4/11-4/15
Hi, all! This week we discuss P&P as a full text. I plan to give you a short reading quiz to start tomorrow, and then we will launch into a conversation on the Pemberley visit and the Lydia subplot...
On Wednesday, we'll practice a close reading of a passage, focusing on Austen as a satirist. You'll be doing a piece of writing on that in two weeks (the week of the 26th, because you have a bb on the 19th, I believe).
We'll also talk about term paper things. Your next step is a detailed outline (including a thesis), as you know, which is due Wednesday.
Also coming up: punctuation rules with quotations because of the term paper work coming up.
That's our week! Next week, we will begin reading Faulkner -- challenging, different, wonderful.
3/21-3/25
Dear Premières,
I hope you are enjoying the first signs of spring!
So next week (otherwise known as "cultural week") we will miss our double period on Wednesday, but otherwise we meet as usual and will be pushing ahead with Pride and Prejudice.
For Monday, I've asked you to read through to the end of volume 2. Try to keep up with the schedule I posted last week. Note that you will continue reading at a fairly quick pace over the next few weeks. I also asked you to complete the notes portion of your poetry research paper for Monday.
The next part of your poetry research project will be a more developed commentary on the criticism you summarized. I will explain this next step on Monday.
On Thursday and Friday, we will look at more key scenes/subplots of P & P, including Eliza's famous Pemberley visit and the Lydia fiasco!
And then, on to BREAK...
2/7-2/11
One week before vacation!
On Friday, we'll do some some more of our comparison work, more wrap ups, and some grammar as well.
And after the break, we''ll begin our next work: Pride and Prejudice.
Enjoy your Sundays!
1/31-2/4
Hi, folks! This is just to remind you that you should read through to the end of Act I of Fences for Monday. We'll be working on Fences again in class on Monday morning, will do a bit more of Fences and also some sonnets on Wed, return to Fences on Thursday, and begin talking about a comparative Fences/Metamorphosis essay on Friday.
I would like you to make a compare/contrast chart for Friday, putting the 2 works side by side, based on your reading so far. The topic: the relationship between parents and children. Interesting, eh?
Have a great weekend!
P.S. Thanks to those of you who brought in breakfast on Friday. Federica, the crepes were absolutely delicious. And Sylvana, the leftover pastries were quickly devoured...
1/24-1/28
Dear OIB class,
So we are back to sonnets tomorrow, finishing up Ozy (as I like to call it) and moving on to some of the others. We'll be spending Monday and Wednesday, in fact, on poetry, so please be sure to bring your packets. (I will bring extras on Monday for anyone who was absent when we started it.)
On Wednesday, I'll be introducing your poetry project--a research paper on a poem--as well.
On Thursday, your Reader Responses on the sonnet packet are due. On both Thursday and Friday we'll read Fences and do some (gasp!) grammar.
I would like you all, before the end of the week, to post part of your sonnet Reader Response on the blog. This is a required assignment, and I'll explain more about it on Monday. We need to get blogging again!
Enjoy your Sunday!
12/13-12/17
Dear oib class,
One more week to vacation, hooray! Here's what's going on this week...
On Monday, we will continue our discussion of part 2 of Metamorphosis. Remember that I will bring in copies of the book on Monday for those of you who don't have it. In the meantime, if you go to the Metamorphosis page you will see a link to the full text on Project Gutenberg.
I will also give out the take home essay question on Macbeth (Yes, I'm afraid you have an at-home essay assignment...but it's not due until the Friday after break).
On Wednesday, oral presentations on Macbeth!
Thursday, end of orals.
For Friday, read the end of Metamorphosis.
Again, due after break, the Friday: Macbeth essay. This gives you an opportunity to come to dialogue on the Wed if you would like to discuss it.
Have a great weekend :)
12/6-12/10
Hi, folks! This week we will prepare oral reports, in groups, on selected passages from Macbeth.
On Monday, I will assign groups and passages, present guidelines, and then give you the class time to begin preparing. You will need to continue working at home, taking notes and collecting observations on the ideas and language of your passage.
On Wednesday, I will give you the first period to prepare and plan, and then we will start the reports, beginning with Group 1. You will have 10 minutes, to be followed by questions from your classmates.
Thursday: We will continue with the remaining reports.
Friday: We'll discuss the ending of the play and move on to Metamorphosis.
11/30-12/3
Dear Premieres,
I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Here's what's going on this week:
On Tuesday, we are off to see Metamorphosis. Remember that if you have not given me a permission slip (there are a few of you) then you MUST bring it in on Tuesday. We meet in the lobby and need to be on the bus and traveling at 5:45, so shoot for 5:30. Bring a snack!
