked at the top 10 quotes from the book

We began looking at the main question:  Is man inherently evil?  Where does evil come from?  Are we born this way, or is it learned behavior?

Pre-reading activity: 
We packed for our trip.
We wrote about our trip while on the plane.
We crashed the plane, but you all survived.
We journaled (not a real word) about the first cold night
We journaled about the next morning.

HW:  Read CH 1,2,3.  I smell a quiz Wed.

Brit Lit

Today:

We finished act III
We took notes on act III.
We looked at the gross ingredients in the stew from act 4.  Do these hold up 400 yeats after?
I tasked you to make a 20 ingredient stew, using 2016 to freshen it up.

What is social media existed 400 years ago?  In small groups you picked one of the following:

Facebook Page- 15 wall posts.
Twitter- 10 twitter posts
txt:  25 txt msgs between 2 or more characters.

Silent Movies 2016: Macbeth

Comp. Lit. II:

I assigned new seats.

We took the exam for Night.

I collected your books.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We watched the 2015 Ver of Macbeth up to act IV.  Why do you think they changed they plot?  Did it make it better?

I shared your silent movie version of Macbeth.

Time permitting, I passed back a slew of things as we move to close the term next week.  If you need to make up assignments, now's the time, like Charlie Parker once said......

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went to the computer lab to type out your letter to Elie.

We went over how to address a letter.  We mailed these to Elie.

We played a review game for the test.  Many questions will be on the test.  Please use them to review.

Vocab will be on the test, not a quiz.

I will collect books on Friday.

I collected journals #11-20

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

Banquo's ghost has no lines.  Prepare two speeches (10 lines each) on what he would say.  Please include an example of each of the terms covered.

We used the ipads to film these in a dramatic way and shared these via apple TV.  Technology is grand.

We looked at the news report on Shakespeare's missing skull.
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=shakespeares+skull&adlt=strict&view=detail&mid=F2A5CC0A44F32A9E287CF2A5CC0A44F32A9E287C&FORM=VRDGAR

We finished act III

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We started class with a quiz on your reading

Never Shall I forget- You wrote a poem following the rubrics given

Letter to Elie: 
We went over how to write a business letter.
We wrote a one page letter to the author sharing your feelings about the novel.

HW:  Finish book for Thursday.  Test Friday

Brit Lit.

Today:

Those still needing to recite your Macbeth lines were given time to do so.

We performed and scripted a Macbeth talk show:
Must write script, but not follow 100%
Must include 3-4 characters
Must have host
Must perform

We finished act III

Comp. Lit. II:

We took a quiz on CH 4+5

We broke into rows and found examples of night/darkness

We shared survivor examples from yesterday.

HW:  Read CH 6+7  Finish book for Thursday

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

We recited the Macbeth lines.

We covered act 3

C Block finished 3 and found two examples of the recently covered terms in act 3 and shared with the class.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We took a quiz on ch 1-3 in Night.

I gave vocab words from the book.  Quiz on these Friday.

We used the ipads and searched for questions on the Holocaust.  Each group shared a survivor story from their research.

We looked at how the word night is used in the novel.  In small groups we identified how the word is used.

HW:  Read CH 4+5.  Quiz on Tuesday.

Brit Lit.

Today:

We looked at the Mozart Effect, and how listening to certain classical music can increase memory for short periods.

We finished notes on act 2.

We watched the 2015 Macbeth version.

HW:  Have your lines ready to go.  Don't blow this off- it is a test grade.

Comp. Lit. II:

You all survived day 2 of MCAS!

We watched the The Boy With The Striped Pajama's

I passed back your Catcher in the Rye test.  Avg class grade= 84.

No official HW during testing, but please have ch 1,2,3 read for Monday.  I will continue to give you some class time to do this.

HW:  Get a good night sleep in prep for MCAS. End in greatness!

Brit Lit:

Today:

We defined the language tricks that Shakespeare often uses:
Metaphor, Simile, Reversed Word, Reversed Thought, Reversed sent.  Classical Allusion

We looked at a clip of Yoda demonstrating many of the reversed terms.

A Block watched the movie to the death of Duncan.

C Block:  We continued in Act 2.

