Friday, September 29, 2006

Reminders to AP Students: Please acquire a copy of Hamlet if you desire your own in which to write; the play is featured in your anthology, and I have a myriad of additional copies should you like a smaller copy to carry (and not write in.) We will begin Hamlet on Wednesday, October 4.

Your first draft of the Macpaper is due on Monday for peer review; the Mactest is Tuesday.

Today: Watch the Orson Welles version of Macbeth, produced in 1948. Cool fact: This was Roddy McDowell's first film. (You may remember him as Cornelius in Planet of the Apes.) The movie is unintentionally hilarious in places, but has moments of cinematic genius. Have a lollipop and enjoy.

Gifted English IV: Timed writing on Beowulf today; you have a choice of one of three topics. Reminder: Please acquire 4x6 lined index cards for our next media center adventure on Tuesday, October 3. We will be working on the senior research paper at that time and you will need to complete a minimum of six bibliographic cards and 24 note cards for a total of 30.

Gifted English II: YOUR LAST READING DAY FOR CMC. I am concerned about some of you--five students finished this novel last week, and some of you have barely moved past page 100. Budget your time. Your reading of this novel will be assessed on Tuesday, October 10.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

NOTE: We have done over 200 consultations during the month of September alone. Good job to the Writing Center consultants! Keep up the good work!!!

AP Lit: Today, another gaze at Macbeth through a critical lens as we read over Thomas de Quincey's essay "On the Knocking of the Gate." If you need to check out a textbook in order to access the supplementary criticisms on The King's Evil, the witches, and parodies of the Macplay, see me.

Gifted English IV: Today we are taking the "Two British Mysteries" vocabulary quiz, followed by a look at an essay in the text called "Life in 999--a Grim Reality." Great for context.

Gifted English II: Antigone objective quiz, followed by an introduction to the Literature of the Bible. (Notes are on the board.)

Clarification point for parents or students reading this: We are studying the literature of the Bible strictly from the perspective of literary analysis and for historicity, not from a theological standpoint. Understanding certain Biblical characters and themes will aid in deconstructing much of British and American literature, and understanding the allusions in classical literature can only help students reach new levels of comprehension and analysis. The College Board strongly recommends some Biblical backgrounds in preparation for both AP Language and Literature, which is why I incorporate such information into a pre-AP/Gifted class.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

AP Literature: While you work through a specific act of the play in a small group, I will confer with each of you in thesis conferences. If you have not already submitted a "scavenger hunt, please do so at this time.

Gifted English IV: Our second day in the Media Center. I have an assignment for you to do that will assess your dexterity in finding resources; we will also confer one-on-one on your topic, your thesis question, and your initial sources for the Senior Research Paper. You will each get a comprehensive packet tomorrow in class that will denote every element of the assignment.

Gifted English II: TP-CASTT analysis of "Ozymandias" by Shelley, following a review of all things in Ancient Greece for tomorrow's quiz.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Today, as we wrap up Act V of Macbeth (in varying degrees of enthusiasm and talent throughout the day, no doubt), we need to be mindful of the overall themes and focuses of the piece. To that end, I have an assignment for each of you to help review the details of the play--the Macscavenger Hunt.

Gifted English IV: Today we finish the epic poem Beowulf.

Gifted English II: TP-CASTT analysis of "Traveling Through the Dark" by William Stafford, followed by a rousing in-class performance of the Shel Silverstein classic "Crowded Tub."

Monday, September 25, 2006

AP Literature: Finishing Act V today in class (probably with the help of Steven and Josh in fourth.)

Gifted English IV: Our first day in the Media Center; make it work, people.

Gifted English II: Appositive phrases and grammar; poetic analysis tools; Coleridge as the A of D.

Friday, September 22, 2006

I won't be here today due to my attendance at a workshop for depression/suicide. In light of recent events here at BHS, I am very interested in finding out all I can to help our young people navigate the treacherous terrain of adolescence. Please be kind to your substitute.

AP Literature: Macbeth Act IV quiz; the famous Molly J. run from the classroom in first period; pre-reading of Act V.

Gifted English IV: Most of the plan for today involves your participation in the Senior Panoramic Photo at the stadium, plus answering some brief questions about the battle between Grendel and Beowulf.

Gifted English II: Vocabulary quiz, and work on the Antigone essays that are due next Tuesday. These aren't really essays of any substantial length, but each should be concise, well-considered, and reflective of careful reading.

Monday, September 18, 2006

AP Literature: Act II quiz; discuss and move into Act III.

Gifted English IV: Beowulf.

Gifted English II: Antigone.

Friday, September 15, 2006

The Ides of September! Not really--September doesn't have Ides, but October, January, June, and March do (and I think July). Regardless, happy Middle of the Month.

Today was originally going to be the Senior Panoramic Picture in the gym, but due to the senior class sponsor having to do jury duty, that has been rescheduled for next Friday during second period. FYI.

APees: Today, we're round-robin peer-editing the timed writings from Tuesday before finishing Act II from the Macplay. HW for the weekend: Re-read Act II with an eye to symbolism and color imagery. There might be an evil quiz Monday.

Gifted IV: Fun Friday with a British Literature-themed satirical film. Really.

Gifted II: After sharing your homework stories, a few moments to review your vocabulary words for the Amazing Quiz. Your Antigone questions are due Tuesday, so please work on them over the weekend. You do not have to answer the first question, since you already did for the last essay.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

AP Literature: Working through the end of Act I in Macbeth, and a quiz on Act I and its intricacies. It's a great quiz. I love it.

