We Did Some Walkin' and Talkin' Crucible Gallery Walk {English 11}

So, you were absent. I hope you're feeling better, but now you want to know what we did.
Short answer: We did a lot. You know how I am. You missed tons. Okay, so maybe you missed D.O.L., The Crucible journal {see a friend for this info} and a Gallery Walk. I know, not exactly tons, but it was jam packed and fun-filled.

Uh-Oh--- did she say Gallery Walk?

What's a Gallery Walk?

 Well, a Gallery Walk is meant to promote reflection, interaction and written/oral language development. In other words, we used the Gallery Walk activity to reflect on different aspects of The Crucible. There were eight posters in the room and since you were absent I need you to answer each of the following questions or comment on the statements. This is due the following day. Example: absent on Thursday, due on Monday.

The Gallery Walk Topics were:

1. Point out the reasons why Abigail was in the woods and speculate why she sought Tituba's help.
    Example answer: Abigail was in the woods with Tituba and the other girls to make a charm that 
    would kill Goody Proctor so that she could have John {G. Proctor's husband} to herself. Abigail 
    sought out Tituba's help since she was from Barbados and a slave"familiar" with the ways of  
    witchcraft.  

2. Discuss the symbolism of the woods in The Crucible and the mod it evokes. Create a short list of
    symbols and mood adjectives.

3. Miller's play, The Crucible is a commentary on Mccarthyism. Why does Miller use the Salem witch
    trials to draw comparisons?

4. What is a "crucible"? Describe its significance in the play.

5. Mass hysteria is how we leave Act I in The Crucible. Predict what will happen in Act II.

6. One of the themes in The Crucible is good vs. evil. using your theme handout write a complete
    sentence/thought for this theme {remember, Giraffes Can't Dance!}

7. If John Proctor were alive today {same circumstances as in the play} what would his Facebook status
   be at the end of Act I?

8. Is the narrator reliable {trustworthy} in the play The Crucible?  Why or why not?

Abigail, What Have You Been Up Too? Act I The Crucible {English 11}

As we begin Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible keep in mind how history often repeats itself however indirectly it may seem. We've discussed McCarthyism and how easily mass hysteria can spiral out of control--especially when ego and pride are involved. In case you misplaced your Act I Homework Packet or Act I Vocabulary Chart you can get them here. Both are due Thursday, October 27. You will have a  a  vocabularyand Act I quiz on the twenty-seventh as well. 

The history of the Salem Witch Trials is very interesting, but macabre since so many were falsely accused. Check out The Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 to view selected pictures, letters and actual arrest warrants.

Wynona Ryder as Abigail





It Was Totally Epic {Literary Response Essay on the Heroic Archetype} English 12



So, that mean ol' Mrs. Ordway demanded that you write a literary response paper about the heroic archetype huh? Well never fear, the nice Mrs. Ordway in cyber space is here to help!

The Question:
Choosing from one of the three heroes we've read about {Beowulf, Gilgamesh and Achilles} which do you think best deserves the title of hero and why?



Gilgamesh and Humbaba



The Rules: You must include three characteristics of an epic hero (found on page 10 of our interactive reader) they are: 

  * is significant and glorified  *is on a quest   *is ethical  *performs brave deeds
 
  * risks death for glory or for the greater good of society

  *is a strong a responsible leader

  *reflects the ideals of a particular society

  *has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and/or courage

  You must use textual evidence (examples from your chosen poem that prove that your hero fits the characteristics you've picked) Your paper must be one page or five to seven hundred words, third person and follow MLA format.

NEW Information: Your rough draft will be due Tuesday 10/25 for peer edit and a final draft must be uploaded to Turnitin.com by Thursday10/27 midnight.

Essay value: 100 points

Use the links below to help find textual evidence of your hero's characteristics.

Beowulf's Battle with Grendel,  Beowulf's Battle with Grendel's Mother,  Beowulf- The Final Battle

I'm a Witch, You're a Witch, They're a Witch! What Do You Mean That's a Bad Thing? {English 11}

Gossip is everywhere. Unfortunately, gossips and the rumors they create aren't always easily brushed off. Think about a time when someone spread a rumor about you or accused you of something you know you didn't do. How did you clear your name? Do people still believe the rumor or gossip that others told about you?

We are starting The Crucible a play written by Arthur Miller who was all to familiar with being accused of being something that he wasn't.  I will be introducing information about Miller and The Crucible in class this week. Click on the The Crucible link above to review the power point I will share in class.  

Remember while the play is based on actual historical events it is also a parable of McCarthyism  of the 1950s. It is also important to note that Miller does take certain liberties with the truth. John Proctor is actually sixty years old and Abigail Williams is only eleven. They were never lovers in real life. Puritans aren't like that! It seems that Miller uses the idea that Abigail is a jilted lover as a reasonable explanation of her accusing others in the village of being involved with the devil and witchcraft.