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!
  

Week at a glance March 1-5, 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 turn to a two week unit on mythology from Japan and China. We'll start with Japanese/Ainu mythology. As usual with any region's mythology, we'll start with the creation story of the region and discover its major gods and heroes. From Japan, we'll move on to China to discover its rich mythological traditions. Though Western culture was separated from China by thousands of miles and discovery of one another, students will find Chinese mythology and its tales to be as familiar as any Greek or Norse tale.

• Mon: Japanese mythology -"The Creation of the Universe and Japan" and "Amaterasu," pgs 369 - 376.
• Tues: Japanese/Ainu folktales - read and discuss in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Wed: Chinese mythology - "The Creation of the Universe," "Yi the Archer and the Ten Suns," and "The Quest for the Sun," pgs 360 - 369 - read and discuss in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
• Thurs: Chinese mythology - Sun Wukong, the Monkey god - read and discuss in class.
  
• Fri: Chinese mythology - Chinese folktales - read and discuss in class. Study guide due by the end of the hour.

Week at a glance Feb 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 turn to Ancient Egypt for a study of their mythology. We'll spend Monday getting to know the Ancient Egyptians and their pantheon. We'll then read one of the most famous Egyptian myths as we explore the romantic tale of Isis and Osiris. We'll explore other Egyptian myths on Wednesday. On Thursday we'll do a wrap up and review and discuss the most important things we can learn about mythology from a study of the ancient Middle Eastern regions. We'll wrap up the week with a quiz over Middle Eastern Mythology.

• Mon: Middle Eastern Mythology - Part II: Ancient Egypt, notes in class
  
• Tues: Middle Eastern Mythology - read and discuss "Osiris, Isis, and Horus," pages 162 - 168. Assignment due by the end of the hour.
  
• Wed: Middle Eastern Mythology - Other Myths of Ancient Egypt, discuss notes in class and complete assignment by the end of the hour.
  
• Thurs: Middle Eastern Mythology - Wrap up and review.
  
• Fri: Middle Eastern Mythology - quiz.

Week at a glance Feb 15 - 19, 2010

Classical Mythology Unit Exam grades - Exam grades are now posted and can be viewed online in Parent Portal. We will go over the exam and answer any questions once all make-up exams are complete.

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 finally move away from Greek Mythology and begin what will be a pattern of two-week units exploring various other major mythologies from around the world. Our next unit will focus on the Middle East, specifically Mesopotamia and Egypt. These two regions give us some of the oldest myths and stories that we have in recorded human history. We'll discuss each culture's timeline, its major gods and goddesses, and its primary myths. We'll also use what we learned about mythology in general to look for recurring patterns or archetypes to be discovered in the myths.

• Mon: No school
  
• Tues: The Mesopotamian Cultures: Sumeria and Babylonia - Discussion and notes in class.
• Wed: Sumeria and Babylonia - "The Enuma elish," pgs 153 - 158. Other myths. Read and discuss in class.
  
• Thurs: Sumeria and Babylonia - Finish discussion of other myths. Study guide due by the end of the hour.
  
• Fri: Sumeria and Babylonia - "Gilgamesh," pgs 174 -203. Begin reading and discussing in class. Read to page 203 for Monday.

Curriculum focus: determines meaning of words through knowledge of Greek and Latin roots (1.3.K3a), identifies, interprets, and analyzes the use of personification (1.3.K4g), identifies, interprest, and analyzes the use of symbols (1.3.K4i), compares and contrasts character traits (1.4.K7a), identifies and describes the protagonist (2.1.K1a), identifies and describes the antagonist (2.1.K1b), and compares and contrasts works of literature that deal with similar topics and problems (2.2.K2).

This week we'll wrap up our unit over Greek Mythology. We'll start the week by finishing our discussion over Homer's "The Odyssey." We'll do a quick overview of Virgil's "The Aeneid" on Tuesday. At that point we'll take a look at the exam study guide. On Wednesday we'll do a Jeopardy-style review for the unit exam. We'll complete the unit with the Greek Mythology Unit Exam on Thursday.

• Mon: Finish reading and discussing "The Odyssey," pgs 77-110. Study guide due at the beginning of the hour on Tues.
  
• Tues: Overview of Virgil's "The Aeneid," pgs 119-146. Begin reviewing for the Greek Mythology Unit Exam.
  
• Wed: Jeopardy-style review for the Greek Mythology Unit Exam.
  
• Thurs: Greek Mythology Unit Exam
  
• Fri: No school