Don't Like Poetry? Betcha Do

...don't forget all those Valentine's rhymes!

 You say you don't like poetry--I doubt that. We just have to establish what we mean by poetry.

Yes, you enjoyed a movie that is all poetry.

That come-on line is nothing but poetry.

Romeo + Juliet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_%2B_Juliet 

 

The Cat in the Hat--even my name is poetry.

 

You can't say you never liked Dr. Seuss--what's that--you forgot it was poetry? 

The Cat in the Hat

http://www.seussville.com/books/book_detail.php?isbn=9780394800011 

     

Betting you have quoted poetry, though maybe not all at once.

Tis better to have loved and lost/Than never to have loved at all  Tennyson To err is human; to forgive, divine  Alexander Pope  A thing of beauty is a joy forever  Keats And miles to go before I sleep  Robert Frost Hope springs eternal in the human breast  Alexander Pope To be or not to be: that is the question Shakespeare I know why the caged bird sings Maya Angelou O Romeo, Romeo; wherefore art thou Romeo Shakespeare...there's no joy in Mudville, the mighty Casey has struck out. Thayer

You probably chuckled at the Limerick about the girl from Venus, but I won't print that since this is a family edublog. But this poem  might make you smile, especially noting the poet.

The marriage of poor Kim Kardashian
Was krushed like a kar in a krashian.
Her Kris kried, "Not fair!
Why kan't I keep my share?" 
But Kardashian fell klean outa fashian.
—Salman Rushdie 

Maybe you didn't realize you were accessing poetry during spiritual moments. The Psalms are poems, like the most quoted Psalm 23.

Lena Moore Psalm 23 Quilt ca. 1930 Collection of Janet M. Green "Talking Quilts" American Folk Art Museum

Remember when you were in ninth grade and you kind of liked that wild story with the Greek guy and all the monsters like the Cyclops and the crazy-haired Medusa? 

That was poetry, thanks to Homer, not Simpson. The Odyssey by Homer.

Cyclops AKA Claymation

Achilles AKA Brad Pitt.

 And don't forget Achilles, not the heel. The Illiad (and the story of Troy) was a poem, too.

 Speaking of Homer Simpson, here is my last evidentiary item. You enjoyed "The Raven: the Simpson's Version." I know you did. Though they did a really Poe job of it. (Ha, English teacher joke.)

The Raven: The Simpsons Version

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=251203 

Poetry...you like poetry. Told ya so.

The Raven:The Simpsons Version [117,615 views] 

the

The Raven:The Simpsons Version[117,615 views]

 

Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
http://compositionawebb.pbworks.com/f/owl.pdf

The Lottery

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
https://sites.middlebury.edu/individualandthesociety/files/2010/09/jackson_lottery.pdf

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

I will finish teaching my classes at Victor Valley Christian School this week to complete commitments I've made to write.
 My students will be in my heart and prayers always. 

What Happens To A Dream Deferred?

Harlem

By Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up

      like a raisin in the sun?

      Or fester like a sore—

      And then run?

      Does it stink like rotten meat?

      Or crust and sugar over—

      like a syrupy sweet?

      Maybe it just sags

      like a heavy load.

      Or does it explode?

Beware the Ides of March!

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with John Wilkes Booth (l) playing Marc Antony and brothers Edwin (c) and Junius playing Brutus. Maybe Edwin played Cassius.

March 15 used to be the day untenured teachers received noticed they were being let go. The irony was not not lost on anyone.
Here is Marcus Brutus played by Marlon Brando (1953.) There are many excellent film productions of the play; I saw it at the Old Globe in San Diego. As usual, Shakespeare is too cool. 

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears  

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsjkfr_friends-romans-countrymen-lend-me-your-ears_creation#.UUNXkzfwXmA

Writing Strategies: Evaluating Film as Literature

Third Quarter Assessment Grade 12

Writing Strategies: Evaluating Film as Literature

English 12 Taylor

This is a two-part assessment. The first part is to choose a film appropriate for school discussion and describe the elements that identifies it as true literature.

