Lit & Cinema Online Activities
Hello everyone! This page will lay out whatever work you need to complete during the school closure. It's important that we all stay busy and connected, so keep on top of things and don't procrastinate. If you have any questions, or just want to connect or chat, please email me at mckeebym@apcsd. org.
Lit & Cinema Work for 5/18-The End!
This is it folks- the calendar of the end of the year. All you have left is to complete your film responses, complete your project, and share your project for response from one family member of your choice, and one peer from APHS or elsewhere. I have made a simple google form for responses to your project that are linked to the calendar below, and I will email you a complete response from the teacher's perspective. I tried to plan things to get you done as early as possible, but if you want to work ahead of this schedule, feel free to get things done sooner.
This is it folks- the calendar of the end of the year. All you have left is to complete your film responses, complete your project, and share your project for response from one family member of your choice, and one peer from APHS or elsewhere. I have made a simple google form for responses to your project that are linked to the calendar below, and I will email you a complete response from the teacher's perspective. I tried to plan things to get you done as early as possible, but if you want to work ahead of this schedule, feel free to get things done sooner.
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
18 Work on project, or watch a film |
19 Work on project, or watch a film |
20 Work on project, or watch a film |
21 Work on project, or watch a film |
|
25 Work on project, or watch a film |
26 Work on project, or watch a film |
27 Check to make sure ALL outside sources are cited! |
28 Check to make sure ALL outside sources are cited! |
|
2 Relax |
3 Respond to feedback from Mr. McKeeby |
4 Share project to at least one school friend and one family member, have them respond with form available HERE |
5 Share project to at least one school friend and one family member, have them respond with form available HERE |
|
8 Wrap up anything not finished |
9 Wrap up anything not finished |
10 DONE! |
11 Relax, you earned it! Unless you still owe some back work, in which case, get it done! |
12 Relax, you earned it! Unless you still owe some back work, in which case, get it done! |
15 Relax, you earned it! Unless you still owe some back work, in which case, get it done! |
16 Relax, you earned it! Unless you still owe some back work, in which case, get it done! |
17 Relax, you earned it! Unless you still owe some back work, in which case, get it done! |
18 Maybe we're totally done by now? Let's hope so! |
19 |
Lit & Cinema Work for 5/1-5/15
There are two things for you over this entire month: continued project work and film viewing.
As far as your project, I would like a weekly email from you to let me know what you have been viewing and writing about, and if you can attach actual work via google docs or a photo, that would be excellent!
I am glad to finally let you know that we have arranged a way for you to view some great films in an easy-to stream way! A big thanks goes out to Mrs Yost for getting this set up for us! I am sending the full list of suggested films to both Lit & Cinema and Horror History classes. Each is recommended for one class or the other, but some are great for both, or just worth watching in general.
Lit & Cinema Work for 4/20-5/1
I have to start with an apology for posting this at the end of the week! I’ve been grading and sorting assignments while looking at various options to improve on-line learning, and let this week get out of my hands. I think it’s an organizational issue many of us are dealing with, so maybe I’m not alone. Besides, I’ve never had a student ask me for more work! :)
One of the pieces we have been working on behind the scenes is getting you films in the easiest way possible. Hoopla, which I asked you to sign-up for, is one way to do that. Mrs Yost kindly introduced us a better service called 'Swank,' which will allow me to give you a URL for a film, so everyone just needs to click and view. It has taken a week to get this up and running, so I ended up letting things slide a bit. Next week I expect to be able to offer you a menu of films to pick from, with only short response activities.
So your current assignment is to continue work on your project, aiming for about a page each week, to the equivalent thereof. Please, please, please CITE YOUR OUTSIDE SOURCES! I have had a number of folks submit uncited or outright plagiarized material in the last few weeks. Though we are being very lenient in pass/fail grading because of our situation, a plagiarized project will earn you a fail. Please, let us not go there!
Film links will be coming next week! Stay healthy, and stay in touch!
Work for 4/6-4/18
First, continue with your project as planned, with a minimum goal of one page of new material (or the equivalent in filming, art, etc.).
Second, here is some exciting news!
I’ve been looking for ways for us to all have access to shared films and literature for study, and have something figured out with the help of Mrs. Yost and another friend. The Upper Hudson Library service is making a service called Hoopla available for all patrons in the next few weeks. To use it, you just need to sign-up for a library card, which is free on-line If you don’t already have one, and then download the Hoopla App to your device of choice. Once we are all signed up, we can watch and read the same materials. As a bonus, it makes lots of reading, music and audiobooks free to you as well!
What do I need to do?
1. Go to https://sierra.uhls.org/selfreg to sign up for a library card, if you don’t have one already.
2. Visit https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and get registered, that will direct you where to download the app.
(NOTE: HOLD OFF ON STEP 2- THEY ARE STILL GETTING IT SET UP, I WILL EMAIL WHEN IT'S READY)
It will be another week or two before the system is entirely online, but that will give everyone time to get registered. It is my understanding that once it is up, we will be able to do simultaneous downloads of the same material.
