Narrative Writing Unit
We will begin with a short annimated film to generate ideas and discussion.  For each film, write a narrative in which you retell the story from any perspective you choose.  Be sure to include many details from the film.  You may focus on the discussion questions posted with each film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNF6zH3pjDU
Tir Nan Og - animated short film directed by Fursy Teyssier  --  Class Handout
How is death personified in this film?  What do the crows represent?  Where is the grandmother going?  How does the little child change in her perception?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ExqQTNklk
Invasions, the Animated Short Film  --  Class Handout
Why are aliens visiting our planet?  From his perspective, how would this alien most likely describe humans?  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEjUAnPc2VA
Pigeon: Impossible
This is a funny film that parodies a more serious topic.  What would the director of this film say about technology and weapons of mass destruction?  How easy would it be to have a serious accident?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOiyD26cJ2A
For The Birds 
The birds in this film parody human behavior.  Describe the behavior of the flock and the newcomer.  What is ironic about the
ending?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwPc0kK9VHU
Best Idea Ever!
Describe the scientific history this film is parodying.  Who is this character supposed to be?  What discovery did you expect him to discover?  What does this say about the accidental nature of science?  
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy1XZzvJxas
The History of Greed
This film parodies the real tragic flaw of greed.  How does the man's greed make him lose something great?

Book Trailers:  At the end of the year you will create book trailers.  You will be allowed to work in pairs or on your own.  To
get ideas, check out some of these selections:
http://readwritetalk.wordpress.com/tag/book-trailers-for-young-adult-books/
http://yabibliophile.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/best-book-trailers-out-for-young-adult-books/
http://digitalbooktalk.com/?page_id=6

To celebrate Halloween we are studying "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. We also will view some
movie clips to compare and contrast and study tone and mood in each version: Disney Version, Part 3 and Part 4  will be compared to the trailer for Tim Burton's version.  If you'd like to watch the whole Disney version from home, here are Part 1
and Part 2.Here is a clip from the Tim Burton film, showing the battle between Ichabod and the Headless Horseman.
Later in the month you will see a sample book trailer project for the legend, and another student project.

O'Henry Unit
Listen to this 1908 recording of O’Henry speaking to hisreaders.  What is he saying about life and fiction?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGqXk66yE4A

Learn how O’Henry’s life experiences influenced his writing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw320Zj8BBM

 Listen to the short story “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0gM-fSqqc

 Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Ransom of Red Chief” and “The Gift of the Magi” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ54x0Zu_aU&playnext=1&list=PL2FCB78883B0D936A&feature=results_main

 You can also watch “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhs1pHyGOI

Watch the 1949 series O’Henry’s Full House featuring “The Clarion Call” and “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68pI8Jx8pM

 Check out this anime version of “The Last Leaf” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLshC3QsGPU

 This short film was created for READ magazine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWFU5-3k7Qc

 This is an absolutely beautiful Illuminated Text interpretation of The Last Leaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zod9NsTKdhc



Mythology Unit
Have you read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, or have you seen the film?  Here are some good links:
Watch the trailer for The Lightning Thief and you’ll want to see the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz16VQucNC0
 Here is a different trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI08-pCFJj0Which do you think is more enticing? Which
is more effective?  Do you like graphic novels? Here is a two-minute sample of the graphic version of The Lightning
Thief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uenNt00CSKw

You can compare the Medusa scene to the two film clips below.  This scene with “Percy” from The Lightning Thief
shows an updated version.  Notice the iPod replacing the reflective shield!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Y4q2m9OFE

Prometheus and Pandora


Here are some examples of mythology in the media:
Cartoon from 1955 retelling of the story of the Trojan Horse    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RYGQQ_qybY

Trojan Horse clip from the movie “Troy” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbiR6IMf5KQ

 Odysseus and the Cyclops http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv2d0-dRrHI

 Medusa battle from Clash of the Titans (1981) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBfe9uX0Xk0

 Medusa battle from Clash of the Titans (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X7W-oPhY48
 
The awakening of Talos – Jason and the Argonauts (1963) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q17dl_aUNf4
 
Sinbad – Cyclops scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a77pycC78Q0
 
Cyclops – Wrath of the Titans trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYidyntB5OI
 
