Class Agenda-Week of 6/1/2009

Here is the very important information you need for this week:

MONDAY: THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER reading test. This test will be multiple choice on scantron. You MUST have a no. 2 pencil (or a couple) in class or else you will lose a substantial amount of points on the test. I figured you all would prefer to have a multiple choice test as opposed to the other tests we've had this year, but I could be wrong about that. Regardless, that is the format of the test. You also MUST have your THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER book in class all week, including Monday.

TUESDAY: discuss R of the S

Class Agenda-Week of 5/25/2009

No battery power in the video camera, so here is what you can expect this week in written form:

TUESDAY: Again, you will be REWARDED if you turn in your research paper and folder BEFORE 8:30 AM (You won't be if you turn it in AFTER 8:30 AM). It's all right to turn in the paper before 8:30 AM and bring your folder later in the day.

WEDNESDAY: Research paper due at sign-in if you didn't take me up on the tremendous opportunity I'm providing you on Tuesday. Continue the film in class.

THURSDAY: Finish, discuss the film in class

* Special Note: The RETURN OF THE SOLDIER reading test will be the following Monday

Class Agenda-Week of 5/18/2009

Class Agenda-Week of 5/11/2009

I don't have time to make a video because it's Mother's Day, so here is what you need to know this week:

MONDAY: Finish PYGMALION discussion (Of course you need your book in class for that).

TUESDAY: We'll start a film and begin individual conferences for the research paper. That means that from Tuesday until Thursday, you need to have your research materials in class (outline, etc.).

WEDNESDAY: Continue the film and conferences

THURSDAY: Finish, discuss film and its parallels to PYGMALION

*Special Note: I've decided to make the rough draft of ONE of the five research essay paragraphs OPTIONAL. You don't have to do it. You won't lose points if you don't. If you are going to do it, though, you need to give it to me on Thursday during class or some time BEFORE 8:20 AM on Friday morning.

FRIDAY: Off (OPTIONAL rough draft needs to be submitted before 8:20 AM if you choose to do it).

PYGMALION: Casting a 2009 Film Version of the Work

For this blog post, you are to come up with actors and actresses YOU think would play the part of various characters if you were directing a 2009 film version of PYGMALION. You need to fill the following roles AND justify why you chose the actors you did for each (for instance, you want to give reasoning as to why a certain actor would be good to play a particular character from the text). Here are the characters:

1. Eliza

2. Higgins

3. Pickering

4. Alfred Doolittle

5. Freddy

6. Mrs. Higgins

*Again, don't just list an actor for each character. Write an explanation justifying each choice. This blog post is due before 6 AM Tuesday, May 5th.

Class Agenda-Week of 5/4/2009

* Special Statement About Library Check-Out

Because all of the sophomore class will be doing some form of this project very soon, it is of the utmost importance that you return your books to the library on time. If you don't, then I will have to take points of off your final paper each day the book is overdue (the point loss is even more drastic if you have multiple books that are late). The grade will fall sharply each day you keep a book out past due. I cannot stress the severity of the point loss if you don't follow these directions.

Class Agenda-Week of 3/30/2009

Research Paper Topic Selection

Respond to this blog post with your research paper topic and the literary work. This is how you should format your response:


1. Topic: (type your topic here)


2. Literary Work: (type your literary work here)




*This is due before class, Monday, March 30th (2009)

Character Comparison: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY and ?

For this blog post, you will pick a character from THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY and any other character from our literature and discuss how the two characters are REMARKABLY similar to one another. Again, your aim is to find as many unique parallels between the two characters as possible.

This blog post is due before class meets on March 18th. Significant participation point loss (at least 5 points that cannot be regained) if you don't post on time.

*YOU MUST ALSO VOTE ON THE POLL QUESTION AT THE SAME TIME...

Class Agenda-Week of 3/16/2009

Browning's "My Last Duchess" and Bronte's JANE EYRE

Please answer the following question:

What comparisons can you draw between "My Last Duchess" and JANE EYRE?

Use the discussion we have in class about the poem to produce a response that will make your classmates think. Blog post is due before class meets on February 26th.

P&P vs. S&S Debate

Girls,

For this activity, you will be divided into three groups. One group will form TEAM PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and the other group will form TEAM SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. The third group will make up THE JURY. After some debate preparation time, we will join together and debate. Here's how things will work...

The basic premise: As a team, you are trying to make your work (P&P or S&S) seem more appealing than the other based upon several elements. Your goal is to "sell" your work to THE JURY who ultimately holds the fate of your success in their hands. I know; it's intense...

You each will field AT LEAST one question during the debate individually (more on this soon). The questions will come from these categories:

1. The characters

2. Themes

3. Symbols

4. Conflict

5. Lasting Impact

After the game is over, THE JURY will come to a conclusion about who "won" the debate. Regardless of who "wins" the actual debate, you can win or lose in terms of your grade by how much effort you put into this activity. If you give great effort, then you will be fine. If not, you will not...

To the right you will find links to your debate team's headquarters where you will earn part of your grade for this activity. Follow the directions once you enter those headquarters to see what you must do specifically...

If you have questions about this activity, post a comment (in the form of a question, obviously) to this blog post or see me in person...

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Film

Identify and describe each of the following characters from the film SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.

Mr. Dashwood:

John Dashwood:

Fanny Dashwood:

Marianne Dashwood:

Elinor Dashwood:

Mrs. Dashwood:

Edward Ferrars:

Margaret Dashwood:

Mrs. Jennings:

Sir John Middleton:

Colonel Brandon:

John Willoughby:

Charlotte Palmer:

Lucy Steele:

Mr. Palmer:

Robert Ferrars:

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Mr. Bennet

Please respond to the following question as completely as possible. Remember, your aim is to "wow" us with your observations and reference to specific details:


Is Mr. Bennet a good father?


This response should be posted to the blog before our class meets on January 27th. Your vote should be submitted at the same time. SIGNIFICANT participation point loss if the deadline isn't met (which isn't something you want to have happen during the first week of the semester).