January 9, 2016

Unit: Myths, Legends, and Tales

Texts: "Apollo's Tree" and "Arachne"

Standards:

RL 2: Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through details.

RL 3: Describe how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

RL 10: Read and comprehend literature.

Essential Question:

Can pride ever hurt you?

TLW discuss the essential question with his team. TLW discuss what blind spots a boastful person might have. TLW discuss how excessive pride has affected their own lives.

TLW learn about cultural values in myths: 

Respect your elders.

Respect and obey the gods, who are often involved in humans' everyday lives.

Know your place.

Cultural values are the standards of behavior that a society expects from its people. Myths reflect the cultural values of the societies in which they were first told.

Note taking questions:

What are cultural values?

What were some of the basic cultural values that were taught in myths?

TLW fill in a cultural value chart as he reads the two myths. He will list details that show examples of each of the myths.

"Apollo's Tree" by Mary Pope Osborne

Setting: Fields and forests of ancient Greece.

One day, Cupid and Apollo argue when Apollo sees Cupid playing with one of Apollo's bows. Cupid says that his arrows are more harmful than Apollo's. To prove his point, he takes out two arrows. The first arrow will cause whomever it hits to run away from anyone who claims love. The second arrow will make whomever it hits instantly fall in love. First, cupid shoots Daphne, a maiden who loves to run wild and free through the woods and fields. She runs to her father, the river god, and makes him promise that he will protect her from any man who wants to marry her. Cupid then shoots Apollo. Apollo falls in love with Daphne and chases her through the forest.

"Arachne" by Olivia Coolidge

Setting: Small village in ancient Greece

Arachne is a young Greek woman who brags about her weaving. She says that it's as beautiful as the goddess Athena's. An old woman, who is really Athena in disguise, warns Arachne to take back what she said. Archne refuses and challenges Athena to a weaving contest. Athena weaves a story about humans challenging the gods and suffering. Arachne weaves a story about the gods' crimes. Athena is insulted by Arachne's story.

When students predict, they make reasonable guesses about what will happen next. Students will base their predictions on clues from the story and their own experience and knowledge. As students read the myths, they will record their predictions about what might happen next. Then, the student will list the clues that helped him make that prediction. Finally, TLW tell what really happens in the story.

Vocabulary Study: Classifying Words
Directions: Discuss the meanings of the bold-faced words.
1. Through the rain-drenched windows, the trees in the garden seemed distorted with misshapen limbs.
2. Emily's wedding dress was exquisite, with delicate lace, hand-sewn pearls, and satin piping.
3. My brother was immensely proud of his new bicycle; he loved showing it off.
4. In his response to the negative criticism of his new play, Jamal indignantly said, "Haven't these people ever seen good drama before? Obviously not."
5. Twenty miles off the main highway, the tiny town where I grew up is so obscure that strangers rarely drive through.