Anglo-Saxons!

As we descend into the ancient times of Anglo-Saxon myth and legend we must first delve into who these people were, what they blieved and how their culture affected the stories they told, the lives they led and the history they left behind.

In class we previewed this time period with the Anglo-Saxon powerpoint. Absent? Just click on the powerpoint to reivew what was discussed in class. Remember, it's always fun and games until you have to save your entire culture, slay the dragon, get the gold and restore order so the natural world is not stuck in upheaval. You know, the average day for any hero.

We will take notes in class on this time period as well. If you were absent or lost your note page please click on the link to print out the Anglo-Saxon note page.

Welcome Back! {The 2013-14 Edition}

Seniors and Juniors,

Welcome Back to the 2013-14 school year! I hope your Summer break has allowed you a much needed chance to rest and you're now hungry {metaphorically speaking} for the learning that this year will bring.

A couple of links you will need to either favorite or acquire as an app {free of course} to make your lives easier. The first is Turnitin.com, Socrative student {room number R-8}, and you can always follow me on Twitter @mrsotogo. I will add more links as we go, but this is enough to get you connected.

Remember, you are your biggest advocate. I am just here to here to bug you about turning in your work, nag you about college essays, and torture you with archaic reading that I sincerely hope
you will find meaning and value in.
I leave you with these last words from the classic Alice in Wonderland.

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. 'I don't care where--'  Then it doesn't matter which way you go"

So, I ask, does it matter where you want to go?

Welcome back.

Mrs. Ordway

An Open Letter

Dear Seniors {and juniors too},

As I ask you to write letters of gratitude I thought it would be important to write a letter to you--all of you. What you need to know is the moment that you cross my threshold you become mine--not in a weird territorial way, but as you own a little piece of my heart and I feel responsible for sending you out into the world with a little more kindness in your heart than you came in with way. I may gently tease you, call you out when you're making bad choices, but at my core I want the best for each and everyone of you.

I am so happy that I was able to spend the last year getting to know you and watching you mature and grow into adults. Your silliness and laughter is infectious and helps each period sail quickly by--even when we're learning about Shakespeare or old English and Nordic 'stuff'. I am overjoyed when you finally 'got' my lessons or symbolism discussed. It's was great to see your eyes light up and that spark of 'I understand!" come across your face. So, I thank you. Even on the days when frustration levels were high you taught me something--I might have taken a day to learn the lesson, but I learned the lesson nonetheless.

Graduation is quickly approaching, so please, cut your parents some slack when they look at you, or take you in for more embraces than usual-- they are seeing the little boy or girl they dropped off at kindergarten. You were their  little kid looking wide-eyed at the world filled with wonder and curiosity and now you meet at eye level showing a determination to make your mark on the world.

The world you are about to enter into is amazing; there are many adventures and learning experiences to be had, but sometimes people are cruel and unfair. Don't be like those people. As you prepare to leave the safety of high school, know that the world while it is big and wonderful; it is ultimately up to you to make the choices that will guide your life; seeking happiness will take you down many paths and only you know if you're on the right one. Shortcuts may seem like a great idea, but don't just try for the easy way out. Don't judge yourself to harshly when you make mistakes, because you will make mistakes, and some of them will be BIG, but learn from your failures--turn them into successes.

I will miss you more than I could ever possibly explain and I hope to hear from you as you travel through this new phase of your life...adulthood.

It has been my pleasure to have been your teacher, I can only hope that you feel that I have helped you along in your journey. And lastly, remember these words from one of my favorite novels and heroines,  "You is kind, you is smart and you is important" (Aibilene Clark, The Help).

Love,
Mrs. Ordway

Catcher in the Rye- eBook

As we come to the end of reading Catcher in the Rye  you may want to review or reread some of the chapters to better undersatnd what Holden was going through. Click on the link for the Catcher in the Rye ebook

Don't be a phony--read the book.

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's life was tumultuous at best. He married  Zelda Sayre and it is believed that many of the women in his novels are built around Zelda's personality and attitude. He wrote  This Side of Paradise in 1920 and feared that would be what he was best remembered for....until he wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925. This is the final novel that we are reading in English 11 with a sprinkling of short stories from the realism and modernism chapters of our anthology. 

Fitzgerald and Zelda

You will be required to provide your own text whether borrowed, bought or downloaded of The Great Gatsby. I have found two links that allows you to read the book in its entirety for free click here: The Great Gatsby ebook or if that doesn't work try this version:  The Great Gatsby ebook (it also has a kindle version). You will be required to read at home, there will be quizzes in class the next day after the required reading is supposed to be completed.

