"We Are Not Amused" muttered Queen Victoria. Victorian Fashion {English 11}

We are still in chapter four focusing on realism. Along with realism we have literature selections from the Victorian era; an era where manners really counted and what you wore told a short story about who you were.

Think about it, what do your clothes say about you?  Before we read Kate Chopin's, "A Pair of Silk Stockings"  let's discuss how clothes can be used a symbols in society--dictating our class, wealth or marriageable prospects. What would you do if your clothes decide whether people would speak to you or not? I am attaching the Victorian Fashion Power Point in case you wanted to review what people may have found fashionable or just so we (girls) can be grateful  that the corset or bustle aren't in fashion any longer.

Allegorical Story--Teach Me oh Wise Ones {English 9}

Chapter Six is all about Symbolism (an object that represents something greater than itself) and Allegory (a story that teaches a lesson) so after reading "The Grandfather", "Golden Kite, Silver Wind" and the four different Einstein informational pieces we come to the part where you show what you know.  In class you were given the opportunity to write your own allegorical story, self-edit, peer edit, type out a second draft and next week we will complete a second round of peer editing for the content of your story. Also, we head back to either the library or computer lab to type out the final draft. First and Third your stories are due: March 30. Sixth period your stories are due March 31.  Remember, I will be collecting your: story map, rough drafts and ALL of your peer/self edits along with your final drafts.

I <3 Learning!

The Great Gatsby--English 11

So, after Realism and the Moderns we will start the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, with timing and such we will only have access to the novel in class. Which means that any novel study that needs to be done outside of class you'll need to use the ebook The Great Gatsby.

In a perfect world [insert dreamy deep breath here] everyone would get their own book, but we are on a time crunch so there are limited books and we are lucky that Mrs. Roveri is willing to share her books with us (Thank you Ms. Roveri ). On that note-- feel free to borrow a book from the library, buy a copy and donate it back to the class for extra credit {25 points} or use the ebook. We will start the novel in the beginning of April. Here's to the nouve riche!

The Rise of Realism English 11

Today we discussed the Rise of Realism and how American literature shifted from Romanticism to Realism. Society tends to gravitate towards what is real think of all the reality television that is currently rotting our brains. Thanks to Holt, Rinehart and Winston we have the Rise of Realism PowerPoint Yay! I can hear all that applause out there in Cyberland. We will not only depend on the PowerPoint's...yes, I have more, but we will also do a Reader's Theatre--don't worry I'll tell you all about it.

Keep in mind as we read different Realism literature selections what the country was going through politically, socially, and economically. How do these changes effect what writers wrote about?

The Grandfather--English 9

Look at your family's elders and compare them to trees. Are they strong, sturdy and resilient? Or are they weak, pliable and easily destroyed? In the short story "The Grandfather" by Gary Soto we see how he reminisces about growing up with his grandfather who turns out to be as strong as his favorite avocado tree.  Our vocabulary will be taken from this story and you will have a quiz on these words on Monday, March 14. If you've lost your paper you can print out a new Grandfather Vocabulary here.

We are starting chapter six in our textbook which focuses on allegory and symbolism. We will cover what symbols are, what a public symbol is as well as define allegory.

Tell Me Quickly---English 11

Okay so you know you have a test on The Crucible on Thursday right? The test will consist of seventy-six (76) multiple choice questions. You will have to be able to match a short description to each character, identify important events in each act (there are four--use your packets to help you) and write one short answer.

Because, I am anything if not obliging here are your short answer choices. You must pick one of the following statements and describe how it relates to The Crucible.

1. Confessing to a crime you didn't commit in order to avoid punishment is wise.
2. It is better to die for what you believe in rather than lie to save your life.
3. That which doesn't destroy us only makes us stronger.
4. Courage means doing something even though it can be difficult and fearsome.

Mull your answer over and come in with an idea of how go about your explanation. You can not come in with a completed answer already written---that would be cheating. I'm pretty sure it would be cheating. Besides you would make the other kids feel bad about not having their work done and I don't like kids with hurt feelings (it bums me out, it really does if you want to know the truth).

So here's to cheating without really cheating. See everyone wins, we're all winners. Blue ribbons for everyone!

Odysseus' Life--Poster Size English 9

I bet you're here because you're looking for extra credit. Am I right? I'm sure I'm right.
So, here it is in a gyro (Greek sandwich that is delicious):

 Create a poster (8x10 or construction paper size) of one of the challenges that Odysseus faces during The Odyssey.  Think back to what we have read (Calypso, Lotus eaters, Cyclops, land of the dead, Sirens, Scylla, Helios' cattle etc.) and try and create a visual representation making that moment come to life. The more creativity you show the more points you can earn (up to 40 points!).

Can't draw? Take images from a magazine and re-create the scene using those pictures. Make sure to title the poster so we all know what we are looking at. For example, if you have re-created the scene of Circe turning the men into pigs think of a creative title like.... "I came, I dined, drank a little wine only to be turned to swine"  see it's a play on the fact that Circe turned the men into pigs.  This poster is due, Tuesday, March 15th.  I will not take late posters so get it done on time.

Easy Peasy!

Oh, John Proctor---Why must you be so moral? English 11

Who is John Proctor? No really, who is John Proctor the man? We must understand that Arthur Miller has taken certain dramatic liberties with The Crucible and perhaps Abigail and John Proctor were not, in fact, actual lovers.

Many of you have asked for extra credit so here it is:

Find out who the REAL John proctor was and write down a brief  explanation (and by brief I mean three-four sentences) on your Crucible test (yes, you'll have a test on Thursday). You must tell me John Proctor's real age, how many times he was married, what wife (number wise) was Elizabeth and why was he really accused of being a witch?

Please do not share your information with other students; allow them to figure it out for themselves. Remember: If you give a man a fish he eats for a day, if you teach him how to fish he eats forever (or at least until the sea runs out of fish due to over fishing or the environmental measures prohibit it, but I digress).

Good Luck!

Act IV of The Crucible--What's a lie got to do with it?

I enjoy dramatic irony, no-- really I do. I just hate it when good people are holding the wrong end of the dramatic irony stick. Why, oh why does Elizabeth have to take the high road in order to save her husband's name when we (the audience) already know that he has tarnished it with the truth?  But, I digress.

We are on to Act IV the final act in The Crucible. What will happen next? Will Abigail finally be discovered for what she is or will the village and judges continue to buy that pile o' horse poo she is selling? I can't wait to talk about it with you in class.
In case you lose or forget your Act IV packet you can find them here. There are only two components to the packet this week...so maybe it's more of a handout with extensions. Just click on Act IV Vocabulary Chart or Act IV Questions if you've lost or misplaced them.