Let's start with English 9. Last week we finished a creative project and a couple of writings. We're currently heading into the most emotionally charged portion of To Kill a Mockingbird so we've been dealing with the tough issue of race. They read an article about a case from 1944 of a teenager tried and executed for a murder he most likely did not commit being reopened today, and then wrote a 10% summary about it. We're also discussing tough topics like lynchings. I'm trying to get a point across about intolerance and the cost to society and human life, so our discussions tend to be charged with tension. I hope that they are learning that fiction can teach us as much about life and society as non-fiction. This week we'll be reading about the trial and writing a persuasive essay about it. Then we'll finish the book!
In English 11, we're currently looking at Act III of Macbeth. I'm trying to get them to play with it; I don't want them to take Shakespeare so seriously, otherwise all they learn is that it's boring. I want them to find his humor, and his energy, so we're not only reading and watching the play, we're running around the building doing activities. This last Friday we tried a "Walk and Talk" where they partnered up and read passages to each other, and then proceeded to answer some questions. The feedback I got overall was very positive. Here are some pictures from our day:
1st Hour Working Their Way Through the Halls
3rd Hour - lots of talk, then lots of leaning on lockers to work.
5th Hour - Walk and Talk, and then Giving Input
This coming week we'll mostly be working on finishing the play. I want to test them early to mid-week next week so that we're not doing it right before they go to break.
I'm a little torn: part of me wants to just relax and celebrate the upcoming holidays, and part of me is having a crisis over not having enough time to get things done. In the end, it all comes together; I have faith in that.
Have a wonderful week!
No comments:
Post a Comment