Journal time!

Make sure you are comfortable with your Shakespeare recitation.  We will be reciting on Wednesday of next week (that's December 2!)

If you haven't done so already, please ask your parents which format they would prefer for Meet the Teacher Night.  I can post a video or we can have a Zoom meeting.  A Block parents would meet from 7 p.m. till 7:15 and B Block parents would meet from 7:15 to 7:30.  The video would be accessible on December 3.  The format will be a presentation about our class and will not be focused on individual students.  Progress reports will be issued on December 17.  Winter break is coming up.  Our last day of class for 2020 is December 18.

If you are interested in helping with "Spoon River Anthology", the fall play presentation, please let me know at my email address.  I will be sure to schedule you in a scene or two.  We cannot have people just showing up at the theatre these days, because of the increase of COVID infections in the province and the stricter rules about people gathering.

Journal #2 - Grade 9

What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?  Give the title and the director.

I think one of my favourite funny movies is "Start the Revolution without Me", directed by Bud Yorkin.  Second place would go to either "Sleeper" (Woody Allen) or "Young Frankenstein" (Mel Brooks).

What is funny about it?

For my choice, I think there are lots of funny elements.  It is the classic story about twins separated at birth and it is so fun to see Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland playing both sets of twins -- one duo is from the lower class and one from the upper class.

What is the plot (two sentences at most)?

The story is set during the French Revolution and two halves of a twin set (the lower class half) are mistaken for aristocrats and become embroiled in the chaos of the Reign of Terror.

Describe one funny scene.

The court of Louis and Marie Antoinette is having a ball.  Marie doesn't care for Louis and wants to humiliate him so she tells him it's a costume party and Louis arrives dressed as a chicken.  He keeps saying plaintively, "I thought it was a costume ball".  There is lots of intrigue and people are passing notes asking other people to kill different leading figures -- "kill the queen", "kill Escargot" (Escargot is a courtier) and the reactions of people as they read the notes is hilarious.

Which actor impressed you the most?

They are all good, but Victor Spinetti is very superior and slinky as Escargot and Hugh Griffith is pathetic and memorable as the King.  Billie Whitelaw is also very nasty (in a good way) as Marie Antoinette.  And Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland play both twins with so much energy and are such a contrast (to themselves, if that makes sense.)

Some of you got to watch "The Gold Rush" (Charlie Chaplin) and "The General" (Buster Keaton) last year during the lockdown.  If you haven't seen them, they are classic comedies and silent films, so perhaps worth a look on that basis alone.

Journal #2 (Grade 8)

On a scale of 1 - 4, with one being "not good" and 4 being "excellent", how would you rate yourself as a group member?  Explain your rating.  What are you good at?  How could you improve?

Are you a good leader?  Explain.

Describe a time when you had to work in a group (it doesn't have to be drama).  What did you learn from the experience?

Journals are due on Tuesday.  If you missed last week's journal, check the previous post and do it and hand it in with this week's journal.

First Things First!

English 12 and Drama 8 (First Quarter)

Report cards:  I must submit report cards at noon today and they will be posted on the portal.  For English 12, I marked your poetry projects and many of them were really terrific!  One important thing -- if you use a quote from another source, you MUST cite the source of that quote.  If you do not, that is plagiarism and is a serious case of academic misconduct.  If you do that when you go to university, you could face expulsion!  On the other hand, if you cite the source of your poem once, then you do not need to continually cite it.  Once is enough.  I will put the marked projects in a box outside the theatre on Monday in case you want to pick them up.  Drama 8 (Quarter 1 - Rotation 2) -- I will put any leftover journals in a box outside the theatre doors.  

Drama Club:

Because of the new orders by the provincial health office, we will not be able to welcome members of the club into the theatre unless you are scheduled to attend rehearsal.  Taylor will send out the rehearsal schedules and you must come if you are scheduled.  If you are interested in helping with filming -- either as an actor or a crew member, please let Ms. Kosar or Taylor know and we will include you in the schedule.

First Journals:

Make sure the handout is at the front of your journal.  Make sure you share the handout with your family, so they know what we're up to in Drama.

Drama 9:

Write a brief scene (1/2 page or so) with at least two characters discussing a current event.  Here's my example:

Bonnie Henry:  Oh, the covid cases are going through the roof!  We've got to do something!

Minister of Health Adrian Dix:  Yes, Dr. Henry.  We need to stop the spread.  What shall we do?

Bonnie Henry:  The important thing is to flatten the curve.  We don't want the hospitals to be overrun!

Minister of Health Adrian Dix:  Absolutely right.  Do we have a plan that can make that happen?

Bonnie Henry:  Yes, Minister!  I found just the people who will save the whole province!

Minister of Health:  Really?  Who?

(Ghostbusters music.)

Bonnie Henry:  It's the Virus Busters!  (A group of people in Hazmat suits dance in handing out masks to everyone.  They mime the elbow touch with Dr. Henry, but from a proper distance.)

