Tues. Oct. 23

BR: Do you think freedom of speech exists in social media? Do you think there should be any type of boundaries/consequences to what is said across the web?

Agenda:

• Grammar: Students will complete pages 237-238: the Semi-colon
• Students will finish reading “The Host” of the Prologue.
• Individually, students will answer discussion questions on page 165 and create two “Think and Search” questions as well as two “On My Own.” Students will exchange questions with a partner to answer.

Think and Search- Answers are gathered from several parts of the text and put together to make meaning.

On My Own- These questions do not require the student to have read the passage but he/she must use their background or prior knowledge to answer the question.

• Ongoing Canterbury Project- Students will continue working on creating their own Canterbury Tales with their assigned group.

Mon. Oct. 22

BR:

What is your biggest fear and why?

Agenda:

• Grammar: Comma practice pgs. 232-233, 235
• As a class or groups, we will finish reading the Prologue 
• Students will answer questions at end of Prologue in groups
• Students will continue working on the Ongoing Canterbury Project

Friday Oct. 19

BR: If you could spend a weekend anywhere, where would it be?

Agenda:

• Grammar: Students will continue correcting common comma errors. Students will complete pages 230-231.
• Canterbury Tales: Class will continue reading the Prologue and go over all characters covered with pairs. 
• Students will work on character chart during reading and after.
• Ongoing Project: What literary elements does Chaucer use? (rhyme, irony, imagery, etc.) Make a list. How does he portray his characters? Direct and indirect characterization? Does the person's physical appearance reflect their inner self? Include these elements in this ongoing project.

Guidelines for creating your own Canterbury Tales

            Your assignment is to create your own Canterbury Tales....  Imagine you and ten of the important people in your life are going on a road trip.*  Where would you go, and why?  Your introduction will include the following:  Who is going, where you are going, why you are going, when you are going, and how you are traveling.

            Your tales must have a title, an introduction, and a section of 6-10 lines for each of the ten pilgrims you are taking on your trip, all written in couplets (every two lines rhyme:  AA, BB, CC, etc.).  In each of these individual character sections, you will describe the character in the manner that Chaucer describes his characters.  The tone of your descriptions should be positive, gentle, and appropriate.  

            *IN-CLASS WORK DAYS:  You must be in class and working to earn these points.  IF you are absent and IF it is excused, you may get credit ONLY if you come to me the day after your absence and show me the work that you did so it can be approved.

*The characters do not have to be people you know; you may take anyone, real or fictitious, on your trip.

Thurs. Oct.18

BR: Complete the following statements to create a memorable simile.

Small as
Funny as
Beautiful as
Slow as
Quiet as
Compassionate as
Tall as
Smart as

**** Avoid cliches!

Agenda:

•  Be prepared for a character chart check during this class.
  
• Grammar: Students will continue correcting common comma errors. Students will complete pages 228-229.
• Writing: Think about your favorite getaway. What do you smell? Touch? Hear? See? Taste? Write two well-developed paragraphs dedicated to different senses concerning your favorite getaway. Incorporate verbs which show movement, vivid adjectives, concrete nouns, figures of speech and dialogue.
• Canterbury Tales: Class will continue reading the Prologue.
• Students will work on character chart during reading and after.

Wed. Oct. 17

BR: Describe a person who changed the way you feel about yourself. (Keep this writing assignment).

Agenda:

• Grammar: Students will practice correcting sentences with comma errors by completing pages 226-227. Teacher will go over with class the correct answers.
• Introduction to Descriptive Writing: Students will view a slide show and take notes. Students will see examples of the concept of “show me, don’t tell me.”
• Descriptive Writing Practice: Students will practice implementing descriptive writing with practice on slide show.
• Canterbury Tales: Teacher will go over characters from Friday. Class will continue reading the Prologue.

Friday Oct.12

BR: Who is your favorite character of Canterbury Tales and why?

 What do you think the following Venn Diagram means?

Agenda:

• In pairs students will read the Prologue through the lawyer. 
• Fill out character chart. Be sure to include direct quotes and line numbers. 
• Students will be reviewed for the Midterm.  
•  Descriptive Writing: Teacher will share examples of descriptive writing. Students will practice descriptive writing. Teacher will assist students in the concept of “show, don’t tell.”

Thurs. Oct. 11

BR: If you had a time machine, what would you change about your past? Why?

Agenda:

• Copy Mid-term Review below.

I.                    Literature

A.     Beowulf

1.      Voc.

2.      Literary terms (see blog)

3.      Recall (general plot)

B.     Canterbury Tales

1.      Background (see power-point on blog, refer to notes)

2.      Prologue (only characters we have covered: The Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Nun, and Monk)

3.      Literary terms (see blog)

4.      Vocabulary (see blog)

II.                 Grammar

A.     Phrases

B.     Fragments, run-on's, and sentences

III.               Writing

A.     Compare and contrast elements (see notes)

B.     General Elements of essay (see notes)

•  Descriptive Writing: Students will be introduced to descriptive writing, taking note of the basic elements and practices of this form of writing. Students will practice "showing and not telling." 
• Students will continue reading the Canterbury Tales. 
• Students will actively fill out character chart.