Performance Final Exam - Tuesday, May 17

It will cover texts studied this semester. Here is a list of texts covered by Honors and/or CP:

King Arthur's "Sword in the Stone" - Young Arthur becomes king by pulling a sword out of a ston
Lancelot and Guinevere - Lancelot woos Guinevere (Arthur's wife) and they begin their affair
Lay of the Werewolf - A husband has a secret--he turns in to a werewolf--and his wife does not like it. She betrays him, but he gets the last laugh.
How Siegfried was Slain - Chivalry at it's worst - Siegfried is stabbed in the back (literally) for being a good friend.
Perceval: The Grail - Sieze an opportunity when given, Perceval went on a quest to find the Holy Grail and bound by his chivalrous code let the moment pass him.
Dante's Inferno - Dante takes a journey through hell and shows that what you did on earth, you will suffer the consequences for in eternity--symbolic retribution.
Julius Caesar - Et tu Brute?
Poetry
Of Mice and Men / Lord of the Flies / The Other Side of the Sky / Fahrenhiet 451

Assignment: Extended Metaphor and Symbolism

Assignment: Write 2 poems. (Remember, your final project will be to perform one of your original works. Your building your portfolio to select your poem from).

Poem 1: Extended Metaphor Poem
A metaphor that weaves its way throughout the entire poem is called an extended metaphor. Read the poem below and examine how the following demonstrates the concept.


Cliché by Billy Collins

My life is an open book. It lies here
on a glass tabletop, its pages shamelessly exposed,
outspread like a bird with hundreds of thin paper wings.

It is a biography, needless to say,
and I am reading and writing it simultaneously
in a language troublesome and private.
Every reader must be a translator with a thick lexicon.

No one has read the whole thing but me.
Most dip into the middle for a few paragraphs,
then move on to other shelves, other libraries.
Some have time only for the illustrations.

I love to feel the daily turning of the pages,
the sentences unwinding like string,
and when something really important happens,
I walk out to the edge of the page
and, always the student,
make an asterisk, a little star, in the margin.

Your Turn: Think of a metaphor for your own life that you can extend in this same way. Think of something which has several components, such as a kind of television show, movie, or game. Even certain kinds of food that involve many elements -- pizza, casserole, chef salad, -- or ingredients -- cakes and cookies, could inspire your poem. What about complicated places -- highway, library, cruise ship, dormitory, apartment house, shopping mall, a stadium, a garden? Perhaps your metaphor might extend an activity, like playing a football game or driving a car. You can begin your poem "My life is . . . " or try somethg more subtle. Then explore the extensions of your metaphor. Length at least 16 lines (4 quatrains)

Poem 2: Symbolism
Symbolism is something that on the surface is its literal self but which also has another meaning or even several meanings. For example, a sword may be a sword and also symbolize justice. A symbol may be said to embody an idea. A symbol is an object, animate or inanimate, that stands for or points to a reality beyond itself. The cross, for example, is often used to represent suffering. Symbols, however, also indicate their own reality. For example, a cross not only stands for suffering, but it also stands for Christian suffering. A sunrise not only represents new beginnings but the beginning of a new day.

Today's poem in class - Persimmon - illustrated how a symbol is used in a poem and elaborated throughout it.

Your Turn: Think of an object which has symbolic significance for you., perhaps even idiosyncratically. Compose a poem which features that object and reveals its layers of meanings through the details you select. Respect your readers enough to reveal this. Don't tell us what it represents; show us. Length at least 16 lines.