You will be responsible for the odd numbered chapter study guides you can find them all here: Chapter One study guide,
Chapter three study guide,Chapter five study guide, Chapter seven study guide,and finally Chapter nine study guide

Here's to the jazz age, the age that changed the world and the way we attempted to achieve the American Dream.

Acts III and IV Hamlet Logs

Acts III and IV Hamlet logs will be due after we finish the last scene (scene seven) in Act IV. We have reached the climax of the play in Act III with Hamlet killing Polonius (who was behind the curtain spying on the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude).

There are eleven scenes between both acts which means you should turn in roughly twenty-two log entries. However, some scenes are rather short. So, I've adjusted the amount of log entries. Please read below to see how many entries are needed for each scene.

Act III: two entries per scene for a total of eight

Act IV: i- one log entry
           ii- one log entry
          iii- one log entry
          iv- two log entries
           v- two log entries
          vi- one log entry
         vii- two log entries

You will turn in a total of eighteen (18) log entries for these two acts next week. Keep up, you don't want to end up like poor old Yorick.

--Mrs. Ordway

You're all a bunch of phonies!

Okay, so we've started and now we're in the middle of the novel, Catcher in the Rye. The story of Holden Caulfield and his unsettling ways of dealing with the adult world. Holden thinks everyone is a phony--well, we all are to a certain extent aren't we? However, I digress.  Holden we find out early in the novel has lost his little brother Allie, to leukemia and he's never really dealt with the loss. His parents are on the plan to make everything "normal" once again. The problem is--their normal has changed, and no one is willing to admit it--especially Holden.

As we read the novel use the following study guides: Catcher Ch.1-4, Catcher Ch 5-8, Catcher Ch 9-12, Catcher Ch. 13-16, Catcher Ch. 17-21, Catcher Ch. 22-26 and the power point to help with literary terms and examples found on the study guides here: Catcher in the Rye Literary Terms ppt.

If  you like Catcher in the Rye take a look at this list compiled by Flavorwire 10 Books that replace Catcher in the Rye. This list has ten relatively new novels that you might just fall in love with---if you're not a phony or anything.

--Happy Reading

The Dreaded Thesis

As we wind down the thesis paper, here is a sample of what the introduction and first reason paragraphs look like. When writing your outline, don't forget to put a transition sentence at the end of each reason paragraph--this will briefly introduce the next topic and provide a smooth transition into your next reason.

You might be frustrated with the process of the thesis paper, but you will feel a sense of accomplishment when it's all done, and I will be the one crying when I am grading all of those papers. See the tables will turn soon and you will have the last laugh. It's almost over--just finish the paper.

--Mrs. Ordway

Shakespeare Conspiracy Paper

The Shakespeare conspiracy theory is just that a theory. You will have to determine whom you believe more. Is there an arguable case that Christopher Marlowe could have, in fact, written the plays accredited to Shakespeare? In watching the PBS documentary Much Ado About Something, Michael Rubbo, the documentarian, sets up the parameters that it is plausible that Marlowe may have, in fact, been the writer of the bard's most famous plays.

Your task is to write a paper with a two point thesis. You must choose a side...are you a Marlovian (supports Christopher Marlowe) or a Shakespearean? After choosing a side, think about two points that really prove why your side is correct. Think about the other sides argument--how would you prove them wrong? Find literary academic articles that help support your claim (use infotrac/galenet here's the link: Infotrac link) Remember, the password is down21475. Once there scroll to the bottom and you will find "Literature Resource Center" or LRC tab. Play with the different keywords--REMEMBER--your first set of keywords might not give the results you were looking for. Keep playing with the different combinations or phrases of words until you find the combination that works for you.

Some useful links...Shakespeare-Marlowe International Society has quite a few articles such as: The Problems with the Stratford Case, and What Shakespeare's Scholars say about Marlowe.  Perhaps you're are more aligned to that of Marlowe-- you may want to read the article Marlovians Bite Back or Humanizing Marlowe use the blog The Marlowe-Shakespeare Connection in order to help you navigate through muddied waters. Or, are you perhaps on the side of the bard? You believe that he is the author of the amazing plays, like Hamlet (which we're getting ready to read), but you want to review some information that shows he is the guy...look at the site The Simple Case for Shakespeare. Use these resources on The Authorship Debate page to help you  decide what the real story is.

I understand that this is a question that has floated around for quite a few hundred years and most likely your paper will not provide that a ha moment, but the point of this paper is to determine:

1. Can you form an opinion/ thesis on an academic subject? {with little to no help}
2. Are you able to locate reliable academic research on the subject?
3. When presenting your points can you provide evidence that supports what you are asking your  
     audience to believe?
4. Is your paper formatted to MLA guidelines correctly? {MLA Quick Guide}


So-- what's due and when's it due? Will most likely be your next questions.  On Friday, March 15th I will collect ONE rhetorical precis--you will complete a rhetorical precis for one of the two articles you found either on Infotrac or from one of the above mentioned socities. I will not accept Wikipedia, yahoo answerser or go ask, or the ilk as 'academic evidence'.


