Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Alternate Ending- Due Thursday, March 29th by 11:59pm

It was so great to see so many of you enjoying A Doll's House. I know that it was refreshing and very different from what we have read this school year. Most of you did an excellent job acting out/reading the parts of Helmer, Nora, etc. However, I still think that I play the BEST Nora. ;)

Your last assignment is the following:

You are to either add on to Act III, meaning you would write what happens after Nora leaves Torvald and the children OR you can pick up from any point in the play (in Act III) and rewrite the ending.

If you are picking up from a specific part in Act III, make sure you state where you are picking up from. For example, you would state, "After Dr. Rank leaves Nora and Torvald..." Also, you can include any narration, such as, "(As Nora walks to the door, Torvald grabs her arm)."

Finally, don't forget to include vocab words from Act III. And visit other Blogs and leave your thoughts on different alternate endings.

You have all done a fantastic job with blogging and expressing your opinions. Do not forget your username and password to Blogger and Gmail since next year you may use it again.

Enjoy your Spring Break and rest up. After Spring Break you will be writing your next mini research paper on A Doll's House. So exciting! And then we move on to The Tragedy of Julius Caesar..."Beware the Ides of March..."



I'm soooooo excited!!! =D

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Act II Post Due Sunday, March 25th by 11:59pm. Comments Due by Monday, 03/26.

Although I haven’t left comments on any posts for Act I, I have read every single one of the posts. AND I have also read all of the comments. Overall, I am highly impressed with your analysis of the play and your opinions as well. I like that you are supporting each other by leaving encouraging and thoughtful comments. Most importantly, I am happy that you haven’t forgotten about your vocab words or your QUOTES! :)

For Act II you are going to do the exact same thing that you did for Act I. You are to analyze the characters, their actions, and their relationships with each other. Things got pretty hot and spicey with our characters in Act II and most of you had plenty to say. So now you can share your opinion (the clean version) with your peers. Also, don’t be afraid to try something different. If you want to try a Video Blog (Vlog), then go for it! You can even Vlog with other peers. But, you must still provide me with a written version of your analysis.

As always, don’t forget to spell check. Also, try leaving comments on different Blogs. By the end of our Blogging experience we want all students to have comments on at least one post. Please refrain from leaving comments such as, “Right…,” “I agree,” and “I feel the same way.” If you agree or feel the same way, then make explain why.

Challenge yourself by posting thought provoking questions for your peers to answer.


Keep up the good work guys! Only one more week until Spring Break… whooooooo!

Ms. C. Santos

Ps: Next week we are watching the movie for A Doll’s House. Yay! =D



Friday, March 16, 2012

Act I Post Due Monday, March 19th by 11:59PM

Modern version of Nora and Torvald Helmer. Notice the picture in the background of the "happy" couple.


I want to begin by congratulating all of you on your hard work with setting up your Blogs and then working on your first post. I was able to read all of your Blogs and leave you all comments! (Whoo... I did it! Only about 255 more posts to read and comments to leave!)

For your Act I post keep in mind that you are NOT writing a summary. Instead you are offering your insight on the characters, their inner struggles and development, as well as your views and opinions of the plot. The requirement is 2 paragraphs minimum.

Other requirements:

*At least 3 vocabulary words from Act I

*QUOTES! Look at your Study Guide for quotes you have written.

* Reply to a minimum of 4 people from any of my classes. (Comment on your own post telling me who you commented on.)

Some questions to keep in mind as you Blog or Vlog:

-+-+- Who do the characters remind me of and why? Can you relate the characters and plot to other characters we studied or other literary works?

-+-+- How do I feel about the interaction between certain characters and what would I do if I were in their situation?

-+-+- What questions can I ask to help my peers engage in a “conversation” about my post?

These questions are only meant to guide you. Your post should not be composed of simple answers to these questions. Take a look at the rubric here so you can view the requirements to become a Platinum Blogger.

Most importantly, have fun reading other Blogs, especially from students in my other periods, and commenting. In addition, write properly (punctuation, spelling, word choice, etc.).

Creativity is welcome! You can try Vlogging (Video Blogging), but a writing portion to the assignment is still required. 2 paragraphs minimum

HAVE FUN! =)

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

First Post- Due by Thursday, March 8th 11:59pm

Congratulations! Now that you have created your very own blog, you are now ready to write and publish your first post.

First, make sure that you email me (from your Gmail account) the URL to your blog so that I can add it to my blog list for our period (Look to your right, scroll down...you see the different periods? That is where the link to your blog will be). Your URL should look something like this: http://www.misscsantos.blogspot.com/.

Now on to your first post…

You can begin your first post by introducing yourself and stating what you have liked the most about our English class this year. Then, I want you to do some research on the author of A Doll's House. Therefore, you need to provide us with some facts on Henrik Ibsen. Explain how you think the title of the play relates to what the play may be about or how it may even relate to the author. Also, what themes and symbols does the play focus on? This can be done in about two paragraphs. Remember, you MUST use proper grammar and don't forget to use punctuation. Therefore, you may want to type this into Microsoft Word and then just copy and paste. Blogger also has a spell check option if you choose to not use Microsoft Word. Please cite your information because if you do not, then it is plagiarism and you will not receive credit for your work. Simply including the link(s) at the end of your post will do. Also, you are not copying and pasting the information you find. You are paraphrasing!

Want to get creative? Add some pictures and even videos. Just remember that it must be relevant to what you are writing about/dicussing.

We will begin reading the play on Monday.

Any questions? Hit the "Student Opinions" button and ask away.

Have fun! :)



Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Welcome Class of 2014!!!

Feel free to look around my Blog and read the posts that were written to my students in the past. I cannot wait to share this experience with all of you and I am pretty sure that you are all super excited as well (right?!?!).

A Doll's House is a play that I am sure most of you, if not all, will enjoy because it is full of DRAMA! We have been together for about 5 months now, therefore, I am confident when I say that you are a very dramatic group of sophomores. So A Doll's House is very appropriate. Also, it is scandalous and who doesn't like a little scandal now and then? ;)

Once you have created your Gmail account, please post a comment in reply to this post. Just click below on "student opinions." Please remember to keep it clean and "professional." Leaving a comment will count as a homework grade. Also, don't forget to mention your name!

I can't wait to start Blogging with all of you!