Day 171!

Happy Friday!

I hope you're not too sad that you don't get to see me today! I'm sorry I'm not there.

Today, you will get to practice with the appeals that we talked about yesterday. Please pick ONE of the options on this Persuasive RAFTS Activity. These will be due at the end of the period. Please email or share your projects with me before you leave. If you decide to do this on paper, please put it in the 7th hour tray before you leave.

If you finish early, please log into one of these two databases and begin to look around for a topic for your essay. You will pick a current "hot topic" issue that interests you. Your goal will be to write a 2 page essay persuading the reader to think the way you do. These are the only two databases that I would like you to use for this assignment, as they present articles with various points of view. Do NOT use Google, please. Today, though, after you finish your RAFTS, I'd just like you to look around in these databases and select your topic. We will begin our thesis statements on Monday.

Databases:
SIRS Researcher
Points of View Reference Center

Username:1953earlh
Password: haea11

This information will work for both sites. Once you enter the information, it will take you to a screen with a link to the databases. Click the link for access.

Have a good weekend!

Day 168!

Tuesday!

Today, we will finish up talking about arguments and counterarguments based on the cards that you were assigned yesterday.

THEN, we will talk about the types of persuasive appeal, and you'll practice with this RAFTS Activity!

Day 167!

Happy Happy Monday!

We get to start talking about persuasive writing today! We'll take a look at an awesome presentation, and then we will do a short activity to practice arguments and counterarguments! Whoop whoop!

Day 157!

Happy Friday!

Today will be a work day for your Original Arthurian Legends. Please have your rough drafts ready to go for TUESDAY (that's a change)!

Day 155!

Happy Wednesday!

We'll start today by talking a little bit about the writing assignment that you completed yesterday.

Then, we will move on to our final project for our Medieval Literature unit! I sent out a document via Doctopus earlier this morning. But, you can also view the details HERE. You can access the rubric HERE!

After we talk through my expectations for this project, you will have time to work!

Day 145!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed your extended weekend and your prom!

Today, we will finish up with "Le Morte d'Arthur". We will talk a little about the story to refresh your memories, and then we will do some work with characterization.

As you were reading, you were to create a web for each character that was introduced into the story. On the web, you were to include: character traits, evidence of the character trait, and the method of characterization (remember STEAL).

Your task today is to create a poster for a character in "Le Morte d'Arthur" who you think is either the most admirable or least admirable person in the story. The poster is to serve several purposes: 1) to show you understand how to analyze the characterization of a story 2) to show that you can identify the method of characterization 3) to persuade your classmates to vote for your character as "Most Admirable" or "Least Admirable"character.  Your poster should include the following things:

On the front:

1. Image(s) that represent the type of person that character is.
2. 6 Word Memoir that represents the character's personality. (Think about what their motto in life would be) 

On the back:

1. Write a paragraph(s) explaining why you think your character is the most OR least admirable character in this story. Be sure to use examples from your character web and at least one piece of text evidence (quote) from the story! You're trying to convince the class to vote for your character to earn the award of Most or Least admirable. 

Day 136!

Happy Tuesday!

We'll start today by finishing up with our group posters. Then we will take some time to present to the other group. As you are watching the presentation, be sure that you take notes over the important aspects of the presentation (trust me there are important aspects).

After that, we will do our VOCABULARY for the week! (Yee haw!)

Remember, for each word you need:

• Word
• Part of speech
• Definition (IN YOUR OWN WORDS)
• Visual representation
• Example Sentence
• Fun way to remember it

Here are our words for the week: 

• aghast
• chagrin
• daunt
• efficacious
• reproof
• respite

With the remaining time, we are going to start learning about knights! (No, not like Mrs. Knight).

Your Task: Research the activities of real knights of the medieval period. (Be sure to record your sources.)

• How were knights appointed?  
• Who/ What were they expected to defend?  
• What, if anything, did they have to do to prove their bravery and strength?  
• What were some values or virtues desired in knights?
• What parallels can you draw between the job description of a knight and that of a modern profession that requires similar attributes?

