B - The one about heroes and monsters.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Can heroes be monsters too?

Learners shares their definitions of "hero" and "monster."

We discussed our discussion about Campbell's "The Hero's Journey," and I asked learners to consider that Campbell's "map" describes story telling from it's early existence, when it was only created as oral "text."

I distributed the textbook and we read together the introduction to the middle ages, in particular the historical context of including the Germanic invasions (the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes), Anglo-Saxon ideals and literary styles. I highlighted Anglo-Saxon ideals:

• allegiance to lord and king (comitatus)
• love of glory as the ruling motive for a noble life
• the inevitability of fate (wyrd)

We looked at an excerpt from the the Prologue of Beowulf, in the original Anglo-Saxon ("Old English"). I assigned learners 6-7 lines each and gave them a pronunciation guide. Learners used the rest of the period preparing an oral reading of their assigned lines in Old English.

NEXT CLASS: Prologue, Beowulf, Grendel, Antigone

F - The one with Mr. Cole.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does precise language structure transform a simple surface reading into clear and compelling insight?

Learners read Galsworthy's "The Japanese Quince," then posted a one sentence summary of plot in parallel form to the a digital "parchment". Mr. Cole reviewed the submissions and asked learners to reconsider parallel structure.

Mr. Cole distributed the Short Story Checklist (see the link on the left) and learners used the rest of the period to make some preliminary notes and text annotations.

(I apologize that I wasn't able to be present at what was supposed to be our first meeting!)

NEXT CLASS: mechanicals, Antigone

B - The one about archetypes.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Why do human cultures, separated by thousands of years and miles, keep telling the exact same story?

Learners told their summer stories.

We looked at the course outline together and discussed assessment. Learners created their e-portfolios and granted me access to collaborate.

Learners mapped out their favourite stories and we uncovered archetypal patterns in plot and character. We looked at Joseph's Campbell's "map" and I suggested the course is about recognizing these patterns in western literature throughout time.

NEXT CLASS: Beowulf