Prometheus – how the myth is related to the film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7CChfYoO_I

Thinking about creating a video for your myth and legends project?  Here are some samples:
 
Icarus and Daedalus

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yp_igX-sDs  Jim Henson’s production

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOT5bgFw-Pc     A student-made stop-motion film

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W1TZ16W-3k    Stop-motion with Legos

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMnl2AM5zZY    Animated short film

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAM2JW8Oi3Q  Great animation, in Russian language

 King Midas and the Golden Touch:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caApLT_CLJ8  Ken dolls, puppets and Legos

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSZmdB9Qo1o   Stop-motion filming.  Very creative

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1hrUPVI4Os&list=PLMxP6s6r9BOEFPENEw-CU6cIlbwYdf2XJ  Muppets

 Narcissus and Echo:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6HVoM8o5i8   Part 1 of a student project using the Sims 2 program

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ci32xjQtUoPart 2 of the Sims 2 project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzHC3ePHTiY  Shadow puppets


You may be interested in seeing the art, stories, and videos created by young fans of mythology like yourselves, from all over the world.  Since this site is considered social networking, you may only access it from home and with your parents’ permission. http://www.fanpop.com/search?query=greek+mythology


For student-written fiction and poetry based on Greek Mythology http://www.fanfiction.net/misc/Greek-Mythology/ as long as you get your parents' permission and only select things with a “K, K+, or T” rating.  
 
To explore the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, there are many fans who are creating amazing artwork and creative writings at http://percyjacksonfanfiction.wikia.com/wiki/Percy_Jackson_Fanfiction_Wiki

 Another Percy Jackson site is http://www.fanfiction.net/book/Percy-Jackson-and-the-Olympians/   Just remember to check with your parents and stick with the “K, K+ and T” ratings.

Many of the works published by teens on these sites are examples of the type of creative work I expect for the Myths and Legends Project.  Some featured Myth and Legend projects --
Mythology Project from Sayville Middle School
"Finding Sasquatch" by Stephen M, Billy K, Chris H, and Dan L
"Narcissus: The Man Who Loved Himself" by Mary R
"Bigfoot from Sagamore" by Ali C, Nick S, Colt W

As you make the final edits to your project, make sure there are the following elements:
1. Knowledge:  The reader or viewer can learn about the myth you studied.  There is a summary of the myth or legend somewhere in the project.
2. Artistic Expression:  You added your creativity and artwork to the project, making it interesting to the viewer or reader.

Essay:  Your next writing task is to write a Thematic Essay about Greek Mythology.  You should use the outline we filled out in class and use the copies of the stories to pull evidence from the text.


Persuasive Writing Unit
An On-Going Debate: Is "Fracking" Good or Bad? 
Our latest debate is over the use of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking" to get shale gas.  We will read articles which argue for and against fracking.  We also will critically view several short clips and read passages to find persuasive techniques.
    1.  ExxonMobil explains how "safe and wonderful" fracking is.
    2.  FOX News argues that the movie “Promised Land” is biased (one-sided) and unfair to the oil and gas industry.
    3.  A woman shows what is happening to her water supply after fracking began near her home.
    4. Pardon the title of this clip, but this short ad is very compelling.
    5. Rachel Maddow, from MSNBC, explains fracking differently compared to Exxon Mobil.   Why is that?
Who has convinced you?  Why?  Write notes based on two articles and at least two of the clips.  Select a position and write your persuasive argument for or against the use of fracking.  Be sure to use "logos" (persuasive data and facts from research).

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos: Three Persuasive Techniques 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAsxyffBqm0
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtQEnERhSY
 Okay, now test your knowledge with this collection of clips from ads.  

What are they mostly using: ethos, logos, or pathos? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDXK1dFY_Pc&list=PLFD277C14B609DBC9
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PwiljBN5-8&list=PLFD277C14B609DBC9
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0tgheca5HM&list=PL19280887E9B189D2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0&list=PL19280887E9B189D2
Wow! This ad is persuasive! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U&list=PLFD277C14B609DBC9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwRISkyV_B8&list=PLD4284B0B4A0EB5D8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGJNxCxB-s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qy8v1ghy38