Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,
If you missed class, the following was reviewed:

1. Journal #3: "Hero"
Define the term "hero." Who do you consider heroic and why? What qualities do heroes possess?
 
We discussed the archetypal Greek hero and the qualities possessed by the hero.

Heroes in ancient Greek were given this title because they experienced what is known as PATHOS, or in other words, they suffered more than other individuals. Through their suffering they became stronger.

B2 Kids, 
The traits that we DID NOT DISCUSS are highlighted for you in PURPLE.

•1. They are flawed.

•2. They experience PATHOS, or they suffer more than the average person


•3. They are "Born" : There are two types of "births"

•a. They are conceived in an unusual manner

•b. The hero is "born" when they realize that they possess unique traits

•4. They are always assisted by a "goddess" (female character)

•5. They marry/associated with someone that causes them great pain and anguish

•6. They experience what is known as an "IGNITION EVENT." This event is usually, but not always, tragic. It causes them to "ignite" into action.

•7. They are faced with physical and emotional challenges.
•8. Through these challenges they become enlightened (more knowledgeable/physically and emotionally stronger)


•9. Their deaths are usually violent.

NOTE: Heroes experience at least 6 out of the 9 qualities. THE ARCHETYPAL HERO is an individual that possesses these characteristics.

HOMEWORK:
1. Nature Myth is due for you on Thursday, Nov. 8th.
 2. Plan on a quiz covering the information we discussed regarding the nine traits of a hero
3. Please read the article I gave you today entitled "The Heroes Adventure." Please annotate and notate the text...5-7/ ALL THE COLORS. Stop by my room to collect the article.

Cheers,
Crampton

Monday, October 29, 2012

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Welcome to your Mosaic assignment....

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. I introduced the mosaic assignment to each class today.

What is a mosaic? A piece of artwork that is comprised of many different pieces. Please see the examples of mosaics below.

Why were they so important to the ancient Greeks? They took the subjects from their mythology and literally cemented them into mosaic artwork.

Nemean Lion




Demeter
Medusa



I look forward to seeing the subjects you have chosen for your mosaics. For those of you that missed class on today (October 29,2012) we completed the following:

1. Introduction of your "Mosaic Assignment"

•Your mosaic must be at least 11 x 17 in size

•The subject may be any aspect associated with our study of Classical Mythology (gods, lesser gods, heroes, monsters, and specific myths and their characters)

•You need to be passionate about your selection.

•If you elect to draw the subject, extra-credit will be given

•If your mosaic is larger than the required size, extra-credit will be given

YOUR MOSAIC IS DUE THE LAST DAY OF THE TERM, which is JANUARY 10th, 2013!
If you missed class, please stop by so we can visit about your assignment.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,
If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. We discussed the structure regarding your final exam. Please see the review below.
2. We completed our discussion regarding Greek theater
3. We read "Oedipus" located on pages 268-272
4. Students were introduced to the companion piece to "Oedipus," also written by Sophocles, entitled "Antigone."
 Hang in there, cute kids! Your first quarter is almost over. Please let me know what I can do to assist you.

ANTIGONE, the courageous daughter of OEDIPUS, was introduced to you today!




1. I introduced the myth of "ANTIGONE" (pg. 273). MAKE SURE YOU READ THE MYTH! "Antigone" is the companion piece to "Oedipus." It is the myth of what happens to Oedipus after he blinds himself and is banished from Thebes. Antigone is the oldest female child of Oedipus and Jocata. We read the myth in class, and then started reading the play "Anitgone" by Sophocles together. We did not finish reading in class, so make sure you have read the blue copy of the play by Tuesday. It was originally written as a myth, and then retold as a drama by Sophocles. It is a story about doing what is honorable and just, even when you are the only individual who has the courage to behave with such fortitude. Please make sure you are familiar with the characters of Creon, Haemon, Antigone, Etoecles, Polynieces, and Ismene for your upcoming exam.

2. We viewed a clip from Oedipus performed by the London Shakespeare Company. I shared this with everyone as a review.





REVIEW #1

Mythology Exam

I ask that you complete the following review, as doing so will give you insight regarding areas where you need to spend additional time concerning your review. In essence, you can use the review as a pre-test. Answer the questions without using your handouts or book. If you need assistance with certain questions, then you know that those particular questions need greater review. PLEASE USE A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER, as you don’t have adequate space for your responses below. You will submit your review prior to the exam on THURSDAY!