Monday, March 18th you will be responsible for submitting your final and only draft to me in class-- during your class period. I will not accept late papers.



Friday: Rhetorical Precis
Monday: Final draft of the paper, typed, MLA format

Rhetorical Precis #2

Rhetorical Precis number two---yes, two. That means that you survived number one, but unfortunately number two probably means that there will be a number three, which will probably lead to a number four...you see where this is going right?

Actually, understanding and being able to write a rhetorical precis is pretty handy-they help provide a quick summary using academic language of an article, book or journal piece you may have to read in English or perhaps if you are writing up a current affair topic for a certain economic/government teacher for extra credit---hmmmm? . See, English is not all shenanigans and crazy poetry talk of the fourteenth century.

The second rhetorical precis article is "In My Opinion: Don’t lower the Bar on Education Standards". I think as seniors many of you will realize that perhaps standards are different depending where you are attending school. Lose your framework handout or just need to rewrite it? Click here: Rhetorical Precis worksheet/frame.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World--Rhetorical Precis

Rhetorical Precis. It seems like a very difficult task, but don't let the fancy academic name full you. It's really just a way to summarize in a academic way. Do you need to review what a precis is? Click here: How to write a rhetorical precis and here you will find rhetorical precis framework if you lose your handout from class or just need a refresher in what a rhetorical precis must encompass.

Please note, that a rhetorical precis is a very structured way to write an academic summary. You should not just summarize the article in a typical fashion. If you do not follow the structure you will lose a majority if not all points. Our first rhetorical precis will use the article"Ending Rape in India" by Namoi Wolf reporting for Al Jazeera. Follow the specific guidlines on your handout when writing/typing your precis--if you go rogue don't expect full credit.

Thesis and MLA--It's Much more Exciting than You Think

English 11: It's Thesis Time! I can hear the applause and hoopla from here quiet down people. Just kidding, you can continue gushing in class. I will accept all accolades in person. I went over the basics in class one being Thesis Statement and the other MLA. Click on the links if you need a refresher or were absent for  any part of the explanation.

Remember, our thesis will focus on a three point thesis and will follow the formula of: Opinion on topic, transition word/phrase followed by three elements. An example is: Access to contraceptives does not increases sexual activity amongst teen because contraception promote safe sex, access does increase teens promiscuity, and contraception promote healthy attitudes and routines when it comes to personal relationships. Thesis statements sound scary, but are really easy once you take them apart peice by piece. Don't let the idea of a thesis scare you, pick a topic that intrests you (after all we'll be working on it for a while) and find articles that back up what it is that you are setting out to prove.

Oh Henry! Introduction to the Renaissance

The English renaissance allowed a time for the arts to flourish. Despite the little hiccups of war artists were free to use Queen Elizabeth as their muse causing poetry, playwright and painting to reach the pinnacles of creativity. In class we reviewed The Renaissance period following both historical and literary influences.  You will have a quiz on this introductory portion of chapter three in our textbook. Absent for part of the lecture/notes. Click on the link above and take notes on what you missed.

MLA All the Way!

As we get ready to dive into the ocean that is the thesis paper you will be expected and graded on MLA format. In class we used this power point to understand what is expected in a paper that follows the MLA (modern language association) guidelines. Click on the link to review the format and to see the formulas for the most common citations.

Isn't it Romantic--wait or is it Transcendentalism...No, it's Dark Romanticiism

Okay, as we start to tie up the loose ends of the Romanticism period in English 11 you may want to review a few key things that will help ease your minds as you prepare for the final exam.

You will want to review some specific key terms; know what each of these terms are: archetype, allegory, rhythm, alliteration, onomatopoeia, lyceum movement, imagery, and figures of speech.



The short stories that are covered are The Devil and Tom Walker and Dr. Heidegger's Experiment.

 You will also be responsible for the excerpts from Emerson's Essays from "Nature" and "Self-Reliance"  and Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem "The Raven",  here is Vincent Price reading "The Raven" audio and a poor quality Youtube Simpson's version of "The Raven" Simpson's version.

Dr. Heidegger's Experiment

There are also limited Daily Oral Language sentence questions; I just want to make sure that you're awake when we're going over general grammar mistakes.

You will all do fine. Just take the time to review the literary terms and review each of the stories, excerpts as well as the poem. I know it seems like a lot, but really it's just remembering the story as well as paying attention in class, because you never know when I'll give an answer away.

