END OF MYTHOLOGY UNIT!
Fri and Mon, Dec 5 and 8
Discussion of grades and review of O Brother vs. Odyssey projects
Wed-Thu, Dec 3-4
The Odyssey vs. O Brother comparison (chart, art, or essay) will be due FRIDAY by 3pm.
You may accomplish this assignment with a partner if you so desire. If you choose to complete the project with a partner, each student will receive the same grade.
Today is a work day on the project. I will also touch base with students privately about how grades look at this point in the term. There are four and one-half teaching weeks left in the semester before finals.
HOMEWORK: Odyssey vs. O Brother project due by 3pm FRIDAY.
Mon-Tue, Dec 1-2
DUE: Two paragraphs comparing O Brother and The Odyssey
HOMEWORK: Begin your "Odyssey" vs. "O Brother ..." comparison. For the original assignment, click HERE
Tue-Wed, Nov 25-26
Day Three: "O Brother ..." final segment
Work time to discuss the other segments and organize notes for the final write-up
If you did NOT submit an extra credit packet, you must still turn in:
- Final copy of a hero’s journey chart
- Paragraph comparing a non-Greek myth to your definition of myth?
- Paragraph comparing “The Odyssey” to your definition of myth?
The three items above are due BEFORE 11:45am on WEDNESDAY
Even though I built in a “cushion” day for film viewing, we are still not finished viewing and discussing “O Brother …” For this reason, you have a simple assignment over the Thanksgiving weekend. You are not required to complete the Odyssey-O Brother project, but I want you prepare for the finished product with some writing.
HOMEWORK: A step to help you organize thoughts for the finished product. Click HERE to view the assignment
Write two paragraphs this weekend, DUE THE FIRST CLASS AFTER BREAK (counts for 20 points):
- One will compare and contrast an aspect of the film and poem you think is so obvious that most people will include it on their final project.
- One will compare and contrast an aspect of the film and poem you think is not so obvious – it is unlikely that most people will include it in their final project.
Fri and Mon, Nov 21 (half-day) and 24
Day Two: "O Brother"
Discuss the film's middle segment
Wed-Thu, Nov 19-20
Day One: "O Brother..."
Work time to discuss the segments from today's viewing
Mon-Tue, Nov 17-18
DUE: All remaining written unit requirements
- Sharing of written work in class
- Discussion of non-Greek myths
- Reflection on the unit
Today I introduce the film "O Brother Where Art Thou?" directed and written by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film loosely follows "The Odyssey," however, the characters and setting have changed. We will watch the film and compare its scenes to what we read in "The Odyssey." The main focus will be on how the film depicts events in "The Odyssey" in a different context. The elements of the epic hero's journey will also be followed.
At the conclusion of our viewing each day, we will pause for a few minutes of discussion.
To view the formal assignment comparing "The Odyssey" to "O Brother, Where Art Thou," click HERE.
HOMEWORK: Complete any late work
- non-Greek myth vs. your definition?
- Odyssey vs. your definition?
- Hero chart?
Thu-Fri, Nov 13-14
DUE: Epic Hero Chart
Sharing of chart contents in class
Check of unit goals and requirements left
WORK DAY on writing requirements
- How “The Odyssey” meets your definition of “myth”
- Non-Greek myth and how it meets your definition
Need an idea for your myth comparisons? Check out the themes on the lesson for Oct 31. Those themes, such as courage, can relate to lessons the story of Odysseus teaches!
HOMEWORK:
Complete remaining written requirements
- (Myth definition vs. non-Greek myth)
- (Myth definition vs. The Odyssey)
- (Typed epic hero chart if you're going for extra credit)
Mon and Wed, Nov 10 and 12
(Veteran’s Day is observed Tues, Nov 11)
DUE: Nothing. EXAM DAY
Questions and discussion about the end of the text
EXAM
HOMEWORK:
Finish Epic Hero Chart
Thu-Fri, Nov 6-7
DUE: SHOW your progress on the epic hero chart – it need not be finished (resolution hasn’t occurred yet), but you must demonstrate significant progress
A look at the finish: What’s left to submit?
- Epic Hero Journey chart
- Explain how “The Odyssey” meets your definition of myth
- Read and explain how a non-Greek myth meets your definition of myth
As a class: Assemble a list of themes and suggest where those themes are represented in the text
HOMEWORK:
Finish reading section, pgs 955 to 964
READING QUIZ next class – all sections of “The Odyssey” from our textbook
Tue-Wed, Nov 4-5
DUE: Pg 939 #4 and conflict requirement
Questions from students about the reading
Preview of next reading segment
Silent reading, pg 943 line 1 to line 232
HOMEWORK:
Finish reading section, pgs 942 to 954
Consider your progress on the epic hero chart
Consider your progress on reading a non-Greek myth
Fri and Mon, Oct 31 and Nov 3
DUE: Pg 926 #2 AND epic simile and epithets assignment
Questions from students about the reading
Preview of next reading segment
Silent reading, pg 928 line 1 to end of section
Suggested questions and activities to enhance understanding:
- Read the “Literary Analysis” segment on 939 before reading the section
- Themes in this epic include struggle (against both nature and the gods), the desire to return home, courage in the face of danger, endurance, the power of human intellect in the face of challenges, and the use of advice. (There are many others.) Which do you see at play in this segment or any earlier sections?
- Another theme is controlling one’s impulses. How does is this theme addressed in lines 101-105?
