Project Exchange
ACTIVITY: Book Kick-Off: In Medias Res
Project: The Odyssey Mosaic Retelling
SUMMARY
Goals
Details
Duration: 60 minutes
Assessments: Student discussions
Description
Show the opening clip of the film Star Wars (up to the moment that Darth Vader appears through the blasted door). Ask the students, "Is this the beginning of the story?" Have a discussion about George Lucas's choice to begin his epic in the middle of the story (the epic convention known as in medias res).
Brainstorm other modern epics that begin in the middle of things: The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, etc.
Explain that many of the conventions observed by epics can be traced back to ancient epics such as Homer's Odyssey (while dramatically waving a copy of the book).
Distribute and read aloud the "Why we are reading The Odyssey" letter.
ACTIVITY RESOURCES
(e.g. rubrics, examplars, websites, etc.)
Why We Are Reading The Odyssey
a heartfelt letter to students...
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