Literary Analysis

The American Literature classes have recently been pulling their hair out over the three to five page literary analysis that each of them is required to write. This assignment is undoubtedly a challenge for them, as it is a significant jump in terms of generating content. But over the year they have done plenty of writing on a smaller scale, and were ready for this hurdle. To say the least, they have cleared the hurdle with their rough drafts. What most of the students have done, is something that sounds quite simple, but in reality is significant. They have taken the same quality that they write at in a shorter paper, and managed to protract it over the course of this longer, deeper essay. That is no small feat. Avoiding excess redundancy, confusing formatting and poor structural decisions is hard enough in a long paper like this. Doing that while also maintaining a solid level of analysis and depth is a great accomplishment. With a little bit of work, these young adults are well on their way to excellent final drafts. They have more than met expectations at this point. All rough copies will be returned to students by the end of break, and they will have that next week to revise them.

Latin Mask Project

The Latin 8 students have been in the midst of a mythology unit for quite some time. The unit has included an extensive translation packet, research on a god/goddess of the student's choice, an elaborate mask project in which students construct masks depicting their chosen diety and will culminate with a model Mount Olympus this week. I will, as a Roman Citizen, offer "prayers" to the gods in which I pose problems that would be faced in Greek/Roman myth, and within the character of the chosen Olympian, the students will work to solve those problems. Pictures are coming soon to show off the excellent work that was done on the masks.

Set Design Project Continued

These two pictures would not fit in the previous post, here are the sets designed by the other two ninth grade groups.

1st picture Emily M., Abbey W., Gavin F., Megan D., ------ 2nd picture Skylar G., Kaylee L., Esther E., Briggitte B.

Romeo and Juliet: Set Design Project

The ninth grade literature classes have been working through Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. One interesting element of William's work as a dramatist is his lack of set description. Instead, the action of a scene indicates what a set needs, and the imagination does the rest. To connect with this relationship, students were tasked with the objective of analyzing a scene of their choice and building a miniature set. Results ranged from glitzzy and glamorous bedchambers for Juliet, to borderline Gothic interpretations of the Capulet's ballroom, where the star-crossed lovers met. Every group produced a unique and quality interpretation of their scene, and the results are quite impressive.


1st Picture Drey C., Austin F., Matt N., Wesley B. ---- 2nd Picture MJ Oliver, Beth R., Allison M., Andrew V. Rebecca C.

3rd Picture Cody B., Carson C., Robert H., Thomas T.--------- 4th Picture Emma F., Rachel H., Beth W., Madi M.