December 14 ... Exams, Review, and Last Chance at Optional Quiz/Test

• Macbeth Projects - are LATE ... but LATE is still better than a zero.  If your name is on my side board, I have not received your project.

• View this blog from anywhere with internet access - http://DavisEng4.blogspot.com

• Exams are next week ... ours will be a CBA/STAAR style exam with cold reads and questions from them as well as some questions over editing and revising.  You may want to review the following
• WORDS TO REVIEW: Rectitude, Sophisticated, Elegant, Candid, Ponderous, Refined, Plausible, Forthright, Transparency, Desperation, Decisiveness, Uprightness, Induced, Retinue, Savor, Piety, Clemency
• LITERARY CONCEPTS TO REVIEW: Figurative Language, Symbol, Tone, Theme, Conflict, Summary
• REVISING/EDITING REVIEW: Capitalization Rules, Using Hyphens, Writing Numbers in a Sentence, Comma Rules, Using Colons and Semicolons,

• Optional Test/Quiz

• ANSWER ANY 2 for a bonus QUIZ grade
• ANSWER ALL 5 for a bonus TEST grade
• TURN IN BY THURSDAY 12/14!
1. How and why is the contrast between appearance and reality so important in the play? Include the role the witches play in affecting the play’s events. 
2. What is Shakespeare saying about the nature of prophecy and fate? Just because the witches predict things doesn’t mean they’re able to see the future…right? 
3. What is Shakespeare saying about what it means to be a man? Which character(s) do you think Shakespeare believes is the best example of a man? 
4. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change dramatically over the course of the play, and their marriage changes, too. What are these changes, what causes them, and how and why is their relationship in the end so different from their relationship in the beginning? 
5. At the end of the play, is Macbeth’s death a good or bad thing, i.e., are we satisfied to see Macbeth defeated or upset to see a potentially great man fall? Finally, is Macbeth a tragic hero?


• Semester Exam Schedule - https://www.sfisd.org/cms/lib/TX02215329/Centricity/Domain/203/Fall%20Semester%20Final%20Exam%20Schedule.pdf

December 12 ... Projects, Make-up Journal, and bonus TEST or QUIZ grade

• Many of you did not do the following journal on November 27 - if not, you can complete it today before the end of the period to replace the 0 in the grade book for it.  MUST be turned in by Wednesday.
• Minimum 250 word original journal response to the following prompt: 
• Is Macbeth truly an evil man or is a good man who made some evil choices? Explain and use SPECIFIC events from the play to support your argument. (Min 250 words. MUST be made up by 12/13.)

• You can submit it to me on paper or eletronically - email it to Richard.Davis@sfisd.org

• Macbeth Projects - You will not be exempt unless your project has been turned in and graded.  Most of you took care of that yesterday ... I will begin signing exemption paperwork tomorrow.

• Bonus Quiz or Test Grade ... if you need an additional grade to help your average ... 
• ANSWER ANY 2 for a bonus QUIZ grade
• ANSWER ALL 5 for a bonus TEST grade
• TURN IN BY THURSDAY 12/14!

1. How and why is the contrast between appearance and reality so important in the play? Include the role the witches play in affecting the play’s events. 
2. What is Shakespeare saying about the nature of prophecy and fate? Just because the witches predict things doesn’t mean they’re able to see the future…right? 
3. What is Shakespeare saying about what it means to be a man? Which character(s) do you think Shakespeare believes is the best example of a man? 
4. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change dramatically over the course of the play, and their marriage changes, too. What are these changes, what causes them, and how and why is their relationship in the end so different from their relationship in the beginning? 
5. At the end of the play, is Macbeth’s death a good or bad thing, i.e., are we satisfied to see Macbeth defeated or upset to see a potentially great man fall? Finally, is Macbeth a tragic hero? [Most tragic heroes before Shakespeare’s characters were primarily evil by the end. Consider Othello.]

