ACCEPTANCE...empathy...Integrity...ReSpOnSiBiLiTy...ACCOUNTABILITY

Friday, April 23, 2010

Happy birthday, Bill! (You don't look a day over 445!)

Because I will be missing both Monday and Tuesday, here is basically what is what for those two days:

Jrs: We will finish the movie and spend some small group time discussing how its interpretation differs from the text. Each group will turn in a bullet point list. After this, you'll be able to use time on ESC papers.


Sophs: RW/WW both days. If you are turning portfolios in on Monday, be sure that the sub records your name.



Drama: More complicated, so I'll just write it all here:

On Monday, students should be prepared to run through the first 14 pages of Bang Bang You’re Dead. Their task was to be able to get through the first “chorus” section and the “buck” scene without relying on their scripts, though they will be carrying them.

When they finish reading through this section, have them do it a second time. Should there still be time, have them continue reading through the rest of the play. James is Super-Sub; he reads parts for missing actors.

On Tuesday, students should break into two groups:

  1. The “improvised musical” group
  2. The “library moebius” group

Each group should begin working on its project for a major library improvisation. Note to the class: due to the innate imbalance of these projects, the moebius group will likely play some role in assisting the musical group, though it will not involve singing. (It might involve “ooos” or “lalas” or dancing or some other background aspect, though.) Members of each group will assist the other also by filming.

Assignments over five-day break:

  1. Memorize Bang Bang 1-14
  2. Honors memorize at least 4 plays
  3. Get together to work on library improvs for early May performances












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Thursday, April 22, 2010

oh earth! you're too wonderful!

Thus spake Emily in Wilder's Our Town. And all I can say is: how long can we keep it that way?

Tomorrow: Shakespeare in the junior classes, Catcher for the sophs, and more play stuff for Drama. The world will still be here. But for how much longer?
























Wednesday, April 21, 2010

what? it's wednesday???

Time flies when you're having fun!


Jrs: T-shirts on Friday!!!!!

Sophs: Catcher tomorrow! Portfolios/Journals the next two Mondays.

Drama: Tomorrow's priorities: pages 1-3 and the "buck" scene.

And now...if you thought the brief one the other day was good...








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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

And it came to pass

that it was a Tuesday. And Mrs. Topham looked at the Tuesday and saw that it was not too shabby. So she went to a Sox game.

So don't expect me to do any grading tonight.


:-)

Jrs: T-shirts Friday! More on Act Three and into the falling action tomorrow.

Sophs: WW tomorrow. For deadlines, see yesterday's blog entry.

Drama: Memorize "hunting the buck" scene. Also, honors students, pick a play and work on that.








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Monday, April 19, 2010

BREAKING: Hell Freezes Over!

Yes, I have indeed postponed the due date on a portfolio.

It's only the second time ever that this has occurred, and (as before) I really had no option. It appears more than 80% certain that Julianne will need to travel to Iowa next week one more time for a college visit before the May 1 Decision Day, and one of her schools is not in session from Wednesday through Friday. Hence: a Monday-Tuesday trip, which means a postponed portfolio.

As we discussed in class today, the revised sophomore due dates are now as follows:

Catcher journals:

  • if turned in via email on of before 4/16: 25 entries
  • if turned in via email from 4/17-5/3: 40 entries
Portfolio:
  • if brought in on 4/26 as originally planned: cool!
  • if brought in on 5/3: fine, but grading standards will be higher
(Party on the 3rd!)

Meanwhile...

Jrs: Shakespeare this week, with t-shirts on Friday!

Drama: Continue working on your scripts/characters. Tonight's special assignment: ten minute frozen performance in public.

When the news is from Iceland or Wales, the place names are going to be completely unpronounceable:



And, in case you didn't already know this (and why didn't you already know this?):








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Friday, April 16, 2010

here come the hawks!

I'm watching the Hawks right now. The last time that the Hawks were one of the favorites in the playoffs, Tony Esposito was in goal. This is a heck of a Hawks team, but anything can happen in a short series, like for example the slo-mo goal that the Predators just scored. We shall see.


Anyway...

