Myth Stuff

Traditional Epic
The Epic Style
a. The author begins by stating the theme and uses someone who is all knowing and wise to help him in his undertaking.
b. The story starts in the middle of the action, in media res, and at a critical point; the events that happened before the narrative's opening are introduced later on.
The Setting
The setting of the epic is vast in scope, sometimes worldwide and even beyond.
The Hero
A figure of great national or international importance.
The Action
The action of the epic involves heroic deeds in battle, such as a long hard journey or a war.
The Supernatural
The gods or other supernatural beings take an interest and an active part in the great deeds performed in the epic.
Point of View
Often the point of view is in third person (standing outside looking in through the window) with little comment or opinion. Usually the author is objective (looks at both sides of an issue) in his presentation of the situation and characters.
Writing a Myth
You will create a myth which incorporates one element from each of the four categories below.
Once you have chosen your four digit number (last four digits of your phone number), circle the corresponding elements.
Take these four elements and incorporate them into a myth.
Stay with the four numbers that you picked.

Key Character or Hero
0. a troll
1. a wizard
2. a seafarer
3. a queen/king from an ancient world
4. a soldier
5. a priest or nun
6. a bandit or thief
7. a searcher or wanderer
8. a mermaid
9. a goddess
Key Setting
0. underwater
1. a planet in outer space
2. a mountainous island
3. an underground cavern
4. a crowded bazaar or marketplace
5. ancient temple ruins
6. a jungle
7. a peasant's cottage
8. a castle
9. a river or enchanted lake

Important Object
0. a secret potion
1. an amulet (something worn as a charm against evil.
2. a secret scroll or manuscript
3. a magic ring
4. a door with hieroglyphics
5. a fountain
6. a charm or magic saying
7. a staff or walking stick
8. a book of knowledge
9. a sacred animal
Key Theme
0. Carpe Diem (seize the day)
1. the truth will surface
2. justice prevails
3. search inside for wisdom
4. life is a journey
5. eternal friendships
6. descent into the underworld
7. love conquers all
8. trust one's intuition
9. overcoming great obstacles

Odyssey Exam- study guide

Exam Dates: May 2 (white) and 3rd (blue)

These are the topics that will be covered on your test. Be sure to know in great detail about each. You can have a 3x5 index card with notes during the test.

1. Characters and descriptions
2. Theme- What is it? What role does it play?
3. Major stops on the journey
4. What was learned by Odysseus at the stops?
5. Monsters faced
6. Odysseus’s mistakes
7. God’s role in the journey
8. Characteristics of an epic hero and how Odysseus fits that role
9. How an epic hero is different from an epic heroine? (Odysseus and Penelope)
10. Greek Culture-guest treatment, burial, and sacrifices
11. Land of the dead- What Odysseus learned?
12. Characteristics of an epic myth- Invocation, media res, etc.
13. return home
14. Telemachus’s journey
15. test by Penelope
16. Defeat of suitors
17. Importance of loyalty
18. Punishment of suitors (appropriate or not?)

Honors Only:
1. How can MSK be compared to the Odyssey
2. What role does loyalty play in both
3. What struggles were faced by Kate, Anna, Julie, Brian, and Jessie
4. How does the Odyssey of MSK end?
5. Why was the ending unexpected?
6. Which character was a hero/heroine in this novel?
7. Personal Reflection: What is your opinion of the novel? Should I teach it again? Why or Why not?

Sick Teacher

Hey guys,
I will not be at school on monday. I'm sick. Here are the lesson plans for use with the sub. BE GOOD!


Give students myth handout, and requirements handout. Students can keep the myth handout, but the requirements handout they need to copy into their notebook and then give back. They should do this first. (THAT WAY YOU DON”T HAVE TO HAVE EXTRA COPIES). Most classes have the myth handout already, but I know that some will have lost theirs by now. They should write their rough draft for the myth and turn it in to you. It needs to be at least three pages long. They should follow the directions on the form.
They have 30 minutes to complete this. (Let them know that at the beginning). IT IS A GRADE!!!!

Next students should answer the Odyssey questions in the book on page 1018. Then continue reading answering the questions at the end of each section. They should turn in all questions answered by the end of the class period. If they finish the Odyssey, they can begin working on their illustrations for their myth.

This is a lot of work and it should be done on their own. NOT IN GROUPS!!!!!