December 11 ... Macbeth Projects Due ...

• MACBETH PROJECTS DUE TODAY!!
• If you created yours online - via Office 365 or Twitter or whatever other means you used, you need to share it or email it to me at Richard.Davis@sfisd.org ... try to include your class period in the e-mail subject to make it a little easier for me to sort them all out.

• If you aren't quite finished ... get it finished during the period and get it turned in.
• Anything not turned in today (unless we have already discussed your situation) will be late and subject to a late penalty according to the district grading policy.
• Grades will be posted ASAP - if you fail to turn in a project by the time I post grades, it WILL go into the gradebook as a 0 (and keep in 

December 7 ... Macbeth Project Workday

Reminder - the project is due on Monday, December 11.  It is a major/test grade.

You have the day to work on your Macbeth project - but you need to do so quietly and productively or we will use the time for something else (like journal writing).

If you have questions in class, ask.  If you have them outside of class, email me at richard.davis@sfisd.org and I will do my best to answer quickly.

December 5 ... Macbeth Project Workday

You have the day to work on your Macbeth project - but you need to do so quietly and productively or we will use the time for something else (like journal writing).

Reminder - the project is due on Monday, December 11.  It is a major/test grade.

If you have questions in class, ask.  If you have them outside of class, email me at richard.davis@sfisd.org and I will do my best to answer quickly.

November 17 ... Finish with Act 5 of Macbeth

• REMINDER ... The opportunity for make-ups and retests on the Acts I-III Test closes at midnight on November 26th.  Everything is on Canvas - you can access it there.  Don't wait until the last minute - technical issues at the last minute do not constitute an excuse and will not be a reason for an extension.  If you are a make-up tester, be sure to take the original test early enough that you can retest if necessary.

• Today ... we will watch the remainder of the performance of Macbeth .. OR we will have an alternative activity to show what you know (aka a short answer Quiz over Act V).
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKFLVEI1NBA

November 10 ... Test over Acts 1-3 of Macbeth

• Remember we are on a condensed schedule today because of the Veteran's Day assembly, so periods will be shorter than usual - the test has been shortened from it's original length of 50 questions because of this.

• You will need a laptop and that's it.  No books.  No notes.  Nothing to write with.  And ABSOLUTELY NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES OF ANY KIND DURING THE TEST.

• Log in to Canvas as quickly as possible and begin.

November 9 ... Finishing Macbeth Act III

• If you didn't get one yesterday, Pick up a copy of the remainder of the Macbeth Study Questions Packet from the top of the laptop cart as you enter the classroom.  The packet includes the Act III Study Qs, the Acts I-III Test Review, the Act IV Study Qs, and the Act V Study Qs.

• We will test over Acts I-III of Macbeth on Friday.  We will also be on a special schedule Friday for Veteran's Day.  The Schedule is posted at the bottom of the announcement.

• In class, we will finish Act III using the Wordplay Shakespeare: Macbeth resource that we used with Act I.  You will need to work on the Study Questions in class as we work.  Even with the resource playing AND the text on the screen, follow along in your literature book as well so that you can review a section if needed.

• Once we finish with Act III, you will have the balance of the period to work on the the Acts 1-3 Test Review.

• If you are unclear on parts of the play, use ancillary resources that are available to you that might help clarify ... or just use them to help with the review process. See the links below for SOME of the resources available to you:

NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE: MACBETH -- http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/
SHMOOP: MACBETH -- https://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/
SPARKNOTES: MACBETH -- http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/
CLIFF NOTES: MACBETH -- https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/m/macbeth/macbeth-at-a-glance
BOOKRAGS: MACBETH -- http://www.bookrags.com/notes/mac/#gsc.tab=0

