Pre-AP English II: Ray Bradbury's "Coda"

If your edition of Fahrenheit 451 does not include the section titled "Coda" after the story, please read it here, online, before coming to class in the morning. (I'll have a few copies printed out that you can use in class.)

Pre-AP English II: "Dover Beach" Analysis Test

Pick any four questions from the "Dover Beach" multiple choice test and analyze why and/or how Matthew Arnold's choice to compose the poem the way he did contributes to the poem as a whole.

For Question 1, for instance, do not just say Arnold compared faith to the ebb and flow of the sea when he wrote "The Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full." This shows faith being compared to a sea at low tide.

Add to it by suggesting that this produces a tone of ______________. Or that by suggesting that because he shows faith at an all-time low when he compares it to the tide, the reader might hope that one day it might once again ___________________.

 As long as your response is thorough and plausible, you will get credit for it.

I will not be inputting grades for either the multiple choice or the analysis portions of the test until this weekend. As long as you submit your analysis, stapled to your multiple choice test, by the end of the day Friday, you'll get full credit. Otherwise, you'll get a "missing" grade on the multiple choice until your analysis is turned in, and your analysis grade will be reduced.

Pre-AP English II: Fahrenheit 451 Socratic Seminar Questions

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, May 7, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.

If you missed the seminar, submit well-thought out written responses to two questions (100%; one question=80%). You may NOT answer a close-ended question.

If you were in class and did not respond twice, use the back of your remaining half-sheets ("buns") to respond to the questions. If you respond to a question discussed in class, your response must refer to the text and add to the conversation we had. (+20 points for the first, +10 points for the second)

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
What book has had a significant impact in your life? How? --D.L. (1st)

How would you feel if something you liked was destroyed or banned? --E.M. (6th)

Are you happy? How do you know? --J.S. (6th)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why does Beatty send the Mechanical Hound to Montag's house? --R.M. (7th)

Where does Montag hide his books? --L.C. (1st)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why do you think Clarisse became interested in things her friends weren't interested in? --M.R. (7th)

Why do you think Mildred tried to commit suicide? --Mon.M. (7th)

Why has reading been outlawed in Montag's world? --Mar.M. (7th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
What do you have in your life worth dying for? --M.R. (1st)

If you were in a situation that you knew was morally wrong, would you stand up for what is right? --T.S. (7th)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
How does the irony of the firemen starting fires contribute to the novel? --J.L. (6th)

Why do the firemen wear the symbol of the Phoenix on their uniforms? How is it significant to the ending of the novel? --S.P. (1st)

Pre-AP English II: Fahrenheit 451 Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit one (1) of each of the following by Saturday, May 5. I will pick several and post them to the website Sunday evening (5/6). Be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday, May 7th. Questions may come from any section of Fahrenheit 451. Include answers with text support for each question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write one question connecting the text to the real world.

Example: What would your reaction be if books were banned


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write one question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: How does the Mechanical Hound work?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write one insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: Is the world in the novel a better place (or worse) for having reading prohibited?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write one question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: How does adversity inspire/force someone to be heroic?)

LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write one question dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: "Montag" is a brand of paper; "Faber" is a manufacturer of pencils. How does Bradbury's naming his characters after these things enhance the story?

Pre-AP Classes: Reading Assignments

Pre-AP English II: You should read through the break at the bottom of page 92 of Fahrenheit 451.

English I (Pre-AP): You should read through Chapter 9 of Ender's Game.

All Students: Bobby, NOT Bob

Over the past few days I've heard several students say that Bob Marley recorded the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Y'all make me want to cry. "Marley was," as the saying goes, "dead [these seven years] to begin with." Bob Marley died in 1981, and Bobby McFerrin recorded "Don't Worry, Be Happy" in 1988. I know. I was there (not where Marley died or McFerrin recorded, but I was there in '81 and '88).

Here's the McFerrin video, courtesy MTV (which used to actually show videos -- for reals!): Don't Worry, Be Happy.