What is next?
Once we are all connected, I will assign viewing or reading that is available thorough Hoopla. Our discussion and response assignments will get back on track. Please do not worry about the amount of work. I will not assign more than one movie and a short response via the class blog each week. We are trying to limit class time to about three hours of work each week. Between a film and your own project, you will be doing enough.
What if I have a problem signing up?
First, do your best to solve it yourself. If you can’t make something work, please email me, and I will try. If we all get stuck, we my try enlisting Mrs. Yost’s assistance.
Lit & Cinema Work for 3/30-4/2
Lit & Cinema Work for 3/16-3/27
Below are three activities you need to work on over the break. Only one is new.
We hope to be back together by the end of the month, but in the event that our time apart
is extended. I will make sure everyone gets updates via school email, so check that
periodically if you are able. If that is not an option for you, please see me before we
leave today and let me know a contact phone number and I will call you directly to
discuss updates.
Activity 1: Your Project
Projects are well underway, and I want you to maintain our expectation that you
work steadily on these. Unlike with underclassmen, I don’t generally ask you to submit
formal work on the project as we go. That said, since we will not be in class together to
discuss your work, I would like you to share at least two pages of writing on your project
over our two week separation. If you are working on a video or art related task, please
share materials like scripts, photos of work with brief explanations of what you are
completing, or video clips.
Expectation: Submit one page of writing on March 20 and another on March
27. You may share with me via Google Docs, or email them to me at
[email protected]
Activity 2: Critical Viewing & Auteurs Unit Assessment
We are in the midst of a unit focused on (Ha ha! Get it?) cinematic technique,
and how certain top-notch directors develop a consistent style. These artists are labeled
‘auteurs’ and commonly control almost all aspects of their films. For example, we have
seen how Alfred Hitchcock uses the camera to control where the viewer looks, and has a
voyeuristic tone, almost as if we are spying on the characters or whomever they are
watching. He manipulates pace, and puts the camera in unexpected locations to create
jarring images that unsettle us.
I’m asking you to select a director of your own (you could watch more Hitchcock,
or choose another director) and watch a minimum of three films, carefully noting style,
themes, and technique. When done, write a paper of a minimum of three pages
describing why (or why not) the director might be considered an auteur. An example of
such a student paper on the director Stanley Kubrick can be found here.
This paper is not perfect, but a good example of the quality of writing I expect from you.
If you are having trouble selecting a director, visit Wikipedia and search for “List of
Film Auteurs.” There is a massive list there, with links to their own Wikipedia pages
that can give you lists of films. If you have access to Amazon Prime or Netflix, you will
be all set for viewing, materials, and the local libraries usually have good DVD
selections.
Expectation: Watch a minimum of three films by a major director, such as
Hitchcock. You are encouraged to watch more if time permits. Write a
quality paper of a minimum of four typed, 12pt., double-spaced pages
discussing whether the director can be considered an auteur, citing
particular evidence from the films you watched. Complete the paper by
Friday 3/27, and share to me via Google Docs or email at
[email protected]
There are two things for you over this entire month: continued project work and film viewing.
As far as your project, I would like a weekly email from you to let me know what you have been viewing and writing about, and if you can attach actual work via google docs or a photo, that would be excellent!
I am glad to finally let you know that we have arranged a way for you to view some great films in an easy-to stream way! A big thanks goes out to Mrs Yost for getting this set up for us! I am sending the full list of suggested films to both Lit & Cinema and Horror History classes. Each is recommended for one class or the other, but some are great for both, or just worth watching in general.
Lit & Cinema Work for 4/20-5/1
I have to start with an apology for posting this at the end of the week! I’ve been grading and sorting assignments while looking at various options to improve on-line learning, and let this week get out of my hands. I think it’s an organizational issue many of us are dealing with, so maybe I’m not alone. Besides, I’ve never had a student ask me for more work! :)
One of the pieces we have been working on behind the scenes is getting you films in the easiest way possible. Hoopla, which I asked you to sign-up for, is one way to do that. Mrs Yost kindly introduced us a better service called 'Swank,' which will allow me to give you a URL for a film, so everyone just needs to click and view. It has taken a week to get this up and running, so I ended up letting things slide a bit. Next week I expect to be able to offer you a menu of films to pick from, with only short response activities.
So your current assignment is to continue work on your project, aiming for about a page each week, to the equivalent thereof. Please, please, please CITE YOUR OUTSIDE SOURCES! I have had a number of folks submit uncited or outright plagiarized material in the last few weeks. Though we are being very lenient in pass/fail grading because of our situation, a plagiarized project will earn you a fail. Please, let us not go there!
Film links will be coming next week! Stay healthy, and stay in touch!
