Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Mead of Poetry...

Dear All,
For those of you who tasted the "Mead of Poetry," I hope you enjoyed it. If you did not attend class on Tuesday, then we will look forward to you sharing your poetry selection with us on Thursday. The mead will still be available for you to taste, if you choose to do so!

You homework for Thursday is to read the following myths:
1. "Skirnir's Journey" (myth #11)
2. "Necklace of the Brisings" (myth #12)

The best way to be prepared for your quiz is to make sure you can explain the myth to someone that has not read it.

I will look forward to visiting with you on Thursday.

Cheers,
Crampton

Sunday, April 26, 2009

How was the weekend?

Dear Mythology Kids,

I hope you've had enjoyable weekend. Are you ready to taste the "Mead of Poetry" on Tuesday? Just a reminder about Tuesday:

1. Make sure your poem is memorized
2. Make sure you have included a typed explanation as to why you value the poem and the meaning behind the piece.
3. Remember to include a copy of the poem beneath your explanation.

Your homework for Thursday is to have read the following myths:
"Necklace of the Brisings" and "Skirnir's Journey"
I apologize that I don't have the page numbers for you, but you are more than capable of referring to the "Table of Contents" in your book! Yes, you should plan on some type of assessment covering the myths.

Big Hugs,
Crampton

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Plan for Friday.....April 24th

Dear Mythology Students,

Please make sure that you are prepared for your reading quiz scheduled for Friday. The myths that you need to have read are the following:

1. "Mead of Poetry" pgs. 26-32
2. "Marriage of Njord and Skadi" pgs. 44-47
3. "The Treasures of the Gods" pgs. 48-53

Your quiz will be different, again, as it will be an oral quiz. I promise it will make sense when I see you on Friday. You will need to support your responses by using examples from the myths. MAKE SURE YOU READ THEM!

In addition, don't forget that your memorized poem, and the explanation that goes along with it, are due on Tuesday.

I will see you on Friday.
Cheers,
Crampton

Monday, April 20, 2009

Welcome back from Spring Break!

Dear All,
I hope you had a wonderful break. You only have FIVE WEEKS until school ends, so do your best to end strong, and please let me know if I can help you in any way.

Okay...your homework for Wednesday is the following:
1. Your revision for your "Let's go to the Movies" essay is due on Wed.
2. Please read "Idun's Apples" pgs. 38-43
3. Please read "LOki's Evil Children and the binding of Fenrir." Pg. 33-37
4. Plan on a quiz covering #2 and #3.
5. Your favorite poem must be memorized and is due on April 28th. I gave everyone a handout explaining this assignment in class. Make sure you obtain the handout upon your return.

Also, if you missed class today (Monday), please make sure you are ready to take the quiz you given today on Wednesday.

Cheers,
Crampton

Friday, April 17, 2009

I hope that Spring Break is going well for each of you!

Hi, Guys
I do hope that you are enjoying your Spring Break! For those of us who have stayed in Utah, we could have gone skiing! Oh well, we should NEVER COMPLAIN about water, as one day we may be without it. I will be excited to hear about your week off when I see you on Monday. You do realize that when you come back, we only have five weeks and then you will be ready to move on. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by.

Here is your practice quiz.....GOOD LUCK!

Cheers,
Crampton

Practice Quiz: Please choose the god that best fits each clue.

1. "It is so nice to meet you." ( What do you do when you first meet someone?) ____________
2. "Here kitty, kitty....." ________________
3. "The better to see you with, my dear." _________________
4. Malevolent, Mischievous, and Malicious _________________
5. "I love toy boats, especially if they can fold up and fit in my pocket." _____________
6. Salt water is excellent for my skin, because it acts as an exfoliate. _______________
7. He gave me a splitting headache. _______________
8. "Promise me that you won't lay a hand on him. " _________________
9. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." ______________
10. Black and White, Life and Death, Good and Evil _____________________

Friday, April 10, 2009

Happy Spring Break!

Dear Mythology Kids,

I hope you have a wonderful break! Let me remind you of what is due upon your return.

1. Your "Let's go to the Movies" essay is due on Wednesday, April 22nd. If you missed class on Thursday, I returned the essay to their owners. You will need to collect yours the Monday you return from Spring Break.

2. You will have a QUIZ on Monday, April 20th, covering the information you shared with each other about your specific god. The quiz will be application in nature. You are welcome to use 4 flashcards (if you create all 12).

Enjoy the break!

Cheers,
Crampton

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

This was the agenda for Tuesday, April 7th!


Dear All (I'm tired of writing "Mythology Kids"),

The following is your homework for Thursday:
1. Please read "The War between the Aesir and Vanir" pg. 7-9
2. Please read "Building the Wall of Asgard" pg. 9-14
3. "The First Humans" (located in your packet; it's the light green handout).
4. You will have a quiz on Thursday covering the above myths, "Lord of the Gallows," and the Runes!

