Act 5 character blog

For your final blog post, you will need to do a "self" reflection (remember to stay in character): who were you? what role did you play? what is important about your character/role? How would the play be different without you in it?
Please also include two quotes an explain their significance: Something you said or did and something that was said/done to you.

Lastly, make sure that you have all the extra components addressed in the Act 1 character blog post.

Have fun!

Act 4 character blogs

Today we will be doing something a little different with Act 4 (rather than writing a summary/analysis, you will be conducting an interview.

New of Romeo's banishment, Juliet's "death", Tybalt's death and Mercutio's death has reached all of Verona and beyond. You are a journalist working for a paper. Your task will be to pose 5 questions to your character about anything that has taken place in the play (with slightly more emphasis on Act 4, but you are not confined to Act 4). Then, you will need to respond to the questions in your blog post (remember to stay in character!)

Further to this, rather than (or "in addition to" if you are feeling like going "above and beyond") commenting on the other character's blog, I would also like you to pose a question to them about something in the play so far.

Lastly, you will need to answer the questions that other characters have pose to you (again, remember to stay in character).

For all the questions that you do (your own blog and comments to others) please remember to avoid basic recall and reading comprehension questions and, instead, pose higher/deeper-level and critical thinking type of questions.
Have fun! A fantastic job so far!

Please make sure that you have ccompleted both Post Secrets (one for your character and one anonymously for yourself) and completed the 6 level questions (that we did in groups yesterday).

Act 3 character blogs

So, Act 3 character blog will be similar to your Act 1 and Act 2 character blog (a post of about 250 words that synthesizes and analyzes the content and themes of the Act via your character's perspective, comment on all the other character's blog and comment on your own comments).

But, the added twist to your blog post with involve identifying, supporting and explaining the significance of 3 different emotions specific to your character, which can have been evident from any point in the play so far).

Use the "list of emotions" sheets that you were given before or access this list of emotions.

Therefore your blog post should include:

• A synthesis and analysis of the content and themes of Act 3 via your character's perspective
• Identify three emotions that are evident in your character (things they do/say or things others say about them/do to them).
• Find a quote for each emotion that best suits that emotion and demonstrates that it is specific to your character.
• Explain the significance of each of the three quotes/emotions

The things to include in your blog should be naturally woven into the content of your blog. When you are done, remember to comment on other character's blogs and repond to your own.

Have fun!

Romeo and Juliet Act 2

To begin, a fantastic start on your Act 1 blogs: some great content, concepts, ideas and themes raised from the first Act. As well, some excellent banter and conversations among the blogs.

• Please use the Act One blog instructions to complete the requirements for the blog.
• You will complete your own post for Act (content and themes and about 250 words), comment on other blogs and comment on comments left on your own blog. 
• Use the "Things to Consider for Act 2" to help formulate your responses.
• Remember to stay in character.

Things to Consider for Act 2
(again, remember that you do not need to answer these questions, but you may want to consider them for your response paragraph and/or comments on other blogs)

1. How does the Prologue add suspense to the plot?

2. Explain the light/day/night/dark motif in this scene.

3. Explain the “Juliet is the sun” metaphor.

4. Explain the Name/Rose metaphor.

  5. What foreshadowing is in Friar Lawrence’s speech about herbs and flowers?

6. How does Friar Lawrence distinguish Rosaline’s response to Romeo as different than

Juliet’s response?

7. Why does the friar agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

8. How is the friar an unknowing servant of fate?

9. Explain the possible significance of Mercutio’s reference to Thisbe.

10. Both Mercutio and Juliet believe that they know the “real” Romeo? How are their

perceptions of Romeo different?

