Shakespeare:

Journal #7:  Please cast the play with modern actors.  Foe each selection, please give your detailed reasoning.

We finished act 1 and took a quiz.

I collected your term example sheet from earlier in the week.

After lunch we played a Hamlet puzzle game on the ipads.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #7:  As we wrap up the Hero's Journey this week, I would like to end with you making your own.  Follow the stages that we went over and write an original story.     2 pages min.

We took your paper from google docs and submitted it to turnitin.com via the ipads.

I gave you each a peer review sheet and each of you completed a sheet of feedback.

Download Attachment

Available until Oct 15, 2016

Shakespeare:

To recite, or not to recite.  Each of you had the chance to recite your lines.  -10 if you were called but were not ready.

We looked at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFZT4gOq8io  198 Hamlet references in pop culture in under 15 minutes....

We came close to finishing act 1. 

Quiz anytime at the end of the act- so be ready.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  What is the most difficult decision that you have had to make?  Please describe the entire situation.   1/2-1 page

A Block helped me update the ipads.

We watched some introductory videos on how to use turnitin.com

We went to the lab to finish your drafts.

Friday we will be doing a peer edit with the ipads and then submitting your final draft.  Please be ready to do this if you did not finish your main writing in class.

Shakespeare:

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #5:  Hitler once said that if you tell the same lie often enough, it becomes the truth.  What is the greatest lie that you have ever told?  Why did you lie and what was the outcome?  Would you do it the same way again?                                                                                                   1/2 page

We paired up with a partner and conducted interviews based on many of the themes and topics of the play.  We shared your opinions.

We looked at a comical version of the lines you must learn: To snooze or not to snooze.

We continued acting out act 1

I assigned the Cusick challenge to those brave enough.

HW:  10 lines due Thursday.  -10 each day not ready.  Test grade- so shine.

Brit Lit:

Today:

No journal

We finished your outline for your paper and used it to complete the 5 paragraph template to assist you in writing your paper.

A block went to the computer lab and began work on their paper.
B Block had a senior assembly.  You will also have Thursday to write your paper.

HW:  Log in to Google Docs and continue to work on your first draft.

Shakespeare:

Today: 
Journal #4:  Please describe the worst break up.  This could be from your history, or from one that you witnessed.  These can be fictional.                                                          1/2 page

We looked at the special effects that Shakespeare's writing.  Sort of his CGI....but with language.

We watched a clip of Yoda demonstrating reverse thoughts.  Guess where George Lucas got the idea....

We continued Act 1, sc2

We broke into small groups and found examples of these tricks in the play thus far.

HW:  Lines due Thursday.  This is a test grade, so make it count!

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #4:  Please write from Grendel's point of view describing why he kills and what was the battle with Beowulf like.  Please use I and write from his perspective- including his feelings.  1 pg.

We finished Beowulf

You each wrote the thesis for your paper and we went around the room and shared these.

We will be writing the 1st draft in class Tuesday and Wednesday.  Please make sure you have your outline done and have a clean, clear thesis ready to go.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #3:  Revenge.  Please describe a moment when revenge was sweet.   1 pg.

We finished watching the doc Finding Joe.

I passed out additional sheets on the hero's journey to assist you in writing your paper.

We went around the room and shared what you selected to write about.

We began your outline for your paper using the sheet that I gave you.

HW:  Please finish you outline.

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal #3:  Please describe a situation that ended with revenge.   1 pg.

We finished converting the ten Hamlet lines. 

In small groups you converted these lines to one of the following:
Cowboy
Fairy Tale
Rap
Mob boss
sci fi version
txt msg

We continued act 1 in Hamlet. We used the iPads to select the face and emotion.  See pictures above.

HW:  Continue learning your lines.  Reminder- you must memorize and recite the 10 lines from Hamlet.  Due next Thursday.  Learn two lines a day, record your voice, practice!

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #2:  Who are 3 people that you look up to?  What qualities do they each have that you admire?                                                                                                                        1/2 page

I assigned your 1st 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 watched the doc Finding Joe. 

Shakespeare:

Journal #1: Please describe your experience with Shakespeare and or plays?  What have you read/seen?  Have you ever been in a play?  What do you find most difficult with Shakespeare?
                                                                                                                      1/2 page

We looked at the ten facts that we know for sure about who Shakespeare was.  We took notes on these.

Intro to Hamlet

HW:  Read ch 4 in Shakespeare Alive!

