Shakespeare Links

You will have today's class period ONLY to complete this assignment. PLEASE WORK DILIGENTLY!

I have gathered together several websites that have information about Shakespeare or his times. Use these websites to finish filling out your information guide to Shakespeare.

http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/shakespeare1

After you have completed the background information on Shakespeare, please choose one of the quotes after the jump. You will research how this quote is used in modern times by checking on The New York Times website for current articles that still use Shakespeare's words today. 

For fun, check out this hilarious parody of Forrest Gump for the life of William Shakespeare!

List of Shakespeare FAMOUS Quotes after the jump!

R&J Helpful Links

Sometimes, reading Shakespeare and figuring out what he means can be difficult. There are ZILLIONS of resources on the web, but here are a few that I recommend without the extraneous (and unreliable) high school student websites out there. I will continue to add to this post as I find more extremely helpful resources!

Easy Reading

• Audio version will full cast: Quick, fun, great voices!
• http://www.speak-the-speech.com/romeoandjuliet.htm
• OpenSource Shakespeare: Concordance, searchable texts, and easy navigation!
• http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/playmenu.php?WorkID=romeojuliet
• No Fear Shakespeare: A side-by-side Shakespeare text and modern text. Also available in book format to buy!
• http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/
• Bartleby: Online copy of Shakespeare’s text accompanied with line numbers
• http://www.bartleby.com/70/index38.html

Helpful Analysis

• Mr. Bruff offers detailed and sound analysis with a delightful British accent. He has many videos that can help you with other texts and assignments, too. The following are video analyses of Romeo and Juliet.
• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGFsWf-P-cB7YAoARj6iAFCglAfy9aN2

Online Textbook Resources

Since we only have a class set of textbooks, you can still access class content on the publisher’s textbook webpage. There are some great resources on this site like audio versions of our text, extra activities, and links to cool stuff that relates to the texts or authors we read. Be sure to use this resource at home!

Freshmen Course:

Username: Heck9th

Password: password

Security Question: panthers

Junior Course:

Username: Heck11th

Password: password

Security Question: panthers

Freshmen Vocab Resource

To get further practice for  your vocabulary or to access the vocab list at home, check out this awesome textbook-sponsored website! There are games for you to play, practice test questions, and other activities that you can practice using your vocab words to become more familiar with the terms before your quizzes every other Friday. To see all the dates of vocab quizzes for the semester, please click “Read More” below.

Vocabulary Quiz Dates (Subject to Change)

1st Quarter

Aug 29

Sep 12

Sep 26

Oct 10

2nd Quarter

Oct 24

Nov 7

Nov 21

Dec 12

Purpose and Goals of THE BLOG

This year, I will be teaching more than just English 3 and 4, so I have re-oriented the blog to serve a few different features. I also want my work to be useful beyond my own classroom, so I have tried to make this site more accessible for other teachers looking for English classroom lesson ideas. From now on, I want to include my lesson plans here on the blog and plan to retroactively post my lessons to previous posts. I hope this will encourage relevant and engaging student learning locally and globally! Please give me any comments, questions, feedback, and your own ideas for ways to create meaningful learning!

NEW! Educator Resources links at the bottom of the left margin.

MOVED! English 3 and English 4 curriculum post labels are now at the following links:
     English 3 American Literature Assignments and Posts
     English 4 British/European Literature Assignments and Posts

NEW! Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Check out entire unit plans at my new, affordable TPT store!

Thanks for your support, willingness to learn, and collaboration!
Mrs. EGHeck

Beginning Twelfth Night

The entire unit for Shakespeare's Twelfth Night will begin today. We will look at some famous quotes from the play to see their presence in modern times. (Even more Twelfth Night quotes can be found at the preceding link.)

I have gathered together several websites that have information about Shakespeare or his times. Use these websites to finish filling out your information guide to Shakespeare.

http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/shakespeare1

Check out this hilarious parody of Forrest Gump for the life of William Shakespeare!

Click here for a more extensive list of Shakespeare FAMOUS Quotes.

Finding Treasures in The Great Gatsby

Complete the following WebQuest to learn more about the background of The Great Gatsby. This web-based search will introduce you to the world of Gatsby and his fellows so you may better understand the development and significance of action in the novel.

2. After the War Link: after the jump below
7. Arnold Rothstein Link: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Rothstein.html
8. Flapper Jane Link: http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/1025/flapperjane.pdf

Here's a video giving you a headstart on analysis of The Great Gatsby:

An online text of The Great Gatsby is free to read and download at: http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/

Listen to any section of the novel at this hyperlink audiobook.

The Suitor, Death

Today, we have finished looking at Whitman and Dickinson. I have attached some awesome extra stuff here on the blog if you want to study some more and practice analyzing poetry a little more.

If you are looking for more in-depth Emily Dickinson, check out this excellently thorough, line-by-line analysis of "Because I could not stop for Death."

Or, you can also check out this parody that uses modern cartoon gags to spruce up this traditional poem.

