Wednesday, December 16th - Final Projects

1) Introduction to the Final Projects for English 12
Choose one - due Wednesday, Jan. 22nd, 2010

Online sources and readings to add to your consideration:
What I Have Lived For
Truth, Beauty and Goodness Lecture Notes
Ode to a Grecian Urn
The Educated Imagination

• Journey Project (mini version)
• BTG Project
• Educated Imagination Project

from Hamlet Act 2 scene 2 (Hamlet's writing to Ophelia), as it appears in the 1623 First Folio.
In modern form:

Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt that the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love.

2) Watch and discuss Hamlet.

Monday, December 13th - Compositions

1) Silent Reading

2) Provincial Exam Composition Topics

• Handout
• Groups of Two - look at student responses and grade according to the six point scale.
• Whole Class - discuss scores and rationale and strategy

3) HOMEWORK: Composition Topics - Choose one and write a multi-paragraph narrative or essay in response. Shakespeare, were he alive today, would most certainly be working for the BC Ministry of education writing composition topics. Check it out:

"This above all: to thine own self be true" Polonious to Laertes (1.2)

or
 
"Frailty, thy name is woman!" Hamlet speaking of his mother (1.2)
 
or
 
"Brevity is the soul of wit" Polonious (2.2)
 
or
 
"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (2.2)

4) Hamlet Viewing

Savage Chickens on Hamlet

Wednesday, December 8th

1) Silent Reading and Sign Up for Friday Pajama Poetry Cafe

2) Provincial Exam - Overview - Basic Introduction

BC Exam Website - English 12 Exam Specifications

3) Hamlet Viewing

• What did we watch last time? - Act 1 - scene 1 and 2 - quiz
• Watch the next two or three scenes. Quiz tomorrow before we go to library to finish poetry work.

Monday, December 7th - Hamlet Beginnings

1) Silent Reading

2) Reminder: Tuesday (and maybe Thursday, if you use Tuesday well) we are booked into the library to complete the following:

• The Creative Writing Journal - see board for details
• The Poetry Booklet (includes - autobiographical/confessional poem, absurdist poem or story, epitaph poem, poem analysis essay)
• Selecting and preparing to present a dramatic reading of a poem - see the Poet's Cues for ideas on where to pause and where to place emphasis. Sign up sheet - pick a spot on Friday or Monday. See My Favourite Poem Project for video examples of good readings.

3) Announcement: Our next short unit will be a film study of Hamlet and beginning prep for the provincial exam. You will also be given the criteria for the final course project just before you leave for the holidays.

4) A Case-Study: Let's pretend you have gone off to college or university or to work away from your home for a year - you have just heard that your dad has died, your uncle has taken over the family business and your mom has shacked up with the very same uncle. Your dad's death is a bit suspicious and there are rumours stirring that people are seeing his ghost. You aren't sure who to trust anymore. Even your girlfriend is a bit dodgy because it seems her father and brother are hoping that she will spy on you to ensure that you are staying sane in this difficult time. How would you feel? How would you cope?

5) Hamlet - the complete film version (1996)

Let's start watching!