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Lesson 5

We will review the notes we gathered and organized in preparation for the Section Diagnostic. Then, we will participate in a Socratic Seminar.

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

  • Determine Meaning and Purpose: How well do I use connections among details, elements, and effects to make logical deductions about the power characters possess and their relationship to themes and ideas in The Odyssey?
  • Gather and Organize Evidence: How well do I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?

Speaking and Listening

  • Communicate Effectively: How well do I use language and strategies to accomplish intended purposes in communicating?
  • Engage Actively: How well do I actively focus attention on independent and collaborative tasks?
  • Form Claims: How well do I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?
  • Listen: How well do I pay attention to and acknowledge others while thoughtfully considering their ideas?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • The Odyssey, Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Publishing Group, 1996
  • Unit Reader
    • “Hero,” from the introduction to The Odyssey (pp. 37–41), Bernard Knox, Penguin Publishing Group, 1996

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Write – Discuss

We will review our Learning Logs and character Note-Taking Tools in order to prepare for the section 2 diagnostic.

Step 1

Review the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist.

Discuss with your partner how the expectations of this task fit with the notes you have already taken. Talk about how to meet the expectations listed on the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist.

Review your Learning Log and Character Note-Taking Tools. Note the ideas that are related to power.

Step 2

On your Discussion Tool, write the following question: Who or what has the most power in The Odyssey? How do you know, and what evidence supports your conclusion?

Write down your initial claims and evidence in the During the Discussion section of the Discussion Tool.

Step 3

Write two open-ended, thought-provoking questions about who or what has the most power in The Odyssey. Reference the following examples of strong question frames:

  • What do you think about ______?

  • What is the relationship between __________ and __________?

  • What does the poem say about __________?

  • What about this perspective do you agree or disagree with?

  • What significance is this to __________? If __________ is true, then __________?

Avoid questions that are vague, general, and elicit yes or no answers.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will participate in a Socratic Seminar.

Participate in a Socratic Seminar. Begin your discussion by responding to the following question:

  1. Who or what has the most power in The Odyssey? How do you know, and what evidence supports your conclusion?

Continue the discussion by asking your open-ended questions and responding to your peers’ questions. Remember to use textual evidence to support your responses and observations. As the discussion progresses, ask the open-ended questions that you drafted. Remember, this is a discussion, not a question-and-answer session.

Activity 3: Write

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess our progress toward the Culminating Task.

Step 1

Choose at least three of the questions below and respond to them in your Learning Log:

  1. How well did you take necessary action to prepare for the task?

  2. What went well for you during the completion of this task?

  3. What did you struggle with during the completion of this task? How did you push through that struggle?

  4. How well did you actively focus your attention during this independent task?

  5. How well did you develop and use an effective and efficient process to maintain workflow during this task?

  6. What would you do differently during the next Section Diagnostic?

Step 2

Review your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about all you have learned and done during this section of the unit. Evaluate your skills and knowledge to determine how prepared you are for the Culminating Task.

  • Add or refine any skills and content knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

  • Evaluate how well you are mastering skills and knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

Activity 4: Read

For homework, we will read an excerpt about heroes from the introduction to The Odyssey.

For homework, read pages 37-49 of the introduction of The Odyssey. As you read, consider this question:

  1. According to "Hero,” from the introduction to The Odyssey, what specific qualities does Odysseus possess that make him a hero by ancient Greek standards?

Enter any sentences you find particularly powerful or interesting in your Mentor Sentence Journal. Continue to add interesting or unknown words to your Vocabulary Journal.