Christmas Short Stories

 THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL 
http://www.shortstoryamerica.com/pdf_classics/andersen_little_match_girl.pdf

The Gift of the Magi
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf

WCCO's Christmas classic, The Gift Of The Magi, with Dave Moore 12/?/1983

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXRxQ4uDQOQ 

 Christmas Day in the Morning
https://www.whatsoproudlywehail.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Christmas-Day-in-the-Morning-Pearl-Buck.pdf?x65350 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Dickens/Carol/Dickens_Carol.pdf 

Finishing Up NaNoWriMo

Thank you, Chromebooks, for the experience.

Today we complete the month of November--all my English Classes from Grades 7 through 11--have  been writing a novel.

It is amazing. They have been full engaged.

Why? I ask myself.

I have tried to take away the common roadblocks to writing, being a writer myself I know them well.

No laziness. 
No hesitancy to get started. 
No procrastination. 
It's a classroom--I get to boss them into getting going!

The kids look forward to writing. Why?

Strong reading background.
Movies, media, television-lots of stories.
Video games--what? Yes, I think participating in video games is an ongoing story that involves some writing essentials and engagement. The intense focus of extended involvement may have conditioned the kids to writing fiction.

I worked to encouraged the students to imagine and write quickly, less worried about editing.

Liberty to try without the shackles of ELA.
For now

Using what we already know, I kept referring to a plot diagram.

 Write like a real author-everyone has a story.

I am grateful for the tech to do this--we have Chromebooks in the class.  This is great. This makes me happy.

Writing Strategies: Macbeth Prompts

Ms. Taylor’s English Class, VVCS 2018-2019

Macbeth Writing Prompts-Choose one to write a five-paragraph essay.

Discuss the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from Act 1 to the end of the play.

Is Lady Macbeth more responsible than Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan? Is Lady Macbeth’s character more evil than her husband and, if so, why?

Examine Macbeth's mental deterioration throughout the play. 

The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophesy or because of the choices he made?

What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? Explain the role of free will in the play.  

If Macbeth were put on trial today, would he be innocent of murder by reason of insanity? How about Lady Macbeth?

A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about his own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw. Tragic heroes have several other common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake somehow, and arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Explain why or why not.

Charles Dickens-Documentary

Charles Dickens (Part 1 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYdX5_U0Yg

Charles Dickens (Part 2 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R5APXDJ6fE

Charles Dickens (Part 3 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXm2QtBxts

Illustrations from 'A Christmas Carol.'

Macbeth: Choose a Writing Prompt

Discuss the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from Act 1 to the end of the play.

Is Lady Macbeth a Villain or a Victim? 

 Is Lady Macbeth more responsible than Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan? Is Lady Macbeth a more evil character than her husband and, if so, why?

 Examine Macbeth's mental deterioration throughout the play. 

 

The three witches told Macbeth his fate. Did the events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the witches’ prophesy or because of the choices he made?

What caused Macbeth to fall: Fate or Free Will? Explain the role of free will in the play.  

If Macbeth were put on trial today, would he be innocent of murder  by reason of insanity? How about Lady Macbeth?

A tragic hero is a protagonist, usually of noble birth or high-standing, who brings about his own downfall by a choice brought on by a character flaw. Tragic heroes have several other common features: they undergo meaningful suffering, learn from their mistake somehow, and arouse pity or fear in the audience through their demise. Is Macbeth a tragic hero? Explain why or why not.