The Canterbury Tales

Students received questions for a tale from The Canterbury Tales. They are to read the tale and answer the questions by Thursday.

Research Paper

We are currently working on the following assignment: Literary Research Paper Throughout the year we have read a variety of interesting works. Each work contains many different themes, ideas, and questions that can be analyzed further outside of the work. Over the next 5 weeks you will put together a research paper based on one of the works we have studied this year. We will spend several days each week devoting our time to the research and writing process. The days we spend in class will be used for the current work we are analyzing. You are to use the time given you to research a concept from the work of your choice, formulate a thesis, gather sources to support it, and craft a thoughtful argument proving your thesis. The paper will be broken up into several parts. The requirements are as follows: Thesis statement 10pts Due 5/7 List of sources (at least 4) 10pts Due 5/9 Outline 10pts Due 5/16 Rough Draft (4-6 pages) 20pts Due 5/28 Final Draft: Typed Times New Roman Font 12 Double Spaced 4-6 pages MLA citations for all sources All sources quoted at least once No 1st person Submitted through Turnitin.com 100pts Due 6/4 Works Cited Page Typed Correct MLA format Attached to final copy At least 4 sources 50pts Due 6/4 Total 200pts

Beowulf HW

Students are to complete the following for HW due Monday 4/28: Beowulf Chapters 31-35 Chapter 31 How long has it been since Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother? What is the change in setting? Chapter 32 What awakens the dragon? What is the man’s motivation for what he does when he finds the dragon? Chapter 33 What does the dragon destroy that is sacred to Beowulf? What does the dragon’s anger represent? Chapter 34 What realization does Beowulf have? Chapter 35 What are the similarities and differences between the way Beowulf prepares for this battle and the way he prepared for the previous battles? What 2 things fail him in this battle?

Beowulf vs Grendel's mother

Students are to complete the following assignment which is due Friday 4/25: Beowulf Chapters 18-24 As you read, respond to the following in complete sentences. Chapter 18 List and explain several examples of Anglo-Saxon values in this chapter. Write down the specific lines that exemplify this. Chapter 19 Who is Beowulf’s next opponent? Explain how Christian values relate to this new villain. What does she take with her? (2 things) Chapter 20 List the descriptive words used to describe the villain and her home. (at least 5) Explain how this relates to descriptions of Grendel. Chapter 21 List and explain the characteristics of the hero that Beowulf displays in this chapter. How does Beowulf add to his legacy? You must also explain the characteristics of the villain that are present. Chapter 22 How is the danger increased in this section? How does Beowulf show bravery? Chapter 23 What is special about the sword Beowulf uses? What trophy does he take and what is unique about it? What is the significance of what happens to the sword? Chapter 24 Give an example of Christian influence in this chapter.

LOTF Essay

Students received the following today: Lord of the Flies Essay 100pts Write an essay, using textual support, in response to ONE of the following options: 1. Are the characters in Lord of the Flies stereotypes? If so, explain why William Golding used stereotypes. If not, explain how the characters merit individuality. 2. Explain the importance of the setting in Lord of the Flies. Could this story have been set in a different time and place and still have the same effect? 3. Compare Jack's tactics to terrorist and gang tactics. How are they similar? In the struggle for power between Jack and Ralph, what advantages does Jack have? Ralph? 4. What faults in our society does William Golding point out in Lord of the Flies? 5. Suppose the naval officer had not come along in the end, and Ralph had been murdered. How would that have changed the meaning of the story? Theses topics are for consideration only. Students may select their own topic, which must be approved by the teacher. This essay is due Monday 4/7 and must be submitted through Turnitin.

LOTF 8

Students are to finish reading chapter 8 and complete the following assignment for HW: : Chapter 8 Lord of the Flies 1. Who calls the assembly to discuss the beast? 2. What lie does Jack tell the others at the assembly? 3. During the assembly, how many voted that Ralph shouldn't be chief? 4. What does Jack do before he leaves the assembly? 5. What is Piggy’s radical idea concerning the fire? 6. What feast does Piggy supply for Ralph and the fire builders? 7. How does Roger help in killing the sow? 8. What do the boys do with the pig after they kill it? 9. Who converses with the pig’s head about the nature of the beast? 10. What does Jack’s raiding party take from the group left on the beach? 11. Why is it significant that Piggy, for the first time, helps to gather firewood only after Jack has broken from the group? Why does Piggy feel liberated? 12. "I'd like to put on war-paint and be a savage. But we must keep the fire burning." Who said this and why is it an important statement. 13. The hunters get a new name in this chapter. What is it? (Look hard for it) 14. What does Simon mean by, “What else is there to do?” 15. What did Simon discover in the forest? 16. What or who is the Lord of the Flies? Describe him and be clear about where “he” came from and what “he” seems to be doing?

LOTF

Today we discussed the mob mentality during a riot and how it connects to the novel. Students are to read chapter 7 for HW.

