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January 21-25, 2013: Welcome to Third Term!

Monday, January 21: MLK Holiday (Human Rights Day)
Tuesday, January 22: Professional Day

  • No School for Students
  • This term you will learn...
  • ...the academic vocabulary of poetry and drama.
  • ...how to read and write poetic epitaphs.
  • ...how to close read "Interactive Fiction" to solve a mystery.
  • ...how to make sense of Shakespeare.
  • ...the elements of tragedy.
  • ...how to use semicolons correctly.
  • ...how to write and present a podcast.
  • ...40 new word cells.
  • ...to read.
  • ...to write.
  • ...to repeat.
  • ...and, as always, some surprises!


Wednesday, January 23: A Day
Thursday, January 24: B Day


Friday, January 25: A Day (Writing Lab)



January 28 - February 1, 2013

Monday, January 28: B Day (Writing Lab)


Tuesday, January 29: A Day
Wednesday, January 30: B Day


Thursday, January 31: A Day (Writing Lab)
Friday, February 1: B Day (Writing Lab)



February 4-8, 2013

Monday, February 4: A Day
Tuesday, February 5: B Day

  • Turn in Spoon River Packet:
  • Writing Notebook: Grammar Punk
  • Spoon River Anthology: The Rhodes Affair
  • Comma Review (Rules 1-7): Read each of these epitaphs and write a sentence that describes the character and illustrates the appropriate rule. Write a brief description of each character. Explain what part the character played in "The Rhodes Affair," and include the character's voice (tone). How does the character feel about his/her life? How do you feel about the character?
  • Comma Rule #1: Clarence Fawcett
  • Comma Rule #2: Mrs. George Reece
  • Comma Rule #3: Jack McGuire
  • Comma Rule #4: Nicholas Bindle
  • Comma Rule #5: Henry Phipps
  • Comma Rule #6: Ralph Rhodes
  • Comma Rule #7: Thomas Rhodes
  • Sample sentences using the epitaph of Eugene Carman:
  • Comma Rule #1: Eugene Carman worked for 14 years in a store owned by Thomas Rhodes, and he is a bitter man because of it.
  • Comma Rule #2: Carman is a frustrated, angry, and resentful because he feels like he was taken advantage of.
  • Comma Rule #3: Carman, because Rhodes was influential in the church, had to attend services twice a week to keep up appearances with his boss.
  • Comma Rule #4: He is overcome by rage, resentment, and bitterness.
  • Comma Rule #5: Because he spent so much of his life as "Rhodes' slave," he starts screaming at his reflection.
  • Comma Rule #6: He yelled at himself, "You cowardly dog! You rotten pauper!"
  • Comma Rule #7: This causes him to have a brain aneurysm, which kills him.
  • Word Cells 3rd Term Pretest
  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #2
  • -fic- / -fact- / -fect-
  • -bio-
  • -vert- / -vers-
  • -sent- / sens-
  • R&J Passages for Memorization: Look up your assigned passage in the Massive Purple Text and fill in the top part of this form. Your job will be to become the expert on your assigned part, so that when we encounter that passage in our study of the play, YOU can help us understand it. For now, just fill in the top part of this form and turn it in.


Wednesday, February 6: A Day
Thursday, February 7: B Day

  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #3
  • -in-
  • -cip- / -cept-
  • -ven-
  • -ced- / -cess-
  • Shakespeare Intro: Miramax Biography
  • Writing Notebook: While watching the video, write some "study guide" questions about Shakespeare's life and times that I could use to test your understanding. Your questions should not be Right There questions that test trivial facts like dates of birth and wife's name. Instead, write some Think & Search and Author & Me questions: "How?" and "Why?" questions that require students to draw conclusions about the facts they absorb. For example: Why was it especially difficult to be an actor in Shakespeare's time?
  • R&J Passages: Analyze (close read) your assigned passage. Your job is to become the expert on your assigned part, so that when we encounter that passage in our study of the play, YOU can help us understand it. Also, you will later memorize a section of your assigned passage to recite aloud for the class. But more on that later. For now, just do the analysis and the paraphrasing. (This website might help.)


Friday, February 8: A Day

  • Have you done this, yet? R&J Passages: Analyze (close read) your assigned passage. Your job is to become the expert on your assigned part, so that when we encounter that passage in our study of the play, YOU can help us understand it. Also, you will later memorize a section of your assigned passage to recite aloud for the class. But more on that later. For now, just do the analysis and the paraphrasing. (This website might help.)
  • Writing Notebook: During the time we are studying Romeo and Juliet, the Poem o' the Day will be replaced by the Shakespearean Quotes o' the Day. Your assignment is to copy the quotation exactly as it is written (including punctuation, line spacing, and source), and then paraphrase it and give an example from your own experience that supports the statement. Yes, you still have to fill the page! Here we go:
  • Shakespearean Quotes o' the Day -- Copy and discuss these quotes:

    "If all the year were playing holidays,
    To sport would be as tedious as to work."

