November 30, 2011

Period 1 & 2--ELA B 30/AP 30
Today we started looking at some of the background information in order for the kids to getter a deeper read for studying Hamlet.  We looked at the importance of the antecedent action, when to anticipate the climax, characterisitcs of a Shakespearean tragedy and types of characters we are likely to meet.  We did a quick review of the Freytag Pyramid of Plot Development to make some connections for them.  After this, we dove into the antecepdent action (30 years before the start of the play, Old Hamlet and Old Fortinbras' war, loss of lands, succession issues, etc., as well as the quick re-marriage of Gertrude 2 months before the start of the play and character motivations).  Then, we discussed fatal flaws and I identified Hamlet's as procrastination, but without giving away too much of the plot, we started looking at why he procrastinated.  To do this, we take a look at Shakespeare's time and struggle with religion (Protestantism vs Catholicism) and how that affects their view of ghosts.  It ended up being a bit of a trip down memory lane to History 10 for the kids and we reviewed Henry VIII and his break from the Catholic church and the religious upheaval Shakespeare's family would have been caught up in and how that winnowed its way into the play.  It was a packed class with interesting discussion and we'll see if we actually get to the play tommorrow!

Period 3--Pre-AP 10
We continue to look at the two different plays that were viewed (A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night).  We needed to finish looking at technical aspects of the play and observations we had of them.  We filled the chart out together as a class (as much as my tempermental SMART board would let me) but were called down to the gym for an assembly before we could finish. 

Period 4--History 10
The students learned a lot with Miss Cambell today.  They finished discussing the Reign of Terror and looked at how that led to the formation of the Directory.  They moved to the rise of Napoleon.  There was a handout for them to fill in some blanks as they viewed the power point and then another handout where they created a timeline of Napoleon's rise.

Period 5--History 30
The grade 12s were introduced to Miss Lee, an intern that is going to take over for a couple of weeks.  They did some introductory activities where she gave them an interesting look at her passion for History as it connects to her grandfather as he came to Canada and struggled to make a living.  The students introduced themselves and then they set up some classroom expectations together.  At this point, Miss Lee discussed the Canadian Wheat Board and why it's in the news right now.  The students were able to give some interesting opinions about whether they think it should remain intact or be abolished.  Then, Miss Lee directed them to the concept of confederation and issues arising from the idea of it.  They had a handout to fill in some blanks as they watched a video outlining the rights (or lack thereof) of women and natives at this point in history as well as the push for a Maritime union.  She had them fill out an exit slip shortly before the bell rang.  They will continue with this tomorrow.