Dystopia is in the near future...

What your future is going to be dystopian?? No ... that's just the new unit we are starting in ELA... "Other Skies and Dystopian Literature". We are not only going to read some pretty awesome books, we are also going to make some connections to our current world today and how we manage resources and look at the rights of people and the distribution of wealth around the world... And here you thought we were just exploring fiction!

Here is an introduction to our new unit...

OTHER SKIES AND THE WORLD OF DYSTOPIA

Big question – What can we learn about our world by reading dystopian literature?

Many ideas from NY Times Lesson Plans Site have been used and expanded upon. Reference: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/the-odds-ever-in-your-favor-ideas-and-resources-for-teaching-the-hunger-games/

BACKGROUNDER… AUTHOR INSPRIRATION…

What inspired or influenced the authors of our dystopian novels when writing their books? What is the background of the novels? Are they about, how humanity survives… Government or Political Structure… The role of “Big Brother” watching you… The use of resources or amount of resources….

What is it about the world of the future that should be perfect, yet is not??? What is the controlling force that gets in the way of freedom? How is our world "foreshadowing" the world of the future? Is there a connection between the world of the dystopian novel and an element of these worlds? 

Before we even begin, check out the links below to author interviews, book trailers and fan blogs... Even if you are not assigned the book that captures your interest... you can always read that particular novel after our Literature Circles! Remember you are not LIMITED to reading just one book. BIG BROTHER will not stop you in you quest to read and enjoy books!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640183585&bcpid=1640183585&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X_L2cn86MC9qSzQHunGEilJ&bclid=1745181007&bctid=1840656769

Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TnxXoMpF3c

Movie Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIVKX4Wu77U

Divergent – Veronica Roth

http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.ca/2011/11/divergent-inspiration.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSNoLKbHNeg&feature=relmfu

Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5Erw-posg

Matched – Ally Condie

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeNWL8rlBI

http://www.matched-book.com/bio.html
Author Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBf1QBZ1xU&feature=related

Maze Runner – James Dashner

http://yabookscentral.blogspot.ca/2011/02/interview-with-james-dashner.html
http://jamesdashner.blogspot.ca/2009/09/maze-runner-website.html

http://www.jamesdashner.com/blog/

Book Trailer - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2-zYcD-dDs

The Eleventh Plague – Jeff Hirsch

http://www.jeff-hirsch.com/?page_id=239

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/11/16/Writer_Jeff_Hirsch_talks_inspiration_and_process_of_The_Elev/

http://www.examiner.com/article/writer-jeff-hirsch-talks-inspiration-and-process-for-the-eleventh-plague

Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f4S0hv1EI

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S THE HYPE WITH DYSTOPIA??? HERE ARE SOME DEBATES, ARTICLES AND ESSAYS ON THE TOPIC FOR TEENS AND THEIR PARENTS!! Seriously, read some of the links below and discuss the issues with your parents... get's you thinking!

WHY DOES DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE CAPTIVATE TEENS? Questions and Answers for Teens and Their Parents…. A selection of Debates, Articles and Essays…

Why are dystopian novels so compelling or engaging for young readers? Everyone is wondering, maybe those who wonder, haven’t read any of the books, so they prefer to wonder…. Anyways the following essay, “Teenage Wastelands” explores some well known dystopian books and reasons for their popularity. I love the fact that the guy who wrote, the non-fiction-turned-fiction novel, A Million Little Pieces, also wrote I am Number Four… Hilarious!! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/magazine/20FOB-WWLN-t.html?_r=1

The debate, “When Authors Take Risks That’s Not Kid Stuff” really captures my attention and in a couple of the debaters arguments, actually makes my blood boil (imagine that!). Seriously! Check out, “Adults Should Read Adult Books”… This guy, Joel Stein, really ticks me off, as he makes fun of adults who read young adult's books, yet admits he has never read any of them. (Grrr!!!) What a know-it-all, elitist jerk! A good book is a good book! It’s good to read a book for entertainment’s sake and one that is thought provoking. Thank Goodness, there are thought provoking novels for teens! Maybe this is a soft spot for me as a teacher who started reading young adult fiction to find out what to recommend for kids, then found herself enjoying teen fiction just as much as adult fiction…. Anyways, check out the debate, it’s thought provoking and interesting. I need to think about other things before I get too riled up! And for the record, I am not ashamed that I read the Twilight series! (Yes I even said it in print!) Here’s the debate…See what get’s Ms. SM steamed about literary debates…

