Students used their imaginations and creativity as they wrapped up their study of "Theseus and the Minotaur" with booklets illustrating the story, including group members' reviews of the tale. This week they will be treated to two myths. Today we listened to the story of "Demeter and Persephone," usually heard by children as a nature myth that explains the changing seasons. However, after discussing the characters and their actions, students have come to realize that there are many more layers to this story than first appears, and that ultimately, it shows us what it means to be human. We also viewed a slide show of paintings and sculptures portraying the characters in the story, as well as photographs of the ruins of Demeter's temple and sacred well, and Hecate's cave (thought to be an entrance to the Underworld).
Next up is the story of "Perseus and the Medusa", another hero's journey that involves both gods and monsters. Perseus is given gifts of the gods, but he must have the inner wisdom and courage to use them to his advantage. Students will engage both of this week's myths through creative writing activities. They will work on the first one, a Persephone or Hades diary, this week. Next week they will write a Perseus travelogue pamphlet.
Homework:
Monday/Tuesday: catch up on reading/charting (through the story of Demeter); if didn't finish Theseus page, need to do so!
Wednesday/Thursday: read Birth of the Twins & Artemis (due Friday); draft of diary entry due Friday for conferencing
Friday: Final draft of diary entry due Monday (PRINTED!)
Persephone/Hades Diary Instructions
Diary brainstorming organizer
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Wisdom Begins in Wonder --Socrates
Today we spent some time wondering about Greek mythology: what do the myths have to do with us today? What can we learn from god(desse)s who possess supernatural powers along with human characteristics? How does ancient Greek culture influence our own literature, art, and music? We will revisit these questions as we hear and read the stories of the Greek gods and goddesses.
We have officially set sail for ancient Greece, and our ship will at times be navigated by artist-in-residence Nick Kachulis. Nick is a resident of Florence; he is a Greek scholar, musician, and visiting teacher in public and charter schools. We began the "Celebration of Ancient Greece" program about 15 years ago, yet each year our curricular activities morph based on students' interests as well as changing standards. Throughout our unit, Nick will visit each week to tell myths, introduce us to ancient Greek art forms and drama, and to guide students with their research projects. Our journey through ancient Greece will end in June with a showcase of students' projects and performances (date tba). [Note: this program is funded by a grant from the JFK PTO and the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Schools Grant]
Homework:
Monday: read Zeus & Hera in mythology book; domain pic due Wed.
Tuesday: read Athena; domain pic due tomorrow
Wednesday: catch up on reading if needed
Thursday: none unless you owe something
Friday: read Poseidon & Hades (if didn't finish in class); begin putting the god(desse)s you've read so far on your chart [you will also have time to work on this on Monday in class]
Domain pic assignment
Theseus and the Minotaur animated video
We have officially set sail for ancient Greece, and our ship will at times be navigated by artist-in-residence Nick Kachulis. Nick is a resident of Florence; he is a Greek scholar, musician, and visiting teacher in public and charter schools. We began the "Celebration of Ancient Greece" program about 15 years ago, yet each year our curricular activities morph based on students' interests as well as changing standards. Throughout our unit, Nick will visit each week to tell myths, introduce us to ancient Greek art forms and drama, and to guide students with their research projects. Our journey through ancient Greece will end in June with a showcase of students' projects and performances (date tba). [Note: this program is funded by a grant from the JFK PTO and the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Schools Grant]
Homework:
Monday: read Zeus & Hera in mythology book; domain pic due Wed.
Tuesday: read Athena; domain pic due tomorrow
Wednesday: catch up on reading if needed
Thursday: none unless you owe something
Friday: read Poseidon & Hades (if didn't finish in class); begin putting the god(desse)s you've read so far on your chart [you will also have time to work on this on Monday in class]
Domain pic assignment
Theseus and the Minotaur animated video
Monday, April 8, 2019
"A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom." --Robert Frost
I can't say that all students respond with delight to the thought of poetry writing. It's often met with at least a couple of outward groans, and maybe some inner sighs as well. But I can say that I have had the pleasure over the course of many years to watch the metamorphosis occur from sighs and groans to pleasure and pride! Poetry is, in fact, the perfect vehicle for students--anyone really--to express their thoughts, ideas and emotions in fresh new ways.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, we will be reading and writing poems this week. After those initial groans, I think that today's "line auction" successfully triggered some delight! Students were asked, as a "do now" activity, to write one line of poetry on a piece of paper and not share it with anyone. Then, once all lines were dropped in a basket, I held a line auction: when students heard a line they loved, they needed to shoot their hand in the air to claim it. And so the delight began as students considered their line as inspiration for a free verse poem; to let their minds take that line in any direction and to use the line anywhere within the poem. The wisdom that often emanates from children's poetry and their creative play with language then becomes the teacher's delight!
Mid-week I will launch a "chain poem" which is generated from a stream of consciousness list of words. The final poem will be inspired by French artist Francis Picabia who said, "Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." Students will be challenged to craft a poem about a thought, idea, or belief that at some point changes direction, both in their minds and within their poems.