Day 135!

Welcome back! I hope you all had an enjoyable break, and that you are STOKED to see me! (Just pretend that you are even if you aren't...don't hurt my feelings)

Today we get to start our Arthurian Legend unit! We'll start with some background information today. You will be broken down into two groups. Each group will read one of two sections from the book. Together as a group, you will identify the important parts of your reading. Then, you will work together to figure out a way to visually represent the information on a poster. Once each group has finished their poster, we will take turns presenting the information. Be sure that you are hitting all of the important parts, so that your peers can be taking notes!

Day 127!

Happy Wednesday!

Today is your first project work day for your Hamlet Projects! You can access the project options HERE. I also shared this document with you. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR FINAL PROJECTS ON THAT SAME DOCUMENT--DO NOT MAKE A COPY OF IT, PLEASE! I have it set up so that you each got a separate copy of the document.

If you would like to see the rubric, click on the word RUBRIC!

Remember, these projects will be due at the end of the period on FRIDAY!

Day 123!

Happy Wednesday!

We'll keep it going with Act V scene ii today, and I am hoping that we will get it finished!

If we get some time, we will begin watching Act V!

Also, don't forget that your Reading Workshop question is due today!

Day 122!

Happy Tuesday!

If you missed us yesterday, you should know that we began reading the final act of Hamlet. Act V scene i, that is.

When you finished reading, you had time to update your scene notes and work on your Reading Workshop question that is due by the end of the day tomorrow!

Today, we will start by discussing what you read yesterday. Then, we will finish the play!!!

If there is any time remaining, you should update your scene notes!

Day 120!

Today we are going to take a break from Hamlet! We will start by taking (and then checking) our much anticipated vocabulary quiz!

Then, you will have your requested free reading day! There is a new question on the Reading Workshop blog that will be due by the end of next Wednesday! See the question HERE!

Day 113!

We finally made it through Act III-- thanks, snow!

So, today, I want to start by showing you all how to ask to join the vocabulary Quizlet since some of you (all of you) haven't done that yet. Remember- we will have a quiz over these next Monday  (I just moved it).

Once we are done joining Quizlet, we will read Act IV scenes i-iv!

IF we have any time remaining, you may catch up on your scene notes and then free read!

Day 107!

Good Thursday to you all!

Today we will finish watching Act III Scene i of Hamlet. The version of the "To be or not to be" speech that we are watching is considered to be one of the top performances done of this scene. We will discuss the aspects of the acting that qualify it as "good", and  we will talk about how the movie portrayal is different that you had envisioned as we were reading it.

After that, you will have time to read Act III scene ii on your own.

With whatever time is remaining, you may free read!

Day 105!

Today we will start by "teaching" the words that you began researching yesterday!

After that, we will move on to Act III, scene i. This scene is a big one!

Day 104!

Today we will finish watching Act II of Hamlet! That should take us about 30ish minutes to finish up.

After that, we will break up for another vocabulary session! Our words for this week are:

clandestine
ardent
pinnacle
query
construe
diffident

Tomorrow we will begin reading Act III of the play! Woo hoo!

Day 101!

Happy early out (Wednesday)!

We'll start today by discussing Act II scene i, which you were to have read for today! After that, we will move on to scene ii and get as far as we can in that! It's going to be a great day!

Day 99!

Happy Monday!

Today, we will start by taking some time to wrap up our work with Act I of Hamlet. On Friday, you just got started with your Hamlet Advice Letters before the bell rang. You will have about 15-20 minutes today to work on those and get them turned in!

After that, we will watch act I in the 1996 film version of the play! Woo hoo!

Day 96!

We are inching closer and closer to the big 100! Woo hoo!

Today we will start by finishing up scene 3 of Hamlet. Then, we will take a break from the play for our weekly vocabulary! (Yay!)

