Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday Assignment

                                                         


Homework: 


  • Complete Othello Act III, scenes ii & iii over the break. Packets will be collected when we return on January, 2nd.
  • Give thought to your essay selection for the Othello, literary analysis paper.  Look for evidence/support/quotes as you are reading Act III. We will begin writing/framing your opening paragraphs when we return.
  • Get some sleep and enjoy your family and friends.
  • See you in 2014!


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Othello Act III audio recording

Othello Act III audio recording


December 19th, 2013

Today's Guiding Question:  What do you think of when you hear the word BETRAYAL?

Do Now:
  • Complete the next 2 questions in your critical reading packet
  • Prepare to justify your answers
  • Take out your Othello materials
Agenda:
  • Discuss the answers to the critical reading questions
  • Discuss today's STAR testing and how to apply our reading strategies
  • Review the answers to the recent grammar practice
  • Discuss student selections for the upcoming literary analysis papers
  • Begin Act III of Othello
Homework:
  • Read and annotate Act III, scene i of Othello
  • Answer questions in your homework packet
  • Prepare for tomorrow's quiz on Othello

KUD (Know, Understand, Do)
As a result of this unit, students will... 
Know:
The concept of the Tragic Hero
Elizabethan historical information (role of woman, marriage traditions and social structures.)
Key elements of Shakespearean/Elizabethan drama
(aside, soliloquy, comic relief, history play, tragedy, tragic flaw, motivation, conflict, climax, foil, foreshadowing, irony)


Understand that:
One’s perspective determines his/her view of what is true and right. 
One’s perspective is influenced by one’s background, assumptions, surroundings, concerns etc.
One’s power determines one’s ability/freedom to choose 
One’s choices can determine one’s power 

Be able to: 
Read drama interpretively 
Maintain consistent point of view and verb tense 
Write to express a well-supported opinion  (literary analysis)
Research and share key elements of Shakespearean drama


Monday, December 16, 2013

December 16th

Do Now:

  • Next 2 critical reading questions
  • Grammar folders out
  • Othello Materials out
Agenda:
  • Critical reading questions
  • Grammar- review the quotations mark rules
  • Review Othello Act II
  • Discuss Tuesday's Othello quiz
  • Discuss the Othello paper
Homework:
  • Prepare for Tuesday's quiz. Students are responsible for all material up through the end of Act II, scene iii
  • Quiz is open book


Today's guiding question: Based on our understanding of the classic tragic hero, how is Othello beginning to meet our criteria?

KUD (Know, Understand, Do)
As a result of this unit, students will... 

Know:

The concept of the Tragic Hero

Elizabethan historical information (role of woman, marriage traditions and social structures.)

Key elements of Shakespearean/Elizabethan drama
(aside, soliloquy, comic relief, history play, tragedy, tragic flaw, motivation, conflict, climax, foil, foreshadowing, irony)

Understand that: 
One’s perspective determines his/her view of what is true and right. 
One’s perspective is influenced by one’s background, assumptions, surroundings, concerns etc.
One’s power determines one’s ability/freedom to choose 
One’s choices can determine one’s power 

Be able to: 
Read drama interpretively 
Maintain consistent point of view and verb tense 
Write to express a well-supported opinion  (literary analysis)
Research and share key elements of Shakespearean drama


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Wednesday, December 11

Homework:

C block:
Read, annotate and answer questions for Othello Act II, scenes 2 and 3. Due Thursday.

A block:
Read, annotate and answer questions for Othello Act II, scenes 2 and 3. Due Monday.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Friday, December 6, 2013

Friday, December 6th

Homework:

  • Read and annotate all of Act I, scene iii, Othello
  • Answer the questions for Act I, scene iii, Othello

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

December 4, 2013

Homework:
  • Read and annotate Act 1, scene 1
  • Answer all 6 questions for Act 1, scene 1

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Othello Audio Recording

Othello Audio Recording

Tuesday, December 3rd

Do Now:

  • Take out your new SAT packets and attempt the first 2 questions.
  • Prepare to review
Agenda:
  • Review SAT questions
  • Begin Othello reading
  • Review final background details
Homework:
  • Read and annotate Act 1, scene 1
  • Answer the questions for Act 1, scene 1  in your packet
                                   

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Othello writing assignment


Othello Essay Assignment

Directions: Choose one of the essay topics below and write a well-developed essay that incorporates support from the text. Use basic essay format (introduction with thesis(claim) statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences, conclusion).

