Playing with Stupeflix--Reflecting back on 2012-2013

I am constant as the northern star.

—Caesar 

JULIUS CAESAR is the newest project for which we are about to begin, English 10 students.  It will be quite a different adventure from our research paper.  Within the play, there are many memorable lines.  The one above is just an example.  Some will say Caesar was stubborn and greedy.  Others will say he was positively powerful.  Based off of the above quote, which do you think he might have been?  What type of TONE does this quote seem to take?  When in your life do you feel this quotation (for good or bad) has applied to you.

Assignment (10 points):  Respond to the above QUESTIONS in clean sentence structures.  Think about your content as well as your grammar.  Your answers will most likely be 3-5 sentences in length.

This is NOT bonus.  It is an assignment.  Complete it for Monday, April 8th.

National Poetry Appreciation Month

"Poetry and progress are like two ambitious men who hate one another with an instinctive hatred, and when they meet upon the same road, one of them has to give place."
Charles Baudelaire, French poet

Poetry seems to be black and white in terms of appreciation.  People either love it or hate it.  VERY few fall in between.  Does poetry always have to rhyme?  Does it always have to be so serious?  Can poetry be fun?  

How can poetry fit within our BUSY and technological world today?  Give your thoughts on poetry.  Do you have a favorite poet or poem to share?  

Take the time this month to look online for new poetry ideas/projects.  Look at contemporary poets.  Look at the classics, like Emily Dickinson.  You never know what you may find; you may just find that the "two ambitious men" don't have to hate one another after all is said and done.

Happy National Poetry Appreciation Month!

Board Scrabble Continues

Pre AP English 10 continues with the Scrabble Challenge.  The goal was to place 40 vocabulary terms on the board (Scrabble format) in 10 minutes.  The students came really close; they missed only 5.  Great review, everyone!

Giving a Speech

Giving a speech is a difficult task for many people!  Let's try to lighten the mood for this portion our our project.  Respond to this blog with a funny joke (school appropriate) or a funny story in relation to giving a speech...or offer a solid technique that can help people eliminate their fears and concerns.

Remember:  This speech is an assignment for everyone.  I have faith in all of you!  Best of luck!  I am truly looking forward to our debates!

Blog Response:  5 bonus points

Happy Valentine's Day

It was a great Valentine's Day!  Students were more than willing to share their creative efforts with the Haiku extra credit.  Treats were brought.  Smiles were shared!  Even if you don't LOVE this holiday, it was nice to have a little break in the "routine."

I felt I had to share the cookie.  It is Rihanna; can't you tell.  Morgan, from AP, and I have varying opinions in music.  We could use our rhetorical devices to debate it some time.  However, for today, she gave me a sugar cookie in Rihanna's image.  I will cherish it.

Be looking for updates on St. Patrick's Day.  We, of course, will have to explore our creativity again...perhaps with a limerick.

Valentine's Day Haiku

February, the month of love.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  Let's have a little fun!

Valentine's Day Haiku--yes, let's show off our creativity--even those of you who don't really like the holiday.  The internet, of course, has tons of haiku examples, even specifically about Valentine's Day.  Look around a bit and then create one of your own!  10 bonus points will be given to those who write and share one with me (to also be shared with our class).  Haiku samples can be "romantic" or funny...

You don't have to like or even love Valentine's Day to write one of these!  You don't have to be a poetry fan to participate, either.  Haiku are short!


Haiku-- Japanese poetic form with  5 syllables in line one, 7 syllables in line two, and 5 syllables in line three.  Three lines/17 syllables total.

Finalize your sample by providing a related graphic/background.

All samples are due on Valentine's Day, February 14th...bring chocolates.  Little treats will make our poetry readings complete!