Big kiss.

• Benvolio and Mercutio. They are different. What is the purpose of each in the story? Why are they even there?
• Visually, how has the film made the old fashioned story more interesting or effective?
• What is the significance of  Romeo’s costume, Juliet’s costume, Tybalt’s costume?

COMMENT GUIDELINES: Use your actual name. Complete sentences only, Paragraph form. Proper nouns, spelling and punctuation, At least five sentences per paragraph. Mention specific examples form the film. FIND ONE PIECE OF COMMENTARY (a review, a description, a bloggers opinion) that supports one of your comments. Provide URL at the end of your post.

The statement is a truth about some aspect of the book that you can support with examples.

The statement does not need “I” or “I think”. You do not have to qualify it as an opinion. You state it as fact.

The statement is a complete sentence.

SECOND THING TO ESTABLISH. Please decide on an artifact/creation. Describe what your creation will be, how it will show a deep idea from the book, and why you think it is the best way for you to express the idea.

In the comments section of this post, please record the two things: Your statement and your artifact idea. Use your real name. One post per student. Remember that one you post you cant edit the original post, so you might want to paste it in when you are really sure you’re ready.  Yes, you can change your artifact idea later, but it is best to choose something and stick with it.

This happens today the 26th

The first will be an essay based on your a journal response of your choice.

The second will be an artifact that answers the question; What is a deeper theme or idea expressed in the novel?

Lets deal with the artifact. Your job is tho create an artifact the expresses a theme or deep idea. You must decide what that theme or deep idea is.

Possible ideas:

• Original song with lyrics, 2:00 or longer.
• A radio play of a scene from the book
• A map of the Journey
• Physical sculpture
• Video product
• Photo product
• Web product
• Audio interview with a character
• A new front and back cover
• A scrapbook of Nhamo’s journey

The choice is really yours. What’s important is choosing something that

• You are good at
• Allows you to really show an understanding of the novel

We will keep writing journals like we did with Kite Rider. The same guidelines apply:

• Headings
• complete sentences  
• direct examples
• details and quotes from the actual book.  
• legibility
• 1/2 page minimum
• Record new vocabulary

You will be writing a responsive essay about the book, and your journaling will be a basis to help you. here is the wiki link   http://girlnameddisaster.wikispaces.com/

Thursday Jan. 12

Review Reading through Chapter 8

GOAL: Journal topics for up through chapter 8 – for response in class Thursday the 12th :

• What kind of girl is Nhamo so far? Who she is, not what she does. How is she characterized?
• What seem to be her greatest obstacles or disadvantages?
• Describe the similarities you see between Nhamo and Haoyou?

For Friday, be through Chapter 12.

Monday – We are through Chapter 15.  Goal for Wednesday: Be to the end of Chapter 22. Journal topic response

• What role does the spirit world/supernatural have in Nhamo’s Journey?
• For Nhamo, In what ways does nature seem like an enemy? Are there any ways it could be considered an ally?

Wednesday – We are (mostly) through chapter 22.

Goal #1 for end of week is to be through chapter 32.

Goal # 2 for end of week is to create your own book review and respond to at lest one book review on Goodreads.com

Here is the place to sign up and become a user:
http://www.goodreads.com/

Here is the page for A Girl Named Disaster: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/133775.A_Girl_Named_Disaster

Tuesday 1/24. Please be to the end of the book before Thursday. If you are finished, good. here is the last reflective journal;

• Contrast  the character of Nhamo at the beginning of the novel with Nhamo at the end of the novel. How has she transformed? 

1. tragedy
2. fate
3. destiny
4. banish
5. loyalty

1. romance
2. defiance
3. division
4. apothecary
5. vendetta

1. traitor
2. grudge
3. woo
4. courtship
5. omen

1. romance
2. suicide
3. eternity
4. exile
5. star-crossed

1. The Globe Theatre
2. Queen Elizabeth I
3. Romeo and Juliet
4. The Renaissance 
5. William Shakespeare

1.  The Significant Concept/Enduring Understanding we want you to consider during this term is:

“There’s always more to know.”

