Monday, December 15, 2008

December 15,2008 - Homework

Homework: Vocabulary words: Research definitions and include in complete sentences. Update your Blogs and please have distort your image to recognize that of Dorian's at this time.

servility: slavishly submissive or relating to servitude or forced labor
garrulous: Social, talkative, Wordy
impecuniosity: Lacking money; penniless
obsequious: obedient; dutiful
renunciations: A declaration in which something is renounced
sensual: lacking in moral restraints; lewd or unchaste
poignant: affecting or moving the emotions
fopperies: Foolish quality or action
profligacy: great abundance;Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant
pathos: Anything that evokes a feeling of pity or compassion
alchemist: a person who is versed in or practices alchemy
frescoes: the art or technique of painting on a moist, plaster surface with colors ground up in water or a limewater mixture
calumnies: a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something
ego: the “I” or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.
ennui: feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom

December 15,2008

Objectives (Blooms Level):
Students will apply their understanding of eulogy in a final presentation.
Students will recall specific information about characters in Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Students will synthesize information from the content.
Students will examine cause and effect of sins in the novel.
Materials: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11
Aim: How can we recall information about the text and organize our thoughts and ideas in various forms?
Do Now: Complete the following sentence, I am Dorian Gray and my greatest sin so far is...and give a reason why?
I am Dorian Gray and my greatest sin so far is murder because I killed Basil.
Reviewing Information from content:
Recall Chapters 10-13
Dorian conceals the portrait upstairs where he alone can see it.
Lord Henry sends Dorian the yellow book.
Dorian worships his senses.
Dorian is drawn tot he power of the jewels.
Dorian has a fateful meeting with Basil.

Cooperative Learning: today we will break up in to mini groups and do the following;
Group 1: Examine and apply in a diagram the cause and effect of Dorian's sins

Cause
Effect
Works Cited
Corrupts his soul with debased activities
The aging, evil face in the portrait contrasts sharply with the youthful, unblemished face in his mirror
Chapter 10 Page ()
Group 2: Prepare a classroom collage depicting what Basil sees in the portrait.
Group 3: Draw a cartoon of Dorian with two heads, depicting his two natures (give his other self a name, however you must research the meaning of that name to see if it fits).
Group 4: Re-create the yellow book and all that Dorian witnesses or reads in the book. You will need classroom supplies for this.

Share out! We will complete this exercise/mini project in class tomorrow.

Homework: Vocabulary words: servility, garrulous, impecuniosity, obsequious, renunciations, sensual, poignant, fopperies, profligacy, pathos, alchemist, frescoes, calumnies, ego, ennui. Research definitions and include in complete sentences. Update your Blogs and please have distort your image to recognize that of Dorian's at this time.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

A eulogy for Sybil vane

A murder, by two loves

[James]
No one really knew who Sibyl Vane was. To everyone, she was known as just an actress that played different characters every night and died at a young age. To me Sibyl was more than just an upcoming actress. She was going to be a great actress. Sibyl didn’t just love acting. She loved the idea of falling in love and being in love. I have many fond memoirs of Sibyl and there are so many things that I can express about who Sibyl was.
My sister was born on a warm summer afternoon on June 20th in 1890
[1]. As she grew up, we knew that she was born an actress. Although she never went to school, she learned everything about acting from my mother. When Sibyl reached the age of 7, she decided she was ready to act. Although she was puny, she insisted on wearing one of our mother’s costumes. Knowing she wouldn’t shut up until she got the dress and makeup, I helped her out. She looked ridiculous with lipstick drawn all over her face, a dress that dragged a few feet behind her and shoes twice the size of her feet. When our mother got home, she dropped everything she was carrying and started to die of laughter.

