Completion of the gods, unusual characters and the Runes or FUTHARK

Dear Mythology Students,

Your homework for Thursday, March 31st 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 , the gods and the unusual characters on Thursday. 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 Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian 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.

We covered an extensive amount of information today in class. We completed the back of your yellow sheet. YOU WILL HAVE A QUIZ ON THURSDAY covering our discussion today. If you complete your flashcards (28), you are welcome to use seven on your quiz. The following characters relate to your quiz:

Odin

Thor

Frigg (a)

Balder

Loki

Hel

Tyr

Heimdall

Hermod

Idun

Njord

Freyr

Frejya

Hugin

Mugin

Norns

Valkyries

Fenrir

Jormungand

Jotenheim

Jormungand

Ragnorok

Mjolnir

Slepnir

Vahalla

Aesir

Vanir

Asgard

Midgard

Ratatosk

I have also included a practice quiz. Remember you will receive extra-credit for completing the quiz.

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 ____________________

Norse Gods and their "toys"

Dear Mythology Kids,

I just completed correcting your "Norse Creation " quiz, and your scores were exceptional. There were a couple of you that needed to study a little more...remember that preparation is the key to success.

What did I miss on Friday, March 26th?

1. You have an assignment that is due on THURSDAY that involves some research. Each student has a tag on their desk with one of the Norse gods written on the tag. Your assignment is to research this particular god, and prepare a handout with your findings. Each of you should have a copy of the assignment in your packet (light blue handout).

B1: Hannah (Odin)
Suzie (Frigga)
Celeste (Thor)
Colton ( Frejya)

B2: Sheree (Balder)
Cortney (Tyr)
Lilli (Frigga)

B4: Katie K. ( Frejya)
Tyson E. (Hermod)
Katie M. (Loki)
Natalie Batty ( Frigga)
Janae ( Loki)

If your name is missing from the above list it means that I forgot you (never intentionally). Send me an e-mail and I can give you your assigned Norse god.

2. Please read pages 322-326 in your "old textbook; " the section is entitled "The Norse Gods"

3. Please read pages xxv-xxxii in your "Norse Mythology" text; the section is entitled "Pantheon."

4. Your "Ithaca" is due on Tuesday, March 30th! I can't wait to see and read your "creations."

5. Plan on a quiz covering the Norse gods/ Unusal characters on Thursday.

During Class......
1. We completed the quiz covering Yggdrasil and the "Norse Creation" myth.
2. We began discussing the Norse gods. This information is located on the back of your bright yellow sheet in your packet. Please obtain this information from another individual in class.

Big Hugs,
Crampton

Introduction to Norse Mythology

Dear Mythology Students,

Norse Mythology are the stories of the Scandanavian people. The Norse were extremely skilled at sea faring; consequently, they were exposed to different cultures. The Norse came upon the Romans, who in turn, hired them as mercenaries. The Roman culture was extremely advanced; consequently, the Norseman adopted some of their belief system into their own culture. This is why when we start to read the myths you will note some strong similarities to Greek Mythology. Remember that the Romans stole their religion from the Greeks. Another important point that you need to know involves the conversion of the Romans to Christianity. The Norseman continued to be influenced by the Roman culture, and therefore they also adopted Christian influences into their mythology, as well.

Everyone of you should have a new textbook, and a "packet" of handouts that will be used during the next two weeks. Your homework assignments for Friday include the following:

1. Please read pages xx-xxiii in the "Introduction" section of your book under the "Cosmology"

heading.

2. Complete your flashcards for the following characters: Niflheim, Muspelheim, Gunnungagap, Audamula, Ymir, Buri, Bor, Bestla, Vili, Ve, Odin, Bifrost, Dwarfs, Yggdrasil, Jotenheim, Asgard, Niflheim, Norns, Valhalla, Jormungand, Nidhogg, Ratatosk, Well of Mimir, Well of Urd, Spring of Hvelgemir. Your flashcard subjects are located on the bright green handout in your packet.

