"The answers you get from literature depend on the questions you pose." Magaret Atwood

Friday, January 23, 2015

Homework and Schedule

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
- You were assigned a specific character (Victor Frankenstein or the Monster) to track for self description, evaluation and character development.  Record 5-10 direct quotations from the novel in which the character describes himself to the reader.  After recording these passages, review them to discover a common theme or message.  Write down the common theme and bring a copy of this message to class for Monday.

Victor Frankenstein sample:  "I have described myself as always having been embued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature.  In spite of intense labour and wonderful discoveries of modern philosophers, I always came from my studies discontented and unsatisfied." (35)

Monster sample:  "I had admired the perfect forms of my cottagers--their grace, beauty, and delicate complexions:  but how was I terrified when I viewed myself in a transparent pool!  At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification." (102)

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- For Monday read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
  -  Text book, pages 106-112, Questions 1-7

D Block - Film and Literature
- New Students!

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- For Monday read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
  -  Text book, pages 106-112, Questions 1-7

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- For Monday read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
  -  Text book, pages 106-112, Questions 1-7

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Holiday Break Update

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
- You should have read Chapters 1-15 of Frankenstein.
- Please review these chapters for in-class discussion upon our return.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- You should have completed the reading of Death of a Salesman (including the requiem).
- Please review the study guide questions for Act II for our return to class.

D Block - Film and Literature
- You should have completed reading the Kate Angier section of The Prestige by Christopher Priest.
- If you have the time, try to complete the novel over the break.  We will be fast tracking the end of the novel upon our return. 

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- You should have completed the reading of Death of a Salesman (including the requiem).
- Please review the study guide questions for Act II for our return to class.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- You should have completed the reading of Death of a Salesman (including the requiem).
- Please review the study guide questions for Act II for our return to class.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Homework and Agenda

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
Homework
- For Friday, Read Frankenstein, Chapters 10-12
- Answer Reading Comprehension Questions
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz - Tuesday 12/23
What happened in class today?
- We performed an in-class reading of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
- We formed a list of common traits between "Mariner" and Frankenstein based on Gothic Romanticism.
- Students used prior knowledge of The Scarlet Letter to formulate their understanding.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors
Homework
- Complete Reading Death of a Salesman, Act II for Friday, 12/19
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Homework and Quiz - Tuesday 12/23 (1/2 Day)
What happened in class today?
- We watched three separate performances of Willy Loman's monologue
from Act II, Death of a Salesman.  Discussed each performance and why students preferred
one performance over the other.

D Block - Film and Literature
Homework
- Complete Reading The Prestige, Part II, Borden Section
- Continue to read beyond part II if possible.
What happened in class today?
We did not meet today. 

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
Homework
- Complete Reading Death of a Salesman, Act II for Friday 12/19
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Homework is due on Monday 12/22
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz - Monday 12/22
What happened in class today?
- We reviewed Act I quiz answers.
Students watched Act I, Death of a Salesman (Dustin Hoffman version).

 G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- Complete reading Death of a Salesman, Act II for Friday 12/19
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Homework is due on Monday 12/22
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz Monday 12/22
What happened in class today?
- We reviewed Act I quiz answers.
Students watched Act I, Death of a Salesman (Dustin Hoffman version).

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Homework and Agenda

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
- Read Frankenstein, Chapters 1-4
- Be prepared for a brief reading quiz.
What happened in class today?
-  We discussed the opening letters of Frankenstein.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- Read Act II, pages 71-98
What happened in class today?
- Students took a quiz on Act I, Death of a Salesman

D Block - Film and Literature
- Complete reading Part II (Borden) of The Prestige
- Be prepared for a quick reading comprehension quiz.
What happened in class today?
Class was postponed due to a school wide assembly.

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- Complete reading Act I, Death of a Salesman
- Be prepared for a short answer quiz on Act I.

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- Complete reading Act I, Death of a Salesman
- Be prepared for a short answer quiz on Act I.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Homework and Daily Agenda

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
Homework:
- Read letters 1-4 from Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.
- Be prepared to discuss these letters in class.
- Bring your textbook to class tomorrow.
- Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz on Friday, 12/19
What happened in class today?
- I collected the essays and textbooks for Hamlet.
- Students received the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.
- Intro activity:  What do you think of when you hear the name "Frankenstein"?

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
Homework:
- Complete Reading Act I from Death of a Salesman
- Be prepared for a short quiz on Act I tomorrow.
- Use the questions and class PowerPoint as a study guide.
- A Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz will take place on Thursday, 12/18
What happened in class today?
- I collected the student responses from the poetry packet.
- We performed an in-class reading for Act I of Death of a Salesman.
- At the end of class we discussed how Arthur Miller's essay, Tragedy and the Common Man
surfaces in the play.

D Block - Film and Literature
Homework:
- Read the rest of Part II, Borden from The Prestige by Christopher Priest.
- Be prepared to discuss this section during our next class session.
What happened in class today?
- We viewed a good portion of the film during the long block period today.
- We reviewed the film for film technique which enhances the gothic elements in the film.

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
Homework:- Complete Reading Act I from Death of a Salesman
- Be prepared for a short quiz on Act I for Wednesday.
- Use the questions and class PowerPoint as a study guide.
- A Vocabulary Unit 7 Quiz will take place this Friday, 12/19
What happened in class today?
- I collected the student responses from the poetry packet.
- We performed an in-class reading for Act I of Death of a Salesman.
- At the end of class we discussed how Arthur Miller's essay, Tragedy and the Common Man
surfaces in the play.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Homework and Daily Agenda

A Block - Grade 12 Honors English
- Hamlet Essay - Final drafts due Monday, 12/15
     - Please remember to share the essay with me via Google Drive
     - Bring the hard copy of your essay with you to class for Monday.

C Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- The Great Gatsby Essay - Final drafts due Friday, 12/12
     - Please remember to share the essay with me via Google Drive by Friday.
     - Bring the hard copy of your essay with you to class on Friday.

D Block - Film and Literature Course 
- Feminism in Film - Female Stereotypes Short Essay Due Friday, 12/12
- Read The Prestige, Part II, pages 31-71
- Be prepared to discuss these chapters in detail at the beginning
  of our next class session.

F Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- The Great Gatsby Essay - Final drafts due Friday, 12/12
- Please remember to share the essay with me via Google Drive by Friday.
- Bring the hard copy of your essay on Monday, 12/15
- Death of a Salesman - Poetry Packet Questions (Choose one poem)
   should be completed by Monday 12/15

G Block - Grade 11 Honors English
- The Great Gatsby Essay - Final drafts due Friday, 12/12
- Please remember to share the essay with me via Google Drive by Friday
- Bring the hard copy of your essay on Tuesday, 12/16
- Death of a Salesman - Poetry Packet Questions (Choose one poem)
   should be completed by Monday 12/15