Tues. May 31, 2016 to Fri. June 3, 2016: Macbeth Film Completion Cheat Sheet Creation

On Tuesday, we finished watching the film. Students then had a half an hour to create a cheat sheet for the in-class essay on Thursday (the information on this essay can be seen on last Friday's blog). I will be giving you guys tomorrow to complete your cheat sheet and get it approved. This way, you will get it when you come into class on Thursday and can start writing right away.
If a student does not write the essay Thursday, which is timed, that student will need to make arrangements to write an alternative in my presence at lunch hour.

In order to make the test process simpler, I will put the accepted cheat sheets in your portfolios, along with a new essay assignment sheet. When you come in to class, put all books in the tutorial (you can only have pen, highlighters, white-out and dictionaries/thesaurus' at your desk). The paper for for essay writing is on top of the bookcase by the tutorial. Grab three or four sheets and then sit where you have already been assigned (see board if you are unsure). You will have 60 minutes to write this and can start as soon as announcements are over.

On Friday, you will write a Macbeth comprehension exam. It will be matching, true/false, and multiple choice.
If you miss this exam you will also need to see me to write an alternative.

Mon. May 30, 2016: Macbeth Film Continued

Today, we continued watching the feature film Macbeth. We got up to 1:27 minutes. This means we will finish viewing it tomorrow and the in-class essay will be Wednesday. Keep in mind you can have a 50 word cheat sheet.

Mon. May 30, 2016: Act Two Completion/Questions

Today, we finished reading Act II of A Thousand Clowns. I then gave four questions to answer (these are posted below). These questions must be answered fully using proper grammar and mechanics and also written in dark blue or black ink. They are due at the start of class on Wednesday (or earlier if you know you are going to be absent).

Fri. May 27, 2016: Macbeth Film and Essay Information

Today, we discussed the upcoming in-class essay for this unit. I handed out the information on it (pasted below). We decided that the essay will be written the day after the film is finished (either Tuesday or Wednesday) and the comprehension exam will be then written on the day after this (either Thursday or Friday).
We then watched the first 31 minutes of Justin Kurzel's 2016 film version of Macbeth. If you were not here you can see me to view it at lunch.

ELA B10

Shakespearean Timed Formal Essay

Time Allowed: sixty minutes

Instructions: Using the Shakespearean play we studied in class, answer either a. b. or c.

a.       How have inequalities or a lack/desire for power impacted the choices characters’ make in the Shakespearean play read in class? OR b.      To what extent do relationships, such as that between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth or Macbeth and the witches, drive the tragedy of the play?   OR c.       Examine the differences between the text version of the Shakespearean play read in class and the film version viewed in class. Why did the director or script writer choose to make differences to the film?

I am allowing you to have the question early so you can prepare; I am also allowing you to bring in a cheat sheet of no more than 50 words. If the cheat sheet has more than 50, then it will not be allowed. Your planning should involve gathering your evidence, studying essay format, and honing up on any areas of mechanics or punctuation where you have deficits.

Further considerations:

·         You must write in dark blue or black ball-point pen (not felt tip as they bleed through).

·         You must double-space (this allows you room to cross out errors and fix in the line above).

·         You will be allowed to use a dictionary.

·         You will be given a planning page (you cannot bring one in with you).

·         All electrical devices must be off your person (if you bring them in the room, put the item(s) in the day care).

Thurs. May 26, 2016: Macbeth Completion

Today, we finished reading Macbeth. I then gave you notes on Themes (power corrupts), motifs, and symbols.
We will begin viewing the film tomorrow.

Wed. May 25, 2016: Macbeth Act V (5)

Today, we finished all but the last scene of Macbeth. We will finish this tomorrow.

Tues. May 24, 2016: Macbeth Cont.

Today, students wrote their Act 4 Macbeth quiz. If you were not here, an alternative set of questions have been put in your portfolio to make this up. We then assigned roles and began reading Act 5. We got toAct 5, Scene 1, page 84, line 36.

Fri. May 20, 2016: Macbeth Act IV

Today, we finished reading Act IV of Macbeth. On Tuesday, you will write another Act quiz. If you miss this and want to make it up, see me for the alternative questions.

Thurs. May 19, 2016: Macbeth Act III Quiz & Act IV reading

Today, students wrote an Act III quiz on Macbeth which was used to show them how to approach this type of quiz. We then chose students to play various characters and kept reading Act IV. We got up to the point where the witches have shown Macbeth three further prophesies and just prior to their vanishing (page 67, line 125).

Wed. May 18, 2016: Macbeth Act III

Today, we completed reading Act III and then picked roles for Act 4. We then read the first part of Act 4, Scene one, up to the point that Macbeth enters to talk to the witches (page 63, line 46).

Tues. May 17, 2016: Macbeth Act III

Today, we began reading Act III of Macbeth.  We ended on Act III, Scene 4 (at the top of page 52).

Mon. May 16, 2016: Macbeth Act II

Today, we completed reading Act II of Macbeth. I then gave you point form questions to answer for tomorrow's class.

Fri. May 13, 2016: Macbeth Act II

Todqay, we read Act Two,, scenes 1, 2, and part of 3, of Macbeth. We stopped on page 35 right after hearing that Macbeth killed the guards and his reasons for doing so.

Tues, Wed. & Thurs. May 10 - 12, 2016: Macbeth Act One Completion

Today, we finished reading Act One of Macbeth. Tomorrow and Thursday will be used to give you time to answer Act One questions and to finish your punctuation power up work.

Mon. May 9, 2016: Macbeth reading

Today, we began reading Act One of Macbeth. We read up to Act One, Scene three, page 8, line 86 (when Ross and Angus enter).

Thurs. May 5, 2016: Macbeth Introduction Continued

Today, students were given a lecture on Macbeth in which we reviewed the story (basic plot) and discussed the language and purposes. We will start reading the play itself tomorrow. Attendance for this unit is a must as it is hard to get through on ones own.

Wed. May 4, 2016: Grammar Review

Today, students worked on correcting dangling modifiers, correcting misplaced modifiers, practice with Commas, and understanding when to use a semicolon or a comma. They were provided with worksheets that were due at the end of class.

Tues. May 3, 2016: Macbeth Introduction Continued

Today, the students were given a sheet entitled "A Look at Shakespeare's London" to read actively.
They were then given questions to answer in relation to the reading. This is due at the end of class.
During the next two days, the students are also to read the "About the Play" section in their Macbeth text and the section "Leading Characters in the Play."

Mon. May 2, 2016: Macbeth Introduction

Today, the students signed out the play Macbeth. They were then given a sheet entitled "Getting Acquainted with Shakespeare" to read actively.
They were then given questions to answer in relation to the reading. This is due at the end of class.
During the next two days, the students are also to read the "About the Play" section in their Macbeth text and the section "Leading Characters in the Play."