Fandom High School

Monday, April 23, Second Period

The classroom was arranged so that all the chairs were facing an open space at the front of the class, to allow room for the students' presentations. Off to one side was a table full of fresh treats – scones, muffins, cookies, mini-cheesecakes, spice breads, and plenty of hot drinks and juice. Someone had spent a lot of time baking over the weekend.

Aziraphale himself looked to be caught between a very good mood in general, and a feeling of sadness over having reached the end of the semester. He entered the room with a definite bounce in his step, but as the students filed in, the angel's face began to fall.

"Good morning, everyone. As I'm sure you're all aware, we've reached our very last class of the term. Today you'll be presenting your final projects to the class, and then I'd like to invite you to use any leftover time to talk with your classmates and enjoy their company. I'll be holding my last office hours for the term tomorrow, and will post final grades on my office door by the end of the week.

"It's been an honor having the opportunity to teach you, and I hope that you've enjoyed attending this class just half as much as I have enjoyed leading it. Thank you all for a delightful term."

PROJECT PRESENTATION: [Information on the projects can be found here. Please use the OCD thread below, and you are welcome to handwave or actually play out your presentation.]

[ooc: Please wait for the OCD is up, and our final class is now in session. And thank you all for a great semester!]

Monday, April 9, Period Two

The class assembles in the Danger Shop. To one side is a small clearing with a pleasant cottage, to the other side is a forest full of flowers.

CLASS EXERCISE: "Your assignment today deals with the story of "The Fairy Serpent". I'm certain you're all familiar with variations of this story -- "The Fairy Serpent" is a Chinese tale, but the story is better-known in Western countries as "Beauty and the Beast". It also has strong similarities to several of the stories we've read throughout our class. You may have noticed that this tale presents examples of four fairly typical gender roles: the father, who dotes on his children but whose foolish actions put the family into trouble; the serpent, really a prince under a curse who needs help in being freed; the older daughter, who is too selfish to put the needs of her family before her own; and the younger daughter, whose self-sacrifice and cleverness rescue them all.

"For this exercise, I'd like you to break into groups of four. Each of the four should take on one of the four roles. But instead of playing out the story as you read it, I'd like you to think about the stereotypes for the role you've chosen, and then try to break those stereotypes. Can you present us with a new interpretation of these four characters?"

ASSIGNMENT: "Next week we will have our last test of the term, and the week after you will present your final projects to the class."

[OOC: Please use the OCD threads to join up into your groups. You can simply discuss the possibilities for turning around the stereotyped gender roles, but please also feel free to play out the story with your new and "improved" characters. Tag the OOC thread if you have questions. And, of course, please wait for the OCD is up and class is in session.]

Unexcused Absences
Jude Lizowski (one absence)
Miley Steward (one absence)


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Monday, March 26, Second Period

As soon as the class is assembled, Aziraphale stands up from his chair and begins the lecture.

"Today we begin our last unit for this class, with a discussion of symbolism in fairy tales. We've looked at various ways that characters and themes can be portrayed in the stories, and now we'll take a look at the objects in the fairy tale environment. Very often, a food, an article of clothing, an animal, even a color can hold a deeper meaning than what we see on the surface. Your assigned readings for today's class are filled with examples of this symbolism.

"First, let's take a look at 'natural symbols', or things that appear in the natural world. Taking some examples from previous readings, look at central character in "Lambikin". The story could have easily been told with any sort of central character, but the storyteller probably choose to use a lamb because of the ideas of innocence and naivete that are often traditionally associated with lambs and sheep. In "Little Snow White", the sorceress makes use of a poisoned apple in order to try and murder Snow White -- calling to mind the Biblical image of the apple that brought about the Fall of Man, and reinforcing her connection with Evil.

"Secondly, we'll look at 'artifical symbols', or man-made items that appear in the tales. Sleeping Beauty falls victim to a curse brought about by handling a spinning wheel -- a traditional feminine symbol, and one that in this context may be used to convey the idea of passage from childhood to adulthood. The child-heroine pricks her finger, drawing blood, and falls asleep, to be awakened as the woman-heroine, receiving her first kiss and thus entering the world of sexuality, marriage and family."

CLASS DISCUSSION: "For today's discussion, I'd like you to give an example of a 'natural symbol' and an 'artificial symbol' from the readings you were assigned for today: "Little Red Cap", "Diamonds and Toads", and "East of the Sun, West of the Moon". Tell us what deeper meaning you feel might be displayed by the storyteller's use of that particular object. And keep in mind that much of reading symbolism into a story is subjective -- your own background and experiences may lead to a different interpretation than that of your classmates, and there are no right or wrong answers."

ASSIGNED READING: "Rushencoatie", "Johnny Gloke", and "Baba Yaga"

"Before you leave today, please make note of the list of absences I've written up on the blackboard. I'll need excuses from each of these students turned in to me by the end of the week. Also, those of you who missed last week's class will need to make arrangements to make up the exam."

Matilda Wormwood (four absences)
Jude Lizowski (one absence)
Miley Stewart (one absence)
Conner McKnight (one absence)


[ooc: Please wait for OCD is now up.]


