Friday, December 11, 2009

scribe

Final project presntation order
Kyle, Jeremy, Philip
Adam
Schrock, Rachel
kayla, Lexi, Kelly
Jake,Dalton, Anthony, Scully
Addie, Dierdre, Alexa
Eva, Jenna
John,Tony D, Kayli, Nick
Alex, Sarah
Tim Sean, Maddie, Louise

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Act 5 Blog Question:

What do you think Hamlet's tragic flaw is? Do ou think he even has one? Why do you think this is his tragic flaw?

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Scribe for 12/9 by Tim B

Fischbowl with school from Georgia
Recap on Fischbowl this morning

Things to consider for your paper due Friday...

Intro-
AG
explain, background, thesis

Body Paragraph
topic sentence
examples
citations

Conclusion
conclusion sentence/ review thesis No Personal words, contractions
review points Hamlet- play not book
end with satisfying conclusion

*Look at prezi.com

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Hamlet Final Fishbowl

Friday, December 4, 2009

Scribe 09-10

Scribe for 12/4/2009

Today we started things off with the usual greeting and then we received the Final Project. We received instructions that if we want we can work in group and we can also work solo if we so decide.

Ms. Smith gave us a riveting explanation of how we are to do our final project. She told us that we are to make an article like piece for a time magazine like article that explains the past, present, and future of heroes. This piece should be written as if we are in 2050. Excellent grade will get you an A, good will get you a B, Fair will get you a C, anything else is FAILING!!!!!!!

Then we proceeded to read the rest of Act V in Hamlet. Parts have already been assigned and we are continuing the reading from page 273. Have a great weekend and remember to tell your teachers that Wednesday you will miss first hour.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Scribe December 2

Today we started by picking parts for Act V.
Gravedigger - Addie
Other - John
Hamlet - Kyle
Horatio - Sarah
Laertes - Anthony Dillon
Doctor - Tim
Queen - Kelli
King - Adam
Osric - Jeremy
Lord - Jenna
Fortinbras - Dan
Ambassador - Sean B.

We read Act V Scenes 1and part of 2, ending on page 273.

Homework:
-
Work on your Hamlet paper. Ms. Smith strongly suggests that you go to writing lab on an off hour to get help on this.
-Prepare for next weeks fishbowl on Wednesday which is a PLC day. Make sure you talk to your 1st period teacher about missing that class, and don't forget that you need to be at school at 8:45.

Hamlet Act 5

Monday, November 30, 2009

Act IV Blog Question

With one act left, there are many plans, plots and ploys that haven't happened yet. Claudius hopes to kill Hamlet through Laertes. Laertes wants to avenge his father and kill hamlet. Hamlet also wants to kill Claudius because of his father's murder. From here, where will Shakespeare finish the tale?

Scribin 11/30/09


Today we did the fish bowl for Hamlet on act 4


  • live blog post is on class blog
We also had a sub.

HOMEWORK- Act IV blog question!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hamlet Act 4

Instead of using CoveritLive, we will be using the regular live-blogging feature of Blogger. Good luck, and stay on topic. Make sure everyone participates.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Reflections on Blogging withe Lovett School

http://thenetwork.typepad.com/architectureofideas/2009/11/cracking-eggs-taking-risks-making-friends-to-learn.html

and

http://learningandlaptops.blogspot.com/2009/11/to-be-or-not-to-be-hamlet-cross-country.html

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

11/18/09 (Weds.) Review

Smith really encouraged us to be writing our papers NOW!

Also, we talked about the Live Blog that we did with Atlanta and we all agreed that it was a very positive experience, and Smith told us that Atlanta enjoyed the experience as well. She encouraged us to be more textually-based next time.

Then, we read Act 4 all the way up to page 221 right before Scene 6.

Then we left earlier than usual, thanks to PLC.

Monday, November 16, 2009

In Class we...

Discussed Act 3 Fishbowl Style with the class from Georgia. It was a really interesting experience because this is our first time ever having a fishbowl with students from another state and live blogging with them too!



Class: Act 3 and 4 quiz is Monday, November, 23.

Act 3 Blog Question

Does Hamlet suffer from an Oedipal complex? Is he not angry that his mother remarried Claudius but rather is he angry that she married at all?

