Poetry Workshop

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You must read and critique each poem presented in your group.

 

You must write up your critique for each poem in no fewer than 50 words.

 

You can make general observations about your peers’ work, but you must also reference certain lines and words when forming your critique

 

You must have positive feedback that goes beyond just saying “I liked it.” Describe how certain lines and images made you feel. Praise the use of sound and rhythm and be able to reference the words of the poet.

 

You must provide some constructive feedback. This is not an opportunity to mock or insult. Perhaps you see an opportunity in the poem to elaborate further on a theme or image, perhaps you see a word choice change that could strengthen the music of the poem. Perhaps your critique is a series of unanswered questions you have about the meaning of the work.

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Questions for the groups

 

 

1

1.Why do societies create heroes? What values do we expect our heroes to represent (use textual evidence from one of your heroes)? What values did the Greeks expect their heroes to represent?

 

2. Odysseus is a good leader. Agree or disagree and why? Does being a hero automatically mean that one is a good leader?

 

3. In what ways does Odysseus develop as a character as the story progresses?

 

 

 

2

1. Imagine that a messenger delivers a letter to Penelope detailing the affairs of Odysseus. Should Penelope stay married to Odysseus? Why/why not? Would you wait for a loved one for 20 years?

 

 

2. What kind of roles do women play in The Odyssey? Which females hold the most power? Why do you think this is?

 

3. How does the Odyssey define love? Why are Odysseus’s affairs with Circe and Calypso not considered true love? Is he justified to have any of the affairs?

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3

1.The ancient Greeks truly believed in caring for strangers. The media is quick to praise good Samaritans, and civic groups still award medals to humanitarians. But what forces in our time threaten to extinguish this tradition of kindness to care for strangers? What can we do to care for strangers in need?

 

2. Hubris (pride) is one of the major downfalls of most characters in Ancient mythology. Find some examples of this in The Odyssey. Make some connections to examples today regarding people with too much pride.

 

3. What movies or books contain the characteristics of an epic in today’s society? Epics contain adventure, have a central heroic figure, the setting is vast (large), there are supernatural forces involved, and an elevated style (serious tone of voice) is often used.

 

 

108 Student Generated q's

4

1. Odysseus’s slaughter of the suitors was justified. Agree or disagree and explain.

 

 

2. How did the episode with the Cyclops influence your opinion of Odysseus?

 

3. What if Odysseus had never left Ithaca? Is a hero’s journey possible without leaving home?

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106 student generated q's

Analyze the dynamic between Penelope and the suitors. What is your opinion about the age gap?

 

Discuss a feminist interpretation of the Odyssey.

 

How would a modern society react to the massacre of the suitors, even if the slayings are justified as is the case in Odysseus? Do the ends justify the means?

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Spring break work

Eighth Grade

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NJSLA Practice: Complete at least one practice test and complete all three writing prompts.

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Acts 4&5 Vocab:

Slander

Leisure

Rouse

Enjoin

Pardon

Orison

Shroud

Dirge

Ordained

Presage

Apothecary

Penury

Aloof

Strew

Condemn

Weary

Noble

Intent

Infectious

Inundation

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Sonnet PPT

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Due 12/3/18

Read Act 1 Scene 2 on your own re-write Mercutio's monologue in your own words.

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Act 1 R+J Vocab:

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Solemnity

Profane

Feud

Augment

Rapier

Pernicious

Heretic

Mutiny

Chaste

Grievance

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Due 10/3/18

• 106, Read "The Daughter of Invention" on page 86. You will be quizzed

• Complete Reading drill 3 and Writing drill 3.

Due 9/28/18

• Drill 2 - Organization, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Focus, Concision, etc

 

Due 9/27/18

• Add my (108 or 106) ELA class on Shmoop and complete Drill 1 - Organization, Conventions of Punctuation, Pronouns, Syntax, Support from the PSAT practice.

• Class code for 106: c5497

• Class code for 108: 664dd

• My email is dryan@jcboe.org

• If you have created an account at Schools.shmoop.com then you can just add my class. If you need to create an account, use the url above and type the word LEMONADE in the purple banner that asked for a magic word.

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Due 9/18/18

• Summer projects

Due 9/11/18

• Signed Student Release Form

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