Assignments on Think.com

I have posted all the stuff for this week on the Think.com site. I am putting a copy here, but this will be the only time I post in both places. I' m a convert, man; I really like the new blog/site/whatever.

1. Antigone project due next Wednesday (Ap. 12)
2. Wordly Wise Test 8
3. Man's Law vs. God's Law(I have no idea how the formatting will come out on this; it is uploaded as a Word document on the Think.com site.)

Man’s Law vs. God’s Law: Antigone’s Themes in Today’s World

One reason Antigone resonates with audiences today is its treatment of its central moral conflict: when civil law and divine law conflict, which one do you obey? Below are four examples of such conflicts in our lives today. Brainstorm at least 3 solid reasons to justify EACH position in each of the four issues. Try to look objectively at the positions you personally favor as well as the positions you personally reject.

State’s position Dissenter’s position

Iraq: justified and necessary war Iraq: immoral and unjustified war







Legal abortion: necessary right Legal abortion: murder of innocents







Immigration must be slowed/controlled with These immigrants, like those in
new measure to keep undocumented workers years past, deserve a chance to out work and live in this country






Separation of church/state = no classroom Freedom of speech/ of religion prayer, display Ten commandments in public should permit such activities
buildings, etc.

Antigone project

Due: Wednesday, April 12

For this project, you may work with a single partner (that’s TWO people total) if you want to. Coordinating your time and tasks is up to you and your partner.

Choose one of the two options below:

1. Scene re-write
Take the conflicts and themes of Antigone and write a modern version of one scene illustrating the same conflicts/themes. You may make it like a soap-opera (over-dramatic) or straight drama (serious). Your scene need not involve the same situations as the original play in order to address its themes. Hint: address some contemporary issue on which one’s personal interpretation of God’s law might come in conflict with man’s law.
You (or someone else) may perform your scene for extra credit.

II. Newspaper
Create a 1-2 page newspaper from the time and place of Antigone. Create an appropriate name for your newspaper and format the page(s) in columns, like a newspaper is formatted (see grading criteria). Include the following items:
· 2 feature articles
· 3 classified ads
· 3 business ads
· 1 editorial column
· 2 pictures
· You may add to these for extra credit (ex. An advice column, a sports article, a comic strip, etc.)

I am sending the grading criteria for both options to you as email, so I don't lose the formatting. I am also working on getting you all signed up for my gradebook access on ThinkWave--stay tuned!

Tues. April 4 English

1. Please read Ode II, Scene III, Ode III and Scene IV of Antigone.
2. List at least 3 compelling reasons for each statement below. You may make this in the form of a chart or in paragraphs, your preference. Support in the form of textual references from the play as you have read so far are required.

• Creon is noble. (ex. As king, he is patriotic, putting "the public welfare" above "private friendship")

• Creon is a selfish jerk.

• Antigone is noble.

• Antigone is rebellious and over-dramatic.

3. Wordly Wise 8E

English for Thurs. March 30

Read Antigone, first Parados, Scene 1 and Ode 1. (reread the prologue if you like). Mark all references to law and loyalty, including those in the Prologue. Answer the questions I have sent as an email also, using complete sentences except for the definitions.

English Assignments Tuesday 3/28

Greek Theater
Assn’t 1: Background

Go to http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html and read the three sections entitled “Prologue,” “The Golden Age of Greek Drama,” and “Tragedy.” Using your class notes and the information on this website, define the following terms and answer the following questions. Use complete sentences to answer the questions.

Terms
Orchestra
Thatron
Skene
Parados
**(Draw a simple diagram of a Greek stage/theater. Label the four areas listed above in their proper locations.)
Prologue
Parados
Choral Ode
Stasimon
Komos
Scene
Exodos
Protagonist
Diathyramb
Choragos

Questions
1. What are two common English words derived from Greek words related to the worship of Dionysus?
2. What Greek city-state is considered the birthplace of classical Greek theatre?
3. What did Thespis contribute to Greek drama?
4. How were lighting, stage makeup and scenery handled in ancient Greek theatre?
5. What was the purpose of tragedy to the ancient Greeks?
6. Why is Aeschylus considered the first playwright?
7. With what innovations did Sophocles enliven Greek theatre?
8. What makes the work of Euripides so appealing to the modern mind?

Assignment 2
In Edith Hamilton's Mythology , in Ch. 18,"The Royal House of Thebes" read "Oedipus" and "Antigone" through the paragraph that begins, "Neither the beseigers nor the beseiged. . . " and ends "'to have so much at least of my city'". Be sure you know the general plot and who does what by Wednesday!

Assignment 3
Wordly Wise 8 A & B. Turn this in at the beginning of class Wed. on my desk.

English, Tuesday Feb. 28

Please read The Odyssey, ch. 1-6. I have emailed you all a set of questions to use in your note-taking on these chapters which include complete instructions.

Tues. Feb 21, part II

I have been working on this since yesterday evening; I am sorry I am only now sending it to you (it is truly the soonest possible).

In addition to the reading assnt. and chart already posted, here is the list of myths to read and summarize:
Student Myth pages
James, Pyramis and Thisbe, 101-103;
Kaitlyn, Orpheus and Eurydice, 103-105;
Alyssa, Pygmalion and Galatea, 108-111;
Claire, Pandora and Prometheus, 70-73;
Liza, Narcissus, 85-88;
Sierra, Pegasus and Bellerophon, 134-137;
Andrew, Daedalus, 139;
Scott, Atalanta, 173-177;
Lauren, Theseus (only the part indicated), 149-152;
Jacob, Perseus, 141-148;
Gretchen, Hercules I (only the part indicated), 159-163;
Brian, Hercules II (only the part indicated), 164-167;
Peter, Hercules III (only the part indicated), 168-172;

(if the formatting is messed up on this, it is my limitation with the blog; check your email for the pretty version)
Your summary should be written, a paragraph or two in length, and should include the following:
Hamilton's source(s)--she lists these plainly in her intro to each story
main characters
what they do to/with whom
outcome(s)
On Wednesday, you may simply read your summary (IF you have kept it short, as assigned) or you can paraphrase it to us, whichever is more comfortable for you.
For Wordly Wise, just be sure you have done all of lesson 6. We were supposed to take the test for lesson 6 in class on Monday; given the changes in our schedule, we will either take it in class Wed. IF time allows, or you will take it home to do for Thursday (probably the more likely scenerio).

Once again, I am sorry I am only now getting this to you. I don't think it will take you more than 45 min to 1 hour to do this part, max. (let me know tomorrow if I am grossly overestimating your capabilities :)
As always, email or call if you have questions.

ILT: English assignments for Tuesday, February 21

Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Everyone: Please read in Part One: I “The Gods”, pp. 24-35 , which covers the 12 main Olympian gods, ending with Hestia. Using the information therein, fill out the attached* chart. Be sure to add your name before you turn it in.
(*chart is attached to the email only; I can’t make an attachment on the blog. Also, I will supply info on Demeter and Dionysus later)