Respect your elders!

Image taken from: Google Images on 13/10/10

From what we have read so far, write an extended response (at least one well-developed paragraph) that explores the following statement:

As Romeo and Juliet progresses, the audience is positioned to see that in the Capulet household respect for the family elders is paramount. 

As you develop your paragraph, ensure that you include/complete the following:

1. A clear topic sentence that answers the question

2. Depth and detail in your analysis - please note, I am asking for analysis NOT a recount of the play

3. Reference to one or more characters (you may also like to take the time to comment on any differences that can be seen when considering how this theme relates to different characters)

4. Relevant evidence that helps to support your main points

5. Synthesise your evidence - take the time to explain why it is relevant. Please note, this does not mean your simply include a quote and then translate it into what you deem 'normal' English. You are writing for an informed audience who understands the language in the play

6. A closing statement that adequately sums up your response

7. Take the time to proof-read and edit

This is due on your Blog by Friday 

Please note, there is a possibility that I will not be here on Friday; however, I am still expecting that the task is completed. This is because there will be a new piece for you to work on over the long weekend and I would like to look at this response over the weekend.

Weekend Homework - Due Monday of Week 2

You have a couple of things to do over the weekend girls.

1. Catch up on any work that is incomplete from earlier homework. This includes going back into your posts and proof-reading and editing if I have made a comment about this on your blog.

2. Complete your character map that was started in class on Thursday - most of you have already finished this but I would like to see them first thing next week. This will obviously be done on paper not your blog.

3.Based on what we have listened to and read so far, I would like you to start two character profiles. One for Romeo and one for Benvolio. In your character profile, I would like you to consider the following things:

* How would you describe this character's personality?
* How is this character viewed by other people in the play?
* What relationship does this person have to others in the play?
* What does this character's main role seem to be?
* Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?

As your develop your character profiles you should be aiming to include quotes to support your claims and explain why the quotes are significant (I.e. Synthesize) While you will obviously keep going in and editing these profiles as the play develops you need to be publishing each time you make an addition so that we can share ideas as a class. Make sure that you reference quotes with the Act Number, Scene Number and Line Numbers (Act V, Scene III, Line 33-35 OR V, III, 33-55 OR V.II.33-35)

As I mentioned in class yesterday, I would strongly recommend that after each lesson you go back over what we have read in class that day. You can either read directly from your text book or you may prefer to use the No Fear Shakespeare site. This site provides two versions of the play, side by side, so that you can see the original version next to a contemporary interpretation. This may help you to develop your understanding. However, make sure that when quoting you use the original.

The link to the site is:http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/

Homework Task - Tuesday 5th October

Your homework tonight is to complete the activities from today's lesson (you may not be able to access the Prologue from home so if you didn't get to this you can skip it - but you must finish the section on "Love Story").

Once you have finished the class work, you need to complete the following creative/empathy exercise:

One of the central themes in Romeo and Juliet revolves around relationships and love, but it also links to the influence of family members on such a relationship. You are to write a diary entry that explores the following scenario.

It is 2010 and a girl in her late teens has started dating a guy that she believes is her true love. Unfortunately, her parents, family and friends don't approve of him and are trying to force her to dump him. Her parents have even gone so far as to say that they will disown her if she doesn't cut all contact with this guy. In her diary she writes down her feelings about the whole situation. What does she write?

In your response, consider where in the world this girl lives, what her family situation is, what her social status is, what it is about the guy that her family and friends dislike, etc.

Opening Lesson for "Romeo and Juliet"

Image taken from: http://www.google.com/imgres on 5/10/10

For the first lesson of this term we will be looking at the themes of Romeo and Juliet and how these themes, alongside the classic story, have influenced popular culture. Specifically, we will be looking at Taylor Swift's song, Love Story and briefly at Baz Lurhmann's 1998 film adaptation of Romeo + Juliet.

You will find a copy of the song lyrics, along with links to YouTube clips and associated questions on Blackboard. You need to go into the main Romeo and Juliet folder in Units of Work, then click on the folder entitled, Exploring the world of Juliet and her Romeo. The file you are looking for is called, Introductory Lesson for Romeo and Juliet. It is at the top of the page.