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/28/the-power-of-young-adult-fiction/when-authors-take-risks-thats-not-kid-stuff

Will teen books like The Hunger Games make teens glorify violence? Is The Hunger Games just a book about "kids killing kids"? Is this new craze for dystopian genre which explores "more adult-like" political topics a new thing? Or are political topics in children’s literature something that even Lewis Carroll explored in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland back in the late 1800’s? In the following article, “No More Adventures in Wonderland”, the author examines how serious and sometimes violent concepts in children’s writing is not a new thing, and sometimes just a better vehicle for exploring serious issues and getting the message out there. Is it important to "bubble wrap" and keep kids in the dark, or educate and encourage kids to think about these issues through discussion? Just check out the article...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/opinion/no-more-adventures-in-wonderland.html

 Check out the debate that further explores the issue, “The Dark Side of Young Adult Fiction” from different writers, including the authors of Shipbreaker, Uglies,  and Shiver… http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/12/26/the-dark-side-of-young-adult-fiction

The Great Dystopian Debate…

Why do you think teens are drawn to dystopian literature? Read the debaters points from above, and think about who is right… or why do you think they are right? Get ready for an intense class discussion on the topic, prepare to justify who you agree with most? Why? What is your opinion?

Tests this Week then Toga Day

Tuesday, May 8th - Social Test - Culture Unit (allowed a study sheet)
Wednesday, May 9th - ELA Greek Mythology Test (allowed a study sheet)
Thursday, May 10th - French Quiz (study adjectives, avoir and etre conjugations) - "Knowledge Wall"
Thursday, May 10th - Unit 8 Integers Test grade 8 (allowed a study sheet)
Friday, May 11th - Greek "Feast-Potluck and Toga Day"
Greek Potluck and Toga Day
9:00 Come dressed in toga outfits or as a Greek Mythological Character
9:30 Share myths in small groups (ensure that your myth is on kidblog for comments)
11:30 Greek Feast and Potluck (bring any food item to share at the potluck... Remember it's lunch, so bring some "lunch" type food, not just chips and dip.)
2:30 Share the Student composed myths (or finish sharing) and participate in a ...
Socratic Questioning Lesson - I know you are thinking, "How can an old guy like Socrates teach us to think better? I mean come on, he was from Athens and lived during the time of the Ancient Greeks! What can we learn from him???" Oh lots... actually his method of questioning will become "food for thought for our Dystopian Unit".... Oh the connections you will make to learning....

For more on Socratic Questioning.... You young Greek Philosophers, check out the following sites... http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/socratic_questions.htm
http://www.engin.umich.edu/~cre/probsolv/strategy/cthinking.htm


Next week or week and a half...
Religion Test on Sacraments... we will finish this lesson with the videos from Busted Halo (If you have no idea what I'm talking about... Read this blog!!!  )

By the way, we will slightly overlap the Dystopia unit with Greek Mythology this week... just because you are excited to start, as Rolan stated in class one day,
"I've never been so excited to get depressed by the future!" Well said Rolan, I know these Dystopian books are a tad dark and gritty... but they sure make you think about the connections to our present!! I'm pumped to start too!
Stewie

Old Math assignments

Old Math Assignments for Fractions... Just an FYI on what we were studying and our assignments... I just post it as a reference for parents and students.

Past Assignments on Fractions...

Wednesday, April 4th Assignment - p. 2866.6 Applying Fraction Operations6.4 Multiplying Fractions and Mixed numbers

TEST - Unit 6 Fractions concepts Thursday, March 29th... Might be a different time because it's a band day.

p. 238 Practice Test due: Tuesday, March 27th

Level A: 1-5, 6-8, 9. a & c, 10.

Level B: all

Level C: all

p. 236 Chapter Review - Unit 6 due: Thursday, March 23

Level A: 1 - 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

Level B: all except: 14, 18, 22, 27

Level C: all

** Remember to participate in the "Fai -To" Math "Battle" or to do your assigned challenges! By the way, we won our last battle!

p. 233 due: Monday, March 19th

A – 1, 2, 4, 6, 11

B – 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13

C- 1, 2, 9, 10, 13, 17

*** To reinforce ORDER OF OPERATION concepts, challenges have been assigned on mangahigh.com/deshayecatholicschool.com (see the "Goodwebsites" page of this blog).

