Mythologies Unit Teacher: Alan Hoffmann Grade: 9th.

General objectives: This unit aims to give 9th grade students an introduction to world mythologies and the hero myth. As a class, we will focus on Greek mythology. Individual students will research different mythologies. Standards: Reading: RL 9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RL 9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. RL 9-10.6: Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature. RL.9-10.7 Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment Writing: W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. .W.9-10.2a Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. W.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technologys capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically. W.9-10.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation While other standards will be addressed, these standards will be the main focal point of the unit.

Materials: Select Aesops Fables, Greek Mythology Deities chart (to be made), Text of Odyssey, Movie of Odyssey, Internet/other sources for mythology information

Overview of unit plan: The unit will begin with an introduction to Greek mythology. This will be done with select Aesops fables that feature Greek deities as well as the story of Poseidon and Athenas Battle for Athens. Students will read these short stories and make inferences about the characters. From then, we will transition into the Odyssey. As the class will not have time to read the entire epic, we will watch a movie version of the Odyssey along with the book. The movie will fill in parts that are not covered in their excerpts. This will also allow students to compare the Odyssey in two different media. After the completion of the Odyssey, students will research a different mythology on their own. They will be responsible for a short paper that will explain what theyve learned as well as a presentation to share that information with the class. Assessments: Journal responses and writings, completion of heros journey checklist, class discussions, Vocab quizzes, Research paper, Research presentation, Final test. Lesson plans: Week 1: Monday: Share with students select Aesops Fables that focus on deities. Also distribute Greek GOds hand out. Students will read these aloud and then discuss the stories. We will look at 5 short myths: Heracles and the Waggoner, Heracles and Athena, Hera and the Peacock, Zeus and the Frogs and the myth of Orpheus. In each story, we will discuss how the gods act and the morals imparted in them. For homework, students will take the myth Athena and Poseidon battle for Athens. They will write a response to a few questions, such as Why do you think the town people chose Athenas gift?, What do Poseidons actions tell you about him?, and How do you think this story will impact Poseidon and Athenas relationship? Students can write their response to these questions in a Google Doc. Tuesday: Wrap-up discussion on Poseidon and Athena. Transition into the Hero Myth. Go over the basic outline of the hero epic. Might provide a checklist for students to use while reading the Odyssey. Talk about why the hero cycle is important. Have students think about other uses of the hero myth outside of mythology (examples: Lord of the Rings, many comic book heroes). Wednesday: Give introduction and background to The Odyssey. Discuss The Iliad in brief, talk a bit about Greek culture, and also the oral tradition. After discussion wraps up, we will begin reading the Odyssey together. Students should have their heros journey checklist with them throughout and should write down thoughts on what is going on. Thursday: Continue reading Odyssey. With 5-10 minutes before end of class, have students write out their thoughts on the story, with a focus on character motivations.

Friday: Continue reading Odyssey up to page 913. If there is time, have students journal again. We will stop there and begin watching the movie on Monday. Week 2: Monday: Begin watching movie...students should have their hero cycle checklist. Tuesday: Continue watching movie, up until scene with Scylbia and Charbadys. Wednesday: If not at the scene, continue watching until then. After that, have students pick a scene in the movie and have them write a comparison of the two scenes in a Google Doc. What was different about it? What is gained from the movie version? What is lost? How did the movie help your understanding of the scene? Thursday: Vocab quiz at beginning of class. Continuing reading the Odyssey together. Friday: Continue reading the Odyssey together. Students should be journaling and continuing their checklist. Have students select a scene from book, have them describe how the feel the movie will depict it. Week 3: Monday: Watch movie till end. Tuesday: Continue reading Odyssey to the end. Wednesday: Continue reading Odyssey to the end. Thursday: Wrap up of Odyssey. Friday: Introduction to World Mythologies project...share hand out on Google Docs. Have students begin initial research. WIll want a rough draft in one week. Week 4: Monday: Lesson on what a reliable source is. Continue research. Tuesday: Tips on note taking, compiling information. Continue research. Wednesday: Outlining, continue research Thursday: Citations, Continue research. Rough drafts DUE tomorrow Friday: Rough drafts due, peer editing. Week 5: Monday: Revisions/more research if needed/Work on Presentations Tuesday: Polishing drafts/Work on presentations Wednesday: FINAL DRAFT DUE on Google Docs. Presentations

Thursday: Presentations/Test review. Friday: Mythologies test.