Fri. May 30, 2014: Hamlet Completion

Today, we finished reading Hamlet. You then wrote your Act V quiz.
Keep in mind that your novel study is due at the start of class on Monday.
Also keep in mind that your unit exam on Hamlet will occur on Tuesday (multiple choice/True False).

Thurs. May 29, 2014: Hamlet Act V

Today, roles were assigned and then we began to read Act V of Hamlet. We read up to page 141, (scene II, line 64).

Wed. May 28, 2014: Act IV Hamlet Test

Today, we finished reading Act IV of Hamlet. You then wrote the act quiz. If you were not here, request an alternate assignment.

Tues. May 27, 2014: Act IV Hamlet

Today, we read Act IV, scene 5 of Hamlet. I also showed the clip entitled "Ophelia's Return" to show you how such a scene might appear on stage.

Mon. May 26, 2014: Act IV Hamlet

Today, we read Act IV of Hamlet. We stopped at the end of Act IV, scene 4 (page 109).
I also gave you notes on the similarities between Hamlet, Fortinbras and Laertes (murdered fathers), ways to avenge, outcomes, personality differences shown as a result.

Fri. May 23, 2014: Act 3 Hamlet Completion

Today, we read to the end of Act III. You then wrote the Act III quiz.
Keep in mind that, while you don't have homework during this unit, your independent novel study is due on June 3.

Thurs. May 22, 2014: Hamlet Act III

Today, we continued to read Act III of Hamlet. We finished up at the bottom of page 90 (Act III, Scene 3, after it says "He kneels".)

Wed. May 21, 2014: Hamlet Act II Quiz

Today, you wrote the quiz for Act II of Hamlet. We then reviewed Act III, Scene one, as you read it yesterday when I was not here.
We then read up to Act III, scene ii, line 43 (when Polonius, Rosancrantz and Guildenstern enter) on page 74.

Tues. May 20, 2014: Hamlet Cont.

I was not here today. You will be writing your Act II quiz tomorrow. Today, you read up to ActIII, Scene 2, Page 73.
You also switched up roles for Act III.

Fri. May 16, 2014: Hamlet Act II Cont.

Today, we began reading Act II, scene II or Hamlet. We stopped at the bottom of page 56. We will start on page 57 on Monday.

Thurs. May 15, 2014: Hamlet Act I Quiz and Act II Reading

Today, you wrote your Act I quiz for Hamlet. If you were not here and did not already write the quiz, there are Act I questions in your portfolio that you can do to make up for this on your transcript. Today, I assigned new roles and we read up to Act II, Scene 2 (the end of page 40).

Tuesday, May 13, 2014: Hamlet Cont.

Today, we continued reading Hamlet.  We read up to the end of Scene 2 (we will start/continue Scene 3 tomorrow). We did not get through very much due to the fact that we worked on proper reading (not stopping at the end of lines, pronunciation mattering, using periods as full stops (including change of direction or change in whom one is speaking to), semicolons as stops, and commas as yield signs when driving) and word meaning ('a means "he", "ere" means "before").

If you were not here, you can go online and look up "No Fear Shakespeare". On this site, search out Hamlet. One side of the page gives you the reading; the other side gives you the modern version. It is best, however, not to miss classes during this time.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014: Hamlet Cont.

Today, we continued reading Hamlet.  We read up to the end of Act I You will have an Act quiz at the start of class tomorrow. I had a number of you write it today as you were aware that you would not be here tomorrow. As I've already stated in class, if you miss a quiz, you will have to do an alternative assignment to get the mark (questions)

If you were not here, you can go online and look up "No Fear Shakespeare". On this site, search out Hamlet. One side of the page gives you the reading; the other side gives you the modern version. It is best, however, not to miss classes during this time.

Mon. May 12, 2014: Begin reading Hamlet

Today, we started reading Hamlet. Roles for the first act were assigned. We read up to Page 7, line 142 (we stopped at the action of the cock crowing). We did not get through very much due to the fact that we worked on proper reading (not stopping at the end of lines, pronunciation mattering, using periods as full stops (including change of direction or change in whom one is speaking to), semicolons as stops, and commas as yield signs when driving) and word meaning ('a means "he", "ere" means "before").

Fri., May 9, 2014: Shakespeare Practice (reading)

Today, you were instructed to do the following:
Get into groups of four
Assign roles from the excerpt of the play: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second.
Take a highlighter and highlight the indicator name for your own lines
As a group, read the script out loud; be sure to read using iambic pentameter (unstressed/stressed syllables)
Highlight unknown words, changes in direction or lines needing clarification
Once finished, summarize what happens (can do this in the margins)

I then gave you questions (M.C.) to answer as a group. The goal was to reach consensus using process of elimination skills.
These were to be handed in at the end of class though some students chose to work on them further during RTI.

Thurs. May 8, 2014: Iambic Pentameter Explained

Today, I spent the whole period discussing iambic pentameter. If you were not here, you will have to either do a web search on this and/or see me at lunch so I can explain it (it will take most of a lunch hour so bring food).

Wed. May 7, 2014: Readings on Shakespeare

Today, there was a substitute in the class. The assignment was as follows:

In your portfolio there is a reading entitled “Hamlet: Prince of Denmark “Learning Stuff” Booklet”. Read it actively (use a highlighter). When finished, show Mrs. Gerwing and she will give you the questions. These questions are to be answered on a separate sheet of paper.

They are due at the start of class tomorrow.

If you were not here, you will need to do the reading and then show me to get the questions.

Tues. May 6, 2014: Shakespeare Introduction Cont.

Today, I discussed the history of Britain at the time of Shakespeare, including the feudal system, religious implications, and universal themes. I then gave a brief overview of the context at the start of Hamlet (the background of King Hamlet and King Fortinbras).
I also reminded all students to sign out a copy of the play from the library.

Mon. May 5, 2014: Elizabethan Drama Introduction

Today, I gave a Powerpoint as an introduction to our Elizabethan Drama unit. If you were not here, you will need to come in at lunch to get the notes (or copy off of a friend). I discussed the plague, the living conditions at the time, and why people might attend the play (types of entertainment).

Fri. May 2, 2014: Final Writing Class for Current Essay

Today, you were to complete your essay. While it was due at the end of class, I extended the deadline to the end of the day.

If you were not here, you need to see me at lunch on Monday.