LOTF

Students received the following assignment today which is due for HW: Chapter One – Who would make a better leader, Ralph or Jack? Support your answer with evidence from the text. Chapter 1 & 3 Read the first 2 paragraphs of chapter 3. Compare this description of Jack to the one found on pages 19-20. What is the significance of this transformation both physically and emotionally? Students must read chapters 3-5 by Wednesday 2/19

Lord of the Flies

We are beginning a new unit focusing on the novel Lord of the Flies. Today I provided the students with some background information and assigned the first 2 chapters for next Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday will be devoted to an introductory group assignment.

Essay

We are spending Wednesday through Friday working on an essay on Macbeth. Some options are listed below. The essay is worth 100pts and must be submitted through Turnitin by 11:59pm 1/20/14 Essay-100pts Choose ONE of the following: 1. The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophecy or because of the choices he made? Is it a bit of both? What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? 2. Evaluate Macbeth: was he a good or bad person? Support your answer. This is an in-depth analysis of one of the most complex characters ever written. 3. Evaluate Lady Macbeth: was she completely evil? Support your answer. This is an in-depth analysis of one of the most complex characters ever written. 4. Some believe that Lady Macbeth acted as a man (according to what she thought a man was). Support or refute this statement with examples. 5. Describe and evaluate the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Use specific examples. How does their relationship impact the story? 6. Blood plays a role in the play. Find three examples where blood is mentioned and analyze them. Why is blood such and important motif? 7. Explain the line "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" that the witches chant. What role does paradox play in Macbeth?

MACBETH

Today we finished and discussed the film. Students received a project and a list of essays. The project will be completed in class over the next 3 days. We will begin the essay next week. Essay-100pts Choose ONE of the following: 1. The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophecy or because of the choices he made? Is it a bit of both? What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? 2. Evaluate Macbeth: was he a good or bad person? Support your answer. This is an in-depth analysis of one of the most complex characters ever written. 3. Evaluate Lady Macbeth: was she completely evil? Support your answer. This is an in-depth analysis of one of the most complex characters ever written. 4. Some believe that Lady Macbeth acted as a man (according to what she thought a man was). Support or refute this statement with examples. 5. Describe and evaluate the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Use specific examples. How does their relationship impact the story? 6. Blood plays a role in the play. Find three examples where blood is mentioned and analyze them. Why is blood such and important motif? 7. Explain the line "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" that the witches chant. What role does paradox play in Macbeth? Macbeth Audacity Project 20pts Using Audacity, you and your group must complete a dramatic reading of one of the speeches/scenes from Macbeth. Your grade will be based on how well your reading conveys the tone of the scene. This includes tone of voice and background effects. You must also include appropriate background music. Each member of the group must speak. You have total creative control.

Macbeth

Today we began reading Act V and working on the following assignment: Macbeth Act V Scenes 1-4 20pts Use the book and respond to each of the following in complete sentences. Scene 1 Pg 163 Explain lines 44-47, and 53-55. Pg 165 Provide a line that shows the doctor believing he cannot help Lady Macbeth. Scene 3 Pg 173 Provide a line that shows why Macbeth feels he has nothing to fear. Scene 4 Pg 175 Explain the line “Thereby shall we shadow the numbers of our host and make discovery err in report of us.” Explain why this scene is included in the play.

Macbeth

Today we finished reading Act IV.

Macbeth

Today we viewed the rest of Act III and read scene 1 of Act IV.

Macbeth

We finished reading Act III and began watching the film. R.I.P. Banquo.

Macbeth

Today we read through Act III, scenes 3-4.

Macbeth

Today we finished reading act II and completed the following assignment: Macbeth Act II Scenes 3 & 4 Use the book to answer the following questions: Pg 65 Lines 61-69 Explain what Lennox is telling Macbeth. What is the significance? pg 67 Provide an example of irony. Pgs 69-71 Lines 127-137 What is Macbeth’s excuse for killing the servants? What is his real reason? Pg 75 Provide a line explaining why Malcolm and Donalbain are suspects in their father’s murder.

Macbeth

Today we read Act II, scene 2. ..

Bloody Dagger

Students completed the following today: Macbeth hallucinates and sees a gory dagger leading him to Duncan’s bedchamber. • Why does Macbeth believe he is seeing the dagger? • Will this be Macbeth’s final hallucination? Why or why not? Use the text to provide support. Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw. Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There's no such thing: It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworld Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace. With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives: Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. [A bell rings] I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

Macbeth

Today we finished reading act I of Macbeth and completed the following worksheet: Macbeth Act I, scene 7 This is another scene featuring interaction between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. For each of the items below you must find a line that represents it. Lines 1-28 Macbeth contemplates the reasons why it is a terrible thing to kill Duncan. Lines 39-49 Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth for being afraid and weak. Lines 53-67 -Lady Macbeth mocks her husband again. -She explains how determined she is. (what is her example?) Lines 69-82 Lady Macbeth reassures him that everything will go smoothly as long as he is dedicated to it. Please remember to get your permission slips signed for the film.