TODAY IN CLASS
Chaucer unit test.
If you missed it, do your best to make it up after school on Monday. No make-ups will be scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, so you would have to wait until after break . . .
FOR MONDAY
No homework.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
White-Out/Stinky T-Shirt Day (and Chaucer test)
TODAY IN CLASS
Specific information for 1st period:
1) Please bring your quiz back with you to class tomorrow. I want to make the person-specific corrections to your paper. This especially involves the last two questions for just half of you.
2)Here are the correct answers for your quiz; try to figure out what clues many of these would contain even if you did NOT "know" the reference. For example, if a clue mentions "walking the plank," you'd have to be on a boat, right? Think SKIPPER. Or if a "golden thumb" to "gauge an oat," who dealt with grain? The one who grinds it--the MILLER. And if "stimulating the heart" is mentioned, wouldn't that logically be the DOCTOR? (You get the idea . . . ) Others, it is true, were less easy to figure out, but many of these had phrases or elements that I tried very hard to help you notice and remember from our class discussions.
The answers: 1-Friar 2-Pardoner 3-Doctor 4-Summoner 5-Oxford Cleric 6-Cook 7-Manciple
8-Miller 9-Pardoner 10-Skipper 11-Miller 12-Wife of Bath 13-Monk 14- Summoner 15- Reeve
16-Knight 17-Plowman 18-Merchant 19-Parson 20-Wife of Bath 21-Lawyer 22-Skipper 23-Franklin
24-Nun (Prioress) 25-Friar 26-Oxford Cleric 27-Doctor [Remember that 26-27 varied by class and that this list is for first period only! 3rd and 5th got these in class.]
To EVERYONE--yes, in other classes we went over them. In all classes we talked about the Pardoners Tale questions. I am thinking/addressing the problem of the curve and how much.
In first period ONLY, we started Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. We'll get things sorted out over the next few days.
FOR TOMORROW
The Chaucer unit test. There will be a fair number of short answer and short direct responses. I am still steering away from extended paragraph responses on this test, but DO expect a certain amount of writing. Have a pen!!
Specific information for 1st period:
1) Please bring your quiz back with you to class tomorrow. I want to make the person-specific corrections to your paper. This especially involves the last two questions for just half of you.
2)Here are the correct answers for your quiz; try to figure out what clues many of these would contain even if you did NOT "know" the reference. For example, if a clue mentions "walking the plank," you'd have to be on a boat, right? Think SKIPPER. Or if a "golden thumb" to "gauge an oat," who dealt with grain? The one who grinds it--the MILLER. And if "stimulating the heart" is mentioned, wouldn't that logically be the DOCTOR? (You get the idea . . . ) Others, it is true, were less easy to figure out, but many of these had phrases or elements that I tried very hard to help you notice and remember from our class discussions.
The answers: 1-Friar 2-Pardoner 3-Doctor 4-Summoner 5-Oxford Cleric 6-Cook 7-Manciple
8-Miller 9-Pardoner 10-Skipper 11-Miller 12-Wife of Bath 13-Monk 14- Summoner 15- Reeve
16-Knight 17-Plowman 18-Merchant 19-Parson 20-Wife of Bath 21-Lawyer 22-Skipper 23-Franklin
24-Nun (Prioress) 25-Friar 26-Oxford Cleric 27-Doctor [Remember that 26-27 varied by class and that this list is for first period only! 3rd and 5th got these in class.]
To EVERYONE--yes, in other classes we went over them. In all classes we talked about the Pardoners Tale questions. I am thinking/addressing the problem of the curve and how much.
In first period ONLY, we started Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. We'll get things sorted out over the next few days.
FOR TOMORROW
The Chaucer unit test. There will be a fair number of short answer and short direct responses. I am still steering away from extended paragraph responses on this test, but DO expect a certain amount of writing. Have a pen!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Thursday is Ugly Sweater Day!!
TODAY IN CLASS
We looked back at some overview elements of Chaucer, and I listed on the board the exact coverage from the textbook for the Chaucer unit test on Friday:
pp. 31-33 Broad literary background for Chaucer
pp. 140-141 Medieval Narratives
pp. 142-143 Chaucer's Life and Characterization / Paraphrase
pp. 144-169 Canterbury Tales: General Prologue
pp. 170-183 CT: Pardoner's Prologue and Tale
pp. 184-199 CT: Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale
FOR TOMORROW
As homework, you should start studying. IN class tomorrow, we will turn our attention toward the next work, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
We looked back at some overview elements of Chaucer, and I listed on the board the exact coverage from the textbook for the Chaucer unit test on Friday:
pp. 31-33 Broad literary background for Chaucer
pp. 140-141 Medieval Narratives
pp. 142-143 Chaucer's Life and Characterization / Paraphrase
pp. 144-169 Canterbury Tales: General Prologue
pp. 170-183 CT: Pardoner's Prologue and Tale
pp. 184-199 CT: Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale
- Know literary terms associated with this unit: frame story, exemplum, romance, persona, couplet
- Be sure to know basic details of the "frame story" as described early and late in the General Prologue (see the "actual factuals" study guide side of the Pardoner's Tale questions hand-out
- Know the broad outlines of Chaucer's life (family, other jobs, other writing)
- Yes, there will be another section on matching pilgrims to their descriptions--expect 12-15, with a few of these being exact duplicates of questions that were on the first quiz
- There will be questions pertaining to both of the stories we have just finished (Pardoner's and Wife of Bath's); such questions could involve that pilgrim's prologue as well as the tale itself.