Any questions???????


For those of you that weren't in class today, we shared information with each other regarding the research that each student did concerning their specific god. We will finish with this on Thursday. Specific information about the gods will not be on Thursday's quiz; however, the information will be on a quiz upon your return from Spring Break.
Here are some images of the characters we discussed today in class. I won't identify them for you. Why don't you see if you can on your own.

Practice quiz:

1. Why do the Aesir and Vanir trade gods?

2. What ends up happening to Mimir? What ultimately becomes of him? Explain.

3. Why are the Aesir so frustrated with the witch Gullveig?

4. Why do the Vanir think the Aesir have tricked them?

5.What does the term Rune mean?

6. Why does Odin stab himself prior to obtaining the Runes?

7. How were the first man and woman created?

8. What is the compromise that Odin makes with the mason concerning the rebuilding of Asgard's wall?

9. Why are the gods so annoyed at Loki regarding the building of Asgard's wall?

10. What price does Loki pay for his involvement with rebuilding Asgard's wall?

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Cheers,

Crampton

Sunday, April 5, 2009

If you missed class on Friday, April 3rd....SHAME ON YOU!


Dear Mythology Kids,

Your homework for Tuesday is the following:

1. Read the myth "Lord of the Gallows" pgs. 15-17
2. Read the purple handout in your packet entitled "Runes."
3. Be prepared for a quiz covering #1 and #2 on Thursday.

We took the quiz covering the gods, unusual characters, and Yggdrasil on Friday. In addition, we started our discussion of the Runes. Let me give you some schema regarding Runes, even though you will be reading the purple handout in your packet on the same subject.

WHAT ARE RUNES?

Runes are the letters of the ancient Scandanavian people. According to myth, the Runes were created by Odin. In his quest to obtain more knowledge, he stabbed and then hanged himself from Yggdrasil. As he was hanging, and of course, bleeding to death, the weight of his body forced dead branches from Yggdrasil to land in Gunnungagap. The branches fell in unusual patterns, hence creating the Runes. Originally, eighteen Runes were created, but as the Scandanavian language changed, more letters were required.
Each Rune represents a letter, has a sound, name, and has magical powers associated with it. Odin touches each of the eighteen Runes, and therefore he is given knowledge that other characters in Norse Mythology do not have. For example, one of the Runes taught Odin how to return from the dead. Another teaches him how to woo women. One Rune gives him the power to read and write....... Please read "Lord of the Gallows" for a detailed description of the power that each Rune possesses.

The Runes are placed around this rendering of Odin riding Sleipnir.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

If you missed Wednesday.....




Dear All,

We covered an extensive amount of information today in class. We completed Yggdrasil. So, please make sure you obtain this information from someone else in class. In addition, we completed the information covering the gods and other unusual characters, which is located on the back of your bright orange sheet in your packet. I have included some images below to assist you with developing schema for these characters. YOU WILL HAVE A QUIZ ON FRIDAY covering our discussion today. If you complete your flashcards (32), you are welcome to use eight on your quiz. I have also included a practice quiz to help you prepare for the quiz. Remember you will receive extra-credit for completing the quiz. Please print it off and bring it with you on Friday.




This is an artists rendering of Yggdrasil. Make sure you discover who the following characters are and their role in Norse Mythology.
1. Jormungand

2. Ratatosk

3. Well of Mimir

4. Jotenheim
5. Nidhogg




This is Jormungand; he is also known as the "world serpent."


This is Nidhogg. He is a dragon that lives in the world of the dead known as Niflheim. He chews on the root of Yggdrasil that supports this final world.



This is Odin: King of the Gods, Poetry, Battle, Wisdom. Make sure you learn more about
Hugin and Mugin, as they are related to Odin.



Frigg, wife to Odin, Queen of the Gods, weaver of the clouds



This is Thor: God of Farmers, thunder, protector of the gods.


PRACTICE QUIZ!

1. I am Odin's "thought." _________________

2. I am Odin's "Memory." _________________

3. Mother to Balder; Friday; weaves the clouds ______________

4. Loves gold; hates war ____________________

5. Strong senses _________________

6. Trickster _______________

7. The end of the Norse World is called ______________

8. I have eight legs. _______________

9. Wednesday ______________

10. The "heaven" in the land of the gods is called ____________

11. Loki is our father 11.______________12.______________13.____________

14. I have a special hammer _______________

15. Apples are my favorite fruit. _________________

16. Well of past, present and future ____________________

Your FINAL exam!

Dear Mythology Kids, It's nice to "see" you again. Let me offer some "study guidance" for your final exam. Please ...