The first trimester of British Lit. is an
introduction to some of the oldest and most celebrated literature in the
English Language. We’ll focus on the
Anglo-Saxon Beowulf, the Middle
English Canterbury Tales, and the
more modern language of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
British Literature is a college prep course for
highly motivated students. This
literature invites invigorating discussion which will be the centerpiece of our
class. Preparing for class discussions
requires careful reading of the texts.
This may demand multiple readings.
Come to class ready to ask thoughtful questions and offer
interpretations. This preparation is
imperative to your success in the class.
Assignments are to be completed by the beginning of
class on the given date unless otherwise noted. Late papers will be assessed one letter grade per day. Print drafts as you go as no
computer/printer excuses will be accepted. Journals are due before the reading is
discussed and will not be accepted late.
Attendance is extremely important.
Multiple absences will result in a loss of participation credit. We'll try to stay more or less on this
schedule.
8/21
(Thur.) Introductions; Expectations; Overview of the course; Introduce Book
Report Assignment; LMC to select books; Hand out Vocab. Unit 1
8/22
Anglo/Saxon Introduction Due, (1-7). Journal #1: Which three historical details
did you find most interesting? Explain.
8/25
Due today: "The Beowulf Poet," ( 9); "The Poetry of
Beowulf," (15); Go over Beowulf vocabulary. Start reading
8/26
Continue reading.
8/27
Review epic definition. Continue
reading.
8/28 Reading
8/29Journal #2 Describe your image of Grendel
(you may write, draw or do something else creative). What might Grendel
symbolize? / Continue
9/1
Labor Day
9/2
Timed Vocab Quiz Unit 1; 20 Minutes!! / Hand out Unit 2 words; Lit. Circle Section 1
9/3
Old English: Beowulf video (28 min) / Continue reading.
9/4
Reading
9/5
Read, The Changing English Language (69-70) and riddles together/Review
9/8
Test on Beowulf, riddles, and
Anglo-Saxon background, vocabulary and Language essays
9/9
Review Essay Writing
9/10
In-class Essay
9/11
Lit. Circle Section 2
9/12
Read and discuss Medieval Introduction together / Begin ballads (85)
9/15
Finish ballads in class/Introduce Chaucer(95), Go over Chaucer vocabulary;
start reading the Prologue, (96- )
9/16
Reading the prologue
9/17
Finish prologue today. Show video on
Chaucer's world and Claymation video
9/18
ITEDs
9/19
Introduce Chaucer Projects. Journal #3:
due next Friday; read the tale on which you are reporting; summarize and
respond to the tale, state the moral
and explain how the text embodies that moral.
Prove you read the tale!! Begin
“The Pardoner’s Prologue”
9/22 Finish “Pardoner’s Prologue” (88) and Tale
(114-120) together.
9/23 Unit 2
Vocabulary Quiz; hand out Unit 3 words / Lit. Circle Section 3
9/24 Read "Prologue to Wife of Bath's
Tale," (122-130) together.
9/25 Finish Prologue and read the tale on your own
for tomorrow (130-135)
9/26 Reading Day/ Journal #3 due at the
beginning of the period
9/29
To LMC to research tale
9/30
LMC
10/1
LMC
10/2
Work Day
10/3
Vocab Quiz Unit 3; Hand out Unit 4
Words; Lit. Circle Section The Last –
Presentations Begin on Monday
10/6
Journal #4 on three tales you selected
to read is due. Presentations begin
10/7
Presentations
10/8
Presentations
10/9
Presentations
10/10
Presentations
10/13
Presentations
10/14
Presentations
10/15
Presentations
10/16
Presentations
10/17
Presentations
10/20
Review
10/21 Test:
Chaucer, Ballads, Medieval Period
10/22
No Classes
10/23 Vocab
Quiz Units 1-3
10/24 Renaissance Introduction Due (157-165) Introduction to Macbeth (191)
10/27 Macbeth
10/28 Macbeth
10/29 Macbeth
10/30 Macbeth / Hand out Paper Topics
10/31 Macbeth
11/3 Macbeth
11/4 Macbeth
11/5 Macbeth
11/6 Macbeth
11/7 Macbeth
11/10 Macbeth
11/11 Macbeth / Agree/Disagree
11/12 Macbeth
papers due / Begin Film
11/13 Film
11/14 Film / Last Day of Trimester