Thursday, October 6, 2016

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal:  If you could go back in time and change one thing or event, what would you change?  What would the effects be from this change?       1 page


Magazine SONNET WORKSHEET

 The rules:

MUST cut out 35-30 words from a random magazine

MUST be 14 Lines.

MUST follow the end rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

MUST show some thought and effort.

 

-Your First Stanza should introduce the poem, explain a problem or situation, state what you’ll be talking about.

 

-Your Second and Third Stanza should INVESTIGATE the poem…  what are the feelings involved?  Exploring the story/conflict/situation introduced in the first stanza

 

-Your Rhyming Couplet at the end should resolve the poem, or provide a dramatic twist to the story.  The couplet is probably the most important two lines of the sonnet… so make them good!

 

 

For extra points

 

Write in Iambic Pentameter

(Five beats per line, words that go DaDum DaDum DaDum DaDum).

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Brit Lit:

Today:

We defined Morality Plays: Conflict between Good and evil over one's soul.

We looked at a rap video defining morality plays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHzIE-GV_as

Journal # 11:  Write a small morality play with three characters:  Good/evil/you.  In it, both fight over your soul.   1 page

We acted out Everyman pg 141-148.  We added sound effects and voice effects.

You each pitched your Green Knight video game.  We voted on the one we most would like to play.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal Prompt:  Act IV always has a moment of final suspense before the BIG fall.  Please describe what you think that moment will be for Hamlet.  If you know how the play ends, make a different act IV end.

I passed back all of the assignments that you have completed so far. 

Reminder:  It is your responsibility to make up missing work.  I am after school on both Monday and Thursday if you need to make anything up.

Storyboard That!  We went to storyboardthat.com and set up an account.  You summarized the play so far in 10-12 cartoon frames, explaining what final moment of suspense will happen in act IV. 

We shared some of the best.

Brit Lit:

Today:

I passed back all of your assignments thus far.

 Reminder:  If you are missing work it is your responsibility to make it up.  I am after school both Monday and Thursday in you have things to make up.

We went to the lab for our last work day on your Video Game manual for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

HW:  Please finish your project and be prepared to briefly pitch the game idea to the class on Tuesday.

Friday, September 30, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

Happy Friday!  Today we wrapped up a busy week with the following:

Mystery Science Theater 3k version of Hamlet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1QSbz9wmm8

We had the world premiere of your silent movie

Brit Lit.

Today:

We moved the due date for your video game manual to Tuesday to allow me to show you the doc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74glI1lg1CQ

I hope this helped you to understand the story.  Remember, your levels need to reflect the story- but is open to your imagination.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

We continued working on your Hamlet paper in the computer lab.  I am after school today if you need additional help.  Please make sure you have a solid piece of textual evidence to support each of the stages of grief.

Paper is due on Friday and must be submitted via turnitin.com.

Brit Lit:

Today:

We went to the computer lab and began work on your Sir Gawain video game manual.  Today we focused on:
15th C weapon page
Cover
1 page Summary of story.

You will have one more class to complete the assignment.  If you need additional time, please work on this at home tonight for HW.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

C Block Codes:

Login: 13568477
Password: darthvader

Shakespeare:

Yesterday:
 To tweet or not to tweet #thatisthequestion:  Each row took on a main character and tweeted 10 tweets with hashtags.  We then swapped with another character and responded or reacted to the tweet.  We shared the best ones.

We made a Facebook page for your character.

We took a quiz after lunch

We went over how to set up your Hamlet paper due this Friday.

Today:
We went to the lib. to begin writing your essay.  Your final is due Friday.

Brit Lit:

Yesterday:

We finished A Knights Tale and looked at three additional tales animated by the BBC.

Today:

We defined:
Medieval Romance: 15th century
-Chivalry
-Remote time and place
-Rank- social distinctions
-Hero in adventure
-supernatural things

We read: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight pgs 124-138
We answered questions 1-8 on pg 139.  This counted as a quiz.
I assigned the video Game Manual assignment:


Assignment: You work for a small indie video game company, and have just purchased the publishing rights for a new video game based on the story. Please design a manual that will explain how the game is played. You will be graded on the following rubrics:


1.) A cover that has the title of your game and cover art for the game.

10 points

2.) Weapons page. Detailing at least 5 weapons that you have researched from the 14th century. Please include a picture and detailed 3 sent description for each.  These need to be in your own words.
20 Points

3.) Intro page, which summarizes the entire story.  250 words min.
20 Points

4.) 10 Levels. For each, please do the following:

Create a title for the level

Give a 5-10 sentence description of the objective of the level.

30 Points

5.) End boss

Include a detailed picture or description, including the one weakness that allows you to destroy the boss and win the game.
20 Points.

