September 4-November 5, 2008
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Something
Mrs. Gray/Ms. Goodkin
Much Ado About Tragedy and History
Macbeth, Henry IV, Part I, Henry V
This semester course is designed for honors Shakespeare students. In the first marking period, we shall study one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies (Macbeth) and one of his most popular histories (Henry IV, Part I). We shall see several films, read selected sonnets, complete vocabulary units 1-4, review grammar as necessary. We shall write journals, creative pieces and two formal, critical essays during the marking period. We shall also delve into criticism about Shakespeare’s work and investigate the historical background of his life, his stage, and his plays. Students will be responsible for directing or acting in a scene from each play after reading, discussing and rehearsing. On December 11, 2008, students will have an opportunity to see a live performance of The Winter’s Tale. Students should read each assigned act of each play before we discuss it in class. I trust that during the marking period we shall read closely, think deeply, and have fun.
Suggested Texts:
Shakespeare, William: Macbeth, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1996
Shakespeare, William: Macbeth, film version
Shakespeare, William: Henry IV, Part I, Folger Library Edition, 1990
Shakespeare, William: Henry V , film versions, live production
Shakespeare, William: Selected sonnets
Language Network, eleventh and twelfth grade editions
Shostak, Jerome, Vocabulary Workshop, level G
Selected critical essays
General Information:
Course Requirements:
1. In-class essay about previous experiences with Shakespeare
2. Five quotations quizzes on reading assignments for each play
3. Journals and in-class essays on reading assignments
4. Vocabulary units 1-4, exercises and quizzes
5. Grammar: Review parts of speech, sentence structure and punctuation rules as needed
6. Read and report on critical essays on Macbeth and Henry IV, Part I
7. Scenes from the plays to be performed in class
Schedule:
Week of September 4-5: Introduction to course, distribution of texts, essays on previous experience with Shakespeare. (HW: Read Act I of Macbeth for Monday)
Week of September 8-12: Shakespeare 101: introductory exercises in language and performance; begin discussion of Macbeth; September 11: Unit 1 vocabulary exercises and quiz
Week of September 15-19: Macbeth and Sonnet 87 (HW Read Acts II and III of Macbeth for Monday) September 19: Unit 2 vocabulary exercises and quiz
Week of September 22-26: Macbeth and Sonnet 48; Reports on criticism
Week of September 29-October 3: Macbeth, scenes in performance; October 3: Final draft due of a passage analysis from a passage in Macbeth
Week of October 6-10: Henry IV, Part I and Sonnet 107; October 10: Vocabulary unit 3 exercises and quiz (HW: Read Act II of Henry IV, Part I for Monday)
Week of October 13-17: Henry IV, Part I and Sonnet 34; Reports on Criticism; October 17: vocabulary Unit 4 exercises and quiz (HW: Read Acts III, IV and V for Monday)
Week of October 20-24: Henry IV, Part I, complete reports on criticism; Choose a scene to rehearse
Week of October 27-31: See Branagh film of Henry V. Be sure to be present for this film, even if you have seen it before; it will become the basis for your essay comparing Prince Hal to his later self, King Henry V.
Week of November 3-5: Rehearse and perform scenes, brainstorm essay comparing Hal to his later self, King Henry V. (HW: Comparison/contrast essay on Henry V as Prince and King due on Friday, November 14, in class.)
November 10, 2008-January 23, 2009
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Something
Mrs. Gray/Ms. Goodkin
Much Ado About Comedy And Romance
As You Like It and The Tempest
In the second marking period honors Shakespeare students will study one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s comedies, As You Like It, and a romance that many believe to be his final play, set in the new world, The Tempest. Our study of Shakespeare’s work will continue to include his sonnets. We shall continue to perfect grammar and deepen vocabulary, practice writing formal essays and keeping journal entries on our reading experience in class and at home. We shall learn more about Shakespeare’s work from seeing professional actors in a live performance of The Winter’s Tale at The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey on December 11, acting scenes, thinking deeply, reading closely, and, I hope, having fun.
