Wed. Sept. 28, 2016: Review of Text Critiques

Today, I returned the marked text critique for "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." I showed the students an exemplar and reinforced some points:

Summaries are to be three sentences, include the genre, title and author (or person who translated) and give an overview of the work (the before, during and after). The details are to be saved for the "what is relevant" section.

When filling in the "what is relevant" section, include all the details that you feel would be important to know or details that will direct you to knowing information to use as evidence in an essay. Since the summary will be short on the details and the "So What" isn't supposed to use them, it is important to capture them here.

In the "So What" section, the point is to show what ideas you have arrived at after reading this piece. It is to be a reflection on a topic that has shown itself. It is not to be a summary.

I then instructed students to reexamine their text critique for "Robin Hood and the Three Squires." They are to hand it in by the end of  class.

Tues. Sept. 27, 2016: Robin Hood

Today, I provided you with some notes on another type of hero who emerged at about the same time as the knights: Robin Hood. He was focused on taking from the poor and giving to the rich; for peasants whose rights were never a priority, this was fantastic. He had all the traits of a hero (courageous, strategic, attractive, brave), but did not follow the norms of the upper classes.
The ballad you read today was "Robin Hood and the Three Squires."  I then instructed you to create a critique on this. They should get easier as time goes on.

Mon. Sept. 26, 2016: Critique Completion

Today, you were given the class time to complete your critiques for "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." If you did not finish, you will have to use the library's computer lab at 12:20 tomorrow as I am not giving any more class time to this.

Fri. Sept. 23, 2016: Text Critique for "Sir Gawain"

Today, students were supposed to have completed actively reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." The goal in today's class was for each student to create a text critique using "Computer Usage Steps (found on the back page of their "MLA Citation Booklet") and following the format/layout of the examples provided.
If you were not here, you are to create one by hand (or do it on the computer and transfer it to your ELA B30 folder). This is due on Monday.

Thurs. Sept. 22, 2016: Introduction to "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

Today, I showed a Powerpoint introducing the age of chivalry. I then handed out the reading "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." You are to have it actively read for tomorrow's class. If you were not here, check your portfolio in the morning so you can get caught up for class.

Wed. Sept. 21, 2016: Discussion about Beowulf

Today, we discussed how today's perceptions and those of the past clash based on how we judge situations.We discussed defences for Grendel's actions and the problems with ideals based on today's standards that the other two characters face.

Tues. Sept. 20, 2016: Bewulf work completion

Students ended up getting class time to collaborate on their questions for Beowulf. Those who were finished used their time to read their novels.