Film as Lit: After concluding Hitchcock, I encourage students to be observant of any Hitchcockian influence on contemporary films. We began the Social Realism unit by each researching various social injustices/issues. Students will have Research Projects due December 3rd.The main focus in the Social Realism unit is to make students understand the importance of acceptance and looking at social issues through the lens of an individual or a family rather than a statistic or number.

Please note the Essential Questions for this unit:

1. Can film be used as vehicle to help end social injustices?
2. How does film serve to evoke emotional responses in the audience on real-world issues?
3. What are the motivations behind certain films that portray real-world issues?
4. Is it true that “history repeats itself”?
5. Is studying history through film effective in sharing important life messages?

Sophomores: We began A Tale of Two Cities this week. Students will be completing various writing activities during workshops in class to prepare for MCAS.

Freshmen English: We started Romeo and Juliet this week...with enthusiasm! After performing 32-second versions of Romeo and Juliet, the class is ready to learn all about the intricacies of Romeo and Juliet. Students should stay current with their QUOTE HUNTING PACKETS. Use NoFearShakespeare as a resource for interpreting and studying Shakespeare.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: DUE DATES FOR ENGLISH ESSAYS

Essay Due Dates (Early Essays** Accepted):

F&C Block: Due by Friday November 15.

D&E Block: Due by Tuesday November 19 in class.

**What's Due? All Process Materials and Final Draft.**

Sophomores: We just completed A Raisin in the Sun and are finalizing essays on Friday. We watched a short film clip on the French Revolution today as we prepare to study A Tale of Two Cities.

Film as Literature: We finished Hitchcock after watching A Shadow of  Doubt. Students are working on creating Facebook Profiles for some of Hitchcock's most famous characters. We also begin the Social Realism with Philadelphia today. 

Freshmen English: Below are the motif posters that Freshmen completed in pairs. Before this, we brainstormed all the motifs in The Glass Castle and groups chose a motif to artistically represent. These are all originally created by the students. They traced the motif throughout the story and created thesis statements that explain the importance of the motif to the story.