6.5 Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers

p. 226-229 due: Thursday, March 15

A- 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

B- 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19

C- 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23

Quiz - 6.3 and 6.4 Concepts - was Tuesday, March 6th

Assignment: p. 219-221

Level A #1-2, 3-9 (only a) and c)), 10, 11

B # 1-2, 4, 5, 6.c) d), 8 b) c) 10-15, 17

C #1-2, 4, 5, 13-21

Due: Thursday, March 1st

6.3 Multiplying Fractions p. 214 Due Thursday, Feb. 16

A - 3-8

B - 3-11

C - 3-7, 11-15

6.2 p. 206 Dividing Fractions

A - 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 (4-7 Friday)

B- 4, 5, 6, 7, 9-13 (4-9 Friday)

C - 4, 5, 6, 7, 9-12, 15 (4-9 Friday)

Start Reading 6.2 Dividing a Fraction by a Whole Number p. 204

*** Dividing Fractions you are going to need to create a "reciprocal" of the second fraction... "Flip the fraction over" (Numerator becomes the denominator and the denominator becomes the numerator...) for 1/4, the reciprocal is 4/1... for 4/5, the reciprocal is 5/4...

Once the second fraction is a reciprocal... just multiply.More fractions handouts for practice (4 sheets, adding and subtracting mixed numbers and fractions... do the "EVEN QUESTIONS ONLY." Due: Tuesday, Jan 31.

QUIZ - ADDING AND SUBTRACTING FRACTIONS AND MIXED NUMBERS was Jan 31st

Old ELA Greek Mythology Assignments - taken from the Homework Page

Past Reading Greek Mythology Assignments...

*Read about Jason and the Golden Fleece, complete myth fill in the blank.

* Create a plot pyramid for Jason. To get the key terminology see the links for plot elements on the home page of the blog, under Jason and Bellerophon. due: Monday

* On Tuesday, we will read about Hercules and complete questions related to the myth. This assignment will be given in class. Then we will compare the myth to the Disney version (lesson posted on blog Home page).

*This week we will also start writing our own myths, a writing resource package was given to the students in class on Monday, March 19th. Students can also check out the home page of this blog to find other links that will assist them in writing their myth.

- Test on Gods/Goddesses of Greek Mythology  was Fri. March 16th

Read the Greek Hero myths and complete the questions for each myth.

"Perseus" and "Bellerophon" for Bellerophon create the Graphic organizer maps (x4)

- Pandora's Box Questions (overdue)

 - "Defying the Gods" Questions (overdue)

-  Pandora's Box and Paragraph (overdue)Students presented to the class informally - Marks with a rubric handed out.

-"The underworld questions" and Underworld map...

- Prometheus questions posted on kidblog.org... was due: Monday Feb. 6th, Prometheus poem questions were due: Tuesday, Feb 7th.

-The Creation of the Universe According to the Ancient Greeks

- Zeus Business letters - with symbols and typed. was due: Friday Feb 10, - put up on Bulletin board.

PUBLISH your Greek Myth!

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!!!
Please post your Greek myths on kidblog.org for your classmates to read and comment. Do this before Monday. Also, now that you're on-line, go to the Scholastic website (you know the one that gave us ideas of myths that kids wrote) and submit your masterpiece. Remember it doesn't have to be something a "published author" wrote... you've seen samples of other kid's writing. Now is your chance to be a "Digitally Published Author". Imagine inspiring other kids around the world with your myth!!

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/myths_publish.asp

REMEMBER ONLY SUBMIT YOUR FIRST NAME, AS THIS IS ON-LINE. WE WILL KNOW IT'S YOURS WHEN THE MYTH SAYS, "REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN". I know that there wasn't any personal information in the myth that could be unsafe for you... after all, how on earth would you fit that in your myth?

LET'S CELEBRATE BEING PUBLISHED AUTHORS AT TOGA DAY, NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 11TH! Remember it's a Potluck!!

3 Min Retreat and Sacraments

RETREAT TIME... REFLECT AND PRAY...

Go to the 3 Minute Retreat under "Good Websites" of the blog or click here...

Catholic Prayer SiteDaily 3 Minute Retreat
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer.htm

Ensure that the speakers are on/or you have headphones... and read the Bible passages and reflect on the questions. Enjoy the relaxing music as you reflect...  Write a reflection to the questions on looseleaf in your Learning Log or place in your Religion section of your binder. Be sure to explain after you answer the questions, "How can I apply this passage to my life?" or "How can others apply the passage to their lives?"

THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH...

Now that we are feeling good after Lent and the feeling of renewal after Easter... It's time to review what makes us close to God. One of the ways we can do this is to examine how the Sacraments bring us closer to God and allow us to examine the cermonies that  show what is significant or important for Catholics. The celebration of the 7 sacraments allows us to examine the special occasions we have for experiencing God's presence in our lives. So now let's reflect on (yes I know how you love to reflect...) HOW TO LIVE THE DIVINE LIFE. What does that mean anyways?? See the video below.

Let's get indepth in the sacraments...  Yes, Videos!!!!

Why we baptize... Sacrament of Batism

Check out Busted Halo's video on the topic...

Why we confirm...Sacrament of Confirmation


Why do we take Communion? ... Sacrament of the Eurcharist

Why do we have to go to confession? Sacrament of Reconciliation....
Part 1 video on Reconciation...


Part 2 Reconciliation... Why are there 2 videos on reconciliation??? Lots of reasons to confess and seek forgiveness.... We're all sinners! It's true!!!



Who can receive the anointing of the sick ..??? Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick...


** Sound may be off on the video above.



Why is marriage a sacrament?  Sacrament of Marriage...


What does it mean to say "yes" to God? Sacrament of Holy Orders...


Now that you are feeling pretty "smart" with your understanding of the sacraments, Let's apply our knowledge.

MINI - POSTER ASSIGNMENT OF THE SACRAMENTS


Create a mini poster on 8 1/2 x 11 paper that represents the 7 sacraments... Include a symbol of the sacrament with a very brief explanation of that particular  sacrament in your words. You may use some of the same symbols that are on the website... but try to be a little creative.


For more information on the 7 Sacraments, check out the site below...


http://www.americancatholic.org/features/special/default.aspx?id=29















 
 

Social Test Review

TEST – Tuesday, May 8th allowed a Study Sheet (Created by you)



Review for Test… You need to study the following…

1. Society and Culture (November 30th) *photocopied text notes (resource)

• Definitions to know:

• Culture

• Cultural Diversity

• Patterns of culture: physical geography, history, language, religious beliefs, technology,

economy, possessions they prize, politics, families, artistic expression, educational system,

recreation, standards for beauty

• Stereotyping

• Prejudice

• Discrimination

2. What is Culture? (photocopy of a text resource) *See your questions and responses to go with this handout.

• A model for culture

• Core values vs. Secular values

• Culture and the Environment (part of the What is Culture handout)

• Ecological footprint

• Cultural Imprint

• Cultural landscapes

• Examine, “Thinking it Over” questions and your questions, “Culture and the Environment”

3. What Happens When Cultures Meet (photocopied notes from a text resource)
See the questions that go with this handout and the concept web.

*** Get any notes you missed from classmates. Ask our wonderful photocopy minions to help you out and photocopy what you need.

Math 8 Assignment

p. 302 Show You Know p. 303 Show You Know

Key Ideas... When representing dividing integers with fraction chips

Total number of chips is the first number in the equation...

Determine your answer... If there is a positive, then the number of groups will be the positive integer.
p. 300 8.3 Exploring Integer Division due: Weds...
A- 1, 3, 5, 7, 10

B - 1, 3, 5, 7, 10-14

C - 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14-16
 
PLEASE NOTE, MORE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO MANGA HIGH TO HELP PREP YOU FOR NOT ONLY THIS UNIT, BUT UPCOMING UNITS. I ALSO ADDED TASKS TO HELP YOU REVIEW FOR THE MATH DIAGNOSTIC FINAL TEST IN JUNE.

Greek Myths - Toga Day

TOGA DAY and Greek Potluck - FRIDAY, MAY 11TH
Try your culinary skills and prepare a Greek food item, or take something you know how to prepare well, and add a "Greek Twist"... Ie: Philipino spring rolls are kind of like the Greek Domadas (rice wrapped in grape leafs).... It's all in how you explain it...
If you plan on making a "bigger item", consider making it (and sharing the cost of the ingredients) with a friend.

On toga day, if you are unsure what to wear... just bring a bed sheet (plain is best... or whatever you have), use a flat sheet and I will help you create a toga. If you want to get into the spirit, research greek toga outfits...

