Focus: How well do we know this week's vocabulary, and how are we going to present our independent reading books to the class?
If anyone has a copy of Midsummer to turn in, I will gladly take it off your hands.
1. Warming up with a little individual vocabulary review
2. Taking the SAT List 15 vocabulary quiz
3. Reading your memoir independent reading books
4. Introducing your "Book Talks," aka, your independent reading project
HW:
1. If you'd like to purchase your own copy of Fahrenheit 451, please bring it to class on Monday.
2. You should be finishing/close to finishing your memoir independent reading book (final deadline is March 14).
3. Finish your Midsummer essay for the early bird deadline, which is Tuesday, March 4; print a clean, hard copy by 3:00 pm.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 27, 2014
Focus: How can we transform a rough outline into a polished essay?
Please welcome our Link Crew leader to class!
1. Warming up: Color coding the sample essay to see what a strong rough draft looks like
a. If you haven't done so yet, make a copy of the overview and scroll to the sample essay.
b. Highlight the opening and concluding sentences in orange.
c. Highlight the thesis statement and the sentences of analysis that follow each quotation in yellow.
d. Highlight the lead-in's, quotations and citations in green.
e. Highlight the background information that comes before each quotation in light blue.
2. Peer or self editing using the rubric (also, please see my feedback on your thesis statements)
3. Taking time to revise based on today's editing
HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's SAT List 15 vocabulary quiz.
2. Bring your memoir independent reading book to class.
3. Continue to edit your essay; early bird deadline for the final draft is Tuesday, March 4.
4. Please turn in your Midsummer books as soon as you can (two classes are waiting on them).
Please welcome our Link Crew leader to class!
1. Warming up: Color coding the sample essay to see what a strong rough draft looks like
a. If you haven't done so yet, make a copy of the overview and scroll to the sample essay.
b. Highlight the opening and concluding sentences in orange.
c. Highlight the thesis statement and the sentences of analysis that follow each quotation in yellow.
d. Highlight the lead-in's, quotations and citations in green.
e. Highlight the background information that comes before each quotation in light blue.
2. Peer or self editing using the rubric (also, please see my feedback on your thesis statements)
3. Taking time to revise based on today's editing
HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's SAT List 15 vocabulary quiz.
2. Bring your memoir independent reading book to class.
3. Continue to edit your essay; early bird deadline for the final draft is Tuesday, March 4.
4. Please turn in your Midsummer books as soon as you can (two classes are waiting on them).
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 26, 2014
Focus: How can we improve and develop your essay on A Midsummer Night's Dream?
1. Warming up with a little List 15 SAT vocabulary: Would you like a little quizlet.com time?
2. Taking a few brave volunteers: Thesis editing
Is it clear (eloquent and easy to understand)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it specific (does it list 2-3 reasons, the title of the play, etc.)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it debatable (does it take a strong stance)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it provable (is there evidence in the play and in real life to support it)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
3. Working on your essay:
HW:
1. Finish the outline (#4, #5, and #6).
2. Study your List 15 SAT vocabulary for Friday's quiz.
3. Memoir reading
1. Warming up with a little List 15 SAT vocabulary: Would you like a little quizlet.com time?
2. Taking a few brave volunteers: Thesis editing
Is it clear (eloquent and easy to understand)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it specific (does it list 2-3 reasons, the title of the play, etc.)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it debatable (does it take a strong stance)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is it provable (is there evidence in the play and in real life to support it)?
0 1 2 3 4 5
3. Working on your essay:
- Revising your thesis
- Revising your opening sentence
- Revising your first example
- Composing your next example (or two)
HW:
1. Finish the outline (#4, #5, and #6).
2. Study your List 15 SAT vocabulary for Friday's quiz.
3. Memoir reading
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 25, 2014
Focus: How can we compose our thoughts about love in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
1. Warming up: Sharing some of your smart observations about Puck's speech:
From Adam's homework last night:
The scene showed that Neil seemed to be talking more to his father during Puck’s final speech than to the audience, that the words about mending where more about them than just lines. Neil feels that if they’re both willing to put forth the effort they can both make amends for their differences and end up living together better because of it. Whereas Neil’s father and Neil seem to be at different ends of the spectrum on what he should do, he tries to imply in the lines that if they’re both willing to make a compromise, they can both get what they want.
