Tuesday, September 25 ... Canterbury Tales Pre-Reading Journal - Stereotypes

A STEREOTYPE is defined as "a widely believed but often oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing."

Chaucer’s characters are “stereotypes;” they are given no names and are meant to symbolize all people of their given profession. Put together, the characters outlined in the General Prologue create a microcosm of Medieval English society.

Name and describe 3 stereotypes you might see in the hallways here at school.  Don't name names - deal in the overall concept of what people see or judge about those people (it doesn't HAVE to represent your views on people ... just the widely held or believed views of them).

What are the problems with believing in stereotypes?

Do you fall into a stereotype?  Why or why not?

300-400 words. Quiz grade.  If you don't finish in class, it's homework and due when you walk in tomorrow.

Monday, September 24 ... More Info on the Medieval Period

As we watch the YouTube video on the Norman Invasion of England, you will ... on a sheet of your own paper ... make a list of 12 things you didn't know about it.  You will turn your list in at the end of the period.

NO PHONES ... NO HEADPHONES ... PAY ATTENTION.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWfFh2uw838

Tuesday, September 18 ... Beowulf Review and Test

Use the time today to finish the Beowulf review - and to ask questions about it if you have them.  You may work with a partner or in a small group on the review ... just remember that you are responsible for knowing the information on it.

We will test in class tomorrow.  There will not be any additional time to work on it.  So make sure you are prepared.

Also, as a heads up ... I will not be in class tomorrow.  I will be at a training at the Administration Building all day.  I will leave specific information for my sub regarding testing procedures ... but ... to clarify today ...

1. ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST BE PUT AWAY AND OUT OF SITE WHILE TESTING.  Yes, you may put it on to charge.  Otherwise, put it in your bag or purse or pocket.  If you have any kind of electronic devices out during testing, you will receive a zero and will not be allowed to re-test.
2. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be allowed to use any print resources (books, reviews, notes, etc). on the test.
3. Once you finish your test, remain quiet so that others can have the same opportunity to focus and finish their test.
4. Tests must be turned in before you leave the room - if you leave the room with a copy of the test, your grade will be a zero and you will not be allowed to re-test.
5. If you fail a test, you will be allowed to re-test for the opportunity to earn a 70 - however, you may not be given the same test (or even the same format of test) to assess your knowledge on the re-test.

Thursday, September 13 ... Continuing with Beowulf

Four more things to know about Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon England ...

1. The tale is set in Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden - the Geats resided in the southern part of Sweden) in the 500s.  The Anglo-Saxon period in England stretched from when the Roman Empire pulled out in 410 until the Norman Invasion in 1066.
2. The tale of Beowulf is the first "story" in the history of the English Language (even if Old English sounded way more Scandinavian than "English" ... and it is a reflection of changing society in England during the A-S Period (primarily the switch from a polytheistic pagan society - part of A-S culture - to a Christian society stemming from spread of Catholicism throughout Europe.
3. The Mead Hall (Herot was Hrothgar's great mead hall) was the social center of A-S Soiety and was where king's would provide for their people.  As societies evolved and became more sophisticated (and the need for security increased) the mead hall .. which was more like a large, long banquet hall with a hole in the center of the roof so that the smoke from the fire could escape ... would later be replaced by castles.
4. Beowulf sets the standard for the notion of the "Epic Hero" in our culture - the hero that represents what his society most prizes.

• The hero possesses superhuman (possibly supernatural traits).
• Hero usually has a wise mentor.
• He/She is called on a quest to serve the needs of  or to save/protect others.
• Hero is tested and must prove himself/herself.
• Hero conquers biggest evil/threat (which also usually has superhuman or supernatural traits).
• Hero is rewarded and returns home (or to a peaceful existence) until called on another quest.

NO PHONES OR MUSIC TODAY UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE READING AND QUESTIONS THAT GO WITH IT.

• Make sure you have a copy of the lit book to read from.
• If you were not here yesterday and need a copy of the interactive reading questions, they are on top of the laptop cart.

• Reading Schedule ... 
• Wednesday, 9/12 - pages 40-41 for intro material and then pages 42-49 into Beowulf
• Thursday, 9/13 - Beowulf pages 50-61
• Friday, 9/14 - Beowulf pages 62-70

Wednesday, September 12 ... Reading Beowulf

Poetic Terms We Need to Know ... 

• Caesura - pause in the middle of a poetic line; usually noted by a large space or comma or semi-colon
• Alliteration - repetition of initial consonant sounds (the sound words begin with)
• Kenning - metaphorical compound word or phrase that substitutes for a noun or name (ie. a "whale road" would be the ocean ... "mankind's enemy" would be Grendel etc.)
• Epithet - titles or names that add depth or background to a character ... Beowulf is known as "Prince of the Weders" or "Edgetho's son" or "the Geatish Hero" etc.)

NO PHONES OR MUSIC TODAY UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE READING AND QUESTIONS THAT GO WITH IT.

• Make sure you have a copy of the lit book to read from.
• Get a copy of the Interactive Reading Questions from the top of the laptop cart.  The sections of the story are brief(ish), but the language is translated from the original (mostly orally communicated) story and can be challenging in sections.  Take your time and re-read as necessary.  Answer the questions for each section as you go - page numbers should correspond with the literature book.  Should.

• Reading Schedule ... 
• Wednesday, 9/12 - pages 40-41 for intro material and then pages 42-49 into Beowulf
• Thursday, 9/13 - Beowulf pages 50-61
• Friday, 9/14 - Beowulf pages 62-70

Monday, September 10 ... Hero Journal

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT - QUIZ GRADE - Due Today!!

All classes will write a journal (for a quiz grade) over the following prompt. It is due today before they leave. If it is not turned in today, it will be considered “late” and the 25 point late penalty will be assessed. Their response must be 300-400 words and must be handwritten. 

Prompt:

Discuss someone you see as a hero - what qualities of theirs make them a hero? What qualities does our society look for in someone to qualify them as a hero? Why are heroes inportant to society - what impact do they have?

This is not a process paper ... they do not need to prewrite or rough draft. Just put pen to paper and go. Students may listen to music through earbuds as they write if that helps them focus. Regardless, their writing is due before they leave and must be turned in.