Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday, April 21st

Today we took the first part of the I.B. exam. If you were absent, see me to find out the make-up date. If you were there, congratulations on being done!

HW: None

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Monday, April 19th

Today, we...

1. Had a final discussion on TCO.
2. Collected all books - TCO and also any independent plays you might have. There is a list of missing books posted on the wall by the door. You must pay for any books you have lost before I can sign your exit form at the end of the year.
3. Discussed the rubric for the passage commentary - the I.B. exam you'll be taking on Wednesday - and then did some practice.
4. Independent Project groups filled out reviews for their group members, giving each a grade of 1-10 and explaining what each group member contributed to the project.

HW: review the I.B. commentary rubric, bring pens on Wednesday and BE ON TIME for the first portion of your I.B. exam

ALSO, if you have a 4 or below in this class, you may write an optional 3 page paper (topic of your choice) on The Cherry Orchard, due next Monday

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wednesday, April 14th

Today was the presentation of the final drama projects. Well done presenters!

If you did not attend class, you must get your project to me today, as this represents a major final deadline. One group performance (Gabe, Bilyana) has been postponed until Monday.

HW: Complete The Cherry Orchard and bring the book to turn in

To keep in mind: Next Wednesday is the first portion of the I.B. exam - the unseen passage analysis. You need to be in class on this day unless you are very ill or have some kind of emergency.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Monday, April 12th

Welcome Back!

Today, we...

1. Had final group meetings and check-ins with Ms. Potash about the drama projects. Be prepared not only to turn in your project, but to explain it to others, discussing your goals and purpose, what you discovered, what you consider most successful about your project, what else you would do if you had more time, etc.

2. Did some acting exercises.

3. Discussed Madame Ranevsky's monologue beginning "What is truth?" on p. 32 and performed it.

4. Worked on one assignment from The Cherry Menu. You should choose and complete one option for Wednesday.

HW: Drama Projects due Wednesday, Cherry Menu Assignment

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wednesday, March 31st

Today, we...

1. Started by doing an I.B. practice for the drama question portion of the exam. Sit down and write for 40 minutes on one of these two questions. Turn it in when you get back (10 points).

A) Dramatic works often explore some kind of transition – historical, personal or cultural. Explore the idea of transition in 2-3 of the dramatic works you have read this semester.

B) Love is a powerful motivation. In the plays we read this semester, many characters make decisions based on love, whether for good or ill. Choose 3 characters from 2-3 different works and discuss the way love impacts their roles in their respective dramas. How does love become a powerful force in shaping the action of these plays?

2. Discussed Act II of the Cherry Orchard, paying close attention to the characters of Charlotte, Trophimov, and Madame Ranevsky.


HW: Act III + INDEPENDENT PROJECTS (due April 14th)

Have a nice break!


Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday, March 29th

Today, we...

1. Examined the character motivations for: Lopakhin, Dunyasha, Ephikhodof, Firs, Anya, Madame Ranevsky, Barbara, Gayef, and Trophimov. What do they want? What do they not want?

2. Did a short writing exercise which you need to make up. Write or type 3/4 page on these questions, including a quotation in your response. How does this time of transition for one family represent a time of transition for Russia? Which characters represent which social groups/forces?

3. Chose one activity to complete (10 points) from The Cherry Menu. Print this handout for future use, and complete one activity for Wednesday.

HW: Act II, Activity from the menu, Independent Project

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Wednesday, March 24th

Today, we...

1. Took an in-class essay (60 minutes) - you will need to arrange a time to make this up.
2. Collected The Tempest. You need to turn this in as soon as you get back.
3. Passed out The Cherry Orchard, our final play. Please pick this up this week so you can complete the homework.

HW: Act I