Caricatures of Character: A Crash Course through History and its Literature

Now since we cannot attain to the very best, shall we give up our research altogether? This beastly thought we do not accept. For, men having good and bad before them, it behooves a reasonable human being to concentrate on the better. So then let us ask how a better figure may be made. . . . --Leon Battista Alberti

Brief Overview:
As we dive into European history this year we must first understand how did we get here?. This project is a crash course in early European history and will highlight the major events in pre-Enlightenment Europe, circa 17th century. Students will be encouraged to examine present value systems based on value systems of the past. In addition, students should be able to identify certain underlying causes of change during a wide-range of these historical events. As always, we will celebrate student voice and choice through the following topic options. HOHAM: Intellectual Curiosity-In what ways have you been open to exploring ideas? Connection-In what ways can you connect a historical event to a contemporary event?

EQs: 1. Why do historians place importance on certain events? -Why do they omit others? -What are the common threads that weave throughout these events? 2. How have major events in history influenced later events? How have they defined the present? How will they define the future? 3. How does literature mirror history and history mirror literature? Student Objective: 1. Students will be able to research a historical event and analyze its historical impact. 2. Students will be able to use a creative medium to display their content knowledge. 3. Students will be able to use structured writing to articulate their understanding of a historical event and its impact on literature and identity. Diverse Learners and Challenge Options: Some of the following readings are challenging. I have plenty of supplemental materials that will be available for our diverse learners and those students looking for an extra challenge.


Crash Course Options (to be turned in to Ms. Carroll before leaving class):

1. The Roman republic and its demise-why were the Romans so great? what led to their fall? what lasting influences did they leave related to philosophy and government? Reading: Virgils Aeneid Writing: 3 paragraph essay in CDCDCC Product: Caricature of literary figure from the Aeneid 2. The Renaissance-What inspired this era? Who and what defined this time? How did it effect later aspects of European history? Reading: The Prince Writing: 3 paragraph essay in CDCDCC Product: Caricature of Machiavelli or Renaissance artist of choice 3. The Scientific Revolution- What type of thinking defined this time? What discoveries were made? How did this influence the Enlightenment? Reading: Excerpts from Sci Rev thinkers Writing: 3 paragraph essay in CDCDCC Product: Caricature of Scientist 4. Henry the VIII and his daughters church- How did Elizabeth come to power? What was her fathers religious position and how did she continue his legacy? Reading: Shakespeare play and/or sonnets Writing: 3 paragraph essay in CDCDCC Product: Caricature of Shakespeare, one of his characters, Henry VIII/one of his wives, or Elizabeth I 5. The Reformation- Who was Martin Luther? What were his gripes? What did he leave behind? How did he change the church? Reading: 95 Thesis Writing: 3 paragraph essay in CDCDCC Product: Caricature of Martin Luther and/or his adversaries Assessment: Research and Citations 10 MLA citations of sources with summaries: 20 points

Writing: draft 1- (10 points), draft 2- (10 points), final- (10 points) Project: benchmarks check 1- (10 points), check 2-(10 points), final (10 points) *Quiz: There will be an open notes quiz based on information given in peer presentations. Bill and Teds Excellent Essay Final Product EQs-Final product addressed EQs and displays understanding of historical event. 10 points Historical accuracy and knowledge of material- Essay included research , displayed in the form of direct quotes, to support accuracy. Final product served as evidence of student understanding of the relationship between a historical event its influence or significance. 30 points Mechanics and MLA Essay included research and citations to support accuracy. All quotes were cited in proper MLA format and essay followed CDCDCDCC format. 10 points Level of Mastery Emerging Present Exceeds Emerging Present Exceeds Teacher Comments Student Comments

Emerging Present Exceeds

Total 50 points

Updated Caricatures of Character Calendar monday 5 Labor Day! No school! tuesday wednesday thursday 8 Proposal Due C: proposals W: MLA Citations HW: Research Benchmark 1 Assigned topic readings friday 9 Research Benchmark 1 Due Reading Due W: Lit Circles HW: Final Prod. Benchmark 1

6 7 Project Launch!

12 Final product benchmark 1 due W: CDC Writing C: final product

13 Writing benchmark 1 due W: Caricatures C: Writing

14 Field Trip!

15 16 Writing benchmark 2 due Self/peer revisions

19 20 Final product Project Due! benchmark 2 & Presentations Research benchmark 2 due

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22 Quiz! DP time

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w: workshop c: conferencing Bold: due date Benchmarks: Research Benchmark 1: 5 sources in MLA format Research Benchmark 2: 10 sources in MLA format Writing Benchmark 1: Outline of 3 paragraphs in CDC format Writing Benchmark 2: Complete rough draft of CDC essay Final Product Benchmark 1: Character choice outline, 5 symbols chosen from lit and 5 from history Final Product Benchmark 2: Sketch of caricature and symbols in place and ready to be sketched onto the mirror