    -- Henry IV, Part 2: Act II, Scene 1

    Example: I think this quotation means that if your whole life is a vacation (playing holidays), even playing (sport) gets boring (tedious). I see this in my own life at the end of summer, when I've been out of school for more than two months. I actually look forward to going back because I get bored when I don't have anything I HAVE to do. For example, .... (Now fill the page.)....

    "O, it is excellent
    To have a giant's strength,
    but it is tyrannous
    To use it like a giant."

    --Measure for Measure: Act II, Scene 2
  • Vocabulary of Drama (R&J)
    Don't lose this handout! It'll be due when we finish Romeo and Juliet!
  • The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
  • Close Reading of the Prologue & Translate the Prologue
  • (E-notes may help!)
  • Why is Shakespeare Hard?
  • Three Ways to Stage the Prologue



February 11-15, 2013

Monday, Februrary 11: B Day

  • Have you done this, yet? R&J Passages: Analyze (close read) your assigned passage. Your job is to become the expert on your assigned part, so that when we encounter that passage in our study of the play, YOU can help us understand it. Also, you will later memorize a section of your assigned passage to recite aloud for the class. But more on that later. For now, just do the analysis and the paraphrasing. (This website might help.)
  • Writing Notebook: During the time we are studying Romeo and Juliet, the Poem o' the Day will be replaced by the Shakespearean Quotes o' the Day. Your assignment is to copy the quotation exactly as it is written (including punctuation, line spacing, and source), and then paraphrase it and give an example from your own experience that supports the statement. Yes, you still have to fill the page! Here we go:
  • Shakespearean Quotes o' the Day -- Copy and discuss these quotes:

    "If all the year were playing holidays,
    To sport would be as tedious as to work."

    -- Henry IV, Part 2: Act II, Scene 1

    Example: I think this quotation means that if your whole life is a vacation (playing holidays), even playing (sport) gets boring (tedious). I see this in my own life at the end of summer, when I've been out of school for more than two months. I actually look forward to going back because I get bored when I don't have anything I HAVE to do. For example, .... (Now fill the page.)....

    "O, it is excellent
    To have a giant's strength,
    but it is tyrannous
    To use it like a giant."

    --Measure for Measure: Act II, Scene 2
  • Vocabulary of Drama (R&J)
    Don't lose this handout! It'll be due when we finish Romeo and Juliet!
  • The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
  • Close Reading of the Prologue & Translate the Prologue
  • (E-notes may help!)
  • Why is Shakespeare Hard?
  • Three Ways to Stage the Prologue


Tuesday, February 12: A Day
Wednesday, February 13: B Day


Thursday, February 14: A Day
Friday, February 15: B Day



February 18-22, 2013

Monday, Februrary 18: Day of Presidents (No School)



Tuesday, February 19: A Day
Wednesday, February 20: B Day

  • Shakespearean Quote o' the Day -- Copy, paraphrase, and give an example to support this quote:
    "Talkers are no good doers: be assured
    We go to use our hands and not our tongues."

    Richard III, Act I, Scene 3
  • Finish Act I: Scene 5 (They meet!)
  • Finish Act I Study Guide
  • "Lecture": Fill in the appropriate lines on the Vocabulary of Drama handout.
    • How to Read Shakespeare (MPT, 781-2)
    • Why are some words given stress marks on the -èd ending
      (banishèd, punishèd, upturnèd)?
    • What is a dramatic foil? (How is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?)
  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #5
  • -ped- / -pod-
  • -sub-
  • -super-
  • -circum-
  • The Balcony Scene Act II: Scenes 1 & 2


Thursday, February 21: A Day (Writing Lab)
Friday, February 22: B Day (Writing Lab)



February 25 - March 1, 2013

Monday, February 25: A Day
Tuesday, February 26: B Day

  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #6
  • -pro-
  • -contra-
  • -path-
  • -mega-
  • Shakespearean Quote o' the Day -- Copy, paraphrase, and give an example to support this quote:
    "The harder matched, the greater victory."
    Henry VI, Part 3: Act V, Scene 1
  • The Balcony Scene: Video
  • "Lecture": Finish the Vocabulary of Drama handout.
    • How to Read Shakespeare (MPT, 781-2)
    • Why are some words given stress marks on the -èd ending
      (banishèd, punishèd, upturnèd)?
    • Why does Shakespeare seem to be apostrophe crazy (fall'st, speak'st, o'er, e'er, 'Tis, etc.)?
    • What is a dramatic foil? (How is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?)
    • Irony: Verbal, Situational, Dramatic
  • Read R & J -- Act II, Scene 3
  • Homework: How's that Independent Reading coming along?
  • Are you ready to put your book on trial?

