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Friday, March 30, 2012

"The Sick Rose" ~ William Blake / LOTF IV

Grade 12
  • Collected response papers for "The Sick Rose."
  • Large group discussion on this poem.
  • The analysis paper exprections:
  • No personal pronouns
  • Strong thesis statement in intro paragraph.
  • Instructed how to quote lines of poetry in a paragraph. (Seperate each line with a back slash.)
  • Extended quotes (3 or more lines) should be block quoted, single spaced and indented.
  • Each body paragraph should include quotes, interpretations and explanations to support the primary thesis.
  • Enough should be written to prove the thesis. Conclusion shoud wrap the essay up.
  • "Comfortably Numb" should be annotated for Monday.
  • Analysis paper has been pushed back to 4/20.
Grade 10
  • Reading log pg 17-27 (yesterday's reading)
  • Discuss
  • Character development of Ralph, Jack; symbolism of the conch
  • Read rest of the chapter.
  • Reading log
  • Hw: Chapter 2, pg. 32- bottom of 38 plus reading log

Thursday, March 29, 2012

"The Sick Rose" / LOTF III

Grade 12
  • With the sub:
  • Journal: What is the theme of Blakes's "The Sick Rose?"
  • Small group discussion.
  • Response paper.
  • Read and annotate "Comfortably Numb."
Grade 10
  • Journal: Predict Ralph's transformation.
  • Go over the characterization of Ralph and Piggy.
  • Discuss the symbolism of "the scar" and the "skull-like coconut shells."
  • Chapter 1 page 17 to 21
  • Reading log
  • HW: Read to bottom of page 27.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

"The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Innocence / Lord of the Flies, Chapter 1

Grade 12
  • Discussed "The Chimney Sweeper" in small groups.
  • Wrote response paper.
  • Large group discussion
  • HW: Read and annotate "The Sick Rose."
  • Note: There will be a sub tomorrow while I am at a conference. Please follow instructions carefully.
Grade 10
  • Continued reading TLOTF, chapter 1, to pare 17.
  • Wrote reading log summary together (below).
  • HW: Fill in characterization of Piggy and Ralph in reading log.
  • Will complete log and chapter 1 tomorrow.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Chapter 1: “The Sound of the Shell”

Pg 8-17

3/28
Summary:

Two boys, Ralph and Piggy are stranded on an island because of a plane crash. Ralph tries to ignore Piggy, but Piggy who is fat, wears thick glasses and has asthma, keeps following him. Piggy wants to get the other boys together and organize, but Ralph keeps acting childish. Both boys are about 12.

They find a conch in a lagoon. Ralph blows it. Piggy thinks it can be used to call the others.

Literary Elements:

Character development:

Piggy:

Ralph:

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Hamlet Exam Review / Lord of the Flies Intro

Grade 12
  • Went over Hamlet multiple choice test.
  • Hamlet essay rewrites due before spring break.
  • Read "The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience. Discussed rhythm
  • Journal: How are the two Chimney Sweeper poems different in tone and mood? How do you know.
  • Small group discussion and response/reaction paper in class tomorrow.
Grade 10
  • Finished up quarterly assessment.
  • Introduced The Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
  • Started reading chapter1. Will continue tomorrow.
  • Note: If students keep up with the reading and th readong logs, they will have no problem passing the unit. But it will be a lot of work.

Friday, March 23, 2012

"So We'll Go No More A Roving" ~Byron / Finish JC Essay

Grade 12
  • Journal: How old is the speaker in Byron's poem? How do you know?
  • Collected reaction papers.
  • Large group discussion.
  • Small group discussion, "The Chimney Sweeper" from William Blake's Songs of Experience.
  • Reaction paper due Monday.
Grade 10
  • JC Essay NOT finished with the substitute yesterday. Worked on it today.
  • Quarterly assessment on Monday.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

"The Sound of Silence" / JC Exam Day II

Grade 12
  • In class journal: What is the significance of the title?
  • Housekeeping: Work owed, status of Hamlet essays.
  • View Paul Sinon's performce of this song at 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero (LINK)
  • Journal discussion.
  • Group discussion: Primary images, possible meanings, theme, message.
  • Objective is to construct personal meaning through metaphor/symbolism. Not necessarily a "right" answer, as long as meaning is constructed logically.
Grade 10
  • Continue exam. Classes began essay if finished with multiple choice part of the test.

Monday, March 19, 2012

"The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon / Quiz 4 and Essay prep

Grade 12
  • Went over the new rules. See last post.
  • Reviewed "Poem on an Underground Wall" from beginning to end. Discussed imagery, and underlying meaning through the lens of the hero journey.
  • Introduced "The Sound of Silence." Students had time to read it through and begin annotating. Tomorrow they will review, modify annotations and then discuss their own interpretations in groups.
  • If time, they will write a response paper on their thoughts regarding this poem. (1-1 1/2 pages handwritten single spaced.) Due Wednesday.
Grade 10
  • Went over quiz for Act IV.
  • Began planning the exam essay.
  • Multiple choice exam tomorrow.

Friday, March 16, 2012

"Poem on an Underground Wall" by Paul Simon / Finish Julius Caesar, Start Video

Grade 12

Well, it seems to be that time of the year. While some of you continue to keep your eyes on the prize and maintain focus and intensity, others are starting to play the "senioritis" game which I have very little patience for. Coming to school late, missing deadlines or not submitting work at all. So...