On Wednesday, we'll be working towards finishing up Macbeth. Make sure you've finished the entire play. I will give out oral passages this week which I'll be asking you to prepare (we'll talk about this more in class, of course) for Wednesday, December 8th.
Remember to blog! And I need a scribe each week, so let's get back on track with that.
Enjoy your next two days, and I'll see you anon.
11/22-11/24 (a short week!)
Hello, all! Here's what's in store over the three days before Thanksgiving break:
On Monday, we'll have a teensy quiz focusing on Scene 1 of Act IV. We'll then discuss the scene, with a particular focus on the significance of the apparitions.
On Wednesday, we'll read a bit more of Macbeth, and then get our feet wet with Metamorphosis (in preparation for our theater outing on Tuesday, Nov. 30 -- so exciting...).
Take care, and enjoy what's left of the weekend.
11/15-11/19
Hello! Our plan this week is to continue our work on Macbeth, moving into Act III and completing it by the end of the week.
On Wednesday, we will do an in-class Reader Response on Act III, focusing on any aspect of your reading that you would like to stress or explore. Consider: Macbeth's dealings with the murderers, the banquet scene, the ways the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is changing.
On Thursday and Friday, we'll continue to move through the play.
11/8-11/12
Hi, all! This week we discuss P&P as a full text. I plan to give you a short reading quiz to start tomorrow, and then we will launch into a conversation on the Pemberley visit and the Lydia subplot...
On Wednesday, we'll practice a close reading of a passage, focusing on Austen as a satirist. You'll be doing a piece of writing on that in two weeks (the week of the 26th, because you have a bb on the 19th, I believe).
We'll also talk about term paper things. Your next step is a detailed outline (including a thesis), as you know, which is due Wednesday.
Also coming up: punctuation rules with quotations because of the term paper work coming up.
That's our week! Next week, we will begin reading Faulkner -- challenging, different, wonderful.
3/21-3/25
Dear Premières,
I hope you are enjoying the first signs of spring!
So next week (otherwise known as "cultural week") we will miss our double period on Wednesday, but otherwise we meet as usual and will be pushing ahead with Pride and Prejudice.
For Monday, I've asked you to read through to the end of volume 2. Try to keep up with the schedule I posted last week. Note that you will continue reading at a fairly quick pace over the next few weeks. I also asked you to complete the notes portion of your poetry research paper for Monday.
The next part of your poetry research project will be a more developed commentary on the criticism you summarized. I will explain this next step on Monday.
On Thursday and Friday, we will look at more key scenes/subplots of P & P, including Eliza's famous Pemberley visit and the Lydia fiasco!
And then, on to BREAK...
2/7-2/11
Dear OIB class,
One week before vacation!
Remember to finish reading Fences for tomorrow. We'll be wrapping up our discussion so we can complete our discussion of family relationships.
On Wednesday, we'll be continuing with Fences, moving to the ending, and finishing up our sonnet discussion.
On Wednesday, we'll be continuing with Fences, moving to the ending, and finishing up our sonnet discussion.
Thursday: We will then start to map out a comparison of two very different works that address the subject of family: Fences and Metamorphosis. We'll be writing an essay on the Wednesday we return on that topic.
On Friday, we'll do some some more of our comparison work, more wrap ups, and some grammar as well.
And after the break, we''ll begin our next work: Pride and Prejudice.
Enjoy your Sundays!
1/31-2/4
Hi, folks! This is just to remind you that you should read through to the end of Act I of Fences for Monday. We'll be working on Fences again in class on Monday morning, will do a bit more of Fences and also some sonnets on Wed, return to Fences on Thursday, and begin talking about a comparative Fences/Metamorphosis essay on Friday.
I would like you to make a compare/contrast chart for Friday, putting the 2 works side by side, based on your reading so far. The topic: the relationship between parents and children. Interesting, eh?
Have a great weekend!
P.S. Thanks to those of you who brought in breakfast on Friday. Federica, the crepes were absolutely delicious. And Sylvana, the leftover pastries were quickly devoured...
1/24-1/28
Dear OIB class,
So we are back to sonnets tomorrow, finishing up Ozy (as I like to call it) and moving on to some of the others. We'll be spending Monday and Wednesday, in fact, on poetry, so please be sure to bring your packets. (I will bring extras on Monday for anyone who was absent when we started it.)
On Wednesday, I'll be introducing your poetry project--a research paper on a poem--as well.