Hamlet Act 3

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

11/11/09 Scribe

Happy Veterans Day!
Reminder: Be prepared to work on Hamlet paper on Friday.
Today we read Act 3 Scene 3 & 4
Watched part of Act 4 video

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

11/9/09 Scribe

In class today, we discussed the plan for the next couple of weeks. We will be reading Act III today and Wednesday. Friday we will get the class to work on our papers so come prepared! Next Monday we are fishbowling Act III (don't forget to come early!) And, next Wednesday and Friday we will be reading Act IV with a quiz over Act III and IV on monday.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Fishbowl Act 2 blog post.

In act 2, all the characters interact with "masks" on, using deception to spy on others. Do you think this will get them their ultimate goal? Or will it end up hurting their relationships?

Monday, November 2, 2009

Monday November 2, 2009

Today, we started by writing our thesis rough drafts on the class blog. We reviewed how we should write a good thesis...
  • Use the author's full name and spell is properly (William Shakespeare)
  • Make sure the thesis is argumentative
  • Check for grammatical and spelling errors, wordiness
  • Create complex thesis statements by showing that "this" leads to "this", cause and effect
  • "Although" statements are a great way to set up your thesis statement
  • Never use personal statements (I, you, we, etc)
  • Use "college writer" words
  • You can use to opposing ideas (Loyalty vs Betrayal, Sanity vs Insanity, Good vs Evil, etc)
  • Remember that Hamlet is a play, not a book or story
*There is a writing lab on Tuesday and Thursday in C-9, if you want extra help*

Then, we checked that everyone had posting privileges on Smith's blog. If you never responded to the email, please make sure that you do.

We finished up by watching scenes from the movie.

The Act 2 quiz has been moved to Wednesday.

Thesis statements for Hamlet

Post your thesis statement (although it is still "in-process") below so that we can look at them together. Remember to include title, author, point that you are trying to argue and possibly a why to the argument.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Hamlet Act 2

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

ACT 1 fishbowl question

Is Laertes Hamlet's foil? Why or why not?

Monday, October 26, 2009

October 23rd, Friday

Discussion of Act I moved to Monday, October 26th.


***IMPORTANT***

Live Blog with Lovett Private School in Atlanta Georgia ( lovett.org for more information.)

(Smith is competitive) Dominating with our thoughts.


November 16 Act 3 Fishbowl (Now a live blog with Private School)

Half way through 2nd hour dismissed for live blog

No later than 8:50am

Talk to teachers ASAP! (Before next Friday)

Come to Normal Classroom

Be here and be set up by 8:55 am


December 9 End of Play

PLC Day

8:55-9:55am

You will miss first hour. (talk to your Teacher ASAP!)

Be in normal room at 8:45am

if you want to help set up come at 8:35-8:40am

***END OF IMPORTANCE***


Finish Act I. Alexa as Polonius. Eva as Ophelia. Kyle as Hamlet. Alex as Horatio. Tim as Marcellus. Nick as the Ghost. (he has a creepy voice :O)

Hamlet guilt tripped into helping ghost.

“If you loved me you will avenge me!”

Serpent

Represented as ultimate evil in the perfect garden that Denmark was before the King's murder


Sign up for parts on Act II:

Polonius- Kayli

reynaldo- Lauryn S

Ophelia- Rachel

King- Addie

Queen- Kayla

Rosencrantz- Sarah

Guildenstern- Louise

Voltemand- Maddie

Hamlet- Jeremy

First Player- Daniel


Watched clip of Ghost scene in kenneth version, as well as Hamlet's grieving soliloquy.

Act I quiz monday!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

Oct. 19. 2009

Scribe Notes: October 19, 2009

The Plan for Today:

  • comparing the opening scenes

  • Reading Act One through Scene 3 (Characters were assigned last Wednesday:see previous post)

    • What are your impressions of Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude?

  • Watched three versions of the opening scenes of Hamlet and wrote about our impressions and what we think is going on.....Really bad special effects involved.

    • Take notes.

