Beowulf August 29 Sept 2 Welcome to class

Beowulf August 29 -Sept. 2

Welcome to class! August 29, 2016 Do Now: Pick up a copy of Beowulf from the back bookshelf. Next, Read the Introduction and look at the family tree. Guard these papers with your life— they will help you with Beowulf.

Note-Taking Packets Six-Word Summaries: Focus on the plot. Compare to newspaper headlines Key Lines: Find two quotes that are significant to cultural topics Explain how the topic is represented in each quote. Be thoughtful.

Kinship as Identity In the heroic pagan world, the father-son relationship defines identity: Hrothgar is not merely “Hrothgar, ” he is “the son of Healfdane, ” or as Scyld Scefing’s inheritor, he is “lord of the Scyldings. ” Hrothgar is the inheritor of Scyld Scefing, a wrecker of mead halls, a man who is buried by a pagan (materialist) culture lacking redemption. Hrothgar inherits his father’s pagan trait of plundering others to gain wealth (marauding).

Kinship as Identity Patrilineal identity also defines Grendel (the son of Cain) and Beowulf (the son of Ecgtheow). Christian proverb: “The sins of the fathers are visited on the sons. ” Original sin/Evil as inheritance Some believe this motif was added to the original poem to better adhere to Christian ideology.

Blood Feuds If a member of your family killed someone, you could try to end the feud by paying them off or by giving them your daughter. Shield Sheafson left his grandson a few blood feuds. Wergild=Man price

Beowulf Beginning with baby steps! Let’s work together to read the first 319 lines (the first 16 lines should be familiar). Use sticky note annotations, if needed.

Homework Finish reading lines 1 -319 and complete the reading notes. Quiz corrections must be completed by this Friday. (I’m here before school on Tuesday & after school on Thursday) Poetry constructed response paragraph is due Sept. 5.

Welcome to class! August 30, 2016 Do Now: Take out your journal and complete the prompt. Prompt: What do you think makes for a good king/leader?

A Good King What lines from Beowulf discuss the traits of a good king? What do these traits reveal about the values of this society?

Geatland (Thank you, Annika!)

Geatland

Geatland

Sutton Hoo (get it? ) does this remind you of? What does it tell you about culture and literature?

Beowulf Let’s work together to read 320 -498. Use sticky note annotations, if needed. Keep an eye on the plot, and also look for literary devices.

Homework Finish reading lines 320 -498 and complete the reading notes. Quiz corrections must be completed by this Friday. (I’m here after school on Thursday) Poetry constructed response paragraph is due Sept. 5.

Welcome to Class! August 31, 2016 Do Now: Take out your notebooks. In lines 456 -479 Hrothgar tells Bewulf how he helped Ecgtheow. Summarize what Hrothgar did for Beowulf’s father. What does tis reveal about Hrothgar’s character? How does it support the topics of kinship and paternal lineage?

Riddles and Kennings Identify this riddle— When I am alive I do not speak. Anyone who wants to takes me captive and cuts off my head. They bite my bare body I do no harm to anyone unless they cut me first. Then I soon make them cry.

Riddles and Kennings Gold digger, couch potato, and gas guzzler are a few modern kennings. Can you think of other kennings you use? What kennings have you noticed in Beowulf? Let’s keep track of them!

Beowulf Let’s start reading lines 499 -836. As you read- Boasting was normal and expected for warriors. Look for the kennings in these lines. Look for graphic details during the fight scene.

Homework Read lines 499 -836 Finish the reading notes Quiz corrections are due by the end of this week.

Welcome to Class! September 1, 2016 Do Now: Take out your notebooks. In lines 407 -606 Bewulf begins boasting, which ends in flyting (competitive boasting) with Unferth. With a partner, summarize and rewrite this flyt in modern language.

Reflections on lines 1 -836 Take out your reading notes. Let’s make a picture-book summary of lines 1 -836. Under each picture copy a key line/quote from that scene. Cite the line (Beowulf 123).