3. Be prepared for a quiz on Friday covering the information that was shared on Wednesday. If you did miss class, please visit with a friend from class.

Norse Mythology is difficult to fully explain in this forum, but I will do my best.......In the beginning, no formed matter that exists. This enormous chasm of unorganized matter is called GUNNUNGAGAP! To the north of Gunnungagap is an immense area of frozen ice. This area is called NIFLHEIM.

To the south of Gunnungagap is an immense region of heat called MUSPELHEIM. Nothing exists but these two regions.
Suddenly these two regions begin to move closer together. The heat from Muspelheim causes the ice from Niflheim to melt and droplets of water land in Gunnungagap. Some how and I don't know exactly how this happens, and neither did the Nordic people, so you just have to accept it, two important beings are created at the same time......an enormous man called Ymir, who is also called a "frost giant" and a cow whose name is Adumla. I know, it's a little unusual.

Ymir begins to suck on the teats of Audumla, so she is nourishing this evil frost giant, and then he begins to "give birth" to other frost giants. As he is sucking on the teats of the cow, Ymir begins to sweat and his sweat morphs into other giants. In the mean time, Audumla begins to lick some of the ice from Niflheim that did not melt when Muspelheim moved close to it. Every place her saliva touches a human form is created. You can see this depicted in the image above. The individual that is created from the saliva is known as BURI. He is entirely positive. He, in turn, gives birth to two individuals; their names are BOR and BESTLA. Bor is a male and Bestla is a famale. These two have three children whose names are Odin, Vili, and Ve. Odin becomes the king of the Norse Gods because he is recognized as the "first born."

Odin, Vili, and Ve recognize that Ymir is "birthing" evil frost giants, so they feel compelled to destory him. Upon his murder they take his body and use it to create the world of humans, giants, and dwarfs known as Midgard.

Yggdrasil is the tree of life in Norse Mythology. There are nine worlds in Norse Myths, but I am requiring that you only know FOUR. These include: Asgard, Midgard, Niflheim and Jotenheim.

Make sure you are familiar with the following aspects associated with Yggdrasil:

1. Well of Urd (Past, Present and Future)

2. Norns (guard the Well of Urd)

3. Vahalla (Norse Heaven/ Hall for fallen warriors and those who died in child birth)

4. Bifrost (The rainbow "bridge")

5. Well of Mimir (Knowledge/ guarded by Mimir)

6. Jotenheim (Land of the Giants)

7. Jormungand (Midgard World Serpent)

8. Well of Hvelgemir (Well in the Underworld)

9. Nidhogg (Chews on the roots of Yggdrasil in the underworld)

10. Ratatosk (Messenger squirrel who delivers insults between the "Eagle" and Nidhogg)

Make sure you are familiar with the following aspects in association with the "Creation Myth:"

1. Gunnungagap

2. Muspelheim

3. Niflheim

4. Ymir

5. Audumla or Audamula

6. Buri

7. Bor

8. Bestla

9. Odin, Vili and Ve

10. Creation of Midgard (Middle Earth)

I look forward to seeing you on Friday.

Cheers,

Crampton

TOMORROW is a NEW DAY and a NEW MYTHOLOGY.....NORSE is COMING!

Dear Mythology Kids,

STOP MISSING CLASS! MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN CLASS ON WED., MARCH 24th.

If you missed class on Monday, March 22nd, we completed the following:

1. Corrected your vocabulary quiz
2. Recorded and discussed the most interesting and most appalling aspects concerning Classical Mythology. Your response was submitted to me. Please visit with me upon your return so we can have you complete this assignment; I am genuinely interested in your thoughts.
3. Submitted your Odyssey Quiz
4. Distributed your Norse Mythology textbook and packet of information for the first two weeks of Norse Mythology.

