Blogger #12 - Jed Liu - Period #1 - 04/26/2021 - Day A

Introduction: In today’s class, we covered two lessons, 3 RL SP Odyssey: Homer’s Invocation, & 4 RL SP Odyssey: Sailing from Troy & Lotus Eaters. Before the start of these lessons, we were asked to come up with a new team name, which was related to “The Odyssey.” For our group, we came up with “The Trojan Horse” and “The Lotus-Eaters.” In the end, we decided that “The Lotus-Eaters” was a better choice.

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3 RL SP Odyssey: Homer’s Invocation

Aim: How does Homer's invocation establish tone for the beginning of the Odyssey?

Do Now: Class Discussion 

How do you become inspired?  Where does it originate?

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For the Do Now, Ms. Peterson asked the class how we become inspired and where it originates from. To start off the conversation, Samiha shared that inspiration could come from anything. Personally, I agree with her as that was how I became inspired. However, other students became inspired through specific things. For example, Jonathan thought that music was inspiring as it could cause you to feel many different emotions (like sadness or happiness). Alyssa, on the other hand, felt that people could allow you to become inspired. For example, if there was someone you looked up to (like an idol), that person could allow you to become inspired.

After all the students had shared their answer, Ms. Peterson provided the class with a simple summary: “Inspiration comes from a variety of ways.”

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Nine Muses 

After completing the Do Now, our class began to learn of the Nine Muses. To start off, Ms. Peterson asked us to do some spirit reading (for Slide 2). By spirit reading, our class was able to get an understanding of the Nine Muses. For example, we learned that the Nine Muses were the nine goddesses of arts, literature, and science. They served as an inspiration for both poets and artists, which allowed them to create different forms of general writing, drama, poetry, etc.

After spirit reading, Ms. Peterson showed us a video, which allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of the Nine Muses. If you’re interested in watching the video, click on this link:Muses: The 9 Inspirational Goddesses of Greek Mythology - Mythology Dictionary 

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Invocation

After watching the video about the Nine Muses, we were asked to look up the term “invoke.” This would allow us to answer an important question, which is “What exactly is an invocation?” Ms. Peterson gave us a few minutes before asking the class what we had found. Samuel decided to start off the discussion as he told the class that to invoke means to express an emotion. Samuel also gave an example as he said that smelling food would invoke happiness. After he spoke, Jonathan shared what he found about the term, “invoke.” He said that to invoke was to “call on a duty or spirit and prayer as a witness or an inspiration.”

After finding the general meaning of the term “invoke,” our class read about Homer’s invocation. His invocation paid homage (honor/respect) to the goddesses and Ancient Greek culture. Along with this, he expresses the purpose of the narrative and he incorporates traditions that are familiar to his audience.

To end off the Invocation section, Ms. Peterson asked us to spirit read Homer’s Invocation (which was Lines 1-17). To access Homer’s Invocation click on this link: Homer's Invocation 

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GROUP DISCUSSION

After reading Homer’s Invocation, Ms. Peterson asked our class to break up into groups in order to discuss the 3 following questions. When we had finished discussing as a group, we were pulled into the main room to discuss as a class.

1. What is your opinion of Odysseus so far after hearing Homer's invocation to the muses and learning about the Trojan War?

To start off the class discussion, Aiden decided to share what his group had discussed about. First off, he stated that he believed that Odysseus was the protagonist. Along with this, he said that in lines 10-11, it stated, “But not by will nor valor could he save them, for their own recklessness destroyed them all.” This means that the people with him weren’t capable to survive like Odysseus was. To add on, Katherine wanted to mention that Odysseus could be considered a hero. This was because Odysseus had actually tried to save his shipmates, but he couldn’t as their fates had already been decided. Personally, my group discussed something that was similar to what Aiden and Katherine had pointed out.

2. How does Homer maintain the audience’s interest in the story, knowing that the audience is aware of the outcome from the very beginning?

In order to introduce this question, Ms. Peterson tells the class what the audience is aware of, which was that Odyssey managed to return home (despite the challenges he faced along the way). Afterwards, Alyssa decided to start the conversation by comparing this story to a Netflix show. If you find a description of a Netflix show interesting, you would want to figure out how the story plays out along the way. Like the Netflix show, despite knowing the outcome, the audience would want to see what happened prior to the outcome. Along with this, Andrew also pointed out that knowing the outcome of the story (when the characters don’t) is an interesting concept.

