Class 3

• Medieval quick-search- research “high middle ages” or “medieval period”- discuss your findings (not early medieval or late medieval)
• Free post
• Draw connections between our current reading and modern-day heroes.
• 3 comments- on your own classmates

7th block

• Free post
• Promptbooks when assigned
• Faustus blogs when assigned
• 2 comments

This week will be a blog-free week, but you must read this entire post and follow the directions. You have plenty to occupy you, and I expect you to do your best on that work because you have the extra time to do so. Do some English work each night, even if you don’t have blogs to do. Also, consider the skills we use in blogging- making connections across subject matter, getting others’ opinions on your thoughts, thinking creatively. Still pursue these skills in activities other than blogging. 3rd block- reread, study, think about guiding questions, be able to discuss all major topics we’ve covered. 7th block- reread, do prompt books, look for patterns, draw conclusions. Both classes: respond to this post with a comment about how you are using your time and what you are realizing about your current reading (be thorough, detailed, original).

7th block: make 2 comments on last weeks blogs asap and send me an email with the links

• Free post
• Track the heroic journey in 2 movies or books. You will need to wait to do this assignment until we cover it in class. Show how the heroic journey manifests in these popular movies or books.
• Unpack the slang use of the term “epic.” Talk about how it is used in contemporary society, including an example of something that you think is “epic.” Then, find the link between the contemporary use of the term with the original meaning of epic. How does Beowulf meet both definitions.
• 3 comments

7TH Block:

• Free post
• Human Condition- I spoke earlier about Hamlet being a play about humanity and that you were going to have to take a different approach than we have been- thinking about the play in terms of what we can learn about being human. I used the term “human condition.” Write a post regarding your concept of what it means to be human. Also include in your post a discussion of how plays in general or Hamlet specifically can help us explore our humanity. Finally, discuss how thinking of plays in terms of performance connects to the play being a representation of humanity.
• Promptbook blogs are separate from weekly blogging and should be completed each night as we are reading Hamlet in class. They should be published when they are due. Check the course page for assignment due dates.

Welcome back. I hope you had a restful break. We are jumping right back in. It’s better to get started strong than to cram everything in at the last minute. Please  do the blogs listed for your section and read carefully. As usual, blog throughout the week, not on the weekend. Use appropriate conventions of writing, try to go beyond the bare minimum, and experiment a bit with your style. Blogs will be graded for quality as well as completion. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!

Class 3:

• Tell a story. It can be any story, true or imaginary. Tell it like you were telling it to another person.
• 2012 Year in Review- if you do a search for “year in review blogs” you will see all kinds of posts. Do this to get some inspiration, and then write your own year in review. You may take any approach, but the ideas must be your own and show some aspect of your personal beliefs. Cover the highlights (or lowlights, and anything in between, if you wish) of your entire year (not just school year).
• Free Post
• 2 comments

Class 7

• Freewrite for one paragraph on the concept of drama. Write everything that comes to mind when you think of the word “drama.” Then, write everything you currently know about Hamlet and Shakespeare.
• 2012 Year in Review- if you do a search for “year in review blogs” you will see all kinds of posts. Do this to get some inspiration, and then write your own year in review. You may take any approach, but the ideas must be your own and show some aspect of your personal beliefs. Cover the highlights (or lowlights, and anything in between, if you wish) of your entire year (not just school year).
• Free Post
• 2 comments

Good luck this semester!