 

Monday, September 26, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today: 
Each group air dropped their silent Hamlet video files.

We finished act III and act IV sc 1.

HW:  Please have all of your examples for class tomorrow.  Oh...I also smell a pop quiz that I just printed out.  Look over the play and be ready.

Brit Lit:

B Block took a quiz on C. Tales:  Who am I?

All classes watched: A Knights Tale.

Reminder:  last day to pass in your paper to turnitin.  No papers accepted after today.  Please make it your responsibility to log in and check that your paper was submitted.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

I collected journals #1-10.

We broke into your groups and made Hamlet silent movies.  Video on the blog soon....

Brit Lit:

Today:

I collected journals #1-10.

Final paper must be re-submitted to turnitin.com by Monday.  Check- not there, no grade for you.

We finished our C. Tales activity presenting indirect and direct characterization.
Each group presented their two pilgrims.

We took notes and a quiz on those notes the last 10 minutes with me asking, "who am I?"

Monday: A Kight's Tale

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  You have the power to remove 5 important words from the script.  Select 5 words from act 1-2 and explain what the removal would do to change the script.  Be specific!

But Why?  We made a list of reasons you think Hamlet treats O so poorly.  Please but in order from most likely to least.

Tongue lashing of O.  We all selected a word or phrase and surrounded O and insulted her.

This Friday:  Silent movies....

Brit Lit:

Today:
Journal #10:  Please describe in detail your longest journey.    1 page

I introduced you the the Canterbury Tales.

We took notes on indirect and direct Characterization.

I broke you into 5 groups.  Each group was given two pilgrims and a giant poster.  You had the majority of the block to become experts on the two you were given.  I asked you to use the poster board to draw and label the direct and indirect descriptions.  On Friday, each group will present.

Reminder:  College essay help, featuring the English Dept afterschool today in the lib.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Write in detail about your favorite childhood toy.   1/2 page

We broke into groups of 2-3 and did a close analysis of Hamlet's lines looking for examples from the text for your Hamlet grief paper due.

We took a pop quiz on act 2

We acted act 3 sc-1-2

HW:  Work on outline for paper.  Due Sept. 23rd.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #9:  Write a thank you note to a friend that helped you during a difficult time.  1/2 pg

We went to the 3rd floor lab to type the ballad you finished for HW. 
We made last minute changes to your final hero's journey paper and resubmitted it to turnitin.com

We came back to class and shared your ballads.

We read: Barbara Allen

 We used the crow puppet to also read the Twa Corbies.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Mousetrap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJr2SdyLGk

Turnitin Codes:

A Block:  13568455  password: darthvader
B Block:  13568469   password: darthvader
C Block:  13568477   password: darthvader

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Hamlet says that Denmark is a prison.  Some also say 5-town is a prison.  Please explain why?                                            1/2 page.

Mouse TRAP!  We broke into small groups and created a skit named mouse trap designed to show the guilt of Claudius.  We quickly performed these.

We watched the Mel Gibson version of the end of act 2.

HW:  Continue looking for lines that show Hamlet's stages of grief.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #8:  Write a one page letter to yourself in 8th grade.  What would you advise your younger self?

We fixed the submit window for turn it in and identified those with no papers yet.  The window to submit will be open till Sept. 26.

We took the ballad that you selected last night and completed a worksheet.  We also further defined ballads.

We wrote 10 interview questions for the next assignment: The Ballad of You.  You were then paired up with a student that you do not yet know to interview them.

We began writing the Ballad from the information in the interview.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Shakespeare:

Today:

Journal:  Ophelia is on the receiving end of much of the advice from her brother and dad in act 1.  But what if the roles were reversed?  Write 16-18 lines of advice to them from her.  Try and use metaphors.

We looked at the structure of the play- act II begins our rise in action, with act III as the plays climax.

If we had time we started act 2.

Brit Lit:

Today:

Journal #7:  Pick a song that you like that tells a story.  Without re-writing the lyrics, retell the story in 20 lines.  Feel free to add detail, description, and even new parts of the story.

We finished papers, passed in your peer edit sheet, and made sure it was entered into turnitin.com

We defined Ballad

HW:  Please find the lyrics to a traditional ballad and bring in the printed lyrics.

Friday, September 16, 2016

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.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

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.

Monday, September 12, 2016

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.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

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!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

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 (1st 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. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

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.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

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.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

https://vimeo.com/51645190

Welcome!

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

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Monday, June 20, 2016

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.

Friday, June 17, 2016

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.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

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.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

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

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

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

Monday, June 13, 2016

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

Friday, June 10, 2016

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.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

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

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

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.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

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.

Friday, June 3, 2016

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. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

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.