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 tasksA 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

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Assessment Examples Journal Scoring Guide

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Writing Checklist

Rich Text Format

Wiki Spaces http://evolutionofwomen2010.wikispaces.com/

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.