- Grade Focus
- Grade 9
- Age Level
- 14
- Subject
- Literature
- Technology Integration Activity
- Discovering the Internet
- Estimated Time of Completion
- 1 90-minute block.
Introduction
In this lesson, students will explore how accurate Homer's descriptions of battle are in the Iliad.Prerequisite Experience
Teacher should know how to use Youtube and the itouches to surf the internet.Teacher Prep Time
20 minutes to set up and divide the class into groups.Project
Assessment/Grading
Students will be assessed based on presentations.Time Management Tips
Have the students seated with their groups prior to the start of class. They should also already have their ipods with them before beginning.Lesson Plan Details
Engage
The teacher will show a Youtube video of the History’s Mysteries “Mysteries of the Trojan War” clip of the weapons of the bronze age. The class will discuss their visions of how ancient battles happened and how they actually happened.
Explore
The class will be divided into the following groups:
The Trojan Horse
Hector vs. Patroclus
Hector vs. Achilles
Diomedes Big Day.
Menelaus vs. Paris
Send students to watch the remainder of the video on their own. They can also read articles online, or Youtube videos. Their object is to determine whether Homer’s description of their assigned battle could have been accurate.
Explain
The students should declare yes or no to the question of accuracy and have at least 3 reasons.
Elaborate
The students should post the content of the battle from their translation of The Iliad. Below that, they should explain their reasons on the class wiki. Each group will then summarize in a short presentation. The class can ask questions and view any video or pictures the group might want to show either on the iTouches or on the computer.
Evaluate
Score | Level 1 (D) | Level 2 (C) | Level 3 (B) | Level 4 (A) |
| Basic Components |
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| One of items exist | The content is clear and some of it works | The content is complete and all of it works | The content is well laid out, clear, comprehensive and all of it works |
| There is some form of navigation | The navigation has a consistent design | The navigation is consistent throughout | The navigation is designed well and consistent through all pages. |
| Body text is present but may not look great | Body of pages exists and is integrated well | Body content looks good | Body content looks great and may include additional information and resources. |
| Good information design |
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| Architecture of site is not logical or comprehensive – it is not clear why pages are grouped the way they are – may be on screen or at the file level | Architecture of site is somewhat logical and comprehensive | Architecture of site is generally logical and comprehensive – files are generally well named, lower case, and organized into some appropriate folders | Architecture of site is logical and comprehensive – all files are well organized and grouped into logical folders – links are relative – site is portable – and on screen everything seems where it should be |
| Overall Design |
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| Unity | No real unity, but common elements are present | Some unity, but not very aesthetically pleasing | Could be more unified, but looks good | Beautiful work – you know from any page that you are on the same site |
| Font and color choices are not professional or aesthetically pleasing | Font and color choices are somewhat professional and aesthetically pleasing | Font and color choices are professional and aesthetically pleasing | Font and color choices are professional, consistent and aesthetically pleasing |
| Technical elements
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| Some links working, others not. Some parts of page will not load at all. | Some broken links. Images are working, but too large to load quickly. | Maybe one or two broken links, a little slow to load. | Perfect execution, no problems |
| Images missing. | Almost all images are in place – but some too large or some nor formatted well. | All images in place – a few might be not perfectly sized or clear but overall good. | All images in place, placed well are clear and add to the site. |
Extend
Regardless of their group’s yes or no answer, their new knowledge will change their perspective of our next literary work: The Odyssey. If they are persuaded by the descriptions of The Iliad as accurate, what does that mean for The Odyssey? The monsters in The Odyssey, then, could be real or metaphors. This project would provide an excellent basis for our reading. To extend their knowledge, I would like them to apply the process they’ve learned to the next work.