[Mrs. Vane]
I remember that day quite well, but recall Sibyl’s first performance as the best day in my life. She played Juliet in a small theatre in Holborn
[2]. She was so happy before, during, and after her performance. She didn’t even want to look or go anywhere else. “This is now my second home” Sibyl said. That was when she was 12. Every night, she would go back on stage, never tired, never bored. Sibyl never looked for anything else in life but to please the crowd.
But then along came Mr. Perfect 5 years later. One night after Sibyl was done acting as Rosalind
[3], a mysterious man came round backstage and confessed his love for her. Immediately Sibyl fell in love. She told me that this man looked like a prince, and therefore called him Prince Charming.[4] Although I was concerned that this man would distract her from acting, Sibyl cried “Money, Mother? What does money matter? Love is more than money.”[5]
Although I did not know the man, I gave into Sibyl. I remember when she questioned why he loved her so much. She said, “I know why I love him. I love him because he is like what Love himself should be. But what does he see in me? I am not worthy of him”.
[6] After all, he was of a higher class. Even James warned me about this man. He warned me to watch after her.[7]
On that fateful night of August 6th 1907
[8], when she re-entered the theatre, I knew she was not herself. She told me she desperately needed to get something. When I asked if there was something wrong, she said that everything was fine. After she entered the theatre, I over heard Sibyl’s boss questioning how “he” could do that. How could “he” be so cruel and unjust? Now that I reflect on that night, I can only assume that “Prince Charming” was unfair and unjust.[9]
After waiting for Sibyl to come back down, she showed no sign of reappearing. After going up to her dressing room, I found her lying dead on the floor. There was a white substance smeared all over her face.
[10] At the time, I could not believe what had just occurred; it seemed like an illusion. Did my little baby just kill herself? It turns out the verdict was death by misadventure.[11] My little baby loved many things in the world, however, she loved acting and Prince Charming the most. This was her fidelity and it filled her life with joy.

[James]
I still remember the last time I was with her. She was so happy, overflowing with joy. I wanted her to stay like this forever, happy and content. I had a bad feeling about her “Prince Charming.” I tried to warn her about men and how cruel they can be. I didn’t want her to suffer; I wanted to keep that smile on her face forever. The house, which was once filled with laughter, is now silenced. Sibyl is gone… forever and she’s not coming back. Although she isn’t here physically, she lives on through her legacy. She filled the lives of those who knew her with joy and inspired those whom she only met once. Before I left for Australia
[12], she asked me to go to the theater. “He is going to be there, and I am to play Juliet! Oh! How I shall play it! Fancy, Jim, to be in love and play Juliet! To have him sitting there! To play for his delight!” she said thrilled with just the thought of it.[13] I now regret leaving that day; I regret not protecting her. If only I stayed with her she might have been here today. If only I didn’t leave.

Sibyl Vane had a simple life with two loves, Dorian and Acting. Both were the death of her, and in this death, she found absolution. She thought Prince Charming was “the Prince of life.”[14] “Take me away, Prince Charming – take me away with you where we can be quite alone,”[15] she begged. Let us hope she has found peace alone with another Prince Charming-our Lord up in heaven.

[1] The original publication of The Picture of Dorian Gray was this date.
[2] “Sibyl Vane, a young actress recently engaged at the Royal Theatre, Holborn.”
[3] “The third night. She had been playing Rosalind. I could not help going round.”
[4] “She [Sibyl] said quite simply to me [Dorian], “You look more like a prince. I must call you Prince Charming.””
[5] The picture of Dorian Gray
[6] The Picture of Dorian Gray published by Barnes and Nobles Classics page 65.
[7] “My son, you distress me very much. Sibyl is always under my special care.”
[8] We chose August as when Sibyl died, it sounded like it was a summer month, the 6 correlates to the devil’s 666 number and 1907 is 17 years later than 1890.
“It was an exquisite day. The warm air seemed laden with spices.”
[9] “Acting! I leave that to you [Sibyl]. You do it so well,” he [Dorian] answered bitterly.”
[10] [Lord Henry] “I don't know what it was, but it had either prussic acid or white lead in it.”
[11] “A verdict of death by misadventure was returned.”
[12] “I wish now that I [James] was not going to Australia at all.”
[13] The Picture Of Dorian Gray published by Barnes and Nobles Classics page 71.
[14] “My love! My love! Prince Charming! Prince of life!”
[15] “Take me away, Dorian—take me away with you, where we can be quite alone.”