1. Respond to this statement in the comments section at the bottom of this post. Use your real (first) name when you sign in. Use at least three complete sentences for each response
2. Do you agree or disagree with the statement  Why?
3. If you agree with it, do you think the statement is important?  Why or why not? If you disagree, discuss that as well.
4. List three things about which you feel you should know more.  These could be concepts, places, ideas, things that can be learned about and investigated. Write what specifically you feel you should know more about, why you feel this is important to know, and how you should go about discovering the new information. Provide a link (URL) to an article, news story or online written work that deals with each of the three things (three links total).

12 DP English B

As your final internal assessment you are required to give an individual oral commentary.  You have warmed up for this, now is the the real thing. It will be approximately ten minutes in length and it is divided into three parts. Each part tests different skills and each part is equally important. It will be recorded and externally moderated.

The topic deals with an issue centered in one of the target English cultures/countries: USA, CAN, UK, SA, INDIA, SG, AUS, NZ.  The specifics of the topic are up to you.

 Part 1: Presentation

This gives you the best opportunity to demonstrate your language use because you:

• choose you own topic, something specific which gives you the opportunity to show complex thinking.

• have time to prepare

• may use brief notes. You should use no more than 10 brief points as talking notes.

• give a 3–4 minute presentation.

• select a topic that gives insight into or information about some aspect of the culture of the language studied

Example: Language B English

Topic: Football

Inappropriate. It is too broad and it has no specific connection with a Spanish-speaking culture.

Topic: Football in Australia

Satisfactory. It allows you to speak on the culture of a English-speaking country though it is still very broad and it could lead to a descriptive presentation that is not likely to result in complex ideas or reflection on the culture.

Topic: The influence of money on football in Australia

Better. This will require the student to show complex thinking skills and to explore an aspect of the culture.

Topic: Has money had a bad effect on the quality of football in Australia?

Even better. There is a very tight focus that demands reflection on an English-speaking culture and you are certain to show complex thinking in exploring the question and giving an opinion.

Needs For Thursday Jan 12;

• Target Country and topic
• Article, news piece, essay, report piece of substantial outside media (English language) that is directly related to your chosen topic and can be used as a basis (something you can refer to) for your oral discussion. If it is a written text, please print it out and give it to me. If it is a non written text, please provide the title of the piece and URL (address). This “base text” will be very important to you and to me. You will use it a a springboard for your speaking and I will use it as a springboard for asking questions. Choose wisely.
• Please place your topic in the comments section of this post. Use your real name. One comment per student. Do not double up please.

Part 2: Follow-up questions

This section tests your listening and interactive skills on a prepared topic.

 Part 3: General discussion

This section tests your ability to interact spontaneously under authentic interactive conditions.

 General requirements

You should be familiar with the assessment criteria. You will have only one chance to record the individual oral. The date fixed for the oral may be renegotiated to accommodate adverse circumstances such as ill health or bereavement. However, once it is recorded, you are not allowed to redo it. It is acceptable to prepare for the individual oral through regular in-class practice sessions. However, such practice sessions should not be conducted as “dress rehearsals” in which you present the same topic and the teacher ask the same questions, as in the actual individual oral.

 What makes a good presentation?

The presentation should include: idea, justification and details

 Some important elements

 An introduction

A general statement of the topic / thesis. A question can also make a good introduction.

 A map

A clear outline of the topic (that is the logical sequence of the content).

 Structural markers

(Such as: first, secondly, finally; one point of view is…; on the other hand…)

 A clear ending

This should link back to the topic/thesis.

It may answer a question that has been raised.

It may give an opinion on the topic.

 The effective use of voice

Must be clear.

Use varied modulation.

Proceed at a suitable pace.

Use appropriate language/vocabulary (conversational but not slang), and idiomatic expressions.

JANUARY 30 to FEBRUARY 3

BULLET LIST – 10 things

)

• Choose a buddy.
• Together, decide upon one god, demigod, monster, mortal or place/thing from any of the Greek tales.
• Brainstorm a product (or service) inspired by your chosen character.  Pretend you are an advertiser and wish to make a profit selling something to the faithful Greek citizens.
• Create a prototype or model of the product (or a demonstration of the service), and a piece of promotional material (2-D, 3-D, or digital) that will really impress an audience of God-fearing Greeks and make them want to spend their silver coins.
• All IP exhibition of products and advertisements happens next Wednesday, last day of school.
• YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO DO SOME OF THIS AS HOMEWORK.
• At the bottom of this post, in the comments section, please sign in and give your names (of your two person group) and the  character you are inspired by. That’s all.