Magister Yeats
M4.01
Where to Find Mythical Creatures
BELL WORK
What is your favorite mythical creature?
WE WILL
YOU WILL
Take a quiz over concepts discussed in today's slideshow.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this video exploring why we have difficulties correctly describing what dinosaurs looked like (11:41). In your journal, describe how this could cause us to create mythical creatures.
M4.02
The Origins of the Dragon
BELL WORK
Draw your own dragon!
WE WILL
Watch a VSauce video exploring the evolutionary interpretation and cultural significance of dragons (14:42).
YOU WILL
Read 5 different possible origins for dragons in myth.
Respond to the self-reflection questions and questions over the video.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Check out this article from medium exploring the potential biology behind real-life dragons.
M4.03 a-b
Dragons in Chinese Myth
BELL WORK
(a) Watch the myth behind the animals of the Chinese zodiac.
(b) Class discussion: Was there anything about the dragons you researched that surprised you?
WE WILL
Read about the variety and significance of various dragons in myth. (a)
YOU WILL
(a) Select a dragon to research. Write a paragraph giving an overview of your dragon.
(b) Present your findings to your groups.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read about dragons in a variety of east Asian cultures!
M4.04
The Dragon of Eden and Revelations
BELL WORK
What comes to mind when you hear the number 666?
WE WILL
Discuss the significance of the snake of the garden of Eden.
Discuss the significance and historical meaning of the "mark of the Beast."
YOU WILL
Read the passages from Genesis and Revelation.
Respond to reflection questions.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
M4.05
JormungandrThe World Serpent of the Norse
BELL WORK
Watch an introduction of Jormungandr (runs 5:10).
WE WILL
Discuss the significance of Ragnarock in Norse myth.
YOU WILL
Read an overview of the story and significance of Jormungandr in Norse mythology. Write a 1-paragraph summary about Jormungandr in your notebook.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Research the term OURABOROS. What Jungian archetypal meaning might it have to human beings?
M4.06
The Dragon of Beowulf
BELL WORK
Discuss the representation dragons and serpents in Biblical texts.
WE WILL
Watch the OSP summary of Beowulf.
YOU WILL
Read the last battle and death of Beowulf.
Respond to the following prompt: How does the depiction of the dragon in Beowulf reflect the blend of pre-Christian Norse belief and Christianity in northern Europe? Cite evidence from the reading of Beowulf above.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
M4.07
Magic Horses
BELL WORK
What do you know about Pegasus the flying horse?
WE WILL
Watch a Crash Course Mythology video covering a variety of horse myths.
YOU WILL
Read about the Trojan Horse and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Answer overview questions on horse myths.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
M4.08
The Spider and the Loom
BELL WORK
How do you feel about spiders?
WE WILL
Discuss general trends in myth surrounding spiders.
YOU WILL
Read the myth of Arachne from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Make your own artwork either glorifying the gods or criticizing the gods! (Be warned: I can't guarantee you won't turn into a spider).
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Learn about the Japanese Jorogumo (10:04).
M4.09
Spider Grandmother
BELL WORK
Discuss spider myths and their depictions of spiders up to this point.
WE WILL
Watch the video of Navajo Nation member Geri Kearns narrate from her children's book Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun.
YOU WILL
Read two short myths of Spider Woman, then answer the response question: Which of the spider myths did you like the most? Why? Did any of these myths change the way you think about spiders?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Learn about the Japanese Jorogumo (10:04).
M4.10
Anansi
BELL WORK
Quick review of Spider Grandmother and Arachne.
Describe the cultural origins and spread of Anansi stories.
Listen to Jamaican storyteller Pamela Mordecai explain how Anansi Stories got their name (runs 9:38).
WE WILL
Read a collection of mini-stories of Anansi.
YOU WILL
Choose three stories and describe what each of them tell us fairness in life and in society.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
M4.11
Sea Monsters!
BELL WORK
What are some famous sea monsters you know about?
WE WILL
Complete a gallery walk of various mythical sea creatures.
YOU WILL
Answer this question with a comparative mythological lens: What are 5 attributes commonly seen in sea creatures? Cite two different animals for each of the attributes.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read about the mythos of Godzilla. How does it fit into the framework you created above?
M4.12
The Vampire
BELL WORK
What do you know about vampires?
WE WILL
Watch the the Timeline documentary about Vampire folklore from around the world.
YOU WILL
Write down 10 things you learned and put in your reader's notebook.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Explore this list of vampires from a wide range of cultures. How do they differ from the popular European conception of vampires?
M4.13
Cyborgs, Robots, and AI
BELL WORK
How old do you think stories about artificial intelligence go back?
WE WILL
Watch a TEDed about the myth of Talos (4:07).
Watch a video exploring a brief history of robots (8:50) and how machines are developing (12:06).
YOU WILL
Answer these reflection questions:
Why do you think human beings are so interested in creating robots?
Why do you think human beings are so afraid of robots turning against us?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Check out this famous scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey of AI turning against humanity. Have you heard this referenced before? What makes HAL so intimidating?
M4.14 a-b
The Monkey King
BELL WORK
What do you already know about Sun Wukong?
WE WILL
Watch a Ted-Ed describe how Sun Wukong tricked death.
Discuss the major literary source, Journey to the West.
Describe personality traits of Sun Wukong.
YOU WILL
Read the synopsis of Journey to the West
Read the story of Sun Wukong's conversion.
Answer the reflection question.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
M4.15
Yeti and Bigfoot
BELL WORK
Class poll: Do you believe in Yeti, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or other mystery primates?
WE WILL
Watch It's Okay to Be Smart review of the evidence for Bigfoot (6:42).
YOU WILL
Read an selection about the existence of the Yeti.
In your journal, answer the following reflection questions:
Why does the Yeti appear in various cultures?
Why does the story of the Yeti remain so popular today?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Check out this entertaining episode of Buzzfeed: Unsolved about Bigfoot (+20 min.).
M4.16 a-c
Summative: Make Your Own Beast Myth!
BELL WORK
What has been your favorite creature in this unit?
WE WILL
(A) Review the mythical monsters covered in this unit. (a)
(A-B) Create your own mythical creature. You'll need
A drawing of your creature
A paragraph description of its size, behavior, diet, and habitat.
Some physical "evidence" for the existence of your creature.
YOU WILL
(C) Present your findings to the class in a 2-3 minute presentation.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Check out this entertaining episode of Buzzfeed: Unsolved about Bigfoot (+20 min.).