Deal or No Deal

Visit the NBC version of 'Deal or No Deal' and play a game (should take no more than 5 minutes).  You should note how this experience differs from the television production in terms of atmosphere, hype and emotion.  Using your notes, and the deconstruction of the television program done in class, post a comment that explains how the television program is constructed to highly engage its audience.

Family Concepts

You have now examined a range of texts that deal with the concept of 'Family'.  Each address various elements and ideas: what a family is, how family impacts on us, the expectations of family, the importance of family, the role and responsibilities of parents, to name a few.


Using the mind map you have created and your knowledge of the texts, compose a paragraph that examines an aspect of the concept of family.  Remember to begin your pargraph with a motherhood statement, amplify it by expanding on your motherhood statement, then providing examples and expanations of your idea from at least 3 texts.

Post your answer by clicking on the 'comments' hyperlink below.

Macbeth - Class work 09/09/09

As we are now halfway through the text it is worth pausing to examine aspects encountered so far. Read and follow carefully these instructions:

1. Foreshadowing - the conflict of this drama is foreshadowed by the witches prophecies. In the opening scene when we first encounter the witches they recite together: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'. Leave a comment on this posting where you explain how this line foreshadows both events and characters in this play.

2. Conflict - person versus self. Ensure that you have notes in your book around the conflict that Macbeth endures within himself. (Remember you will need quotes that you can use for the assessment task.) To assist you, view the video below of Act 1 Sc 3. Two sections in particular are important, Macbeth's soliloquies (3:22-4:40, and 7:03-8:18).



3. Word Choice - examine the word cloud below which comprises dialogue of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The size of the word indicates its frequency in the text. Respond to the following in your book.
a) Explain why the words 'thou' and 'thee' are most prominent.
b) Choose ten other words from the word cloud that you feel best represent the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Use them in a paragraph in which you describe their characters.

4.  Conflict - person vs others.  Go through your text and locate quotes that indicate conflict between characters, eg Macbeth and Duncan, Macbeth and Malcolm, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  Record these quotes in your book under the page headed 'Conflict - person vs others'.

5.  Additional activity:  If you have additional time available, you are free to begin any of the activities on the '42 Points' sheet.

Macbeth - No Fear Shakespeare

Sparknotes produce Shakespeare's texts in their series 'No Fear Shakespeare' which contain the original text on the left-hand side of each opening and a modern language translation on the right-hand side. They also have an online version which you can access here to assist your study of Macbeth.

Macbeth - 42 Points

As we progress through our study of 'Macbeth' you will complete a range of tasks of your choosing from the 'Points Sheet' issued in Week 6. You are required to complete one task of EACH VALUE from the sheet, i.e. one TWO POINT task, one FOUR POINT task, one SIX POINT task .... . These tasks are to be compiled in your book which will be collected at the end of term for marking. You are permitted to complete them on a computer, however you will need to have them printed off and glued in your book by the end of term.

Macbeth - Narrative Elements

As you make your way through 'Macbeth', you will identify the narrative elements Shakespeare has incorporated into his play. To assist your understanding of them obtain a Narrative Elements Diagram from Mrs Lans and glue in your book.

Keeping in mind your assessment task in Week 10, you need to formulate ideas around the CONFLICT found in this text. In your book dedicate one page to each of the following headings:

CONFLICT - person versus self
CONFLICT - person versus others
CONFLICT - person versus society

As we progress through 'Macbeth' return to these pages and make notes under the appropriate heading to assist your preparation for this essay task. Remember to include relevant quotes and their page numbers (to locate at a later time), your explanation of the conflict referred to in the quote, techniques used by Shakespeare, and the effect of each conflict on the plot.

Subject Specific Terminology

The following terms will be used in our study of Macbeth. Your understanding of them will be assessed throughout this drama unit. Remember that your aim is to "use subject specific terminology consistently and correctly in a variety of contexts" to achieve at an 'A' level for subject specific terminology.

PLAYWRIGHT - EXPOSITION/CLIMAX/RESOLUTION - SOLILOQUY - PROTAGONIST - ANTAGONIST

Macbeth

Your introduction to Macbeth will comprise the following activities in your book:
1. Read the picture book cartoon version
2. View 'Macbeth in 96 seconds video'
3. View the enotes video introduction
4. Reassemble the jumbled plot synopsis in the correct order
5. Record the themes that you predict or feel exist in this text. Feel free to share your thoughts (constructively)so far by replying to this blog.

Wider Reading - Term 3

This term your wider reading text will be the novel that we will study in Term 4.  You are required to read Michelle Magorian's novel, Goodnight Mr Tom, by the beginning of Term 4.  There is NO need to complete a wider reading activity for this text.  Take a look at Michelle Magorian's introduction to her novel below:

Poetry - Comparative Essay

In order to begin our new unit on Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, it is necessary for you to complete your Carpe Diem comparative essay at home.  This will effectively take the place of the wider reading task you would have completed.  The due date for submission of this essay is Friday, 11/09/09.  A copy of the scaffold should already be in your book otherwise you can see Mrs Lans if you require another copy.