First and seventh periods continued with The Glory Field. We’ll soon be switching from in-class reading to reading homework assignments. The in-class progress so far has been somewhat slow as we’ve been taking the time to set up the story, understand the setting, and the characters via a family tree. Thus far, we have covered [...]

Fourth period took some time really to examine the introduction of Miss Havisham:
In an arm-chair, with an elbow resting on the table and her head leaning on that hand, sat the strangest lady I have ever seen, or shall ever see.
She was dressed in rich materials — satins, and lace, and silks — all of [...]

We spent first and second periods administering the second day of the PASS writing test.
Fourth period went over the chapters we’d completed yesterday. We did a bit of administrative house cleaning, as I pointed out the reading schedule (available here and at courses.ourenglishclass.net).
Seventh period began The Glory Field.
Homework

First, second, and seventh periods: journals.
Fourth period: see [...]

Due to PASS testing, first period did not have regular class today.
Second period met during seventh period’s slot and we began The Giver. We read the first two pages and looked at how the reader’s response journals will work.
Fourth period continued work on Great Expectations. We read chapter three in class and went over chapter [...]

First and seventh periods completed in-class work on a letter-writing project with schools across America. We used it as an opportunity to practice for tomorrow’s PASS test.
Second period finished up the anticipatory set for The Giver. We’ll begin after the coming two days of pass testing.
Fourth period began looking at the themes in Great Expectations [...]

First and seventh periods had another informal practice PASS. We are participating in the Great American Mail race, and students wrote their first letters today. (First, seventh period finished up the work from yesterday regarding subject-verb agreement.)
Second period began a new unit by writing about the perfect world.
Fourth period began Great Expectations. We went through [...]

First, second, and seventh periods all finished up verbs (though seventh didn’t quite finish) by looking at subject-verb agreement.
Fourth period went over the material from homework video on Dickens’ life. (Stills below) 
It’s a great video for providing students with a brief biography of Dickens. 
The animation makes it just lighthearted enough that it doesn’t feel like [...]

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Fourth and sixth periods went through their final rehearsals before filming. Second period had their final day of research, and first period worked on their animations.
Homework

First period: review due at the end of the week.
Second period: dialogue due at the end of the week.

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First period, theoretically, began working on a short animation project for Much Ado. However, the crawling pace of our local network made it impossible to accomplish very much. During class, I handed out the Much Ado About Nothing review rubric to students of first period.
Second period continued with research for their Victorian England and Great [...]

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A fairly simple day: all periods except second period continued working on the discussion project for Much Ado About Nothing. Most classes will have a test on the play after PASS testing, probably a week after tomorrow.
Second period began doing research for their Great Expectations project.
Homework

First period: complete character analysis.
Second, fourth, and sixth periods: none.

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We finished acting out Much Ado in fourth and sixth periods, so all classes are now done with the play. We’re working on group discussions, which will continue through the end of the week.
Second period finished Great Expectations today. We’ll start working on the research project tomorrow.
Homework

First, fourth, and sixth periods: none.
Second period: write a [...]

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Argh! I just wrote this and it disappeared.
The short version: everyone’s finished or nearly finished with major reading units.
Homework

First, fourth, and sixth periods: complete the study guide for Much Ado.
Second period: none.

I’ve been experimenting with xtranormal.com, wondering how I could use it in class. It was easy enough to make today’s update with the software:

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Second period worked on comparing a few characters who are in different social classes but have similar temperaments and personalities.
First period completed act three and began act four. The deceived Claudio has made his intentions regarding Hero clear.
Fourth and sixth periods completed act 3. Dogberry made his grand entrance.
Homework

First and fourth periods: none.
Second period:

read chapters [...]

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First, fourth, and sixth periods all worked on Act III of Much Ado About Nothing. We’re learning about the function of the third act in almost all of Shakespeare’s plays.
Warning! There are Great Expectations spoilers in this post.
Second period was cut short due to a math competition, so we were unable to complete the planned [...]