Work for 4/6-4/18
First, continue with your project as planned, with a minimum goal of one page of new material (or the equivalent in filming, art, etc.).
Second, here is some exciting news!
I’ve been looking for ways for us to all have access to shared films and literature for study, and have something figured out with the help of Mrs. Yost and another friend. The Upper Hudson Library service is making a service called Hoopla available for all patrons in the next few weeks. To use it, you just need to sign-up for a library card, which is free on-line If you don’t already have one, and then download the Hoopla App to your device of choice. Once we are all signed up, we can watch and read the same materials. As a bonus, it makes lots of reading, music and audiobooks free to you as well!
What do I need to do?
1. Go to https://sierra.uhls.org/selfreg to sign up for a library card, if you don’t have one already.
2. Visit https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and get registered, that will direct you where to download the app.
(NOTE: HOLD OFF ON STEP 2- THEY ARE STILL GETTING IT SET UP, I WILL EMAIL WHEN IT'S READY)
It will be another week or two before the system is entirely online, but that will give everyone time to get registered. It is my understanding that once it is up, we will be able to do simultaneous downloads of the same material.
What is next?
Once we are all connected, I will assign viewing or reading that is available thorough Hoopla. Our discussion and response assignments will get back on track. Please do not worry about the amount of work. I will not assign more than one movie and a short response via the class blog each week. We are trying to limit class time to about three hours of work each week. Between a film and your own project, you will be doing enough.
What if I have a problem signing up?
First, do your best to solve it yourself. If you can’t make something work, please email me, and I will try. If we all get stuck, we my try enlisting Mrs. Yost’s assistance.
Lit & Cinema Work for 3/30-4/2
- During this week I would like you to complete a minimum (or the equivalent of) one more page of your project, and share what you have done to my email address by Friday.
- Tomorrow, 3/31, I will be posting a new question on the class blog related to your Auteur project. We can't all discuss our papers in person, but can share a few ideas with each other in that format. Click this sentence to go to the class blog.
- Over the upcoming weeks I will be posting an article link and a suggested viewing or reading list. Your job will be to read the article, and watch a suggested film or read a suggested story. Afterwards, I will ask for either a blog post or a more formal response, but generally nothing longer than one page. We will continue with a model of one page of the project and one other activity for the remainder of the closure.
Lit & Cinema Work for 3/16-3/27
Below are three activities you need to work on over the break. Only one is new.
We hope to be back together by the end of the month, but in the event that our time apart
is extended. I will make sure everyone gets updates via school email, so check that
periodically if you are able. If that is not an option for you, please see me before we
leave today and let me know a contact phone number and I will call you directly to
discuss updates.
Activity 1: Your Project
Projects are well underway, and I want you to maintain our expectation that you
work steadily on these. Unlike with underclassmen, I don’t generally ask you to submit
formal work on the project as we go. That said, since we will not be in class together to
discuss your work, I would like you to share at least two pages of writing on your project
over our two week separation. If you are working on a video or art related task, please
share materials like scripts, photos of work with brief explanations of what you are
completing, or video clips.
Expectation: Submit one page of writing on March 20 and another on March
27. You may share with me via Google Docs, or email them to me at
[email protected]
Activity 2: Critical Viewing & Auteurs Unit Assessment
We are in the midst of a unit focused on (Ha ha! Get it?) cinematic technique,
and how certain top-notch directors develop a consistent style. These artists are labeled
‘auteurs’ and commonly control almost all aspects of their films. For example, we have
seen how Alfred Hitchcock uses the camera to control where the viewer looks, and has a
voyeuristic tone, almost as if we are spying on the characters or whomever they are
watching. He manipulates pace, and puts the camera in unexpected locations to create
jarring images that unsettle us.
I’m asking you to select a director of your own (you could watch more Hitchcock,
or choose another director) and watch a minimum of three films, carefully noting style,
themes, and technique. When done, write a paper of a minimum of three pages
describing why (or why not) the director might be considered an auteur. An example of
such a student paper on the director Stanley Kubrick can be found here.
This paper is not perfect, but a good example of the quality of writing I expect from you.
If you are having trouble selecting a director, visit Wikipedia and search for “List of
Film Auteurs.” There is a massive list there, with links to their own Wikipedia pages
that can give you lists of films. If you have access to Amazon Prime or Netflix, you will
be all set for viewing, materials, and the local libraries usually have good DVD
selections.
Expectation: Watch a minimum of three films by a major director, such as
Hitchcock. You are encouraged to watch more if time permits. Write a
quality paper of a minimum of four typed, 12pt., double-spaced pages
discussing whether the director can be considered an auteur, citing
particular evidence from the films you watched. Complete the paper by
Friday 3/27, and share to me via Google Docs or email at
[email protected]
Lit & Cinema Blog
I would like everyone to drop in to our new blog and post a quick response to the prompt there. Click the button below for a direct link, or use the slide out menu that appears when you go to the 'online learning' link to the left of this page.