Monthly Archives: February 2017

2/15/2017

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So today, I have a sub in the room so that I can grade! We are doing the sin foldable. There are step-by-step instructions in Blackboard, but all I really need from you is to give me three synonyms for each sin. Turn this in the “old skool dropbox” when you are done.

PRIDE

AVARICE

GLUTTONY

LUST

WRATH

ENVY

SLOTH

2/14/2017

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Image result for othello candy heartsToday is one weird day. We lost power in 2nd period, and we missed ALL of Panther Den and 3rd period. 3rd period, the project is *still* due tomorrow. A deadline is a deadline. Besides, there was nothing keeping you from working on the project in your extra-long 2nd period today.

Today was still an actual work day: your five components are due: the foil flip doll, the metaphorical analysis, the theme layer, the pie chart, and the Othello reflection.

The rubric is in Blackboard, but it’s basically this:

Foil Doll: 15%
Theme Layer: 15%
Metaphorical Response: 15%
Pie Chart 15%
Reflection 40%

This means that if you don’t do the Reflection, the highest grade you can get is a 60. Don’t do that!

2/10/2017

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Today is the day I talked I class about the Pie Chart part of the project. If you happen to take it home to “frost and sprinkle” the chart and bring it back on Monday, I’ll still give you the Early Bird Special!

I just need the Pie Chart on paper – you can print it if you want, but I’m cheap and have no problem with a hand drawn pie chart. 😉

I am especially worried that you guys aren’t going to get this done in time. Either that, or you will turn ALL of these items in at the last minute and leave me swamped with 750 things to grade. Not cool, guys. Not cool.

Remember – I try really hard to respect your time in my class and I expect the same courtesy.

 

2/9/2017

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Today we took our test over Othello! When you are done, I encouraged you to work on your project. I am putting “placer” grades in Blackboard. They aren’t affecting your average, but you can see if they have been turned in and what your grade is. If you don’t like your grade, go fix it! That’s a huge benefit of turning it in early!

Here are the dates for the Early Bird Special:

  • 2/7 Foil Flip Doll
  • 2/9 Metaphorical Analysis
  • 2/10 Theme Layer
  • 2/10 Pie Chart
  • 2/13 Reflection Questions

2/8/2017

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I explained Part 3 of the project: the Theme Layer.

I gave you a few words to choose from. Choose one, create a thematic statement, and then connect that statement to your life, your family, your community, and your nation.

When I say create a thematic statement, I want you to create a universal statement that anyone can agree with:

  • Things aren’t always what they seem.
  • Even trusted friends can betray you.
  • Women are often underestimated.

When you get to your community, most of my students get stuck because they limit themselves to thinking about their community to just their neighborhood. All a community is is a group of people that in the same location and share a common interest or activity. Here are some examples:

  • church
  • sports group
  • dance group
  • gaming group
  • online forum
  • or even just your group of friends

2/7/2017

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Since I taught you what I wanted on the Metaphorical Response yesterday, today was just a “shut up and work day.”

A few things I noticed today:

  • If you are still working on the Foil Flip Doll, you need to move on! We spent two class days on this, so if you worked on it today as well, that means you have spent over THREE HOURS on this. That is just ONE PART of a four (technically five) part project.
  • Please work on the Metaphorical Response today so that you at least know what you are doing if you have to work on this on your own.
  • Focus on the connection part the most – this is where I can see your thought process.

If you are struggling, please look at the examples that I have posted for you. Remember that I don’t mind if you share characteristics with your table buddies, but I don’t want to just to share the symbols or metaphors. If you have a great idea, don’t just give it away!

2/6/2017

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We started out today by playing a few rounds of Tribond. What do the following three things have in common? (I’ll be asking you about these images in Tuesday!)

Then I went over the Metaphorical Analysis with you guys. Remember – think of UNLIKE symbols or comparisons. Don’t say that Iago is a backstabber because he IS a backstabber. Don’t say that Desdemona is faithful – that’s not a comparison. Try to avoid animals – that’s fairly basic.