HW: Lines

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I hope the time we spent reviewing MCAS last week helped.  I am confident that you all did well.

We watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FONfCP4NyQ4

HW Read CH 1 in Night if you did not finish in class.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected journals #10-20.  These are -10 each day late- so get them in asap.

I gave detailed notes on Act 1.  Reminder, you may use these on every quiz and the test.

A block acted out act 2, sc 1-2  I also gave you your 10 lines to be memorized by next Tuesday.

B block looked at act one in film.  After, I asked you to find 2 metaphors and 2 similes.

HW: Continue to learn the 10 lines.

Download Attachment

Available until Apr 17, 2016

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  Is murder ever justified?  If so, when?  If not, why?    1/2 page

We finished act I

We re-enacted the murder of King Duncan, using ipads, light sabers and fake blood.  I told you this was going to be fun.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I collected Catcher in the Rye

We took a test on the novel.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  Write a letter from Macbeth to Lady Macbeth explaining to her all of the recent events.  1 pg

We looked for examples of Paradox and equivocation in act 1

C Block began notes on act 1

A block acted out in costume act 1 sc3-6

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We presented your slide show on the topic you had.

We played a review game for your test:  You won 80's Day!!!!

You broke back into your groups and finished you 20 mult choice review questions.

HW:  Test Thursday!  You may outline essays and use on test.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #18:  The agony of defeat.  Please describe a moment when you found yourself defeated.  What was the end result?      1 page

We finished Shakespeare in Love

I collected the 10 things that you learned from the movie

C Block:  act 1 sc3-4

Brit Lit:

Sorry that I needed to be out today.  It did give me time to finish reading your awesome papers.  Please log in to Turnitin and let me know if there are any issues viewing grades or marks.

Great job on those :-)

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal:  Earlier I asked you to look at Holden's issues.  Now that we are almost finished with the novel, I would like you to revisit this.  Please write a one pg medical diagnosis looking at 5 issues that Holden seems to have, citing examples from the text.

Day 3 of MCAS boot camp

We broke into small groups and researched the topic given.

HW:  Please finish the book.  Test Wed.

Brit. Lit.:

Today:

Journal:  If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?  What would be the result of these wishes.    1pg

We acted out Act 1,sc2-3

We took a quiz on act 1 + notes.

We looked at the first 15 min of the ex PBS doc, Shakespeare Uncovered (sorry, no link, but available on Amazon.)

C Block Defined:
Paradox
Equivocation

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal:  Who is your life line.  Who would you call if you desperately needed help.  1/2 page

You CAN judge a book by its cover: 
1st:  Interview 5 students about their opinion.
Choose the best 4
Make a modern book jacket that would pull a 2016 audience in to read it.
On back: 4 quotes
On front:  Cover

We researched the time period in small groups and presented these.

HW:  Enjoy the weekend.

Brit Lit:

Today: 

Journal: If you want to see a persons character, all you need to do is give them a little power and see how they use it.  Describe a time when you were given power.  How did you use it?  1/2 pg

We went to the aud and did a series of acting warm up games.

I collected your projects,  -10 if given on Monday

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal #17:  Please select a minor character and write a one page letter to Holden.

We defined characterization and broke into small groups.  Using the sheet that I gave you, I asked each group to find observational characterization as told by Holden.

We took a quiz on your reading from last night:  CH 18-19)

I passed back your Animal Farm tests.

We continued looking at ways to improve your MCAS score.

HW:  Read 21,22,23

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #15:  What movie/book/song do you think will still be meaning full and enjoyable in 400 years?  Please explain WHY you feel this way.  Please be specific in your answers.   1 page

We used the ipads and explored the Globe 360 app

We defined infection and stress.  Each of you were given a random line and asked to say it with a specific emotion.

I gave notes and drawing on the Globe.

HW:  Projects due Friday!  -10 if late on Monday.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

Journal #15:  What was/is your most embossing moment?      cpa/cp= 1/2 pg      H= 1 page

We finished the Write Like Holden assignment and shared these via the projector using Holden's voice and tone.

We continued MCAS Boot camp, day 2.

