Mr.

Boswell

Lesson Plan: British Literature Introduction Activity

Grade 11/12 California English Language Arts Standards Addressed Reading: 3.7 3.7 Analyze recognized works of world literature from a variety of authors: a. Contrast the major literary forms, techniques, and characteristics of the major literary periods (e.g., Homeric Greece, medieval, romantic, neoclassic, modern). b. Relate literary works and authors to the major themes and issues of their eras. c. Evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, and settings. Writing 1.7 1.7 Use systematic strategies to organize and record information Written and Oral Language Conventions 1.1, 1.2 1.1 Demonstrate control of grammar, diction, and paragraph and sentence structure and an understanding of English usage. 1.2 Produce legible work that shows accurate spelling and correct punctuation and capitalization. Introduction This assignment is to be completed at the beginning of the school year. It should be assigned over 1 week. The reading that is required for this assignment gives students some background information into the lives of people in Medieval England, and also includes insight into what types of stories were popular (particularly Epic Poems and Narrative Poems) during this time. This assignment should not be introduced without students having set up a Classzone.com account (online textbook), and a turnitin.com account. Turnitin.com, while popularly used as a plagiarism detection site, also offers discussion board forums that can be teacher or student created. Task In this assignment, students will be reading background information on Medieval British Literature, completing an outline/study guide, analyzing 5 internet resources, researching modern day Epic stories, and engaging in a discussion board forum through an original post and two responses to fellow classmates. The graded components will be the completed outline/study

Mr. Boswell guide, the feedback on the 5 links, and the discussion board post. The discussion board post will have three separate grades: one for the original post, and one for each of 2 responses to another student. Each post is required to present new and original ideas, as well as have at least 75 total words.

Technology Resources Students will need access to the following resources in order to complete the lesson: Computer Internet Access Turnitin.com Account Classzone.com Account (online text, flash required) Search Engine Access Computer Speakers/Audio capabilities

Process Step 1: Students visit Mr. Boswells Classroom Blog at http://mrboswelllhs.blogspot.com/ Step 2: Students review the process of logging in to Classzone.com with the first short video. Step 3: Students login to Classzone.com to access the online text (specifically pages 15-29). Step 4: Students review the note-taking instructions provided before the second video, and use the video to guide their reading and their notes. Students read and take the required notes. Step 5: Students research and analyze the 5 provided links, noting at least one way in which each link expands their knowledge of the time period, or one way in which the site could help them better understand a piece of literature that was written during this time period. Step 6: After completing the notes and the website analysis, students research modern day Epic stories. These can be from movies, books, short stories, etc. Step 7: Students post their findings on the turnitin.com discussion board, and respond to 2 other student posts. Each post must be at least 75 words in length, and must present a new idea. *Note: This assignment leads into Beowulf, the most famous Medieval English Epic poem. The extension activity (Steps 6-7) is meant to allow students to analyze the Epic form and make connections to modern day epics, even before they are completely exposed to this type of Medieval Literature. Their knowledge of Epics will come from the background reading on pages 15-29.

Mr. Boswell

Rubric: 185 Total Points Possible 100 Points: Outline/Study Guide (all questions completely answered) 25 Points: 5 Links Analyzed (at least one comment per link) 30 Points: Discussion Board Post (New idea, 75 word minimum) 15 Points: 1st Response to Student Post (New/extended idea, 75 word minimum) 15 Points: 2nd Response to Student Post (New/extended idea, 75 word minimum)

Conclusion This background knowledge assignment leads in to the first major literature piece of the year, Beowulf. After the week in which the assignment is completed, students will begin reading Beowulf and will participate in a class discussion focusing on how the background information applies to this particular epic poem. Students will also re-examine their discussion board posting, and will decide whether or not they did indeed find a true Epic story. Even if students change their minds about the story they researched for the discussion post, this will still serve as a valuable learning experience, as students will readjust their previously held notions about this genre of literature.