 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

NOVEMBER 10TH VETERANS DAY SCHEDULE
1ST PERIOD	7:10 AM – 7:50 AM
2ND PERIOD	7:54 – 8:30 AM
3RD PERIOD	8:34 AM – 10:40 AM -       Announcements will release classes to the gym by grade level -       Return to 3rd after ceremony
4TH PERIOD	10:44 AM – 11:21 AM
5TH PERIOD	A Class: 11:25 AM – 12:15 PM *B Lunch: 12:15 AM – 12:45 PM B Class: 11:55 AM – 12:45 PM *A Lunch: 11:21 AM  – 11:51 PM
6TH PERIOD	12:49 PM – 1:40 PM
7TH PERIOD	1:44 PM – 2:35 PM

November 8 ... Moving on to Act III ....

• Pick up a copy of the remainder of the Macbeth Study Questions Packet from the top of the laptop cart as you enter the classroom.  The packet includes the Act III Study Qs, the Acts I-III Test Review, the Act IV Study Qs, and the Act V Study Qs.

• We will test over Acts I-III of Macbeth on Friday.  We will also be on a special schedule Friday for Veteran's Day.  The Schedule is posted at the bottom of the announcement.

• In class, we will read/listen to/view Act III using the Wordplay Shakespeare: Macbeth resource that we used with Act I.  You will need to work on the Study Questions in class as we work.  Even with the resource playing AND the text on the screen, follow along in your literature book as well so that you can review a section if needed.

• Tomorrow ... expect to write a short journal in class (200-300 words) over a topic related to Acts I-III.  Once you finish, you will have the balance of the period to work on the test review as needed.  Be sure to refer to online/ancillary resources for questions you have.  Again ... the resources available through No Fear Shakespeare and Sparknotes will treat you well.

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

NOVEMBER 10TH VETERANS DAY SCHEDULE
1ST PERIOD	7:10 AM – 7:50 AM
2ND PERIOD	7:54 – 8:30 AM
3RD PERIOD	8:34 AM – 10:40 AM -       Announcements will release classes to the gym by grade level -       Return to 3rd after ceremony
4TH PERIOD	10:44 AM – 11:21 AM
5TH PERIOD	A Class: 11:25 AM – 12:15 PM *B Lunch: 12:15 AM – 12:45 PM B Class: 11:55 AM – 12:45 PM *A Lunch: 11:21 AM  – 11:51 PM
6TH PERIOD	12:49 PM – 1:40 PM
7TH PERIOD	1:44 PM – 2:35 PM

November 7 ... Macbeth Act II Quiz

• Macbeth Act II Quiz on Canvas. No books or notes. No phones out at all during quizzes. You can take the quiz up to 3 times and I will count the highest grade. 10 minute time limit. Must be done during the period today.

• Students who were absent yesterday (11/6) AND students who are out today (11/7) will have until 3:00pm on Thursday (11/9) to get the quiz made up.  After that, the quiz will be locked.

• When you finish, you can begin reading Act III ... we will, however, read/watch Act III as a class beginning tomorrow along with the Act III Study Questions.

November 6 ... Reading Act II of Macbeth

Use either the online resource "No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth" or the lit book and read Act II on your own.

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/


As you read, answer the Study Questions and add them to the Study Guide you began building with the Act I Study Questions.  Have Act II read by tomorrow ... we may quiz over it.

Nov 2 ... Finishing Act I And Reflecting on it

I am out this morning - have a doctor’s appointment that I could not reschedule. But we will be doing the following in class today:


1st – 4th Periods (English IV)

All classes except 4th period have finished reading Act I of Macbeth and need to write a 200-300 word journal response to the following prompt:

Based on what you know from Act I, who is MOST responsible for Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan so that he may be king – The Witches, Lady Macbeth, or Macbeth himself? Explain. Who is LEAST responsible? Explain. Be sure to use specific evidence from the play to support your point of view.

Write on your own notebook paper – it is due before you leave class today.


4th Period – finish reading Macbeth. They may use the laptops to refer to No Fear Shakespeare’s modern translation of the play – the link is on my blog at http://daviseng4.blogspot.com .. complete the Act 1 study questions as you read.