Friday, December 5, 2008

December 5,2008 - Homework

Homework: Update your Blogs. Bring in an image of what you think Sibyl Vane looks like. Read up to Chapter 15.

December 5,8,9,10 and 11,2008

Objectives:
Students will use appropriate nonverbal cues such as eye contact and gestures in their speeches.
Students will create a speech that narrates, amuses, or persuades.
The class will create a supportive environment for beginning public speakers.
Students will increase verbal communication and public speaking skills
Aim: How can we honor Sibyl Vane's death in a eulogy?
Do Now: Complete the following as a journal entry---The most beautiful
speech I have ever heard is..., At my _funeral gave a speech that
was..., At my graduation, birthday party, wedding, special event, _paid
tribute to...
The most beautiful speech I have ever heard is at my graduation. When my old principle gave a speech about how young we were when we first came to I.S. 230 and how we matured and grew throughout the school year. It was really sweet and what stuck with me most is that a retired old principle cared enough to come to my graduation. I don't know why but I did feel like crying after the speech was done.
Mini Lesson:
What is a Eulogy?
A eulogy is a well-crafted speech intended to commemorate a loved one who
has died. It is usually presented at a memorial service or funeral by
someone who was close to the deceased and knows them well.
A eulogy may contain:
* a condensed life history of the person who has died
* details about family, friends, work/career, interests, and achievements
* favorite memories of the deceased
* favorite poems, songs, quotes, scripture.
The most touching and meaningful eulogies are written from the heart. A eulogy does not have to be perfect. Whatever you write and deliver will be appreciated by the people in attendance.
An example of a eulogy is Elton John's tribute to Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean), and Princess Diana.
http://www.last.fm/listen/artist/Elton+John/similarartists
http://www.last.fm/music/Elton+John/_/Candle+in+the+Wind
Whole Class: What are the key elements of a Eulogy?
Memories
Funny stories
Favorite things
Good deed done by this person
How that person affected your life
The conversation between you and the deceased
Anything and everything that has to do something with this person
Cooperative
Learning: In your small groups, please compile the following information about Sibyl Vane from your novels. You must cite your source. MLA style. Each group will gather information about Sibyl Vane from the book (cite your sources)
* Persons age/date of birth
17/
* Family and other close relationships
Mother, Brother, Unknow father
* Education/work/career
Didnt go to school
Worked at the theater
She is an actress
* Hobbies or special interests
Acting, Singing,
* Places the person lived
London
* How did she die?
She comitted suicide
* Time of death?
Night, Right after closing time when they were returing home.
* Special accomplishments
The ability to capture the audiences attention
* Use at least 3 vocabulary words from the Vocabulary Word List from Portrait that is appropriate for a eulogy.
* What is your image of Sibyl Vane?
When I think of sibyl vane. I get the image of this innocent little girl thats really really beautiful. She is innocent and sweet natured

* What other things can we list about Sibyl?
sweet and innocent
very good actress
belives in love
naiive
looks young for her age
beautiful
Each group will share out!
Homework: Update your Blogs. Bring in an image of what you think Sibyl Vane looks like. Read up to Chapter 15.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

December 3-4,2008 - Homework

Homework:

Vocabulary:

florid: flowery; excessively ornate; showy: florid writing.
affinity: a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea.
absolution: the condition of being formally forgiven.
melancholy: gloomy state of mind.
conjugal: pertaining to the relation of husband and wife.
cognizance: awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice.
misanthrope: a hater of humankind.

Find any similes, metaphors, and personification.
Cite sources: Where can we find the 5 stages of grief as it pertains to Dorian. Please also include
Temes describes three particular types of behavior exhibited by those suffering from grief and loss. They are:
*Numbness (mechanical functioning and social insulation)
*Disorganization (intensely painful feelings of loss)
*Reorganization (re-entry into a more 'normal' social life.)

