Language Arts 9th Grade Home Learning and Weekly Schedule

1. Welcome Braddock Bulldogs!!! MRS. CONTRERASLanguage Arts9th Grade – Eng I Gifted Honors Room C209 2006-2007

2. Home Learning PLACE COMPLETED ASSIGNMENT(S) IN HOMEWORK BOX BEFORE THE BELL RINGS! • (hold onto) PP presentation on your individually/group assigned works. Students must print all PP slides in addition to any other research information used. PP presentation must be turned in in floppy or CD format (Other formats will not be accepted)

3. Weekly Forecast10/2/06 – 10/6/06 • Monday – Teacher Planning Day • Tuesday – (FCAT Retakes - Block schedule 1,3,5) Finish "Ajax." Discuss play in conjunction with other Greek works and review key Drama elements. • Wednesday – (FCAT Retakes - Block schedule 2,4,6) Finish "Ajax." Discuss play in conjunction with other Greek works and review key Drama elements. • Thursday – View & take notes on movie: "Clash of the Titans.” Students not watching film must report to the media center with alternate assignment. • Friday – View & take notes on movie: "Clash of the Titans.” Students not watching film must report to the media center with alternate assignment.

4. Home Learning By Monday 10/9: • Bring to class all required books. (Student's last name must be written on the side pages of each book). • Read introduction to Roman civilization pg 344-355. • Read "The Aeneid" pg 356, "Metamorphoses: The Story of Daedalus and Icarus" pg 398, "Seize the Day" & "Better to live, Licinius…" pg 392. • Write expository essay based on movie (see handout) Extra Credit: (2 grades) • Ancient Newspaper Article (see slides to follow) Have a great week!

5. Ancient NewspaperArticle… • Student will provide a creative newspaper article on his/her favorite chapter of Homer’s the “Iliad” (hanging display & hardcopy for writing sample folder) • This global news article is to resemble a catchy front page newspaper article that the Greek or Trojan people would have read during the time of the Trojan war. • The article must narrate the key events of the chapter, addressing typical Who? What? When? (use 1250 BC for the year of the war) Where? How? questions • Article must include at least 1 example of direct quoting (can be dialogue), 1 example of paraphrasing (small sections of text and stating it in your own words), and 1 example of summarizing (recount of large section of text). All citations must be in MLA format. Ex: Andromache pleaded with Hector (##).

6. Ancient NewspaperArticle… • After explaining what happened in the section, student will provide a concluding paragraph where he/she provides an overall evaluation of the section in terms of its function within the completed work (what is the purpose of this section in terms of the whole?). Since this is the evaluation of events, it should be related to the title of your article and the picture. • Conclude editorial with a persuasive call (gods, armies, citizens, etc) that can serve as a transition into the next book/section. • Be Creative! You may use mythological elements to report the news (ex: describe the manner in which you witnessed the events (flying through the clouds riding Pegasus); Zeus sent you a dream in mainland Greece about events happening in Troy; Apollo gave you a vision as one of his priests/priestesses of what’s going on, etc). Creativity is vital

7. Ancient NewspaperArticle… Items to bring to class on Monday are: • 3 copies of finished article (no dead space, color/make paper look aged, burn edges use glitter, lots of color!!!) • 1 sheet of construction paper (any color pre-cut to 10 to 11” x 13 to 14”) • 1 paper clip (any size) Project will count as 2 grades & the best will be displayed.

8. Perseus By: Jessica Ordax Period 6 10/03/06 Above we see Perseus holding up Medusa’s head. Courtesy of: Wikipedia.com

9. Courtesy of Dogpile images. Characters • King Acrisius of Argos • Danaë – only child of King Acrisius. • Perseus – son of Danaë and Zeus. • Dictys – humble fisherman. • Polydectes – ruler of the little island, and brother of Dictys. • Andromeda – daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. • King Cepheus + Queen Cassiopeia – rulers of Ethiopia. • Electryon – son of Perseus, and grandfather to Hercules. • Medusa – a gorgon, but the only one of the three that is mortal. • Gods: Zeus, Athena, Hermes, Apollo, Nereus, Demeter; The Furies, Gray women.

