Act V Feedback

Team,

Now that all of are postings are complete, let me reveal the answer to Act V, i.   I like the gravedigger because:

1. He is clever.  I like clever.  (Jon Stewart, the cartoon contest)

2. He is philosophical.  I like philosophy. (Voltaire, Dostoevsky)

3. He proves that life experience is just as valuable as formal education (Bear Grills, Elie Weisel, Steve Jobs)

4. He shows that social class does not define who you are, which is half of what drove me to become a teacher.  Despite what I wrote in #3, formal education does matter.  If Gravedigger #1 had had the opportunity to attend Oxford, he could have been the King of Denmark.

In fact, that's how the play should have ended.  Forget the norms of Shakespeare's day.  Forget Fortinbras...

The Gravedigger is King.

- Mr. Paul

Act III and IV Feedback

Team,

As I typed last week, the people who are taking these posts seriously demonstrate a deep understanding of the play and its themes. However, the more of these would do, the more I notice some students dropping off ... either by not posting entries or by not writing very much. Also, many students in this class ignored my directions and posted after the deadline.

Don't fall into any of these traps. Remember that you receive points for both timeliness and seriousness and ... the essay is coming. Alejandra, Daniel, and Lou were really on this week. When it comes time to study, check out their entries.

-Mr. Paul

Act II feedback

Team,

It is no surprise to me that the people who are positing have been writing profound comments that demonstrate their understanding of the play and it's themes. Keep it up! However, a small number of students have not been posting ... for them this is a problem.

-Mr. Paul

PS: Someone did forget their name on one of their entries. Don't let that happen again...

Assignment, May 11-15

THE PLAN

 

As you already know, our course will continue online this week.  Assuming that we resume classes on Monday, May 18th, my plan simply involves re-arranging our unit.  This week you will be working on a creative writing assignment that I had originally scheduled to do right before exams.  Then, on the 18^th we will resume our study of Hamlet.

 

So, let’s get right to it.  Since March we have been studying acting and drama even though I know that very few of you will go on to become professional actors or playwrights.  So why have we spent so much time on this?  Because each of us will someday be called upon to speak in public.  And because actors are masters of skills like diction and poise that are required to do so well.  When you watch Kenneth Branagh’s deliver Hamlet’s soliloquies or Murat Dagli sing The King and I, you are witnessing models of the successful presentations that you will one day give at work.

 

To prove that learning, you will write the first draft of a speech this week, a speech that WILL be performed in class before you become 11^thgraders. 

 

PARAMETERS

 

TOPIC: Imagine that it is June, 2011 and YOU have been chosen to be the GRADUATION SPEAKER for your class.  Write the farewell speech that you would give at the commencement ceremony.

 

LENGTH: When spoken at a controlled speed, your speech should last 3-5 minutes.  As you write the draft this week, time yourself reading it aloud to best judge how many words you will need.

 

GENRE: As with so many writing assignments, your speech should follow basic essay structure.  That is, you should introduce your topic for an intelligent but ignorant audience, make a main point (thesis), defend and develop it, and finally conclude in a way that shows its importance to your reader.  Aside from this, feel free to use whatever style best reflects your personality and whatever tone best matches your audience.

 

GRADING: Points will be assigned in two categories based on the following two questions.  First, did you complete the draft a) on time and b) according to these rules?  Second, how well did you perform your speech?  The first points will be earned this week, the second when we return.

 

TIMELINE

 

MONDAY and TUESDAY: Study the directions above, watch the following graduation speech examples, and write any questions that you have on our BLOG as COMMENTS to this post (the same way you have been answering my Hamlet questions).  I want questions to be posted publicly so that they can help us all.  On Wednesday morning I will check the blog and write answers to your questions.

A very stereotypical graduation speech: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-wGxf2X6dY&feature=related

 

A graduation speech that is creative in its style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niRmPBtf9fU&feature=related

A graduation speech that is creative in it’s content (BTW, Chipotle is a Mexican fast food restaurant in the States … that I love.  They sell really big burritos.):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30m-zljeJGY&feature=related

 

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY: Plan and draft your graduation speech.  EMAIL your speech to me at paul.gerber@asfg.mx by 10:00pm Thursday night.  DO NOT send your speech as an attachment.  Instead, COPY and PASTE your speech into the body of an email. I will check your emails.  Finally, bring a printed copy with you to class on Monday the 18^th.

 

I look forward to your questions and your speeches.

 

-Mr. Paul