From Emma's homework:
This speech in the movie is transformed as Neil is saying to his dad I’m sorry about what I did. You can tell he can see the disapproval on his father’s face, which adds emotion to the monologue. The original speech translates very well into what Neil is feeling, as he is saying don’t be mad at me, please forgive me. In a way Neil was poking fun at his dad just like the faeries in the play but he does it instead by disobeying him.
2. Finishing the film version of A Midsummer Night's Dream
As you watch, please type a few notes on the following: What about this play might be offensive?
3. Perusing the overview of the Midsummer essay (it's actually just one paragraph, not a giant essay) and forming your thesis statements and opening sentences
Please start a new document called "____________ (your last name) Midsummer Essay."
Place the document inside your Midsummer folder to make sure it's shared with me before you leave class today.
HW:
1. Finish #1 and #2 on the outline if you did not do so in class (thesis and opening sentence).
2. Complete all parts of #3 (your first example) before class tomorrow.
3. Start looking over SAT List 15 vocabulary.
1. Warming up: Sharing some of your smart observations about Puck's speech:
.JPG) |
| Hannah's |
.JPG) |
| Carter's |
.JPG) |
| Bryan's |
.JPG) |
| Ally's |
From Adam's homework last night:
The scene showed that Neil seemed to be talking more to his father during Puck’s final speech than to the audience, that the words about mending where more about them than just lines. Neil feels that if they’re both willing to put forth the effort they can both make amends for their differences and end up living together better because of it. Whereas Neil’s father and Neil seem to be at different ends of the spectrum on what he should do, he tries to imply in the lines that if they’re both willing to make a compromise, they can both get what they want.
From Emma's homework:
This speech in the movie is transformed as Neil is saying to his dad I’m sorry about what I did. You can tell he can see the disapproval on his father’s face, which adds emotion to the monologue. The original speech translates very well into what Neil is feeling, as he is saying don’t be mad at me, please forgive me. In a way Neil was poking fun at his dad just like the faeries in the play but he does it instead by disobeying him.
2. Finishing the film version of A Midsummer Night's Dream
As you watch, please type a few notes on the following: What about this play might be offensive?
3. Perusing the overview of the Midsummer essay (it's actually just one paragraph, not a giant essay) and forming your thesis statements and opening sentences
Please start a new document called "____________ (your last name) Midsummer Essay."
Example: Nowlan Midsummer Essay
Place the document inside your Midsummer folder to make sure it's shared with me before you leave class today.
HW:
1. Finish #1 and #2 on the outline if you did not do so in class (thesis and opening sentence).
2. Complete all parts of #3 (your first example) before class tomorrow.
3. Start looking over SAT List 15 vocabulary.
Monday, February 24, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 24, 2014
Focus: How does A Midsummer Night's Dream conclude, and why does it conclude this way?
1. Warming up: Celebrating blogging brilliance
2. Spontaneously acting out the tragic tale of Pyramus and Thisbe:
Before reading: What do you know about this myth?
While reading: Mark any passages that connect somehow to Midsummer.
After reading: Why do you think Shakespeare selected this story to be in Midsummer?
Why is this a strange choice for the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius?
3. Closely reading Puck's final speech (it's one of my favorites) and using the reading strategies chart to unravel it; you can find the speech at the very end of Act 5 (5.1.440-end)
Take a look at my example if you need some help:
.JPG)
4. Watching the film version of Acts 4 and 5
This will be the last time you add to your film notes; again, mark any interesting directorial choices and analyze what they might signify.
HW:
1. Watch THIS CLIP from Dead Poets Society, then watch THIS ONE (one scene, just divided into two clips). Here's a little helpful background information before you watch: Neil, who plays Puck in his boarding school's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, is surprised to see his father in the audience. His father, who is extremely controlling (and borderline abusive, in my opinion) has explicitly forbidden Neil to be in a play.