On Thursday, your Reader Responses on the sonnet packet are due. On both Thursday and Friday we'll read Fences and do some (gasp!) grammar.
I would like you all, before the end of the week, to post part of your sonnet Reader Response on the blog. This is a required assignment, and I'll explain more about it on Monday. We need to get blogging again!
Enjoy your Sunday!
12/13-12/17
Dear oib class,
One more week to vacation, hooray! Here's what's going on this week...
On Monday, we will continue our discussion of part 2 of Metamorphosis. Remember that I will bring in copies of the book on Monday for those of you who don't have it. In the meantime, if you go to the Metamorphosis page you will see a link to the full text on Project Gutenberg.
I will also give out the take home essay question on Macbeth (Yes, I'm afraid you have an at-home essay assignment...but it's not due until the Friday after break).
On Wednesday, oral presentations on Macbeth!
Thursday, end of orals.
For Friday, read the end of Metamorphosis.
Again, due after break, the Friday: Macbeth essay. This gives you an opportunity to come to dialogue on the Wed if you would like to discuss it.
Have a great weekend :)
12/6-12/10
Hi, folks! This week we will prepare oral reports, in groups, on selected passages from Macbeth.
On Monday, I will assign groups and passages, present guidelines, and then give you the class time to begin preparing. You will need to continue working at home, taking notes and collecting observations on the ideas and language of your passage.
On Wednesday, I will give you the first period to prepare and plan, and then we will start the reports, beginning with Group 1. You will have 10 minutes, to be followed by questions from your classmates.
Thursday: We will continue with the remaining reports.
Friday: We'll discuss the ending of the play and move on to Metamorphosis.
11/30-12/3
Dear Premieres,
I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Here's what's going on this week:
On Tuesday, we are off to see Metamorphosis. Remember that if you have not given me a permission slip (there are a few of you) then you MUST bring it in on Tuesday. We meet in the lobby and need to be on the bus and traveling at 5:45, so shoot for 5:30. Bring a snack!
On Wednesday, we'll be working towards finishing up Macbeth. Make sure you've finished the entire play. I will give out oral passages this week which I'll be asking you to prepare (we'll talk about this more in class, of course) for Wednesday, December 8th.
Remember to blog! And I need a scribe each week, so let's get back on track with that.
Enjoy your next two days, and I'll see you anon.
11/22-11/24 (a short week!)
Hello, all! Here's what's in store over the three days before Thanksgiving break:
On Monday, we'll have a teensy quiz focusing on Scene 1 of Act IV. We'll then discuss the scene, with a particular focus on the significance of the apparitions.
On Wednesday, we'll read a bit more of Macbeth, and then get our feet wet with Metamorphosis (in preparation for our theater outing on Tuesday, Nov. 30 -- so exciting...).
Take care, and enjoy what's left of the weekend.
11/15-11/19
Hello! Our plan this week is to continue our work on Macbeth, moving into Act III and completing it by the end of the week.
On Wednesday, we will do an in-class Reader Response on Act III, focusing on any aspect of your reading that you would like to stress or explore. Consider: Macbeth's dealings with the murderers, the banquet scene, the ways the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is changing.
On Thursday and Friday, we'll continue to move through the play.
11/8-11/12
Dear Premières,
The fire drill interrupted us as we were about to move on to the Porter's speech, so we will continue that on Monday. Please read Act III over the weekend and consider further the way Banquo and Macbeth feel about each other. Be ready to talk (and write) about that more in class!
On Wednesday, we'll be talking about Act 3, looking at a Satan soliloquy from Paradise Lost, and starting that grammar fun that we did not do last week.
Don't forget to bring in your trip form and money on Monday!
Remember that I want you to post to the blog -- don't be shy! If you have trouble with the mechanics of it, just send your comments to me and I'll put them on the blog for you.
Have a great weekend!
The fire drill interrupted us as we were about to move on to the Porter's speech, so we will continue that on Monday. Please read Act III over the weekend and consider further the way Banquo and Macbeth feel about each other. Be ready to talk (and write) about that more in class!
On Wednesday, we'll be talking about Act 3, looking at a Satan soliloquy from Paradise Lost, and starting that grammar fun that we did not do last week.
Don't forget to bring in your trip form and money on Monday!
Remember that I want you to post to the blog -- don't be shy! If you have trouble with the mechanics of it, just send your comments to me and I'll put them on the blog for you.
Have a great weekend!
11/8-11/12
Here's the week to come:
For Monday: We'll move ahead swiftly into Act II..
