Dec 15-Dec 19 Questions and Answers

Be sure to write your name and class period on the first line of your blog entry. Also, notice that this blog is due before 3:00pm Friday, Dec. 19.
On Monday we wrote down questions about Orientalism, Bizet, Carmen, and The Pearl Fishers that we want to ask Seneca when he visits on Wednesday. Write one of your questions and the answer. Make your answer complete and use examples from one or more of the texts that we've studied recently.

Dec 8-Dec15 Carmen

Discuss Carmen in the light of our discussion on Orietalism. What specific scene did you find most interesting? Give as many concrete, specific examples from the video that you can.

Dec 1-Dec 8 Orietalism

Reflect on the Kipling poem that we read and discuss what insights into racism or the creation of "the other" the poem and/or the class discussion gave you.

Nov 24-Dec 1 Happy Thanksgiving

There is no blog prompt this week. Enjoy the holiday, don't despair, make good choices, and be kind to everyone.

Nov 17-Nov 24 Oedipus Rex

Be sure to write your full name and class period on the first line of your entry.
Write a quote down from Oedipus Rex and explain what it means in the context of the story as a whole. On line there are a number of English translations of the play if you need to fine a quote.

Nov 10- Nov 16 Mid-Term Test Questions

Write six questions with answers that you think would be good to include on the mid-term test. Try to think of six things that are of real importance, something you think you should remember throughout your lives as theater goers. Do not write any questions that someone else has asked. Each of you six questions and answers need to be original.

Nov 3-Nov 10 All the King's Men and Hansel and Gretel

Write about your refections on the play, All the King's Men. What choices did the director make that worked well. Give some specific examples. What choices did the director make that didn't work quite so well. Again, give specific examples.
Also, if you attended Hansel and Gretel 6th period on Wednesday, write about what you thought of the performance. As a condensed version in English, what worked well? What didn't work quite so well?

Oct 27-Nov 3 Art History

Be sure to write your name and class period on the first line of your entry.
Choose a painting, statue, building, or any other art work from one of our periods and explain why you like it. If you can figure out how to put the picture on your blog entry that would even be better.

Oct 20 - Oct 27 Art History I

Be sure to write your full name and class period on the first line of your entry.
Choose one stylistic period we have read about this week that you are most intrigued by. Explain why you like it and give specific details to support your reasons.

Oct 13- Oct 20 Elektra

Be sure to write your first and last name and class period on the first line of your blog entry.
Write a review of your experience at Elektra. In your review, analyze one scene in particular and discuss it using the five elements of music. How did melody, harmony, color, form, and rhythm help shape the scene? How did they contribute to your understanding of the text?
Then end your review with comments on your overall impression of the production. Comment on the lighting, costumes, singing, and any other aspects of the performance you would like to mention. Read the other students' entries and try to add something original to the comments.

Oct 6-Oct 13 Jonathan Dean/Seneca Garber

Be sure to write your full name and the class period on the first line of your entry.
Jonathan and Seneca are visiting us this week to tell us more about Elektra. What did you learn from them that you didn't already know? What in particular did you like about their presentation. Give specific, concrete details.

Sept 29-Oct 6 Mahler's 8th

Write your name and class period on the first line of your entry.
Then write a review of Seattle Symphony's performance of Mahler's 8th, Symphony of a Thousand. In your review use specific details to describe what you experienced, what you heard, and what particularly caught your attention

Oct 22-Oct 29 Finishing Mahler

Be sure to write your full name and class period on the very first line of your blog entry. Thank you.
For this week, write about your thoughts about Mahler's Symphony #8. What have you learned? What do you think about the piece? What are your reactions to the music and/or the singing? In your entry, try to avoid writing about something that someone else has already written about.
On Sunday we will attend a performance of the symphony. Next week's blog entry will ask you to write a review about the performance, so hold those thoughts until next week, or type them on a word document, save them, and cut and paste them into next week's blog.

Week 3 Oct 15-22 Faust

http://web.archive.org/web/19980116133219/http://pluto.clinch.edu/history/wciv2/civ2ref/faust.html
Remember to write your name and class period on the first line of your blog entry. Thank you.
For this week's blog, find a quote from Faust, type it on your blog, and write about the line. How does the line you have chosen reflect other things we have learned about Faust or the Romantic period? The link above will take you to one on-line source that contains an excerpt from the poem. There are many other sites besides.

Blog 2: Essay Topic

At the very beginning of your blog entry, write your full name and period 2, 4, or 6 first and then go on to type your entry. Thank you.
Write the prompt of your college essay and then tell us how you plan to approach answering that prompt. Give us some specific details that you will include in your essay.

Humanities 2008-2009

Every week we will have a new blog. I will post the topic on Monday, and your entry will be due no later than midnight of the following Sunday. No blog entered after 12:00am will be accepted.
For this first week's topic, write about why you are taking Humanities. What do you expect to learn from the class? What are your plans for next year? How will Humanities help you reach your goals?
We have a very exciting line up of performances this year. We will attend one performance of the symphony, five operas, two plays, and two ballets. I've chosen each one because it has literary and artistic merit and because it is a recognized "classic." I very much look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with you, and I look forward also to learning from you. Let's make this the best year ever, after all it is your last year of high school. I feel privileged to be able to share it with you. --Mr. S