Group Work Time

Today students had the entire period to work with their groups. By tomorrow's class, monologues should be fully annotated and analyzed.

To the Project!

Today, after a bit more pressure comp review, we finished dividing up acts and students got to work choosing their monologues. Students should begin their monologue annotations and analysis for homework if possible.

The Lear Project

After a brief review of the Frankenstein PC prompt, we spent the rest of the period going over the expectations for the Shakespeare project. We divided into groups at the end of the period but didn't get far in sorting out who was doing which act. We'll do that tomorrow.

Oh, and I collected papers.

"To Be..."

Today we got back into the Shakespeare swing of things by having a look at Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. After annotating it and paraphrasing it in class, students had a chance to practice interpreting a few lines in different ways. We then took a look at a couple of pros doing the monologue--Kenneth Branagh and Mel Gibson--and wrapped up the day with a look at the website "Shakespeare: Subject to Change" and the short video "We Are Hamlet."

Acts 3 & 4

Today we had a short quiz on Act 3 and read some of Act 4, which students should finish for HW. Tomorrow: Act 5.

Acts 2 and 3

Today, after a quick quiz, we talked through Act 2 and then read through the first few scenes of Act 3. Finish Act 3 for HW.

Essay #2 Response

Today students spent the entire period commenting on each other's essay drafts. Absent students should get me drafts ASAP and  (along with those students who did not have drafts today) should arrange their own response groups.

Act 1

Today we spent the period discussing the happenings of Act 1 of King Lear. After talking a bit about essay rough drafts (which are due in class tomorrow), we read a bit of Act 2 (due Wednesday).
Essay Due Dates:

• Rough Draft w/ cover sheet 2/12
• Option Draft Drop Box Opens 2/13
• Final Drafts, typed w/ cover sheet, Due 2/26 (2/20 for extra credit)

King Lear

Today we talked a bit about Shakespeare and King Lear and then started Act 1 aloud in class. You should finish Act I over the weekend.

Story Time & Timed Writings

After finishing "Cap O Rushes" (and handing in the study guides for Frankenstein and the critique assignment), students spent the rest of the period on the Frankenstein timed writing.
Bring King Lear tomorrow!

The Last of Frankenstein

Today we finished the essay critique presentations from yesterday, spent some time on a final discussion of theme in Frankenstein, and wrapped up the day with a bit of prereading for King Lear.

Critiques: Day 2

Today students met by essay group and shared their impressions and notes, preparing to present to their peers. We began presentations in both classes.

Essay Critiques

After revisiting the style conversation from Friday, students spent the period reading essays on Frankenstein. The essays and the assignment are available at Moodle.

Multiple Choice Madness

Today we spent the entire period in a last look at the multiple choice questions from the final.