Please have a safe and wonderful spring break. Remember that COVID is still out there, so wear your masks when you're around others and be careful. See you all when we come back!

Here's a brief recap:

English 8

Today was a work day. Please make sure that all missing work is done, or close to done, before you come back.

English 9 and 9 Honors

The honors class finished the play today (just barely), and English 9 will finish up the final scene when we return. Please make sure you finish all of your missing work so that we can watch the movie when we return!

Here's today's recap!

English 8

The legacy of Anne Frank is one of hope. She famously said: "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart." Hers is a story of believing in the goodness in people and continuing to spread goodness, no matter how terrible things seem. As you work on your journal entries tonight, I want you to think about that quote, and how Anne's experiences still allowed her to feel that there is goodness in the world.

English 9

Lord Capulet gathered all of his resources to prepare the wedding for Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, when the Nurse went to wake Juliet that morning, she was "dead." Lady Capulet reacted to this by mourning the loss of her only child who brought her joy and comfort. The Nurse was so distressed that she couldn't put her thoughts together and was very repetitive. Lord Capulet lamented how the joyous day they'd planned was ruined. Paris, however, made Juliet's death about Juliet, stating that Death had tricked and deceived her. Friar Lawrence scolded the Capulets for only caring about how Juliet's marriage could improve their station. A very odd, very silly conversation between Peter and the musicians followed this.

NOTE: IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS, DO NOT READ THE 9 HONORS UPDATE.

English 9 Honors

We read what was in the English 9 update, but we went further:

...continue reading "03/31/2021: Anne Frank’s Legacy, Verona is a Dumpster Fire"

Here's today's recap:

English 8

We finished the play today, and we learned that the thief told the Nazis about the secret annex. Unfortunately, no one from the secret annex survived except Mr. Frank, but we are left with Anne's parting thought: "In spite of everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." We'll talk about this more tomorrow.

English 9

Due to issues with our school internet today, please review the notes posted to Schoology if you're in period 4. We learned of Friar Lawrence's plan, Lord Capulet moved the wedding up a day, and Juliet drank the potion.

English 9 Honors

Please read Act 4 scene 3 tonight.

Here's today's recap:

English 8

Mrs. Frank caught Mr. Van Daan stealing food, and amidst the chaos that followed, Mrs. Frank lost her cool and told the Van Daans that she wanted them out. She even went so far as to give Mrs. Van Daan money for them to use to bribe someone else for a hiding place. Peter refused to stay without his parents, though. Mr. Dussel began counting out the food, much to Margot's dismay. While this was happening, Miep showed up to tell everyone that the invasion had begun (D-Day). The Franks, Van Daans, and Mr. Dussel made up, realizing that the relationships they had were even more important than the fighting, and Mr. Van Daan apologized and felt ashamed of his behavior. Mrs. Frank, too, felt remorse for her actions.

English 9

Paris spoke with Friar Lawrence about the wedding, now two days away. Juliet came while Paris was still there and attempted to brush Paris off when he greeted her as his wife. Once Paris left, Juliet threatened suicide if Friar Lawrence couldn't help her get out of this situation. Friar Lawrence came up with a plan.

NOTE: Don't read farther than this if you don't want spoilers.

English 9 Honors

Paris spoke with Friar Lawrence about the wedding, now two days away. Juliet came while Paris was still there and attempted to brush Paris off when he greeted her as his wife. Once Paris left, Juliet threatened suicide if Friar Lawrence couldn't help her get out of this situation. Friar Lawrence came up with a plan.

...continue reading "03/29/2021: Mr. Van Daan Caught, Friar Lawrence’s Plan"

Here's today's recap:

English 8

Anne and Peter are growing ever closer, and there seems to be some romance in the air in the secret annex. If you did not finish scene 2 in class, please finish reading Act 2 scenes 1-2. Your study guides for these two scenes should be completed and turned in by the end of the weekend.

English 9 and 9 Honors

By the end of Act 3, Juliet is left with an ultimatum from her father; marry Paris or be disowned. Over the weekend, please complete your Act 3 study guide and the TikTok assignment posted to Schoology.

Here's today's recap:

English 8

We began Act 2 today, almost a year and a half into the time the Franks, the Van Danns, and Mr. Dussel have been in the annex. Margot is sick, and tensions are high. Mr. Van Daan asks Miep to sell his wife's coat and buy him cigarettes, and Mr. Dussel calls Mrs. Van Daan out for giving her husband a larger share of food. Mouschi is also missing.

English 9

Romeo threatens to take his own life, but Friar Lawrence reminds him that he has three reasons to be happy: Juliet is alive, he killed Tybalt and therefore lived, and the Prince gave him mercy and only exiled him rather than executing him. He advises Romeo to go comfort Juliet, and then remain quietly in the neighboring city of Mantua until the time is right, at which point his friends will make his marriage to Juliet public and petition the prince for mercy.

Lord Capulet tells Paris that he will arrange a marriage between him and Juliet in three days, on Thursday.

Romeo and Juliet wake up after their wedding night and Juliet insists that the bird she hears is a nightingale, indicating that it's still night and Romeo doesn't have to leave. Romeo, however, knows that it's a lark, signalling morning and that he has to leave. Juliet has a premonition of seeing Romeo dead in a tomb. Lady Capulet comes in after Romeo leaves and tells Juliet that her father has arranged her marriage to Paris for Thursday, but Juliet refuses. When Lord Capulet learns of this, he grows furious and demands that she fulfill this marriage contract or be disowned.

English 9 Honors

After her father's ultimatum, Juliet goes to her mother for comfort, only to find that her mother is done with her. The Nurse doesn't offer comfort, either, though she tries to by telling Juliet that she's better off marrying Paris and forgetting about Romeo. Frustrated and alone, Juliet says that she will go to Friar Lawrence for help, and if he can't get her out of this situation, she is prepared to take her own life.