Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal:  Write a poem about the person that you care most about.  This can be yourself.

We did black out/ransom poems and shared them with the class.

We remixed the poem Annebel Lee, changing the end rhyme, but keeping the pattern.

Your important poem + your 1/2 page explaining why was due.  We will be reading both in front of the class Friday.  If you did not remember to do this, please make sure it is ready for Friday.

Brit Lit Final Exam:

Portfolio Final 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 5 out of the 30 journal prompts that you are most proud of.  For each one, please type out  a revised and improved version.  Please follow each one with a 3-5 sentence reflection piece as to why the prompts that you selected were meaningful and what specifically you chose to improve upon in your rewrite.

Part II:  Selected Assignment  Please select one assignment that you are the most proud of and include it in your portfolio.  Please include a 10 sentence reflective piece commenting on:

1.        What specifically did you learn from this assignment?

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

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

Part III  Victorian Fiction

H: Like any movie adaptation, the movie we watched has some major plot differences from the novel Jane Eyre.  In a 5 paragraph essay, please discuss some of the many differences between the novel and the movie.  Your final paragraph should be opinion based on if you think these differences made for a better or worse story.  I will be grading this on how well you demonstrate your understanding of the novel (did you really read).  Please make sure to use detailed examples.

CPA:Please examine the two examples of Victorian Fiction that we covered.  In a well written, 5 paragraph essay, please explain how they both fit the characteristics of fiction from this period.  Please use the notes bellow to help frame your discussion. 

 1. Literature of this age tends to come closer to daily life which reflects its practical problems and interests. It becomes a powerful instrument for human progress. Socially & economically, Industrialism was on the rise and various reform movements like emancipation, child labor, women’s rights, and evolution.

2. Moral Purpose: The Victorian literature seems to deviate from "art for art's sake" and asserts its moral purpose. Tennyson, Browning, Carlyle, Ruskin - all were the teachers of England with the faith in their moral message to instruct the world.

3. Idealism: It is often considered as an age of doubt and pessimism. The influence of science is felt here. The whole age seems to be caught in the conception of man in relation to the universe with the idea of evolution.

4. Though, the age is characterized as practical and materialistic, most of the writers exalt a purely ideal life. It is an idealistic age where the great ideals like truth, justice, love, brotherhood are emphasized by poets, essayists and novelists of the age.  

 

 

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.

Part V:  To be completed in class during your final exam:

5 Paragraph Essay (H) 3 paragraph (CP/CPA):

Please answer the following question.  Please structure your response in a well- written (as opposed to poorly written) 5 paragraph essay.  Please make sure to give specific examples to back up your thesis.

Obtaining greater power or status is something that many people strive for, but is this ambition good or evil? In other words, what effect does trying to change one’s position in society have on a person? In at least three works of literature we’ve read in class, identify characters who struggle to change or maintain their power or status.  Explain whether this struggle turns out to be good or bad for them.  Do they succeed? What causes their success, or failure?           

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.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I went over your final exam.  Juniors- your Victorian fiction paper is also due next Tuesday at the end of class.

I collected journals #20-30

C Block broke into groups to complete the presentation on the Victorian age.

A Block began work on the final

I will be collecting the big books on Friday.

Comp. Lit. II:

No classes Tuesday, Wednesday due to MCAS testing.  We will get back at it Thursday.

Brit Lit:

Tuesday: 
We watched Wuthering Heights.  1/2 way thru:
Journal #30:  In one page, explain how Heathcliff might extract his revenge.  Please explore 3 different ways.                                1 page

Wed:  We finished Wuthering Heights.

We will be finishing our Victorian fiction unit Thursday.

Comp. Lit II:

I gave a my poetry pack- all the notes that you need for this unit.

We defined a sonnet.

Journal #22:  Please write a sonnet following the rules given in class.

HW:  Please find a meaningful poem to you.  Once found, print out and write a 1/2 page description as to why the poem connected to you.  Please be prepared to share after MCAS.  You have 2 days to find these, as we don't meet again until Wednesday.

Good luck on MCAS!  Make your Math teachers proud!

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished Jane Eyre

Journal #29:  From 1st person obs. write the next two page of the novel/film.  Consider all the conflicts in the story and attempt to resolve at least one.

We broke into small groups to:

Directions:  Please research the topic that you group was given.  Your end product should be a powerpoint presentation.  Know your audience- try and make it multimedia and visually interesting.  You will present these at the end.

 

Topic 1:  Living in the Victorian Age

What was day to day like during this time?  Please look at social, political, and domestic problems.  Some possible ideas:  electoral reform, Corn laws of 1846, Rights of women, future of Ireland. Please do part of this as a narrative describing the conditions of a single person, describing what daily life was like for you.