To review our thoughts on "I heard a Fly buzz," check out this college-level course lesson review. The professor thoroughly and accessibly identifies the main ideas and analysis of this death poem.

Remember your Whitman and Dickinson test is tomorrow. That means you need to make sure your Whitman and Dickinson handout and rotation is complete! You may even get to use it for reference!

The Epic Hero

We continue our Anglo-Saxon Unit with Beowulf, one of the original epic tales of the English literary canon. Even though Beowulf is one of the oldest texts we will read, the story has been repeated for generations. Joseph Campbell wrote about this generations-old story in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Today we read a summary of his major points and the steps of a hero's journey. This journey is as epic as Beowulf and Batman and as common as "Phineas and Ferb." Even romances, comedies, and other genres fit the mold set out by Joseph Campbell.

See a comparison of modern movies at this link: http://patrickgarvin.com/blog/?p=1172

Beowulf Question Packet

How to ALWAYS Write a Paragraph

A paragraph has a certain formula that includes key ingredients. If you follow the pattern and include each of the key pieces, your answers on my class work, in any other of your courses, on standardized tests, or even in your research papers will be AWESOME if you follow this winning formula.

In order to be successful, you must “RACE” your "constructed responses" and paragraphs:

R-A-C-E

• Reword the Question (the "R" in "RACE")
• Answer the Question (the "A" in "RACE")
• Cite Quotations as Evidence (the "C" in "RACE")
• Explain the Answer (the "E" in "RACE")

You may repeat the "C" and "E" as many times as necessary for a complete answer/paragraph. You will need to follow this formula on ALL short answer questions in my course and on your final, state-mandated exam.

In your research papers or other works of fully-developed writing, each paragraph will need some form of conclusion. To do this, just add a sentence or two following this direction:

Summarize and consolidate the information you have written into a single analytical** statement to end your paragraph.

**Analysis:

·        NOT a definition or a repetition of information already given. (This is known as a “wonton.”)

·        IS a well-thought conclusion.

·        ANSWERS the question, “Why is all this collected information important?”

For another great step-by-step tutorial with example, please read after the jump!

Google Mail and Documents

In our class, your CCS e-mail account will be a vital link of communication for your junior research paper. I want us to use the Google platform to create everything for your project so it can never be lost, missing, or destroyed.

Your student email follows this format:

first three digits of your first name, first three digits of your last name, and last four digits of your PowerSchool ID/NCWise Number, ALL followed by @ccs.k12.nc.us .

For example, my name is Elizabeth Heck and my (fake) ID number is 06302012.
My email will be elihec2012@ccs.k12.nc.us

To login, you use your typical username and password that you use to log in to computers at school; this is often your NC Wise number and your birthday.
Log into your email at this link, off of the main CCS website (link is at bottom of the screen).

For any help or issues with Google Drive and Documents, use this helpful FAQs website. When we use Google Drive, you will always "Share" your documents with me at elizabethheck@ccs.k12.nc.us . I have attached the instructions from Google after the jump!

Translating Shakespeare's Language

The Three Little Pigs: Shakespearean Style (Branyan)

Today in 3rd Period, we looked into decoding Shakespeare's language into our everyday words. Shakespeare really had over 5,400+ words in his vocabulary because he was one of the elite educated. Now that everyone is educated and uses written words in everyday life (think facebook and twitter), we are down to 3,000+ words.

However, some of Shakespeare's words have made it in tact to our modern era. These phrases are used in our daily life without many of us ever knowing! Check out this massive list for a few! Definitely fun to see how many YOU use!

We used the following chart to look at translations of Shakespeare into modern language and phrases.

How to Create a Killer Hook and Thesis

Your introduction paragraph sets the stage for the rest of your paper. This first look needs to be EXCITING and INTRIGUING so your readers will want to continue reading all the rest of your hard-work-sweat-and-tears-on-paper. So here are some protips that can help.

From Mrs. Dawn Curle, think of your thesis as a first kiss with someone. You aren't just going to run up to someone and place a smooch on his or her lips! You've got to woo him, to charm her, to engage his or her interest first! So, think this way:

• Hook: This is your chance to charm, woo, and excite. This should be some hinting at great things to come in your paper through fascinating details that don't fit into any other paragraph, a brief anecdote, or otherwise envisioning the awesomeness to come.
• Thesis: This is where you seal the deal. The thesis is your main idea with indicators of where you are going to stop along the way. Follow the format on this handout to make writing your thesis easier than stealing a kiss from a baby.

If this doesn't illustrate what you should achieve with your introduction paragraph, check out some of these great sites and resources:

• Writing Main Idea, Thesis Statement, and Topic Sentences
• What is a Thesis Statement?
• How do I write a Thesis Statement?

Your Own Informational Text Sources

Today, we are looking into informational texts that can be catered to YOUR interests, needs, and education. I have created a Symbaloo with hyperlinks and RSS feeds to various reliable and teen-friendly news sources. Heck, I even like the "teen" version as it gives clearer and more straightforward news.

I want you to leave at least one sticky on this virtual pinboard with a useful website you find for RELIABLE news sources. Make sure you leave your name on the sticky note so I can give you credit for the assignment!