Wednesday, February 27: A Day
Thursday, February 28: B Day


Friday, March 1: A Day

  • Extra Credit Op: Any of the Word Cells that have not been assigned are up for grabs. If you want to do another podcast/lesson for extra credit, see me.
  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #8
  • -syn- / -sym-
  • -hypo-
  • -hyper-
  • -script- / -scrib-
  • Video: The Death of Mercutio
  • Romeo and Juliet: Finish Act III -- Scenes 2, 3, 4 ,5
  • Shakespearean Quote o' the Day -- Copy, paraphrase, and give an example to support this quote:
    "O sir, to willful men
    The injuries that they themselves procure
    Must be their schoolmasters."

    King Lear, Act II, Scene 4
  • Homework: Close Reading / Stage Directions for Act III, Scene 4
  • All students will be given a copy of Scene 4 to write on. Pretend that YOU are the director of this scene.
  • Write the following on your copy of the text:
    • Mark your confusion & check with the translation to clarify.
    • In the right margin, paraphrase the dialogue.
    • In the left margin, write specific stage directions for each line of dialogue. (What is the character doing while he speaks his lines?)
    • At the bottom, explain the dramatic irony: What things do the audience know that the characters do not?





March 4-8, 2013

Monday, March 4: B Day

  • Extra Credit Op: Any of the Word Cells that have not been assigned are up for grabs. If you want to do another podcast/lesson for extra credit, see me.
  • Word Cells Presentations: Set #8
  • -syn- / -sym-
  • -hypo-
  • -hyper-
  • -script- / -scrib-
  • Video: The Death of Mercutio
  • Romeo and Juliet: Finish Act III -- Scene 2
  • Shakespearean Quote o' the Day -- Copy, paraphrase, and give an example to support this quote:
    "O sir, to willful men
    The injuries that they themselves procure
    Must be their schoolmasters."

    King Lear, Act II, Scene 4
  • Homework: Close Reading / Stage Directions for Act III, Scene 4
  • All students will be given a copy of Scene 4 to write on. Pretend that YOU are the director of this scene.
  • Write the following on your copy of the text:
    • Mark your confusion & check with the translation to clarify.
    • In the right margin, paraphrase the dialogue.
    • In the left margin, write specific stage directions for each line of dialogue. (What is the character doing while he speaks his lines?)
    • At the bottom, explain the dramatic irony: What things do the audience know that the characters do not?

Tuesday, March 5: A/B Day (ACT at high schools)

  • Homework due now: Director's Close Read Assignment (Samples)
  • Now it's your turn to play the parts!
  • Romeo and Juliet: Act III -- Scenes 3, 4 ,5 & Study Guide

Wednesday, March 6: A Day (Writing Lab)
Thursday, March 7: B Day (Writing Lab)



Friday, March 8: A Day



March 11-15, 2013

Monday, March 11: B Day


Tuesday, March 12: A Day
Wednesday, March 13: B Day

  • Put Your Reading Book on Trial
    Post final written review (essay) to Goodreads by Saturday, March 16th.
  • 1) Read a book.
  • 2) Complete outline.
  • 3) Using inforamtion from outline, write book review (argumentative essay).
  • 4) Post essay to Goodreads by Saturday at 11:59 P.M.
  • 5) Turn in completed outline to me on Monday.
  • Finish Romeo and Juliet: Act V (Table Read)
  • Finish Romeo and Juliet Study Guide (Including Vocabulary of Drama)
  • Shakespearean Quote o' the Day -- Copy, paraphrase, and give an example to support this quote:
    "All things that are
    Are with more spirit chased than enjoyed."

    The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 6

Thursday, March 14: A Day
Friday, March 15: B Day



March 18-22, 2013

Monday, March 18: A Day (Writing Lab)
Tuesday, March 19: B Day (Writing Lab)


Wednesday, March 20: A Day
Thursday, March 21: B Day


Friday, March 22: Make up for snow day on Jan. 11

  • Extra A Day
  • Read-a-Thon: Bring a book and plan to read it silently all period!



"Did I miss anything?" This is the most annoying question students who have been absent can ask. My usual sarcastic reply is something like this: "Oh, heck no! We knew you were gone, so we just sat around all day and looked at each other. You don't really think I'm going to assign work on a day you're not here, do you?" So, in order to keep everyone (students and their parents) apprised of what exactly is going on each day in class, I am going to put it here. Check back often!


Despite the absence of any support from the school district, I have made every reasonable attempt to insure that this website is educationally sound and does not contain direct links to inappropriate material.
©2013 M. Wolfman Thompson - All rights reserved.

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