UNIT GOALS
1. To extend knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology and to apply knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology to a new text
2. To analyze characterization, theme, and symbols in literature.
3. To practice reading comprehension with a complex text.
4. To collaboratively develop a map of the journey of Odysseus, including important characters, places, and objects encountered.
5. To write personal narratives.
6. To write creatively (write a “modern Ulysses”)
7. To evaluate three poetic versions of The Sirens for appeal and accuracy
8. To learn and apply knowledge of characteristics of an epic poem
9. To practice writing in poetic meters
10. (grammar) To identify parts of speech in writing
ASSIGNMENTS:
I. Character/Place/Object Cards:
(complete Odyssey topic list -click here)
Each of you will be assigned several topics in the Odyssey. For EACH topic you are assigned, you should create a display card. The card should be 4″ x 6″ (large index card) without lines. If you can’t find the unlined cards, it is fine to cut (neatly!) a thick piece of paper (cardstock or folder) into a 4″ x 6″ (or larger) rectangle.
For EACH topic you are assigned, you should include on your card
1. page numbers where this topic is mentioned in The Odyssey
2. a well-thought-out visual depiction of the item — Please consider using collage both with magazine images and with “found objects” if you know you are not artistically inclined. Your depiction will be scored on neatness, creativity, and thoroughness. Include multiple important aspects of your topic within the visual itself. Your visual will be compared to those created by members of other English 9 classes. The creator of the “top pick,” if eligible, will receive ten points to be used in case of missed questions on the final test for this unit.
3. concise description of how this item impacts the story’s plot or is important to the story
4. on the back, please write your name AND ANY ADDITIONAL SOURCES YOU CONSULTED AS YOU CREATED YOUR CARD.
DUE DATES: Cards are due on the days the readings are due. If your item appears within the section that is due on a particular day, your card is also due on that day. You may choose to do your cards ahead of time, or you may choose to wait until the class reads the section where the items appear. You may also choose to do additional research on your topic if the information provided in the textbook is scanty. IF YOU DO ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, YOU MUST LIST YOUR SOURCES ON THE BACK OF YOUR CARD IN MLA FORMAT, as you would on a works cited page!
II. Reading
- Some of the reading for this text will be completed in class. If you miss class, or if the class is assigned the reading for homework instead of reading in class, it is your responsibility to read assigned sections The Odyssey on your own, keeping track of the due dates in your agenda book. As you read, remember that your assignment is to FLAG EXAMPLES OF VIRTUOUS QUALITIES and to FLAG OR HIGHLIGHT EXAMPLES OF CHARACTER FLAWS for all the characters.
Here are the projected reading due dates for each class. Please check back as we work on this unit in case due dates are extended or shortened.
Reading 1st & 4A 4B
Books 1 & 5: Thursday, Oct. 1 Friday, Oct. 2
Book 9 Wednesday, Oct. 7 Thursday, Oct. 8
Books 10 & 11 Friday, Oct. 9 Tuesday, Oct. 13
Book 12 Thursday, Oct. 15 Friday, Oct. 16
Book 21 Monday, Oct. 19 Tuesday, Oct. 20
III. Writing (Personal Odyssey)
As part of your work in class, you will be asked to contribute to a class version of a “modern Ulysses” by thinking of and writing about how your own life resembles the journey of our epic hero. Each of you will compose an Invocation, modeled after the Invocation on page 1104, lines 1-15. Working in pairs or working independently, you will also compose a new version of a portion of the text, reflecting the same concerns symbolized in the original piece, but using your own, contemporary circumstances to frame your updated version. These two items, which should add up to at least three pages, typed and double-spaced, 12 font Times New Roman, 1″ margins, will not be due until the very end of our unit. The approximate due date for this work will be October 22 for 1st and 4A, and October 23 for 4B.
IV SLC Group Work
Each group will be assigned a different discussion/presentation topic for this text. Because there is so much going on, on each page of this text, it is important to stop and take a closer look at some of the elements of the writing. Your responsibilities within your SLC group will be to help the class complete a worksheet on your assigned topic and to present a brief PowerPoint to highlight the important examples/definitions relevant to your topic. The SLC work will be due (probably!) on Oct. 20/21, after we have finished reading all of the assigned sections of the text.
1. epic similes and epic language
2. epic hero/characterization
3. epic setting and epic plot — and how these lead us to epic theme
4. symbolism in The Odyssey
5. artistic renderings of The Odyssey
6. importance of poetic form to The Odyssey
