7th Period Monday, March 2nd

Class was given this assignment:

Henry V

Vocabulary and Question Journal

Part A: Vocabulary

For this unit on Shakespeare’s Henry V we will be immersed in language. Language is dynamic; it grows and morphs and shape-shifts. Language has the power to connect people, start feuds, deepen understanding and inspire the unimaginable. Over the course of the next few weeks we’ll pay attention to how language affects us as readers and as writers. We will investigate meaning and formulate preferences for our own language choices. 

As a tool to support this process, you will create vocabulary cards using 3 by 5 or 5 by 8 index cards.  Please choose words that you come across in the play (Shakespeare’s words, not the translator’s). Choose words that are new to you. This may include a word that you’ve come across several times but never fully understood before now.  Choose words because they’re exciting, weird, surprising, racy, beautiful, ugly, intense, and/or words that are utterly useful and how-did-you-ever-make-it-this-far-without-it. Choose new words for any good reason you can think of. 

Please make 15 cards total that covers the scope of the reading. Follow the steps below for each entry (adapted from Eileen Simmons of The National Writing Project):

• Write the root of the word in capital letters in red in the middle of the card. Draw an arrow and write the meaning of the root and the language of its origin.
• Write the prefix in black to the left of the root. Draw an arrow and write the meaning of the prefix.
• Write the suffix in blue to the right of the root. Draw an arrow and write the meaning of the suffix.
• In the lower left corner, write three words with the same root.
• Put your quickdraw in the lower right of the card.
• Write the author's definition and part of speech at the top of the card.

For an example, look at the February 24 entry on this blog.

Rough draft of thesis is due Friday.

Students are to have read Acts I and II by Monday.