Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Good Luck Band & Choir


Charlotte's singing your praises and wishes the band and choir a safe and successful band competition trip!
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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Advanced Reading - Romeo & Juliet Paper


Romeo and Juliet Compare-Contrast Paper

Assignment: Write a paper comparing and/or contrasting Romeo and Juliet. This is a compare-contrast paper, but it is also a character analysis paper.

Step 1: Read the handout “Taxonomy of Love.” Often when you write a paper on literature, you will need to find outside sources to help you analyze the piece of literature with which you are working. In this case, I have given you a brief summary from Colours of Love by John Alan Lee entitled “Taxonomy of Love.”

Step 2: Choose what type of love style Romeo uses and what type Juliet uses. You may argue that they are the same. Or you may argue that they are different types.

Step 3: Write a thesis. In this thesis argue that because Romeo and Juliet are a certain type of love (whether the same or different) it leads to their tragedy. For example, if you were to argue that both Romeo and Juliet would be classified as Ludus, your thesis would be similar to the following: Because Romeo and Juliet are both Ludic lovers, they are more apt to become tragic heroes.

Step 4: Once you have a thesis, write two topic sentences. One topic sentence should have the topic of Romeo and the limiting idea should be what type of lover he is. The second topic sentence should have the topic of Juliet, and the limiting idea should be what type of lover she is.

Step 5: Write two examples from the story that support each topic sentence.

Step 6: Write your body paragraphs. Your body paragraph should follow the following outline:

I. Topic sentence
introduce quote (set up the context)
provide the quote or the example (be sure to give act, scene, and line number)
Provide an analysis of the example -- Here is where you can also quote from the handout to help argue that the quote supports your topic sentence.

Example:
Juliet is also a _______ type of lover; or Juliet, on the other hand, is a ___________ type of lover.

Introduce your quote

Provide the quote or the paraphrased example (be sure to give act, scene, and line number)

Analyze the quote or example. You may need to refer to the “Taxonomy of Love” handout to analyze your example.

Transition into second quote

Introduce second quote or paraphrased example

Provide the quote or the example (be sure to give act, scene, and line number)

Analyze the quote or example. You may need to refer to the “Taxonomy of Love” handout to analyze your example.

Step 7: Write you introduction. Begin with an attention getter. Remember you may begin using a rhetorical question or a shocking statement.

3 parts to an introduction:

1. attention getter

2. essential information

a. Author’s full name – William Shakespeare

b. Title of piece of literature – The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
(remember that titles of plays are underlined/italicized).

c. brief plot summary. This summary should lead to your thesis.

3. Thesis (which you already have written)

Step 8: In the fourth paragraph wrap up your argument. You are arguing that Romeo and Juliet are tragic heroes because of their loving styles. According to shakespeare.learnhub.com the definition of a tragic hero is as follows: The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and gratness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle.

Conclusion

1. restate your thesis

2. Conclude by wrapping up the argument that what you have proven in
the body paragraphs supports an argument that they are tragic.

Step 9: When you have all four paragraphs written, type them in proper order.



Important to remember:

Attention-getter begins your introduction

Your thesis is your last sentence in your first paragraph.

Each of the two body paragraphs should have a topic sentence.

Plays are italicized, so when you are talking about the play, you should write The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Double space throughout entire paper.

Press spacebar twice after every end punctuation mark (periods., question marks?, and exclamation marks!)

Proofread your papers, so that you don’t make any silly mistakes.

Put your quote into context. Example: Juliet says, “A cup, closed in my truelove’s hand?” (V.iii.161). This means Act 5 Scene 3 line 161.

When quoting from Shakespeare, you do not put the page number. Rather, you use Act #, scene #, and line numbers.

Also, you use a forward slash to indicate different lines (/). Example:

After Juliet wakes from her death-like sleep she says, “What’s here? A cup, closed in my truelove’s hand?/ Poison, I see hath been his timeless end” (V.iii.161 – 162).

Your quotes should not go longer than 3 lines of text. If it does, you need to see me about doing block quotes.

Lesson adapted from: www.argo217.k12.il.us

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Theme Portfolio


THEME PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

***Your theme portfolio will be based on a theme which you chose. Everything in your portfolio will be a reflection of that theme and how it relates to you. This is meant to be a personal, reflective project.

****This assignment will be due on Tuesday, April 21st, and will be worth 130 points.

You must include the following in your portfolio:

1. A cover which includes your theme and your name

2. A table of contents which organizes your entries

3. A formal introduction of ½ - ¾ pages typed which explains why you chose your theme, how it relates to you, and what you hope to accomplish through this project.

4. At least two poems you have selected from a published author

5. At least two original poems you have written

6. At least one slogan (original or published)

7. The lyrics from at least one song

8. A literary excerpt (short story or novel)

9. An analysis of EACH entry explaining why you chose it, how it relates to the theme, and in turn, how it relates to you

10. A formal closing of at least 200 words which explains your feelings about your portfolio, and what you think you accomplished through doing the project

11. A bibliography including each borrowed piece of literature or music

***This project should be FREE OF ERRORS, attractive, professional looking, and must be typed. ( If computers are available, some class time will be designated for this).

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Romeo & Juliet Book Report - Due May 8

Romeo & Juliet
Comparison Book Report
Posterboard


_____ The top of your posterboard should have your book title and author.


_____ Select 5 events/situations from your book to compare to Romeo & Juliet. Even though we haven't finished the book you should have plenty to choose from.


______ There will be a total of 8-10 pictures drawn on your posterboard.


Pictures 1,3,5,7 & 9 should all be drawn pictures of 5 separate events from your book.


Underneath each picture (1,3,5,7,9) include a brief summary of what is taking place in that picture.


Pictures 2,4,6,8 & 10 will be drawn pictures from Romeo & Juliet that compare to the picture right before it. For example: picture 1 goes with picture 2 and so on...



Underneath each picture (2,4,6,8,10) write how the picture before compares with the picture you have drawn for Romeo & Juliet, and how it relates to one of the themes: love, destiny/fate, conflict, violence, individual vs. society, light/dark imagery.




You will present your posterboard. Your grade will also include your speaking skills. Remember to speak clearly, loudly enough for all to hear, and slowly enough so we can follow along and understand what you are saying. Eye contact is also very important! Please practice your presentation before class.





The greasers uses weapons when in violent situations. This scene is when the Socs attack Johnny & Ponyboy. Johnny stabs Bob and kills him.




In this picture Romeo & Tybalt are fighting because Tybalt just killed Mercutio. During both scenes someone dies in the result of violence.





NAME _______________________



POSTER BOARD – Romeo & Juliet book comparison



1. Comparison Explanation - (DETAIL, CLARITY) 10pts ______



2. Delivery - (EYE CONTACT, VOICE LEVEL, SMOOTHNESS) 10pts _________



3. Posterboard ( EFFORT, COLOR, NEATNESS, REQUIRED 8-10 SQUARES)



10pts _________



Total points = +





______________
30

COMMENTS:

Monday, April 6, 2009

Welcome Back!

Welcome back from Spring Break! All of you seemed a bit tired today, but I know that will change once we get back into the swing of things. This is an interesting week seeing that we only have 3 days of school.

The focus of the week will be trying to get through Act 3 of Romeo & Juliet - there is the possibility of a quiz on Thursday. Advanced students will definitely have a quiz on Thursday and will be able to use a note card. We are trying to get through R&J at a faster pace so that we can begin Life of Pi.

Students will also be checking out books this week from the IMC for their next book report which will be a comparison storyboard which will relate to Romeo & Juliet.