First and second periods were taken up with the ITBS. Our team switched second and fourth period, so second period met during the fourth period slot. We did the second part of our parts of speech review (pronouns).
Seventh period completed work on the addition of specific details to our writing. We also did a quick review of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.
First and second periods were taken up with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).
Fourth period discussed three topics in R&J, two of which have been running through the whole play: fate and dreams. We decided on a project proposal that will not take up significant amounts of class time. We agreed on a few changes that the project prospectus and rubric now reflect.
Seventh period worked on the essential question, “What is the difference between specific and general details?” We worked on an activity that looked something like this:
HomeworkThe following is an example of what would be required in a proposed changed project:
Nightingale
Sing us a song
Of a love that once belonged
Nightingale
Tell me your tale
Was your journey far too long?Does it seem like I’m looking for an answer
To a question I can’t ask
I don’t know which way the feather falls
Or if i should blow it to the leftAll the voices that are spinnin’ around me
Trying to tell me what to say
Can I fly right behind you
And you can take me away
Jones’ song hints at the same kind of longing that Romeo and Juliet feel throughout the play. It is particularly appropriate for III.5 with its references to the nightingale. It might well be Juliet singing:
Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:
It was the nightingale, and not the lark,
That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;
Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:
Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.
Both the song narrator and Juliet are experiencing a love that they know they should turn their back to. Throughout the play, Juliet wonders about the wisdom of starting a relationship with her sworn enemy. Everyone has his or her own opinion of what Juliet should do, and “All the voices […] are spinnin’ around [her],” yet she’s not concerned with them. She simply wants to “fly right behind Romeo.”
First and seventh periods had a final review of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. We played a version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and both classes made it to the million dollar mark.
Second period began a whrilwind review of the parts of speech. We’ll be spending the next week or so splitting our time between PASS writing and parts of speech.
Fourth period went over V.1 and V.2 from Romeo and Juliet. We decided to combine the quizzes for acts four and five, and we should be having that quiz Friday.
We also discussed in fourth period the option of doing a soundtrack project. Later today I’ll be posting my own example of the work involved.
First and seventh periods turned back to grammar, covering a one-day review of adjectives. We’ll have a small test on nouns, pronouns, and adjectives next week.
Second period finally had their PASS review. We’ll spend a little more time on it tomorrow.
Fourth period finished IV.3.
A quick overview: First period went over outlining for a PASS writing test prompt. Second period continued working on their review of Much Ado About Nothing. Fourth period went through IV.1 and IV.2 of Romeo and Juliet. Seventh period had a review of nouns and pronouns. Additionally, first and seventh spent some time writing in their journals.
First, fourth, and seventh periods had a quick practice PASS test today. We’ll be having them in first and seventh periods periodically until the actual test in March. (Fourth period took a break from Romeo and Juliet because of Monday’s impending quiz on act three.)
Second period almost completed watching Much Ado About Nothing. We’ll finish up Tuesday and begin our work on the reviews.
First period finished up pronouns. We went through the final groups very quickly: my goal is only to have them be able to recognize them in sentences, not necessarily to identify the type of pronouns.
Seventh period is about 20 minute behind first period.
Second period began watching Much Ado About Nothing and taking notes for the film review. We’ll finish it up tomorrow and Friday.
Fourth period finished act three. We’ll have a quiz Tuesday and spend some time tomorrow reviewing.
First and seventh periods worked on reflexive and intensive pronouns. First period completed everything; seventh period needs to work on practice exercises.
Additionally, first and seventh periods were assigned journals. First, second, and seventh periods are now working on identical journal assignments. The requirements are simple:
There are no length guidelines. It’s a question of quality over quantity.
Second period looked at how to write a review. They’ll be writing a review of Much Ado About Nothing after they watch it.
Fourth period went over the study guide for III.i through III.iii. We finished up watching III.iv. I’ve instructed students to go back and read the portions of the play we didn’t act out in class.
First and seventh periods went over the tests from Friday. The results were good: somewhere in the mid-80s for both classes. Additionally, first period began working on reflexive and intensive pronouns (tomorrow’s topic).
Second period had rehearsal time for their major Shakespeare acting project. Tomorrow we’ll be working on the rehearsals a bit more tomorrow, as well as going over the format for a review. The presentations will be Wednesday. Thursday and Friday we will watch the film version of Much Ado About Nothing.
Fourth period had a quiz on act two from Romeo and Juliet. We also watched a BBC performance of III.ii.
First and seventh periods completed tests on their Bluford books. Next week we’ll be using their essay responses to look at the PASS rubric and use of detail.
Second period determined their groups and scenes for the major project for Much Ado About Nothing.
Fourth period completed III.i in class. We’ll be having the quiz on act two Monday; students will need to have III-i through III.iv read by class Wednesday.
Fourth period began working on tableau vivants (Wikipedia) for act three, scene one. We’ll be presenting them tomorrow. We have heavy homework coming up this weekend, though: three scenes from act three (two, three, and four).
First and seventh periods continued with the parts of speech review, going over personal pronouns today.
Second period finished Much Ado About Nothing and began dividing up scenes for the major project.
First and seventh period completed the allotted time for the Bluford literature circle. We’ll be having a test on Friday.
Second period finished reading/acting Much Ado About Nothing. We’ll be starting the project — memorizing and acting a scene from the play — at the end of class tomorrow.
Fourth period finished act two from Romeo and Juliet. We’ll be having a quiz on act two on Monday.
First and seventh periods continued the Bluford project. Tomorrow will be the last do to complete the required work. We will have a test on Friday.
Second period completed act IV of Much Ado About Nothing. I have put online the rubric for the culminating project, which we will probably start later this week.
Fourth period worked on the study guide through II.iv. We’ll finish up the act tomorrow.
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