In your "Thou Doest Thine Homework Document," please respond to the following question: How does this scene slightly transform the meaning of Puck's final speech? To whom does Neil seem to be speaking, and how does the meaning of this speech apply to his situation? Please type at least a few thoughtful sentences in response to this question.
2. Memoir reading
1. Warming up: Celebrating blogging brilliance
brandonwFebruary 23, 2014 at 5:41 PM
We still read this book because it reminds us of how chaotic love is in our lives. That we are humans, and humans aren't ever perfect.
Eli C.February 23, 2014 at 2:38 PM
The reason why we still read a Midsummer Night's Dream is that it shows us that love and all matters of life will run their true part and that all things, either bad or good will conclude. This is important to remember in modern life because as a society we are always stressed about the outcomes of certain things. Also we read Shakespeare because he helped develop the complexity of the English language. A verse Midsummer Night's Dream contributes to the world is that all things will come to conclusion and different aspects of life, such as love, will take unexpected turns.
Hadley IFebruary 23, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Nothing ever works out quite the way you plan but in the end, a higher power is on your side and eventually, everything will turn out in your favor.
I think that we still read classical literature because it, in some ways, restores faith in the human race and shows that there is humanity there to lean back on. Love is powerful, if you are willing to work for it.
A Midsummer's Night Dream is still being read because it represents that relationships between people can be tangled up with the slightest misunderstanding but with some outside help they find a way to settle and find peace.
2. Spontaneously acting out the tragic tale of Pyramus and Thisbe:
Before reading: What do you know about this myth?
While reading: Mark any passages that connect somehow to Midsummer.
After reading: Why do you think Shakespeare selected this story to be in Midsummer?
Why is this a strange choice for the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius?
3. Closely reading Puck's final speech (it's one of my favorites) and using the reading strategies chart to unravel it; you can find the speech at the very end of Act 5 (5.1.440-end)
Take a look at my example if you need some help:
4. Watching the film version of Acts 4 and 5
This will be the last time you add to your film notes; again, mark any interesting directorial choices and analyze what they might signify.
HW:
1. Watch THIS CLIP from Dead Poets Society, then watch THIS ONE (one scene, just divided into two clips). Here's a little helpful background information before you watch: Neil, who plays Puck in his boarding school's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, is surprised to see his father in the audience. His father, who is extremely controlling (and borderline abusive, in my opinion) has explicitly forbidden Neil to be in a play.
In your "Thou Doest Thine Homework Document," please respond to the following question: How does this scene slightly transform the meaning of Puck's final speech? To whom does Neil seem to be speaking, and how does the meaning of this speech apply to his situation? Please type at least a few thoughtful sentences in response to this question.
2. Memoir reading
Friday, February 21, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 21, 2014
Focus: What can I learn through my memoir?
Please note that today is the last day to submit anything from the past six weeks.
1. Warming up: Taking five minutes to review vocabulary (try one of the Quizlet games!)
2. Assessing your vocabulary with the SAT List 14 vocabulary quiz
3. Reading your memoir independent reading books and setting a schedule:
4. Finishing your Acting Company quizzes over Acts 3 and 4 if need be
HW:
1. Memoir independent reading
2. Watch the following iPad Air commercial by clicking here.
Then, respond on today's class blog to the following question:
The narration of this commercial comes from the film Dead Poets Society, and the speaker ends with, "The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"
I'd like you to answer the question, "What verse might A Midsummer Night's Dream contribute to the world?" Think about why we still read this play, and how it reaches us despite the fact that it was written and performed centuries ago.
Here's an example from The Kite Runner: Redemption, though difficult, is possible no matter how disastrous the mistake.
Or, here's an example from A Long Way Gone: It is never too late to heal.
Please note that today is the last day to submit anything from the past six weeks.
1. Warming up: Taking five minutes to review vocabulary (try one of the Quizlet games!)
2. Assessing your vocabulary with the SAT List 14 vocabulary quiz
3. Reading your memoir independent reading books and setting a schedule:
- You must finish by March 14 at the latest.