HOMEWORK:
1. Your "Ithaca Poem" and visual representation of your Ithaca are due on Tuesday, March 30th. The explanation for this assignment is in the make-up box. Start working on this assignment now, as you will be busy once we begin with Norse Mythology.

2. Please clean out your notebook. Retain the following handouts: Vocabulary, Nine Traits of a Hero, and Greek/Roman/Symbol and Domain handout for the Greek gods.

Odyssey Quiz Questions and Desk Top Teaching....

Dear Mythology Kids,

Well done on your "Desk-Top" vocabulary assignment. I know that you assisted your peers in developing a greater understanding for your particular word. Remember that you quiz covering the 15 vocabulary words will take place on THURSDAY during class. Please review the definition and etymology for each vocabulary word.

Your quiz regarding The Odyssey will occur at home. You will select one of the following questions. Your response needs to be not only answer the question, but support your points with SPECIFIC TEXT from your book, your annotated sections and your storyboard. I expect it to be typed, double spaced, using 12 point font, Times New Roman print.

HINT: I would thoroughly consider each question creating notes for each one. Those notes may be submitted for extra-credit points for your quiz.

#1. Trace Homer's thematic approach to "appearance vs. reality" in The Odyssey. Discuss the importance of this theme to events within the epic. Include three examples from your book and/or annotated texts to support your response.

#2. Discuss the literary element of Dramatic Irony found in The Odyssey. Remember that Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience has knowledge that the character(s) within the text do not. Identify three examples of Dramatic Irony within the epic poem. An explanation as to why irony heightens the reader's interest in The Odyssey is compulsory.

#3. Discuss the thematic approach concerning "identity" in The Odyssey. An explanation regarding the positive and negative effects of maintaining anonymity in contrast to identifying oneself must be part of your response. Identify three examples from your textbook or annotated texts to support your points.

#4. Discuss the characters of Penelope and Telemachus in association with being "worthy partner" for Odysseus. Support your response with three textual examples.

#5. The concept regarding "power of cunning over strength" is a valid theme in The Odyssey. Discuss this thematic view, and the role it plays in the epic poem. Support your points with three textual examples.

#6. The customs involving "guest and host" were highly venerated in ancient Greek culture. Homer clearly valued these customs, and he recognized the role of the gods if these customs were not followed. Support Homer's view by explaining and indicating three examples from your textbook and/or your annotated sources.

I will see you on Thursday!
Cheers,
Crampton

The Wanderings of Odysseus

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class on Friday, we completed the following:

1. The "Odysseus" storyboard......make sure you visit with someone regarding the order of events within the epic.
2. Everyone submitted their first set of annotations. Please visit with me, or a friend from class, in order to obtain the list of annotations you can use for the supplementary texts regarding The Odyssey.
3. We also reviewed the symbolic meaning behind each of the obstacles that Odysseus faces. Visit with a friend from class regarding these.

Homework:
1. DESK TOP TEACHING is due on TUESDAY! Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. Remember that you MUST teach the etymology and the definition of your word. In addition, do not forget the TACTILE (feeling) aspect of teaching your word.

2. The revision for your "Hero Film Essay" is due on THURSDAY, MARCH 18th! I returned the essays on Friday. Please pick your essay up when you return to class on Tuesday.

3. Please read the supplementary material on The Odyssey. Annotate the pink sheet with 5-8 annotations, and the purple sheet with 10-12 annotations. This is due on Tuesday.

4. Your QUIZ covering The Odyssey will take place on Thursday, March 18th. I am actually considering giving it to you as a take home quiz, but I haven't come to a definite conclusion on that idea yet. We'll see......Anyway, I have posted the 6 questions for your quiz below. Remember that you will "blindly" CHOOSE ONE for your quiz. You may use your book, storyboard, and annotated pieces of text. The questions are essay in nature, and you MUST SUPPORT your ideas with examples from the The Odyssey. HINT: I would thoroughly consider each question making notes on each one. Those notes may be submitted for extra-credit points for your quiz.