Topic 2:  Religion and science

Please research evangelicalism, The Oxford Movement, YMCA, Darwin, Social Darwinism.  What was the conflict between the two?  Did this have an impact on the literature of the time?  What were some of the advancements in science that cause tension in the church?

Topic 3:  Victorian poetry

Who were the major poets of this time?  What characteristics do these poems share?  Find three examples and present to class with a picture for each that corresponds with the central theme.

Topic 4:  Victorian Fiction

Please explain romanticism, realism, and naturalism.  Please choose 3 literary works.  For each, what specifically made them Victorian?

Topic 5:  Victorian Fashion

Please present the different fashions of the time.  As this is visual, please make sure to include drawings/pictures.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched sections from America's Fav. Poem Project.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We continued watching Jane Eyre.

HW:  H students- novel due May 19th.  End in greatness!

Be safe and have fun at prom

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We took notes on stress and meter.

We took advantage of the beautiful weather and went outside to write poetry.

You were asked to compose a poem on the following themes:

Spring
Love
hope/dreams

We shared these with each other.

Brit Lit:

I passed out the novel Jane Eyre to all honor students.  This is due May 19th.  There will be a section of your final exam that covers your understanding and comprehension.

I passed out a review pack with difficult vocal and review questions.

We watched a film version of the novel.  CPA students will use the first chapter from your anthology and the film to complete the end assessment.

C block took advantage of the weather and did journal writing outside.

Journal #28:  Write a 2 page letter to yourself 20 years in the future.  If you are a senior, what are the feelings that you are experiencing?  What are your hopes and dreams?  What will you miss?

I posted the video that we made together.  Please feels free to save the file or share.  Poetry is much more powerful when it connects with real human emotion.  Remember, just like writing, good poetry comes from writing honest.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished Dead Poets.

1/2 of you shared your poem in front of the class on the mic.  We will finish the second 1/2 Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Write a love/Spring poem

We finished up or magnet poems

A block went to the Aud to hear a former student play piano.  I asked can art, create art?  You had to write a poem that was inspired by the performance.

C Block:  We spent the last 20 minutes outside completing you magnet poems. 

Brit. Lit:

Today:

Dreamcatcher Part II:  Use your dreams to construct a new poem.  Must use 10 words/images from your unconscious.

Fav. Poem Project:  We looed at three more examples.

Magnet Poems:  You each took three words and collectively built a class poem in the back of the room. 

ipad magnetic poems.  We used the ipads to make a magnet poem and shared.\

C Block will do this lesson Tuesday- we lost 2/3 of class due to prop assembly.

Comp. Lit II:

Today:

Time was given to those that did not finish their test from Friday.

I introduced the poetry unit.

We watched Dead Poets Society.

HW:  Please write an original poem.  In class Tuesday, we will be doing a poetry slam- you will need to read your poem in front of the class on a mic.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished watching a stage version of the play.

We took the essay test for All My Sons.

I collected your scripts and talked about what is next....

Brit. Lit:

Dream Catching. 
We wrote using your unconscious.  Please keep for Monday.  On Monday we will be using images and feelings from your unconscious to write an original poem.

I shared my 3 fav. poems from Yeats.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched the stage version of All My Sons to review for your short essay Friday.

You were given time to outline your answers for Friday.  Reminder:  You may bring an outline, but MUST do the writing in class.

HW:  Create outline for the questions on the review sheet.  Please make sure to include solid examples from the play, as this is how these will be graded.

Brit. Lit.:

Today: 

Teenage story time:  We listened to the great Orson Wells read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRGnoFf2cZQ

I asked you to identify three examples of the following poetic terms:

Alliteration
Consonance
Assonance
Internal Rhyme

This counted as your quiz for the poem.

Sketch Book:  In small groups, I asked you the draw the ENTIRE story in a single drawing.  Around the picture, I asked you to include 4 lines that add to you picture.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We finished act III and the play

I passed out a review sheet for the test.  You may outline your answers and bring in notes.

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.


Writing Assignment:  Larry's return:  At a cookout, Larry returns from war after being missing for 5 years. We selected the best from the class and performed these.

Test Friday

Brit Lit:

Today:

We finished filming your poetry reading in front of the green screen.  Please see me if you did not get to film yours.

We had group #5 present their Paradise Lost story time for teenagers using the ipads for music and imagery.

We rocked out to the Iron Maiden song, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. We talked about how art can often inspire art. 

I introduced Samuel Coleridge.

C Block took the story and made it into a single drawing/sketch.  They included 4 main lines in their picture, and the picture had to tell the entire story.  In one picture.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We completed our look at Irony: Dramatic, verbal and situational.  We completed the packet on Irony in All My Sons.

I collected these.  If you were abs, please make sure you complete and pass in.

We finished acting act II

We ended class with looking at the major themes in the play and discussed why themes are important to a story.

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.