March 23-27

It's the last week before Spring Break!  Everyone is looking a bit weary these days; hang in there and you'll soon be enjoying the (rare) Santa Monica two-week break. This week, we'll enjoy one of the most famous scenes in Western Literature: the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet.

MONDAY: Reading quiz, Act I of Romeo and Juliet.  Read and discuss prologue to Act II and Act II, Scene I.  DUE: Act I study guide worksheet.  HW: Finish reading Act II, Scene I.

TUESDAY: Read the famous balcony scene in Act II, Scene II and a close reading on two of the most famous passages.  Map out how you would set the scene on a piece of paper. HW: Finish set drawing for scene.  If it's your turn, have discussion questions prepared for the Independent Reading Lit Circle meeting on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY: Reading with independent reading book.  Last half of class is Lit Circle meeting and discussion.  DUE: 1 set of discussion questions for each reading group.

THURSDAY:  View various interpretations of the balcony scene and discuss.  DUE: Set drawing for balcony scene.  HW: Read Act II, Scenes III and IV for Friday.

FRIDAY: Discuss Scenes III and IV.  Read V and VI.  View up to the end of Act II, 1996 version.  HW: Work on your independent reading.  Preview Act III of Romeo and Juliet.

Enjoy the break and get plenty of rest!  I look forward to seeing you in April.

March 16-20

We've begun "Romeo and Juliet" and have already had a chance to break out the (toy) swords.  This week, we'll finish Act I and begin the independent reading, literature circles for either "Twelfth Night" or Like Water for Chocolate, that will go along with this unit.

MONDAY: Discuss Act I Scene II and song choices.  Read Act I Scene III.  Brief meeting of independent reading "lit circles" to plot out due dates, reading.  Groups will meet during the last portion of Wednesday class.  HW: Finish reading Act I Scene III.  Begin independent reading book.

TUESDAY: Read Act I Scene IV.  Mask activity. HW: Finish reading Act I Scene IV.

WEDNESDAY:  Act I, Scene V: Romeo and Juliet meet.  Continue mask activity.  Lit circle (independent reading group) meeting -- turn in reading schedule.  HW: Work on questions, independent reading. 

THURSDAY:  Finish Act I, Scene V. Discussion questions for Monday reading quiz. DUE: Masks.  HW: Study for quiz.
 
FRIDAY: Current events day -- research on laptops, discuss in pairs, then with the whole group.  HW: Read the prologue to Act II.  Continue with independent reading.

March 9-13

After two months in the dark, dystopian world of 1984 and other works, we will kick off spring with a "Romeo and Juliet" unit.  This week, we'll learn about Shakespeare in general and read the prologue, and Act I, scenes 1-3.

MONDAY: Intro to Shakespeare: the Globe Theater, timeline, language.  Activity: look up meanings of Shakespearean insults.  Pick up textbook from textbook room.  You'll be working in Literature circles for the independent reading for the two month unit.  On Monday, you'll choose to read one of the following choices: 1. Like Water for Chocolate, 2. "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare, or 3. Both.  Based on your selection, you'll be assigned a Literature Group on Wednesday. 

TUESDAY: (Minimum day and shortened period due to Open House Night.) Independent reading poll.  Read prologue and discuss.  Shakespearean insult activity.  

WEDNESDAY: Begin I, Scene I.  Discuss.  HW: Go over any portions you may have missed. 

THURSDAY:  Finish reading Act I, Scene I.  Finish study questions.  Select independent reading book for lit circles.  HW: Finish Act I Scene I.

FRIDAY:  Read the first part of Act I, Scene II.  Discuss characters, how each is shown to view love and romance.  Perfect Mate activity.  Independent reading groups announced, pick up independent reading book from textbook room.  HW: Finish reading Act I Scene II, bring 3 song titles on Monday that reflects how each of the following characters views love/romance: 1. Romeo, 2. Benvolio, 3. Paris (1 title for each character listed). Look through independent reading book and think about how you could suggest to your group that it be divided over 7 weeks.  First (brief)  independent reading meeting is on Monday, longer meeting on Wednesday.

March 2-6

Welcome!  This week we will work on the final drafts of our 1984 unit essays, including a style review, peer reviews, and MLA formatting and citations.

MONDAY: Finish watching Minority Report.  Fill out Minority Report/1984 worksheet.  Class discussion.

TUESDAY:  Receive feedback from rough drafts.  Discuss common errors and how to improve drafts.  Begin rewrite based on notes.

WEDNESDAY: (Mogilefsky out at mandatory teacher meeting.)  Class revisions for selected papers -- checklist.
THURSDAY: Type final draft on laptops.  MLA formatting and citation information.

FRIDAY: Final day to work on essays in class. HW: Make revisions and submit final essay or turn it in on Monday, March 9.  HW: Work on the final draft, due Monday.


Here is the citation for 1984:


Orwell, George. 1984. New York, New York: Penguin Books, 1949.