March 23-27

It's the last week before Spring Break!  Everyone is looking a bit weary these days; hang in there and you'll soon be enjoying the (rare) Santa Monica two-week break. This week, we'll enjoy one of the most famous scenes in Western Literature: the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet.

MONDAY: Reading quiz, Act I of Romeo and Juliet.  Read and discuss prologue to Act II and Act II, Scene I.  DUE: Act I study guide worksheet.  HW: Finish reading Act II, Scene I.

TUESDAY: Read the famous balcony scene in Act II, Scene II and a close reading on two of the most famous passages.  Map out how you would set the scene on a piece of paper. HW: Finish set drawing for scene.

WEDNESDAY: View various interpretations of the balcony scene and discuss.  DUE: Set drawing for balcony scene.

THURSDAY:Read Act II, Scene III and IV and discuss.

FRIDAY: Read V and VI.  View up to the end of Act II, 1996 version.  HW:  Preview Act III of Romeo and Juliet.

Enjoy the break and get plenty of rest!  I look forward to seeing you in April.

March 16-20

We've begun "Romeo and Juliet" and have already had a chance to break out the (toy) swords.  This week, we'll finish Act I and work on the current events independent reading that will go along with the unit.

MONDAY: Discuss Act I Scene II and song choices.  Read Act I Scene III.  HW: Finish reading Act I Scene III. 

TUESDAY: Read Act I Scene IV.  Mask activity. HW: Finish reading Act I Scene IV.

WEDNESDAY:  Act I, Scene V: Romeo and Juliet meet.  Continue mask activity.  HW: Work on questions, independent reading. 

THURSDAY:  Finish Act I, Scene V. Discussion questions for Friday reading quiz. DUE: Masks.  HW: Study for quiz.
 
FRIDAY: Romeo and Juliet Act I quiz.  Current events day -- research on laptops, discuss in pairs, then with the whole group.  HW: Read the prologue to Act II.  Continue with independent reading.

March 9-13

After two months in the dark, dystopian world of 1984 and other works, we will kick off spring with a "Romeo and Juliet" unit.  This week, we'll learn about Shakespeare in general and read the prologue, and Act I, scenes 1-2.

MONDAY: Intro to Shakespeare: the Globe Theater, timeline, language.  Pick up textbook from textbook room. HW: Finish reading about the Globe Theater.

TUESDAY: (Minimum day and shortened period due to Open House Night.) Discuss Globe Theater.  Read prologue and discuss.  Activity: Shakespearean insults.

WEDNESDAY: Begin I, Scene I.  Discuss.  HW: Go over any portions you may have missed. 

THURSDAY:  Finish reading Act I, Scene I.  Finish study questions.  HW: Finish Act I Scene I.

FRIDAY:  Read Act I, Scene II.  Discuss characters, how each is shown to view love and romance. HW: Finish reading Act I Scene II, bring 3 song titles on Monday that reflects how each of the following characters views love/romance: 1. Romeo, 2. Benvolio, 3. Paris (1 title for each character listed).

March 2-6

Welcome!  This week we will work on the final drafts of our 1984 unit essays, including a style review, peer reviews, and MLA formatting and citations.

MONDAY: Finish watching Minority Report.  Fill out Minority Report/1984 worksheet.  Class discussion.

TUESDAY:  Receive feedback from rough drafts.  Discuss common errors and how to improve drafts.  Begin rewrite based on notes.

WEDNESDAY: (Mogilefsky out at mandatory teacher meeting.)  Class revisions for selected papers -- checklist.

THURSDAY: Type final draft on laptops.  MLA formatting and citation information.

FRIDAY: Final day to work on essays in class. HW: Make revisions and submit final essay or turn it in on Monday, March 9.  HW: Work on the final draft, due Monday.


Here is the citation for 1984:


Orwell, George. 1984. New York, New York: Penguin Books, 1949.