No Fear Shakespeare - Macbeth - http://m.sparknotes.com/nfs/macbeth/

Students in all classes may listen to music as they work provided it does not become a distraction to them or other students around them.

November 1 ... Finishing Act 1 of Macbeth

Today we will begin reading Act I of Macbeth. The audio version of the play also shows a simplified version of the scene being acted out to help with understanding.

NO PHONES IN CLASS TODAY. NO EARBUDS. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES. 

As we read/listen, you need to either be following in the lit book OR on No Fear Shakespeare's version of Macbeth on he laptop:

http://m.sparknotes.com/nfs/macbeth/#google_vignette

As we read, you should also be working on the study questions for the act. 

Webquest quiz TOMORROW ... Webquest notes due as well. 

October 31 ... Webquest Quiz Postponed - Begin reading Macbeth Act I

Webquest quiz postponed until Thursday due to technical/Canvas difficulties. Webquest notes due Thursday as well. 

Today we will begin reading Act I of Macbeth. The audio version of the play also shows a simplified version of the scene being acted out to help with understanding.

NO PHONES IN CLASS TODAY. NO EARBUDS. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES. 

However, I recommended that you also follow in the Lit Book OR, since the language can be dense at times, online with “No Fear Shakespeare” at the link below:

http://m.sparknotes.com/nfs/macbeth/#google_vignette

With these available resources, there should be no reason for the language to be a barrier to understanding and appreciating the story. 

As we read, you should also be working on the study questions for the act. 

October 26 ... Shakespeare/Macbeth Webquest

FIRST ... Finish and turn in/submit your journal from yesterday.  Then move on to the Webquest.  We will work on the Webquest in class Today, Friday (remember that classes will be SHORT), and Monday.  We will quiz over the material on Tuesday and then begin reading Macbeth.



Use the links on the copy of the webquest below to visit the websites indicated to research the questions for each section.  You will write a brief paragraph for each section answering all questions.  We will quiz over the material next week.

The Macbeth Web Quest

In order to complement our study of “Macbeth”, we will be exploring the life and times of William Shakespeare, as well as looking into the historical background of the play.

The task

Go through the various topics, reading carefully the information contained in the web links. You will write a brief paragraph to respond to or answer all questions asked in each section - this will be submitted for a daily grade.  You will also be quizzed (probably multiple choice) over this information .. so make sure you do your own research and are familiar with it.

1. Shakespeare’s life and times

·        What do we know about Shakespeare as a man? What are some important biographical details that we need to be aware of?

·        What was life like in his time? What was the society he lived in?

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/life/lifesubj.html

http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=865&CFID=7649660&CFTOKEN=2df6ef89e230317d-FBD73EA4-1CC4-74E0-1CF48FF39DDAD48D

2. Shakespeare’s theatre

·        What did theatre look and work like in Shakespeare’s time?

·        What do we know about acting, costumes and audiences in Shakespeare’s time?

·        What do we know about Shakespeare as a theatre man?

·        Be sure to take an interactive tour of Shakespeare’s Globe.

http://www.bardweb.net/globe.html

https://www.enotes.com/topics/shakespeares-globe-theatre

3. King James

King James was the king at the time that Shakespeare wrote and performed “Macbeth”.

·        How did James become king?

·        What was he like as a king?

·        What was the political climate in England at the time?

·        How was James connected to “Macbeth”?

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/history/jamessubj.html

4. Witchcraft

Christianity continued to dominate people’s lives in the Renaissance period. People regarded witchcraft as the work of the Devil. They often went on witch hunts which resulted in the deaths of many people, especially women.

·        How was King James connected to the campaign against witches and witchcraft?

http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/ideas/witches.html

5. The Real Macbeth

·        Was there a “real” person named Macbeth? What did Shakespeare use as his inspiration for writing this play?