Suggested Texts:
Shakespeare, William: As You Like It, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1994
Shakespeare, William, As You Like It, film versions
Shakespeare, William, The Tempest, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1995
Shakespeare, William, The Tempest, film versions
Shakespeare, William, selected sonnets
Shakespeare, William, The Winter’s Tale, live performance
Language Network, eleventh and twelfth grade editions
Shostak, Jerome, Vocabulary Workshop, Level H
Selected essays
General Information:
Course Requirements:
1. Ten quotations quizzes, one on each act of As You Like It and The Tempest
2. Scenes from As You Like It and The Tempest, rehearse and performed with a group
3. Journals from reading assignments on plays and sonnets
4. Several in-class essays and one essay on Henry IV and Henry V completed at home
5. One collaborative project on stagecraft on As You Like It
6. One 3-7-page essay on The Tempest
7. Vocabulary exercises and quizzes on units 5-8; cumulative test, units 1-8.
8. Oral reports on criticism
9. Cumulative assessment
Schedule:
Week of November 10-14: November 14: Comparison/Contrast essays on Henry V due at the beginning of class; hand in texts. Read and discuss Sonnet 42; begin As You Like It (HW Read Act I of As You Like It)
Week of November 17-21: As You Like It and Sonnet 49 November 21: Vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 5 (HW: Read Acts II and III of As You Like It for Monday)
Week of November 24-26: As You Like It and oral reports on criticism
Exercises on viewing film, Sonnet 137 November 26: Vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 6 (HW: Read Acts IV and V of As You Like It for Monday)
Week of December 1-5: As You Like It, scenes in performance; December 5: Project presentations on stagecraft in As You Like It (HW: Read Act I of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of December 8-12: The Tempest ; December 12: vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 8; (HW: Read Act II of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of December 15-19: The Tempest (HW: Read Act III of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of December 22-23: The Tempest and Sonnet 15; Oral reports on criticism (HW: Read Acts IV and V of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of January 5-9: The Tempest; Presentations of scenes from The Tempest;
brainstorm topics and thesis statements for essay on The Tempest
Week of January 12-16: Sonnet 23, review. Final draft of essay on The Tempest due January 15.
Week of January 20-23: Review: Cumulative vocabulary test 1-8, and final assessment
January 26-April 3, 2009
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Something
Mrs. Gray/Ms. Goodkin
Much Ado About Tragedy and History
Macbeth, Henry IV, Part I, Henry V
This semester course is designed for honors Shakespeare students. In the third marking period, we shall study one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies (Macbeth) and one of his most popular histories (Henry IV, Part I). We shall see several films, read selected sonnets, complete vocabulary units 9-12, review grammar as necessary. We shall write journals, creative pieces and two formal, critical essays during the marking period. We shall also delve into criticism about Shakespeare’s work and investigate the historical background of his life, his stage, and his plays. Students will be responsible for directing or acting in a scene from each play after reading, discussing and rehearsing. On March 18, 2009, students will have an opportunity to see a live performance of Twelfth Night at McCarter Theater in Princeton. Students should read each assigned act of each play before we discuss it in class. I trust that during the marking period we shall read closely, think deeply, and have fun.
Suggested Texts:
Shakespeare, William: Macbeth, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1996
Shakespeare, William: Macbeth, film version
Shakespeare, William: Henry IV, Part I, Folger Library Edition, 1990
Shakespeare, William: Henry V , film versions, live production
Shakespeare, William: Selected sonnets
Shakespeare, William: Twelfth Night, live performance
Language Network, eleventh and twelfth grade editions
Shostak, Jerome, Vocabulary Workshop, level G
Selected critical essays
General Information:
Course Requirements:
1. In-class essay about previous experiences with Shakespeare
2. Five quotations quizzes on reading assignments for each play
3. Journals and in-class essays on reading assignments
4. Vocabulary units 9-12, exercises and quizzes
5. Grammar: Review parts of speech, sentence structure and punctuation rules as needed
6. Read and report on critical essays on Macbeth and Henry IV, Part I
7. Scenes from the plays to be performed in class
Schedule:
Week of January 26-30: Introduction to course, distribution of texts, essays on previous experience with Shakespeare. (HW: Read Act I of Macbeth for Monday)
Week of February 2-6: Shakespeare 101: introductory exercises in language and performance; begin discussion of Macbeth; February 6: Unit 9 vocabulary exercises and quiz
Week of February 9-12: Macbeth and Sonnet 87 (HW Read Acts II and III of Macbeth for Monday) February 12: Unit 10 vocabulary exercises and quiz
Week of February 18-20: Macbeth and Sonnet 48; Reports on criticism
Week of February 23-27: Macbeth, scenes in performance; February 27: Final draft due of a passage analysis from a passage in Macbeth
Week of March 2-6: Henry IV, Part I and Sonnet 107; March 6: Vocabulary unit 11 exercises and quiz (HW: Read Act II of Henry IV, Part I for Monday)
Week of March 9-13: Henry IV, Part I and Sonnet 34; Reports on Criticism; March 12: vocabulary Unit 12 exercises and quiz (HW: Read Acts III, IV and V for Monday)
Week of March 16-20: Henry IV, Part I, complete reports on criticism; Choose a scene to rehearse (If you are going on Washington Seminar, plan to present your report on Monday, March 16, and do visit The Folger Shakespeare Library while in Washington!) March 18, 2009: field trip to see Twelfth Night at McCarter Theater in Princeton.