10. King Acrisius of Argos had only one child: Danaë (Hamilton 146) Since he bore no son he traveled to the land of Delphi to ask an oracle if he would ever have a boy (146) The oracle said he would not have a son, but a grandson who would destroy him (147) At this the king would have killed his daughter himself were it not for his fear of the outcome forshedding kindred blood(Furies would pursue murderers of kin) . Instead he had a house made of bronze and sunk it into the ground to guard her (147). Then Zeus came down and she knew she bore his son – Perseus (147). Eventually Acrisius found the child and when he found out he was a son of Zeus he dare not kill him, so he placed Danaë and Perseus in a chest and set out to sea (147). The next day they landed on an island where Dictys and wife cared for them like their own children (148). Polydectes wanted to marry Danaë, but she did not want to, and with her son to protect herPolydectes could do nothing (148). Polydectes then designed a plan and talked to Perseus about the Gorgon, and then extended an invitation to Perseus for his wedding, and that he must bring a present for the bride-to-be (148). PLOTpgs. 146 - 148 Courtesy of Dogpile images.

11. Just as Polydectes wanted, Perseus said aloud to all who were there that he would slay Medusa and bring back her head for the bride-to-be (148). He went with out his mothers permission and sailed to Greece to find where these beasts dwell (149). Once at Delphi the oracle told him: “seek the land where men eat not Demeter’s golden grain, but only acorns” (Perseus 149), and so he went to Dodona, he was lost though and out of nowhere came Hermes (149). Hermes explained that if he wanted to beat the Gorgons he must have the proper equipment, and so he needed to talk to the Gray Women to find the way to the nymphs of the North (149). The three Gray Women shared an eye and Hermes instructed Perseus that he was to get the eye in the transition of the eye was from one to the other (150). He did this as instructed and told them if they wanted to get their eye back they had to tell him how to get to the Path to the North nymphs, and they did (150). He, accompanied by Hermes, was on his way to the country of the Hyperboreans, past the North Wind, although the Gray Women told him: “Neither by ship nor yet by land shall one find the wondrous road to the gathering place if the Hyperboreans (150). When he finally reached the nymphs of the North he realized that they were very merry folk, and they partied all night, and gave him three very useful gifts: A silver wallet that adjusts to what ever size you need it, a cap of darkness, and winged sandals (151). PLOTPgs. 148-151 Courtesy of Dogpile images.

12. With these newly received gifts, along with the sword of Hermes and the shield of Athena, Perseus had newly found hope (150). With his reestablished confidence Perseus and Hermes took off towards the land of the “Terrible Sisters” in search of the gorgons (150). When Hermes and Perseus arrived the gorgons were fortunately sleeping and then Athena and Hermes pointed out Medusa, for she was the only mortal of the three sisters (150). Then with one swift cut he removed Medusa’s head, never of course, looking at her directly, but only through the shield (150). As soon as he placed Medusa’s head in the wallet her sisters awoke in search of the slayer, but Perseus had the cap of darkness on and was invisible (150). Upon his return, he stopped by Ethiopia where he was told that a very beautiful maiden was being offered to a terrible sea monster because her mother, Queen Cassiopeia had declared that she was even more beautiful than the daughters of Nereus, so in order to appease him and get ride of the sea monster they must offer Andromeda (151-153). As soon as Perseus saw her he fell in love with her, he then killed the serpent, and took her to her parents to ask for her hand in marriage, and they obviously agreed (153). Together they sailed back to the island, but the house was empty for his mother and Dictys had to flee from Polydectes, who was enraged that Danaë refused to marry him (153). Courtesy of Dogpile images. PLOTpgs.150- 153

13. Then Perseus herd that the king was holding a gathering with all his followers, and sought his chance for revenge (153). He went to the banquet and had everyone’s attention, and before they could look away he pulled out the head of Medusa, and they all turned to stone (153). After everyone herd that they were liberated of the tyrant it was easy for Perseus to locate his mother and Dictys became king of the island (153). Perseus and his mother decided to take Andromeda with them to Greece, in order to visit Acrisius and make up, but after arriving at Argos they were told that Acrisius had been driven out of the land as was nowhere to be found (153-154). In the mean time Perseus had herd of an athletic contest that was being held in the North, and he journeyed there in order to take part in it. When it came his turn to throw the discus, he flung it hard and it swerved hitting a spectator: Acrisius, who died instantly, proving Apollo’s oracle true (154). Perseus and Andromeda lived happily ever after with their son Electryon (154). Medusa’s head was given to Athena who placed it upon Zeus’ shield, which she constantly carried (154). PLOTpgs.153-154 Courtesy of Dogpile images.