Virus Busters (in unison):  Who you gonna call?  Virus busters!  (Dr. Henry and Minister Dix join in.)

Okay, it's not great -- I'm sure you can do better.

Drama 8:

What should Ms. Kosar know about you?  These are things to include:  have you ever done Drama before?    (in elementary school, in an outside class, at camp, with your friends); do you have stage fright (which is more common than you might think)? what do you expect to get from Drama class?  do you do any performance-based activities (like music, dance, sports)?

Remember, your journals are due on Tuesday.

One very last thing!

I forgot to mention that you need to return all the books you've been given.  Inside Stories, Hamlet, Inside Poetry!  (And if you have a copy of The Wars, that, too!)

Last post! English 12

I have really enjoyed our time together, Grade 12's.  What a contrast between you guys and my other class in the quarter, which was Drama 8!!

This is what our last day will look like:

Question of the day.

Practice your Hamlet scene for 20 minutes (know your lines)

Present your play.

I hope we will have enough time for each of you to present one of your poems to the class, so be prepared to do so.  

You will need to hand in your Hamlet folder and your poetry project!

No more be done!

English 12:

We are fast approaching the end of the quarter.

Make sure you have your poetry project to hand in ON TIME.  If we have time, perhaps some of you can share a poem with the class and talk briefly about your theme.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be our last days!  We will see your performance of the scene you have chosen from Act 4 or 5 of Hamlet.  Make sure you bring whatever you need and prepare whatever you need to prepare to make your last presentation fantastic!  I will want to collect your finished folders on Hamlet as well.

The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail . . . There; my blessing with thee! 

Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

 Soon, we will be done the first quarter of this very strange school year.

Grade 8 Drama!  Make sure you complete your journals!  I am still concerned about audience behavior for some of you.  That is an important component of your achievement in drama.

Journal:  Which of the Aesop lessons should you try to learn?  Tell a story about why you should learn that particular lesson.  Make sure your journal is in the bin by Tuesday at the latest!

English 12:

We continue to work on the presentation of a scene from Act 4 or 5 in Hamlet.  Use the handout I gave you as a checklist to make sure your group has covered everything.  Make sure you have answered all the Hamlet questions and that your folder is ready to hand in on your last day.

Your poetry project is due on November 18 AT THE VERY LATEST!  

These are the scenes we watched:

Laurence Olivier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ks-NbCHUns

Paapa Essiedou  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dZMJM-LGzQ

Kenneth Branagh  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK8am5ur7Ck

Mel Gibson  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf2TpWsPvgI

In your folder, write about the similarities and differences in the four performances.  Think of where the soliloquy is set, what the actor is wearing, how he deals with the bodkin (the knife),  what words he emphasizes,  what facial expressions he uses, how the soliloquy is filmed.

Which one is the best, in your opinion?

Answer this final question:  What is Hamlet's fatal flaw?  Discuss in your group and record the discussion (everyone should have an opinion).  Make sure you have reasons for what you suggest.

The Play's the Thing

 Great performances today.  A2, you will perform your Ophelia scenes on Monday.  It seems like you are all well on your way with the questions, so I would like each group to choose a 1 - 2 minute section of Act 4 or 5 to perform for our final scene.  There are lots of good choices -- Ophelia's mad scene, the big swordfight, Laertes fighting Hamlet in the graveyard!  I will give you lots of time in class to prepare -- it would be nice to think of every aspect of the performance -- costumes, music, lighting, acting, even props!

You should have submitted your bildungsroman to me by now!  If you haven't, get that done.  

Reading logs are due either today or Monday.

Have a great weekend -- it is supposed to be sunny and crisp!

Maybe by Monday, we will know who the president of the United States will be.  

Journal number three -- grade 8's

 Which fairy tale mime was your favourite?  Say the fairy tale name and the actors in the group.  Describe how they showed the story and highlight any particular aspect of the presentation that impressed you (this could be a tableau, an actor, a scene, the music, whatever you want to describe).

How did your presentation go?  Describe the rehearsal process briefly (who was the leader, if there was one; did anyone not help?)  What was good about the presentation?  What could have been improved?

What role did you play?  What did you do well?  What could you improve?

Poetry Project info

 Hi, everyone!  I am taking a break from watching the American election (sigh!)

Here is the low-down on the poetry project.

You must choose a theme and find five poems that deal with the theme.  You should write two poems about the theme.

For the poems you select, include:

Name of poem.  (If it does not appear in our poetry book, please include a copy of the poem.)

Name of poet, with a brief (three sentences at most) bio.

How does this poem fit your theme?  What does it say about the theme?  Does the poem tell a story?  What is the story (if it tells one)?  What is it about (if it doesn't tell a story, does it describe something, is it arguing a point or expressing an emotion)?

Why did you choose this particular poem?  What do you like about it?

What form does the poem take?  (sonnet, lyric, limerick, ballad, ode, etc.)  What poetic devices does it use?  (include examples)

You do not have to explain your own poems (you are to write two).  Just include them.