Week of March 23-27: See Branagh film of Henry V. Be sure to be present for this film, even if you have seen it before; it will become the basis for your essay comparing Prince Hal to his later self, King Henry V.
Week of March 30-April 3: Rehearse and perform scenes, brainstorm essay comparing Hal to his later self, King Henry V. (HW: Comparison/contrast essay on Henry V as Prince and King due on Thursday, April 16, at the beginning of class.)
April 13-June 19, 2009
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Something
Mrs. Gray/Ms. Goodkin
Much Ado About Comedy And Romance
As You Like It and The Tempest
In the fourth marking period honors Shakespeare students will study one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s comedies, As You Like It, and a romance that many believe to be his final play, set in the new world, The Tempest. Our study of Shakespeare’s work will continue to include his sonnets. We shall continue to perfect grammar and deepen vocabulary, practice writing formal essays and keeping journal entries on our reading experience in class and at home. We shall learn more about Shakespeare’s work from acting scenes, thinking deeply, reading closely, and, I hope, having fun.
Suggested Texts:
Shakespeare,William, As You Like It, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1994
Shakespeare, William, As You Like It, film versions
Shakespeare, William, The Tempest, Folger Shakespeare Library Edition, 1995
Shakespeare, William, The Tempest, film versions
Shakespeare, William, selected sonnets
Language Network, eleventh and twelfth grade editions
Shostak, Jerome, Vocabulary Workshop, Level G
Selected essays
General Information:
Course Requirements:
1. Ten quotations quizzes, one on each act of As You Like It and The Tempest
2. Scenes from As You Like It and The Tempest, rehearse and performed with a group
3. Journals from reading assignments on plays and sonnets
4. Several in-class essays and one essay on Henry IV and Henry V completed at home
5. One collaborative project on stagecraft on As You Like It
6. One 3-7-page essay on The Tempest
7. Vocabulary exercises and quizzes on units 13-15 cumulative test, units 1-15.
8. Oral reports on criticism
9. Cumulative assessment
Schedule:
Week of April 13-17: April 16: Comparison/Contrast essays on Henry V due at the beginning of class; hand in texts. Read and discuss Sonnet 42; begin As You Like It (HW Read Act I of As You Like It)
Week of April 20-24: As You Like It and Sonnet 49 April 24: Vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 13 (HW: Read Acts II and III of As You Like It for Monday)
Week of April 27-May 1: As You Like It and oral reports on criticism
Exercises on viewing film, Sonnet 137 May 1: Vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 14 (HW: Read Acts IV and V of As You Like It for Monday)
Week of May 4-8: As You Like It, scenes in performance; May 8: Project presentations on stagecraft in As You Like It (HW: Read Act I of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of May 11-15 The Tempest ; May 14: vocabulary exercises and quiz on unit 15; (HW: Read Act II of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of May 18-20: The Tempest (HW: Read Act III of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of May 27-29: The Tempest and Sonnet 15; Oral reports on criticism (HW: Read Acts IV and V of The Tempest for Monday)
Week of June 1-5: The Tempest; Presentations of scenes from The Tempest;
brainstorm topics and thesis statements for essay on The Tempest
Week of June 8-12: Sonnet 23, review. Final draft of essay on The Tempest due June 12.
Week of June 15-19: Review: Cumulative vocabulary test 1-8, and final assessment