On Toga Day, we will celebrate the end of our Greek Mythology unit and unveil our Mythological Trading Cards and share our Greek Myths.... We may even have a "Socratic Lesson" outside, weather pemitting!

Easter Mass for Deshaye

Remember on Thursday, April 19th, we are walking to Christ the King for Mass in the morning (Mass starts at 9:30). Wear comfortable shoes and a warm coat in light of the "awesome" weather.

Be sure to check out the other Important Dates coming up on the "Important Dates" page of this blog.

Grade 8 Math

8.2 Multiplying Integers p. 297


Level A -1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 23, Math Link

Level B- 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 23, Math Link

Level C - 1,2,4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 23, 25-29, Math Link

Another Fai - to!!

We've been invited to take part in another Fai-to... Here's the invitation letter....

Good news!


Your school is being considered for a Fai-To by St Mark's VA Primary School, United Kingdom! If students from St Mark's VA Primary School vote to challenge Deshaye Catholic School, then a Fai-To will start immediately. We'll inform you if this happens.

In a Fai-To, two schools compete for math victory by securing math medals, and Fai-To does not affect the way that students or teachers use the site. It's simply a way to motivate students for an intensive burst of activity.

If you have problems at any stage, you can contact me on grant@mangahigh.com

Yours,
Grant Miller Customer Support
Mangahigh.com
support@mangahigh.com

WRITING YOUR OWN MYTH

(REF: http://teacher.scholastic.com )

Go to: "Myths Writing Workshop"

Myths are stories that explain a natural phenomenon. Before humans found scientific explanations for such things as the moon and the sun and rainbows, they tried to understand them by telling stories. These tales — which often include gods and goddesses and other supernatural characters who have the power to make extraordinary things happen — remain popular today. As you start to think about writing your own myth, try these warm-ups. They should help you begin to plan your story.

BRAINSTORMING FOR YOUR MYTH… Follow these five steps.

1. A) Pick out the natural phenomenon you want to write about.
Make it something that really interests you. If you live in the desert, you might want to think about the way a single rainstorm can cause a flood. If you live in the North, think about the way a snowstorm can cover the ground like an icy blanket. If you live near the ocean, consider the way the tide comes in and out each day. In other words, find something that is familiar that you can observe.

B) Create a character… He or she can be a monster, a new god or goddess, or a new hero… just someone brand new for Greek Mythology. Brainstorm his or her characteristics, physical traits, personality traits, strengths, weaknesses… make the character "REAL"!

2. Observe carefully.
It helps to know a thing well before trying to make up a story about it. The old myths were created by poets and storytellers who were well-acquainted with nature. Find out as much as you can about the natural phenomenon that you've chosen.

3. Write down what is actual about the phenomenon.
Keep a record of what you have observed or read. What are the smells, sights, and sounds connected to this natural phenomenon? If you are artistic, you might want to try drawing sketches or painting pictures. Think of yourself as a reporter, not a storyteller – this will aid in your description.

4. Write down key words from your research.
If you're learning more about the desert, the words you find could be: sand, rain, gully, wash. Then look in a thesaurus or dictionary to find as many synonyms, phrases, and meanings for your words as you can. For example, under "sand" you might find grain, granule, gravel, shingle, powder, pulverizer. As you are writing those words down, think about the images behind them. It's those images that will help you build your myth. For example, I thought of a pepper grinder when I reached the word pulverizer. Once you've got a picture in your mind, it's time for the big WHAT IF. . . ?

5. Ask yourself, WHAT IF?
Hop onto your image and head off into myth land. This is the point from which you need to start brainstorming! Take a picture in your mind of what an aspect of the world would be like if certain events happened. Then use this "what if" to create a story that explains why the natural phenomenon exists. The story can be as farfetched as you want.

For example, take the pepper grinder from Step 4. What if there was a chef to the gods who lived in a beautiful green countryside but became upset one day because no one ever complimented his cooking? While wandering around, he sat under one of those beautiful green trees and wished (always be careful what you wish for in a myth) that he could somehow make the gods take notice. And suddenly in front of him was a special pepper grinder that said, "Use me, and you will be noticed." And so the chef took the pepper grinder and used it that evening as he was seasoning the gods' stew. But instead of churning out pepper, it ground out sand — more sand than the chef had ever seen! The sand kept pouring out, completely covering the beautiful green countryside. And thus the desert came into existence.

