Mon. May 12, 2014: Girl who Loved her Horses reading

Today, we began to read the play Girl who Loved her Horses, by Drew Hayden Taylor. Roles were assigned. Students were to add/highlight as part of the discussion. We got to page 103, column one, at the point where Ralph runs into Danielle.

Fri. May 9, 2014: Character Analysis

Today, I provided you with additional information about how to write an attention-getter. It was in booklet form. I expect you to have it read for Monday. I also reminded you that I am inviting any and all of you to meet with me individually to go over your essays. One on one instruction does help with comprehension and will help you achieve a higher mark on the next essay.
I then gave you a sheet explaining how to determine characterization (direct and indirect)m by using STEAL. It also contained a lengthy list of personality traits to help you do the following group activity:

Get into groups of three.
As a group, you were assigned to evaluate one of the following characters from the readings earlier this week: Dorothy, Isa, and Pat.
Read the play through in its entirety (and out loud). While reading, highlight any direct and indirect (STEAL) information you come accross.
When finished, get a sheet of paper and, as a group, examine the evidence you have found. From this, create a list of three personality traits for your characters and state at least three pieces of evidence (from STEAL) that support your assertions.
When finished, write down the direct characterization traits that the writer has provided you with.
This is due at the end of class.
If you were not here, see me and I will assign you a character to analyze on your own.

Thurs. May 8, 2014: Submission Expectations

Today, you had a presentation so we only had about fifteen minutes together. In this time, I explained to you that papers must be submitted with both the first and last names of all students (if in a group) on the page and that titles of texts used within the answers must be, at the minimum, properly attributed (major works underlined or italicized; minor works in quotation marks). I also stressed that you must create a title for the work you are submitting so I know what it is.

Wed. May 7, 2014: Drama Reading: Practice

There was a substitute in the room today. The instructions for today's class, which I wrote on the board, are as follows:

o   Hand in your M.C. answers from yesterday’s assignment.

o    form groups of three

o   These groups are not to include any of the students you worked with on the last drama reading (on Monday). I want you to work with new people as much as possible.

o   These groups also must contain at least one guy and one girl.

o   You are all to go into their portfolios and get the excerpt from the play Seeds.

o   Assign roles for the reading (director’s notes reader, Pat, Isa).

o   You are then to read it out loud to each other.

o   When finished, you are to answer the questions that are to be asked when reading a drama (you have these; you used them for Monday's class) and hand in one copy with all of your group members’ names on it.

o   Also, right near the end of class, be sure to get the multiple choice questions from the substitute to complete as homework. These are due tomorrow.

Tues. May 6, 2014: Drama Reading Comprehension

Today, students were broken into groups (gender mixed). They were provided with an excerpt from the play Monkeyshines. As a group, they had to divide up roles (and the director's notes) and then read the play actively (in this case, highlighting the five Ws). In reading, they were reminded that tone and diction matters if one is to understand the mood of the piece. When finished, the group was instructed to answer the questions they were provided yesterday (questions to answer when reading a drama). They were also provided with multiple choice questions to answer for Thursday. If you were not here, these are in your portfolio.

Mon. May 5, 2014: Drama Intro.

Today, I gave a Powerpoint as an introduction to our modern drama unit. If you were not here, you will need to come in at lunch to get the notes (or copy off of a friend). I also handed out a sheet entitled "How to Read a Play." If you were not here, it is in your portfolio.

Fri. May 2, 2014: Final Writing Class for Current Essay

Today, you were to complete your essay. While it was due at the end of class, I extended the deadline to the end of the day.
If you were not here, you need to see me at lunch on Monday.