Though we've run out of time for a separate unit on poetry, we will engage in this week's intensive workshop and I will incorporate poetry into our Greek mythology unit which will begin after April break. This poetry writing will also tie into our field trip in late May to the Smith College museum, botanical garden, and Paradise Pond, where students will engage in learning activities related to the "Plastic Entanglements" exhibit. Our poetry writing and possible art project connected to the field trip is part of an international program called "River of Words" (see attached link), which I lead in collaboration with Smith professor Carol Berner, and former parent/teacher/poets Margaret Babbott and Nancy Allen.
River of Words Program
I'm so pleased to say that one of my students from last year, Trey Rivera, was nominated as a finalist in the ROW poetry contest! His poem will be published in digital and print volumes of all finalists' work. This was his poem:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10epnPWlLZ9FJ0MNOZcWutp9r3ts3hsN12h7r_OGW0E4/edit
Resources for those who didn't save the handout:
Literary Devices p. 1
Literary Devices pg. 2
Poetry Writing Criteria
Homework:
Mon-Tues: final draft "line auction" poem due (PRINTED to turn in!) WEDNESDAY
Wed-Thurs: final draft "chain poem" due (PRINTED) FRIDAY
Friday: work on "Our heads are round" poem; due Monday 4/22 (PRINTED to turn in)
Our Heads Are Round Poem Instructions/Example
Our Heads Are Round Brainstorming Chart
Please note: anyone traveling over break who cannot work on this poem can have extra time to complete it (just see me upon return to determine a due date).
In celebration of National Poetry Month, we will be reading and writing poems this week. After those initial groans, I think that today's "line auction" successfully triggered some delight! Students were asked, as a "do now" activity, to write one line of poetry on a piece of paper and not share it with anyone. Then, once all lines were dropped in a basket, I held a line auction: when students heard a line they loved, they needed to shoot their hand in the air to claim it. And so the delight began as students considered their line as inspiration for a free verse poem; to let their minds take that line in any direction and to use the line anywhere within the poem. The wisdom that often emanates from children's poetry and their creative play with language then becomes the teacher's delight!
Mid-week I will launch a "chain poem" which is generated from a stream of consciousness list of words. The final poem will be inspired by French artist Francis Picabia who said, "Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." Students will be challenged to craft a poem about a thought, idea, or belief that at some point changes direction, both in their minds and within their poems.
Though we've run out of time for a separate unit on poetry, we will engage in this week's intensive workshop and I will incorporate poetry into our Greek mythology unit which will begin after April break. This poetry writing will also tie into our field trip in late May to the Smith College museum, botanical garden, and Paradise Pond, where students will engage in learning activities related to the "Plastic Entanglements" exhibit. Our poetry writing and possible art project connected to the field trip is part of an international program called "River of Words" (see attached link), which I lead in collaboration with Smith professor Carol Berner, and former parent/teacher/poets Margaret Babbott and Nancy Allen.
River of Words Program
I'm so pleased to say that one of my students from last year, Trey Rivera, was nominated as a finalist in the ROW poetry contest! His poem will be published in digital and print volumes of all finalists' work. This was his poem:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10epnPWlLZ9FJ0MNOZcWutp9r3ts3hsN12h7r_OGW0E4/edit
Resources for those who didn't save the handout:
Literary Devices p. 1
Literary Devices pg. 2
Poetry Writing Criteria
Homework:
Mon-Tues: final draft "line auction" poem due (PRINTED to turn in!) WEDNESDAY
Wed-Thurs: final draft "chain poem" due (PRINTED) FRIDAY
Friday: work on "Our heads are round" poem; due Monday 4/22 (PRINTED to turn in)
Our Heads Are Round Poem Instructions/Example
Our Heads Are Round Brainstorming Chart
Please note: anyone traveling over break who cannot work on this poem can have extra time to complete it (just see me upon return to determine a due date).
Monday, April 1, 2019
Tests and Presentations
This week students should be wrapping up and rehearsing their slideshow presentations which will begin on Thursday in each class. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing about each student's book, and I'm sure their classmates do too! Hopefully, everyone will hear about at least one other book that they would like to read.
Sandwiched in between slideshow creation and presentations is the ELA MCAS test on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. We have discussed the importance of shutting off electronics (including phones, computers) early in the evening this week so that students get a good night's sleep. As well, we've emphasized the importance of breakfast that includes protein and excludes an abundance of sugar (this will cause them to get sleepy during the testing block). Please know that the test does not affect students' school grades, but that their performance does affect JFK's rating in the eyes of the department of education. We emphasize that students use their knowledge and resources and apply best effort to do their very best.
Nonfiction Book Talk Slideshows
Sandwiched in between slideshow creation and presentations is the ELA MCAS test on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. We have discussed the importance of shutting off electronics (including phones, computers) early in the evening this week so that students get a good night's sleep. As well, we've emphasized the importance of breakfast that includes protein and excludes an abundance of sugar (this will cause them to get sleepy during the testing block). Please know that the test does not affect students' school grades, but that their performance does affect JFK's rating in the eyes of the department of education. We emphasize that students use their knowledge and resources and apply best effort to do their very best.
Nonfiction Book Talk Slideshows
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