FOR TOMORROW
As homework, you should start studying. IN class tomorrow, we will turn our attention toward the next work, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Chaucer Test on Friday
TODAY IN CLASS
First period finished reading "The Wife of Bath's Tale" and then we looked verybriefly at the structure/content of the "old and ugly" wife's rebuttals to the knight's charges. In 3rd and 5th we had more time to explore the story as a whole; unless there are further questions, we're done with that tale.
TOMORROW
Discussion of "The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale"; if you've been absent, this is your chance to get this work in. Also, if you haven't finished filling out the study guide on the back of those questions (much of which we did in class last week, but we left some blanks) you need to do so. This is just for your own use, but the time to use it is near!
THURSDAY
We'll start a new work: excerpts from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (what's in the book plus hand-outs)
FRIDAY
There will be a unit test over Chaucer--background on Chaucer's life and writing, particular literay elements, the complete General Prologue (both pilgrims and story concept/structure/details), the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale, and the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.
See listing on board tomorrow. (Sorry; do not have the book at hand now for all page numbers.)
First period finished reading "The Wife of Bath's Tale" and then we looked verybriefly at the structure/content of the "old and ugly" wife's rebuttals to the knight's charges. In 3rd and 5th we had more time to explore the story as a whole; unless there are further questions, we're done with that tale.
TOMORROW
Discussion of "The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale"; if you've been absent, this is your chance to get this work in. Also, if you haven't finished filling out the study guide on the back of those questions (much of which we did in class last week, but we left some blanks) you need to do so. This is just for your own use, but the time to use it is near!
THURSDAY
We'll start a new work: excerpts from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (what's in the book plus hand-outs)
FRIDAY
There will be a unit test over Chaucer--background on Chaucer's life and writing, particular literay elements, the complete General Prologue (both pilgrims and story concept/structure/details), the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale, and the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.
See listing on board tomorrow. (Sorry; do not have the book at hand now for all page numbers.)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Tomorrow is Ski/Snowboard Day!!
Good to see such Winterfest Participation today. You all have some very cozy-looking PJ's.
TODAY IN CLASS
Story time--Chaucer style. Yes, if you missed class, you missed the audio recording of The Wife of Bath's Prologue (though the excerpt in our book is much shorter than what Chaucer wrote) and the Wife of Bath's Tale, the story of a knight who must find out "what women want."
Also--anyone who hadn't finished the 15 questions from Friday needed to turn them in today. If you were absent on Friday, those are due for sure tomorrow.
FOR TOMORROW
Expect a short reading/listening check quiz tomorrow--but if you truly followed along and listened, you should be just fine. Thus the majority of you have no homework.
If you missed class today, you do need to read the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale on your own, starting on p.184.
TODAY IN CLASS
Story time--Chaucer style. Yes, if you missed class, you missed the audio recording of The Wife of Bath's Prologue (though the excerpt in our book is much shorter than what Chaucer wrote) and the Wife of Bath's Tale, the story of a knight who must find out "what women want."
Also--anyone who hadn't finished the 15 questions from Friday needed to turn them in today. If you were absent on Friday, those are due for sure tomorrow.
FOR TOMORROW
Expect a short reading/listening check quiz tomorrow--but if you truly followed along and listened, you should be just fine. Thus the majority of you have no homework.
If you missed class today, you do need to read the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale on your own, starting on p.184.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
FRIDAY IN CLASS
Students had the full class period (slightly shortened by the assembly schedule) to work on the 18 questions on the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. We had done the first three on the Pardoner's Prologue on Thursday in 1st and 3rd; in 5th we read the Prologue and completed the questions on Friday. Nearly everyone finished the questions and turned them in. IF YOU DID NOT, they are due first thing on Monday.
If you weren't in class on Friday, you fall into one of two categories:
1) You were at school, but otherwise engaged (assembly prep, assorted other reasons): your questions are due on Monday.
2) You were absent from school altogether on Friday: you technically have a day to make this up, thus not "due" until Tuesday. However, especially if you've got other work to make up tht you won't be able to work on until you get details or hand-outs on Monday, you could easily do this over the week-end.
