Changing Website Location

Per our school district initiative to migrate all teacher websites to a site that allows for inclusive accessibility, our new class website is located here: https://www.d11.org/Page/9121

Monday, April 23rd

• Reading and Notes: We'll finish reading and discussing Act II of The Crucible, focusing on John Proctor's characterization and development. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Your response to The Matrix is due today. It was due Friday, but I didn't give you enough class time! 
• Complete any missing work or corrections you may need for this class. 

Thursday, April 19th

• Reading and Notes: We'll continue reading and discussing ACT II (Scenes I and II) of The Crucible in class today. We'll focus on the development of John Proctor and his characterization as a tragic hero. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• (Due Today) Write a 1.5-2 page typed, MLA formatted response that makes and supports an argument in response to one of the following questions:
• Is Neo an archetypal savior figure? Be sure to start with your argument then give and explain as many examples from the film as you can fit into two pages. (Refer to your notes on archetypal savior figures to write this response.)
• What social criticism does The Matrix make about our society today? Begin with your argument and explain as many pieces of evidence from the film as you can fit into two pages. (Refer to your notes about dystopian literature to write this response.)

Wednesday, April 18th

• Notes: We'll discuss the most common characteristics of a dystopian protagonist, making connections to Neo from The Matrix. 
• Then we'll finish viewing and discussing The Matrix. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• (Due Tomorrow) Write a 1.5-2 page typed, MLA formatted response that makes and supports an argument in response to one of the following questions:
• Is Neo an archetypal savior figure? Be sure to start with your argument then give and explain as many examples from the film as you can fit into two pages. (Refer to your notes on archetypal savior figures to write this response.)
• What social criticism does The Matrix make about our society today? Begin with your argument and explain as many pieces of evidence from the film as you can fit into two pages. (Refer to your notes about dystopian literature to write this response.)

Tuesday, April 17th

• Notes and Discussion: I'll introduce dystopian literature, including purpose, key terms, and key characteristics. You'll make connections to The Matrix and other films and texts with which you are familiar. 
• Viewing and Notes: Then we'll continue viewing and discussing The Matrix, focusing on Neo as an archetypal hero figure. (Is he, or is he not a savior figure...?) We'll also identify elements of dystopian literature and deconstruct the social criticism the film presents. 

Monday, April 16th

Happy birthday, Caden!!!

• Notes: We'll discuss types of archetypal heroes, and you'll take notes on the distinctions and key features of these heroes. 
• Viewing, Discussion, and Notes: Then we'll begin viewing and discussing the film The Matrix, focusing on identifying the hero and defining characteristics. 

Image Source (pixabay)

Friday, April 13th

• We'll finish viewing and discussing "Out of Gas." 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following: 
• You'll write a response in your notebook that compares the relative morality of two characters. 
• Then you'll read an assigned section of The Crucible and work on any missing assignments you may have. 

Thursday, April 12th

• We'll finish viewing and discussing the pilot episode of Firefly, focusing on Mal as an atypical hero. Then we'll view and discuss the episode "Out of Gas." 
• Finally, we'll compare our observations about Captain Malcolm Reynolds with the list of notes we generated about heroes in class on Tuesday. 

Tuesday, April 10th

• Discussion and Notes: I'll introduce the concept of a hero and you'll generate a class list of characteristics of a hero. Then we'll look at some specific sub-types of heroes, including the code hero, tragic hero, comic hero, and archetypal savior figure (who is often also a tragic hero). 
• Viewing and Notes: Then we'll view and discuss several episodes from the hit series Firefly, focusing on the character of Mal (<L. "bad"), Captain Malcolm Reynolds, as an atypical hero.

Monday, April 9th

• Viewing and Discussion: We'll watch a History Channel documentary on the Salem Witch Trials. We'll focus our discussion and notes on the contributing factors that caused the outbreak of mass hysteria. We'll also make connections to modern day group dynamics as they arise. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Complete your one page response to the film I am Not Your Negro and turn it in. (Due Today)
• Complete and turn in any missing work.

Friday, April 6th

• Notes: You'll take some notes and we'll discuss the themes of The Crucible. Be sure to write these notes on your character, quotes, and theme note sheet. 
• Then we'll begin reading and discussing ACT II of The Crucible. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Write key quotations into your character and theme note sheet then turn it in. (Due Today)
• Turn in your class Notebook for Notebook Check #1 (Due Today)
• Write your one page, MLA formatted, typed response to I am Not Your Negro. Respond to the following questions: What argument does the film make about America? Do you agree or disagree with this argument? Why? What personal experiences do you have that relate to this film? (Due by Monday)

Thursday, April 5th

• We'll start class by going over some really important information about the upcoming PSAT and SAT exams. I'll share some tips and techniques to help you do your very best. College entrance exams can open a lot of doors for you if you do your best on them -- they were part of the reason I ended up receiving a full ride scholarship to Colorado College after going to this very high school. 
• Then we'll finish viewing and discussing the film I am Not Your Negro. We'll focus our discussion on preparing to write about the following question: What argument does this film make about America? 
• Finally, you'll begin writing your response: What argument does I am Not Your Negro make about America? Do you agree or disagree with this argument? Why? How do your personal experiences relate to the experiences presented in the film? (1 page, MLA format, typed -- Due Monday)

(image source: Pixabay.com)

Wednesday, April 4th

• Viewing and Notes: We'll continue viewing and discussing about 30 more minutes of the documentary I am Not Your Negro. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Soundtrack of My Life (due Today)

Tuesday, April 3rd

• We'll spend the first half of class reading, discussing, and taking notes on Arthur Miller's The Crucible. 
• Then we'll continue viewing and discussing the film I am Not Your Negro. 

