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