Overall, a simple day. Just make sure you're up to date on Hamlet and know whats going on. If you are presenting in the fischbowl on Friday make sure you have a syllabus prepared for Smith when first come into class. If you are discussing, or if you are blogging try to know what is going on. :)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

scribe 10/14/09 Daniel Brus

Today we have a short day. It is donut Wednesday but no one is signed up so no donuts. :(
Ms. Smith is allowing us to read Hamlet for the first section of Hamlet. Ms. Smith set us up with parts for Act 1:
Bernardo-Anthony Dillon
Fran-Sean Bull
Marc-Tim
Horatio-Alex Barker
Hamlet-Kyle
Gertrude (Queen)-Jenna
Claudius (King)-Adam Blank
Cornelius/ Voltemand-Alexa
Laertes-John
Polonius-Andrew
Ophelia- Eva
Ghost-Nick
These are the parts that will be played and by whom in act 1 on Monday.

Ms. Smith then allowed us to get our groups together for the fishbowl. She told us to exchange emails. She also told us to try to get phone numbers so that we can communicate. Period ended early due to PSAT.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Today we continued to watch the movie Beowulf. We are doing a project on this movie vs. the epic poem starting Wednesday and continuing Friday this week. Be sure to look for elements to compare and contrast that relate to the questions
-How does Beowulf fit the cultural ideal of the middle ages?
-How is Beowulf and epic hero?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

September 28th

We said the pledge. Attempted to listen to the announcements by getting blurbs of conversation.
Have notes for the Cantos through 8. (These were done on Friday in class)
FIRE DRILLLLLLL (for five minutes)
During our fire drill we took a leisurely walk as we contemplated the fact that Mrs. Smith was not in the room when we were supposed to be evacuating in case of fire. We all burned to death. Class was canceled..... One can dream.... Onwards with class....

Wednesday- Quiz on cantos 1-11
Friday- Start watching Beowulf
Reviewing notes from Friday

In groups pick a topic based on Cultural Ideals
Animism-fate-Celtic
Christianity
Women
Scops
Loyalty/Bravery
Epic hero qualities
Good vs Evil
Purpose of 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8
15 minutes to make poster about one of the above MAD RUSH FOR TOPICS! WARNING: AVOID CHALKBOARD AT ALL COSTS
Group Time: choose your groups, topic and color. Make posters with a pretty picture on your topic.
During this time Smith periodically called out the amount of time remaining in an annoyed tone because we don't participate in class except for in creative poster making time.
Pretty Posters have been hung up on wall. Took notes based on them.
NOTES FROM POSTERS

Women
Watch Women's power in the movie and the story
Welthow
Women servitude

Christianity
Unification of people through belief in Christianity
Beowulf feels God is protecting him
Many references to Gods

Epic hero
Embody qualities and characteristics of his surroundings
Beowulf embodies Geats and their civilization
Strongest
Boastful
difference between Tragic and Epic
Epic does it for his people
understand difference
Loyalty to their ruler

Good vs Evil
Good has been taken over by evil (Grendel)
Grendel faces good and is fearful
Beowulf symbol for good
Grendel symbol for evil

Loyalty/Bravery
Beowulf shows respect to his king
Beowulf has to repay debt
People stay close to leader even when in fear

Canto
1-3- Despair of people
4-5- Arrival of Hero
6-7- Unfurth and the battle with Brecca
Set up as foil
Set up against to show more challenges, issues, how good of a warrior Beowulf is
8- Battle with Grendel starts
Epic qualities of Beowulf shown
End of Notes

Read Cantos 9,10,11. Starts on page 34.
Think about questions on page 38 to help ready you for the quiz on Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Scribe 9 - 16 - 09

We turned in our college essays at the beginning of class.

We also decided that we are not going to present our scene modernizations today but we are going to on Friday instead. Our in class essay that was supposed to be on Friday has now turned into our homework for tonight and is due next Monday.

Oedipus Essay Notes:

-Tragic Hero
1) Nobility- "Oedipus, ruler of Thebes" (2) Explain
2)
3)
4)

-Hero's Journey
1) Innocence "Why are you here?" (1) Explain
No clue, plague, role in death

-Dramatic irony- audience knows, character does not
1) keeps plot interesting, engaging Example: explain
2) Plot moves along Example: explain
3) Example: explain

We had the entire hour to start working on our Oedipus essay and our only homework is to work on our essay.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Scribe 9/11

TODAY! GO SENIORS!
we worked on our little Oedipus the King via performance, and reviewing posters
We have a blue packet that we need to go by for the skit, and it's worth 150 points so you better do good!

Ms smith emphasized that we must be safe this weekend.
Instead of any bad drinks, you should mix sprite with orange juice, and stuff like that.
Don't do anything smith wouldn't do this weekend!!!!~!