ON MONDAY
We will be starting the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.
Students had the full class period (slightly shortened by the assembly schedule) to work on the 18 questions on the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. We had done the first three on the Pardoner's Prologue on Thursday in 1st and 3rd; in 5th we read the Prologue and completed the questions on Friday. Nearly everyone finished the questions and turned them in. IF YOU DID NOT, they are due first thing on Monday.
If you weren't in class on Friday, you fall into one of two categories:
1) You were at school, but otherwise engaged (assembly prep, assorted other reasons): your questions are due on Monday.
2) You were absent from school altogether on Friday: you technically have a day to make this up, thus not "due" until Tuesday. However, especially if you've got other work to make up tht you won't be able to work on until you get details or hand-outs on Monday, you could easily do this over the week-end.
ON MONDAY
We will be starting the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
TODAY IN CLASS
1. Focus on specific further reading expectations for the Chaucer unit of study; these additional page numbers are incorporated into the overview detailed in yesterday's post (Dec. 5).
2. We filled out together (via student responses) the study guide for the "actual factuals" for the General Prologue.
3. In 1st and 3rd, students read the Prologue to the Pardoner's Tale aloud, and got a start on the required study questions (1-3). (Will be done in class tomorrow for 5th)
FOR TOMORROW
Read "The Pardoner's Tale" itself (173-180)
Some of you may wish to get started on the required study questions; others may prefer to do them in class tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be a work day (vs discussion); the questions will be collected at the end of the period.
(If you are absent tomorrow, simply know that you should have them ready to hand in first thing on Monday; there won't be additional class time provided.)
1. Focus on specific further reading expectations for the Chaucer unit of study; these additional page numbers are incorporated into the overview detailed in yesterday's post (Dec. 5).
2. We filled out together (via student responses) the study guide for the "actual factuals" for the General Prologue.
3. In 1st and 3rd, students read the Prologue to the Pardoner's Tale aloud, and got a start on the required study questions (1-3). (Will be done in class tomorrow for 5th)
FOR TOMORROW
Read "The Pardoner's Tale" itself (173-180)
Some of you may wish to get started on the required study questions; others may prefer to do them in class tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be a work day (vs discussion); the questions will be collected at the end of the period.
(If you are absent tomorrow, simply know that you should have them ready to hand in first thing on Monday; there won't be additional class time provided.)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
TODAY IN CLASS
1. Pilgrims Quiz. See me ASAP re: make-ups.
2. Notes by group assignments--I remembered to collect these from 3rd, but in 1st and 5th I simply forgot to request them. These notes are from sast week (Tuesday during class; homework for Wednesday--and you've been using them ever since, and perhaps adding to them.) Expect to turn these in tomorrow.
FOR TOMORROW
No homework tonight, but make note of the following near-future expectations:
Tomorrow and Friday--"The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale" (170-181)
Next week--"The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale" (183-197)
1. Pilgrims Quiz. See me ASAP re: make-ups.
2. Notes by group assignments--I remembered to collect these from 3rd, but in 1st and 5th I simply forgot to request them. These notes are from sast week (Tuesday during class; homework for Wednesday--and you've been using them ever since, and perhaps adding to them.) Expect to turn these in tomorrow.
FOR TOMORROW
No homework tonight, but make note of the following near-future expectations:
- Read pp.140-142 on Medieval literature, including special insights on Chaucer
- Read the introduction to Chaucer (biographical highlights; other writing)--pp. 142-143
- Read pp. 168-169
- Terms: persona, couplet, frame story, exemplum
- Make sure that you have a grasp of aspects of the General Prologue that did NOT count for the "pilgrims quiz."
- For example, know what April, Becket, Canterbury, the Tabard, and Southward have to do with the events of the pilgrimage
- Also, understand the sturcture of the story contest, knowing how many pilgrims there were in all (29 original plus how many more? who, exactly?); how many each pilgrim was expected to tell going each way; how many that would be in all.
- Know the extent to which this plan was carried out.
Tomorrow and Friday--"The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale" (170-181)
Next week--"The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale" (183-197)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Pilgrims Quiz on Wednesday
TODAY IN CLASS
Quick (well, fairly quick and direct) summary of three more pilgrims: the Miller, the Manciple, and the Reeve. I highlighted major features of each, particularly the way in which they continued the trend of finding ways to swindle or cheat. Then we turned to the Summoner and the Pardoner. In both classes I think we covered what was necessary for the Summoner--if you have further questions on him, though, there will be a few minutes before the quiz. As for the Pardoner, we got through his physical appearance and characteristics, noted that he seemed to be traveling with the Summoner, but did not really delve into what either the official role of a Pardoner might be or how he went about it. Review, look at the sidenotes in the book, and have a pretty good idea of how he carried out his job. But I'll definitely make time for a quick wrap-up of this before the quiz..