14. Heroism –when Perseus kills Medusa and the serpent, by using not only his physical strength, but intellectual abilities ("Perseus, The Graeae and the Gorgon Medusa"). Role of the father figure – Polydectes and Dictys are the two sides of a father, one that shows love and attention, and one that shows ruthless and dangerous ("Perseus, The Graeae and the Gorgon Medusa"). Weak Women –woman are viewed as helpless and vain especially when Danaë is put in the bronze house, and chest, and then Andromeda is chained to the rock awaiting her doom, as if she was a piece of meat, a trophy and not a human being worth anything, and her mother is directly referred to as a “silly vain woman” (151) Courage/Bravery – when Perseus runs away without telling his mother, and when he kills Medusa, knowing that the wrath of her two sisters would follow (149;151). Cultural Characteristics Courtesy of Dogpile images.

15. Themes • Fear of the Gods –when Acrisius does not want to kill his daughter or his grandson for fear of the Gods (147). • Throwing child in the water –when Acrisius tossed Danaë and Perseus into the ocean this symbolized rebirth and made him seem even more heroic ("Perseus, The Graeae and the Gorgon Medusa") (Hamilton 147). • Divine Assistance –when Zeus helps the mother and child in the chest reach land, when Athena and Hermes help Perseus kill Medusa, and when the nymphs give Perseus three gifts, as well (148;151;151). Courtesy of Clipart. Courtesy of Dogpile Images. Courtesy of Clipart.

16. Conflicts… • Man vs. man: For example: between Danaë and Acrisius - her having a son, which is said to kill him in the future (147). • Man vs. supernatural being/external force: For instance - between Queen Cassiopeia and Nereus: She claimed she was more beautiful than his daughters (153). • Man vs. himself: when Perseus is mad at himself for having boasted about getting Medusa’s head (149). Courtesy of clipart. Courtesy of clipart.

17. Literary Devices • Epithets • Hermes: the guide; the giver; messenger of Zeus; son of Maia (149;151) • Metaphor • Perseus: “hurled the heavy missile” (154) • Similes • “And in that chamber secret as the grave” (147) • Personification • “…The shrill voice of the wind…”(148) • “…Perseus had been led by his angry pride…” (149)

18. VisualizeDanaë trapped in a small bronze house beneath the Earth hidden from the world with only the sky to comfort her:“So Danaë endures, the beautiful, to change the glad daylight for brass-bound walls, and in that chamber secret as the grave she lived a prisoner. Yet to her came Zeus in the golden rain.” Visualizebeing stranded and all of a sudden you spot a God, and you have renewed hope: “…when youth is loveliest…hope must have entered Perseus’ heart, for he would know that this cold be none other than Hermes…” (149). VisualizePerseus zooming by as fast as Hermes: “So over the sea the rich-haired Danaë’s son,…Flying swift as thought…” (151) Visualizea lonely terrified mother with her innocent baby fearing for her life as well as his tossed into the ocean by her own father:“When in the carven chest the winds and waves struck fear into her heart she put her arms, not without tears, round Perseus tenderly she said, O son, what grief is mine…(147) The night darkness visible the scudding waves so near your soft curls…”(148). Beautiful use of language/imagery To the left I have Danaë - Courtesy of Dogpile images. Courtesy of Paint. Courtesy of Clipart.

19. Unlikely event: Perseus finding Hermes in the midst of his desperation (149) Supernatural being: Medusa, Hermes, Athena, and the nymphs. Support social customs, attempt to explain features of the natural world, or guide people through life: when they make Perseus seem larger than life and the hero in all this story, when really the gods did all the work. Passed down by word of mouth: This is not directly proven, but all myths started out as oral traditions, and then were later written don on paper. Original authors are unknown: The original author is never known because ther are so many different versions, for the reason that it was passed down by word of mouth and it can easily be changed. Elements of myth Courtesy of Dogpile images.

