1/10/20 William Fedornyak PD7

Modern Mythology

William Fedornyak

Period 7

1/10/20

Norse Mythology Project

Objective: Your team will write and execute a complete lesson to teach the class about your assigned Norse Mythology story.

What makes an A+ lesson?

• Masterfully plans and executes:
• An Aim/Objective/Learning Target
• A specific skill focus for teaching aligned with Next Generation Learning Standards
• A “Do Now” or motivational activity
• A brainstorm/discussion/independent activity
• A group activity
• An assessment which is GRADED
• Integration of technology
• Classroom engagement 
• Classroom management
• Lesson connects between the story and the real world
• Questions which promote critical thinking and discussion
• Mindful of pacing and timing (not less than 30 minutes, no more than 34 minutes)
• Written plan submitted to Ms. Fusaro/Ms. Peterson

At the end of each lesson, the student-audience will have time to review, reflect, and offer deep feedback on the lesson.

LESSON PLAN:

1. Aim: How does Norse mythology highlight the balance of sacrifice and love?
2. Reading Check Quiz: Basic 5-question quiz to test the class’s knowledge of assigned chapters.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJLe2DPCyLV8s3Nr0RYJ4duLyD0aWkp7zH1DUUDXL-Lq_iMg/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Grades:

5/5 : A+

4/5: B-

3/5: D-

2/5: F40

1/5: F20

0/5: F0

3. Do Now

1. A “would you rather” question that deals with love and sacrifice, related to our aim and the story of Gerd and Frey in an introductory way

      3)    The Story of Gerd and Frey

1. Quick summary of the first chapter in the assigned reading
2. Analysis of the underlying message in the story: No sacrifice is too great for love when a life without it is meaningless.
3. An analysis of sacrifice across Norse culture is given, leading to…
4. Group Activity: Would you still make a sacrifice given you knew its outcome, for better or for worse?

      4)    Hymir and Thor’s Fishing Expedition

1. Brief summary includes Thor and Hymir’s fishing trip.
2. Analysis and morals of the themes and morals of the story: There’s always a bigger fish. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t give up. All’s well that ends well.
3. Explanation of Thor and Jormungandr’s complicated relationship and the foreshadowing of their battle at Ragnarok
4. An analysis and explanation of the importance of alcohol in Norse mythology and culture, leading to a group discussion: How does the Norse perception of alcohol in their culture and mythology compare to that of the Greeks?
5. Overall class discussion of who the real monster of the story was, Thor and Tyr or Hymir? 

      5) Overview

1. Every action has a reaction, an equivalent exchange. 
2. Connection of how the first and second story both contribute to this overall theme of “an eye for an eye” with examples for both.

Key Ideas and Details 

STANDARD 2:  Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

Student Reflection:

While researching the stories of Gerd and Frey and the fishing expedition of Hymir and Thor, my group and I were able to gain a deeper insight of Norse values reflected through the myths that they passed down through generations. The story of Gerd and Frey reflected the importance of the sacrifices we make for love and the unforeseen consequences that might follow. This concept of equal exchange, famously depicted in the proverb “an eye for an eye,” is crucial to countless Norse stories and, inevitably, the prophesized result of Ragnarok. The story of Hymir and Thor’s fishing expedition was a rather light-hearted story about the importance of determination and perseverance, and the importance of alcohol to Norse culture. The story begins with the gods’ preparations for a feast, but a cauldron large enough to brew enough beer for the gods is required. Thor takes the quest upon himself and, in the process, manages to kill hundreds of giants after a betrayal and nearly kills Jormungand, the sea serpent prophesized to destroy Midgard. The story ends with a delightful feast, and this relatively happy ending reflects the Norse belief of alcohol being important to oaths and celebrations, and its status as a “gift from the gods” that must be shared. This stark contrast from Greek values of alcohol and its duality allows us to compare different morals and beliefs of ancient civilizations from around the same time period. The conflict with Jormungand, however, is yet another foreshadowing of the combat to come during Ragnarok and the importance of equal exchange. The interwoven and underlying meanings of these myths are crucial to understanding Old Norse values and how they viewed the harsh and hostile world in which they lived, the culmination of Ragnarok, and comparison of values of ancient civilizations that have been passed down through generations.