Brit. Lit:

Journal #1:  If you could have 3 super powers, what would you pick?  How would you use them?
                                                                                                                                    1/2 page

Beowulf:  We read the graphic novel on the ipads.

Quizlet:  We created accounts on quizlet and made a 10 question quiz.  We then gave these to another student to take.

Shakespeare:

I introduced the ipads and assigned each of you one.
We went over the rules and signed out your ipad for the year.  Please always use the same #.
We went to the globe and saw it using cool virtual reality.  This allowed us to project it on anything- see pictures above :-)

In small groups we reported back on what we found out researching the Globe.

I asked you to find 10 facts that we know about the life of the Bard.  I gave you notes on what I want you to know.  The truth is, we don't know very much about him at all.

I passed out Hamlet.

HW:  Have your journal for Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Today:
I passed out and assigned ipads.
We went over the rules.  Please treat them kindly- they were purchased for you and we want them to stay nice.
A block:  we defined Kenning and went around the room giving ourselves a kenning to describe each of us.  We finished the Seafarer and answered questions 1-4 at the end.

B Block:  We read the graphic novel for Beowulf: http://waltonhigh.typepad.com/files/beowulf_the_graphic_novel-1.pdf

HW:  Make sure you have a dedicated journal for Tuesday.

Sneak peak at what we will be usings the ipads for Thursday.....

http://waltonhigh.typepad.com/files/beowulf_the_graphic_novel-1.pdf

Skakepeare:

We took a quiz on your reading.

We did a series of acting games designed to make us all feel more comfortable acting out the plays in class.

HW:  Read ch 2+3 in Shakespeare Alive!!!!
Get journal for Tuesday.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We wrote our own made up creation stories and looked at the similarities in the things explained.

We played the game telephone to show how telling a story orally wrecks almost every part- hence the need for the written word.  This is where our Brit Lit. story begins....

We took notes on the earliest forms of writing.

We read The Seafarer.  B Block also answered questions 1-4 at the end of the story.

HW:  Need journals for Tuesday.

https://vimeo.com/51645190

Welcome!

Welcome to all that I met today.  I am excited to work with you this year.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block completed the essay section of their portfolio.  A completed portfolio consists of the following parts and will count 10 % of you final grade:

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.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went down to the computer lab for our last work day on your final portfolio.  Your final is on Tuesday- Please make sure that you have everything ready to pass it.  All should be typed besides your essay.  You may bring in notes/outline, but your essay section must be done in class.

Brit. Lit:

I answered remaining questions about the final.  Clarification:  You may use an outline for the in-class essay, but this must be written in class the day of your final.

We watched 1984.

HW:  Finish work on the other parts of your portfolio.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We watched the 2014 version of the Tempest.

HW:  Continue to work on parts of your portfolio based final exam.  Everything is due Tuesday.

Brit Lit.:

Today:

We each made a quiz based on the reading last night (to pg 274) and then gave it for another student to take.  We then graded these and passed them back.

Room 101 assignment:  What would be in your room 101?  How would it be used to reform and change your thoughts?

A Block:  Fulfilled promise from Gothic lit. unit to show an episode of Scooby Doo.
C Block: Room 101 and mind control BBC doc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDBWhfsuF2Q

HW:  Please finish the book.

Comp. Lit. II

Today:

We had work day 2 of 2 to work on your final portfolio.

I collected your journals

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected journals 31-40

We took a quiz on book 2 of 1984.

We worked on your final portfolio and I answered any questions.

A Block went to computer lab. C block used the ipads.

HW: Read to 274

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Final prep:  We went to the computer lab to type and revise 5 journal prompts and reflect on each.

Journals due Wed.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Last journal:  You are living in the world of 1984 afraid of the thought police.  Like Winston, you write your thoughts in a journal.  Please write and doodle your free thoughts for 10 min.

You presented your Utopia

We took a quiz on your reading. 

We broke into small groups and compared quotes and characters from 1984 to things and people today. 

HW Read to pg 225

FLM

Feels Like Monday, season 5 is now live.  All 5 seasons can be viewed at: www.feelslikemonday.com

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went over the final exam portfolio:

Comp. Lit. II: 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 5-7 sentence reflection piece as to why the prompts that you selected were meaningful and what specifically you chose to improve upon in your rewrite.  This must be completed prior to your exam time, as it must be typed.