Beowulf Let’s begin reading lines 837 -1250 As you read, look for— Christian ideas/imagery/allusions, How Beowulf receives his praise, The song of the scop How Wealhtheow treats Beowulf

Homework Read lines 837 -1250 Finish the reading notes Quiz corrections are due by the end of this week.

Welcome to class! September 2, 2016 Do Now: Fold your papers in half and cut on the lines to make flaps (don’t cut all the way through). Have you used the RACE strategy before? How? When? Did it help?

RACE Pointers R Restate the question as a sentence. You are giving a mini answer at this point. Don’t rewrite the question as a question! Include the author name and the title of the work when restating the question.

A RACE POINTERS Answer the question more fully. Explain your thinking or provide context/background. Restating the question and answering the question can be eliminated for questions that only have 2 or 3 lines to write. The textual evidence and explanation are the priorities. Always use complete sentences!

C&E RACE Pointers When citing evidence, introduce the quote. Use phrases like, “The author states, ” or “According to the text…” You can lead into the quote by providing context. For example: After Beowulf meets Hrothgar he boasts, “quote. ” When explaining how the quote supports your answer, use phrases like, “This demonstrates…” or “Clearly the text shows…” The explanation is the most important part.

RACE Practice Question: What is the significance of wergild in Beowulf? Explain. Cite your textual evidence. For example, “Quote” (Beowulf 182).

Picture Book Put the picture book in order. Make a title page. Staple the book together.

Poetry Paragraph Poetry paragraphs are due on Tuesday. What are your questions?

Beowulf Let’s start on line 1250. Look for— Alliteration Paternal lineage Courage

Homework NO Beowulf reading over the weekend (whew!). Focus on the poetry paragraphs due on Tuesday.

Welcome Back! September 5, 2016 I hope you had a relaxing weekend! Hand in your Anglo-Saxon poetry paragraph to the tray. Staple the rubric to your paper. Begin the paraphrasing activity.

Summarizing On the white half paper, write your four six-word summaries from your reading notes. When you are finished, share with your tables. Be a careful listener—you will need to answer a few questions after you are done sharing.

Reflection On the back of your paper, answer the following— What did others include that surprised you? Explain how your summary compares in specificity/vagueness What will you revise?

Beowulf Let’s dive back in! Questions? Predictions? Line 1251. As you read, look for the Anglo-Saxon topics we have been discussing in class (kinship, courage, leadership, fate, Christianity, value of land ownership).

Homework Finish reading lines 1251 -1590 in Beowulf. Complete the reading notes.

Welcome to class! September 7, 2016 Do Now: Complete the paraphrase activity. Please do this on your own—no talking (you will have time to talk later in class).

Shield Projects are due September 15 (next Thursday). This project is a MASTERY grade and is weighted at 70%.

Beowulf for Kids Book We need to add in pages for lines 837 -1590 (pgs. 57 -109) What are the most important scenes from these lines? Draw a picture of each key scene. Under each picture copy a key line/quote from that scene. Cite the line (Beowulf 123).

Beowulf for Kids Group 1: lines 837 -955 Group 2: lines 956 -1061 Group 3: lines 1062 -1166 Group 4: lines 1167 -1231 Group 5: lines 1232 -1386 Group 6: lines 1387 -1590 (larger group)

Homework Begin thinking about your shield project. You will have time in class to work on this with your partner. Read lines 1591 -1887 and complete your reading notes. Complete your picture, if needed. You will have a Beowulf quiz on Monday.

Welcome to class! September 8, 2016 Do Now: Complete the paraphrase activity. Please do this on your own—no talking. When finished, write questions about shield project on post-it notes. Place these on the door.

Paraphrase Keep the same meaning, but put the ideas in your own words. Beowulf Paraphrase “…Aeschere was everything The world admires in a wise man and a friend Then this roaming killer came in a fury And slaughtered him in Heorot. Where she is hiding, Glutting on the corpse and glorifying her escape, I cannot tell; she has taken up the feud Because of last night” Aeschere was a good, smart friend. He was killed in the mead-hall by Grendel’s mom. I don’t know where she is hiding with his dead body. She wants revenge for Grendel’s death.