This Week: 5/2 - 5/6

Monday: Poetry Terms

Tuesday: Final JC presentations, List poem HW: finish list poem started in class and according to your definition of poetry, bring in an example of a poem

Wednesday: Grammar review (fragments, run-ons), Figurative language

Thursday: Grammar review (independent vs dependent clause); Outside reading book- Of Mice and Men; sonnets

Friday: Grammar review (parallel structure); sonnets and symbolism; BLOG DUE

Julius Caesar Essay Prompt and Outline

Prompt: Discuss the tragic hero of the play and the tragic flaw that brings him/her down

Outline requirements:
Create an outline (only an outline) with the following information. You will use your outline to write your essay in class. This will be a timed essay. Outlines are due on Friday.
Intro
-Hook, opening sentence
-Thesis
1st point / reason
-Supporting quote(s) (with line number: ex: 1.2.154)
2nd point / reason
-Supporting quote(s) (with line number: ex: 1.2.154)
3rd point / reason
-Supporting quote(s) (with line number: ex: 1.2.154)
Conclusion
-Ending statement

This Week: 4/25 -4/29

Monday: I was unexpectedly absent due to Airtran. Hopefully, this day was used to work on Caesar projects that are due on Thursday. There IS a blog this week.

Tuesday: Tragic hero and Julius Caesar

Wednesday: More on tragic hero

Thursday: Julius Caesar projects are due; YEAH!!!

Friday: In-class Julius Caesar timed writing

Announcements

1. There is NO blog this week

2. Here is a link to find a couple of video editing software: CLICK HERE (It really depends on your computer, but you probably already have something on your computer--MovieMaker is on Windows, iMovie is on Apple)

3. My expectations for the Julius Ceasar project--to be WOWED and see GREATNESS! (You can do it--think outside the box, but remember the THEME and Shakespeare's objective).

Julius Caesar Project

Project Selection form (click here)

HW: Campaign Speech (honors)

Public speaking requires many skills beyond being able to speak. You must also know how to write eloquent and crowd-moving speeches. Think “I Have a Dream” and presidential addresses. Many leaders even hire speech writers to help them create their masterpieces. You’ve now been hired by either Brutus or Marc Antony to help them with their campaign to lead Rome. Now that we’ve learned about several persuasive techniques, you must incorporate them into a well-written and convincing speech. Brutus now would like very much to be the leader in Rome, but as we have heard from Antony’s speech he, too, would like to lead Rome.

Requirements:

• Your assignment is to write a campaign speech for one of these two men. You must include at least three persuasive techniques (use your handout and notes). Your campaign speech should be at least 200 words in length, typed, double-spaced.

Grading:

• (10 points) Type your paper and have your name, teacher, period, and date in the left corner. Your chosen character (Brutus or Antony) should be your title.


• (30 points) Highlight the rhetorical devices in your speech and annotate in the margins which rhetorical devices you used and why.


• (20 points) Provide notes (stage directions) on HOW you should deliver your speech (i.e. take a pause, raise/lower your voice, etc.)


• (10 points) Show clear support for the leadership of either Brutus or Antony


• (10 points) Be written for the plebians of Rome


• (10 points) Be ready on Thursday, April 14, 2011; several students will be selected to present their speeches to the class


• (10 points) Be clean in nature (school-appropriate) and free of grammatical/spelling errors

This Week: 4/11-4/15

Welcome Back from Spring Break! MONDAY: Act 3 review: quotes, identifying persuasive techniques; finish movie viewing of Act 3 HOMEWORK: Act 3 study guide due tomorrow, review for test TUESDAY: Act 3 TEST HOMEWORK: Campaign Speech (due Thursday) WEDNESDAY: Vocabulary TEST (all 40 words); Act 4 THURSDAY: Campaign Speech due; Act 4; Sign up for final project activity FRIDAY: Act 4/5; movie viewing (No Blog due today) HOMEWORK: Leadership Essay due Tuesday