Homework: writing conference, and final paper.
HAVE A SAFE HOMECOMING!
GO SENIORS!!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

scribe 9.9.09 Adam Blank (On Dan's Account)uu

Today was DONUT FUN FILLED WEDNESDAY!! I had a delicious sprinkle donut courtesy of Eva.


Ms. Smith complained about her knee that hurt after running eight miles yesterday.


Today is the day we finish Oedipus Rex, and we learned about the modernizing Oedipus project we need to perform.

We talked about why Sophocles wrote the play. He wrote it to show that noone can escape fate.


Then Ms. Smith showed us a slightly inappropriate video involving vegetables playing characters in Oedipus

Then we worked on scenes and posters.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Scribe 09-04

Mrs. Smith started class by doing a reality check. She asked, "what's up? 1 thing going well :) 1 thing challenging you :( How can Smith help?"
We spent the first 15 minutes of class silently writing to Mrs. Smith.

We got into groups of about 6 to make posters about
~Hero's Journey
~Dramatic Irony
~What is a Hero
~Tragic Hero, Epic Hero
~Aristotle's Definition of Dramatic Irony

HOMEWORK: Final draft of essay

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

SCRIBE 9-2

First off we started by eating delicious donuts provided by Lauryn.

Next we took an oath promising to be the best editor we could be. We should not worry about others feelings and instead provide insightful constructive criticism.

Then we switched essays with our table partners. We edited for about 15 minutes then switched it up with one more person from a different table.

After that we switched back and sat in our seats ready for the bell to ring.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Scribin' for 8.31.09

  • Check your grades on line, quiz scores are posted

  • sign-up for a college essay writing conference

    • pick the best essay or a college assignment

  • FINAL ESSAY IS WORTH 100 POINTS

  • Writing Lab: Tuesdays and Thursdays in C-9 you can get help during an off hour with your writing

    • Sponsored by The English Teachers

  • Discussion of what to do to liven up class

    • NATURE WALK

      • too cold” whine

    • to the outdoor classroom

      • more whining

    • Smith: Executive decision

      • going to the outside classroom, take book and notes. Leave laptops......except me! :) I scribe for you and only you.

        • This is great because the outdoor classroom resembles the Greek theaters with the ascending seating and the orchestra at the bottom with the actors.

  1. Read Oedipus through page 60

  1. Conference on final Essay Choice

  1. Workshop for Essays on Friday

Friday, August 28, 2009

Scribe 8/28

HW DUE: Who am I essay

We spent the first 2o min researching the college we are applying to. We looked for the essay prompt to see what we will need to write for our school.


We then began talking about Oedipus. Mrs. Smith wrote ideas on the board and we contributed to the ideas.


Dramatic Irony

-Oedipus curses the killer of Laius but he is the killer

-Married to his mother

-”as if he was my own father” pg. 16

-Oedipus thinks he has “no reaction to murder”

-Tiresias' speech on pg. 25


Themes/Motifs

-Fate vs. Free Will

-Blindness

-Cursing

-Feet

-”sure footed”

-Plagues

-Returns to Oedipus

-Consequences

-disciplining the one responsible for Laius' death

-For each action there is an equal and opposite reaction

-Death

-Sickness


Tragic Hero

-Self-fulfilling prophecy

-Noble

-King of Thebes

-Prince of Corinth

-Wrong choice at cross roads

-Too much pride

-Won't listen to others

-The put their blinders on

-Everything is on display


Heroes Journey

-Oedipus believes he is innocent

-Defeats Sphinx

-Creon, a once trusted friend Oedipus now believes to want to overthrow him

-Fate dictates his failure

-Oedipus calls town meeting and brings Tiresias in which causes mass chaos when Tiresias tells Oedipus he killed Laius and Oedipus calls him a liar

-Self-fulfilling prophecy



We read Oedipus through pg.


HW: Set up a time with Mrs. Smith for a college essay workshop

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

This is NOT education as usual

Guess what? You are seniors! Because you are so learned in your ways and I can't teach you anything you don't already know ( I am being facetious- look up this word if you don't know what it means), I want you to think about what you want your last year of high school to look like. THINK BIG!

What do you hope to get out of this class?
What do you want to learn?
What do grades mean to you?How do you learn best?
What activities have you previously done in other classes that have been meaningful or interesting to you?