unit summary students will explore one of the major themes in the odyssey, a hero and all the...
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Gauging Student Needs By
Victoria Blue
Microsoft Office Word Document
Unit TitleThe Odyssey: Exploring a True Hero, Women’s Roles
Unit Summary Students will explore one of the major themes
in The Odyssey, a hero and all the modern characteristics of a good leader. Students will answer: What qualities does a true hero possess? What must one do in order to be a good leader? How can we assess good leaders? The final question: Does Odysseus exhibit the qualities of a true hero? Why or why not? Provide detailed evidence. Students will discuss women’s roles in various cultures and times.
Unit Plan Overview:
Subject Area English 1 Grade Level Ninth grade Approximate Time Needed Over a span of 4 weeks
Unit FoundationTargeted Content Standards and Benchmarks
1.01 Narrate personal experiences that offer an audience:
scenes and incidents located effectively in time and place.
vivid impressions of being in a setting and a sense of engagement in the events occurring.
appreciation for the significance of the account. a sense of the narrator's personal voic
Unit Foundation: Cont’d
1.03 Demonstrate the ability to read, listen to and view a variety of increasingly complex print and non-print expressive texts appropriate to grade level and course literary focus, by:
selecting, monitoring, and modifying as necessary reading strategies appropriate to readers' purpose.
identifying and analyzing text components (such as organizational structures, story elements, organizational features) and evaluating their impact on the text.
providing textual evidence to support understanding of and reader's response to text.
demonstrating comprehension of main idea and supporting details. summarizing key events and/or points from text. making inferences, predicting, and drawing conclusions based on text. identifying and analyzing personal, social, historical or cultural influences,
contexts, or biases. making connections between works, self and related topics. analyzing and evaluating the effects of author's craft and style. analyzing and evaluating the connections or relationships between and among
ideas, concepts, characters and/or experiences.
Cont’d
2.04 Form and refine a question for investigation, using a topic of personal choice, and answer that question by:
deciding upon and using appropriate methods such as interviews with experts, observations, finding print and non-print sources, and using interactive technology or media.
prioritizing and organizing the information. incorporating effective media and technology to
inform or explain. reporting (in written and/or presentational form) the
research in an appropriate form for a specified audience.
Cont’d
.01 Study argument by: examining relevant reasons and evidence. noting the progression of ideas that
substantiate the proposal. analyzing style, tone, and use of language for
a particular effect. identifying and analyzing personal, social,
historical, or cultural influences contexts, or biases.
identifying and analyzing rhetorical strategies that support proposals.
Cont’d
3.02 Express an informed opinion that: states clearly a personal view. is logical and coherent. engages the reader's interest or
curiosity.
Cont’d
5.01 Read and analyze various literary works by: using effective reading strategies for preparation, engagement, reflection. recognizing and analyzing the characteristics of literary genres, including fiction
(e.g., myths, legends, short stories, novels), nonfiction (e.g., essays, biographies, autobiographies, historical documents), poetry (e.g., epics, sonnets, lyric poetry, ballads) and drama (e.g., tragedy, comedy).
interpreting literary devices such as allusion, symbolism, figurative language, flashback, dramatic irony, dialogue, diction, and imagery.
understanding the importance of tone, mood, diction, and style. explaining and interpreting archetypal characters, themes, settings. explaining how point of view is developed and its effect on literary texts. determining a character's traits from his/her actions, speech, appearance, or what
others say about him or her. explaining how the writer creates character, setting, motif, theme, and other
elements. making thematic connections among literary texts and media and contemporary
issues. understanding the importance of cultural and historical impact on literary texts. producing creative responses that follow the conventions of a specific genre and
using appropriate literary devices for that genre
Cont’d
6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression that:
editing for spelling and mechanics (punctuation and capitalization).
Student Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to narrate personal experiences and relate them to complex text , both print and nonprint, analyze and support a formed view, and edit for spelling and mechanics.
Curriculum-Framing Questions Essential Question
What steps can we take to improve society? What are roles and how do they change?
Unit Questions
Does Odysseus exhibit the qualities of a true hero? Why or why not? Provide detailed evidence. What characteristics does Odysseus possess? What must one do in order to be a good leader? How can we assess good leaders? How has the women’s roles in various time periods and cultures changed over the years? What are the roles of Greek women?