Part II:  Selected Assignment  Please select one assignment that you are the most proud of and include it, or a description,  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?

III: Essays  (15 points each)  Use a separate piece of lined-paper on which to compose your essay.

CP:  Directions- Write a well-crafted essay in response to two of the following questions.  Your essay should be at least three paragraphs in length.

CPA and H:  Directions- Please answer the three essay questions below.  Please answer each as a traditional 5 paragraph essay.

1.      Of the literature you’ve read in this class, which book, novel, poem or play had the strongest influence on you?  Explain why.  Be sure to include a brief synopsis of the piece, the names of characters, and specific scenes that interested you.

                               

-          Animal Farm by George Orwell

-          All My Sons by Arthur Miller

-          Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

-          Lord of the Flies by William Golding

-          The Tempest  by William Shakespeare

2.   Many of the plays and novels that we read this year involve a lesson about human nature.  Please examine three of these and using examples from the novel(s) or play(s).

3.       It is said that if you ever wish to see a person’s true character, you only need to give them a little power and see how the handle it.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Please look at three characters, from 3 different novels/plays that abused their power.  Please make sure that you provide solid examples for each.

 

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, journal prompts  and class discussions.

EXTRA CREDIT: Design a creative cover for your portfolio.  I will be grading this on effort.   5 points.

 

We listened to professional Shakespearian actors and read along in your scripts.  Did this make it easier to hear someone that has studied the lines?

Brit Lit:

Journal:  WAR IS PEACE  FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH  Describe what these mean and their contradictions.  How would you rationalize these statements?  1/2 pg

We took a quiz on 88-128 in 1984

We took your Utopia and transferred the information to a propaganda poster.  Each group will present their perfect society on Tues.

HW:  Please read to 179

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We completed the Tempest Children's Book. 

Assignment:  Read the sum of the play that I gave you. For each page, convert it to a page in a storybook.

We went over the different relationships in the play- it gets confusing!

We went back to 4th grade and sat on the floor for story time.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Power is not a means to an end.  One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order the establish the dictatorship.  The object of persecution is persecution.  The object of torture is torture.  The object of power IS POWER.   1/2 pg

We reviewed your reading.  Most are reading, so we did not take the quiz.  Keep it up.  End in greatness....

We began the Utopia project:

1984

Utopia:  Design a Perfect World

Day one: Outline/group discussion

 1. Name of Your Utopian Society Choose a creative and appropriate name to represent your new society. Explain your choice in a way that makes the reasons for the name clear.

2. Declaration of Independence Write a brief statement (2–3 paragraphs) describing the reasons for your formation of a utopian society. In other words, what specifically don’t you like about current society? How has the current society broken trust with you? Why do you feel the need to form a “more perfect” society? You might refer to the U.S. Declaration of Independence for ideas.

3. Utopian Motto and Seal Create a slogan or motto that inhabitants of your utopia will follow, and develop a utopian seal. Explain the meaning and significance of the motto and seal you choose.

5. List of Rules Develop a list of at least ten rules that all community members will follow. Provide a rationale for each rule.

6. Governing Body How will the government of this utopia be structured? Will you have a democracy, an anarchy, a monarchy, or a dictatorship? How will your utopia make decisions? 2-3 paragraphs.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We used the ipads to find ten words that Shakespeare invented.

Journal:  Use these ten words in a prompt about anything from this class.

We looked at 10 quotes from the Tempest, and I asked you to match them to a modern translation.

We went outside and acted out Act 2 sc 2.

We came back in and watched a very funny version of the same scene to illustrate how Shakespeare is way easier to understand when it is SEEN and performed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH6nUuu5A4s

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  "Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.   Please explain in a 1/2 page

I asked you to agree or disagree with 5 questions on state surveillance.

We did a packet on Newspeak, including finding a news article on the ipads and condensing it to newspeak.  doublegood job.

We watched a new 20 min interview with Snowden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucRWyGKBVzo

HW Read to pg 127 in 1984

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We went to the computer lab in the lib to make a 6 frame comic strip of all the events from Act 1 in The Tempest.  Please go to: www.storyboardthat.com to bring up the page that we used.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal prompt:
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." Orwell
1 page on what this quote means to you.

We shared these and talked about the control of information.

We watched part 2 of the Doc. The United States of Secrets.  If you were absent, this can be found at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/united-states-of-secrets/

Please make sure you are AT LEAST up to pg 88.  We have 7 class days to finish this- so please consider reading ahead- esp. if you are having a hard time with keeping up.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We continued deeper into Act II

We had a fire drill

We broke into groups and I asked you to find an example of each of the 6 language tricks in the text.