HW:  Read 18, 19, 20

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  What is your experience with Shakespeare?  What have you read/seen?  What about it do you find hard?                                          1/2 page

We learned about Shakespeare insults.  Each of you were paired with another student in front of class and you had to combine three insults.

I gave notes on Shakespeare.

We began act 1. 

HW:  Video Game manual Friday!

Brit Lit:

Ready to have some unexpected fun in school?
https://vimeo.com/51645190

Comp. Lit. II:

Journal #15:  What/where is your "happy place.?"  Where do you go to escape your problems?  What things do you do to escape?

We took a quiz on ch 12,13,14

I assigned the Write Like Holden paper.  We wrote these in class an submitted via Turnitin.com

HW Read: 15,16,17

Brit Lit:

Today:

We had our last work day for your video game manual.  Reminder, this is due Friday. 

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I gave you the first 10 min to complete the picture for each ch assignment on the ipads.

We presented these to class.

MCAS boot camp day 1 of 4

We looked at last years exam and practiced.  This can be found:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2015/release/Gr10-ELA.pdf

Brit Lit:

Today: We watched a BBC doc on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74glI1lg1CQ

I asked you to find 10 strange or interesting facts. Please put these on the back of your video game manual project:

Did you know that:

Comp. Lit. II:

Today: 
Journal #14:  In 2016, what things in your mind are phony?  Think of people, social media and life in gen.    Please focus on 5 specifics.   1 pg

We took a quiz on ch 9-10

I collected your close reading of the short story "I'm Crazy."

We took a quick look of the places in the novel and their real locations in NYC.

Pictures tell 1,000 words:  Using Google Slides and the ipads, I asked you to find one picture for each of the first 10 ch's.  We will complete this on Monday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #13:  Please describe a time that you did not give up.  What was the outcome    1pg.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:  We took a quiz on the story in A Block.

We began the outline for your Video Game Manual.  C Block went to the Lib and researched 14th c weaponry.

Follow Holden

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html?_r=0

Comp. Lit. II:

Today: 
Journal #13:  You are Holden's Dr.  Please write a one pg letter explaining what is wrong with him.

You act the scene:  I broke you into small groups and tasked you with converting a scene into a script.  We then performed these in front of the class.

HW:  Read 11+12+13

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #12:  If you could have dinner with 3 people, alive or dead, who you pick?  Please describe the conversation.        CPA= 1 pg   H= 1 1/2 pg

We defined Medieval Romance.

We played the review game:  Three Strikes and you Quiz.  You avoided the quiz and won the game.

I gave you the rubrics for the video game manual project.

I gave you an outline for the project and we completed the first part in class.

HW:  Begin work on project.  Due next Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal 12:  Holden says that he is the most terrific liar.  Please describe the greatest lie that you ever told.     CP/CPA= 1/2 pg       H= 1 page.

We read the first page of the short story "I'm Crazy."  This was an early short version of CH 1 of Catcher (and very hard to find :-)) 

I broke you into groups of 3.  Each group did a close reading of 5 ch's and charted Holden's positive and negative thoughts.

HW:  Please finish the short story.  Using a highlights the similarities in the novel.

Brit Lit:

I passed back your journals.  Reminder 10 = a paper grade- so make these count.  I grade these on effort.

Journal #11:  Promises.  Please describe a promise that you kept and one that was broken.  1 pg

We finished the Knight's Tale.

C Block HW:  Read Sir Gawain and the Green knight.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

I passed back your journals.

Journal #11:  Please write a letter to Holden offering him advice on 3 specific problems.  CP/CPA 1/2 page   H = one page

Holden's Playlist:  We used the ipads to put together a playlist for Holden.  Please print these from home tonight and pass in.

HW:  Read CH 12+13+14  Quiz on reading Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:  We watched A Knights Tale.

I collected any left over pilgrimages.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished the Salinger Doc.

We took a quiz on it.

We finished the debate on censorship.

HW:  Please read ch 10, 11,12.

  Also:  Think about music that Holden might listen to.  On Tuesday, you will be making a 10 song playlist for Holden.

Brit Lit.:

Today:

We went to the computer lab an finished part III of your pilgrimage assignment.  You combined all three parts and passed this in on an oversized piece of paper.