Vocabulary Words #1-40

1.Succor(n)- help; aid
2.Sagacious(adj)- discerning; keen practical sense
3.Fortuitous(adj)- happening by chance
4.Prowess(n)- bravery; unusual skill or ability
5.Beset(v)- to attack on all sides; surround
6.Implacable(adj)- unyielding; not to be satisfied or relieved
7.Antipathy(n)- strong dislike; hostile
8.Ephemeral(adj)- lasting a short time; very short lived
9.Decorum(n)- proper behavior; good taste; orderliness
10.Elucidate(v)- to make clear; explain
11.Alacrity(n)- liveliness; cheerful willingness; brisk & eager action
12.Droll(adj)- amusingly odd
13.Magnanimous(adj)- generous in forgiving; above small meannesses
14.Whet(v)- to sharpen; make keen or eager
15.Reticent(adj)- not speaking freely; reserved
16.Zealous(adj)- eager; earnest; devoted
17.Voluble(adj)- characterized by a ready flow of words; fluent
18.Vehement(adj)- intense; emotional; powerful
19.Tacit(adj)- unspoken; silent; not to be expressed in words
20.Officious(adj)- meddling; excessively forward in offering services or assuming authority
21.Beret (adj)- Deprived of; made unhappy through loss
22.Fracas (n)- noisy quarrel; brawl
23.Commodious (adj)- roomy
24.Denounce (v)- to condemn strongly; speak out
25.Zenith (adj)- highest point; culminating point
26.Curtail (V)- to cut short
27.Fathom (v)- to reach an understanding of; get to the bottom; A ,measure depth in water
28.Indelible (adj) not able to be erased or removed
29.Assiduous (adj)- persistent; attentive; diligent
30.Quandary (n)- condition of being confused
31.Vitriolic (adj)- extremely biting ; sharp; bitter
32.Recalcitrant (adj)- refusing to obey rules or following orders; unmanageably resistant
33.Soothsayer (n)- a person who is able to predict the future
34.Homage (n)- Respect shown by external action
35.Portent (n)- a sign; forewarning
36.Spurn (v)- to reject; scorn
37.Affable- friendly; easy to approach; warm; affectionate
38.Impassive (adj)- without feeling or emotion
39.Placid (adj)- outwardly calm; composed; self satisfied; peaceful
40.Mutiny (n)- open rebellion against authority

This Week: 3/28 - 4/1

Monday: Finish movie (1-3) vocab assignment (6)

Tuesday: Julius Caesar Act 3, scene 1; vocabulary index cards due (1 for each word = 40)

Wednesday: Julius Caesar Act 3

Thursday: Vocabulary Test; Julius Caesar Act 3

Friday: Julius Caesar Act 3 Test; Blog due

This Week: 3/21-3/25

Monday: Act 2, scene 1

Tuesday: Act 2, scenes 2-4 HW: complete the study guides for Acts 1 and 2

Wednesday: In-Class activity pertaining to Acts 1 and 2

Thursday: TEST over Acts 1 and 2 HW: vocabulary assignment due next Tuesday

Friday: Julius Caesar movie clip and class assignment; blog due

This Week: 3/14-3/18

*This week we begin reading Julius Caesar. Each week, the reading schedule will be posted. Please adhere to the reading, even if you are absent, so that you can stop on schedule. You can find the online texts of J.C. one the right. For each Act, complete the study guide (also on the right). After each Act, you will take a test based off the study guide.

Monday - Julius Caesar Agree/Disagree writing (turned in at the end of 3rd and 6th)

Tuesday - Julius Caesar background notes

Wednesday - Act 1, scene 1

Thursday - Act 1, scene 2

Friday - Act 1, scene 3; Background quiz (from the notes); Blog due

This Week: 2/28-3/4

*NEW: Inferno project due date has been extended to Monday, 3/7

*No blog this week--work on your project

Monday: DENOUNCE; Grammar: semi-colon; Writing: write a poem summarizing cantos 1, 5, 9 and 34 in the terza rima rhyme scheme (6th period- project work time)

Tuesday: ZENITH; Grammar: comma splice; Project work time (6th period - read Canto 34)

Wednesday: CURTAIL; Grammar review: parallel structure; Gateway intro (6th period -terza rima poem: see assignment under Monday)

Thursday: FATHOM; Gateway practice

Friday:

HW: Map of Dante's Journey (Mon-3rd and 6th)

Draw a map of Dante's journey in Canto 1 and 3. Include all elements that he encounters (i.e. dark woods, sun, 3 beasts, etc).

Color it for extra credit.