For Wednesday: please read all of Act II for discussion. We'll be discussing Act II and doing some poetry on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, a little grammar (comma splice clinic) and Act III begins. If you are rewriting your Frankenstein paper, please give me your rewrite.
I will assign reading for next Monday (probably to finish reading Act III and prepare for in class RR on Monday). I will also give out synthesis questions early in the week for the Friday of the following week (the 19th)
Remember to post on the blog! That will enhance your class participation grade considerably...
Have a good weekend :)
11/1-11/5
A brief sheet for this week, since it will be a short one. You've got the bac blanc coming up, so I'm not going to map out our time as precisely as I normally do.
We will be forging ahead with Macbeth, delving into the wickedness and looking at some key speeches in Acts I and II.
Remember that you are to be working on the Synthesis Questions for Act I, which are due this Friday.
Enjoy this fall weather (finally). I will see you shortly...
10/25-10/29
Hello, all! I hope you had a great break.
I expect that we'll be working mainly on Macbeth upon our return, once we finish with Rime. I've asked that you:
Finish up your Frankenstein essays for Monday
And that you read Act I of Macbeth. It's a little tricky, at first, to figure out exactly what's going on, but if you read the little summary at the beginning of the scene on the facing page where the glossary is, it should clear things up. Prepare yourself for some gory details....more horror coming up :)
That's it for now--I'll fill you in on everything else when we get back. I would expect some synthesis questions on Act I for the week of November 1st. Stay tuned.
Enjoy your break!!
10/12-10/15
This week we get into Romantic poetry, starting with Coleridge's creepy and intriguing "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", then moving on to a short Wordsworth poem and more.
Tuesday: Follows a Monday schedule, so we have one period in the morning. We'll start reading Rime in class and discuss.
Wednesday: SAT, so no class.
Thursday: Rime, plus Wordsworth.
Friday: Continued, and remember that your Frankenstein essays are due. We may get started on Macbeth, and then you'll be given some Macbeth to read over break. Good times!
10/4-10/8
Dear Premières,
We are nearing the end of our Frankenstein reading. You have your last installment of reading due for Monday, and we'll do some discussion and writing on Monday, with a Reader Response due Wednesday. If you have questions regarding the RR and what it involves, feel free to send me an email.
We'll be moving from Frankenstein to some poetry, looking at the poems that influenced the novel. We'll start with a second look at Percy Shelley's Mutability, then The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. We'll actually be doing part poetry/part Macbeth before the break, though, to get you going so you can read some during vacation.
On Monday, I'll be proposing some essay topics for you to think about. These essays will be due before vacation.
Have a great weekend, and I hope to see you on the blog!
9/27-10/1:
More Frankenstein to come! Soon we will talk about the creature's narrative. We will pursue the complex ideas we've talked about so far: the ethical limits of science, the effects of giving or withholding love and the obligations of the parent, and the implications of Victor's horrified rejection of his progeny.
On Monday: You'll be doing some in class writing about chapters 11 through 16, but first I'm going to want to talk about two things the creature and Victor say to each other before he tells his tale:
Creature to Victor: "How dare you sport thus with life?"
Victor to Creature: "There can be no community between us"
Think about it. Blog about it...We need to get some ideas going on the blog. Be the first! Remember you all have to go there!
I will put Beatrice's notes up as soon as I receive them. Alexandra (AKA "The Shermanator") will be our scribe next week.
The new chapters will keep us busy until Thursday.
Read chapters 17-20 for Friday and finish the book for next Monday.
Enjoy your Sunday!!
Here's what's in store for the week of 9/20-9/24:
Monday: I asked you to read through Chapter 5 (meaning, up to the end of Chapter 5) of Frankenstein for today. We will discuss what we've read, focusing on Victor's early family life and scientific interests. For Wednesday, I will ask you to read through Chapter 10.
Wednesday: I will probably ask you to do some in-class writing (informal) during the first period on what you've read so far. Then we will discuss.
Thursday and Friday: Discussion of the monster's creation, Victor's response, and other major plot developments and themes. For Monday the 27th, you will read through Chapter 16.
9/13-9/17:
On Monday morning, we'll wrap up our summer reading conversation, finishing the questions begun on Friday. We'll also start a discussion about the prologue to Frankenstein.
Wednesday: A summer reading assessment. You are allowed to use your books, so please bring them to class.
Thursday: We'll continue our Frankenstein discussion. Please make sure you have your text with you. Homework for Friday will be to read Walton's opening letters.
Friday: Discussion of letters. For homework, you will read Chapters 1-5 of Frankenstein.