·        What was Shakespeare’s historical source for “Macbeth”?

http://www.pathguy.com/macbeth.htm

6. The Macbeth Curse

Over the years, people have reported suffering misfortunes, injuries and deaths after being associated with this play. Some assert that the play is cursed.

·        Why do people think the play is cursed?

·        Where did this idea originate?

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A78882

October 25 ... Macbeth Pre-Reading Journal

400 Words Total ... Choose up to 4 of the questions ... You may submit in CANVAS or turn in a written copy to the black tray on my desk.  Due no later that tomorrow 10/26.  Quiz grade.

1. Is evil inherent in human nature? That is, are some people just “born evil,” or is evil caused by circumstance or environment?

2. Are women “naturally” more evil than men?

3. Are our lives determined by fate, or by the acts of our free will?

4. Is redemption truly possible? That is, is it possible to commit an act of genuine evil and truly recover from it?

5. Is it possible to admire or respect a person whom you know has committed acts of genuine evil?

6. Do “the ends justify the means”? That is, if one uses morally evil methods to acquire a goal, is that goal forever tainted or polluted by the actions one has taken to achieve it?

FRIDAY THE 13TH ... Finish stuff up and turn stuff in, it's the end of the 9 weeks!

Good guys vs Galveston Ball tonight at 7:00 in Galveston .. at Galena Park (at GPISD Stadium) next Friday at 7:00.


DUE ...

• SHIELD PROJECT - Make sure your shield and letter both have your name on them and (if possible) are stapled together.  Turn in to the black tray on my desk!

• ALL CANVAS BASED ASSIGNMENTS - Have been extended until midnight tonight.  Let me know immediately if you have any technical difficulties.

• 9 WEEK TEST ... If you missed it yesterday, make it up today.  No phones out/visible while you are testing.

• BEOWULF TEST ... Bordelon, Bracknell, Dowdy, and Head ... LAST CHANCE TO TAKE THIS OR MAKE THIS UP.

Beyond that ... enjoy your break.  If your parents/guardians need to visit with me, we have parent teacher conferences on Monday, October 16 and I'll be here all day.  Otherwise, stay safe, stay out of trouble, and be ready for Shakespeare when you come back.

October 11 ... Today and the rest of the week ...

• Today ... Journal 10/11 ... Complete in Canvas.  Must be submitted by Midnight on Friday.

• The Pardoner's Tale - QUIZ - Available for one more day ... remember you can retake it up to 3 times and will receive the highest grade you achieve on it.  Last opportunity today on this, though.  It closes at midnight.

• 9 Week Test - In class tomorrow - NO PHONES WILL BE ALLOWED AT ALL DURING TESTING (THIS INCLUDES ONCE YOU ARE FINISHED)!  I will be out for the District Cross Country Meet ... Mrs. Lausch will be the sub ... if she has any questions or issues with you, your exam will be voided and you will receive a 0.  If she has any concern that any student has compromised exam security, ALL EXAMS WILL BE VOIDED and there will be a retake of a different version of the exam on Friday.  No phones - no problems.  Be smart.
• If you need time to complete the exam beyond the available class time on Thursday, you will be provided with whatever time you need (up to the entire period) on Friday.

• Shield Project is due on Friday - be sure you complete both parts ... Your original shield itself (55%) and the letter to your future generations explaining your choices (45%).  Keep in mind it is a major grade.

October 6 ... Pardoner's Tale Quiz (Canvas) and Continuing the Shield Project

• 4th Period English IV - Complete the "Journal 10/6" Assignment on Canvas - you will type and submit your journal there.  Due today.

• Pardoner's Tale Quiz - Should be available on Canvas.  You must get it taken by Tuesday.  You may take it up to three times - your highest grade will be posted to the grade book.