The second part of this assessment is to describe the elements of the class-view film “Life Is Beautiful” and describe the elements of that identifies it as true literature.

Three paragraphs for each part will be adequate, a total of six paragraphs. This may be typed or handwritten.

Theme, character, and plot are primary elements of story and narrative that would elevate a film to true literature.

Rubric for assessment for Evaluating Film as Literature

Student Choice; also Rubric for Teacher Choice

Needs improvement                    Satisfactory                                 Superior

1.                                                        Discusses one element

thoroughly

2.                                                         Enhanced vocabulary

3.                                                         Enhanced sentence

                                                    structure and usage.

   This is a Q3 Cumulative Assessment. This is due start of class Thursday, 3/14/19.

Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" Questions Act V

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’ English 10

Questions Act V Ms. Taylor

1.  What lesson did you learn from the play?

2.  What omens does Cassius see before the battle?

3.  What effect do the omens have on him? Why do Cassius and Brutus both plan to kill themselves should they lose the battle? What are some key differences in their deaths? How do these differences reflect the contrast in each man’s character?

4.  What are Brutus’ final word? How do these word reveal his essential nobility?

5.  How has Antony felt toward Brutus throughout most of the play? How and why does Anthony’s attitude toward Brutus change at the end?

6.  Now that Octavius and Antony have triumphed, what do you think will become of the Roman republic? Do you think this will be a good or a bad thing?

Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" Questions Act V

Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet” Act V

 Grade 9 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act V

1.    Were you in any way surprised by the way in which this play ends? Why or why not?

2.    In Act V, Scene I, what news causes Romeo to exclaim, “Then I defy you, start”? How are Romeo’s word consistent with what you know of his character?

3.    Identify at least three events that cause the Friar’s scheme to fail. Why is it not surprising that the scheme fails?

4.    How do Romeo and Juliet die? Which is most to blame for the lovers’ deaths—chance, the lovers themselves, or their families? Explain.

5.    How do you think events would have turned out if the apothecary had refused to sell poison to Romeo? What other unique actions in the chain of events, if avoided, could have changed the play’s outcome?

6.    How does the relationship of the feuding families change at the end of the play? Were Romeo and Juliet’s deaths necessary for the feus to end? Explain. Do you think tragedies always lead to peace?

7.    In what ways does Shakespeare’s play provide a valuable lesson about the destructive effects of hatred?

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’ English 9 Taylor Questions Act IV

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’

English 9 Taylor

Questions Act IV

1.    Should Romeo and Juliet have followed Friar Lawrence’s advice: Why or why not?

2.    What event are Paris and Juliet discussing at the beginning of Act IV? How do their feelings about the event differ?

3.    What is Friar Lawrence’s plan for Juliet?

4.    Why do you think Juliet trusts the Friar?

5.    What three fears does Julies reveal in her soliloquy in Scene iii? What does the soliloquy reveal about her personality?

6.    Do you think drinking the potion is a courageous or foolish act? Explain. How has Juliet changed during the play? Explain?

7.    Do you think it is appropriate for a religious person like the Friar to deceive people with the hope of positive outcomes?

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
https://americanliterature.com/author/ambrose-bierce/short-story/an-occurrence-at-owl-creek-bridge

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’ English 10 Taylor Act IV Questions

Shakespeare ‘Julius Caesar’

English 10 Taylor

Act IV Questions

1.   With whom do you sympathize in Act IV—Brutus, Cassius, or neither? Why?

2.   Why do Octavius and Antony argue in Scene 1? How is their argument different from the one between Brutus and Cassius in Scene 11?

3.   How does Portia die? Why do you think Brutus delays in telling Cassius of her death? Compare and contrast the reactions of Brutus and Cassius to Portia’s death.

4.   Whose ghost appears to Brutus? What does the ghost mean when he says to Brutus, ‘thou shalt see me at Philippi’?

5.   Why have Brutus and Cassius decided to attack Anthony and Octavius at Philippi rather than wait for them to attack? Who do you think will be the victor in the upcoming battle? Explain.

6.   Which character in this act do you feel would make the best leader for Rome? Explain.

God's Grandeur