11. What is Romeo’s conflict in regards to Question 10?

12. Give examples of “young, romantic love.”

13. Give two examples of foreshadowing.

14. How is the Friar in contrast to all other characters in the play? How does he change

to be just like all the other characters? (the answer to the second question is not in the

scene, but try to predict)

Romeo and Juliet: Act One character blogs

The goal of your blog is to express the thoughts, feelings, and history of your chosen character in a variety of ways. As you design your blog, you should always consider whether you are representing your character accurately, based on the text. It is absolutely fine to add details to your character’s life that are not mentioned in the text, as long as they are both appropriate to our school context and in line with the way the author describes your character.

Each group will create their own blog at blogspot.com for their character. We will be visiting the blog at the end of each act in Romeo and Juliet and there will be class time set aside to do this. I will link all the blogs to our class blog, but please become followers of the other blogs as you will need to visit them to comment on blog posts, try their surveys, and view their content.

Everyone’s blog MUST have ALL of the following (although you can choose at which stage of the play you include these):

• At least five posts written from the perspective of your character at the end of each act. These posts should be at least 250 words each. Each post must reflect content and themes of the act that was just read. Use the “ Act One: Things to Consider” section below to assist with your blog post.

• At least one post must have a related image within it.

• A sidebar that includes at least three links grouped around a theme of interest to your

Character

• A header with a title that matches your character and blog content, with a quotation

related to your character from the novel as a subtitle.

• A photo of your character (as you imagine him or her) on the sidebar with a brief

description of your character (role in life, relationships, goals, location, etc.)

Everyone’s blog MUST have ONE of the following:

• A link to a video or an embedded video

• A survey for viewers

• An additional set of links grouped around another theme

• Photo slideshow

• graphic and quotation

Each time we post, you will also be responsible for visiting each of the other character’s blogs and respond, via character, to their post/content of their blog page.

ACT ONE: THINGS TO CONSIDER

Literary Elements

Foreshadowing:  The Prologue states that this is the story of “star-crossed lovers.”  There are four strong foreshadowings of evil in Act 1.  

Pun:  A pun is a play on words.  Usually a pun involves words that sound alike, even though they are spelled differently and have different meanings.  In scene 4, Romeo is punning when he tells Mercutio why he cannot dance.  “You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles.  I have a soul of lead / So stakes me to the ground I cannot move” (1.4.14-16). 

Paradox:  A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself, but that on closer examination reveals a truth.  For example, when Juliet describes Romeo as “My only love, sprung from my only hate!” (1.5.152) she appears to contradict herself.  On closer examination, however, you understand that she realizes a sad fact: Romeo, her “only love,” belongs to the Montague family, a family she has been taught to despise since birth, hence, her “only hate.”  In scene 1, Romeo describes his love for Rosaline in a series of paradoxes.  See 1.1.181-187. 

Aside:  An aside is a remark whispered by one character to another, which other characters on stage are not supposed to hear.  In Scene 1, for example, when Sampson and Gregory pick a fight with the Montagues, they plan their strategy through whispered asides.

Discussion questions (you do not have to answer the questions in your post, but you may want to take them into consideration when you are writing your blog post and commenting on the other character’s blogs)

1. Discuss the sources of tension in the first scene.  Why are these characters upset?
2. How does Romeo describe the woman he loves in Scene 1?  Refer to things like word choice, connotation, tone, figures of speech, and so on.
3. Describe the Nurse.  Describe her relationship with Juliet.
4. Who are Romeo’s friends and what is their plan?  Discuss the debate they have with Romeo, as well as their motivations for this plan.
5. Describe Romeo’s reaction when he first sees Juliet.
6. Discuss the parallelism between Romeo’s “story” and Paris’ “story so far in Act 1.
7. Refer to Mercutio’s lines in Act 1.  What kind of friend is he to Romeo?  Would you like to have him for a friend?  If so, why?  If not, why ?
8. Discuss the Prologue and what you already know about the play.  If you were Romeo and Juliet, would you follow love or stay loyal to your family and friends?  Explain your reasons.

Blogging Thoughts

I chose to explore the use of the blog in our class to supplement “13 Reasons Why”. In addition to blogging being a tool that supports a “less-paper” course and you, as 21^st-century learners, I wanted to use a medium that would both engage and support your reading comprehension and discussion of the book’s themes that was not “basic-recall” questions.