You will see 55 different pieces of artwork. Each drawing, painting, sketch, statue, etc. pertains to the areas of mythology we have discussed this term. I will ask you specific questions about each overhead. For example, you may be asked to “identify the myth illustrated” or “identify the god,” or “explain what is taking place in the image, “ etc. The best way to completely prepare for your exam, is to go through each question below, as some aspect will appear on the test.

I ask that you use ONE SIDE of a 3x5 card to assist you with some aspects that you might find difficult to recall. Yes, this is compulsory, my young friends. It’s call “insurance.” You may not need to use the card, but if you do, then it is available to you. IF YOU DO NOT USE THE CARD, then I will add five points of extra-credit to your exam score. If you use the card then no penalty will apply.

One of my goals as your teacher is for you to apply what we have learned in class to the “real world.” So, if you are watching a film, listening to music spending time in a museum, reading a book, etc, and you see/hear references to mythology, you can identify them without hesitation. All of your exams will be application in nature.

Identify the Roman name, symbol(s) and domain(s) for the following Greek gods:

1. Aphrodite 5. Poseidon 9. Zeus 13. Apollo

2 Demeter 6. Hestia 10. Hephaestus 14. Hades

3. Artemis 7. Hermes 11. Athena

4.Ares 8. Dionysus 12. Hera

NOTE: You need to have strong familiarity regarding the parents of each Olympian, and specifics concerning their births. In addition, you must be aware of relationships that the gods have with each other, and the result(s) of these associations. (Example: Poseidon is disrespectful towards Athena because her gift was chosen over his. Consequently, Medusa as we know her is created. (This, of course, is the abbreviated version).

Please respond using complete sentences:
15. Who are the Furies? Describe their roll, “birth,” and appearance.
16. Who are the rulers of the underworld? (Greek and Roman names, please)
(p.s. please be familiar with the Greek underworld, specifically the sinners associated with Tartarus)
17. Identify the areas of the Greek stage.
18. Identify the importance regarding the Greek chorus.

NOTE: for19= 30. you will need to be familiar with ALL the characters with
in each myth.
19. Plotline for “Pandora’s Box”
20. “Arachne”
21. “Prometheus”
22. “Demeter and Persephone”
23. “Daphne”
24. “Echo and Narcissus” 25. “Orpheus and Eurydice”
26. “Oedipus”
27. “Antigone”
28. “Io and Prometheus”
29. Creation myth (Aphrodite, Crone, Uranus, Rhea,)
30. “Danaids”
31. Tantalus
32. Sisyphus
33. Ixion

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read "Antigone" for Friday. Plan on a quiz covering "Oedipus" on Friday.The questions for your quiz are located for you below. Remember that you won't know which one you are going to answer, as there will be a random selection.




WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:The literary tool of irony is significant to the plot of "Oedipus." As part of your quiz on Friday, you will respond to ONE of FOUR quotes. I will ask that you explain the irony of the chosen question in relationship to the plot of Oedipus. Your response must be thorough. Responding with, "This section is ironic because Oedipus does not realize Laius is his father," is not detailed enough. You will need to explain ALL the circumstances behind the quote that you "pull from the bag."  This is why you must READ YOUR MYTH, my fine young friends! You do have access to the questions, as they are below, and you can consider a strong response for each one.

1. "He left his home, Corinth, where he was held to be the son of the king, Polybus, and the reason for his self exile was another Delphic oracle. Apollo had declared that he was fated to kill his father."

2. "...whoever had murdered King Laius must be punished. Oedipus was relieved. Surely the man or men could be found after all these years, and they should know well how to punish him."

3. He spoke to his people..."Let no one of this land give him shelter. Bar him from your homes, as one defiled, companioned by pollution. And solemnly I pray, may he who killed wear out his life in evil, being evil."

4. "No one suffered more than Oedipus. He regard himself as the father of the whole state; the people in it were his children; the misery of each one was his too."