If you get stuck, see if this is helpful:

  • If *character name* were food, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a car, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a toy, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a plant, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a technological gadget, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a color, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were an element of nature, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a chemical element, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a medicine, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a candy, what would he/she be?
  • If *character name* were a thing you can buy at Wal-Mart, what would he/she be?

Focus on characteristics of the character – either brainstorm on your own or in your group. I don’t mind you sharing the same characteristics, but I don’t want you to share the same SYMBOL. So you may all use the idea that Iago can’t be trusted, but I don’t want to see 14 papers with “Iago is a snake.” The creative thinking here is coming up with your OWN metaphor, so try to think of something that NO ONE ELSE will think of!

So far, some of my favorite metaphors have come from Shelton!

Here are the Reflection Questions for the Metaphorical Analysis:

Metaphorical Analysis

  • What did you do?
  • What was the purpose behind doing it?
  • What was the most difficult piece of this project? Creating metaphors? Explaining your choices? Finding quotes?
  • Which metaphor are you most proud of?
  • Who is the most realistic character in the play? Who is the least realistic? Use at least one embedded quote (please just use one of the quotes from your project for this) to back this idea up.

2/3/2017

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Today, we created a Google doc for the Metacognitive Reflection and turned it into the dropbox. This edit your is so that you can have all of your responses in ONE place.

Today was a “shut up and work” day on your foil flip doll. You have a printed copy of the instructions, I’ve read them to you verbally, I have showed you multiple examples, and I write everything down on the blog as well.

If you turn this in before 2/7, you can earn extra credit.

Foil Flip Doll

  • What did you do?
  • What was the purpose behind doing it?
  • How are Emilia and Desdemona literary foils? What is the purpose of this relationship? Find a quote that shows the difference between the two.
  • How are Roderigo and Iago literary foils? What is the purpose of this relationship? Find a quote that shows the difference between the two.
  • Do you think that the protagonist and antagonist (like Othello and Iago) can be literary foils, or does that relationship not count because it’s too obvious?

 

2/2/2017

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Today is the day that we start the Foil Flip Doll – part 1 of the Othello Project!

The instructions were printed out for you, they were read aloud to you, and they are also in Blackboard – I have multiple examples for you to look at if you need help. Avoid just using protagonists and antagonists (simply enemies or good guys and bad guys!). Also avoid characters who DON’T talk – it’s going to be harder to describe their relationship if they just have a simple personality, like Tom and Jerry.

Instructions for the Foil Flip Doll:

Cut the dude and the two bibs out.

Put the main character on the front flap and write a really good description of him or her.

Do the same with the second character.

On the last flap, put a definition of  foil and explain why these two are foils.

____ IS SO ____ THAT HE MAKES ___ SEEM EVEN MORE ___.

I have a huge pile of examples that former students have done in case you get *really* stuck, but try to think of your own.

2/1/2013

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Today, we watched an epic rap battle between Dr. Seuss and Shakespeare. This was similar to the “battle” between Beowulf and Unferth. Actually, this is called flyting – and it is very similar to freestyle rap that we see nowadays.

We read Unferth’s challenge and watched Strindberg and Helium cartoons. Helium is Stringberg’s foil – he is so happy and cheerful that he makes Strindberg seem even more depressed.

There is a Dropbox in Beowulf where I ask you tell me who you you are going to use so I can approve it.

Instructions for the Foil Flip Doll:

Cut the dude and the two bibs out.

Put the main character on the front flap and write a really good description of him or her.

Do the same with the second character.

On the last flap, put a definition of foil and explain why these two are foils.

____ IS SO ____ THAT HE MAKES ___ SEEM EVEN MORE ___.

Make sure that you answer the Metacognitive Element so that you get full credit!

Foil Flip Doll

  • What did you do?
  • What was the purpose behind doing it?
  • How are Emilia and Desdemona literary foils? What is the purpose of this relationship? Find a quote that shows the difference between the two.
  • How are Roderigo and Iago literary foils? What is the purpose of this relationship? Find a quote that shows the difference between the two.
  • Do you think that the protagonist and antagonist (like Othello and Iago) can be literary foils, or does that relationship not count because it’s too obvious?