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Monday, March 12, Period 2

There was fine array of breakfast pastries and cookies laid out for the students today, along with plenty of hot drinks and juices. As soon as everyone was assembled, Aziraphale stood up from his chair and smiled.

"First, I want to remind you all that we will be taking our class field trip this weekend. The buses will load at the causeway on Friday at 3:00, and we'll return Sunday night. I'd like to ask anyone who cannot attend to please let me know, otherwise I will expect to see you all there. Now, I'll need to see the following people after class to collect your absence excuses."

Matilda Wormwood (two absences)
Angela Chase (one absence)
Jack Harkness (one absence) excused
Liz Sherman (one absence) excused

DISCUSSION: "Today we're going to have an open discussion to allow you all the chance to ask questions about the readings or the lectures, or to share your ideas about the material we've covered. Next week we'll be having a test on 'Themes', so this might be a good time to review that material as well."

( The reading list so far... )

[ooc: I should be around, with intermittant SP due to work, to answer any questions the characters have. Go ahead, throw out your ideas about the stories they've read so far, talk about how crazy the plots are or how silly the heros are or how you think the story should have ended! Please wait just a few minutes for the OCD is up, yay!.]

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Monday, February 19, Second Period

The usual offering of breakfast pastries and drinks was laid out on the table. Aziraphale was looking slightly distracted, and occasionally would lose track of what he was doing and stare off into space with a bemused expression. He appeared to be in good spirits, however, albeit a bit sheepish.

“Before we begin our discussion, I have a bit of other business to take care of. First, there is a list on the wall of students who missed class last week, and from whom I will need written excuses.

Armony Eiselstein
Phoebe Halliwell excused
Jack Harkness excused
Jude Lizowski excused
Miley Stewart excused

Second, I’d like to remind all of you that I need to speak with at least one representative from your project groups regarding your end of term projects. My regular office hours are third and fourth periods on Tuesdays, or you can sign up below in the comments to schedule a meeting at another time. Lastly, I also want to remind you all that we’ll be making a trip to New York City over the weekend of March 16-18 with Dr Wilson’s Conflict Management class.”

( Lecture )

[ooc: Please wait for OCD is up and class is in session.]

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Monday, February 5, Period Two

"Today, for the first part of the period, work in pairs or groups to review the material we covered in the previous classes. I will be available to take questions if you have them. When the review period is over, Miss Lang and Miss Halliwell will pass around your exams, and you'll have the remainder of the period to complete them. Before you leave today, I will need absence excuses from Armony Eiselstein and Phoebe Halliwell."

( Read more... )

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Monday, January 22, Second Period

Aziraphale really wished he could have stayed home, preferably hiding someplace very dark where no one would know to look for him. Especially he wasn't looking forward to facing his students on this Monday morning. Which was why there was a huge television screen on one wall, and the furniture was all arranged so that it could be easily seen. There were also handouts and books available for the students to borrow. Aziraphale stood near the screen, and looked mostly at his chair when he spoke.

"Today, er...we're going to be seeing a film. It's called The Royal Fiancee, and it illustrates much of what we've been discussing in class about character archetypes. Particularly, I would like you to pay close attention to the secondary characters -- the ones who might fit the roles of 'helper', 'parent', or 'lover'. In this film, since the two central characters do fit the mould of hero and heroine, I would like you to consider how each could also fill the role of lover. Your handouts will help you with the definitions.

"Also, next week we will be meeting in the Danger Room, and the following week we'll have our first exam. Yes, Miss Stewart, before you say anything, I do know that I said we wouldn't be seeing any films. But I still expect you to do the reading, regardless."

Then he went off and found a dark corner to hide in.

Handouts: Definitions

Assignment: "The Dancing Water, the Singing Apple, and the Speaking Bird" and "Sleeping Beauty"

Extra Credit: Write a brief essay identifying the roles of helper, parent, and lover in "Mr. Fox" and "John the True".

[ooc: Aziraphale is attempting not to die of embarrassment over the weekend's activities. Feel free to hinder his attempts. Kindly wait for OCD is now up.]


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Monday, January 8, Period 2

Aziraphale was in the classroom bright and early, to make certain everything was ready for his new class. With the assistance of Lana and Phoebe, he had quite a nice spread of pastries and hot tea, coffee and cocoa. As it had been last year, the classroom was arranged with comfortable furnishings rather than desks and chairs, and the walls held shelves full of books.

Once everyone was assembled, he stood near his armchair and smiled at the class. "Good morning, and welcome to Traditional Fairy Tales. For those of you who are new to the school, my name is Aziraphale. However, I do realize that's quite a mouthful, so you may shorten it to 'Mr Phale' or 'Professor Phale' if you like. Let me also introduce your TAs for this class: Lana Lang and Phoebe Halliwell. They'll be assisting me, and will also be available to help you should you need it."

( And here the angel goes on and on... )

ASSIGNMENT:
"For next week, please read "Jack the Giant Killer" and "Molly Whuppie".

[ooc: Not all of the posts will be this long, I promise! Lots of housekeeping to get done in the first class. Please wait for the OCD threads are up! *rings bell*]


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