Here are some tips in warding off fear of the blank white page. Try them!

• Be a reader. Read something of interest every day — something of interest to you, not to your teacher or your best friend or your minister/rabbi/priest. Comics and graphic novels count! So does poetry or the newspaper…or a biography of a rock star…or an instructional manual… of course there is the Bible too!
  
• Write every day. You don't have to write about anything specific, but you should exercise your writing muscle constantly. Write about your day (journal writing); write your observations (descriptive writing); write your opinions (editorializing); write lists of ideas or titles; write jokes; write down the plot of the TV show or movie you just saw. All this exercises the writing muscle.
  
• Hide the internal editor. Take a deep breath and just start. Don't worry whether something is good. Just let it flow onto the page. At this stage spelling, grammar, and run-on sentences don't count.
  

START BRAINSTORMING – YOU CAN EVEN GO ONLINE FOR THIS!!!

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/mythmachine.htm

CLICK ON: "The Myths Brainstorming Machine" - This machine was built to help students come up with ideas to write a myth of their own. Follow the directions, use your imagination, and have fun!

CLICK ON: START

Launch the Brainstorming Machine, click on the Draw button. Click on the Effect button to change the mood of the setting and the god/goddess.     Click on the Effect button to change all the moods.

Click on the arrow next to each category to view different choices. Click on the picture you want to write about. This will place your picture in the machine window. Clicking on the Clear button will erase all your choices. When you get an effect you like, visit the Idea Outline window. The Idea Outline window shows you a word version of your picture. These words will help you in witing your myth. You can toggle between both windows if you want to make more changes. When you have the ideas you want, click on the Myth Starter to print them out. Launch the Brainstorming Machine

 

 

START WRITING… Put your pencil on the paper and get started! Be sure to double space (write on every other line). Ensure your myth has the following elements of a myth:

1. Setting:

2. Protagonist:

3. Antagonist:

4. Initial Incident/problem:

5. 3 or 4 key events:

6. Climax:

7. Falling Action/Resolution:

8. Lesson or Moral:

 

Write a web and an outline on loose leaf.

Things to Think about as You Write Your Myth...

 

1) Setting - Does it....

a) Grab your attention? Does it DESCRIBE VIVIDLY (Include Adjectives, Adverbs - they describe verbs, Figures of Speech - similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, repetition...)? Does it introduce the characters? (Who is the main character/protagonist? Who is the villain/antagonist? What problem or event/initial incident is introduced in the beginning to get your story moving and grab audience's attention?)

 

Self-Analysis… My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...	Peer Comment… Is the writer including the above? Explain…

 

2) Character Development - Does your story...

Have believable characters? Are they believable in their relationship with other characters? The way they react to different situations. Are your characters described well enough? Physically, emotionally, their background, likes, dislikes... Why is the antagonist working against the protagonist? Why do they have this relationship?

Self-Analysis… My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...	Peer Comment… Is the writer including the above? Explain…

 

3) Events - Is there an initial problem that creates interest for your reader?

Are all your events in chronological order, so that there is flow and it makes sense, and it's confusing to the reader?

Do all the events or details relate to the story? Are there any details that sidetrack your story? Is everything explained? Is there background information or explanation?

Are the relationships well developed? How is the villain working against the main character?

My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...

 

 

4) Climax - Do all the events build up to the suspense of the climax? Is there suspense??

Is there enough detail in the climax to get your attention (as an audience member)?

Self-Analysis… My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...	Peer Comment… Is the writer including the above? Explain…

 

5) Falling Action/Resolution - Is the story properly finished off? Does it end too quickly? What questions would an audience member have? Are all the questions answered. What happens to all the main characters? Does the villain get punished or does the villain try to change for the better? What happens to the hero? Describe it fully.

Self-Analysis… My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...	Peer Comment… Is the writer including the above? Explain…

 

 

6) Moral or Lesson - What lesson can audience members take from the myth?

How could you incorporate "natural phenomenon"? Remember, the moral and natural phenomenon could be a part of your conclusion/last paragraphs.

 

Ex: "Every time the Ancient Greeks looked to the stormy seas (volcano, the heavens, stars, lightening storm), they thought of the great battle (war, fight...) between ______ and ________."

 

Self-Analysis… My thoughts... Am I including the above? Explain...	Peer Comment… Is the writer including the above? Explain…