#1. Trace Homer's thematic approach to "appearance vs. reality" in The Odyssey. Discuss the importance of this theme to events within the epic. Include three examples from your book and/or annotated texts to support your response.

#2. Discuss the literary element of Dramatic Irony found in The Odyssey. Remember that Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience has knowledge that the character(s) within the text do not. Identify three examples of Dramatic Irony within the epic poem. An explanation as to why irony heightens the reader's interest in The Odyssey is compulsory.

#3. Discuss the thematic approach concerning "identity" in The Odyssey. An explanation regarding the positive and negative effects of maintaining anonymity in contrast to identifying oneself must be part of your response. Identify three examples from your textbookI or annotated texts to support your points.

#4. Discuss the characters of Penelope and Telemachus in association with being "worthy partner" for Odysseus. Support your response with three textual examples.

#5. The concept regarding "power of cunning over strength" is a valid theme in The Odyssey. Discuss this thematic view, and the role it plays in the epic poem. Support your points with three textual examples.

#6. The customs involving "guest and host" were highly venerated in ancient Greek culture. Homer clearly valued these customs, and he recognized the role of the gods if these customs were not followed. Support Homer's view by explaining and indicating three examples from your textbook and/or your annotated sources.

I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. We will finish The Odyssey on Tuesday!
Cheers,
Crampton

The Journey of Odysseus....

Dear Mythology Kids,

Welcome to The Odyssey, by Homer. We started this amazing piece of literature on Monday, March 8th. We will read some of the text in class, but I will also ask that you read part of it at home. I gave each student a "storyboard," which is an effective way of "breaking" the epic "a part" so that you can understand it better when you actually read it. If you did miss class on Monday, please make sure that you obtain this information from someone that was present.

HOMEWORK:

1. Your "Dateline Troy" assignment is due on Wed. Please refer to my previous post for additional information.

2. Your "Desk-Top Teaching Vocabulary" assignment is due on Tuesday, March 16th! Please visit with me so I can give you the instructions. I would also communicate with an individual in class.

3. Please remember to bring your book to class, ladies and gentlemen!

I will visit with you on Wed.

Cheers,

Crampton

"Iliad Quest," "Percy Jackson", and "Dateline Troy"

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class on Monday, March 1st, we completed the following:

1. A new assignment was introduced to you entitled "Dateline Troy." This assignment takes some explanation; therefore, you will need to visit with me when you return to class. In essence, I am asking you to consider the events that caused the Trojan War, and what took place during the ten year battle. The Iliad has been on the best seller list for centuries because it possesses all the elements of a strong story...deceit, irony, love, hate, jealousy, etc. Your assignment is to consider the plot of the epic , and then locate a news article that you can connect to the myth. Once you locate the article, you are to write the part of the Iliad that coincides with your selected article. I have included some example of articles that previous students have used for this assignment below.

How could you connect the two articles to The Iliad? The first example could relate to "the apple for the fairest" and the second example could relate to Paris' abandonment.

Make sure you visit with me if you missed class!

2. We discussed the adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief from book to script. In addition, students shared many of the inferences and predictions they recorded on their yellow sheet. Each student submitted their inference/predictions sheet along with their movie ticket.

HOMEWORK for Wednesday, March 3rd!

1. "Dateline Troy" is due on Wed., March 10th.

2. "Iliad Quest" will take place on Wed., March 3rd. There are 66 questions on your assessment.

• Part 1 (1-31): Quotes from your presentations and from The Iliad in your textbook (pgs. 185-200)
• Part 2: (32-35) Movie clips from the film Helen of Troy
• Part 3: (36-40) Images associated with significant events within the epic
• Part 4: (41-66) Events within The Iliad and The Odyssey

3. Complete your green sheet for extra-credit on your Quest.

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

I'll look forward to seeing you on Wed.

Cheers,

Crampton