Jrs: Finish reading Othello and don't forget you need a second ESC conference in the next few days.

Sophs: Portfolio focus. Countdown is 10 days.

Drama: Read the play and watch the youtube video of the movie. Start memorizing small sections and begin trying to figure out keys to your character(s). Honors: read and select your "Too Much Light" plays.









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Thursday, April 15, 2010

last warm day for a while

So the weatherman tells me anyway. At least I don't see any of the s-word in the forecast. ;-)


Sorry I was sick today. I slept for a long time and then read a couple of portfolios. They were quite enjoyable...

HW stays the same I suppose. ESC draft 2...maybe an extra couple of days. Let's make that Tuesday.

Drama class:

Here is the CAST LIST for "Bang Bang":

Josh: Rory
Katie: Paige
Michael: Colin
Emily: Meghan
Jessie: Nicole
Matt: Matt
Actor #1 (Dad, PD, Grandpa): Leland
Actor #2 (Judge): Michael
Actor #3 (Mom, Witness): Catherine
Actor #4 (Prosecutor, Therapist): Joe
Actor #5 (Jury Foreman, Policeman, Principal): Lain
Actor #6 (Con, Drummer): James

In addition, Lain, Catherine, Leland and Michael (with random assistance as needed from classmates) will be performing selected two-minute plays from the Neo-Futurists' "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind."

Find a binder for your scripts and highlight your lines.
:






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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

glee!

Ah, yes, Glee is back. And Idina Menzel (the original Ephaba) is the Evil Queen of Show Choir. And Sue Sylvester seduced the principal to get her job back. And we've finally seen Vocal Adrenaline perform. And everyone we thought was together has broken up. And the propensity for bands to appear out of nowhere seems to follow these kids out of school and into stores. And next week: Madonna! :-)


Sneak peek (hw after the video):


Jrs: Othello continues...

Sophs: Catcher continues...
  • Tonight's Assignment: Making a List: Find and list (w/page refs) as many instances as you can of things/people that Holden finds "phony"; bring the list tomorrow.
Drama: Exercise 4.17: prepare your scenes tonight; perform tomorrow!








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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

fear it: tuesday the 13th

(Topham's Attic: Starting new superstitions online is our raison d'etre.)

So, everyone, are we having fun yet??? Have you figured this one out: after 4th period tomorrow, you will reach the halfway point of class days in April!?!?! (It's true: there are 19 class days this month, and we have had nine of them. Tomorrow is #10. Time flies!)

Moving on...

Jrs: Othello continues, and you should be reading Act 4 by now. T-Shirts 4/23.

Sophs: Catcher continues. Journal target should be around 15 or so; 10-12 would be reasonable. Portfolio countdown: 13.

Drama: a very rare free night! don't get used to it :-)

Gleeks! Tonight's the night!!!!!!!








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Monday, April 12, 2010

sunny monday

I want to write that about eight more times...


Jrs: ESC d2 conferences this week. Shakespeare T-Shirts due 4/23. Othello tomorrow!

Sophs: WW tomorrow. Catcher Wednesday. Portfolio countdown: 14 days.

Drama: Read the rest of Stanislavski's System; ignore the exercises for now.

a little something to embarrass your friends with...








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Friday, April 9, 2010

sunny and 70

That's what they say we'll have tomorrow. Nice! All I can say to that is: I'm up for it!


Jrs: Read Act Three of Othello for Monday's class. We'll be discussing Act Two (which you should review for class), but you should always try to remain ahead of our discussions.

Sophs: Continue journals. (Note that the 2-a-day thing does include weekends.) MTW: RW/WW/Catcher. Portfolio countdown: 17 days.

Drama: Exercise 4.7 (choose two to write out meticulously) and 4.8 (prep on of the 4.7 selections to do in class on Monday).

Hey, Gleeks! Can't wait until Tuesday? Jimmy Fallon apparently can't either. :-)







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Thursday, April 8, 2010

deja vu

Yes, this is almost the exact same thing as yesterday's post. That is what happens when your 3H classes meet with their counselors and your 2H class talks grades all period. :-)


Maybe I'll add a new video. I'll think about it...

