Lesson 74

 

We finished reading Act 1, before starting Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of the play.

On Wednesday next week, we will do a quick quiz on terms and key ideas/characters from Act 1.

Lesson 73

 

 Today's lesson was varried, to say the least.

We talked about the controversy surrounding Zeferelli's film (and the fact that I no longer show it)

We looked at how R&J can be used to build community after genocide.

We had a gander at Juliet's balcony in Verona.

We discussed sonnet form, rhyming couplets, iambic pentameter, allusion, imagery, and the racism of certain imagery from the work. 

After a brief review, students read very well - right through to: (Act 1, Scene 4 for BLK 6) (Act 1, Scene 5, 30 for BLK 5).

Any who missed the block should ensure they are caught up before next class.

Lesson 72

 We opened the block with the Indigo Girls' "Romeo and Juliet." and talked about ways in which it diverged from Taylor's vision...

We finished reading the play up to the end of Act One, Scene 2. (BLK 6 is up to line 45 in scene 2, and Blk 5 is at 85) Any students who missed the block should ensure they read the text online, and know what has happened so far. 

Best wishes for a fabulous weekend!

 

Lesson 71

 

 We started today's class by looking at a series of songs - we used them as a jumping-off point for a conversation about why this title captures the imagination:

• Pointer Sisters
• The Judds
• Taylor 

 We then talked about everything students think they know about the play - and contrasted it with this Insta post:

We looked at the towers of San Gimignano, in Tuscany - we talked about their origins, and the origin of the term vendetta.

We talked about the evolution of English - and that Shakespeare's Early Modern English is intelligible...that intonation and context can offer us a lot (and that insults were accessible last class, despite the challenge of the language itself).

We discussed what iambic pentameter is, and students learned the term aside as it pertains to plays.

Block  6 only read as far as I.i.49 - Block 5 made it to I.i.93

Lesson 70

 

Finally! After lots of hard work, we are moving on to some play (and study) with Shakespeare and poetry. 

Today's class was focused on reminding folks about the context of the writing, and connecting to what knowledge they already have of Shakespeare's day.

We then set about using our voices - loudly - passionately - to playfully insult friends, just as Shakespeare would have us do. 

Next class, we begin work with Romeo and Juliet and poetry.

Lesson 69

 

Students finished their final drafts during today's class.

Next class we move into lighter, more play-ful work 😀

Lesson 68

 

 Students began their final drafts today, and will have the entirety of Thursday's block to complete them. Those needing more time, but not advice, should be attending tutorials.

 A number of students missed Friday's class, but came in this morning to do their peer edit work - well done. 

Next week, we begin work with Shakespeare and poetry - a light end to the year, after an intense period of writing. 

 

Lesson 67

Today was peer-editing day. Almost everyone had their papers read by two peers, and some by three. They sat in groups for reading, and evaluated the narratives using both a checklist for specifics, as well as a 6-point scale.

Students who missed today's class should be prepared to either attend the writing lab for a peer edit tomorrow, OR arrange with a peer from the class to attend tutorial tomorrow, or Friday.

Regardless of the level of completion of drafts, we will begin final copies during Friday's block. 

Block 5 is reminded that on Friday, May 9th, class will be in room 3032, due to AP exams.

Lesson 66

 

 Today's was the last in-class draft day, though students are welcome to attend the Writing Lab - and/or tutorials - before Wednesday's block (we miss Monday, due to pro-D)

Students should ensure that they have a complete draft ready for Wednesday's block - they will be able to get the most benefit from peer editing by doing so.

ANYONE WHO MISSES CLASS ON WEDNESDAY SHOULD TOUCH BASE WITH ME, AND COME TO TUTORIAL ON THURSDAY MORNING - They may also need to work through Thursday lunch, if tutorial time turns out to have been too short.