I would like you to include an introduction explaining why you chose your theme, and some sort of visual element (drawing, collage, photograph -- it should be your own work!)

I hope you will be able to share one of your poems (either one you chose to suit the theme or your own work) with the class and talk a bit about it. 

I posted marks for A2 today and will post updated marks for A1.  I realize some of you might have wished for higher marks, but the quarter is not over yet, and you have three big assignments upcoming -- the poetry project, the bildungsroman and the Hamlet group project, so there are lots of opportunities to improve.  In addition, you need to think about what your mark says -- if you are getting an "A", that means you are doing excellent work.  A "B" indicates "very good".   A "C+" is "satisfactory".  I know you all want to do your best and that is to your credit, but your mark won't change just because you're disappointed.  You need to absorb my suggestions for improvement and proceed accordingly.

Steveston-London's Theatre and me!

 I understand that some of your parents would like to see the classroom in which we work and also that some parents might want to see me, just to see what I look like!

So here we are!

This is the stage right part of the stage!

This is stage left including the door to my office!

This is the audience area with the booth in the background.  (And all our social distancing waggies to keep us entertained and apart!)

And this is me!  I am so used to wearing a mask now, that when I look at my photograph, it looks like my upper lip is very large!

O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!

 Have you ever had to do a task that you knew needed to be done, but that you just didn't want to do and that you didn't know how to do?  That's Hamlet's situation at the end of Act 1.  

Here is an outline of what we will be doing over the next few days in "Hamlet".  You DO NOT need to finish all of this by Monday or Tuesday.  It is just here to give you an idea on some things you might focus on as you read.

By Wednesday (A1) or Thursday (A2), you should have read both the last few scenes in Act 1 and then, Act 2.  The more times you read it, the clearer it will become.

After you read Act 1, scene 2, your group should do one of the four activities suggested on page 40 in the copy of Hamlet.  Ask someone who likes to write to choose either a, b, c or d in Question 1 -- you should all contribute ideas, and your group reporter should give me an idea of who is doing what and who is contributing (you can point out to the daily reporter that you have contributed and tell them in what way).  The piece of writing (a,b,c or d) should go into your folder.

In scene 3, we meet Polonius's family.  How does it compare to Hamlet's family?  Are they a loving family?  They give advice to each other.  Whose advice do you agree with?  Do you listen to the advice of your parents?  Do you get advice from your siblings?  Do you give them advice?  Is it good advice?

In scene 4 and 5, Hamlet meets the ghost.  Would you trust it and believe what it said?

Act 2, scene 1:  What is Polonius like?  Would you like to have a father like this?  In your group, make a list of his personal attributes.  Accompany each attribute with a quote from the play.  You may use things he says himself, or things that people say about him.  You can add to your list as you continue to read the play.

Prepare a mime (with Ophelia's voice over) of the scene she describes in lines 76 - 100.

Act 2, scene 2:  Different people arrive in Denmark.  Make a list of who arrives and describe why they come and what significance they have to the play.

Hamlet is excited to see the players arrive.  He asks one of the actors to recite for him.  (How much do you know about the Trojan War?  It is often referenced in Western literature -- why do you think that is?)  What famous person would you be excited to see come to Steveston-London?  Survey your group and write down a list of the famous people they would like to see and explain why.

If you were doing a production of Hamlet, you would likely not set it in Elizabethan England (the period in which Shakespeare himself lived).  What would be a good place and time in which to set the play?  Have someone who likes to draw sketch costumes for two of the characters that show how you would use colour and style to show the period in which you have set your production and also what the characters are like (for example, if you think Gertrude is behaving like a "strumpet", perhaps she would wear provocative, revealing clothing or, if you think Claudius is evil, perhaps he would dress in black or purple, or even red).  Include your sketches in your folder.

Your group should work through Acts 2 and 3.

In Act 3, scene 1 -- Answer the questions posed in Question 5 after the scene (on page 146).  You do not need to pretend to be a reporter or director.  This scene contains the most famous soliloquy of the play.  

At the beginning of scene 2, Hamlet gives advice to the actors.  Do you think his advice is appropriate?  What advice would you give to actors?  (You can choose a specific actor, if you like.)  Answer question 2 on page 174.

In scene 3, what is Claudius's dilemma?  What is the solution to his problem?  

After Act 3, scene 4, write an obituary for Polonius that would be featured in the Danish Times (the national newspaper).  Be sure to include his age, his achievements, and who is left to mourn for him. 

 Keep the answers to the questions in your folder.  Remember, you should be looking for images from each act to decorate the folder with.  You all need to contribute to the group.  The person keeping the diary should include things like who volunteers to do the writing or the sketching.

Also remember, you should be doing a reading log every off day.  I will collect reading logs on November 6 and November 9.

Your poetry project is due on November 18!  This is the last day of classes, so you cannot be late!