HW: Allusions research-1st and 2nd

In order to prepare for the allusions referenced in Dante’s Inferno, use the internet to complete your research on the assigned items. Provide information on your assigned item (enough to inform the class so they can become familiar with your subject). Be sure to write down the website address in which you find your information in the source box provided.

1. Acheron
2. Achilles
3. Aeneas
4. Alexander the Great
5. Attila the Hun
6. Brutus
7. Cain
8. Cassius
9. Cerberus
10. Charon
11. Cleopatra
12. Dis
13. Judas Iscariot
14. Helen of Troy
15. Lancelot
16. Minos
17. Minotaur
18. Thebes
19. Tristan
20. Virgil

HW: Love is a Metaphor

Go the this website and browse through the 99 love metaphors. As the website states, there aren't 100 metaphors because they need you to create the last one. So your assignment is (inspired by this holiday of love today) is to create a Valentines card (pull out the construction paper and scissors, make the cutout heart, etc.) and within the card include 1 metaphor with the extended explanation (as shown in class) and 1 simile. Valentines can be to an object, an SGHS teacher or to a literary character (kudos to you if you select someone studied this year). These will be displayed.

Don't forget...

Poetry Out Loud presentations on Monday, and ONLY on Monday! Be prepared.

Chivalry Essay

1st and 2nd period:
Assignment here

Due Friday, Feb. 11

****NEW EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS JUST ADDED--CLICK ON THE TAB ABOVE!!!***

3rd Period Extra Credit Assignment

The assembly featuring Spoken Word artist "Abyss" who entertained, informed and challenged us in our way of thinking. How is Abyss a part of Black History Month? (Go beyond saying that he's black). Also, out of all the things that he mentioned, recall one thing that stands out to you and respond to it.

At least 2 paragraphs. Due Friday, Feb. 11

Poetry Out Loud Assignment

Breathe-in experience, breathe-out poetry. -Muriel Rukeyser


Task: to select, memorize and recite a poem in class

Process:
1) go to http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems/ to select a poem that you will memorize. Your poem MUST BE at least 20 lines. (Tip: pick a poem that interests you, that you understand and feel some connection to). When you recite the poem, we will discuss TONE, and in order to truly convey the right tone, you want to understand what your poem is about.


2) click HERE and submit your poem selection

3) Begin memorizing your poem. You will bring a copy of your poem to class on TUESDAY, FEB. 8 to use it for an in-class assignment and then you will recite your poem on FRIDAY, FEB. 11



**JUST ADDED: List of poems that you signed up to recite--click HERE

Virtues of Chivalry

Knights in the Middle Ages were expected to exemplify these virtues in all that they did:
-Courage
-Justice / Fairness
-Mercy
-Generosity
-Faithfulness / Loyalty
-Nobility / Honor
-Humility
-Courtesy
-Temperance
-Diligence
Come up with examples (at least 2) of everyday actions for each virtue listed.

Happy "Unexpected" Snow-cation!

Writing Assignment 1: Making Goals that Stick

Now that you’ve completed the pre-writing and drafting, it’s time to revise (really revise) your writing and make sure that you have fulfilled the expectations of the assignment.

Expectations:

· Write a letter or poem that addresses the following;

o Reflections over the last year – mention at least three events

o Goals that you have for this year – discuss three goals (you should also tell why these goals are important to you in this point and time)

o Provide one mini-action that you are going to take within the next two weeks towards fulfilling one of your goals (For example, if your ultimate goal is to lose 15 pounds, your mini-action may be that for the next two weeks you will go to the gym three days a week).

o Correct any spelling errors

o Letter should be typed, double-spaced, size 12 font, with proper class heading (check syllabus-it’s online).

o Each of the content expectations above: they should be at least one detailed paragraph or detailed stanza.

Your final, published work is due Friday, Jan. 7. This is NOT to be completed on your blog. It should be on a Word document.

As with ALL assignments, I LOVE THE DETAILS….BE THOROUGH!!!

Attention Parents!!!

Parents, please confirm that you have read our class syllabus for Spring 2011 and update your contact information on the form provided HERE.