New Rules:
  • Assignments are due in class, not "by the end of the day."  No rewrites will be accepted for any assignment submitted after the class period it is due.
  • Journals: Late points will be deducted if your journal is not in class the period it is due.
  • One day late continues to be a 15 point deduction.
  • Two days late is now a 25 point deduction.
  • Three days late is a 35 point deduction
  • Four days or more late will be assigned an automatic grade of 50.
Class:
  • Continued Paul Simon's "Poem on an Underground Wall", analyzed through the lens of The Hero Journey.
  • The purpose of the poetry unit is to develop the process by which deeper meaning can be constructed by logically analyzing figurative language.
  • A major grade extra credit grade will be awarded to anyone who writes a competent analysis paper of this poem.
Grade 10
  • Period 6: Read the final scene, began the video.
  • Period 8: Watched the video
  • Monday: Go over Act 4 quiz, start planning unit essay
  • Tuesday: finish Unit exam.
  • Wednesday: Unit Exam
  • Thursday: Quarterly Assessment

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Poetry Intro / Julius Caesar V.ii-iii

Grade 12
  • Journal: Poetry, free association.
  • Discuss
  • How to construct meaning
  • Poem: "Surrounded by Chicadees"; annotate, discuss
Grade 10
  • Journal: What do you think the experience of battle is really like?
  • V.ii: read and write in notebooks (very short)
  • V.iii.1-50 (pd. 6)
  • V.iii.1-90 (pd.8)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Computer Lab / Julius Caesar, V.i

Grade 12
  • In computer labs to get Hamlet essays started.
  • Warning: No personal pronouns, idioms, etc. Any outside resources must be cited correctly. This is a two grade paper which WILL be graded without mercy. :-)
  • Deathline = Friday.
Grade 10
  • Pd 6:
  • Journal: freewrite
  • Intro to Act V, read page 420, "Guide for Reading"
  • Read scene 1. Consider the encouter between the 4 major characters. What is revealed?
  • Summary/Analysis: Possible litereary elements: foreshadowing, characterization, symbolism, conflict
  • Pd 8 (behind because of the assembly on Friday and the technical difficulties on Thursday.):
  • Finish video and quiz.

Friday, March 09, 2012

Hamlet Exam / Finish Act IV Quiz

Grade 12
  • Multiple choice part of the exam was given today.
  • Will be in Mr. G's room Mon and Tues to work on essays. (Due 3/16).
  • This essay will be held to a very high standard! Manage your time wisely to do your best work!
Grade 10
  • 6th period finished the quiz, then we did some prep for the midterm assessment.
  • 8th period saw the play preview. Will catch up next week.

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Video Day II plus Essay Planning / JC Act IV Quiz

Grade 12
  • Finished video.
  • Essay planning: Students strongly encouraged to plan this essay carefully and begin gathering the citations necessay. If Sparknotes text is going to be cited, the citation should be annotated as follows: ex.: (V.ii.120,121sn)
  • We will dedicate 2 days in the computer lab next week (Mon and Tues).
  • Essay is due on Friday the 16th.
Grade 10
  • After finishing the video, quiz was begin. Those who need more time will be given 10 minutes at the beginning of the period tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Video Day!

Grade 12
  • Went over Act 4 quiz.
  • Started Act 5 video.
  • We will finish the video tomorrow. The remainder of the period will be dedicated to planning the essay, which we will work on in the computer lab Monday and Tuesday. However, this essay will require very careful planning for it to be successful. The essay question MUST be chosen for tomorrow's class.
  • Multiple choice part of the exam will be on Friday.
  • The essay will be worth 2 grades. The multiple choice exam 1, and notes 1. That's 4 major grades being collected between now and the end of next week!
Grade 10
  • Went over Act 3 quiz.
  • Started Act 4 video. Will finish tomorrow and start the quiz.
  • Notes need to be in good shape!

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Goodnight, Sweet Prince / Julius Caesar IV.iii.239-307

Grade 12
  • Finished the play!
  • Discussed a lot!
  • How is the story structure balanced?
  • Hamlet's transformation, finally!
  • Did the characters who died have to die?
  • What conclusions can be drawn re the stories themes of revenge, justice and death?
  • We'll go over Act IV quiz tomorrow and start the video.
  • Thursday, finish the video.
  • Friday, multiple choice test.
  • Monday and Tuesday: computer lab to work on essay (due 3/16)
Grade 10
  • Journal: How is Brutus his own worst enemy?
  • IV.iii.238-307
  • What qualities does Brutus show in the scene with Lucius?
  • What purpose does the ghost serve?
  • Go over Act III quiz tomorrow, begin video.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Hamlet V.ii. to 332 / Julius Caesar IV.iii.162-237

Grade 12
  • Review: How has Hamlet's character evolved? What was the stimulus for this change? Discuss.
  • Of all the principle characters, which has nothing to atone for?
  • Analyze Hamlet's apology to Laertes.
  • How does Laertes react to Hamlet?
  • How dies the plan go wrong?
Grade 10
  • Journal: How has your opinion of Cassius changed?
  • Discuss and review play citations. For the l;ast quiz and the essay for the play, correct citations need to be given for each specific reference of the play. The format is (Act.scene.line numbers); (IV.iii.35-36) or (4.3.35-36)
  • Read IV.iii.162-237
  • Discuss: Why does Brutus not tell Messala about Portia? How do Brutus' and Cassius' fatal flaws reveal themselves yet again?

Friday, March 02, 2012

Well, Today was Peculiar.

Due to today's "disruption," only periods 1 and 3 were productive. We'll just regroup on Monday. If you owe Shakespeare notes, take advantage of the weekend to get them together and submit them on Monday.

Have a great weekend!