On your own, though--be sure that you've read the conclusion of the General Prologue (pp. 163-166). Tomorrow's quiz will NOT hold you responsible for details of the contest or the structure/rules set forth in the closing pages, but you ARE expected to know basic information about the Host and the role of the Narrator. (At a later time, you'll need to know information about Chaucer himself, the nuts and bolts of the first few pages, and the details provided about the story-telling contest.
FOR TOMORROW
Study your notes, both what you took in class last Tuesday, the ones that were homework for Wednesday, and any class notes you have taken since then. Bring these all with you to class on Wednesday; the required notes will be handed in for a grade (okay if you have added other notes to them since then).
So in class tomorrow: really quick Pardoner wrap-up, and then the quiz.
Quick (well, fairly quick and direct) summary of three more pilgrims: the Miller, the Manciple, and the Reeve. I highlighted major features of each, particularly the way in which they continued the trend of finding ways to swindle or cheat. Then we turned to the Summoner and the Pardoner. In both classes I think we covered what was necessary for the Summoner--if you have further questions on him, though, there will be a few minutes before the quiz. As for the Pardoner, we got through his physical appearance and characteristics, noted that he seemed to be traveling with the Summoner, but did not really delve into what either the official role of a Pardoner might be or how he went about it. Review, look at the sidenotes in the book, and have a pretty good idea of how he carried out his job. But I'll definitely make time for a quick wrap-up of this before the quiz..
On your own, though--be sure that you've read the conclusion of the General Prologue (pp. 163-166). Tomorrow's quiz will NOT hold you responsible for details of the contest or the structure/rules set forth in the closing pages, but you ARE expected to know basic information about the Host and the role of the Narrator. (At a later time, you'll need to know information about Chaucer himself, the nuts and bolts of the first few pages, and the details provided about the story-telling contest.
FOR TOMORROW
Study your notes, both what you took in class last Tuesday, the ones that were homework for Wednesday, and any class notes you have taken since then. Bring these all with you to class on Wednesday; the required notes will be handed in for a grade (okay if you have added other notes to them since then).
So in class tomorrow: really quick Pardoner wrap-up, and then the quiz.
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Blog is Back
Okay, after a week of cyber-silence, I am back in the blogging business.
If you have been on vacation, sick, or otherwise tuned out, we're still on Chaucer's General Prologue. Classes have been at different paces. EVERYONE should have the required notes from the in-class assignment on Tuesday, Nov. 27 pilgrims divided by group), plus the homework of doing three additional pilgrims in the same group. But as I've stressed many times in class, ALL students are responsible for ALL pilgrims.
We have finished two rounds of group reports, and I'm switching to a quicker version of finishing up.
But the quiz originally announced for Tuesday, Dec. 4, will be on WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5.
You will be turning in the required notes assignment WITH the quiz. I simply haven't wanted to take it from you as you've been using them, and obviously they will help you review and study (esp. if you've been continuing to take notes--however, I'll only need to collect the required ones according to the list assigned to to each group).
FOR TOMORROW
Whichever group you were originally in, review and study the the Summoner and the Pardoner. I am giving you thumbnail summaries of what to focus on for the Reeve, the Miller, and the Manciple; we will stick to our recent pattern of finding that many of these pilgrims are proficient at their actual jobs/occupations but are morally DEficient in significant ways. But you should also make sure you have read to the end of the General Prologue, because the description of the Host is in that part--he and the narrator both count as "pilgrims."
If you have been on vacation, sick, or otherwise tuned out, we're still on Chaucer's General Prologue. Classes have been at different paces. EVERYONE should have the required notes from the in-class assignment on Tuesday, Nov. 27 pilgrims divided by group), plus the homework of doing three additional pilgrims in the same group. But as I've stressed many times in class, ALL students are responsible for ALL pilgrims.
We have finished two rounds of group reports, and I'm switching to a quicker version of finishing up.
But the quiz originally announced for Tuesday, Dec. 4, will be on WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5.
You will be turning in the required notes assignment WITH the quiz. I simply haven't wanted to take it from you as you've been using them, and obviously they will help you review and study (esp. if you've been continuing to take notes--however, I'll only need to collect the required ones according to the list assigned to to each group).
FOR TOMORROW
Whichever group you were originally in, review and study the the Summoner and the Pardoner. I am giving you thumbnail summaries of what to focus on for the Reeve, the Miller, and the Manciple; we will stick to our recent pattern of finding that many of these pilgrims are proficient at their actual jobs/occupations but are morally DEficient in significant ways. But you should also make sure you have read to the end of the General Prologue, because the description of the Host is in that part--he and the narrator both count as "pilgrims."
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