Friday, November 30, 2018

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)

Charles Dickens (Part 2 of 3)


Charles Dickens (Part 3 of 3)

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.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Required Reading in MzT's English Class

Required Reading
English Class, Ms. Taylor

Each English student will read material outside of English class. Three types of material are required: fiction, informational and biographical. Students log their daily progress in a reading log in their interactive notebook (INB). The student will present an alternative book report (ABR) for each of the required reading three types. and write a five paragraph essay on one of the required readings.
The purpose of Required Reading outside of class is to
1.   Give students ownership of their reading responsibilities;
2.   Improve reading comprehension skills, as well as speed and fluency, in more than one genre;
3.   Enhance familiarity with punctuation skills and grammar usage through the written page;
4.   Open venues of research online;
5.   Develop speaking skills to the entire class as well as in collaborative groups; and create a community of respectful listeners.
6.   Strengthen thinking and writing skills through creation of presentations and essays.
7.   Grow curiosity and imagination, and an increasing love of literature.

What kind of reading is acceptable? Books and topics are cleared by the teacher.
Fiction books must be at grade level, and books considered classics are preferred. The student may watch a Shakespeare movie and do a presentation, however only Shakespeare is allowed in movie form.  Students may also read books of poetry.
Biographical material may be a book or information found online from valid sources, at least seven links to be documented. The resources may include video.
Informational material may be a book or information found online from valid sources, at least seven links to be documented. The resources may include video.
Here are the choices for Alternative Books Report:

Thank you, Todd Finley.


Students will choose one writing prompt.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Required Reading Support: Biography



Dorothea Dix


https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1092.html


Dorothea Dix Biography

Activist, Activist, Educator (1802–1887)

https://www.biography.com/people/dorothea-dix-9275710


Dorothea Dix

Social Sciences



https://www.teachertube.com/video/dorothea-dix-417000

'We choose to go to the moon...' JFK


May 25, 1961: JFK's Moon Shot Speech to Congress


John F. Kennedy
Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Program


John F. Kennedy - Full Biography


JFK Presidential Library






Michael Jordan Biography

Famous Basketball Players (1963–)
https://www.biography.com/people/michael-jordan-9358066

The Life Story Of Michael Jordan - NBA's Greatest Basketball Player Documentary - Documentary

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

There are other resources in the classroom library supporting these biographies.Required Reading Support: Biography

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving!


This is a hymn the Pilgrims were very likely to sing.


We Gather Together (Hymn Charts with Lyrics, Contemporary)