Shield Project You have 20 minutes to work with your partner on the shield project. Use your time wisely!

Beowulf for Kids Work in your groups from yesterday to place your pictures in chronological order. Make sure each picture has a line from the text that is properly cited.

Beowulf for Kids What is missing? Is anything out of place? Is the summary accurate? Complete any missing images/scenes now.

Beowulf for Teens Let’s focus on your reading! Lines 1888 -2311 Quiz over the poem on Tuesday. Shield Projects Due Thursday, Sept. 15.

Welcome to Class! Friday, September 9 Do Now: Complete the paraphrase activity. Please do this on your own—no talking. If you finish early, help me pass out the creative culture assignments.

Paraphrase Review Beowulf Paraphrase “…He had been poorly regarded For a long time, was taken by the Geats For less than he was worth; and their lord too Had never much esteemed him in the mead-hall They firmly believed that he lacked force, That the prince was a weakling; but presently Every affront to his deserving was reversed” (2183 -2189). Everyone underestimated Beowulf. His lord never praised him in the mead-hall. Everyone thought he was wimpy. Now everyone thinks he’s strong, brave, and amazing.

Creative Culture Assignment Gallery Walk around and explore the work of your peers. Complete the questions on the handout. Be thoughtful with your answers. Have fun. I loved grading all of these—I know you’ll enjoy perusing them too!

Shield Work Meet with your partners. Decide what materials are needed to work on this assignment on Monday. Decide what you will need to have prepared for the computer lab on Tuesday. Keep checking the rubric and assignment. Are you meeting the

Beowulf Let’s finish the poem. What will happen to our epic hero?

Homework Finish reading Beowulf. Complete the reading notes. Shields are due Sept. 19. Quiz on Tuesday.

Welcome to class! September 12, 2016 Do Now: Write a RACE paragraph in your journal on the following prompt. What event is foreshadowed in lines 2341 -2345 (p. 159)? Does the use of foreshadowing in Beowulf enhance or spoil the story? Explain.

Reading Notes Hand in your reading notes to the tray, if you no longer need them for your project. If you need your reading notes for the work on the shield project today, hand them in tomorrow.

Shield Project We will go to computer lab A to work on the texts for our shield project. Use your time wisely. This project is a huge portion of your grade and must demonstrate mastery of clarity, organization, paraphrasing, and in-depth analysis.

Welcome to Class! September 13, 2016 Do now: Complete a journal entry on the following prompt. What are Beowulf’s defining characteristics? Find several examples of textual evidence to support your ideas.

Journal Extension Considering the defining traits of Beowulf, who are our modern-day Beowulfs? Explain your thinking.

Beowulf and Usain Bolt

Shield Project 30 mastery points Will assess the following skills: identifying meaningful evidence paraphrasing text explaining evidence using specific details from the text

Shield Work & Quiz Do you need more time in computer lab A to work on the texts for the shield project? Let’s map out our week. Think about what time you need and where you need to work. We need a final quiz for Beowulf. Talk with your table. What is a reasonable date for this and WHY?

Shield Work Use your time wisely. Make sure you have the assignment and rubric in front of you as you work.

Shield Work Look over your paraphrasing. Did you maintain the original meaning of the text? Have a partner look it over. Is your analysis in-depth? Do you explain the significance of your topics? Check your citations. Is the punctuation in the correct place?

Homework Shield Projects are due on Monday. Beowulf quiz: _______

Welcome to Class! September 14, 2016 Do Now: Read the article on Usain Bolt. We will compare Bolt to Beowulf. As you read, take notes in your notebook on any similarities.

“We Could Be Heroes…” Complete the comparison handout. Use textual evidence from Beowulf and the Bolt article. Fully explain your conclusions.

Shield Work As you construct your shield, be sure to do the following: v v v Shape the material into something that looks like a shield Add colors (plural) to your shield to increase its visual appeal Secure all materials to the shield v Nothing should be falling or hanging off on Monday

Homework Shield Projects are due Monday, 9/19. Beowulf Test is scheduled for Wednesday, 9/21.