• Continue work on your Shield Project - DUE Friday 10/13 ... MAJOR GRADE
• Shield - Original Artwork on at least 8 1/2 x 11 paper
• Minimum 3 Symbols (ORDINARIES)
• Must use 2 or more colors (TINCTURES) and have a reason for them
• See the recommended website for research or find your own
• Shield Letter - Compose a letter to your future generations explaining your choices for symbols and colors.

• 9 Week Test - Work on Thursday 10/12 in class (and Friday as necessary) - CBA style exam
• Will provide a list of concepts and ideas for review on Tuesday 10/10, but there isn't really a "review" for this style of exam.

October 5 ... The Shield Project

• Review Policies ...
• 10/10 Rule
• Cell Phone Policy
• Hall Pass/Restroom Pass and Cellphones

• Shield Project - DUE Friday 10/13 ... MAJOR GRADE
• Shield - Original Artwork on at least 8 1/2 x 11 paper
• Minimum 3 Symbols (ORDINARIES)
• Must use 2 or more colors (TINCTURES) and have a reason for them
• See the recommended website for research or find your own
• Shield Letter - Compose a letter to your future generations explaining your choices for symbols and colors.
• 9 Week Test - Work on Thursday 10/12 in class (and Friday as necessary) - CBA style exam
• Will provide a list of concepts and ideas for review on Tuesday 10/10, but there isn't really a "review" for this style of exam.

• Pardoner Tale Quiz - TOMORROW ... Probably on Canvas.  So you have one more day to read and prep.

September 28 ... Continuing the WebQuest

OBJ ... TLW research and gather important background information over The Middle Ages/Medieval Period and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.


GUIDING QUESTION ... What elements and features of Medieval England influenced the way people lived and the literature of the time (particularly Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales").

• Get your assigned laptop (the one that matches your desk number) as you arrive.

• Get your assigned laptop from the cart along with a copy of the WebQuest (there is a stack of them on top of the cart).

• Using the websites indicated (and it will be easier to go to this blog and scroll down to the webquest posted below so that you can CLICK on the link instead of trying to retype it all), research the information there and use the questions to guide what details you are looking to locate within the pages of information.

• We will begin working on this today - but will continue working on it tomorrow as well.

WebQuest Posted Below ... 

THE MIDDLE AGES, CHAUCER, AND THE CANTERBURY TALES

Visit the sites indicated below and collect the answers to the questions.

I. Life in the Middle Ages: http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/

   Explore each of the following sections:

Feudal Life

What was the hierarchy of the feudal system?

Explain the Magna Carta and its purpose.

Relate one item learned about Peasant Life.

Relate one item learned about the Role of Women.

Religion

Differentiate between bishops and priests.

List one thing learned about monks or nuns.

Homes

Differentiate between the homes of the poor and the homes of the wealthy.

Clothing

Differentiate between the clothing of the poor and the clothing of the wealthy.

What piece of jewelry is mentioned from the Canterbury Tales and what is its inscription?

Health

When were antibiotics invented?

Explain a myth re: health.

What is a humor?

Explain one way of treating or healing a person.

Arts and Entertainment

Discuss two things learned about arts and entertainment of the Middle Ages.

Town Life

What items did people use for trade?

What would they trade for?

Discuss the government of this time.

Tell one thing learned about the first companies.

II. Geoffrey Chaucer:  http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs4a/chaucer.html

When and where was Geoffrey Chaucer born?

Describe Chaucer’s upbringing.

List three duties/positions Chaucer held.

When did Chaucer begin writing the Canterbury Tales and when did he stop?

III.  The Literature: http://www.enotes.com/canterbury-tales

List 3 different reasons the Canterbury Tales were and are important:

IV. Pilgrimages: http://www.godecookery.com/pilgrims/pilgrm02.htm

Why did people go on pilgrimages in the medieval times?

What was another popular pilgrimage besides Canterbury?

V. The Canterbury Tales:

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides3/Canterbury.html#Narration

Where specifically are the pilgrims going?