Bonus Assignment

Here is the bonus assignment if you would like to complete it. DUE DATE: THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTER SPRING BREAK!!!!
Introduction

You have been studying excerpts from Homer's Odyssey. This epic poem tells of Odysseus's adventures as he traveled back to Ithaca on his return from Troy. Odysseus sailed from Troy with a fleet of twelve ships. He encountered monsters and enchanting women who tried to prevent his return. The wanderings of Odysseus and his men led them through many unfamiliar and dangerous encounters. Now it is time for you to take an extensive imaginary voyage of your own. This will be your personal Odyssey.



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The Assignment

You will be writing a journal that details your own fictional odyssey. You will also create a map of your journey. You will choose from three routes of travel and complete the assignment as detailed below.




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Instructions: Step-by-step

Step 1. Imagine that you are taking a five stop odyssey. You may choose from among the following journeys:
Cities of Greece: http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/GREECE/map.html
Cities along the Nile River: http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/EGYPT/nilemap.html
Travels in the Near East: http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/NEAREAST/nemappg.html
Step 2. Write five detailed journal entries which include the following:


The date of your imaginary travels
Exact map location which would include the latitude and longitude
Interesting facts about the location which would include place names
A brief story about the adventure that happened to you at that location (be creative)
Reflection about your time spent there
Step 3. Create a map of your odyssey. Your map must clearly show the route of your journey.

3/20-2/24

This week will be insane with all of the testing that is going on. We will be continuing to read the Odyssey and complete the logbook and epic hero cycle. We will complete a map of the trip that will be ongoing until we finish book one.

Honors classes should be planning ahead for the Socratic Seminar that will occur when we finish with the reading (MARKING BOOK, ANSWERING QUESTIONS, FORMING IDEAS). Honors also needs to finish reading My Sister's Keeper by March 31st.

On level classes will begin reading The Fractal Murders next class. Make sure you have your permission slip or you will be reading another book.

White day classes will be in the computer lab on Friday to work on their Anthology Project. Blue day will be in the lab on Thursday of next week.

Permission for Regular 9th Literature

Dear Parents,
We are beginning a new novel study in the next week. We will be reading The Fractal Murders by Mark Cohen. The book jacket explains the premise of the book as the following:
Three victims, three different states, and three apparently unrelated cases. When Boulder, Colorado, math professor, Jayne Smyers discovers each victim had been an expert in fractal geometry, she knows their deaths can’t be a coincidence. That’s where Pepper Keane comes in. Hired by Jayne after the FBI dismisses the case, he’s a Marine JAG turned private eye, with a vast knowledge of rock and roll and a trace of existential angst. From Hawaii to Harvard, Pepper searchers for proof that the deaths were murders committed by the same person. As the evidence mounts and he fears that his favorite professor may be the next target, Pepper begins to see that there’s a pattern to everything, especially murder. And that makes him more than qualified to die.”
I am asking permission for your student to read this book for many reasons. One, it is a good story that the students find interesting. Two, it will be used to reinforce mathematical principals that they have learned over the year in their algebra and geometry classes. (Hopefully, it will help them on their End of Course Testing.) Finally, I will use it to increase understanding of literary techniques like author choice, point of view, plot, and characterization. Because this book is considered modern literature, it has many modern themes and some adult language. I encourage you to investigate this book for yourselves if you have concerns about the content. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school or through email at Kimberly.guinn@cobbk12.org. If you do have serious objections to your child reading this book, another assignment can be given. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,

Kimberly Guinn

PHS Teacher, 9th Literature


I agree that my child can read this novel as a part of this class.
Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________________
Student Name______________________________________________________

I do not want my child to read this novel.
Parent /Guardian Signature___________________________________________
Student Name_____________________________________________________

3/8-3/16

Okay guys, here's what's up. We are finishing up the myth presentations. We will be starting the Odyssey this week. We will have a map of Odysseus's adventures that you will be responsible for during our time. There will be quizzes over the readings. There is a large amount of new vocabulary, so we will be keeping a vocab list. We will be making flash cards of people and events to help you remember the main characters.
We will begin writing our next essay. Topic: your choice from the portfolios or any other idea you have had.
I will be giving out a study guide for the end of course test next week.
Honors lit- Must have MSK read by the end of March
Regular lit- You must have permission slips turned in ASAP. Kimberly Guinn