October 21 ... Researching the Medieval Period

OBJ ...

Students will discern important notes from their reading over The Medieval Period.


WARM-UP ...

Get a green sheet of paper from the back table - you will take your notes on this paper, turn them in when you are finished, and be allowed to use your notes on the quiz next week.



TODAY ...

Read over pages 28-35 in the literature book and take notes from the reading.  Pay close attention to the section headings and to terms and people in bold print.  You will be quizzed over the information early next week (Tuesday ... ish).


Also ... your journal writing from Tuesday is due today ... information below if you need it.
(keep in mind, this assignment is a Minor/Quiz grade ... 300-400 words

Pre-Writing ... 

Pretend that you are an observer in our school. If you were watching the "parade" of students who make their way down our corridors each day, what categories of students would you notice? List at least 4 of them ... and eliminate the category into which you would most likely place yourself. 

Journal ... 

Using one of the remaining categories, create a character that represents one of the "types" -- how do they walk? Talk? How do they dress? How do they style their hair? What do they talk about? What activities might they participate in...or not? Be creative .. have some fun with it .. but stay true to who your created character would most likely be. Focus on their strengths (if they have any) and on their weaknesses (if they have any).

October 20 ... More Medieval Period

OBJ ...

Students will analyze what they KNOW ... what they LEARNED ... and what they WANT to know about Medieval Society.


WARM-UP ...

On a sheet of paper, list 5 things you know about Medieval knights.



TODAY ...

We will watch a video about another segment of Medieval Society ... the Knight.  As you watch, list 10 interesting facts that stand out to you (and be as specific as possible).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cm_KGmKj1o

After we finish, you will be given a few minutes to then create 2 questions you would like to have answered about this part of Medieval Society..

You will turn it in before you leave.  The warm-up is 25% of the grade.  The list of "10 Interesting Things" is 50%.  Your 2 questions form the final 25%.


Journal writing assigment from Tuesday is due no later than tomorrow ... the specifics are below (keep in mind, this assignment is a Minor/Quiz grade ... 300-400 words

Pre-Writing ... 

Pretend that you are an observer in our school. If you were watching the "parade" of students who make their way down our corridors each day, what categories of students would you notice? List at least 4 of them ... and eliminate the category into which you would most likely place yourself. 

Journal ... 

Using one of the remaining categories, create a character that represents one of the "types" -- how do they walk? Talk? How do they dress? How do they style their hair? What do they talk about? What activities might they participate in...or not? Be creative .. have some fun with it .. but stay true to who your created character would most likely be. Focus on their strengths (if they have any) and on their weaknesses (if they have any).

October 17 ... Beginning the Medieval Period

OBJ ...

Students will analyze what they KNOW ... what they LEARNED ... and what they WANT to know about Medieval Society.


WARM-UP ...

On a sheet of paper, list 4-5 things you know about Medieval England or its people.



TODAY ...

We will watch a video about a segment of Medieval society.  As you watch, list 10 interesting facts that stand out to you (and be as specific as possible).

https://youtu.be/Yg3YDN5gTX0

After we finish, you will be given a few minutes to then create 2 questions you would like to have answered as we study the Medieval Period and its literature.

You will turn it in before you leave.  The warm-up is 25% of the grade.  The list of "10 Interesting Things" is 50%.  Your 2 questions form the final 25%.

October 12 ... Shield Projects DUE today.

OBJ ...

Students will create personal connections with Anglo-Saxon traditions.  And they'll make up or finish their 9 week exams if needed.


WARM-UP ...

See me if you need your 9 week exam.


TODAY ...

Students will finish and turn in their shield projects to the gray crate on top of the laptop cart.  Make sure your name is on both parts - the shield itself AND the shield letter.

If you missed the 9 week exam, you will make it up during class today.

October 7 ... The SHIELD ... Or "Gawain and the Green Knight"

OBJ ...

Students will connect with literary and historic themes of the Anglo-Saxon period and will design and create their own shield following A-S standards and traditions.



WARM-UP ...

Grab a piece of white card stock (if you need it) from the back table.



TODAY ...

• SHIELD PROJECT WORKDAY - PROJECT DUE WEDNESDAY, 10/12

• SHIELD PROJECT HANDOUT

• If we do not need the time in class to work on the Shield Project, we will read "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" pp-230-243 in the literature book and answer questions 4-9 on P. 244 with short answer responses that include quoted information from the poem that supports your answers.

October 6 ... Beowulf Critical Analysis and Shield Project Intro

OBJ ...

Students will take a critical look at the effectiveness of the modernized Beowulf movie.



WARM-UP ...

You'll want a laptop to be able to view the assignment info today and also need to pick up a copy of the SHIELD PROJECT from the back table.



TODAY ...

• SHIELD PROJECT INTRO - PROJECT DUE WEDNESDAY, 10/12

• SHIELD PROJECT HANDOUT

• BEOWULF CRITICAL ANALYSIS
• Beowulf Critical Analysis

Beowulf Critical Analysis
Anglo-Saxon Culture vs Modern Culture

As we discussed and as you should have noted in your Venn diagram, the movie version of the Beowulf tale contained many elements more indicative of modern culture than of traditional Anglo-Saxon culture.  For this analysis, you must determine whether or not the movie is a successful retelling of the Beowulf tale or if the elements of modern culture and the liberties that Hollywood took with the tale had a negative impact on it.

