Six Characters...

In the past I have done a precious little activity called "Canterbury Tales: Six Characters in Search of a Pilgrimage" that I heard about at an NCTE conference. The assignment is below.

Select six characters to go on the pilgrimage with you. Two must have been on Chaucer's. Two must be from other literary selections. Two must be real people (though not necessarily living). Explain how these characters would get along and what kind of story they would have told the whole group.

If you feel so inclined, comment on this post and briefly explain your six characters and what kind of story they would have told, who would have gotten along with whom, disagreed with whom, etc.

There will be other posts you can comment on before the 4th (the due date for this blog comment).

"Defiance"

When Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel was asked why Jews did not fight during the
Holocaust, he replied "...the question is not why all the Jews did not fight, but
how so many of them did. Tormented, beaten, starved, where did they find the strength-spiritual
and physical-to resist?"

Just a reminder, I am going to see "Defiance" on Monday at 4:20 PM at Premiere Theater. If you want to go, you are welcome to. It is certainly not required. If you do go, or if you have seen the movie on your own, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Week of January 26

We will finish the Anglo-Saxon period this week. Get ready, because Hamlet is coming up!

Monday, January 26
Discuss Exeter Book
Archetypes
Practice Multiple Choice (AP Test)

Tuesday, January 27
Anglo-Saxon quiz
Canterbury Tales intro and notes
Canterbury Tales Prologue

Wednesday, January 28
Vocabulary Quiz
Canterbury Tales Prologue Part 2

Thursday, January 29
Write own character poem
"Wife of Bath" intro and reading

Friday, January 30
"Pardoner's Tale"
Canterbury Tales Discussion
DUE: Journals
SM 4

On Monday, I will give you the memorization assignment for the Canterbury Tales. However, if you would like to go ahead and work on it, here it is.

Epic Heroes (and small-town heroes)

We finished Beowulf today and most of you seemed to get it and even somewhat enjoy it. (I know, I know, Tanner, you didn't.) I would like to know what characteristics of Beowulf as an epic hero do you think are still respected in our society today? Are there elements of the Anglo-Saxon code of honor that are held dear in America in 2009?

Thoughts on History

More than any other group, you all should be closely watching the current national climate. Yesterday was certainly a history-making moment. What are your thoughts on this time in our nation's history? I have linked the text of the inaugural address below, if anyone wants to link to it and comment on any aspect of the speech itself.

Inauguration '09

Week of January 21

First of all, I am so happy that we are only here for THREE DAYS!!! Life is truly good at CHS. :)

Wednesday, January 21
Define Unit 1
Anglo-Saxon notes
Read section 1 (18-30) of Beowulf
DUE: SM 1 and 2

Thursday, January 22
Discuss section 1
Epithets
Assign sections 2 and 3

Friday, January 23
Archetypes
Discuss Beowulf
Assign Exeter Book
DUE: Final draft of College App Essay
SM 3

There is a lot to discuss with Beowulf. I hope that you all are on board for a great discussion.

Classics

The classics have often been defined as old dusty books written by dead Western white men. I think, over time, that view will change. Our discussion over the classics and criteria for classics went so well that I thought we could continue it on the blog. What books have you read that stand out in your mind in this context, either as a certain classic or as certainly not a classic? What part of the criteria relates to your text selection?

Week of January 12

Well, two days into it and I think we're going to make it! This week is going to be a little more mix and match stuff until we start Beowulf at the end of the week.

Monday, January 12
AP Practice
DUE: Self Assessment

Tuesday, January 13
Group AP Grading

Wednesday, January 14
In-Class College Application Essay
DUE: Resume

Thursday, January 15
Biblical Allusions Discussion
Peer read College Application Essay

Friday, January 16
Anglo-Saxon notes
Begin Section one of Beowulf
DUE: SM 1 and 2 check

Welcome to Class!

Hey guys, welcome to the AP blog! I am really excited about this semester. I have to admit, it's an odd feeling to not only know but have already taught the majority of the class! I have great feelings about this semester. I think that you guys might just be the AP class I have been waiting on for six years!!! :) You all will need to post at least one comment per unit. It needs to take the part of an online discussion with each other. I will try to give you a couple of options per unit. This is required in the class. I also might occasionally post things on there that I forgot to tell you or didn't emphasize in class. I would probably make this blog my stopping off point each afternoon/evening if I were you. Well, I am anxious to have a wonderful semester with you guys!