Week at a glance March 29 - April 2, 2010

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 unit over Norse mythology. So far we've identified the major gods and goddesses of Norse mythology and we've read through a few of their minor stories. One theme we've already seen emerge from the mythology is a sense of tragic foreboding as we know that the gods of Asgard are doomed. This week, we look at the first major response to the approaching end as we begin the week with Odin making a sacrifice for wisdom and Loki committing the first acts of betrayal. It's a tense week in which we'll see the beginning of the end.

• Mon: Norse Mythology - Ominous forebodings - Read and discuss Odin as Vegtam the Wanderer and other stories
  
• Tues: Norse Mythology - Odin stories assignment. Read and discuss the Adventures of Thor and Loki among the Giants
  
• Wed: Norse Mythology - Finish Thor and Loki stories. Begin Loki the Betrayer and other stories.
  
• Thurs: Norse Mythology - The beginning of the end - finish Loki the Betrayer and other stories; study guide due by the end of the hour
  
• Fri: No school - district in-service
  

Week at a glance March 22 - 26, 2010

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 unit over Norse mythology. We'll begin with an overview of the cultural background, pantheon, and mythology. During this first week, we'll read and analyze the Norse creation story and stories about the women of Asgard. 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: 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 - The Norse gods and the creation of Asgard. Readings and discussion.
  
• Thurs: Norse Mythology - Loki as a trickster figure. Reading and discussion.
  
• Fri: Norse Mythology - Norse stories of loss. Readings and discussion. Study guide due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance March 8 -12, 2010

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).

China has a unique and rich storytelling style as many of its stories are circular in structure, adding more details as they go along. China also has a rich magical tradition with heroic warriors in a story genre called wuxia. We will analyze the Chinese storytelling style and the wuxia tradition by watching and discussing clips from the Oscar-nominated and award-winning movie Hero (2002). We'll wrap up the week with a celebration of the end of the 3rd quarter: passing back papers and current grades and previewing what we'll do for the 4th quarter.

• Mon: Chinese Mythology - the Chinese storytelling tradition and the wuxia hero. Notes and discussion in class.
  
• Tues: Chinese Mythology - the wuxia hero. Watch and discuss clips from the movie Hero.
  
• Wed: Chinese Mythology - the wuxia hero. Watch and discuss clips from the movie Hero. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Thurs: Celebrate the end of the 3rd quarter. Pass back papers and current grades. Preview the 4th quarter.
  
• Fri: SPRING BREAK begins. Have fun and be safe!