Your words for the week are:

benevolent
misanthrope
insipid
emulate
besmirch
kerfuffle

Remember, when you are working on your word's presentation, you need to include:

• the word
• part of speech
• definition in your own words
• example sentence
• visual representation
• fun way to remember that word

Day 95!

Congratulations on making it to Tuesday!

We'll spend some time discussing scene 2 of Hamlet at the beginning of class today. We will identify and discuss the key lines that you picked out, summarize the action, discuss your initial impressions of Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet, and answer any remaining questions you may have.

Then, we will move on to scene 3!

Day 94!

Happy Monday!

As a large group, or in partners, please finish reading Act I Scene ii. (We left off on page 27). As you are reading, please write down any lines that you think are key to the scene. Also, be sure to keep your scene notes up to date.

Remember for your notes, you should be including:
Scene Number
Primary Characters
Summary of the Scene
Questions that you have

We will discuss the scene tomorrow!

Day 92!

Thursday!!!

Welcome back!

So, to start the day, we are going to show off your AWESOME Shakespeare conversations to the class, and we are going to try to figure out what the original conversation was about. It's going to be a blast!

Then, we'll get to reading Hamlet!

Day 91!

Happy Wednesday!

Today we will continue to work with Shakespearean language. We'll go through a few different exercises (they are going to be SWEET), and then if we get some time, we will go ahead and get started with the play. Whoop Whoop!

Day 90!

Welcome back! I hope you made it through the Polar Vortex without any major issues!

Today we will begin with our "run down" presentations! Since the last time you met with your groups was Friday, I will give you about 5 minutes at the beginning of class to re-prepare for your presentation. Remember:

• Everyone must present part of their groups' "run down" presentation
• Must use technology
• Must be interesting

Once we have finished with those, we will move on to talking about Shakespearean language! It's going to be a blast!

Day 89!

Happy Friday! Thank goodness we made it this far!

Today, we will get started with our next play focus...Hamlet !  Yay!

For the first part of class, you will be separated into groups of three. Each group will be responsible for putting together a brief "run down" presentation on background information of Hamlet.

Your guidelines for this activity are:

• everyone must present part of the "run down"
• must use technology
• must be interesting...come up with a new and fun way to present the material to the class 

The topics are: 

• Character "run down" 
• Who's who in the play
• How are they connected to each other (maybe a visual connection map would be a good idea)
• Plot "run down"
• NO spoilers! Just give us the basic beginning/ background information
• Find an awesome way to do it
• Theme "run down" / Historical Background "run down" / Review of characteristics of tragedy "run down" 
• What are some of the themes we may be seeing?
• Where did the idea for this play come from?
• Remind us of what the characteristics of tragedy are (check old notes) 

You will have about 25 minutes to work on this assignment, and then we will present to the class! 

If we have time after presentations, we will spend some time talking about how we are going to handle Shakespeare's language !

Day 88!

Welcome back!! I hope you all had an enjoyable break, and that you are totally stoked to get back to work.

Today we will start with a new seating chart as we have sadly lost a few of our fellow English IV-ers.

Then, we will take a look at your semester exams and discuss the correct answers.

After that, we will begin with our new vocabulary program! If you remember last semester, you will remember that we started with a program called Commonly Confused Words. Well, after the teacher report card, many students provided feedback stating that they wanted to study different types of words and in a different manner. So, I have combined several different types of words (commonly confused words, college prep words, words that make you sound smarter) for our vocabulary studies this semester. Our first words are:

tenacious
indolent
gauche
umbrage
harrowing
that vs who

For these words, you will need to start a running vocabulary document where you can keep track of your notes, as our word bank will continually build. We will take quizzes over our words every 2-3 weeks, and each time you will be quizzed over the growing list.

To learn these words, you will be placed into groups (we'll number off). Each group will be responsible for presenting one word to the class. Your presentation should include:

• the word
• part of speech
• a definition IN YOUR OWN WORDS (I'm not interested in what Google thinks it means)
• an example sentence that uses context clues 
• visual representation of the word (picture: drawn or electronic)
• a fun way to remember it (pneumonic device)