Paper parameters:

  • 2-4 pages (500 word minimum)
  • Times New Roman
  • 12 point font
  • Double space
  • Parenthetical citations (MLA format)

SUPPORT FROM THE TEXT: In your body paragraphs, you must include at least ONE QUOTE from the text that illustrates the point you are making in that paragraph. After each quote, you should explain how it supports the point you are making. A paragraph should never end with a quote. Failure to include the quotes from the text will result in a maximum of half credit for the assignment (25 points out of 50). 

We will spend the next few days in class working on the writing process: prewriting, drafting, editing and revising, and publishing.

DEADLINES:

Prewrite due: ______________________________________ (by the end of class)

Draft due: _________________________________________ (beginning of class)

Editing and Revising day: ____________________________

Final paper due:______________________________(beginning of class)

Essay Topics:
1.
Othello is the only black character in Shakespeare. Throughout the play, there are several references to black and white as contrasts: “Black ram and white ewe” (Act I, scene 1); “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (Act I, scene 3); “Her name … is now begrimed and black/As mine own face” (Act III, scene 3). Although they are not always in reference to race, analyze whether or not each of these lines are derogatory to Othello.
2.
IOthello, we see the kind of jealousy that is envy of what others have, and the kind that is fear of losing what we have. Write a comparison/contrast essay in which you analyze these themes. Cite specific examples of characters and events in the play that show both themes.
3.
Iago is a clear example of the idea that the difference between reputation and honor is the difference between appearance and reality. He has a good reputation but no true honor. Analyze three examples of how Iago tries to appear one way when in reality he is hiding the truth. Ultimately, what does this say about his honor?
4.
The handkerchief is an important symbol in the play. Analyze the handkerchief in terms of its importance to Othello, Desdemona, and Iago.
5.
In a Shakespearean tragedy, characters die who do not deserve their unfortunate fates. Choose three characters who die innocently and analyze how each one’s blindness to the truth leads to his or her death.
Othello Essay Rubric:

Criterion
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Below Expectations
Content
(10 points)
Specific, illustrative development of ideas throughout essay that thoroughly analyze the topic
Some ideas are developed throughout the essay; evident attempt at analysis but lacking detail
Little evidence of development of ideas; lack of thorough analysis of the topic
Textual Support
(15 points)
Specific, illustrative quotes from the text that enhance and support the writer’s points; all quotes are explained and thoroughly analyzed
General quotes from the text are included; evidence of attempted analysis; lack of thorough support
Few or no quotes are included or quotes do not support the writer’s points; little or noexplanation or analysis of quotes
Focus
(5 points)
All details are relevant to the essay topic and thoroughly support/ explain the writer’s points
Most details are relevant to essay topic and generally support/ explain the writer’s points
Many details are not relevant to the essay topic; off topic details detract from the writer’s points
Organization
(10 points)
Paragraphs are logically organized; distinct introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion; details within paragraphs flow smoothly
Errors in logical organization of paragraphs and/or details within paragraphs; some evidence of paragraph breaks and essay format
Significant errors in logical organization of paragraphs and/or details within paragraphs; lack of paragraph breaks and essay format
Conventions of Language (grammar) & Writing Style
(10 points)
Evident control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation;descriptive, illustrative vocabulary and word choice
Sufficient control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation;ordinary word choice and vocabulary
Minimal control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation;poorly used vocabulary and word choice

Monday, November 25th

Upcoming events:

  • Tuesday, grammar/punctuation assessment #2 (lower grade gets dropped.  Grammar folders can go home for studying)
  • Wednesday, Antigone test. 
  • After Thanksgiving, we begin Othello.
Do now:
  • Open up your SAT packets to our next 2 questions and begin.
Agenda:
  • SAT questions
  • Punctuation practice (page 37)