20. Characterization of Perseus • Faithful – He is faithful to the Gods when he listens to their every word, he is also faithful to his word when he killed Medusa, as well as his mother for going back (150;151;153). • Determined – he is determined to get Medusa’s head for his own self-pride, and he will do anything to get it. • Foolish – for being so boastful and declaring such things that make him work so hard, to almost kill himself (148). • Wise – because he is given the help of the gods and he takes the opportunity- Athena gives him her shield and Hermes his sword(150). • Brave – for facing Medusa, although not completely alone (151). • A hero – because he accomplished what he said he would, and came out victorious over a gorgon, and a tyrant. Courtesy of Dogpile images.

21. Women: Mortals Were seen as a trophy, or a reward, not as capable humans, and are only made to look beautiful and serve the men “Danaë…the beautiful” (147). Women are stupid: “silly vain woman” (151). Men: Mortals Were seen as the ruler or master of the poor woman, they did what they pleased with the woman “here he shut her up and guarded her” (147); “the maiden was on a rocky ledge by the sea, chained there to wait for the coming of the monster” (153). Gods: Could sometimes help the mortals. Were unpredictable. (There is no explanation as to why Athena and Hermes help Perseus). Characterization Andromeda chained to the rock – Courtesy of Dogpile images. The gods helped Perseus take Medusa’s head – Courtesy of Dogpile images. Hermes, who helps Perseus – courtesy of Dogpile images.

22. Questions the text raised: • Why do Athena and Hermes help Perseus? • Why doesn’t the reflection turn you into stone? • Who do the Gods choose to help some mortals over others and why? • Why are women portrayed as insolent trinkets? • Why is the man the superior being? • Why do women appear to be dependant on men? • What is a hero? Courtesy of Dogpile images.

23. Purpose • The purpose of this myth was to show how if you listen to the gods you will prevail and achieve greatness. • It also demonstrates how Greeks view men and a hero. (they believed that a hero was someone who was strong and triumphant, and Perseus demonstrates that, he also demonstrates that in order to prevail you need intellect.

24. Vocabulary • Carven – past tense of carve (to cut as to form something). (147) • Scudding – to run or move quickly or hurriedly.(148) • Abode - to remain; continue; stay (149) • Shrouded - A cloth used to wrap a body for burial; a winding sheet. (149) • Folly – lack of understanding or sense. (149) • Revelry – boisterous festivity. (151) • Alighted – to come down and settle. (151)

25. Research • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_(mythology)– We find Perseus the story with its historical content and a little background with other links for a more in depth study of Perseus, as well as pictures. • http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/education/productions/eyecatcher/themes.shtml- The themes and cultural characteristics of Perseus. • http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/perseus.html&edu=elem– You’ll find a summary of the adventures of Perseus as well as his picture. • http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0838503.html- A summary of Perseus.

26. Perseus was son of Zeus and Danaë, who prevailed against multiple odds. His great achievements were due to the help of two Olympians: Athena and Perseus, and he is now viewed as one of Greek histories greatest characters. The cultural characteristics are intertwined with the themes and they include: heroism and fear of the gods. In Perseus we find multiple similes, metaphors, epithets and personification. We also find many conflicts: man vs. man, man vs. external force/supernatural being, etc. The author uses beautiful and descriptive language very often and it is depicted in depth in slide 11. The elements of a myth are the only way to tell a myth apart from just any other fairytale, some elements are: supernatural beings are present, has it has been passed down orally. Perseus is the main character and he is a very typical Greek “hero”. – strong, and brave. Women are viewed in a worthless manner, and men are beautiful in every way shape or form, while the Gods rule and are random, as well as unpredictable. What is a hero? The purpose of his quest is to fulfill his destiny and feel like a true accomplished man, as well as to try and explain the above question. Some new vocabulary words are: alighted, and folly. Conclusion

27. Work cited • Hamilton, Edith. "Perseus." Mythology 146 - 154. (Greek/Roman Literature packet) • "Perseus." Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia. 02 oct 2006. 01 OCT 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_(mythology)>. • "Eyecatcher." Perseus, The Graeae and the Gorgon Medusa. 02 oct 2006. 1 Oct 2006 <http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/education/productions/eyecatcher/themes.shtml >. • "infoplease." Perseus. 02 oct 2006. 1 Oct 2006 <http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0838503.html >. • "Windows to the universe." Perseus. 02 oct 2006. 1 Oct 2006 <http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/perseus.html&edu=elem>.

28. Pictures Cited • All courtesy of www.dogpile.com/images