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Tag: Shakespeare

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L.A. 8

Before the break, we began our Interactive Notebooks. These notebooks involve a lot of time and work - much of class has been taken up with cutting, gluing, writing, and coloring. However, this time will pay off, as all this work will aid in comprehension of Shakespeare and his language. We've discussed how to dissect the old-fashioned language so that students will have strategies in how to approach Shakespeare. This is very important! Many students are overwhelmed when they first see Shakespeare, so starting out with these strategies will make Romeo & Juliet more approachable and less stressful. We've also discussed iambic pentameter; the prologue to Romeo & Juliet; and will begin Act 1. 

Contemporary Literature

We're about halfway through Macbeth, having started Act 3 this week. Before Thanksgiving break, we learned how to write thematic statements and practiced using Disney songs (they can be really useful in language arts because they tell a whole story in less than 5 minutes!). We've also done more acting and played with the language in Macbeth by translating it into Modern English and translating Modern English into Shakespearean English. We've been discussing topics such as power, masculinity, fate, and appearances vs. reality, which the students really seem to enjoy. 

Writing Lab.

It's our last week! All of our hard work is coming together as we gather our writing pieces into our scrapbooks. I have provided students with binders, folders, and art supplies - although they are not required to use any outside crafting supplies, they can if they want to. Students will be graded on effort, creativity, and their productivity in class during the next three days. On Friday, we will celebrate by showcasing the finished products in class. Students can also bring snacks and treats to share if they want. 

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General Information

Happy November! A quick note to parents: in general, all of my classes are struggling to show respect for the shared classroom space. Papers and writing implements are left behind, food is frequently found on the ground, and homework assignments and textbooks are also forgotten. A messy classroom can be very distracting to our learning, as well as extra work for me and the school custodians. Please remind your students that they need to be responsible for their garbage and belongings. 

L.A. 8

We are finishing up our Horror Unit with a section in our Close Readers. This will be a poem by Edward Field called, "Frankenstein." Students will use the skills we have learned in the Horror Unit to complete the assignment on their own. We will then begin to transition into our Shakespeare unit with an article about how Shakespeare's work improves brain activity among children. You can't teach Shakespeare without some acting, so we will be trying our hand at a modern-English translation of Romeo and Juliet this week. 

Contemporary Literature

Last week, we completed Act 1. This week, we are beginning Act 2 by drawing a graphic novel version (with comic book-style panels) of Macbeth's soliloquy from Scene 1. We've done some simple acting, but will get into more in-depth acting soon. We are also going to refresh our thesis statement skills, then practice them on an article about how Shakespeare's work improves brain activity among children. 

Writing Lab.

Our time in first trimester Writing Lab. is almost over! With three weeks left, we are finishing up the very last writing assignment - a Thank You Letter to our writing subject. This will be followed by a Dedication Page, then assembling our "Gift of Gratitude" Scrapbook. Students will not be required to buy outside crafting supplies, but are asked to do their best to make this project visually appealing and creative. They will also be given the opportunity to do rewrites on any writing assignments from the trimester that they wish to improve. This can raise their grades. 

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L.A. 8

This week, we are continuing our Horror unit with movie posters for Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell--Tale Heart. Students are reviewing skills such as writing summaries and thesis statements, as well as practicing new skills, such as identifying an unreliable narrator. There will be no vocabulary this week, due to the shortened week schedule. 

Contemporary Literature

More Macbeth! We are reviewing iambic pentameter and the historical context of Shakespeare before starting in on Act 1 Scene 1. Students will be asked to participate in reading out loud, as well as some simple acting. After all, it's hard to learn a play without some acting it out! Our focus this week will be mainly on easing in to Shakespeare's difficult language. There will be no vocabulary this week, due to the shortened week schedule. 

Writing Lab.

This week, we will start a new writing assignment - a Formal Interview. Students will create 5 interview questions for their subject, conduct the interview, and then write it up in a narrative or transcript form. The long weekend is the perfect time for them to sit down with their writing subject and learn more about them!

A note on behavior: our small class has a lot of fun, and I'm overjoyed to see students become more interested in writing stories. However, sometimes these stories get out of hand and inappropriate, which causes major disruptions during class. I have spoken to some students about the balance between having fun and learning, as well as being intentional and thoughtful with what they write. I would appreciate it if you could remind your kids about forming these academic habits. Thank you!