Brit Lit:

Today:

A Block: 

Reviewed 1-38

I gave you a sheet of terms and we went over each.

We took a quiz on reading.

We began the doc:  The United States of Secrets.

HW:  Read to pg 69

B Block:

We reviewed your reading and I answered questions on this futuristic world.

I gave you a cheat sheet of some of the terms and concepts in the novel

We continued the doc.  Some of you slept :-(

HW:  Read to pg 88.

Comp. Lit.II:

Today:

We read a very simplified 9 page story of the Tempest written on a 6th grade reading level.

After you were tasked to simplify it even further by making this into a children's book.
Assignment:
Take the empty book that I gave you and write a brief sum of the events, as told to a very small child.
One page for each page.
A detailed cover
Read on floor via story time for extra 10 points.

Brit Lit.

Today:

I told you my ghost story from Ireland.  Beware of 3:18!

HW:  Start 1984. 

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal prompt:  Forgiveness.  Please describe a time when you forgave someone.     1 page

I passed out new scripts with the correct pages this time.  Kill the trees!

We acted out act 1 sc 1-2.

We covered the language tricks that Shakespeare often uses in his plays.

We watched Yoda give an example of reversed sentence structure.

We completed a worksheet on this.

Brit Lit.

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Sometimes we love to be scared, but mostly not.  Please describe the scariest things that has ever happened to you.    1/2 page

We went over the rubric for the paper.

We went over the responsibilities for your peer review sheet.

We went to the computer lab to finish/print 1st draft.  We exchanged papers and completed the peer review.

1st draft/peer review/final copy due Wed.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

Journal:  If you had to take a SCRIPT for a modern movie and place it in a time capsule to be read and studied 400 years from now, what would you pick?  What things do you feel would last?  What specific things would be dated?                                                            1 page

We did Shakespearian Insults

We fought with pinky swords

We finished notes on Shakespeare.

We began acting out the Tempest.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Do you believe in ghosts?  What is your experience with ghost stories?  1/2 Page

I assigned the ghost story paper.

We went over the 5 characteristics of a good ghost story.

I passed out the peer edit sheet.

We defined allusion and looked at good modern examples.  You will need to imbed 5 allusions into your story, and explain them.

We went to the computer lab and began work on your first draft.

Final story due Wed. June 2nd.

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We took the test on the poetry unit.

We looked at words Shakespeare wrote, and finished notes on his life.

I introduced you to the insults/bad words used by the Bard.  We had a Shakespearian battle using three of these terms against another student.

Pinky Sword Fights.  We imagined our pinky finger was a 30 lbs. sword and re created an epic battle.

We watched a short animated summery of the Tempest:
https://vimeo.com/101605417

Brit Lit:

Today:

Intro to Gothic lit. notes

A Block Journal:  Using the characteristics, please select a movie or novel and explain how it follows the notes on Gothic lit.                            1 page

C Block Journal:  Using the characteristics of Gothic Lit., write a 2 page Gothic story.

Storyboardthat.com  we took your Gothic stories and made a 6 frame storyboard using the ipads.
email storyboard, or a picture of your storyboard to cusicks@tantasqua.org

C Block HW:  Read Intro to Frankenstein on pg 744

Comp. Lit. II:

Today:

We finished Shakespeare in Love

Journal:  What has your experience been with Shakespeare?  What things do you find difficult?  Have you ever seen a play on stage?  If so, what have you seen?  Have you ever performed on stage?
                                                                                                            1/2 page

I gave you Shakespeare intro notes on his life, and the Globe.  Reminder- you may use notes on every quiz during this unit.

I passed out the script to the Tempest.

Brit Lit:

C Block: took final.  Jr's completed same two stories from yesterday.

A Block:
I introduced Gothic Lit.  We took notes on the characteristics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm23PSrJLRI

and looked at a short animated example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP4CL4GSIAE

We read the introduction to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.

Brit. Lit:

A Block Final Exam- All sections due.

Jr's.:  Read:  The Lady in the Looking Glass on pg 988
answer questions 1-9 on 992

The Rocking Horse Winner pg 996
Answer 1-9 on pg 1005

HW:  Jane Eyre Paper is due Tuesday. -10 each late day.

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.