FACEBOOK STATUS and MORE!

One final shot for extra credit / B-squares.
Please post your Oedipus Facebook status comments....and any superlatives, clubs, etc. for your yearbook that you are particularly proud of.

You may extend this thread to include composing Facebook statuses for non-Oedipus characters, possible screen names for our literary and mythological characters, or any other modernization of the texts that would be appropriate for our literary yearbook. This is actually a fun way to review for the final exam!

I look forward to reading your posts :-)
(PS: If you have already put your Oedipus Facebook status on the "Random Musings" thread, you don't need to repeat it here).

Advice for the Class of 2013

While I cannot invite you into the 8th grade classrooms, you know how much I value your opinions and experience in the class. What would you like to advise (or warn!) your 8th grade peers? Any tips for handling summer reading? How can they learn from your successes and mistakes?
Please remain appropriate! (Oh...and Nick, please try not to insult me too much, ok? :-) )

Romeo: Tragic Hero or "Fortune's Fool"

As promised, here is a place to play with the topic of the final essay. Shakespearean scholars still debate if Romeo is a pawn of fortune or a victim of his own tragic flaws (just pick one of the many!)

So, which is it? Don't forget to provide support. Your ideas may change as we proceed further in the play.

The Jurassic Blogosaurus

The Romantic elements of Jekyll and Hyde and Jurassic Park.

I realize that everyone is stressing about the thematic comparison between Jekyll and Hyde and Jurassic Park. Here is a forum for you to collaborate with one another and to ask questions / brainstorm/ formulate arguments and debates as you prepare to write the essay. Have fun, scholars! I'm really looking forward to reading these :-)

RANDOM MUSINGS #4 (the last one :-( )

Questions about an assignment? An unfinished debate from class? Something you wish to share? This is the place!

Wow...I cannot believe we are in the final quarter. This year has been flying by so quickly; I'm getting very sad!!!!

English 9H and Harry Potter

J.K. Rowlings' series borrows from universal themes, concepts, archetypes, and myths. Use this thread to discuss any connections you find between the Harry Potter series and the many characters and works of literature we have studied this year. Don't forget about how her mythological allusions enhance the characterization of her cast.

TWILIGHT!

I give up! Since we seem to be connecting Twilight (and the rest of the series) to class curriculum every single day, let's be serious about it. Use this thread to:

* find thematic and characterization connections to the literature we cover in class

* compare Edward, Bella, Jacob, etc. to the characters we have encountered this year.

* discuss the characters, themes, plot developments, and possibilities within the series itself.

* compare the book to the film.

Did I miss anything?

Keep the Laughter Going: Favorite Classroom Moment - Part 2!

It happens to everyone: words get jumbled between the brain and mouth, we enter into a conversation a moment too late... or we are simply confused. Ironically, these are the moments that help us remember the important information from class; laughter is a powerful learning tool. This is an opportunity to remember the special moments, lessons, activities, characters, and, of course, the miscommunications from our class. Help me to keep track of them and I will compile these into a booklet at the end of the year. Please remember that class rules apply: I will not tolerate any malicious attacks on any student or teacher. This is not meant to poke fun at anyone; it is meant in a spirit of reliving the occasional happy moment in our very special circle of hell :-)

The Sonnets

As this will be the first time we analyze poetry together, use this forum to share your thoughts about the two sonnets you will be comparing in your daily reflection. What do you believe to have been the purpose of the poets? The meaning of the sonnets? The meaning and effect of individual lines upon the reader?

Oedipus the King - Questions & Answers

Please use this forum to collaborate with each other if you are having difficulty with the text or the study guide. While I do not want you COPYING each other's answers, you may help each other with particularly complex passages or questions. I will be checking our blogsite frequently to offer assistance.

When you finish the text, you may want to consider the following questions. Feel free to comment or add your own points to ponder:

1. Compare and contrast Creon & Oedipus. What are their essential character traits? What textual evidence do you have to support this?
2. Does Sophocles believe in prophecy and fate?
3. What is Oedipus's fundamental hamartia?
4. What did you think of his final moments with his daughters / sisters?

GRRRRRR-ammar

If you are confused, help is here!

Random Musings - Q3

Questions about an assignment? An unfinished debate from class? Something you wish to share? This is the place!

Midterm Blues: A forum for studying

One of the best ways to study for an essay exam is to try and get inside the teacher's head. To help each other study, this blog will serve as a forum. Try to think of possible Daily Reflection questions or Critical Lens quotes that I might ask. Then, try to plan out your response. Remember: they will probably ask you to compare works of literature. Focus on common elements among the stories we have read. These include:
To Kill a Mockingbird
"The Scarlet Ibis"
"The Most Dangerous Game
The Odyssey
And Then There Were None
Vocabulary units 1-7 WILL be on the exam.
Edith Hamilton's Mythology will NOT be on this exam.

Pose a question or quote for your classmates to consider and analyze so they may post ideas on what works of literature they would choose and how they would approach the question. I will post a sample question to get you started.
V-Squares earned for participating on this blog site will be distributed after midterms during the 3rd quarter.
Have fun...and good luck on midterms :-)

Zaroff is a psychopath? Say it isn't so!

Let's apply Dr. Stone's scale of evil to General Zaroff....can we reach a consensus? Be certain to explain at which number you set him, what the number is, and why you set him there. Support your ideas with both the text and logic.

Keeping the Debate Going....Who is more savage: humans or animals?

Play nicely, guys! Continuing our discussing this morning, and based on your reading, do you think that humans are more noble / less savage than animals? Support your opinions with both textual ("MDG") and non-textual (real life) proof.

No personal attacks of anyone's beliefs will be tolerated!

Note: the picture is of a "Sweedish-girl's pet"

Levels of Depravity in "The Most Dangerous Game"

After today's discussion, I'd love to know what you think. Do you think Rainsford will give up hunting? Will hunt again? If so, will he be satisfied with hunting animals....or will he need more? Finally, would Rainsford be acquitted by a jury if he were put on trial for killing Zaroff.

As always, DEFEND your position with proof from the text; be clear with your arguments and proof.