December 3-4,2008

Objective: Students will recognize, identify, and discuss the different levels of meaning in the text.
Students will use an organizer to compare and contrast characters feelings towards death.
Students will identify literary techniques in text.
Students will work together as a group.
Aim: Which of the five stages of grief does Dorian experience after Sibyl's death?
Do Now: Complete the following statement as a journal entry--After _death, or After the death of, I feltafter...
After the death of an family member I didn't feel any loss. I didn't feel any pain . I didn't even cry. I know it sounds selfish and inhuman but how can you mourn someone you have never know. How can you feel loss of a person you didn't even know. I did feel bad though, I felt horrible for the those who knew the deceased person. I never really lost anyone close to me to death. I don't really know how it feels but the loss of a live person, I have felt. Even though i lost him i am fine knowing that there is a chance i might see him again. Death is something i havent experienced personally.
Mini Lesson: Teacher will make a disclaimer about the topic of death due to the sensitivity and any negative experience any student may have. Therefore, such students are exempt from this class discussion.
What Are The Stages of Grief?
Many people have tried to explain what grief is; some have even identified certain stages of grief.
Probably the most well-known of these might be from Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' book, "On Death and Dying." In it, she identified five stages that a dying patient experiences when informed of their terminal prognosis.
The stages Kubler-Ross identified are:
* Denial (this isn't happening to me!)
* Anger (why is this happening to me?)
* Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...)
* Depression (I don't care anymore)
* Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)
Many people believe that these stages of grief are also experienced by others when they have lost a loved one.
Personally, I think of these definitions as emotional behaviors rather than stages, per se. I believe we may certainly experience some of these behaviors. But, I believe just as strongly, that there is no script for grief; that we cannot expect to feel any of our emotions in a particular set pattern. I do agree that acceptance is probably the last emotion felt, and in some instances it may be the only one.
A lesser known definition of the stages of grief is described by Dr. Roberta Temes in the book, "Living With An Empty Chair - a guide through grief." Temes describes three particular types of behavior exhibited by those suffering from grief and loss. They are:
* Numbness (mechanical functioning and social insulation)
* Disorganization (intensely painful feelings of loss)
* Reorganization (re-entry into a more 'normal' social life.)
I am better able to relate to this definition as it seems to more accurately reflect the types of behavior I have experienced and observed. Within these types of behavior might well be most of the feelings described in Kubler-Ross' writings as well.
Student's reaction to the above depends on their experience with death.
Comprehension Check:
What happens the morning after Dorian's rejection of Sibyl?
The next morning Dorian sleept in late with the guilty conscience of knowing that he hurt sibyl.
How does he learn about Sibyl's death?
He learns about sibyls death from Lord Henry.
How did Sibyl die?
She comitted suicide.
What is Lord Henry's reaction to Sibyl's death?
When lord Henry found put about sibyls death. He didnt feel any sympathy toward her. He was only worried about dorians reputation.
How old is Sibyl in chapter 8?
she is 17
Why does Dorian refuse to allow Basil see the portrait?
Dorian refused to show Basil the painting brcause the painting showed all his sins and the ugliness of his soul.
What does he threatens to do?
He threatens to end his friendship with Basil.
What secret does Basil reveals about himself?
He confesses his feeling for Dorian.
Analyze the conversation between Dorian and Basil about the portrait and why Basil has changed his mind about exhibiting it?
Dorian wants to come clean and confide in someone and so does Basil. He later changes his mind exibiting the painting because Dorian didnt agree to it.
Literary Analysis:
What internal conflicts__ do Basil and Dorian face in these chapters?
Man vs. Self
Man vs. Man
Interpretive:
When Dorian said that he "cannot feel this tragedy," what stage of grief do you think he is experiencing?
Numbness
True or False: Dorian shows remorse for Sibyl's death. One can say that he experiences Anger and Disorganization.
True. he does show remore for sibyl death.
Cooperative Learning:
Please complete the following in your small groups Work in twos. You may need two laptops for your group to conduct the research of Narcissus and Echo. Additionally,
Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the reactions of Lord Henry and Basil to Sibyl's death.
Give at least two entries for each
Then refer to the legend of Narcissus. Compare and contrast Dorian's self-love with that of Narcissus and Narcissus' treatment of Echo with the way Dorian has treated Sibyl.
Homework:
Vocabulary: florid, affinity, absolution, melancholy, conjugal, cognizance, misanthrope.
Find any similes, metaphors, and personification.
Cite sources: Where can we find the 5 stages of grief as it pertains to Dorian. Please also include
Themes describes three particular types of behavior exhibited by those suffering from grief and loss. They are:
* Numbness (mechanical functioning and social insulation)
* Disorganization (intensely painful feelings of loss)
* Reorganization (re-entry into a more 'normal' social life.)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December 1-2, 2008 - Homework