Explain the concept of a frame tale/story.

How many stories did Chaucer plan to write?

How many stories did Chaucer actually finish?

           

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/summary.html

Go to "Plot Overview"

           

          What types of people are on this pilgrimage? List 5 specific characters and a piece of     

          interesting information about each character.

          What does this say about who Chaucer is interested in writing about?

           

Go to "Themes and Motifs"

            List and explain 3 themes found in these tales.

           

            Define 2 common motifs of Chaucer's tales.

The General Prologue and the Tales: Type http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/canttales/gp

            Where does everyone meet?

            How many pilgrims will be on this trek? (including Chaucer)

            How many tales will each person tell? 

            What is the reward for the best tale?

Click on and read the section about the springtime setting for the Tales. Why might a reader think this is a set of stories or poems about love?

Click on The Road to Canterbury and look at the map of the pilgrims’ trip. What are the names of two towns or places that they will pass through on their journey?

September 27 ... The Medieval Period, Chaucer, and The Canterbury Tales

OBJ ... TLW research and gather important background information over The Middle Ages/Medieval Period and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.


GUIDING QUESTION ... What elements and features of Medieval England influenced the way people lived and the literature of the time (particularly Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales").

• On your assigned desk (or table spot), there is a number in the upper right hand corner.  This number corresponds to the laptop you will use while you are in this seat.  You are responsible for the care of this laptop while you are in this class.  Any damage you see on this laptop is you responsibility to report - and damage you do to it is your responsibility to report as well.  Be careful handling these ... DO NOT CARRY THEM BY THE SCREEN.

• Get your assigned laptop from the cart along with a copy of the WebQuest (there is a stack of them on top of the cart).

• Using the websites indicated (and it will be easier to go to this blog and scroll down to the webquest posted below so that you can CLICK on the link instead of trying to retype it all), research the information there and use the questions to guide what details you are looking to locate within the pages of information.

• We will begin working on this today - but will continue working on it tomorrow as well.

WebQuest Posted Below ... 

THE MIDDLE AGES, CHAUCER, AND THE CANTERBURY TALES

Visit the sites indicated below and collect the answers to the questions.

I. Life in the Middle Ages: http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/

   Explore each of the following sections:

Feudal Life

What was the hierarchy of the feudal system?

Explain the Magna Carta and its purpose.

Relate one item learned about Peasant Life.

Relate one item learned about the Role of Women.

Religion

Differentiate between bishops and priests.

List one thing learned about monks or nuns.

Homes

Differentiate between the homes of the poor and the homes of the wealthy.

Clothing

Differentiate between the clothing of the poor and the clothing of the wealthy.

What piece of jewelry is mentioned from the Canterbury Tales and what is its inscription?

Health

When were antibiotics invented?

Explain a myth re: health.

What is a humor?

Explain one way of treating or healing a person.

Arts and Entertainment

Discuss two things learned about arts and entertainment of the Middle Ages.

Town Life

What items did people use for trade?

What would they trade for?

Discuss the government of this time.

Tell one thing learned about the first companies.

II. Geoffrey Chaucer:  http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projs4a/chaucer.html

When and where was Geoffrey Chaucer born?

Describe Chaucer’s upbringing.

List three duties/positions Chaucer held.

When did Chaucer begin writing the Canterbury Tales and when did he stop?

III.  The Literature: http://www.enotes.com/canterbury-tales

List 3 different reasons the Canterbury Tales were and are important:

IV. Pilgrimages: http://www.godecookery.com/pilgrims/pilgrm02.htm

Why did people go on pilgrimages in the medieval times?

What was another popular pilgrimage besides Canterbury?

V. The Canterbury Tales:

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides3/Canterbury.html#Narration

Where specifically are the pilgrims going?

Explain the concept of a frame tale/story.

How many stories did Chaucer plan to write?

How many stories did Chaucer actually finish?

