Vote for the Most Interesting Greek Myths

5 TERRIFYING TALES FROM GREEK MYTHOLOGY

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/greek-myths/

The 10 Greatest Heroes of Greek Mythology

https://www.thoughtco.com/greatest-greek-heroes-118992

Top 10 Heroes of Greek Mythology

https://www.teachervision.com/heroes-role-models/top-10-heroes-greek-mythology

Help with Homework Week of 8/20/18

Until we have our textbooks and Chromebooks, please use these simple resources for your Read and Respond Questions.

Grade 12 Brit Lit

History of the English Language

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_English

Homework Read and Respond Questions

8/21/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

Did Latin influence the English Language?

History of the English Language, Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_English

8/23/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

The language of Shakespeare was transformative because of incorporating what languages?

History of the English Language, Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_English

Grade 11 American Lit

Beginnings of American Literature-Pre-Colonial and Colonial

American literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_literature#Colonial_literature

Homework Read and Respond Questions

8/21/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

Why was English not the only language spoken in Colonial America?

American Literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_literature#Colonial_literature

8/23/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

Describe the social status differences in the writers of this period.

American Literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_literature#Colonial_literature

Grade 10 and 9

World Literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_literature

8/21/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

Read and Respond

What was one of the first inventions that took literature around the world quickly?

 World Literature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_literature

Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

How many of these stories are very ancient? How many are modern?

The Top Ten Stories That Shaped The World

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180521-the-top-10-stories-that-shaped-the-world

Grades 7 and 8

What are Myths, Legends and Folktales

http://myths.e2bn.org/teachers/info311-what-are-myths-legends-and-folktales.html

Lesson Plan 8/23/18 Look over the top ten Greek myths.

8/21/18 Read and Respond Question

Write a succinct paragraph--8-10 sentences--in your own words.

Read and Respond

Of these genres, which two are you familiar with?

What are Myths, Legends, and Folktales?

http://myths.e2bn.org/teachers/info311-what-are-myths-legends-and-folktales.html

Read and Respond

In a succinct paragraph, write about two  Greek Myths you would like to read with the class.

5 Terrifying Greek Myths 

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/greece/greek-myths/

Looking for Outside Reading? Here are some suggestions:

20 Indispensable High School Reads

https://www.edutopia.org/article/20-indispensable-high-school-reads-stephen-merrill

It's Not Homework, But If You Wish To Take A Look At This...

How to Take Great Notes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAhRf3U50lM

Ancient Greek Myths, Stories and Legends

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/myths/

Famous British writers
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/briton-writers.php

List of Early American Writers

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/literature-1991/early-american-and-colonial-period-to-1776/authors.php

Movie Review: Wrath of the Titans

Dad and son (Perseus and Helius)

Lots of dynamic CG! And I saw it in 2D because I'm not really that cool. The themes of the film were worthy (love conquers all, etc., Dad loves son) but this film won't enhance anyone's knowledge of Greek myths. It just mixes them up. All that action was actually sort of confusing. I guess I'm just used to very clever Greek heroes who analyze the situation and outsmart the villains. There was not a lot of plot revealing dialogues, or broad hints or foreshadowing as to what well-known monster would show up next. I really wanted the Cyclops to say something funny, like "Where's Odysseus?"  And why was there a minotaur in Tantarus? Had it moved from Crete? Why is Perseus so dazed and confused?  Perseus himself  had outsmarted Medusa the last time around, but this time success looks like a huge, impulsive accident.

Pegasus was awesome, sort of a winged Clydesdale. Agenor is the character with the most development and something in the script to work with.  While the other characters may express regret, ask for forgiveness, or state they don't wish to end up in oblivion, they really aren't motivating enough to care about. The spark of personhood that makes a viewer care is only there for Agenor, the ne'er-do-well demi-god with the almost clever lines.

Perseus could have communicated his grief over his lost wife; his extreme concern about his boy. His interest in Andromeda. He is one of the prominent characters in Greek mythology. Maybe the writers should have stuck with the real lit, then the melancholy and mystery of Perseus would have come through to his desperate, manipulative heroism. But it is just not there.


I did like Agenor. Maybe the next film in the series will be about the Navigator. As long as they're making up Greek myths.

Feelin' the Wrath

“You will learn someday that being half-human makes you stronger than a god.” Zeus to Perseus.

You can tell this is a newly constructed Greek myth from Hollywood, because no god would ever say that in the olden days!

Heard the CG is improved from Clash of the Titans, will find out this weekend!

Perseus, Friends and Wrathful Titans

Here is a cool link to "Five Facts About Wrath of the Titans," interesting facts such as Andromeda went to Oxford and majored in English Literature. I never would have guessed.
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/wrath-of-the-titans/photos/five-film-facts-wrath-of-the-titans-slideshow/five-film-facts-wrath-of-the-titans-photo-1332966725.html

Preview: Wrath of the Titans

 Oh, man, another huge story based on a Greek myth! Perseus looks pretty much like Perseus, monsters look monstrous and Zeus looks like Liam Neeson (or vice versa.)

Looking forward to it this Saturday. Check out the website:

http://wrathofthetitans.warnerbros.com/index.html

Previews and Movie Review: Journey 2

Reading the book is always better. Period. But sometimes films get the kids curious about the real books and authors, and this film does that. Its a quick romp with references to Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jonathan Swift and various Greek myths, with some charm and humor. Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine enliven the story, though one should see better graphics from Disney. The younger actors (Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hutchens) aren't given much to work with. Luis Guzman does wonders in his role. There are some clever interludes.
 For those of us who rode the old Nautilus at Disneyland, reminicse.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1397514/  Here are some trailers.

Best adventure ever. Aaaarrr.

Parents may wish to read the extraordinary books referenced in the film with children as an adventure in itself. The description of Jim Hawkins climbing the rigging in Treasure Island, I won't say why, but it is alone worth reading the book together.

This would also be a good opportunity to get Greek myths straight in kids' heads. Fables and myths are always part of standardized testing, beside those Greeks invented the horror genre, so kids actually like them. Find a simplified version of the famous heroes--Perseus is coming along big again soon. And it is also excellent to see the film after you are acquainted with the characters.

This is some horrible stuff: kids love it.

Lots of paperbacks if you can't find what you want at the library.
www.dealoz.com/Textbook
There is another Greek myth film coming out soon, Perseus in the forefront.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646987/
This is without Kraken. You can check out the preview. The Wrath of the Titans!

The trailer should entice you to read the book.

Please don't miss this wonderful opportunity to travel to Middle Earth with your child or class before December 12, 2012, when the Hobbit comes out. Most everyone has seen Frodo's films, but this is a headsup, obvious chance to share an extraordinary experience prior to seeing what is actually, amusingly, a prequel. It's Bilbo's turn. I am going to nag you about this. J.R.R. Tolkien writes settings so fantastically that you will always be thrilled that you and your 10 to 32 year old read this book out loud together.
Just the spider scenes are worth it. You just have to read this before what appears to be the best of Peter Jackson's Middle Earth films is out. It is a most endearing experience to share, my Precious.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903624/