Gifted English IV: Two significant activities--first, we're watching a short film called The Epic Hero and taking notes (20 points) and then we are translating a sample of Old English writing in small groups (10 points). If you haven't already done so, please submit the Anglo-Saxon Study Guide, Part I as soon as possible and be sure that you've read pp. 2-16 in the Elements text.

Gifted English II: After watching a brief sequence from the wretched film Antigone: Rites of Passion, we're doing a grammar/story activity based on the writings of John Steinbeck before launching back in and finishing Scene 5, the Paean, and the Exodos of Antigone. (Note: the film screening is mainly to reinforce the concept that just because we can make a film doesn't mean we should. Some film school projects should never see the light of day. This film is worth the unintentionally hilarious effect it conveys in a Gifted classroom, however--hence the screening.)

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Thank you so much for cooperating with the substitute yesterday. He had very nice things to say about you, which means that A) you bribed him well, or B) you really were very sweet. I prefer to think the latter.

Today is short day (mercifully) and we are going to do some interesting things:

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: After discussing the choices of topic you selected for yesterday's timed writing, we're moving back into Macstuff. I love this play. Have I mentioned that before? Probably.

Gifted English IV: Brief lecture on the Anglo-Saxon World (scroll below for notes) and work on the A/S Study Guide from the text. This time period is pretty cool.

Gifted English II: Review literary terms #81-100 (quiz Friday) and answer questions on Antigone.



Notes on the Anglo-Saxon Era for Gifted English IV

• Dates encompassing this era: 449-1066 AD (the removal of the Romans from the British Isles to the Battle of Hastings)
• Pre-feudal time period marked by aggression and tribal organization
• The mead hall was the center of Anglo-Saxon life
• Invaders who brought cultural and linguistic influences to the region during this era: Jutes, Danes, Angles, Saxons, Visigoths, and Vikings
• The name "England" comes from Angle-Land; the name "English" comes from
  Anglisc
• Largely pre-literate culture; the only writings we really have from this era are The Exeter Book, The Domesday Book, "The Seafarer," "The Wanderer," and the epic Beowulf.
• The A/S epic hero is physically strong and proud of his prowess. Unlike other heroes throughout the pantheon of literary convention, the A/S hero is encouraged to brag of his exploits--and his strength supersedes that of his peers into the supernatural realm. (Beowulf, for example, can hold his breath underwater for hours. Riiiiiiiiight.)
• Terms to know: morgengifu (morning gift--for a bride), wergild (blood price), Witan (the king's council), eorls and churls (high class and low class men), kenning (Anglo-Saxon metaphor)
• Stonehenge and the Celts: the indigenous people of the region were originally called the Brythons, and were probably from Scando-European stock. This animistic culture eventually become called the Celts, who were gradually pushed out to Ireland over the years of the Anglo-Saxon occupation.

WHY DO WE CARE?

The roots of our language, our culture, and our society rest in the Anglo-Saxon age. Without the development of the Old English language, a limited vocabulary of about 40,000 words, English as we speak it today would never have evolved. Currently, we are in a continually shifting and evolving language of over half a million words. Our literature and our traditions stem from the roots established in this society, and understanding it in its complexities is critical to understand all that follows.

WHAT WILL THIS UNIT INCLUDE? Anglo-Saxon riddles, an awesome analysis paper, the epic poem, and great perspective into human nature.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I am not here today. Please be nice to your sub. If you aren't, I will find you and force you to explain yourself in perfect unrhymed iambic pentameter. I'm not kidding.

Your assignments today:

AP Literature: Timed Writing based on an excellent quote from Shakespeare's Lear about the role of the villain and the perceptions therein. Excellent, excellent.

Gifted English IV: Romanticism Unit Test.

Gifted English II: After reading over the myth supplement, work on the Antigone questions. Thanks!

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Oeditest; fourth and fifth begin discussion to pave the way for The Scottish Play.

Gifted English IV: Wrap up Frankennotes; return graded work; briefly walk through "Nightingale" by Keats. ROMANTICISM UNIT TEST WILL BE ON TUESDAY.

Gifted English II: Author of the Day: Louise Erdrich. Return the most recent round of essays, followed by a rousing discussion of the Guidelines for Solid Writing handout I generated for each of you. Then. . .Antigone, Scene 3! Will Haimon find a new place to push his plow? Let's find out on page 716!

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Review for the Oeditest and work on the focus paper assignment.

Gifted English IV: Shelley quiz and go over Frankennotes.

Gifted English II: Author of the Day: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Antigone Scene Two and Ode Two.

Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Welcome back after Labor Day Weekend! I hope you are well-rested and ready to begin the Serious Things we need to do.

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition: Peer Review today for both the new Oedipaper and the second focus paper (for those of you who wish to resubmit.) Reminder--if you'd like to earn five extra points on your resubmission, you can visit the Writing Center.

Gifted English IV: Shelleys--Frankenstein and "The West Wind."

Gifted English II: Antigone, "Prologue and Parados" review, and moving into Scene One.

Friday, September 1, 2006

AP English Literature and Composition: Oedipus Rex, questions on p. 1301, and continue discussion of FRQs.

Gifted English IV: "Ode to the West Wind" by Shelley.

Gifted English II: First scheduled reading day for The Count of Monte Cristo, popcorn provided.