Tues. Nov. 29 & Wed. Nov. 30, 2016: Independent Novel Study

You are getting these two days to work on your independent novel study. We will dig into Hamlet when I get back. I have put what is meant to be a fun overview of the play in your portfolios (called "Fun with Hamlet and His Friends). I have also booked the computer cart for Wednesday.

Fri. Nov. 25, 2016: Hamlet Introduction

Today, I introduced the play Hamlet. As the power was out, no notes were provided. I have printed my Powerpoint and have placed a copy in everyone's portfolio.

Thurs. Nov. 24, 2016: Iambic Pentameter

Today, we reviewed Iambic Pentameter. If you were not here, the notes are in your portfolio.

Wed. Nov. 23, 2016: Shakespeare/Hamlet Introduction

Today, you were provided with a booklet covering much of the background information you need to know to understand Shakespeare. The goal today is to read this booklet actively and then answer the questions I have posted below: If you were not here, the readings are in your portfolio; however, ALL of these questions can be answered through a web search. They are due tomorrow.

Hamlet Introductory Questions

(Value: 21)

1.      List and name the characteristics of the three types of plays which were the basis of Elizabethan Drama. (value: 6)

2.      What are the four characteristics of “Revenge Tragedy”? (value: 4)

3.      What are five elements of “Revenge tragedy”? How did Shakespeare follow this classical tragedy format? (Value: 6)

4.      What is iambic pentameter? Why is it so important to the study of Shakespeare? How did Shakespeare change words to suit this rhythm? (Value: 3)

5.      Why did boys play the women’s parts in Shakespearean drama? (Value: 1)

6.      From the “courtyard model”, what playhouse came into being? (Value:1)

Tues. Nov. 22, 2016: Essay Assess and Reflect

Today, you did an assess and reflect activity using your returned Lord of the Flies essay. If you were not here, you will need to see me for your essay and in order to complete this assignment.

Mon. Nov. 21, 2016: Assess & Reflect Activity

For those students who completed the exam on Friday, today was used to answer questions about your self-regulation in regard to how you did. You were given your exam back and provided questions to answer. If you were not here, this will have to be completed at lunch ASAP. Those who had not written the exam were allowed this time to do so. Again, however, those students will have to come in at lunch to do the assess and reflect activity. If you have not written the exam, you will need to make arrangements to do that ASAP.

Fri. Nov. 18, 2016: Unit Exam

Today, you wrote your unit exam for Lord of the Flies. If you were absent and did not write it prior, you will need to arrange to write the alternative at lunch next week. I am suggesting Tuesday.

Thurs. Nov. 17, 2016: Test Prep/Independent Novel Study

Today, you were given class time to study for your exam. If you feel confident, then the time can be used to prepare your independent novel assignment (handed out to you in September and due January 6).
The exam is tomorrow.

Wed. Nov. 16, 2016: Independent Novel Study/Test Prep.

Today, the students worked on prepping for their Friday exam or worked on their independent novel study, which is due Friday, January 6, 2017. For test prep notes, see previous blog.

Tues. Nov. 15, 2016: Essay Submission and Test Prep.

Today, you handed in your essays from the Lord of the Flies unit. I then handed out a test prep sheet. You will write your unit exam on Friday. I have pasted the test prep. information below.

Lord of the Flies: Test Prep

To do well on this exam, you will have to have read actively. In other words, taken the time to look up things like unfamiliar words.

I have created a list below of words you will either have to define (matching) or understand in context. It is up to you whether you want to take the time to do this, but I assure you, your efforts will be noted in the mark (in other words, take the time!). These do not add up with the rest as there are additional ones in here (14 marks).