Welcome to Class! September 15, 2016 Do Now: Read the sample Anglo-Saxon poem paragraphs. What did the authors do well? You may take notes on the text.

Shield Project Skills Proper Paraphrasing (more to follow) MLA citation (titles, in-text citations, punctuation after the citation) Analysis (more to follow)

Paraphrasing – YES! • Paraphrasing should be your voice, not the author’s. • You MUST maintain the meaning of the text you are paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing – no! • Avoid simple synonym swapping. • • Did you pull out text from the original? • • • You need to own the paraphrased work and changing out a couple words that mean the same (or close to the same thing) does not cut it. You may do this, but it must be kept to a minimum. 10%. If so, this MUST be put in quotations and cited (otherwise you are plagiarizing and no one likes a cheater) Has your work changed the meaning of the original? • OK, so now you’re just misrepresenting the author’s

Shield Project “When it comes to fighting, I count myself/ as dangerous any day as Grendel. / So it won’t be a cutting edge I’ll wield/ to mow him down, easily as I might. / He has no idea of the arts of war, / of shield or sword-play, although he does possess/ a wild strength. No weapons, therefore, / for either this night” (677 -684). I think I am as dangerous a fighter as Grendel any day. As easy as it might be, I won’t kill him with a sword. Grendel does not know how to use a shield or fight with a sword. However, he is incredibly strong. Therefore, we will fight hand-to-hand. Beowulf renounces the use of weapons because Grendel fights unarmed. Although Beowulf believes he is more than a match for Grendel, his decision to fight unarmed – and on equal terms – is a brave one because his opponent ”possess[es] a wild strength, ” which poses a risk to Beowulf, especially since he is fighting without a weapon. Beowulf’s choosing to fight Grendel unarmed indicates that bravery in battle can be demonstrated by rejecting advantages and fighting an opponent on equal terms.

Analysis Beowulf renounces the use of weapons because Grendel fights unarmed. Although Beowulf believes he is more than a match for Grendel, his decision to fight unarmed – and on equal terms – is a brave one because his opponent ”possess[es] a wild strength, ” which poses a risk to Beowulf, especially since he is fighting without a weapon. Beowulf’s choosing to fight Grendel unarmed indicates that bravery in battle can be demonstrated by rejecting advantages and fighting an opponent on

Shield Project 30 mastery points Will assess the following skills: identifying meaningful evidence paraphrasing text explaining evidence using specific details from the text

Homework Shield Projects are due on Monday Beowulf Test on Wednesday

Happy Friday! Sept. 16, 2016 Welcome to class! Do now: Take out your Shield Project rubric. Look at the bulleted directions. Place a checkmark next to all items that are complete. Circle all items that you need to complete before Monday.

So What? Who Cares? Your topics need to have meaning. You are making an argument about your topic. Ask yourself “so what? ” or “who cares? ” after reading your analysis sections. “Bravery in battle is important” is not enough.

So What? Who Cares? So how do we fix it? You have two choices. You can discuss the significance of your topic to the time period (bravery in battle led to acceptance, glory, worth, monetary gain) or discuss how your topic is essential to the poem (the desire to maintain a reputation as a brave warrior motivates Beowulf to fight the dragon).

Practice Fix this claim. Kinship is important to Anglo-Saxons.

Shield Work Budget your time. Remember to leave time to look over your work with fresh eyes. Look over the work of your partners. Be honest (but kind). Stick to the rubric. Ask questions.

Welcome to Class! September 19, 2016 Do Now: In your journals, answer the following questions. What was the best part of the shield project? Explain. What was the most difficult part of the shield project? Explain. What would you do differently next time? Explain.

Gallery Walk Let’s take part in a gallery walk to flaunt our hard work and insightful thinking. Complete the handout as you peruse the shields. We will share our reactions at the end.

Homework Beowulf Test on Wednesday. We’ll review next class. We will begin the essay this week.

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