Homework:

Research: Analyze Dorian's relationship with Sibyl in the light of three very different mythological motifs: the stories of Actaeon and Artemis, Narcissus and Echo, and Adonis and Venus.

Day II Homework:

Note the literary Devices:
Similes- hair clustered r ound face like dark leaves around a play rose; she trembled like a white narcissus; her body swayed...as a play sways in the water; drunkards chattering like a monstrous apes.
Personification- Nature.

Vocabulary:
infatuation: a foolish and usually extravagant passion or love or admiration
virtues: a good or admirable quality or property.
incorrigible: not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform.
pompous: Characterized by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity.
spiritualize: To invest with or treat as having a spiritual sense or meaning.
interminable: Having no limit.
fiasco: a complete and ignominious failure.
profanation: blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character.
anodyne: A medicine that relieves or allays pain.
illusion: something that deceives by producing a false or misleading impression of reality.

December 1-2, 2008

Objectives: based on chapters 6 and 7 where Dorian tells Lord Henry and Basil about his engagement to Sibyl Vane and he also invites them to see her performance in the theatre in Romeo and Juliet.
Students will identify significant literary elements (including foreshadowing, allusion, and irony) and use those elements to interpret the work.
Students will recognize, identify, and discuss the different levels of meaning in the text.
Students will apply the key terms of Homosexuality (Oscar Wilde was 19th century literature's most conspicuous homosexual), Aestheticism, and Decadents find evidence of it in the text.
Aim: How important is Wilde's credo "Art for Art sake" in Chapter six and What is the difference between Love and infatuation?
Do Now: begin a journal entry with I have been infatuated with... and the reason why.
I have been infatuated with a guy. He is the sweetest one of the most caring person you will ever meet and thats the reason why i am so infatuated by him.
Interpretive: Please cite sources/find text support for your answers.Why does Lord Henry feels there is a class conflict between Dorian and Sibyl?How can we compare and contrast both Sibyl and Dorian to Shakespeare's Juliet and Romeo?"I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit" (Lord Henry)

Literary Device/techniques:
How is Dorian's feelings about Sibyl ironic?How is the physical description of Sibyl a foreshadowing of her bad performance?What allusions are referenced/cited in these chapters?

Comprehension:
How Does Dorian describes Sibyl's acting?Day II 12/2/08Comprehension:When Dorian confronts Sibyl what effect does it have on the his painting?Connect:How is Aestheticism and Decadence evident in Chapter six?

Critical Thinking:
How is Sibyl's acting like bad art?What has truly caused Sibyl to quit or act badly?Is Dorian truly in love with Sibyl or is he simply infatuated with her and WHY?

Cooperative Learning:How is Homosexuality, Aestheticism, and Decadence evident in chapters six and seven? Cite sources.use a four column chart to illustrate your findings.

Key term
Meaning
Support
Works Cited

Aestheticism
Decadence
Homosexuality

Share out!

Homework:
Research: Analyze Dorian's relationship with Sibyl in the light of three very different mythological motifs: the stories of Actaeon and Artemis, Narcissus and Echo, and Adonis and Venus.

Day II Homework:
Note the literary Devices: Similes- hair clustered round face like dark leaves around a play rose; she trembled like a white narcissus; her body swayed...as a play sways in the water; drunkards chattering like a monstrous apes.Personification- Nature.

Vocabulary:infatuation, virtues, incorrigible, pompous, spiritualize, interminable, fiasco, profanation, anodyne, illusion.