Macbeth

Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

Friday - Nov 25th - Handout read "The Curse of 'The Scottish Play" [copies in the missed-a-day binder]

Journal writing activity: Write a short story or poem in which you bring to life one of the "accidents" mentioned by Epstein in this section.

Monday - Nov 28th - Introduction to Macbeth and Act 1, Scene 1 - The Witches prophecy
32 minute Macbeth

Tuesday - Nov 29th - Discussion of Shakespeare and the time period that it was written in.
Watched Macbeth The Royal Shakespeare Company production - Act 1, scenes 1-7

Wednesday - Nov 30 - Lecture and notes on Macbeth Act 1, scene 2 - The character of Macbeth at the beginning of the play. Social order

Thursday - Dec 1 - The Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth - major quotes and their meaning
Themes of the play. Introduction of major assignment.

Short story

You should read the story "Hit and Run" after you have gone over the questions on the last page. As you read, le the questions guide your understanding of the story. What does the author do to lead you through the various clues?

Link: "Hit and Run" by John D. MacDonald.

Presentation moved to Friday

All presentations will be done on Friday as I will not be in class on Thursday. Please make sure to have all elements ready to go:
1. Creative Representation - with rubric attached (ensure your name is on it)
2. Written reflection - with rubric

Apologies for the short notice for those of you bringing food. You should be able to put all the components in the school kitchen fridge. Looking forward to your presentations.

Woes

Hello lovely and patient students,

After many fights with my computer (which you will be pleased to know I finally won!) I have finally been able to put the rubrics for the reflective writing and oral presentation on the blog. If you go to the previous blog entry "Major assessment for Sold", you will be able to click on each requirement which will then take you to the appropriate rubric. We are going to be rubriced-out by the end of this thing.

Anyway, please make sure to have your creative representaion and written reflection with you on Tuesday. We will have on last work period but you should use this time to get some peer assessment (very helpful and valuable thing!)

27 school days until Christmas holidays!!

Representing Assignment

As we continue to work hard on our projects here are a few ideas that I want you to consider.

1. Who is going to be effected by this work? (Audience)
2. What do you want them to feel? (Purpose)
3. What is the reason for each element that you are purposefully adding to your work? How does that font, colour, image, word etc. enhance your message?


BE INTENTIONAL!

Major Assessment for Sold

Create a piece of art inspired by the novel. The form (painting, sculpture, picture album, music, sewing, etc.) is entirely up to you. Use your reflections, questions and journal responses to start thinking about your representation.  This rubric is a guide for the technical elements that must be present and which will be evaluated.

You must also include a written reflection that explains your thought process as well as your creative piece.

Creative representation -   50%

(1 - 1 1/2 pages) Written reflection -    30 %

Oral presentation – 20%

Due Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

The key to this assignment is deciding what your message is going to be. Start with a plan and then work the design around it. After you have finished reading the novel you should have a series of notes, ideas and questions. Use those to guide your thinking process. MIND MAP these ideas out so that you have it down on paper. You are not commited to every idea but this will help you plan things out.

Journal #7

Reflection on pages 1-89

What have you learned about Lakshmi? What does she value and consider important in life?

Reflect on some of the cultural practices that we have encountered in the novel so far. Choose 2 or 3 and discuss the significance of these traditions or practices? How do they affect Lakshmi's life? Are there any questions you have about the value and meaning of these practices?

1 - 1 1/2 pages

Book Notes

As you read through the novel, Sold by Patricia McCormick, you should be keeping some Book Notes. It is suggested that you have a foolscap sheet by your side as you read so that you can keep notes on the following:

1. Setting - the novel takes place in two countries (Nepal then India). Make sure to take note of the descriptions of the setting where Lakshmi is
2. Names of characters - who are they and how are they related to Lakshmi?
 *Note: Auntie refers to any lady that is older than Lakshmi. It is a term of respect.
3. Questions - record any questions you have as you are reading - they can be about the plot, characters, themes, cultural procedures, etc. Remember to also include the page number.

India and Nepal

Researching the Issue

Learning about India and Nepal

For each country, find information on the following...