Monday, April 2nd

• I'll remind those of you who still need to turn in Permission Slips to view any R rated films for this class. 
• We'll spend the first half of the class period viewing, discussing, and taking notes on the documentary I am Not Your Negro. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• Soundtrack of Myself (due Wednesday in Class)
• Complete any missing work or reading
• Complete any possible corrections on returned work

Friday, March 23rd

• I will remind the four of you who still need to turn in permission slips. 
• Reading and Notes: We'll spend the first half of class reading and discussing Act One, Scene One of The Crucible. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for your Soundtrack of Myself project. 

Thursday, March 22nd

• We'll discuss role sign up and participation points for reading the play out loud in class. 
• Then we'll spend approximately half the class period reading and discussing Act 1 Scene 1 of The Crucible. 
• Finally, you'll have WORK TIME for the Soundtrack of Myself project. 

Wednesday, March 21st

• Notebook Entry - You'll write a 1/2 page to a page in your notebook to respond to the following question: How can music help people overcome difficulty in their lives? Use personal examples to support your answer. 
• We'll briefly discuss your responses and make connections to the struggle and music presented so far in Soundtrack for a Revolution. 
• Viewing and Notes: Then we'll continue viewing and discussing Soundtrack for a Revolution. 
• Depending on time, I'll introduce your personal soundtrack assignment.

Tuesday, March 20th

• I'll remind those of you who still need to turn in permission slips. 
• Notes: Then you'll take some notes on the key characters in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. You'll take these notes on a chart that you need to keep in your notebook, folder, or book. You will eventually turn it in for a grade, so keep track of it. 
• Finally, we'll begin viewing and discussing the documentary Soundtrack for a Revolution, which details the role of music of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. 

Monday, March 19th

• Notes: I'll introduce background information for our study of The Crucible, including information about the author, Arthur Miller, and the Puritans. 
• Reading and Notes: We'll begin reading and discussing Act One "An Overture." 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME for the following:
• 1 Page, Typed, MLA Format Response on either (not both)of the following: (Due Today)
• Does the film Stranger than Fiction support the existence of fate or free will? Be sure to support your answer by explaining specific examples from the film.
• Do you believe in fate or free will? Support your answer by explaining specific examples from your personal experience. 

Friday, March 16th

• Viewing and Notes: We'll finish viewing, discussing, and taking notes on Stranger than Fiction, focusing on elements of plot and thematic instances of fate or free will in the film. 
• When we finish the film, you'll take a viewing quiz. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME to begin the following:
• Write a one-page, typed, MLA formatted response in which you answer one of the two following questions: (Due Monday in Class)
• Do you believe in fate or free will? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples and reasons in support of your answer. 
• Does the film Stranger than Fiction, in its entirety, support the existence of fate or free will? Be sure to cite specific examples from the film and explain how they support your answer. 

Thursday, March 15th ~ The Ides of March

• Discussion and Notes: We'll discuss the concepts of fate and free will, including definitions, examples, and your own opinions and experiences. 
• Viewing and Notes: We'll continue viewing, discussing, and taking notes on Stranger than Fiction, focusing on Elements of Plot and instances of fate or free will in the film. 
• When we finish the film, you'll take a brief viewing quiz. 
• Then you'll have WORK TIME to begin the following:
• Write a one-page, typed, MLA formatted response in which you answer one of the two following questions: (Due Tomorrow in Class)
• Do you believe in fate or free will? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples and reasons in support of your answer. 
• Does the film Stranger than Fiction, in its entirety, support the existence of fate or free will? Be sure to cite specific examples from the film and explain how they support your answer. 

Wednesday, March 14th

• We'll begin with a review of the Elements of Story. 
• We'll continue viewing and discussing our first full length film: Stranger Than Fiction. Remember that you will have a quiz about the Elements of Story in this film and you will write your first response paper to this film, so pay close attention and take notes whenever we stop to discuss anything about the movie. 

Tuesday, March 13th

• Notes and Discussion: We'll finish taking notes on Elements of Story. 
• Viewing and Discussion: We'll view and discuss the opening scenes of the Disney/Pixar film,  Up. We'll focus our discussion of this scene around identifying examples of the Elements of Story. 
• Finally, we'll begin viewing and discussing our first full length film: Stranger Than Fiction. Remember that you will have a quiz about the Elements of Story in this film and you will write your first response paper to this film, so pay close attention and take notes whenever we stop to discuss anything about the movie. 

Monday, March 12th

Welcome to Novel to Film. Here are our plans for today:

• We'll go over the course syllabus and classroom expectations and norms.
• We'll set up notebooks and folders for this quarter. 
• Then you'll take some notes on elements of story. 
• Finally, we'll view a film clip and discuss it in terms of the elements of story.