Wednesday, October 29, 2008

RESEARCH PAPER TURN-IN

Research papers due tomorrow. Here is how you should turn it in.

1. Put the final paper (with the works cited page) in the RIGHT HAND pocket of a two-pocket folder.

2. Put all notes, outline, and draft in the LEFT HAND pocket.

3. ON TOP of the notes, outlines, etc., put all of your sources (photocopies or printouts) in the LEFT HAND pocket.

4. Be sure to HIGHLIGHT ALL USED MATERIAL!

Yeah!!!! You're finished!!!!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

TIME TO POST!


It's time for required post #3 DUE BY THURSDAY AT 7:40. Please reflect on today's discussion over "Popular Mechanics" and "Soldier's Home."

QUESTIONS
1. Who made you think during today's discussion? What did they say that either changed your reading/interpretation of the stories, OR what did they say that you had not previously considered?

2. What additional comments or observations do you have about the stories?

**AS IN CLASS REFLECTION, PLEASE TRY NOT TO SIMPLY REPEAT WHAT OTHERS HAVE ALREADY POSTED. If someone posts what you also had for reflection, try to add something original or look at a different aspect of the story or discussion. It's ok to agree with what has already been posted, but YOU MUST ADD YOUR OWN ORIGINAL ideas as well.

**ALSO, PLEASE CONSIDER RESPONDING TO THE POSTS OF OTHERS IN YOUR REFLECTION. YOU MAY POST MORE THAN ONCE IF SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING TO WHICH YOU'D LIKE TO RESPOND.

Monday, October 27, 2008

SEMINAR TOMORROW!



We'll begin class tomorrow with a seminar over the short stories "Popular Mechanics" and "Soldier's Home."

Please come to class with at least one full page of annotations/ notes over the stories. You should all plan to participate in the discussion, and it should be clear that you have read the stories.

As you read, pay attention to the following:

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: before each story, your anthology usually includes information about the author and the story itself. This info can be really important in understanding underlying concepts and themes in the writing.

2. TIME PERIOD: often, the year of publication is included at the beginning of the work. Again, this will affect how you read the story.

3. LITERARY DEVICES: what elements of literature are used, and how does it affect the story?

4. QUESTIONS AT THE END: read the questions at the end of the story, and see if they change your ideas or enhance your understanding of the story.

As usual, I will take a grade on the seminar. Please come prepared!!!!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

THE HALLOWEEN ANGELS SAY "SIGN UP FOR LITERARY TERMS!"


If you don't sign up for literary terms by Tuesday's class, you will have them assigned to you. Please choose your own on the post below ASAP.

Also, a shout out to Rachel, Sarah, Shawn, and Lauren who are cutting the Act I script. They appeared in my room during enrichment Friday and were hard at work pulling three minutes of text out of 40 minutes of Shakespeare. Way to get going right away on a challenging project. "Hooray for you!" as Meg, my 2-year-old would say.

As for the photo.....we obviously went to a Halloween party this weekend. What are you all planning to be????? Or have you left your trick-or-treating days behind?

SIGN UP NOW if you haven't already....the list of available terms is below.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

LITERARY TERMS SIGNUP

It's getting more difficult to figure out what's been taken, so let's continue posting here instead of the previous posting site.

HERE'S WHAT'S LEFT:

plot
setting
allusion
resolution
stream-of-consciousness
character
theme
tone
allegory
ambiguity
colloquialism
convention
denouement
epiphany
narrator
paradox
reversal
suspense

HEROES RULE!


Heroes, you look so fierce in your masks! Great job on winning the first competition by a landslide. You are all good sports.

Monday, October 20, 2008

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20


Think about which act of Hamlet you would like to cut. Also decide with whom you would like to work. On Wednesday, you will need to choose an act and a group.

Act I needs 4 people

Act II needs 3

Act III needs 3

Act IV needs 3

Act V needs 4

Also, Mr. Hughes is coming to class on Wednesday to talk with you about what is involved with the music and set design should you choose not to perform.

We probably need AT LEAST 6 of you to perform (some of the parts are small). Everyone else can choose music or set design. If those choices don't appeal to you, we might be able to come up with something else; for the most part though it's either performing, music, or sets.

This is going to be a VERY neat project that will be seen be a variety of audiences, depending on how we put it together. Also, you will know the play EXTREMELY well by the time we finish, so that's always a good thing. Think about how you'd like to contribute.

Also, please sign up for your literary terms on the post below!