English 11 Lately...

I apologize for the lack of updates on the  blog. It seems that our class note-takers aren't being as diligent as they should be. In addition, I have not been very diligent at assigning note-takers!

During the last class before the break and the first class after the break, we watched Freedom Writers, which is a movie that deals with the power of language to transform people. It served as a good finish to our poetry unit, which was about expression.

Since then, (on Wednesday and Friday) we have had two classes of Macbeth. Here's what we've done.

1. Returned PC's and Tom Phillips found poetry assignments and filled out our writing logs.
(note: Your PC,  found poem, poetry slam, and poetry explication paragraph will all be on your April interim report card. Please make sure that you've completed all of those assignments by Tuesday April 5th)

2. Anticipation Guide for Macbeth. In class, we coupled the paper anticipation guide with an agree/disagree line to discuss some of the ideas from the play.

3. Predicted the content of the play and watched a 96 second summary (the link to the video is on Moodle).

4. Explored the concept of witches, sorcery, and superstition.  Please see the notes on fate/fortune, the video clip on the curse of Macbeth, the video clip on the fates, and the prezi.

5. Read Act I scene i. How does this scene set up the mood/tone of the play? Watch for the two paradoxes that set up the "appearances vs reality" motif.

6. Explored the concepts of  the great chain of being, hubris, the tragic hero, and crime/violence. See the prezi and "If the Crime Fits" pre-reading worksheet.

7. Read Act I scene ii and looked for descriptions of Macbeth. See the word document notes.

8. Read Act I scene iii.  Think about the following questions: What have the witches been doing since scene i. What do they do at the beginning of the scene?  What are the witches prophesies for Macbeth and Banquo? How do Macbeth and Banquo respond differently to the witches' prophesies?

Note: an aside is a theatrical technique in which a character speaks his or her thoughts to the audience. The other characters cannot hear these thoughts (even though the actors clearly are able to hear the words). This is almost like a "voice over" in a movie. It differs from a soliloquy because during a soliloquy, characters are typically alone on the stage.

9. Homework - finish reading Act I scene iii and be ready to answer the following question: how do Macbeth and Banquo respond differently to the witches' prophesies?  Read Act I scene iv.

For those of you who have been away, please note that you are expected to be caught up when you return to class. We are moving rapidly through Macbeth. If you miss class, please check moodle and the blog before you return and come to tutorials (Tuesday April 5th and subsequent Mondays) if you need clarification.  This goes for the San Diego trip, Bio trip, and all other absences.