- If you want to finish your memoir before we begin Fahrenheit 451, which I highly advise because the reading load for that book is challenging, then you will need to finish by Monday, March 3.
- Count how many pages you have left, then count how many days you have left until the deadline you have set for yourself.
- Decide if it's better for you to read a little each day, or if you'd rather read for longer periods of time over the weekend or on lighter days.
- Write down in your student calendar how many pages you need to read each day, or each week; set yourself some specific deadlines.
4. Finishing your Acting Company quizzes over Acts 3 and 4 if need be
HW:
1. Memoir independent reading
2. Watch the following iPad Air commercial by clicking here.
Then, respond on today's class blog to the following question:
The narration of this commercial comes from the film Dead Poets Society, and the speaker ends with, "The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"
I'd like you to answer the question, "What verse might A Midsummer Night's Dream contribute to the world?" Think about why we still read this play, and how it reaches us despite the fact that it was written and performed centuries ago.
Here's an example from The Kite Runner: Redemption, though difficult, is possible no matter how disastrous the mistake.
Or, here's an example from A Long Way Gone: It is never too late to heal.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
We're English 10 Nerds and Loving It: February 20, 2014
Focus: What does Act 4 of Midsummer teach us about power, love and dreams?
1. Warming up: On today's blog, post your smartest, most specific observation on the transformation of the lovers' appearance/clothing in the film version of Act 3 and what you think that transformation symbolizes. When you finish, peruse the your classmates' brilliant posts.
2. Meeting with your acting companies to read and analyze Act 4
a. Open your Acting Company document and give today's task the heading "Power, Love and Dreams in Act 4."
b. Read Act 4, scenes 1 and 2 together.
c. Pause at the bottom of each page to discuss and record your thoughts on the following topics:
At this point, which characters have the most power? How do you know?
Which characters have the least power? Why is this?
Which couples, in your opinion, have the strongest love between them?
Which couples, in your opinion, have the weakest love?
What do you think Shakespeare is trying to say about romantic love in this play?
d. Read Bottom's speech (4.1.210-end of scene) aloud several times. Discuss and record in your notes some thoughts on the following questions:
What are some of the puns in this speech?
What is he saying about dreams in this speech?
Does he seem wise in this scene, or is he still a donkey head, or a little of both?
3. Taking the big quiz on Acts 3 and 4 (you will be taking it as an acting company)
HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's quiz on SAT vocabulary: List 14.
2. Bring your memoir book to class tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow is the last day to submit any homework from the first 6 weeks, to take vocabulary quizzes, to revise, etc.
4. Finish any acting company work not completed in class today.
1. Warming up: On today's blog, post your smartest, most specific observation on the transformation of the lovers' appearance/clothing in the film version of Act 3 and what you think that transformation symbolizes. When you finish, peruse the your classmates' brilliant posts.
2. Meeting with your acting companies to read and analyze Act 4
a. Open your Acting Company document and give today's task the heading "Power, Love and Dreams in Act 4."
b. Read Act 4, scenes 1 and 2 together.
c. Pause at the bottom of each page to discuss and record your thoughts on the following topics:
At this point, which characters have the most power? How do you know?
Which characters have the least power? Why is this?
Which couples, in your opinion, have the strongest love between them?
Which couples, in your opinion, have the weakest love?
What do you think Shakespeare is trying to say about romantic love in this play?
d. Read Bottom's speech (4.1.210-end of scene) aloud several times. Discuss and record in your notes some thoughts on the following questions:
What are some of the puns in this speech?
What is he saying about dreams in this speech?
Does he seem wise in this scene, or is he still a donkey head, or a little of both?
3. Taking the big quiz on Acts 3 and 4 (you will be taking it as an acting company)
HW:
1. Study for tomorrow's quiz on SAT vocabulary: List 14.
2. Bring your memoir book to class tomorrow.
3. Tomorrow is the last day to submit any homework from the first 6 weeks, to take vocabulary quizzes, to revise, etc.
4. Finish any acting company work not completed in class today.
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