As well, I did not want to only use the blog to support our reading and tried to incorporate other elements to our reading of the novel: video (My-so-called-life, Stand by Me and The Last Lecture), writing (beyond the blog – “13 inspirations” composition), representation projects (t-shirt and web at back wall), discussions (i.e. fishbowl), drama (still-images) and questioning/opinion responses.

Having said that, Ms. O-Quinn and I would like some feedback on your blogging experience. Consider the following questions in your response:

• Before this blog, had you published anything on the internet?
• Did you prefer writing on the blog or writing on paper?
• What did you like/not like about blogging?
• How can a blogging project be used to teach 21^st century skills, such as creativity, communication skills, and technology literacy?
• Did you learn anything new about computers / technology? Do you think this knowledge could be useful for you in the future?
• What did you like/not like about writing, reading and responding to blogs?
• How does/doesn’t blogging support your learning? Understanding of themes from the novel?
• Should blogs be used in the classroom? With novel study?
• What aspects of blogging you have struggled with or not struggled with?
• What other blog activities would students engage with?
• Do you believe that writing on a blog can improve your English?
• Would you prefer to choose your own topics or would you rather be given specific tasks?
• Do you think it is better to have one class blog (as we had), or would it be better for everyone to have their own blog?

Literacies

For the first part of today's class you will be creating your Literacy (they will be put on the walls). See the Literacy sheets given out yesterday and which group you signed up for.

When you have completed your literacy and posted it to the back wall, I would like you to complete a paragraph response. Your paragraph should follow the guidelines of a "good" paragraph as shown in previous blog posts. Essentially, explain what your literacy is (and each component) and its significance in relation to the book/cassette.

After we have asembled the back board and you have a chance to view the literacies and people's written portions, you will repond (comment/question) to two people's posts.

Have fun!

The blogs of AWESOME

During the discussion and reading yesterday, several people commented on Hannah’s choice to focus on the negative components of her life, rather than look at the positive.

Since we have been dealing with some heavy issues in the book lately (and it’s Friday!) your blog post today will be about ‘something AWESOME’ that you like in your life.

Have a look at:  http://1000awesomethings.com/ This will give you some ideas for what you would like to write about and the style on which you could write it.

As well, remember to comment on two other people’s posts.

Big Issues faced by Teens

So far in the novel, we have come across several issues (some more overt than others). For this post, I would like you to select any THREE issues that the novel has raised so far and respond to the issues. (Make sure that you make reference to the novel: quotes, paraphrasing, referencing, citations, etc.) Your response could include the following:

• what the topics stir in your own thinking/memory
• associations to others texts, events, references
• your own feelings about the ideas, tone and/or style of the work
• your own feelings about the depiction of the topic
• words/passages that you think are important to extending the significance of the topic
• images that stand out in the work
• repetitions of ideas, words, phrases and/or images
• connections among passages or ection of the work
• identification of symbols present in the work
• speculation about theme
• questions that are raised

You will be responding to two other people's posts. Having said that, keep in mind that we are discussing highly sensitive topics and many of the posts may involve personal connections.

Friendships and Hannah

Your post today will involve two parts; respond to each topic (some prompt questions are listed) following the guidelines for what makes a 'good post' (Mostof your posts so far has been extremely good; this is just a reminder). Try and make reference to both the novel and real life situations. Further, remember to comment on two other people's posts.

Part One: Friendship
-What makes a good friend? A Bad one?
- How/Why do friendships begin? How/Why do they develop? How/Why do they end?

