In this lesson, students recognize the cultural contributions of ancient Greek and Roman mythology and drama. They will read and analyze a myth and then create a puppet skit to demonstrate the myth.

Read the explanation the ancient Greeks had for earthquakes.  Then read the explantion we use today.  Then compare the two.  

Below are two articles that explain why earthquakes occur. The first article explains this occurance from the perspective of the ancient Greeks and the second is a modern day explanation. After reading both articles, discuss the questions at the end of the story. You shoud also complete the Venn DIagram to compare and contrast the information found in both stories.  

Read the explanation the ancient Greeks had for earthquakes.  Then read the explantion we use today.  Then compare the two.  

The 12th grade learning experience consists of 7 mostly month-long units aligned to the Common Core State Standards, with available course material for teachers and students easily accessible online. Over the course of the year there is a steady progression in text complexity levels, sophistication of writing tasks, speaking and listening activities, and increased opportunities for independent and collaborative work. Rubrics and student models accompany many writing assignments.Throughout the 12th grade year, in addition to the Common Read texts that the whole class reads together, students each select an Independent Reading book and engage with peers in group Book Talks. Language study is embedded in every 12th grade unit as students use annotation to closely review aspects of each text. Teacher resources provide additional materials to support each unit.

The laws that govern and the social norms that regulate society are not always fair, legal, moral, or ethical. What is a person to do about all this injustice? What are the hazards of righting injustices or changing social norms? And what are the dangers of doing nothing?

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Students read and annotate Antigone, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” and Pygmalion.
Students write a literary analysis showing the effect of social class or the law on a character’s life.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

These questions are a guide to stimulate thinking, discussion, and writing on the themes and ideas in the unit. For complete and thoughtful answers and for meaningful discussions, students must use evidence based on careful reading of the texts.

How do social class and legal institutions shape literary characters’ lives (and presumably our lives)?
How does social class affect a person in dealing with the law (protect a person, hurt a person)?
How is social class determined in America and in other places in the world?

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT: Cold Read

During this unit, on a day of your choosing, we recommend you administer a Cold Read to assess students’ reading comprehension. For this assessment, students read a text they have never seen before and then respond to multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. The assessment is not included in this course materials.

In this lesson, students will take a survey about justice and the law and discuss the results. Then they will learn about the ongoing Independent Reading assignment they’ll be doing over the course of the unit.

This online digital exhibit provides pertinent information on the epic hero, Hercules. The site contains a bio, myths, other notable characters, and documentation of the twelve labors of Hercules. There are also pertinent links provided for further study of Greece and the epic hero.

The hero's journey is an ancient story pattern that can be found in texts from thousands of years ago or in newly released Hollywood blockbusters. This interactive tool will provide students with background on the hero's journey and give them a chance to explore several of the journey's key elements. Students can use the tool to record examples from a hero's journey they have read or viewed or to plan out a hero's journey of their own.

Students will read a tsunami myth based in Japan. They will analyze the effect of the setting on character and plot details. Then, they will rewrite the myth to take place in an alternative location.

Mythweb is a reference site which may be used in conjunction with studying Greek mythology and Greek Heroes. The resource contains full versions of heroic myths such as Hercules. There are is also a fully searchable encyclopedia, which may be used as a method of assistance during study of Greek literature.

Using the topic of Mythology, students will work through various activities to learn the characteristics of a Narrative Essay. This particular unit will/should take place prior to writing the Narrative Essay. Many of the lessons address how to identify, create, apply and analyze point of view, theme, dialogue punctuation, argumenative qualities and citing direct and indirect evidence.

This writing assessment can be used within an informational, research-based unit. Students will spend time, in class, reading myths based on natural disasters and researching a natural disaster. Students will create their own, original myth based on their independent research.

This writing assessment can be used within an informational, research-based unit. Students will spend time, in class, reading myths based on natural disasters and researching a natural disaster. Students will create their own, original myth based on their independent research.

Compare the Greek and Roman gods' attributes with the characteristics of our planets.  

Students will read a tsunami myth based in Japan. They will analyze the effect of the setting on character and plot details. Then, they will rewrite the myth to take place in an alternative location.

This collection uses primary sources to explore Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.