American Lit--Thursday, October 23

Objective: What are Gothic Elements in literature and how to Poe use them in his story "The Fall of the House of Usher?"


1- Students watched a reading/visual of the poem "The Nightmare before Christmas"

2- We learned about Gothic Elements using the Gothic Elements powerpoint

3- We listened to Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and identified gothic elements

Before watching--I told students the basic plot of the story and showed them the trailer from youtube.

HW: None

British Lit--Wednesday, October 22

Objective: How well do you understand Macbeth

Students took their exam--which was the socratic seminar. If you were absent, you'll need to make this test up by coming in and taking an actual written test.

HW: None

American Lit--Tuesday October 21

Objective: Who was Edgar Allan Poe and why are his works considered timeless?


1- Watched the autobiography and filled out the questions. If you were absent, you need to watch this while completing the reading guide.

2- Next we read an informational article about Tuberculosis. Students needed to complete this and turn it in next time. See me for handout.

HW: Finish TB article and questions

British Lit--Monday, October 13

Objective: How does Macbeth end?

Students spent the period watching/analyzing Macbeth ACT 3.

HW. Finish packet 5 and prepare to work on paper next time in class. Remember next period you will have the entire period to work on your paper in the writing lab.

Click here for Paper instructions--

Or read below:

 

On Wed, October 22, we are going to hold our very own question about William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which you will present to the class for discussion. You want to look at all the questions you’ve asked and use one that you feel you could reasonably answer using logic and evidence from the text. If you do not have the paper, you cannot participate and will have to take a test instead. You still have to do the paper late, with a slacker pass, but the written test is a lot harder than the Socratic Seminar.

Format—

·      Write you question as the title

·      Concise Introduction!!! 2-3 sentences

·      No “I” voice—example “I think” “we see”

·      Avoid summary—focus on analysis

·      Use transitions between examples and/or paragraphs

·      Single space—times new roman—12 font, times new roman-1 full page (you can go onto a 2^nd page if needed)

·      Include a concise conclusion

Your intro will be brief—2 to 3 sentences with your last sentence being your thesis statement (the answer to the question). The rest of the paper will be paragraphs with claims (an aspect of your thesis) followed by evidence and analysis of those examples. Tie backs are also an important part of writing as they refer back to the claim/thesis.  Finally, include a brief conclusion paragraph.

1. Sub claim/ thesis specific topic sentence. It is still a claim, but it relates to your thesis statement and is more specific to an aspect of your thesis statement.

2. Example/Evidence from the text. Use textual support.

3. Analysis--explain HOW your example proves your claim. This can be 3-5 sentences long. This is your analysis, the meat of your paper. This is your chance to show HOW your example is relevant to your thesis statement.

4. Tie back to the claim or thesis

American Lit--Friday, October 10

Objective: Begin "The Crucible" test.

British Lit--Thursday, October 9

Objective: Better understand ACT 4.

We watched/analyzed ACT 4 of Macbeth.

HW. ACT 4 packet

American Lit--Wednesday, October 8

Objective: Wrap up "The Crucible"

Students finished their character maps.
Students listened to test review and we went over how to write better claims about theme.

If there was time, we made connections to our day.

HW. Study for test.
know the following people:

John Proctor, Eliazbeth Proctor, Abigail, Rebeca Nurse, Giles Corey, Betty, Rev. Hale, The Putnams, Judge Danforth, Rev. Paris, Cheever, Mercy Lewis, Mary Waren, and Tituaba.

Know why Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible." Review McCarthysm. 

Also review how to write an effective paragraph--

Claim-->Evidence-->Explain/Analyze that evidence--> Give another piece of Evidence-->Explain/Analyze that evidence--> 
Tie-Back
 
When you are asked to write about a theme, remember that a theme is universal--can be applied to other texts. Look at the following examples and decide which is a good theme claim (because it is actually using a lesson that can be applied to other texts) and which claims need improvement because they include specific examples from the text (not a theme).



In the Fable "The Dancing Camel," the camel shows the importance of following your dreams. Can the importance of following your dreams be applied to other stories? Yes! It is universal. It is a lesson-- a theme!

In the Fable "The Dancing Camel," the camel loves dancing and continues doing it even when others say she isn't good. This is too specific for a claim about theme. Do you know any other stories where a Camel loves dancing, but gets mocked? No. This is not a lesson that is universal. It is an example from the text that you might use to support a claim about the theme, but it isn't the theme. It's not "the Lesson."

British Lit--Tuesday, October 7

Objective: Better understand ACT 3 of Macbeth.

Students watched and analyzed ACT 3.

HW. Complete ACT 3 packet. Finalize your question for analysis.

American Lit--Monday, October 6

Objective: Complete character Body map in groups

HW. NONE

British LIt--Friday, October 5

Objective:
Better understand ACT 2 of Macbeth.

HW: Complete ACT 2 Packet

American Lit--Thursday, October 2

Objective: How do I characterize John and Abigail?

Students spent the period working in groups of 4 on their character maps. They will have next period to complete them.

HW. None

British Lit--Wednesday, October 1

Objective: How can I better analyze Macbeth using Questions

1- Students took Vocab Quiz

2- I discussed the writing assignment for Macbeth--the Socratic Seminar assignment. Students spent the rest of the period in the library coming up with their focus questions. See me for details.

HW. None