Part Two: Hannah
-What is your opinion of Hannah SO FAR in the novel?
-What is your opinion of people's actions towards her?
-What is your opinion of Hannah's actions? (During the events and during her tapes)


Reminder: What makes a good post
•Concise with a specific focus
•Shares thoughts, ideas, or opinions
•Opening grabs the reader's attention while introducing the point of the comment.
•Specific details support information in the comment
•Has a "So What?", theme, lesson, or specific point that attracts the readers' attention
•Demonstrates detailed understanding of the task/topic
•Positive tone engages the reader
•Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is correct

Rumours and Gossip

To begin, some great responses so far. If you have not completed the previous blog post, please do so before you begin this post.

Gossip, or rumours, is often viewed as "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern"

Your task will be to write a response to any of the following questions. As well, I would like you to comment on the issues of gossip/rumours so far in the novel.

Please note the criteria for what makes a good post in the previous post and rememeber to respond to two other people's posts.  

• Discuss the TMZ, Perez Hilton, Enquirer, and People magazine mindset.
• Why do we gossip?
• How does it feel to be talked about?
• How would it feel if the rumor being spread was untrue?
• Have you ever had a rumour spread about you or someone that you knew? How did you/they feel?
• Did you ever spread a rumour? Why? How did you/they feel?
• What should I do if I hear personal or private stuff about a classmate or friend?
• What can I do when kids are spreading gossip or rumors about me?
• Why do you think people gossip so much?
• When do you think a rumor is hurtful, and when is it no big deal?
• What can I say to friends who are trying to hurt me with gossip or rumors?
• What’s the craziest rumor you ever heard? How do you think it got started?

Welcome!

Welcome to the English 10 Pre-AP Blog. This blog will be used for several purposes over the rest of the semester. You may be required to respond to posts, questions, articles, videos, cases, etc. You may be directed to complete mini-assignments on the blog or for in class, using the blog as a reference point for information. When we do work with the blog, you will be aware of it in class; if you are absent from class, please check the blog to see if there was any blog tasks that you needed to complete. Note, though, that not all assignments will be completed through the blog; it is just another resource that we will use.


Your task will be to respond to at least one of the following quotes:


1. "In 2007, 14.5% of U.S. high school students reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey."


2. "Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list."


3."I swear if there's ever another war, they better just take me out and stick me in front of a firing squad. I wouldn't object. … Anyway, I'm sort of glad they've got the atomic bomb invented. If there's ever another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will."
–from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, page 141


4."Don't ask me those questions! Don't ask me what life means or how we know reality or why we have to suffer so much. Don't talk about how nothing feels real, how everything is coated with gelatin and shining like oil in the sun."
–from "Girl, Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen, page 125


5."Then I saw it would be pointless to swim as far as the rock, because my body would take that excuse to climb out and lie in the sun, gathering strength to swim back. The only thing to do was to drown myself then and there. So I stopped."
–from "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath, page 179


6."Death and dying has always been a popular theme for kids," said Josalyn Moran, vice president for children's books at Barnes & Noble. "Kids like to read about situations that are worse than theirs and figure out that 'O.K., my life isn't so bad.'"
—from "A Story of a Teenager's Suicide Quietly Becomes a Best Seller" by Motoko Rich


7."For some teenagers, normal developmental changes, when compounded by other events or changes in their families such as divorce or moving to a new community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or other losses can be very upsetting and can become overwhelming. Problems may appear too difficult or embarrassing to overcome. For some, suicide may seem like a solution."
—from the University of Virginia Health System's Web page




Think about:
-what the quote means/its significance
-your reaction to the quote (do you agree/disagree with the quote and why)
-comments, questions and connections that you can make from the quote




When you have created your own response to the statement, I would like you to respond to two of your classmate's posts.


Your responses should be posted in the COMMENTS section of this blog post. Please remember to put your name at the end of your response, so that I know that it was you that completed the task at hand. Top quality responses will include the following information:


•Concise with a specific focus
•Shares thoughts, ideas, or opinions
•Opening grabs the reader's attention while introducing the point of the comment.
•Specific details support information in the comment
•Has a "So What?", theme, lesson, or specific point that attracts the readers' attention
•Demonstrates detailed understanding of the task/topic
•Positive tone engages the reader
•Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization is correct