And here's a link to a YouTube video of Bob Marley singing, live in Santa Barbara: Concrete Jungle.

See the difference?

If I have taught you nothing else all year, I have failed miserably. Still, hopefully I will have saved you from future embarrassment when the song appears as the subject on Final Jeapordy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Pre-AP English II: Caesar Reading Assignment (4/18)

For class tomorrow, read the following passages from Julius Caesar:

• 3.1.31-91


• 3.1.157-290

Links take you to "No Fear Shakespeare" online; be sure to read the Shakespeare side.

Pre-AP English II: Caesar Reading Assignment (4/17)

For class tomorrow, read the following passages from Julius Caesar:

• 1.2.45-end


• 2.1.78-219


• 2.1.242-318

Links take you to "No Fear Shakespeare" online; be sure to read the Shakespeare side.

Pre-AP English II: Reading Assignment: Julius Caesar 1.2

Please be sure to have read Julius Caesar 1.2 prior to coming to class tomorrow.

Here's the "No Fear Shakespeare" paraphrase, but be sure to read the actual Shakespeare version.

Pre-AP English II: Othello Socratic Seminar Preview

Be prepared to discuss these questions in class on Monday, April 9, 2012. Remember to support your answers -- even the World Connection questions -- with evidence from the book.



WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
What would you do if your parents disapproved of your choice of boyfriend/girlfriend? --L.C. (1st)

If someone offered you a drink at a party and you knew it wasn't a good idea, what would you do? --R.M. (6th)

If a friend suspected you were being dishonest/backstabby, what would you do to prove your innocence? --A.S. (7th)


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Why did Desdemona choose Othello over her father? --J.S. (1st)

What did Montano call Cassio to get him to fight? --T.S. (7th)


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
In what way(s) does Iago "use" Roderigo? --S.N. (6th)

With whom did Cassio fight when he was drunk? --K.M. (7th)


UNIVERSAL THEME / CORE QUESTIONS
How do you deal with liars or unfaithful friends? --S.P. (1st)

How do you determine whether a friend is honest/trustworthy or not? --M.R. (6th)

How would you get revenge if you found out your boyfriend/girlfriend cheated on you? --L.B. (7th)

How far would you go to get your "dream job"? --E.G. (7th)


LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
How does Shakespeare develop the characters of Desdemona and Othello (and possibly Iago and Cassio) by employing the metaphor "Our general's wife is now the general..."? --V.M. (6th)

How does Shakespeare establish contrast between Othello and the rest of the cast and what does that help him gain? --J.L. (7th)

Pre-AP English II: Othello Socratic Seminar Question Types

Submit one (1) of each of the following by Saturday, April 7. I will pick several and post them to the website Sunday evening (4/8). Be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday, April 9th. Questions may come from any section of Anthem. Include answers with text support for each question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write two questions connecting the text to the real world.

Example: What would you do if your best friend “stole” your boy/girlfriend?


CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two questions about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a “correct” answer.

Example: Who did Othello and the Venetians travel to Cyprus to fight?


OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write two insightful questions about the text that will require proof and group discussion and “construction of logic” to discover or explore the answer to the question.

Example: How did Iago and Rodrigo screw things up for Othello with Brabantio?


UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: How do you cope with jealousy? (or as RM-6th put it, How do you defeat the green-eyed monster?)

LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Write two questions dealing with HOW an author chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: What does Shakespeare gain by employing Dramatic Irony when Iago is constantly refered to by others as “honest”?

Pre-AP English II: Othello Reading Assignment (4/2)

4/2 Update: The summarizing will take place tomorrow, 4/3.

Please make sure do the reading over the weekend so that on Monday you can summarize what happens in Act III, Scene 1, 2, and 3 through DESDEMONA's line:

Emilia, come -- Be as your fancies teach you:
Whate'er you be I am obedient.
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia

This is Act 3, Scene 3, Line 88-89 in my copy of the text. Yours should be somewhere around that.

Pre-AP English II: Othello Reading Assignment (3/28)

Please make sure you can answer the following question before coming to class tomorrow:

What advice does Iago give Cassio so he can regain his post as Othello's Lieutenant?

