12/7 ... Monday

Objective ...

Students will relate their own ideas and experiences to some of the central themes of the Canterbury Tales.  Students will analyze themes and characterization in The Canterbury Tales.

Students will brainstorm and prewrite for a persuasive essay. 


Warm-up ...

CWoD ... ABDOMEN

Today ... 

Decide what stance you will take on one of the following issues and list 5 possible arguments FOR and AGAINST your position. (If you are not sure or have any difficulty thinking up arguments for your issue, consult ProCon.org .. It's a good resource for this).  Be specific on where you stand and on the possible arguments for and against. This will serve as your essay prewrite AND must be turned in today before you leave class to receive credit.

Possible issues to choose from ... 

- Electronic Devices in Schools

- Dress Code/School Uniforms

- Standardized Testing

Choose only one of these topics .. Do some quick research .. Write a thesis that clearly states your stance on the issue. And list 5 possible pro and 5 possible con arguments. Turn in to the top tray on my desk when you're finished. 

• Be sure you've finished your work on your 200-250 word response to EACH OF the following essay prompts ... (This will count as a quiz grade - post your responses to your blog. They are due on there by Friday!).
• Pardoner's Tale - The Pardoner is depicted as a liar, con man, and, essentially, a thief.  Yet his tale is very effective morally.  What is the message or moral of his tale?  How does it contrast with his character traits but still seem appropriate given his values?  Do you agree with the message of his tale ... explain.
• Wife of Bath's Tale - The Wife of Bath is depicted as a progressive woman of the time with different ideas about the role and strength of women than Medieval society provides - especially given that she has outlived so many husbands.  What is the message or moral of her Tale?  How does this compare or contrast with her character traits?  Do you agree with the message of her tale ... explain.

• Canterbury Tales EXAM - objective test - Tuesday 12/8.  You will need to review Pilgrim info from the Prologue (your charts will be available to you on the exam) as well as the two tales we read.  It will be a major grade, so be prepared.

• See Friday's blog for info on quiz make ups or improvement.