You may find sources to pin or use the sources your classmates and I post to complete the News Scavenger Hunt today in class. Make sure you write down the urls (the www.... web address) so that we can access these sources tomorrow!

Digital Resources for Saving Documents

First things first, you should probably have an email address. Check out this article on the options of free, web-based email. When choosing a email address name, keep these things in mind:

• KISS: Keep it simple, Sweetie. You want your email to be memorable and easy to share when someone asks for it. Believe me, your Instagram name is catchy and memorable, but it is NOT appropriate for emails from your employers, teachers, and tax representatives. Just think what your boss will think when your email is b1k1n1h0tt13@godaddy.com
• Use your name, numbers, and punctuation. For example, if your name is Jay Gatsby, make your email jgatsby1922@ or jaygatsby@ or jg1922@ or gatsby22@ . Short, simple, easy to remember.

There are also plenty of cloud storage websites and apps that you can save your working documents to also be accessed from any device with internet. 

• DropBox
• Google Drive
• Microsoft SkyDrive
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Apple iCloud
• CloudOn! an app to collect ALL your clouds info

I personally use Google Drive and the Amazon Cloud. I have also used DropBox and have been happy with each of them! Here are some pros and cons for a few of the favorite Cloud programs from a professional review website.

Victorian Era History

You may use any of the following sites to use for the "History" part of your children's book, due Friday.

Overview of Victorian Writing Trends
http://literatureinenglishunican.blogspot.com/2009/12/english-realism-victorian-era-1837-1901.html

Analysis and Typed Text of Many Poems
http://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/twenty-one-poems-ap-literature-and-composition

Quick History of the Victorian Era
http://www.history.ac.uk/ihr/Focus/Victorians/article.html

The Reign of Victoria in England
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/

Sitemap of Easy-to-Click Victorian England Social Life Info
http://www.victorianweb.org/history/sochistov.html

A Resource for a Resource List
http://www.history.ac.uk/ihr/Focus/Victorians/www.html

Dropbox.com Access Info

ID: elizabethheck@ccs.k12.nc.us

P/W: svhs9-12

New Online Resources

News from Mrs. Steppe:

After years of planning and developing, the Online American Library is now LIVE!  This is a fantastic resource - and will only get bigger each year!  With any luck all American library systems will share their digital collections, creating one of the largest inventories of information, music, and books available for free (well, our taxes pay for it) in the world.

 

Here's an article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/18/digital-public-library-of-america_n_3111264.html

 

And here's the DPLA:

http://dp.la/

Exploring Further into Mark Twain

Now that we have a full understanding of "The Notorious Jumping Frog...," let's look at a few more of Mark Twain's texts and fame. Then we can create our own humorous stories!

Today, we are going to compare the definition of humor by Mark Twain to our modern day definition of humor. Follow the steps below to complete today's assignment:

PART ONE

1. Read Mark Twain's "How to Tell a Story."
2. Make a list of the ways Twain says you can make a story humorous.
3. Read "SoYouWanna do stand-up comedy?"
4. Make a list of the ways SoYouWanna says you can make a story humorous.
5. Create a Venn Diagram comparison of Twain vs. modern humor.

PART TWO
In the film Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens is described as “an enormous noticer.” Much of what he noticed as a boy growing up in the small Mississippi River town of Hannibal, Missouri, found its way into his writings in books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He was always noticing whether people had their hands in their pockets or not, how they dressed, walked, spoke or presented themselves to others.

1. Let’s find out how much you notice on a typical day. Try to recall all the details, large and small, of your route home from or to school, of places, buildings and people. Make a list of what you saw. 
2. Write a short passage that changes some of the details of what you noticed on your route home into something humorous. 
3. Think about the Five Types of Humor we went over on Monday. 
4. Click "Modern humorists" below to access a compilation of how famous comedians use humor in their individual acts.

All good humorists are “enormous noticers.” Modern humorists, such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and David Letterman, take current events and personalities and, through keen observation and wit, help us discover truths about ourselves and our society. Like Twain, they find the inspiration for humor in the little details of real-life situations that aren’t necessarily intended to be funny.

Lesson Inspiration: PBS.org

Want to know more about Twain? Follow this WebQuest to learn more!

Delving into the Jumping Frog

Here is an online classroom for "The Notorious Jumping Frog..." by Mark Twain. 2nd Period should complete the Post-reading Worksheet and fill out the "Email Form" upon completion of the work. Please email these to elizabethheck@ccs.k12.nc.us so that I may virtually grade this work!

Paul Bunyan Comparison Tales can be found here: http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/paul-bunyan/

Also, we made our own Jumping Frogs of Humor! See below for instructions!

The Celebrated Jumping Frog!!!

Today, we learned about Mark Twain's use of humor in various texts. Listen to "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" again to analyze Twain's use of humor. Categories of humor can be found with examples on this Prezi.

• For more info, check: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/high-school-english-lessons/29069-elements-of-humor-in-literature/ .