--Mrs. Ordway




"people can die of mere imagination" Chaucer's Cantebury Tales and the Middle Age

Chaucer--father of English Literature-
Ye Ole Big Papa

Modern Family--Frame Stories

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are unique in that Chaucer was the first to develop the idea of a frame story. A frame story is a story within a story--think of the television show Modern Family--you know at the start how each separate family is holding a frame with their family's picture in it and at the end of the title sequence you realize that all of these crazy people are related to one another. See, frame story simply summed up--just to be clear, you realize you don't need an actual frame right? A frame story uses a metaphorical frame for the additional story told.

Pardoner's Tale

As we begin to say good-bye to the first semester we must first jump the hurdle that is the Canterbury Tales and the middle ages. Your final will consists of questions from the introduction of the middle ages (based on your notes), general information about the pilgrims going on the pilgrimage,  The Pardoner's Tale--modern English, you can also watch the Pardoner's Tale animated and  The Wife of Bath's Tale-modern English you may also watch the The Wife of Bath's Tale (animated).  The prologue before each tale are fair game as well.

Wife of Bath's Tale

 In addition to being tested on two of Chaucer's pilgrim stories you will be tested on SAT vocabulary from weeks 1-11. Unsure of what those vocabulary words are? Click on the the purple link to give you list of all the vocabulary for weeks 1-11.

Happy reviewing. Relax it's almost over--you're sooo close to being a grown-up.

Mrs. Ordway

The Devil and Tom Walker-English 11

In class we're starting the Romantics off with "The Devil and Tom Walker", a short story by Washington Irving. If you talk about the romantics with most English 11 teachers we become giddy.

No, really we do.

The Devil and Tom Walker

Why you may ask? This is the genre that changes everything in American literature. everything. As Americans we began to formulate who we were as a nation--the people who write about what the common man was thinking, painting what the common man was seeing and singing about what the common man was feeling.

Washington Irving's,
Rip Van Winkle

 Before this genere we were under the puritan command. Most believed that they were bound for hell since salvation was predetermined and heaven had limited occupancy. For the first time since leaving England (and perhaps having families able to add a second generation in America) the thinkers were able to leave religious restrictions behind and take time to notice their emotions.

Puritans Preaching

This ideal never existed before---well, it probably did, but it wasn't allowed to be shared openly for fear that it might get you killed to go against the social fabric of the puritans. I understand that to many of you this sort of writing seems so, 'yesterday', but please try to look at it through the eyes of those that lived during the 1800s. See the magic it has to offer.

Oh What a Knight! English 12



Geoffrey Chaucer

Courtly love, chivalry, feudalism, knighthood and kings oh my! Chaucer sounds pretty exciting right? I mean just take a gander at Chaucer over there. He's pretty on top of his game right? Who wouldn't want to be him?

The middle ages, while long ago, provided the opportunity to change the world and not always for the better.William the Conqueror brought a new way of life to the Anglo-Saxons--feudalism. This change wasn't necessarily for the better, but did allow for courtly love and chivalry to develop and change the way women see love. It was during the middle ages that many ideals began to form. Expectations of love that required no physical connection, but focused on love, adoration and a set of honor codes binding a knight to his lady love.

Sigh. Swoon.

Unfortunately for girls, this new aspect of love-- 'courtly love' didn't really impact their everyday lives in a positive way. They still remained subservient to the men in their lives. No sighs, no swooning. Boo. Boo.com

I have taken the liberty of creating a power point on the  Middle Ages--chapter two--you're welcome. This power point follows the introduction of the second chapter pretty succinctly. You will have a quiz on this introductory material. So, if you missed something in class or were absent please take a look at the material and write up your notes or add information that you may have missed.

Romanticism--this isn't your ordinary box of chocolates

"For me, Romanticism is the most recent and the most current expression of beauty"

--Charles Baudelaire

 Think of the term Romantic as an umbrella term. Within the label of "Romantic" you have transcendentalists--those that believe in the good that human nature reflects and nature as the link between one and God. Also under the umbrella (ella...ella...sorry, I couldn't resist) of the Romantics are the Dark Romantics--a group that acknowledged that human nature does indeed have a dark side and all that is found in nature is NOT good or connecting one with God.

The puritan's feared so many aspects of life that it isn't surprising that the Romanticism movement reacted so sharply to their fears. Much like teenagers reacting to their parents--if the puritans said the sky was robin's egg blue the romantics would describe it in great detail as being indigo.

 

 

In class we have discussed how the romanticism movement affected not only literature, but art as well. Remember, in this movement it is important to understand that human beings were not the central focus, but rather a piece in the universal puzzle. If you were absent take a look at the Romanticism power point and catch up with your notes. There will be a quiz on the introduction of the chapter two material so please, please make sure your notes are complete.