1. Gain a better understanding about the history of the country (brief, but interesting)
2. Population and current factoids (ie, Religion(s), languagues, economy, politics, industrialization levels, etc)
3. Three(3) tidbits of interest (what do you find interesting?)
4. Three (3) places that you would like to visit someday? Why?

Due Monday, October 31st, 2011


Hagar is an organization that works with women who have been part of the Human Trafficking industry. Use this link to find out more facts about this subject.

The story of Hagar

Letters to the Editor. Over the next few weeks you should be looking over a few examples of letters to the editor on your own. Whether you find them in the Star Phoenix or another news paper or media source you should look for the following things:
 - How does the letter begin?
 - What is it written in response to? How do you know?
 - Does the author use facts or just state opinions?
 - What is their purpose in writing the letter? Is it achieved?

Whenever possible keep a copy of a letter you find is written well.


Today we also looked at Genesis 16 and the Story of Hagar.

Human Rights

We will soon be starting our novel study. This will be an intestive look into a very controversial subject. Many of the topics and ideas presented in this novel WILL make you uncomfortable. The purpose of the study is not to leave you in that place of unrest but to foster empathy. It is my hope that through the reading of this story, discussions in class, and assignments you will learn about the world you live in and the active role you can play in changing it.

A letter will soon be going home to your parents informing them of my intentions with this novel. I encourage you to include them in your discussions and learning about this topic. Their ideas and thoughts will allow you to bring a richer depth to the conversations we have in the classroom.

12 Angry Men Poster assignment

Alright, we have learned about the four elements that make up an effective poster. Now you will design a poster for the movie 12 Angry Men.

Think about:
            - Themes
            - Characters
            - Plot

Focus on:
            - Design
            - Purpose
            - Audience
            - Message

Assignment must include:
 1. Outline (mind map which includes notes for Design, Purpose, Audience and Message)
  2. Poster - 8 1/2 by 11 - you can use colour or not - all up to you but be intentional
  3. Reflection - should be a paragraph of two in which you explain the Design, Purpose, Audience and Message that you focused on. Show me what you know using details and examples from your poster. Should be no more than 1 -1 1/2 pages.

        

Due: Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Journal

Journals are due in for the first evaluation. Due Friday, Oct. 7th.

Please include:

1. Contents page - with the list of the journal entries we have done so far (one of which will be your rough copy that has been edited)
2. Good copy of the work you wish for me to evaluate
3. Pink sheet "Look here." This should also articulate those areas of  your writing process that you would like me to notice. Include what you have done well, indicate those areas that you have identified as your problem areas for writing and need a bit of guidance and any other that you want me to note.
4. All of these components must be in a duo-tang or other report cover. Please do not hand in a sheaf of papers that have been stapled or paper clipped. Presentation is important but don't go overboard.

Controversial Topic Presentation and Reflection

Reflection - Due Monday, Sept. 19th. 2011

Wow, we have looked at a variety of controversial topics this week. We are a group with varied interests. Now that most of our presentations have been completed you will write a reflection on  what you have learned through this experience.  Using the 'Mining Reflection' sheet, the news articles you found and your own presenation notes you will write a reflection. (1 1/2 - 2 pages typed, single spaced).

Make sure to also include:

1. Why you chose this particular controversial topic? What made you choose to go and find out more about it?

2. What you learned about arguements supporting either side? (the Pro/Con) Reflect on a few of the facts. What was your reaction to some of the findings? Were you surprised or was it logical? Go beyond ...this was interesting. Explain why.

3. Have you changed your position on this topic or have you found more facts to back up your case? What did you learn about the Bible's stand on this issue.

Journals

We began writing in our Journals on September 1st. We reflected on a few quotes and after a short discussion were able to record our own thoughts on various aspects of the ideas presented.

September 2, 2011
Journal #2 - Reflection on Novel reading.
Include: - Title/Author; Why did you choose this book? What is going on in the book - summary (2-3 sentences tops)? Your reaction/reflection...
3-4 paragraphs (5-7 sentences each)