1.      Obscured

2.      Reprimand

3.      Impenetrable

4.      Turbulently

5.      impurities       

6.      Excruciatingly                        

7.      Skewed                                              

8.      Purged                                                

9.      Coverts                                                           

10.  Tempestuously                       

11.  Rebuke                                               

12.  Bastion                                                           

13.  Gesticulated                           

14.  Inscrutable                             

15.  Opaque                                               

16.  Pall                                         

17.  Eclipsed                                 

18.  Maternal                                 

19.  Impalpable     

I.                   True or False (16 Marks). Write “T” if the statement is true, or “F” if the statement is false, in the space provided.

II.                Matching (9 Marks). Match the character with their traits. In the space provided, write the letter of the answer that best describes the character.

III.             Multiple Choice (19 Marks). Complete each of the following sentences with the best response. Indicate your choice by writing the letter of the response on your answer sheet.

IV.             Read the excerpt from a novel  and answer the multiple choice questions (10 marks).

Thurs. Nov. 10, 2016: Essay Submission/Return for Revision

Today, you were to complete and submit your essays. I took them in and then gave them back. I want you to go over them again on the weekend (or Tuesday outside of class) to do a final revision. It is easier to catch mistakes if you leave a paper alone for a twenty-four hour period. It also  helps to read the sentences as stand-alones to see if they make sense. I often read the last sentence and work upwards to accomplish this.

Wed. Nov. 9, 2016: Writing Class

Students continued working on their essays. These are due at the end of class tomorrow.

Tues. Nov. 8, 2016: Writing Class continued

The students have until Friday to hand in a revised good copy of an essay using Lord of the Flies for their evidence to support their thesis.

I also provided the students with an essay editing checklist (in blue: it is a keeper).

Fri. Nov. 4, 2016: Lord of the Flies Film

Today, we continued to view the 1990 version of Lord of the Flies. The essay assignment options and due dates were posted in yesterday's blog.

Thurs. Nov. 3, 2016: Essay Assignment: Film (1990)

Today, I handed out the essay assignment for Lord of the Flies. One of the questions ties into the 1990 feature film (which is the reason I handed it out early).
We then began watching the film.

I am pasting the assignment below:

Essay Assignment: Lord of the Flies

Using the novel Lord of the Flies, answer one of the three following choices using a five paragraph essay format.

a.       In the novel Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the allegory of personality (Id, Ego, Superego) to explain man’s civility (or lack thereof). How does the allegory of personality demonstrate itself in this novel and what is its purpose?

OR

b.      In the novel Lord of the Flies, Golding provides a very dark view of man. How does this novel connect to the concept of Genocide?

OR

c.       In writing his novel Lord of the Flies, Golding attempts to support his view that man is a savage who, without civilization, will revert to a savage state.  Based on the novel, has Golding been able to present a strong argument to support this?

d.      There are a number of differences between the novel, Lord of the Flies, and the 1990 feature film. What was the filmmaker’s purpose in making these changes? Do they enhance or diminish the message of the novel? Support this with evidence.

Essay Marking Criteria: Content: Thought and Detail             10 marks Organization                                        5 marks Sentence Structure                               5 marks Vocabulary                                          5 marks Mechanics                                            5 marks

Keep in mind that the essay must be 12 point Times, New Roman, double-spaced, zero spacing and in a revised form using MLA expectations. Further, when doing your “works cited” page, in order to practice this skill, I want you to identify the chapter the quotes came from (see me for help).

Due Date: Thursday, November 10, 2016

Wed. Nov. 2, 2016: Chapter 12 Discussion

Today, the students wrote a 10 minute sequel on the novel as a whole.
I then gave out a handout about the main message in Lord of the Flies. This handout then explains genocide and the steps involved in it. It also contains a number of examples of genocide in the 20th century. We read most of it as a class. What is left is to be read at home. If you were not here, this handout is in your portfolio.

Tues. Nov. 1, 2016: Chapter 11 Discussion

Today, students wrote a journal outlining the events of Chapter 11. If you were not here, see me for the alternative questions.
I then reviewed the symbols that have lost power (conch, glasses and Piggy), as well as those that have (glasses, masks, Jack).
I then allowed the rest of the class time to read chapter 12.