4.09.08

Today we read aloud in a circle, with students accepting roles. Finishing act I, scene ii, students are prepared for tomorrow's quiz. Page 23, quotes, are due tomorrow.

4.08.08

Today, simply, was the writing assessment test.

4.07.08

What fun! Today we completed p. 16 in the study guide, read part of act I, scene i aloud, completing the study guide questions as we read. Students are to complete act I, scene i reading and study guide questions for homework, due WEDNESDAY. Tomorrow students will take a writing assessment test.

4.04.08

Whew! Today flew! Students took the spelling quiz, followed by the reading quiz. Next, I read (with dynamic flair and spectacle) the opening of the play, prologue and half of Act I, scene i. We deciphered it using the hints in the textbook margins. It was very successful. Finally, we moved to the computer lab where students hunted on-line for "Romeo and Juliet" sites that were fun; they were to complete the site evaluation form as best they could and write a paragraph summary for two sites.
Before leaving, students picked up a three page article to read over the weekend.

4.03.08

Homework included reading pages 14-15 of the packet, on which there will be a reading quiz on Friday. This is in addition to the spelling quiz.

We spent today playing with language, from Yoda, to Shakespeare! It was fun, and students partnered up to create their own Shakespearean dialogue in class.

4.02.08

"ROMEO & JULIET" is our new unit! We have spent the past few days previewing much of what will be reading. Students have a substantial packet and a textbook for the unit. Monday, students were to complete pages 2,3 of the pre-reading activities. We finished discussing those on Tuesday and moved into the background on Shakespeare and his poetry.

We discussed IAMBIC PENTAMETER (5 "heartbeat" syllables per line) and BLANK VERSE. A text reading assignment followed on Shakespeare's staging. Wednesday, we continued with more on his life, complete with PowerPoint and worksheets. Homework was to construct 5 Shakespearean insults based from page 12 of the packet/guide.

3.20.08

PLEASE regularly check your student's grades available on-line. While the quarter is ending soon, the semester, which determines course credit, continues. I sent students home with a print out of their current grades.
Thank you.