Week at a glance Nov 30 - Dec 4, 2009

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), compares and contrasts themes across multiple stories ( 1.4.K7b), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), analyzes the contextual aspects of setting (historical, social, and cultural) and their impact and influence on characters and events in the story (11.2.1.K2), recognizes ways that literature from different cultures presents similar themes differently across genres (11.2.2.K1), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

This week we'll take a look at one of my personal favorite mythologies: the legend of King Arthur, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. One might argue that the Arthurian Legend does not deserve mythological study because it lacks a pantheon of gods and is mainly about people. However, like most mythologies we've studied, the Arthurian Legend is a rich set of stories written by various authors over a 1500-year period. Also like other mythologies, authors and artists have used the tales of the Arthurian Legend as mirrors so that they could study their own age. We'll push through a brief overview of the legend's main points throughout the week.

• Mon: The Arthurian Legend - Overview and notes in class
  
• Tues: The Arthurian Legend - The British Tradition. Readings and notes in class.
  
• Wed: The Arthurian Legend - The French Tradition. Readings and notes in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Thurs: The Arthurian Legend - The Quest for the Holy Grail. Readings and notes in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Fri: The Arthurian Legend - The ... Passing ... of Arthur. Readings and notes in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance Nov 23 - 27, 2009

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), compares and contrasts themes across multiple stories ( 1.4.K7b), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), analyzes the contextual aspects of setting (historical, social, and cultural) and their impact and influence on characters and events in the story (11.2.1.K2), recognizes ways that literature from different cultures presents similar themes differently across genres (11.2.2.K1), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

During this short week we'll be bridging the gap between Norse and English mythology by reading and discussing Beowulf. There will be no homework over Thanksgiving Break. Have a fun and safe holiday!

• Mon: Begin reading and discussing Beowulf. Finish reading before class on Tuesday.
  
• Tues: Beowulf - discussion; study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Wed: Thanksgiving Break
  
• Thurs: Thanksgiving
  
• Fri: Thanksgiving Break
  

Week at a glance Nov 16 - 20, 2009

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), compares and contrasts themes across multiple stories ( 1.4.K7b), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), analyzes the contextual aspects of setting (historical, social, and cultural) and their impact and influence on characters and events in the story (11.2.1.K2), recognizes ways that literature from different cultures presents similar themes differently across genres (11.2.2.K1), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

This week we continue our work studying the various myths of Norse mythology. We'll read and discuss "Sigurd the Volsung." This famous myth became the basis for the German epic Nibelungenleid and Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle" opera. We'll also move toward the noble and tragic end of Norse mythology: the death of Balder followed by Ragnarok--the twilight of the gods. We'll wrap up the week with a short quiz and preview of our next story, Beowulf.

• Mon: Norse Mythology - "Sigurd the Volsung," begin reading and discussing the story.
  
• Tues: Norse Mythology - "Sigurd the Volsung," finish reading and discussing the story. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Wed: Norse Mythology - Loki's betrayal and Balder's doom. Read and discuss in class.
  
• Thurs: Norse Mythology - The twilight of the gods. Read and discuss in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour. Review for Friday's quiz.
  
• Fri: Norse Mythology - short quiz. Introducing Beowulf.
  

Week at a glance Nov 9 - 13, 2009

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), compares and contrasts themes across multiple stories ( 1.4.K7b), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), analyzes the contextual aspects of setting (historical, social, and cultural) and their impact and influence on characters and events in the story (11.2.1.K2), recognizes ways that literature from different cultures presents similar themes differently across genres (11.2.2.K1), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

This week, we begin our last major unit of the semester as we take a look at Norse mythology. We'll begin with an overview of the cultural background, pantheon, and mythology. Throughout the rest of the week we'll take a look at various stories from Norse mythology, focusing primarily on the adventures of Odin, Thor, and Loki. Students should pay particular attention to this unit as it has been extremely influential on our society in everything from our days of the week (Tuesday - Friday, especially) to fantasy literature (J.R.R. Tolkien was a Oxford professor of it and its influence on Lord of the Rings is indisputable). Students will likely have several "a-ha!" moments as they recognize the subtle Norse mythological influences on their lives.

• Mon: Pass back papers and current grades. Norse Mythology - Cultural Background, Pantheon and Mythology Overview, notes in class.
  
• Tues: Norse Mythology - "The Creation, Death, and Rebirth of the Universe," textbook pages 208 - 213, discussion. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Wed: Norse Mythology - "Iduna and the Apples." Reading and discussion.
  
• Thurs: Norse Mythology - the adventures of Odin the Wanderer. Reading and discussion. Begin reading and discussing Thor and Loki among the giants.
  
• Fri: Norse Mythology - Finish reading Thor and Loki among the giants. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  

Week at a glance Nov 2 - 6, 2009

Curriculum focus: identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), compares and contrasts themes across multiple stories ( 1.4.K7b), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), analyzes the contextual aspects of setting (historical, social, and cultural) and their impact and influence on characters and events in the story (11.2.1.K2), recognizes ways that literature from different cultures presents similar themes differently across genres (11.2.2.K1), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

This week are presenting their efforts from last week's work at the library. Students are doing their Mythology Research Project group presentations. On Monday groups will have the opportunity to polish their presentations and, hopefully, rehearse them a bit. We'll do the group presentations Tues - Thurs and wrap up the week with a brief quiz and celebration.

• Mon: Mythology Research Project - polish and prepare to present
  
• Tues: Mythology Research Project Presentations
  
• Wed: Mythology Research Project Presentations
  
• Thurs: Mythology Research Project Presentations
  
• Fri: Brief quiz over the presentations. Preview the last six weeks of the semester.