Content Questions
What are some examples of good leaders that you know? What are some good leaders in Thomasville High? What are some similarities and differences between women’s roles in the past compared to modern times?
Student Sample
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=15QBYNR4oTwjF1tnR7M-yE8-YlNiOHju7rDUF__uvyZc&hl=en#
Student Sample: The Odyssey Journal
Assessment PlanAssessment Timeline
Before project work begins Daily Journal Logs: Tracking
Odysseus’ journey Anticipation Guide: What do you know
about good leaders and making good decisions?
K-W-L chart: a true hero
Cont’d
Students work on projects and complete tasks
A mock trial: Is Odysseus a true hero? Daily Blogs: Students will reflect on
Odysseus’ actions and respond to others’ comments.
Cont’d
After project work is completedJournal Reflection: Choose a view point. Is
Odysseus considered a true hero? Revisit Anticipation Guide: Class
Discussion- Has your viewpoint on a true hero changed? Why or why not?
Assessment Summary
Students will examine how Odysseus’ actions reflects a true hero. Students will first read and track Odysseus’ journey through each obstacle he faces. Before students read, they will complete an anticipation guide that will determine whether they demonstrate the necessary skills to be a good leader. In addition to the journal and anticipation guide, students will also complete a K-W-L chart on a true hero. Students will then research on various sites and resources what a good leader is and create a mock trial determining whether Odysseus is a true hero. Using google docs, students will answer and respond to questions daily. Finally, students will use a journal reflection to choose a viewpoint and decide whether Odysseus is a true hero. Students have to use literary terms in their reflections. During a class discussion, students will revisit the anticipation guide and discuss if their viewpoints have changed. As part of the ongoing modern themes project, students will also develop wiki pages that will analyze women’s roles in various time periods and cultures.
Assessment Examples
Questioning Probes to Illicit Higher Order Thinking
Microsoft Office Word Document
Assessment Examples
Journal Scoring Guide
Microsoft Office Word Document
Writing Checklist
Rich Text Format
Unit DetailsPrerequisite Skills
Basic computer skills Research skills on internet Basic knowledge of literary terms
Instructional Procedures
As a class, we will read a local article on a local “hero.” Then, students will be asked to tell who is a hero to them. Students will complete an anticipation guide where they are asked about the characteristics of a hero. Second, they will complete a K-W-L chart to discuss what they know about a true hero, what they would like to know and what they believe they will learn after reading The Odyssey. Each student will use a journal, which will be an online blog, to track each obstacle that Odysseus encounters. The sides of the trial will be determined by “luck of the draw.” Students will have to defend the side that they are given. A mock trial will be created in the classroom. Students will create presentations with evidence of that proves that Odysseus is a true hero or is not a true hero. Students must analyze the literature and Odysseus’ journeys to prove their side of the trial. Groups will contain: a judge, jury (4 people), prosecutor and defense attorney, so each group will have at least 7 people. After the trial, students will choose a view point- the viewpoint will be either for Odysseus being a hero or against. The students will reflect on whether Odysseus is a true hero using the evidence brought forth in the mock trial. Finally, as a class, we will review the anticipation guide and discuss if Odysseus is a model hero. In addition to the modern theme of a true hero, students will also develop wiki pages analyzing women’s roles.
Accommodations for Differentiated Instruction
Special Needs Students Follow the IEP plan Modify assignments- limit amount of
words etc. Set goals for the student for each
project Step by step instructions Guided examples of expectations for
each assignment
Nonnative Speakers
Summarizing with illustrated texts Dual language dictionaries Accommodations/Modifications Visual intructions and examples Guided examples Simple versions of texts
Gifted/Talented Students
Open ended questions Class discussions Peer tutors In depth/advanced questions for
assignments
Materials and Resources Required For Unit
Technology – Hardware Computers and Internet Connection
Technology Software
Internet Web Browser Word Processing Document Writing Reviser Web page development Desktop publishing
Printed Materials
Prentice Hall Literature – The Odyssey
Internet Resources
www.docs.google.com
Other Resources
Other English teachers will observe the mock trial and speak on their true hero. Also, the guest English teacher will discuss Odysseus’ characteristics as a hero in text.