EOC Term Focus

Here is a link to a short .pptx containing terms we reviewed in class today.

This website does an excellent job of explaining Paradox, which was by far the most troubling term.
Ex. 01:

• "I can't get a job because I don't have a college degree."
• "I can't go to college because I don't have enough money."
• "I don't have money because I can't get a job."
• Shout-out to 3rd period for this gem.

Any one statement on it's own seems fine, yet together they construct an inescapable prison of circumstances.

Ex. 02:

• "This statement is a lie." 

Also: Here was another brain-melter from class

HW:

• Read Act V of Romeo and Juliet. Finish it. It's so good.

One More R&J Resource

So, there's this writing duo, Charles and Mary Lamb. They published a book called "Tales from Shakespeare." They included R&J, and re-wrote it in prose as a story.

If the play format/ancient language is driving you up a wall, check this out:

http://www.bartleby.com/1012/17.html

R&J: A Toe in the Water

Big shifts in today's classes! First of all, everybody got...

New Seats!

Woooooo...alright back to work.

But even more important than that, classes got their first spoonful of

Romeo and Juliet!

On page 807 of the Lit Book.

Today, classes tackled the Prologue to the play.

And by "tackled", I mean, worked together to translate into Modern English.

Documents You Might Want:

• This is a link to the raw text of the Prologue (this was on my projector screen for gesturing purposes.
• This here is a link to the Translation document (which was classwork)
• You want me to be honest? This is a link to the SparkNotes page for the Prologue. I place it here so that you can check your own translation against a published one. I do not care one bit if you use this site, and ANY of its materials, to help your understanding of Shakespeare's text. Use anything and everything at your disposal to make meaning out of what's going on, but read the original Shakespearean text (anything else you consult should be IN ADDITION TO the real text.)

How did it all go? Pretty darn well, I think. Shout-out to the powerhouse scholars in 7th period who shared their translations with me:

Student Example #1

Student Example #2

Both of these show good solid work, though neither is perfect.

HW:

• Do some Membean. This is Week 2.
• Bring your textbook to class. Every. Day.

Also, I will be absent Weds and Thurs this week, 4/8-4/9. The Wind Ensemble is going to Memphis, and I'm going with them :) See you Friday. The sub will have instructions for you.

R&J: Historical Background (England)

Classes 2-6 today were taught by Mr. Miller, the student teacher who has been working with me this semester.

Students needed their books in class today, specifically for pages 798A-798B: Elizabethan England.

This is the Active Reading Note-Taking sheet that accompanies the Lit Book pages.

This is the powerpoint file Mr. Miller used to guide his class discussion/teaching.

"Why Did The Renaissance Begin in Italy?" Good question. The answer(s) can be found in this supplement.

This here is a link to the website that explains how the Junian and Gregorian calendars were brought into alignment.


HW:

• Read pgs. 798-799, Theater in Elizabethan England and
• Complete the reading guide section for these 2 pages (it's on the back of the handout linked above)
• Bring your book to class tomorrow

PS: A student asked about how much a penny in Elizabethan England would have been worth today. Here is a link to a reference with modern exchanges.

EOC Prep, Now and Moving Forward

The ENGL - I EOC Test will be

May 5th, 2015

So today, students took the first half of last year's EOC. Tomorrow, they'll take the other half.

The scores and question-data will be used by Mrs. Syes and I to modify instruction in the weeks leading up to the real EOC.

EOC practice will continue tomorrow.

Come and see me if you have questions about GradeSpeed. 

PS: You still need your books for reading Romeo and Juliet.

Starting next Monday.

A Short Note On Grades

They're just about done.

If you need to come and talk to me about a missing assignment, please track me down on your own time. I'll need to verify and submit my gradebooks by 3pm Thursday.

The Odyssey Test A (for my morning classes) benefitted from a 10 point curve.

The Odyssey Test B (for my afternoon classes) benefitted from a 7 point curve.

Please keep that in mind if you plan on coming to chat with me about those.

ODY Review Powerpoint Part II

This is the powerpoint file.

The Odyssey test (over parts one and two) is tomorrow.