So, I see that the library is holding a "Seven Wonders of LFHS" contest. Hmmm... Well, as anyone can easily tell, I should clearly be one of them! Here is an argument for my candidacy in song (to the tune of Natalie Merchant's "Wonder")*:

*Please note that of course I am just being humorous here. In no way do I actually want you to vote for me. ;-)

Grads log onto my page on Facebook just to see me
Check what I have posted or their peers that I have friended who think
I must be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School
Where the students are king and the English Department is so cool.

My classroom has no student desks and has no windows
A pile of pillows sits on the stage that's in the middle of it
I must be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School
Where the library rocks off your socks and the new common's our jewel

ooh, ooh,

Vote for me
It is my destiny:
plays that I've loved and directed
essays that I've corrected
portfolios made of houses
hoping nobody grouses
and conference conference all the day...
this is the way...

People see me: I'm a challenge to their balance
The fact that I'm here sometimes confuses and amuses them but
I should be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School.
In the land of the Beemer I dream of a moment where I rule.

ooh, ooh,

Vote for me
It is my destiny:
plays that I've loved and directed
essays that I've corrected
days that stretch out right through dinner
wonder why I'm not thinner
portfolios made of houses
hoping nobody grouses
and conference conference all the day...
this is the way...

Oh, yeah, about homework and stuff...

Jrs:
This is actually for Friday: re-read all monologues (and soliloquies) in Act One, whether they are by Iago or anyone else. Be prepared to discuss what Shakespeare is saying in them.

Sophs: More on Catcher: We will be looking tomorrow at Holden's relationships with his Pencey friends and his teachers there.

Drama: We continue in Stan-land: If you did not turn in 4.4, do so tomorrow. Meanwhile, read about Super-Objectives and Throughlines, which we will discuss tomorrow before...Friday at the Improvs! Also: where are we on the improvised musical?









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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

school hump day countdown: 7 to go!

So, I see that the library is holding a "Seven Wonders of LFHS" contest. Hmmm... Well, as anyone can easily tell, I should clearly be one of them! Here is an argument for my candidacy in song (to the tune of Natalie Merchant's "Wonder")*:

*Please note that of course I am just being humorous here. In no way do I actually want you to vote for me. ;-)

Grads log onto my page on Facebook just to see me
Check what I have posted or their peers that I have friended who think
I must be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School
Where the students are king and the English Department is so cool.

My classroom has no student desks and has no windows
A pile of pillows sits on the stage that's in the middle of it
I must be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School
Where the library rocks off your socks and the new common's our jewel

ooh, ooh,

Vote for me
It is my destiny:
plays that I've loved and directed
essays that I've corrected
portfolios made of houses
hoping nobody grouses
and conference conference all the day...
this is the way...

People see me: I'm a challenge to their balance
The fact that I'm here sometimes confuses and amuses them but
I should be one of the wonders of Lake Forest High School.
In the land of the Beemer I dream of a moment where I rule.

ooh, ooh,

Vote for me
It is my destiny:
plays that I've loved and directed
essays that I've corrected
days that stretch out right through dinner
wonder why I'm not thinner
portfolios made of houses
hoping nobody grouses
and conference conference all the day...
this is the way...

Oh, yeah, about homework and stuff...

Jrs:
This is actually for Friday: re-read all monologues (and soliloquies) in Act One, whether they are by Iago or anyone else. Be prepared to discuss what Shakespeare is saying in them.

Sophs: More on Catcher: We will be looking tomorrow at Holden's relationships with his Pencey friends and his teachers there.

Drama: We continue in Stan-land: Exercises 4.3 and 4.4, the former in your head, the latter in writing. Also: where are we on the improvised musical?








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Monday, April 5, 2010

welcome back!

Think back several months. It is not April 5 anymore; it's October 1. Remember what I told you that day? (If you don't, you can look up the archived post.) Consider it now: what do you think? We're on the downward slide, people. The school year is almost over...

Juniors: we'll be discussing Act One of Othello tomorrow.

Sophs: WW tomorrow; Catcher Wednesday.

Drama: scenes and Stanislavski tomorrow; read through 4.1 and prepare answers to its questions.








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