Standard+3.2.3

Lesson Plans: //The Odyssey// and "O Brother Where Art Thou?" Objectives: SWBAT:
 * 1) Make connections and comparisons between the movie OBWAT and The Odyssey.
 * 2) Verbalize those connections with classmates.
 * 3) Answer questions about the similarities of characters between The Odyssey and OBWAT.
 * 4) Define chain gang.
 * 5) Form an opinion about the film.

Materials: O Brother Where Art Thou? DVD Note sheets Copies of Multimedia project sheet Smartboard

Procedures:  Assessments: Students will be formatively assessed during this lesson. By walking around the classroom, the teacher will be able to gauge the students’ understanding of the film as well as the assigned project. Students will be getting participation points based on whether or not they choose to work on their projects. Students with heads down and/or no materials out on their desks will not get points for the day. Students will be asked to submit their viewing guides for points at the end of the class period. They will be checked off and given back at the start of Friday’s class so they can be used for the project.
 * 1) Students will be seated and attendance taken.
 * 2) Class will finish up watching the DVD if necessary. Only a few minutes will be remaining, if at all.
 * 3) Teacher will lead a guided discussion about the movie. She will ask the class if they liked the film, why or why not. She will also ask if they were easily able to see elements from The Odyssey or if they had trouble making those connections. Students will be asked to turn to another student and speak briefly about his or her feelings about the movie in relation to the story. At this time, the teacher will ask the class is they know what a chain gang is and explain that George Clooney’s character, Ulysses, escaped from a chain gang in order to begin his journey home.
 * 4) Teacher will take a brief moment, if necessary to go over the viewing guide and answer any questions.
 * 5) Teacher will hand out copies of the Multimedia project handout. Step-by-step, the teacher will introduce the project, assuring students that their goals are achievable. This class needs a little reinforcement in regards to their abilities and often needs to be spoon fed with instructions.
 * 6) Students will be informed that tomorrow (Friday) will be spent in the Media Center working on the projects. Other that the one day of provided time, students will be expected to write and type out their essay and analysis on their own time.
 * 7) The rest of the class time will be dedicated to working on the essay portion of the project.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Students will begin working on the mandatory essay portion of the project. Teacher will direct them to use their movie notes as well as their reading notes in order to make comparisons between the film and the story.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Teacher will be available for individual consultation as well as small group instruction regarding the project. She will walk around the classroom to ensure that all students are working diligently and that all of their questions are answered.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Three of the four students on IEPs will get additional attention at first to make sure they are clear of the instructions and what they are being asked to do. The fourth student on an IEP will most likely ask to go work on the project with his tutor in the Resource Room and will be permitted to do so.

Homework: Students should be working on their essays. They can also be working on the second part of the project.

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