           

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/summary.html

Go to "Plot Overview"

           

          What types of people are on this pilgrimage? List 5 specific characters and a piece of     

          interesting information about each character.

          What does this say about who Chaucer is interested in writing about?

           

Go to "Themes and Motifs"

            List and explain 3 themes found in these tales.

           

            Define 2 common motifs of Chaucer's tales.

The General Prologue and the Tales: Type http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/canttales/gp

            Where does everyone meet?

            How many pilgrims will be on this trek? (including Chaucer)

            How many tales will each person tell? 

            What is the reward for the best tale?

Click on and read the section about the springtime setting for the Tales. Why might a reader think this is a set of stories or poems about love?

Click on The Road to Canterbury and look at the map of the pilgrims’ trip. What are the names of two towns or places that they will pass through on their journey?

September 25 ... Beowulf Review

We will test over Beowulf tomorrow .. the notes/questions below in addition to your reading questions and knowledge of the material from your reading should be enough to make sure you are successful on the test.

• Some of the conventions of epic an epic are: long, narrative poetic form; usually based on historical facts (to some degree), includes kennings, and includes stock epithets.

• Epic heroes have super-human characteristics, are usually of noble birth, their strengths or postive qualities echo what their society most values, and their actions will determine the fate of others.

• Kennings are wordplays used to rename something ... a "whale road" would be the ocean .. a "fire-spitting terror" would be a dragon.

• Alliteration is a poetic device where words in a series will begin with the same initial consonant sound (you can usually see this because they will often start with the same letter as well).

• Anglo-Saxon storytellers were called scops.

The remainder of the test comes from the IRQs or the excerpts in the literature book.  You'll also want to know some of the details about the poem ... who wrote it?  What language was it in originally?  Where is it set (hint .. it's NOT set in England)?  What influence did Christianity have on the poem over time?

Be sure you have read and reviewed all three major battles in the story - Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon.

September 20 ... Reading Beowulf (The Conclusion)

• Finish any reading and any of the IRQs from the first two assigned reading sections of Beowulf.

• Read the final sections of Beowulf in the literature book from pages (62-70) and answer the IRQs we previously omitted (#s 18-24) 
• If you need a clean sheet of the IRQs or an extra copy, they are available on the laptop cart

• You may listen to music while you read and work on questions - provided you are working productively.  If you are not making adequate progress (my call - not yours) on the work, that privilege will be revoked.

• Once you finish, read back over your answers and hold on to your paper.  You will turn it in before the Beowulf test on Tuesday, 9/26.  The IRQs are a daily grade - make sure you do not lose them between now and then.

September 14 ... Reading Beowulf

• Get a green lit book off the shelf beside my desk if there isn't already one at your seat.

• Get a copy of the Interactive Reading Questions off of the laptop cart.

• Begin reading the excerpts from Beowulf in the literature book - Pages 42-61 ONLY.

• As you read, answer IRQs 1-17.  WE WILL OMIT #s 18-24 AS WELL AS READING PAGES 62-70.

September 13 ... Beowulf, Heroes, and Pre-Reading Journals

From the following list of journal topics, you will compose a 300 word journal entry (or series of entries).  Choose whichever one(s) you wish to write about - you may choose UP TO 3 options.  Due before you leave today or when you walk in the door tomorrow.  YOU MAY LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU WRITE ... BUT YOUR PHONE SHOULD NOT BE IN YOUR HANDS.

1. What is a hero? Explain your definition and give examples.

2. What is courage? How would most people today define courage?

3. What qualities do you believe a good leader should possess? Discuss leadership in our society. Name some modern leaders.  What are the characteristics of contemporary leaders? What do we admire about them?

4. What does it mean to be loyal? Tell about a time you were loyal or someone was loyal to you.

5. Why is a reputation important? What factors influence a person’s reputation?

6. Why is generosity important? What does it mean to be generous? Write about or discuss the most generous person you know.