3. What does the invocation of the Muse in the opening lines clarify about Odysseus’ culpability (responsibility for a fault or wrong; blame) during his voyage home?

 

To start off the conversation, Nikolas believed that the invocation of the Muse (in the opening lines) takes the blame off of Odysseus. This is because the invocation clarified that Odysseus didn’t eat Helios’s (the sun god) cattle. Instead, it was his crewmates who ate the cattle, which explains why they received a different fate compared to Odysseus.

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Anticipation Guide 

After finishing the group discussion, Ms. Peterson asked the class to complete an anticipation guide. To access the form click on the following link: Anticipation Guide. The Anticipation Guide consisted of various statements (like “I’d rather be a coward alive than a dead hero.”) We were then asked whether we agreed with the statement, disagreed with it, or was unsure whether we agreed or disagreed. The last question of the anticipation guide was a well-developed paragraph, which elaborated on our position for one of the statements. As a demonstration, for this question, I agreed with the statement, “Any goal can be accomplished and any obstacle can be overcome with enough courage and determination.” Afterwards, I explained my position using stories from other people along with my personal experiences.  

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4 RL SP Odyssey: Sailing from Troy & Lotus Eaters

Aim: How does “Sailing From Troy” and “The Lotus Eaters”

(Book IX) establish Odysseus’ role as a leader?

Do Now: Team List

Consider the fact that Odysseus has been trying to return to his home in Ithaca for 10 years. Imagine being away from your home for that long.

1. What would you miss the most and why? 

2. Why do we have sayings like the ones below?

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For the Do Now, our class was asked what we would miss about home, why we would miss it, and why we have sayings like “Home Sweet Home.” To start off the conversation, Jonathan said that he would miss the environment of your home. You would know where everything is and would have a feeling of safety and protection. Along with this, Annie brought up that she would miss the people that live in her house (like her parents). In her home, her parents would look after her, but in the outside world, you would feel alone (as your loved ones wouldn’t be around you).

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Characterization 

Characterization is the method that an author uses in order to create the personality and appearance of a character.

Direct Characterization is when the author makes DIRECT STATEMENTS about a character. -> Can be revealed through a narrator or another character.

***THE AUTHOR TELLS THE READER WHAT THEY WANT THE READER TO KNOW.***

Indirect Characterization is when the author makes INDIRECT STATEMENTS about a character. -> Can be revealed from a character’s actions, their choices, their feelings, their thoughts, and their dialogue/relationship with others.

***THE AUTHOR SHOWS THE READER WHAT THEY WANT THE READER TO KNOW.***

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For Indirect Characterization, you can use the STEAL method. 

Speech (What does the character say and how does the character speak?)

Thoughts (What is revealed from the character’s thoughts and feelings?)

Effect on others toward the character

(How does the character affect other people and how do

other characters feel about the character’s actions?)

Actions (What does the character do and how does the character behave?)

Looks (What does the character look like and how does the character dress?)

To gain a greater understanding of characterization, click on this link:Characterization Lesson Using Frozen

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Spirit Reading

After discussing indirect and direct characterization, we moved onto Spirit Reading. By the end of the period, we finished reading the sections, “Sailing from Troy” and “Lotus Eaters.” If you want to read it yourself, click on this link: "Sailing from Troy" and "Lotus Eaters" 

There were also group discussion questions on the slides. However, due to the lack of time, we were unable to start them. However, we asked to review these questions on our own time.

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Reflection: 

This lesson was important as it taught me the difference between indirect characterization and direct characterization. To start off, direct characterization is when the author makes direct statements about a character (through a narrator or another character). On the other hand, indirect characterization is when the author creates indirect statements based on a character’s actions, thoughts, feelings, choices, and relationships/dialogue. Learning about this would allow me to understand more about characters in different stories. Along with this, I would use characterization when writing for school or in my free time. I love writing stories and characterization would allow me to improve my writing and make the story more interesting. This lesson had also introduced me to the Odyssey and taught me more about Greek mythology. First off, since I learned more about Greek mythology, I would be able to understand the Odyssey better. This would make reading the Odyssey a more enjoyable experience. Along with this, reading the Odyssey and learning about Greek mythology would allow me to understand other books more. I loved reading the Percy Jackson series and would love to read other books related to Greek mythology. When I do read other books, the information I learned today would be very helpful. Lastly, teamwork was an essential skill that I used during the group discussions. In the future, this skill could be used for other group assignments, and even in future jobs. In conclusion, this lesson was very important and I recommend that you review it using the blogs located on the English syllabus.

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