- Odysseus grows and changes very little over the course of the epic. Themes in the odyssey focus on his unchanging characteristics: curiosity, endurance, hunger for fame, courage, and endurance. Examine the speech he makes to his men in this section and consider whether Odysseus has changed at all since the Cyclops episode.
- Can you locate the epic simile on page 936?
HOMEWORK:
Finish reading section, pgs 928-937
Answer pg 939 #4
Complete the conflict unit requirement
PLEASE NOTE: Mid-term reports are due this week. We are in the middle of a unit, and there will be no EXAM. Your grade for the mid-term will be based on your work completed so far this term.
Wed-Thu, Oct 29-30
DUE: Two questions responding to #5 and 6 on pg 914 AND “myth” definition
Questions from students about the reading
Preview of next reading segment
Silent reading, pg 917 line 1 to end of section
Suggested questions and activities to enhance understanding:
- Read the “Literary Analysis” box on 926 before reading the section
- An epic or Homeric simile is an extended comparison, usually of several lines in length; Do you discover any such similes in the first couple pages of this section?
- As you read through pgs 920-924, remember that you are to identify conflicts
- What aspects of Odysseus’ character are revealed in lines 81-107?
- This section is rich with epithets – are you in need of any for your unit goals?
HOMEWORK:
Finish reading section two, pages 916-925
Answer pg 926 #2 – notice this is a compare/contrast question
Finish epic simile and epithets requirement from unit goals list
Mon-Tue, Oct 27-28
DUE: Four questions from the first 115 lines of “The Odyssey”
Brief discussion of the reading and questions
Handout of the unit goals
Overview unit timeline
Check what has been done so far
Create graphic organizers to meet requirements
Preview the next reading segment
Silent reading, pg 900 line 115 to end of section
Suggested questions and activities to enhance understanding:
- Read the “Literary Analysis” segment on pg 914, and prepare such a chart to complete during your reading
- To check your reading comprehension, answer the questions in blue on each page
- An important theme of the Homeric epic is immortal fame. How do lines 163-175 help illustrate this ancient Greek value?
- What heroic qualities does Odysseus display on lines 282-285? Lines 336-346?
- How does Odysseus’ boastfulness almost get the better of him?
HOMEWORK:
Finish reading section one, pages 895-913
Answer pg 914 #5,6
Write your own definition of myth. Beware: do not simply paraphrase something you found online. Look at many sources, including your notes, and come up with something that includes all of your ideas.
English 9 – Mythology
What to know and demonstrate
- Create a personal definition for the term myth
- Read the textbook selections from Homer’s The Odyssey
- Complete selected exercises from the textbook:
- Pg 914 #5, 6;
- Pg 926 #2
- Pg 939 #4
- Know the elements of the epic hero’s journey
- Qualities of an epic hero (as well as weaknesses)
- Epic hero’s quest or aim
- Epic hero’s challenges (and his/her relative success or failure)
- Interference/aid from supernatural beings/gods
- Epic hero’s journey to a supernatural/forbidden world
- Epic hero’s “death” and “resurrection”
- Resolution
- Identify the elements of the epic hero’s journey in “The Odyssey” using a table or other graphic organizer, and where possible, identifying two or more examples of each element
- Identify internal and external conflict in “The Odyssey” using a T-graph or other graphic organizer – summarize the action surrounding at least two examples of each type
- Identify epithet and epic simile in “The Odyssey” – at least three examples of each, with reference to page and line number(s)
- Know the literary meaning of theme
- Given a list of possible themes, identify elements of “The Odyssey” that support them
- Explain in one page or less how “The Odyssey” meets your definition of the term myth
- Read a non-Greek myth
- Explain in one page or less how the non-Greek myth of your choice meets your definition of myth
Thu-Fri, Oct 23-24
DUE: 887-889 homework
Warm Up: Slide show of the most prominent Greek gods and their respective domains
Family trees of the Greek gods:
Review of homework
Add-on to homework: 890-891 "Your turn" activities
Start "The Odyssey"
HOMEWORK:
- Read the "Build Background" section on 893
- Read "The Odyssey" from pg 895 to line 115 on page 900
- In writing: Pg 896: What type of conflict is introduced in Odysseus' initial statements at the banquet? What do these comments indicate about the type of journey he has had?
- In writing: Answer the blue question on pg 898.
- In writing: Pg 898: INFER - What do the Greeks value about themselves, based on Odysseus' description of the Cyclopes?
- In writing: SUMMARIZE what has happened so far.
"Odyssey" Webquest: http://www.freewebs.com/rsolt/
Study links for major Greek gods/goddesses: http://www.vinton-shellsburg.k12.ia.us/tms/seventh/rdg7/greek/MythNotes.html
Clever blog from two sailors on Odysseus' journey: http://holmesodyssey.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
What is "mythology?" Depends on whom you ask! "Google" the phrase "What is mythology?" or try these on for size:
Links to various creation stories from around the world:
Tue-Wed, Oct 21-22
New Unit: MYTHOLOGY
Today: What is a myth? Definitions and explanations via slide show. NOTES, NOTES, NOTES!
If you are absent today, you need to get notes from a friend or arrange to come see the slide show after school.
Memoirs are returned. If your score is low, or your paper says "See me" then you may REVISE the assignment for a higher score.
HOMEWORK: READ pages 887-891 and ANSWER:
- Regarding 887: EVALUATE: To what extent do credible sources of information about Homer exist?
- Regarding 888: The headings give the main subjects of each section on the page. SUMMARIZE each section in one sentence.
- Regarding 889: DRAW your own version of the map on a piece of paper you can keep handy for reference. Include all labeled locations.
(Vocab Builder)
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