Thursday, June 6, 2013

Free Audiobooks: Jane Eyre and "Incorrigible Children"

Two audiobooks are available for free from SYNC this week (through June 12th).

Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë

Orphaned at an early age, Jane Eyre leads a lonely life until she finds work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the mysterious Mr. Rochester and sees a ghostly woman who roams the halls by night. The relationship between the heroine and Mr. Rochester is only one episode, albeit the most important, in a detailed fictional autobiography in which the author transmuted her own experience into high art. In this work, the plucky heroine is outwardly of plain appearance but possesses an indomitable spirit, a sharp wit, and great courage. She is forced to battle against the exigencies of a cruel guardian, a harsh employer, and the rigid social order that circumscribes her life and position.

OK, a lot of big words in the synopsis, but it's a good story. Please check it out. (Follow along with the novel by downloading the text from Project Gutenberg, here.)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1:
The Mysterious Howling

by Maryrose Wood

Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance’s holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

To get either audiobook (or both!) start at the download page.

You'll need to install the OverDrive® Media Console™ first, but the page walks you through that. The audiobooks have download buttons below the green sync-head thing in the third column of the page.

Enjoy!

Pre-AP English II: Animal Farm Presentation

If you missed today's presentation on George Orwell and Animal Farm, please view the Prezi below and take decent notes. Consider bookmarking the Prezi, so you can refer to it--especially the timeline--as you read.



More on your Summer Assignment HERE

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

English I (Pre-AP): Ender's Game Reminder

Be sure to bring your copy of Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card with you to class on Thursday, June 6th.

Students who do not have a copy (ebooks are OK), will have to stand all period: NO BOOK. NO SEAT.

BTW: A film version of Ender's Game will be coming out in November (too late to skip the book — ha, ha!). Here's the trailer:

Pre-AP English II: Thematic Links between Lord of the Flies and ???

Compare one of the themes in Lord of the Flies to that of another work we’ve studied this year (see below). Summarize evidence that supports your asserted theme from both texts.
  • Fahrenheit 451
  • The Pearl
  • A Christmas Carol
  • Anthem
  • Othello
  • Julius Caesar

Monday, June 3, 2013

Pre-AP English II: Lord of the Flies 3-Way Venn Diagram

In class we began identifying information to complete a 3-way Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Ralph, Piggy, and Jack. (If you lost your handout, click and print the image to the left of this text.) To complete the assignment, follow the four steps, below.
  1. Label each circle: one for Ralph, one for Piggy, one for Jack, and none for Gretchen Weiners.
  2. In the “half circle” for each of the individual characters, list traits that only apply to that character.
  3. In the three in-between “triangles,” list characteristics that apply to only those two characters.
  4. In the central “triangle,” list characteristics that apply to all three characters.
Due: June 5, 2013

English I (Pre-AP): Shakespeare Small Groups

Tomorrow, June 4th, we'll be working in our small groups again. A reminder of your group and your reading assignment for tonight (and a link to the text) appear below.

Group 1, reading Act 4, Scene 5
Erick
Alma
D'Ontae

Group 2, reading Act 4, Scene 3
Alvaro
Deanna
Natalie
Jessica

Group 3, reading Act 4, Scene 2
Leslie
Marco
Govii
Rodolfo

Group 4, reading Act 4, Scene 1
Elizabeth
Tony
Jose

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Free Audiobooks: Shakespeare's Tempest and a Mermaidish Story

Two audiobooks are available for free from SYNC this week (through June 5th).

The Tempest
by William Shakespeare

A storm rages. Prospero and his daughter watch from their desert island as a ship carrying the royal family is wrecked. Miraculously, all on board survive. Plotting, mistaken identities, and bewitching love follow as the travelers explore the strange place of spirits and monsters.

This is one of my favorite Shakespearean comedies (not necessarily ha-ha funny, but it doesn't end in a bloodbath like most Shakespearean tragedies or histories). Please check it out. (Follow along with the No Fear version here; download the text from Project Gutenberg here.)

Of Poseidon
by Anna Banks

Galen, prince of the Syrena [mermaids/mermen], is sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish and after several encounters with her Galen becomes convinced Emma holds the key to his kingdom.

To get either audiobook (or both!) start at the download page.

You'll need to install the OverDrive® Media Console™ first, but the page walks you through that. The audiobooks have download buttons below the green sync-head thing in the third column of the page.

Enjoy!