The answer will be found in the section of the play where we left off today. Read from IAGO's line

You or any man living may be drunk at a time, man. I tell you what you shall do.

to CASSIO's line

Good night, honest Iago.
Exit

Pre-AP English II: Othello Reading Assignment (3/27)

Make sure you've read Act 2, scenes 1 and 2, before you come to class tomorrow. You'll need to summarize both scenes.

(Links above take you to an online edition of No Fear Shakespeare. You're welcome.)

All Classes: Half-off at Half Price Books

Today only you can save50%-off one item at Half Price Books. Just join their mailing list and you'll be taken to the coupon page. (Please don't just go to the coupon page and print the coupons; sign up so you'll be self-reliant and get your own set of coupons next time around.)

That means you pay only 30% (or less) on the cover price.

Pre-AP Freshmen: Get your copy of No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet or Ender's Game.
Pre-AP Sophomores: Get your Julius Caesar or Fahrenheit 451.
On-level Sophomores and Yearbook Students: Get yourselves something nice, whatever it may be.

Make wise choices.

Pre-AP English II: Othello Video Clips

If you were out of class today, please make up the assignment you missed.

1. Get your copy of Othello because you'll need to follow along as you watch the clips.


2. Make a T-Chart: "Things in the play but not the movie" on one side, "Things in the movie, but not the play" on the other


3. Watch the videos below (both) and fill out your T-Chart as you go.


• Part 1 (10:02)


• Part 2 (9:58)


4. Turn it in.

Enjoy!

Pre-AP English II: Othello Reading Assignment (3/21)

In class we began reading Othello and Brabantio's confrontation in front of the Duke. Before you come to class on Friday, March 23, finish reading that section of Act 1, scene 3.

Begin with THE DUKE's line:

I think this tale would win my daughter too. (~line 170)

End with OTHELLO's line:

.... We must obey the time. (Exeunt Othello and Desdemona) (~line 300)

Be prepared to summarize and discuss in class.

All Classes: Save 40% at Half Price Books

Half Price Books has a "40%-off One Item" coupon on their website, good only today (3/19) and tomorrow (3/20). A 50%-off coupon will be available for this Sunday (3/25). Just join their mailing list and you'll be taken to the coupon page. (Please don't just go to the coupon page and print the coupons; sign up so you'll be self-reliant and get your own set of coupons next time around.)

That means you pay only 30% (or less) on the cover price.

Pre-AP Freshmen: Get your copy of No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet or Ender's Game.
Pre-AP Sophomores: Get your Julius Caesar or Fahrenheit 451.
On-level Sophomores and Yearbook Students: Get yourselves something nice, whatever it may be.

Make wise choices.

Iago's Web

Place the following character names in a circle extending to near the edges of your paper

• Brabantio
• Cassio
• Desdemona
• The Duke
• Emilia
• Othello
• Roderigo
• Montano
• Bianca
• Lodovico/Gratiano

Draw lines citing the relationship between the characters prior to Iago’s campaign of manipulation.

Then place Iago somewhere within the web you’ve made and in a different color, list the relationships he has with the characters and how his involvement has tainted the other characters’ relationships.

Here's an example of a "web in progress." (Note: this is only the beginning of a web. There are many more "before" relationships to be shown, as well as many "afters.")

This document will be checked several times over the course of reading the play. Please keep it updated.

The first check will be Friday, March 23rd.

Pre-AP English II: Free Othello/Caesar Text & Audio

There are several versions of the text available free from Project Gutenberg. (Julius Caesar, too.) Please make sure you download a "by William Shakespeare" edition.

There is also a free recording from LibriVox. (Julius Caesar audio.) Note: the free audio recordings aren't great. Check Learn Out Loud for discount-price options. (There are 99-cent options at the iTunes store, but I suspect it's the LibriVox recording; let me know if you download it and it's not.)

If you come across any other free (or low-cost) resources, please leave a message in the comments section.