Reading - We received our vocabulary words for the week. There are eight of them. Students who are absent need to get these words from a friend.
Brit Lit - Began reading Beowulf today. It's important to remember that there are sort of two layers of misinformation surrounding Beowulf. 1) Many people believe that Beowulf is a foundational reading for anyone looking into the English Language or British literature, and while it is one of the oldest surviving stories, Beowulf was not widely read or circulated until the 1900's. Before then it was sort of in hiding and forgotten. 2) Beowulf was originially a story most likely told in pre-Anglo-Saxon culture. Two huge cultural changes that occured when Anglo-Saxons came to Britain were the spread of Christianity and the spread of literacy; both play a part in Beowulf. Because of this it is important to know that the story of Beowulf was vulgar, full of seduction, gore, vengence and many other "sinful" things, so the Anglo-Saxons injected it with a layer of christian values while they were writing it down and translating it.
Together we read lines 1-12 and pointed out some allusions, and translated it into more understandable language. In partners or on their own, students read lines 13-85, underlining allusions and re-writing it to modern language.
21st Century - most our class was missing. :(
Creative Writing - Students explored the idea of writing their characters in romantic relationships. It's important to write these in the same tune as our other character writings BUT not be bound by time. Flash forward, or backward!
English 9 - Discussion of memoir craft, a little free reading time and begin discussing personal narratives.
English 11 - discuss what makes us human: morals, internal motivations, etc
Brit Lit - Began reading Beowulf today. It's important to remember that there are sort of two layers of misinformation surrounding Beowulf. 1) Many people believe that Beowulf is a foundational reading for anyone looking into the English Language or British literature, and while it is one of the oldest surviving stories, Beowulf was not widely read or circulated until the 1900's. Before then it was sort of in hiding and forgotten. 2) Beowulf was originially a story most likely told in pre-Anglo-Saxon culture. Two huge cultural changes that occured when Anglo-Saxons came to Britain were the spread of Christianity and the spread of literacy; both play a part in Beowulf. Because of this it is important to know that the story of Beowulf was vulgar, full of seduction, gore, vengence and many other "sinful" things, so the Anglo-Saxons injected it with a layer of christian values while they were writing it down and translating it.
Together we read lines 1-12 and pointed out some allusions, and translated it into more understandable language. In partners or on their own, students read lines 13-85, underlining allusions and re-writing it to modern language.
21st Century - most our class was missing. :(
Creative Writing - Students explored the idea of writing their characters in romantic relationships. It's important to write these in the same tune as our other character writings BUT not be bound by time. Flash forward, or backward!
English 9 - Discussion of memoir craft, a little free reading time and begin discussing personal narratives.
English 11 - discuss what makes us human: morals, internal motivations, etc