We reviewed the three different types of IRONY today in class.
1. Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the audience is aware of specific information that characters are not.
2. Irony of Situation or Situational Irony: This occurs when the outcome of a literary work turns out differently than what the audience originally anticipated.
3. Verbal Irony: This occurs when a characters means the opposite of what they say.

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. FINAL EXAM will take place on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Monday, October 8th, 2012

Dear Mythology kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. Students were introduced to their first vocabulary word: SATURNINE! From now on, students will receive one to two words/ week. Please visit with someone else in class regarding the handout that coordinates with your vocabulary words.

2. We then reviewed an exceptional nature myth that was developed by a previous student which explains why birds molt. This myth was also shared so that students would comprehend their "PLOT MAP" assignment due on WEDNESDAY. PLEASE visit with a friend from class regarding this assignment, and then stop by to visit with me.

3. We then started discussing the importance of Greek theater in relationship to their myths. Myths were performed on the Greek stage. Students were given a handout that we started to review, which details the important information regarding Greek theater. Please stop by to pick up the handout.
 


If you missed class today, please make sure you read the myth of "Oedipus" located on pages. 268-273 in your textbook. You will have a QUIZ over the myth and Greek drama on Tuesday, October 11th! PLEASE READ THE MYTH! What we do in class on Friday is important concerning your schema regarding "Oedipus." This is a valuable piece of literature, as it was originally written as a narrative, and then transformed to a play by Sophocles. It also contains the literary element of IRONY, which adds to the plot line.

This image depicts a theater troupe performing "Oedipus Rex. " Oedipus is in the middle, and the Greek chorus is surrounding him.

We reviewed the three different types of IRONY today in class.
1. Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the audience is aware of specific information that characters are not.
2. Irony of Situation or Situational Irony: This occurs when the outcome of a literary work turns out differently than what the audience originally anticipated.
3. Verbal Irony: This occurs when a characters means the opposite of what they say.

We completed your handout regarding Greek Theater. Please visit with someone in class.





Ancient Greek theater mask. The Greeks used masks to help indicated emotion and the type of drama being performed. This image depicts a TRAGIC mask.


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I introduced the myth of "Oedipus" to you today (Monday, October 8th) as a catalyst for understanding Greek Drama. I have included some additional images from those I shared with you in class. This myth is extremely significant, as it illustrates the ancient Greeks desire and ability to take their myths and transfer them to the genre of drama.
HOMEWORK:
1. Please complete the PLOT MAP for your nature myth...DUE ON WED.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. Everyone submitted their "Modern Day God" essay. If you missed class, you will need to submit your assignment WITH YOUR HOMEWORK coupon upon your return. Why? Well, you had prior knowledge about the assignment before your absence.

2. We then completed Journal #2: "Melody Time"
              Students viewed a cartoon with several explanatory elements. Students were asked to identify the explanatory elements and then identify HOW the elements were explained.

3. We then reviewed several POOR nature myths written by previous students. Students worked in groups to complete this and then received participation points for the group work.

HOMEWORK:
1. Nature Myth Part 1 is due on MONDAY. PLEASE start working on your nature myth....consider the plot line, the characters involved, the conflict or conflicts that take place in the myth, and the resolution that solves the problem(s).

PLEASE DO NOT MISS MONDAY, as we will review a nature myth that is incredibly strong.

Cheers,
Crampton

Monday, October 1, 2012

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. We read "Arachne" and "Narcissus" in class. I gave everyone a copy of these myths, but they are also available in your textbook. You were also introduced to our pet spider....ROSIE!
2. Each student received a copy of their "take-home" quiz regarding the following myths:
"Prometheus," "Pandora," and "Demeter and Persephone." The take-home quiz is due on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd!

HOMEWORK:
1. THRONE is due on TUESDAY, October 2nd!
2. Take-home quiz is due on TUESDAY, October 2nd!
3. Please read "Daphne" pgs. 119-120
4. Please read "Prometheus and Io" pgs. 51-55
5. Plan on a quiz covering #3 and #4 and the two myths we read in class today ("Arachne" and "Narcissus"). This quiz will be an in-class quiz.
6. Remember that your "Modern Day God" essay is due on Thursday, October 4th.

Your FINAL exam!

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