Assignment due 2/2

For next week, students are to read pages 75-110 of Dear Martin and come to class with a list of as many signposts as they could find in the story (reference your journals from last year for these)

I expect to see the moment each signpost was seen in the story, an answer to each signpost's anchor question, and mention of the literary element(s) that each signpost contributes to. 

Message me with questions. 

Overview from 1/19 and Assignment due 1/26

Today we had a great discussion around many aspects of the assigned reading from last week (characters, real world issues, authors craft, author criticism, etc.)

For next week, students are to put their focus on Martin Luther King's role in the story as they read up to and including page 74. I would like students to consider writing a journal entry that reflects on the section we read each week, in addition to making notes on what they would like to discuss.

Overview from 1/12 and Assignment due 1/19

We discussed historical/personal figures we look up to and want to model ourselves after. We also began discussing current issues in the world surrounding race and talked about how the book we are about to read will likely go hand and hand with what they are doing in their transitions class.

I reviewed the 6 signposts of fiction with the students and they are to look for them as we read "Dear Martin" over the next month. I told students they are free to not annotate, but they MUST come to class with notes/discussions/journal entries or whatever form of what they want to use to show they are reading and thinking about their reading.

For next week, they must come to class with what is outlined above for pages 1-30 of "Dear Martin".

Overview from 12/8 and Assignment due 1/12

Today I collected our Macbeth Act 5 Study Guide and we took our Macbeth test.

I am going to email students this weekend with what they got on the test, their current grade with the test factored in, and if they have a C, I am going to present an alternate assignment they can do for bonus to bring their grade up. The alternate assignment will need to be turned in electronically before next Saturday, December 15.

FOR JANUARY: Students are to think of a historical figure they look up to and would like to be more like. All they have to do is come to class with that person's name and be able to explain why they chose them.

Overview from 12/1 and Assignment due 12/8

Today I collected the study guides for Acts 3 and 4. I graded them while students took the ISEE exam.

I also passed out the Act 5 study guide.

FOR NEXT WEEK: Students must finish reading Act 5 of Macbeth AND complete the study guide.

We will have a Macbeth "test" next week where students will be expected to know the Shakespeare vocabulary we took notes on when we started the play. There will also be some open ended questions about the overall play.

Feel free to email me with any questions.

Overview from 11/10 and Assignment due 12/1 when you show up for ISEE

Today students discussed what they wrote for the essays they turned in. I was happy that we had representation for 3 of the 4 essay topics and that students were able to discuss what they thought of each others points.

FOR 12/1: Students were given the Act 3 and Act 4 study guides today. I told them they are to finish reading both of those Acts and fill out the study guides. They are to bring their study guides with them to the ISEE exam for me to collect and grade while they take the test.

On 12/1 I will have copies of the Act 5 study guide which will be due on 12/8. I am putting a link for the Act 5 study guide at the bottom of this post for students who wish to finish sooner. I will accept the Act 5 study guide at the ISEE exam as well. On 12/8, we will wrap up final thoughts and confusion of the play before taking a brief test where students will be expected to know information from the notes I gave about Shakespeare/Macbeth. They will also have some open ended responses as well.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sVkcfSnw0MHS0-TspOac-UIvBOXJ0kot/view?usp=sharing

As always, email me with questions.

Overview from 11/3 and Assignment due 11/10

Today we reviewed the study guide from Act 2 and watched more of a modern adaptation of the Duncan Murder Aftermath Scene.

Students are to write an essay this week for acts 1-2 using the following information that was presented to them. The essay can be written or typed, but it must be with them somehow on 11/10 in class.:

MACBETH ESSAY:

Based on what you have witnessed in Acts 1 and 2 answer one of the following questions in a fully developed one (1) page essay.  Make sure you use evidence from the text to support your claims.

1. Who is responsible for Duncan’s death? Why? (i.e. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the Witches, etc.)

2. Is Lady Macbeth an evil person? Why or why not?

3. Do you think the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is realistic? Explain why or why not. 

4. Explain how the quote “Fair is foul and foul is fair” presents itself in different ways thus far in the play.