TODAY IN CLASS
Students wrote two well-developed paragraphs that explained and developed the reasons for two choices:   which movie/TV show they would most like to "live in," and what book they would choose to live in.  Students were given 12 minutes total to explain and defend their choices.  We also reinforced classroom routines (phones on desks, loose leaf paper (properly headed), pens, etc.)  In first period, we devoted some time to the actual curriculum for the course, but that seemed to diminish as the day went on. 

I DID say, however, that the study of British literature is entwined with some of the outer history and culture of England, and this is an area that is generally skipped (especially the pre-Renaissance era) in American school curriculums.  As a result, we do spend some time on the unit intros to these earlier periods.

In that light, note today's Yahoo news article about finding the church in which Richard III is supposedly buried:  http://news.yahoo.com/lost-medieval-church-discovered-beneath-parking-lot-150230522.html.  His death in 1485 (more importantly the fact that his death at Bosworth Field effectively ended the Wars of the Roses) markes the line of demarcation between the Medieval and the Renaissance periods.  There--I've just given you a quiz answer you'll need in a few months! 

It's an interesting article--you should read it. :)

FOR TOMORROW
No homework (this will end soon). Be prepared for Picture Day--be sure you've either already turned in the requested materials (see the Registration info on the school website) or else bring them with you tomorrow.