November 29th (A day) and 30th (B day)

Journal: "Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Do you agree with this quote?  Why or why not?

We read Act 3, scene 1.  Then, we read the parody of Hamlet's famous speech, "To Snooze, or Not to Snooze."  Then, we wrote our own parodies of the speech.  Your speech should be between 14-18 lines.  It should follow the same format as the to be or not to be speech:

1. Introduce the decision to be made.  To  ________   or not to _________.
2. Describe what would be good.
3. Describe what would be bad.
4. Explain which choice you make.

This is a student example of what your assignment should look like.

B2 is a little bit behind.  They finished reading Act 2 and took the quiz.

November 22nd (A day) and 28th (B day)

Journal: Characterize yourself as a "thinker" or a "doer." In this respect what character in the play are you most like?  How would you like to be different, or would you like to be different?

Finish reading Act two, scene 2 (from the part where Hamlet meets up with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern).

Take the Act 2 quiz.

November 18th (A day) and 21st (B day)

Today, we took a quiz on Act 1 of Hamlet.  If you were absent, please come in before or after school or during lunch to take it.

Then, we read Act 2, scene 1, and the first part of scene 2 (up until Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet).

Then we had some advisory time to work on reading and missing work.  Don't forget that book reviews are coming up soon!

B2 has only read up to the end of Act 1.

November 16th (A day) and 17th (B day)

Journal: How common do you think the act of revenge is in everyday life?  Give evidence to support your opinion.  (1/2 pg.)

Today we covered Act 1, scene 2, scene 3, scene 4, and scene 5.  Click the links to go to the reading.

Be sure to catch up on your reading; we'll have a quiz on Act 1 next time!

November 14th (A day) and 15th (B day)

There are two options for topics for the journal for today.  Pick one and write one half page about it.

1. Do you believe in the supernatural?  Why or why not?
2. Describe the worst day ever.  (Real or imagined.)

Watch the clip on this website that introduces the characters and premise of Hamlet.

Read Act 1, scene 1 here.  B day classes also ready Act 1, scene 2.

November 10th (A day) and 11th (B day)

Our journal today was to complete a survey of opinions.  Then, students wrote 1/2 pg. about the issue they had the strongest feelings about.

Then, we looked at sonnets to help us get used to Shakespearean language.  If you were absent, pick one of the six sonnets.  Read it and identify the main idea or the theme (for example true love lasts forever or real beauty is within).  Then, list three other books, movies, or songs that have that same theme or idea in them.

Then, students received their first progress report for the term.  They will be due back with all late work:

Thursday, November 17th (B day)

Friday, November 18th (A day)

November 8th (A day) and 9th (B day)

Today students presented their Make Your Own Inferno projects.  If you were absent for this assignment, please come see me for instructions.

After the presentations, we started our study of Hamlet by watching Hobart's Shakespeareans.  It is not required to make up the viewing of this movie, but I would strongly suggest it.  If you want to make it up, email me or stop by and we'll set up a time for you to watch it.

November 4th (A day) and 7th (B day)

We spent the class period working on the Make Your Own Inferno Projects.  They will be presented next time!

ALSO, don't forget that the 3rd book reviews are due:

• Wednesday, November 30th (B day)
• Thursday, December 1st (A day)

November 2nd (A day) and 3rd (B day)

• Finish reading The Inferno and complete the reading guide.  If you need access to the online textbook please email me and I'll send you a login and password.
• Listen to the song "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash.  Then, write 1/2 pg. about the connections/archetypes you see between the song and The Inferno.
• Watch "High School Inferno" (link to come...)
• Begin working on the Make Your Own Inferno Project.  The project can be done alone, but is meant to be done with a group.  If you were absent, try to find some other people who were gone to work with.  Next time, we'll finish this project and present them to the class.