Monday, December 5, 2011

ENGLISH - 1^st trimester – Day 6

WARMUP:

1. Pick up a copy of this week’s vocabulary words (on center table)
1. You will have a fill-in-the-blank test on Friday
2. Complete “Exercise I” (#1, 2) on the back of the handout
1. After 5 minutes (or so) review the answers to Exercise I only. (see ANSWER KEY)

                                                              i.      Students are to finish Exercise I (#1, 2) and II (#1-13) for homework.

3. Introduction to “Book Pass” (aka “Book Tasting”)

Homework:

Finish vocabulary Exercise I (#1, 2) and II (#1-13) for homework.

Bring Literature book tomorrow.

Study for vocabulary test on Friday (20 fill-in-the-blank sentences – you provide the correct vocabulary word for each sentence)

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PLAYWRITING – Day 6

WARMUP:

1. Collect homework: a 2-3 page script about a character that includes 2 “actions.”
2. What kinds of people fascinate you in real life?
3. Read from The Art & Craft of Playwriting pages 11 – 12.
4. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
1. Today you will learn how to create a character - a protagonist. Perhaps it’s a character based on a real-life person, perhaps it’s one you’ve imagined.

                                                              i.      In approx. two pages, write a brief biographical sketch of this person. You are creating a fictional character, but don’t be afraid to base this character on a person or persons from real life. Maybe the character is you. Maybe it’s someone you hardly know. Choose the character’s birthdate, birthplace, and where the character grew up. Choose the character’s family, social and economic background…EVERYTHING.

                                                            ii.      Next describe 3 key events in that character’s life – deaths, winning the lottery, childhood scars. Now look at your biography. Is it interesting enough? Could the events and actions you’ve imagined be altered to create a more interesting person? Is there any hint of a rebellious spirit?

                                                          iii.      Revise the biography. Play with different possibilities, different actions and events. Has your biography brought your character to a point in his or her life where a potential high-pressure crisis is suggested? The kind of crisis that could start a play?

PLAYWRITING homework:

Finish a, b, c  (biographical sketch)