You need to post the answers to the questions on your blog.

Please be aware that we will be using the Blogs quite extensively this term so you will need to be vigilant in checking the class blog and keeping up to date with your work.

Can I also please ask that those girls who were not in class at the end of last term take the time to do the assessment of last term's unit and my teaching? Thanks :)

Shakespeare Webquest

Your task is to introduce Shakespeare to people who know nothing about him. Remember to include pictures, diagrams, sub-headings and bullet points to make your information easy to read and understand.

You are to use the following questions and the listed web-sites.

Shakespeare’s life:

*Find out as much as you can about William Shakespeare. Begin with the points below:

* Where he and when he was born?

* His family?

* When he died and where he died?

* His wife?

Shakespeare’s works:

*Find out about the plays and poems that William Shakespeare wrote. Begin with the points below:

• How many plays did he write?

• How were his plays received at the time?

• Name five of the plays Shakespeare wrote.

• How were the plays performed?

• Where were they performed?

• What else did he write?

Shakespeare’s times:

*Find out about what life was like in England when Shakespeare was alive.

*The Globe Theatre

*Find a picture or diagram of The Globe Theatre and add this to your information.

WEB SITES TO VISIT ON YOUR QUEST

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/

http://www.rdg.ac.uk/globe/

http://www.ulen.com/shakespeare/

http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/

http://www.shakespeare-etc.org/

http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/soawshst.htm

Assessing Miss Leeson and the Femininity Unit

Hi girls,

I am hoping to get some feedback from you regarding the unit that we have been studying and also some general feedback to help me further develop my teaching style. If you could copy the questions below into a word document, fill them out and then print it off to give back to me I would be greatly appreciative.

You can put your name on it if you wish, or it can be anonymous - it is up to you :)

Thanks,

Miss Leeson.


Feedback regarding unit on femininity:

1.What were you expecting when we first started this unit?

2. Did the unit develop the way you were expecting?

3. What elements of the unit, if any, did you enjoy the most and why?

4. What elements of the unit did you enjoy the least and why?

5. Do you think that this is a useful unit to study in Year 10, why/why not?

6. Can you provide any suggestions as to how we could improve this unit for future Year 10 groups?

General Feedback:

1. Has the use of Blackboard and the class blog helped you so far this year in finding information, etc?

2. With regards to my teaching style/method what am I doing that you would like to see continue?

3. What am I doing that you think I could improve upon?

4. Lastly, so that I can plan for next term, are there any things that you are concerned about regarding Year 11 English for which I can help you feel better prepared?

Character Profile - Nigel

Image taken from: googleimages on 12/08/10

Versions of femininity/masculinity -

• Seen to be feminine because of his love for fashion
• The role he takes with Andy appears to be feminine rather than masculine
• His concern for his appearance seems feminine
• Kind and helpful
• Can be condescending and sarcastic
• Sharing
• His actions and words - plus way of speaking - appear feminine
• Switches between dependent on Miranda and independent in terms of the freedom is seems to have in their relationship - he is closer to being her equal than anyone else seems to be in the office

Actions - 

• Helps Andy out with her wardrobe 
• Plays a fairy godmother type role - turns Cinderella into a princess.
• Helps Andy fit into her new environment
• Takes Andy under his wing
• Maternal type actions
• Helps Andy develop her style - becomes her stylist

Appearance -

• Well dressed
• Well groomed
• Wears glasses
• Bold

Words - 

• Not shy about making his point known
• Determined
• Has attitude
• Can be 'bitchy'
• "Wake up six"
• "Yes, that's what this multi-million dollar industry is all about... inner beauty"
• "There is nothing in this closet that will fit a size six"
• "Sometimes I can't believe I talk about this crap all day"
• "My work here is done"
• Generally laid back but can become quite stressed
• "Do you not get it?"
• Usually gentle but can become rough

Changes - 

• Doesn't get the job he thought he was being promoted into
• Gains a new friend in Andy
• Becomes less positive/optimistic about his job
• Realises that Miranda may not be as wonderful as he previously was willing to believe
• Doesn't trust Miranda as much