Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Today, you watched teh rest of the film Hamlet. Remember that your video presentation is due tomorrow, followed by an in-class critical analytical essay on Thursday, and a Hamlet/Shakespeare comprehension exam on Friday.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Today, you watched the first part of the feature film Hamlet.

Wednesday November 24 & Thurs November 25

We read the rest of Hamlet. I am encouraging you to look at the list of critical responses that I gave you (there were 19) and think about how you would approach these questions if you had them for your in-class essay next Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Today, I allowed students the time to work on their major assignment. As a result, we may have to stretch this unit out by a day but will see how it goes.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Today we read up to Act 4, Scene 5, line 150 in Hamlet. There was no reading quiz for Act 3.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Today we marked teh Act II quiz for Hamlet. We then read Act 3Scene 1, up to page 171 (line 352).

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Today, we finished reading Act 2 of Hamlet. We then wrote the quiz. I also handed out a sheet on camera/filming terminology. In your major assignment, these need to be included as part of the shooting portion. The instructions can either imbedded in the script itself, or a separate sheet of camera instructions can be created.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Today, the students wrote an Act One Quiz on Hamlet. We then read all of Act Two, scene 1 and part of Act Two, Scene 2 (on page 103 in your text... we stopped after reading line 148).

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Today, we finished reading Act One of Hamlet. I gave you an assignment which was to modernize Polonius' advice to Laertes. each group was to hand in one copy. The groups were formed in preparation of your modernization assignment. Also, keep in mind that you will have an Act One quiz at the start of class tomorrow.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Today, I handed out your major assignment. I have posted it below. We then began to read Hamlet (we finished Act I, Scene 2).

English 30-1
Hamlet: Major Assignment

Aim: Your group will create a production of an act (scene) in Hamlet in which the language will be modernized, and the setting will be of your choice.

This will involve the use of
· Props
· Costumes
· Creation of a script
· Creation of a video (try for seven minutes).

You will be allowed to choose your own groups, however, If the numbers are off and there are extra people or if your group is too large (aim for around four), then I will add or subtract in order to make sure everyone is involved. Be sure to group with people you can actually get together with on weekends, evenings, lunch hours or spares. Also, make sure that someone in your group has access to a camcorder.

Once you have formed your groups, you will be provided with an act to perform. Each act contains a number of scenes. You only need to choose one scene (or one part of it if it is too long and you can successfully invoke the meaning in a part of the whole). Try to make it one that has the most action or is important to the understanding of the outcome or action of the play.

Each group member must take on a role or task. For example, if “Billy” doesn’t like to act or has limited time to get together after school hours, he could write the script (good copy) and create props. He could also be the camera guy.

In order to be successful, keep in mind that you must use clear body language (stance and gesture).

Due Date:/viewing Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ideas from earlier attempts

· Put it to music (music video)
· Change the setting drastically (on a ship, in space)
· Change the characters to fit the setting (Captain Hook, Luke Skywalker)
· Pick a diction to fit the era or place (Irish accents, Jamaican accents)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Today, you were given a reading to read out loud with another student. You were then to paraphrase it and answer the questions provided. If you weren't finished today, then this is homework.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Today, we watched the rest of the presentations on the Elizabethan era. I then gave you an overview of Hamlet (expository) as well as the political issues occuring at the time of this play. We also took the play out of the library.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Today, you presented your research assignments relating to Elizabethan Drama. We didn't quite finish today, so we will do so tomorrow.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Today, you were given the following assignment to complete by Tuesday:

Read pages 193 - 217 in Fit to Print and then create an article critique on it.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Today, you paired up with a person of the opposite gender. You were then given a research question to answer. These will be shared with the class (presentation) on Monday.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Today you wrote your comprehension exam for the poetry unit. The next unit is on Elizabethan drama (Shakespeare: Hamlet).

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Today, you wrote a personal response to texts assignment (essay or prose form) for the poetry unit. Tomorrow, you will write your comprehension exam for this unit.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Today, you got into groups to discuss your poetry analysis prior to handing it in. I then reminded you that you have an in-class personal response essay tomorrow for the poetry unit and that the multiple choice exam (including a section where you explain what is needed in an essay introduction and another, matching section for literary terms) is on Wednesday.