On a sheet of paper, you will write your response of roughly 200-250 words.  Use your Venn Diagram as a resource as you compare and contrast the two elements (the story itself and the movie) … the effectiveness of your analysis is dependent on your use of this information.

It is due before you leave today.  Turn in your Critical Analysis (Quiz Grade) AND your Venn Diagram (Daily Grade) to my desk.  Analysis papers in the tray and Diagrams in a neat stack beside it.

October 3 ... Comparing & Contrasting Cultures in Literature and Media

OBJ ...

Students will analyze Anglo-Saxon culture as related in the literature of the period and will compare and contrast with Modern Culture as related in a modern retelling of the same story



WARM-UP ...

Get out a sheet of paper and create a Venn Diagram like the one below for yourself ... feel free to use the examples, but you MUST add to them as you watch the movie.

TODAY ...

Continue watching the movie version of Beowulf - consider what you have watched and read as we go and add to your Venn diagram.  We will use the Venn Diagrams for an analysis writing later this week.

September 30 ... Finishing Beowulf

OBJ ...

Students will finish their study of Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon period.


WARM-UP ...

If you owe me an essay, get it turned in.  If you owe me a timed writing, your prompt options are below - you must choose one you haven't already written about.

Essay A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person.

Essay B: Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself.

Essay C: You’ve got a ticket in your hand – Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?


TODAY ...

Test Make-ups.

Timed Writing make-ups.

Essay make-ups/turn in.

Beowulf movie.

September 29 ... Beowulf Exam

OBJ ...

Students will show understanding of and the ability to apply their knowledge of Beowulf and the Anglo Saxon period.


WARM UP ...

Examine the following information and add it to your review ... then staple your review on top of your reading questions and turn them in to the tray on my desk.

Alfred the Great - united England and began the country's written history

William the Conqueror - took over when the French ruled rhe land

St Augustine - Spread Christianity to the Britons

Black Death - another name for the bubonic plague

King Arthur - Legendary Celtic Chieftain

3 Major Languages spoken by 1066 - English, Latin, French


PUT YOUR PHONE ON THE BACK TABLE UNTIL EVERYONE HAS COMPLETED THEIR EXAM.  IF YOU HAVE A PHONE ON YOU DURING THE EXAM, IT WILL BE TAKEN UP AND WILL GO TO THE OFFICE.  IF YOU USE YOUR PHONE FOR ANY REASON OR IN ANY WAY WHILE THE EXAM IS GOING ON, IT WILL BE TAKEN AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE EXAM.


TODAY ...

Students will complete the Beowulf test - it is multiple choice and all answer choices must be recorded on your answer document.  DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST.

If you need to retake the test, the retake will be available on Wednesday, October 5 during advisory and after school.  The retake will be a series of short essays - so be aware it will not be the same as the test you are taking today but will concern the same material.

You also need to check your grades online - if you still have a * for the College Application Essay (which is a major grade) or for the Timed Write (which was a quiz grade), you have until tomorrow to get those to me or they will go in as zeros for the 6 week progress report (and eligibility check).  Students missing the timed write will have one final chance to make it up in class tomorrow, Friday, September 30.

September 28 ... Finishing Beowulf

OBJ ... Students will analyze elements of the Anglo-Saxon period and will make connections with the notion of the Epic Hero as they read selections from "Beowulf"


WARM-UP ...

Make sure you have a copy of the textbook and a copy of the Test Review from the back table.



TODAY ...

Students will finish reading and analyzing "Beowulf" & will prepare for the Beowulf test tomorrow.

• The second section (at least for our purposes) begins on page 55.

IF you want to use an audio version of the book as you read, there is one on You Tube that follows the textbook ... however, since it's on YouTube, you cannot access it with the laptops and would have to probably use your own data to get to it.  That's optional ... completely up to you ... but the link is below: 

• YouTube Audio Version of Beowulf

READING SCHEDULE ...

• Part II - Pages 55-70 and questions titled ":Grendel's Mother and The Final Battle"
• FINISH TODAY
• SCRATCH QUESTIONS 17 & 27
• BEOWULF/ANGLO SAXON PERIOD/EPIC HERO TEST - THURSDAY 9/29
• WORK ON THE REVIEW AS YOU WORK ON THE READING QUESTIONS - there will be some degree of overlap, plus it should save you some time in the long run
• Reading Questions AND the Test Review are due prior to the test on Thursday

As you read, feel free to use ancillary resources to assist you in finding answers to the questions - or to just search using Google.  You are responsible for reading the material - however, you may find your answers for the questions as necessary.

Possible ancillary resources: 

• http://www.shmoop.com/beowulf/
• http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/
• https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/b/beowulf/poem-summary
• http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/jgarret/200b/notes-beowulf.htm